Houston Defender: July 18, 2010

July 18 – 24, 2010 | FREE

Volume 79 Number 38

www.defendernetwork.com

Black female teens lead peers in quitting cigarettes

By Pharoh Martin NNPA NATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS

(NNPA) - The overall teen smoking rate has declined in the two decades since 1991. But, over the last seven years, the decline has slowed for all teens except African-American females who are leading the way for smoking cessation, according to a recent report released by the CDC. “The African-American female is the leading success story, and have been for some years now,” said Dr.

Rally launched to save public transportation

★TEENS, Page 6

African-American females are a succes story according to the Center for Disease Control.

WELLS FARGO

By Christina Calloway

Investing in our communities

DEFENDER

T

he country is experiencing a mass transit crisis and Houston is no exception.

It’s a growing problem that The Rainbow Push Coalition, along with the Save Our Ride Campaign, is hoping to change. The two organizations recently hosted a rally in front of the Mickey Leland Federal building in hopes of gaining support in solving America’s mass transit crisis.

“Public transportation provides public service to hospitals for the sick and to work, to schools, to recreation, so public transportation

“Public transportation provides public service to hospitals for the sick and to work, to schools, to recreation, so public transportation is survival.”

By Aswad Walker DEFENDER

With the banking industry’s public approval rating resting only slightly above BP’s, and a general public dumbfounded by what has been perceived as consistent Wall Street bailouts and “Main Street” slights, news out of Wells Fargo is being viewed as a breath of fresh

– Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

★TRANSIT CRISIS, Page 6

air. During a recent media luncheon sponsored by the bank the theme reiterated was crystal clear—Wells Fargo is only as strong as the communities it serves. This mantra was repeated by Wells Fargo representatives as words of the bank’s commitment to building strong communities. The service theme was mag★WELLS FARGO, Page 4

2010 NAACP KANSAS CONVENTION

First Lady tells NAACP not to rest

By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

(NNPA) - Those who struggled and many who died in battles for freedom, justice, and racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement, left a legacy that must yet be fulfilled - even in caring for the health of Black children, First Lady Michelle Obama recently reminded thousands at the NAACP Annual Convention in Kansas City, Mo. “I know that I stand here today, and I know that my husband stands where he is today, because of this organization - and because of the struggles and

NAACP Chair Brock debunks post-racial myth ★SEE PAGE, Page 7 the sacrifices of all those who came before us,” Obama said in a passionate speech punctuated with applause. “But I also know that their legacy isn’t an entitlement to be taken for granted.

And I know it is not simply a gift to be enjoyed. Instead, it is an obligation to be fulfilled.”

Remarkably, her speech nearly ★FIRST LADY, Page 3

The epidemic of childhood obesity in America, was the major topic of discussion for the First Lady Michelle Obama. She stated that "nearly half of African-American children will develop diabetes at some point in their lives."

INTERVIEW

An introspective look at Tavis

By Kam Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER

From his celebrated conversations with world figures, to his work to inspire the next generation of leaders, as a broadcaster, author, advocate and philanthropist, Tavis Smiley continues to be an outstanding voice for change. He is currently the host of the late night television talk show “Tavis Smiley” on PBS and “The Tavis Smiley Show” on Public Radio International (PRI).

Time Magazine honored Mr. Smiley in 2009 as one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People.” The Smiley Group, Inc. (TSG) is a communications corporation established in support of human rights and related empowerment issues. TSG serves as the holding company for various enterprises encompassing broadcast and print media, lectures,

symposiums and the Internet.

Here, Tavis talks about “Been in the Storm Too Long,” a special report on the City of New Orleans airing on PBS on July 21st ET/PT. He also speaks about the On Your Side Tour with Tavis Smiley, a series of free financial empowerment workshops he’s staging in various cities around the country between now and the end of 2010.

Kam Williams: Hey, what’s happening, Tavis? How’re you doing?

Tavis Smiley: I’m doing the best I can, brother. How about you?

KW: Things are hectic, as usual, but all is well.

TS: Oh, man, we’re both just trying to make our own contribution, brother.

KW: Thanks for the time, again.

TS: Oh, it’s my pleasure. It’s a blessing to talk to you

Click on Defendernetwork.com Weekend

Weekend

Monday

Rev. Al Sharpton

Health

Nicole C. Lee

Supreme Court & Lethal Violence

Healthy Snacks for Kids

6 Months On

★TAVIS, Page 2

2

JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

Tavis

continued from page 1 again.

KW: Since you were born in Gulfport, Mississippi, I have to first ask you what you think about the Gulf oil spill?

TS: I was just down there for about a week. We’re working on the third installment of Tavis Smiley Reports.

KW: “Been in the Storm Too Long.”

TS: Yeah, exactly. In addition to my late night show, we’re doing four primetime specials this year, one every quarter. And it seemed obvious that in the third quarter, it needed to be about the fifth anniversary of Katrina. I’m doing this one in conjunction with Academy Award-winner Jonathan Demme who is actually directing it.

KW: So, how’re things down there?

TS: It’s hard to find the language to describe what it’s like when you see it in person. It is horrific, and there are a lot of questions we’re going to have to address once we get on the other side of this crisis. I recently had the former President of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, as a guest on my TV show. He has a powerful, new book out called, Why We Hate the Oil Companies. We had a really, really serious dialogue navigating through the politics of what happened, what President Obama ought to be doing, what BP ought to be doing, and how we can ensure that this never happens again. It was a fascinating conversation. Still, when you see it in person, it’s horrific, for lack of a better term. It’s a major, major crisis, and I’m just sorry that the White House was a little slow moving on this, initially. But now, it seems like they’re fully engaged. So, I hope we can turn the corner on this disaster. We’ll see.

KW: There are some people who are secretly happy about the President’s delayed response to the Gulf oil spill, given Bush’s failure in the wake of Katrina. Let me read you part of an email I received recently from a brother from the South: “I say a pox on the racist whites of South Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida… Let the Gulf be a cesspool, a dead zone. Let the crackers and the rednecks be dispersed to find other places and other jobs.” He goes on to point out that after Hurricane Katrina, “a quarter million Blacks were dispersed

Tavis Smiley, who poses with Professor Cornel West in this Defender archive photo, will debut a PBS special report on the City of New Orleans on Wednesday, July 21. across the country and not allowed to return to New Orleans and their homes, even though public housing was unaffected by the flooding. The white middle class racial oppression of the Blacks was exposed, and the racial conspiracy was afoot with no substantial sympathy from them.” So, he obviously feels that Blacks were abandoned, uprooted and disenfranchised after Katrina, so whites deserve the same treatment now.

TS: I hear what he’s saying. My response to that would be that two wrongs don’t make a right. We ought to live in a country where we will not abide the contestation of anyone’s humanity. That’s what’s wrong with America. Too many people’s humanity is being contested. The humanity of Black folk was contested during Hurricane Katrina. The humanity of these fishermen and others who live or make their living off the Gulf coast is being contested now. In Arizona, the humanity of our Hispanic brothers and sisters is being contested.

