August 19 – 25, 2010 | FREE
Volume 79 Number 43
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HISD addresses failing students
HISD's new Apollo 20 program is designed to help students at low-performing schools. DEFENDER NEWS SERVICE
By Aswad Walker DEFENDER
O Master Gardener Libby Culp (inset) and volunteer Ifetayo Simmons (in red) offer their time to make the St. Charles Street Community Garden grow.
ne of the fastest growing phenomena of the past decade has been an underground movement—literally. Depending on who you talk to the movement has become known as urban gardening, urban farming, or urban agriculture. But regardless of the label, the movement has quietly planted deep roots across the globe as individuals and communities search for ways to garner control of their food supply and the quality thereof. Cavanaugh Asim Nweze, director of the Marcus Garvey Liberation Garden (5309 MLK Blvd.), was first introduced to gardening by his grandfather who he describes as an avid gardener. However, Nweze’s difficulty in finding foods of the same quality in his adult years was a major factor in ★URBAN GARDENING, Page 3
Houston Independent School District officials are hoping that their new Apollo 20 program can FIVE SUCCESS STRATEGIES help failing students – many of whom attend • Effective teachers/principals predominately minority • More instructional time schools - get back on the • Use data to drive instruction right track. • High-dosage tutoring The program at nine • Culture of high expectations underperforming schools entails sending more than 8,000 HISD students back to school a week early. The Apollo 20 campuses include Attucks, Dowling, Fondren, Key and Ryan middle schools, as well as Jones, Kashmere, Lee and Sharpstown high schools. The schools were selected for the program based on ★HISD, Page 8
TAX FREE WEEKEND | AUGUST 20 - 22, 2010
U.S. EMPLOYMENT
Obama signs jobs bill, CBC wants specific help for Blacks By Hazel Trice Edney
ucts, manufacturers - some of whom are represented here today - often have to import certain materials from other countries and pay tariffs WASHINGTON (NNPA) – As on those materials. This legislation will the Black unemployment rate rose reduce or eliminate some of those tarslightly last month, President iffs, which will significantly lower costs Obama has signed the long-awaited for American companies across the jobs bill with hopes of turning manufacturing landscape -– from cars around employment rates, which to chemicals; medical devices to sportfor African-Americans still nearly ing goods. And that will boost output, doubles the national average of 9.5 support good jobs here at home, and percent. lower prices for American consumers.” “The Manufacturing Obama’s stroke of the pen will not Barack Obama wipe out all of the damage done during Enhancement Act of 2010 will crethe economic crisis that started in ate jobs, help American companies compete, and strengthen manufacturing as a earnest during the Bush Administration. But, key driver of our economic recovery,” Obama there are high hopes in Black communities said during a bill signing ceremony at the White House last week. “To make their prod★JOBS BILL, Page 4 NNPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sales tax holiday Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 20, 21 and 22 - the state’s annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday. As in previous years, the law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags,
TAX
INTERVIEW
Bouncing with Bow Wow By Kam Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Born Shad Gregory Moss in Columbus, Ohio on March 9, 1987. Bow Wow was a precocious kid who started rhyming as a toddler, and first appeared on stage at the age of five. His showbiz career was launched just a year later when he made the most of an opportunity to open for Snoop Dogg on the Chronic Tour. At 13, Bow Wow released his first solo CD, “Beware of Dog,” which sold over three million copies. A hit single from that debut album, “Bounce with Me,” reached #1 on both the Rap and R&B charts. That achievement earned him recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest solo rapper to hit #1. He now has a half-dozen CDs to his name, with a new one in the works. In 2002, the versatile canine expanded his repertoire, making an impressive foray into film playing the lead in “Like Mike.” He has since made “All About the Benjamins,” “Johnson Family
Vacation,” “Roll Bounce” and “The Fast and the Furious 3.” On TV, he’s appeared on everything from “Moesha” to “All That” to “Smallville” to, most recently, “Entourage.” Here, he talks about his new film, “Lottery Ticket,” an ensemble comedy where he stars as a guy who has to survive a weekend in the ‘hood before he can cash in a winning lotto ticket worth hundreds of millions. Kam Williams: Hey Bow Wow, how you been? I don’t think we’ve spoken since “Like Mike.” Bow Wow: Wow, that’s years. I’m a grown man now. KW: What’s life been like for you since then? BW: It’s been crazy, man, one heck of a ride. I’ve done six more arena tours since then, five more movies, and I’ve switched labels. I’m now at Cash Money Records, so I’ve got a lot of great things going on. I’m just trying to soak it all in slowly, at my own pace, even though everything’s moving kinda’ fast. But so far, so good. ★BOW WOW, Page 2
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purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller. School Supplies The 81st Texas Legislature passed HB 1801 (2009) expanding the list of items qualifying for exemption from Texas state and local sales and use taxes during the annual sales tax holiday in August. In addition to clothes, footwear and some backpacks, Texas families also get a sales tax break on most school supplies priced at less than $100 purchased for use by a student in an elementary or secondary school. The following is an all-inclusive list of qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100): ★TAX HOLIDAY, Page 4