Houston Defender: September 23, 2010

September 23 – 29, 2010 | FREE

Volume 79 Number 48

www.defendernetwork.com

Obama focuses on fitness

CELEBRATING GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH

Yolanda Adams

By Joseph Young AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

The Obama administration has announced the creation of the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA), which is intended as a challenge to one million Americans of all ages to get more involved in physical activities as a way to maintain good health.

“Despite our past efforts, the human and financial costs of unhealthy lifestyles in our country have become simply unacceptable,” said Shellie Shellie Pfohl Pfohl, executive director of the President’s Council on Fitness and Nutrition during the launching of The Million PALA Challenge at George Washington University’s Elliott School of Public Affair in Washington.

“Never before has our nation faced such dire consequences due to obesity-related illnesses.

Never before has our collective

Points to her source of Power

Photographer Ernest C. Withers and his 1941 Ford Wagon

CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

Exposed as FBI Informer

By Dorothy Rowley

By Aswad Walker

AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

DEFENDER

L

ed by the efforts of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, September 2010 has been designates as Gospel Music Heritage Month, celebrating the history, growth and ever-expanding influence of the art form and the artists who perform it. Passing both the U.S. House and the Senate, the resolution provides a national platform for celebrating gospel music pioneers like Mahalia Jackson, James Vaughan and Roberta Martin, as well as contemporary greats like Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond and Houston’s own, Yolanda Adams.

The Defender recently sat down with Adams, the Grammy Award-winning gospel music icon and host of the nationally syndicated Yolanda Adams Morning Show (KROI Praise 92.1 FM), to discuss her latest venture as the author of the book “Points ★ADAMS Page 8

★FITNESS, Page 3

A prominent photographer who worked in the trenches during the Civil Rights era has been revealed to have also been a paid informant for the FBI at the time.

According to a report by Democracy Now, Ernest Withers worked closely with the FBI to monitor civil rights activists during the 1960s. Withers is also said to have provided photographs, background information and scheduling details to two agents in FBI’s Memphis field office.

As a photographer, Withers captured Rev. Martin Luther King on film during several marches and was the only lens man to cover the entire trial of those accused in the ★INFORMER Page 3

Pastor Eddie Long denies sex claims

By Erin Haines CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Eddie Long

The prominent pastor of a 25,000-member megachurch outside Atlanta denies allegations in a lawsuit that he coerced two young men from the congregation into a sexual relationship, his attorney said.

Lawyers for the men, now 20 and 21, say they filed the lawsuit in DeKalb County Court against Bishop Eddie Long. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they were victims of sexual impropriety.

The men were 17- and 18-year-old members of Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, when they say Long abused his spiritual authority to seduce them with cars, money, clothes, jewelry, international trips and access to celebrities.

Craig Gillen, Long’s attorney, says the pastor

“categorically denies the allegations.

“We find it unfortunate that these two young men would take this course of action,” Gillen said, adding that Long had not yet been served with copies of the lawsuits.

B.J. Bernstein, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said that when the relationships started, the plaintiffs were past the legal age of consent in Georgia, which is 16.

“Defendant Long has utilized his spiritual authority to coerce certain young male members ... into engaging in sexual acts and relationships for his own personal sexual gratification,” the lawsuits read.

When asked about a possible motive for the accusations, Gillen referred to a break-in at Long’s office in June. Bernstein said one of the plaintiffs is facing a criminal burglary charge in the incident.

She said the break-in was a way of lashing out at

Long. Bernstein said she contacted the U.S. Attorney’s Office earlier this month when she became aware of the young men’s allegations. She did not know what action, if any, the agency planned to take.

Long was appointed pastor of New Birth in 1987.

Then, the church had about 150 members. Less than four years later, the church had grown to more than 8,000 members. Athletes and entertainers claim membership at the church, and among its prominent clergy is the Rev. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Long’s church was among those named in 2007 in a Senate committee’s investigation into a halfdozen Christian ministries over their financing.

Today, New Birth sits on 250 acres and has more than 25,000 members, a $50 million, 10,000-seat cathedral and more than 40 ministries.

Associated Press Writer Greg Bluestein contributed to this story.

