H proTein is The key for a greaT BreakfasTH Complimentary H Houston Premiere Weekly Publication H Volume 25 H Number 2 JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
spoTlighTs
Jesse Jackson Talks About The War on Poverty
‘snl’
Hires Black Female Writers
maTTheW knoWles
Shines Light on Local Talent
sTory parker’s ThirD Term 2014 gmc sierra poWell’s neW single TrUe Terri Reviews a
neWs commenTaries sporTs healTh enTerTainmenT
Book by Ni-Ni Simone
PG 2
JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
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04 05 Local Briefs 10 The Vitality of Bringing The War on Poverty By Jesse Jackson
Volume 25 • Number 2• JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014 EDITORIAL
editorial@stylemagazine.com FRANCIS PAGE, JR. Publisher and Editor fpagejr@stylemagazine.com 713-927-5444 Jo-carolyn goode Editor-at-Large editorial@stylemagazine.com 713-320-5611 lisa valadez Hispanic Managing Editor lisa@stylemagazine.com 832-228-0764
By Jo-Carolyn Goode
Feature Writers lan – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com
Tonja Ward – Health tonjaward@aol.com
Aiaina mayes – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com
Samantha Vallejo – Video Reporter sjvallejo@yahoo.com
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Dr. Lovell Jones – Health Editor editorial@stylemagazine.com
Demez White – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com
JADE GOLD – Entertainment editorial@stylemagazine.com
Gabrielle Deculus – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com
Pamela Crawford – Political editorial@stylemagazine.com
erik granacos – Video Reporter JANAE THOMAS – Entertainment erikmichaelg@gmail.com janaet14@gmail.com
DEE DEE WHEATON – Local momwifeandeverythingelse@gmail.com
dr, latisha rowe – Health Editor editoral@stylemagazine.com
Dawn Paul – Local dhoustonp@gmail.com
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Kim davis – Sports kim@thekdcompany.com
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Heather nelson – Local editorial@stylemagazine.com
Burt Levine – Political burtjlevine@comcast.net
Yolanda Pope – Culinary Yolandapope@stylemagazine.com Rebecca Briscoe National Entertainment briscoerbrs@aol.com 409-504-0569 Susie Stillwell Entertainment Juicy_culture33@yahoo.com
ERIC FORD – Editorial Intern editorial@stylemagazine.com
Tianyi sun – Editorial Intern editorial@stylemagazine.com
National Writers
marilyn moore – Local marilynmooremdg@gmail.com
departments 2 Haute Shots 4 Commentary 5 Local Briefs/Auto 6 Health/Culinary 8 Political 10 Feature 12 Entertainment 14 Book/Entertainment
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JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
PG 3
jesse Jackson
commentary
F
ifty years ago this week, President Lyndon Johnson, lamenting that too many Americans “live on the outskirts of hope,” declared an “unconditional war on poverty in America.” This will not be “a short or easy struggle,” he stated in his State of the Union address to the Congress, “no single weapon or strategy will suffice, but we will not rest until that war is won. The richest nation on earth can afford to win it. We cannot afford to lose it.” With over 46 million in poverty today, including more than one
The War on Poverty We Can’t Afford to Lose in five children, Johnson’s promise is mocked by today’s realities. But in reality, the war on poverty was initially very successful, reducing poverty in the U.S. by about 30 percent in the five years after Johnson’s speech. Many different strategies were tried and worked. Giving the poor money directly worked: expanded Social Security put more money in the pockets of seniors, reducing poverty among the elderly from over 35 percent in 1959 to 25 percent in 1968, to less than 10 percent today. Raising the minimum wage meant that low wage workers could lift their families from poverty. Feeding the hungry worked: expanded food stamps dramatically reduced hunger. Infant nutrition programs have helped to virtually eradicate childhood malnutrition and reduce infant mortality. Education worked: Head
PG 4 JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
Start and federal aid to poor schools have contributed to dramatically higher high school and college completion rates. Targeted plans for the hollows of Appalachia and the ghettos of our cities worked: providing direct jobs programs, building health clinics, creating regional development strategies. Johnson’s war on poverty wasn’t lost on the mean streets of our cities or in the dark valleys of Appalachia. Its first reverses came in the jungles of Southeast Asia, with the war in Vietnam sapping resources and attention. Its second came in the war of ideas, to the racial and corporate backlash that framed a conservative era. Washington chose to go another way. The minimum wage lost ground to inflation. Workers wages stagnated as multinationals used globalization to drive down wages at home. Racial slurs were used to discredit welfare programs, and support for women and children was dramatically cut back. Taxes were dramatically reduced on corporations and the wealthy squeezing budgets for affordable housing, Head Start, impoverished schools, advanced training and more. At the end of last year, Congress not only cut food stamp levels but ended jobless benefits for what will total 4 million workers and their families if the decision is not reversed. America is more unequal than ever, and ranks 34 of 35 developed nations (above only Romania) in childhood poverty, according to the most recent United Nations Children’s Fund study. When Johnson announced his war on poverty, America was a middle class nation, a global industrial leader, with a prosperity widely shared. But since the 1980s, productivity and profits have risen, but workers have not shared in the benefits. Good jobs were shipped abroad and replaced by low wage, non-union jobs at home. The mini-
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mum wage didn’t keep up with inflation, much less increases in productivity. The gap between the possibilities for poor children of all races and those of the wealthy has been growing for decades. This was neither inevitable nor an act of God. It was the result of policy choices. Technology did not drive inequality. The powerful rigged the rules to benefit the few and not the many. Conservatives argued that the poor were taxing the middle class too much. In fact, the rich and the corporations cut the deal, and stiffed both the middle class and the poor. Few will admit it, but our leaders chose a society of greater inequality and widespread poverty -- and we let them get away with it. Johnson’s agenda still makes sense. Expand Social Security and Medicare to eradicate poverty among the elderly. Raise the minimum wage and empower workers to capture a fair share of the increase in productivity and profits they help to produce. Balance our trade so we make things in America once more. Invest in infant nutrition, early childhood education, and make poor schools the equal of those in more affluent neighborhoods. Target jobs programs for the young and for areas of significant poverty from rural Appalachia to our urban barrios. Guarantee affordable health care for all so that illness does not drive families into bankruptcy and poverty. As President Johnson said 50 years ago, we are a rich nation, we can afford to do this. And, we’ve seen that he was also right when he said we can’t afford not to. 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.