Whether it’s racism, ageism, sexism, homophobia or some other form of intolerance, I call all of these slights the contestation of humanity. The way forward is not playing tit for tat, and saying, “You killed my dog, so I’m gonna kill your cat.” It’s about celebrating, reveling in, and protecting the humanity of every American. I don’t think

any group should be allowed to suffer because another one did. We have to rise to the occasion by recognizing everyone’s humanity. So, I hope that his opinion is rare.

KW: I see that you’re going around the country conducting these free financial literacy workshops. But with the real Black unemployment numbers way over 20 percent, of what value is financial literacy to people if they can’t even get a job?

TS: That’s a challenge, and one of the things I’m going to be talking about. I’m not naïve about this. I recognize that unemployment is triple and, in some cities, quadruple, the national average. We have to find jobs, and we have to pressure the powers that be. One thing’s for certain: jobs won’t become available to the unemployed unless people start screaming, jumping up and down, and demanding that the powers that be do more to get the economy jumpstarted. Politics is not a spectator sport.

Election season tends to be a good time to get the attention of leaders. So, I think that makes this a good time, Kam, to be having this conversation because people have questions, they have concerns, they have fears, they have anxieties and they want information about how to navigate through this, including those persons who might still be employed but are just holding on. Some

folks have a job, but their retirement is exhausted, or maybe the cash saved for their kids’ college education has been shot or they’ve lost their home and had to downsize. So, there’s a lot to address, even though I can’t just show up and start handing out jobs. It’s really about getting people the type of information that will help them navigate their way through this crisis so they can come out of these challenging times prepared to put themselves on sure financial footing.

KW: Illness and lack of health insurance is hurting a lot of people, too.

TS: Healthcare is the number one reason for bankruptcy in this country. People will spend everything they have trying to hold onto their lives. In that regard, President Obama deserves credit for getting the healthcare bill passed, even though it was watered way down, and isn’t nearly what I think it should have been.

KW: You mentioned elections. What do you think of that unknown candidate Alvin Greene winning the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina when he had no budget and never campaigned?

That’s a real head-scratcher.

TS: I can’t figure it out, either. That’s the most bizarre story I’ve ever seen. There’s something going on down there. What, I do not know. I get the sense that the Democrats were asleep at the wheel. Who this guy is and how he got on the ballot, they’re only raising all these questions now, when they should’ve been raised before the primary, if the Democrats had done their due diligence.

KW: I wonder why nobody’s talking about the possibility that there was vote fraud, since South Carolina uses paperless electronic voting.

TS: They ARE looking into the question of whether or not it might have had to do with the machines. If it turns out that he’s a Republican plant, it’s so unheard of and so very, very bizarre, that it deserves to have a book written about it. But I don’t think either party is that well organized to pull something like that off. We’ll get to the bottom of it eventually.

KW: Your career has taken many turns.

What are your future goals?

TS: That’s a good question. For me, the ★TAVIS, Page 4

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JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

First Lady

continued from page 1 echoed earlier sentiments expressed by NAACP Chairman Roslyn Brock, who also listed the sins of inequality that still plague African-Americans. This commonality of vision from the grassroots to the White House indicates both the distance that African Americans have come and the distance that must still be endured.

“When so many of our children still attend crumbling schools, and a Black child is still far more likely to go to prison than a white child, I think the founders of this organization would agree that our work is not yet done,” Obama said.

She continued, “When AfricanAmerican communities are still hit harder than just about anywhere by this economic downturn, and so many families are just barely scraping by, I think the founders would tell us that now is not the time to rest on our laurels.

“When stubborn inequalities still persist - in education and health, in income and wealth - I think those founders would urge us to increase our intensity, and to increase our discipline and our focus and keep fighting for a better future for our children and our grandchildren.”

Obama, who grew up humbly on the South Side of Chicago, is especially sensitized to economic inequities and overcoming them.

Among her foremost issues as First Lady has been childhood obesity, which often results from economic inequities.

“And that’s why I really wanted to come here today - because I wanted to talk with you about an issue that I believe cries out for our attention - one that is of particular concern to me, not just as First Lady, but as a mother who believes that we owe it to our kids to prepare them for the challenges that we know lie ahead. And that issue is the epidemic of childhood obesi-

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

First Lady Michelle Obama urged us "to increase our intensity and to increase our discipline and our focus and keep fighting for a better future for our children and our grandchildren.

ty in America today,” she said.

Citing that one in three children is overweight or obese, Obama said the stats are even worse for Black children.

“Just like with so many other challenges that we face as a nation, the African-American community is being hit even harder by this issue,” she said. “AfricanAmerican children are significantly more likely to be obese than are white children. Nearly half of African-American children will develop diabetes at some point in their lives. People, that’s half of our children.”

Even as illnesses that derive from obesity such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental and emotional health and low self-esteem issues can result in economic crisis for many families, that crisis also costs the nation, Obama pointed out.

“Believe it or not, if you’re obese, there’s a 40 percent chance that your kids will be obese as well.

And if you … and the child’s other parent are obese, that number jumps to 80 percent,” — Michelle Obama “And we’re already spending billions of dollars in this country a year to treat these conditions. And that number is only going to go up when these unhealthy children reach adulthood.”

Pleading for those in the audience to help reverse the trend, Obama framed childhood obesity as if it is another civil or human rights issue.

“So we need to take this issue seriously, as seriously as improving

under-achieving schools, as seriously as eliminating youth violence or stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS or any of the other issues that we know are devastating our communities,” she said.

She illustrated the problem with statistics that the audience easily recognized: “Studies have found that African-American children spend an average of nearly six hours a day watching TV - and that every extra hour of TV they watch is associated with the consumption of an additional 167 calories,” she said.

Referring to what is now known as food deserts – neighborhoods where nutritional foods cannot be found to purchase because of the absence of grocery stories – Obama pushed for parental action.

Drawing empathetic laughter from the audience as she pulled

examples from her own life, she appealed for parents to put vegetables on every plate; limit treats like sodas, and cut back on sweets.

“Surely the men and women of the NAACP haven’t spent a century organizing and advocating and working day and night only to raise the first generation in history that might be on track to live shorter lives than their parents.”

Obama has planted a garden on the South Lawn of the White House and launched a “Let’s Move” campaign to promote exercise. She recommended that parents and children visit the new website, Letsmove.gov.

The movement must start with self-example, she said.

“Believe it or not, if you’re obese, there’s a 40 percent chance that your kids will be obese as well.

And if you … and the child’s other parent are obese, that number jumps to 80 percent,” she said.

“And this is more than just genetics at work. The fact is, we all know we are our children’s first and best teachers and role models. We teach them healthy habits not just by what we say but by how we live.”

Finally, Obama told the audience to look to others – even each other – for encouragement – the same way that they did and still do in the Civil Rights Movement.