INTERVIEW

She’s so Raven Symoné Born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 10, 1985, RavenSymone’ Christina Pearman got an early start in showbiz when she was signed by the Ford Modeling Agency while she was still in diapers. After appearing in TV ads for everything from Cool Whip to Jello, she was invited to join the cast of “The Cosby Show.” She’s best known for the Emmy-nominated comedy series “That’s So Raven” on the Disney Channel, where she played the title character Raven Baxter, a teenager who periodically has psychic visions of the future.

On the big screen, she was last seen starring in “College Road Trip” opposite Martin Lawrence where she played an overachieving high school student who decides to travel around the country to choose the perfect university to attend.

Raven’s other film credits include “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” “Dr. Dolittle” and “Dr. Dolittle 2.”

As for her musical career, she has released four solo albums so far, most recently “Raven-Symoné” on Hollywood Records.

An innovative entrepreneur, she created a “how to” online des-

tination for teens and ‘tweens, RavenSymonePresents.com.

The site features an easy to use video player and playlist where users can discover new content. The video clips feature RavenSymoné personally demonstrating an array of useful tips and project ideas for her fans and supporters.

Furthermore, Raven devotes much of her free time to her humanitarian concerns, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which fulfills the dreams of children with life-threatening medical conditions. She’s involved with Girls Incorporated, too, a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring young females to be strong, smart, and bold by providing vital educational programs, particularly in high-risk, under served areas. Additionally, she is involved with the Aviva Family and Children’s Services, an organization that provides life-saving and life-affirming support to thousands of children and families located in Los Angeles.

Here, Raven talks about her new DVD, “Tinker Bell and the ★SYMONÉ, Page 2

Click on Defendernetwork.com Weekend

Weekend

Monday

Benjamin Todd Jealous

Fashion Forward

Joseph Phillips

Why We Are Marching on October 2nd?

Fabulous Fall Flavors

The Absurdity of the Racialist Playbook

2

Symoné

continued from page 1 Great Fairy Rescue,” where she reprises her recurring role as the voice of the fairy Iridessa.

Kam Williams: Hi, Raven. Thanks for the time.

The last time we spoke, you were making a movie with Martin Lawrence.

Raven-Symone’: “College Road Trip!”

KW: Right! How’d you enjoy playing Iridessa again in “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue?”

RS: I love playing Iridessa. I’ve been playing her since I was 18 years old, and it just gets better each time.

KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles asks, how much of Iridessa is so Raven?

RS: [Laughs] How much of Iridessa is so Raven? Well, Iridessa is the kind of girl who makes sure that all the t’s are crossed and all the i’s are dotted but, at the same time, she would help a friend in need. She has a couple of traits like mine, but while I’m very adventurous, I’m mostly the type of girl who doesn’t want to get into trouble. So, what normally happens is I’m the instigator. I’ll tell a friend, “Go see what’s around that corner,” while I stay behind and watch out. I’m more like that, but I think there’s a little bit of me in every character I portray. I think of myself as very nice and very loyal when it comes to my friends, so those are qualities Iridessa and I have in common.

KW: How challenging is it doing an animated character? I assume you were all alone in a sound studio with no one to act opposite.

RS: That’s the interesting thing about voiceovers. Usually, there’s no one in the room with you but the writer, the director and an engineer. And then, it’s up to the animators and the editors later to make it all seem very natural, as if the cast members were friends forever and had all been recorded simultaneously.

KW: How hard is not having other actors to play against?

RS: The director will usually read the other actors’ lines to you. But the cool thing is that you can make any kind of wild gestures and exaggerated facial expressions you want, which is good, because the more you contort your body, the more emotion you generally get out of your voice. I’m also able to repeat each line of dialogue up to a half-dozen times, trying different inflections, if necessary.

KW: I see that the next installment of Tinker Bell is already slated to be released in September of 2011. How long do you think the

SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

franchise can continue?

RS: For a really, really long time, I hope, because I think it’s a wonderful DVD series to collect. I’ve always wanted to be a part of the Disney vault, and the longer it’s extended, the more I may be able to be a part of that history.

KW: What would you say is the message of this installment of Tinker Bell?

RS: It’s loyalty, friendship, caring and understanding on both sides, the fairies and friends’ side, and the family’s side. In the story, Tinker Bell meets a human for the first time, and the little girl’s father doesn’t believe his daughter when she tells him that fairies exist. In real life, we tend to doubt a child who says something like that, and part of the message here is that imagination is something we shouldn’t kill in kids at such a young age.

