January 2010 Houston Business Connections Newspaper by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS www.peopledoingbusiness.com

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Published By Aubrey R. Taylor • Serving The Houston Community Since 1998 •

Email: news@houston-businessconnections.com • PROMOTIONAL ISSUE!

‘THE PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW’ Former Presidents Join Obama in Plea for Haiti Relief By John J. Kruzel American Forces Press Service

resident Barack Obama’s two immediate predecessors have joined him in soliciting help on behalf of Haiti, the target of a massive international humanitarian relief operation following a magnitude 7 earthquake. As relief provisions continue to arrive at the devastated country, former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have agreed to lead a major fundraising push, lending their stature to the effort in hopes of sustaining international focus on the dire situation. “This is a model that works,” Obama said of the partnership, citing a precedent in which expresidents were able to channel support to Asia in the aftermath of a vast tsunami there. “That effort raised substantial resources for the victims of that disaster -- money PRESIDENT OBAMA that helped save lives, deliver aid, and rebuild communities. And that's exactly what the people of Haiti desperately need right now.” Speaking at the White House while continued on page, P.14 flanked by the two

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ, THE PRESIDENT OF HSW FINANCIAL SERVICES, CIVIL LITIGATOR ERICA GRAHAM, ALSO A CANDIDATE FOR HARRIS COUNTY CIVIL COURT-AT-LAW POSITION #1 JUDGE, BRYAN POWELL, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BOUNDLESS TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC., TOBY GRUBBS, VP OF OPERATIONS FOR THE TERRA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP, ATTORNEY RONALD REYNOLDS, ALSO A CANDIDATE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF HOUSE DISTRICT 27 IN FORT BEND COUNTY AND HIS WIFE DR. JONITA REYNOLDS, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION (GCCSA), (CENTER) MISSOURI CITY MAYOR ALLEN OWEN, AND CRAIG BELL ALONG WITH HIS WIFE VALENCIA BELL, FOUNDERS OF GENESIS NATIONAL HEALTH CARE, INC. • AUBREY MAGAZINE TO BE RELEASED • FEBRUARY 2010!

MOVING FORWARD PEOPLE MAKING MOVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

ENTERPRISE

tion, building on his previous efforts as a business development leader for immunization at Becton, Dickinson, and as senior health economist at the World Bank.

Spotlight on Recent National Appointments and Promotions

Sportz-N-Cutz Barber Shop Are you a barber looking to put your skills to work? Sportz-N-Cutz may be just the place you’ve been looking for. Check out information on LuVonda Petitt & Strode Churchwell • INSIDE ON PAGE • 33

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has appointed JAIME SEPULVEDA as senior fellow, GARY DARMSTADT as director of family health, and GIRINDRE BEEHARRY as director of strategy. Sepulveda was most recently director of integrated health solutions development at the foundation and previously held several senior health positions in the Mexican government, where he founded Mexico's National AIDS Council, designed the

Bill and Melinda Gates. Photo was taken by Kjetil Ree. country’s universal vaccination program, and created a national health surveillance system. Darmstadt served as the foundation’s deputy director of integrated health solutions, and earlier was the founding director of the

International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Beeharry previously served as deputy director for global health delivery at the founda-

The Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation has appointed DANIEL HUTTENLOCHER to its board. Huttenlocher, who is an author, scientific researcher, and recipient of twenty-four U.S. patents, is the John P. and Rilla Neafsey Professor of Computing, Information Science and Business at Cornell University, where he holds a joint appointment in

continued on page, P.14

Sale’ signs on your block; and, eventually, an #1 - Be a Smarter Consumer upswing in employment rates - what’s the best This wasn’t called the “Great Recession” way to react? Should we return to “business as for nothing. The unemployment rate reached its usual,” or should we use the expehighest level in 25 years. rience of the recession to guide our Many homeowners found WEALTH financial decisions going forward? themselves facing forecloHere are some suggessure. Consumers were caught tions on how to manage your financial life carrying too much debt. Even the country’s in a post-recession world: financial system required massive infusions of

government money to avoid a major crisis. As a consumer, your biggest lesson should be to remain vigilant about controlling your expenses, even as the economy brightens. If you found yourself falling deeper into debt during the recession, safeguard yourself from a similar fate this time around. Scrutinize your spending habits. – VIEW THE ENTIRE COLUMN BY VICTOR WALKER • INSIDE ON PAGE • 32

V I S I T W W W. H O U S T O N - B U S I N E S S C O N N E C T I O N S . C O M T O D O W N L O A D T H I S I S S U E !

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Thank You Very Much Mayor Allen Owen

would like to take this moment to thank Missouri City, Texas’ Mayor Allen Owen for welcoming Michelle Rodriguez, the President of HSW Financial Service, Civil Litigator Erica Graham, Bryan Powell, the President of Boundless Technical Services, Inc., Toby Grubbs, VP of Operations for the Terra Information Technology Group, Attorney Ronald Reynolds and his wife, Dr. Jonita Reynolds the Chief Executive Officer for the Gulf Coast Community Services Association, Craig Bell and his wife Valencia Bell, the founders of Genesis National HealthCare, Inc., recently at City Hall. Mayor Owen and this fine group of business leaders will be the focal point of the next issue of AUBREY “The People You Should Know” magazine. FOR INCLUSION CALL: 832.212.8735! This edition will be distributed in Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston County. ABOUT MAYOR ALLEN OWEN Mayor Allen Owen is Missouri City’s tenth mayor since the City’s incorporation back in 1956. Mayor Owen's profile shows his family's long term residence of over 30 years in the Missouri City community...a place he calls home. This is where Mayor Owen continues to dedicate much of his time and expertise towards the development of a community he and his wife of 41 years, Jane, reared their three children. Before his mayoral office, whose tenure began in 1994, Mayor Owen served as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for five years and later as a Council Member for eight years having also served as Mayor Pro Tem. PHOTO: Mayor Allen, greeting Attorney Ronald Reynolds, also a candidate for State Representative for House District 27 in Fort Bend County.

Meet two of the biggest supporters of the Aubrey R. Taylor Communications “People Doing Business Series” published inside Aubrey Magazine and Houston Business Connections Newspaper are Craig and Valencia Bell the founders of Genesis Home Care, Inc., the corporate headquarters is located at 8323 Southwest Freeway Suite #100 in Houston, Texas 77074. For more information call (713)933-0427 ABOUT GENESIS HOME CARE

Your home can and should be a special healing place…familiar and comfortable. Genesis Home Care provides a complete range of services for clients of all ages with a variety of needs. Genesis Home Care is a MediCare certified home care agency where the patient is our top priority. Genesis Home Care has a team of specialized health care personnel that provide skilled nursing, therapy, social and home care aide services under a care plan approved by the physician. Genesis Home Care has a team of top-notch professionals that work closely with the patient and the family to educate and provide instruction in all aspects of health care. We provide quality, compassionate and competent care in the comfort of your home. For more information about home health care provider services or for your medical equipment needs, please call Genesis today and make it the beginning of a new day! HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES • Diabetic Care • Wound Care • Nutrition • Medical Equipment • RNs & LVNs • Home Care Aides • Physical Therapy • Medication Reminders • Lab Work • Transportation • Provider Services • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Social Services Genesis Home Care Inc. accepts Medicare, Private Pay, Medicaid and Some Private Insurance.

JANUARY 2010 EDITION! Houston Business Connections Newspaper is published by AUBREY R. TAYLOR. All right reserved. No articles may be copied, rewritten, published, or otherwise distributed without the prior written approval of the publisher. For special requests please call: 832.783.1113 or call the publisher directly at: 832.212.8735.

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ABOUT GRAHAM: • Erica Graham is running for Harris County Civil Court-at-Law Position #1 to improve the civil justice system. • Erica Graham is a civil litigator in Houston for the past 12 years, Erica has worked for two nationally recognized law firms - Fulbright & Jaworski and Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman - and as counsel for Chevron. • Erica Graham has represented clients in both state and federal courts in Texas in litigation involving toxic tort and environmental law, employment law, personal injury law, oil and gas law and general commercial litigation. • Erica Graham has been recognized for doing high quality work preparing cases for trial, identifying settlement possibilities, benefiting client organizations, considering cost implications, and explaining complex legal options and technical issues to opposing counsel and clients. • Erica Graham also has a proven track record of collaborating and working productively with managers, clients, judges, opposing counsels, other attorneys, legal staff and juries. • Erica Graham believes the people of Harris County deserve judges who are committed to providing the best quality service they can to the people they serve. • Erica Graham believes the judiciary should reflect the community it serves and should emphasize fairness, impartiality, and a spirit of excellence. • Erica Graham is committed to customer service, running a well organized and efficient courtroom, minimizing docket backlog, and reducing the time between the filing of a case and its final adjudication. • Erica Graham believes that every citizen has a right to have his or her case heard before a fair and unbiased judge.

W W W. E M G R A H A M F O R J U D G E . C O M POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR BY THE ERICA GRAHAM CAMPAIGN, BESSIE B. NASH, TREASURER, P. O. BOX 440683, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77244, WHO IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY LIMITS OF THE JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN FAIRNESS ACT.

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About Shawn Thierry’s Platform ur civil courtrooms directly affect the lives of American people and businesses every day. Everyone who steps into a courtroom deserves a just legal outcome. Open ears, impartiality and respect for the rule of law are the qualities and values which Shawn Thierry will bring to the bench. Lawyers and their clients will have a better opportunity for their cases to be heard in a fair and unbiased manner so that justice is served in each case. Shawn Thierry seeks to ensure that trial procedures, bench rulings, and final orders are applied according to the facts, and consistently with all relevant and binding case precedent. Shawn Thierry believes that balance is required to ensure that justice is achieved. Plaintiffs must have an open forum to present the facts of their case from the initial filing, to discovery, and closing argument. Defendants deserve a fair playing field to adequately defend themselves and refute the facts alleged against them in each case. Electing Shawn Thierry will help bring back the balance that is needed in our civil jurisprudence system. She will deliver justice by applying the law fairly to all the litigants who come before the court seeking redress and resolution. VOTE FOR SHAWN THIERRY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ON TUESDAY, MARCH 2ND!

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MESSAGE HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT THE BAYOU CITY “OUR FUTURE HAS NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER,” - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS - 832.212.8735!

HOUSTON

Annise Parker CURRENT

Two brothers, J.K. and A.C. Allen, founded Houston on August 30, 1836 just a few months after the end of the Texas War for Independence. They named the new settlement for the hero of that war, General Sam Houston. rom 1841 to 1939, Houston municipal government was headquartered at Old Market Square, on a site donated to the City by Houston's founder, the Allen brothers. The City Hall on Market Square was destroyed by fire in the 1870's, and again in 1901, and rebuilt each time. City Hall in those days was part of the lively commercial atmosphere of Market Square. City offices were located on the second floor of the municipal building. The first floor tenant was a fish market. By the 1920's, it had become apparent that these facilities were no longer adequate for the municipal government. In 1927, voters approved by wide margins bond issues for the construction of a new Civic Center ($1.4 million) and a new City Hall ($1 million). In 1929, a report by the City planning Commission urged the establishment of a Civic Center - a downtown area of architecturally-coordinated buildings and parks. The Planning Commission was chaired by Will C. Hogg, son of Texas Governor James Hogg and the developer of the River Oaks residential area. The Planning Commission report suggested establishing the Civic center around Hermann Square and recommended the construction of a new City Hall (or City-County Building) at Bagby between Walker and McKinney, on the site currently occupied by the City Hall Annex. During the Depression, plans for constructing the City Hall were temporarily sidetracked. In 1933, however, the City applied for a federal Public Works Administration grant to help finance the construction of a new City Hall. Straw votes on building a new City Hall were taken in 1933, 1934 and 1935, In 1934 voters rejected a proposition to build the City Hall, but also voted that if one were to be built, it should be put on the Civic Center site rather than at Market Square. On August 8, 1937, the City Hall W.P.A. grant was approved. The City Commission authorized the taking of bids on the City Hall bond funds originally approved in 1927. Mayor R.H. Fonville and the Commissioners also passed an ordinance designating the west end of Martha Hermann Square as the site of the new City Hall. In October 1937 the City Commissioners awarded the City Hall architectural contract to Joseph Finger. Finger, an Austrian-born architect, had designed the William Penn Hotel, the Montgomery County Courthouse in Conroe and the Temple Beth Israel, among other buildings. Finger received the contract over the objections of Mayor Fonville, who wanted it awarded to architect A.C. Finn, designer of Jefferson Davis Hospital. The construction contract was awarded to Bates Construction Company. Fonville also objected to no avail to Finger's "ultra-modern" building design for City Hall. The mayor said he wanted the building to conform architecturally to the City Library and the site of the former Sam Houston Coliseum, located on either side of the proposed building. Finger called this an impossible task, since the Library and Coliseum were each built in a different style. "Here in America we are rapidly developing our own type of architecture which is far above that of foreign countries," Finger told the Mayor and Commissioners. "We are building for the masses, not the classes," he added. The City Commission voted to accept his plans. The project hit a snag when Lawrence Settegast sued to block the sale of the City Hall bonds. The bonds had been approved for construction of a City Hall on the Market Square site, he argued. He also objected on the grounds the City did not have sufficient property tax revenues to support the sale of the bonds. The Texas Supreme Court decided the suit in the City's favor, and the bonds were sold at an interest rate of 2.5 percent. Construction began on March 7, 1938. The cornerstone was laid on October 1, 1938. A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone, containing a Bible, copies of the City charter, Houston's

F Bill White 2004 - 2010

Lee P. Brown 1998-2004

Bob Lanier 1992-1998

Kathy Whitmire 1982-1991

Jim McConn 1978-1981

continued on page, P.6

Contact Information for Mayor Annise D. Parker: PHONE: 3-1-1, or 713.837.0311 I EMAIL: mayor@cityofhouston.net

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MESSAGE HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT THE BAYOU CITY “HOUSTON’S FUTURE IS SHINNING BRIGHT” - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS - 832.212.8735!