“See, because back in 1958, folks right here in Kansas City saw what folks down in Montgomery had achieved with their bus boycott. So they were inspired by all those men and women who walked miles walked miles home each day on aching feet because they knew there was a principle at stake.”

Whether it was fighting for a better economic lifestyle or better health, it was all about wanting “something better for their children and for their grandchildren. That’s why they did it,” she concluded.

“And in the end, that’s what has driven this organization since its founding.”

4

Wells Fargo

continued from page 1 nified through presentations outlining the company’s impact on individuals, families and small businesses through numerous company practices and programs.

“Wells Fargo is the number one small business lender in the U.S.,” stated Shaun Coard, Senior Vice President and Business Banking Manager for Wells Fargo Houston. “Wells Fargo has loaned $13 billion to small businesses in 2009 and has a goal of loaning $16 billion to small businesses in 2010.”

According to Coard one in three households in the U.S. does business with Wells Fargo.

Another goal set by the bank in 1998 was to lend $1 billion to African American business owners nationwide by 2010. “We met that goal two years early,” said Coard, “and expanded that goal to lend $2 billion by 2018.

Wells Fargo has invested in community service as well as small businesses.

“In 2009, despite a bad economy, Wells Fargo donated $202 million to 18,000 nonprofits nationwide, supporting education, community development, human services, the arts and the environment,” said Cary Yates, Senior Vice President Market Growth & Development Manager. “This includes more than $26 million to organizations specifically servicing the African American community.”

Along with funds Wells Fargo’s 20,000 Texas employees has volunteered more than 60,000 hours and contributed $9 million to 1,800 local nonprofit organizations and schools.

“Wells Fargo is one of a few companies that allow employees to volunteer up to four months with a non-profit of their choice with full pay and benefits,” said Glenn Godkin, Wells Fargo’s Regional President, Greater Houston Community Banking. “We do well by doing good.”

This ethic of community investment is nothing new for Wells Fargo. For more than 150 years, the company has served the Texas community and continues to build strong partnerships for further growth and success.

Wells Fargo’s Instructions to Agents booklet, written in 1888, states, “Proper respect must be shown to all—let them be men, women, or

JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

children, rich or poor, white or black—it must not be forgotten that the Company is dependent on these same people for its business.”

“We thrive when businesses thrive, when housing is affordable, when there are good schools for residents, and when people have access to hospitals, banks, and libraries,” said Godkin.

A large part of Wells Fargo’s commitment to community comes in the form of financial education tools such as the Hands on Banking program that sponsors monthly home-buying seminars for first-time home buyers. In addition, Wells Fargo provides financial education through various partnerships.

“Together with the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Wells Fargo launched the Entrepreneurial Institute to offer professional development and financial education workshops to empower entrepreneurs,” stated Coard. “We also recognize successful entrepreneurs with the NBMBAA/Wells Fargo Entrepreneur Excellence Award.”

In addition, Wells Fargo, in 2008, was the number one originator of home loans overall and in each of the following categories: African American, Latino, Asians, Native Americans, low- and moderate-income consumers and residents.

“Our company recently established partnerships with the Houston Area Urban League offering our Leading the Way financial literacy program. We’ve offered homebuying seminars at St. Johns Church. We’ve also partnered with the NFL’s Retired Players Association for financial literacy and financial education workshops,” said Yates.

For its many efforts Wells Fargo has been recognized with numerous awards and honors including being named a Top 50 Companies for Diversity (31) and Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Research (DiversityInc., 2009); Top 25 Great Places to Work for African American Women (Essence Magazine); Top 50 Best Companies for Latinas (LATINAStyle Magazine, August 2009); and 100 Best Corporate Citizens (Corporate Responsibility Officer Magazine, March 2009).

“I have never seen a bank succeed in a community that’s failed. That’s why we get involved—it’s good business and it’s just the right thing to do,” shared Godkin.

Smiley

believe we are who we are because somebody loved us. continued from page 2 KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? answer has always been the same. It’s about TS: I’m not one to cook. I’m an eater not a trying to love and serve people. I operate off cooker. And I love to eat anything my mothof a very simple, but I think poignant defini- er makes, except liver and onions. I can’t tion of leadership. It’s this: you can’t lead stand liver. But anything else Joyce Smiley people unless you love people. And you prepares, I will happily eat. She’s the best can’t save people, if you don’t cook in the world. serve people. Love to me means KW: One last question. As the conthat everybody is worthy, just summate interviewer, are you willing because all life has equal value, to share with me a couple of quesand everybody is worthy of a qualitions I can ask everybody I interty education, worthy of a good job, view? and worthy of living in a crime and TS: That’s a very, very good quespollution-free environment. Serving tion. Yeah, let me think of questions to me means trying to give people that might work universally for a lot information that can help them live Tavis Smiley of different people… [Pauses] better lives. That’s always been my Because life is so short, I’m always goal. It’s never changed, although it’s taken fascinated by what people want their legacy on a variety of forms, whether TV, radio, to be and how they are doing in relation to print, philanthropy or any of the other things creating that legacy. Some questions that that I do. But the real substance is trying to could come out of that are: “What do you love people, trying to serve people. want your legacy to be?” and “As we sit for KW: When you look in the mirror, what do this conversation, where do you think you you see? are in the process of creating that legacy?”

TS: That’s a powerful question, Kam. To That leads to these other questions that I be honest with you, I see someone who’s love asking in some shape or form: “How struggling every day to get it right. What I introspective are you?” and “How do you mean by that is sometimes you work really engage in that introspection?” The point I’m hard, and you look at everything you’re up making is that, typically, the questions we against in the culture, in the society, in the ask are about external things, because economy, and in the body politic, and some- nobody wants to talk about the internal. times it feels like you’re just spinning your However, Socrates said, “The unexamined wheels. So, I wake up every day, not life is not worth living.” I’ve discovered depressed, but burdened by something, yet that, however you phrase it, if you can get excited about making a contribution. It’s a people to be introspective; you’re in for a struggle. very deep conversation. Introspection I’m a very introspective person, but usual- enables you to get to the heart of the matter. ly not this public about my introspection.

For me, the sweet spot is getting them to KW: If you could have one wish instantly open up about their introspective process, granted, what would that be for? how they see their lives, how they see their TS: The end of poverty, because with that contribution. Once they start opening up, there are so many issues that we struggle “Whew!” you’re off and running. with that would immediately disappear. If KW: Those are some great questions, we could eradicate poverty, the world would Tavis. You sure you don’t mind if I start be a whole lot better place to live. using them?

KW: is your earliest childhood memory?

TS: No, take whatever you want, Kam. TS: That’s another good question.

KW: Much appreciated. I promise to call Fortunately, for me, it was being loved by them the Tavis Smiley questions. Thanks for two parents. I was the eldest of nine. I can another great interview. recall being nurtured and supported and paid TS: It’s always great speaking with you. a whole lot of attention by two very loving Take care of yourself, brother parents before the others kids showed up. I

SPORTS

JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

5

NBA Summer League Rockets improve & prepare for season

By Max Edison DEFENDER

N

ow that the dust has settled with the big-baller free agents, the Rockets can go about the business of putting together the upcoming season’s squad.