KW: Do you think fairies will invade the entertainment world the way that vampires and werewolves have?

RS: The cool thing about fairies is that it’s not really a fad, because Tinker Bell was one of the first characters created by Disney. The fairy and princess worlds have never gone out of style.

They’ll always be there, given that there will always be kids in kindergarten, and little girls who want to be princesses. So, I don’t see fairies as a fad, but as a staple of our entertainment world.

KW: You have never been typecast as the “Black girl” in any of the roles you’ve played. How you avoided being narrowly typecast?

RS: Well, I try not to pick roles that separate my color from the story itself. Does that make sense?

KW: Yep. RS: So, when I do pick a role, I’m just a human being. I don’t think it’s necessary to over-exaggerate the fact that I’m an African-American. I’m a human first. Just thank God that in the roles for which I’ve been picked, it’s not about the color.

It’s about the story. And hopefully, that story is so universal that it will connect with everyone, including an alien. I don’t really want it to be that serious of a situation. Underlining it, I know I’m African-American, and I’m proud of that.

And I think it’s very important that more of us be cast to tell normal stories. But I try to not stress over it.

KW: How many times a week do people still recognize you as the little kid from “The Cosby Show?”

RS: Every day. And if it ever stopped, I’d be really scared.

KW: If you were to mentor a 13-year-old girl trying

to follow in your footsteps, what would be your most important piece of advice for her?

RS: To understand that this is the entertainment business. It’s a business, not real life. Performers are trying to make money. When they go home, they probably behave totally differently from how they do on TV and from what you read about them in magazines. I would mentor her to be smart and business-minded, if she wanted to be in the industry. But I probably would be happier if she didn’t want to enter show business at all, because there are so many other fields where smart females are urgently needed where they can make a critical, socially significant impact than by doing anything entertainment has to offer.

KW: You played a clairvoyant in your Raven role.

Have you ever sensed that ability in yourself in real life?”

RS: Yes, I have. I don’t really like to talk about it too much, because it’s a little personal for me.

But I’m a very spiritual person, and I believe that there are amazing special gifts that people are blessed with. It just depends on whether you

want to listen or not.

KW: You’ve done everything but produce a film. Is that in the cards?

RS: I have produced a film, “College Road Trip” with Martin Lawrence, and there are many more to come.

KW: What is your advice for aspiring actresses who want to enjoy longevity like you in show business?

RS: Make it about the business, and not about your personal life. Understand that it can end at any moment, take it one day at a time, and have fun.

KW: A lot of child stars find it difficult to live and grow up in a fish bowl. How did you avoid all the craziness and stay so grounded?

RS: I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I went to public school. I failed algebra and had to go to summer school. My parents, for a reason I won’t divulge, put me on punishment for a year. So, I had a normal life my entire childhood. I only moved to Los Angeles at 15. My Mom evaluated me psychologically at 21, declared me semi-sane, and let me start handling my own business.

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SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Fitness

continued from page 1 mission been more critical than right now.”

While the president’s initiative targets Americans of all ages, it is primarily concerned with children’s health and the epidemic of childhood obesity. According to White House data, one out of every three children in America is now obese, and nearly $150 billion per year is now being spent to treat obesity-related medical conditions.

“Childhood obesity places children at a greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and cancer over the course of their lives,” said Dr.

Informer

continued from page 1 murder of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old Black Chicago teenager who was lynched for whistling at a white woman while visiting relatives in the south.

Withers died in October 2007 at age 85.

In an interview earlier that year at his studio in Memphis, Withers remembered one of his most famous photos , a march of striking sanitation workers holding signs reading, “I am a Man.” That march would turn out to be the last led by King.

“That’s the last march of Martin King. They were lined up there outside of Temple Church and they were there with all those `I’m a Man’ signs,” Withers said at the time. ”It was dramatic and historic, but I didn’t know it would end up to be as popular. But it was the last march of Martin King.”

According to Democracy Now, Withers’ actions as an informant were revealed because the FBI failed to redact his name in declassified records detailing his collaborations.

Civil Rights movement veterans told the Associated Press that they are at loss to explain the motives of Withers. His children deny the allegations.

“Personally, and as a family, we do not believe what has been alleged. It still has to be proven,” Withers’ youngest daughter, Rosalind Withers, told the AP.

VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 48 SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 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).

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, who sits on the 17-member fitness council. “Many people are worried that if we don’t get this obesity epidemic under control, particularity in communities of color where the prevalence is so high and will cause people to live shorter

lives than their parents do now. That would just be a tragedy.”

The Million PALA Challenge is being launched during National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, as designed by President Obama’s signing of a procla-

mation on Sept. 1. The challenge will run from September 2010 – September 2011.

The ambitious goal of the campaign is to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. The campaign is encouraging people of all backgrounds and abili-

ties to participate in moderate to intense physical activities for 60 minutes a day, five days per week for at least six weeks for kids, and 30 minutes a day over the same period of time for adults. A physical activity plan can include, biking, swimming, walking, jogging

and aerobic activity.

To receive the President’s Active Lifestyle Award people are encouraged to meet the requirements of the initiative and keep a log of their activities and submit it to a teacher at a participating school.

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SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Max Edison

on Sports

Hard Luck Coogs As if going to LA last weekend and getting thoroughly spanked by UCLA (31-13) was not bad enough, the Cougars have lost their recordsetting starting quarterback and his back-up to season-ending injuries.

Senior Case Keenum will miss the remainder of 2010 with a season-ending torn ACL knee injury. Additionally, junior back-up Cotton Turner suffered a fractured clavicle, also resulting in the end of his play this year. Keenum left at the four-minute mark of the second quarter, while Turner went down at 4:09 in the third quarter.

“I am very disappointed for both these young men,” said Sumlin. “It’s hard to see them hurting right now. They both are a big part of this team and wanted to be contributors to its success this season. I think they can still do that with their off-the-field leadership.”

Keenum finished the season with 636 yards passing on a 66 percent completion, while also throwing five touchdown passes. With his 2010 numbers, he ranks among the top10 in the NCAA in five career categories — 14,448 yards of total offense (7th nationally), 13,586 passing yards (5th nationally), 107 touchdown passes (8th nationally), 1,626 pass attempts (10th nationally), 1,118 pass completions (7th nationally).

Turner played in all three games, completing 74 percent of his passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

Expect Terrance Broadway (6’1” 205 lb.), a talented, yet inexperienced freshman QB from Baton Rouge to get the nod as the starter for the ★EDISON, Page 6

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SWAC Football Race heats up, showdowns on the horizon

By Max Edison DEFENDER

T

he dust has settled from this past weekend’s SWAC gridiron competition and as a result, we’ve got a wide-open race for the top spot in the conference’s West Division. The West is composed of defending champion Prairie View, Texas Southern, Grambling, Southern and Arkansas Pine Bluff. An unlikely loss and an ugly win last weekend has caused a fascinating series of scenarios that will unfold over the next few weeks.

The Panthers tasted defeat at the hands of SWAC East Division opponent Alabama State.

18-15. It was the first time in 15 games that the defending SWAC champions had lost to a SWAC opponent, dating back to 2008. The game saw the return of Panther All-American quarterback KJ Black. Black, the conference Offensive MVP and the MVP in the Championship Game in 2009, had been sidelined all season, recovering from off-season knee surgery. Against ASU, Black was obviously rusty and lacked the accuracy and mobility that had been his trademark last season.

Panther Head Coach Henry Frazier anticipated that Black would not have his “A” game.

“You got to play this game to be effective, you can’t just watch film and practice, you got to get out there in the fire,” Frazier explained. “He did some good things and he did some things that were not so good. We knew we were going to have some growing pains with him.”

Black, the offensive leader of the Panthers, was quick to accept his share of the blame for the PV loss.

“It was a team loss, but I take responsibility for the offense and my play was bad,” Black lamented. “I’ve got to execute better, we’re going to get it right.”

The next major conference benchmark is the annual State Fair Classic this weekend in Dallas against Grambling. GSU brings a 1-0 conference record into the match-up while PV’s record is 11. The game will be nationally televised on

Photo:Texas Southern

★SWAC, Page 6

Sophomore QB Riko Smalls gives the Tigers a boost and helps keep title hopes alive.

Darrell Ardison

on H.S. Sports The Montgomery High School varsity football team is coming off a bye week after demolishing three consecutive opponents en route to a 3-0 start and preparing to face Stratford in this week’s District 17-4A opener.

