Florida Courier - October 21, 2016

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CELEBRATING OUR 10TH YEAR STATEWIDE!

FOOD, WINE & FUN AT EPCOT FESTIVAL See Page B1 www.flcourier.com

OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

VOLUME 24 NO. 43

SUNLIGHT AND WEED The fight over Amendments 1 and 2 on this year’s ballot heats up as early voting begins next week.

COMPILED FROM WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS

TALLAHASSEE – Big-money interests backing Amendment 1’s solar initiative took a hit this week, while advocates on both sides of Amendment 2’s medical marijuana engaged in a war of words over its possible effect on Florida.

Solar ‘con job’ Solar-energy supporters fighting a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot expressed outrage Wednesday after a policy director for a Tallahassee-based think tank was

caught on tape discussing utilityindustry efforts to deceive voters.

Pro-solar groups, in a mid-day conference call with reporters, said the leaked audio tape confirms their suspicion that the ballot proposal – known as Amendment 1 – is a multimillion-dollar deception that will hinder the future of alternative energy in Florida.

“Amendment 1 is a con job and scam perpetuated on Florida voters,” said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “And we just have to get that word out.”

The Miami Herald first reported on the audio tape, in which James

ANNE CUSACK/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

Amendment 1 may determine whether the residential solar panel industry lives or dies in Florida.

Madison Institute Vice President of Policy Sal Nuzzo described how to use a “little bit of political jiu-jitsu” by promoting solar to win support for desired changes in policy.

“The point I would make, maybe the takeaway, is as you guys

look at policy in your state or con- vironment Leadership Summit” stitutional ballot initiatives in your in Nashville, Tenn. state, remember this: Solar polls very well,” Nuzzo said on the tape, Big-money backing which has been posted online.

The Consumers for Smart Solar His comments came while speaking Oct. 2 at the “Energy/En-

See BALLOT, Page A2

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION / 2016-17

It’s about that time

‘Young, connected and Black’ Millennials bridging ‘digital divide’ SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

Black “Millennials” – generally defined as people born between 1982 and 2000, who are now between the ages of 18 and 34 – are 11.5 million strong and leading a viral vanguard that is driving AfricanAmericans’ use of mobile technology and closing the digital divide.

So says a New Nielsen report, “Young, Connected and Black: African-American millennials Are Driving Social Change and Leading Digital Advancement.”

According to a Nielsen press release accompanying the report, Black millennials have “$162 billion in buying power and undisputed cultural influence… (they) are using their power to successfully raise awareness of issues facing the Black community and influence decisions shaping our world.

“Media and brands are taking notice, creating campaigns and content that target this increasingly influential demographic with greater ad spends and more diverse programming.”

Latest in series DAVID SANTIAGO/EL NUEVO HERALD/TNS

The Miami Heat’s Udonis Haslem drives against the Orlando Magic’s Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (33) in a preseason game in Miami on Tuesday. The Heat won, 107-77. The regular NBA season starts Oct. 25.

The sixth in Nielsen’s Diverse Intelligence Series focused on Black consumers, “Young, Connected and Black” shows that Black Americans are tech-savvy, socially and civically See NIELSEN, Page A2

SNAPSHOTS NATION | A3

Millennial vote could decide election

Supreme Court suspends death penalty

COMMENTARY | A5

Michelle Obama: Even a 6-year-old knows better DIVERSITY | B4

Why national security force isn’t more diverse

ALSO INSIDE

Thousands qualify during registration extension FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Florida’s voter rolls may jump by more than 60,000 people due to a federal judge ordering an extra week for registration.

Secretary of State Ken Detzner issued a statement late Tuesday that said 36,823 applications submitted since Oct. 11 had been verified, and another 26,773 were in the verification process.

The registration deadline was originally Oct. 11, but U.S. District Judge Mark Walker extended it a week because of Hurricane Matthew.

“All Floridians who submitted a complete voter registration application in person by 5 p.m.

ON I T C ELE 16 20

today (Tuesday), or postmarked by today (Tuesday), will be verified and registered to vote by the start of mandatory statewide early voting, which begins

on Oct. 24,” Detzner said in the statement.

“That means if you registered by today’s (Tuesday’s) deadline, are eligible, and your registration is verified, you will have all available options to exercise your right to vote, which include: vote-by-mail, early voting, and voting at the polls on Election Day.” Detzner’s release didn’t break down the registration applications by party.

Forced by judge The Florida Democratic Party went to federal court to get the deadline extended after Hurricane Matthew forced evacuations of residents and closed

government buildings in the days leading up to the original Oct. 11 deadline.

The latest registration numbers came as elections officials reported that 758,420 Floridians had already cast vote-bymail ballots for the Nov. 8 general election.

Of those, Republicans accounted for the largest number of returned ballots, with 316,400. Democrats had gone slightly ahead earlier in the week, but the latest numbers showed 305,626 Democrats had returned vote-by-mail ballots.

Also, ballots had been returned by 20,303 people registered with third parties and by 116,091 independents.

COMMENTARY: CHARLES W. CHERRY II: RANDOM THOUGHTS OF A FREE BLACK MIND | A4 COMMENTARY: ADORA OBI NWEZE: WHY I SUPPORT FLORIDA’S AMENDMENT 1 | A4

FOCUS

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OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

Electing the ‘Deplorable in Chief’ It’s 2016, late October, and only days before Americans go to the polls to elect a new Deplorable in Chief – the president of the United States!

The names have changed and, in the case of the Democratic nominee, the gender has changed. But the pre-election status and the post-election results for African-Americans will be basically the same as always.

Blacks will put their candidate of choice first. That candidate, when elected, will put Black people last!

The 2016 presidential race has been nasty, naughty and super-negative. Discussions about leaked or hacked emails, perverted sex talk, tax cheating and troublesome marriages have permeated media reports about this year’s elections.

LUCIUS GANTT THE GANTT REPORT

Tricked again Trash talk has subverted conversations about problems, policies and solutions. The political hype has bamboozled Black voters again!

This year and every election year, Black voters are exploited, denied, suppressed, misled, ignored and taken for granted by nearly every candidate and certainly by every political party!

The Black political hero, President Barack Obama, has been quick to use his voice to motivate Black voters to go to the polls to cast ballots for Democratic can-

didates. But he has been as slow as a snail to tell Democrats running for office to utilize the expertise, professionalism and influence of Black-owned media and Black political professionals.

The president and his lovely wife Michelle both made recent speeches designed to increase Black voter turnout. As good as those talks were, they will not come close to turning out the high numbers of Black voters that cast ballots four and eight years ago.

Not excited The reason Blacks aren’t so excited as they were before is because the Black political shepherds have done well over the last eight years. But the Black sheep in their flock have gotten less money, less justice, less opportunities and more beatings,

NIELSEN from A1

engaged, and growing in population (46.3 million or 14 percent of the U.S. population) and buying power (nearly $1.2 trillion in 2015), and are optimistic about the future.

“We have entered a new era whereby technology has become a great equalizer,” said Cheryl Grace, Senior Vice President, U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement. “Black millennials are leading the way in their use of technology to impact change and get their voices heard.”

Weeks before the 2016 presidential race, the power of the Black electorate is a particular point of interest given the records set in 2012 when, bolstered by its millennial population, African-Americans had the highest rate of voter registration and voter turnout of any demographic group in the U.S. The 83.1 million U.S. millennials are considered a key voting bloc. Black millennials represent 14 percent of all millennials and 25 percent of the total Black population.

BALLOT from A1

amendment would enshrine in the Florida Constitution existing rules regarding the use of solar energy by private property owners.

The proposal also includes a more contentious provision, which states that those who haven’t installed solar on their property “are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.”

More than three-quarters of the $21 million raised by Consumers for Smart Solar has come from the four utilities. Florida Power & Light has directed $5.5 million to the amendment. Duke Energy has contributed $5.7 million, Tampa Electric Co. has provided $3 million, and Gulf Power has given $2.1 million.

Proponents say the second provision provides consumer protections for people who don’t install solar panels. Opponent say it could result in “discriminatory charges” against rooftop solar users and limit the desire of people to go solar.

“The guy that was on the tape clearly identifies, he is bragging, as if they have already won this amendment, and they want this spread to other states,” Smith said.

The Consumers for Smart Solar amendment was introduced last year after the group Floridians for Solar Choice, backed by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, launched a petition

drive for a ballot initiative that sought to increase the use of solar power.

The Floridians for Solar Choice initiative, which failed to get on the ballot, sought to ease regulations and allow businesses to generate and sell up to two megawatts of solar power to customers on the same or neighboring properties.

Weed makes a comeback Voters will decide in November whether to vastly expand the types of patients who are eligible for the treatment.

It’s the second time Floridians will weigh in on a medical-marijuana constitutional amendment, with the first proposal narrowly failing in 2014 to capture the 60 percent approval required for passage.

“It’s not a newfangled wild proposition. Five million Florida voters have already considered the issue, and it nearly passed with that electorate that is a much more conservative electorate than we have this time,” University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith, who specializes in ballot initiatives, said in a recent telephone interview.

Medical marijuana legal In 2014, Florida lawmakers authorized non-euphoric marijuana for patients with epilepsy, chronic muscle spasms or cancer.

The 2014 law also set up a regulatory structure for the marijuana industry.

The Legislature this year expanded the law to allow

killings and more governmental hatred!

Let’s be real. The only people of African descent that can excel and progress in the American political system are those Blacks that can be controlled!

If Black elected officials, Black candidates, Black political operatives and Black political vendors do not do as they are told, there is no place for them in any party, any campaign or in any election!

More Dems than GOP There are more Democrats than there are Republicans in most states. But in almost every important electoral state but Republicans control those states.

Why? Because Democrats continue to take their biggest voting blocks and biggest voter base for granted.

White voters are divided and will always be divided. Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asians and other people of color

“We have entered a new era whereby technology has become a great equalizer. Black millennials are leading the way in their use of technology to impact change and get their voices heard.”

Cheryl Grace, Senior Vice President, U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement 50 percent Black viewers) increased by 255 percent.

The top 10 TV shows among Black millennials 18–24 and Blacks 35+ all had predominately Black casts or lead actors who are key to the storyline (e.g.

“Empire,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” and “The Walking Dead”).

Increasing diversity

Other highlights

The 2016 report delves into the spending and viewing habits of African-Americans overall and credits a voracious appetite for television content with the dramatic increase in diverse television programming.

