Publisher & Managing Editor Gwen Pierce Contributors Lula Hunter Ernie McCray Dr. Amanda Goodson-Pastor of both
Phillips chapel and Trinity Temple c.M.e
Regina Brown Dr. Shirley Robinson Sprinkles, Ph.D Marissa Mitchell Vikki Opeodu Ruthe MCDonald Shametra McGregor Dr. Lawrence A. Wood, M.D. Artress Cornmesser Graphic Artist Howard @ Print Sense www.PrintSenseSD.com
HE TC HOCOLATE VOICE
March 2010
4| Remarks from the Publisher 5| In Ernies Mind 6| I am John’s Voice by Dr. Lawrence A. Wood, MD
7| If I were You by Shirley Robinson Sprinkles, Ph.D
Cover - Shanda Pierce For advertising contact:
8| Easter Memories by Ruthe McDonald
For Subscriptions and Back issues call 619-507-9327
9| Youthful Voice by Marissa Mitchell
(619) 421-9427
The Chocolate Voice P.O. Box 50614 Tucson, AZ 85703 619-507-9237 Fax: 619-421-8187 news@thechocolatevoice.com www.thechocolatevoice.com The Chocolate Voice is Published monthly, January through December.
The publisher assumes no responsibility for claims or actions of its advertisers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher, its staff or advertisers.
10| Walking in my Shoes -moment of appreciation for the Pioneers of Carondelet Hospitals and the Volunteers 11| Table Talk by Artress Cornmesser 12| Purposed Destiny by Dr. Amanda Goodson 14| Lending is my pleasure but people are my passion
ISSN 1944-7698
by Vikki Opeodu, Mortgage Broker No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Š2009, The chocolate voice All rights reserved.
15| Letters to the Publisher 16| April & May Events
Detox your space and that’s an order, a tall one at that! Wouldn’t you agree that we all can afford to clean out unwanted junk in our lives? i know i can. You wouldn’t believe that i actually have shoes in my closet that i have no intention of ever stepping another foot in, or clothes for that matter that i will never wear again. Time and time again i ask myself the question, “Why are you holding on to this stuff?” Now that spring is here, the answer to my question is simple: get rid of it. i’ll let you in on a little secret; easily a nick name for me could be clutter bug. You see, i’m one of those people who are notorious for keeping around clutter especially in my car. Truth be told, it drives my husband absolutely nuts. Recently, i signed up for an exciting opportunity to participate in a very intensive incubator workshop, which involves collaborating amongst a dynamic group of women whom are all working towards assisting each other with setting goals in order to achieve success personally and professionally. The first assignment handed out by our fearless leader was to detox our space. Some of the suggestions 4 | The chocolaTe voice
given to assist with moving forward in this process were; cleaning out a closet, pay a pile of bills, take a bag of clothes to a local charity (Goodwill) and, organize your wallet or purse.
We are also pleased to have the return of a youthful voice, writer Marissa Mitchell who points out ideas on what to do during spring break, even while stuck close to home.
immediately following class i began thinking of ways to detox my space. as i walked out the door heading towards my car, the first thought that popped in my head was right before my very eyes, my car, which by the way hasn’t been washed in months. i’m sure that i’m not alone in saying that i spend literally hours in my car on the road, traveling to and from work, errands, appointments you name it. and of course while driving, hunger pains come from out of the blue forcing me to pull over into a fast food drive-in, grab a bite to eat, enjoy my meal inside the car no less, dropping crumbs all over the place leaving the car a complete and utter mess.
Plus, contributor Regina Brown shares a spotlight she encountered while visiting her ill mother at carondelet hospital. She witnessed angels at work and, gained a greater appreciation for the dedicated Nuns who volunteer by sharing their love and compassion through the work of their hands and, affect lives one at a time with their creations.
let me just say starting the assignment off by detoxing my vehicle was a very wise choice. Not only did the car look and smell amazing from the inside out, the cleanliness created fewer distractions which actually allowed me to have clarity in my thought process. as pointed out in the assignment, clutter takes up valuable real estate in your brain, in your office and in your life.
What does, “The Black Wall Street,” The GAP Band, John hope Franklin and, the late Wayman Tisdale all have in common? answer: Tulsa, oklahoma and, Mortgage Broker and contributing writer vikki opeodu. inside get introduced to vikki who will join us with articles and information on real estate financing.
Not only is this true for our material possessions this applies to people in our lives, including family members and others who carry far too much baggage that can weigh us down internally and, externally causing us to lose focus on what’s truly important. on that note, easter has made its way back april 4th and, quite briskly i might add. Where is the time going? in this month’s issue of the Chocolate Voice we are delighted to share an article by Ruthe McDonald, african-american culture Writer/editor@Bellaonline who shares her poignant story on her favorite easter memories and family traditions and ideas on taking the time to preserve precious memories of our loved ones.
have you ever wondered why people are so mean to those who are less fortunate? Read i am John’s voice by author Dr. lawrence Wood, M.D. who shares his insightfulness on homelessness and how to raise awareness to lift humanity.
in closing i ask that you remember to detox and have a clutter free spring. Make sure to keep your space clear of negative energy and, that includes people. May your easter be filled with great memories to cherish for a lifetime. Finally, sadly one of our very young contributing writers Griffin Mershon (February 22, 1989 – March 21, 2010) passed away suddenly a few weeks ago. his story, “Delicious chocolate” can be found in the February 2010 issue. our sincere condolences go out to his family.
