d-mars.com Community Journal 64

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Community Organizations | Entertainment | Faith-Based | Fashion | Foundations | Lifestyle | Nonprofits | Sports

January 2017

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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64th Edition

Mayor Sylvester Turner Hosts the Houston Film and Entertainment Summit

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INSIDE

14 Pastor J & Lady J Host The Answer Conference in February

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The City Government of Missouri City, TX, Honors Constable Ruben Davis

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Enjoy this month’s word search, which is a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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January 2017 | 3

Publisher’s Message

MR. D-MARS

This month’s d-mars.com Community Journal continues to highlight the amazing things going on in our city.

We take pride in the fact that we can shine a spotlight on the community, as it was the community who helped make d-mars.com what it is today.

Happy 2017, and we look forward to what this year brings.

This month’s cover story highlights Mayor Sylvester Turner. Mayor Turner recently hosted a kick off reception for the Houston Film and Entertainment Summit. This event hosted television and

Behind the Journal

“When I read great literature, great drama, speeches, or sermons, I feel that the human mind has not achieved anything greater than the ability to share feelings and thoughts through language.”

— James Earl Jones

contents

our services

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

06 Entertainment 06 Bounce TV Acquires The Trumpet Awards

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

08 Faith-Based 08 Are You Self-Mutilating?

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dawn Paul ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Tiffany Black PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Taelor Smith

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14 Nonprofits 14 The Answer Movement

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa 14

Project Coordinator Taelor Smith DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Linda Lindsay Stella Alexander Art McElroy Ash Davito Jack and Jill of America, Inc.-Houston Chapter Associates Shelondra Peavy Charlotte A. Jackson Kaylan Curvey d-mars.com News Provider

10 Foundations 10 Jack and Jill of America, Inc. – Houston Chapter Associates

04 Lifestyle 04 From Me to You 06 It’s Time for a Little Romance 12 Come on Parents!

22 How Technology Can Save Your Love Life 22 Don’t Get Stuck With a Lemon 26 Yes! Digital Education

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Charlette Washington

film executives, producers, and actors, including Debra Martin Chase and Robin Givens. Mayor Turner is working diligently to put Houston on the radar and attract entertainment executives, encouraging them to see Houston as a great option to produce major productions.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars. com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

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16-17 Cover Story 16-17 Mayor Sylvester Turner Hosts the Houston Film and Entertainment Summit

16-17 Other News You Can Use 09 New Year’s Day Everyday 12 Toni Morrison Receives Medal 13 Life Is Filled With New Beginnings 13 Word Search 18 Missouri City, TX, Honors Constable Ruben Davis 20 Can One Person Make a Difference?

24 Back Home with New Eyes 27 What Does That REALLY Mean?

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4 | January 2017

From Me to You

By Linda Lindsay Contributing Writer

t this time of year, the spirit of newness and resolutions are in the air. This is the perfect time to rearrange, reorganize, and redecorate your office and living space. When it comes to decorating, we tend to start with removing items and spending money to create a new look. However, before you do that, take a read at my tips below.

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Below are some of my 2017 decorating tips from me to you…

Change the room and change your mood. Take a look at the layout of your home. Mixing things up a bit may change your thoughts and behaviors within that space. Making changes to your space can affect your production and mood. Take the time to reuse and reflect on the items that you have become comfortable with.

Switch things up. The key to a better environment is not always changing things totally. Sometimes it simply requires placing things differently. Start with your office. This is a place of work,

but try to create a space where it is a fun and personal work environment. This will make a space of leisure and enjoyment. This is why Starbucks has become a hub and work space for many.

You don’t always need a personal touch. Decorate your office space in a way that is best for you to be productive.

Instead of opting for a fun and personal atmosphere, go with a table, chair, wall plug, and coffee. It’s okay to remove personal items from your work setting.

Sometimes personal items can break your concentration. If you are a person who needs to remain focused, it might be more beneficial for you to work this way or in a more confined space.

Design for better behaviors. Are there lazy behaviors that you want to change? Design or decorate in a way that will help you break those lazy habits and make those undesirable habits easier to perform. If your goal is to exercise more, then hang your gym clothes right outside of your shower door as a reminder and motivator to get healthier. Encourage yourself to drink more water by placing water in every room of your space. This is a great reminder to get more H2O. If the television is a distraction, then put the remote control in a drawer that is not easily accessible.

Also, move the television as far away as possible from the couch or your favorite chair. Another tip, take the batteries out of the remote.

Do you like to read? In your bedroom create a reading space. Have a small display of your favorite book in

your bedroom. Try replacing one of the night tables with an open shelf cabinet to house the books. To enjoy your favorite book in the bedroom, create a wide open space, allowing natural light and fresh air to be more present.

Remember to relax. Create a space of relaxation by decorating your bathroom with a bottle of wine and candles. Also, don’t forget the music. Music is important to winding down. Place speakers in your living room and kitchen to allow for some serenity. You deserve a little relaxation.

Save some money. When decorating,

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it’s always good to try using what you already have.

If you have older items that are handcrafted and appreciated in value, you may not want to throw them out. Think twice about keeping that antique table and dresser. It’s all about cost savings.

Create for yourself a space that has style, luxury, and comfort. Happy New Year!

For more information, contact Linda Lindsay of Designing Your Lifestyle at 347-731-1020.

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6 | January 2017

It’s Time for a Little Romance

By Stella Alexander Contributing Writer

ears ago, an older lady told a dear friend of mine, “You don’t have to be rich to live well.”

What a powerful message. I also know you don’t have to be rich to romance well. Start treating yourself and the relationship with your partner well. When you constantly repeat something, it soon becomes a habit. Allow it to flow over to those dear to you.

Decide today to step out of your comfort zone when it comes to your relationship. Don’t wait until Monday, next month, or next year. Time does not stand still for you to change. It’s moving forward, so move with it. Visualize living the happiest and most fun-filled life with your partner; don’t allow the unfamiliar to stop you. Do it and experience how wonderful life will be. When you put your intentions out into the universe, it will respond accordingly.

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Stepsto toRejuvenate RejuvenateYour Your 77Steps Relationship: Relationship: Renew: Increase the life of your relationship; begin romancing again.

Reactivate: Do the work that will put life back into your relationship. Plan an impromptu staycation.

