Homeless Voice; Officer Destroys Tents

Officers destroy tents; Mayor backs melee

Bradenton cop praised, ridiculed for helping homeless woman Associated Press

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fficers use box cutters to demolish tents belonging to the homeless. ST. PETERSBURG - The city of St. Petersburg's battle against its homeless residents escalated today when police slashed their tents to the ground and threw them away.

Homeless bystanders stood by and watched in shock, many with tears streaming down their faces.

"This is sickening," said Viola resident, whose tent was cut up and thrown out.

The plan was put together by the mayor's office, and the city police and fire departments.

Fire department personnel and police showed up around 4 p.m. near the intersection of 15th Street and 15th Avenue North.

Earlier this week, homeless residents were told they were okay to set up their tents at that location.

But city officials said the tents were a code violation and a fire hazard.

The plan was put together by the mayor's office, and the city police and fire departments.

Fire/rescue personnel closed off the street, then about 25 officer went to work with boxcutters.

They cut the tents to ribbons, and then threw some away, but left some on the ground.

They didn't move any of the belongings inside the tent.

The homeless nearby watched in shock.

One man was bent over, in tears.

-HomelessNewsWire

Cathy’s Prayer List •

Daysmiel • Sage • Tommy • Hollywood • Joseph • Julie • Roger’s Family • Killingsworth Family • Owens Family • New Destiny International Christian Center of Tamarac • William Skofstad • Kerri Fitzpatrick • Nahimana To add a name to the list call 954 954--410 410--6275 No monetary donations needed Names will be listed in paper for 6 months

I

am writing this story in the hope that we can bring some stars right on our front patio sidewalk that we can build at the shelter. For those of us who have been to Hollywood California we all know that famous sidewalk area where our famous and favorite stars get their own star with their name on it.

This Hollywood Walk of Fame. I have walked that walk many times growing up considering my mom and dad always took us on nice vacations because dad worked for Eastern Airlines. The flights were free, the hotels and rental cars were half price and to get into theme parks was almost the cost of a movie ticket which allowed us to go out there many times.

I remember when I was younger how it would feel to be a star. I have in the past written about things (Continued on page 6)

BRADENTON -- A city police officer is being simultaneously celebrated and ridiculed after he went out of his way to save a homeless woman's shopping cart full of possessions.

After arresting Marie Brooks on an outstanding warrant early one morning last week, Officer Nicholas Evans pulled her shopping cart alongside his police cruiser for 12 miles to the county jail so Brooks wouldn't lose her meager belongings. The trip took him an hour.

“He wasn't obligated to have a generous, spiritual heart,” said Mary DeLazzer, who manages Our Daily Bread, a soup kitchen in Bradenton.

But police are looking into whether Evans acted inappropriately and should be reprimanded. The act has made Evans the butt of jokes among peers who have heard the story, now posted on a popular police Web site.

Evans is a three-year veteran officer who works the overnight shift. He told his bosses he was unsuccessful at trying to find someone to take the cart after arresting Brooks for violating a court order stemming from a misdemeanor drug arrest.

A call to Evans at the police department Tuesday was not immediately returned. (see page 11 for follow up story)

What if the Homeless Voice Raised a Penny every time you searched on the Internet?

Well Now We Can!!!

For more info go to: http://www.homelessvoice.org/default.aspx?p=article&id=667

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hen I first started seeing the Homeless Voice vendors on a busy intersection that I had to pass by every day, I thought, "good grief, take my money, take MY money... again!" The fact that people were coming up to you while you were on the cell phone conducting business for your REAL job made me annoyed. Get out of the way, (Continued on page 10)

Page 2

The Voice of the Homeless

FRIENDS OF THE HOMELESS For just $15.00 a month you can keep a homeless family off the streets for a day.

Mail check to: Friends of the Homeless P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 Please include on memo what

• • • •

name should appear in paper.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Cononie Family The Targett Family Patrick Helings John Bendor In Loving Memory of Uncle Joe & Nana Shannon Brooks Lisa Cebrat Pakita Price Nana Sullivan The Watsons Sean Cononie Sally Lister Judith Kelly Martha Roman The Baptista Family John Criasia Daniel Harrison The Martinez Family Amanda Reynolds Dolores R. Cerra Bob Hall Tressie W. Osborne Clark Rogers The Savir Family Corinne James The Browns Chris Sanchez Hugo DeCarpintini Mario Yuio Richard Friedman Diane Friedman Uylna Quadrino Arnold Reemer In Loving Memory of Peter Sullivan Maryann Springer Elaine Snaith Marshal Bugin Keith Yude Bruce Wethersoon Isabelle J. Henry Raul Cardenas M.D. Wendy Bryan Jacqueline McCarty Albert J Taragowski Darla King Paula King Richard Gomez Anthony Ralph Jennifer Hicky Timothy Lukehard Thomas Rua The Jackson Family Justin Rowan Mary Green Morris Grazi Marvin Shatze Ronald Shafer Vance Gunn Adam Staler Allen Yancy Jimmy Daniels Mel Blount