Through three games, the Bears have scored 141 points to average 47 per game and have twice reached the 50point plateau. An experienced offense is led by senior quarterback Tyler Bolfing and senior running back Leroy Dobbins are two major reasons for Montgomery’s early success.

Dobbins is averaging a robust 9.2 yards-per-carry and has amassed 432 yards on 47 carries. Bolfing has completed 31-of-55 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception. Both Dobbins and Bolfing are threeyear starters.

Montgomery head coach John Bolfing says that kind of experience enables his coaching staff to spend time teaching players how to get better at doing things rather than teaching them how to do things.

The Bears’ defense has also come along faster than expected.

After allowing 30 points to Crosby in the season opener, Montgomery allowed 19 points to Spring before shutting out Houston Jones on the road.

Montgomery will battle for one of four playoff berths in District 17-4A along with stateranked Brenham, Magnolia, ★ARDISON, Page 6

HISD Football district races set to begin

By Darrell K. Ardison DEFENDER

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has two unlikely undefeated schools as district play commences this weekend.

Austin improved to 3-0 with a 28-22 overtime victory over longtime rival Milby before a spirited gathering at Barnett Stadium. After jumping out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead behind long runs from quarterback Casey Davis (66 yards) and tailback Tavares Garner (58 yards), the Mustangs yielded 22 unanswered points to trail by eight points in the third quarter.

With Davis sidelined with an arm injury, Tavares took over at quarterback and threw a three-yard TD pass to Jonathan Peguero in the fourth quarter to bring the Mustangs with two points (22-20).

The same combination clicked on the ensuing two-point conversion to tie the game with 7:36 remaining in regulation.

In the overtime session, Garner tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Raymond Cardenas that proved to be the game-winner. Jose Sanchez intercepted a Milby pass moments later to seal the victory and give the Mustangs one more victory that in the entire 2009 season (2-8).

Austin will open its District 214A ledger Sept. 25 against Sterling at Barnett Stadium (6 p.m.). The Raiders were one of the four preseason favorites to secure a playoff berth in 21-4A. The Mustangs were left out of the playoff mix.

Now Austin appears ready for prime time with a timely opportunity to serve notice that they are for real. Recent times have not been kind for the Mustangs who have

HISD football district races commence this week. had just three winning seasons since 1970 and none since the 2000 season.

Davis came out of nowhere to lead the district in passing last season while providing another 350 rushing yards. The senior’s status for this week’s game is probable.

Should Garner have to take over again at quarterback, he’ll need help from an offensive line led by veterans Joseph Gonzales and Devaughn Madise. Peguero is the heart and soul of the defense at linebacker, yet he can also contribute on offense.

Sterling is 1-3 on the season and coming off a devastating 48-0 loss to Rosenberg Terry. Kenneth Duckworth, the Raiders’ star running back, only played a few downs against Terry before being sidelined

with an apparent leg injury. His status for this week is unknown.

Despite advancing two rounds in last season’s playoffs and finishing with a 7-5 overall record, Westbury figured to have an adjustment period with the move back to Class 5A and a young nucleus of returning players.

Yet the Rebels improved to 3-0 with a 14-10 victory over Magnolia as junior quarterback Delvon Carpenter had a 61-yard scoring run in the third quarter and then connected with Donald Haynes on the two-point conversion pass to provide the game-winning points.

Westbury opens its District 205A ledger against Westside Sept. 25 at Butler Stadium (6 p.m.).

The post-Otis Seals era has not been kind to the Wolves as the for-

mer starting quarterback led Westside to an undefeated district championship last season.

Westside fell to 0-3 last week despite scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter of a 35-28 setback to Deer Park. Running back Benjamin Catalon rushed for 98 yards on five carries and had TD runs of 65 and one yards for the Wolves.

Quarterback Cade Laufer tossed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Deante’ Gray in the contest along with contributing a four-yard TD run.

Lamar, Westside, Madison and Chavez were considered preseason favorites to advance to the postseason from 20-5A. Westbury is in position to derail someone’s playoff hopes. ★HISD FOOTBALL, Page 6

SPORTS

6

are committing them, but we’ve got to eliminate them starting continued from page 5 this week.”

The Tigers hit the road this ESPN. Coach Frazier realizes a weekend for a nonconference win in Dallas puts the Panthers match-up against Tuskegee in right back in the championship Mobile.

