Community Journal 23 by d-mars.com

23nd Edi tion

Inspire, Inform & Educate

July 2013

Making Family Count

INSIDE

You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

Houston Dermatologist Invents Only Razor in the World with 9 Blades By Cynthia Nickerson Houston dermatologist pharmacist Dr. Milton Moore is being honored by the City of Houston on Tuesday,...

Texas Black Expo

10th Anniversary

PAGE 10

The Literacy Line: is Not Complicated By Shanedria Wagner W.E.B. Du Bois declared that the colour-line would be the problem of the twentieth century. Despite miraculous strides in race relations, the colour-line continues to divide some members of the human race who don’t ...

ICON Women’s Organization, They Exist Because They Care

LaShonda Pierce, Brother d-mars and Nakeitha Ross

First Annual Carter’s Kids Benefit

PAGE 11

J.Cole Sharing His Dream with Houston Fans

page 7

By Julian S. In today’s society where rappers are larger than life, it is good to see these icons giving back. Last month 28-year-old Roc Nation rapper J. Cole performed an eleven city...

Aiming Above and Beyond the Expected

page 6

Jazz Education Inc. 42 Years of Educating Houston’s Youth

V-Star, A Dance Dream Come True

page 8

Ben Hall In the Community Firefighter’s Endorsement

PAGE 13

Texas Southern University Receives $150,000 Grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation for Climate Education Partnership By Kendrick Callis PAGE 18

page 14

July 2013

Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

July is Black Family Month, and here at d-mars.com we want to celebrate the time we spend with our families, especially during the summer. This month’s issue is titled Making Family Count. Now while children are out of school, people are planning family vacations, and family reunions it is important to appreciate your loved ones. Use this time during the summer to be thankful for the family of community and establish a cohesiveness within your own household. As always again, thank you for your concerned support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more then just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making things positive things happen.

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd MANAGING EDITOR Sharon Jenkins OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

CONTENTS

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine S. Angela White

ICON Women’s Organization, They Exist Because They Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Aiming Above and Beyond the Expected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Jazz Education INC. 42 Years of Educating Houston’s Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

VIDEOGRAPHY Tony Mitchell

Obsidian Beauty Supply Anniversary Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

PHOTOGRAPHY

Houston Dermatologist Invents Only Razor in the World with 9 Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

V-Star, A Dance Dream Come True . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

Who Dat Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Literacy Line: It’s Not Complicated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

First Annual Carter’s Kids benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Wright

J. Cole, Sharing His Dream with Houston Fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Bravo’s Married to Medicine Star, Quad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ben Hall in the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

E.Y.E.S. Educating Youth = Enhancing Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Theresa Grayson, Saxophonist Extraordinaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Texas Black Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

INTERN Julian Sparks

Texas Southern University Receives $150,000 Grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation for Climate Education Partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sharon C. Jenkins Julian S. S. Angela White Joni Sterling Hakiam Bey Cynthia Nickerson Shanedria Wagner Kendrick Callis Jonathon Carsonage Harvey Mcewan Richard Ludwig Love Jones Michael Farrell Jay Valentine

Great Rainy Day Activities for Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Black Love is Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Effective Methods for Practicing Positive Parenting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Can I Get Hired Over 50? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 How to Grow Flowers from Seeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” -Mother Teresa

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July 2013

ICON Women’s Organization, They Exist Because They Care

Leadership is an opportunity to serve. It is not a trumpet call to self-importance. J. Donald Walters

By Sharon C. Jenkins Nakeitha Ross and LaShonda Pierce were having an interesting cell phone conversation about women and the powerful possibilities that happen when they come together to do positive things, when they decided to form an organization of women to do just that. These two dynamic visionaries, who have been friends for two decades, invited some of their friends to join them on their mission to change the world, starting in their own community. That few have blossomed into 48 members. Pierce said, “We love empowerment. That’s the soul of our organization to assist others by whatever means or in whatever mode that we can use to empower people to uplift them.” Ross follows with, “You may have to lift them up financially, through knowledge or awareness or sometimes through outreach by just helping out. We just see a need and try to find a solution.” They have worked with Volunteers of America, local community organizations like the Star of Hope and done clothing drives, health fairs, breast cancer awareness events, career awareness seminars and etiquette workshops, just because there was a need. Who is ICON? ICON is a women’s organization that provides charitable services through awareness programs, scholarships, and economic sponsorships for community based programs and they also assist at-risk families with emergency situations. MISSION STATEMENT

To be an organization of women devoted to establishing positive awareness and proactive involvement within their community and globally, while developing a socially-conscience sisterhood among women. ELEVATE – To lift up above a situation or circumstance. ICON has given numerous individuals and organizations their intellectual and financial capital to help the disenfranchised. For example they have recently helped a young lady with some much needed dental work, which prohibited her from going to work. The gift re-built her self-esteem and empowered her to smile again. The organization also gave purses filled with toiletries and feminine products to participants in the S.O.A.R. program. They did a fundraiser for Madge Bush Transitional Living Center and raised $4000. MOTIVATE – To push others beyond their impossibilities to the possible. This year ICON will implement an initiative titled Back-to-School Beauty. The will do beauty makeovers for boys and girls returning back to school in the Fall and provide them with much needed backpacks. They also did a fundraiser called Hamptons in Houston in April, which was a huge success featuring J.J. from 97.9, The Box, raising $15,000 for scholarships for youth to attend college. EDUCATE – To instruct with the intent to empower others to reach their educational life goals. ICON founded the PEARLS, to help mentor young girls ages 5-18, encouraging them to do community service, foster

sisterhood, achieve educational accomplishments and build character and confidence. They currently have 25 girls in the PEARLS. The PEARL Oath is: P - Perseverance - I will believe in myself and accomplish my dreams and goals. E - Elevate - I will elevate myself and others to the next level. A - Ambitious - I will strive to be successful in school and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. R - Respect - I will have respect for myself and others. L - Leadership - I will use my goals to help uplift individuals and my community. S - Sisterhood - I will be a sister to every ICON PEARL

events such as Dudes and Dominoes, which was sponsored in June. They also give out scholarships to deserving youth. This year they will be giving out 10 scholarships ranging from $500 to $5000 to students desiring to forward their college education. ICON is a great organization with a genuine love for the community and the people who inhabit it. Membership is at the heart and soul of ICON Women’s Organization. You are welcomed to join If you are a professional woman, 25 and above, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. If you are interested in joining please contact Yashamika Short at 713-446-8704 or iconwomen@yahoo.com. For more information about ICON, go to www.iconcares.org.

