Houston Defender: April 4, 2010

April 4 – 10, 2010 | FREE

Volume 79 Number 23

www.defendernetwork.com

Where is Red Cross aid to Haiti?

FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOUSTON CONTROLLER

Ron Green

By Stephon Johnson SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AMSTERDAM NEWS

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - The American Red Cross should be put on 24-hour surveillance. That is the call from protesters who recently gathered outside Red Cross Manhattan headquarters.

When Haiti suffered an undeserving fate via a major earthquake January 12, there was an outpouring of philanthropic action from around the world. Donations of money, supplies and food were sent to some of the world’s biggest charities.

Talks about his first 90 Days

By Aswad Walker DEFENDER

★RED CROSS, Page 3

Kweisi Mfume heads Black doctor group

City of Houston’s Top Five Financial Issues ■

By Hazel Trice Edney

■

NNPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

■

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Former NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume, a former Congressman and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, will take the helm of the nation’s oldest and largest Black medical association at the end of this month.

“I have dedicated my life to ending

■ ■

Closing the budget gap of $99.5 million Identifying adequate resources to implement cost savings citywide Addressing the city’s pension problem Identifying additional stimulus funds Gaining efficiences in management and internal controls

“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”

These words from Charles Dickens’ classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, are quite fitting when viewing Ronald Green’s ascension to the position of Houston’s City Controller. As the first African American to hold that position in the city’s 174 year history, Green’s accomplishment is definitely noteworthy, and reflective of a new social paradigm that recognizes the abilities of African Americans to be CEOs, CFO’s and captains of industry. Yet, with the worst economic reality in the country and city in decades, coupled with the horrendous drop-out, incarceration and homicide rates of Green’s fellow African-American males, he has taken the position of City Controller during what is viewed by many as the “worst of times.”

Undeterred, Green has hit the ground running and plans on overseeing a successful change of fortunes for the city’s economic health, while doing his part to impact a similar change of fortunes for African-American males in general. ★RON GREEN, Page 9

★BLACK DOCTORS, Page 2

Kweisi Mfume

Countdown to tax day April 15th

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley DEFENDER

The 2010 tax deadline is right around the corner. If you’ve been holding out to file because you think you might owe, or you just don’t want to tackle the task of gathering up receipts, W2s and other tax items, tax experts say the time for procrastination is over.

If you haven’t filed, (and even if you have and would like to go back and amend your taxes) there are a few bright spots for filers, the biggest being a new credit for first-time homebuyers.

“A lot of taxpayers believe that the

first time homebuyers plan only applies if this is your first home,” said Tiffany Robinson of Regency Tax Solutions.

“Just know that it also applies to longtime homebuyers, which means that you already own a home and you may be buying a second home, whether it be a vacation property or an investment property.”

For first-time homebuyers, the credit will be up to $8,000, which Robinson says is a refundable credit. Those taking the credit for their second home, will receive up to $6,000. ★TAX DAY, Page 9

Homeland Security Meeting

The Port of Houston recently hosted U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. The meeting focused on collaborative homeland security efforts by public and private industry partners along the Houston Ship Channel. On hand for the important meeting were (l. to r.) U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX); U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-TX); PHA Commissioner Elyse Lanier; PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds; Thompson; Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia; U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (RTX); U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX); Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia; and State Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston).

INTERVIEW

Janet Jackson in control

By Kam Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Born in Gary, Indiana on May 16, 1966, Janet Damita Jo Jackson entered show business at the tender age of seven, when she appeared onstage with her already-famous elder siblings at the MGM in Las Vegas. This debut, was followed by appearances at nine on her family’s variety show “The Jacksons,” which, in turn, led to starring and recurring roles on such hit sitcoms as “Good Times,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” and “Fame.”

At 14, Janet signed her first recording deal. Placing acting on the back burner to focus on her first love, music, she went on to enjoy extraordinary success upon the release of her breakthrough album, Control in 1986. Over the course of her ensuing musical career, she has thus far accumulated five Grammys, multiple MTV Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards, to name a few. As an

artist, Janet excites, enlightens, leads, and embraces her fans with insights into life’s meaning while touching their deepest feelings.

The film “Poetic Justice” marked this very versatile talent’s first foray into acting in feature films, and that was soon followed by a co-starring role in “Nutty Professor II.” Janet later received the NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category for her work in “Why Did I Get Married?” Furthermore, like all of her movies, “Why Did I Get Married?” opened up #1 at the box office.

Privately, Janet continues to focus on speaking out and giving back, raising money for charities such as the Cities in Schools and America’s Promise. She has also supported the Watts Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club of America, the Starlight Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, A Place Called Home in South Central LA, the American

Click on Defendernetwork.com Weekend

Weekend

Monday

Marian Wright Edelman

Personal finance

Ron Walters

Fighting Childhood Obesity

How to Stretch a Dollar

Hate Spasm in American Politics

★JANET, Page 2

2

APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

Janet

continued from page 1 Foundation for AIDS Research, S.O.S. Children’s Villages in South Africa, Cartier’s Love Bracelet Program benefiting OCNA and she sponsored an Airlift of Food and Medical supplies to famine-stricken Rwanda. In addition, Janet established the Rhythm Nation Scholarship with the UNCF and has assisted numerous students striving to meet their educational goals.

Most recently, Janet honored her brother Michael’s legacy and supported the people of Haiti by joining over 80 artists who collaborated to record “We Are the World 25 for Haiti,” the classic 1985 charity anthem re-imagined by Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones to support the earthquake relief efforts. Not surprisingly, Janet has been honored with countless humanitarian awards in response to her dedication to helping others.

Later this year, Janet plans to publish her autobiography, providing an intimate look at her life. Here, she talks about reprising the role of Pat in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too,” one of those rare sequels, which is actually better than the original.

Kam Williams: Thanks so much for the time, Janet. I’m honored to have this opportunity to speak with you.

Janet Jackson: It’s my pleasure.

KW: First of all, please allow me to express my condolences on the loss of your brother, Michael.

JJ: Thank you.

KW: Watching “Why Did I

Photo:Quantrell Colbert

Patricia (Janet Jackson, left), Dianne (Sharon Leal, center), and Sheila (Jill Scott, right) in TYLER PERRY’S “WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?” Get Married Too,” the first thing I noticed was that it afforded you an opportunity to display a much greater range of emotions. How did you enjoy that?

JJ: I loved it! I absolutely loved it. I was so thankful that Tyler had written such an amazing piece for me to explore. So, I was really excited about it. When he first gave me the script, he warned me, “When you read this, you’re really going to flip out. I think it’s going to be exciting for you.” And it was.

KW: It’s very rare that an entire ensemble cast comes back for a sequel. How was it being reunited with everybody again?

JJ: I loved being with them again. It truly is a family.

There’s closeness and connection. After filming the original, when we went our separate ways, I felt like I had a new group of friends. We stayed in touch and tried to see each other whenever we were in

Black Doctors continued from page 1

the economic and social barriers that continue to confront people of color all across our nation,” Mfume told the NNPA this week. “The National Medical Association has been the conscience of the medical profession by making sure that African-Americans and the underserved have a voice in their health and health care.” He continued, “We have a long way to go to truly eliminate health disparities, but now is the time to work with, political, medical and community leaders to make that vision real.”

Mfume served in Congress, representing Maryland’s 7th Congressional District for five terms until he became NAACP chief, a position in which he served for nine years until 2004.

“With such an intense national focus on health policy, Kweisi Mfume brings significant expertise to our organization that will directly benefit our members as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of health care,” said NMA President Willarda V. Edwards in a statement. Edwards is a medical doctor who leads the 30,000-Black doctor organization.

Wilma J. Wooten, the doctor who chairs the NMA Board of Trustees, said in a statement that Mfume’s “commitment to the most vulnerable in our communities makes him a natural fit to continue the NMA’s legacy of advocacy and

town or in between projects.

So, the minute we heard there was going to be a sequel, all of us were immediately on board, knowing we would be able to get back together again. And then, for half of it to be shot in The Bahamas made going to work feel like being on vacation with your friends. The crew members were sweethearts, too.

KW: What a refreshing difference from those nightmare shoots you sometimes hear about that sound like a clash of egos.

JJ: I credit Tyler. It’s Tyler’s vision. He’s created a true family.

KW: What is it about Tyler that makes him special?

JJ: He’s an amazing man.