Between 2011 and 2015, broadcast network TV ad spend focused on Black audiences (defined as ad dollars placed on programming with greater than

Overall Black spending power is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2020.

• From 2004 to 2014, the number of Black households with annual incomes of $50,000 to $75,000 increased 18 percent.

For Black households earning $100,000+ annually, the increase between 2004 and 2014 was 95 percent.

• The share of Black house-

“The success or failure of a medical marijuana initiative in a big, politically diverse state like Florida is going to be very meaningful for the future of medical marijuana initiatives as the advocacy industry moves towards full legalization away from medical.”

Ben Pollara United for Care campaign manager full-strength marijuana for terminally ill patients. But supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment say the Florida law does nothing for a host of severely ill patients who could benefit from the treatment.

Backers of the initiative, now titled “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Illnesses” and appearing on the ballot as Amendment 2, tweaked the 2014 version to address criticisms from opponents.

For example, the revised proposal tightened language regarding minors – a major source of contention for opponents two years ago – and now requires parental consent before doctors can recommend the marijuana treatment for children, something supporters of the amendment insist is already required by state law.

List of illnesses The revamped proposal added epilepsy and posttraumatic stress disorder to a list of “debilitating” medical conditions – cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS,

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis – that qualify patients for the treatment.

And it added language that would allow physicians to recommend medical marijuana for patients with “other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable” to those named in the amendment and for which the doctor believes “that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patients.”

But critics insist the provision giving doctors leeway to recommend the treatment for unspecified illnesses amounts to “de facto legalization” of pot.

A recent television ad featuring Sheriff Sandra Hutchens of Orange County, Calif., warns that the amendment would expose Florida to a host of horribles experienced in her state, which in 1996 became the first to legalize medical marijuana.

will always be the deciding factor in U.S. elections.

The 2016 elections are important, but every election is important. The main “legacy” that you should be concerned with is your own!

Vote your own interest If voting for Lucy Ricardo or Archie Bunker makes you sick, cast your 2016 votes for your children and your community.

Vote for candidates you desire. But also vote for important amendments on the ballots in many states!

And vote against ALL judges up for retention!

Buy Gantt’s latest book, “Beast Too: Dead Man Writing,” on Amazon.com and from bookstores everywhere.

“Like” The Gantt Report page on Facebook. Contact Lucius at www.allworldconsultants. net. holds with an income less than $25,000 declined from 43 percent in 2004 to 37 percent of the total African-American population in 2014.

• African-American millennials watch nearly 33 hours of live and DVR time-shifted television per week (12 and half more hours per week than total millennials).

• African-American millennials are 25 percent more likely than all millennials to say they are among the first of their friends/colleagues to try new technology products.

• As smartphone owners, African-Americans (91 percent) are second only to Asian-Americans (94 percent).

• 91 percent of African-Americans say they access the Internet on a mobile device, which further cements their status as digital leaders.

• 55 percent of Black millennials report spending at least one hour a day on social networking sites (6 percent higher than all millennials); 9 percent say they spend at least three hours a day (9 percent higher than all millennials).

• 28 percent of African-Americans age 35+ say they use social networking sites for at least one hour per day (2 percent higher than the total population in this age group).

• Ten percent of AfricanAmericans age 35+ say they use social networking sites for at least three hours per day (2 percent higher than the total population age 35+).

All about legalization?

“Thousands of pot shops pushing pot for things like trouble sleeping and anxiety. Only 3 percent of socalled patients have cancer or AIDS. Amendment 2 isn’t about helping the sick.

It’s about legalizing pot. In California, we learned that, the hard way. Don’t let it happen to Florida,” Hutchens says on the ad.

John Morgan, an Orlando trial lawyer who has largely bankrolled the amendment effort, scoffed.

“If I wanted to legalize marijuana, that’s what I would have done,” says Morgan, who has spent at least $2.6 million of his and his law firm’s money so far this year on the initiative.

“All I know is this. They could put up these scare tactics and these pictures of bud tenders. … But this is not a pharmaceutical and guess what? Thank God it’s not. Man made opioids.

God made pot. I’m going to go with God every single time when it comes to me.

And by the way, marijuana has never killed one person,” Morgan said during a recent debate.

Well-funded opponents On the other side, some of the same opponents who helped kill the measure two years ago are again contributing to the “No on 2” campaign.

Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson – who dumped $5.5 million into the Drug Free Florida Committee in 2014 – contributed $1.5 million to the committee last month.

The Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust gave the committee $800,000 in July. The trust, associated with the daughter of Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins, also contributed $540,000 in 2014 to the committee.

Amendment 2 could allow medical marijuana as an option for an estimated 500,000 patients in Florida, making it the secondlargest market in the country. Two dozen other states have already legalized medical marijuana.

Other states watching The outcome of Florida’s election is “critically important” for marijuana issues nationwide, according to United for Care campaign manager Ben Pollara.

“The success or failure of a medical marijuana initiative in a big, politically diverse state like Florida is going to be very meaningful for the future of medical marijuana initiatives as the advocacy industry moves towards full legalization away from medical,” he said.

The cannabis industry is focused on elections in Florida and California, where voters will decide whether to legalize pot for recreational use.

“Unless both of those pass, it will be a devastating blow to marijuana reform efforts for the next decade,” Pollara said.

Dara Kam and Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

FLORIDA

A3

Will state’s millennials vote or sit it out?

The youth vote could make a difference in outcome of presidential election

BY MARK Z. BARABAK LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

‘Turned off’ Contrary to the stereotype, Florida is no longer a wheezy haven of shuffleboard, blue rinse and early-bird specials (with a bit of Latin spice). Millennials now outnumber residents older than 65, and the sentiments of young voters could make the difference in this perennial swing state.

They also represent a huge question mark for Clinton as she seeks to rebuild the coalition that twice ushered Barack Obama into the White House.

When Velasquez brings up the presidential election with friends and peers, he finds them either uninterested or disgusted.

“They’ve been turned off,” said the history and political science major, pausing in the shade of the hulking Mathematical Sciences Building. “They’re not really interested in any of the candidates, so they’re not paying attention.”

EVE EDELHEIT/TAMPA BAY TIMES/TNS

University of South Florida students wait in line to vote on Nov. 6, 2012 in Tampa. Many were voting in their first presidential election. In 2012, President Obama won 60 percent of the vote among those 30 and under.

Uncertain outcome Polls show the Democratic nominee easily outdistancing Trump in support among younger voters, who are more apt to be non-White and politically moderate to liberal; here in Florida, nearly half the voters under age 30 are either Latino or AfricanAmerican.

It is far from certain, however, that millennials nationwide will turn out in sufficient number for Clinton to offset Trump’s advantage among older White voters, especially men; their mobility makes young voters harder to register and millennials participate at much lower rates than their elders.

There also is the letdown after the barricade-storming enthusiasm of Bernie Sanders’ insurgent campaign, though for some the presence of Trump atop the Republican ticket has been enough to bring them around to the more conventional Clinton.

“He’s probably the worst can-

“

didate in my lifetime,” said Brandon Kozlowski, 35, a political independent and health care student at the nation’s second-largest university, a palm tree-lined complex with the feel of a suburban office park. He backs Clinton “mainly just to not have Trump as president.”

New layer of worry The millennial generation — those born between the dawn of the Reagan administration and the deadlocked 2000 presidential contest — now match baby boomers as the biggest share of the American electorate, each accounting for about a third.

Fretting over the youth vote is nothing new for Democrats; in 2012 Obama barnstormed college campuses into late October as polls suggested a significant drop in support and enthusiasm from his history-making 2008 campaign.

He ended up winning 60 percent of the vote among those 30

and under, down from about twothirds in his first run for president.

The difference this election is the presence of two high-profile third-party candidates, the Green Party’s Jill Stein and Libertarian Gary Johnson. Their support among young voters adds a new layer of worry to Democrats’ perennial concern.

The closeness of the contest could be determined, as Harvard pollster John Della Volpe put it, by whether millennials “vote for Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson or for sitting home on the couch.”

Key swing state

A stew pot of cultures and contradictions, Florida is the nation’s ultimate swing state; with 29 electoral votes, the third-highest total, it offers by far the largest number still up for grabs. (California’s 55 electoral votes are a lock for Clinton and Texas’ 38 are all but certain to go to Trump. New York, which also has 29 electoral votes, is safely in Clinton’s column.)

Yes on 1_3.qxp_Layout 1 10/6/16 11:25 AM Page 1

Florida is, of course, the state Republican George W. Bush won in 2000 after six weeks of legal and political skirmishing, which ended only after the Supreme Court stepped in with a 5-4 decision handing Bush the White House.

His official margin of victory was 537 votes out of nearly 6 million cast.

Bush won the state again in 2004, then Obama carried Florida twice — the last time by less than 1 percentage point.

Over those four presidential contests, 30.5 million ballots were cast, and the difference between Democrats and Republicans, a 71,000-vote GOP advantage, works out to a margin of 0.24 percent, according to Democratic strategist Steve Schale.

No other state in the country, he said, was closer.

“We basically start as a push,” he wrote in a recent strategy memo. “That’s Florida. Everything is about the margins.”

“

ORLANDO – Walter Velasquez stood outside the Student Union near the center of campus, beaded with sweat under a blazing sun, as he cheerily called out to passing students, “Have you updated your voter registration?”

Five hours a day, three times a week, the 19-year-old volunteer wields his clipboard at the University of Central Florida, trying to sign up as many young voters as he can in hopes of electing Hillary Clinton president.

Four years ago, Velasquez knocked on doors for Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee, but he can’t abide Donald Trump and his showman’s style of campaigning.

“I’ve never taken him seriously,” said Velasquez, the son of Honduran immigrants, who takes politics and political involvement very seriously.

“It is important that low-income, fixed-income, and minority consumers share in the benefits of solar-generated electricity.”

“

Florida State Conference of NAACP in statement supporting Amendment 1

on S E Y e Vot

AMENDMENT 1!!

Allows consumers to own or lease solar equipment on their property to generate electricity for their own use.

Ensures all energy consumers are treated fairly, whether they choose solar or not.

Protects consumers from scam artists and rip-offs.

Guarantees your constitutional right to own and operate your own solar equipment in Florida.

Supporters include: National Congress of Black Women, Inc.