ICON is serious about their investment in our youth. “We want them to be a pillar of society, learning to love themselves, be a positive influence on others and be what they dream to be,” says Kate O’Neal, Vice President of ICON. In addition to serving girls, they reach out to the young men in the community with

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July 2013

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July 2013

Aiming Above and Beyond the Expected

By Joni Sterling Contributing Writer

n Sunday, June 23, 2013, the Hilton Houston Westchase was the site for the Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the Internal Revenue Service (AIM-IRS) 25th Anniversary and Scholarship Luncheon. This event featured an array of local talent and media personalities including the Callie Lewis-Watson’s Forty Plus Models, Bryce Pierson (spiritual mime), The Petite Praise Dancers, Ayana Mack, Radio and TV personality as the Mistress of Ceremony and Joie Rasberry, Motivational Speaker, Author, Educator, Radio Personality, Chaplin and Entrepreneur. Joie served as the Keynote Speaker. WOW! If you know anything about our local talent and influential speakers, you would understand how well received this luncheon was. However, as good as the aforementioned performers and speakers were, and they were awesome, “the real stars of this program were the scholarship recipients!” This luncheon served a dual purpose, recognizing and honoring the past presi-

dents and founders of the local chapter for their hard work and dedication in setting a solid foundation for which the organization has followed for twenty five years. It also allowed for the recognition of ten 2013 Houston area high school graduates who received scholarships to help further their education. Five recipients received a $1000 award and five received a $500 award for a total of $7,500. These recipients plan to pursue their higher education at institutions both near and far including the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of North Texas, Texas State University, Sam Houston State University, Baylor University, Howard University, and Duke University. In my humble opinion, the irony of this wonderful luncheon is this…..In light of all the negative information that is currently out there concerning some facets of the IRS it is important to recognize the vast majority of employees in the IRS go about doing their jobs with honesty and integrity. These employees continue to perform honorably while their pay is being reduced through sequestration related furlough days, decreased budgets which curtail new hiring and reduces the ability for the IRS to keep up with technological advances and the stress of being asked to do more with less. After thirty plus years I retired several years ago but I definitely feel their pain. In the midst of these stresses they continue year after year finding ways to give back. I was a member of AIM-IRS,

a nonprofit organization, dating back to the late 1980s. The primary function of AIM-IRS is to assist in finding productive ways to remove barriers and impediments placed on minority employees seeking career advancement. A number of programs and initiatives were put in place to accomplish these objectives. Additionally, the scholarship program has been a staple program giving back to the community at large by annually providing scholarships for deserving high school students. The funding for these scholarships is generated from various fundraisers including hosting golf tournaments, bake sales, raffles and other activities. Another large source of scholarship funding is direct donations from AIM-IRS members and other IRS employees who continue to give generously no matter what the political climate. Being a member of AIM-IRS was one of my most rewarding experiences during my work career. Sometimes it was

time consuming and required a lot of hard work to ensure that the goals and expectations of the organization were being met. Often it seemed like a thankless job, but mostly it was rewarding to work with coworkers on various projects. Nothing felt as good as seeing the faces of scholarship recipients being rewarded for hard work, excited children after handing out Christmas baskets or helping out by volunteering to file free returns during tax season. This year’s scholarship committee again put on a wonderful program. I will continue to support this worthwhile program and the organization. I have a heartfelt gratitude for the volunteers, past and present, who actively support and move this organization forward. I wish them continued success in the future! For more information on AIM-IRS Houston Chapter visit them at www.aimirshouston.org

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July 2013

JAZZ EDUCATION INC. 42 YEARS OF EDUCATING HOUSTON’S YOUTH

By S. Angela White Contributing Writer

orty two summers ago a young man fresh out of Wyllie College by the name of Bubbha Thomas had a vision to fill a void where music education was concerned. He went to his former high school music teacher Conrad “Prof” Johnson for advice and with his help and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Summer Jazz workshop was created. The vision was to give students who were interested in music an in depth intense training in music theory, composition, management, career development, music history, and improvisation. The program is rigorous but rewarding, ask William Thomas, son of Bubbha Thomas who was required to participate in dads’ visionary program every summer as a kid. It was a chore then but the result was a successful jazz musician who now teaches music in HISD and the summer program. William also heads his own successful musical group that features a vibrant horn section, The Texas Brass band. William Thomas takes pride in students he now mentors through the program like Brandon Munoz, a first time attendee at the workshop. Brandon is blind, but his vision for his musical career is quite clear. Brandon has developed a passion for “be-