Don’t get me wrong, Rocket GM Daryl Morey will continue to try and make improvements through some smallernamed free agents signings or via trade, but for right now, the roster is set. The Rockets have a core of athletic young players who need to step up their game for the team to be a playoff contender. That’s why their play in Las Vegas in the NBA’s Summer League is so important.

The Rockets Summer League team is being coached by assistant head coach Elston Turner who applauds the opportunity the league provides for young players.

“I look forward to it every summer,” Coach Turner explained. “It’s a training ground for our young players. It gives them a chance in a competitive environment, to continue to develop their skills.

“This is a ‘grown man’s’ league and even though a young player may be talented, they haven’t played on the NBA level before and it takes some getting used to. Many of the guys have the tools to be impact players. It’s the coach’s job to make it happen as soon as possible.”

Not only is the Summer League a place for players to improve their game, it also gives aspiring head coaches like Turner a chance to develop as well.

“Even though it’s a short time, you still develop strategy, determine playing time, just like a regular game situation,” Turner continues. “Even if a player is having a bad game we will keep him in the game to see how they react and if they can play their way through it.”

Jermaine Taylor (guard, 6’4”) and Chase Budinger (forward 6’7”) were both second-round picks in the 2009 draft.

Taylor, who played sparingly during the season, has worked throughout the off-season and the Summer League is just another opportunity for him to improve.

“Coming in this year, I’m real comfortable, I know what to expect. Coach is going through plays that I already know so I feel real comfortable,” Jermaine explained.

Heading into Summer League play, Taylor knows what the coaches want to see him improve.

“Coaches want me to focus on being a better team player, getting everyone involved. Playing with four other guys instead of just trying to take everybody off the dribble, getting my teammates involved.”

He understands the key to greater playing time is simply old fashioned hard work.

“I didn’t take a break this summer,” Taylor recounts. “I went home for two weeks after our last game and came back to Houston. I’ve been working out all summer. I took a few weekends off, but I’m trying to get better. If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes.”

Fans got their first glimpse of Chase Budinger and his game last year in Summer League competition and he hopes to expand on that foundation this summer.

“I was kind of playing for a job last year and I had to go out and prove what type of player I was. I had a great Summer League last year and I had a good season. This Summer League I’m going to try to go in there and work on things I didn’t excel on during the season, things like getting to the free throw line, attacking the basket, maybe even get in the post a little bit.”

Budinger’s averaged 8.9 ppg. and three rebounds last season as a rookie and was a pleasant surprise within the organ-

Jordan Hill

Jermaine Taylor Chase Budinger

Elston Turner Head coach Elston Turner oversees the development of talented young players Jordan Hill, Jermaine Taylor and Chase Budinger. ization. He credits a lot of his success to Coach Rick Adelman’s style of play.

“I think the style that Adelman runs fits me perfectly.

Coming off screens and creating for myself and others is what I think I do best,” Chase reasoned. “I was a little surprised, watching this game and how good the players are. I fit well in the offense and fit well with the chemistry of the guys. I got the opportunity to play and showed that I could play at this level.”

Jordan Hill (forward, 6’10”, 235 lbs.) was the #8 selection overall in the 2009 draft, selected by the New York Knicks.

He was a part of the deal that sent Tracy McGrady to New York. Early in the season, Hill saw minimal playing time. As a member of the Rockets, he saw those minutes change appreciably and the coaching staff liked what they saw. An athletic big man that can run the floor, he realizes there’s plenty of work to be done in the Summer League.

“Summer League for me is a chance to try and get better and get ready for next season,” Hill said. “I’ve been working hard this whole summer, now I want to showcase what I’ve been working on in the Summer League.”

Hill also has been given a laundry list of things the Rockets staff want him to incorporate into his game.

“They want me to find a number one go to move and work on my mid-range game, I’ve been working on it and its getting a whole lot better. The main thing is to keep working every day, that’s how the greatest players got better.”

Even though his name had come up in various trade

rumors, Hill has not let that alter his focus.

“I love it here (Houston), but it’s all a business,” Jordan concluded. “I can be here one day and gone the next. I try not to let that get in my head. I’ve just got to stay prepared, work hard and just keep my focus on everyday getting better.”

Rookie Patrick Patterson comes from a Kentucky Wildcat team that boasts five players drafted in the first round, but he realizes the pro game is a significant step up from college ball. He knows what the team expects him to develop in Summer League play.

“They want to see me develop my face up game, as a four (power forward). They want me to improve my overall defense as well and just play hard. They want improvements on my jump shot, my range, so many different areas and that’s what I try to work on every time I step onto the court.

For me to finally be on this level, it’s a dream come true.”

The NBA Summer League is a proving ground for young talent and the Rockets are loaded with young guys that are primed and poised to show that they are ready for prime time. Chase Budinger thinks the time spent in Las Vegas together can only pay dividends in the future.

“We’re very young and I think we’re going to be improving every year. We’re a new team; we’ve only played so many games with each other. More games creates more experience with each other and more chemistry, that’s what creates championship type teams.”

Let’s all hope he’s correct.

Max Edison

on Sports King & His Court Whew, thank God it’s finally over. What am I referring to? All that partying down in Miami is finally starting to die down after a week of Mardi Gras style celebration. The P.R. proclaimed “king” of basketball, Lebron James and his court, featuring Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, are settling in to the fact that not only are they best friends, but they’re actually teammates in this 21st century version of the dream team.

For all the pomp and circumstances - and there was enough to gag a herd of elephants - I want to focus on one interesting statement by King Lebron. He has repeatedly stated that he wanted to bring multiple championships to the Heat organization. Wow, isn’t that big talk for a guy that hasn’t won anything since he left high school?

In seven years as a pro, the “chosen one” led the Cavaliers to one NBA Champion series against the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. We were “all witnesses” to the Spurs sweeping the Cavs in four straight games.

The king and the Cavs finished the 20082009 season with a record of 66-16 record (NBA best), good enough for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and good enough for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

Unfortunately for the king, he ran into a magical young lad from Orlando, who upset the

king’s impending coronation and booted them out in the Eastern Conference finals. This also upset Nike’s superbly-planned advertising campaign with the clever little puppets. It seems the king was having a hard time holding up his end of the bargain.

This season, the king and his band of merry men, including the jolly Black giant, Shaquille, posted a record of 61-21, an NBA best for the second consecutive year, but when the going got tough in the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics (despite being up 2-1) the king and his Cavalier court lost three consecutive games to the Celtics and the king was left to accelerate his exit strategy to Miami.

So the question I once again present, where the hell does he get off predicting multiple titles in Miami, when he didn’t win Dudley in Cleveland? Oh wait, that’s right, this time he’s paired himself with D. Wade, a real champion!