HOUSTON three daily newspapers and the City Auditor's report for 1937. The construction job took 20 months. Work was finished in July 1939. The work was done by 100% A.F. of L. union labor. Wages on the job site ranged from 40 cents an hour to 1.85 an hour. An estimated 800,000 hours of labor were expended on the job. The Mayor and City Commissioners moved from the old City Hall to the new one on December 3, 1939. The old building was converted to a bus terminal. It was destroyed by fire in 1960. Total cost of the new City Hall, including landscaping and furniture, was estimated at $1,670,000. Forty-five percent of the cost was covered by the W.P.A. grant. Landscaping was done by the Japanese Nursery, 7200 Lawndale. The $28,000 electrical fixtures contract went to Livers Lighting and Bronze Company, Kansas City, Missouri. $80,000 worth of furniture and office equipment was purchased from the Thomas Watson Company, Jamestown, N.Y. An additional $17,000 in office equipment was purchased from the Willhide Equipment Company. Basement offices, originally used for a tobacco stand and coffee shop, were built by Brown Construction Company. The doors to the building are of a specially cast aluminum. In the grillwork above the main entrances are aluminum medallions of the "great lawgivers" from ancient times to the founding of America: Akhenaten, Julius Caesar, Moses, Charlemagne, King John and Thomas Jefferson. The lobby is walled with lightly veined marble. The entrances to the Tax Department are inlaid with bronze, nickel and silver. All elevator lobbies are treated with marble base, walls and wainscoting. Wood trim and wood doors are of figured gum, a Texas product. The 1940 Directory noted that "all floors of the building are served by two high-speed elevators. The cabs are of walnut and prima vera panels with concealed troughs of nickel and bronze." City Hall also was one of the first totally air-conditioned office buildings in Houston. An article in the December 3, 1939, Houston Chronicle described the Mayor's Office. "His large business office is tastefully decorated with a beige rug and apple green draperies. His desk and other office furniture are of a modern design and of imported koan wood, with teakwood and ebony inlay, trimmed in aluminum. Some of the chairs are upholstered in apricotcolored leather," the story continued. "The lounge and easy chairs are upholstered in fabric to match the draperies. The walls are of walnut paneling." A marble stairway and aluminum railing lead from the basement to the third floor. The City Council chambers on the second floor are constructed of walls of blond walnut with panels of natural walnut. A horseshoe table faces the leather-upholstered seats for the public. The chamber is capable of seating more than 200 spectators. Above the lobby entrance facing the reflecting pool in Hermann Square is a stone sculpture depicting two men taming a wild horse. This represents men uniting in government to control the chaotic forces of nature. The plaster cast for this sculpture, and twenty-seven casts for friezes around the building, were done by Beaumont artist Herring Coe and co-designer Raoul Jassett. Ringing the building above the windows on the first floor are friezes depicting the Industries of Houston. Above the tenth floor windows are friezes portraying the functions of municipal government. Crowning the building are friezes of the head of the Texas bobcat. For their work, Coe and Jassett were paid $2,200. The Mural on the ceiling of the first floor lobby was painted by commercial artist Donald MacMorris of Kansas City. The mural depicts industry, culture, law and municipal administration in Houston. In one panel a man appears to be wearing a Confederate officer's uniform under his cape. Colors of dusty pink, saffron and rosy red were used to blend with the marble and the soft lighting in the lobby. The centerpiece of the mural is a plaster relief of the Western hemisphere, with the star of Houston in the center. The relief is surrounded by the signs of the zodiac. Local artists Grace Spaulding and John and Ruth Uhler assisted in painting the mural. Herbert Schneider of Houston did the gold-leafing. The artists were paid $6,000 for their work. The Houston City Directory of 1940 called the City Hall the "realization of a dream of a lifetime." The more irreverent Houston Press noted that the building featured "a private elevator for the Mayor, shower baths for the City Councilmen and private passageways for officials so they may dodge crowds." The ground floor of City Hall now is home to the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and its Visitors Center. Houston's City Government has over 500 buildings utilized by the over 23,000 City employees. The core of this local government is located in the downtown Civic Center. This includes City Hall and the Annex, the Central Public Library, the Hobby Center, Jones Hall, the Wortham Theater, George R. Brown Convention Center, Tranquillity Park, Sam Houston Park, and Hermann Plaza. Located north of Interstate 45 from the Hobby Center site is the Police Station with the Municipal Courts Building next door. continued from page, P.5

Fred Hofheinz 1974 - 1977

Louie Welch 1964 - 1973

Lewis Cutrer 1958-1963

Oscar Holcombe 1956 - 1957

Roy Hofheinz 1953-1955

• CITY COUNCIL • Council Member Brenda Stardig District A City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3010 FAX: 832.395.9500 districta@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Edward Gonzalez District H City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3003 FAX: 713.247.1252 districth@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Jarvis Johnson District B City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3009 FAX: 713.247.2707 districtb@cityofhouston.net

Council Member James G. Rodriguez District I City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3011 FAX: 713.247.3067 districti@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Anne Clutterbuck District C City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3004 FAX: 832.393.3239 districtc@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Stephen C. Costello At-Large Position #1 City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3014 FAX: 832.393.3347 atlarge1@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Wanda Adams District D City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3001 FAX: 832.393.3201 districtd@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Sue Lovell At-Large Position #2 City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3013 FAX: 713.247.2580 atlarge2@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Mike Sullivan District E City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3008 FAX: 832.393.3279 districte@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Melissa Noriega At-Large Position #3 City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3005 FAX: 832.393.3251 atlarge3@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Al Hoang District F City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3002 FAX: 713.247.1851 districtf@cityofhouston.net

Council Member C.O. "Brad" Bradford At-Large Position #4 City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3012 FAX: 713.247.1424 atlarge4@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Oliver Pennington District G City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3007 FAX: 713.247.3250 districtg@cityofhouston.net

Council Member Jolanda "Jo" Jones At-Large Position #5 City Hall Annex 900 Bagby, 1st Floor Houston, TX 77002 Phone: 832.393.3006 FAX: 713.247.2998 atlarge5@cityofhouston.net

The Role Of City Council Member In Houston: The City Council is the City's legislative body, with the power to enact and enforce all ordinances and resolutions. Nine Council Members are elected from districts and five are elected at-large, by all voters of the City. The fourteen members of Council, along with the Mayor, act only by ordinance, resolution or motion. They adopt and may alter the annual budget and confirm the Mayor's appointments. Council is responsible for the appropriation and issuance of bonds, the awarding of contracts and the approval of City expenditures over $25,000. Council may lease or dispose of the City's real estate and may levy assessments against property. Council determines its own rules of procedure, and its meetings are open to the public. Fourteen Council Members are elected every two years, in odd-numbered years. Council Members are limited to serving three terms of two years each, with each term beginning on January 2 of the even-numbered year. Five Council Members are elected At-Large, or city-wide, while the other nine are elected to geographic districts of roughly the same proportion of population. According to the City Charter, once the population of the City of Houston exceeds 2.1 million, expected for the 2010 census, two more geographic council districts will be added.

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“My extensive State and Federal Court experience, along with my life experience, has prepared me to be the best qualified candidate to serve the citizens of Harris County as the Judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law #9.”

• Silvia Pubchara-Munoz •

EXPERIENCE:

• FORMER ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FORT BEND COUNTY • APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR ANN RICHARDS TO A COMMITTEE TO ESTABLISH PROSECUTOR STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES • 22 YEARS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE EXCLUSIVELY HANDLING CRIMINAL CASES IN BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100 • Houston, Texas 77046 • 713.222.9300 •

email: spubchara@comcast.net www.SilviaForJudge.com In voluntary Compliance with the Judicial Fairness Act. Political Adv. paid for by the Silvia Pubchara-Munoz campaign, Jim Garcia, Treasurer.

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WE CAN WORK WITH ALMOST ANY BUDGET...I WANT TO BE YOUR “I.T.” GUY! When it comes to our business, we offer our customers a powerful resource and a recipe for success. Here are just a few of our services: • We Have Monthly Managed Service Contracts • Project-based Consulting • Virus Removal • PC Repair • Hardware Installation • Onsite Training • Software Installation/Configuration • Small Business Consulting • General Technology Consulting • Web-based Training • Custom Application Development • Website Development • 832.203.5811 CALL US! 2616 South Loop West Ste. 525 I Houston, Texas 77054 • www.BoundlessTechnical.com

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Galveston matters, and we need a Mayor who will make sure this message is clearly heard: Galveston is more than a storm ravaged Island with a history; it is an iconic Texas coastal community with a future.

This campaign is meaningful because of your interest and support. So, freely share your ideas. Send me an email, mail me a letter or call me. Better yet, look for me in Island neighborhoods, churches, businesses and restaurants. I will be there to listen and respond. Let’s discuss what we’d like to see in Galveston’s future. Our past made us grand, but our future will make us great. One Galveston. Onward!

Ike badly damaged our homes and lives, but as a community we’re determined to recover together. There’s no place like Galveston, and it’s vital that our generation shows the same courage and resolve that Galvestonians in 1900 showed when faced with the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding. We owe it to those who came before us - and of course to those who will follow - to summon our finest effort. I’m running to be your next Mayor because I want to work for you every day to show the world that Galveston’s best days are ahead. The 2010 election is our opportunity to make things right, so let’s take this positive and historic step together. We are all Galvestonians - One Galveston - and it’s time for Galveston’s future to make us proud. I ask you to join me in this campaign for Galveston’s future. You can start by exploring the Jaworski for Galveston Mayor website: @ www.JoeForGalveston.com, I explain my position on our major issues. You can also sign up for campaign updates, learn of upcoming events and join our growing list of supporters.

305 21st Suite 222 • Galveston, Texas 77550

409.771.7139

Vote for Joe on Saturday, May 8, 2010!

“ N E W V I S I O N A N D E N E R G Y F O R G A LV E S T O N ” Political advertisement paid for by Friends of Joe Jaworski. Paul Neff, Treasurer 10 •

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MESSAGE HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT GALVESTON ISLAND “GALVESTON’S FUTURE IS SHINNING BRIGHT” - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS - 832.212.8735!

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas (far right) discussing recovery efforts with FEMA shortly following Hurricane Ike.

A Brief History of The Island

adopted in 1961. The Texas Maritime Academy, Galveston College, and the Marine Biomedical Institute were established. The first container terminal opened in 1972. Rosenberg Library was expanded. The Galveston County Cultural Arts Council was founded. A 40 block residential historical district was established in the east end; and the Strand area and a number of notable buildings were placed on the National Register. Galveston Today : The City of Galveston is located on the upper Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico and occupies virtually all of a 32 mile long island located approximately two miles off the Texas mainland 50 miles southeast of Houston, Texas. Principal economic support is provided by the Port of Galveston and related interest, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and other health institutions, financial institutions, tourism, shrimping, and fishing. Tourism Information: For additional Galveston Tourism Information, visit Galveston.com, the official website of The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.

he City of Galveston was chartered in 1839. The role of Galveston as the principal port and gateway to the Southwest during the 19th Century has placed the entire city in a unique position in relation to the history of Texas. The city furnished shipping, goods, money, and transportation necessary to settle the State, nurture its Lyda Ann Thomas: trade and help accomplish About The Current Mayor: The mother of four grown children and proud its independence.

In 1836, Michael Menard, bought "one league and a labor of land" from the Republic of Texas. He helped organize the Galveston City Company in 1838. From 1840 to 1870, the city was a major immigration port for over a quarter million Europeans. Texas' secession from the Union and the Civil War halted development temporarily. The mid 1870s to the mid 1890s was the apex of Galveston's prosperity. The Strand area became the Wall Street of the Southwest. Fortunes were made in cotton, mercantile house, banks, publishing and printing, flour and grain mills, railroads, land development and shipping. In 1891, the University of Texas Medical Branch was established. The boom period of the "Queen City of the Gulf" ended with the great 1900 storm which killed 6,000 and left 8,000 homeless. After the storm, the 16-foot-high, 17-footwide seawall was begun. The first section was completed in 1904. Behind it, 2,200 structures were raised an average of five feet. In 1914, the Houston Ship Channel was deepened which took much of Galveston's trade. From 1924 to 1957, until a crackdown by the state attorney general's office, Galveston was primarily known as a wideopen port city where gambling and all sorts of amusements could be found. During World War II, the island had an air base where B-17's received their final briefing before leaving for the Pacific. In the 1960's and early '70s, there were forward looking innovations in Galveston. The council-manager form of government was

grandmother of two grandsons (Quinn Kempner Quigley and Kadin Redmond Quigley), Thomas is a Galveston native with deep roots and a passionate commitment to her community. She is president of Thomas & Company of Galveston, Inc. which manages real estate and investments. Elected to City Council in 1998, Thomas served her three - term limit as representative for District 4. In 2004 she was elected Mayor of the City of Galveston, was re-elected in 2006 and in 2008. As council member and as mayor, she has pursued a steady course of infrastructure improvements, economies at city hall, enhancement of quality of life for all citizens, business growth and sustainable development, beautification of the city and preservation of the environment. Thomas has served on dozens of city boards and committees, chief among them being the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, The Wharf Board, Landmark Commission, Commission for the Arts, Arts and Historical Preservation Board, Broadway Development Commission, East end Flats Release Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Seawall Overlay Committee, Housing Redevelopment Committee, Housing Finance Corporation. Thomas has served as Chairman and board member/trustee of the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, The Mainland Center Hospital Board, Galveston Partnership for Better Living, The Neighborhood Housing Initiative, Galveston Island Nature Tourism Board, the Boys & Girls Club of Galveston County as

well as the Park Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Historic Strand District, and the

Tarris L. Woods District #1 Phone Numbers: (409) 771-3478 Dr. Linda Colbert District #2 Phone Number: (409) 797-3510 Elizabeth Beeton District #3 Phone Numbers: (409) 692-0698 Susan Fennewald, District #4 Phone Numbers: (409) 392-1413 Danny Weber, Sr. District #5 Phone Numbers: (409) 744-7025 Karen Mahoney District #6 Phone Numbers: (409) 370-9831 Galveston Morning Kiwanis Club. As mayor, she serves on the executive committee of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership. She is chairman of the East End Lagoon Preservation Steering Committee. Her individual philanthropies and those of her family's Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund are numerous, having as their primary focus the needs and aspirations of Galvestonians, the recipients being organizations or individuals that represent Galveston charities and the arts, as well as addressing educational, cultural, environmental, religious and recreational needs. Her leadership and unstinting work for the community have not gone unnoticed. She has received many honors, including being named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, the American Heart Association Heart Ball Honoree, the Arts Center Honoree, Beacon of Hope Award from Catholic

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Charities, the Downtown Renaissance Hall of Fame Award, the Spirit of Elissa Award from the Galveston Historical Foundation, the Community Enrichment Award from the Grand 1894 Opera House, the Pacesetter and Quality of Life Awards from Clean Galveston, the People of Vision Award (with her family) from Prevent Blindness, the Brotherhood Award from Reedy Chapel AME Church, the Helping Hands Award from Public, Inc. As Galveston's mayor, Thomas has been acknowledged nationwide for her leadership and stewardship of the citizens during the Hurricane Rita evacuation in 2005 and for her efforts since Rita to plan, prepare and be ready to respond and recover from any future disaster. In 2006 she was chosen to make a presentation on preparedness at the Kennedy School in Boston. She received the 2007 National Blueprint Best Practices Award from the National Council on Readiness & Preparedness. Lessons learned from Rita served the Mayor well when Ike set his eye on Galveston and came ashore the night of September 12-13, 2008. Ike has opened a new chapter in Galveston's long history of contending with Mother Nature. The minute Hurricane Ike entered the Gulf of Mexico, the Mayor was at the helm, helping to alert citizens to impending danger and with the aid of the City Manager, marshalling volunteers and the staff at the City. As the tide rose, even though the hurricane was not expected to exceed a Category II, fearing a tidal surge, she called for a mandatory evacuation. Lives were saved, but property took a severe and costly beating. Like her Grandfather Isaac Harris Kempner, ironically called “Ike,” who led in the recovery after the 1900 Storm, Lyda Ann Thomas is charged with the responsibility to help the city and the region recover, remediate and prepare again for the next storm season. She has been unflagging in her efforts to secure funding for infrastructure, housing, business recovery, citizen needs, and city operations, testifying before a number of federal and state panels regarding the City and UTMB' s requirements for recovery. She is a member of the Board of Directors of The Houston-Galveston Area Council and serves as Chairman of the H-GAC Hurricane Ike Recovery Committee. Through her recovery activities and efforts to beautify the city and better the lives of citizens, the Mayor has brought national attention to Galveston. She was selected to attend the Mayors Institute on City Design in Charleston, SC in 2006 and was invited to make presentations about her vision for Galveston to the American Association of Architects Convention in San Antonio and the American Association of Landscape Architects in San Francisco in 2007. She has been instrumental in saving the Bishop's Palace and seeing to its management by the Galveston Historical Foundation. She has helped insure that the East End Lagoon Preserve be forever wild and developed into an educational, recreational resource for the public's use and benefit. To address particular issues the Mayor has instituted a series of Round Tables, one on affordable housing, another on senior citizens and disabled concerns, and another on mental health, crime, addiction and recovery in our community. She established a Mayor's Ad Hoc Committee on Race Relations. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, Thomas created the Mayor's Citizen Response Team to coordinate the evacuation of special needs individuals, which was put to the test a few weeks later when Rita forced Galveston to evacuate. Because of her public and civic endeavors, she was given the BRAVO Award by the League of Women Voters in 2005, was selected as Public Elected Official of the Year 2005,recognized as the Galvestonian of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and Citizen of the Year by the Galveston County Daily News in 2006. Lyda Ann Thomas continues to put her abundant energies into helping to make Galveston a better place to live, work and raise children. Helping to steer the City's government so that it better serves the needs of the citizens is her number one priority.