bop” and has landed a full ride music scholarship to Sam Houston State where he will double major in Music and Criminology. He wants to be an inspiration to all youth to prove that, “If he can have a successful career, anybody can.” Then there is Pranik Chainani, a first generation musician of Indian descent. Pranik plays guitar, viola, piano, bass, and studies with three different private instructors to perfect his craft. Pranik is 11 years old. His father comes to the workshop everyday and sits patiently working on his computer while his son is taught by some of Houston’s most notable music teachers and musicians such as Al Campbell and Lloyd Hughes…to name a few. Brandon and Pranik will be only two of the many successful students to come from the program. The Summer Jazz workshop produces many of America’s top young music talents through its combination of master classes, small and large ensembles, video presentations, demonstrations and lectures from legendary speakers like Dr. Larry Ridley of Rutgers University. The Jazz artist, professor, and consultant was flown in from New York to educate these musicians in the making. The summer jazz workshop is under the umbrella of Jazz Education Inc., a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that has grown from a part-time-one-program project to a daily operation with full and part-time employees. The roster of activities consists of four main programs: The Jazz & Poetry Series, Summer Jazz Workshop, August Jazz Month Houston, Houston International Jazz Festival, and several special projects. Jazz & Poetry is an educational/enrichment pro-

gram helping elementary school children develop and early appreciation for music and developing new audiences. August Jazz Month Houston produces a comprehensive calendar of events that is relied upon by numerous public publications. The World famous Houston International Jazz Festival, features international, national, regional, and local Jazz musicians, enhancing Houston’s reputation as an arts center and attracts Jazz aficionados

tinuous series of innovative, high quality programs, recognized as an invaluable asset to the City’s educational, musical, and cultural growth by musicians, educators, government officials, arts administrators, corporations, and community leaders. Known for its excellence in music enrichment programming, JEI reaches a larger and more diversified audience than any arts organization in Houston. JEI also takes a leadership role in counseling, as-

worldwide. Jazz Education Inc. (JEI) has earned a leadership role in education through music programming and has become one of the leading music organizations in Greater Houston and the state of Texas. The mission of JEI is to provide worthwhile educational activities for schoolaged youth in the field of music. This includes many subjects not fully covered by private and/or public school systems, while creating a better climate, promoting a greater appreciation and preservation of Jazz. JEI provides a con-

sisting, and underwriting programs for emerging arts organizations. Part of Jazz Education’s fundraising effort is THE MAYOR’S SCHOLARSHIP JAZZ BRUNCH will be held Sunday, August 4, 2013 at The Wortham Center. The brunch will be hosted by the honorable Mayor Annise Parker and will feature students from the program along with International jazz recording artist Hiroshima. This event will be part of the 23rd Annual Houston International Jazz Festival held the same weekend. Corporate tables are still available.

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July 2013

Obsidian Beauty Supply V-Star, Anniversary Celebration A Dance Dream Come True

By Sharon C. Jenkins Contributing Writer

ernilla Higgins is a young lady that took her lemons and turned them into lemonade. Raised in Dallas’ Oakcliff area, she faced many economic obstacles in pursuing her love for dance. She knew at the age of 5 that she would dance, the “how” was the struggle. Out of her own personal journey the vision of Virtuous Star Incorporated (V-Star) was born. In 2010, Higgins stepped out on faith and started her own dance school. She prepared herself for non-profit management by attending graduate school at Texas Southern University. She spent several years teaching dance in a school setting before venturing out on her own establishing relationships in the educational arena. Pernilla This has afforded her the opportunity to teach dance to several school districts and boys and girls clubs such as Pasadena ISD, KIPP, and Aldine Westfield Boys and Girls Club. In the Fall, V-Star will be in twelve different Harmony Schools which expands their reach to include Dallas and San Antonio. She has also prepared herself spiritually to assume this responsibility. Cynthia Patterson of Dove Ministries, a mentor of Higgins had this to say about her: “Over four years ago, God blessed me to meet a young woman by the name of Pernilla Higgins. We met at our church Higher Dimension. I always wanted a daughter and pretty much spiritually adopted her as my own. God divinely connected us and I always knew there was something special He called her to do. So our focus was strictly on Pernilla discovering her God-given purpose. I have been so amazed by her wisdom. I often tell my girlfriends, she is a young woman with an old spirit. Through the years, I have

witnessed God transform her life from a woman dealing with low-self-esteem and emotional struggles to a successful spiritual life coach, mentor and entrepreneur. I remember the days Pernilla would call me and I would listen for hours to her fire and passion for what God was preparing her for. I recall the very day God gave her the name for her non-profit, I could have sworn she won the lotto! Through her awesome leadership, V-Star is teaching girls to change and gain necessary life skills by achieving and maintaining a true sense of empowerment—being inspired to reach their dreams in life. I truly believe she is quickly becoming one of Houston’s major community thought leaders. Pernilla is loved by so many and has a special place in my heart!!!”

What is V-STAR? V-STAR is an organization geared toward girls and young women in underprivileged areas by providing them with more opportunities through expanding their horizons. V-STAR is a threefold organization that offers exposure in the area of dance, mentoring, and etiquette. Each component of the V-STAR organization offers an opHiggins portunity to connect with girls who are in search of building character in an effort to become a better person. They believe that there is a need to cater to female youth between the ages of 5 and 18 to mold, shape, and equip them with the necessary tools to become successful women in their communities. The aspiration of this organization is to change the direction of the female youth it serves to one that is fully restorative and packed full of positive outcomes for its participants. V-STAR addresses these challanges that young females face by allowing mentors to come in and speak to them and provide guidance in reaching their goals. They understand that there is a need, and as a result, there is V-STAR. It is Higgins’ hope that you will support V-STAR in its efforts and serve as a major contributor to help give female youth greater opportunities and reasons to become “Virtuous Sophisticated Talented Amazingly Remarkable!”

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July 2013

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10.

July 2013

HOUSTON DERMATOLOGIST INVENTS ONLY RAZOR IN THE WORLD WITH 9 BLADES

Who Dat Nation

The "Who Dat Nation Social and Pleasure Club of Houston" recently held their first Annual Scholarship Crawfish Boil Fundraiser at Kitty Hollow Park. Who are the "Who Dat's?" A group of New Orleans Saint lovers that embrace the rich Louisiana traditions while upholding State and Federal laws. They engage in activities that are not for profit and their mission is to serve the communities in which they live. They plan to award deserving under privileged students who traditionally would not receive college scholarships.