Revitalize: Give the relationship new energy or life. Make it live again. Reenact your first date.

Refresh: Gain new strength and ener-

gy to provide vigor to your relationship.

Discover your partners love language.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts is a great read by Dr. Gary Chapman.

Reignite: Cause your relationship to catch fire and be aroused again. Create a little morning, noon, or night Passion.

Reevaluate: Make sure the relation-

ship’s needs and expectations are being met. Create a relationship report card; discuss this over your favorite bottle of wine or drink of choice.

Renovate: Introduce something new to the relationship. Take a dance class or cooking class together.

Relatable, reliable and real, Stella

Bounce TV Acquires The Trumpet Awards By d-mars.com News Provider ounce TV has acquired all assets of The Trumpet Awards, the prestigious annual event celebrating African-American achievements and contributions, in an agreement with The Trumpet Awards Foundation announced today.

Bounce TV, the fastest-growing African-American network on television, will now own, produce and world premiere the star-studded event annually. Bounce TV will also syndicate The Trumpet Awards to television stations around the country as well as internationally for broadcast after the Bounce premiere.

Set to celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2017, The Trumpet Awards will world premiere on Bounce TV on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 9:00 p.m. (ET).

The black-tie ceremony will be held

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at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, Jan. 21. Hosts and talent will be announced shortly.

Xernona Clayton, Founder and Executive Producer of the Trumpet Awards, will become Chairman Emer-

itus of the awards and continue to play an active role in the event. Ms. Clayton will remain President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. Ms. Clayton commented, "After 25 years, I felt it was a good time to find a strategic partner to take The Trum-

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is your go-to for rejuvenating relationships! Transparent and empowering, she energizes audiences.

Stella is the founder of the social networking site www.stellaalexander. com, where individuals and couples gather to discuss, learn and encourage one another about building healthy relationships. pet Awards into the future. Bounce TV is the ideal custodian to continue to enhance the level of excellence that is our standard. I am thrilled to have my beloved Trumpet Awards become part of Bounce TV." Ambassador Andrew Young, cofounder of Bounce TV and a board member of The Trumpet Foundation, commented, "Bounce will continue the legacy of the Trumpet Awards and everything Xernona has lovingly created, while driving growth and scale across the next 25 years and beyond."

The Bounce acquisition is the next chapter for the venerable and meaningful Trumpet Awards. Originally presented by Turner Broadcasting in 1993, The Trumpet Awards were created to herald the accomplishments of Black Americans who have succeeded against immense odds.

Bounce TV (@BounceTV) airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage and features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Visit BounceTV. com for more info.

Source: Bounce TV

January 2017  |  7

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8 | January 2017

Are You SelfMutilating?

By Art McElroy Contributing Writer

1 Corinthians 14-26 – “…the body is not one member but many. Indeed there are many members, yet one body. God composed the body … that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.”

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hat images come to your mind when you hear the word self-mutilation? Are there thoughts of someone cutting, bruising or abusing themselves? Can you relate to the people who suffer from this disease? Are you aware of what self-mutilation does to the entire body and not only the part of the body being inflicted?

These are the same thoughts that you should have as it relates to the personal attacks on the body of Christ by Christians who profess to be members of it.

Self-mutilation is a general term for a variety of intentional self-harm to the body without the wish to die. It is the intentional destruction of tissue or alteration of the body done without the conscious wish to commit suicide. In other words, individuals who participate in this practice on themselves will gener-

ally take the self-abuse only so far.

I am not a mental health professional. I am not an expert on the subject or one who can begin to tell you why this disease manifests itself the way that it does as a result of the state of a person’s mind. Though prevalent throughout all society, self-mutilation knows no boundary of race, culture or continent.

It also prevails within the church today and poses a constant threat to the body of Christ. Our opening reference in 1 Corinthians 12, infers that all Christians make up the body of Christ and cannot separate itself or operate independently of one another as an eye, ear or foot cannot in the physical body.

Where cutting, scratching and pinching of the physical body may be ways that self-mutilation manifests itself, the symptoms for the spiritual body of Christ are so subtle that many are not aware of the damage that they inflict on themselves as well as the entire body of Christ.

Abuse against the body of Christ comes in several forms that include gossiping, backbiting and false accusations.

When we operate from a perspective of ill will against another Christian, are we aware of the scars that can be potentially left on the body of Christ? Why would any Christian want to self-inflict pain on Christ’s body? Many cannot fathom the concept of One Lord, one body, and one church.

Skin color, social status, political aff i l i a t i o n s and even personal preferences are irrelevant to the way God sees the body of His Son. He sees us as whole, and

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we should see ourselves as such. What is most tragic is the fact that many Christians are not aware that the same blood of Jesus that runs through others, makes us all part of the same body.

It is important that we grow and mature in the word of God so that we understand that we are one body, and our DNA is the Holy Spirit. For me to disrespect another Christian in any form or fashion is for me to disrespect myself. To cause angst or stress to another member of the body brings shame and embarrassment to oneself, the Church and God. Remember that you matter to me and we should matter to each other. There would be no me without the spiritual existence of you. We are tightly knitted together by the power of the Holy Spirit to form the spiritual body of the physical Jesus.

When we attack, abuse or speak against other Christians, remember that this is a form of spiritual self-mutilation that weakens the entire body, causing its resistance to weaken and ultimately sin. It is imperative that we continue to see each other as one, rooted and grounded in grace and mercy.

Amen!

Art McElroy is the founder of The Penuel Group, Inc. Please visit The Penuel Group on the web at www.thepenuelgroup.com.

You can also contact Art at art@ thepenuelgroup.com.

January 2017 | 9

New Year’s Day Everyday

of God lives within our heart, and we don’t have to wait until Sunday morning to apply the love for others in our life. God is waiting on us to make the decision to seek Him, and He will show up and show out in our lives on any day and at any time we choose to activate our faith. The same goes for our New Year’s resolutions. We can see those same results at any moment that we choose to apply the discipline needed.

Every day that we are blessed to wake up is a new beginning. If we lived as if every day was New Year’s Day, we wouldn’t have to work as hard at the last minute to do things we should’ve been doing. I encourage everyone reading this article to live as if every day was New Year’s Day throughout 2017. Seek the discipline needed for that change you desire, and apply it daily to your life.