Somewhere on the opposite end of the continental U.S. the real King, Kobe, who as actually won multiple titles, (5) must me quietly amused!

Iwuh Gives Back Hats off to Chicago Bear linebacker Brian Iwuh, a 2002 graduate of E.E. Worthing High School. He teamed with city councilwoman Wanda Adams and a host of others to successfully pull off the second annual Sunnyside Fun Day in the Park and Health Fair held recently.

The Brian Iwuh Pride in Sunnyside Incorporation, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization is designed to give back to the neighborhood that Iwuh grew up in. The former All-Big 12 standout got his start in sports in and around the very same Sunnyside Park where the event was held.

“I benefited from many of the programs this community offered when I was a child,” Iwuh explained. “I played little league football, ran track and even finished high school in this community. Programs like the ones here at Fun Day helped me growing up and I’m glad to lend my support.”

Astros Sign Top Prospect The Astros recently announced they have signed 16-year-old Dominican free agent outfielder Ariel Ovando to a 2011 minor league contract. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Ovando, a 6’4”, left-handed-hitting right fielder, was considered one of this year’s top July 2 prospects in Latin America. Latin players are eligible to be signed if they are 16 years old by July 2, and will attain age 17 prior to September 1 of such effective season. Ovando, who will be 17 on September 15, has signed a minor league contract for 2011. This season, he is expected to first report to the Astros Latin American complex in Boca Chica, DR, in the upcoming days and then is scheduled to partici-

pate in the Florida Instructional League in Kissimmee, FL in September.

“We’re extremely excited to get Ariel into the Astros organization,” said GM Ed Wade.

“Felix (Francisco, Astros Latin American Operations) did a lot of work on this kid and we also were able to have some of our other evaluators scout him over the past several months. Ariel profiles as a middle of the order power hitter with excellent defensive skills.

He profiles as a front line major league right fielder and should move quickly through the minor league system.”

Bobby Heck, Assistant G.M./ Scouting Director gives this scouting report on Ovando: Impact player. Large, lean and loose frame.

Broad, sloped shoulders. High, trim waist.

Body similar to Carlos Delgado. Will hit 3-4 in a lineup. Advanced hitter for age. Quiet confidence with a boyish smile. Will be a big man. Easy, fast bat with hitter’s hands.

Reminds me of Jason Heyward, Fred McGriff and Carlos Delgado.

Let’s hope Ovando can live up to that glowing report. The Astros farm system, in its current state, is one of the worst in all of MLB. Ovando, plus this year’s draft class, which featured three first rounders, can hopefully turn those fortunes around.

6

JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

Teens

continued from page 1

Rev. Jesse Jackson stated that the community needs to rally to address the projected cuts in public transit services because it provides the means of access, impacts the quality of life and ensures a greener future.

Transit Crisis

continued from page 1 is survival,” said, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition.

“The more busses, the fewer cars you need.

Fifty people on the bus as opposed to 50 cars is energy-efficient, it’s environmentally secure, and it’s cheaper. So this is important for people. This is a vital organ in the urbansuburban connection.”The cause of the crisis is a series of mass transit service cuts, fare hikes, and layoffs. This affects Houston riders by making it more difficult and expensive to utilize public transportation.

Save Our Ride is a campaign that fights for quality public transportation for all and is comprised of everyday and disabled citizens who are dependent on public transportation, environmentalists, and workers of the public transit systems and public Advocates. The law prohibits cities with populations of 20,000 or more from using their federal transit funds for anything that is not a capital need.

“We simply want to change that,” said International Executive Vice President of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Ronald Heintzman about the cap on the federal funds.“There’s no additional money being asked for, it’s already been appropriated. We just want the transit authorities to have the right and ability to flex that money when they need to, to keep us in service and to

keep workers from being laid off.”

Those who rallied were saying no to service cuts, fare increases, dependency on foreign oil, and high unemployment rates while embracing green jobs, affordable transportation, clean and safe communities, and energy efficiency.

Earl Kyle is one of the African-American Metro bus operators who has firsthand experience with Metro’s riders. He believes that the Save Our Ride Campaign shows consideration for them.“They can continue to come out and support us and look for any and all information that can help improve this service and continue to have input and call in so that we know what you want and what you like,” said Kyle on what the AfricanAmerican community should do next. “If we’re not doing it, we’re definitely going to be trying.”

Jackson urged the Black community to stay in the fight by getting behind their local congressional representatives. “(The community can rally behind Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green as they fight to remove the cap,” said Jackson. “These bus drivers and transit drivers, they buy homes, they send their children to school, they pay taxes so they’re vital to the infrastructure of our communities and that is why Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green fight for removing that cap that paid transit workers that help stabilize our communities.”

Terry Pechacek, associate director for science at CDC’s office on smoking and health.

“They have more positives in general. We’re seeing higher graduation rates and lower rates of smoking and drug use.”

He said that it’s a fact that African-American students overall have been smoking less than White and Hispanic students for some time but the recently released analysis on teen smoking is the first definite proof that Black teens are not only smoking less but their progress is continuing without slowing unlike other racial/ ethnic groups.

The CDC analyzed data from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high school students in public and private schools in every state to evaluate trends in cigarette use among high school students from 1991-2009.

The findings show that since 2003 the rate of decline in current cigarette use slowed or leveled off for all racial/ ethnic groups of both genders except Black female students. They showed no slowing or leveling off in their rate of decline.

Race/ethnicity data were analyzed only for non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic students, who are considered an ethnicity and not a race. They could be of any race. The numbers of students from other racial/ethnic groups were too small for meaningful analysis.

According to the study the percentage of students who said they currently smoke cigarettes, which was defined as smoking a cigarette at least one day of the 30 before the survey, went from 27.5 percent in 1991 to 36.4 percent in 1997, declined to 21.9 percent in 2003, and then more gradually, to 19.5 percent in 2009.

Students who answered that they ever smoked or tried cigarettes , taking one or two puffs constituted trying a cigarette, was consistent from 1991 to 1999 at about 70 percent. That category then recessed deeply to 58.4 percent in 2003; and then again in 2009 when the rate was 46.3 percent.

The percentage of teens who were current frequent cigarette users, defined as smoking cigarettes on 20 or more days during the 30 days before the sur-

Black teens are leading the way when it comes to kicking cigarettes. vey, increased from 12.7 percent in 1991 to 16.8 percent in 1999. The rate fell sharply to 9.7 percent in 2003, and more gradually in 2009 when it was 7.3 percent. For all of the categories of teen smokers, rates began to decline in the late 1990s but slowed after 2003 until the study’s completion in 2009.

Pechacek said that the major factors of slowed progress of teen smoking is due to decreased funding for antitobacco programs in recent years and just a lack of overall attention being paid on confronting the issue. He said also that expanded marketing efforts from tobacco companies, including discounted prices on cigarette brands most popular with adolescents, depictions of tobacco use in movies, distribution of merchandise such as hats and Tshirts with tobacco brands symbols and sponsorship of youth-centric events such as music concerts, helped slow the decline of youth smoking.