Local Briefs HISD Teachers Charged With Indecency with a Child
Clean-up Project Targets Student Safety for Schools in Southeast Houston
need to arrive at Sterling High School, 11625 Martindale Rd., by 10:30 a.m. to receive safety vests, supplies and instructions.
$12,000 for the new computers. Parsons and Lin stayed after ribbon cutting to help a few students with their schoolwork.
S
he answer is yes. Houston Independent School District (HISD) Superintendent Terry Grier is one of three finalists for the prestigious honor that was won by then HISD Superintendent former Secretary of Education Rod Paige. If Grier is successful one lucky student will received a $10,000 college scholarship in the Grier’s name.
Parsons and Lin Give Some Rocket Power to Students at MacGregor Elementary
I
t is an all too familiar headline these days. A second grade teacher once at Harvard Elementary School has been charged with indecency with a child. Although the act happened three years ago, school officials were only recently made aware of the situation. Currently out on bond, the teacher, Miguel Yepez, is no longer working in the classroom or on school grounds
auto
By Jo-Carolyn Goode Editor-At-Large
F
or years trucks have been known as powerhouse vehicles that work hard one day and even harder the next. Owners demand a lot from their trucks and trucks respond in a major way. Especially trucks rolling out of the General Motors plant. Their trucks are not only reliable, but they are built to be strong and tough to take everything that owners require and more. Just as the years have built trucks up to be workhorses, manufactures are now building trucks to be, dare I say it, luxury vehicles. Offering consumers more than just durability but functionality to work off the job site. During my week long test drive in the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab SLT, I got to know the relax side of the strong and tough GMC Sierra. I am always a bit scared when I think about driving really big trucks like the GMC Sierra. It is almost the feeling that a mouse would have looking at an elephant. Just as this feeling scares me
A
clean-up project during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will help create safer routes to schools for students of Sterling High School and Thomas Middle School in southeast Houston. Volunteers are needed for the Collaborating for Safe Places clean-up project that the Houston AmeriCorps Alums and Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) will organize Monday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Volunteers
Houston Rockets’ Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons
tudents at MacGregor Elementary School got a big shock when Houston Rockets players Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin dedicated new computers to the East West Bank Technology Center at the school. The “Save Samart, Score Big” financial literacy program helped East West Bank donated
Could HISD’s Grier Be Superintendent of the Year?
T
Superintendent Terry Grier
GMC Sierra: More Than Just Strong and Tough
a bit, I also love it. Due to the size of the GMC Sierra it makes me feel a little more powerful and stronger. This is why I think more women need to drive big trucks. Inside the GMC Sierra one can easily forget that they are in a truck. Every seat feels amazingly plush. Think lazy boy lounge chair comfortable. Passengers have plenty of leg and headroom. Front passengers have heated seats, which is so needed with our sporadic cold fronts. I love the fact that the armrest is oversize so it is big enough for two people to use and it is deep enough to hide a lot of your belongings. Technology is threw the roof. During the day when owners are at the jobsite the GMC Sierra can be a convenient mobile office with tons of connectivity options from Bluetooth and multiple USB ports. Techies will also love this since there are enough USB ports for the entire family to charge their phones and then some. It is loaded with apps for
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weather, navigation and of course, Pandora. The 8” LCD screen shows off the rear view camera in crystal clear color. It is almost crazy to think that the GMC Sierra can offer this luxury plus still bring the power but it can. Under the hood is a 5.3L V8 Ecotec3 engine, which now has direct fuel injection and cylinder deactivation. The improve engine produces better fuel efficiency. Towing capacity over 9,000 pounds! EPA rating for the 2014 GMC Sierra is 16-mpg city and 22-mpg highway for a combined total of 18-mpg. Driving big trucks always makes me apprehensive but I quickly became at ease. Handling the GMC Sierra was actually not difficult at all. Steering was very fluid. `When going over your checklist, the GMC Sierra gets a check for performance, comfort, luxury, and what about safety. Well that can be checked off too. Six air bags and OnStar are standard. The GMC Sierra has avail-
able forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and safety alert seat. It is equipped with StabiliTrak, traction control, four-wheel disc brakes and more. The face of trucks is changing. Workhorse by day and luxurious comfort horse by night. The 2014 GMC Sierra is so much than tough and strong. It is durable, safe, comfortable truck that the entire family can enjoy. Discover more about the GMC Sierra at your local GMC dealer or log on to www.gmc.com.
JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
2014 GMC Sierra 1500
PG 5
Health
By Family Feature
I
Tips to Support a Healthy Lifestyle Re-energize Your Wellness Routine
and plan to jump on the treadmill tomorrow, it’s important to take your new workout in stride. Having high aspirations for your health is a wonderful thing, but there’s nothing wrong with starting small. Setting achievable goals – such as jogging or walking for a certain amount of time each day – will help to keep you working toward the goal of running a10K in the long term. Buddy up
By now you’ve likely commiserated with friends about the lapse in your health and wellness goals. This is the perfect opportunity to ask someone to partner up in your healthy pursuits. Ask friends, family, neighbors or coworkers if they are interested in joining a gym, taking a boot camp class, or participating in a healthy cooking course. Supply your body with quality nutrition Beyond getting in your required fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains through a balanced diet, taking a high quality supplement can help bridge any nutrient gaps and help you get what your body may be lacking. Bannan recommends Adult Gummies Energy‡ B12 from Nature Made®, the #1 pharmacist recommended brand of letter vitamins.1 Vitamin B12 supports cellular energy
production by helping the body convert food into energy, and gummies offer an enjoyable way to take your vitamins.† Swap out ingredients Healthier alternatives exist for all of your favorite dishes. If you crave a hearty bowl of chili, switch out ground beef for a leaner variety of ground turkey. Use whole-grain pasta in your favorite Italian dishes or whole-grain breads for sandwiches. These changes are small, but can have a big impact on your overall nutrition when put into practice.
e all know breakfast
nine essential nutrients, including
Strawberries, Dried Cherries and
1/4
cup sliced strawberries
is the most important
eight grams of high-quality protein to
Almonds
1/4
cup dried cherries
meal of the day, but
help start your day off right.
3
tablespoons toasted sliced
f the decadent dishes and busy schedules of the holiday season have set back your efforts towards a healthy lifestyle, fear not. With the right plan in place, it’s easy to get back on track, re-energized and refocused for the year ahead. Shorter days and colder weather may seem to heighten the desire to indulge in comfort foods, just as much as it can lessen the motivation to take part in physical activity, like hitting the gym or taking an afternoon stroll. Health expert, author and registered dietitian, Patricia Bannan, shares a few simple changes to help re-charge your routine and get excited, no matter what the thermometer reads outside: Set realistic expectations If you haven’t been running in months
culinary
Re-energize for 2014
Pump Up Your Morning with Protein at Breakfast
By Family Feature
W
By incorporating a few of these simple tips into your daily wellness routine, you’ll be on the path to a healthier new you. For more information, visit www. naturemade.com.
almonds (3/4 ounce)
what’s the key to making the most
What’s more, not all protein
Oatmeal is a classic favorite, and
out of the morning meal? It could be
sources are created equal. Milk pro-
paired with dried cherries, al-
protein. From building strong mus-
tein is a complete protein, while most
monds and cinnamon, this recipe
cles to keeping bones healthy, there’s
plant proteins may be missing some
invokes the aromas and flavors
brown sugar, and cinnamon in sauce-
good reason to include protein in
of the building blocks your body
of the holidays. Add 1/2 a banana
pan; bring to a boil over medium-
your morning meal.
needs. Including milk at breakfast
and glass of milk to round out
high heat, stirring often to prevent
Breakfast is typically lower
can help you be sure you’re meeting
your plate for a breakfast with 25
boiling over. Cook until thickened;
in protein than other meals, but it’s
the recommended amount of protein
grams of protein.
divide between two serving bowls
a particularly important time to in-
and milk each day.
clude protein in your diet. The aver-
age breakfast only has 10-12 grams
recipes,
of protein – far from the 20-30 grams
project.com/. Also, follow the Milk
1 3/4 cup lowfat or fat free milk
per meal that’s recommended.1,2
Mustache Campaign on Facebook
1 cup
One easy way to help close the gap is
at https://www.facebook.com/Milk-
to include an 8-ounce glass of milk.
Mustache, and Twitter @MilkMus-
1
Whether lowfat or fat free, milk is a
tache.
1/8 teaspoon ground cinna-
breakfast powerhouse, packed with
Hearty
milk,
oatmeal,
and top with strawberries, cherries, Makes: 2 servings
For more breakfast tips and visit
Combine
and almonds; serve immediately.
http://thebreakfast-
Oatmeal
PG 6 JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
with
old-fashioned
or
quick cooking oats (not instant) teaspoon brown sugar mon
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Oatmeal w/ Strawberries, Dried Cherries & Almonds
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JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
PG 7
POLITICAL By Burt Levine Political Writer
Houston Starts the 2014 Year By Swearing In Its New City Council
Mayor Annise Parker swears in 2014 Houston City Council
M
ayor Annise Parker, sworn into her third and final twoyear term allowed by law as Houston Mayor January 2 was followed by City Controller Ronald Green, JD, MBA being sworn into his third and final two-year term and then she raised her right hand to swear into office the five at large and 11 single district city council members that will be serving with her at Houston’s helm. The crowded but elegant ceremony celebrating years of campaigning for many of those that were sworn in on a cold start of the new year at The Gus Wortham Theater featured orchestral, choral and opera presentations, plus a reading by Houston’s first poet laureate, Gwendolyn Zepeda, and prayers by pastors Juanita Rasmus and Mia Wright. Preceding what will be a very politically and culturally diverse council, speakers generally called for unity amid the diversity and perseverance amid struggle to conduct business in what is called America’s city of diversity. Houston Grand Opera Studio’s Reginald Smith Jr. sang “Climb Every Mountain” and Parker transitioned into her inaugural address with a lighthearted warning to the 16 members of the City Council, six of whom are new. “That song was a hint. We’re not slowing down,” Parker said. Parker, accompanied by her “life-partner” Kathy Hubbard who she has said she plans to marry this year ahead drew applause for promising to pass a comprehensive nondiscrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. She also called for working to better protect against hurricanes, combat homelessness and improve streets and drainage. The former three term at large city council member and city controller praised city employees too. “Each time I have stood before you, I asked for your prayers. I asked for your patience and I asked for your perseverance. I ask this again for all of us who serve you as your city workforce,” she said while repeatedly punctuating her ju-
PG 8
JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
