Houston Defender: December 13, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

THREE POPULAR LOCAL comedians SPREAD CHEER YEAR ROUND P5

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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 82 | Number 8

DECEMBER 13, 2012 |FREE

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FEATURE MICHELLE OBAMA shares Christmas memories

P6 OPINION GEORGE CURRY explores the fiscal cliff

P8 SPORTS OPINION

JOHNNY MANZIEL honored to win Heisman

P16 CHAG’S PLACE

David and Tamela Mann at family reunion tour

P19

HPD Kwanzaa has identify crisis Kwanzaa has grown in popularity over the years, yet there are still AfricanAmericans who know little or nothing about it.

Why did Kwanzaa’s founder establish it in the first place? What are some of the misconceptions Blacks have about the celebration? What will it take to make Kwanzaa more relevant?

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probe reaction

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Holiday blues can be beat

This is the season to have a Merry Christmas and happy New Year, but countless people experience the blues during the holidays. Learn why this time of year can get you down.

Get a list of coping mechanisms for beating the blues. Understand why what you eat and drink can make a big difference in how you feel.

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Kwanzaa’s identity crisis Kwanzaa calendar of events Saturday, Dec. 22

SHAPE Community Center hosts its annual Pre-Kwanzaa Holiday Market from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the 3903 Almeda location. Attendees will be privy to vendors, food, music, face painting and petting zoo. The event is sponsored by the Greater Houston Area Kwanzaa Planning Committee.

Wednesday, Dec. 26

The citywide celebration will take place at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis.

A market place is at 5 p.m. and the opening ceremony is at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 27

Day two of Kwanzaa, sponsored by NBUF, will be held at 7 p.m. at SHAPE’s 3903 Almeda location.

Friday, Dec. 28

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

Kwanzaa, the annual celebration of the reaffirmation and reinforcement of the best of African views and values, has sought to erase racial ambiguity since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga.

Though Kwanzaa has steadily grown in popularity over the years, there are still African-Americans who know little or nothing about it.

It is celebrated during the last week of the year, beginning on Dec. 26 and ending on Jan. 1. However, some erroneously label it the “Black Christmas,” and believe it is designed to replace the observance of Dec. 25.

Kwanzaa, however, is a celebration of family, community and culture, created by Karenga, a longtime scholar/activist and author.

“I created Kwanzaa for three basic reasons: to reaffirm and reinforce our rootedness in African culture; to give us a time as African people all over the world to come together, reinforce the bonds between us and meditate on the awesome meaning of being African in the world; and to introduce and reaffirm the importance of the Nguzo Saba,” said Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies at California State University-Long

Beach.

The Nguzo Saba are the seven principles celebrated on the seven days of Kwanzaa. They are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamma (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).

Yet for some Blacks, Kwanzaa is still a distant or even foreign concept.

Amber Carter, a UH freshman from Dallas, for example, has never observed the holiday, though she is open to do so.

“I want to participate in Kwanzaa because it’s supporting something that our race developed,” said Carter, concurring with her classmate, Yasmin Hamza.

“I was first exposed to Kwanzaa in 2001 when I moved to America,” said the Ethiopian-born Hamza. “We simply didn’t celebrate it where I’m from.”

Colin Clarke, an international financier and graduate of Willowridge High School, currently living in Zimbabwe, believes Kwanzaa is known but is simply not utilized.

“Kwanzaa, like the southern African concept of ‘Ubuntu’ or unity, is often spoken about and seldom practiced,” said Clarke.

But those who regularly observe Kwanzaa swear by it.

“It’s an important celebration with significant Continue on Page 18

Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, 5801 W. Montgomery (www.mtararatbc.com), will host the Kwanzaa market place at 3 p.m. and the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. For Galveston residents, there will also be a 5 p.m. market place and 6 p.m. Kwanzaa celebration at the Old Central Cultural Center 2627 Ave O, sponsored by the Nia Cultural Center (www.niacultural.com).

Saturday, Dec. 29

Festivities will take place at SEHAH Youth Center, 5110 MLK Blvd. A market place is at 5 p.m. and the opening ceremony is at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 30

The fifth Kwanzaa principle will be celebrated at the Southside Community Center, 7645 South Freeway, sponsored by Sisterhood Creations. A market place is at 6 p.m. and the opening ceremony is at 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 31

On the last day of 2011, SHAPE will again host Kwanzaa at its 3815 Live Oak building, with a market place at 5 p.m. and opening ceremony at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 1

Kwanzaa culminates, as it does annually, with festivities taking place at the Shrine Christian Center of Houston, 5313 MLK Blvd. A market place is at 6 p.m. and the opening ceremony is at 7 p.m.

For more information about activities or vendor opportunities call 713-521-0629 or 713-521-0641 or visit www.shape.org.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012

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national Black rate of unemployment drops faster NNPA News Service

President Barack Obama favors same-sex marriage but believes the issue should be left up to states rather than the federal government.

Gay marriage debate

Court could force Obama’s hand NNPA News Service The Supreme Court’s decision to hear two same-sex marriage cases this spring means the Obama administration will be forced to take a stand on the hot-button issue that has elicited reaction from every side.

President Barack Obama announced in May that his position had evolved to where he now favors same-sex marriage after previously having just supported just civil unions. The administration made clear last year that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage

Act, the 1996 law that denies federal benefits to same-sex married couples.

But many mistakenly took his comments as a full embrace of same-sex marriage when that was never the case. The president was always very careful to say that

believed it was an issue best left up to the states rather than decided at the federal level.

A federal district court judge’s ruling in 2010 struck down a California ban on same-sex marriages from two years earlier as unconstitutional by finding a broad federal right to same-sex marriage.

In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit also defined California’s Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, but on narrower grounds.

Now it’s up to the Supreme Court to hear the matter, meaning the president will likely be forced to choose sides and anger a large part of his base whatever decision he makes.

African-Americans are Obama’s most ardent support-

ers and are overwhelmingly conservative on certain social issues, gay marriage especially. Those in California were strongly in favor of Proposition 8.

But the gay and lesbian community also played key roles in Obama’s re-election last month and will be looking for him to come through for them.