Please send your comments to: news@ thechocolatevoice.com
Still in Pursuit of the
Good Old Days My Nancy has been gone for a few months now and i’m slowly getting back up on my feet to continue on the path she and i trod together for thirty-four years. in spite of the sudden moments of pain that slow me down now and again i will strive to keep my eyes forever on the prize and hope she’s looking down on me with pride as i, more importantly, in the vernacular of the day, try to “keep it real” and not lose sight that changing the world is not the kind of enterprise that should be overly glamorized. Such thinking is based on how we used to laugh at how so many people rave about “The Good old Days,” remembering events in their lives as, basically, little white lies. like at one of my high school reunions one of my classmates said to me, “ernie, aren’t these song lyrics today just awful? When we were coming up lyrics meant something,” and in the background the deejay was playing some lyrics from our day: “Yipyip-yip-yip-yip-yip-yip-yip-moo-moo-moomoo-moo-moo-moo-moo-git-a-job.” okay, maybe those are lyrics one could live
one’s life by. But i don’t know about my friend’s assertion that “We didn’t have sex.” it sure wasn’t from a lack of trying, i can tell you that. i mean if we weren’t fooling around back then, why then, when we got home from the drive-in movies, did we fear these two questions our parents always asked: “What was the movie about?” and “Why are your clothes on backwards?” i think my friend was trying to say, “hey, didn’t we have some good times?” but “The Good old Days?” No way. Nice concept, though, i have to say, and it looked like we were heading that way in a few brief moments in the 60’s and 70’s when we hit the streets singing “We Shall overcome” and the walls of injustice came crumbling down and we brought the madness in vietnam to an end and hope flashed before our very eyes. oh, we gave it a try. But by and by Ronald Reagan became president and no “Good old Days” could ever have lead to such a ridiculous societal breakdown as that. But the energy from that time never dissipated inside Nancy and me. We saw “The Good old
by Ernie McCray
Days” as a phenomenon that’s yet to be. and making it a reality, especially through our work with children in schools, was what got us up in the morning and is what still has me rising each day. With Nancy’s spirit guiding and nudging me as the pain from missing her gradually subsides i will continue helping young people make sense of their world through poetry and prose and movement and through helping them stage the vivid and entertaining scenes that are born and nourished in their rich and innocent imaginations. i truly believe that if there is any such thing as hope for a better world it will be up to the children to keep such hope alive. But their task is daunting because, as a society, our love for them is more talk than action as evidenced by our incredible silence while there exists an enormous effort to militarize them in the one place where they should be more than safe from wild notions: their schools. See, early this school year, the U.S. army hosted a special event at Mission Bay high, a San Diego school, that supposedly was to honor a gifted football player who has been selected to play in the 10th annual army all-american Bowl. it didn’t take more than a minute or so to introduce this athlete and have him say “cheese” holding a U.S. army jersey in front of a backdrop where the words, “GoaRMY. coM,” could constantly be seen before the real show began: robotics and flight simulators, a climbing wall symbolizing keeping “warriors” lean and mean, a performance by the U.S. army Golden Knights Parachute Team. Sure seems to me that Uncle Sam is pointing his finger at our children with that desperate “i Want You” look on his face, a look that i will strive with all that’s in me to erase. So the path i walk, in memory of my beloved sweetheart, is metaphorically loaded with mines but i’ll keep on trucking, as they say, because the notion that some day there could be a day called “The Good old Days” was foremost in our minds - and it will forever remain so in my mind.