You know yourself better than anyone else does. Set realistic goals that will be an asset to your future, and surround yourself with like-minded people who will motivate you to be a better person. You never know who is watching you or listening to you, so let your lifestyle show the consistency and results you aim for. We can inspire those around us by what we do for ourselves and others.

Let 2017 be the greatest year in faith and self-discipline that you’ve ever had. See you at the top! I love you, and I count it an honor to be your brother in Christ.

By Ash Davito Contributing Writer

t’s that time of the year when everyone starts to plan and focus on a new beginning. Whether you plan to eat healthier, work harder, lose weight, stop smoking, or whatever adjustments you make, it’s all in the name of a new year for a better you.

What changed all of a sudden? Nothing at all. It’s just another day. We tend to convince ourselves that we will change for the better in this new season and our reason for the change is New Year’s Day. In fact, we don’t have to wait for New Year’s Day to change for the better. If we lived everyday like it was New Year’s Day, we wouldn’t have to make adjustments to our lifestyle or get disappointed when we don’t live up to those expectations.

I’m not saying anything is wrong with waiting until New Year’s Day, I’m just pointing out that we can make a change at any period in our lives. We can apply that same discipline in our lives to see the results of our heart’s desires at any time. I don’t want to wait until the next year to get things right.

The same applies when it comes to our relationship with God. The spirit

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10 | January 2017

Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated Houston Chapter Associates Debutante Luncheon 2016

By d-mars.com News Provider he Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated Houston Chapter Associates kicked off the 2016 debutante season by hosting its biennial debutante luncheon at Hotel ZaZa last month. For

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over 32 years, the Associates have hosted their Debutantes’ Luncheon, which signals the beginning of the debutante season. This signature luncheon allowed the debutantes and their mothers to begin the activities ahead for 2017.

The room was filled with a sea of red attire as they celebrated 31 beautiful debutantes and their mothers.

The luncheon was a sell-out event with a record attendance of 430! Amanda Edwards, Houston City Council Member At-Large 4, was the Mistress of Ceremonies

and their distinguished guest. Many regional and national Jack and Jill officers were in attendance as well.

Post debutantes were acknowledged and were featured in a fashion show titled “It’s All About the DEBS.” The debutantes for the 2016-17 season include: 1st row, (L/R) – Camryn Odom, Jesseca Venters, Kendall Hollingsworth, Dominique Angibeau, Tyler Stephens, Chase Drexler, Jaelyn Waddy, Nicole Hutchison, Bradlee Few; 2nd row (L/R) – Jillian Taylor, Joi Benjamin, Taylor Cowan, Eunice Revis, Alexandra Henry, Sidney Phillips, Miracle Leveston, Iman Andrews, Brooke Pinson, Sydney Pegram; 3rd row (L/R) – Kennedy Boyd, Alexis Allen, Tate Mitchell, Cydney Stevenson, Cassidy Dixon, Kristen Williams, Cassidi Williams, Lauren Lewis, Gabrielle Otey. Not present – Milan Parris, Tenille Tubbs and Kathryn Wallace.

Deborah Roquemore Crockett served as the Luncheon Chair. Ja’nice Sparks was the Luncheon Co-Chair, and Sabrina Loeb was this year’s Associate Chair.

Submitted by: The Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated Houston Chapter Associates

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January 2017  |  11

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12 | January 2017

Toni Morrison Receives the 2016 Emerson-Thoreau Medal From The American Academy of Arts and Sciences

By d-mars.com News Provider he American Academy of Arts and Sciences has named Toni Morrison as the recipient of the 2016 Emerson-Thoreau Medal for her distinguished achievement in the field of literature. This award will be presented to Professor Morrison, a member of the Academy, on April 6, 2017, at the House of the Academy in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"As the recipient of the Emerson-Thoreau Medal, we recognize Toni Morrison for her excellence in the humanities and for her commitment to the ideals of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which, in the words of our charter, include 'to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent, and virtuous people,'" said Jonathan F. Fanton, President of the American Academy.

Established in 1958, the medal is awarded to an individual for his or her total literary achievement rather than for a specific work.

Previous recipients of the EmersonThoreau Medal include: Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, Katherine Anne Porter, Hannah Arendt, Saul Bellow, Norman Mailer, and Philip Roth.

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Come on Parents!

Video Games Aren’t a Bad Thing

By d-mars.com News Provider ith new game consoles, mobile devices and interactive experiences arriving just in time for the holidays, video games are certain to make the “most wanted” list for gamers of all ages. With so many choices, parents can sometimes feel a little overwhelmed trying to decide which games are appropriate for their children to play.

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the nonprofit organization that assigns age and content ratings for video games, is an excellent resource for helping parents navigate both the real and virtual game aisles. The familiar ESRB ratings including E (Everyone), T (Teen) or M (Mature) are now also assigned to downloadable games and apps in Google

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"Toni Morrison is an overwhelming figure in American and world literature," wrote one of her nominators for this prize.

"Her novels are already standard texts in high schools (The Bluest Eye) and colleges (Beloved). Playing in the Dark, her work of literary criticism, has been hugely influential in the field of American literary history. We simply do not read our classical American writers, from Poe to Cather to Hemingway, the same way after this seminal book on the 'Africanist' presence in our canonical works."

Toni Morrison is the Robert F. Goheen Professor emerita in the Humanities at Princeton University, where she taught from 1989 to 2006. She won the Pulitzer Prize and the American Book Award in 1988 for Beloved. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. In 1996, the National Endowment for the Humanities selected her for the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government's highest honor for achievement in the humanities. She was also honored with the 1996 National Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. In 2012, Morrison received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Her novels are known for their epic themes, vivid dialogue, exploration of the black experience, and richly detailed African-American characters. Her use

of fantasy, her sinuous poetic style, and her rich interweaving of the mythic give her stories great strength and texture.

Among her best known works are The Bluest Eye (1970), Sula (1973), Song of Solomon (1977), Tar Baby (1981), Beloved (1987), Love (2003), and A Mercy (2008). Song of Solomon, whose publication first brought Morrison to national attention, is told by a male narrator in search of his identity. Tar Baby, set on a Caribbean island, explores conflicts of race, class, and sex. The critically acclaimed Beloved, considered by many Morrison's masterpiece, is based on the true story of a runaway slave who, at the point of recapture, kills her infant daughter in order to spare her a life of slavery. In 1994, Morrison established the Princeton Atelier, a unique program that brings together professional artists from different disciplines to create new work. The program has hosted Peter Sellars, Yo-Yo Ma, A.S. Byatt, and American Ballet Theatre among many others. In 2010, she was made an Officer of the French Legion of Honor. Morrison received the B.A. degree (1953) in English and classics from Howard University and the M.A. (1955) in English from Cornell University. She was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1988.