To learn more visit us SmartSolarFL.org Paid political advertisement paid for by Consumers for Smart Solar, 12640-A Mitcham Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308

EDITORIAL

A4

OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

Stop with the anti-Trump hypocrisy There are so many reasons to dislike Donald Trump.

When he isn’t calling Mexican immigrants rapists and murderers, he is standing by the prosecution and imprisonment of the innocent Central Park Five, whom he helped to convict.

His family made its fortune building housing which excluded Black people. He stole money from the gullible masses through scams like Trump University. The same man who owned the Miss Universe title and fat-shamed the winner now wants to be president of the United States.

His opponent Hillary Clinton takes credit for destroying the nation of Libya. She pressured the Haitian government to keep the minimum wage from rising to a mere 60 cents per hour. She aided the overthrow of the elected government of Honduras.

As secretary of State, she used her office to work for the Clinton Foundation, tried to hide by using a non-secure server system and lied to Congress about deleting incriminating emails.

Trump targeted Which one is the sole target of media and elite denunciation?

The bigot with a big mouth and bad manners, not the insider with a history of catastrophe and corruption left in her wake.

Even Republicans deserted him when a recording of Trump mak-

Hillary Clinton emerges victorious.

MARGARET KIMBERLEY BLACK AGENDA REPORT

ing sexist comments was recently made public. The New York Times and their cohorts in corporate media claimed falsely that he might drop out of the race.

Of course, the tape was revealed the same day that Wikileaks executed another document dump showing the corruption of the Clintons, the Democratic Party and all their cronies. What a helpful coincidence for team Hillary.

Trump didn’t need an off-therecord conversation to prove his piggishness. He is quite proud of it and reveals it himself on a regular basis. The level of piling on was the only significant part of the story.

Trump has proven himself to be a better foil for the Democratic Party than any other Republican could possibly be. They purposely made themselves the White people’s party, but depend on their voters to implicitly understand that fact.

Trump makes the racism explicit. In doing so, he helps the Democrats make the phony case that only they can be trusted to bring fairness to the political system. The result will be disaster if

‘No’ again on Amendment 2 Two years ago, I strongly opposed Amendment 2, the socalled “medical marijuana” proposal which, under the guise of medicine, would have ultimately resulted in de facto legalization of recreational pot in Florida.

I have empathy for those who have real medical issues and conditions which the amendment is supposedly designed to help.

However, I will not support the legalization of the street drug marijuana, label it medicine and make it available to practically anyone for almost any condition!

Still dangerous It still poses dangers for our children and our communities.

For example, it: • would allow many high school seniors to legally purchase pot without their parents’ consent; • authorizes the imbedding of marijuana in child-friendly foods such as candy, cookies, and snacks that will lead to accidental

T. WILLARD FAIR GUEST COMMENTARY

ingestion of marijuana by young children, as has been the case in states where medical pot is legal; • places no restrictions on the location of an estimated 2,000 so-called “pot shops” – more than McDonalds, Starbucks and 7-Eleven stores combined; and • allows “caregivers” without any medical training to acquire and dispense pot to an unlimited number of users in unregulated strengths and amounts. In California, they have called them “dope dealers with storefronts.”

As to those “debilitating” medical conditions that Amendment 2 is supposed to treat, in California, it has been shown that the typical “medical” marijuana user is a 32-year-old White male with a

Why I support Florida’s Amendment 1 Elections rarely offer an opportunity for communities of color to directly impact the structure of our economy or our household budgets. With so much focus on who will succeed Barack Obama, the November elections call for communities of color to be just as focused on structuring solar energy policy to meet our needs for affordable electricity rates and access to innovative electricity technology.

Voting yes on Amendment 1 is a step communities of color can take to fulfill those needs.

Protects consumers Amendment 1 makes changes to our constitution that provide us with important consumer protections. As more consumers install rooftop solar panels and generate their own electricity, their reliance on their utility’s electric grid will decline. Along with this de-

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: CHILDREN AND THE 2016 CAMPAIGN

ADORA OBI NWEZE GUEST COMMENTARY

cline in grid reliance comes also a decline in what the solar consumer pays for electricity.

Paying less for electricity, it goes without saying, is great for budget-conscious consumers.

Consumers who have the ability and willingness to invest in solar should do so.

However, there is a downside to increased solar participation – a downside that Amendment 1 addresses. As solar consumers contribute less to maintaining the electric grid, consumers who continue to rely completely on the grid will be left picking up more of the cost of the grid. This means the possibility of higher rates im-

Dems get a pass Democrats love to give their presidents a pass, even though they can be counted on to make Republican dreams come true.

Republicans fantasized about ending the legal entitlement to welfare, but Bill Clinton carried out the policy. George W. Bush claimed a right to imprison anyone indefinitely if he said they were terrorists. Barack Obama went further and claimed and acted on a previously unknown presidential right to kill whomever he chose.

These Democratic outrages are met with silence, and Trump is paving the way for worse treachery to come.

The proof of duopoly connivance has never been clearer. Of course the press had to work up outrage over the Trump tape.

Wikileaks revealed the contents of Hillary’s speeches before corporate audiences. She and her husband have gotten rich by doing the business of ‘the 1 percent’ and simultaneously got their buy in for her campaign.

Of course, Republicans also bow down to the ruling classes.

When the unpredictable Trump made noises about the trade deals beloved by both parties, he wrote his political obituary. history of drug and alcohol abuse!

Impacts Black communities I am particularly concerned about the consequences of this Amendment and its “pot shops” to Black and low-income communities – as should be all of those who say they are concerned about issues of importance to the Black community!

An analysis earlier this year by the Denver Post found that Denver’s zoning rules are sending marijuana businesses to poor neighborhoods with high proportions of ethnic minorities.

Community residents “complain about the smell” and say they “worry about a rise in crime and youth drug use.”

It could happen here. As Carolyn Kennedy, a Black female business owner, wrote in a letter to the Palm Beach Daily News a few months ago: “…while the Palm Beach government moves to protect its affluent populations and neighborhoods from being overrun by the pot industry, no one appears to be looking out for the interests of African-American communities.”

DAVE GRANLUND, POLITICALCARTOONS.COM

Make Trump toxic Trump supporters like their guy, warts and all. They are very unhappy with the Republican leadership who are pushing him under the bus. This ginned-up frenzy is meant to keep Democrats from staying home on Election Day or voting for the Green Party instead of for corrupt Hillary.

The only way to pull the awful Hillary over the finish line is to raise the level of disgust directed at Donald. No stone is being left unturned.

In their herculean the effort to make the unlikeable Hillary likeable, the Democrats also resurrected the canard of Russian involvement in the damning email leaks. In the next four weeks, we can expect to hear more filthy talk The question is, if legalization of marijuana for “medical” purposes is so necessary and beneficial to the public welfare, why has the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reaffirmed marijuana’s status as a Schedule 1 drug defined as a drug that has no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse?

Amendment 2 proponents have no good answer for that question.

Still dangerous As has been reported, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has stated: “The Administration steadfastly opposes legalization of marijuana and other drugs because legalization would increase the availability and use of illicit drugs, and pose significant health and safety risks to all Americans, particularly young people… (and)…Substance abuse in school age children has a detrimental effect on their academic achievement…”

As to criminal consequences, Amendment 2 proponents would have us believe that legalization of marijuana, medical or otherwise, would end the disparities in arrest rates between Blacks and Whites.

posed on the poor.

Fortunately, Amendment 1 allows state and local governments to correct this unfair and regressive result. By voting “Yes” on Amendment 1, voters ensure that this important consumer protection and civil rights tool is put in place.

Buy or lease Voting “Yes” on Amendment 1 also provides consumers with a Florida state constitutional right to buy or lease solar panels. In my opinion, this promotes access to innovative technology that will provide communities of color with additional legal leverage when breaking down barriers to solar markets – whether as a consumer or as an entrepreneur.

Let’s use this fall election as an opportunity to ensure fairness in energy policy. Let’s also use our vote to protect the economic status of communities of color by voting “Yes” on Amendment 1.

Adora Obi Nweze is a life member of the NAACP and president of the Florida State Conference of NAACP Branches.

President Barack Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder – After Obama leaves the White House, he and Holder hope to identify and revamp “gerrymandered” voting districts that give the GOP an unfair advantage in congressional and state elections.

We’ve written before about how Florida Republicans “packed” Black voters into majority-Black voting districts. The remaining districts were predominately White, conservative, and Republican. Black politicians elected from super-Black districts are all Democrats, part of a permanent minority party that can’t get anything done in Tallahassee; elected Black Republicans barely exist. So there are no Black politicians with power.

Democrats also field weak candidates. Ironically, for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat, Obama

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Not true!

According to the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, in Colorado and Washington – where pot is legal – Black people are still disproportionately arrested. So, for those who think Amendment 2 is a “get out of arrest or jail free card,” think again!

It is not!

Our vision should be a community of educated and employable residents rising above personal and economical barriers to achieve their highest potential through effective educational, social, mental, and spiritual policies and programs.

There is no place for marijuana or any other illicit drugs in realizing that vision! Exposing our communities and children to pot will not help them RISE to their true potential!

That’s why I say VOTE NO on Amendment 2!

T. Willard Fair is president/ CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami and former chairman of the Florida State Board of Education.

Random thoughts of a free Black mind, v. 287

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher

Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.

and claims of Putin-ite conspiracy. The nonsense is all in the service of keeping both wings of the duopoly happy with the result.

The Democratic rank and file will have to struggle and protest no matter who is elected. In fact, they will have to force themselves to protest more if Hillary wins.

If the past is any indication of future behavior, Democrats will say nothing when she privatizes Social Security or starts World War III. They will just shrug their shoulders and be grateful that Trump isn’t the one bringing on disaster.

QUICK TAKES FROM #2: STRAIGHT, NO CHASER

CHARLES W. CHERRY II, ESQ. PUBLISHER

supported Patrick Murphy – a rich former Republican – over Pam Keith, a Black woman with a résumé that compares favorably to Obama’s.

The real solution? CREAM (“Cash Rules Everything Around Me”). Strong Black businesses can “buy” politicians and control them like Wall Street controls Bro. Prez, Hillary Clinton, and Holder himself, who determined that Wall Street “banksters” led companies that were too big to jail…

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OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

EDITORIAL

education.” We encourage them to use that education to help others – which is exactly what Hillary did with her college and law degrees, advocating for kids with disabilities, fighting for children’s health care as first lady, affordable child care in the Senate.