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Carol Lockette Joe Golden Anna Marye Levier Magan Narduzzi Andre Johnson Antione Collins Eric Harrison

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Jessica Padilla Sheldon Jones Carlo Harrison Jason Emrik Dan Gilcert Amber Rowan

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Jackie Johnson Ricky Cambell Dorr’e Terry Samual Manery Marilyn Vokish Jenny Curic

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Amy Curic Lisa Jackson

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Jim Johnson Bobby Neal Erica Fulton Darren Nolf Erica Sanclair Steve Dillan Dallan Michele King Bobby Ore Casandra Thomas Tara Hunter Mark Faber Nichole Faber Kevin Britt The Cable Family The Maione Family Barbara Strong Grace Marth Regla J Ferrer The Baldwin Family Horace Gracie Russell J. Ferguson Marjorie G. Rhines Jamie F. Flores In Loving Memory Of Thomas Gasbarro Cathy and Kids The Davis Family Graham R. Mitchell Essential Oil Healthline Amparo L. Korey John’s Plumbing Service Thank You Winn Dixie Ms. Marilyn Smith Albert J. Taragowski Ruth C Grey Mike Cross Tamara Southard Raul Cardenas MD PA

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Al and Annie Hurricane Prevention Inc Danny and George The Thompson Family

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OTD Messenger, Inc M. Smith Yorick and Bonita Parrica Lee Russ & Delores B Mordon Robert Jesus Llanes Comet Couriev Proietto Family In Memory of Billy Corwin Josh Searles Patricia Lee Russ Delores B Mordon Mrs. Jenkins Everglades Moon, Covenant of Goddess, Elibet Hanson Judy B. Pascarella John Gaeta Michael R. Prokop, Jr. Jackie M. McCarty In Memory of Charles Horton In Memory of William F. Judge Todd Palgon The Morabito Family Todd Palgon Holly J. Andrus Lois Cross In Loving Memory of Florence & Nat Popkin Tailored Advertising, Inc Claudia K. Tapolow Margie Jones In memory of Wesley H. Woodall Maria M. Riveiro Gottlieb & Blair Family Pioneer Middle School Youth Crime Watch Rhenals-Mei Family The Strikowski family Margie Jones & Friends Ronald Prescia In Memory of Brian Groleau Laura Flash Jacqueline M. McCarty The Herrmann Family The Monserrate Family Madeline Butera Jennifer S. Nickel Marilyn R. Smith David Thawley On Behalf of Matthew Lambert Mustafa Mehmet Gokoglu In Memory of Scott Paul Cooper Robert and Ruth Baal In Memory of Melba DeSanto In Memory of My Mother Pearl McCann, Love Teresa Barbara Desanto Leah and Ray

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Marie Sutera Floyd and Luana Coats Doug Boucher Family Kevin Jones Dorothy Griffith Family In Loving Memory of Kris Soltan Kevin “KJ” Jones Douglas Boucher The Swartout's Ivonne Fernandez The Verny & Stewart Families In Loving Memory of Frances Klein The Herrmann Family John C. Burt Albert Taragowski Renato & Malika Vasconez In Memory of C.T.R. Adriana Fernandez Andrea Brown The Kunicki Family Thank you so much, Sean & Lois, for all your help.

–Joan Futscher & Kids McAvoy Family The Geise Family Richard & Margaret Martin Kenny Angela Adriana N. Quila Elizabeth P. Sublett Barbara Robinson Mark E. Johnson Adrienne and Mike Julio A. Izquierdo Ann M. Hamilton Nicole Lee Nelson Anthony Rhodes Susan P Brady Christine M Wilson K.J. Williams Renato and Malika Vasconez Christine McAuliffe In Memory of Chief George J. Hodges Real Breakthrough Solutions Hartford Property Connection, Inc. In Loving Memory of Donald Fraser In Loving Memory of Rex Lichtenberger In Loving Memory of Jose A. Estruch, Jr. Ronald & Cathy Walker Real Breakthrough Solutions Ms. Evelyn Salerno Nicole Lee Nelson Al & Barbara Liebmann In Loving Memory of Isabel Grimany Dr Mary Michaela Farren Barbara N Robinson In Memory of My Good Friend Pat Gibson Fred T Verny JR Nicole Lee Nelson C.R. Gallagher YOUR NAME HERE

Michael & Michale Rhett

Did you know?