One of the things that I love most about him is that he has this spirituality about him, and it’s a really big part of who he is. I adore Tyler, and I love that about him.

KW: All your previous films have opened up in the #1

service.”

Mfume’s leadership will likely be pivotal as President Obama signed America’s first national health care plan this week.

While serving as NAACP president and CEO, Mfume says he gained an in-depth understanding of health disparities in the nation’s health care delivery system and the devastating effects that such disparities have on families; especially in the Black community. Mfume went on to establish the organization’s first National Office of Health Advocacy to educate and advocate on behalf of access and affordability in health care.

Prior to his NAACP tenure, he served as a five-term Congressman from Maryland’s 7th Congressional District, where he chaired the Joint Economic Committee, the Congressional Black Caucus, and co-founded the Congressional Task Force on Sarcoidosis Disease Awareness. Mfume also served on the Baltimore City Council for seven years, where he chaired the Committee on Health.

Mfume left the NAACP six years ago announcing that he would take a break. At that time it was widely known that his relationship with NAACP board Chairman Julian Bond had experienced significant friction. He later ran unsuccessfully for a U. S. Senate seat in Maryland.

spot at the box office. Do you feel any pressure to keep up the string?

JJ: I don’t feel any pressure at all. You know what? I honestly wouldn’t even have thought about it, if another journalist hadn’t brought it to my attention. Would it be great if it did? Of course. If it doesn’t open at #1, am I going to be bummed out? No. I’ve been so blessed and I’m just thankful to be a part of the project and grateful to Tyler for giving me another opportunity to explore this character.

KW: What do you think the experience will be like for the audience?

JJ: I think more so than anything, people are going to enjoy the film and they’ll also walk away learning a lot from it.

KW: By the way, I love “Nothing,” the film’s theme that you sing on the soundtrack. I hope it lands you another Oscar nomination like

the song “Again” did for you with Poetic Justice.

JJ: Thank you very much.

That would be really nice.

KW: Which do you enjoy doing more, acting or singing?

JJ: I enjoy them both a great deal. I have a passion for both. Maybe acting just a little bit more because it’s more of a challenge for me, while music comes so easily.

KW: Have you ever considered doing an album of duets?

JJ: No, I have not, but that’s a very good idea. Maybe someday that’ll actually happen.

KW: Do you plan to produce movies?

JJ: I would love to. A dream of mine is to produce films, as well as to produce content for television.

KW: What movie you’ll be making next.

JJ: “For Colored Girls,” an adaptation of the play.

We’ll start shooting that not too long from now.

KW: What’s the biggest

way you’ve grown as an actress since “Poetic Justice,” and do you find that with each role you discover something new about yourself?

JJ: I always knew that I could go deep. How deep? I don’t know. But it always seems that with each character I take on, I’m challenged to go deeper than the last time, and then again deeper than the last time. This is the deepest I’ve ever been asked to dive. And to see how deep I actually went for this, and that I wasn’t afraid to go there in order to give Tyler exactly what he envisioned for the character, which was pretty deep, that’s what I discovered about myself.

KW: What gives the greatest meaning to your life?

JJ: It would have to be God. KW: What are you doing to make a long-lasting, positive impact on the world?

JJ: I work with a lot of different charities, and by that I don’t mean merely by giving money, but by really getting involved hands-on. I’ve always said that one of the reasons why I was put on this Earth was to help people.

That’s something I’ve always enjoyed both here in America and if I have the opportunity when I’m traveling out of the country. For example, I like to visit orphanages to spend time with the children. That’s very important to me.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

JJ: That’s the question right there! [Laughs] That’s a good question.

KW: Well, on that note, let me thank you again for the interview, Janet.

JJ: Thank you very much.

3

April 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

Red Cross

continued from page 1 Celebrity telethons were held in honor of the Haitian victims. Everyone felt good about themselves and their worth as a human being and moved on.

But maybe people shouldn’t move on so quickly. There are some who have continued to monitor the situation in Haiti and want to make sure that every donated cent is used on behalf of the Haitian people.

Organized by the December 12th Movement, a non-governmental human rights organization, a group called the Friday Haiti Relief Coalition took to the American Red Cross headquarters in New York City to protest and ask where over $354 million of Haiti donation money has gone. Only $106 million has been accounted for so far.

“We have been on the ground and we know the people are in need of shelter,” said coalition member April Raiford. “The money collected by the Red Cross for Haiti is not getting down there and we’re tired of the excuses.”

The Red Cross, allegedly, has a history of not handing out all of the aid that is at their disposal.

It’s been reported that the Red Cross raised over $3 billion in aid to help the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, with $500 million still held by the relief organization. The organization raised over $1 billion in aid to donate to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but kept $200 million to prepare for future disasters.

According to officials at the American Red Cross, however, the organization fell into debt after the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. At the end of 2008, the American Red Cross claimed to have a $209 million operating deficit. As of early February, that deficit was just under $33 million. But the Red Cross fell under public scrutiny after news leaked that the organization attempted to put some of the $1 billion raised after September 11 on reserve.

Last month, the AmNews reported the emergence of protesters in different parts of Haiti, including the capital, Port-au-Prince, with survivors wondering why it’s taking so long for aid to reach their quarters.

It was reported that Gail J.

VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 23 APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Cale Carter Columnist Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block The Houston Defender Newspaper published

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McGovern, the chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, was about to give a fundraising pitch speech to millionaires in Texas when she got the news of the catastrophe in Haiti by text message.

While there are reports of the Red Cross acting in good faith with Haiti, that doesn’t do any good for the Friday Haiti

Relief Coalition, who want clear and concise answers from the organization itself.

“Stop stealing the money!

Where’s is the money?!” protesters shouted.

Last month, the AmNews reported that federal law enforcement officials said that they had received over 170 complaints about fundraising

scams connected to Haiti relief. One of those scams involved a fake charity that claimed to be the British affiliate of the Red Cross. This is was the real British Red Cross, officials said on their website following news of the scam.

“There is currently a fraudulent e-mail campaign in operation soliciting donations via

Western Union and MoneyGram money transfer for Haiti on behalf of the British Red Cross,” read the statement. “The British Red Cross and the Western Union Company would like to inform the general public that the British Red Cross will never solicit donations via Western Union money trans-

fer.”

With the Red Cross going out of its way to address scams claiming to be connected to them, hopefully they’ll address matters surrounding their own people, observers suggested.

AUTO NEWS

4

APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

By Darrell K. Ardison

2010 Toyota Prius Toyota keeps making their hybrid vehicles better and better.

Most people know that improved fuel economy is the hallmark of hybrids. Yet the 2010 Toyota Prius V model gets a whopping 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 mpg on the highway.

If for no other reason, the Prius bares consideration in these days of volatile gas prices.

For good measure, Toyota has added option packages to the Prius that tend to make the vehicle a “best buy.”

With a base price of a little over $27,000, buyers can get a voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system with JBL AM/FM/MP3 four-disc CD changer with eight speakers. We’re talking satellite radio, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via bluetooth wireless along with an integrated backup camera.

Are you with me?

The previous knock on hybrid cars was that there wasn’t much power. Toyota equipped the all-new Prius with a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that has no trouble accelerating to get on the freeway.

While closing monitoring the usual radar

PRIUS: HIGHLIGHTS MSRP base price $27,270 (as tested- $33,079) Engine 1.8-liter four-cylinder Combined fuel economy 50 miles per gallon Wheels 17-inch aluminum alloy spots, I got the Prius up to 96 miles per hour and the car was calling for more. HMMM! This was a far cry from hybrid vehicles I had driven before.

Complete with a rear deck spoiler and blue accent badges, the Prius actually resembles a mid-size sports car with a decent stereo system and a long list of other amenities.

Standard equipment includes remote keyless entry, three-door smart key, push-button ignition, cruise control along with leather seats and steering wheel. There’s a dual glove box and two 12-volt power outlets.

You can still tell when the vehicle switch-

es from battery operation to the fuel mode, but not nearly as noticeable as in the past.

Certain things you expect from Toyota like center console with sliding armrest and storage, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, dual front cup holders and automatic climate control system with plasmacluster.

Safety features include enhanced vehicle stability control with traction, anti-lock brakes with EBD and brake assist, driver and front passenger advanced airbag system, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side

airbags and side curtain airbags and driver knee airbag.