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SNAPSHOTS

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY FOCUS

EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735!

Port of Houston Authority - PHA Chairman James Edmonds & Walt Niemand, president, of West Gulf Maritime Association - WGMA.

Maritime Transportation, the New Flagship Study for TSU

The new program also allows the university to partner with the vital public component of the Port of Houston (POHA), one of the

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region’s main employers, while creating a program that will not only positively impact Texas Southern students, but also expose area high school students to maritime employment opportunities. The Maritime Transportation Management and Security program illustrates Texas Southern’s move toward becoming one of the nation’s leading, urban-serving educational institutions, TSU officials say. This program is a significant step toward giving better access to maritime careers by tying into both the TSU and POHA existing partnerships with area high schools, including a high school maritime academy program that POHA is developing with industry partners. “Recently, there has been a global call for an infusion of prepared workforce into the maritime industry,” POHA Chairman James T. Edmonds says. “This partnership integrates the resources of two dynamic Houston institutions committed to advancing education, commerce and improving quality of life. The success of this program will reap benefits that will be felt locally, nationally and around the world.” Students at the undergraduate level will be prepared to move into the workforce or pursue advanced study at the master’s level in associated academic fields, including the master’s in transportation at Texas Southern University. Further, students at the graduate level will be qualified to go into managerial or advanced positions or pursue doctoral studies for subsequent careers in research, teaching and other such areas and will create the next

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generation of faculty for future workforce needs in the industry. For more information contact Dr. Lei Yu at (713) 313-7282, or email yu_lx@tsu.edu. ABOUT TSU Texas Southern University was founded in 1926 and became a state institution in 1947. Texas Southern possesses an impressive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, a diverse faculty, more than 80

Texas Southern has served as a cornerstone for developing the greatest potential in leaders from various socioeconomic, cultural, and racial backgrounds. Texas Southern is located in the heart of the city, giving its students and faculty easy access to the Museum District, neighboring educational institutions, the Texas Medical Center, downtown Houston, two major airports and all of the city’s major freeways. More than 9,487 students, along with nearly 1,500 faculty

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exas Southern University now offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Transportation Management and Security. This degree will prepare and train people needed for maritime transportation careers. Students will study the key issues in maritime transportation and port operations, and prepare for careers in maritime transport and logistics, maritime infrastructure engineering and management, port management and operations, security of port facilities, and environmental protection. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Maritime Transportation Management and Security addresses three highly prioritized national needs: logistics, security, and environment in a single curriculum.

“

Recently, there has been a global call for an infusion of prepared workforce into the maritime industry,” POHA Chairman James T. Edmonds says. “This partnership integrates the resources of two dynamic Houston institutions committed to advancing education, commerce and improving quality of life. The success of this program will reap benefits that will be felt locally, nationally and around the world.

student organizations, and an alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage. Nestled upon a sprawling 150-acre campus,

and staff comprise the University’s community making it one of the nation’s largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). For more information, visit www.tsu.edu.

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EYE ON THE PRESIDENT

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Former Presidents Join Obama in Plea for Haiti Relief continued from page, P.1 former presidents, Obama said each passing day since the Jan. 12 quake makes clearer the scope of the catastrophe, exposing a level of destruction and suffering that defies comprehension. The Red Cross estimates between 40,000 and 50,000 people were killed in what one official has called one of the greatest humanitarian emergencies in the history of the Americas. “That's why thousands of American personnel -- civilian and military -- are on the scene,” Obama said, “working to distribute clean drinking water and food and medicine, and thousands of tons of emergency food supplies are arriving every day.” The Defense Department has authorized up to $20 million in immediate aid to Haiti, and the nation's top military officer

BUSH

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estimated that up to 10,000 U.S. troops would be in Haiti in the coming week. The addition of the two former presidents elevates the prominence of the U.S. effort, a symbol that Obama said he hopes will carry international reverberations. The official Web site of the fund, http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org, accepts donations and contains more information on the effort. “By coming together in this way, these two leaders send an unmistakable message

to the people of Haiti and to the people of the world: In these difficult hours, America stands united,” he said. “We stand united with the people of Haiti, who have shown such incredible resilience, and we will help them to recover and to rebuild.” Obama said enlisting the help of Bush and Clinton would help to maintain focus on the needs of those affected in Haiti. “What these gentlemen are going to be able to do is when the news media starts seeing its attention drift to other things, but there's still enormous need on the ground, these two gentlemen of extraordinary stature I think are going to be able to help ensure that these efforts are sustained,” he said. “And that's why it's so important, and that's why I'm so grateful that they agreed to do it.”

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE continued from page, P.1 the computer science department and the Johnson Graduate School of Management. The Mott Foundation in Flint, Michigan, has promoted MARY A. GAILBREATH to director of grants administration and assistant treasurer, succeeding Jim L. Krause, who has retired after thirty-one years with the foundation. Gailbreath joined the foundation in 2002 as grants manager, after working for Arthur Andersen LLP and a family owned real estate development company. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in New York City has appointed ANDREW BOWMAN as program director for the environment. Bowman has been a member of the foundation's environmental program for the last five years serving as the director of the Climate Change Initiative. Prior to his work with the foundation, he practiced law with the nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife and at the law firm Perkins Coie. The San Francisco-based James Irvine Foundation has appointed PETER J.TAYLOR as board chair and VIRGIL ROBERTS as a board member. Taylor succeeds Gary Pruitt, the president, CEO and chairman of the McClatchy Company, who has retired from the board. An investment banker, Taylor most recently served as managing director with Barclays Capital. He has also served as executive director of the Coro Foundation and worked for six years on the staff of the California State Assembly. Roberts is the managing partner and cofounder of the law firm Bobbitt & Roberts and previously worked as a civil rights attorney. The Bush Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota has named JENNIFER ALSTAD as director. Alstad is president and cofounder of bswing, a consulting firm, and worked previously with the Kettering Foundation as a research fellow and as a program associate at the Institute for National Policy Research in Taipei, Taiwan. In other news, the Pittsburghbased Laurel Foundation has named ELIZABETH TATA as president. Prior to joining the foundation in 2001, where she most recently served as vice president and board secretary, she worked in a variety of administrative and supervisory positions with Alcoa.

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FEBRUARY 1ST - LAST DAY TO REGISTER

FEBRUARY 16TH - FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING

MARCH 2ND - ELECTION DAY

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

am answering the call for the 281st to make a difference. I am the daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico and Argentina who came to this country in search of a better life. I grew up with a fervent believe in the American Dream that I could not reconcile with the inequality and injustice that I also observed. I became an advocate for social justice and equality at a young age and decided to become a lawyer though no one else in my family had ever been. I studied and worked hard over the years, and after practicing law for over a decade, I own my own law firm, Nagorny & Stipeche, P.C., but in my heart, I have always wanted to serve the community. I am a Democratic candidate for the 281st Civil District Court in Harris County. I will strive to be fair, impartial, and independent, but I will also serve with compassion and understanding. I will enthusiastically participate in programs that benefit the citizens of Harris County. New ideas are critical in this changing world, and I offer my unique life and legal experiences for the 281st Civil District Court. I thank you for your support and vote. ENDORSEMENTS: Juliet Stipeche has been endorsed by the Coalition of Harris County Democratic Elected Officials that includes Representative Senfronia Thompson, Representative Armando Walle, Senator John Whitmire, Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, Commissioner El Franco Lee, Constable Gary Freeman, Senator Rodney Ellis, Representative Garnet Coleman, Congressman Gene Green, Senator Mario Gallegos, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Representative Jessica Farrar, Representative Alma Allen, Constable May Walker, Representative Hubert Vo, Representative Ana Hernandez, Representative Ellen Cohen, and Representative Carol Alvarado. -------------------------------------------------------She has also been endorsed by the Harris County Tejano Democrats and Dos Centavos.

WWW.StipecheforJudge.com I 4314 YOAKUM BOULEVARD I HOUSTON, TEXAS 77006 I 713.520.6667 P O L I T I C A L A D V.

PA I D

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J U L I E T

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C A M PA I G N ,

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Attorney Making A Positive Difference oe Jaworski combines a celebrated family tradition of public service with a deep faith in the power of individuals to make a positive difference in their communities. Jaworski served three terms on the Galveston City Council, where he earned a reputation for insisting on strict financial accountability to hold the line on new taxes while safeguarding vital services. First elected in 2000, he was re-elected in 2002 and then again in 2004 as Mayor ProTem. He stepped down in May 2006 under the city's term limits law. In 2005, Jaworski helped lead the team that faced Hurricane Rita and won

praise for his role in that region's emergency preparation and response to the devastating storm. Born in Houston on the day Texas prepared to mark its 126th year of independence, Jaworski earned his bachelor's from North Carolina's Davidson College and his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in 1991 and won honors for his mock trial work and was elected to the prestigious Order of Barristers. Jaworski served as law clerk to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge John Brown, practiced maritime law on behalf of numerous shipping and energy companies, and has worked to defend individuals' rights against special interests throughout his career. He is currently a partner in The Jaworski Law Firm, headquartered in

Galveston, and specializes in representing maritime clients in state and federal courts around the country. A former chairman of the City of Galveston Ethics Commission and a Trustee of both Galveston’s Park Board and Wharves Board, Jaworski is a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum and a director of the Texas Lyceum. He is a longtime member of the Galveston County Democratic Party and serves on the board of directors of the Children's Center. He is also a member of the University of Texas

Medical Branch's Community Service Excellence Committee and has been appointed to UTMB's BSL-4 Community Liaison Committee, a group of local leaders charged with strengthening communication between the institution and the community about the university's infectious disease research program and high-containment laboratories. Jaworski and his wife Rebecca have two children and live in Galveston.

CALL JOE JAWORSKI TODAY!

409.763.0700 JOE JAWORSKI WILL PERSONALLY RETURN YOUR CALL.

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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW 2010® EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735!

INSPIRATION

ACHIEVEMENT

A Winning Plan for Keeping Your Goals in Sight

T Coach Henry Frazier, III (holding trophy) after leading Prairie View A&M University to first SWAC title since 1964.

PRAIRIE VIEW’S HENRY FRAZIER III NAMED TOP COACH ON FCS LEVEL HATTANOOGA, Tenn. - After capturing Prairie View A&M's first SWAC Football Championship since 1964 last weekend, head coach Henry Frazier III made history once again as he was named the recipient of the Eddie Robinson Award on Thursday evening at The Sports Network's Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet. The award, named after legendary Grambling State University head football coach Eddie Robinson, Sr., is awarded to the top coach on the Football

Championship Subdivision level (FCS). Frazier's acceptance of the award marks the first time ever a coach from a historically

respected across all levels of college football as he's resurrected a program that was known more for its 80game losing streak as

black college has won the honor in the award's 23year existence. Since arriving at Prairie View A&M in 2004 after a successful career at Bowie State, Frazier has built the Panther football team into one that's well-

opposed to one that captured five Black College National Championships from 1953 to 1964. The past three seasons have been memorable as the Panthers are a combined 25-5 with three consecutive winning records including

back-to-back 9-1 campaigns and having several players named to various All-American teams. In addition to capturing the 2009 Eddie Robinson Award, Frazier has also been named Coach of the Year by the SWAC, American Football Coaches Association (Region III), Boxtorow.com/BASN, the ESPN HBCU Notebook and The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. “I have to thank my players and my coaching staff,” said Frazier. “We've had a great run so far here at Prairie View A&M and there are still a couple of more awards that I'm up for. It has been a blessing.”

his year is off to a start and you have such great plans for the year 2010. Right? But what do you do to keep those goals in sight. These winning points may help you stay on course. PURPOSE: Purpose is the “WHY” you have that particular goal as a part of your life in the first place. If you do not have purpose your dream will falter on the wayside and you may abandon it quickly for lack of drive. However, when your purpose is strong you will be empowered to brave any obstacle and continue no matter how hard it is on your path. PATH: Path is what I call the “WHERE”. If you're not aware of where you want to go, you will certainly never get there. When we go on our day-to-day journey in just common travel, we have a path to follow. I always tell people, you will never get to Florida going I-10 west no matter how fast you drive. The important part of path is that you are headed in the right direction. PLAN: Plan is what I call the “HOW”. In planning, have a plan that can be easily shared. As the scripture says, write it down. In your planning have a short term, intermediate and long term plan as well as an alternative plan. You should update your plan as needed. This includes vision planning. I’ve spent the last 30 days doing specific business planning that goes with the vision God has given me. When you put the plan on paper, it helps you and others to see the advantages, disadvantages, omissions, errors, resources, and funding alternatives for your dream or goals. PERSISTENCE: When you have a purpose, a path, and a plan. Don't Quit!!! In addition, don't procrastinate, and don't make excuses. Do what's needed for your plan to succeed daily. PRAYER: There is great power and focus in prayer. Prayer is a great tool to help keep you focused, renewed and hopeful, while on your path to meeting your goals. Prayer will also strengthen you as you travel on the journey to take you to the successful completion of your goals. Until next time Remember.