About the American About the American Academy of Academy of Arts & Sciences Arts & Sciences

Play, Microsoft’s Xbox Live store, Nintendo eShop and the PlayStation Store.

ESRB offers the following tips for parents looking for the console games or mobile apps that are perfectly suited to their family: 1. Check the rating. Start with the recommended age rating. ESRB assigns E (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10 and older), T (Teen), M (Mature) and AO (Adults Only), which are clearly labeled on video game boxes or on the game’s page prior to downloading from an online or mobile storefront.

2. Review the content descriptors.

ESRB uses about 30 different content descriptors for depictions involving violence, suggestive or sexual themes, language, controlled substances and other types of content to help parents understand what may have triggered a particular age rating.

3. Look for interactive elements. Interactive elements describe certain aspects of a game or app that may be of interest

to many parents and consumers, and can be assigned to downloadable games and apps. These include the sharing of the user’s location, if the game or app enables the purchase of digital goods, if users can interact and/or if unrestricted internet access is provided.

4. Set parental controls. Today’s gaming devices have parental controls built in, which allow parents to block titles by age rating, ensuring children can access only age-appropriate games and apps.

Depending on the device, parents can also control specific features like with whom their children can play online and whether in-game purchases can be made.

Just make sure you never reveal your password or PIN! 5. Do your research. Check ESRB rating summaries at ESRB.org, which provide a more detailed explanation of content in many packaged games. Forget to check the rating summary before you set out on a gift-getting expedition?

No problem - you can find rating sum-

maries for packaged games on the ESRB app as well! If you still want more information, online reviews are another great resource. These often include screenshots, videos and other details that parents may find helpful in making a final purchase decision. You can also always talk to your local video game retailers - they’re often staffed with experienced gamers who can help guide parents toward the right games for their family. For downloadable games and apps, parents may want to review the details on the product’s page and some of the user reviews before downloading.

Perhaps most importantly, have fun!

If you’re not already a gamer, try it - you might like it! Not only is it a great way to bond with your children, it allows you to share and better understand one of their passions. Never underestimate the value of playing as a family; enjoying games together enables you to engage in an ongoing conversation with your children about the games they want and love to play. – BPT

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Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is among the nation's oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers, convening leaders from the academic, business, and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing the nation and the world. In its work, the Academy focuses on higher education, the humanities, and the arts; science and technology policy; global security and international affairs; and American institutions and the public good. Academy research has resulted in reports such as The Heart of the Matter, Restoring the Foundation: The Vital Role of Research in Preserving the American Dream, Public Research Universities–Recommitting to Lincoln's Vision: An Educational Compact for the 21st Century, and A Primer on the College Student Journey. The Academy's work is advanced by its more than 5,000 elected members, who are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs from around the world.

Source: American Academy of Arts & Sciences

January 2017 | 13

Life Is Filled With New Beginnings And although it may sound like a bunch of graceful “feel-good” words, the real truth is no matter how challenging our current conditions may be, a new and more favorable situation, position, or status could very likely be hiding itself in the center of our storm.

By Shelondra Peavy Contributing Writer

t some point or another, we all have longed for a fresh start, a clean slate, a new day dawning, a rebirth, and a new beginning.

When life deals us a hand of hard knocks, low blows, or personal storms, it’s befitting to cry out into the atmosphere for a change. We cry out with hopes that the Creator of the universe will lend a compassionate ear and answer accordingly.

The truth is that life is filled with new beginnings, but the irony of “new beginnings” is that they are often hidden in the midst of stormy and painful endings.

Think about it – a new chapter will never begin until the previous chapter has come to an end.

So many times we may have heard the tale of someone who never would have encountered their ideal mate if their former relationship hadn’t ended. Likewise, there are those who could have never stumbled upon an open door to their ultimate career path if other doors of opportunities had not been closed in their faces.

But let’s remember the reality of such situations. Whenever we initially experience the end of an intimate relationship or perhaps whenever we are abruptly fired from a job, it is not uncommon for us to find ourselves crippled by agony and crying uncontrolled tears of despair.

More often than not, human nature will cause us to focus solely on our temporal issues as opposed to our endless possibilities.

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Therefore, as Therefore, as itit relates relatestoto seizing aa new seizing new start, start,I’ve I’ve included a handful of included a handful ofhopehopefilled nuggets nuggets of filled oftruth: truth: • Above all else, always hold on to hope!

• Though it may be seldom stated, t he significance of hope is most certainly noteworthy.

• Whenever we become embattled by the rocky and wavy motions of an angry sea of circumstances, it’s extremely difficult to remain focused on the light in the tower. In like manner, it’s understandably hard for us to consider the peaceful shore amid our tough times. In fact, in times of anguish, these symbolic places of safety and relief somehow seem to be much farther away from us than they truly are. That said, if ever you feel as though you’re drowning, reach deep inside of yourself and grab a hold of everlasting hope, never-ending faith, and undying dreams. You should use these things as your literal life-preserves.

It’s my sincerest wish that after you’ve weathered the storm, your new beginnings will send you sailing smoothly into light-filled horizons and realities that are beyond your imagination.

After all, life is filled with new beginnings. Embrace them, along with all of their associated ironies.

Word Search

Enjoy this month’s word search, which is a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. LOVE INSPIRATIONAL OUTSTANDING PASSIONATE LEADER ACTIVIST FREEDOM HARMONY EDUCATED CIVIL RIGHTS EQUALITY HERO JUSTICE CARING WILLING PEACE COMMUNITY SACRIFICE SERVICE

E U E C I V R E S C E V Q C B

C L L G E D U C A T E D T C L

I A V M N Q T R M O D E E R F

F N V R L I I E C I T S U J P

I O V E J N D I Z J G E S G E

R I O M G C C N G V T P X Z A

C T J O C X S N A A D D R T C

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A A G R Q O I Y N T K H S A E

S R O E E L M O T Y S I L O G

R I X H L D I M N I V T M L L

T P M I E S A O U I L Z U Q I

F S W A S V M E T N A A V O V

O N P A G R O C L V I S U Q I

N I P O A H A L S D J T X Q C

B F I H E S T H G I R F Y W E

14 | January 2017

Get Ready Houston!