Even though the conhunt, while a loss makes the test has no impact in the conferroad significantly more diffience standings, Cole sees a viccult. tory this weekend has an oppor“We know if we beat tunity to boost the team’s Grambling this week, we’re Photo:PVAMU national profile. right back where we want to PV will need Black to return to 2009 form if they “Tuskegee (2-1) is one of the be,” Frazier confirmed. “We are to repeat as champions premier teams in Black college know what needs to be done. football, that’s why I wanted to We’ve got to play better on offense and score some points. play them,” Cole revealed.

“They’re ranked in the top 10 We’ll get KJ ready and after last week’s game, he’ll be (8th) of the Sheridan Black Football Poll.

A win over them sharper. We’ve got to catch the football more consistently. will boost us up the poll and if we continue to win, it puts us Even though our defense has done an outstanding job, we in a position, with a little luck, to win the Black National gave up a touchdown right before the half to State Championship.”

(Alabama) and allowed them to march downfield to hit that While starting Tiger QB Arvell Nelson has been woefully game winning field goal in the 4th quarter. We’re champiinconsistent and prone to turnovers, the team got a big boost ons, so we’ll regain our focus and be ready in Dallas.” in the form of back-up quarterback Riko Smalls (Soph. 6’2” While the Panthers lost a heartbreaker, Texas Southern 185 lbs.).

While Cole was pleased with Smalls performance was victorious over Alabama A & M, 32-9, in a game that in the A & M game, he’s quick to quell any thoughts of a was absolutely painful to watch. The Tigers were penalized quarterback controversy.

11 times for 92 yards. They also threw two interceptions and “Arvell Nelson is our starting quarterback and will be our lost a fumble. Nevertheless, the Tigers evened their conferquarterback.

It’s just a matter of time before he puts it all ence record at 1-1 and their win coupled with the Panthers together,” Cole reiterated. “Riko displays a lot of leadership loss puts the Tigers right back in the division race. when he’s in there.

His teammates respond and rally around “I think we’re sitting good. You’re really starting to see the him.

He’s a young guy, who is still learning our offense. He parity in our league,” TSU Head Coach Johnnie Cole came in and did what a backup is supposed to do, get us explained. “The team that represents the West might have going back in the right direction and give our starter a chance two losses. If you watched us against Prairie View, we kind to observe from the sidelines.

I am excited about our future of handed them that game with our turnovers, but now our with what Riko Smalls brings to the table.” destiny is in our control. We’ve got an opportunity to do Although there’s plenty of SWAC football, yet to be something great here and I’m looking forward to it.” played, the race in the West is up for grabs.

Southern has yet “The win over A & M wasn’t very pretty, but we know we to play a conference game.

Meanwhile, Arkansas Pine Bluff beat a good football team,” Cole continued. “They’ve (A & is 0-2 in conference.

TSU returns to conference play on M) represented the East side three out of the last five years October 2nd, travelling to Alabama State.

They play in the conference championship game. It was a great victory Southern and Grambling in successive weeks, November for us.”

Turnovers and penalties have been the Achilles heel for 6th and 13th.

PV has Southern on October 23rd and Grambling and the Tigers early on this season, a fact that weighs heavy on Southern tangle in the Bayou Classic on November 27th. the mind of Coach Cole.

Hold on to your hat, it looks we’re going to have yet anoth“We’ve got to cut back on the penalties and turnovers in er wild and wooly season of SWAC football coming to a order to give ourselves a chance to really be a great team,” venue near you!

Cole shared. “It really is hard to put your finger on why we

SWAC

HISD football

continued from page 5 With the return of wide receiver Tiji Batiste, receiver Alex Bennett, tailback Donald Haynes, offensive tackle Christian Okafor, offensive guard Brandon Wilson, middle linebacker Jamaal Ojo and cornerback Jailin Singleton, Westbury has playmakers all over the field.

Other marquee HISD matchups to watch this week include Lamar-Chavez, Sept. 23 at Delmar Stadium; Jones-Worthing, Sept. 24 at Dyer Stadium and Kashmere-Booker T. Washington, Sept. 24 at Delmar Stadium.

Lamar and Chavez both have one loss on the

Ardison

continued from page 5 Magnolia West, Stratford, Waller, Northbrook and Spring Woods.