“In the early 1990s, The hiphop culture and the Newport jazz and other types of music and entertainment marketing campaigns that were being done seemed to be affecting Black males more the females,” Pechacek said. “The smoking rates for Black teenage males seemed to be going up a little more than the females.“ The African-American decline in teen smoking started in the early 1980s when the Black community developed a concern for its youth during the

rise of the crack epidemic during that time, as well as other factors.

“The African-American community, quite distinctly from Whites and other groups, revered nicotine as a drug of addiction like other drugs of addiction and treated it in a more extreme fashion,” Pechacek said. “For this community, smoking cigarettes was a pathway to smoking marijuana, smoking crack and other pathways that lead to destruction.”

White families, on the other hand, discounted the severity of tobacco by not considering it as a hard or even a gateway drug, he said.

Before the rise of the “crack era” of the 1980s, AfricanAmerican males had some of the highest smoking rates of any group post-World War II. During the same time, AfricanAmerican females quickly caught up with their White female counterparts as smokers.

“We want to point to a fact that should be receiving a lot more attention,” Pechacek said. “The African-American community has been making dramatic progress in positive health behaviors. In fact, it’s showing up in lung cancer rates. Traditionally, the lung cancer rates among AfricanAmerican males have been substantially higher than all other groups in this country. …

Even though they are still much higher than what we would like them to be they are showing the most dramatic progress.”

CLASSIFIED 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 ‘

VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 37 JULY 11 – 17, 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

by The Houston Defender Inc. Company (713) 663-6996. The Defender audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscriptions, send $60.00 — 1 year, to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288.

Payment must accompany subscription request. All materials covered by 2009 copyright... (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

• Project 10-07-06 – TALENT ACQUISITION SYSTEM – with a deadline of 10 A.M. August 4, 2010.

The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in room 2E02 at the above stated address on July 19, 2010 at 10 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.

The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSuprlus.com.

Scwyana Smith

BID OR PROPOSAL NOTICE FOR New Pre-Engineered Building for Grady Middle School

Houston Independent School District (HISD) Morganti Texas Inc., as Construction Manager-at-Risk for HISD, in accordance with Texas Education Code Section 44.038, will receive bids or proposals from subcontractors to build a new Pre-engineered building for Grady Middle School. The work includes construction of a 9,500 sq. ft. pre-engineered building (Gym). Bids or proposals are due no later than 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at the offices of Morganti Texas, Inc., 350 N. Sam Houston Pkwy.

E., Suite 121, Houston,Texas 77060, phone 281-448-1015, fax 281-448-8416 attention: Fred Hennies or Macon Macicek.

The plans and specifications will be available beginning Monday, June 14, 2010, and may be obtained from A & E The Graphics Complex, 4325 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027, (713) 621-0022 or www.aecomplex.com, upon refundable deposit of $100.00 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 online documents and any questions regarding documents are to be addressed to Morganti Texas Inc., 350 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E., Suite 121, Houston,Texas 77060, phone 281-448-1015, fax 281448-8416 attention: Fred Hennies or Macon Macicek.

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, Morganti Texas, Inc. 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. Morganti Texas 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 WILL BE CONSIDERED NON-RESPONSIVE. A pre-bid/proposal conference will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 22, 2010, Grady Middle School, 5215 San Felipe St., Houston, TX 77056. For additional information regarding this project, please contact Mr. Macon Macicek, at 281-448-1015, or mmacicek@morganti.com.

Drawings and Specifications may be reviewed at: Morganti Texas, Inc., 350 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E., Suite 121, Houston,Texas 77060, phone 281-448-1015, fax 281-448-8416 and the following Houston locations: 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 Revive Houston Plan Room, Roland W. Smith Bldg., Rm. 122, 5555 Community College Dr, Houston 77013, (281) 704-9269

7

JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

NAACP Chair Brock debunks post-racial myth

By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

(NNPA) - In her first speech as chair of the largest and oldest civil rights organization in the U. S., Roslyn M. Brock, the youngest ever chair of the NAACP, envisioned the “browning of America” this week while debunking persistent myths of a so-called “post-racial” society.

“We are proud to have an American of African descent in the White House.

However, the historic election of President Barack Obama did not miraculously transform race relations; end racial profiling; hate crimes; or intolerance in America,” Brock told a packed audience of NAACP delegates, sponsors and supporters in Kansas City Sunday evening. “Contrary to popular belief, we do not live in a post racial society.

America must be commended for significant race progress, but we are not there yet. When you consider rising hate crimes and insurgence of the tea party movement along with conservative ideologues who seek to turn back the clock on civil rights gains, there is still much more work to be done.”

Though not as tart as her predecessor, Julian Bond, whose speeches were often punctuated with unflattering descriptions of the Bush Administration such as “snake oil” and “the Taliban”, Brock’s words were equally as strong. Her prepared text exuded remarkable vision and consciousness as she pointed out racial progress and in the same breath racial stagnation.

“Today’s civil and human rights challenges are far different from those faced by our predecessors. Yes, we can … drink at public water fountains, but the drinking water in our homes may not be safe because of lead toxins; “Yes, we can … move into sprawling multi-million dollar homes in the suburbs, but the terms of our mortgages differ from our neighbors; “Yes, we can … send our children to public schools, but in some states the text books they read are 20 years old and school boards have decided to rewrite history by removing

NAACP Chair Roslyn M. Brock said, “We are proud to have an American of African descent in the White House. However, the historic election of President Barack Obama did not miraculously transform race relations; end racial profiling; hate crimes; or intolerance in America.”

all references to slavery and its devastating impact on our society.

“Yes, we can … be treated at hospital emergency rooms, but often there are huge gaps and disparities in the quality of care we receive, which contributes to higher rates of diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions,” she said.

She appealed to the audience to recommit to the mission of making “hope more appealing and despair less convincing in a nation where urban centers are collapsing under the weight of inadequate health care; lack of affordable housing and massive home foreclosures; high infant mortality; declining public school systems; uneven distribution of wealth; limited economic resources; double digit unemployment; extreme violence with black on black crime and an exploding prison population.”

Brock is 45, born in 1965, but she is no fledgling civil rights leader.

As she aptly pointed out, she became a

member of the youth and college division of the NAACP as a college freshman in 1984.

She said that her election as chair last year along with the selection of 37-year-old Benjamin Todd Jealous nearly two years ago, “signals the passing of the baton to the next generation of civil rights leaders who will become the ‘New Frontline’ for social justice advocacy in our nation.”

But, without mentors and trailblazers, the fire would be difficult to maintain, she indicated, crediting family and friends and key board members including Bond, former NAACP Chair Myrlie Evers-Williams and the late NAACP icon Benjamin Lawson Hooks and civil rights icon Dorothy I. Height for their love and support. While frequently referring to struggles of the past, Brock remained focused on the future: “In 1927, one of our founders, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, stated, “We must never lose sight of the preservation of our liberties.” As she made these remarks, she surveyed a

growing national current of racial hostility and division. It was a time of great successes and setbacks; and a time of great political accomplishment and promise.