• You can set up payroll deduction through your employer to support the COSAC Foundation’s Homeless Voice • Your company might even match your donation • See your human resource or department manager

Page 3

Volume IX, Issue 2

HOMELESS VOICE As one could imagine we were quite busy over the Holidays. So for the month of February we used some reprints from other papers. This gave us a little time to relax. Don't worry more personal stories are coming your way, very soon. As cities do outrageous acts like destroying the homes of the homeless we all got a lot more work to be done. Mr. Mayor of St. Pete, you should be ashamed of yourself. How could you be so cruel?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND TO:

P.O. BOX 292-577 DAVIE, FLORIDA 33329 FAX TO: 954-926-2022 EMAIL: info@homelessvoice.org ALL DONATION REQUESTS IN THE HOMELESS VOICE FOR ANY CHARITY ARE ADVERTISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS WORDING A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL R EGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES

BY CALLING TOLL-FREE IN THE STATE 1-800-435-7352 REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE HOMELESS

H OM ELESS

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Page 4

The Voice of the Homeless

HOMELESSVOICE

ADVANTAGE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. ACI supports the Homeless Voice and the Cosac Foundation in raising awareness and providing solutions to homelessness in our neighborhoods.

ACI knows that lending aid to human beings in need is good for our souls, our communities and is simply the right thing to do.

ACI would like to thank all people who are actively engaged in helping humanity here on the blue planet.

God bless the Cosac Foundation Commercial, Industrial, & Government 2-way Radio www.advantage-com.com

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Mark Lavallee, President 954-961-2642

Excellence in Radio

Bells Palsy

B

link. Wink. Frown.

Smile. These are things we all do without thinking, just normal reactions to emotions when we feel them right?

Well what happens when you wake up one morning and find out you can’t close one of your eyes, your speech is interrupted because your lip won’t move, and your cheek feels like its being punched like a boxing bag. That is what I awoke to the morning of December 23rd, 2006. I am 24 years old and I have always dealt with illnesses and luckily I have been able to recover well from them.

I have suffered from epilepsy to a heart condition called cardiomyopathy. I am

no stranger to hospitals, I the facial nerve occurring in always joke around and say approximately 11 persons “I should have reserve park- out of 10,000.

The ing here”. I guess I I am 24 years old time for recovis the could not and I have always ery hardest part have stayed away from dealt with illnesses because its’ the hospital and luckily I have just “waiting on old father since having been able to recover time”. There is my gall bladwell from them. physical therder surgery apy for the on April 2006, I then returned in De- face to help weakened muscember 2006 because of cles but that is just another what turned out to be “Bells waiting process. Medicine palsy”. What?! Well I was kills the virus, if the bells surprised, shocked and palsy was caused from a scared. Bells palsy is a form virus but if from stress than of facial paralysis; it can happen to anyone and can be caused from stress, a virus or trauma.

Bell's palsy is an idiopathic "viral" attack on

its’ just a matter of time.

From personal research I have learned that it can take from a few weeks to six months for the facial muscles to return back to normal. In some cases the face will recover completely or there may be some areas that will stay damaged because the muscle area on the face has been weakened. I presently still have Bells Palsy and I am taking it one day at a time. My face has somewhat recovered but not one hundred percent, I am patiently waiting and like always leaving this problem

in Gods hands.

I wrote this story not just to inform others about Bells Palsy, but also with the hopes that when you have read this you will give thanks for all that you have. Maybe you are at the best point of your life, maybe you are the lowest, wherever you may be know that you are alive and that alone is all you need. May you have better days ahead. God Bless!

Submitted by Zuly Gil

Many people will WALK in and out of your LIFE

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any people will WALK in and out of your LIFE, but only TRUE friends will leave footprints in your HEART, to handle YOURSELF, use your head: to handle others, use your HEART. Anger is only one letter short of danger. If someone betrays you once, it is his fault; if he betrays you twice, it is your fault. Great MINDS discuss IDEAS: average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people, he who loses money, loses much; he, who loses a FRIEND, loses much more; he, who loses FAITH, loses all. Beautiful young people are accidents of NATURE, but BEAUTIFUL, old people are works of art, LEARN from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. FRIENDS, you and me...you brought another friend...and then "Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you there were three...we may have one foot on the brakes. started our group...our cirIn order to be free, we must learn cle of friends...and like that how to let go. Release the hurt.

Release the fear. Refuse to entercircle....there is no BEGINtain your old pain. The energy it NING or end...yesterday is takes to hang onto the past is holdhistory, tomorrow is a mysing you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?" tery. Today is a GIFT, — Mary Manin Morrissey that's why they call it the PRESENT. Submitted by Zuly Gil

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 5

Volume IX, Issue 2

HOMELESSVOICE Is This Any Way to Help the Homeless?

M

ary Baker and Ruth Neikirk love to cook. What's more, they love to cook for poor people. They do it frequently, preparing meals at home and bringing them to their church in Virginia.

"I love it," Mary says. "I can take a little bit of something, like a soup bone?

And I can make a whooole pot of something. Tastes good. With some cornbread you got 'em a meal!"

The people they cook for love it too. But there's a problem. It was "criminal activity."

The Fairfax County health department points out that — horrors — Mary and Ruth are actually preparing food and serving it to people!

Without a license!

That's not safe, said the health department. What if there's food poisoning?