The Lord Wants’ you to Win!

Bishop K.J. Brown is the Senior Pastor of Zion Tabernacle Church in Houston, Texas, along with his partner in life and ministry, Priscilla Guillory Brown. Contact the Bishop by calling (832)893-9424 or by email at: Email: kelbrwn@yahoo.com

NATHELYNE ARCHIE KENNEDY, P.E. Class of 1959 - President and Owner of Nathelyne A. Kennedy & Associates Following in the footsteps of her alumnus father Nathaniel L. Archie (a former career educator in Conroe, Texas), and her paternal grandmother Betty Crawford Archie (who had attended in the early 1900s and became a home economics teacher), young Nathelyne Archie set her sights on Prairie View A&M College-and a career in engineering-while still in high school. Having a female in an engineering classroom was still new enough that some people doubted the idea, but Nathelyne Archie achieved her dream and became the first female engineering graduate in the history of the University. In fact, she was the first African-American

woman to earn an engineering degree from any university in Texas, and the first to become a P.E.-a state-registered Professional Engineer. After 12 years as the only woman engineer in a large Chicago firm (there had been no postgraduation opportunities for her in Texas), a transfer in husband James D. Kennedy's career brought the Kennedy family back to Houston. With entrepreneurial opportunities for women and minorities emerging through a new Affirmative Action program adopted by the City of Houston, she decided to

open her own firmNathelyne A. Kennedy & Associates-in 1981. Making the fledgling enterprise successful would not always be easy, but as she has done throughout her professional life, Nathelyne Archie Kennedy vaulted every hurdle and kept forging ahead. Now in its 28th year, Nathelyne A. Kennedy & Associates continues to provide services on many of the most prestigious engineering projects across Texas-revitalization of municipal infrastructures; freeway and toll road expansions; improvements to airports and marine terminals;

KENNEDY major league sports facilities; and urban light rail systems. As she has achieved her own success as a business owner, garnering numerous personal and professional recognitions and awards-including the naming of the Nathelyne Archie

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Kennedy Building on the Prairie View A&M University campus in 2006Mrs. Kennedy has continually shared what she learned and experienced by being a willing small business advocate and a role model for other entrepreneurs. Throughout her exceptional professional career, she has maintained close connections to her alma mater-and to the many friends and mentors who still profoundly influence her life-through participation in local and national alumni associations, and through membership on the Prairie View A&M University Capital Campaign Committee and the Prairie View A&M Foundation,

working to prepare the University for generations of future students. Devotion to Prairie View A&M University-and to the success of its future student body-is clearly visible in the Nathelyne Archie Kennedy Scholarship Endowment, which is dedicated to encouraging and assisting today's studentsboth female and male-who choose Engineering or Architecture as a profession. Nathelyne Archie Kennedy has been married for 48 years to Prairie View A&M University alumnus James D. Kennedy. They have two children: daughter Tracey A. Kennedy, Esq., of Los Angeles; and son David J. Kennedy of Houston.

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SNAPSHOTS PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW IN MEDIA® EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735! Dave Ward Dave joined KTRK-TV in 1966 as an onthe-street reporter/photographer. In 1967, he was assigned to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7am newscast. Later that year he also became the first host of KTRK's "Dialing for Dollars." In 1968, Dave was assigned to anchor the weekday 6 and 10pm newscasts where he remains today as one of Houston's most respected news anchors. Born in Dallas and raised in Huntsville, Texas, Dave began his broadcast radio career with KGKB in Tyler. Three years later, he moved to Waco, Texas, and WACO radio, and then to Houston and KNUZ/KQUE radio. During his career with 13 Eyewitness News, Dave has covered fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes throughout Texas and the southern states. He's interviewed heads of state and drug addicts, and traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua and Columbia on numerous stories. He has also covered many national political conventions and worked extensively with NASA on Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and shuttle missions. Dave took an active role in the establishment of the Houston Crime Stoppers program, which has become the model of excellence for similar programs across the nation. He's also taken an active role in Houston's community affairs, serving as President of the local Easter Seals Society, chairing the Public Affairs Advisory Board of the Houston Business Council, and working with the American Cancer Society. In addition, Dave has served as a member of the Leukemia Society Board of Directors and Board Member of the Houston Press Club. --------------------------------------------------------

Gina Gaston Gina Gaston originally came to KTRK-TV, ABC13 in the fall of 1992 to co-anchor the then newly expanded, and later top-rated 13 Eyewitness News at 6am. She continued as an anchor/reporter until 1999 when she left the station to move to New York and work for MSNBC. She returned to ABC13 in June 2001 to again serve as a reporter and co-anchor, but this time for the Eyewitness News at 6pm and Eyewitness News at 10pm. Among the stories Gina covered while with 13 Eyewitness News, were the O.J. Simpson trial in Los Angeles, the Rockets Championships, and the Democratic National Convention. During her time away from ABC13, Gina not only worked at MSNBC, but also married former Houston Rocket basketball star Mario Elie (whom she met while covering a Rocket championship game). At MSNBC, Gina was a network correspondent anchoring the 2000 presidential election from coast-to-coast, including the Florida ballot recounts. She also anchored President George W. Bush's Inaugural activities, Elian Gonzales' departure to Cuba, the U.S. bombing in the Iraqi no-fly zone, the Mid-East Violence and the South American earthquake. In addition, she also filled-in as anchor for NBC's Weekend Today show. Among those she's interviewed are Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison, Olympia Snowe, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Plus the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson and Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating.

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Before joining 13 Eyewitness News in 1992, Gina worked as an anchor/reporter at WTSP-TV in Tampa, Florida and as an anchor/reporter at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and KLTV in Tyler, Texas. Gina is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and was honored by the Associated Press Broadcasters for News Reporting. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California and is a native of Santa Barbara. --------------------------------------------------------

Tom Koch Tom Koch joined KTRK-TV in 1982 as a reporter for 13 Eyewitness News. In 1987, in addition to his reporting duties, he became the morning anchor for 13 Eyewitness News at 7am. During his career at KTRK-TV, Koch has won many awards for his reporting. The list includes awards from the Associated Press, United Press International, the Houston Press Club, the Houston Firefighters Association, the Texas Bar Association, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Koch has reported thousands of stories, large and small, for 13 Eyewitness News. He covered the earthquake in El Salvador in 1986; the Pope's visit to the United States in 1987, the Pope's trip to Cuba in 1998, the oil boom in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan, numerous national political conventions and ten hurricanes. In his spare time, he serves on the board of the Houston Press Club and gives his time freely to many charitable events. Majoring in communications and business, Koch graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh. He began his broadcasting career in 1977 at WAEO-TV in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and then in 1979, went to WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin. --------------------------------------------------------

election during her career. She has traveled to Cuba, Panama and Africa, among other places. She's won numerous awards for her reporting, including an Emmy for her coverage of President Clinton's visit to South Africa, the only local reporter in the nation to make that trip. And Melanie has interviewed a wide range of notables, including three U.S. Presidents, Henry Kissinger, the Dalai Lama, poet Maya Angelou, Grammy Award winners Destiny's Child, former heavyweight champion boxer George Foreman, director Spike Lee, legendary journalist Barbara Walters, evangelists Joel and Victoria Osteen, Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and actors Lily Tomlin, Shirley McLaine and Denzel Washington. But Melanie's favorite stories are those about Houston's rich, multi-ethnic community - especially stories about children and those quietly working to make a difference in their lives. Melanie's involvement in the Houston community is far reaching. She is on the board of numerous community organizations including the Houston Ballet, SHAPE Community Center, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Volunteer Houston, and the Houston Association of Black Journalists. She also belongs to the Houston Chapter of the Links, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and the American Leadership Forum. She is also a member of the Texas Lone Star Chapter of Emmys and Women in Film and Television. Melanie has also been honored as the YWCA's "Outstanding Women of the Year", a "Women of Distinction" by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and the Ben and Julie Rogers Ecumenism Award from the Anti-Defamation League. She received her undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton University and a joint degree in Law and Journalism from Columbia University. Melanie worked at a Wall Street law firm for three years before returning to Houston. She is admitted to both the Texas and New York State Bars. Last, but certainly not least, she is a proud member of the church founded by her parents, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. --------------------------------------------------------

Melanie Lawson

Sharron Melton

Award-winning journalist Melanie Lawson is a proud Houstonian and a product of Houston schools. Journalism has always been in Melanie's blood. She started first as a fulltime general assignments reporter at Channel 13, then went on to become the co-anchor of Live at 5 and Channel 13's midday show, Eyewitness News at 11am. Melanie also hosts a weekly Community Affairs program called "Crossroads", focusing on issues and events around our city. Melanie has had a varied and exhilarating stint at Channel 13. She has covered virtually every city, state and national

Sharron Melton is the co-anchor of ABC13's award winning morning newscast from 5am-7am. She is also a proud Texas native and thrilled to be back in her home state. A native of San Antonio, she has lived all over the state including Houston, where she has numerous family members who've lived in the city for decades. She's also lived around the nation, before joining the ABC 13 family. She was the Weekend Anchor/Reporter at WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida, the 5pm Anchor and Education Reporter at WPMI-TV in Mobile, Alabama. She was also an Anchor/Reporter/Producer at KOBR-TV in Roswell, New Mexico. She even worked

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as a radio reporter for the Agriculture Communications Network in Texas. Sharron has been recognized several times for her broadcast work. She received the Outstanding Feature Story Award from the South Florida Black Journalists Association, Best Feature Reporting Award from the Press Club in Mobile, Alabama. She is the recipient of the Alabama Education Media Award. The New Mexico Broadcasters Association also presented her with the Outstanding Newscast Award. She holds a Master's degree in Television Communication from Eastern New Mexico University and a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication and Journalism from Texas A&M University, in College Station. Sharron has also taught at the university level. She worked as an undergraduate lecturer and instructor in broadcast news fundamentals at the University of South Alabama. Sharron is a member of the International Women's Forum, The Greater Miami Chapter of the Links, Inc., the National Association of Black Journalists, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Family Counseling Center of Mobile, Alabama. In her spare time, she is heavily involved in volunteer service work and enjoys singing, dancing, and swimming. --------------------------------------------------------

Wayne Dolcefino Wayne Dolcefino joined KTRK-TV and 13 Eyewitness News in December 1985. He has been recognized with honors from many prestigious organizations. Among the list of his most recent awards he has received are: • 2006 Texas Associated Press Award for Best Investigative Reports • Twenty Emmys from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences • 2001 Texas Associated Press Best Investigative Report • 2002 National Headliner Award • 2000 Texas Associated Press Best Investigative Report • 2002 and 1999 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award • Jack R. Howard Award for Journalism Excellence from the Scripps Howard Foundation-1994. • Four Headliners Foundation Charles E. Green awards for investigative journalism. • A Medal from the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) 1995 • Finalist IRE National Award 2001 • Finalist IRE National Award 1999 • Houston Press Club Television Journalist of the Year Since September 1991, Wayne has headed up the award winning 13 Undercover Unit which specializes in investigative reports concerning public corruption. His reports have had a significant impact on changes in policies and procedures inside many organizations. In the last year, 13 Undercover got two million dollars back for Houston taxpayers after exposing possible fraud in the cities garbage bills. Wayne Dolcefino also exposed handicapped parking cheaters and a scheme to fake marriages for immigration fraud, a vehicle that terrorists have used to get in to the country. His investigations have exposed tens of millions of dollars in waste and mismanagement in Houston government, phony bilingual teachers, broken fire trucks sent to burning houses and teachers with a history of sexual misconduct. He's fought for taxpayers and protected our kids. Wayne came to KTRK-TV from KTRH radio where he was an investigative

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SNAPSHOTS PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW IN MEDIA® EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735! reporter and talk show host from 1980 to 1985. Prior to working at KTRH, Wayne was the Assistant News Director at KLBJ radio in Austin, Texas. --------------------------------------------------------

and attended nine elementary schools. She's thrilled to be back in southeast Texas and closer to her parents, whose latest stop is Alexandria, Louisiana. --------------------------------------------------------

Bob Allen Bob came to KTRK-TV in 1974 as Weekend Sports Director. Six months later he was named Sports Director of KTRK-TV. Bob has the longest tenure of any major market sports anchor in the country. Over the years Bob has gotten involved with many local charities, but devotes much of his time to Special Olympics and The Sunshine Kids. Bob has served on the Board of Directors of both organizations, and was recognized with the highest honor given to a volunteer of Special Olympics, the Spirit of Special Olympics Award. Bob also takes the Sunshine Kids, children with cancer on trips to Colorado, the Hill Country, and New Orleans, and produces specials on the kids so the kids can tell their story. Bob has won many awards and honors for his work, including several Best Sportscaster awards. In 1995 he was named Interfaith Charity's Mister Sportsman. In 2004 an independent poll published in the Houston Chronicle named Bob Houston's favorite sportscaster. --------------------------------------------------------

Tim Heller Tim Heller is the Chief Meteorologist at KTRK Channel 13, the ABC owned TV station in Houston, TX. He is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and member of the American Meteorological Society. His weathercasts have also earned the Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association. His coverage of weather over the past 25 years has earned Tim Heller several awards including three Emmy Awards, one for his coverage of Hurricane Ike in 2008. Tim has also received multiple Best Weathercast awards from the Houston Press Club, the Dallas Press Club and the Texas Associated Press. Before moving to Houston, Tim led the weather department at KDFW-TV in Dallas. He also worked at KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, KRCG-TV in Jefferson City, Missouri, KDUB-TV in Dubuque, Iowa and WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois. He is a graduate of the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University, and he has a BA in Communications from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa. Tim is originally from Prairieburg, Iowa. He and his wife have three children. --------------------------------------------------------

Art Rascon Emmy award winning Reporter and Anchor Art Rascon joined KTRK-TV's 13 Eyewitness News in September 1998 to serve as anchor of the five o'clock news. Since joining ABC-13, Rascon has covered such major events wars and conflicts in Iraq, the Balkans, the Middle East and Central America, the