Obama reaffirmed his position on the issue just days before last month’s election.

“Historically, marriages have been defined at the state level,” he told MTV. “Ultimately, you know, I believe that if we have that conversation at the state level, the evolution that’s taking place in this country will get us to a place where we are going to be recognizing everybody fairly.”

The Black unemployment rate fell to 13.2 percent in November, down from 14.3 percent the previous month. The decrease of 1.1 percent was a sharper drop than for whites (6.8 percent, from 7 percent in October) and Latinos (10 percent, the same as for the previous month), according to the monthly report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Overall, unemployment fell by twotenths of a percent, to 7.7 percent in November from 7.9 percent in October.

The drop defied predictions of many economists who believed Superstorm Sandy combined with the shutdown of east coast financial centers and delayed fuel delivery to the region would have a severe impact on job growth.

The unemployment rate for Black men fell from 15.6 percent in October to 14.3 percent in November. Since June 2009, which marked the official end of the Great Recession, the rate for Black males has declined from 17.5 percent to 14.3 percent, a dip of 3.2 percent.

Black women saw their unemployment rate fall from 13.3 percent in October to 12.3 percent in November. While men enjoyed a drop of 4.2 percent since June 2009, the end of the Great Recession, the rate for Black women was virtually unchanged, from 12.7 percent in November to 12.3 percent over that same period.

VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 8 DECEMBER 13, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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DECEMBER 13 | 2012 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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Comedians spread cheer

By TIFFANY L. WILLIAMS Defender Anyone can be funny, but it takes a true comedian to command the stage. For three funny men, telling jokes and making people laugh have been a part of their lives since youth.

The Defender chatted with Eddie B, Blame the Comic and Mickey Housley to learn how they got started as comedians and what lessons or challenges they’ve encountered coming up in the business.

Eddie B Houston-bred comedian Eddie Brown, aka Eddie B, said he discovered comedy was a part of him in high school after an attractive female classmate challenged him to act more Eddie B mature for the day.

“She told me I played around too much, so I was at Jones [High School] all day being quiet,” Brown said. “That lasted until first lunch, and then I was back to being crazy. That’s when I realized this is me.”

Following his 10th-grade self-realization, Brown went on to attend Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where he first tried his luck as a professional comedian.

“I just put some fliers up, charged people $3 to get in, and it ended up being a bang,” he said.

“It was packed. And that was my inspiration.”

Brown, who now has a master’s degree and works as a teacher, said starting out he was

Mickey Housley

forced to discover his comedic style.

That, however, didn’t take long.

Brown said his audiences’ most genuine laughs come when he’s himself.

“The gut-busting laughs come from the real stuff I go through,” said Brown, who often talks about teaching and life as a single father. “Somebody’s going through it – whether it’s relationships, your kids – and everything we go through is comedy.”

Although Brown has progressed in his career, he

admits he has a long way to go as a comedian.

“You can’t rush being funny; there’s no punch line in life,” he said. “Pay attention to what God has blessed you with, and…something more will come.”

Find Eddie at www.facebook. com/ComedianeEddieB or on Twitter @ComedianEddieB

Blame the Comic Although a rap career may appeal to some, Marion Stafford, better known as Blame the Comic, said he knew comedy Continue on Page 18

Blame the Comic

what’sup TERRENCE HOWARD is coming to Houston Community College. He will speak at the HCC Black History Scholarship Gala on Feb. 23 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. Faculty, staff, students and friends celebrate African-American culture during the annual event. Howard has starred in such movies as “The Best Man,” “Crash,” “Idlewild,” “Red Tails,” “Iron Man,” “Ray” and “Hustle & Flow.” Past keynote speakers included VANESSA WILLIAMS, SOLEDAD O’BRIEN, DR. CORNEL WEST, JAMES EARL JONES and SPIKE LEE. Visit www.hccs.edu/blackhistory or call 713.718.5BHC for more information…….. BEYONCÉ is taking care of business. The new $50 million deal she signed with Pepsi includes promotional appearances, a new commercial, and the beverage company’s investment in a number of her creative projects. Her face will also appear

on a limited edition run of cola cans. “Pepsi embraces creativity and understands that artists evolve,” she told the New York Times. “As a businesswoman, this allows me to work with a lifestyle brand with no compromise and without sacrificing my creativity.” She has worked with the brand since 2002........MARY J. BLIGE recently shared the stage with another M.J. – MICK JAGGER. She joined the Rolling Stones during their 50th anniversary concert at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and sang “Gimme Shelter” with Jagger ……..Gospel music’s DEITRICK HADDON portrays an R&B superstar in “A Beautiful Soul,” which debuts Saturday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. on TV One. The film is a contemporary take on the holiday themes explored in “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Carol.” It shows the spiritual journey Haddon’s character takes when he and

a friend are brutally attacked and left clinging to life. Guided by a mysterious presence, he is given the opportunity to reflect on his past and reevaluate his faith. Other stars in the film include GOLDEN BROOKS and VANESSA BELL CALLOWAY ……The family of NOTORIOUS B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls and Christopher Wallace) received an apology from the Los Angeles Police Department after it made the late rapper’s autopsy public without letting his relatives know ahead of time. Police said the records relating to the March 1997 slaying of the rapper were released prematurely “due to an administrative error.” According to the Los Angeles Times, police hope unsealing the 23-page document will generate new leads for the unsolved drive-by shooting that occurred as Biggie sat in an SUV on Wilshire Boulevard. He was 24 at the time of his death.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

First families recall Christmas Defender News Services

An upcoming holiday special will take a look at Christmases past and present with 10 presidential families over the last 50 years.

“A White House Christmas: First Families Remember,” will air at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20 on NBC. It is hosted by Meredith Vieira, and includes an interview with First Lady Michelle Obama.

Former First Ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barbara Bush and Rosalynn Carter will share their Christmas memories as well.

Several “first children” also share their holiday memories, including Chelsea Clinton, Amy Carter, Susan Ford Bales, Tricia Nixon Cox, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson.

Vieira went behind the scenes with staff and volunteers to find out what it takes to prepare for the 2012 holiday season and thousands of visitors each day.

