Houston Style Magazine Vol 25 No 15 by Houston Style Magazine (HSM)

Houston Style Magazine April 10-April 16, 2014

Houstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 25 | Number 15

Complimentary

Judge Greg Mathis

Allow A Vote On Unemployment Benefits

EASTER SUNDAY: THE HOLIEST DAY OF THE YEAR Words: Jo-Carolyn Goode | Photo: thefaithexplained.com

LEACF Honoree Reception

GHP State Of The City

Jaleel White When Black Is White

Ruben Davis

Takes Pct. 2 Crime Seriously

TWEF Sister To Sister Tour

N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T

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April 10-April 16, 2014

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06 07 Jaleel White Easter 10

The Obamas Local Briefs

By Susie Stillwell

Volume 25 | Number 15 | April 10-April 16, 2014 EDITORIAL

FEATURE WRITERS Rebecca Briscoe Francis Page, Jr. National Entertainment Publisher and Editor Susie Stillwell - Entertainment fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Lan– Arts Mical Roy – Feature Jo-Carolyn Goode Yolanda Pope – Culinary Managing Editor Tonja Ward – Health editorial@stylemagazine.com Dr. Lovell Jones – Health Lisa Valadez Editor Hispanic Managing Editor Dr. Latisha Rowe – Health lisa@stylemagazine.com Editor Kim Davis – Sports Brandon Caldwell Heather Nelson – Health Online Editor Aiaina Mayes – Blogger bcaldwell@stylemagazine.com Demez White – Feature Dawn Paul – Feature DESIGN/WEB Lindsay Buchanan – Fashion Burt Levine – Political Trevor G. Piper Jade Gold – Entertainment Creative Director/Graphics webmaster@stylemagazine.com Eric Ford – Editorial Intern De’Neisha Bell – Feature Kermit Williams Tianyi Sun – Editorial Intern Web Master webmaster@stylemagazine.com Cynthia Nevels – Business Gabrielle Deculus – Jeffery T. Crump, Jr. Account Manager/Events Chief Designer Coordinator webmaster@stylemagazine.com Dee Dee Wheaton – Blogger Keandra Scott – Entertainment NATIONAL WRITERS Marilyn Moore – Interior Design JESSE JACKSON jjackson@rainbowpush.org Cecilia Smith - Entertainment ROLAND MARTIN Erynn Haskins - Feature www.rolandmartin.com Yvonne Guidry - EntertainJUDGE GREG MATHIS ment www.askjudgemathis.com Raegan Allen - Arts Mimi - Feature Abimbola Farinde - Health PHOTOGRAPHERS Sloan Houd - Sports Vicky Pink Jessica Crawford - Feature vhpink@gmail.com Marcus Carter - Culinary 281.857.7635 Writer Franceli Chapman - EnterRoswitha Vogler tainment photosbyrovo@gmail.com 832.876.9541 VIDEOGRAPHY Antohny W. Morris Reginald Dominique – anthonymorris@att.net Video/Social Media 832.785.4855 reggiedominique@me.com 225.802.1593 William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Dale Lemar - Editing Sametra Scott semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com Joe English englishhst@gmail.com 832-888-6922

By Jo-Carolyn Goode

CIRCULATION Benjamin Phagan Distribution Manager Willie D. Scott, Jr. Distribution Team ADVERTISING/SALES Lewis Miller advertising@stylemagazine.com 713-748-6300

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dba Houston Style Magazine and Stylemagazine.com Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320 Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035

President Barack Obama with First Lady Michelle Obama at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

©2014 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2007 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP). National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP)

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COMMENTARY

Allow A Vote On Unemployment Benefits

Judge Greg Mathis National Writer

n December 28, 2013, more than 1.3 million Americans lost their Emergency Unemployment Insurance benefits. The program allowed individuals who have lost their jobs to receive additional unemployment benefits for up to 47 weeks. The critical question on this issue is whether or not America should maintain its commitment to a robust social safety net for our nation’s working class families and other Americans that have fallen on hard times. It is the same ongoing debate between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over programs such as Social Security, the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance program (food stamps), and other forms of social assistance. Republican leaders regularly criticize government support to working class families, but defend tax credits and government sponsored