Christi Myers

U.S. Presidential elections, terrorist attacks both at home and abroad, and the Virginia Tech campus shooting. He has also covered natural disasters throughout the world, including reporting from Indonesia after the Tsunami. He comes to Houston from the CBS Network where he was a correspondent reporting on Haiti's civil unrest, Mexico's guerilla wars, Peru's hostage standoff, Cuba's downing of U.S. planes, TWA and other airline disasters, various school shootings, conflicts in Central America, hurricanes throughout the Caribbean and U-S, the Oklahoma City bombing, and a host of other international stories. From '89 to '94, Rascon was a reporter at KABC-TV in Los Angeles, covering such notable stories as the O.J. Simpson case, the Rodney King beating trial, the L.A. riots, the Branch Davidian stand-off, as well as earthquakes, fires and floods. Earlier, Rascon worked as a producer and reporter in San Antonio, El Paso, and Abilene and Salt Lake City. Rascon has reported from more than 50 countries, five continents, and nearly every state in the Union. He has been nominated for 25 Emmys and has won 19. He's received more than three dozen other local and national reporting awards, including two Edward R. Murrow awards, three National Association of Hispanic Journalists' awards, the International Rotary Club award, two Headliner Awards, the RTNDA Award, 15 Associated Press Reporting awards, and more than a dozen outstanding reporting awards from Press Clubs in Los Angeles and Houston. The National Hispanic Business Magazine named Rascon one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in America. In 2008 he was named Houston Father Of The Year. Rascon is a board member of Interfaith Of The Woodlands and is President of the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals. He is a popular motivational speaker and active participant of charity groups. Rascon is a former Vice-President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and former board member of The Radio Television News Directors Association. Born in El Paso, Texas, & reared in Denver, Colorado, Rascon is a graduate of Brigham Young University with studies of Humanities and European Politics in Madrid, Spain. He and his wife, Patti, have six children. --------------------------------------------------------

"Crimetracker" and tell us your story. Andy holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Northern Colorado. He is an award winning journalist, honored twice by the Texas Association of Broadcasters for his coverage of breaking news. Some of his career highlights include covering hurricanes Katrina & Rita in 2005. While in New Orleans, Andy filed reports from the Superdome as the mass evacuations got underway. He was also part of the press corps during former Texas Governor George W. Bush's 1998 re-election campaign. Andy covered the heartbreaking aftermath of the tornado that killed 25 people in Jarrell, Texas in May 1997. He also followed the Olympic Torch through Central Texas before the Summer games in 1996 and covered the Selena Murder Trial in 1995. Andy freelanced for NBC News and filed reports for the Geraldo Rivera Show. He comes to Eyewitness News from Los Angeles where he worked as a reporter. Prior to that, Andy worked at stations in Phoenix, Austin, and Abilene. A native New Yorker, Andy started and spent most of his television news career in Texas and is thrilled to call Houston home. --------------------------------------------------------

Andy Cerota

Casey Curry

Andy Cerota joined the Eyewitness News Team in May 2003 as a general assignments reporter. He heads up 13's "Crimetracker" Unit. Cutting-edge technology that allows our team of investigators to pinpoint and map crimes in your neighborhood. Information we use identify crime trends or patterns. We then share the results of our investigations with public officials, holding them accountable for making the streets in your area safer. If you have concerns about crime in your neighborhood, click on

Bob Slovak Bob Slovak joined the 13 Eyewitness News Sports team in 1998. Born in Dallas, Bob graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. From his days as a Little Leaguer thru his High School career Bob always had a strong passion for sports. He's carried that passion over to his sports broadcasting career. Bob began his sportscasting career in Ada, Oklahoma at KTEN-TV. He's also worked in Beaumont at KFDM-TV, at KOTV-TV in Tulsa, and in Phoenix at KNXV-TV. He's been honored with Associated Press, Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Awards during his sports broadcasting career. He and his wife Nancy live in Sugar Land with their daughters Shea and Sadie and son Stone. --------------------------------------------------------

Meteorologist Casey Curry joined the Eyewitness Weather team in August 2006. Casey started her broadcast career in Victoria, Texas. Before moving to Houston, she worked in Kansas City, Denver, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Abilene, Texas. She is a graduate of the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State and earned her Journalism degree at the University of Colorado. Casey is an "Army brat" and calls the world her home. She was born in Panama

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At Channel13 Eyewitness News, Medical Reporter Christi Myers has made a name for her professional work in the medical community -- not only in Houston but also around the state and the nation. She was recognized with a regional Emmy for her incredible story of a young father who donated part of his liver to his infant son. In addition to winning the Emmy, Christi has also received 11 other Emmy nominations plus a National Award for Excellence from the Epilepsy Foundation of America. But these are not the only organizations that have recognized her work. She has also received more than 100 awards from groups such as the Texas Public Health Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas AP Broadcasters, Houston Press Club, Harris County Medical Society, American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Harris County Pharmacy Association, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Jewish Federation of Houston. Her reporting duties have covered subjects ranging from toxic waste to chocolate factories! She has traveled across the country and to Moscow. She even reported from the Russian Arctic where she was toasted with reindeer blood by nomadic herders! In 1989 she received a special award from the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston for her series of reports from Russia which helped secure the freedom of a Soviet Jewish family. Her variety of Health Check reports cover the latest medical news of the day including her award-winning report on the rare father-son liver transplant as well as a story on brain surgery to cure epilepsy. She's also covered health tips on living to be 100, and ways to overcome infertility. She's done seven sets of bacteria and chemical pollution reports documenting findings of bacteria on hotel bedspreads, E.coli in iced tea, and mercury in the San Jacinto River. She gave us an inside look at military medicine in Germany at Landstuhl Regional Hospital during the first week of the war in Iraq. She was among the last to videotape inside the emergency room before American casualties began arriving the next morning and the hospital was indefinitely closed to media. She traveled to Japan with M.D. Anderson scientists to tell the story of a new proton radiation machine being built for Houston, and the M.D. Anderson physician from Hiroshima who helped bring it here. Christi's reports have been recognized with many awards and honors among which are: • Regional Emmy • 11 Emmy nominations • 2003 Woman of Vision, Houston Delta Gamma • Epilepsy Foundation of America's National Journalism Award • Houston Jewish Federation Award, "One Who Helps the Downtrodden" • Harris County Medical Society, Francis C. Moore, M.D. Medical Journalism Award of Excellence 1996,1998, 2002, 2005 • Harris County Medical Society

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continued from page, P.21 Award of Merit 1996, 2002, 2005 • Press Club of Houston Excellence in Journalism for Best Television News Series • Harris County Pharmacy Association Media Recognition Award for Outstanding Coverage of Pharmacy Issues • Anson Jones MD Award of Merit, Texas Medical Association 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 • American Heart Association Paul R. Ellis Media Award 1998 • Media Award, Texas Public Health Association 1992, 1998, 1999, and 2000 • American Cancer Society Texas Media Awards 1996, 1999, 2004, 2005 • Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Best Series for "Toxic Tea" During her broadcasting career, Christi has worked as a nationally syndicated reporter for NIWS, News and Information Weekly Service. She also produced and reported two series on Sickle-Cell Anemia and Colon Cancer, both of which have resulted in community screenings that helped save lives. --------------------------------------------

she was named Graduate of the Last Decade in 1999. Always enhancing her reporting abilities, Christine is a graduate of the Poynter Institute and she spent two weeks in Europe after being selected for the RTNDA-RIAS German Journalist Exchange Program. Christine started her professional broadcasting career at WEHT-TV, the ABC affiliate in

Evansville, Indiana. At WEHT, she served the station as reporter and back-up anchor and covered major stories including the Heath High School shooting in Paducah, Ky., and the 1997 Ohio River flood, earning the station an Indiana Associated Press award. An accomplished singer and dancer, Christine sang her way to the finals of Miss Indiana. She

has also held titles of Indianapolis 500 Princess, Miss Indianapolis, and Miss Heart of Indiana. In her spare time, Christine enjoys running and working out as she has finished three halfmarathons (two Indy 500 Festival Mini-Marathons and the 2009 Houston Aramco Half-Marathon). Dobbyn enjoys everything the nation's fourth largest city has to offer but especially its diverse population and food offerings! --------------------------------------------

Cynthia Cisneros As a native Houstonian, Cynthia Cisneros has witnessed much of the city's astounding growth firsthand. Growing up in the city of South Houston, Cynthia went to school there and later attended the University of Houston, gradu-

Christine Dobbyn Emmy award winning reporter Christine Dobbyn joined the Eyewitness News Team in January of 2005. Since coming to Houston she has covered stories including Pope Benedict's visit to New York City, the Presidential primaries, the raid on the FLDS compound in El Dorado, Texas, hurricanes Ike, Rita, and Katrina, and the legal battles upon the death of Anna Nicole Smith in both Florida and the Bahamas. The Houston Press Club, the Emmy awards, the Ohio and Indiana Associated Press, and RTNDA have all honored Dobbyn for her outstanding journalistic merits. She received RTNDA's Sherlee Barish Award given to a journalist who shows great promise in her rookie year as a reporter. Prior to her arrival in Houston, Christine served as reporter and back-up anchor at WBNS-TV, the CBS affiliate and number one station in Columbus, Ohio. While there, she reported on major stories including the Columbus Highway Shooter, September 11 crash of Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pa., John Glenn's Return from Space Homecoming, controversial issues involving Ohio State University athletics, and the WW II Memorial Dedication in Washington D.C. Dobbyn also interviewed President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry numerous times during the 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign. She even landed an exclusive with George W. Bush, and wife Laura, during the 2000 Presidential campaign. A Ball State University telecommunications graduate,

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ating with a degree in journalism. As a teen, she worked summer jobs at Foley's and Astroworld. Cynthia began her broadcasting career in 1982 in Jacksonville, Texas, at a local radio station where she hosted a morning talk show. She was later promoted to the position of News Director. While there, she received several local and regional awards for her spot news coverage and educational stories. She continued to work in radio in Longview,

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continued from page, P.22 Marshall and Tyler. In 1986, while still in radio, she became a television news reporter in Longview for KLMG-TV covering news in several east Texas cities. A year later, she went to KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, California. While there, Cynthia's reporting duties included extensive coverage of Caesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers Union. She also won awards for her coverage on human rights issues among migrant workers. Cynthia joined Eyewitness News as a general assignment reporter in August 1989. She's covered hurricanes and other adverse weather stories, as well as breaking news. Over the years, she's won several awards for her coverage of spot news and human interest stories. But Cynthia says her greatest accomplishment has been the birth of her two children. Working at Channel 13 while pregnant was a real adventure for her. She enjoys time with her husband and two children, a daughter and a son. Cynthia still likes to go to South Houston to catch up on neighborhood news and she enjoys running into old high school buddies while out on stories. --------------------------------------------------------

David Tillman David Tillman came to Houston's KTRKTV, ABC-13 in late 2000 from WMC-TV in Memphis. He worked there as that station's meteorologist and received an Emmy for his coverage of a snowstorm that hit that city. David is a member of the American Meteorological Society and of the National Weather Association. In 1998, he received his seals of approval from both organizations. After graduating from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science Degree in meteorology, David began his broadcast career. He was the Weekend Meteorologist at WAPT-TV in Jackson. A year later, he worked for the National Weather Network during the weekends and produced weather segments for 35 television stations and 45 radio stations across the United States. Born in St. Louis, David and his wife Patricia have three children; David, Brianna and Sydney. --------------------------------------------------------

Jeff Ehling “I began my reporting career in 1986 near my home town of Statenville, Georgia. I worked for ABC Affiliate WVGA in Valdosta, Georgia for three years before moving to NBC affiliate WMGT in Macon. In 1990 I got a job working for the CBS affiliate, WCTV, in Tallahassee, Florida. While there I was the Bureau Chief in Valdosta which gave me the chance to again report on news where in the place I graduated high school and college. Before leaving WCTV, I was promoted to Weekend Anchor. In 1996 I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where I was a general assignment reporter. I look back on South Florida with great fondness because that is where I met my wife. In December of 1999 she got a job in Houston so we moved to Texas. A month later, I was fortunate enough to land a

position as the morning reporter at KTRK. After a year and a half I was promoted to a dayside shift and now I am the Consumer Reporter for KTRK. Since joining the ABC 13 family my own family has grown. My wife and I are the proud parents of two boys who keep us very busy and occasionally bleary eyed. During my tenure at KTRK I have covered hurricanes, Operation Iraqi Freedom from Kuwait and Iraq and Texas troops guarding the prisoners at Guantanamo, Cuba. I look forward to many more exciting stories and happy years in Houston. I enjoy travel and pro football (GO TEXANS). I hold a degree in Television from Valdosta State University.” --------------------------------------------------------

Tom Abrahams Weekend Evening Anchor Tom Abrahams has traveled the world for Eyewitness News since arriving from Orlando in 1999. From the jungles of South America and the irradiated air of Chernobyl to the barrios of Mexico City, he has shown Eyewitness News viewers how far away places can affect our lives here in Southeast Texas. He was the first non-network reporter on the grounds of the Pentagon just 48 hours after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was the only local television reporter in the country to gain access to the UN Security Council chambers when Colin Powell made his case for war against Iraq in 2003. And the first interview ever granted by Charles Graner, the man at the center of the 2004 Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal, was on camera with Tom at a military facility in Mannheim, Germany. Tom's 2005 report on the government "catch and release" policy for nonMexican undocumented immigrants was screened at the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting in Chicago. Within weeks, The Department of Homeland Security announced it would eliminate the practice. He currently writes a blog about national politics which you can find at thevote.abc13.com. You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Tom's work has been recognized with a prestigious National Headliner Award, two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and an Emmy Award. He's also won more than a dozen additional reporting awards from The Hearst Foundation, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters, The Houston Press Club, The Press Club of Dallas, and The Telly Awards. Tom is a proud graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville and is married with two children. --------------------------------------------------------

Don Nelson Throughout his twenty-plus years at

KTRK-TV, Don Nelson has worn many hats and handled many jobs! He joined the station as co-host for its morning show, "Dialing for Dollars" which was later formatted to "Good Morning Houston." Don also served as the morning newscast's traffic reporter - a job he still maintains. His role has currently expanded to include serving as the Entertainment Reporter for Eyewitness News. This involves traveling to Los Angeles each season to interview the new ABC program stars. During his career with ABC13, Don has helped co-host almost all of the station's special programs. From the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade to the city's Power of Houston festival, Don's been on the scene and on-the-air. Each year he also pitches in help in the station's Share Your Christmas Food Drive and March of Dimes Infant Goods drive. Viewers and fellow employees know Don as a man who loves to cook! And those who are lucky enough to taste his culinary talents are never disappointed! --------------------------------------------------------

Travis Herzog Meteorologist Travis Herzog joined KTRKTV in July of 2006. Previously, he worked as the morning meteorologist just up the road in Bryan, Texas at KBTX-TV, where the Texas Associated Press twice recognized him as one of the top broadcast meteorologists in the state. From hurricanes and tornadoes to ice storms and floods, Travis has covered just about every kind of weather element experienced in southeast Texas. He aims to present the public with weather forecasts that are informative, educational, and fun. When severe weather strikes, you can trust Travis to provide you with timely weather updates and potentially lifesaving information. You can watch his live weather broadcasts Monday through Friday on Eyewitness News at 11am and Eyewitness News at 4pm. Travis is no stranger to Texas weather because he's lived here all his life. In fact, he received his calling to be a meteorologist when Hurricane Gilbert spawned a tornado that passed by his childhood home in San Antonio, Texas. In the aftermath, he developed a deep passion and profound respect for the atmosphere by reading every weather book he could find, prompting his classmates to label him "the weatherman," which he preferred over "school boy." Raised to be a Longhorn, Travis eventually received the blessing of his parents to pursue his love for weather at Texas A&M University. In Aggieland he met his wonderful wife and he determined that he wanted to be a broadcast meteorologist. Choosing a career that paid him to forecast and talk about the weather