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bilance with: “I love Houston. I love this city.” Joining her and Green, the city’s first African American City Controller, with his wife Justice of the Peace Hilary Green, in being sworn into city office were At Large City Council Members Steve Costello, David Robinson, Michael Kubosh, C.O. Bradford and Jack Christie and district City Council Members Brenda Stardig, Jerry Davis, Ellen Cohen, Dwight Boykins, Dave Martin, Richard Nguyen, Oliver Pennington, Ed Gonzalez, Robert Gallegos, Mike Laster and Larry Green. Costello is on record he wants to run for mayor in 2015. Robinson was elected with Parker and former council members Peter Brown and Sue Lovell’s promoting to defeat Andrew C. Burks. Kubosh came with an unprecedented African American following that included his treasurer Rev. James Nash and his campaign manager Sheila Jackson Lee’s consultant Ron Jackson. Bradford, routinely the city’s top vote getter, thanked voters for awarding him with 108,000 votes and majority in every district including endorsements that ranged from Kingwood TEA Party to Houston Black American Democrats, the “C” Club and Tejano Democrats. Christie commented on his experience at Spring Branch School Board and the State Board of Education prepared him to see Houston’s problems as challenges with holistic solutions. Stardig relished returning to city hall following her being ousted two years ago by Helena Brown who she ousted this year. Davis mentioned work on building community that is critical to him. Cohen credited her staff for so much involvement in their very involved district. Boykins gave a big shout to his mother and his mother-in-law for getting him to the mountain top in a journey he started in running at large twice two decades ago. Martin and Pennington talked about their unique districts and how important it is to them to keep their districts connected to what they do at city hall. Gonzalez thanked his mother who took him to city hall when he was a child and Gallegos thanked State Senator Sylvia Garcia and Sheriff Adrian Garcia for help in his success. Laster and Green thanked their families and their communities for returning them unopposed for second terms to city council as their new city council district’s first district council members.
entertainment By Dawn Paul Feature Style Writer
Y
Vincent Powell
ou may best know Vincent Powell from American Idol 2013, but this Southern boy has been in the music game long before his appearance on the show singing with greats like Whitney Houston and Kim Burrell. He called the American Idol audition his “last chance” but not surprisingly, Powell reached the coveted top 20 spot on season 12 of FOX’s hottest singing competition and continues to the top on the road to musical stardom. Now with a hot single “Live Again” added to his already impressive resume, Powell is proving why he’s a musical genius that will be regarded in this industry for years to come. The Texas native studied at Texas Southern University and the gift of vocals is in the blood, giving credit to his mother for his golden vocals. Major publications have labeled him as Mr. Soul and his celebrated musical style has been called a “unique blend of gospel and jazz with a contemporary flavor.” However, because of Powell’s vocal skills, I find myself putting him in many different categories. Powell is smart about this music business and his talents saying, “I’m Soul, Inspiration, R&B and Pop, but if you had to label it, call it Vincent Powell.” Powell stretching the limits of his voice always leaves his fans and critics wanting more and wondering what this music mogul in the making will do next. Powell’s music is not just something that makes you move. I admire the fact that his music makes you think, touches the soul and has a message. His new single Live Again
American Idol’s Vincent Powell Stays True to His Southern Roots on the Road to Musical Stardom does just that, supporting the movement against modern day slavery and human trafficking. In today’s music that over promotes sex and erotica, he’s bringing something refreshing that fans need and want. Live Again can be downloaded on Amazon, ITunes, Google Play, and many others. To find out more on Vincent Powell visit http://vincentpowell.net/. Vincent Powell took some time to chat with Houston Style Magazine. Tell me about the “real” American Idol experience from auditioning to being a finalist, etc.? The audition experience was quite tiresome and at my expense… it costs to travel. Juggling all of your emotions and still presenting effectively is crazy. How you execute under pressure is the key. Everyone is there for one purpose and that is to shine and win! I had made it to “Hollywood Week” the previous year and got cut at the end, so I accomplished more than the previous year and I was so happy that my hard work paid off. I did not make the top 10, but it was an AMAZING experience. I started working on “Live Again” after leaving the show. Talk about the importance of being smart and using opportunities like American Idol. Strike while the iron is hot! Trying to stay in the spotlight is not an easy task. Coming off a show like “American Idol” where there are millions of viewers, it’s hard to go back to working that 9-5 job, but I made new contacts along the way. No matter what place you make on “American Idol”, when it’s over you have to work! You are a Texas boy, so talk about how your Southern roots have helped you on this road to success. Southern roots have helped me to understand singing from the soul and helped me to relate to people. Because of my Southern roots, I discovered how to use my inner emotions when performing. My Southern roots also gave me a love for the Motown music era.
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Tell me about your new single Live Again and the inspiration behind it. “Live Again” was inspired by Frank Eakin and “Twelve Years a Slave”. It helps me daily to strive for life and be myself no matter what. Hopefully it will inspire people to make their dreams a reality. Because you are a singer, songwriter and actor, do you consider yourself a triple threat? Doing what you love to do always threatens the norms that have trained their minds to please others. But back to the question, I feel I do have a lot to offer and I bring a lot to the table. The music business is tough and so competitive. How do you plan to stay relevant in the music industry? I always stay up to date on the current and old market. Also, I will stay relevant if I stay true to myself and
do what represents me in the best light. You have sang background for Whitney Houston, Letoya Luckett and others, but name one person in the music business who you would love to work with? So many to choose from, but I love Tony Bennett, Katy Perry and Simon Cowell (hint). You have your new single, but what else do you have coming up that we can look forward to this year? I am working on movie reels. Also, I’m continuing my work with my company Dress Inc., where I introduce up and coming fashion designers around America and give scholarships to fashions students. People can visit my website for more information about my music and my other projects.
JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
PG 9
Feature
By Jo-Carolyn Goode Editor-At-Large
The Vitality of Bringing Back Unemployment Benefits that many steps backwards. We need
They also want funding for the $6.4
action from our government and less billion bill. talk.
“I have to admit I am a little
“It defies economic sense, surprised at the fervor with which the
precedent and our values to allow 1.3 majority is dedicated to reviving the million Americans fighting to find expired emergency unemployment jobs to see their unemployment insur-
benefits after they ignored the is-
ance abruptly cut off,” said Congress-
sue all of last year,” Senate Minority
woman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Leader Mitch McConnell said during
debate on the Senate floor on Tues-
What’s Holding Up Prog-
ress?
day. The answer is what it has been
Things were looking good for
for most of President Obama admin- Democrats until this pass Wednesday
E
istration, the fight amongst the Dems when two Republicans, who were and Republicans and no one willing
very day we hear about
provide unemployment insurance
the how the economy is
it makes it harder for them to find a
getting better. Though the
job.” He continued, “These are your
numbers reflect that on a large scale
neighbors, your friends, your family
when looking closer at the problem
members. It could at some point be
or should say at everyday Americans
any of us. That’s why we set up a
it seems as if it couldn’t be further
system of unemployment insurance.
from the truth. And now to be thrown
The notion was everybody is mak-
another blow of cutting unemploy-
ing a contribution because you don’t
ment benefits, especially right after
know when the business cycle or an
the holidays, is starting to weigh too
economic crisis might make any of
much on families.
us vulnerable.“
President Barack Obama is
to bend to the other’s side. Democrats bow out if Dems couldn’t fund bill. want to help Americans by extending
short, one bad illness shy, one traf-
this past Tuesday, he said, “…al-
fic situation off of being like many
though the economy has been grow-
Americans who struggling day in
ing and we’ve been adding new jobs,
and day out. These Americans are
the truth of the matter is, is that the fi-
not just waiting for someone to help
nancial crisis was so devastating that
them but they are trying to help them-
there’s still a lot of people who are
selves. But when government cuts
struggling. And, in fact, if we don’t
off unemployment benefits it pushes
PG 10 JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
The debate is said to go until
unemployment benefits to help them midterms. Lets pray that an agreeget back on their feet. While Republi- ment will come sooner than that. God cans see extending benefits as an ex- knows that the country is in need for cuse for Americans to not go to work.
We are all just one paycheck
not deaf to this fact either. In a speech
originally on board, said they would
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it.
entertainment
What People Are Talking About
ulations to Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas. Obviously, I’m disappointed to come that close. I feel for my family, the organization and the fans. Hopefully, next year.”
fessional career,” said Manziel. Saturday Night Live Gets Some Color
Craig Biggio
Biggio Upset Baseball fans are in outrage over the major snub that Houston Astros legend Craig Biggio received by the Hall of Fame. Coming short of the honor by just 2 votes, some are calling for writers that vote to be removed from the panel. Career highlights for Biggio include 20 seasons, more than 3,000 hits, 291 home runs, 668 doubles and 414 stolen bases. Plus, he made four Gold Gloves and seven appearances in the All-Star Game. There are only few ballers who come close to the record. Although fans are blowing their top, Biggio is keeping his cool. In a statement he said, Congrat-
LaKendra Tookes and Leslie Jones Johnny Manziel
Manziel Entering NFL Draft Aggies may be in tears as Johnny Manziel has made it official. He is entering the draft. This may make some Houston fans happy as it is a good possibility that Manziel could be wearing a Texans jersey. New Houston Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien didn’t make any predictions but did say that they were a long way from deciding on whom they would take in the draft. The Heisman trophy winner announced the decision in online post by Texas A&M. “The decision was not an easy one, but we all felt this was the right time to make the next step toward a pro-
Not only has Saturday Night Live (SNL) hired Sasheer Zamata, the first Black actress in years but they also have hired two Black women writers. LaKendra Tookes and Leslie Jones, along with Zamata, were found through a nationwide talent search by SNL. All three women are set to start working for SNL this month.
celeration and direction in very small, exact amounts. The demonstration is just one aspect of the technical building blocks required to make a self-driving car. There are also sensors, environmental modeling and decision and driving strategy technologies that BMW is working on. Those were not included on this particular test vehicle. Early automated-vehicle prototypes from car makers, universities and Google looked like Frankenstein experiments, covered in obviously custom hacked hardware. Now the technology is getting smaller and the necessary sensors and cameras are shrinking to barely noticeable sizes. Audi is particularly proud of decreasing the size of its computer systems, which previously filled the entire trunk of the car, into a box that’s mounted inside the glove compartment. The German car manufacturer demonstrated its Sport Quattro Laserlight concept car at CES. Audi’s real advancement this year is the compact zFAS car computer.