A true example

JOHN D. SIMMONS/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/TNS

First Lady Michelle Obama stumped for Hillary Clinton during a speech on Oct. 4. before moving on to New Hampshire.

Even a 6-year-old knows better’ Editor’s note – Michelle Obama delivered this speech at a political rally in on Oct. 13 in Manchester, N. H. …I’m going to get a little serious here, because I think we can all agree that this has been a rough week in an already rough election. This week has been particularly interesting for me personally because it has been a week of profound contrast.

See, on Tuesday, at the White House, we celebrated the International Day of the Girl and Let Girls Learn, and it was a wonderful celebration. It was the last event that I’m going to be doing as first lady for Let Girls Learn.

Hopes and dreams And I had the pleasure of spending hours talking to some of the most amazing young women you will ever meet, young girls here in the U.S. and all around the world. And we talked about their hopes and their dreams. We talked about their aspirations.

See, because many of these girls have faced unthinkable obstacles just to attend school, jeopardizing their personal safety, their freedom, risking the rejection of their families and communities.

So I thought it would be important to remind these young women how valuable and precious they are. I wanted them to understand that the measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls.

And I told them that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and I told them that they should disregard anyone who demeans or devalues them, and that they should make their voices heard in the world. And I walked away feeling so inspired, just like I’m inspired by all the young people here – and I was so uplifted by these girls. That was Tuesday.

Hateful language And now, here I am, out on the campaign trail in an election where we have consistently been hearing hurtful, hateful language about women – language that has been painful for so many of us, not just as women, but as parents trying to protect our children and raise them to be caring, respectful adults, and as citizens who think that our nation’s leaders should meet basic standards of human decency.

The fact is that in this election, we have a candidate for president of the United States who, over the course of his lifetime and the course of this campaign, has said things about women that are so shocking, so demeaning that I simply will not repeat anything here today.

And last week, we saw this candidate actually bragging about sexually assaulting women. And I can’t believe that I’m saying that a candidate for president of the United States has bragged about sexually assaulting women.

I’m shaken And I have to tell you that I can’t stop thinking about this.

It has shaken me to my core in a way that I couldn’t have predicted. So while I’d love nothing more than to pretend like this isn’t happening, and to come out here and do my normal campaign speech, it would be dishonest and disingenuous to me to just move on to the next thing like this was all just a bad dream.

This is not something that we can ignore. It’s not something we can just sweep under the rug as just another disturbing footnote in a sad election season. Because

this was not just a “lewd conversation.” This wasn’t just lockerroom banter.

This was a powerful individual speaking freely and openly about sexually predatory behavior, and actually bragging about kissing and groping women, using language so obscene that many of us were worried about our children hearing it when we turn on the TV. And to make matters worse, it now seems very clear that this isn’t an isolated incident. It’s one of countless examples of how he has treated women his whole life.

And I have to tell you that I listen to all of this and I feel it so personally, and I’m sure that many of you do too, particularly the women.

The shameful comments about our bodies. The disrespect of our ambitions and intellect. The belief that you can do anything you want to a woman. It is cruel. It’s frightening. And the truth is, it hurts. It hurts.

Basic humanity

And I know it’s a campaign, but this isn’t about politics. It’s about basic human decency. It’s about right and wrong. And we simply cannot endure this, or expose our children to this any longer – not for another minute, and let alone for four years.

Now is the time for all of us to stand up and say enough is enough. This has got to stop right now.

Because consider this: If all of this is painful to us as grown women, what do you think this is doing to our children? What message are our little girls hearing about who they should look like, how they should act?

What lessons are they learning about their value as professionals, as human beings, about their dreams and aspirations? And how is this affecting men and boys in this country?

Because I can tell you that the men in my life do not talk about women like this. And I know that my family is not unusual. And to dismiss this as everyday lockerA sick feeling It’s like that sick, sinking feel- room talk is an insult to decent ing you get when you’re walk- men everywhere. ing down the street minding your own business and some guy Not men I know The men that you and I know yells out vulgar words about your body. Or when you see that guy at don’t treat women this way. work that stands just a little too They are loving fathers who are close, stares a little too long, and sickened by the thought of their makes you feel uncomfortable in daughters being exposed to this kind of vicious language about your own skin.

It’s that feeling of terror and women. They are husbands and violation that too many wom- brothers and sons who don’t tolen have felt when someone has erate women being treated and grabbed them, or forced himself demeaned and disrespected.

And like us, these men are woron them and they’ve said “No,” but he didn’t listen – something ried about the impact this electhat we know happens on college tion is having on our boys who are campuses and countless other looking for role models of what it means to be a man. places every single day.

In fact, someone recently told It reminds us of stories we heard from our mothers and grand- me a story about their six-yearmothers about how, back in their old son who one day was watchday, the boss could say and do ing the news – they were watching whatever he pleased to the wom- the news together. And the little en in the office, and even though boy, out of the blue, said, “I think they worked so hard, jumped over Hillary Clinton will be president.” every hurdle to prove themselves, And his mom said, “Well, why do you say that?” And this little sixit was never enough.

We thought all of that was an- year-old said, “Because the other cient history, didn’t we? And so guy called someone a piggy, and,” many have worked for so ma- he said, “you cannot be president ny years to end this kind of vio- if you call someone a piggy.”

So even a six-year-old knows lence and abuse and disrespect, better.

A six-year-old knows that but here we are in 2016 and we’re this is not how adults behave. hearing these exact same things This is not how decent human beevery day on the campaign trail. ings behave. And this is certainly We are drowning in it. not how someone who wants to be president of the United States We keep going behaves.

And all of us are doing what women have always done: We’re Lifting up trying to keep our heads above Because let’s be very clear: water, just trying to get through it, Strong men – men who are truly trying to pretend like this doesn’t role models – don’t need to put really bother us maybe because down women to make themselves we think that admitting how feel powerful. People who are trumuch it hurts makes us as women ly strong lift others up. People look weak. who are truly powerful bring othMaybe we’re afraid to be that ers together. vulnerable. Maybe we’ve grown And that is what we need in our accustomed to swallowing these next president. We need someemotions and staying quiet, be- one who is a uniting force in this cause we’ve seen that people of- country. We need someone who ten won’t take our word over his. will heal the wounds that diOr maybe we don’t want to be- vide us, someone who truly cares lieve that there are still people out about us and our children, somethere who think so little of us as one with strength and compaswomen. sion to lead this country forward.

Too many are treating this as I’m here today because I bejust another day’s headline, as if lieve with all of my heart that Hillour outrage is overblown or un- ary Clinton will be that president. warranted, as if this is normal, just See, we know that Hillary is the politics as usual. But New Hamp- right person for the job because shire, be clear: This is not normal. we’ve seen her character and This is not politics as usual. commitment not just in this camThis is disgraceful. It is intoler- paign, but over the course of her able. And it doesn’t matter what entire life. party you belong to – Democrat, The fact is that Hillary embodRepublican, independent – no ies so many of the values that we woman deserves to be treated try so hard to teach our young this way. None of us deserves this people. We tell our young people “Work hard in school, get a good kind of abuse.

We teach our kids the value of being a team player, which is what Hillary exemplified when she lost the 2008 election and actually agreed to work for her opponent as our secretary of State – earning sky-high approval ratings serving her country once again.

We also teach our kids that you don’t take shortcuts in life, and you strive for meaningful success in whatever job you do. Well, Hillary has been a lawyer, a law professor, first lady of Arkansas, first lady of the United States, a U.S. senator, secretary of State. And she has been successful in every role, gaining more experience and exposure to the presidency than any candidate in our lifetime – more than Barack, more than Bill. And, yes, she happens to be a woman.

And finally, we teach our kids that when you hit challenges in life, you don’t give up, you stick with it. Well, during her four years as Secretary of State alone, Hillary has faced her share of challenges. She’s traveled to 112 countries, negotiated a ceasefire, a peace agreement, a release of dissidents. She spent 11 hours testifying before a congressional committee.

We know that when things get tough, Hillary doesn’t complain.

She doesn’t blame others. She doesn’t abandon ship for something easier. No, Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life.

So in Hillary, we have a candidate who has dedicated her life to public service, someone who has waited her turn and helped out while waiting.

Great mother, wife She is an outstanding mother. She has raised a phenomenal young woman. She is a loving, loyal wife. She’s a devoted daughter who cared for her mother until her final days. And if any of us had raised a daughter like Hillary Clinton, we would be so proud.

And regardless of who her opponent might be, no one could be more qualified for this job than Hillary – no one. And in this election, if we turn away from her, if we just stand by and allow her opponent to be elected, then what are we teaching our children about the values they should hold, about the kind of life they should lead? What are we saying?

In our hearts, we all know that if we let Hillary’s opponent win this election, then we are sending a clear message to our kids that everything they’re seeing and hearing is perfectly okay. We are validating it. We are endorsing it.

Bad example We’re telling our sons that it’s okay to humiliate women. We’re telling our daughters that this is how they deserve to be treated.

We’re telling all our kids that bigotry and bullying are perfectly acceptable in the leader of their country. Is that what we want for our children?

And remember, we won’t just be setting a bad example for our kids, but for our entire world. Because for so long, America has been a model for countries across the globe, pushing them to educate their girls, insisting that they give more rights to their women.

But if we have a president who routinely degrades women, who brags about sexually assaulting women, then how can we maintain our moral authority in the world? How can we continue to be a beacon of freedom and justice and human dignity?

Well, fortunately, New Hampshire, here’s the beauty: We have everything we need to stop this madness. You see, while our mothers and grandmothers were often powerless to change their circumstances, today, we as women have all the power we need to determine the outcome of this election.

We have knowledge. We have a voice. We have a vote. And on November the 8th, we as women, we as Americans, we as decent human beings can come together and declare that enough is enough, and we do not tolerate this kind of behavior in this country.

Our votes matter Remember this: In 2012, women’s votes were the difference between Barack winning and losing in key swing states, including right here in New Hampshire. So for anyone who might be thinking that your one vote doesn’t really

A5 matter, or that one person can’t really make a difference, consider this: Back in 2012, Barack won New Hampshire by about 40,000 votes, which sounds like a lot. But when you break that number down, the difference between winning and losing this state was only 66 votes per precinct. Just take that in. If 66 people each precinct had gone the other way, Barack would have lost.