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seemed to be a no-brainer, even if it meant enduring corny weatherman jokes for the rest of his life. Travis graduated with a B.S. in Meteorology and a perfect 4.0 GPR. He earned numerous awards and honors along the way, most notably the prestigious Brown-Rudder Outstanding Student Award, given to an individual that embodies the character, morals, and integrity of former Texas A&M University President Earl Rudder. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi. Travis enjoys marriage, Bible study, racquetball, Sudoku, and cold fronts. He also enjoys telling others about the wonders of our amazing atmosphere. --------------------------------------------------------

Elissa Rivas Elissa Rivas was born and raised in Dallas, but after living and working throughout the Southwest, she is happy to make Houston her home. She attended college at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, majoring in Political Science and Communications. Elissa took her first job in television news as a reporter and anchor in Yuma, Arizona. Still, her heart longed for Texas so she returned to the Lone Star State to live and work in El Paso. There she covered the intense impact of the 9-11 attacks on immigration and border traffic. Elissa has been recognized for her work by receiving the regional and national RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for her continuing coverage of a child abduction and murder in El Paso. Through her work documenting teenage alcohol and substance abuse, she earned a National Communicator Award of Distinction and a first place award in Serious Feature reporting from the Texas Associated Press. Now in Houston, you can find her anchoring Eyewitness News on Saturday and Sunday mornings. She loves to hear from viewers about the stories she covers and with new ideas for stories. You can contact her by email at elissa.a.rivas@abc.com. Elissa and her husband spend much of their free time trying to keep up with their little girl. Elissa's enjoying the challenge of working as a full-time journalist AND a full-time mom! --------------------------------------------------------

Deborah Wrigley A talented reporter and writer, Deborah Wrigley has witnessed hurricanes, earthquakes, the Texas Legislature and countless other events, and lived to report about all of them. Deborah graduated from the University of Houston with a degree from the now-prestigious English department. Although she never planned for a career in television, it came about naturally. Her father was a leading Hollywood cinematographer and her mother loved literature, so Deborah combined both backgrounds and became a broadcast news reporter. Among her accomplishments -- winning the prestigious Headliners Award for her coverage of the Mexico City earthquake. She and her photographer were the first crew in the world to get stories out of the site of one of the world's most

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SNAPSHOTS PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW IN MEDIA® EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735! massive natural disasters. She reported live from Galveston throughout the night when hurricane Alicia hit - even risking a drive off the Galveston seawall at the height of the storm to get the stories back to the station. In between the breaking news stories that puncutate a reporter's job, Deborah focuses her interest on statewide issues and politics. Her abiding interests include local history and anything to do with animals. Return to Bio Index --------------------------------------------------------

Erik Barajas Erik Barajas joined KTRK-TV's 13 Eyewitness News in March 2008. A true Texas journalist, Erik has worked as an anchor and a reporter all over the state. He comes to Houston from KSAT 12 in San Antonio where he was a weekend anchor and reporter for four years. His television career began in Corpus Christi, Texas at KZTV 10 where he wore several hats. He worked as a news photographer, reporter, producer and anchor. He says his involvement in all those different positions helped give him an understanding and perspective of the challenges it takes to produce the news. He later moved to Austin, Texas and to KTBC Fox 7 to be that station's weekend anchor and reporter. One of the most notable stories Erik covered has been the crash of the space shuttle Columbia on the borders of Texas and Louisiana. He says working in Houston at KTRK-TV is "a true blessing" because he can do what he does for a living "in front of family and friends". He adds, "Staying in Texas throughout my career, thus far has been eye opening in terms of really getting to know the state on a deeper level and realizing just how diverse this state really is." Erik is married. He and his wife have a young boy and are very happy to be back in their hometown. --------------------------------------------------------

Gene Apodaca Gene Apodaca joined the Eyewitness News Team in October 2004 as a general assignments reporter. He comes to Eyewitness News from Miami where he worked as a reporter. Prior to that, Gene worked at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, KIII in Corpus Christi, TX, and KOSA in Midland/Odessa, TX. Gene graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1996 with a double major in Journalism and Political Science. Some of his career highlights include covering the 2000 Presidential Election for which his station won the regional Edward R. Murrow Award. He's also covered the Florida Anthrax attacks as well as the aftermath of several Hurricanes which hit the state in 2004. While in Texas, Gene reported on the Selena Trial, as well as the capture of the "Railroad Killer," which brought him to Houston. Gene is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gene was born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A majority of Gene's career has been in Texas. He enjoys being back in the Lone Star

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State close to his friends and close to his family.

Ilona Carson Ilona Carson joins ABC-13 as the anchor of Eyewitness News at 4 and reporter for Eyewitness News. Prior to her move to Houston, Ilona anchored a four-hour morning show and noon newscast at KSAZ in Phoenix, Arizona. She also spent time in the Panhandle, where she was an anchor and reporter at KAMR in Amarillo. Ilona spent many years moving with her parents and three brothers overseas and around the United States. She attended high school in Moriarty, New Mexico, and then headed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she graduated with her BA degree. In her spare time, Ilona tries to keep up with her horses (three Arabians), dog, and cats, and is thrilled to be calling Houston home. -------------------------------------------------------

Tim Melton Tim Melton joined KTRK-TV in August 1981 as Weekend Sports Director. He came to Houston from Cincinnati where he was Sports Director at WCP-TV for two years. Prior to that position, he was Sports Director at WHP Radio and TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Tim has a degree in Psychology from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and a Masters Degree in Radio/Television from Memphis State. --------------------------------------------------------

Jessica Willey As a general assignment reporter, Jessica Willey tells all kinds of stories. One day she may be standing in the rain to warn Houstonians about flood conditions, the next she could be covering a Congressional hearing from Capitol Hill. Telling people's stories is what she has wanted to do since she was a little girl. Jessica came to Channel 13 in 2000. Since then the station has called on her to cover the important stories. In 2003, she traveled to Iraq to report on the conflict there. In 2005, she spent nine days in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans gathering stories on Katrina's aftermath. She also traveled to Rome twice that same year to cover Pope John Paul II's passing and its impact on the world. In addition, Jessica is often on the front lines of the station's hurricane coverage. In 2008, she was in Galveston, reporting live, as one of the most destructive storms in American history, Hurricane Ike, came ashore. Other stories have taken her to Germany, Mexico, and across the country. Jessica has been honored for her work. The Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Association has recognized her for her reporting skills. She has also been awarded a regional Emmy for a half hour program about a controversial museum exhibition that hails from Germany. That same television special garnered a national award---a prestigious Gracie Award from American Women in Radio and Television.

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Jessica came to Channel 13 from KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City. Prior to KOKH, she worked for Denison, TXbased KTEN. Jessica graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. During college, she was a member of BU's Varsity Crew Team and also spent a semester abroad in England. Jessica lives in the Houston area with her family and has another title -- Mom. She and her husband, a native Houstonian, have two precious children, a boy and a girl. --------------------------------------------------------

Kevin Quinn Kevin Quinn joined the Eyewitness News team in February of 2003 as a general assignments reporter. In 1994, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University. His broadcast journalism career then began in West Texas. He worked at KMID, the ABC affiliate in Midland as a photographer, reporter and anchor. While there he was recognized for his work by the Texas Associated Press. In 1997 he accepted a job at the ABC Owned and Operated station in Fresno, California. During his tenure at KFSN, Kevin received a number of awards including a prestigious regional Edward R. Murrow. He was recognized by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, nominated for an Emmy, and even named Associated Press Reporter of the Year for 2002. Kevin's reports revealed lapses in governmental oversight, uncovered questionable practices by law enforcement and even led to a change in California law. While working full time in Fresno, Kevin was also employed as a freelance reporter for KGO, the ABC station in San Francisco. Kevin, his wife and their three children live in Fort Bend County. He is proud of living in one of the fastest growing communities in the country. Fort Bend is his "beat". He is always looking for stories related to its growth, its history and its enormous potential -- stories that matter to those living here -- his neighbors. Kevin also covers NASA and the space "beat" for Eyewitness News ... fitting he says because he has always been intrigued by space and the human exploration of it. He saw, first hand, the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery and NASA's "Return to Flight" in 2005. Kevin says it was one of the highlights of his career. He has reported on nearly every shuttle mission since. --------------------------------------------------------

Miya Shay Miya Shay is your typical, overworked journalist who's always juggling several things at once. Currently, she is a reporter KTRK, ABC 13. Miya's main focus is government and politics. You will often find her chasing after politicians at Houston's City Hall or at the State Capitol in Austin. Born in China, Miya graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She has worked as a television reporter in New York, Alabama, Kansas, and Michigan, where it snows from November to May. Since joining the Eyewitness News team in 2002, Miya has covered a variety of

stories. She traveled to China twice, once covering the Houston Rockets, and another covering Mayor Bill White. The resulting reports garnered an Emmy Award. Miya travelled extensively during the 2008 Presidential campaign, and is currently spending a lot of time covering Houston's mayoral candidates. Besides her TV reports, Miya also write a weekly column for Houston Community Newspapers, and writes a daily blog. Away from work, Miya loves to travel and look for the next cool scuba diving location. She's got a super cute dog. In addition, she spends way too much time on Facebook and Twitter. -------------------------------------------------------

Patricia Lopez ACTION 13 CONSUMER Reporter Patricia Lopez is focused on women's issues and saving you money through her weekly "Stretch your Dollar" segments on ABC13. The Kingwood High graduate and former state champion golfer is back home after stops in Denver, Washington, D.C and New York City, including guest host appearances on Barbara Walter's Show, "The View." Born in a Laredo, TX, Patricia grew up in a traditional Catholic "Tex-Mex" household. Her family later moved to Houston and while at Kingwood middle school she decided at the age of twelve to pursue a career in journalism after writing for the school paper and yearbook. Patricia attended the University of Oklahoma under a golf scholarship and was a four-year letterman. After earning a degree in journalism, she accepted her first television job in Houston as an assistant assignment editor. Nine months later, Patricia got her big on-air break as a reporter in Wichita Falls, Texas. Following reporting stints in Tucson and Tulsa, Patricia made the climb to the Rocky Mountain State and reported in Denver, Colorado, then a stint in Washington, D.C. before landing a job in New York City. Moving around the country the past few years has given Patricia a unique insight into many different cultures, and its this amazing perspective that is the basis for her style in covering women's issues and consumer stories. Patricia likes to spend her free time with her husband Dean and their daughter Madelina. She also enjoys running, volunteering, reading, and heading to her Mom and Dad's for some good home cooked Mexican food. --------------------------------------------------------

Ted Oberg Eyewitness News InFocus Reporter Ted Oberg thinks he has the greatest job in local news anywhere. Ted's InFocus reports air on our 6 & 10 O'Clock newscasts and strive to look beyond the news. We give InFocus more time to research and report topics that need a little extra explanation. Whether it's a political race or a breaking news story there are always reasons why things unfold the way they do and that is what InFocus strives to explain. Ted's been in Houston since 2001. He and his wife, Krista have 3 wonderful daughters. They live in the Houston Heights.

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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW 2010® EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735! Adela Uchida Adela anchors Eyewitness News at 6 and 10pm on Saturday and Sunday, and reports during the week. She comes to Houston from Michigan, where she says she won't miss the winters! Adela anchored the 6 and 11pm weeknight shows there. She got her start in tiny Grand Junction, Colorado, and has worked elsewhere in Colorado, as well as Arizona and Michigan. Adela can list anything from flying with the Navy's Blue Angels to interviewing Barack Obama to going for a run with Michigan's First Gentleman to field anchoring a 200 car pileup and the economically devastating closing of auto plants among her experiences in the TV news business. She is also among the first nine graduates of the Emma Bowen Foundation for Minorities in the Media, and is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association. She is mom to a daughter, Siobhan, born in the summer of 2007. Adela and her husband John enjoy spending time with their daughter, and love the outdoors. Adela is also an avid runner, reader and cook.

K. JOHNSON REALTY Katrina Johnson is the Broker/Owner of K. Johnson Realty, a premiere real estate firm that assists clients in buying, leasing and selling homes in Houston and surrounding areas. Ms. Johnson has been a licensed Realtor for 9 years and is successfully assisting her clients with their real estate needs. She possesses an Executive MBA from Auburn University and 18 years of corporate financial accounting experience. This combined education and experience allows her to provide expert guidance to her clients in the areas of: negotiating offers, obtaining financing, and pricing their home to sale. In addition she is a HUD approved Broker, which allows her to sale HUD-owned properties in Texas. Her experience in pre-foreclosures and short sales allows her to assist financially challenged clients who face economic hardships.

Her memberships with the Houston Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors and access to the National Association of Real Estate Brokers allow K. Johnson Realty to market for sale properties globally within 48 hours of listing and stay current with changing real estate trends. As a Certified Home Marketing Specialist (CHMS) she is able to stage for-sale properties in an attractive manner, thus allowing for increased visibility among potential buyers. This added feature proves to be very beneficial in today's economic climate. Ms. Johnson ensures K. Johnson Realty is committed to giving back to the community through volunteer efforts at The Houston Food Bank, charitable contributions to the Star of Hope Women's Shelter and assisting the homeless. As a veteran of the United States

Air Force, Ms. Johnson is dedicated to assisting former military veterans with purchasing a home. She regularly participates in local Veteran Home Buying Seminars. PROFESSIONAL, COURTEOUS, DEDICATED, EXPERIENCED and TOP-NOTCH are just a few words former clients and associates use to describe their experience working with Katrina Johnson. Overall, Ms. Johnson's knowledge of the neighborhoods, floorplans, builders, financing options and other aspects of buying or selling a home make her a terrific choice for your next real estate transaction. Call K. Johnson Realty today at 832-6471443 to experience professional first-class service.

Katie McCall Katie McCall anchors the weekend morning newscasts at abc13. She is an award-winning journalist who has received two Associated Press awards and was named "best local TV news reporter" by the Houston Press in 2004. Her anchoring and reporting career has taken her all over the country, but she is proud to call Houston her home. Career highlights include covering President Barack Obama when he was an Illinois senator making a run for the White House, and the rise and fall of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Here in Houston, McCall covered Tropical Storm Allison, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the collapse of Enron. McCall's passions include issues that affect children and the underserved. She is a cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Spanish. She frequently volunteers her time to assist local charities with fundraising, but is especially devoted to the mission of Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, a place that has personally touched her own family. ------------------------------------------------------

Looking For News Specific To Your Own Community? Check out abc13.com, where you can get news specific to your part of town! Abc13.com has teamed up with Houston Community Newspapers to bring you news and information that matters most to you and your family. This service on abc13.com is brought to you though a patnership with Houston Community Newspapers.