Did I mention heated front seats and autodim rearview mirror with homelink?

There was more than ample legroom and headroom for my 6-foot-3 inch frame and the rear seating area is complimented with a 60/40 split fold-down backrest with folddown center armrest and adjustable headrests.

Throw in an engine immobilizer and tire pressure-monitoring system and you’ve got yourself quite a bargain.

2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid The much-anticipated 2010 Toyota Camry hybrid four-door sedan is on its way to a dealership near you.

There’s a myriad of reasons why Camry has been America’s best-selling mid-sized sedan for the last four years. The aesthetics are appealing both inside and out. Its performance and dependability records are impeccable and the Camry’s fuel economy has always been commensurate with its competitors.

Well how about this? The 2010 Camry hybrid improves the vehicle’s fuel economy to a combined 34 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway.

The new Camry hybrid is powered by a hybrid synergy driven 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine paired with a permanent magnet electric motor.

Over the past decade as hybrid vehicles have come in vogue, one of the main criticisms has been a degree of hesitation in the transition between battery power and fuel power. Although that issue has been addressed and improved upon, it still does exist.

That’s an issue I can live with in exchange for fewer trips to the gas station.

Standard equipment in the Camry hybrid

CAMRY HYBRID: HIGHLIGHTS MSRP base price $26,150 (as tested -$31,800) Engine 2.4-liter four-cylinder Fuel economy 33 miles per gallon (city), 34 mpg (highway) Class category Midsize Estimated annual fuel cost $838 (based on $1.90per gallon)

includes smart key system with push-button ignition, front dual zone automatic climate controls with filter, AM/FM/CD player with satellite radio capability, 60/40 rear folding seat, multi-information display and power windows/door locks.

Employing the star safety system with vehicle dynamic integrated management that includes vehicle stability control with trac-

tion control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist along with driver’s side knee air bag.

Other safety features include driver and front passenger advanced front air bags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side air bags, front and rear side curtain air bags along with a direct tire pressure monitor system.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued five-star government safety ratings for the 2010 Camry hybrid in the frontal driver, crash passenger, side front seat and crash rear seat categories. The Camry also received a four-star rating in the rollover division.

The new Camry hybrid has an impressive front fascia that includes multi-reflector projector beam headlamps with automatic on/off feature, blue-tinted headlamp bezel and silver front grille with chrome-plated molding.

A tried and true product just keeps getting better.

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

FJ CRUISER: HIGHLIGHTS MSRP base price $23,680 (as tested - $30,707)

Engine 4.0-liter V6

Fuel economy 17 miles per gallon (city), 22 mpg (highway)

Transmission Five-speed automatic

Combined fuel economy 19 miles per gallon

It was that time of year again.

The annual high school football state championship game and the site was in the Alamo City. I picked up my road partner (Big John) and we set sail on the 186-mile trek from Houston to San Antonio.

We were in luck too. The vehicle of choice this time around was the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4X2 sports utility vehicle. You’ve probably seen them on the road. The FJ Cruiser resembles a smaller version of the GM Hummer.

It’s the same type of high stance vehicle with off-road capability and plenty of interior room. Although the FJ Cruiser looks like a military vehicle, it has a surprisingly smooth ride and lots of power.

The power-train consisted of a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 258 horsepower and is matched with a five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

FJ Cruiser’s rugged exterior appearance is highlighted by black overfenders with integrated mudguards, black bumpers with metallic silver trim, skid plates, silver tone door handles and mirrors along with a twotone exterior color with white roof top.

For comfort and convenience the FJ Cruiser has an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, water-resistant seats, rubber-type floor and rear deck, 60/40 split rear seats with removable bottom cushions and an AM/FM/MP3/CD player with six speakers,

including two in the headliner.

Other interior features include power windows and door locks, tilt three-spoke steering wheel, dual sun visors with vanity mirrors, map lamps, four cup holders and two bottle holders, passenger seat back pocket and rear window defogger with rear cargo tie-down hooks.

Safety features include driver and front passenger air bags, driver and front passenger side impact air bags, rollover sensor, first- and second-row curtain shield air bags, tire pressure monitor system and engine immobilizer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded the FJ Cruiser a five-star rating in the frontal driver, side front seat and crash rear seat categories. The vehicle earned a four-star rating in the crash passenger division and a three-star mark in rollover.

The FJ Cruiser test vehicle had an option package that consisted of power outside mirrors with illuminated markers, backup camera monitor linked to the rearview mirror, running boards and a Toyota Road Division (TRD) sport package that include upgraded tires, shocks and TRD graphics.

There were numerous storage areas and plenty of leg room for two guys standing taller that six feet.

Other than the Houston area school losing in the final, it turned out to be a great trip.

SPORTS

APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

Clark Kellogg

Max Edison

on Sports

Britteny Grinds the Opposition We knew it would happen, we just didn’t know how soon.

Well, the answer is now.

Baylor freshman sensation, 6’8” Britteny Griner (Nimitz H.S.) has led the Lady Bears to the Final Four.

The Baylor team validated their ticket by defeating Duke 51-48 in the regional finals.

Griner barely missed her third triple-double of the season, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks.

Her turnaround jump shot put the Lady Bears ahead for good with 45 seconds remaining in the game.

“I knew we needed that bucket so I did everything I could to get position and to have [the defender] pinned behind me and step through and go up strong,” Griner said.

Defensively, Griner has been a dominating presence throughout the tournament. She blocked 14 shots in the second round against Georgetown to set an NCAA tournament single-game record. She has 35 blocks through four tournament games. That broke the previous record of 30 by Duke’s Alison Bales in 2006.

Of course Britteny, predictably downplays the accomplishment.

“I think it would be kind of funny to be 6-8 and not have any blocks at all. You just see the shot and try to throw it out of bounds.”

Things only get tougher for Brittany and Baylor in the Final Four. They face defending national champion Connecticut Sunday (4/4).

Stanford Makes the Final Four If you didn’t know that the greater Houston area turns out some of the best girl’s basketball players in the country, well ★EDISON, Page 6

Darrell Ardison

on H.S. Sports Cy-Fair High School senior post Chiney Ogwumike achieved a rare trifecta last week.

The Most Valuable Player in the recent Class 5A state championship game as the Lady Bobcats defeated Fort Bend Hightower 65-41, Ogwumike expected to attend an assembly in the school’s auditorium celebrating the girls basketball title.

What transpired was an assembly honoring Ogwumike as the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

It was Ogwumike’s third national player of the year award in one week. She was also selected the Parade Magazine and Naismith Player of the Year in Atlanta, GA. earlier in the week.

The Gatorade award was presented to Ogwumike by her older sister, Stanford University standout Nneka, via a satellite link.

Nneka received the honor in 2008, making the sisters the first pair of siblings to win the award.

Winners of the award have to meet three criteria – athletic achievement, academic excellence and exemplary character.

The younger Ogwumike averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds this season while leading Cy-Fair to its second state title in three years.

Along with her national awards, Ogwumike was chosen as a McDonald’s AllAmerican. She ranks third in her class and is the student ★ARDISON, Page 6

5

CBS college basketball analyst works his way to the top

By Max Edison DEFENDER

The long road to the Final Four concludes this weekend at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Duke, Butler, West Virginia and Michigan State have all had their tickets punched and their appearances validated. When the games tip off, CBS lead analyst Clark Kellogg will have the best seat in the house.

Kellogg, a former Ohio State AllAmerican, is currently in his second year as the lead analyst for CBS’s award winning coverage of college basketball’s crown jewel, March Madness. Paired with play-by-play man and Houston native, Jim Nantz, they have a bird’s eye view of every second of thrilling action.

After eighteen years of involvement, Kellogg is continually amazed at the tournament’s popularity.

“It’s unbelievable when you consider where this tournament has gone over the past 15-20 years and how big it has become,” Kellogg shared. “The format is such that it attracts a lot of casual fans. The brackets, selection, only 65 teams being able to make the field, how long it is (only three weeks) and how rapidly that time goes by and the fact that it crowns a legitimate, official championship at the end of the three-week run, all of those factors contribute to the tournament’s enduring popularity.”

With the tournament’s popularity there has been some discussion by the NCAA of expanding the field beyond 65 teams, an idea Kellogg is beginning to warm up to.

“I’m more open to it (expansion) than I once was,” Clark conceded.