The Answer Movement Is Bringing What’s Real, What’s Relevant, and What’s Right!

By d-mars.com News Provider igher Dimension Church, better known as “Higher D” is one of the most influential churches in our city under the leadership of Terrance “Pastor J” Johnson and Torsha “Lady J” Johnson. An extension of the Johnson’s outreach is The Answer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Johnsons continue their message about relationships and life-changing decisions through the annual The Answer Conference, providing spiritual, relevant, and most importantly, real responses to questions about relationships, no matter your relationship status. The Answer Conference will be held this year on Super Bowl weekend February 4th.

The Answer has partnered with star power to bring attendees an unforgettable God-filled experience that includes celebrity guests Israel Houghton and wife, Adrienne Bailon of the “Real” Daytime TV Show, Pastor John Gray, and comedian Nephew Tommy.

Since the launch of this nonprofit and “The Answer” book last year, the Johnsons have expanded their efforts on a national scale and have been impacting thousands. The Answer Radio Show is launching this month, and The Answer will be going on the road for a ten-city tour shortly after the conference. “We have discovered that relationships are not just hurting in Houston, but everywhere. Our approach is ‘keeping it real’ and ‘showing our scars’ and as a result of that, we have received an enormous response by way of personal, private, and social media testimonials that are a re-

sult of our transparency. It has been the anecdote needed to provide hope and start the healing process,” says Pastor J. The Johnson’s give credit for The Answer’s national reach to God and know that this is nothing short of God’s grace. Lady J says, “Considering how this all started, it is a reminder of how God uses everything in our lives to fulfill our purpose and calling. We have been able to give people relational hope to believe in ‘love’ again by providing a map and practical insight on how to prepare for marriage and stay in marriage.” Last year’s The Answer Conference set the tone for this dynamic initiative, and this year’s conference will be nothing short of empowering. Through this event, people will have the encouragement and tools to become leaders, realize their Godgiven purpose, create thriving relationships, and become financially healthy.

Attendees can expect The Answer Conference to be an experience of enjoyment, networking, entertainment, and Christ-centered worship.

Some of the Country’s most powerful voices will bring real and authentic life experiences on relationships, leadership, purpose, and finances to inspire and empower attendees to become better individuals and to be better couples. The Answer Conference is powered by Prudential and will be held at Higher Dimension Church in Houston, Texas 77036 on February 4th. To register for The Answer Conference, please visit www.AnswerCon ference.com.

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Q&A with Pastor J and Lady J: Please talk about how this conference is open to all (singles, married couples, and divorced).

For singles, it is an opportunity for them to prepare their lives to be a whole person and give them practical and spiritual information to be in a thriving relationship. Married couples will receive inspiration and empowerment strategies for sustaining a Godly relationship favored by God. Those who are divorced will receive encouragement to heal and know that God is able to give them a second chance at love.

Is love complicated or do we make it complicated?

Love is not complicated; however, we believe there is a lack of understanding as to what love is. Also, when there is an unwillingness to submit to loving one another, it is easy to complicate things and clearly lose sight. The

Answer Conference will touch on this.

Please talk about the importance of couples working together to create success.

Anything you produce is a direct reflection of your connection. The book of Genesis in the bible reads, “It’s not good for man to be alone…” and God brought Eve to Adam together to produce life in the earth. They were able to accomplish this assignment because they worked together. There is power in connection and who you are connected with determines your level of powerfulness.

Pastor J, talk about how The Answer Movement has been embraced by all and that this is a national, if not a global movement.

The Answer has been embraced by so many because people all over the

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country need answers when it comes to relationships. We are truly thankful to God that people find The Answer a relatable and relevant tool. Psalms 23 reads, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….” This statement helps us to understand that “whatever we need” we should not have to want for it. Likewise, in marriage whatever your spouse needs, he/she should not have to want for it.

Lady J, what has been the response from women regarding The Answer?

I’ve received an enormous amount of positive feedback from women on how The Answer has helped them learn how communication in their relationship can help them be more effective.

Timing, Tone and Tact are the 3 Sweet “Ts” needed to be effective in your communication with your spouse. Don’t allow your best asset to be your worst liability.

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Houst 16 | January 2017

on the Map for Entertainment Means

By Dawn Paul Associate Editor

eyonce’, Debbie Allen, and Phylicia Rashad were all born in Houston, Texas. Of course Houston rappers Paul Wall and Slim Thug always proclaim their love of this city loud and proud. There is no doubt that Houston has definitely helped shape and catapult the careers of superstars. Houston also attracts star power. John Singleton has visited the campus of Texas Southern University, and Janet Jackson, Kevin Hart, and other celebrities have made it a point to put Houston on their tour schedule. In addition to concerts, conferences, and ce-

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lebrity events, Houston hosts major events that attract countless people and put our city on the map, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which is considered the biggest rodeo in the world.

Houston Appreciation Weekend has welcomed Drake, who praises Houston as his favorite city outside of Toronto. One of the biggest events around the world, Super Bowl LI, will be hosted right here in Houston next month.

So the question remains, with all of this star power coming out of Houston, and with so many celebrities frequenting this city, why is Houston not on the map for entertainment? According to Census data, Houston recently passed New York to become the most ethnically and racially Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

ton

s Economic Growth

January 2017 | 17

diverse city in the United States. With Houston being one of the most diverse and largest cities in the Nation, why is this city not the “go to” for film, TV, and music productions? There are so many local artists and talent who are pounding the pavement hard, working to get opportunities through Houston, but feel they have to move to LA or New York to make it in the entertainment business. Many of them do move out of Houston because they feel that the opportunities to live their Hollywood dreams just are not here.

Now of course New York and LA are the hot spots for the entertainment business, and the connections are there. There is no denying that those destinations are well-known for entertainment. Some say Houston just can’t compete with those other major cities that attract producers.