COMMENTARY he Bible’s injunction that we shall be judged by how we have treated the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40) appears in different forms in virtually every religion or faith. And surely the measure of a country is how it treats the most vulnerable of its people -- children in the dawn of life, the poor in the valley of life, the ailing in the shadows of life, the elderly in the dusk of life. This week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Republican budget proposal put together by Rep. Paul Ryan, chair of the Budget Committee and Mitt Romney’s running mate. The vast majority of Republicans are lined up to vote for it, with possible exceptions for a handful that think it does not cut enough. It is a breathtakingly mean and callous proposal. The Republican budget would cut taxes on the wealthy, giving millionaires, the Citizen for Tax Justice estimates, a tax break of $200,000 per year. (Ryan only tells us what tax rates he would lower, not the loopholes he would close to make his proposal revenue neutral. But CTJ shows that even if he closed every loophole, it wouldn’t make up for

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our nation’s social programs by arguing they make people lazy and discourage them from working, but the facts do not support this. Opponents of social programs have used limited cases of illegal fraud and abuse to misguide

some American’s into believing most people receiving social assistance are cheating the system. The truth is: unemployment support is temporary and only available to individuals who are actively looking for work. In addition, individuals who receive emergency unemployment assistance are only eligible to receive up to one half of their previous income and this amount is often less due to state caps on overall

support. These payments only account for a fraction of what individuals would typically earn. Unemployment insurance benefits provide crucial support to hard working people who have temporarily fallen on hard times, allowing them to feed their families and keep their homes as they search for work. Families across our country have been waiting since January for politicians in Washington to pass an extension of unemployment benefits and on April 7 the U.S. Senate passed legislation to extend the program. The bipartisan bill will extend unemployment benefits for almost three million Americans. Unfortunately, House Speaker John Boehner has indicated he will not allow members in the House of Representatives to vote on the bill, which would certainly pass. At the same time, Congress is set to approve several extensions on corporate tax breaks. This is wrong and we must stand up to members of Congress that are obstructing an unemployment insurance extension. Call Speaker John Boehner’s office and tell him to do the right thing.

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The Atrocity Of The Republican Budget Proposal

By Jesse Jackson National Writer

programs to benefit the wealthy. Billionaire Warren Buffett once stated that due to tax policies that favor the rich, his effective tax-rate of 17.4 percent was lower than his secretary’s 35.8 percent rate. A recent study by the National Priorities Project found that America’s top earners will receive an average tax cut of over $66,000 dollars while the bottom 20 percent receives an average of $107 dollars. The wealthy can write off loan interest payment for vacation homes, get special tax treatment on capital gains and certain inheritance assets, and large corporations use tax shelters to hide trillions in earnings. At a time when the average CEO makes almost 300 times more than his or her employees, I think it would be an unconscionable and callous decision for politicians in Washington to keep chipping away at America’s social safety net. If Republican’s are serious about reducing America’s deficit they should focus on restructuring our nation’s tax system, which strongly favors rich individuals and large corporations - we should not downsize America’s social safety net. Conservatives often demonize

the revenue lost by lowering their top rate). The Ryan plan would also extend tax breaks for multinationals, moving to make the entire world a tax haven. He would raise spending on the military by about $500 billion over the levels now projected over the next decade. Yet Republicans are pledged to balance the budget in 10 years. To achieve this, the Republican budget would turn Medicare into a voucher program (but only for those 55 and younger). He would repeal the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”). He would gut Medicaid, turning it into a block grant for states and cutting it by more than one-fourth by 2024. The result, as http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=4115 estimated by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, would be to deprive 40 million low and moderate income Americans of health care insurance. The Republican budget also devastates domestic programs and investments, cutting them by one-third of their inflation adjusted levels over the decade, ending at an inconceivable one-half the levels of the Reagan years as a percentage of the economy. Infant nutrition, food subsidy, Head Start, investment in schools, Pell Grants for college, public housing, Meals on Wheels and home heating assistance