By Cynthia Nickerson, M.S. Contributing Writer

ouston dermatologist‐pharmacist Dr. Milton Moore is being honored by the City of Houston on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 for continuing to improve technology to help get rid of the problem of razor bumps. Houston City Council Member Larry Green will present the Proclamation to Dr. Moore at 1:30 at City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby. Dr. Moore’s latest contribution to the dermatological industry is a new razor he invented (U.S. patent #8424210 issued 4/23/2013) that promises to revolutionize the practice of shaving. Named “Eagle Wings” this innovative razor features 9 blades sporting two wings that pivot, providing a convex or curved shaving surface to better conform with the natural curves of the face and head. Another feature of this cutting edge razor is that it dispenses a patented shave gel through a battery operated heating pump, lubricating the skin before the first pass of the razor, before the blades ever pass over the skin and cut the hair. “Once word gets out that current technology doesn’t give any lubrication on the first pass, people will very quickly see that they’ve been using something that is antiquated and doesn’t make a lot of sense,” said Dr. Moore. “My new Eagle Wings razor makes a lot of sense, providing lubrication before the blades hit the skin,

which helps the blades cut through the hair much more easily.” In addition, the new Eagle Wings covers 20% more surface area on the first pass of the razors, even though it’s only about 5% larger than the traditional razor. The Eagle Wings razor also features an ergonomic handle made of a type of foam that molds to the owner’s hands, making it a truly personalized personal care product. The Eagle Wings razor is part of a new three product (Moore Unique Ascend collection), which also consists of a shave gel and a cologne. All three products are expected to be on the market for purchase later this year. Dr. Moore will receive a City of Houston Proclamation for his ongoing unique contributions to personal grooming health, inventing products that get rid of razor bumps, leading to a clean shave and improving the overall health and wellbeing of the residents of the Houston area. In addition to the Eagle Wings razor, Dr. Moore has developed, patented and marketed a full line of 12 skin care products under Moore Unique Skin Care, LLC, including: • Moore Technique Hydroglide Shave Solution and Body Moisturizer for treatment of PFB, 1995 patent, • Moore Technique Shaving System, 1990 patent and • Moore Technique Shaving Tool for treatment of PFB (razor bumps), 1987 patent. More information on these products and answers to common questions about many skin problems are available at: WWW. MOOREUNIQUE.COM OR CALL: 713‐741‐DERM (3376).

For more information on the "Who Dat Nation Social and Pleasure Club of Houston" go to www.wdn-houston.org

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July 2013

The Literacy Line: It’s Not Complicated

By Shanedria Wagner Contributing Writer

.E.B. Du Bois declared that the colour-line would be the problem of the twentieth century. Despite miraculous strides in race relations, the colour-line continues to divide some members of the human race who don’t acknowledge their darker or lighterhued universal family members. Other members of our human family value the green color of money over the color of their fellow man’s skin. Economics, versus ethnicity, matters to them most. But regardless of one’s views of the relevance of the colour-line in the twentyfirst century, one fact is indisputable: the literacy line is a force with which America must reckon. Reading, one’s passport to knowledge and opportunity, has catapulted countless Americans to levels of success about which many of our forefathers could only imagine. So as we celebrate our soul-stirring accomplishments during Black History Month, we can neither rest on our laurels nor cease to dream. For the nightmare of the peculiar institution continues to exist, to some degree, in the form of modernday slavery on prison grounds scattered across our land. Poor decisions necessitate the incarceration of the heartless and incorrigible. Many inmates are literate geniuses who chose lives of crime, though they had excellent opportunities and resources at their disposal. These individuals are not the focus of this article. However, it does not take a nuclear scientist to understand that illiteracy and crime are sometimes linked as tightly as

the chains that restrain the inmates who, although guilty of crimes, are victims of educational malpractice. Once upon a time, they were bright-eyed, hopeful, innocent young men with big dreams and little resources. Their academic failure was not a reflection of their potential; it was the result of their being failed. Though education should begin in the home, it can also be born in the classroom. Yet, instead of being under the tutelage of compassionate, competent, and communicative instructors whose classrooms were print-rich havens, they were supervised by apathetic, incompetent, and closemouthed babysitters whose classrooms were breeding grounds for ignorance. A sense of urgency, outrage, and fearlessness compel me to boldly address this issue, especially after having examined a must-read for all parents, educators, and advocates for children; It’s Not Complicated is a twelve-step program and road map that guides us to deliver our babies from illiteracy. Reading expert Phyllis C. Hunter, its author, has made the advocacy of literacy her life’s mission and has unquestionable credibility. Her book is packed with resources and easy-to-implement strategies that all members of our village should utilize. As I read her book, I was energized and inspired by the success stories; I felt empowered and hopeful. I wonder how the fate of thousands of imprisoned young men would have been affected had they been truly educated. I was saddened by this fact: the number of incarcerated African-American males will exceed those who were enslaved in the United States by the year 2020, unless we act. Will our history repeat itself? Will we cross the literacy line? It’s not complicated.

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July 2013

First Annual Carterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kids Benefit The First Annual Carterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kids Benefit gathered a host of VIPs, athletes and celebrities to raise funds for the construction of a multi-purpose facility to provide opportunities for sports involvement, social skill development and character building for Carterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kids and foster children throughout the country. Visit www.carterskids.org for more information.

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July 2013

13.