“Hearing the NCAA talk about what the potential for expansion might look like, going to 68, 80 or maybe 96 teams, to me, makes some sense. You’ve had some growth in the number of teams that are competing in Division I basketball. The last time the tournament expanded was in 1985. When you look at it, 65 of the 347 teams make it, that’s a relatively small percent-

Photo: Mitchell Layton ©2010 Mitchell Layton

CBS NCAA Basketball Analyst Clark Kellogg and President Barack Obama, courtside at the DukeGeorgetown game. age of teams. Change is into this business I knew I always uncomfortable, had a chance to be good especially when you have and I wanted to be excela product that has been as lent. It’s how we honor God successful and popular as when we pursue excellence this tournament has been, and it’s how we should but change doesn’t have approach all that we do, no to be bad.” matter what our profession Clark Kellogg’s prois. Over the years, I’ve had gression in the business of Clark Kellogg a number of people come television sports, in many along beside me and help ways, compares similarly to the me understand what it would take to NCAA tourney. Kellogg, a first- get better. I would demand conround selection by the Indiana structive criticism. People would Pacers was a highly touted NBA have to tell me what I needed to star whose career was reduced to a hear, not what they thought I wantmere five seasons before being ed to hear. Once they saw I was seriforced to retire due to chronic knee ous about trying to get better, I was problems. His passion turned to tel- able to make rapid progress.” evision as a way to stay connected Kellogg’s progression in televito the game he loved. sion has been steady. He started out “I love the game. I love being working with the Pacer broadcast around the game. I was 26 when I team after his retirement. A had to give it up because of my knee Cleveland native, Clarke did televitrouble. I had a lot of basketball left sion work for Cleveland State basin me. This has been a tremendous ketball, and then served an eightway for me to get that out. I wasn’t year stint at ESPN, serving as a stuinterested in coaching, so I went dio host for their college basketball into this (television) full bore.” show. He started full time at CBS in “I’ve always approached this the 1997, becoming a studio host/game same way I approached playing,” analyst. Kellogg enjoyed life in the Kellogg explained. “When I got studio, but indicates there is a major

difference in the assignments.

“When you’re in that studio you work a lot of hours. It’s literally 24/7 for the duration of the tournament,” Clark recalled. “That’s a lot of hours and requires great stamina.

In the field, the days that you’re not working a game are days off. We work Friday and Sunday here in Houston. Thursday was a day to watch teams practice and Saturday was a day off. I loved the studio and I miss the guys I worked with, but I don’t miss those marathon days. I relish the opportunity to have a day off!”

Days off for Clark Kellogg do not necessarily mean days without work.

“I’m always reading and I watch an awful lot of tape. Preparation is key in this business. I get out and do games during the year, so I’ve seen about a third of the field. That way I know key players on a team, coaching strategies and styles of play. I really prepare in the field the same way as if I were in the studio.”

Last year, he replaced the venerable Billy Packer as the lead CBS ★KELLOGG, Page 6

Evans, Udoh shine bright at Victor Lopez Classic

By Darrell K. Ardison DEFENDER

With a bright sun shining over the Rice University Track Stadium last Saturday, Dulles High School sprinter Sheroid Evans and Christy Udoh of Westbury High School delivered strong performances at the 28th annual Victor Lopez Classic.

More than 2,000 high school and collegiate athletes competed in the event that serves as an opening act for this weekend’s Texas Relays in Austin.

Evans was a double winner as he took first place in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. The junior, who has already committed to the University of Texas, bested a starstudded field that included DeAndrew White of North Shore.

“I faced DeAndrew last year at the state meet and I didn’t do as well. I was ready for him this time,” Evans said. “Honestly, I wasn’t worried about running out of lane eight. Last year at the Junior Olympics, I ran out of lane eight in the prelims and ran a 24.09.

“I didn’t get out of the blocks well during the prelims on Friday so I tried to do a better job in the finals and dug in on the last 40 meters to run through the tape,” Evans said.

With a near-capacity crowd on hand, Evans kept his unbeaten streak during the 2010 season alive by clocking a venue-record time of 20.76 seconds in the high school division. He followed that up with a 10.49 second effort to win the 100meter dash.

Westbury sprinter Christy Udoh

Dulles sprinter Sheroid Evans

“I’m looking forward to the Texas Relays and doing better than I did here,” Evans said.

Udoh followed up her sterling performance at the Texas Southern Relays with another strong showing at Rice. She won the 200-meter dash and ran a leg on the Lady Rebels’ record-setting 4X100 relay team.

“I was a bit nervous and I always battles nerves when I get on the track,” Udoh said. “But once I get off that curve and on to the straightaway, I’m fine. I get back to my work ethic and everything seems to fall into place.

“The weather was a lot better this weekend and I was aware that a lot of girls were out there trying to get me,” Udoh said. “I wasn’t about to let that happen because I had too many people that came to see me

today and I felt like I’d worked too hard to see myself defeated. So I came out here and ran my race and prayed. I was fortunate enough to get lane four again in the finals and I had to work to get it.”

Udoh talked about the energy that it takes to compete in more than one event.

“During practice our coach puts us on intervals where we have to get on the starting line and get back off.

We do that over and over,” Udoh said. “That helps us judge our speed and helps us learn to pace ourselves.”

Willowridge High School hurdler Lavon Collins coasted to a victory in the 300-meter hurdles (38.49) as he finished more than one second ahead of the competition.

“I felt good throughout the race,” Collins said. “I’m real pleased with the way the season has progressed.”

Former Fort Bend Marshall standout sprinter Brandi Cross hadn’t competed on a Houston-area track since graduating in 2006. She blazed the backstretch in the 400meter dash and turned in a trackrecord time of 52.68 seconds.

It marked the best time in the nation and second-fastest clocking in the world this year. “I wasn’t expecting to run that fast,” said Cross, who was in town for her grandfather’s 75th birthday celebration. “Last year around this time, I was running 53 seconds. I’m ahead of schedule and with this being my last year, I want to do well so I can hopefully turn professional after graduation.”

Cross, who still holds the state record (52.46) in the 400, also competed in the 200-meter dash and placed forth (24.15). She currently attends the University of South Carolina.

Kingwood Park’s Brett Parker established two meet records while running the same distance. Parker ran strong out of the last turn to win the 400-meter dash in a time of 47.73 seconds. He also anchored his 4X400 meter relay team to a record time of three minutes, 14.49 seconds.

Other meet standouts included Kelsey Miller of Cinco Ranch who won the 800-meter run in a time of two minutes, 13.17 seconds.

“When I ran my leg, I knew we were already out front,” Parker said.

“I just tried to hold on and finish strong.” ★LOPEZ CLASSIC, Page 6

SPORTS

6

Kellogg

Edison

basketball game analyst, pairing him with Houstonian, play-byplay man, Jim Nantz. The promotion places Kellogg at the top of the mountain in the college basketball business.

“Working with Jim has been phenomenal. He’s gracious, a hall of fame broadcaster, who has tremendous passion for what he does. He made me feel welcome from the time I sat down next to him last year and it’s been a good fit. He and I enjoy each other and have respect for each other’s ability. I think we’re growing into a really good team that people enjoy listening to.”

keep reading.

The Stanford Cardinal Ladies basketball team has advanced to the Women’s Final Four by defeating Xavier 55-53. Lady Cardinal Jeanette Pohlen drove the length of the court for the game-winning layup as the final buzzer sounded, lifting top-seeded Stanford into the Big Dance finale in San Antonio.

The Stanford team is led by former CyFair All-American Nnemkadi Ogwumike.

Against Xavier she recorded 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Ogwumike, a sophomore, led the Stanford team in scoring (18.2 ppg.) and rebounding (9.6 rpg.) for the season that

continued from page 5

Lopez Classic

continued from page 5 Spring Westfield’s Damien Davis won the 110-meter hurdles with a clocking of 14.65 seconds.

The number of athletes was the largest ever assembled for the Victor Lopez Classic. The venue also showcased its brand new blue Benyon track

continued from page 5

surface.

Rice senior Britany Williams turned in one of the meet’s special performances when she broke the school record in the 5,000meter run with a time of 16 minutes, 19.27 seconds. She eclipsed the mark set by former teammate Callie Wells (16:20.95) last year in Palo Alto, Calif.

Ardison

continued from page 5 body president. Earlier this year, she signed with Stanford to rejoin her sister.