April 10-April 16, 2014

for seniors or the confined all would suffer deep cuts. The poorest children will suffer the worst cuts. The Republican budget also savages investments vital to our future -- not just education, but research and development, renewable energy, modern infrastructure. This budget is scheduled to be voted on by the House of Representatives this week. It is expected to pass with a majority made up entirely of Republican votes. Speaker Boehner has lined up this vote, even as he refuses even to allow a vote on extending unemployment benefits and on raising the minimum wage. It is hard to see this as anything other than a declaration of class warfare by the few against the many. Republicans declare the country is broke, against all evidence to the contrary. But they still want to cut taxes for the rich and corporations and hike spending on the military. So they lay waste to support for working and poor people. Ryan argues that cutting programs for the poor will set them free, removing a “hammock” and forcing them to stand on their own feet. That might be worth debating if jobs were plentiful, schools received equal support, housing was affordable and jobs

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Albert Einstein teaching at Lincoln University

paid a living wage. But none of this is true. In today’s conditions, with mass unemployment, savagely unequal schools, homeless families and poverty wage jobs, Ryan’s words simply ring false. Needless to say, the wealthy and corporations reward Republicans for arguing their case. As the Koch brothers are showing, their campaigns will be lavishly supported; their opponents will face a barrage of attack ads. But most Americans are better than this. Majorities oppose these cruel priorities. The question is whether those who vote for these harsh priorities are held accountable this fall in the elections. After decades of struggle, we all have the right to vote. The majority can speak if it chooses. It has to sort through annoying ads, poll-tested excuses and glib politicians. But we can decide we aren’t going to support politicians who protect the privileges of the few and vote to make the poor pay the price. You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

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LOCAL BRIEFS

President Obama Visits Houston

t. Rep. Sylvester Turner reports that 27 sex offenders moved out of a facility in Acres Homes Tuesday, April 8th. Twenty-one sex offenders, convicted of sex crimes, many with children, were originally housed at the Southwest Texas Transitional Treatment Center, 10950 Beaumont Highway, owned by the Geo Group. These are men who were kept in state custody even after serving their prison sentences because they are considered so dangerous to the public.

for the fact that women working full-time, on average, earn only 77-percent of what men in the same positions are paid. For African American and Latina women, those numbers are even more dismal with 64 cents and 56 cents for every dollar, respectively.

Mayor Annise Parker Issues Statement About National Equal Pay Day

The Obamas meet with former President George H. W. Bush

Houston Methodist Hospital

resident and First Lady Obama made Houston their next stop after attending a memorial service at Fort Hood to honor the fallen and injured during another horrific shooting on the base. After being at the airport by former President George H. W. Bush, the Obamas attended two functions at the homes of two Houston attorneys where couples paid about $65,000 to have dinner with them. The Obamas left Houston on Thursday morning heading to Austin.

Houston Methodist Sued for $5M for Damaged Reputation

Rep. Turner Reports Sex Offenders Moving Out of Acres Homes

Mayor Annise Parker

e are stronger when we band together for the greater good and support Equal Pay in Texas and the nation. In 2014, it is so hard to believe that there are women who are not paid the same wages and salaries with similar backgrounds and education as their male counterparts. There is simply no excuse

State Rep. Sylvester Turner

CULINARY

By Family Features

Effortless Easter Ham

his year, make your Easter ham effortless by ditching the oven and using your slow cooker instead. While most people think about slow cooking for staples like chili and stew, it’s also perfect for center-of-the-plate feasts — like an Easter ham. Using the slow cooker, you can minimize both prep time and cleanup time, leaving plenty of room in the day for church, hunting eggs and enjoying time with your loved ones. Ham is a tradition for many families this time of year, and because it pairs well with a multitude of ingredients, you can create a unique dish every time. For a fresh spin on the classic ham, try this Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham recipe from the National Pork Board. Apple cider and bourbon (or vanilla extract, if you prefer) combine to create a rich flavor complemented by the sweetness of brown sugar. Round out your Easter menu by pairing your ham with classic sides such as oven-roasted carrots, asparagus wrapped in bacon and mashed sweet potatoes. To get inspired by more ham and Easter meal ideas, visit PorkBeinspired.com or Facebook.com/ PorkBeinspired. Easter Ham Pin-spiration Sweepstakes Enter the National Pork Board’s Easter Ham Pin-spiration Sweepstakes at PorkBeinspired.com/ EasterHam for the chance to win an Easter gift basket with everything you need for this year’s celebration.