The chocolaTe voice | 5
I am John’s voice
by Dr. Lawrence A. Wood, MD - the author of AMONG PIGEONS a novel written to right a wrong, to raise awareness about the homeless and lift humanity. every year he announced the arrival of spring. he was our robin, a confirmation that winter was over. Seated on our stoop, my best friend and i, watched him shuffle passed us. his shoes were so big that he walked on the heel. The back gave way to expose his filthy heals. The dirt on his body and face was blackened and caked like too much make-up. it almost obscured his caucasian complexion. his hair was unruly, matted and his clothes were equally soiled. We never knew his name, though we called him John-the-Bum. We never referred to him as John alone, but always John-theBum. i guess to distinguish him from any other John we knew. his title, John-theBum, wasn’t meant to be malicious. i don’t know who coined the title, but the name stuck. it was tradition. We never questioned his existence. Where did he come from? Where did he go every fall? What brought a white man to a black neighborhood? We never asked. our treatment of him was as filthy as his clothes. our dirty words hurled at him made us unclean, but he never said a word. he just walked by, going nowhere. he could have cursed us. instead he chose to tolerate our abuse. after many springs, John-the-Bum didn’t come around anymore, and my best friend and i finally asked, “Where is he?” We didn’t dwell on the possible answers long. after all, it wasn’t as if he were a family member, a friend or even human. We spoke of him as if we hadn’t seen a stray dog in a while. The thought, of him being dead, was fleeting and without meaning. it never occurred to us that he was once a little boy, like us. We never thought that he went to school, like us, or had a crush on a girl or had parents. could he possibly have a family that would miss him? in adulthood, i repeated the story of Johnthe-bum over and over. each time i was never able to answer any questions about 6 | The chocolaTe voice
him. i knew nothing of him. My short anecdotes of him began to be hollow and too short. at one point in my life, i re-dedicated my life to christ and i forgave those who i believed had offended me. i asked for forgiveness of those that i wronged, save one—John. Most likely he was dead by this time. he was an elderly man when i first encountered him on my streets. a few years ago, a fellow church attendee confided in me that he was once homeless. This prompted me to ask him about his life on the streets. i wanted to understand his experience. in hindsight, i was trying to understand John. i wanted to know what John’s life was like, all of those years i mistreated him. i talked to other homeless people and watched them, in an attempt to know John. he had a story and for decades i ignored it. i treated him with contempt and hatred. i never looked him in the eye to see that he and i were equal. i never looked beyond his dirty face to see his heart. i couldn’t overlook his smell. i never dared to get close enough to touch him, but all of these years later, it was he who touched me. i’m
sorry, John. i wish i knew your real name. i wish i knew you. among Pigeons is my tribute to a man. it is my apology. it is my way of giving him and other homeless people the respect they deserve. each one has their own story. During every insult and bad deeds hurled at John, he never said a word. Was he able to speak, but chose not to do so? Were we just silly little kids and it was his decision to ignore us? Maybe he was too drunk to care. he always had a bottle with him. Sixty-six percent of the homeless are victims of drug and alcohol abuse. Was he a veteran? he didn’t fight for the right for us to freely abuse him? Was he unable to speak? Was he handicapped? Was he mentally ill? i’ll never know why he didn’t speak to us. i would not have heard him anyway, but through this “insignificant” man i have learned much about myself, and he has given me purpose. My name is lawrence Wood and i am John’s voice.
If I were An Essay By: Shirley Robinson Sprinkles, Ph.D how many times have you heard the words: “if i were you. . .”, usually followed by either a short or long litany of advice on a topic that you raised during conversation. i wish i’d kept a record of all of the sage as well as unsavory advice i’ve received over the years. i must admit that some people have given me some really good advice. When i’ve followed it, things tended to turn out for the better. These people were generally professionals with whom i had a fiduciary and financial relationship-- like my doctor, lawyer, and cPa. i pay them, they advise me—period! When i don’t follow their advice, they don’t get mad, they just wait for my next round of visits when they will be paid for giving me the same advice once again. it’s a win-win situation for them. Sometimes i think that’s the answer; that it’s the strategy that should be used with family and friends when they call seeking advice. “What would you do?” “What do you think?” and “What’s your opinion?” are all cues for entrapment as i see it. Most people—especially your children—don’t really want to know what would be the right thing to do in a given situation, they just want you to validate that what they’re going to do is right. if your response runs counter to what they really want to happen, they might clam up, silently brood, or just go away for a long time. Your advice has been rejected. Now you have the burden of wondering whether you drove them away, or whether the advice proved to be wrong and they wound up in an even bigger mess. advice-giving is a perilous plank along which the deep end awaits. Maybe one should charge for the suffering that comes with this kind of agony. First they had a problem—now you have one. More accurately put, you have one MoRe! The trouble is, advice—good advice— about the common travails of everyday living is in such scarce supply. it’s hard
to find the sound, wise minds that were plentiful in my youth. They seemed to be everywhere in those days: church matrons, community leaders, upstanding political and civic figures, ministers, and a handful of really smart young people whose heads were screwed on tightly, going in the right direction. Young wives could sit down with experienced ones and share their marital problems in confidence. Just having a confidant’s ear could be so helpful, but a word of good advice was a treasure. and kids could find a solid role model among their peers to watch and emulate—especially if there wasn’t one in the home. i know that was what i did. i had no sisters, and only one brother, whose path was not one i cared to follow. having good people outside my home to talk to and to observe as models of where i wanted to go in life, made all the difference. With families in such disarray as they are in our country today; with siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins living in locations that are strewn across the continent, i worry about the future that we will face. communication is on lifesupport—particularly the kind that should take place in the home, and within the extended family. The break-down is so evident everywhere. More and more kids are running away or being apprehended by law enforcement and locked up. charges range from vagrancy to possession of illegal substances, to breaking and entering, and even homicide. Where was that good advice when these kids needed it? Some will quickly respond: “oh, i told him or her that this would be where they’d end up.” Telling is only part of communicating, though. What must be remembered is that far more is caught than is taught. i’m struck by the few words that are actually attributed to Jesus, the world’s best communicator, in the Bible. he was, apparently, a man of few words, yet