Other hotly-contested district races figure to prevail in District 13-5A, where the league’s eight teams were a combined 19-4 following the first month of the 2010 season.

Klein, Klein Collins, Dekaney, Tomball and Westfield were

FREE TUTORING SERVICES! ELIGIBLE HOUSTON ISD STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE TUTORING IN READING, WRITING, MATH AND/OR SCIENCE BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL, ON WEEKENDS, OR ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING HOUSTON ISD SCHOOLS: CLC MS, PRO-VISION MS, M. C.WILLIAMS, RYAN MS, CLC HS, DAVIS HS, JONES HS, KASHMERE HS, LEE HS, MADISON HS, SHARPSTOWN HS, WESTBURY HS, WHEATLEY HS, WORTHING HS, AND YATES HS. IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL, THE CAMPUS CONTACT PERSON FOR SES, OR YOU CAN CALL HISD'S DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL FUNDING AT 713-556-6928.

season. The Redskins ran into a buzzsaw at state-ranked Brenham while the Lobos caught Fort Bend Bush at the wrong time.

The Broncos were in the process of starting the season 3-0 for the first time in school history. Starting quarterback Mark Wright moved back to Louisiana after their Week one win over Aldine Nimitz.

Wright was replaced by Travis Courtney, the point guard on the Broncos’ state championship basketball team last March. Courtney led Bush to two victories in his first two starts, including an impressive 34-17 victory over Chavez.

Jones has won three consecutive district titles, but the Falcons will try to win another one without departed quarterback Aaron Taylor. Coming

undefeated and all eight schools had at least one victory.

In District 24-4A, the schools were a combined 16-4 after four weeks. Friendswood, Manvel, Santa Fe, Texas City and La Marque were unbeaten while Dawson won two straight after opening the season with back-to-back losses.

Katy has looked virtually unstoppable while registering three non-district victories over North Shore, Alief Taylor and Beaumont West Brook. The Tigers may not be challenged

until the regular-season finale against District 19-5A rival Cinco Ranch.

The Tigers’ latest win was a 45-21 decision over West Brook.

ETC. The Gulf Coast high school football community is still mourning the loss of West Orange-Stark quarterback Reggie Garrett, who collapsed on the sideline after throwing a touchdown pass during a 27-6 victory over Jasper on Sept. 17.

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 10-08-09 – DATA COMMUNICTION SERVICES – E-RATE – with a deadline of 1 P.M. October 8, 2010. There will not be a pre-proposal conference for this project.

• Project 10-08-10 – Purchase of Internet Service -an E-Rate Project – with a deadline of 1:00 p.m.

October 8, 2010. There will not be a pre-proposal conference held for this project • Project 10-08-11 – Purchase of Network Hardware - an E-Rate Project – with a deadline of 1:00 p.m. October 8, 2010. There will not be a pre-proposal conference held for this project.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids, in duplicate, addressed to Greater Southeast Management District will be received at 5445 Almeda, #503, Houston, TX 77004, until 3:00 PM, Friday, October 1, 2010. Bids will be publicly opened and read at 3:30 PM on Friday, October 1, 2010 for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals, as required, for the construction of Riverside Hospital Area Streetscape Improvements project (sidewalk reconstruction and landscaping) in Houston, Texas. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following locations: (1) Dodge Reports, 10606 Hempstead Road, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77092;(2) AGC,3825 Dacoma,Houston,TX 77092; and (3) Houston Minority Business Development Ctr, 2900 Woodridge, Suite 310,Houston,TX 77087. The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all bids,and to waive any informality in bids received. Plans, specifications and bidding documents may be obtained at the office of the Engineer, ESPA CORP, Inc., 7120 Grand Blvd., Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054 for a non-refundable fee of $40.00 per set. Make checks payable to Greater Southeast Management District. A pre-bid conference will be held at Greater Southeast Management District, 5445 Almeda, #502, Houston, TX on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 2:00 PM. It is requested, but not mandatory, that each bidder be represented at the pre-bid conference.

• Project 10-09-01 – Interconnected Voice-Over IP Services – an E-Rate Project – with a deadline of 1:00 p.m. October 8, 2010. There will not be a pre-proposal conference held for this project.

• Project 10-09-05 – VIDEO CONFERENCING – E-RATE – with a deadline of 1 P.M. October 8, 2010.