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he Houston Chronicle is reporting that a Hozam Alajmi, a Saudi Arabian diplomat, is suing Houston Methodist Hospital for $5 million for damaging his reputation. The hospital is said to have sent a letter to the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Houston claiming that Alajmi, along with his sons, owed the hospital over $31,000 for an unpaid bill. This is a serious moral offense and can lead to the damage of one’s reputation. Alajimi said he was severely reprimanded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia and lost his job along with other penalties because of the letter. Due to the letter, Alajimi is seeking an additional $250,000 for the disclosure of his health information.

Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham Sweet Southern Slow-Cooker Ham Yield: 12 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 4 to 8 hours 1 bone-in fully cooked ham, about 5 1/2 pounds 1 cup apple cider 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/3 cup Kentucky bourbon 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 4 fresh thyme sprigs Place ham in large slow cooker. Whisk cider with brown sugar, bourbon, honey and mustard.

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Slowly pour over ham. Scatter thyme sprigs into slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, or until very tender. Remove ham to rest on cutting board. Pass remaining cooking liquid through fine mesh sieve into saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes or until slightly reduced. Carve ham into serving pieces. Brush ham pieces with cooking liquid before arranging on platter. Serve warm or at room temperature. Note: For a non-alcoholic alternative, replace the bourbon with 1/4 cup water and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

ENTERTAINMENT When Black Is White By Susie Stillwell, Entertainment

he fully-grown, almost-30 year-old Jaleel White is guest starring on television sitcoms, writing scripts, and co-starring in a movie arriving soon on DVD called ’Who Made the Potato Salad?’ So, what better time to track Jaleel down for a sit down about his career and how he managed to avoid the road to ruin, which seems to await so many other kid actors after the cancellation of their TV shows. Susie Stillwell/Juicy Culture: Jaleel we have a lot to talk about. I guess the first question I have to ask is, how has it been for you since ‘Family Matters?’ So often you hear of child actors having nightmarish lives after their shows were cancelled, how is it that you’ve managed to adjust so well? Jaleel White: By just keeping to myself and being difficult to find. Nah, I got a great family. I’ve always had one. It’s unfortunate that in order to sell papers and to get people’s attention, negativity overpowers positive stories. I remember it upset my mom terribly back in 2001 that when I graduated from college I only had one person from the press there to take my picture. SS/JC: Where from? JW: Jet Magazine. My mother was like, ’If you were coming out of jail right now, the shutterbugs would be all over you.’ SS/JC: So how did that make you feel? JW: It made me understand that sometimes, when you’re not getting a whole lot of attention, you’re actually walking the right path. SS/JC: But didn’t you miss the limelight? JW: I’ve never really been an attention hound. I

Jaleel White

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just like doing my job, period. Even when ‘Family Matters’ was running, I was not somebody who was all over the place and incredibly visible beyond the show itself. So, I haven’t really changed in any way in that area. SS/JC: So, how was studying film at UCLA? JW: That was cool. I kinda caught the writing bug when I was about 17 and at 18 started writing on the show. Really, UCLA was just about getting the degree for my mother, and at the same time seeing what was going on in my peers’ heads. SS.JC: Do you consider it time well spent? JW: It definitely helped me tremendously. SS/JC: How so? JW: When I graduated I sold screenplays to everybody from Imagine Entertainment to Disney to PBS. SS/JC: Do you enjoy scriptwriting? JW: It’s a grind. It’s a business. I wish I had that $100 million movie that I could be like, ’Oh, yes, I’m only 29 and I wrote that.’ But, I’m taking good care of myself and I continue to write to this. SS/JC: Do you keep in touch with anybody from the show ‘Family Matters?’ JW: Not really, beyond Darius [co-star Darius McCrary], the crew, and the producing staff, for the most part, because these people watched me grow up. So, they’re kinda like aunts and uncles. Beyond that, it’s a workplace like any other. I mean, how many people are you still kickin’ it with from your last job? SS/JC: Is it true that you brought your father’s oversized glasses to your audition and came up with the Urkel persona on your own? JW: Yeah.