Bravo’s Married to J.Cole, Medicine Star, Quad Sharing His Dream

with Houston Fans

“Cole’s concert promoted his second album and the Dreamville Foundation.” By Julian S. Intern/Contributing Writer In today’s society where rappers are larger than life, it is good to see these icons giving back. Last month 28-yearold Roc Nation rapper J. Cole performed an eleven city North American tour, in locations that included Miami, Atlanta, Toronto, and Houston. The special thing about these “secret” concerts were that the locations were a mystery until the day of the show. J. Cole would tell his fans where the location of the venue was for that night on Twitter. However, the best thing about J.Cole’s Dollar & A Dream Tour was that the price was only $1 to get in. The reason this concert only cost fans $1, was too promote Cole’s sophomore album Born Sinner, which was released on June 18, and his charity The Dreamville Foundation. A portion of every show is going to the foundation, whose mission is to reveal to youth their limitless potential through life-altering experiences. The charity is located in J. Cole’s hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Since, it was founded in October 2011 the organization has been dedicated to uplifting youth through book clubs, essay contests, and community events. I had the chance to attend J. Cole’s show here in Houston, and as a longtime fan it was definitely an once-in-a-lifetime experience. This was my second time watching him perform live, the first being at a college homecoming concert in a

big college stadium. This time the venue was the House of Blues downtown, and it felt like a very intimate and personal event. After every song, often while still on his stool, Cole would speak to the audience and tell us what he was going through when he wrote that particular track. He even took requests during the show. It is very rare that you see this type of performance with so much interaction between an artist and their fans. Even though we were told, Cole would not perform any of his new material from his second album he did do some of his new hits. At one point he shocked everyone by bringing out another young rapper who has risen to the top of the hip hop world, Kendrick Lamar. Both are known for their socially conscious rap style and constant comparisons, so for both to be on stage together was something special. Both Cole and Lamar performed at the 2013 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Focusing on socially conscious rap to now completing a North American tour dedicated to helping his charity, J. Cole has shown us this generation will change the stigma associated with rap music. Cole’s concern about the community was evident at this concert. It tells society that there is a multidimensional purpose in the hip hop culture, and some rappers are focused on positive messaging. As this new generation grows up and becomes more instrumental in society our culture will change and if J. Cole’s Dollar & A Dream Tour is any indication of that future, our community will be alright.

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14.

July 2013

BEN HALL In The Community

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July 2013

BEN HALL In The Community

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July 2013

E.Y.E.S.

Theresa Grayson, Saxophonist Extraordinaire

educating youth = enhancing society EYES, educating youth = enhancing society, is a paid summer internship program for high school students sponsored by The Gulf Coast Community Service Association. The program, started in 2012, focuses on providing valuable on-the-job experience to youth in poverty related situations. Students are divided into different tracks where they work in different facilities around the city, and their teams are lead by college students. During a guest speaking event for the entrepreneurship team, speakers included Ester Francis, Will Norwood III, and our own Kevin Davis, spoke to the kids about focusing on school and never giving up on your dreams. The program has staffed over 34 students so far, and hopes to continue helping more students in the future.

“My music is a reflection of my heart. The melodies I play are the steps of my own experiences. My desire is to touch a special place in the listener’s heart and create a warm feeling of peace and happiness. I want the listener to leave smiling knowing that this was more than a concert. It was a life experience.” By Hakiam Bey Contributing Writer

axophonist Theresa Grayson is a remarkable and talented artist that delivers exceptional jazz music. Grayson’s sophomore album newly released “Live2Love” will be one to treasure for a very long time. Her expressions of her first single release “Natural Woman” has received rave reviews from around the world. Her musical style and arrangement of top hit favorites on this album will give you the feeling of listening to her live in concert! The musical arrangements of all the tunes are showcased by the great talents of producer Terence Fisher. The arrangement and smooth stylistic approach to “It Never Rains In Southern California” is sultry, smooth and explosive. Grayson shows her true musicianship and artistically performs “Smooth Operator” with her lead vocals, flute, soprano and tenor saxes to send the album on a finale you will never forget! Live2Love is a sparkling, energetic and well-arranged album for audiences around the world to enjoy! Theresa’s achievements are many and varied, but those she is most proud include performing at the Third Annual Soul Fest in Austin, Texas, Beaumont Jazz Festival, Red Cat Jazz Festival, Idyllwild Jazz Festival, Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival, Women In Jazz, AFRAM Festival, Baltimore, MD, Jeff Majors Homeless

-Theresa Grayson

Tour, One Love Cruise, Yolanda Adams Wellness Tour, Lamp Lighters Awards, KHOU Great Day Houston, Channel 26 Fox Rocks Live, Music World’s House of Dereon, Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Artist Showcase and Houston International Jazz Festival. Theresa’s career was highlighted as she also appeared and shared the stage with Peter White, Marion Meadows, Joe Sample, Ronnie Laws, and Michael Bolton Tour and toured with International Harpist Jeff Majors. Theresa released her first solo CD “It’s All About You,” featuring songs beautifully arranged, written and performed with special appearances from a host of international musicians. Her fans will be delighted to hear her sophomore CD “Live2Love” with a musical mixture of classic R&B and Pop favorites! “I wanted to dedicate my second album Live2Love to my audience. My fans would ask for the tunes I perform live on stage and this album is dedicated to my loving fans!” The tunes were carefully selected, arranged and performed with energy; Theresa shows her true craftsmanship with the powerful sound and rich tone of her tenor saxophone! Brace yourself this album bursts with fireworks that will keep you grooving as you travel through the fantastic voyage of classic hits from the early 70’s to 2013!!

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Enjoy the journey of Live2Love.

July 2013

Texas Black Expo

10th Anniversary

This year the Texas Black Expo celebrated its 10 year anniversary of empowering the community. Held at the George R. Brown convention center during the Juneteenth weekend, the free event was packed with vendors from all around the Houston area. Many black owned businesses were highlighted showing their own support for the community. Vendors included: small business owners, corporate exhibitors, seminars, children activities, health screenings and a blood drive, and hair, fashion, and live music shows. This year the Expo held a concert at Discovery Green, that featured R&B group Mint Condition and Hip Hop legend Doug E. Fresh. Since 2004, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Summer Celebrationâ&#x20AC;? has grown to become the largest African-American marketing trade show in the state of Texas and draws over 20,000 attendees and more than 250 vendors over the course of the two-day weekend event.