While Ogwumike was gathering individual honors, the twotime Class 4A state champion Yates Lions were sweeping No. 1 rankings in five different national polls.

The latest national polls were released last week and the back-to-back state champs were selected atop each one of them. Final rankings for the five national polls will be released in April.

The 34-0 Lions defeated Lancaster 92-73 in the March 13th Class 4A state title game. They were already top-ranked in the RivalsHigh 100 and the MaxPreps Xcellent 25.

Columbus (Ohio) Northland was formerly the No. 1 ranked school in the other three national polls, including the USA today super 25, the ESPN RISE Fab 50 and the PrepNation National Prep Poll.

Northland lost to Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln 71-45 in a regional final that opened the door for Yates’ ascension to the top.

In addition to winning two out-of-state national tournaments, another Texas state title and defeating nationally-ranked Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti, Yates set national records for consecutive 100-points games (15) and scoring average (116.2 points per game).

Yates ended the season with a 58-game winning streak which covers two seasons and had an average margin of victory of 50.7 points per game.

APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

saw the team post a 35-1 record. Their only loss, to #1 rated and undefeated Connecticut. In three tournament wins Ogwumike has scored a total of 58 points and grabbed 34 rebounds.

“I’m more of a knowledgeable player.

I’ve almost acquired some wisdom,” Nnemkadi said. “When you first step on the court here, you’re integrating into a new program and a new team, new plays, a new school. Not only have I gotten more used to life here at Stanford, the relationships I’ve developed and continue to develop help me to become the person that I am and the player that I am. My team has helped me become more versatile.”

Nnemkadi’s game is equally appreciated by teammates and opponents.

“Nneka’s amazing,” teammate Rosalyn

Gold-Onwude said. “Nneka’s always been good but after one year of experience under her belt, she’s like a woman among children, really. It’s like an aerial display of athleticism.”

“She’s beautiful to watch,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “This place should be sold out every game just to watch her play.

She’s a physical specimen. You can’t box her out. We tried hard but she floats over the top of you.”

Nnemkadi will be joined next season at Stanford by her sister Chiney, who led CyFair to the 5A state championship and was named National Player of the Year.

Both Ogwumike and home-girl Brittney Griner were named second team AllAmericans.

CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICE Neighborhood Centers Inc. (NCI), a non-profit human services organization, announces a Request for Proposal (RFP) #10-04 for Food & Dairy Products. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by 2:00 p.m. (CST). To receive RFP #10-04, e-mail Solomon Surles III, Contracts and Supply Management Coordinator, at ssurles@neighborhood-centers.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC. ENCOURAGES SMALL AND HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES TO APPLY.

ATTENTION-PRIVATE NON-PROFIT SCHOOLS HOUSTON, TEXAS Action Required: Private Non-Profit Schools located within the Houston ISD boundaries may be eligible to receive services from certain Federal Programs under the No Child Left Behind Program. The LEA will provide services to eligible students in accordance with section 1120 (Participation of Children Enrolled in Private Schools).

Please contact Houston ISD for more details.

Title I, Part A, Title II, Part A, and Title II, Part D-713-556-6928 Title IV, Part A-Safe and Drug Free Schools-713-556-7000 Title III, Part A and Title I, Part C-713-556-6961 Due to program deadlines, please contact our office(s) by April 5, 2010.

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 ‘ • Project: 10-02-10 / RFP: UIL Theatrical Unit Sets & Replacement Pieces, with a deadline of 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 14, 2010.The Pre-Bid/Proposal Conference for this project will be in Room 2C18 at the above stated address on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 10:00 A.M. Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

Scwyana Smith

BID OR PROPOSAL NOTICE FOR

Peck /MacArthur Elementary School Houston Independent School District (HISD) Turner Construction Company, Inc., as Construction Manager-at-Risk for HISD, in accordance with Texas Education Code Section 44.038, will receive bids or proposals from subcontractors for replacement of Peck / MacArthur Elementary School. The work includes construction of a new 2-story school, and site work. Bids or proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at the offices of Turner Construction Company, Inc., 4263 Dacoma Street, Houston, Texas 77092, phone 713 840-8441, fax 713 840-8365 attention: Todd Granato or Juan Romero.

The plans and specifications will be available beginning Monday, March 29, 2010, and may be obtained from Ridgeways Repograpics 2900 Smith Street, 713 953-2338 and A&E, The Graphics Complex, 713-579-1234 or www.aecomplex.com, upon refundable deposit of $250.00 for each set of printed plans and specifications. Documents in pdf format are also available from A&E on disk for a deposit of $50.00. Deposit checks should be made payable to HISD. Requests for access to on-line documents and any questions regarding documents are to be addressed to Turner Construction Company, Inc., 4263 Dacoma Street, Houston, Texas 77092, phone 713 840-8441, fax 713 840-8365 attention: Todd Granato or Juan Romero.

M/WBE documents as described below will be received until 4:00 p.m. on the due date. There will be no public opening of bids or proposals. All bids or proposals shall be available after award of contract or the 7th day after final selection of bids or proposals, whichever is later. After receipt of bids or proposals, Turner Construction will conduct its evaluation of the subcontractor bids or proposals in relation to the project requirements and will select the bid(s) or proposal(s) that offers the best value to HISD. Turner Construction Company, Inc., is committed to meeting the M/WBE goals set for this project. M/WBE forms, schedules and statements, as required by the package documents, shall accompany each bid or proposal that is submitted. BIDS OR PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITHOUT ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION AND IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED MAY BE CONSIDERED NONRESPONSIVE. A pre-bid/proposal conference will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 5, 2010, at The Palm Center (Training Room No. 1), 5330 Griggs Road, Houston, TX 77021 Drawings and Specifications may be reviewed at: Turner Construction Company, Inc., Turner Construction Company, Inc., 4263 Dacoma Street, Houston, Texas 77092, phone 713 840-8441, fax 713 840-8365 attention: Todd Granato. and the following Houston locations: A.O. Phillips & Associates, 4615 Freeway, Suite 510, (713) 621-8532 Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street, (713) 843-3700 McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Plan Room, 10106 Hempstead Rd., Ste.110, (713) 316 9411 Associated Builders & Contractors, 3910 Kirby, #131, (713) 523-6222 Alliance of Minority Contractors of Houston, 1616 West 22nd Street (713) 802-4145 Revive Houston Plan Room, Roland W. Smith Bldg., Rm. 122, 5555 Community College Dr, Houston 77013, (281) 704-9269 Hispanic Contractor’s Association, 7 Parker Road (713) 699-2732 Reed Construction Data

OUR HEALTH

APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

7

A Defender & Texas Children’s Hospital Alliance

Talking to a friend, doctor, counselor or leader in the faith community can help alleviate the stress of being a parent.

Help prevent child abuse Finding help when you need it April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this month, it is a good time to remind parents about the risks of child abuse. Being a parent is a 24-hour-a-day job.

Sometimes it can feel very tiring and extra challenges can add to your stress. For example: • Having a new baby • Having a child with a disability • Feeling alone, or not having friends or family nearby

• Being a single parent or having a partner who does not support you • Dealing with money troubles, problems with your job or housing concerns What you might be feeling When life is stressful, you may sometimes feel: • Angry – At your spouse, your friends or even your children • Lonely – Like you are the only person dealing with so many problems • Depressed – Sad and unable to face your problems • Overwhelmed – You don’t know where to begin or you feel like giving up What you can do If you think stress may be affecting the way you treat your children, or if you just want some extra support, try

the following: • Talk to someone – Tell a friend, doctor, counselor or leader in your faith community how you feel. Join a support group or class for parents.

• Get babysitting help when you need a break – Some parents may babysit for each other, so each parent gets a break.

• Reach out to other parents – Talk to parents with children the same age as your child at a local playground, your church, or your child’s day care or school.

• Call a help line – Most states have help lines for parents.

Childhelp® has a national 24-hour hotline for parents who need help or parenting advice. The number is 1-800-422-4453.

Source: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/promoting/parenting

Eating well while eating out

The entire family should make healthy food choices when dining at a restaurant.

Eating a healthy diet is very important as you get older because the food you eat affects your mental and emotional well being, your energy level, your strength, your weight and your future health.

At a restaurant Eating healthy on the run doesn’t have to be hard.

The following are suggestions to help you eat healthy at a restaurant: • Sauces and salad dressings should be served on the side and used in small amounts. Use low-calorie dressings.