“Christmas at the White House is much more than adding lights to a tree,” Vieira said. “Long-standing traditions are revived each year to pay tribute to seasons past, and messages of joy and hope encourage everyone, regardless of party or position, to share with family and friends all the blessings of the season.”

An encore presentation will air Friday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.

First Lady Michelle Obama, surrounded by her family and a group of children in a file photo, will recall Christmas memories.

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Comedians...Continued from page 5 was the path for him.

“It’s less saturated and it beats the rapping game,” said the Houston-native.

“Plus, I’m not that tough.”

Choosing comedy turned out to be the right move for Stafford. Less than a year after gracing the stage, he won a comedy competition at the Arena Theatre, and not long after that landed a spot on BET’s popular standup competition TV show “Coming to the Stage.”

But Stafford said it was a much smaller accomplishment that unlocked his passion for entertaining crowds.

“I got paid $50 at a comedy night,” he said. “Once I got that, I was like, yeah, this is something I need to be doing.”

Ten years following his first paid gig, Stafford continues to make audiences laugh across the country. He’s also currently working to launch his nonprofit, Humor for Hope Foundation.

“The purpose of the organization is to do comedic expression for underprivileged communities, special needs public, such as natural disaster victims… and schools,” Stafford said.

“I’m also teaming with World Youth Foundation, working with rehab and juvenile centers and prisons to use comedy as a form of anger management, mental wellness and character building.”

Find Blame at www.facebook. com/BlameTheComic or on Twitter @ BlameTheComic.

Mickey Housley

A year stint of karaoke performances is how Houston funny man Mickey Housley first hit the stage. But transitioning to joke-telling is when he found his true calling.

“My dad used to try and get us to do karaoke but I would always say that’s a girl thing,” he said. “I finally went one day, sang Usher’s “Nice & Slow” and I was hooked.”

Now, Housley works fulltime as a comedian, but said the road isn’t always a smooth ride.

“Some of the challenges are trying to stay busy, finding work and working on your material,” he said. “It’s easy to get lazy but you have to keep practicing and keep your material fresh.”

The Houston-born comedian also said staying focused is how he handles everything the comedy game throws at him.

“You have to learn to stay in your lane and know that what God has for you is for you,” he said. “As long as you’re working, it will come to you.”

Find Housley at www.facebook.com/ mickey.housley or on Twitter @ComedianMickey.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012 defendernetwork.com

opinion

Fiscal showdown

By GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA Columnist

It should be embarrassing enough that President Obama and House Republicans postponed making tough fiscal decisions by kicking the can down the road to New Year’s Day – when certain automatic budget cuts will go into effect unless they act to avoid what is called a fiscal cliff.

Instead of moving quickly to solve their self-created problems, both sides continue to misrepresent basic facts.

For example, House Speaker John Boehner (D-Ohio) has criticized the Obama administration for refusing to give a list of specific cuts. He said the administration “put $400 billion worth of unspecified cuts that they’d be willing to talk about.”

FactCheck.org stated flatly: “Boehner is wrong.” It explained, “The president’s deficit-reduction plan, as proposed to Congress in September 2011, itemizes ‘nearly $580 billion in cuts and reforms to mandatory programs, of which $320 billion is savings from Federal health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.’ Those proposals are also listed in the president’s fiscal 2013 budget proposal in a section, beginning on page 23, titled ‘Cutting Waste, Reducing the Deficit.’

“The Medicare proposals, for example, are a mix of reduced payments to certain providers, including teaching hospitals and post-acute care facilities – as well as the higher premiums and new fees for certain beneficiaries…”

FactCheck.org, an organization that holds public officials accountable, also noted that Republicans are running a numbers game.

“In a Dec. 3 letter to the president outlining the GOP counterproposal for deficit reduction, Boehner and other GOP leaders said there is ‘four times as much tax revenue as spending cuts’ in the president’s proposal,” the organization recalled.

“The GOP math works like this: Obama’s proposal includes $1.6 trillion in new tax revenue and roughly $400 billion in spending cuts. In an email to us, Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck said that ‘when Sec. Geithner made his proposal to us, the number he used – repeatedly – was $400 billion.’

“However, as we mentioned earlier, on several Sunday talk shows, Geithner said the total savings comes to $600 billion over 10 years.”

Both Republicans and Democrats are playing being

Geithner exaggerate the amount of spending cuts in the president’s plan, according to FactCheck.org.

“On NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ Geithner said, ‘We have laid out a very detailed plan of spending cuts, $600 billion dollars in spending in mandatory programs over 10 years.’ The president made the same claim in a Dec. 4 interview with Bloomberg News, saying his proposal has ‘$600 billion in additional cuts in mandatory spending.’

“It’s true that there’s nearly $600 billion in estimated savings from mandatory programs: $326 billion in health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and $254 billion in other programs, such as farm subsidies. But not all of these are ‘spending cuts,’ and the administration’s own deficit-reduction plan doesn’t label them as such – instead calling them a combination of ‘cuts and reforms.’

“There are tens of billions in new fees and surcharges and increased premiums in Medicare alone. Table S-10 of the revised fiscal 2013 budget proposal outlines numerous other new and higher fees under the section titled ‘Mandatory Initiatives and Savings.’”

Amid the word and numbers games, the public is clear about what should be done, even if Washington isn’t.

A Gallup poll in November found, “Forty-five percent of Americans now say they favor reducing the federal budget deficit with an equal balance of tax increases and spending cuts, up from 32% last year.

At the same time, the percentage favoring an emphasis on spending cuts is now 40%, down from 50% last year, Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com while the percentage in favor of reducing the deficit primarily through tax increases selective in their choice of words. is unchanged at 11%.”

“In part, the discrepancy is a matter of language.

A Washington Post-Pew Research Center poll conRepublicans are saying ‘spending cuts’ while Democrats are ducted Nov. 29-Dec. 2 found that a majority of Americans saying ‘savings,’ ‘reforms’ and ‘spending cuts.’ But the more –53 percent – would blame Republicans in Congress if substantial difference between the Democrats’ and RepubWashington fails to reach a deal in deficit talks to avoid the licans’ spending cuts-to-tax hike ratios is that Republicans fiscal cliff. do not count the $1 trillion in discretionary spending cuts The survey found that only 27 percent would fault agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011,” FactCheck.