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POLITICAL

By Burt Levine, Political Writer

Constable Davis Takes Pct. 2 Crime Personally

ort Bend Constable Ruben Davis told attendees at a town hall meeting Monday in Quail Run he knows crime is up and he’s as angry if not more angry than anyone. He said he’s so irritated by the rise he’s offering his mobile phone number (832.444.5353) to the public to call him personally if city police don’t respond as fast as citizens think they should. “My wife and I live in this community and have for many years. My children grew up in this community and graduated from the local schools here. We attend church here, shop here and are impacted by what happens here. I also, before I was appointed and then elected constable for the first time nearly 18 years ago, was a Houston Senior Police Officer that retired from HPD after more than 21 years of honorable service,” said Davis, who at HPD trained its current Police Chief Charles A. McClelland, Jr. when McClelland was a rookie. “I know the police chiefs in Houston, Missouri City, and Stafford and the Fort Bend County Sheriff. I know the Fort Bend County Judge and the Mayors of Houston, Missouri City and Stafford. If you call any officers from any of those offices or my local office at 281.403.8010 and don’t get a satisfactory response then call me and I will ensure your concerns are met,” he said. Davis, Fort Bend County’s only African American elected law enforcement professional, is a graduate of the University of Houston with a degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate of Prairie View A

& M University with a Master’s degree in Counseling. He and his wife Sharon are proud parents of two grown daughters. “Public safety begins first with you protecting your home, yourself and your family. If you see anyone in your neighborhood that should not or previously wasn’t there please call your local police or call us. It is critical that you call and keep calling because it is by you continuing to call us that we will combat the crime, kick out and keep it out of our community and receive more resources, human and material, from commissioners’ court as needed if we hear from you our constituents,” Davis said. He handed out packets that emphasized tips such as always locking your door, investing in increasingly inexpensive high security locks, solid entry doors and laminated windows. “I encourage everyone to invest in installing bright outdoor lighting with motion detection so you know when someone is coming onto your property and you know what they are doing on your property. I suggest trimming your bushes and trees so bad guys can’t hide and so branches don’t block lighting and finally if you suspect an intruder is in your home do not enter but call us and we will secure and apprehend,” Davis continued. “We must work to make this the best community for all,” he said. Constable Ruben Davis

BOOK REVIEW Get It Done: From Procrastination to By Terri Schichenmeyer, Literary Writer

Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day

ou’re hoping someone has a match. That’s because you need a fire lit under your tail. You’ve been putting things off, lollygagging, dragging your feet, even though you know you’ve got lots of work to do. You need a prod, a poke, a reason to get down to brass tacks. Or maybe a reason not to. That might be the solution to your procrastination, as you’ll see in “Get It Done” by Sam Bennett. That unfinished project has been around for long enough. You were excited about it once, but now it’s the gorilla in the room and that makes you want to avoid it even more. Why can’t you just get the dang thing over and move on? There are three main reasons for being “stuckified,” says Bennett. Maybe it hasn’t been the right time. Maybe you’re scared of the project now. Or maybe you “genuinely don’t care about it” anymore. The first action to take is to break the project into 15-minute pieces. Set a timer and work on it first thing in the a.m., before you check email (or you’ll procrastinate even more). Remember that “if you find yourself procrastinating, your project is too big!” Forget about making a to-do list, says Bennett. Instead, make a “could-do” list of things you can do in your fifteen minutes. Have an “idea catcher” with you and put your could-do list there, along with inspirations and thoughts you may need for later. Allow yourself to daydream, which loosens creative blockages. Find an idle task or hobby that takes your mind off the situation – and if that’s not possible, just “stand up and face the other direction”