“Today, we face a similar period of political and social change – a period that presents us with both a host of challenges and opportunities. Much of the conversation emerging around change in America’s landscape center on hot button political issues like the size and scope of government; states’ rights; higher tax rates; health care reform; illegal immigration; environmental protections; and rising crime and violence. There is an additional issue that I refer to as the “browning of America.”

With that, Brock listed a string of statistics showing how in just a few decades, White people will no longer dominate America’s racial fabric.

• Three out of 10 people in this country are people of color.

• Eighty-five percent of new workers will be women; minorities and new immigrants.

• By 2020 more than a third of American children will be Hispanic, African- American and Asian.

• By 2040, minorities will represent more than half the U.S. population.

In its 101st year, these statics mean a heightening need for the NAACP in shaping the nation’s legislative policies critical to preparing America for what some may deem her “rendezvous with destiny.”

Brock concluded, “The silence in America has been deafening as individuals who feel locked out of a prosperous society repeatedly ask the question ‘is anybody listening….does anybody care?’”

Citing NAACP conferences and chapters from coast to coast, she declared, “The NAACP cares, and we are concerned about what’s happening not only in the White House but also what’s happening in your house, your house, and your house … the NAACP is on the job committed to ensuring change that we believed in; change we voted for and most important, change we know must happen in our nation.”

8

JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

Creating young home-grown entrepreneurs

By Farrah Gray NNPA COLUMNIST

(NNPA) - As you probably know, there are two different worlds of businesses operating in America’s inner cities – legal and illegal. In many neighborhoods where legal businesses are failing, young people are exposed to a drug-glorifying culture that is thriving. The career path is more common to become a drug dealer and make lots of money than to go to college graduate and get a job or start a legal business.

We cannot manufacture entrepreneurs but we can create the environment and conditions that allow, encourage, and facilitate entrepreneurship.

You have the power. It doesn’t matter if you are married or if you are single. You are the single most important factor that can influence your child’s growth and development.

The family has inevitably been one of the highest influences on major life decisions, such as determination of a career path.

Your love and support can help put your child on the path to great success. You can teach your child the art of survival and how to

Engender and encourage independence and an attitude of self-reliance. Take them to an all you can eat restaurant and to bring their own Tupperware containers and plastic bags for use as doggie bags. Drive home the lesson that “you always want to have a backup plan”.

Teach them that there’s no one going to change it, so what’s the point of complaining?

Encourage them to work and make money.

Believe in them and help them taste the sweet smell of success. Teach your child to get out of the lottery ticket mentality and work to make money to support hobbies and the purchase of personal items. Let them start business, work for neighbors, or community-based businesses. Encourage them to be creative and make things to sell. Let them experience the thrill of creating something themselves and selling it.

Great careers and successful lives start with small ideas. Don’t be afraid to let your child experiment. Keep your eyes open and your mind and body working and be ready to work with your child.

Children don’t always hit a home run the first time. But they’ll never hit a home run if they don’t learn to swing. Your child may make only five dollars on their first “business”.

But it will probably be the most important five dollars they ever make. Seek out mentors for your child. That’s investing in your child’s future. There are a lot of good people in this world. Your child will benefit from the “Been There, Done That” experience.

solve the problems he or she will inevitably face.

You may not be able to give your child money or connections, but you can give them the values to live by: pride, respect, hard work, preparation, inspiration, the desire to give back and the strength to never give up.

Here are some of the ideas and tactics that you can use to put your child on the path to success: Plant the seeds of success. Let your home be a place where ideas and inspiration are abundant. Tell your child the following: “You can become and do anything you set your heart and mind to.” Let your child grow up believing that there are no limits to what you can do and that anything – and everything- is possible.

Shower them with words of encouragement and affirmation. Let there be plenty of “can do” conversation in your house. Eliminate any and all evidence of overwhelming hopelessness from your home. Remind your children daily that they are destined for great things.

Show them the values of hard work and hard love. Get them up with a kiss as you leave for work. Kiss them as you come home after a hard day. No matter how much money you have or don’t have, be a culinary and financial genius and a super parent – and show them how to turn a bag of potatoes, a can of beans, a package of ground beef and a loaf of bread into delicious meals that last for a week. Put TLC – tender loving care into the small things you do no matter how scarce the resources are.

Today, its important we create the environment for young business people: pride, respect, hard work, preparation, inspiration, the desire to give back and the strength to never give up.

AUTO NEWS

By Darrell K. Ardison

2010 GMC Terrain Some people think the 2010 GMC Terrain mid-size sports utility vehicle is a higher-priced version of the Chevrolet Equinox. I beg to differ.

In addition to a more robust exterior appearance, the GMC Terrain offers a backup camera as standard equipment (optional in the Chevy), along with different interior colors and surfaces.

For a vehicle of its size and weight, the Terrain has incredible fuel economy and can maneuver more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas. The four-cylinder test vehicle that I drove delivered an impressive 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

There are some similarities between the two vehicles.

Both offer the same direct-injection four- and six-cylinder engines along with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.

Each has multi-flex seating that allows for easier reclining and six standard air bags, including head curtain side air bags.

The GMC is a little more expensive. Yet it doesn’t feel cheap in any way. There’s red-interior ballroom lighting, rear hatch-lift hydraulics and plenty of chrome accents.

As I made the journey home from the Berry Center (Hwy. 290 West at Barker-Cypress), the

optional navigation system alerted me that there was a traffic jam at the Loop 610 East intersection with Hwy. 288 South intersection.

It actually caught me offguard, and went on to say that traffic was bumper-to-bumper for the next two miles. That warning enabled me to exit at Bellfort and take the back way home with no traffic.

Aside from the red-light interior, the Terrain’s interior finishes are impressive. There’s an automatic sliding/tilt sunroof, leather-appointed seats with heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, automatic climate control and cruise control.

Also standard are automatic door locks and power windows with express down feature. The premium AM/FM/CD stereo system has an amplifier with equalization and eight Pioneer speakers.

The rugged exterior is complemented by deep tinted glass, fog lamps, chrome door handles and outside mirrors, heated roof rack side rails and front grille with chrome accents.

Safety and security features include an antilock brake system, stabilitrak-stability control system with traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, dual frontal side impact air bags, head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all rows, theft-deterrent system and ultrasonic rear parking assist.

Some of my favorite features included the OnStar safe and sound system with automatic crash response, remote keyless entry, XM satellite radio, interior compass and Bluetooth phone capability.

The rear cargo area utilizes a tonneau cover to conseal valuables.

What’s not to like?