In the future, the Nvidia powered system could be used for key automated-driving tasks like traffic sign recognition, lane departure warnings and pedestrian spotting. Size isn’t the only technical challenge. Dependability is also incredibly important for a computer system driving a car. You can’t reboot a vehicle while it’s hurtling down a highway at 60 mph. “We can’t have these systems crash,” said David Anderson, Nvidia’s senior automotive solutions architect. “This is a safety critical application.” Making it legal Car makers agree that while there are many technical issues ahead, they may not be the most daunting obstacles self-driving cars face. Autonomous driving features are at least seven to 10 years away from becoming commercially available. The technology inside the cars is developing fast, but the auto industry will need at least that much time to sort out a tangle
lowing coaches were officially relieved of their duties to the organization: Perry Carter (assistant defensive backs), Rick Dennison (offensive coordinator), Karl Dorrell (quarterbacks), Dan Hammerschmidt (offensive assistant), Chick Harris (running backs), Reggie Herring (linebackers), Vance Joseph (defensive backs), Bobby King (assistant linebackers), Larry Kirksey (wide receivers), Marc Lubick (assistant wide receivers), Brian Pariani (tight ends), Wade Phillips (defensive coordinator), Jim Ryan (assistant offensive line), Matt Schiotz (assistant strength and conditioning), Cedric Smith (head strength and conditioning) and Jeff Zgonina (assistant defensive line). John Benton as offensive
Texans Cleaning House New Houston Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien comes into Texans Organization with a broom sweeping out 16 assistant coaches. Defensive line coach Bill Kollar was able to maintain his job. The fol-
New Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien
Technology Driveless Car Tech Gets Serious at CES By Heather Kelly CNN
T
he Detroit Auto show isn’t until Monday, but major car companies are showing off some of their more exciting car-tech prototypes a week early at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. BMW and Audi unveiled their latest driverless car technology and conducted demonstration drives. Nevada is one of a few states where it’s legal to test drive autonomous cars, though it requires a person to sit in the driver’s seat at all times. A preview of the latest driverless car tech BMW added its highly active assist technology to a modified 2 Series Coupe. The car can slide into a controlled drift to demonstrate how precise the control systems are and how it can handle a critical situation. The company has posted a video showing it in action. “It’s like the best test driver you have,” said Dr. Werner Huber, BMW project manager driver. The car uses steering, breaking and throttle to control acceleration, de-
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of non-hardware and software issues to clear the way for the cars. “The main problems are regulations and laws,” said Audi’s Heribert Braeutigam. Various laws will have to be updated around the world to make it legal for automated cars to drive on the road. Car manufactures and suppliers are already forming working groups to address the topics and work with governments. “We can only influence the technology. The framework work must be done by governments,” said Huber.
JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
Auto Driver
PG 11
entertainment 2014 People’s Choice Awards Led by Jennifer By Todd Leopold CNN
J
Jennifer Hudson
ennifer Hudson didn’t win a People’s Choice Award for a performance on Wednesday. But it was her emotional speech for a humanitarian award that highlighted the 2014 edition of the awards show. Hudson accepted the favorite humanitarian award with her sister Julia for the foundation the pair started in the name of Julia’s son, Julian D. King, after his 2008 murder. The Hudson sisters’ mother and brother were also killed in the crime. Jennifer Hudson said she was inspired by performers and educators
Local
she saw as a child. She wants to carry the message on to a new generation, she said, because that inspiration made a difference in her life. “If they did it, then I can do it, too,” she said of the work. Hudson’s speech was one of the few notable moments at the 2014 People’s Choice Awards, which mark the beginning of what the denizens of Tinseltown refer to as “awards season.” It starts a flurry of kudofests, including Sunday’s Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Grammys and the Oscars. The show clocked in at two hours flat, with a number of categories other awards shows might consider biggies -- like favorite movie -- unrevealed during the broadcast. (That one went to “Iron Man 3,” by the way.) But nobody can complain about the range of categories. The People’s Choice Awards are given for TV shows, movies and music, and there are almost 60 categories. The range was indicated by two people who accepted the Waterford crystal trophies -- one a newcomer to the hon-
ors, the other a repeat winner. The former, Britney Spears, may have won her share of MTV Video Music Awards, but she’d never been accepted by the People’s Choice Awards until Wednesday. Spears -- who recently put out a new album, “Britney Jean” -- was named favorite pop artist. She walked up the stage steps carefully, almost tottering on her heels, and thanked her fans and her management team. If Spears was a newbie at this People’s Choice thing, Ellen DeGeneres is an old hand. The talk-show host won her 14th People’s Choice Award, named favorite daytime TV host. “There’s nothing better than knowing you make people happy,” said DeGeneres in accepting the trophy. Bullock dominates Perhaps the night’s biggest favorite was Sandra Bullock, who won favorite movie actress, favorite comedic movie actress and favorite dramatic movie actress.
It must seem “like I spend lonely Friday nights voting for myself,” Bullock joked. Justin Timberlake also won, for favorite album (“The 20/20 Experience”) and favorite male artist. A gracious Julianna Margulies accepted one of the trophies for her show, “The Good Wife,” which won favorite network TV drama, and another for costar Josh Charles (favorite dramatic TV actor). Charles, she revealed, had a good excuse for not being at the ceremony: He was on his honeymoon in Thailand. The awards actually started before the broadcast. The first trophy was handed out on the red carpet as stars’ entrances streamed over the Internet. It went to Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black” in an appropriate category: favorite streaming series. Later on the carpet, favorite cable TV drama went to “The Walking Dead” and Ian Somerhalder (“The Vampire Diaries”) accepted an award for best sci-fi/fantasy TV actor.
Matthew Knowles Gives Local Talent a Chance to Shine
By Bell
M
Hudson’s Moment
Feature Style Writer
usic Mogul, philanthro-
where local hopefuls perform their best
in an artist, Mr. Knowles stated someone
pist, collegiate educator,
numbers in hopes to become like Blushhh
who is hard working and has passion. So
to sign, but to give the artist feedback to
visionary; and well we
Music and get signed to one of the most
along with talent he wants an artist who
help them further develop is amazing.
could fill an entire paragraph with his
renowned labels in Houston. Is this show-
“wants it” just as bad.