There will not be a pre-proposal conference for this project • Project 10-09-06 – BASIC MAINTENANCE – E-RATE – with a deadline of 1 P.M. October 8, 2010.

There will not be a pre-proposal conference for this project.

• Project 10-09-07 – Purchase of Voice Telecom – an E-Rate Project – with a deadline of 1:00 p.m.

October 8, 2010. There will not be a pre-proposal conference held for this project.

• Project 10-09-08 – Network Cabling – an E-Rate Project - with a deadline of 1:00 p.m. October 8, 2010. There will not be a pre-proposal conference held for this project.

• Project 10-09-09 – Wireless Data Service – an E-Rate Project - with a deadline of 1:00 p.m.

October 8, 2010. There will not be a pre-proposal conference held for this project.

• Request for Proposals – Project 10-09-10 – Principal Evaluation Consultant – with a deadline of 2:00 P.M., October 13, 2010. A Preproposal Conference will be held on September 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, Texas 77092 (Room number TBA).

• Project 10-09-11 – RFP Positive District Culture – Behavior Management with a deadline of 10 A.M. October 6, 2010. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2NE32 at the above stated address on September 29, 2010 at 10 A.M. • Request for Proposals – Project 10-09-12 – Consultant for Campus Improvement Teams – with a deadline of 3:00 P.M., October 13, 2010. A Preproposal Conference will be held on September 29, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, Texas 77092 (Room number TBA).

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

SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER

Edison

continued from page 5 remainder of the season.

Broadway will get his first big test this weekend when the Cougars host C-USA rival Tulane, Saturday at 2:30 pm in Robertson Stadium.

Carmelo a Rocket?

We’ve heard the rumors since late July, shortly after the Lebron & friends travelling circus landed in Miami. There were indications that Carmelo Anthony was no longer feeling the rocky mountain high of Denver, Colorado and the Nuggets. ‘Melo can opt out of his deal after this season and has already told the Nuggets brass that he ain’t coming back, rebuffing all of their efforts to sign him to a lucrative contract extension.

Anthony has a list of teams he would agree to be traded to and word has it that your Houston Rockets are high on that list.

Seems he wants to play for a team with a big man and we certainly have one of those. How’s that for the many naysayers out there who claim big name free agents don’t consider the Rockets because they don’t respect Yao. There’s no question the Rockets would love to acquire Carmelo and have whatever the Nuggets would be looking for to do a deal.

Young players, check. First round draft picks, check. A combination of both, no problem!

Of course, it won’t be quite that simple, but that’s why GM Daryl Morey makes the big bucks. You have to ask yourself, how hard is Denver going to try and squeeze a trade partner? Will they ask for

off a bye week, Jones will enter district play with a 1-2 record.

Worthing may be the best 1-3 team in the city.

The Colts were competitive in losses to Sharpstown, Jasper and St. Pius. Worthing delivered a lop-sided victory over Jeff Davis (32-0).

Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin?

Is there a sense of urgency for the Nuggets to do a deal now or will they wait for the trade deadline in February?

The ultimate trump card will be held by Anthony himself. Denver can trade him wherever they want, but if it’s not a city he wants to be in there’s no guarantee he’ll sign a contract. In other words, he could be an extremely expensive rental!

NBA training camps open in a week and the answer to these and others questions will be resolved soon.

How ‘Bout Them Cowboys!

No real story here except I like to say it when the Cowboys are 02 and really playing like crap!

Now before you storm the newspaper office attempting to tar and feather me, understand this: I don’t particularly hate the Cowboys, I find owner Jerry Jones very interesting, but it’s Cowboy fans that are a royal pain in the ….

(You know what to insert).

Cowboy fans are kind of like Republicans, they have an overly obnoxious fringe element that seems to hold the entire party hostage! They will rationalize anything regardless to how obvious the issue is. Wade Phillips a puppet head coach; offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, grossly overpaid and incompetent; a meddlesome owner, who’s not nearly half the football man he thinks he is, etc. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

That’s all I have to say, well there is one other thing, watch the fightin’ Texans handle the Cowboys this weekend. How ‘bout them Cowboys?!

A victory over Jones to begin district play would be huge for the Colts.

Kashmere and Washington are both 0-3 and searching for that elusive first win of the season.

8

SEPTEMBER 23 – 29, 2010 | DEFENDER