When many think Houston, naturally they think oil and gas and the Houston Texans, but Houston has much to offer as well when it comes to the entertainment industry. This has not gone unnoticed by Mayor Sylvester Turner, and he recently hosted a kick off reception for the Houston Film and Entertainment Summit.

This hosted television and film executives, producers, and actors, including Debra Martin Chase and Robin Givens. This event also included discussion on tax incentives and workforce development.

Mayor Turner is working diligently to put Houston on the radar and attract entertainment executives, encouraging them to see Houston as a great option to produce major productions. He believes, like many Houstonians, that this city can be competitive and accommodate the needs of those looking to produce national and international films, music, and television shows. Not only does he want to put our great city on a larger platform, bringing more major events, and opening doors for local talent, but it is also about economic growth and development for Houston.

These major productions will bring jobs to Houston, benefitting the city and Houstonians. Imagine the increase of jobs and the economic boom in Houston as a result of Hollywood coming to Houston. Imagine the endless opportunities for all of the local, deserving, and undiscovered talent who would receive their “big break” that would open doors.

Those seeking Hollywood also would not have to leave Houston and go outside of the city. Not only that, but by word of mouth and coverage on a national level, more executives would look to Houston as a place to make their blockbuster project.

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You may not be aware, but many You mayfilms not have be aware, but many iconic been made made in iconic films have been in Houston and the surrounding Houston and the surrounding areasincluding: including: areas • RoboCop 2 • Reality Bites • Jason's Lyric • Powder • Independence Day • Selena • Armageddon • Rushmore • Arlington Road

Though there have been major films made in Houston, Mayor Turner knows that Houston can attract more producers, and this summit is just the beginning. He wants filmmakers and executives in the industry to think Houston before New York. This is a city where people can dream big and succeed, and that includes movies, music, and television.

Many are behind the Mayor in this endeavor, wanting to see the city continue to improve its economic outlook.

Houston is proud to continue to offer opportunities for all and celebrate its diversity of people, places, and economy. Houston promotes healthy and resilient communities through smart civic investments, dynamic partnerships, education, and innovation.

Houston is the place where anyone can prosper.

The Mayor wants to continue to strive to work towards Houston having a thriving, resilient, and diverse economy. This city’s exemplary climate for business, entrepreneurial spirit, support for innovation, and world-wide competitiveness are some of the elements that make Houston so attractive.

This city has a culture that encourages innovation. Houston is a city of opportunity, industry, and community. Above all, it is a city of growth. The Mayor and city leadership are working together to best serve this growth, and this summit is part of that.

You have to have a general plan or a comprehensive plan – a document that sets forth the city’s priorities and how to coordinate and ensure that a city grows according to those priorities and vision. While Houston has managed fairly well over the years, the dynamics of the city have changed, and the population is rapidly growing.

Mayor Turner believes that we have to build a city not only for today, but for the future. Encouraging more film, television, and entertainment producers to make their projects in Houston is part of building a city for the future. He believes that if we can think far enough ahead, there is no limit to what we can do. With Houston hosting Super Bowl LI, this is guaranteed to put our city on a major platform for star power to see what we have to offer.

Sources: www.theculturetrip.com www.imdb.com www.houstontx.gov

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Photos Courtesy of The City Government of Missouri City, TX

Ruben Davis Drive Named in Honor of a Great Law Enforcement Hero By d-mars.com News Provider onstable Ruben Davis was one of the most admired and respected law enforcement heroes who proudly served and protected Fort Bend County. He used his position as Constable to truly make a difference not only in Fort Bend County, but all over the Houston area. He was not a man who was motivated by a title, but he was motivated by his calling to serve others. He was all about service, doing it with a genuine love for the community and with integrity. He empowered many as a law enforcement officer, improving security, safety, and quality of life. Constable Ruben Davis was a man who left a great legacy.

Fort Bend County recently held a special ceremony in honor of the Constable with a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating Ruben Davis Drive. Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, and other elected officials and special guests were in attendance.

Missouri City, TX, has helped to ensure that the service of Constable Ruben Davis will always be remembered.

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20 | January 2017

Can One Person Make a Difference?

By Charlotte A. Jackson Contributing Writer

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ick would have only been a young child when President John F. Kennedy said, “One person can make a difference and everyone should try.” I truly believe he heard that and planted it deep in his heart.

All of us would agree that Rick “Candy Man” Johnson lived a life that was different from most in many ways, yet he had a characteristic common to all of us. He simply wanted to be loved. After Rick had accepted Christ as his Savior, he understood the importance of loving others. Rick also learned that to be loved, you have to also forgive. The outpouring of love that was shown to Rick in his final days and even afterwards, is proof that Rick lived the motto of his home church, St. John’s Downtown --- “I love you and there is nothing you can do about it.”

In a world where too often there is the “all about me” attitude, Rick was a breath of fresh air. He loved unconditionally and it showed. Several months ago, when he first learned he had colon cancer, he chose not to share the news with those he loved right away. He was more concerned about how we would take it than how he felt. After two rounds in the hospital and the atten-

tion he was getting from his courthouse family, his story was shared in the local media.

I cannot tell you the joy in my heart when I was in his presence during his final days. He would always tell me how he loved me and cherished our friendship. He truly understood that life is not about us. It is always about relationships, with the most important one be-

ing with God. The joy of being around Rick was indescribable.

The feeling of loneliness has been attempting to creep into my life, but then I stop and think about how Rick chose to love, forgive and trust God. One lesson he taught me was that before we can love others or forgive others, we must love and forgive ourselves. I loved Rick and am asking each of your to honor his

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memory by living a life of love and forgiveness as we are in a new year.

One person can make a difference.

A very special resolution was presented from the State of Texas in Rick’s honor.

December 16, 2016, was declared The Rick “Candy Man” Johnson Day in Houston thanks to State Representative Harold Dutton, Senator Borris Miles and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

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22 | January 2017

How Technology Can Save Your Love Life pected to make an on-stage appearance - and where he will rap-battle with a hologram of himself.

The security guard calls for "tickets, please!" You reach into your pockets, and your heart drops as the realization sets in: the tickets have been left at home, saved on the computer.

You start calculating the damage both emotional and fiscal. Your partner begins to glow red with rage.

But you need not fret! Remote control software lets you log in to your home computer, even when it's unattended, from your phone, your partner's phone or that tablet in your carry-on.