President Obama if negotiations between the executive and org states. legislative branches of government fail, 12 percent would “The White House argues those are part of the ongoing split the blame equally between the two sides and 2 percent negotiations to resolve a deficit crisis. Nor does the GOP have no opinion. include the $800 billion ‘saved’ from ending the wars in Iraq Like Ronald Reagan, this could be Obama’s “make my and Afghanistan.” day” moment.

President Obama and Secretary of Treasury Timonty

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012

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cover

Community members respond to the Department of Justice investigation into HPD.

Community responds

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By TIFFANY L. WILLIAMS Defender

n emotional Anthony Childress, 39, stood outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, recounting his version of the cold October night when he said Houston Police Department officers violently beat him, knocking out six of his teeth and fracturing his jaw.

“The evidence is on my face still,” said Childress, his voice cracking as he spoke with reporters. “Every day I have to walk around like this…it’s hard to look at people and smile and your teeth are gone.”

During the October incident Childress was arrested and charged with cocaine possession, but denies the allegations.

Standing alongside Childress were members of the Houston Chapter of the New Black Panther Party (NBPP), the National Black United Front (NBUF), S.H.A.P.E. Community Center Council of Elders, Millions More Movement, Anti-Death Penalty Movement, Operation Outreach OG1, concerned citizens and other victims of police brutality.

The group assembled in response to the U.S. Department of Justice’s probe into six cases in which Houston police officers fatally shot or allegedly used excessive force against unarmed residents.

“While the investigation of six cases is a small start, it needs to deal with the thousands of complaints and not just a few,” said NBPP’s Houston Chapter chairwoman Krystal Muhammad.

With the investigation, community leaders said they also want transparency and the implementation of an independent civilian review board with subpoena power, prosecutorial power and proper funding “Our position is clear,” said NBUF member Ali Muhammad. “We want to know when these investigations will begin, when will they end and are the people going to be involved.”

To emphasize their demands, community members have also been gathering in front of the courthouse once a week for nearly two years, collectively calling themselves the Black Justice Tuesday Coalition (BJTC), to protest police brutality and other injustices.

“We’ve been continually agitating,” Krystal Muhammad said. “Every Tuesday we’re out here at noon, raising this issue of excessive force and how the DA continues to let these officers get away with these human rights violations.”

Other cases under the DOJ’s investigation involve the September shooting death of Brian Claunch, 45, a double amputee who had a history of mental illness, as well as the March 2010 beating of 15-yearold Chad Holley. The beating was caught on surveillance video, leading to disciplinary action against 12 officers, but many have since been given their jobs back.

Despite witnesses and two of the six cases involving video footage, Ray Hunt, president of the Houston Police Officers’ Union told the Associated Press, “We are confident that the people in the Justice Department ... are going to look at these cases and realize that we have done everything we have to do,” he said.

Childress, who is suing HPD for $10 million for his injuries, said he feels more should have been done, especially since no disciplinary action was taken against any of the officers involved with his case.

“Anytime you beat us down and dismiss these cases on these officers, you’re telling us we don’t… mean anything to this country,” Childress said.

He charged others to join the BJTC in its efforts to help stop police brutality.

“The power is in our hands but we don’t have power if we keep relinquishing our power by being scared,” he said. “Come out here and stand beside the ones who are being beat down, brutalized and tortured by this system.”

HP probe r Anthony Childress says he was beaten by HPD officers.

Justice De

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

The oldest and most publicized of the six HPD cases currently tion by the Department of Justice took place in March 2009 as Chad was beaten by nearly a dozen officers during a burglary arrest.

The beating was captured on surveillance video and gained nat posure. The seven officers involved were later fired, including the fo indicted by a Harris County grand jury. The first officer tried was acq In July 2011, Officer Angela Horton was caught by a television

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PD reaction

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Legal impact of investigation violated, DOJ will take no further action,” said Williams, whose legal areas of expertise include The news that the Decriminal law, international crimipartment of Justice is invesnal law and capital punishment. tigating HPD for excessive For decades, members of force could not have come Houston’s Black and Latino comsoon enough for community munities have complained about members who have been police abuse. The deaths of Jose calling for such inquiries for Campos Torres, Ida Lee Delaney, years. What are the potential Byron Gillum and others at the legal ramifications of the hands of HPD officers still strike investigation? a nerve with local residents, who Kenneth Williams, decry a pattern of abuse linking professor of law at the South to the six cases currently being Texas College of Law, said Professor Kenneth Williams investigated by the DOJ. that while looking into the Local Sunnyside resident questionable shootings and Felix Hampton doesn’t hold out much beatings of unarmed individuals by HPD, the DOJ hope for any substantive change in HPD as a result will examine the police officers’ rationale for the of the investigation. shootings and seek to determine whether the evi“Do I want to see change? Of course, but I’m dence supports their rationale. afraid it will probably be like that song, ‘Same as it “The DOJ will use the investigation to deterever was; same as it ever was,’ ” Hampton said. mine whether any federal laws were violated as a Williams believes an investigation that turns result of these shootings, for instance, whether the up wrongdoing offers the potential for the change shootings were motivated by race,” Williams said.

Hampton and others have sought.

“The DOJ will also examine any internal inves“If the DOJ were to sue HPD, it would seek tigations of these shootings that may have occurred, changes in HPD’s policies and procedures which determine whether there are adequate procedures would likely benefit Houston’s minority commuin place to investigate police shootings and whether nity,” he said. these procedures were followed during the investigaIf such a ruling were to come, it would not tions.” be the first. According to Williams, the DOJ sued Williams added that the DOJ could decide as a the police departments of both Los Angeles and result of its investigation that HPD’s procedures for New Orleans as a result of police shootings and investigating police shootings are inadequate, and mistreatment of their respective minority comthat the shootings were either justified or unjustified. munities.

“If the DOJ determines that the shootings were “The DOJ also brought criminal charges not justified or that HPD’s procedures are inadin several high-profile police shootings in New equate, the DOJ could file a civil lawsuit against Orleans. Settlements were reached with both HPD. The DOJ could also bring criminal charges departments which required wide-ranging reforms against the officers who shot the individuals,” Wilto be implemented. The situation in both cities liams said. seems to have improved after these reforms were “Of course if DOJ determines that no laws were implemented,” Williams added.