Hundreds of pages of regulation say that if you want to serve food to the public, you need a food-manager certificate, a ware-washing machine (with internal baffles), drain-boards, ventilationhood systems, a sink with at least three compartments, as well as a hand-washing sink, can openers with removable parts, and much more, for page after page.

The county health department wasn't being capricious. It was just enforcing

its rules. There had been a complaint. No one had gotten sick, but an "advocate for the homeless" noticed that church kitchens, which appeared sparkling clean to my ABC team, didn't meet "code."

"You've got to be kidding, give us a break," the Rev. Judy Fender told us.

"We can fix a nice meal here, but we can't serve it!"

The health department said it was just looking out for the homeless. But did the officials ever think about where street people eat when they don't eat at these churches?

"They've never stopped me from eating out of a dumpster or a trash can," says James, an astute homeless man who understands Henry Hazlitt's "economics in one lesson," namely, look for the secondary results of government policy. The government can close down the church kitchens, but that'll only send the poor to the garbage cans. Is that better?

"Some of them take their jobs just a little too seriously," said James. "They got nothing better to do than sit around and write legislation."

James has put his finger on another important point: the perverse incentives facing bureaucrats, who get no credit if they never meddle in our peaceful activities.

An old, neartoothless man agreed with James. "I thought they was crazy. I mean, they're [the church people] helping people, and they're trying to stop it."

Rev. Fender added, "They've set up a situation that you have to have a $40,000 kitchen to feed someone who's going to get their food from questionable sources at best."

Rev. Kathleen Chesson said her First Christian Church would not obey the rules. "Our agenda is to feed the hungry. We're going to feed the hungry. That's it."

Before I could confront the county officials about this ridiculous situation, the bad publicity had already prompted a reconsideration. "I got up and saw my morning newspaper and was horrified," said Gerry Connolly, who heads the county government. "I think sometimes the rules overpower common sense."

I asked him, What if the health department had been around when Jesus was feeding the poor? "He might have been, you know, cited," Connolly replied with a laugh.

So this story has a happy ending: Connolly exempted churches from the regulations. But let's not celebrate.

Attention Homeless Voice Supporters:

E

ach vendor must not be rude and they must be polite to all customers. Even if a customer is rude to the vendor, the vendor still can only say "Have A Nice Day." If you see a vendor being rude to you or someone else you can video it from your cell phone or take their picture and send it to us in email. Also if you see them vending dangerously let us know about it.

Each vendor should have a numbered hat. We use this number to ID vendors when we get good comments and bad comments. Also please remember sometimes someone steals a shirt and acts rudely to the public and also is faking collecting for the Homeless Voice.

It is our policy that each vendor must have identification with their picture on it. The Id's for February will have code letters on the bottom of their ID, the letters are "XYZ" Also the ID's expire at the end of the month. If unsure ask the vendor where his or her ID is and check for the code word. If they have no ID card then they are not our vendors.

You can email us from your cell phone to Public@homelessvoice.org This is what our ID's look like.

The health department said it was just looking out for the homeless. But did the officials ever think about where street people eat when they don't eat at these churches?

"They've never stopped me from eating out of a dumpster or a trash can," says James "Fairfax is stepping back," James said. "They're saying they're not going to enforce it ... for now. This year. What about next year?"

Again, that's a pretty astute analysis. If you catch the attention of the media, you can bask in your government leader's forgiveness. But what about next year, and what about the rest of us who are still stuck with all the rules?

The rules are "wellintended." They're meant to make sure the public is safe.

But rule-makers tend to forget that their rules have unintended consequences. And, as James pointed out, eating out of dumpsters is more dangerous than eating at a church without a three-compartment sink.

by John Stossel

Page 6

The Voice of the Homeless

HOMELESSVOICE

(Continued from page 1)

A band plays on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, which is embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of celebrities honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.

The first star, awarded on February 9, 1960, went to Joanne Woodward. As of November 10, 2006, when Annette Bening was honored, there have been 2,324 stars awarded.

An example of a "Hollywood Walk of Fame" star, for the film actress Carole Lombard. The generic star contains a motion picture camera emblem, signifying contribution to the film industry.

The Walk of Fame runs east to west on Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue, and north to south on Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard.

Locations of specific stars are permanent, except when occasionally relocated for nearby construction or other reasons.

Each star consists of a terrazzo comprising a pink five-pointed star rimmed with bronze and inlaid into a charcoal square. Inside the pink star is the name of the honoree inlaid in bronze, below which is a round bronze emblem indicating the category for which the honoree received the star. The emblems are: motion picture camera for contribution to the film industry; television set for contribution to the broadcast television industry; phonograph record for contribution to the recording industry; radio microphone for contribution to the broadcast radio industry; and, twin comedy/tragedy masks for contribution to live theater.

However, Disneyland's star has an emblem of a building.