So each of you right here today could help swing an entire precinct and win this election for Hillary just by getting yourselves, your families, and your friends and neighbors out to vote. You can do it right here. But you could also help swing an entire precinct for Hillary’s opponent with a protest vote or by staying home out of frustration.

Because here’s the truth: Either Hillary Clinton or her opponent will be elected president this year. And if you vote for someone other than Hillary, or if you don’t vote at all, then you are helping to elect her opponent. And just think about how you will feel if that happens.

What will you say?

Imagine waking up on November the 9th and looking into the eyes of your daughter or son, or looking into your own eyes as you stare into the mirror. Imagine how you’ll feel if you stayed home, or if you didn’t do everything possible to elect Hillary.

We simply cannot let that happen. We cannot allow ourselves to be so disgusted that we just shut off the TV and walk away. And we can’t just sit around wringing our hands.

Now, we need to recover from our shock and depression and do what women have always done in this country. We need you to roll up your sleeves. We need to get to work. Because remember this: When they go low, we go ...

AUDIENCE: High!

And voting ourselves is a great start, but we also have to step up and start organizing. So we need you to make calls and knock on doors and get folks to the polls on Election Day and sign up to volunteer with one of the Hillary campaign folks who are here today just waiting for you to step up.

And, young people and notso-young people, get on social media. Share your own story of why this election matters, why it should matter for all people of conscience in this country. There is so much at stake in this election.

Which president?

See, the choice you make Nov. 8 could determine whether we have a president who treats people with respect – or not. A president who will fight for kids, for good schools, for good jobs for our families — or not. A president who thinks that women deserve the right to make our own choices about our bodies and our health – or not. That’s just a little bit of what’s at stake.

So we cannot afford to be tired or turned off. And we cannot afford to stay home on Election Day. Because on November the 8th, we have the power to show our children that America’s greatness comes from recognizing the innate dignity and worth of all our people.

In November the 8th, we can show our children that this country is big enough to have a place for us all – men and women, folks of every background and walk of life – and that each of us is a precious part of this great American story, and we are always stronger together.

Showing our kids On Nov. 8, we can show our children that here in America, we reject hatred and fear and in difficult times, we don’t discard our highest ideals. No, we rise up to meet them. We rise up to perfect our union. We rise up to defend our blessings of liberty. We rise up to embody the values of equality and opportunity and sacrifice that have always made this country the greatest nation on Earth.

That is who we are. And don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. Hope is important. Hope is important for our young people.

And we deserve a president who can see those truths in us – a president who can bring us together and bring out the very best in us.

Hillary Clinton will be that president.

So for the next 26 days, we need to do everything we can to help her and Tim Kaine win this election. I know I’m going to be doing it. Are you with me? Are you all with me? You ready to roll up your sleeves? Get to work knocking on doors?

All right, let’s get to work. Thank you all. God bless.

TOJ A6

FLORIDA

OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

State Supreme Court suspends death penalty

BY RENE STUTZMAN ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS

ORLANDO – For the second time this year, a court has ruled that Florida’s death penalty statute is unconstitutional.

This time, it was the Florida Supreme Court, handing down a pair of historic rulings on Oct. 14 that shifted Florida into the legal mainstream and are expected to cut the number of people sent to death row.

Florida has not executed anyone since Jan. 7 because of uncertainty about its death penalty, and Friday’s rulings are expected to extend that moratorium indefinitely.

‘A clear outlier’ In the first case, the Florida high court threw out the death penalty given to a Pensacola killer, Timothy Lee Hurst, because jurors had not unanimously recommended it. Their vote was 7-5.

In the second case, the court ruled that the Florida Legislature botched its rewrite of the statute this year. The problem: The new law required just 10 of 12 jurors to agree on a Timothy Lee death sentence.

“The Florida Hurst Supreme Court said today that is has to be unanimous under Florida law,” said Stephen K. Harper, a death penalty specialist at Florida International University College of Law. Until the Oct. 14 rulings, Florida was one of three states that did not require a unanimous jury recommendation in death penalty cases.

The high court said that made the state “a clear outlier.”

Called historic As a consequence of last Fri-

Florida Supreme Court justices said on Oct. 15 that there must be a unanimous decision by jurors on a death row ruling. day’s rulings, Florida currently has no death penalty.

Former Circuit Judge O.H. “Bill” Eaton Jr. called the rulings historic, pointing out that for the first time in 44 years, no inmates will be sent to Florida’s death row without all 12 members of a jury agreeing that that is the right punishment.

In the Hurst case, the high court ruled that the defendant must be given a new sentencing hearing.

Still unclear, though, is what will happen to the other inmates on Florida’s death row and to murderers given the death penalty under the new statute, which was signed into law March 7 by Gov. Rick Scott.

Blow to Bondi Some attorneys had urged the court to automatically convert all Florida death sentences to life in

prison, but the recent opinions did not order that.

The new rulings were a blow not just to the Florida Legislature but also to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had defended the old and new laws.

Both of the Oct. 14 rulings were a consequence of an opinion handed down Jan. 12 by the U.S. Supreme Court. It ruled that Florida’s death penalty was unconstitutional because it required a judge — not a jury — to decide whether a defendant should be put to death.

Bondi had argued that the error was harmless, but in that January ruling, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the court disagreed but left it to the Florida Supreme Court to hash out who, if anyone, was harmed.

Huge backlog?

The Florida Supreme Court

answered that question last Friday, but only in part. Hurst was harmed, the court wrote, so he should be resentenced.

It was silent about all other death penalty cases.

Belvin Perry Jr., former chief judge of the Orange-Osceola circuit, predicted that all 385 deathrow inmates would now file paperwork, arguing that they, too, were harmed.

It might mean a huge backlog for the Florida Supreme Court and for trial courts, he said.

But Harper and Eaton predicted the rulings could apply to far fewer cases, primarily those with active appeals and those that have not gone to trial.

All three legal experts faulted members of the Florida Legislature. Eaton said they had been warned repeatedly since 2000 that they needed to rewrite the statute to require unanimous jury recommendations.

Opposed by speaker The next speaker of the Florida House, Richard Corcoran, attacked Friday’s ruling as “a miscarriage of justice … and dangerous for our state.”

“We will take a close look at today’s rulings and consider our options going forward,” he said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for Scott wrote in an email that his office was reviewing the rulings. That was the same message from the office of outgoing Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner and his successor, Joe Negron.

A spokesman for Bondi wrote the same thing, adding, “In the meantime Florida juries must make unanimous decisions in capital cases as to the appropriateness of the death penalty.”

Staff writer Gray Rohrer contributed to this report.

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HEALTH FOOD || HEALTH TRAVEL | |MONEY SCIENCE | BOOKS | MOVIES | TV | AUTOS LIFE | FAITH | EVENTS | CLASSIFIEDS | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS | FOOD COURIER

IFE/FAITH

OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

Americans losing appetite for cereal See page B3

SHARING BLACK LIFE, STATEWIDE

What was missing In Prince tribute See page B5

SOUTH FLORIDA / TREASURE COAST AREA

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FOOD, WINE FUN

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Florida Courier travel writer finds plenty of culinary and cultural delights at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

BY ELEANOR HENDRICKS MCDANIEL SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

E

veryone knows that Disney knows fun, but could be there be more fun by adding food and wine to the mix? The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival says so and provides all three until Nov. 14.

From pierogis to quesitos I recently arrived to spend a weekend at Disney World, toting a suitcase filled with loose-fitting clothes and a ravenous appetite. My first plan was to swing around the global marketplace where I found sidewalk food stations. Countries, like New Zealand, Australia, Patagonia, Poland, Islands of the Caribbean and more were positioned in front of the permanent Epcot nations.

They featured some of their national dishes like Kielbasa and potato pierogis from Poland, sweet quesitos with guava sauce out of the Caribbean and Greek vegan nachos. The permanent nations had also set up temporary stands with special dishes and/or drinks. For instance, Italy offered Italian wines, liquors and soft drinks, while Mexico served margaritas to a long queue of thirsty walkers. All in all, there are 50 food and beverage stands.

Culinary experiences extend beyond the World Showcase. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa starts the day with Brunch with a Twist; cooking and mixology demonstrations and wine seminars take place in the Festival Center; and special multi-course meals are served at resort restaurants and those located at Disney Springs, a village of trendy shops, entertainment and unique eateries.

Above: The 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista runs through Nov. 14. Guests can enjoy foodand-beverage-tasting seminars, the “Eat to the Beat” concert series and more.

Dinner and breakfast delights My friends and I dined at STK Orlando, a contemporary steakhouse, bar and lounge – fine dining and music spun by an on-site DJ. Kobe steaks, lamb chops and fresh halibut arrived at our table and were quickly consumed. For dessert, we decided to go to the nearby restaurant, Homecoming, owned by Oprah’s former chef, Art Smith. An array of decadent baked goods -–Chocolate Pecan Pie, New York Cheesecake, Moonshine Cake, giant Chocolate Chip Cookies – spread out before us.

Yum. INCLUDED Our morning dawned in time to attend a cooking deWITH EPCOT mo conducted by former ADMISSION “Iron Chef’’ finalist Kenny Gilbert, who now has two “Eat to the Beat” restaurants in Jacksonville: concerts, FestiUnderground Kitchen and val Passport, the Gilbert’s Social. It was one of almost 400 scheduled inKinsey Collection, teractive sessions of Mix It, cultural events, Make It, Celebrate It! park entertainment Dining began with a plate and all park attracof Gilbert’s breakfast favortions. ites of Herb and Garlic English Muffins, topped with 63 Degree Egg and Sundried Tomato Hollandaise, croissants slathered with Mickey butter, Greek yogurt with berries, baby Dutch yellow potatoes and more – all accompanied by a glass of Mimosa, coffee, tea, and (surprise!) wine.

Afterward, we watched as Chef Kenny prepared Coffee Rubbed Pork Brisket, potato latkes, Avocado Crema, Heirloom tomato salad and 63 Degree Egg. Of course, the highlight of the event was to sample his creations, washed down with, of course, more wine.

PHOTOS BY ELEANOR HENDRICKS MCDANIEL

“Iron Chef’’ finalist Kenny Gilbert gave a cooking demo.

The Grand Floridian Resort offers a Crab Benedict in its special festival breakfast menu.