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

ept. investigating six cases

under investigad Holley, then 15,

tionwide exour who were cquitted. n crew punching

a16-year-old armed robbery suspect in the face. Horton was fired in August 2011.

In October 2011, Anthony Childress claimed he was stopped during a midnight bicycle ride and beaten by a group of police. Childress lost six teeth, and required 56 stitches.

Annika Lewis alleges in January she was tackled and punched by police as she attempted to use her phone to record officers kicking and beating her husband, Sebastian Prevot, with a baton outside their home after he was pulled over by HPD. Lewis also claims officers forcibly took her phone’s memory card. Prevot was charged with evading arrest, while Lewis was not charged. Two officers were disci-

he Houston area for over 80 years

plined for not using sound judgment, but not relieved of duty.

In July, during an assault investigation, 54-year-old Rufino Lara was shot to death by an officer who ordered him to raise both hands. Authorities said Lara failed to follow officers’ commands to show his hands and that he tried to pull a concealed object from his waistband that turned out to be a can of beer. Two witnesses said Lara had his hands in the air when he was shot.

Most recently, wheelchair-bound, double amputee Brian Claunch was fatally shot in September after he threatened officers with what turned out to be a ballpoint pen.

12 DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Beating the holiday blues

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

It’s called a season of joy, but this time of year leaves countless people feeling blue.

While many are looking at the holidays as a joyous time of year for family gatherings, gifts and a good time to reflect, there are those who are burdened by feelings of sadness and heightened anxiety.

“There are a variety of reasons that contribute to an increase in the number of people experiencing “the blues” during the holidays,” said Traci Patterson, director of communications for Mental Health America of Greater Houston.

“Loneliness, relationship issues, unrealistic expectations of the season; having too many responsibilities and financial difficulties top the list as common holiday stressors that cause some people to feel less than excited about the season.”

While the holiday blues are less intense and usually last a shorter time than depression, the down-inthe-dumps feeling is often hard to shake at this time of the year.

“Holidays can be emotional and issues such as the loss of a friend, family member or a pet; a rift between family or friends; an undesired marital or relationship status; an unrealistic attempt to recreate the memories of holidays past; handling too many responsibilities or tasks; or overspending are common situations where feelings are elevated and can make the holiday season seem less cheerful,” Patterson said.

Holiday blues are equally as challenging for someone who is already dealing with mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression since the stress of the holidays may exacerbate their symptoms.

Improve your mood

The good news is that people don’t have to suffer.

They can give themselves a wonderful gift – peace of mind.

There are strategies to help a person change their outlook on the holidays, and to reduce their stress levels, improve their mood and perhaps beat the holiday blues.

Psychologist Bob Edward said the holiday season brings “diminished light” as well as memories that are both pleasant and filled with absence and despair, commonly referred to as the holiday blues.

In a more serious expression of the blues, he added, the syndrome might be classified as seasonal affective disorder.

The concept of the holiday blues refers to the feelings that many people have that associates itself closely to grief, loss, memories, and current stressors felt during Thanksgiving and Christmas, Edwards explained.

In a clinical sense, it is the reprocessing of repressed memories or pieces of unresolved issues and is seasonal in nature, he continued, and often associated with the financial pressures of the holidays.

Over the holidays, people tend to feel depressed because of the heightened memory of lost relationships or the death

of loved ones who were very meaningful, Edwards said.

The feelings of loneliness, sadness, grief and loss are intensified by the gray, cloudy skies of winter, he added.

Some people also have unmet expectations of peace, love and joy by depending on a holiday occasion instead of looking within themselves.

What to watch

What people eat can also cause the holiday blues, Edwards noted. Overindulging in certain foods and drinks – such as those high in chocolate, sugar, refined white flour and caffeine – can have a damaging effect known as psychometabolic blues. They give a high and a crash and also release cortisol, an enzyme that creates weight gain and stress.

To feel less depressed over the holiday season, Edwards offered several suggestions.

He recommended that people acknowledge their true feelings, give themselves permission to accept the way they feel, and learn to practice the ownership of Continue on Page 18

Tips on coping with the blues Mental Health America of Greater Houston suggests the following coping tips to help make the holidays more bearable.

Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief.

You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.

Reach out. Find community, religious or other social events and volunteer opportunities where you can participate.

These activities can help you feel less lonely and isolated, as well as offer support, companionship and a boost to your spirit.

Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like years past. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones.

Set aside differences and grievances.

Wait until a more appropriate time for discussion.

Stick to a budget. Decide how much money you can afford to spend and stick to it.

Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities.

Learn to say “No.” Saying “Yes” when you should say “No” can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. People will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity.

Remember healthy habits. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, drinks or fattening foods. Get plenty of sleep and physical activity.

Make some time for yourself. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

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| DECEMBER 13 | 2012 | DEFENDER

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For more information, go to the government websites: occ.gov/independentforeclosurereview or federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/independent-foreclosure-review.htm If you need free help to complete the Request for Review Form, contact a HUD-approved nonprofit organization that helps homeowners in distress. Information about HUD-approved nonprofit organizations that can provide free assistance is available at makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-started/housing-expert or by calling 1-855-778-0855.

Si usted habla español, tenemos representantes que pueden asistirle en su idioma para darle información sobre la Revisión Independiente de Ejecución Hipotecaria.

Assistance is also available in over 200 languages, including: Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hmong and Russian. 提供中文幫助。 한국어 도움을 제공합니다. Помощь на русском языке.

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* Any payments made to you if errors in your foreclosure are found may be reported to the IRS and may have tax implications. Consult a tax advisor to discuss those implications.

An important message directed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

INDEPENDENT FORECLOSURE REVIEW

13

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012

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food

Celebrate holidays with

seafood

asparagus in half on diagonal. Add sliced lobster, asparagus and baby lettuces to dressing and toss gently to coat.

Spoon herb mayonnaise onto four plates in a circular pattern. Divide lobster evenly over plates. Place asparagus around it; mound salad greens in center of each, and top each with lobster claw. Yield: 4 servings.