• Ask for half-portions or take home half.

• Use salsa and mustard instead of mayonnaise or oil.

• Ask for olive oil or canola oil instead of butter, margarine or shortening.

• Choose nonfat or low-fat milk instead of whole milk

or cream.

• Order baked, broiled or grilled (not fried) lean meats including turkey, chicken, seafood or sirloin steak.

• Salad, vegetables or baked potatoes make healthier side dishes than French fries.

• Treat yourself to fresh fruit instead of sugary, high-fat desserts.

At the mall You can eat healthy while shopping at the mall too.

Here are some healthier choices: • Single slice of veggie pizza • Grilled (not fried) sandwiches like a grilled chicken breast sandwich • Small hamburger

Reduce your child’s screen time at home

Love them. Protect them. Immunize them.

April 24 through May 1 is National Infant Immunization Week. Are your child’s immunizations up to date?

Proper and timely immunizations are critical to disease prevention for your child and your family. Texas Children’s Hospital encourages parents to keep their child’s shots up to date.

Children need immunizations to protect them from dangerous diseases. These diseases have serious complications and can even cause death. Ask your child’s pediatrician about which shots are recommended and the age at which they should be received.

A shot record helps you and your child’s doctor keep your child on schedule. A shot record should be started at birth and updated each time your child receives an immunization. The shot record will help you if ★IMMUNIZE, Page 8

Although children often fear them, immunizations are critical to prevent a number of dangerous diseases.

★EATING OUT, Page 8

Children should get 60 minutes of daily physical activity and cut down on screen time to live a healthy lifestyle.

About Texas Children’s Hospital Texas Children’s Hospital is committed to a community of healthy children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is ranked in the top ten best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information on Texas Children’s Hospital, visit www.texaschildrens.org.

Does your child spend a lot of time in front of the TV, computer or video game? If your child spends too much time in front of the screen, he or she may not be getting enough physical activity. It is recommended that your child get 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

Here are some tips to reduce your child’s screen time: • Agree to limit screen time to no more than two hours a day.

• Don’t put a TV in your child’s bedroom.

• Turn screen time into active time by doing simple exercises during commercial breaks.

• Parents can encourage their children to make better food choices, increase physical activity and reduce screen time.

If you’re not sure how much time your child is spending in front of a screen, take some time to count the number of hours your ★SCREEN TIME, Page 8

OUR HEALTH

8

How to read a food label Eating healthy foods now can help keep your body healthy as you get older. And part of staying healthy is knowing what foods are good for you. You have probably seen the nutrition label on the back of the foods you eat.

There are many things on a food label. To start, just focus on these three things to help you make better food choices.

Servings per container Check this number. If there are two servings per container that means that if you eat the full container, then you are eating twice the contents. (You multiply all the contents by two.) If there are three servings per container, then you mul-

tiply all the contents by three. You are actually eating three times the fat, carbohydrates and more if you eat the full container. See below for more information about serving size.

Calories This is the total number of calories per serving. You can compare food and make decisions based on this number. A healthy snack should not be more than 200 calories per serving. Remember, you are eating more calories if you eat more than one serving. Eating too many calories a day can lead to weight gain.

Portion size is important in a healthy diet Do you know how big one serving of meat looks like? Here’s a quick and easy chart to help you see what a serving of food looks like.

One serving

What it looks like

3 ounces of meat, poultry or fish 1 ounce of meat, poultry or fish 1 cup of fruit or yogurt 1 medium potato 1 ⁄2 cup of chopped vegetables 1 cup of potatoes, rice or pasta 1 medium orange or apple 1 standard bagel 1 cup chopped fresh leafy greens 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1 ounce cheese 1 slice of cheese 1 ⁄2 cup cooked vegetables

Deck of playing cards, cassette tape or the palm of a woman’s hand Matchbook Baseball Computer mouse 3 regular ice cubes Size of a fist or a tennis ball Baseball Hockey puck 4 lettuce leaves Golf ball A tube of lipstick A computer disk 6 asparagus spears, 7-8 baby carrots or carrot sticks, 1 ear of corn or 3 spears of broccoli Source: National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics of the American Dietetic Association

Vitamin B

Vitamins are found in the foods we eat. Your body needs them to work properly, so you can grow and develop like you should.

Vitamins boost the immune system, support normal growth and development, and help cells and organs do their jobs.

Although you get vitamins from the foods you eat every day, some foods have more vitamins than others.

Foods rich in vitamin B: • Whole grains, like wheat and oats • Fish and seafood • Beans and peas • Dairy products like milk and yogurt • Eggs

• Poultry and meats • Leafy green vegetables • Citrus fruit, like oranges B vitamins help your body make protein and energy. There’s more than one kind of B vitamin. There is B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin and pantothenic acid. The B vitamins are important in metabolic activity. That means that they help make energy and release it when your body needs it.

The group of vitamins is also involved in making blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Every part of your body needs oxygen to work properly, so B vitamins have an important role in overall health.

APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

Eating out

continued from page 7 • Bean burrito • Baked potato • Side salad • Frozen yogurt

The suggestions for eating in a restaurant and at the mall also apply in the school cafeteria.

Add vegetables and fruit whenever possible. It can be easy to achieve a healthy diet, even on the run.

Source: www.kidshealth.org

Immunize

continued from page 7 you move to a new area or change doctors, or when you need to enroll your child in school. Remember to bring your child’s shot record with you every time your child has a health care visit.

Register your baby with ImmTrac The Texas Department of State Health Services has a free service it offers to all children living in Texas. The service is called ImmTrac. ImmTrac is an immunization registry service that stores your child’s immunization information electronically. Only authorized people like doctors, nurses, and schools are allowed to access the records. You can also request a record anytime, at no cost.

Register your child and let ImmTrac help protect your child’s health. To register, ask for an ImmTrac consent form at your child’s next doctor’s visit. Visit www.immtrac.com for more information.

Screen time

continued from page 7 child spends in front of a screen. You might be surprised. If the screen time for your child is less than two hours a day, pat yourself on the back! If it’s two hours or more, switch to some physically active programs.

Get up and get moving Children who are physically active have more energy and can develop better strength, coordination, balance and flexibility than those who are not active. A physically active lifestyle helps prevent weight gain and obesity. Fitness provides a feeling of self confidence and control that will help children be happy and healthy.

Just 60 minutes of active play and physical activity every day is recommended. This goal can be reached in a few minutes of time throughout the day.

Here are things you can do to reach your daily physical activity goals: • Walk to and from the bus stop.

• Jump rope or play tag at recess.

• Ride a bike after school.

• Walk the dog.

• Take stairs instead of the elevator.

• Play Frisbee or basketball after supper.

• Mow the grass or rake leaves.

• Play soccer in the yard with friends.

• Help vacuum and sweep the house.

• Limit television, video game and computer time.

Parents – be a role model to your children by exercising regularly and staying physically active.

Source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity

9

APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER

Most Overlooked Tax Credits

Tax Day

continued from page 1 “Many people filed the credit in 2008 and it was structured more as a loan and you had taxpayers that were upset about that. But for 2009, 2010 moving forward, that’s not an amount you’ll have to pay back. I guess you can consider that a stimulus payment,” she said.

Do it yourself?

The economic downturn has led to a sharp increase in do-it-yourself tax returns. According to the IRS, the number of taxpayers who electronically filed self-prepared returns last year was up 17 percent from the same period a year earlier. Also in 2008, H&R Block, the nation’s largest tax-preparation company, reported that returns prepared at its retail outlets were down 6.2 percent, while returns filed through Block’s desktop and online software rose nearly 22 percent. The company said the shift reflected “price sensitivity of clients due to current economic conditions.”

Jackson Hewitt, the nation’s second-largest tax-preparation chain, has forecast a 12 to 13 percent decline in tax returns prepared in fiscal 2009.

TurboTax, the nation’s largest tax software provider, said sales of its products surged 41 percent.

Tom Ochsenschlager, vice president, taxation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, says tax software programs usually work fine for straightforward and simple tax returns. But taxpayers who experienced a lifestyle change such as marriage or divorce should consider hiring a professional, he says.

Otherwise, “Even if you’re using the most sophisticated computer programs, you’ll get confused.”

Robinson advises that even if you do it yourself, consult a tax professional.