Nominations are submitted annually by May 31, and the Walk of Fame committee meets the following month to pick the next year's group of honorees. Star ceremonies are open to the public and are led by Johnny Grant, Hollywood's Honorary Mayor.

that have happened in my life having prepared me for the job I do today. God must have prepared me and a lot of the things I do today come from my past. And this is why I am writing this story.

I did not put two and two together until my trip to California to do the Dr. Phil Show. When I came back to Florida I thought about my trip and looked back at my previous trips where I walked on that sidewalk, the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As I thought and thought those stars kept on hitting me in the head. Star after star kept on poking at me as if they were trying to get into my head.

Still I was unaware of what those stars were trying to do to me but then they all hit me on the head at one time. I have been trying to get someone famous to put their name on our building and of course at the same time paying off our mortgage so I went on the Internet looking up data trying to get the address of famous people and famous stars. On our GoodSearch, search engine, you know the search engine where you can enter the Homeless Voice and every time you search we get one penny donation. When searching, along came Star Island in Miami.

Then it all hit me at once. I said to myself one of these famous stars maybe will pay off our mortgage and at the same time allow us to put their star on our sidewalk. Then I said what happens if we recreate that famous sidewalk and make our very own Hollywood Walk of Fame? And make a smaller version by allowing our local stars of Star Island to buy a star. The big questions will be can we bring Hollywood California to Hollywood Florida right in front of the Homeless Voice Homeless Shelter known as the COSAC Shelter and let others walk on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

This is where the story begins and the plots thicken. A few years back Michael Jackson’s’ body guards came over and brought two vanloads of really nice presents for the kids during Christmas time. Then I said to myself heck, I have met some famous celebrities in the past including Elizabeth Taylor at her birthday party for an HIV fund raising event. I met Rosie O'Donnell at a few functions and then recently meeting Dr. Phil I thought that maybe this is the right thought pattern that I was having. Next, how do I get the famous people of Star Island to buy our paper so they can read this story and then make the West come to the East making our very own little East Hollywood having their own Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Basically this story is to reach out to our stars asking for help so those stars can bring a little light to the poor people of South Florida. After all, it must be a plan that is going to work, who looks after the poor, so many celebrities do, look at just how much they help in Haiti, or during disasters, etc. Even my favorite musician Bono who helps in third world nations is busy doing his thing (who I will meet in the future.) So I said over and over it must be fate, this has to work. It may be a long shot and maybe we will get one star or who knows maybe we will get 20 or so. If that does not work we will start with our version of our own stars, the first being John McCormick, you know “my friend named John.”

Now how am I going to get the stars to read our request for assistance and to see if they want to have their own star on our sidewalk? Well we are going to (Continued on page 7)

Kermit the Frog's Star for television on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame is maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. In order for a person to get a star on the Walk of Fame, he or she must agree to attend a presentation ceremony within five years of selection, and a $15,000 fee must be paid to the Trust for costs such as security at the star ceremony; a 2003 FOX News story noted that the fee is typically paid by sponsors such as movie studios and record companies, as part of the publicity for a release with which the honoree is involved. On other occasions, the fee is paid by a fan club or the nominating person or organization.

However, controversy and mystery surrounds the way the "Stars" are nominated and approved, as discussed in a 2001 ABC News story that interviewed honorary Hollywood mayor Johnny Grant.

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 7

Volume IX, Issue 2

HOMELESSVOICE

Last month we started to really enhance our Burn that Mortgage Campaign. We did not do as good as we expected but in reality we did do good because anytime someone sends you a donation you are grateful even though you don’t make your goals. We are thankful for the people who helped us and for the people who could not help us out because we know their prayers are with us. We are getting there and we will indeed pay off this mortgage. So we ask you one more time to reach in and try to get others to help us meet our goal. In fact let’s all make a new goal. Look how much the friend’s column has grown over the years. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had to devote two whole pages to the friend’s column? Today we give you the challenge to bring five of your friends to our friend’s column so we can still keep on helping the ones who need help the most. Please remember it is going to be raining a lot during the next few months and we also need help with our rain budget.

This money is saved for rainy days so when the vendors are not out there raising money for the homeless we can pull from the rain conserved funds.

Please go to page 2 and follow the directions and let’s add some of your friends to this column.

(Continued from page 6)

send one copy of the Homeless Voice to everyone on Star Island. If that does not work we will put a few vendors very close to Star Island hoping that one of these famous stars will buy our paper and spread the word. Could

you be one of these people reading the Homeless Voice right now and are you a star?

Please shine upon our little homeless shelter making it a real nice place where the homeless can recover for many more years to come.

Who knows maybe one of our homeless will be known as from “Rags to Riches” and will be a star themselves one day….

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Fran Cox & Karen Kenyon

Top 5 Gifts for Valentine’s Day 1) Teddy Bear & Flowers or Living Plants Flowers as the language of love started back in the 1600's. They are still a powerful communication tool today.

2) Candles Candles usually signify romance. Buy several!