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INSPIRATION FROM MS. ROBERTA SMITH LARKINS SEND A NOTE TO THE PUBLISHER BY VISITING: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/AUBREYRTAYLOR - CALL 832.212.8735 TODAY!

Extreme Makeover~ Is it time for yours? While on a cruise recently, I was in has happened to you? You have this GLOW!” my cabin watching the show My friend, Tony Haynes, wrote a poem called, “Live As If You Have Arrived” Extreme Makeover. (Yeah, I know, right?) You know how it works - the Live as if… foundation of the show is based on Y ou have arrived to that place O f revelation a person or families who have a sit- U nforgettably described as destiny & destination uation in their life which prevents A lthough still on your journey to a R ainbow pre-archived them from being able to live in a E very sign tells you… “suitable” home. The Extreme Makeover team comes in and builds …To live as if you have arrived the family a new home to help their In the flesh to that space called Soul Salvation N irvana for a passenger who purposefully passes… life improve. In a sense, they change the portal of presumption to the external to work to improve the TH hrough ail the proclamation that E vokes power & persuasion to the masses internal. I wondered how many of us realize that we should each experience our own extreme makeover but from the inside out!

D ive in wholeheartedly R evel in your parted sea I n a way that channels Moses once you've dived V ersus Pharaoh and his army be E xcursion ready R eadily S et to live your life as if you have arrived S o those with trepidation E xit from their station A rmed with a sense of hope in overdrive T o wander less and from this day … As you do - so will they Believe before they leave they have arrived When you go through an internal makeover, you begin to live as if you have arrived. You begin to walk in your destiny and feel the power that has been in you all along. YOU ARE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT - but God has the best GPS system available! Let 2010 be the year of your Extreme Makeover!

recently met a young man who is embarking on a new path in his life. He has a passion for sports and a heart for children - and is trying to combine those two. He originally was not considering starting a business, but the more he shared with me the more I could see his vision become a new business. He had been laid off and not having success in finding another job and I told him that perhaps this is why. I saw a light in his eyes when he would begin to talk about working with those kids and what he wanted to do to make an impact in their lives. I shared with him some foundational knowledge that I had as a previous business owner and a corporate administrator. He then began to talk about his image and the difficult time he is having in changing the way he dresses, speaks, and those he associates with. Not that his “associates” are the wrong ones, just on a different levels. He doesn't want to disrespect his friends, but has a sincere desire to be a better man - both spiritually and mentally. I told him that I could see God at work in his life. I also shared with him that sometimes we have to have two different personalities - a professional side and a personal side - and there is nothing wrong with it! The key is to discover how to balance the two so that there isn't a situation that could be “discovered” that would destroy either side. I shared with him that sometimes, it takes one individual to have the courage to be begin the change process for others to follow suite. “Don't follow the trend”, I said to him, “set the trend”! Its so important to recognize that who you are as a person -be it a business owner, professional, or just as an “ordinary Joe” is SO much more than what you present on the outside - its who you are inside - and 'that' comes shining through. Consider this statement “You can take the person out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the person” - why is that? It is because “country” is who that person is on the inside. It shines through not matter what type of clothing you wear or what type of car you drive. There is a “still small voice” that whispers to you when you know that you are at a point to elevate yourself from your current situation. 2009 was a year of change for me - marital status, financial, career - and my initial fear was how I was going to “look” to others in this new start, and as a result, I tried to reinvent myself - externally - with some positive and some negative results. As God continues to work on me, I began to understand that it was not my external but some internal changes that were in order. Not that I am a horrible person, but a few of the things that were hindering my elevation to who HE would have me to be in order to become complete in HIM were the things that I was trying to keep from happening on the inside. When I started to allow the internal to change, the external changes caused people to say “What

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LEGAL CORNER FROM ADAMS & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C. HAVE A LEGAL QUESTION? ATTORNEY AARON ADAMS, ESQ. CAN BE REACHED AT (713) 566-1990

What is an S-Corporation or S-Corp? By Aaron G. Adams, Esq.

Recently, numerous clients have asked me what is and how do they form an S Corporation or SCorp for short. Most of them would like a simple answer, but in actuality there is no simple answer. An SCorporation is not a business entity per se, but a method of federal taxation chosen by a state level business entity. Therefore in order to form an SCorporation an individual must create an eligible state level business entity an elect subchapter S taxation on Internal Revenue Service Form 2553.

no more than 100 shareholders; (4) each shareholder is an individual or decedent's estate, but no shareholder is a nonresident alien; and (5) it has only one class of stock. The subchapter S election is lost if in any year more than 20% of a entity's gross receipts consist of "passive investment income." Passive income includes royalties, rents, dividends, interest, annuities, and receipts from sales or exchanges of stock or securities. There are exceptions for small amounts of passive investment income during the first two years of the entity's existence, however those topics are beyond the scope of this article. The are numerous advantages of intending to operate a business

entity under subchapter S taxation. Like a partnership, S-Corporation losses can be passed through to the shareholders. Therefore, it allows shareholders, if eligible to take those losses against their personal income. Another perk is that all participants will have the protection of limited personal liability without having to pay corporate taxes. In addition an S-Corporation allows you to minimize self-employment tax and FICA tax because your profits as a shareholder are not taxed in that manner. The aforementioned advantages are great, but the biggest advantage is that it's easier to raise capital as a SCorporation. The disadvantages of an S-

Corporation are that there are numerous regulation and requirements that must be upheld in order to maintain the election. Like a C Corporation, corporate formalities must be followed. In recent years SCorporation have been under close scrutiny because of tax abuse. Other disadvantages include the fact that all shareholders must be U.S. citizens. This curtails foreign investment. In short, an S-Corporation is best suited for business owners who want to take business losses on their own personal tax returns with the added flexibility of being able to raise capital through the issuance of shares of stock.

Aaron Gabriel Adams is a practicing attorney in the Houston area focusing on Business, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate Law. Have a margin tax question? or Do you have a general Legal Question? Contact him at aaronadams@aalawoffice.com or his office at 713-566-1990.

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In Texas, S-Corporation taxation can be elected by the following business entities: general business corporations, close corporations and corporations adopting shareholder agreements pursuant to Article 2.30-1 of the Texas Business Corporation Act, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships ("RLLPs" or "LLPs"), and Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLPs). --------------------------------------------

The name “SCorporation” comes from the fact that these business entities are taxed under subchapter S of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a misconception that the taxation of an S-Corporation is the same as partnership taxation. It is not. It is its own special tax treatment, therefore it is imperative you consult with an account before choosing to elect SCorporation taxation.

-----------------------------In order for a business entity to elect the subchapter S taxation, it must meet the following conditions on the date of election: (1) it is a domestic corporation; (2) it is not part of an affiliated group; (3) it has

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SNAPSHOTS U.S. TROOPS PROVIDING AID IN HAITI THE PHOTOS ON PAGES 28 & 29 ARE BY FRED W. BAKER III AND PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Troops Set Up Front Lines

Survival in Haiti

By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service

ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, As the sun rises over the sweeping palms here, not much is certain about Army Lt. Col. Mike Foster’s day. But one thing that is certain is that a hundred yards or so away, down a slope lined by a narrow, worn footpath, are thousands of earthquake survivors who will look to him and his troops for the basics of their survival. Some nongovernmental estimates say about 50,000 Haitians sleep at night at the foot of this country club and golf course estate that the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, now calls home. The scene would be spectacular, with sweeping views of the city to the east and the coastal sea to the west, but that north are some of those hit hardest by last week’s earthquake. And many of those left homeless now are gathered at the bottom of Foster’s hill, waiting for help. “I don’t know how the day’s going to shape up,” Foster said. “I know that we’re going to be busy. I know that we’re going to work real hard, and I’m confident that at the end of the day when the sun goes down, we will have made a difference.” Foster and his squadron of about 300 soldiers have been on the ground less than two days and already have passed out thousands of meals and bottles of water to the Haitians. At the same time, they’re fortifying the abandoned and damaged estate into a military forward operating base. Helicopters land constantly through the day on an open, grassy spot on the hill, dumping more troops and supplies from their bellies. Soldiers outline the perimeter. A gym

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becomes a sleeping area. The racquetball courts store troops’ equipment. The swimming pool is lined with rucksacks. Yesterday, the troops made their initial aid drop. They tried at first to move into the survivor camp to deliver the food, but the

“

handful of troops, led by Foster, quickly became engulfed in a sea of screaming survivors. At the sight of some relief, the crowd became excited, and it was clear that the food could not be passed out in the camp. The troops were forced to retreat up the hill,

“

for

“I don’t know how the day’s going to shape up,” Foster said. “I know that we’re going to be busy. I know that we’re going to work real hard, and I’m confident that at the end of the day when the sun goes down, we will have made a difference.”

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behind their makeshift perimeter lined with white plastic lawn chairs. Despite the initial chaos of the event, Foster called it a success. Haitian volunteers came forward to organize the distribution and to help in providing security. "They were ones who got all of the kids up the hill and brought them first, not us. I think that's an enormously positive step," Foster said. "The handful of times you may have seen a guy or two want to get rowdy, they policed those guys up themselves. I think that is very, very important to how this continues to flow." While the soldiers may be on the front line of the fight for survival, their first mission is to provide security and help to pave the way for the tremendous amount of humanitarian aid waiting to be pushed forward by organizations around the globe. So as some passed out meals, other troops started today interviewing local people, helping to identify their needs, surveying the area and feeding information back to higher headquarters that senior officials will need to know to increase the amount of relief in this area. And with every helicopter that lands comes more troops, more meals and more water. "We never look away from one [mission] just to do the other," Foster said. "With the assets and capabilities I have right now, I ask myself 'Where can I make the most good?' We're going to take every advantage of every opportunity we can to put aid and relief and supplies on anything that's coming in. "At the end of the day, the intent is to get relief to the Haitian people," he said. The need ranges from those who hardly were affected to those whose lives were devastated. Some already have received aid, others have not. Officials have to identify those who need the aid most and get it to them first, Article continued on page, P.29

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SNAPSHOTS

WWW.CLINTONBUSHHAITIFUND.ORG

THE PHOTOS ON PAGES 28 & 29 ARE BY FRED W. BAKER III AND PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Article continued from page, P.28 Foster said. "You don't want to turn it into a 'survival of the fittest,' where you find a place that's easy to drop off supplies so you just continue to drop them off there," he said. "The rich in aid get richer. That's going to take some time to fully understand." Medics also were out helping the injured today. One small boy came forward with his head severely bandaged. The Army medic worked to remove the crusted bandage to reveal the boy's scarred head. The wounds were several, but healing. "Tell the boy he is handsome, and will be just fine," the medical told the interpreter. Today's distribution went much smoother, with the lines less pushed, and flowing more evenly. It appeared, officials said, that the Haitians realized the troops were here to stay, and that if they cooperated, more aid will come. Much of the calm also can be attributed to the manner in which the soldiers take on their security duties. The security is far from heavyhanded. The leaders here have said they see no threat from the local people, and they try to project that in their presence. Today, the soldiers were told to sling their rifles across their back, rather than holding them in the ready front position as is customary for most of these battle-hardened soldiers. Also, no orders are barked. Men are referred to as "Sir," and the women as "Ma'am." Yesterday, when the crowd became rowdy and tried to push forward, the captain in charge told his troops simply to sit down in the grass and stop passing out the meals. This quieted the crowd, which quickly realized that if they did not calm down, they would not any rations. "Our guys bring a lot of experience in different kinds of operations, so they know when they need to be more aggressive or have different kind of approach to bring some calm to the group," said Army Maj. J.T. Eldridge, the squadron operations officer. "I think the most important thing is to present that sense of calm -- the sense that we're here to help and we're going to continue to help," he said. In the days after the quake, violence in some areas has impeded such U.S. military relief efforts, Army Lt. Gen. P.K. "Ken" Keen said. Keen, the top military commander in Haiti, toured the operating base today, surveying the layout. "Security is a fundamental part of humanitarian assistance. You have to have a safe and secure environment in order to be successful," Keen said. The general was in Haiti when the earthquake hit. He was visiting the ambassador's house, he said. "It seemed like it would never stop, and you could immediately tell this was going to be a major challenge," he said. The general and the ambassador made their way out of the home, and from their vantage point saw the first glimpse of the damage left in its wake. "We could see across the city and hear the screams and we could tell from all the dust that this was a tremendous tragedy," he said. Keen said he called officials at U.S. Southern Command right then to ask for all the help they could deliver. The USS Carl Vinson turned around immediately, making its way toward Haiti. Keen said he feels and understands the frustration of those who want more aid now. "Ideally, when daylight came up, we would have been doing this," Keen said referring to the soldiers handing out water. "But this had to come from all over the world." Still, with three other such distribution sites set up across the city, Keen said, what these soldiers are doing is a perfect example of more to come. "I am satisfied that we are doing everything we can to get the supplies here as fast as we can and getting them to the people," he said. "I'm satisfied that we're doing everything that we can."

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PERSONAL BRANDING

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ERICA GRAHAM ERICA GRAHAM WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT • SEE AD ON PAGE • 3

rica Graham is a native Houstonian, and a graduate of Lamar High School in HISD. She earned her bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University and graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School in 1997. While in law school, she interned for the Honorable Calvin Botley, a Federal Magistrate Judge here in Houston. She was selected for and participated on the National Moot Court Trial Team at Tulane. Erica is the mother of a five-year

old son, and is an active member of The Church Without Walls in Houston, where she participates in the music ministry and a mentoring ministry for teenage girls. She is also an active member of the Houston Bar Association and The Downtown Group, and volun-

teers for organizations committed to improving her community. Her volunteer activities include helping build a house for Habitat for Humanity, working for several of DePelchin's annual toy drives, sponsoring children through the Houston Bar Association's Adopt an Angel program, and doing pro bono legal work for the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Association and Lone Star Legal Aid.

DR. WENDY

JOHNSON years of business/academic experience endy Johnson, PhD, is and is the author of Missing in Action: president of Emerge Consulting Group, LLC, a Black Women in the Boardroom. Dr. Wendy is management-consulting known for her straight talk firm and parent company of Dr. Wendy, the speaking approach, as she speaks to and empowerment division audiences all over the of Emerge. She has over 20 country about education, self-esteem, striving for excellence and personal & professional development.

Professional Development Consultant, Author and Motivational Speaker

Dr. Johnson was a single mother when she started her academic journey. After years of hard work, dedication and with the assistance of her family, she achieved this goal. She delivers compelling messages, as she feels it is her responsibility to encourage individual change and development. She has earned a BS in accounting/economics, an MBA, and a PhD in administration and management. Her radio show Let's Talk with Dr. Wendy broadcast live on the Internet at www.blogtalkradio/letstalkwithDrWendy every Monday evening at 10pm (CST). President of the National Black MBA AssociationHouston Chapter, she sits on the Angelle's Project Executive Board, the Kenny Thomas Foundation, is a graduate of Leadership Houston, a member of the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, sits on the Men of Style Sickle/Cell Fundraising Committee and serves on the YMCA Minority Achiever Youth Scholarship Committee. Named one of Houston's 25 Most Influential Women, she received the Cardinal Health Image award, Faculty/Chief Academic Officer of the Year from the Apollo Group, and Education Leadership award from the National Black MBA Association. She was also named Minority Achiever of the Year and a Southwest Chamber Mover and Shaker.

