Houston Style Magazine Vol 25 No 29 by Houston Style Magazine (HSM)

Houston Style Magazine July 17 - July 23, 2014

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

Volume 25 | Number 29

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson

Talks About Shutting Down The Apartheid Avenue

Anita Wilson

BUILDING THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH TAKES YOU!

Talks About Her New Album - Vintage Worship

Words: Jo-Carolyn Goode

Twitter @HoustonStyle

City Proclaims Mary Benton Day

Instagram @StyleMagazine

Facebook: Houston Style Magazine

Pain is Power Inc. Launch A Success

Perrye K. Turner

Named Head of Houston FBI

Beyond The Court Charity Royale

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

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS PRE-ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP SERVICE

A powerful worship experience to inaugurate the anniversary celebration

Wednesday, July 23, 2014 7:00 p.m.

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CHURCH SPIRIT SUNDAY

An opportunity to display your church pride by wearing your favorite church or ministry shirt

Sunday, July 27, 2014 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship Services

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TENTH ANNIVERSARY GALA An extravagant evening of celebration

Friday, August 1, 2014 7:30 p.m. The Sugar Land Marriott Sugar Land, Texas Attire: Semi-Formal Tickets on Sale Summer 2014

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ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP SERVICES

A celebration of 10 years in ministry of The Fort Bend Church & Pastor Stevenson

Sunday, August 3, 2014 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship Services

Featuring Maurette Brown Clark Stellar Award Winning Gospel Recording Artist Page 2

July 17 - July 23, 2014

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04 07 Anita Wilson Greatest Show 10

Fredericka Phillips By Burt Levine

By Erynn Haskins

Volume 25 | Number 29 |July 17 - July 23, 2014 EDITORIAL

By Jo-Carolyn Goode

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 Editor Lisa Valadez Dr. Latisha Rowe – Health Editor Hispanic Managing Editor Kim Davis – Sports lisa@stylemagazine.com Heather Nelson – Health Aiaina Mayes – Blogger Brandon Caldwell Demez White – Feature Online Editor bcaldwell@stylemagazine.com Dawn Paul – Feature Lindsay Buchanan – Fashion Burt Levine – Political DESIGN/WEB Jade Gold – Entertainment Eric Ford – Editorial Intern Trevor G. Piper De’Neisha Bell – Feature Creative Director/Graphics webmaster@stylemagazine.com Tianyi Sun – Editorial Intern Cynthia Nevels – Business Kermit Williams Gabrielle Deculus – Web Master webmaster@stylemagazine.com Account Manager/Events Coordinator Dee Dee Wheaton – Blogger Jeffery T. Crump, Jr. Keandra Scott – Entertainment Chief Designer Marilyn Moore – Interior Design webmaster@stylemagazine.com Cecilia Smith - Entertainment Erynn Haskins - Feature Yvonne Guidry - Entertainment NATIONAL WRITERS Raegan Allen - Arts Mimi LaRue - Feature JESSE JACKSON jjackson@rainbowpush.org Abimbola Farinde - Health Sloan Houd - Sports ROLAND MARTIN Jessica Crawford - Feature www.rolandmartin.com Marcus Carter - Culinary Writer JUDGE GREG MATHIS Franceli Chapman - Entertainment www.askjudgemathis.com CoCo Dominguez - Reporter CIRCULATION Taylor Berry - Editorial Intern Benjamin Phagan Darian Gore - Editorial Intern PHOTOGRAPHERS Distribution Manager Vicky Pink Willie D. Scott, Jr. VIDEOGRAPHY vhpink@gmail.com Distribution Team 281.857.7635 Reginald Dominique – ADVERTISING/SALES Video/Social Media Roswitha Vogler reggiedominique@me.com photosbyrovo@gmail.com Lewis Miller 225.802.1593 832.876.9541 advertising@stylemagazine.com 713-748-6300 Antohny W. Morris Dale Lemar - Editing anthonymorris@att.net 832.785.4855 William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Sametra Scott semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com Joe English englishhst@gmail.com 832-888-6922

Fredericka Phillips

Minority Print Media, L.L.C.

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

©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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“Apartheid Avenue” Two Blocks From The White House

COMMENTARY

Jesse Jackson

National Writer

iplomats who abuse their immunity from prosecution to keep their “imported” domestic workers as virtual slaves are a repeated scandal. What has not gained as much media coverage and public exposure is the flagrant abuse of sovereign immunity by international organizations. For decades, the World Bank, the third largest employer in our nation’s capital, has sustained racially discriminatory practices. And within the last few months an appeal to address the issue has seen inaction by the newest president of the World Bank, appointed in 2010 by President Obama. In 2009, the Government Accountability Project (GAP) identified only four black Americans out of more than 1000 American professionals working at the Bank, not counting several thousand foreign nationals. The Bank’s reply essentially was that there