3) Godiva Chocolate Named after a "sympathetic wife, a lovely Saxon named Lady Godiva", these chocolates are considered by many to be the world's most elegant, hand-crafted chocolates.

4) Jewelry Do some research first to discover the type of jewelry your spouse wears so this trinket won't end up hidden away in the jewelry box.

5) Gift Certificates Use online gift certificates only if it is the very last minute and you are desperate! Better yet, make up your own certificate/ coupon for a short trip out of town together, or for a picnic or dinner and a movie out, or for a massage. Be creative.

Saint Valentine's Day Main Entry: Saint Val·en·tine's Day Function: noun Pronunciation: -'va-l&n-"tīnzEtymology: Saint Valentine died ab270 Italian priest : February 14 observed in honor of Saint Valentine and as a time for sending valentines

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Bob Hope's Star for Television on the Walk of Fame History The Walk of Fame was created in 1958 by southern Californian artist Oliver Weismuller, who was hired by the city to give Hollywood a "face lift". Many honorees received multiple stars during the initial phase of installation for contributions to separate categories; however, the practice in recent decades has been to honor individuals not yet represented, with only a handful of previous honorees being awarded additional stars. In 1978, the City of Los Angeles designated the Walk of Fame as a Cultural/Historic Landmark.

The Walk of Fame began with 2,500 blank stars. A total of 1,558 stars were awarded during its first sixteen months.

Since then, about two stars have been added per month. By 1994, more than 2,000 of the original stars were filled, and additional stars extended the Walk west past Sycamore to La Brea Avenue, where it now ends at the Silver Four Ladies of Hollywood Gazebo, (with stars honoring The Beatles and Elvis Presley).

Check Out What is Coming Your Way

very month the Homeless Voice will now print up The Homeless Voice Collectable Cards.

The first card was last months”Happy Holidays Card" featuring John McCormick. This was the first edition; the next card will be Item # 01. Each month if all goes well and the public likes the cards we will feature a homeless friend and tell you a little bit about them or they will share some of their great poetry with you.

Let us know if you like the cards by emailing us at HVcollectables@homelessvoice.org

Page 8

The Voice of the Homeless

HOMELESSVOICE

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Prayer Request: I understand the weather in Iraq is very difficult to bear right now. Our troops need our prayers for strength, endurance and safety.

The Cooperative Feeding Program is in desperate need of food for the com m unity food pantry.

•

•

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T he shelves are empty and we need to feed our co mmunity members that need just a litt le help.

P lease get with your church, optimi st clubs, schools, or social clubs and do a food drive so our little ones, seniors and individuals get some food in their bellies.

P lease call 954-792-2E A T www.F ee dingB roward .org

Learn how to start your ow n food pantry so your ow n group can do w hat w e do to help our poorest members of our community. G o to w w w.Training.cscBrow ard.org.

Project name: The Cupboard Is Bare.

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 9

Volume IX, Issue 2

HOMELESSVOICE We are in desperate need of cars, and freezers call the Homeless Voice Shelter 954-920-1277

Are you a health care provider and want to help the community?

COSAC has started the MRSA Task Force of South Florida Come join our task force and help your community Meetings are done once a month and most of the needs of this task force are done by email This way you can make progress and help your community and not have to spend every waking minute working on this project.

Contact Mark Targett at 954-410-6275 or email us at MRSA@Homelessvoice.org

Help Wanted Advertising Reps Call The Homeless Voice 954-410-6275

Cosac Hurricane & Safety Supplies 954-923-0441 • Skake-a-lite Batteryless Flashlights $16.00 -Shake by hand 20 times and it last for hours of continuous use • Cranking Batteryless Flashlights $13.00 • No Batteries NEEDED

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The Voice of the Homeless

HOMELESSVOICE Volunteering Pays Well (Continued from page 1)

dingbat! I would, like others around me, close my window, turn up my stereo, or continue talking on the phone, pretending not to see them.

That always worked, too. Just ignore them, and they'll go away.

They didn't go away.

I was downsized out of that job, which meant no more commuting through "Volunteer Avenue."

Yippee! My next job had me commuting via the interstate, where I would be halted under an overpass (or over an underpass...). There was a man in a wheelchair there every day, holding up a sign that said, "Will work for food." He had his leg blown off in Vietnam, his wife had left him and took the kids, and he had been turned down countless times for employment. The government didn't find him to be "disabled enough" in order to grant him assistance. I know this because, during a traffic jam, he approached me. He liked the song on my radio, which I had turned up in order to avoid him.

He asked for a cigarette. I gave him two, hoping he would leave me alone. Traffic didn't move, so I was stuck talking with him. In fact, we talked every Monday thru Friday from about 5:30PM until 5:45PM. I called him "Scruff Man" and he called me "La Diva". The conversation always started with, "Hey Diva, ya got a smoke?" or "Yo, Scruff! I can light your fire!" A couple times, I gave him the rest of my pack, gave him a few dollars here and there, and I started bringing him bottled water.