Wine and spirits More than 300 domestic and international wines are being poured during this year’s festival. Forty-nine local, national and international new beers, wines, cocktails and ciders from 50 wineries and 35 breweries are also filling glasses.

My friends and I chose to attend a tequila tasting.

A representative from Casa Noble Tequila Company shared his knowledge and provided us with everything we’d ever want to know about the history, production and varieties of the Mexican liquor, along with glasses of a few examples. He also taught us how to concoct a Tequila Old Fashion.

First, we had to learn the proper way to handle the basic tools. He explained why we needed a particular shaker, the wire strainer and the long handler stirrer – “stir don’t shake.” The demo was followed, of course, by imbibing our drink. Lorraine Williams of Philadelphia commented, See FESTIVAL, Page B2

Vocalist Selloane wows the crowds attending the Cirque du Soleil performances.

Kielbasa and potato pierogis were some of the favorites offered at the Poland food station.

EVENTS

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OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

STOJ

FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TONI BRAXTON

Catch the singer on Oct. 26 at Hard Rock Live Hollywood. The show is at 8 p.m.

Miramar: The Miami Gardens Wine & Food Experience All White Affair is Oct. 21 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Arts Center. This is a preview for the Nov. 12 main event. Details: www.miamigardenswineandfood.com/ info Altamonte Springs: The Rhythms at the Roost concert series starts Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at Cranes Roost Park.

Performers: Sam Jaffe and Sisaundra Lewis. Free admission. Details: www. uptownaltamonte.com.

JONATHAN EVANS FAMU HOMECOMING

Florida A&M University (FAMU) celebrates its Homecoming Oct. 22 in Tallahassee. The football game against Hampton University is at 3 p.m. at Bragg Stadium. More info: Homecomingonthehill.com

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and partners will host a Florida Faith Symposium Nov 2-3 in Orlando. Guests will include former NFL player Jonathan Evans and gospel artist Omega Forbes. Register at http://faithsymposium.com.

Miramar: Miami Gardens’ Paint the City Pink Luncheon benefitting Bold and Breastless Inc. as well as Tyga B Inc. is Oct. 22 at Miramar Cultural Arts Center. Tickets: pinkhatandbowtie. eventbrite.com Jacksonville: The Times Union Center for the Performing Arts will be the site of an Oct. 28 show featuring Anthony Hamilton, Lalah Hathaway and Eric Benet.

St. Petersburg: 95.7’s Beats by the Bay Music Festival is Oct. 22 at Vinoy Park. Performers include Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Joe, Monica and August Alsina.

Tampa: The Tampa Bay Association of

in and around Mexico, to name just a few.

The Kinsey Collection For serious fun, stop by the American Adventure pavilion to view the excellent exhibition, “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection.” It displays the private collection of philanthropists Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, which focuses on the African American experience.

Forty historic items of documents, books, art and artifacts from theirs ando-

PHOTO BY ELEANOR HENDRICKS MCDANIEL

Varieties of tequila from Casa Noble Tequila Company were available at the Epcot festival.

FESTIVAL from Page 1

“I’d never tried a Tequila Old Fashion before – it was very good!” A questionand-answer session followed.

La Nouba and Selloane The performance of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba brings out the child in all of us. What’s more fun than a circus? Of course, Cirque du Soleil isn’t your run-ofthe-mill, under-the-big-top kind of circus. La Nouba weaves a tale using the skills

of trapeze artists, tumblers, clowns, acrobats, dancers and other circus performers.

Cirque also intertwines stylized music throughout the spectacle, and as if from heaven comes the dolce tones of the songstress, Selloane. The South African native has entertained audiences across the United States from Los Angeles to New York’s Broadway in the “Lion King,’’ and has been with Cirque since 2013 as its female soloist. Catch her at the La Nouba Theater in Disney Springs during one of her 10 weekly shows.

‘Eat to the Beat’ concerts Rock out each evening at

the “Eat to the Beat” concerts at the America Gardens Theatre. The lineup presents top recording superstars such as Chaka Khan (Oct. 24 and 25), Billy Ocean (Oct. 26 and 27), Living Colour (Oct. 28 and 29) and Boys II Men (Nov. 7 to 9). The “Eat to the Beat” performances are included with the Epcot admission ticket.

While you’re rambling and gobbling your way around the festival, other musical, acrobatic, dance and comedy acts will entertain you. China has the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats; Voices of Liberty sing in the American Adventure rotunda: the Mariachi Cobre band plays lively music

Black Journalists’ Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet is Nov. 17 at Tampa Marriott Westshore: Special guest: Jarrett Hill. Details: www.tbabj. com.

Daytona Beach: Tickets are on sale for an Oct. 22 show with Jeffrey Osborne and Gerald Albright and Oct. 23 at The Mahaffey in St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg: Catch Tracy Morgan on Nov. 11 at The Mahaffey Theater and Nov. 13 at Hard Rock Live Orlando.

Miami: The King and Queen of Hearts Tour featuring Maxwell and Mary J. Blige stops at the AmericanAirlinesArena in Miami on Nov. 29.

Orlando: Tickets are on sale for the Nov. 19 Florida Classic game pitting Bethune-Cookman University against Florida A&M University at Camping World Stadium. Details: floridaclassic. org.

Naples: Miami school principal and author Vanady Daniels will speak at a Literary Luncheon on Oct. 29 hosted by the Collier County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at The Club at Mediterra. RSVP at CollierDST@ gmail.com.

St. Petersburg: Lauryn Hill The MLH Caravan: A Diaspora Calling! Concert stops at The Mahaffey Theater on Dec. 6 and Dec. 8 at House of Blues Orlando.

ther families stand alongside a chronological record of Blacks in this country.

Lanterns signal interactive stations that offer more information presented by celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer and Kerry Washington. The stories and artifacts celebrate the positive contributions to the nation by AfricanAmericans.

End your day with a bang as the “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” blasts fireworks, music and lasers over the lagoon near World Showcase.

For more information, go to Disneyworld.disney.

go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-internationalfood-and-wine-festival.

Eleanor Hendricks McDaniel is a seasoned travel journalist who enjoys writing about girlfriend getaways, history, culture, food, wine, and some of the people she meets along the way. Her travels have taken her throughout the United States, Europe and other countries.

Formerly of Philadelphia, she now resides in Ormond Beach. Follow her on Twitter: @ellethewriter, and her website: flybynighttraveler.com.

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OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

NUTRITION

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Americans losing their appetite for cereal ple labels with recognizable ingredients,” Powell told the investors. “These consumers are looking for transparency from manufacturers, so they can know how their food was sourced, produced and delivered to them.”

Gluten-free Cheerios

GINA FERAZZI/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

A shopper browses the cereal section at an Aldi food market in Inglewood, Calif.

Many consumers want healthier choices for breakfast and they want food they can eat on the run.

BY JAMES F. PELTZ LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

There’s less love these days for Tony the Tiger, Cap’n Crunch and Lucky the Leprechaun.

U.S. sales of breakfast cereals have turned as flat as soggy corn flakes amid heightened concerns among consumers about cereal’s nutrition and lack of convenience.

Sales of cold and hot cereals combined are expected to total $10.6 billion this

year, down 17 percent from $12.7 billion in 2009, the research firm IbisWorld estimates. The firm also foresees sales hardly budging for the next few years and totaling $10.4 billion in 2020.

“The cereal category has undoubtedly had a challenging few years,” said Craig Bahner, president of U.S. morning foods at Kellogg Co.

New products That has forced Kellogg and the industry’s other big players, including General Mills Inc. and Post Holdings Inc., to roll out new products and bolster their marketing while paring their operating costs in order to increase sales and profits.

“Today’s consumer is changing quickly, so we’re

putting all our effort towards understanding and responding to these changes,” General Mills Chairman Kendall Powell said at an investor conference in July.

The changes are coming on two main fronts: Many consumers increasingly want healthier choices for breakfast, and they want foods they can carry out the door instead of taking the time to pour cereal into a bowl at the breakfast table, analysts said.

Steeper competition On the health side, there’s nothing new about cereal being attacked as less than nutritious and too high in calories. Critics for years have said some cereals are laced with too much sugar, with the likes of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks and

Post’s Golden Crisp being favorite targets.

But consumers’ push for healthier cereals now goes much further.

Shoppers are looking for “high protein and fiber content and natural ingredients,” the research firm Mintel Group Ltd. said in a report. “Consumers today believe cereal is overly processed and doesn’t contain enough nutrients.”

That means cereal faces steeper competition from fresh fruit, yogurt, breakfast bars, protein-rich bars and drinks, sandwiches and even all-day breakfast options at McDonald’s Corp. and other fast-food chains.

“Consumers are increasingly seeking products that match their personal definition of real food, and that can mean foods that are less processed and have sim-

Cereal makers have responded by reformulating many of their brands, boosting the protein and whole-grain content while lowering or eliminating sugar, gluten, sodium, carbohydrates and artificial flavors.

Jim Murphy, president of General Mills’ cereal division, said those steps are starting to pay off. One example: Sales of gluten-free Cheerios were up 2 percent in the company’s fiscal first quarter, which ended Aug. 28, he said.

Kellogg recently rolled out two new versions of its mainstay Raisin Bran that include clusters of granola.

General Mills introduced Tiny Toast flavored with real strawberries and blueberries and contains no artificial colors or sweeteners.

Tiny Toast, in fact, was General Mills’ first new cereal in 15 years, and Murphy acknowledged that one factor behind the industry’s sales downturn was “not enough innovation from the branded manufacturers.”

But Murphy contended that new products and stronger marketing have led to “improvement in the cereal category” this year and General Mills expects “this will continue.”

Seeking convenience How consumers eat breakfast is the industry’s other big challenge, with

the emphasis now on satisfying time-squeezed lifestyles, especially those of harried parents.

“Americans don’t necessarily have the time to enjoy a sit-down breakfast anymore, and they’re looking for portability,” said Amanda Topper, food analyst at Mintel. “Convenience is more important to parents with lifestyle shifts and hectic day-to-day schedules.”

In addition, “people see eating cereal as time-consuming because it’s not something you can do on the go, like eating a protein bar,” said Rory Masterson, who tracks the industry for IbisWorld.

The desire for convenience seems to be especially pronounced among millennials, the generation aged 18 to 34. When Mintel surveyed consumers about cereal a year ago, 39 percent of millennials said cereal was inconvenient because you have to clean a dish afterward.