It's the perfect opportunity to prevent such a moment from spiraling into an all-out "incident" that will be held against you for years to come.

For added bonus points, use your smartphone's built-in personal assistant and ask her to remind you to bring the tickets before you ever leave the house.

Admitting you're forgetful is the first step. Stepping up your tech savviness is the second.

By d-mars.com News Provider t's a common refrain: technology is killing our relationships.

Couples have swapped date night for Netflix binging. They Candy Crush their way through an intimate conversation. They've replaced long walks on the beach with an all-out Facebook investigation into their friend's cute new puppy.

We can blame a lot of our relationship woes on today's tech - it's true - but when technology's power is harnessed the right way, it can actually become the very thing that saves us from love's most common pitfalls.

So before powering down all of your electronics, consider the following three scenarios where technology might be the only thing that can help you save an untimely end to your relationship:

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1.1.Your Your loved loved one is havingaa tech tech meltdown. having Admit it: there is no greater frustration known to mankind than when you've been working on a document for hours and the program crashes.

Or when the printer isn't printing.

Or when you can't access the baby pictures that you're trying to show to your grandma.

The urge to pick up the computer/ phone/tablet and throw it against the wall becomes a dark force within you.

Your tech-savvy partner is out for the whole day and now the dog is even starting to judge you.

So what do you do? You call your partner - wherever he or she may be and rant about the problem.

If you've been on the receiving end of one of these calls, you know how they all end. The few troubleshooting suggestions you can rationally muster without being able to see the problem at hand are all met with an "It's still not working!" The frustration flows on both sides of the call with no resolution in sight.

But by adding a "remote control" application into the mix you can now virtually (and safely) access a computer

Don’t Get Stuck With a Lemon

By d-mars.com News Provider f you're tempted by steep discounts offered by car dealerships at the end of the year, you're not alone. Car sales rev up especially during the week between Christmas and New Year's, when dealerships may see sales jump 78 percent over the first part of December, according to Edmunds.com, a leading online resource for automobiles.

But buying a used vehicle can be a

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Thatspecial specialgetaway getawayyou've 3.3.That you’ve planned to be planned is aboutistoabout be ruined ruined by workby work

and solve any problems from anywhere with an internet connection.

A number of companies produce this kind of software. TeamViewer offers a free version for personal use and their latest version has improved security features and, for the first time ever, offers mobile-to-mobile remote control daunting task when you consider all the variables - the price, vehicle history, cost of gas, cost of insurance and more.

These tips can help you during the carbuying process: 1. Understand what you can afford.

Look at the overall cost. The purchase price of the vehicle doesn't tell the whole financing story, Pollard says. Don't forget to factor in the average cost of maintenance, monthly insurance, fuel costs and additional warranties along with your monthly payment.

2. Get pre-approved before stepping foot on the dealer's lot. Once you know what you can afford, be clear with the dealer on how much you can spend and stick to it, says Heather Pollard, vice president of Auto Experience at USAA. 3. Have an expert check under the

so you can even help your loved one with their phone faux pas.

You’veleft leftthe thetickets ticketsto tothe 2.2.You've the big show at home. big show at home.

It has happened to all of us. You're finally at the check-in for the sold-out Beyoncé concert - where Jay Z is ex-

hood and into the car's past before driving off the lot. An independent mechanic can give your potential car a thorough exam. In addition, a Carfax

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One of the quickest buzzkills to any vacation is the unexpected work assignment from the boss or client who doesn't care that this is the first time you and your partner are getting away together - without the kids/dogs/cats/ ferrets - in over a year.

Enter virtual meeting applications.

They let you present documents, share files and even speak to your attendees all through the app with no need to long distance dial-in. You can tell your boss you'll handle the presentation and still plan that special vacation without worrying that a big project might flare up. And your partner can still take in all the R&R she or he has been longing for.

You see? With a little help from technology, you can bring out the relationship champ you always knew was within you. – BPT report will help you understand the vehicle's maintenance and accident history.

"You want to ensure you have a reliable vehicle and that six months from now it isn't going to be in the shop or stranded on the side of the road," Pollard says.

4. Don't settle for the extended vehicle warranty proposed by the dealership. Extended vehicle protection can be beneficial for a used car purchase, but make sure you look at other options available, not just what the dealer offers you.

"Members don't often realize USAA offers extended vehicle protection," Pollard says. "The dealer is going to offer it, and it can be pretty expensive."

Find the car you want with the USAA Car Buying Service. – BPT

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24 | January 2017

Back Home with New Eyes

By Kaylan Curvey Contributing Writer

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’ve been back in the United States for a few weeks now since my nine month adventure through Spain and Portugal. By the end of the nine months, I felt that I was more than ready to return home. The last couple of weeks before my return went by fast. Before I knew it, I was on the last plane ride out of twelve headed to first Miami, then Houston.

Arriving in Houston felt surreal. Everything seemed so different, yet exactly the same. Everything looked so modern, and I was greeted with heavy traffic and the joys of Houston, Texas. Although I do have to admit, I was extremely excited to open up my closet and see more than five shirts and three pairs of pants to choose from. The first sleep in my own bed felt amazing! A good comfortable bed will never go unappreciated by me again. But it felt strange to wake up the next morning in a place that used to feel so comfortable. I definitely had a case of the “where am I?” syndrome. Driving a car for the first time in nine months felt pretty foreign at first. I thought that I would have forgotten what to do, but I

guess it’s like riding a bicycle, and you never really forget. As I experienced all my material things as if they were new again, I felt a sense of appreciation for everything I was allowed to have. I say allowed, because I was not promised any of the things. I was blessed with them. I may not have realized it before, but living in a small flat with three other people in Lisbon definitely made me see it. I had returned home with new eyes, a new

appreciation, and new beginnings.

This past year has taught me a lot about myself and others around me.

It has taught me to be patient. It has taught me to be kind to others, especially those who can do nothing for me.

Just the mere response of a gentle smile is worth more than any dollar figure on any day. It has taught me to be understanding of others, even if their beliefs, traditions, cultures, and understandings

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directly conflict my own. It has taught me to be open and embrace every offering – from food to karaoke at a Tapas bar in Granada. It has taught me to appreciate everything and everyone you have in your life, even if they are only here for a brief moment in time. Coming home feels like a complete contradiction. On the one hand, it brings me indescribable joy to see my family and friends after almost a year. But on the other hand, it is completely overwhelming how little everything has changed…but me.