TERRAIN: HIGHLIGHTS MSRP base price $29,250 (as tested- $33,680) Engine 2.4-liter four-cylinder Transmission Six-speed automatic with manual mode Fuel economy 22 miles per gallon (city), 32 mpg (highway) Warranty Five-year/100,000 miles

2010 Chevrolet Traverse Every now and then, you get some bad information.

When I received notice that my next vehicle was a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, I had a crossover vehicle in mind. A smaller sports utility vehicle, sort of a hatchback. That’s not a bad thing, mind you. But the expectation level was not where it should have been.

What the newest Chevrolet Traverse delivered was a mid-sized SUV that compares favorably with the best-selling competitors on the market.

You have a backup camera in the rear-view mirror, that’s uncommon.

There’s an integral spotter mirror in the corner of the outside rear mirrors that allows the driver to get a glance at the lane two spots over, and seating for seven occupants.

Besides that, there’s a BOSE stereo system with multiple speakers, XM satellite radio, Bluetooth phone capability and Smart slide second-row feature. We’re talking about a long list of standard equipment that is just getting started.

The powertrain consists of a 3.6-liter V6 engine matched with a six-speed automatic allwheel drive transmission. That translates into a vehicle with accelerating power that zooms into the next gear without hesitation.

Hmmm!

WRANGLER: HIGHLIGHTS MSRP base price $36,325 (as tested - $39,215) Engine 3.6 -liter V6 Fuel economy 16 miles per gallon (city), 23 mpg (highway) Transmission Six-speed automatic

Interior highlights include premium cloth seats, tri-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and captain’s chair front-row seating with third-row split rear seat.

BIG legroom in the front, complimented by sliding legroom on the second-row seats - what more could you ask for?

The sporty exterior is complimented by a rearpowered liftgate, heated outside mirrors with turn signals and body-side molding.

Other standard equipment includes an oil life

monitoring system, ultrasonic rear parking assist, rear cargo storage and tilt/telescoping steering.

The all-new Traverse has a long list of safety and security measures in place. For starters, there’s the antilock brake system, stabilitrak-stability control system with traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, air bags for all passengers and dual frontal air bags.

In addition, there’s front side impact air bags, head curtain side air bags for all rows, passenger

sensing system, child safety LATCH system, theft deterrent system, crash response and turn-by-turn navigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the 2010 Chevrolet Traverse with five stars (maximum) in the frontal driver, crash passenger, side front seat and crash rear seat categories. The Traverse also obtained a four-star rating in the rollover division.

Option packages can add leather-appointed seats, eight-passenger seating and remote vehicle start.

Combined fuel economy is just under 20 miles per gallon. All I can say is after driving the Traverse every day for seven days, the fuel gauge was still near half a tank.

10

BARRIER BREAKERS………Anita and Gerald Smith were recently honored by Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. at their 14th Annual Barrier Breaker Award Luncheon. The organization lauds inspirational community leaders who have achieved success or have helped others to overcome barriers to success and this couple certainly has. Anita is an interior designer and director of her own company, Webb Design Interiors and Gerald is chairman and CEO of Smith, Graham & Company Investment Advisors, a global investment management firm. Other honorees included David Smith, Tanya HillWilliams, Elizabeth T and Mayra Reyes.

Chief Executive Officer of CRR, Dr. Vernus C. Swisher, was all smiles as he tried to greet over 400 attendees that included Dr. William Harmon, Renee Hamilton, Albert Myres, Dr. Davetta Daniels, Rose Taylor, Win Dunn, Mabel Menefee, Gwen and David Scott, Lillie Lott, Sheryl Thomas, Cheryl Turner, Margaret Augilar, Lloyd Gite and Phil Dyson. Congratulations!......... FRATERNITY CELEBRATION…….The Houston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. held their annual Black & White Gala at Texas Southern University Student Life Center. The gala in conjunction with the Education & Charitable Foundation provided an elegant evening of dancing, dining and awarding of scholarships to several students that will begin their college careers. Event chairs Leonard Adams and Reggie Devaul, Southwest Province Polemarch Ron Julun, Sr. Vice Grand Polemarch William Bates, HAC Polemarch Clayton Whitaker, Keith Collins and Kaye Walker were among those in attendance. In pursuit of its goals, the Foundation has engaged in a variety of initiatives and has awarded 11 four-year scholarships and made several one-time awards to students who otherwise might not have been financially capable of pursuing a college education. Continued Success!................

FAREWELL TO A LEADER……..Vicki Rivers, Executive Director of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, recently said farewell to her board of directors and friends at a reception held in her honor at Treebeards in Market Square.

Vicki joined the authority in 2001 and under her leadership, some of the major accomplishments includes the tunnel connection from 1000 Main to Macy’s, design and construction of the new hew Market Square Park, co-purchase of Block 6 and 7 with Harris County to help further Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Harris County Flood Control plans for that stretch of Buffalo Bayou and funding for the new wing of the Julia Ideson Library, to name a few. Some of the guests included Board Chair, Jamie Mize, Judge Zinetta Burney, Philip Schneidau, Councilmember Jarvis Johnson, Sherry Mose, Rhonda Smith, Anthony Freddie, Commissioner Grady Prestage, Fheryl Prestage, Michelle Beck, Oliver Moore, Keith Bynam and Alvin Byrd. The best of luck to you!............KUDOS……….Michael Lawrence Harris was recognized by Mayor Anise Parker and the Houston City Council for his radio broadcast excellence with KCOH radio station for the past 35 years…Comcast Foundation recently recognized 73 local high school seniors for their academic achievement and commitment to community service with scholarships totaling $85,000………..Grady Prestage was honored during a reception for his 20 years of service as Fort Bend County Commissioner…….Texas Southern University has named Professor Dannye Holley, Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Dr. Danille Taylor, Dean of the College of Language Arts and Behavioral Sciences and Connie Cockran, Director of Alumni Relations……..Rhonda Smith has been appointed as the acting executive director of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System……….

B-DAY CELEBRATION……..Terence Fontaine and Keryl Douglas celebrated their 50th b-day and a special shout-out goes to Martha Vaughn Gray-Mcleod who celebrated her 90th birthday.

Congrats!........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.”…..From Chag’s Place to your place, Ciao Darling!

JULY 18 – 24, 2010 | DEFENDER

Anita Smith and Dr. Vernus Swisher

Honorees Gerald and Anita Smith and Dr. William Harmon

Phil Dyson and Lloyd Gite

Rose Taylor, Win Dunn and Mabel Menefee

Dr. David Scott and Gwen Scott

Lillie Lott, Sheryl Thomas, Cheryl Turner and Margaret Augilar

Renee Hamilton, Albert Myres and Dr. Davetta Daniels

Keith Collins and Kaye Walker

Leonard Adams and Reggie Devaul

Ron Julun, William Bates and Clayton Whitaker

Alvin Byrd, Vicki Rivers and Jarvis Johnson

Anthony Freddie, Fheryl Prestage, Vicki Rivers and Commissioner Grady Prestage

Sherry Mose, Council Member Jarvis Johnson and Rhonda Smith

Vicki Rivers, Philip Schneidau and Judge Zinetta Burney