Family Features

The holidays are the perfect time to gather with your nearest and dearest to create lasting memories. But who says you have to follow the same traditions as in years past?

If you’re looking for a different dish, consider seafood.

A Lobster Salad with Asparagus Herb Mayonnaise is an appealing start to any meal or perfect for a light supper. Simply season your favorite mayonnaise and use it to top steamed lobster.

Salmon is a favorite with many seafood lovers, and friends and family will be impressed with Honey-Tart Cherry Glazed Salmon with Cherry Salsa.

Honey-Tart Cherry Glazed Salmon with Cherry Salsa

Lobster Salad with Herb Mayonnaise

1/2 pound thin asparagus, tough stems removed 1/4 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as chervil, parsley, tarragon or chives 1/3 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons champagne or sherry vinegar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons walnut or hazelnut oil 2 1 1/4-pound lobsters, steamed, tail and claw meat removed from shell 4 cups mixed baby lettuce Juice of 1 lemon

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Prepare large bowl of ice water, and set aside. Bring shallow pan of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and blanch until bright green and just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove and plunge into ice water bath to stop cooking, reserving asparagus water. Once asparagus is chilled, remove from ice water bath, pat dry and set aside.

Place herbs into blender and puree with 2 to 3 tablespoons reserved asparagus water until

smooth. Whisk mayonnaise with pureed herbs and half the lemon juice. Then season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Whisk vinegar, mustard and remaining half of lemon juice together in large bowl. Slowly whisk in walnut or hazelnut oil until smooth.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

Slice lobster tail into 1-inch pieces. Cut

Salsa: 1 cup chopped tart cherries (thawed from frozen) 1 small red onion, diced (about 1/2 cup) 1 jalapeño, chopped 1 tablespoon honey 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon grated ginger Salt and pepper, to taste Salmon: 1 pound salmon fillet, cut into four pieces 1/4 cup tart cherry juice (juice from frozen cherries will work) 1/4 cup honey In medium bowl, stir together ingredients for salsa until well combined. Cover; chill until ready to serve.

Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil or parchment (foil preferred). Rinse salmon fillets under cool water; pat dry with paper towel. Arrange on baking sheet.

In small bowl, whisk together cherry juice and honey. Spread half of mixture over salmon fillets, reserving second half.

Slide baking sheet into oven; bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until just about cooked through.

Drizzle second half of tart cherry-honey mixture over fillets; bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly golden at edges.

Serve salmon fillets on bed of greens with tart cherry salsa on top. Serves: 4

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| DECEMBER 13 | 2012 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012 defendernetwork.com

sports

A&M’s Johnny Manziel

honored to win Heisman Trophy

By MAX EDISON Defender

The ballots have all been cast and counted and the results are overwhelming. Texas A&M record setting redshirt quarterback Johnny Manziel is this year’s Heisman Trophy winner.

The Kerrville native defeated a relatively weak field with 2029 votes, compared to Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o (who received 1706 votes) and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein (894 votes).

Manziel becomes the first freshman to win the award in its 78-year-history. He’s the second player from Texas A&M to win the Heisman, joining John David Crow from 1957.

“It’s mind-blowing to think that I’m the 2012 Heisman winner,” Johnny Football said. “I have been dreaming about this since I was a kid, running around the backyard pretending I was Doug Flutie, throwing Hail Mary’s to my dad.”

“It’s an honor to be the first freshman to win,” Manziel continued. “I think everything we’ve done [as a team] this year has had a huge impact.

First-year Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin made the decision to go with the unproven Manziel at the beginning of the season and the choice has proven to be a great one.

The Aggies finished with a 10-2 record in their first year in the rugged SEC. That record includes a road victory over previously unbeaten and defending national champion Alabama.

Sumlin, who was recently named SEC Coach of the Year, had nothing but praise for his signal caller.

“It’s a big deal, a big honor. A lot of programs out there don’t even have one,” Sumlin said. “He’s a great, great player and we’re fortunate to have him. It’s huge for the university and it just legitimizes what we are doing as a program.

“For a redshirt freshman to do what he’s done and accomplish what he’s accomplished is really big. He [makes things right] even when the play breaks down.”

Manziel’s statistics for the 2012 season were unquestionably Heisman-worthy.

He broke 2010 Heisman winner Cam Newton’s Southeastern Conference record with 4,600 total yards.

He threw for 3,419 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 1,181 yards and 19 more scores to become the first freshman, first SEC player and fifth player overall to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a season.

The success of Manziel and the program under Sumlin in the SEC has been a major source of pride for Aggies old and young. No one is more proud than Bucky Richardson, a former quarterback for A&M and

Johnny Manziel embraces his Heisman in New York City.

Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football, as a freshman, is historical and spectacular. It’s been a very special year for him, Coach Sumlin, the entire Aggie football program and our university. To be in a new league with a new coach and a new quarterback and to have this much success it’s absolutely mindboggling, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Manziel is the second consecutive Texas Manziel, the first freshman to win the trophy, emphasizes teamwork. quarterback to win the prestigious award. Last the Houston Oilers. year Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, from Cop“Johnny is obviously a special player. To accomperas Cove captured the honor.

In addition Griffin’s plish what he has accomplished is really remarkable, runner-up, Andrew Luck from Stanford, is a Houston regardless of his classification,” Richardson said. product.

“The fact that he was able to win the Heisman

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DECEMBER 13 | 2012 |DEFENDER

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h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Lamar takes show on the road

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

Moments after closing out what Lamar head coach Tom Nolen called the school’s biggest football victory since 1953, quarterback Darrell Colbert was asked how he felt about taking the Redskins’ show on the road.

“I’ll be all right. I don’t really get too nervous,” said Colbert, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a game-clinching 42-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to seal Lamar’s 28-7 victory over North Shore in the Class 5A Division I Region III title game.

“If we play like we played out here today, I feel like nobody can beat us in the state of Texas,” Colbert said.

“Not just Houston, not San Antonio, nobody can beat us in the state when we play like we did today. We’re on the road to becoming a great team.

Each week we get better and better.”