millions still seek to be followers of his teaching. every day thousands of people all around you avidly clutch and devour the book that portends to tell of the miracles Jesus wrought during his brief lifetime, and the lessons he taught his disciples. Note that most are descriptions of his behavior and demeanor. Few words of “advice “ are actually attributed to this great man. he led by precept and example. everyone encounters situations that are baffling from time to time. it is an honor to be sought out for help in figuring out complex problems—especially by the young, but also by older friends and family members to whom life has thrown a curve ball. in those instances, when someone you know wants and needs to hear from you, i think it is appropriate to give clear, honest counsel. This does not, however, give you the right to proselytize, moralize, and judge. To do this virtually insures that you will have limited access and limited impact. That is why i believe that to begin giving advice with the words: “if i were you. . .” is patently wrong. let’s face it, the person needing help is not you, and you are not they. Realizing this right off the bat, much better communication can take place if the focus is on the problem and the range of solutions that might be available— including the ones you might personally provide. in the words of Rudyard Kipling: “To give advice is very nice, but friends can do much more. a friend is someone who can help. That’s what friends are for!” lastly, we are often unaware of who among us is taking direction by observing how we conduct our own lives. how we “walk our talk” speaks louder than any words we can ever utter. We are role models to more people than we could ever imagine, whether we want to be or not. it is for that reason that i admonish: “let your life speak!” Be yourself—that should be enough. The chocolaTe voice | 7
Easter By Ruthe McDonald
Memories
Wow! easter is next week? can you believe it? i can’t. i still have major shopping to do. What is your favorite memory of easter? Mine is spending it with my family at my Gram’s house. i am feeling her absence quite hard this season. i don’t know if it’s because i am getting older, or because i just sincerely miss her, and spending that quality time with her. Perhaps it is a combination of both. There is something so precious about our memories with the ones we love and cherish. if i could bottle the memories and feelings that i had growing up; i’m sure it’d be worth more than its weight in gold.
There are times when we rush and are harried by the circumstances of the world we live in. Taking time to create loving memories and spending time with one another can create a lifetime of goodness to draw upon in later years. i believe that is what i am most grateful for—the memories and the love that my Grams left me with. and not to mention a lifetime of great recipes that my family and friends get to enjoy. creating family traditions is something that we can do to help ensure that our loved ones have a part of us with them always. Whether through photographs, home movies, DvD’s, etcetera; we can leave a wealth of goodness to draw upon. in December of 2009, my greatgrandmother passed; just shy of her 97th birthday, which is april 3rd. i realized that i have no paternal or maternal grandparents alive. it saddened me that my children will not have the opportunity i had growing up: a family with three generations of grandparents. i was fortunate to know, spend time, and have loving memories of all my grandparents: from my great-great grandparents to my grandparents. But what gave me hope were my memories, and those special traditions that left an indelible mark on my life. This i can share with my children, and through me, they get to know about where i came from, and the kind of love that i experienced, and of course, the 8 | The chocolaTe voice
multitude of hilarious family stories. You cannot have as large a family as mine, and not have some hilarious tales to repeat! (i’ll just leave mine out!) however, i think my brother will have that covered.
Just thinking about those stories is bringing a smile to my heart and face as i write. What a blessing! i loved all the holidays, but especially easter. i think because it was springtime and the sun was shining, and the new clothes, and the feeling in the air. oh, it was just so amazing to me. it was life: life in a way that i cannot really put into words. But it was life…a good life. i think that’s what my Grams was really relishing in…the life and love of her family. and when she got in her kitchen, preparing that special meal, baking the pies and cakes; she’d sing her songs, laugh a boisterous laugh, and enjoy her family. She was in her element, just as she always wanted it to be. My Grams was an only child. She told me once how she was lonely as a child, and always wanted siblings. Sure, she had cousins; an aunt had eight kids. But it still wasn’t the same. She determined to have a big family. and she did: Four boys and four girls. and from them came 27 grandchildren (i’m the oldest), 33 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grand! Whew! i’m tired just counting! (hope i didn’t forget anyone!) and we all like to get together. i see my Grams in all her children. i even see her in me. i have the privilege of bearing her name, but i also have the privilege of having spent the most time with her than any other grandchild. i was blessed. i traveled with her, worked with her, and shared my heart and secrets with her. in return, she gave me life: a life that cannot be measured, but only treasured. and i know that this is what i will share with my children; the memories and the love, and those intricate traditions that say Grams to me. Yes. i was fortunate. i was blessed. i look in my home, and i see things that i have inherited from my Grams, and my
great- grandmother, Nana, as well: Things that is older than i am; that hold memories for me. i look and can recall a specific date, a memory, and an occasion. i realize that i have inherited more than i thought. i have inherited moments in history that i can share with my children. There is this footstool that belonged to my Nana. i remember this footstool, as i had to sit on it for many Thanksgiving dinners at my Nana’s Brownstone in harlem. i always got stuck on that footstool, while everyone else was able to get a chair. here i was, on this footstool, with my little tray, waiting for the day i would graduate to the big chair, at the big table. i laugh now, as i rest my feet sometimes on this footstool. i remember my Grams and my Nana doing the same. This Footstool has held the feet of some great women. and i am proud to rest my feet there, too, after cooking a meal for my family. My mother laughed; she had to sit on that footstool, as well. So i guess my daughter and son will do the same someday. Whatever your family traditions are; cherish them. enjoy them. enjoy each other. The days and years are going by quickly. Make the most of each and every day. Grab a hold of each precious moment. Tuck them into the recesses of your heart and mind, which you may draw upon them. These memories and times are a part of your legacy: a legacy that you can pass on to your children and grandchildren. have a blessed and wonderful easter! From my family to yours: Blessings.
african-american culture Writer/editor@ Bellaonline http://www.bellaonline.com/ site/africanamericanculture
Youthful
Voice
Springtime is here! We are past winter, and on our way to summer!