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by Sam Bennett

find exactly what you need.” Cut down on TV, saying “yes,” and disorganization. And if all else fails, understand that it might be time to relinquish or delegate the project. “It’s possible,” says Bennett, “that you have outgrown this dream.” Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by a work project? You might feel overwhelmed by the solutions, which is why you’ll want to take your time reading “Get It Done.” By saying that, though, I’m not implying that author Sam Bennett’s book isn’t helpful; in fact, it’s quite the opposite: Bennett is full of great ideas to foil foot-dragging and her enthusiasm fairly oozes from each page. That’s addicting and inspiring, but ideas come so hard and heavy that I felt like the only catcher at a Major League pitcher tryout. I had to remind myself to breathe. Still, I can’t imagine that this book wouldn’t be beneficial, even if the first twenty pages are all you read. So grab Sam Bennett it, take your time, do the exercises, and you might find that “Get It Done” is, for your situation, quite a good match. which “quite literally” changes your perspective. Track your progress. Remember that perfectionism “is an insidious demon that must be fought with every weapon you’ve got.” Don’t be afraid to “get a C” c.2014, New World Library or to ignore bubble-bursters and naysayers. Learn to $15.95 / $19.95 Canada budget and know exactly what you need in order “to

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Easter is Greater Than All of Us

FEATURE By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Celebrating Easter Through the Eyes of the Catholic and Protestant Church

aster, the Christian holiday that is celebrated in April, is much more than getting off the Friday before Resurrection Sunday. It is bigger than the beloved Easter Bunny associated with the day. It is more important than the new pastel dress with bow or the light gray pinned stripped suit that was purchased for the famous Easter program. Easter is all about a man by the name of Jesus Christ, who died on an old wooden cross, not for his wrong doings but for all the world’s sin so that we would not be condemned, and rose again. Easter is a Christian holiday. Among the various groups of Christianity, the largest of these is that of the Catholic Church. The largest Christian Church is also the most orthodox following the liturgical calendar. In this religion, the Easter celebration begins long before the third Sunday in April. On Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Easter Sunday, marks the start of the season of Lent, which in most religions is the period of repentance and mourning in an effort to be closer to God. The 40 days is significant since Jesus Christ, the son of God, is described to have fasted for 40 days and nights in the Judaean Dessert, where he refused temptation from the evil angel known as the Devil in the Holy Bible, in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. This is why Catholics are marked with the sign of the cross with the burnt ashes of palms to enter the season of Lent, where they too are in a period of deep prayer and fasting. Also during this time you will see a lot of the color purple in the Catholic Church to signify the purple robe that Jesus wore after he was condemned to die in the book of Mark in the Holy Bible. Purple is used during seasons of preparation. Lent observed in this manner is also simi-

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lar to those of the Protestant faith. Often people will give up something that they truly love as a sacrifice to be closer to God during the Lent season. One of Houston’s historical Baptist churches, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, observed Lent by having a church wide fast based on the biblical person of Daniel. “Daniel chose not to eat the King’s meat or drink wine for 10 days,” said Rev. Alexander Johnson, Associate Minister at WABC, in referencing why the church is undergoing the Daniel Fast. “It is a very intentional restriction about what you eat, restricting that of alcohol and meat.” Christians have to read labels and can’t mindlessly eat. Like those of the Catholic Church, Baptists are also in a season of deep prayer and meditation, in addition to fasting. At WABC, congregants pray at 6am, noon, 6pm and midnight during the season. For the Catholic Church, the last few days leading to Easter are the most holy – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. It was on the Thursday that Jesus held the Last Supper where he broke bread and blessed it and gave it to his disciples, along with wine, and told them to eat of the bread and drink of the cup in remembrance of Him. In the Catholic Church this day is remembered with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Following Holy Thursday is Good Friday. More than just a day off from work or school, Good Friday is the day that Jesus hung on the cross and was crucified to save all of humanity. Holy Saturday follows Good Friday. On this day Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb and Christians have prepared themselves to spiritually die with Jesus. In the Catholic Church no mass is held but Eucharist is distributed to believers as viaticum to prepare themselves. Since Catholic services are held at sundown,

April 10-April 16, 2014

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baptisms are also usually held on Holy Saturday so that the person may begin their new life with Christ on Easter Sunday. Baptism is the going down and rising up in the water to represent the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptist will observe this day with worship service where communion (the Lord’s Supper) is served. Easter Sunday is the greatest day. It is on this day that Jesus rose from the grave after being entombed for three days. New life begins for all Christians. “It is the day to celebrate Jesus’ triumph entry into the holy city,” said Rev. Johnson. Some Baptist Churches will choose this day to baptize new believes so that they may begin their new life with Christ. At WABC, this celebration is done in grand fashion. Palms can be seen inside the sanctuary of the church. This is also the Sunday where the most people are baptize as the church will hold all baptisms during the Lent season for the special day of Easter Sunday. This day is the holiest of days in the Catholic Church. No matter where or how you celebrate Easter this year, remember, in the words of Rev. Johnson, “it is something greater than all of us.” It is about a man name Jesus, who was sinless, who sacrificed his life for the sinful, so that we all may have eternal life. Be blessed Style Fam.