Hopefully this local platform grows into
titles; Mathew Knowles does it again
case just about finding artist; of course
When speaking to one of the
a national platform as music matters! The
with his collaborating showcase: Ice
not.
local hopefuls; Roenia Thompson, who
showcase is free to the public so go sup-
Artistry Showcase. Artistry showcases
Mr. Knowles along with a num-
belted out songs by the sultry Jill Scott,
port raw artist every Wednesday night
has been around a while in multiple
ber of “Judges” (who are vets in the music
had this to say: “As an artist you always
starting at 8pm! For more information
metropolitan cities like LA, Atlanta,
industry) give feedback to the acts that per-
want feedback, I have performed all
please contact: House of Dereon Media
and New York. Knowles; however,
form that night on everything from their
over the country including “the Village”
Center.
saw this missing in Houston and thus
mastered track to their stage presence and
in NYC, but to come to a place where
created the Music World I.C.E Show-
of course vocals. Constructive criticism is
I can get weekly feedback from profes-
case. Since then he has been shaking
the best way to describe what the judges
sionals who know what they are talking
Houston and many talented acts have
give the artist as some need very thick
about, that’s priceless!” Also performing
been falling out such as Blushhh Mu-
skin to handle the tough as nails Knowles.
that night was a group that Mathew took
sic, the newest members to join the
Even though that sounds harsh you have
a liking too called the Isaac Sisters! The
Music World Entertainment record
to remember this man knows exactly what
young trio performed numbers by the
label family. Every Wednesday, with
he is doing as he developed Destiny’s
Jackson 5 and stole Mr. Knowles’ heart!
show hosts recording artist, Shonnie
Child as a brand and as artists. Of course
Could they be the next act signed? If not,
Murrell, and Christian hip hop Aartist,
we cannot forget the training he gave the
they are still a group to watch as their
Iam Justified, the showcase is held at
greats, both daughters Solange, and Be-
dedication, passion, and hard work was
the House of Dereon Media Center,
yonce. When asked what he is looking for
manifested in their performance.
PG 12 JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
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Anyone can look for an artist
Mathew Knowles
THIS WEEk:
Houston, TX
2014 City of Houston Inauguration
O
Photography Vicky Pink and Roswitha Vogler
n Thursday, January 2, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Wortham Theater Center for the City of Houston Inauguration Ceremony for the Mayor, Controller, and Council Members. Along with Mayor Annise Parker and Controller Ronald Green, two women and 14 men took the oath of office to service Houstonians and make Houston better. Participating in the ceremony that installed our city leaders were the Joint Honor Guard from Houston Police & Fire Departments, children from the Star of Hope Mission, Savannah Berry, Pastor Juanita Rasmus of St. John’s United Methodist Church, Pastor Mia Wright of The Fountain of Praise, Chris Walker, Gwendolyn Zepeda, Reginald Smith, Jr. and Támar Davis.
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JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
PG 13
Terri Schichenmeyer
“True Story” by Ni-Ni Simone
P
lan A or Plan B? Each of your two choices has good points and bad. One may take longer than the other and one may be better now. You know there are pros and cons to both, and you need to pick carefully. But, as you’ll see in the new novel “True Story” by Ni-Ni Simone, sometimes the hardest choice can backfire the worst. New Orleans was the place to be for Seven McKnight. It had been like that all summer. Seven had tricked her mother into believing there was some internship that made it mandatory for her to stay in the Big Easy, so Seven didn’t go home to
Newark. Instead, she holed up with her man, Zaire, in his apartment for three glorious months. Now that college had started, though, she was back in her dorm room with her gurls, Shae and Khya and their fabulous guy-pal, Courtney, who’d sweet-talked his way into sleeping on the sofa. It was going to be a great sophomore year. The only bad part was that Josiah was at Stiles U., too. Josiah and Seven had been together practically since they were ten years old, but last year, she caught him in a lie (or two). They broke up, she fell in love with former troublemaker Zaire, and that was that. The only problem was that Josiah couldn’t keep his behind out of Seven’s business and, down-deep, she couldn’t forget that she still loved him. More than anything, though, Seven loved Zaire and she tried to loosen him up but he was too focused on work. His parents had both been killed by Hurricane Katrina, and he knew there
Entertainment By Susie Stillwell Entertainment Writer
B
orn Dana Elaine Owens, but better known as Queen Latifah, the First Lady of Hip-Hop was also the first rapper to land an Oscar nomination (for Chicago). She’s already made another ten movies since, including Bringing Down the House, Barbershop 2, Beauty Shop, Taxi, and The Cookout. She played Ray Romano’s “mammoth” love interest as the voice of Ellie, the woolly mammoth in Ice Age 2. And she appeared in Stranger than Fiction, a romantic comedy co-starring Will Ferrell and Dustin Hoffman. She recently added another to the string of firsts found on her resume’ when she became the first hip-hop artist to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here, she reflects on her latest movie, a remake of Last Holiday, a bittersweet comedy from 1950 about a salesman (Sir Alec Guinness) who decides to spend every penny he’s saved
was no third chance to get life right. He studied, worked constantly, and never wanted to go out. Pretty soon, eighteenyear-old Seven was bored. With her friends out partying nearly every night without her and her boo falling asleep in front of the TV all the time (ho-hum), Josiah started looking better and better all over again. Could a cheater ever reform? Or was a hard-working former drug-slinger better for Seven? The choice wouldn’t be easy… Oh, it’s nice to see Seven McKnight again. In “True Story,” we get a chance to catch up on where she’s been and who she’s dating, and we get to spend some time with her friends, too. That’s fun – if you can understand what’s being said in the conversations between the characters. Like other books in this series, author Ni-Ni Simone uses lots of slang in this book which, while it makes the story authentic, also can make it hard to grasp. On the flipside, there’s enough humor in this book
and the characters are appealing enough to make a reader want to stick around and, happily, the confusion eventually takes care of itself. A couple of relatively tame love scenes make this a book for teens ages 14-18 or for moms who are starting to get into YA books. If that’s you, then “True Story” could be a good book to pick.