Right now in most parts of the country the weather is perfect. For all of the winter lovers out there we have a nice breeze floating around, and for you summer lovers we have the heat, but it isn’t as overwhelming as it normally is as in the case of Southern arizona. Now is the time to take advantage of the weather, there are so many fun things to do. as you must know, easter is right around the corner, and for those of you who have relatives coming to visit, why not give them a taste of arizona. Hit the pool! everyone knows that in arizona it’s sometimes a drag to go swimming, because you practically have to bathe in sunscreen to prevent from getting burnt by the hot sun, however, due to the fact that it is Spring, you don’t have to worry about that, because the weather has been working in our favor. We have the traditional arizona heat, but the right amount of wind to keep the heat from overpowering us, so this would be a great time, to hit the pool!
It’s Spring! How to have fun, even while stuck at home by: Marissa Mitchell
Lakes are an option!
although it’s impossible to find a beach in arizona, we do have plenty of lakes. For those of you who have family visiting, this is the perfect family outing! The men can fish, the women can lay down, tan, chat with one another, and the kids can bring there toys and play! it’s almost like a miniature vacation, simply because most lakes are in slightly remote areas, so when you go to the lakes you can rest and relax, far away from sirens, and all the other noises the city harbors. There are countless lakes spread out across arizona where i live, and the one that i recommend you check out is Patagonia lake which oftentimes has festivals which are always fun to enjoy as a family. and, if you have a boat or are willing to rent one for the weekend, that’s all possible at Patagonia.
plans to leave for the summer. We all need to streamline, and start organizing, but we’ve made all the excuses and now that it’s spring, and we have some more time on our hands, it’s time to start. Now, that i’ve given you options on what you can do this Spring break, and throughout this beautiful season of spring, hit the pool and soak up the sun, catch some R & R at the lake, and get a head start on that spring cleaning we all dread! i hope i have helped you formulate a few ideas of what to do to keep busy, if not keep your eye on the events calendars they have in most newspapers and try and make some free time to attend some of the fairs, festivals, and other fun things Tucson has to offer! Good luck and happy Spring!
And…Spring Cleaning is not out of the question! No one wants to stay at home all summer, trying to clean and organize, so i recommend spring cleaning, get rid of the stuff that hindered you in the fall in winter, and prepare for the summer, this will only make it easier for you if you had made
Do you own a business? Would you like to start a business? Would you like to spread the word about your unique business? When: Thursday, May 20th at 6:30PM Where: Martha Cooper Library
1377 N. Catalina Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85712
This is one networking event you dont want to miss!
Seating very limited so RSVP by May 13th - Jrbmkay@gmail.com
calling all professional women! Meet women of a like mind. hear interesting business techniques that you may be able to implement into your business. each business owner will have a few minutes to promote her business and will be inserted into a directory solely for women in business in Tucson. Don’t forget your business cards! The chocolaTe voice | 9
in February my mother was admitted to the hospital for what turned into a one month stay. on one of my visits i was looking to find a home for several boxes of Buffalo Snow. a fancy term for white cotton fiber filler in pillow size squares. When i entered the hospital to my left was the gift shop. i showed them a bag and asked if they could use it, assuring there was no charge. after checking with their coordinator the pleasant volunteer with a sparkling twinkle in her eye said YeS! i told her i would drop off several more boxes the next day. During the visits to see my mother i realized the mileage my shoes get fails in comparison with those that serve in a hospital. Whenever i showed up, the place was buzzing with diligent servants doing their job to make sure that the occupants were made as comfortable as possible while responding to their needs. Beside the doctors and nurses there are case workers, housekeepers, cafeteria/nutritionists, physical therapists, transportation workers, and volunteers. included within the volunteer group at St. Joseph’s hospital, are the ladies that make arts and crafts. They are the ones that received the Buffalo Snow. Meeting them was like a journey of life lessons that i will never forget. From ages 70 to 96 these women make crafts, and raise money for the needs of their auxiliary which has existed since 1963. They do not receive any outside funding so donations are a tremendous help. This team of dedicated volunteers help those that are sick, shut in and even terminal by making angels, children’s blankets, stuffed animal shaped pillows, quilts, and other comforting gifts. This department produces opportunities and gives longevity of purpose
10 | The chocolaTe voice
Walking in My Shoes
A grand moment of appreciation for the Pioneers of Carondelet Hospitals and the Volunteers that work in them! by Regina Brown to those who desire to give of their time, stay social and who love to serve. Upon meeting and speaking with laura Branton, the volunteer coordinator, i learned how creating beautiful things came from the Nuns. She shared how the Nuns in France were ordered by the Bishop to teach the prostitutes and help them get off the streets. So the Nuns taught them how to make lace. laura also gave me a book called the Trek of the Seven Sisters, diary of Sister Monica corrigan which tells the journey of 7 nuns who left St. louis, Missouri to begin a work in Tucson, arizona. This journey took 36 days using trains, carriages, and their feet for transportation. They crossed oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico covering 1,490 miles. a trip that takes only 22 hrs today. They survived the hot sun, wild animals, and the men of the wild wild west. all they had was faith to do God’s will and a vision to begin a new work. So, i have put on Nun shoes in respect to a heart felt connection with these pioneers of the 1870’s. That knew then what we know now that the best way to reach a goal is to take one step at a time. i sense the original spirit of the nuns evidenced in the arts and crafts volunteers. They share their love and compassion through the work of their hands and affect lives one at a time with their creations. it may amaze you to know that the work the
7 sisters began is now carondelet health Network - the largest not-for-profit health care organization in Southwestern arizona serving 4 county regions, 1.3 million people. overseen by the catholic Diocese it is classified a faith based organization as to not exclude anyone from care. laura sealed this time by sharing that she is blessed daily “by working with people that have kind and generous hearts” – she says, “My inspiration comes from within but i am surrounded by angels every day” These caring volunteers are self sacrificing against many odds – just like the 7 sisters. i have opened myself to a deeper level of humility, just being in their presence.