Popular snack option But cereal makers and industry analysts said that if the companies can keep adapting to changing consumer needs, especially among millennials, the business can grow again.

“While millennials may look at breakfast differently, they are still eating a lot of cereal, just not always for breakfast,” Murphy said.

“According to Nielsen data, ready-to-eat cereal is in 90 percent of all households and nearly 94 percent of millennial households,” he said.

“For this group, cereal is more than just a breakfast item, it is also a popular snack option.”

Or, as IbisWorld’s Masterson put it: “There will always be a place for cereal at the table.”

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MEDICARE

“We found lower co-pays, and a free wellness visit.”

“New plan, same doctor.”

“I found a better deal on prescriptions.”

WHAT WILL YOU FIND DURING MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT? You’ll never know unless you go. Have you compared plans yet? See if you can lower some costs or find a plan that better suits your needs. Many people do. Even if you like your current plan, check to see if the costs or coverage are changing at medicare.gov. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE for help.

Like Medicare? ‘Like’ us on Facebook!

Medicare Open Enrollment Oct.15 – Dec. 7

WWW.MEDICARE.GOV 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048)

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DIVERSITY

OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

STOJ

Why national security force isn’t more diverse Obama issued a memorandum this month outlining steps to recruit and retain minorities for intelligence, diplomatic and defense positions.

BY HANNAH ALLAM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – In 1997, Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley was feeling disillusioned about her career as a diplomat, the job she’d dreamed about ever since watching a Peace Corps commercial as a girl.

She’s African-American and, looking at the State Department leadership, “didn’t see people above me that gave me hope that there’s a place for me.” Just as she felt herself giving up, she was sent to a conference on improving diversity in the field of international affairs.

She basked in the company of other people of color who shared her passion for foreign policy; she returned to Washington rejuvenated.

Abercrombie-Winstanley went on to become the first female U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, served as ambassador to Malta and held a slew of other senior positions involving the Middle East and counterterrorism.

Recruiting steps Yet her success story is atypical when it comes to people of color in national security, which remains the least diverse area of the federal government.

“It’s no longer — and shouldn’t be — about being the first or the only.

We’re supposed to be beyond that,” Abercombie-Winstanley said. “When (Foreign Service) officers come in now, they need to see people like them who are at every level of the organization.”

The problem is considered serious enough that earlier this month President Barack Obama issued a memorandum outlining steps to recruit and retain minorities for intelligence, diplomatic and defense positions.

The steps called for evaluating the fairness of the hiring process, rewarding senior leaders who make efforts toward inclusion and conducting exit interviews to find out why people of color leave national security, a field encompassing around 3 million people across several government agencies.

Minorities in national security welcomed the memo but said they would’ve preferred the announcement had come at the beginning of his administration rather than at the end.

Beyond the obvious A more diverse national security force isn’t just about making the government reflect the population, they said, but also about ensuring that the nation’s most urgent security concerns are tackled creatively by experts with a broad range of experiences and perspectives.

Traditionally, said Carmen Medina, a Puerto Rican who worked at the CIA for 32 years and served as the director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence, “people drawn to national security have been people interested in a black-and-white world.

People interested in order, structure, power, American exceptionalism.” But that perspective is just one needed to develop strategies for a complex world.

“I want some of those people, absolutely, but I really want a diverse community of thinkers who understand how it feels to be not the most powerful person in the world,” she said.

Medina recalled how, at the

CBS launches initiative to seek diverse talent

BY GREG BRAXTON LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

CBS is launching a major casting initiative designed to discover new performers from across the country and increase the pool of diverse talent for its current dramas and upcoming dramatic pilots.

The announcement comes a

CHERISS MAY/NURPNOTO/SIPA USA/TNS

Susan Rice, President Obama’s National Security Adviser, speaks before the screening of First Lady Michelle Obama’s new CNN Film, “We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World” on Oct. 11 at the White House. clique system for helping steer his intelligence career — away from what he initially was interested in, Russia. In the Cold War era, he entered the intelligence community as a Russian linguist but was stymied by what he summed up in a word: “racism.”

Overt incidents Gina AbercrombieWinstanley

Malcolm Nance

CIA in the late 1980s, she warned that the apartheid government in South Africa wouldn’t last much longer — a view that she said wasn’t shared by White colleagues, who thought the White rulers wouldn’t cede power without a bloody civil war. Apartheid ended in 1994.

“Among my colleagues, at least one of them actually said the reason why I thought Black-majority rule was more likely than he did was because I’m Puerto Rican,” Medina said. “I was so struck by that. I thought, on one hand, well, maybe it’s also because I’m smart. On the other hand, maybe he had a point.”

Some factors Change has been slow. It was only in June that for the first time the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released demographic information that showed minorities as 24.6 percent of its workforce, more than 10 percentage points below the rest of the federal government’s 35 percent.

Last year, a report commissioned by the CIA found that “over the past 20 years — in several critical areas — the senior leadership of the CIA has become less diverse.”

Managers detailed a complex set of factors that keep minority numbers low — from marginalized communities’ historical mistrust of “The Man” to entrenched white networks that don’t welcome outsiders.

Malcolm Nance credits the

little more than two months after the network came under fire for a fall lineup that included six new series all featuring White male leads.

CBS has repeatedly been criticized for its lack of progress on the multiculturalism front — few of its programs in the last decade have featured a minority in a leading role, and it is the only broadcast network not to have a series built around a family of color.

Miami on list CBS Entertainment President Glenn Geller said at that time that

After stalling for nearly two months on a Russian slot, Nance recalled, his supervisors gave him a choice — Korean or Arabic.

The decision for Arabic set him on a course that made him today perhaps the most visible AfricanAmerican commentator on international terrorism and torture.

“My middle name for 20 years was ‘Black Guy Who Speaks Arabic,’” he said, recalling racism that at times was shockingly overt, especially at far-flung posts where “you can get away with a lot in a building with no windows and cipher locks on every door.”

He once filed an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint after someone left racist materials on his desk.

“They had mine investigated by a guy who wasn’t cleared to enter my building and who was the commanding officer’s golfing partner,” Nance said. “He said, ‘You should just let this go.

This stuff is going to happen from time to time.’”

‘The only’ In a blog post on the president’s announcement this month, national security adviser Susan Rice, an African-American, listed more statistics showing how the national security arena “has not yet drawn fully” from the diverse U.S. population.

Minorities make up less than 20 percent of senior diplomats and 15 percent of senior military and intelligence officials, she wrote, even though “nearly 40 percent of the approximately 320 million people in the United States are minorities.”

The numbers come to life in Washington every day at briefings and think tanks where par-

diversity has been and is a priority of the network. In announcing the new initiative, Geller said the objective is to address and correct those concerns by inviting performers who are not based in New York or Los Angeles to try out for CBS shows.

“We’re timing this initiative to pilot season,” he said. “The longterm goal is to broaden our already increasing pool of diverse talent.”

Through Oct. 28, actors 18 and older based in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco will be able to submit a selftaped monologue via www.CBS-

ticipants — overwhelmingly White and mostly men — shape how the United States protects itself and engages with the rest of the world.

People of color often speak of the isolation of being “the only” in such rarefied spaces and seek one another out to commiserate.

But they also take pride in their presence, especially when they’re able to sway a discussion or offer new perspective that might’ve been overlooked by White colleagues.

Sense of pride “Sometimes I think groups are better able to hear what I’m saying because I walk in and I’m unexpected,” Abercrombie-Winstanley said, recounting how her race sometimes gave her an upper hand in negotiations with foreign counterparts. “You see their heads lean back a little bit, their eyebrows go up and they go, ‘Oh.’ I take advantage of that when it happens.”

Reuben Brigety, a veteran diplomat who’s now the dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, shared similar stories.

“I can’t tell you the number of times when I was engaging with foreign African interlocutors who would tell me after we’ve done our business, having tea and coffee, how proud they were of me.

Seeing a young African-American man representing the United States as an ambassador, as a deputy secretary of state,” Brigety said.

“That gets you, frankly, an awful long way in developing trust so you can advance the interest of your country.”

The only one However, he warned, the opposite is also true. If the United States touts itself as an example for other nations of a pluralistic democratic society, he said, then “when our national security establishment does not reflect that idea, it frankly calls that very nature of our country into question

Diversity.com.

Casting honchos will review all online submissions and make selections for regional callback auditions in Atlanta (Nov. 7, 8 and 9), Austin (Nov. 3 & 4), Chicago (Nov. 2, 3 and 4), Miami (Nov. 10 and 11), and San Francisco (Nov. 10 & 11). Those chosen for the callbacks will rehearse with casting executives and be put on tape.

Screen test next Following those regional casting sessions, 14-16 actors will be selected to travel to Los Angeles for a network screen test that will

by others.”

Brigety is no stranger to being the only African-American in his circles. His parents grew up in segregation-era Florida, where his father and a classmate were the first two African-Americans to graduate from the University of Florida medical school.

The family moved to an almost exclusively white neighborhood, and Brigety was one of the very few Black students at his grade school, junior high and high school.

The numbers weren’t much better when he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and were worse when he went to England to study at Cambridge, where “you could count the number of African-Americans on one hand, two if there was a conference in town.”

Hurdle to progress The lack of African-American peers continued throughout his career in nearly every part of national security: He served at the Pentagon, worked in the arms division of Human Rights Watch, held senior humanitarian posts at the State Department and became the U.S. ambassador to the African Union.

Even now, he said, he’s the only African-American dean of a college devoted purely to international affairs.

Brigety said one hurdle to progress was the widespread notion that “one has to trade diversity for quality.” In fact, he said, the converse is true: Only by expanding recruiting efforts beyond established pools can managers be sure they’ve found the best candidates.

That requires supervisors — often White men — to buy into the spirit of Obama’s memorandum and put in the work to build a pipeline robust enough to change the face of the national security establishment.

“The numbers are so, so small that it’s — I won’t say it’s inexcusable — but I will say it doesn’t have to be that way,” Brigety said.

be used for casting opportunities for current series, pilot season and in the future.

Geller added that producers and writers in the past months have pitched shows where “diversity is baked into the concept.

That of course is step one in how we become more diverse, if it’s organic.”

He also touted the diversity of the network’s reality slate, which includes the upcoming series “Hunted,” in which contestants participate in a nationwide manhunt and are challenged to run from some of the world’s most highly skilled investigators.