“Prior to clicking submit, I’d make sure I consult a professional in terms of going over your tax returns,” she said. “Even if that means seeking out some of the free tax clinics. A lot of taxpayers will typically make mistakes, simple arithmetic can lead to mistakes, or they aren’t aware of the tax credits. A lot of times when you have tax preparers who don’t have the experience of filing tax returns, they may not be aware

Ron Green

continued from page 1 Green, who earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston, as well as a law degree from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, the District of Columbia, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. In addition, Green is a licensed real estate broker. Green is a founding partner of his own law firm and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and the Government Finance Officers Association.

Green is married to Justice of the Peace Hillary Harmon Green. The couple has one son, Christopher.

Within a month of being sworn into office, Green released the results of an audit by the City Controller’s Office Audit Division that identified $3.6 million in potential savings to the City of Houston per year. The savings could be achieved by more efficient timing of citywide vendor invoice payments. The audit, originally begun as a review of disbursements under $75,000 within the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), identified that resolving date-sensitive application issues in the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System corresponding to efficient timing of invoice payments, could result in annualized savings citywide.

Recently, the Defender had an opportunity to speak with Green about his role as City Controller.

Defender: You are the city’s first African-American City Controller.

Do you view that fact as a positive or negative?

Ronald Green: Oh, I definitely look at it as a positive. I’m very proud of the fact that African Americans are continuing to ascend to leadership positions in the city and country. And I believe it is even better that I come into the position well-qualified. For, I am able to bring to the position of City Controller not just my political experience, but my legal and financial expertise as well. It’s definitely a positive.

Defender: Because most Houstonians don’t know, just what

Earned Income Credit Available to low-income workers.

Child Tax Credit $1,000 for each child, the amount you can claim for each child decreases once your adjusted gross income hits $75,000 as a single filer or $110,000 jointly filing.

Saver’s Credit Get credit for up to half you contribute to a retirement plan. Restrictions apply.

Education Tax Benefits Hope Credit: 100% credit of first $1,100 and 50% next $1,100 per student for tuition and fees with a max of $1,650.

Restricted to your first two years of college.

• Lifetime Learning Credit: Credit of 20% annual tuition and fees. Max $2,000.

Unlimited number of years.

• Tuition and Fees Deduction: Allows you to deduct up to $4,000 for tuition and fees.

• Student Loan Interest Deduction: Deduct up $2,500 per return for interest paid on student loans.

Medical Expenses Deduction available if you spend more than 7.5% of your income on medical expenses (you must itemize to claim).

of the new tax law changes. A lot of this information is free on line at www.irs.gov.”

Robinson adds that nowadays, consulting a tax professional could be a lot more cost efficient that you may think.

“A lot of times you can find a tax professional that may not be as expensive as you may think. They can also save you some time. A lot of people find it more convenient and cost effective to go to a tax professional,” she said.

The tax man cometh Robinson says the popular adage that the only thing guaranteed in life is “death and taxes” is true. So, above all else, don’t try to ignore the IRS. “I come across clients all the time that were 1099 employees or they were in that middle class tax bracket that they’ve always had to pay,” Robinson said. “If you do owe, don’t be

Moving Expenses You can claim this even if you don’t itemize so long as your move was 1) job related, 2) would have increased commute by more than 50 miles, 3) were employed full time at least 39 weeks during the 12 months after you moved, 4) your moving expenses weren’t reimbursed by your employer.

State & Local Taxes If you itemize, you can claim your state and local sales tax. You will need receipts if you choose to claim the sales tax deduction.

Charitable Donations If you itemize you, can deduct these, but keep your receipts for money donations, items donated, or mileage while driving for charity.

Out of Pocket Job Expenses These are deductible provided you keep records and are not reimbursed by your employer.

Self-employment Deductions Half your selfemployment tax, up to $112,000 of new or used business equipment purchased this year, your home or office furniture if it’s used solely for your business.

Source: HR Block

afraid of the IRS. They’re actually there to help.

If you owe, there’s some programs you may be able to set up not only for a payment plan, but maybe even a settlement. They’re much like creditors. They’d rather have some of your money than none of your money.”

And if April 15th approaches and you’re still not ready to file, Robinson says it’s as simple as filing for an extension.

“If you’re not ready to file by April 15th, I strongly, strongly encourage you to file an extension. It’s easy to do by filing the 4868 form,” Robinson said.

Here are some tips from the Internal Revenue that can help your tax filing process run smoother than ever this year.

Keep all of your records. Make sure you hold on to any documents or forms you’ll need when filing your taxes: receipts, canceled checks and

other documents that support an item of income or a deduction you’re taking on your return.

Try e-file. When you file electronically, the software will handle the math calculations for you. If you use direct deposit, you will get your refund in about half the time it takes when you file a paper return. E-file is now the way the majority of returns are filed. In fact, last year, two out of three taxpayers used e-file.

Check out Free File. If your income is $57,000 or less you may be eligible for free tax preparation software and free electronic filing. The IRS partners with 20 tax software companies to create this free service. Free File is for the cost conscious taxpayer who wants reliable questionand-answer software to help them prepare a return. Visit IRS.gov to learn more.

Consider other filing options. There are many different options for filing your tax return. You can prepare it yourself or go to a tax preparer.

You may be eligible for free face-to-face help at an IRS office or volunteer site. Give yourself time to weigh all the different options and find the one that best suits your needs.

Consider Direct Deposit. If you elect to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account, you’ll receive it faster than waiting for a paper check.

Visit IRS.gov. The official IRS Web site is a great place to find everything you’ll need to file your tax return: forms, tips, answers to frequently asked questions and updates on tax law changes.

Remember this number: 17 Check out Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax on IRS.gov. It’s a comprehensive collection of information for taxpayers highlighting everything you’ll need to know when filing your return.

Review! Review! Review! Don’t rush. Mistakes are easily made when we rush. Mistakes will slow down the processing of your return. Be sure to double-check all the Social Security Numbers and math calculations on your return as these are the most common errors made by taxpayers.

Don’t panic! If you run into a problem, remember the IRS is here to help. Try IRS.gov or call the customer service number at 800-8291040.

CLOSING THE BUDGET GAP Implement additional spending reductions based on the budget reduction scenarios submitted by the departments. An additional 1% cut would be $ 17.1 million, 2% would be $34.2 million, 3% would be $51.4 million, and 5% would be $85.5 million (further departmental cuts will impact personnel).

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Negotiate with employee unions to defer pay increases to FY2012 or beyond saving $30.8 million in FY2011.

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Negotiate with the three pensions to reduce contributions to actuarial limits that will support current benefit levels.

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Draw down the fund balance to the 7.5% preferred reserve.

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A furlough of civilian employees for two days per month equals $2 million in General Fund savings per month (e.g. $ 2 million x 12 months = $24 million). Classified furloughs could save approximately $2.3 million per day.

Apply more of the debt service reduction to General Fund relief, and/or further reduce debt service (approximately $13 million).

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Borrow $20 million from the Rainy Day Fund, which will deplete that fund.

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Additional sale of land scheduled for FY2012 moved to FY2011 (approximately $7.5 million).

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Possible consolidation of various departments.

are the areas of responsibility for the City Controller?

Green: They are two-fold. From the political perspective, I am the watchdog for the taxpayers’ money.

I am responsible for making sure taxpayer dollars are not wasted, and that they are spent wisely. On the practical side, I am a department director of the city’s finance department. Not many people realize that as City Controller, I serve a dual role. As a department director, I am responsible for managing over 160 employees, and helping to shape their careers. From my office we go out and do audits of departments.

We have a treasury department for which my office is responsible. If you come up to the 10th floor of City Hall it looks like Wall Street, with trading, deals and investments being made. We have an operations division. At present, the City of Houston has $12 billion in debt and $2 billion in investments. We have our work cut out for us. Just recently, you may recall, I had to hold up housing funds because I not certify the availability of funds. Our account was showing a negative amount, and I could not show where the money requested would be available. It is our job to look at the books to see if there’s money to spend. City Council can vote on something, but if there are no funds to cover the costs, it can’t move forward.

Defender: What was it about this position of City Controller that attracted you the most?

Green: The fact that everything that goes on in this city has a dollar amount attached to it. When I was on City Council I gravitated toward the minutia of finance, the allocation of dollars. Since I was an AtLarge council member with no specific district, I was able to focus on specific areas of service. See, the city has a finite source of revenue and an infinite amount of requests for funds. My job is to verify what funds we can and cannot afford to allocate. This is a very critical responsibility that I take very seriously, and find enjoyment in doing so.