For those few minutes, we talked about how my day went, how his went, the weather, music - classic rock vs. rap, etc. Well, I got fired from that job, too. On the day I got fired, I knew I wouldn't see Scruffy for a while, so I went to McDonald's on the way home. Yes, I "supersized" the meal. I came up to the light, but he wasn't there. No sign of him anywhere. I made a uturn to check out the other side of the overpass, but nobody was there.

I'll never know what happened to him. I'll always remember him.

Okay, you can all sit down,

thank you, thank you, please sit down...

Now, when I go to visit my mom, I have to pass that same busy intersection I mentioned before. I always give what I can to the men and women risking heat stroke to collect money for the less fortunate.

I feel good. Especially when I look at the driver next to me with their windows closed, staring down at the dashboard, pretending not to see the vendors. But, I feel even better when I glance at my rear-view mirror and see the windows opening up, and the arms coming out. Is that all it takes?

One person to make everyone else feel like a jerk for being so selfish. I know how they feel, actually. I always felt so uncomfortable when the vendor would pass by my closed-up car. There are still those who have no sense of charity, however. Unfortunately, for them, they will never know how good it feels to offer a gift without expecting one in return.

The problem, I think, with people today, is that they don't feel appreciated enough. A simple "thank you" doesn't do it for most. They want the world as compensation for their everyday duty. They don't trust the sincerity of others, are always suspicious, and never sit down to realize what they have is not as nearly important as how they feel.

Having a million dollar mansion is useless if you have no friends to invite over. Earning a six-figure income is nothing, if you hate what you are doing to earn it. People who consider themselves to be "poor" still have a solid roof over their head, and basic cable. That's actually the "new poor", or "materialistically impoverished", for lack of a better term.

Everyone has financial problems, especially here, in South Florida. Rising property taxes, insurance rates, cost of living, and lack of employment opportunities are problems we all face. I know. I'm unemployed, and way behind on the bills.

I can't believe that the banks are still charging you for not having enough money in your account. Trying to find any financial help to give the

bloodsucking money-hogs their people, who have been blessed with money back is impossible because overwhelming assets, choose not you're marked with that stupid credit to utilize what they have, and why. rating if you happen to fall a little They have the money to help others, short one month. Because of that but choose not to. They can take a score, no creditor will trust you anyday off to volunteer for a just cause, more. "Ooooh, you missed a paybut choose not to. They may even ment? You're a bad, bad girl. We're have the power to influence others to not going to help you; we'll just let donate funds, properties, articles of you sink further into debt so we can clothing, food, or their time, but take your house choose not to, as away." Yeah, that's well. Why? They the solution every- “Everyone has financial don't see themselves one is looking for. problems, especially being appreciated It is getenough for their ting easier for me, here, in South Florida. efforts, or the fact at least, to under- Rising property taxes, that they are always thinking on the larstand how people "end up" homeless. insurance rates, cost of ger scale. It's ironic, I'm almost there. living, and lack of em- however, because of what could happen if Nobody wants to be homeless. Not ployment opportunities they would see beall homeless people are problems we all yond the status rewards, or even the are drug addicts. face.� monetary rewards Homeless people (give tons of money are not stupid, eito Greenpeace so the price of their ther. Most are well-educated or even stock goes up). If every Fortune 500 college graduates. They are just company would give one homeless unlucky. In the wrong place at the person a job, think about the impact wrong time, so to speak. Something that would have on the homeless happened that changed their lifecommunity in that area. There would style, and they could not find a way be less homeless people. If the exto get back into the circle. Probably ecutives of those companies would because they were continuously donate just $10 every paycheck to pushed out of that circle. Once AIDS research, we could have a cure you're out, it will take a lot of sooner. If the secretaries of those strength to force your way back in. executives were allowed to volunteer You already feel like crap, so selfa few days a month with Habitat for esteem is probably not your strength.

Humanity, we would have even It's often easier to believe the bad more homeless people off the streets, things that are said to you, than the and on their way back to a life they good. However, if you keep tuned in can be proud of. Whoa, executives to the good things, the bad will soon answering their own phones, and diminish. getting their own coffee? I know...

It's sad to think that Amerkeep dreaming. Better to give than ica is viewed as the richest country receive... not in the corporate handin the world. Yet, there are so many, book. However, the handbook of life like Scruff Man, that are still out still has many chapters on the subthere. Pledging their skills and talject. ents for a simple dinner. So many I'm glad to see the vendors whose illnesses cause them to haven't gone away. Many luxury choose between staying healthy or cars pass them by every day. They paying the rent. So many who had actually get more donations from homes, but, because of an unexthose of us who drive the average pected act of God, are now homeautomobile. There isn't an easy way less. In a world with so much adto change the thought process of the vancement in technology, it seems as eccentric professional in their BMW, if the simple tasks have been left to Cadillac, or Hummer. They'll just solve themselves. We have a car that probably continue to sit there, starcan parallel-park by itself, but we ing into the dashboard of their aircan not help a single mother feed her conditioned, justly deserved prize for baby. We've found a cure for accomplishment, be it ever-so-stuffy, "Restless Leg Syndrome", yet AIDS and ignore the chance to open the is still killing millions every year. window for a breath of fresh air.