Email: RS3@Ambassadorbrown. mysite.com or place a comment at Ambassadorbrown.mysite.com guest book or write me - P.O. Box 17594, Tucson, Arizona 85731
Table Talk
Ketchup anyone?
one year our married daughter, who lives in San Jose, gave us the UNcle JohN’S ahh- iNSPiRiNG BaThRooM ReaDeR for christmas. i can say, without a doubt, that it is a great book to read-full of trivia and a classy collection of information. i heard somewhere that humans spend about 10 months in the bathroom during their lifetime. Well, reading the BaThRooM ReaDeR will make you want to stay longer and turn you into a walking font of knowledge. one day i started reading an article about tomato ketchup that made me so angry, i took it to the den and read it to my husband. “it says here, that a man bought a 20 ounce bottle of ketchup for his wife’s meatloaf. The recipe called for 20 ounces exactly, but when they poured it into the measuring cup, it was one and a half ounces short. The man got ticked off and called the States Division of measurements, setting off a five year statewide investigation of a very famous tomato product company. What did they find? The products from the 20 ounce to the 64 ounce size were regularly 0.5% to 2% short. That may not seem like much, but officials estimated that californians had been cheated out of 10 million ounces or 78,124
gallons of the red stuff. That amounts to $650,000 worth of ketchup. The company was ordered to pay $180,000 in civil penalties, and agreed to overfill their bottles for one year--by about 10 million ounces.” i stopped reading. anger had tied my tongue. “Good!” My husband said, absentmindedly. “They should be made to pay.” But like any old cook who had bought thousands of bottles of ketchup over time, i couldn’t let it go so easy, saying, “Well why would a big rich company need to cheat the people? They have all the money in the world.” “Because they can,” was his answer. “Well, i’ll fix them; i’ll hit them where it hurts the most- in their pocket book. From now on, i’m going to make my own ketchup.” it took me a while to find a recipe. More than one person asked me if i might be kidding, but i finally found one in an old cookbook that called for a special kind of enamel pot. To that pot I added 8 pounds of ripe tomatoes (about 25) which I had skinned, seeded, mashed and put through a sieve. Then came 1 cup sugar, 4 teaspoons salt, 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 teaspoons of whole cloves and 2 broken cinnamon sticks to
By: Artress Cornmesser
be boiled and strained into the pulp. The instructions were to cook over medium heat until the mixture was reduced down to half of what I started with. After 6 hours of cooking, the mixture was nowhere near down to half. I turned it off and fell into bed. The next morning, I started boiling the concoction with a higher heat. Big mistake, pulp bubbled all over the stove, popped on the walls behind the refrigerator and spotted up the floor. I turned the heat back to low and let the pot simmer for another day. Finally on the 3rd day, I was able to fill my hot sterilized jars with 2 pints of homemade ketchup and seal. If you plan to make this recipe, or any tomato ketchup recipe, take it from me, it is not worth it. Figuring the price of the pot, the ingredients and my time, the cost for 2 pints of ketchup was about $12.00 an ounce. At that rate, the big rich companies can just go ahead and cheat me. It’s worth it to get that no-mess, spill proof, squeeze top bottle.