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July 2013

Texas Southern University Receives $150,000 Grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation for Climate Education Partnership

By Kendrick Callis

he Mickey Leland Center for Environment, Justice and Sustainability, part of the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University, was recently awarded a $150,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The grant will be used to support the planning of a Climate Education Community University Partnership (CECUP). The CECUP will be an 11-state consortium of public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and vulnerable communities located on the Gulf Coast and South Atlantic Region of the United States. “The goal of this initiative is to edu-

cate and raise public awareness, provide opportunities for emergency and environmental management education from members of underserved communities and develop a collective capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from climate change and other natural and human-made disasters,” said Dr. Robert D. Bullard, Dean of the Barbara JordanMickey Leland School of Public Affairs. This initiative will support the development of a multi-university partnership focused on educating community leaders and emerging leaders (youth and students) about the environmental, health and social causes, impacts and consequences of climate change, mitigation and adaptation strategies, and community resilience to disasters Additional funds will be sought to support the CECUP once it is established.

Great Rainy Day Activities for Kids By Harvey Mcewan It can be challenging to come up with ideas for entertaining the kids when the weather is cold, miserable and wet. In a way this limits your possibilities, considering you cannot spend a lot of time outdoors, however, do not fret as there is plenty that can be done indoors too. This selection of rainy day activities will suit a range of interests, whether your little ones prefer maths or baking. Kitchen Fun Use the opportunity to introduce your kids to cooking. Pick out some simple recipes that you know they will like. Some cakes are very easy to make and are bound to be a hit. Pasta sauces and pizzas are also great to make with younger members of the family. If the kids are young, you will obviously need to take care that they do not handle any sharp knives or piping hot food and liquids. So, if making pizza, for example, put them to work tearing mozzarella cheese with their hands or washing vegetables before you chop them. Introducing kids to cooking at a young age is important as this increases the likelihood of them enjoying cuisine later on in life, and teaches them how to be independent. Playwriting and Production Playwriting and producing a play are a great way to while away time at the weekend. Try to come up with an interesting story that the kids will enjoy performing. If strug-

gling for inspiration, base your play on a book or a TV show. Let the children assemble a stage and decorate it with soft furnishings and other household goods. If possible, let them raid your closet for costumes too. Make up can be very exciting for kids if you are willing to let them use some or apply some yourself. Tell the children to practice on their own and tell you when they're ready to perform. Perhaps you could invite some neighbors to join you in the audience? Maths and Science Activities It is worth spending time productively when indoors. Avoid switching on the TV and letting your kids stare at the screen for hours on end. Why not use the time to boost your kids skills and knowledge in maths and science? There are plenty of science experiments and math puzzles which do not require advance preparation but are still very educational. Many of these can be carried out with the help of just a few commonly found household items such as tennis balls, string, paper and pens and dice. Harvey McEwan writes on a vast range of subjects from family holiday destinations to math puzzles for a rainy day. Read his articles online. Article Source: http://www.articlebiz. com/article/1051608712-1-great-rainyday-activities-for-kids/

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July 2013

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Black Love Is Alive By Love Jones

he spate of articles extolling the plight of helplessly single women are endless. From the Nightline special from a few years ago, to Ralph Richard Banks’ recent Wall Street Journal article, everyone still seems to be telling Black girls we are doomed. To push back against the media’s barrage, Empower magazine released an in depth article that took a hard look at the research and found that the dismal forecast painted by the media isn’t really the whole picture. In the article, “New Research Shatters Myths and Provides New Hope for Black Love and Marriage,” Drs. Ivory Toldson and Bryant Marks break down the data, and show how sometimes, the numbers DO lie. By examining the Nightline article, which painted an extremely bleak outlook for single Black women, Toldson and Marks found many glaring manipulations of the data. They write: For example, we examine ABC News, Nightline feature article, “Single, Black, Female -- and Plenty of Company.” Taking this statement literally, we should understand that single white women have more “company” than single women. In the US, 6.2 million women have never been married, compared to 16.6 million white women. Therefore, a single white female has 10 million more counterparts with whom to enjoy single life than women. However, as the article points out, sometimes numbers are deceiving. After all, as they claim, “Forty-two percent of U.S. African American women have never been married, double the number of white women who’ve never tied the knot.” True, with our independent analysis of the ACS, we find that 43 percent of black females have never been married compared to 20 percent of white women, who are 18 years and older. However, when analyzing the black women who are 35 and older, the percent who have never been married drops to 25 percent, indicating that a solid majority of black women get married before they turn 35. Granted, the total percent of unmarried women is still twice more than for white women who are 35 and older. The article goes on to state, “For starters, there are 1.8 million more black women than men. So even if every man in America married a black woman today, one out of 12 women still wouldn’t make it down the aisle if they hoped to marry a black man.” True, using the most recent data in fact shows 1.9 million more black women than men. However, the same data show 4.6 million more white women than white men. With this statement,