I’m no longer the awkward, insecure, and indecisive 23-year-old that left one year ago. Well, maybe still a tad bit awkward, but now I own every little bit of it. The change I have experienced in the past year runs much deeper than any number. It’s in the way I look at things.

It’s in the way I perceive my reality and that of others. It’s in the way I read, write, and speak.

Change is often a scary thing when considered as a distant ideal or something you wish to achieve. But when you take a look back at how much change has occurred within yourself over a period of time, there could not possibly be a more comforting feeling. 2016 was awesome to say the least, but I welcome and anticipate an even more fulfilling 2017 with new beginnings.

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26 | January 2017

Yes! Digital Education May

Help Young Kids Learn

By d-mars.com News Provider or years, parents and pediatricians fretted over how much screen time was too much, especially for very young children. Many child health experts advised minimal screen time for elementaryaged kids and none at all for children younger than 2. New research, a revised policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the personal experience of millennial parents who grew up in the digital age, have changed the way parents view screen time for youngsters.

“Research now shows us that not all screen time is equal,” says Barbara Peacock, managing director of School Zone Inc., a recognized leader in creating innovative multimedia learning tools to prepare children for a lifelong love of education who recently launched AnywhereTeacher.com, a “Digital Educational Playground” for kids 2-8. “Everyone agrees it’s important for children to maintain healthful levels of physical activity, but studies also show educational screen time can be an effective way to supplement children’s learning. As the American Academy of Pediatrics recently noted, ‘the effects of media use are multi-factorial and depend on the type of media, the type of use, the amount and extent of use, and the characteristics of the individual child.”

dren to have much screen time. However, the AAP recently revised its stance, citing “evidence regarding health media use (that) does not support a one-size-fitsall approach” to media use by children.

Rather than keeping young children off devices entirely, the AAP now advises parents to develop a Family Media Use Plan that takes into account children’s developmental stages, and uses that information to create an appropriate and individual balance for media usage by each child. The AAP encourages parents to establish boundaries for how and when children may use digital devices, ensure they understand the importance of not sharing personal information online, and openly talk with children about media use.

In revising its recommendation, the AAP looked to a growing body of research that shows digital media use can help facilitate learning. Writing in the Hechinger Report, a highly regarded watchdog media outlet that covers inequality and innovation in education, Lisa Guernsey, director of New America’s early education initiative, and Michael H. Levine, founding director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, a nonprofit literacy and digital media research organization, explained the shift in thinking.

“Literacy rates and toddlers’ media use may seem unrelated, but they are inextricably tied,” the coauthors noted. “The important connections between media and reading must be brought to light in schools, households, and in the public’s imagination ... children at very young ages can gain important skills in literacy and language development if the content on the screen is designed for learning and if they have a parent or educator who talks with them about what they are doing and seeing.”

Newunderstanding understanding New

Makingmedia mediawork workfor forlearning learning Making

The AAP and other child health experts have long counseled parents against allowing very young chil-

Parental involvement in media use is the key difference between programming that benefits children’s

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educational development, and valueless screen time, research shows.

The National Head Start Association recently stressed that “family engagement is integral” to successful learning. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education agreed in a joint policy statement issued in May 2015: “Families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates and nurturers,” the statement said, calling family involvement in kids’ education “critical” to their long-term success.

Busy tech-savvy parents recognize how easy technology can make it to access high-quality supplemental learning tools for their children, but finding a trusted source of curated content is not always easy. Speaking to her company’s newly launched site, Peacock comments, “AnywhereTeacher.com features content that has been developed exclusively by School Zone based on decades of research and broad-based experience working with educators, dating back almost 40 years when our founders, James Hoffman, Ed.D and his wife Joan, MA, recognized the need for at-home learning materials.” The subscription-based AnywhereTeacher. com is an easy to navigate site for youngsters that combines the power of video with traditional learning tools such as flash cards, games, interactive worksheets and printable activities. Original episodic programming like Charlie & Company engages children with educational messages in a fun, familiar way.

The service, which starts at just $6.99 per month, allows parents to manage their children’s activities and view their progress, creating an opportunity to talk about learning goals and improvement. The service is compatible with most devices and you can buy a subscription through iTunes, Google Play or PayPal to gain access from any device. There’s no limit on the number of devices families can simultaneously use to access the site. Visit AnywhereTeacher.com to learn more. – BPT

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January 2017 | 27

What Does That REALLY Mean?

By d-mars.com News Provider here are so many phrases that we have heard growing up, but do we really know the meaning behind the phrases? How many times have you heard your mom or grandma say, “Actions speak louder than words.”

We’ve all heard these phrases growing up, but had no idea what they meant.

Below are some familiar phrases and their meanings. Enjoy as we take you back!

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Phrases & Meanings Actions speak louder than words Meaning: What you do carries more weight than what you say.

Background: Sources say that this expression date back as far as 1628. It was first used in its current form in the USA by Abraham Lincoln in 1856: 'Actions speak louder than words' is the maxim; and, if true, the South now distinctly says to the North, 'Give us the measures, you take the men.'

Age before beauty Meaning: People of more mature years should go before younger people.

Background: This expression is believed to have been common in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as used by some American girls when addressing elderly men. A common retort was 'beauty before the beast.'

A bull in a china shop Meaning: To move awkwardly in such a way that things are likely to get broken, or to behave in a way that offends people

This expression was first recorded by Quintus Ennius (239-169 bc), a Roman of Greek descent who is often considered the father of Roman poetry.

Background: The current use of the phrase would appear to trace back to Frederick Marryat's Jacob Faithful (1834): "Whatever it is that smashes, Mrs. T. always swears it was the most valuable thing in the room. I'm like a bull in a china shop."

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing Meaning: Incomplete knowledge of a subject can be more dangerous than no

A friend in need is a friend indeed Meaning: Real friends are there for you through good times and bad.

Background: Real friends are there for you through good times and bad.

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Background: Way back in the first century B.C. Publilius Syrus wrote, "Better be ignorant of a matter than half know it." Publilius, a Syrian (Aramean), was brought to Italy as a slave but won the favor of his master who both freed and educated him.

Source: www.bookbrowse.com

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