Sense howard gatbonton howard@printsensesd.com www.printsensesd.com
p. 619.482.9944 f. 619.482.9947 925 hale place, suite b-8 chula vista, california 91914
The chocolaTe voice | 11
Purposed Destiny Dr. Amanda Goodson
She got pregnant in her sophomore year of college. With no husband and no one to assist her she began her search for help. She finally found a group home and assistance with her needs until she finished school and got a job. While she was in her home, she met women just like her women with drive and desire to complete their education and move to a different life. eve, as she is affectionately called began to see so many young girls who needed help. Some of them hadn’t finished high school and were looking to earn a GeD and others who wanted to go to college, but just didn’t know how. i asked eve “So, what is your purposed destiny?” She replied, “i don’t know.” “i never thought about it much.” So i asked what do you absolutely love to do? She answered by saying that she loved to help young mothers who need assistance with obtaining an education. Further, she said that she also liked assisting youth in their middle school years. i asked again in a different way and asked eve what she would be doing if she could choose any job. She said that she would probably host life skills seminars for youth in middle school and host training events that would bring people together to help young women in the community. Mr. Will on the other hand would say that is purposed destiny is to help young boys to learn to make it in our society. he knows how difficult it is for young men to be successful in so many aspects of life. Mr. Will is a basic quiet man, but he teaches young boys how to fish, and how to treat people more senior than they. he stresses the importance of being strong, yet kind to others. he has a way of showing values of courage, spiritual growth, dedication and perseverance. Many can attest to his simple yet bold demeanor and how he affects everyone around him. anna would say that her purposed destiny is to serve the elderly one by one. She loves to sit at the side of elderly men and women reading a good book to them, feeding them and nurturing them as they transition in life. 12 | The chocolaTe voice
So what is your purposed destiny? Your destiny rests in the plan of God. Your destiny is when your purpose aligns up with God’s timing. So one might ask, how do i know what i am destined to do? Your destiny has been poured into you from the beginning. To find it is not always simple, but it rests in your passion, your values and the things you want to fix the most. i suggest that you submit yourself to the hand of God and start praying to the giver of life for his exact plan for you. over time you will be amazed, God will begin to bring forth answers to your prayers – layer by layer. God doesn’t always reveal his plan for our lives in one day...it takes time - called due season. one part of his plan for us is quite clear. he wants us all to have eternal life. another part is clear as well, God’s desire is for us to love him. although there is no one way to seek the lord except with reverence unto him, here are some suggestions on what to do in seeking the will of our heavenly Father: 1. Make your request known to God with humility and without shame, 2. Trust that he will hear and answer you, 3. commit your thoughts, emotions, intellect, intentions and being to his hand, 4. Know your steps are ordered by him, 5. Refuse to be influenced by the ungodly, 6. Rejoice and be glad in his mercy, 7. Marvel in God’s strength and authority as you wait on your response, knowing he will unveil his person and plan to you. Prayer: lord God, You are my Father. i know you will reveal your purposed destiny to me in your divine timing. You are my rock, refuge, and fortress of defense. You lead and guide me and pull me out of the net of the enemy. You have set my destiny in a wide place and You give me boundaries in pleasant place. i trust You for everything as You unveil your plan, step by step, open my spiritual ears to hear and my spiritual eyes to see Your plan. i believe in the name of Jesus. amen
In my soul
By Shametra McGregor You are in my soul. You’re like my favorite song. The one that I hear when my days are long. And when I hear it, my heart skips a beat. My toes began to wiggle, My feet starts to tapping. My head starts bobbing, my hand do the clapping. You are in my soul… You’re my ears when I can’t hear. You are like my radar, and you let me know when danger may be, really close and near. My sensor, when I get lost. My intuitive mind streak. My peripheral vision, when my heart gets weak. You are my soul... You’re my eyes when I can’t see. When I think that something ain’t right. You see through the fog and you protect me. You have the arms of a quarterback. Speed of a jet... Heart of angel filled with love... and the peaceful spirit just like a dove. You are my soul… My soul. I say. When I am not around you. My heart seems to need your touch. The caress of your voice, the look in your eyes, the laughter that we share. The grace of your style. I can see you in my mind running. I will not run after you. When the sky turns gray. Together we see blue.. You are my soul. And we are connected as such. You are the lock and I am the key. Peanut butter and strawberry jelly... Because you are in my soul. You Are My Soul…
The chocolaTe voice | 13
“Lending is my pleasure
but people are my passion” Vikki Opeodu, Mortgage Broker
as i begin this exciting journey with readers of The chocolate voice, my primary goals are, to listen to what is important to you regarding mortgage finance; assess how i can effectively provide resources and tools to help you navigate this industry, and lastly to empower you to apply these tools to be wiser mortgage consumers. Background i grew up in Tulsa, oklahoma- in a family of entrepreneurs. our family owned a Martinizing Dry cleaning franchise just blocks from the historic “Black Wall Street District. it was in the family business that the sting for “running my own business” occurred. Since the business was owned by my parents i was able to explore a variety of aspects of the business that a child my age wouldn’t normally have access to. i learned about every aspect of dry cleaning from cleaning solvents to marketing and customer service. This was a great place to develop friendships with famous people like the late Wayman Tisdale’s family, members of the GaP band like Ronnie Wilson, Senators and State Representatives and John hope Franklin to name of few. our business mantra was “The customer is always right.” While that motto sometime puzzled me, especially on the rare occasion when an unfamiliar customer acted in unethical ways, that mantra became ingrained in my desire to provide excellent customer service. after graduating from the University of oklahoma, and determining to distance myself from the dry cleaning industry, i returned to Tulsa to work for the Urban league as a Job Developer. Two years later i moved to San Diego, ca to accept a position with the Private industry council also as a Job Developer. During my three year tenure with Pic i was promoted to economic Development coordinator and worked closely with private industry employers to create jobs and training programs for economically disadvantaged job seekers. While working on various community projects with Pic i was introduced to a San Diego county elected official who later offered me a legislative aide position. This 2 year position exposed me to a wide range
14 | The chocolaTe voice
of county governance and further expanded my knowledge in community and economic Development.
of loans. as a result, i sat for the california DRe exam in 2006 and became licensed as a Real estate Professional.