they are exercising arrogant ignorance or deceptive omission to sell the story. While we should never just accept the information presented by the mainstream media, many women (and men) have bought into the hype. Based on their limited black dating experiences and the frenzy created by the media, many Black women feel that they are destined to be single and lonely because Black men are either not interested in dating them or there are simply not enough successful Black men to go around. Toldson and Banks, again, turn to the data to refute this line of thinking. Although Black women with college degrees outnumber Black men with degrees, when you examine income levels, brothas consistently out earn Black women. Toldson and Banks write: Black single women began to outpace black men in degree production more than a half century ago, starting in the 1960s. However, degree production has not brought about parity in the personal income of black women and black men. Nationwide, although more than 800,000 more black women than black men have at least a bachelor’s degree, almost 200,000 more black men than black women earn more than $75,000 per year. In America, 725,922 black men earn more than $75,000 compared to 528,204 black women; 100,000 more black men earn more than $100,000 than black women; and black men are twice as likely to earn more than a quarter million dollars. Therefore, if we define success in terms of education, there will never be enough black men for black women, but if we define success in terms of income, there is still some hope for black love. Education increases the chances that a black single man will earn a higher income but does not completely determine income. Several occupations that do not require a college degree are over represented among six figure black men. The top five occupations for black men who make six figures without a college degree are (1) managers, (2) truck drivers, (3) police officers, (4) construction workers, and (5) bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers. Interestingly, rounding out the top 10 are janitors and building cleaners; a profession that accounts for 1,431 black men who make six figures. The lesson; working hard at anything can lead to success. Despite their earning potential, many Black women feel that Black men just don’t want to marry or date them. They look at an increase in interracial dating and marriage as an example of Black men casting Black women aside for “the other,” But this isn’t true either. The overwhelming majority of black men who are married--EIGHTY-EIGHT percent--are married to Black women. This statistic cuts across all income and education levels as well. So the idea that Black men are deserting Black women in droves is yet another myth.

While the media continues to try to make some women feel helpless and desperate about being single, many others know the truth: Black love is alive and

thriving just look at sites like Matchebony.com, despite what others may think. Love Jones is a blogger for many black networks including matchebony.com

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July 2013

Effective Methods for Can I Get Hired Over 50? Practicing Positive Parenting

By Jay Valentine

By Jonathon Carsonage

n today’s article, you’ll read about tips on how you can practice positive parenting. Being a positive parent isn’t complicated, but it does take a certain amount of time and effort. For one, you should be interested in what’s happening in your child’s life. Positive parenting also involves maintaining a healthy and open line of communication between you and your child. To be an effective positive parent, we’re sharing a few effective ways you can try today. One of the first things you need to do to be a positive parent is to make sure that you’re setting a good example for your kids. Your children aren’t going to learn if they see you doing the opposite of what you want them to learn. If you want your children to be calm, not swear, or eat healthy, you shouldn’t be yelling all the time, swearing, or eating junk food. As a parent, it’s your job to set the right example to your children, especially when it comes to values such as politeness, honesty, and respect for other people. Simply put, if you want your children to learn these things, you’ll need to lead the way by practicing them yourself. An essential skill that will factor in your child’s success in the real world, reading can be a source of pleasure for your child as well. One way to encourage a love or reading in children is to read to them when they are very young. Your child will learn new words as they get older. sure, your child will learn how to read when he goes to school, but it’s never a bad idea to help your child get started on reading. By reading with your child, you’re teaching them how to appreciate

books and learning, and it’s a wonderful way for you to bond with them. Make sure that you read a variety of materials to your child (appropriate to your child’s age, of course!) because this will help you uncover any talents or interests in your child. Children need to get the right amount of rest and sleep in order to be healthy and be well-behaved. If your children are quite young, make sure they’re getting their naps regularly in addition to their sleep at night. Your children need to go to bed at a time you designate and you shouldn’t let them stay up beyond this. Your children’s sleep can be interrupted if they are eating foods that are high in sugar or drinking beverages that are caffeinated so watch out for this. Rest is very crucial to your child’s well-being, as it’s been found that a lot of learning and behavior issues in children stem from lack of rest and sleep. Don’t expect positive parenting to be smooth sailing all the time, and don’t expect yourself to be perfect when it comes to raising your child. Being a good parent doesn’t mean your child never has problems or that your patience is infinite. You practice good parenting when you take an active interest in the live and activities of your child. We have shared some tips on positive parenting that you can use so that you become a more effective parent. The author of this article is a world renowned expert for parenting and child related study. To read more from the author please visit www.whatbabiesneed.net or alternatively see this post Article Source: http://www.articlebiz. com/article/1051599736-1-effective-methods-for-practicing-positive-parenting/

his week one of my candidates called and said: "Hey, I am over 50 and I just do not think I can get hired." My comment was this kind of thinking was just nuts and he was crazy to think for a minute he could not get hired for a great job selling "stuff that matters" at an age over 50. Selling stuff that matters—pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, software, high tech is a very different game from selling widgets. A widget is something where the only differentiator is price. So selling advertising, selling copiers, selling undifferentiated stuff is just widget selling and you are going to starve. But selling widgets has a great side benefit---it teaches you the secret art of prospecting. My thesis is different from all other sales training pros; I believe prospecting is 95% of the sale. Maybe it is 99%. But is it not one of 5 steps in a sales process where it is only 20%. How does this take us back to selling at an age over 50? Las month I had lunch with a recruiter for one of the top search firms in the world. They hire CEOs. They never hire sales people. We were chatting about what CEOs want. CEO’s told him prospecting was a "dead art." Many of these CEOs came from sales where they prospected endlessly using the phone, cold calling, showing up knocking on doors. Then they succeeded and went to the top of their firms. So they fully expected their sales reps would have the same sense of urgency— the same desire to break through any hurdle to find a new customer. Unfortunately, they were sadly disappointed. They found

sales people were waiting around for the "phone to ring." They found they could not find highly motivated sales talent, no matter what the incentive. Well, this is where my 50 year old candidate was in great shape. I took his resume—the first step in his story, and I rewrote it in such a way as to focus on his unique ability to prospect. The entire top 70% of the resume went into detail about HOW he prospected and how he measured success. Any sales manager reading this resume came away with one message---the guy is a killer deal finder. And that was the message I wanted. But then we went with a "negative message." My candidate, during the interview process, told the hiring manager in the first phone call---"Jim, every sales manager I speak with says they are frustrated because their reps just wait around for the phone to ring. I solve that problem." It opened the next question---why are you able to do prospecting so well? Then came my candidate’s "negative positioning." "Well, because I have been doing it for 30 years, I have sold out of my existing territory and I need to sell a much larger footprint product." That told the hiring manager that the reason FOR success was age, it was not a reason for doubt. And he got hired. http://www.PharmaSalesRepJobs.com publishes free reports and videos for those seeking pharmaceutical sales jobs. The author, Jay Valentine, advises pharmaceutical sales candidates on how to use "street smart tactics" to differentiate themselves to get a great sales job. Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/ article/1051371998-1-can-i-get-hiredover-50/