A near-capacity crowd at Pasadena Memorial Veterans Stadium witnessed a dominating performance from Lamar’s defense led by defensive linemen Zelt Minor, Charles Onyekwelu and Lee Stanton, along with John Bonney Jr. and Cedric Lancaster in the secondary that limited North Shore to 209 total yards and one late touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Colbert directed a balanced Redskins’ offense that rushed for 144 yards and passed for an additional 185 yards, including TD passes of 29 and 81 yards to Shelby Walker and Daijon Druhet, respectively.

Lamar (14-0) advances to the state semifinals and will face San Antonio O’Connor Saturday (Dec. 15) at Austin ISD’s Berger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

Region IV champion O’Connor (12-2) advanced to the state semifinals with a 52-49

17

Navasota wins battle It was a matchup of two Class 3A Division I state-ranked powers. No. 1 Navasota faced off against No. 4 West Orange-Stark at Turner Stadium in Humble. The hype was greater than the fight. Navasota (14-0) dominated from start to finish and the Rattlers rolled to a 38-7 rout to advance to the state semifinals for only the second time in school history. Navasota last went in 1988 and lost 42-8 to Southlake Carroll in the Class 3A state championship game. They’ll face Bellville, a 22-0 winner over Port Isabel. Austin Collins scored four touchdowns and the Rattlers used four Mustangs’ miscues to build a 28-0 halftime advantage. Navasota had lost in the third round of the playoffs five consecutive years before beating La Marque a week earlier. Collins scored on two TD passes, a 37-yard TD run and a 67-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Katy takes show to Waco

Lamar finishes off North Shore.

state football chamwin over San Antonio pionship in 1953.

Madison.

“They’ve got a Lamar captured its great program over first Region III-5A title in three tries over North there and Coach Shore (12-2). The last [David] Aymond time the two schools does a good job met in the regional final with his kids every was in 2003 when North year,” Nolen said.

Shore went on to win its “It feels good to only state football title. finally win one of The last school these games against Head coach Tom Nolen from the Houston Indethem. pendent School District “This is great to win a regional title was Houston to still be playing all the way up to final Madison in 2001. Lamar last won a exams,” Nolen said. “The kids get a little trip and we’ll be going to Austin next week. It’ll be good for them and they deserve it.”

Colbert has an added incentive for the Redskins to continue their quest for a state championship.

His father, Darrell Colbert Sr., was a starting wide receiver at Beaumont West Brook before playing collegiately at Texas Southern and professionally with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Actually, 30 years ago my dad won a state championship at West Brook, so I’m trying to repeat that tradition and keep it going,” Colbert said. “We’re trying to get our first state championship for coach Nolen and another one for Lamar High School.”

The No. 1 state-ranked Katy Tigers will meet Cibolo Steele out of the greater San Antonio metropolitan area in the Class 5A Division II state semifinals on Dec. 15 at Floyd Casey Stadium at Baylor University. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Katy advanced by overwhelming Cypress Ranch 70-21 in the Region III-5A Division II championship game held at Rice Stadium. The 14-0 Tigers led 49-0 at halftime and played reserves the remainder of the game. Katy rushed for 483 yards in the game while Adam Taylor (169), Rodney Anderson (147) and Ricky Bickham (115) all eclipsed the 100-yard mark.

Tragedy in the NFL The legendary singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye posed the rhetorical question “What’s going on?” in the ‘70s. Fans of the NFL are asking the same question after off-the-field occurrences caused tragedy for the second consecutive weekend. Cowboy practice squad defensive lineman Jerry Brown was killed in a tragic auto accident.

Brown was a passenger in a car that was being driven by Cowboy nose tackle Josh Brent, who was cited in the one-car accident for intoxicated manslaughter. Brent’s car was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the outside curb at approximately 2:30 a.m. The latest tragedy occurred exactly a week after the tragic murdersuicide in Kansas City involving Chiefs linebacker Javon Belcher and his girlfriend, former Austin resident Kasandra Perkins.

VY makes a plea Unemployed QB Vince Young reportedly made a plea via twitter to All-World Arizona Cardinals wide out Larry Fitzgerald. The tweet: “@Larry Fitzgerald you know I can help tell coach.” The Cardinals were destroyed by the Seattle Seahawks last week 58-0. Fitzgerald has been extremely frustrated with the Cardinals ineptitude at the quarterback position and their inability to get him the ball. Sources indicate that Cardinal GM Rod Graves, a native Houstonian, had wanted to bring VY in for a look, but head coach Ken Wisenhunt has been vehemently opposed.

Undoubtedly Wisenhunt would rather continue to lose and get fired at year’s end than give the former Titan star an opportunity.

Quarterback Darrell Colbert

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18 DEFENDER | DECEMBER 13 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Buffalo Soldiers Museum moves to HCC campus Defender News Services

The Buffalo Soldiers Museum has a new home on the Houston Community College Central Campus.

The museum, founded in 2000 by Vietnam veteran and African-American military historian Captain Paul J. Matthews, opened the doors to its new location, the 1925 Houston Light Guard Armory building at 3816 Caroline St., during the Veterans Day weekend.

The armory, which was purchased by the museum in 2008, is considered a perfect venue to display the museum’s growing artifact collection and to provide educational opportunities. Matthews met with the president of HCC Central, Dr. William Harmon, to discuss a partnership between the college and museum. Harmon, The armory on the HCC campus is the new home of the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. excited that a national museum diers National Museum to formally establish a would be on campus, recogrelationship with HCC and demonstrate to the nized its potential contribution to HCC’s newly city of Houston a sincere commitment to educadeveloped global studies program. tion,” Matthews said.

“It was an opportunity for the Buffalo Sol-

Kwanzaa...Continued from page 2 ....

meaning for African people specifically and anyone who wants to use it to grow and prosper as a people,” said Milton Fann of Atlanta.

“During Kwanzaa 1990, my one-month-old daughter Nandi was presented to and blessed before the community as part of the rituals, culture, and love that are the epitome of Kwanzaa,” recalled Lynda Cotton of Los Angeles.

Donna Jaha Kadirifu, a longtime member of the Greater Houston Area Kwanzaa Planning Committee, extols the benefits of the celebration.