While serving on Reinvestment Task Force i became instrumental in addressing redlining and other cRa violations to the comptroller of the currency on behalf of my official. The community Reinvestment act created safeguards for communities throughout the nation to have the banks records reviewed for fair lending practices or lack thereof. This work resulted in a substantial increase in the reinvestment of banking dollars back into the minority communities in which the deposits were originated. in essence, access to loans for home ownership became more accessible to families in diverse communities and thus created greater stability for neighborhoods. This was one of my most rewarding assignments.
So, armed with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in communication and Management, a Professional designation as a Real estate licensee, licensed Notary and over 12 years experience in housing and community economic Development i pursued the mortgage industry as an originator. Serving initially under a Broker on the Wholesale side, and working for two years as a loan officer with countrywide home loans on the Retail side and currently as an independent Wholesale Mortgage Broker.
The experience increased my interest and desire to work in housing and community Development. So, i later accepted a position with the San Diego housing commission serving in a variety of capacities over a seven year period; including Program and Policy analyst in the economic Development Division. after a 5 year hiatus as a stay-at-home mom, i returned to the workforce, this time returning to my entrepreneurial roots. With the responsibilities of motherhood i wanted work that would bring satisfaction of utilizing my skills and experience yet provide the flexibility to be available to my young family. as a result, i started San Diego Notary a loan Document Signing agency in 2003. after networking with friends and obtaining referrals and introductions to key contacts, i was able to secure a contract with the second largest locally based credit Union in San Diego. i was responsible for notarizing and reviewing the loan documents with clients. The business increased to the point that i hired additional notaries to keep up with the workload. over time, i realized that i could apply more of my skills and knowledge of housing and community Development as an originator
You now know a bit more about why i do the work that i do and how lending became such a pleasurable passion. The next article will introduce readers to the differences between Mortgage Brokers and loan officers and explain the pros and cons of working with both. in addition, i will provide an overview of the different loan products available as well as the impact of your Fico (credit) score and down payment upon the costs to obtain a loan. My desire for this column is to ensure that it is relevant and serves a need. So, i plan to generate future articles through an interactive process with the readers. Please let me know of your specific interest and questions. What would you like to know about real estate financing that you were afraid to ask? You can email questions to: FinanceWithvikki@ Gmail.com Please include the chocolate voice in the Subject line.
letters To The Publisher Dear chocolate voice You recently published an article (February 2010 issue) written by my close friend Griffin Mershon. i believe it was entitled „Delicious chocolates“. he passed away this weekend. i know he was extremely proud of having been published and i‘m writing to ask you if you could send me a couple of copies of the magazine containing his article because i think his parents would
Dear chocolate voice i see the chocolate voice sweetening the souls of people across continents. While many newspapers and magazines are struggling to stay alive and maintain readership due to the ease of access to the internet, the chocolate voice offers special interest stories to its readership which keeps the readership loyal. The inspirational stories from the african american culture, latin-american culture or indian or african cultures have similar needs to maintain communication, especially in such a mobile society. a “Sweet voice” can bridge this gap. San Diego, CA
be really proud. Rest in Peace Griffin Paul Mershon (February 22, 1989 – March 21, 2010) Thank you for your time, Rania Scottsdale, AZ
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Out and About April 16th – May 16th
April 25 @ 2 p.m.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Women of Spirit Awards Luncheon
Community Actors Theatre
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Tucson Alumnae Chapter Tickets: $60
2957 54th Street San Diego, CA 92105-4921
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa
(619) 264-3391
3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
April 17
Chyrl Lander
Tucson, Arizona 85745
National Council of Negro Women
520-577-7184
4th Annual Luncheon Metropolitan Sun Section NCNW
www.tucsonalumnae.org
cclander@dakotacom.net
The Tempe Buttes Resort Marriott 2000 Westcourt Way
May 17
Tempe, Arizona 85282
Gaslight Theatre
Catherine Kennard
Soul Town a Tribute to Soul and Motown Era
520-316-9231
Starring Charlie Hall
ncnwmetrosun@yahoo.com
Featuring the music of: Al Green, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, The Supremes,
metrosunncnw.weebly.com
April 17 @ 7:30 PM Spring Jazz and Wine with MINDI ABAIR and the BRIAN SIMPSON BAND JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa Tucson, AZ www.azentertainmentandevents.com
Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles 7010 East Broadway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85710-2805 (520) 886-9428
May 29 Gaslamp Quarter, Downtown, San Diego
April 21
Featuring: Mindi Abair, Peter White, Gerald Albright, Brian Culbertson, Kirk Whalum, Steve Cole, Kim Waters, Nick Colionne, Jeff Golub, Jeff Kashawa and Jackiem Joyner!
Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour
San Diego, CA
Balboa Theatre, Downtown
(619) 233-5227
520-429-9803
San Diego, CA (619) 570-1100 16 | The chocolaTe voice
(520) 790-0038