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July 2013

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How to Grow Flowers from Seeds By Richard Ludwig

f you are a home or hobby gardener, you may want to grow your flowers from seeds. This is truly the best value for a gardener. With a very small cost of the seed packets you can fill your garden with color! And, you will have a much greater variety of plants to choose from. If you want to give it a try, you can start with plant seeds that are commonly easy to grow in North America. Here is a guide to help you grow your plants from seeds. Generally, the size of the seed can help determine the necessary size of a pot. A half inch seed should have a six inch pot. Just about any pot that provides drainage will work. You can also use plastic containers. If necessary, punch holes for drainage if you use plastic containers. If the seeds are extremely small, using the bottom half of an egg carton will work. Punch holes below each depression. When choosing from perennial plant seed varieties, look for ones adapted to your region and planting zone. Most seeds are best sown in a synthetic potting soil mix. Many larger seeds can be sown in low cost organic potting soil. Any potting soil should be sufficient, though. Most fertilizers say 5-10-5 on them and that means 5% nitrogen (nitrogen good

for grass and green foliage), 10% phosphorus (phosphorus good for roots and is good for flowers and fruits) and 5% potassium (potassium good for overall health and is good for flowers and fruits). A fertilizer that says 10-10-5 or 14-14-10 is higher in nitrogen is good for grass and foliage but will tend to make flowers have more foliage and less flowers so don’t use a grass fertilizer on flowers or fruit bearing trees. Manure is 5-10-5 and is inexpensive but takes several months to completely break down and fertilize the plants. For fast results use chemical fertilizers that do not need to break down. Sow your seeds in the potting soil. Allow a few seeds per container/pot as not each seed will germinate. Cover with a quarter inch of additional soil. Water your seeds until the soil is moist throughout. A little puddle of water may form below your plant, so it is best to put your pot in a saucer or pan. Place your plants so that they are getting indirect sunlight. Lighting and heat sources are optional and vary with seed type. The right soil temperature controls dormancy, so bottom heat is best. Many seeds require low level light for germination. A fluorescent shop- or under-cabinet light works well at low cost. Most small seeds require a bright light source for a few days before carrying on outdoors. Increase humidity for germination with

a thin, clear plastic bag or plastic wrap. Remove the plastic wrap for 15 minutes per day or punch holes for air circulation. Watch closely for germination because most seeds will germinate much quicker than the length of time given in most specifications. Remove the plastic wrap as soon as the seeds sprout. Transplant your seeds outside after seedlings are strong and established (after growing about 1 to 2 inches tall). Most seeds are easy to transplant. To determine the density of plants in your flower garden, measure the area of your garden and calculate its square footage (width x length = square feet). Then determine the spacing requirements of each variety. If the recommended spacing is six inches, use four plants per square foot; for eight-inch spacing, two plants; 12-inch spacing, one plant. It’s also a good idea to plant a few in four- or sixinch pots to hold for later in the summer, in case you need replacement plants. If you can’t plant immediately, store your seedlings in a protected area out of wind and free of danger of a late frost. Water as needed to prevent them from drying out. Try to transplant on an overcast day or late in the afternoon to minimize stress. Water each plant thoroughly before removing from the growing container or pot.

Prepare the planting bed by loosening the soil to a depth of six to eight inches. Dig each hole slightly larger than the seedling’s root. Add two inches of compost or composted manure, and mix in well. Gently place the seedling in the hole, filling in with garden soil and tamping securely into place. Drench the soil around the plants, watering slowly, deeply, and evenly. Provide daily attention to your new plants for the first few weeks, watering as the soil surface dries out. Fertilize once with an organic fertilizer such as 5-3-4 or a synthetic fertilizer like 10-10-10, according to the instructions on the product label. Mulch to retain moisture and keep down weeds. Use a two-inch layer of bark chips, straw, or other organic matter. Avoid leaves, unless shredded, as they may pack down keeping water and air from the plant roots. Richard has worked on many DIY projects around the home and garden for many years. Spending much of his spare time as a hobby gardener to not only grow grass for a luscious lawn in the dry Southwestern US, but also vegetables and flowers from seeds for beautiful landscapes. For more information and specials on plant seeds, visit the Gardening Palace at: http://www.GardeningPalace.com Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/ article/1051587573-1-how-to-grow-flowersfrom-seeds/

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July 2013

Experience Our World of Marketing and Communication

Presented by

S AV E THE DATE Join us as we celebrate some of Houston’s most impressive leaders!

October 4, 2013 | 7pm The Houstonian Hotel 111 N. Post Oak Ln. Houston, Texas 77024

Tickets and Tables Now Available Online to Purchase

www.top30iwh.com

Send your nominations today! Kim Floyd Vice President d-mars.com

N O M I N AT I O N S Please submit your nominations for the 1st Annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards. The nomination deadline is Friday, July 26, 2013. Please send bios as Word documents, 250 words or less and no PDFs (include the nominee’s name, email address and contact number). Top 30 Influential Women of Houston – Nomination Process: Candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated by others. We are looking for a diverse group of candidates who share a commitment to business growth, professional excellence and the community — women who are shaping the economic future of large and small corporations or independent firms. The awards are open to women who are business owners, or senior executives in the public, private or nonprofit sectors.

Email Nominations to top30@dmars.com by Friday, July 26, 2013

If there are any questions, please call 713.272.9511