“Kwanzaa reflects how God created us – to be creative, to live with purpose, to have faith,” said Kadirifu.

“If you want unity, Kwanzaa teaches you not to be selfish. It teaches family values needed by many growing up in dysfunctional situations. To me, the principles are very biblical.”

Kadirifu believes Kwanzaa suffers from misperceptions.

“Some look at Kwanzaa as just another holiday, and not at its principles. If you don’t practice the principles it doesn’t sink in. Kwan-

zaa is a way of life, not a holiday,” she said.

Asar Imhotep, of the MaduNdele Institute for the Advancement of Science and Culture, believes with changes, Kwanzaa can have more impact.

“It is my argument that the holiday would have more meaning for us as African-American people if it actually coincided with the harvest cycle of the United States, or at least with the season associated with revitalization – spring,” said Imhotep.

“Then the core meaning of the holiday would resonate with the spirit that inspired the celebrations on the continent. The word Kwanzaa is synonymous with the word ‘life.’ This has to be the focus.”

Still, there is hope Kwanzaa will more deeply catch on, if Kadirifu’s example is any indication – an Arkansas native who has become synonymous locally with everything Kwanzaa.

“Before I moved to Houston I never heard of Kwanzaa,” recalled Kadirifu.

The museum plans to provide a unique educational experience through art, exhibits and interaction with men and women who have served our nation. Area students, from grade school through college, will learn about the AfricanAmerican military experience.

The armory will provide 23,000 square feet for exhibits, a conference room for the community, learning facilities for HCC, a military-based library for students, a gift shop and administrative space. A student lounge will be supported by Reliant Energy.

The Light Guard Veterans Association donated $10,000 to the museum and the building renovation with the provision that they host their annual meeting at the armory.

Matthews acknowledges that while the museum focuses on the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, it is about American history.

“When a visitor to the museum learns about and appreciates the sacrifices of these soldiers, they learn about their nation,” he said. “The experience enhances their patriotism.”

Holiday blues...Continued from page 12 those feelings.

He also recommended that people watch their diet, exercise, setting realistic goals for the holidays, laugh a lot and cry if they need to.

They should also talk to friends, build meaningful support relationships, do for others, spend less on themselves, and focus on peace on Earth and goodwill toward others.

In addition, pay close attention to family or friends who are more than just “blue,” since depression is the leading cause of suicide.

“If a person has feelings of stress and sadness that last longer than four to six weeks, they may be experiencing depression, which is a common and serious, yet treatable health condition,” Edwards said.

A person should seek help from a doctor or mental health professional immediately, and if needed, take prescribed medication. Many people suffer needlessly from depression because they don’t seek treatment.

As a community

service, Mental Health America of Greater Houston connects individuals who are unable to afford treatment to free or lowcost counseling services with licensed providers in the Greater Houston area.

Visit www.mhahouston.org for more information.

classified MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Information for the following:

MICROSOFT EXCHANGE 2010 UPGRADE Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, Telephone number, 713-970-7300, and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, December 17, 2012. The Request for Information (RFI) must be submitted in a sealed envelope to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by, Thursday, January 3, 2012 @ 2:00 pm. All responses and any questions pertaining to this RFI should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

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DEFENDER 13 | 2012 | DEFENDER

For Event Coverage...visit

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Rev. Victor J. Thomas

The Right Rev. Andrews Doyle

Honorees Harriet and Harmon Kelly and Winell Herron

Pastor Ruth Brown, Jariah Johnson and Ebony Brown

chag’splace

19

Cynthia Wyllie, Louise Chapple, Bettye White, Rev. Victor Thomas and Carole Pinkett

Rev. William Lawson, Kim Coles and Audrey Lawson

Erris Bruce, Racquel Bruce and Eric Roberson

which will stand as the hallmark for positive change SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AND COUNTING….. in the Diocese of Texas. These three women St. James’ Episcopal Church recently celebrated along with 18 others were acknowledged for 50 its 75th anniversary. The day began with a spirityears or more of committed filled worship service in the service. Congratulations and God sanctuary, including a full Join Yvette Chargois bless!.....IN LIVING COLOR….. procession complete with a parade The Houston Museum of African of banners and the blessing of Events of the Week More photos on defendernetwork.com American Culture hosted their 2012 the newly crafted stained-glass gala titled, “In Living Color” honoring windows which were revealed See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. famed art collectors Harriet and and blessed by the bishop. The Harmon Kelley. Their collection of guest preacher was the Right Rev. African-American art is considered to Telesporo Isaac, D. D., retired be one of the best collections in the country. Kim Coles bishop with the Diocese of Dominican Republic.

Later that evening there was an anniversary dinner from the original “In Living Color” crew served as the attended by over 400 and was held at the Bayou City honorary chair for the event. Highlights of the evening Event Center with music provided by the church’s included the opening and closing numbers performed Contemporary Jazz Ensemble. A commemorative by the Ensemble Fly Girls and skits by Ms. Benita and souvenir journal was published that contained the Homey the Clown, all “In Living Color” characters. history of St. James’ and was authored by Bettye Guests included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson White, Gladys Forde and Evelyn Thornton, Lee and Elwyn Lee, Leslie and Brad Bucher, Eileen

Ronald and Lavonne Hopkins

David and Tamela Mann

Lawal, Winell and Doug Herron, Dr. Rhea Lawson, Parvin and Marty McVey, Wendy and Fred Schiller, Licia Green Ellis, Jade Simmons Ramon Manning and Audrey and Rev. William Lawson, to name a few. Great event!.....A FAMILY AFFAIR……The Kingdom Builders Center was filled to capacity when David and Tamela Mann entertained Houstonians as they continue their Family Reunion Concert Tour. The couple, aka the Browns of Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns,” entertained Houstonians with their family affair comedy show and concert. David “Mr. Brown” Mann brought his comedic genius to the stage while Tamela “Cora Brown” Mann performed songs from her third studio album “Best Days” which debuted at No. 1 on the billboard gospel chart. She also has a No. 1 hit single “Take Me to the King.” The audience laughed and praised God all in the same evening. Truly a concert for the entire family. Congratulations!.....

From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

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