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4:41 PM

IEACF 2014 Honoree Reception

Photography By Vicky Pink

n Thursday, April 3, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at IW Marks Jewelers for the Ivy Educational and Charitable Foundation of Houston, Inc. (IEACF) 2014 Luncheon and Fashion Show Honoree Reception. The signature fundraiser of the foundation honors distinguished Houstonians who have excelled in their chosen careers and greatly contributed to the community. In addition, the affair helps to raise funds for scholarships for deserving high school and college students. The 2014 honorees are Houston Style’s own Francis Page, Jr., Keith J. Davis, Sr., Karen Franklin, Dr. Joanie Hare, Karen Eubanks Jackson, Darryl King, and Kathy Taylor. See the honorees officially presented at the 33rd Annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Fashion” on April 27, 2014 at the Hilton Americas Hotel. Purchase tickets online at www.ivyeacf.org.

TWEF Sister-to-Sister Tour

Photography By Vicky Pink

n Monday, March 31, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Texas Women Empowerment Foundation (TWEF) Empowerment Center for the 2014 Sister To Sister “I Am Here For You” Celebration Tour with Dr. Myles Monroe. The event was held to understand the purpose and power of a woman. Several were honored for their outstanding service to the community. Some in attendance were TWEF Founder Deavra Daughtry, Vanessa Reed, Rev. Leslie Smith, Marilyn Logan and Nzinga.t

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GHP’s 2014 Annual State of the City

Photography By Vicky Pink

n Thursday, April 3, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Hilton Americas Houston for Greater Houston Partnership’s (GHP) annual State of the City featuring Mayor Annise Parker. At the affair, Mayor Parker announced that she will present a proposed Human Rights Ordinance to Houston City Council for approval in mid-May to prohibit discrimination in city hiring, contracting housing and public accommodations. Some in attendance were State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Theldon Branch III, State Rep. Borris Miles, Gene Wu, Charhonda Cox, Sue Lovel, Pam Gardner, Ashley Wyatt, David Kim, Rogene Calvert, Michael Lactson, Rev. Leslie Smith, Cindy Clifford, Wanda Adams, Rhonda Skillern Jones, Helen Callier, Rhonda Arnold, and Houston City Councilmen Dwight Boykins, Jerry Davis, and C. O. Bradford.

Follow #TeamStyleMag online and on your mobile devices. Twitter @HoustonStyle Instagram @StyleMagazine Facebook: Houston Style Magazine

www.StyleMagazine.com Photo by JP Make Da Photos

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Change Happens! 7th Annual Spring Breakfast Photography By Vicky Pink

n Friday, April 4, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Junior League of O Houston for the 2014 7th Annual Spring Breakfast for Change Happens! Under the theme “Planting Dreams & Harvesting Hope,” Change Happens! celebrated 25 years of changing communities, transforming lives and empowering people. Guests had the opportunity to learn about the mission, unique services, programs, and future goals of Change Happens! and how they could help to make a difference. Some in attendance were Change Happens! Founder Rev. Leslie Smith, Joyce Jacquet, Yolanda Green, Darryl King, Kim Roxie, Kristyn Page, Erica Lee Carter, Fred Hoya, Dr. Elwyn Lee, Carl Kidd, Vanessa Reed, Curtis Flowers, Jarvis Johnson, Jene’ Guess-Cash, Rev. Fred Broussard, Robbyn Johnson, Cynthia Sample, Martha Kennerson, and Marian Cabanillas.