Defender: Which position, then— city councilmember or City Controller—has been the most satisfying?

Green: They have been both equally satisfying. The six years I served on city council prepared me for what I am doing now. Then, I had a vote. Now, I don’t have a vote. Still, I am able to be a part of the process. As City Controller, without the authority to vote one way or another on an issue, I am called to be objective and clearly beholden to the numbers.

Defender: Was your goal as a child to grow up and become a member of city council and then City Controller? If not, what were

your childhood goals?

Green: I graduated from HISD— the High School of Health Professions. And I often kid that I have got to be the biggest failure the High School of Health Professions has ever produced because I surely did not become a doctor or go into any other such health profession. But seriously, I never started out to be a politician. I never dreamed of being on city council or running for office. I thought if I did, maybe I would one day want to be a judge. But believe me, one judge in the family is more than enough. But my role as a civil servant was a logical outgrowth of serving the community. I’m just doing it now in a more institutionalized fashion.

Defender: Looking back, was there a particular person or experience that inspired you, and helped shape the person you are today?

Green: Definitely. It was my parents. They instilled in me and my brother a work ethic and thirst for knowledge that continues to grow.

Though my father is deceased, you can ask my mother and she will tell you that I am always looking for my next challenge. Some people look at that as a good thing, while others see it as a bad thing.

However, I am always looking to be challenged; to grow. I never liked the idea of having to rely on someone else’s research and processing

of information. If I want to learn something I’ll go get a book and figure it out. That’s how I was raised; to be intellectually curious and assume responsibility for my ongoing growth.

Defender: Since beginning your stint as Houston’s City Controller, what has been the biggest surprise and/or challenge?

Green: The fact that the city and this region have not recovered as fast as I thought we would. I definitely knew what I was getting into when I first assumed the office. But I thought sales tax revenues would go up instead of decline as they have. The other thing that I found both shocking and refreshing was to see all of these people in my department that are top notch professionals. I mean when I looked at their resumes, these individuals could have been working anywhere but made a decision to serve the City of Houston. As a citizen and definitely as a department director, I’m thankful that I have such a wealth of expertise in-house.

Defender: What does the future hold for City Controller Ronald Green?

Green: I’m a daily bread kind of person. Daily I am focused on being the best City Controller I can be, fulfilling my duties to the best of my ability; but I really do like municipal government.

Defender: Speaking of the future, the future of too many young African- American males is dim due to ridiculous school drop-out and prison “drop-in” rates. As a young, successful brother, what words of advice would you give young brothers today who want a viable future?

Green: First, support each other.

That’s the one thing I’ve tried to do.

As I ascend there are fewer and fewer people who look like me. So, if we don’t support each other, nobody will. Second, I would tell them that there is no easy way; there is no such thing as fast money.

I’m 40 years old. I didn’t just wake up one day and I was City Controller. I went to school, worked hard, sacrificed, invested in my future. I’m married, raising a family. I have been doing those things on a daily basis that all people do who want a fulfilling life. But it’s about taking the time to prepare yourself, and also supporting each other when you get here.

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EMPOWERING JOURNALISTS FOR THE FUTURE…….During the Houston Association of Black Journalist 24th Awards and Anniversary Dinner, four of the best and brightest in the media industry were honored. The Emerging Journalist of the Year Award was presented to Richelle Carey, weekday anchor for HLN, part of the CNN Worldwide family, the Sprit Award was presented to Tony Wyllie, Houston Texans Vice President of Communication, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ralph Cooper, KCOH Radio Air Personality/Sports Director and Roland Martin, host of TV One’s “Washington Watch with Roland Martin,” CNN and the Tom Joyner Morning Show Contributor received the Pinnacle Award. Roland was introduced by his former boss Defender Publisher, Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah-Jiles.

Mary Benton, KPRC Local 2 Reporter and HABJ President was all smiles and she tried to meet and greet the hundreds of guest that attended. Kudos to the dinner chairs, Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle Fashion and Beauty Editor, Katishia Cosley, KIAH 39 Anchor/Reporter and Author, Sherea Cary for a job well done. Also, Chief Meteorologist/KHOU Channel 11 News, Gene Norman and Kim Davis, Host of Beyond the Headlines/KPRC Local 2, were this year’s Master and Mistress of Ceremonies. Other media gurus and guests included Bernadette and Len Cannon, Irv White, Elaine Norman, Laura and Marlen Whitley, Freddie Willis, Melanie Lawson, Janice Hare, Janice and Levi Benton, Juana Collins, Rochelle and Michael Butler, Melva and Ervin Warner, Toni Johnson, Kamaria Monmouth, Cynthia Smith, Delisha Ford, Isiah Carey, Melinda Spaulding, Jerome Gray, Pastor Rudy Rasmus, Genora Boykins, Emelda and Reginald Martin, Argentina James, Dr. James Ward, Korbin Mays, Tania Colon, Gina Gaston, Denise Bates, Jose Grinan and Frank Trigg. Continued Success!.........

AN EVENING OF BRILLIANT JEWELS……..Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Zeta Chapter hosted their 13th Annual Evening of Brilliant Jewels honoring several pillars of the community by presenting them with the Lullelia Walker Harrison Dove Award. This award was presented to Cindy Barclay, Founder/CEO of Quality Dialysis, Debra Blacklock-Sloan, Historical Researcher Director for the R.B.H. Yates Museum, Inc., Rev. Theodore L. Deaver, Founder/Senior Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church of Missouri City, Harry E. Johnson, Sr., President/CEO of the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation and Roland S. Martin, award-winning and multifaceted journalist.

This fabulous evening also included the story of the Dove Award which is named in honor of Mrs. Lullelia Harrison, the 12th International President, for her years of service, inspiration, guidance and love for the organization. We salute Chapter President Twylah Jenkins, event chair, Joyce Parker, committee members Kathy Allen, Ruth Doucette, Daphne Ford, Margaret Walker, Marlene Corbin and others, for a great evening. Congratulations!.........A DAY OF DELTA CELEBRATION……The Heritage and Archives of the Houston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon celebrating and telling their story of the past 80 years with a video presentation and exhibits/displays from its various programs. They made history by becoming the first Black Greekletter organization to establish a chapter in the Houston area and they continued to have a rich history of giving back to the community by way of scholarships, tutorial programs, community fairs, voter registration drives, economic development seminars and much more. Several past presidents attended including, Rosemary McGowan, Thelma Gould, Audrie Lawton, Sheila Clark, Zoie Jones and Theresa Allen.

Chapter President Alfiee Herron, Councilmember Wanda Adams, Emma Hunter, Tia Simmons, Nora Dewberry, Tonya Smallwood, Wendy Stewart, Carolyn Grant and Jennifer Jermany were also there and contributed to the success of the afternoon. Continued success to all of you...... Have a great week and remember to watch CROSSROADS on Channel 13 Sunday morning with Melanie Lawson for your event covered by Ms. Chag. Also check out our website at defendernetwork.com to view the “Event of the Week.”…..HAPPY EASTER!............From Chag’s Place to your place, Ciao Darling!

Gene and Elaine Norman

Len and Bernadette Cannon and Irv White

Honoree Ralph Cooper and Freddie Willis, Jr

Marlen and Laura Whitley

Honoree Roland Martin and Emelda and Reginald Martin

Katishia Cosley, Mary Benton and Joy Sewing

Marlene Corbin and Ruth Doucette

Emma Hunter and Audrie Lawton

Honoree Tony Wyllie, Argentina James and Dr. James Ward

Kristan Allen, Kimberly Brown and Gwenetta Arps

Honorees Cindy Barclay and Roland Martin

Joyce Parker, Honoree Harry Johnson and Twylah Jenkins

Shatonya Brooks-Marshall, Alfiee Herron and Joycelyn Matthews

Honoree Richelle Carey and Toni Johnson

Honorees Pastor Theodore Deaver and Debra Blacklock-Sloan

Rosemary McGowan, Wanda Adams and Thelma Gould

Sheila Wheatley-Clark, Zoie L. Jones and Theresa Pratt-Allen

Tia Simmons, Nora Dewbury, Tonya Smallwood and Wendy Stewart

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APRIL 4 – 10, 2010 | DEFENDER