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EYE ON THE GOVERNOR

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Gov. Perry: Washington Must Exercise Restraint with Taxpayer Dollars Calls for constitutional amendment to balance federal budget

OUSTON - Gov. Rick Perry recently called for increased fiscal restraint at the federal level and the strengthening of taxpayer protection through the passage of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring Congress to balance the federal budget. “I am convinced that a constitutional limit on Washington’s spending sprees and irresponsible borrowing is the only boundary they will understand and heed,” Gov. Perry said. “Otherwise, the hard work that Texas and states like ours have done to make prudent fiscal decisions will be washed away by Washington's growing avalanche of excess.” The governor noted that while Texas has demonstrated a strong commitment to fiscal accountability by setting budget priorities that have helped keep the state's tax burden low and economy strong, the federal government continues to burden future generations with an unprecedented and unmanageable national debt. This irresponsible spending has accelerated in recent years, with Congress pressing for massive expansions of Medicaid, imposing cap-and-tax restrictions, and forcing other policy mandates that threaten the economic prosperity of every state. Last month, Congress voted to raise the national debt limit to $12.4 trillion. As it stands, the national debt equates to a burden of more than $39,000 per person. The governor today also sent letters to fellow governors and Texas lawmakers asking for their support in calling on Congress to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring a balanced federal budget. “We are responsible to the taxpayers of our states to budget and lead in a fiscally responsible manner in an effort to keep our states economically competitive and our businesses and citizens prosperous,” Gov. Perry wrote to fellow governors. “Yet all the responsible and difficult decisions we make will be for nothing if the federal government is allowed to continue to spend our nation into an inescapable pit of debt.” Gov. Perry is committed to protecting Texas taxpayers from runaway spending. This week, the governor also proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to increase taxes, and requiring the Legislature to limit growth in the state budget to no more than growth in population and inflation combined. The governor has also called for the establishment of a statewide inspector general to maximize cost efficiency and effectiveness at state agencies.

IMPORTANT TEXAS ELECTION DATES PRIMARY ELECTION - MARCH 2, 2010 PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION - APRIL 13, 2010 GENERAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 2, 2010 December 3, 2009 January 1, 2010 January 4, 2010 February 1, 2010 February 5, 2010 February 12, 2010 February 16, 2010 February 23, 2010

First Day to File for a Place on Ballot First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail Last Day to File for Place on Ballot Last Day to Register to Vote in Primary First Day to File for Place on Ballot (Local Elections) First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail for Primary Run-off First Day of Early Voting in Primary Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail in Primary

(Received, not Postmarked)

February 26, 2010 March 2, 2010 March 8, 2010 March 8, 2010 March 9, 2010 March 15, 2010 April 5, 2010 April 6, 2010

Last Day of Early Voting in Primary PRIMARY ELECTION Last Day to Order General Election (Local Elections) Last Day to File for Place on Ballot (Local Elections) First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Local Elections) Last Day to Register to Vote for Primary Run-off First Day of Early Voting in Primary Run-off Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail for Primary Run-off

(Received, not Postmarked)

April 8, 2010 April 9, 2010 APRIL 13, 2010 April 26, 2010 April 30, 2010

Last Day to Register to Vote (Local Elections) Last Day of Early Voting in Primary Run-off PRIMARY RUN-OFF ELECTION First Day of Early Voting (Local Elections) Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Local Elections)

(Received, not Postmarked)

May 4, 2010 May 8, 2010 July 25, 2010

Last Day of Early Voting (Local Elections) Uniform Election Date for Local Elections First Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot

(for cities and schools ONLY)

August 24, 2010 August 24, 2010

Last Day to Order General Election

Last Day to File for Place on General Election Ballot

(for local political subdivisions ONLY) September 3, 2010 October 4, 2010 October 18, 2010 October 26, 2010

First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail Last Day to Register to Vote First Day of Early Voting Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail

(Received, not Postmarked)

October 29, 2010 NOVEMBER 2, 2010

Last Day of Early Voting GENERAL ELECTION

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WWW.PEOPLEDOINGBUSINESS.COM • 31

INTERVIEW THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® Editorial contribution by: Victor Walker, CPA,JD • Financial Advisor Ameriprise Financial Inc. • 10375 Richmond Ave., Ste. 600 • Houston, TX 77042 713-260-1358-Office

If the Recession is Over, What’s Next? Many economists and government representatives tell us the recession has ended. An official declaration based on economic statistics may be months away. And, while individuals vary in their predictions, there is a general expectation that the economic environment will gradually improve over time. s we encounter more signs of vitality - increased hustle and bustle in stores; fewer For Sale signs on your block; and, eventually, an upswing in employment rates - what's the best way to react? Should we return to “business as usual,” or should we use the experience of the recession to guide our financial decisions going forward? Here are some suggestions on how to manage your financial life in a post-recession world:

AUBREY

AMERICANS UNIFIED TO BOLSTER REAL ECONOMIC YIELDS

Toby Grubbs, Bridgett Joe, and Erica Graham conversing.

#1 - Be a Smarter Consumer This wasn't called the “Great Recession” for nothing. The unemployment rate reached its highest level in 25 years. Many homeowners found themselves facing foreclosure. Consumers were caught carrying too much debt. Even the country's financial system required massive infusions of government money to avoid a major crisis. As a consumer, your biggest lesson should be to remain vigilant about controlling your expenses, even as the economy brightens. If you found yourself falling deeper into debt during the recession, safeguard yourself from a similar fate this time around. Scrutinize your spending habits. Even if you have felt deprived of some of your favorite things (dinners out, regular stops Walker at the gourmet coffee shop, travel plans), resist the temptation to revert to those same old spending habits unless you can really afford them. A good rule to live by is to only spend money that you have. Try to avoid putting purchases on credit cards unless you are able and willing to pay off the bill on time each month when it arrives. This will help you avoid some of the same problems the next time the economy goes through a rough patch.

#2 - Prepare for Emergency Needs

TOP LEFT: Aubrey “The People Doing Business” magazine cover. TOP RIGHT: Bridgett Joe of S. Charles Public Relations, talking with Toby Grubbs, and Attorney Erica Graham. LOWER RIGHT: Mayor Allen Owen greeting Toby Grubbs, V.P. of Operations for the Terra IT Group and Bryan Powell CEO of Boundless Technical Services, Inc.

TOP LEFT: Mayor Allen Owen greeting Dr. Jonita Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer of the Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) with a warm hug before the photo shoot. TOP RIGHT: The Mayor greeting Bridgette Joe of S. Charles Public Relations.

One positive trend to emerge from the recession is that more Americans are putting money into savings. Make sure you have adequate emergency reserves to meet short-term income needs. The value of an emergency fund has become especially apparent after seeing a number of Americans lose their jobs during the economic downturn. You should try to build emergency savings equal to at least six months worth of expenses. Given the risk of extended periods of unemployment, it may even make sense to have the equivalent of nine months worth of living expenses set aside. You may also consider making sure you are properly protected from potential financial loss. This is important regardless of economic conditions. Assess the status of your current auto, home, life and disability income insurance policies to make certain you will be adequately protected if an unforeseen event should disrupt your life.

#3 - Keep Up Retirement Plan Contributions If you are still working (or have returned to the workforce), it is important to make regular contributions to a workplace retirement plan (if offered by your employer) and/or an IRA. Facing a financial crunch as the recession took hold, many individuals halted contributions to their retirement plans in order to increase their take-home pay. If you can afford to resume retirement plan contributions, you should do so. It provides you with notable tax advantages and will keep you on track to achieve your retirement goals.

#4 - Focus on Personal Growth The recession serves as a necessary reminder that nothing is certain and, if we aren't careful, our financial security can disappear in the blink of an eye. A number of people who never would have imagined losing their job found themselves among the millions of unemployed in the past two years. Even if you managed to keep your job and your income intact, consider the post-recession period an opportunity to be better prepared for any eventuality. We all hope that an improved economy will relieve some of the anxiousness we feel about our financial lives. It is also a good occasion to achieve greater financial wellbeing for any challenges that lie ahead.

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GETTING READY: Aubrey R. Taylor, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Newspaper and AUBREY “The People You Should Know” magazine! before the shooting the cover. The cover photo for this issue was taken by Barry Gatlin of Mystro Photography & Video.

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ENTERPRISE

WE ACCEPT WALK-INS 7 DAYS A WEEK

Sportz-N-Cutz Barber Shop A Premiere Place To Unwind And Look Good For some people, a barbershop is simply a place to get a haircut. To others it’s the place that helps them to maintain their image and personal brand. When Sports-NCutz opened its doors in July of 2009 in Houston’s Third Ward it quickly became both.

lifelong ambition, Churchwell, along with Petitt, has one of the area’s more creative one-stop shops. Sportz-N-Cutz provides haircuts, massage, manicures, pedicures, food, shoeshine, and 12 big screen TVs showing NBA and NFL sports, along with an arcade game room which includes a regulation size pool table. To top it off patrons can also get their car detailed while sitting in the barber chair. Churchwell was inspired by

hether you’re a corporate executive, auto mechanic or a student at Texas Southern University, this establishment has something that will speak to you. When thinking of the movie Barbershop, that starred actors Eve, Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer, it conjures up a place that’s loud, filled with down to earth barbers with everyday issues. At Sportz-N-Cutz you still have conversations about everyday issues, with the exceptions that you are asked to lower your voice and set your cell phones to silent or vibrate. Owners Strode Churchwell and LuVonda Petitt would have it no other way. “We pride ourselves on providing a cultural, but professional and relaxing service driven atmosphere,” explains Churchwell, a business professional for more than 25 years. Combining experience and a

a need to share business growth information to barber industry professionals, chiefly to teach investment skills. “For starters, whether its services or products, hair care is a billion dollar business. Women maximize their sales opportunities with styling skills and products; and whereas this is still a developing area for shops that caters mostly to men, the money is there to be made. The key is to know what to do with the money once it is made,” Churchwell said. Sportz-N-Cutz is also used to giving back to the community. Contactors that work in the shop must agree to give several probono hours to help the less fortu-

Churchwell is also looking for independent contractors to work in the 3200 sq. ft. shop located at located at 4721 Almeda, Houston 77004. If you’re alright with volunteering a little time along with making good money, why not make Sportz-N-Cutz your place to begin a new career. Call Strode Churchwell or LuVonda Petitt today at: 281.501.1977. ------------------------------------------

nate twice a month. The barbers recently provided free haircuts to kids from an area shelter. The comprehensive barbershop/spa sits in the heart of the Third Ward near TSU and renown

medical and museum districts. The business is attracting a diverse customer base, of which Churchwell expects to grow as more people learn of their multitude of offered services.

At Sportz-N-Cutz, walk ins are welcome. The hours of operation are Sunday 12:00pm to 7:00pm, Monday 11:00am to 7:00pm, Tuesday thru Thursday 10:00am to 7:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 9:00pm, and on Saturday 8:00 to 9:00 pm.

BRANDING ADVERTORIAL

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ADVERTISE HERE! THE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS SHOWCASE is a monthly platform sponsored by the businesses showcased. All advertisements are accepted at the discretion of the publisher. Although Aubrey R. Taylor Communications makes every effort to check the authenticity of our advertisements, we accept no responsibility or liability for the contents therein. The advertiser assures that advertisements will not contain any matter that is libelous or violates any person's right of privacy or constitutes copyright infringement or is otherwise contrary to law. The advertiser assumes all responsibility in connection with the advertisement placed in this publication. Aubrey R. Taylor Communications shall be held harmless from any claim, loss, damage (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that may be incurred or suffered for any reason including but not limited to a breach of any kind associated with advertisers included in this section. What are you waiting for? Call today to get started! Advertising in this section is an excellent way to promote your business in 2009!

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Set Your Appointment Today!: advertise@houston-businessconnections.com

Your Neighborhood CPA By Ronnie R. Alexander, CPA

Are you leaving money on the table? Think about it. Do you claim all the tax deductions that you are entitled to? If you are not certain, read on… Many times, taxpayers don't take advantage of all available tax deductions simply because they don't know or they don't maintain good records to make tax time less taxing. For example, if you take the standard deduction, you may miss out on other deductions that could lower your tax bill or increase your refund. For 2009, homeowners that take the standard deduction can claim an additional $500 to $1,000 for real estate taxes paid in 2009. In addition, you may be able to deduct sales taxes paid on the purchase of a new car acquired between February 16, 2009 and December 31, 2009. There are other areas where deductions might be overlooked or not taken for the same reason. Did you keep records all of your medical expenses, including miles driven for medical reasons? If you didn't, you could be leaving money on the table. What about your charitable contributions-cash and non-cash? We donate items to Goodwill and Purple ALEXANDER Heart all the time. If the donation is to a qualified charitable organization, the value of donated items is deductible as a charitable contribution, subject to IRS limits. Other donations that we tend to forget about are all those $20 and $30 dollars here and there contributed at work for March of Dimes, UNCP Walk-a-thon, Jeans Friday, etc. I confess that sometimes even I forget about all those little contributions that I make throughout the year. Don't forget non-reimbursed business expenses. Did you keep record of miles driven and put receipts non-reimbursed business expenses in a safe place? One thing I recommend is to purchase one of those expandable files-alphabetized and categorized, and at tax time it's simply a matter of totaling each expense category and transferring it to your tax form or providing the totals to your tax preparer. Another area to consider is education expenses. Non-reimbursed work related education that maintains or improves the skills

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necessary for your current job, or meets certain legal or employer requirements is deductible as an Employee Business Expense. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is a refundable credit available for undergraduate college education expenses. The maximum credit is $2,500 on the first $4,000 of qualifying educational expens-

es, subject to phase-out limits. Make certain that you claim all available deductions and credits based on your individual situation. You'll receive a larger refund or lower the amount you owe. -------------------------------------------------------Ronnie R. Alexander, CPA owns and operates his own professional services firm. His firm

offers accounting, tax and business consulting services to small businesses, as well as tax planning and preparation services to individuals. When you are in need of accounting, tax or business consulting services, he can be reached at (832) 638-2757 or on the web at www.RonnieAlexanderCPA.com.

K. Johnson Realty is a premiere real estate firm that sells homes in Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. During your home search it's important you choose a Real Estate Company that can help you through the process and provide personalized service. K. Johnson Realty is that company. Real Estate Is Our Business. As the Owner of K. Johnson Realty, I have 18 years of financial experience which includes 8 years in real estate. I Love My Job!! Assisting clients with their real estate needs is my passion.

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