The government is 3 trillion dollars -Nichole Sweeting in debt, but can still get loans to fight Unemployed, but still dropping a senseless war. I wonder what the change in the bucket.

U.S.'s credit score is.

I titled this article, "Volunteering Pays Well", not to suggest that it is a literal summation, but, instead, to emphasize how often

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 11

Volume IX, Issue 2

HOMELESSVOICE Broward teens meet homeless residents over meal in Fort Lauderdale

J

im Hanna, a homeless man, tried to hold back his tears inside the makeshift cafeteria at the Broward Boys & Girls Club on Saturday.

Tables covered with red and green tablecloths set the holiday tone for the uplifting songs and raps preceding the "Dignity Luncheon." Teens from other clubs, churches and activity groups applauded as about 50 homeless people strolled into the room to sit down. Teen waiters served their guests warm spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, cut green beans and slices of cake, then bused the tables.

"Such giving," said Hanna, 54, who has been attacked at least five times. "It's amazing. They are so beautiful."

The lunch was the initiative of a teenager, Jerry Gordon, who remembers what it's like to be rebellious, hanging out with other troubled, lawless youth. Gordon, 17, said he felt a kinship earlier this year with the teenagers who are accused of attacking homeless men in Broward County. But he also knew there is something wrong with the violence attributed to his peers.

"I felt like I had to do something," said Gordon, a Reitman Unit of Broward Boys & Girls Club member. "They had to be going through something. You don't just get up and beat up somebody."

Gordon came up with "Homeless Beatings -- The Lost Ones," a two-fold program looking to recruit teens into positive activities and improve the images teenagers and homeless residents have of one another. In early December, the

"Most of them are good people -- very polite, and respectful," said server Rothwell Robertson, 16. "I thought [before] that they were rude. I feel like I'm doing something positive."

Miami Dolphins Foundation and NFL Charities awarded him a $5,000 grant to implement his program.

Saturday's lunch was the first step. Gordon and 30 other teens served the lunches to homeless men and women.

The teens, too, were impressed.

"Most of them are good people -- very polite, and respectful," said server Rothwell Robertson, 16. "I thought [before] that they were rude. I feel like I'm doing something positive."

Gordon's goal of keeping teens away from trouble is paramount. Though now known for being the straight-laced president of northwest Fort Lauderdale's Keystone teen leadership initiative, basketball power forward, and motivating figure, Gordon did have run-ins with the law as a juvenile.

The death of his mother, Rochelle Butler, when he was 6 left Gordon looking for comfort and

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necessities with teens in the northwest area.

"Then, I felt miserable," said Gordon. "I'm willing to work hard to do whatever it takes not to be back in that situation."

When he was 13, Gordon moved in with his aunt Angela St. Hubert. In time, he changed his life and became involved in civic activities.

"After all the heartache [and] tears when he was rebellious, to me, it's just overwhelming," said St. Hubert.

An aspiring journalist and a student at Stranahan High School, Gordon wrote a call to action, encouraging teens to get involved in positive activities. He hoped it would be published in a local newspaper. While typing the project at the club, adults there encouraged him to expand his plan.

Gordon ended up researching homelessness online and visited shelters after school.

Then his mentors secretly submitted the final 19-page proposal to the Miami Dolphins Foundation.

"We hope [the program] will go national," said Vernon Dooling, area director for the Boys & Girls Club. "What Jerry said is we have to try to impact everybody. There's no range, no limit to where it can go."

Copyright (c) 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Visit SunSentinel.com

By Macollvie Jean-Francois South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Officer Reassigned Over Homeless Woman's Cart local6.com

Evans Pulled Shopping Cart Alongside Cruiser For 12 Miles BRADENTON, Fla. -- A police officer has been reassigned to front -desk duty after drawing cheers and jeers for saving a homeless woman's shopping cart full of belongings.

Patrol Officer Nicholas Evans, 26, was celebrated by homeless advocates after he pulled a packed shopping cart alongside his police cruiser for 12 miles to the jail after arresting its homeless owner on an outstanding warrant last week.

But the three-year veteran was widely ridiculed by peers and criticized by Chief Michael Radzilowski for failing to use common sense and not figuring out another way to save the woman's belongings.

He was reassigned to front -desk duty Tuesday while the incident is investigated further. Evans is not likely to be fired, the chief said.

"He believes what he did was right at the time," the officer's wife, Liz Evans, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Authorities have learned that Evans also dragged another shopping cart while driving after returning to duty later that night -violating a supervisor's order. The second incident involved an empty CVS pharmacy cart that he returned to the store.