STOJ

OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

FINEST & ENTERTAINMENT

B5

Meet some of

FLORIDA’S

finest

PHOTOS BY RENEED JONES SCHNEIDER/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/TNS

Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan perform at the Prince Tribute Concert at the Xcel Energy Center on Oct. 13 in St. Paul, Minn.

submitted for your approval

Think you’re one of Florida’s Finest?

E-mail your high-resolution (200 dpi) digital photo in casual wear or bathing suit taken in front of a plain background with few distractions, to news@flcourier.com with a short biography of yourself and your contact information. (No nude/glamour/ fashion photography, please!) In order to be considered, you must be at least 18 years of age. Acceptance of the photographs submitted is in the sole and absolute discretion of Florida Courier editors. We reserve the right to retain your photograph even if it is not published. If you are selected, you will be contacted by e-mail and further instructions will be given.

Review: Official Prince tribute shows why he is missed

BY JON BREAM STAR TRIBUNE/TNS

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Stevie Wonder was there. Chaka Khan too. And hot new pop sirens Tori Kelly and Jessie J. The Official Prince Tribute Concert on Oct. 13 at sold-out Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., was a celebration of the Purple One, a chance to showcase the songs that he made famous.

Instead, the overlong, 4½-hour all-star revue — with a cast of 84, unofficially — reminded us why we miss Prince so much.

He was unstoppably dazzling in concert. The best in the business. One. Of. Prince A. Kind. A man who could create magic solo or with a well-drilled band.

There was spirit, warmth and love in the arena. But seeing a parade of more than 15 acts interpreting Prince songs was either too much or too little.

Two songs from Morris Day and the Time? Too little. Six songs from André Cymone, Prince’s childhood pal? Too much.

Chaka delivers The opening set had too little electricity. The first truly exciting moment came when Khan’s hair hit the stage, a mountain of cranberry curls that told us something good was about to happen.

Finally, a singer who could command a big stage in front of 17,000 purple-clad people ready to party. Funk arrived for the first time all night with Khan’s opening “Betcha,” a tune Prince wrote for her.

But Chaka is more than a funky princess. Backed by her own trio of backup singers, she seduced with “Sweet Thing,” Prince’s cuddliest ballad, punctuated, of course, with an orgiastic scream.

Then she covered Prince’s “I Feel for You,” which became a hit for her in 1984 and won him a Grammy for best R&B song. Just to add a little juice, she brought Wonder to season the song with his harmonica.

Light on star power Chaka finally kicked the party into third gear with her fourth tune, “1999,” a guaranteed winner. She strutted around the stage with a hand fan with just a hint of Princely attitude as Wonder stood at center stage grooving along.

Despite the best efforts of Prince estate adviser L. Londell McMillan, who booked the talent, the lineup ended up lean on star power. Christina Aguilera dropped out because of a sore throat.

John Mayer, the bill’s token guitar hero, who could have given a nod to Prince’s guitar prowess, apparently had recording obligations with his band. Anita Baker was a no-show due to injury.

That put a heavy burden on big-voiced newcomers like Tori Kelly, who sparkled on “Diamonds and Pearls,” and Jessie J, who soared on “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson accepts a proclamation from St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman declaring it Prince Day during a public dance party before the Prince Tribute Concert at the Xcel Energy.

Philly soul man Bilal charmingly channeled Prince on “The Beautiful Ones,” which he’d done at the Revolution reunion last month at First Avenue. Still, these new stars are hardly household names.

Too little Morris Day The rest of the lineup was heavy on talented artists with Prince connections but no arena bona fides.

Two songs from the always smooth, always stylish Morris Day weren’t enough for him to work up a sweat. Mint Condition, which opened the evening, knocked out a quick medley of Prince faves but hardly had a chance to build momentum.

Former Prince backup singer Marva King had a moment on “Kiss,” “The Voice” alum Judith Hill copped Prince’s playfulness on a piano rendition of “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore” and Luke James had the requisite falsetto to bring sexy back on “Do Me, Baby.”

But there were too many misfires, such as Shelby J on a too dark “Erotic City,” Portuguese fado star Ana Moura unable to rev up “Little Red Corvette” and Prince’s recorded voice with the live band on the encore of “Purple Rain.”

Saved by Wonder Moreover, the house band, led by longtime Prince keyboardist Morris Hayes, was somehow simultaneously too big (four guitarists, seven horn players, five backup singers in the first set) and too small sounding. You need oomph and action to fill an arena.

Action doesn’t mean Mayte Garcia, Prince’s first wife, dancing across the stage for two selections. At least when she performed with Prince, there was some chemistry and excitement. New York rapper Doug E. Fresh lit a bit of a spark with some beatboxing.

That left it to Wonder to save the show, waking everybody up at midnight with a funkalicious version of his own “Superstition” after he’d given a heartfelt speech about how he’s “gonna miss Prince forever.”

His soft-spoken words resonated as loudly as anything all night.

These masqueraders participated in the Seventh Annual Miami Broward One Carnival’s Parade of the Bands at the Dade County Fairgrounds on Oct. 11. The Florida Courier staff selected them as this week’s Florida’s Finest – for obvious reasons.

Michel’le: Book to follow biopic FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

What’s next for Michel’le? A tell-all book.

The “No More Lies’’ singer has announced that she’s in the process of writing a book about her relationship with famed rapper and producer Dr. Dre. The book will follow Lifetime’s biopic “Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le,’’ which made its debut on the network this week.

Michel’le Toussaint, simply known by her first name, shared the news while responding to a fan on Twitter.

The biopic has received rave re-

are not new stories. Dr. Dre and Suge Knight have not seen the film, to my knowledge, and are presupposing what they did and how it might make them appear on screen.”

views from viewers. The made for TV film shares her life story along with revealing the alleged abuse that she received at the hands of Dr. Dre throughout the course of their relationship.

Denial by Dre She has stated that Dr. Dre used to physically abuse her, including breaking her nose (which she had to have surgically corrected) and ribs.

Dr. Dre has denied it and threatened to sue the network and Sony if the film aired. The film’s executive producer, Leslie Greif, confirmed that Dr. Dre did issue a

CHARLES W. CHERRY II / FLORIDA COURIER

‘Just go’ Michel’le cease and desist letter to Sony Pictures to try to stop the film from airing.

“I heard Sony said they vetted the film and stand by it, and will not allow Michel’le’s voice to be silenced,” Greif said. “They’re supporting this picture.… These

In the biopic, Michel’le is played by actress Rhyon Nicole Brown.

On Brown playing her, the singer said: “She found that voice on her own. One night she just cried and cried and it just came out.”

The film also portrays Michel’le’s relationship with Suge Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records.

Michel’le has a son, Marcel,

with Dr. Dre, and a daughter, Bailei, with Knight.

The singer has this advice for women in abusive relationships: “You need an exit plan. I know you don’t have no job, I know you don’t have no money, no education. That’s part of their [abusive] control, their power. You have to be there with them, you have to ask them for everything.

He knows your schedule but you don’t know his. So you have to give yourself, a month [or] two months to get yourself together.

And don’t tell him you’re leaving, just go.’’

A EURWEB article was used in compiling this report.

FOOD

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OCTOBER 21 – OCTOBER 27, 2016

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3 STEPS FOR A SNACK With just three ingredients and three steps, it’s easy to choose and prepare a quick, healthy snack. All you need is celery, peanut butter and raisins.

1. Wash celery then cut stalks in half and trim to desired length.

2. Spread or pipe peanut butter into recessed side of stalks.

3. Sprinkle with raisins, as desired.

SIMPLE STEPS

to smarter snacking

FROM FAMILY FEATURES

When hunger strikes, it can be tempting to reach for the closest treat, even if it’s laden with fat and empty calories. Make it easier to enjoy better-for-you snacks with these three simple steps that appeal to your taste and your waist.

1. Know that choosing more healthy snacks can still be quick and convenient. Learn to recognize your hunger patterns and keep foods on hand to fit your cravings. For example, if you tend to need a midafternoon pick-me-up at work, prepare snack-size por­tions of finger foods that feel hearty without weighing you down.

2. Make flavor count in every bite. Watching what you eat doesn’t have to be bland. In fact, an eating plan that cuts back on your calorie intake is the perfect reason to pay more attention to what you eat and thoroughly enjoy it, rather than wasting a portion of your daily con­ sumption on foods that don’t taste great.

3. When your sweet tooth is screaming, answer it with the refreshing indulgence of a fruity dessert. Fruit-based desserts are naturally sweet and deliver some of the key nutrients your body needs, so you can feel extra good about bypassing other options laden with unhealthy ingredients.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

PEACH CRISP POPS Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 3 hours, 10 minutes Servings: 6 1 jar (23.5 ounces) Dole Sliced Peaches, divided 4 teaspoons maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2/3 cup granola 1 cup vanilla flavored Greek yogurt

Measure 1 1/2 cups drained fruit and 6 table­ spoons juice. In medium bowl, combine juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, granola and yogurt. Stir to blend well.

Place 2 peach slices in each frozen pop mold. Pour yogurt mixture into molds or small paper cups. Place on tray and freeze about 1 hour, or until partially set.

Insert frozen pop stick into center of each mold; freeze 2 hours longer, or until firm.

PINEAPPLE CHERRY MINIS Prep time: 20 minutes Total time: 3 hours Servings: 12-14 1 can (20 ounces) Dole Crushed Pineapple 2 cans (6 ounces) Dole Pineapple Juice 1 package (6 ounces) cherry gelatin 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup frozen Dole Dark Sweet Cherries

1/2 cup chopped pecans Drain pineapple, reserve juice.

Bring reserved juice plus canned pineapple juice to boil. Add gelatin; stir at least 2 minutes to completely dissolve. Chill until mixture thickens slightly.

Fold in pineapple, nutmeg, cherries and pecans. Spoon into 12-14 foil-lined muffin cups, lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Chill until firm. Store leftover gelatin in refrigerator.

HUMMUS PINWHEELS Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 2 1 cup Sabra Hummus, any flavor 2 large soft tortillas 1/2 cup thinly sliced red pepper 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber

1/2 cup thinly sliced cantaloupe 4 leaves lettuce Spread thin layer of hummus on both tortillas.

Divide red pepper, cucumber, cantaloupe and lettuce between tortillas. Roll tightly and secure with toothpicks.

Slice into pinwheels and serve.

It’s a

to be on your list today.