AAF Houston March Luncheon

Photography By Roswitha Vogler

n Wednesday, March 19, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at The Junior League of Houston for the American Advertising Federation-Houston Creative Thought Leader Speaker Series March Luncheon. Using the theme “Powerful Women: People, Persistence and Passion,” Dr. Laura G. Murillo, President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, was the keynote speaker. She spoke about what it takes to lead a progressive organization in the most diverse city of America. Some in attendance were Mark Hayden, Jenna White, Tracy Weldon, Marissa Deslatte, Nicole Fellers, Angie Garza, Ezzie Palmer, Linda Ho, Ginger Stephens, and Hector Lozaro.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS METRO Sells $130.6 Million of Bonds for Vehicle Purchases

Clean Energy Victory Bond Push in Congress Would Generate $150 Billion in Financing, 1 Million Jobs

less than 6 months ago. The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office began accepting credit and debit cards for automobile transactions in October 2013. To date, the branch offices have processed

Metro Bus

ETRO sold $130,605,000 of bonds today (April 9th) with Wells Fargo as the senior manager. All-in total interest cost was 2.89 percent. The proceeds from these bonds will be used to purchase additional diesel buses and light-rail vehicles. The order period generated $1.05 billion in orders from more than 20 institutional investors. The buyers were mutual funds, trust accounts, insurance companies and privately managed funds. This very high level of demand by investors reflects confidence in METRO’s strong Aa2/AA+ credit rating resulting in a favorable borrowing cost when compared to other relevant issues in the market. For more information, visit www.ridemetro.org.

Wells Fargo Introduces Interactive Platform for Parents and College-Bound Students

lean energy boosters on Capitol Hill are borrowing a page from World War II war bonds by introducing today a new bill the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2014. Available in denominations starting as low as $25, this proposed new U.S. Treasury bond will enable Americans to invest in the nations clean energy future. The bill is endorsed by Green America and the American Sustainable Business Council, which together represent half a million consumers, companies, organizations, and investors. For more information, go to http://www.CleanEnergyVictoryBonds.org.

more than 100,000 credit and debit card transactions, totaling $12.1 million. All Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office branch locations accept cash, check and all major credit and debit cards for all automobile transactions, which include registration stickers, license plates, automobile titles and temporary disability placards. Learn more about the Automobile Services Division by calling 713-3682000, visiting www.hcauto.net or visiting any Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector branch location.

o help parents and students prepare financially for college, Wells Fargo & Company launched the Get College ReadySM website, a new, interactive online platform that offers a quiz, a calculator, videos and educational articles. Wells Fargo created the Get College Ready website because next to financing a home, paying for an education can be one of the most important financial events in an individual’s life. The Get College Ready online platform offers information about how to prepare a financial plan for college, compare education award letters, understand available financing products and resources, and learn about available options to cover non-tuition expenses such as books, meal plans, rent, campus events, and miscellaneous expenses like cell phone plans, movies, and eating out. To access the Get College Ready tools and resources, visit www. wellsfargomedia.com/GetCollegeReady.

United Airlines Launches All-New Mobile App for Android

nited Airlines launched its all-new mobile application for the Android platform, offering customers innovative new features, smoother functionality and an improved touch-friendly design that enables travelers to access information more quickly and easily. The new Android app follows United’s redesign of the mobile app for the iOS 7 platform, which the airline launched last year. United optimized the mobile app for KitKat, the newest Android operating system. The app, which is available for the latest generation Android devices, updates its most popular mobile tasks and introduces new features for Android users, including travel cards and travel wallet. The new Android app is available at united. com/mobile.

Automobile Credit Card Transactions Reach All-Time High

Allison Booker-Brooks

YWCA of Houston Announces New Executive Director

he YWCA Board of Directors of Houston is pleased to announce Allison Booker-Brooks as its new Executive Director. Booker-Brooks brings more than two decades of nonprofit experience to the YWCA, most recently with the YWCA of Houston as the Chief Operating Officer since February 2011. Booker Brooks began her new position at the YWCA of Houston on March 26, 2014. As executive director of the YWCA of Houston, Booker- Brooks will oversee an organization that serves more than 1500 meals a day to seniors, homebound and congregate. For more information about how to give your time, talent, tenacity and financial support to the YWCA of Houston, please contact Allison Booker Brooks or visit www.ywcahouston.org.

he Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office has processed more than 100,000 automobile credit and debit card transactions since its launch

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