c.2012, Dafina Teen 9.95 / $10.95 Canada 224 pages
Hail to the Queen
when he learns he’s suffering from a terminal illness. Susie Stillwell/Juicy Culture: Hey Queen. OK Let’s get right down to the real to the nitty gritty. The character you play in this movie’s name is Georgia Bird. When the film was originally made, the character’s name was George Bird and played by Sir Alec Guinness. Do you feel funny about taking a role that was really written for a man? QL: I reserve the right to be creative and to re-conceptualize a lot of these movies that need to be switched for someone like me. They need to be opened up and changed to add a little flava’ to them, or just a new twist on them that wasn’t there before. A lot of the studios are open to it. Talent drives a lot of the scripts that you see. So, if a studio wants to work with me, and the writers figure out a way to make it happen, and they’re into the idea, then it’s really not that difficult. But I never limit myself
PG 14 JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
to supposedly typical female roles, let alone African-American female ones. Neither does my agent or my partner slash manager. So, when they’re out there looking for stuff, they’re looking for good pieces of work. Good ideas, not just a role for a black female. SS/JC: What was it like having a rapper, LL Cool J, play your love interest? QL: [Whispers] Well, there’s no love interest like LL Cool J. [Chuckles] No, it was interesting, ‘cause we used to work together. His wife is cool as hell, always has been. So, I have to act, when I’m allowing myself to think that way about him. But working with him was really fun because, although we do come from music backgrounds, and have made this transition into film, we still have our roots in rap. We could sit around and rhyme. He’d start rhyming one of Eric B. and Rakim’s records, and we’d rhyme the whole song, or we’d
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start talking about this event in hip-hop history or about that whole era of hiphop when we were around. He’d start rhyming one of my records, or I’d start rhyming one of his. There was just more of a reliability because we come from the world of hip-hop music, and because of the respect we have for each other’s having made that crossover, as being one of the few rappers to have their own sitcom, go into films and then wind up working together. It was the same kind of feeling with Ice Cube, and the same kind of feeling with Will [Smith], who’s been like a brother all these years.
Queen Latifah
National mrs. baird’s® bakery Donates Baylor College of Medicine and More Than 100,000 Loaves of St. luke’s Health and the Texas Freshly-baked bread to Texas Food Heart® Institute Combined to Banks Give Greater Care to Region
end Macy’s will be left with over 800
equated to a lost of an estimated $100
stores with 175,000 employees. Ma-
million in lost revenue. The weather
cy’s projects their changes to reorga-
caused the cancelation of at least 20,
nize their base will save the company
000 flights nationwide. Out of all the
$100 million per year. For more in-
airlines JetBlue suffered the most
formation, visit www.macys.com.
since all of their pilots were not able to fly due to new FAA rules requiring more rest for pilots. For more information, visit www.cnn.com.
B
M
Mrs Baird’s Bread
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center
aylor College of Medicine has partnered with Catholic
Health
Initia-
tives (CHI) St. Luke’s Health and the Texas Heart® Institute in a joint venture for the new hospital on Baylor’s McNair Campus, which will eventually replace the current CHI St. Luke’s hospital in the Texas Medical Center. At the same time, CHI announced a new, strengthened affiliation with Texas Heart® Institute which calls for a significant, 10-year investment in the renowned institution to expand education and research into cardiovascular diseases. For more information, visit www.bcm.edu.
rs. Baird’s Bakery has always supported her community
through-
T-Mobile Wants You So Bad…They Are Paying For It
Ice storm kept planes frozen.
out the years and that commitment
New BlackBerry CEO May Have Golden Touch
is even stronger today. Mrs. Baird’s is helping Texans by donating more than 100,000 loaves of bread to six major food banks in Texas. Food banks receiving the freshly-baked bread donations include the North Texas Food Bank (Dallas), the Houston Food Bank, the San Antonio Food Bank, the Tarrant Area Food Bank (Fort Worth), the Capital Area Food Bank (Austin), and the South Plains Food Bank (Lubbock). For more information, visit www.mrsbairds.com.
See what’s hot on StyleMagazine.com
who want to leave their cell phone carriers need
to worry about the fees of breaking a contract. That is if they are transferring their services to T-Mobile. The campaign comes after T-Mobile experienced losing subscribers for several years. Now they are seeing a significant rise in subscribers. T-Mobile threw out contracts and allows
macy’s Cuts over 2,000 Jobs
Get in Style...
N
o longer do consumers
M
a c y ’ s kicks off 2014
by
reducing its staff by more than 2,000. In addition, Macy’s plans
Now exclusive to close 5 stores and partners with open 8 others. In the
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customers to pay month-to-month and buy phones on installment plans. For more information, visit www. tmobile.com.
Storm Costs Airlines Big Bucks
T
C
BlackBerry CEO John Chen
NN says John Chen, BlackBerry’s new CEO, just might
have
the
golden
touch. He is the latest person to attempt a BlackBerry turnaround, and so far, investors like his approach: Shares are up nearly 31% since the day Chen took over in November. The stock is up more than 15% so far in 2014, making BlackBerry the top
he cold weather not only
performer in CNNMoney’s new Tech
froze people in their tracks
30 index. For more information, visit
but the airlines too. That
www.cnn.com.
JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
PG 15
PG 16 JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2014
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