POLITICAL

By Burt Levine, Political Writer

been unofficially christened “Apartheid Avenue.” To the left of the Street stands the Bank’s “J” building where blacks are largely segregated. To its right sits the Bank’s flagship building where black professionals face glass doors. Because of the Bank’s immunity from U.S. courts, victims of racial discrimination are confined to an internal tribunal. Since its establishment in 1980, the tribunal has dismissed all racial discrimination claims filed by blacks. In contrast, according to GAP’s 2009 report, “Complainants of other races who allege racial discrimination or applicants claiming reverse discrimination have better prospects for compensation awards.” The expectation of change was high when President Jim Yong Kim was nominated by President Obama and confirmed as the first minority president of the World Bank in 2012, and opened his first annual meeting by saying that his life was “fueled by” Dr. Martin Luther King’s optimism about the human condition. To his credit, President Kim assumed personal leadership in advancing the Bank’s agenda for equality for women and the LGBT community. In the last six months he published two op-ed articles on women and LGBT

issues, met with external advocacy groups, and made presentations and chaired sessions at related forums. In contrast, he has not met with leaders of the DC Civil Rights Coalition, delegating this to his chief of staff. The Coalition submitted a petition calling on the President to (i) resolve outstanding cases of racial discrimination; (ii) establish an external commission; and (iii) introduce external arbitration as an alternative adjudicative outlet. To date, President Kim has not answered the Coalition’s call. The Bank’s formal posture remains that the Bank “has zero tolerance for discrimination” and that staffers with grievances have access to a “reputable, independent, and impartial tribunal.” What is clear, however, is that the reality still does not match the rhetoric. It is time for President Kim to take aggressive action to shut down Apartheid Avenue. 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 stylemagazine.com.

Houston Lawyer Phillips Elected Texas Democratic Party Vice-Chair

redericka Phillips, a Houston attorney and Beaumont native, returned from the Democratic Party of Texas 2014 Convention in Dallas having won the election against the incumbent Vice-Chair and is now Texas’ first Democratic Party Vice-Chair from the Houston region in many years. Phillips’s focus in civil rights and politics goes back to her working as a teenager in voter registration drives and marches with the NAACP. She believes she gets her non-stop energy from her father who retired from Centerpoint and her caring ceaselessly from those around her from her mom, a registered nurse. Her interest in the law goes back to her participation in Jefferson County’s first youth courts. Her work in youth court developed her priorities in public education, criminal justice and women’s health. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in my community, my state and my country to make real difference in bringing help to those who need help,” said Phillips, who earned her cum laude degree in criminal justice from Lamar University before coming to Houston to study at South Texas College of Law where she served on the law review.

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are not sufficient qualified black Americans. In fact, as the bank’s own internal reports have documented, discrimination is the root of the problem. In 1998, the Team for Racial Equality, consisting of senior officials including the Bank’s current Chief Counsel, reported that “The findings of three earlier World Bank studies send a clear message: race-based discrimination is present in our institution.” One of the serious issues that the 1998 report and several subsequent ones identified is the “ghettoization” (segregation) of blacks in the Africa regional vice presidential unit (VPU), housed in a separate building from the World Bank’s main office, In 2009, a former senior vice president explained that blacks were placed in the Africa regional section to give them opportunity to prove their competence and win the confidence of management before they were considered for assignments in other areas. This made it difficult for black professionals to gain higher positions -- and difficult for the Bank to retain skilled black professionals who could find greater opportunities elsewhere. The situation was so insulting that a segment of 18th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and G Street has

“Currently there are no Democrats serving as justices or judges in any of the nine Texas Supreme Court positions or any of the nine Texas Court of Criminal Appeals positions. In this Houston region there are nine justices on the First Court of Appeals and nine justices on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals that covers all of Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Brazoria and six other area counties. Of those only one is a Democrat. That is not diversity nor does it present an equal or objective balance toward justice for our state or region,” she said in describing her motivation to join the statewide leadership team for the Texas Democratic Party. Phillips was the Democratic nominee for the 240th Judicial State District Court in Fort Bend County in 2010. Her expertise has been in business law, in building her own business and in representing businesses before state and federal courts. She volunteers extensively beyond her interest in politics and law but for Habitat for Humanity and fundraising for and participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, Susan G. Komen 3-Day for Cure, Big Brothers and Big

July 17 - July 23, 2014

Fredericka Phillips

Sisters and DePelchin Children’s Center. “My most important job is being mom to my two young children and to show them there’s a better future

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for all of Texasand America if all register to vote that can, vote and do more than voting in November elections but vote and pitch in energy and effort in every election to make the best horizons ahead for everyone,” Phillips added. State Rep. Ron Reynolds said he won his first race for Fort Bend County’s State House District 27 when Phillips was running throughout Fort Bend County for district judge and truly became an admirer of her sincerity and sweat equity for equality and justice. “It was important to me to work hard in talking to my colleagues and my fellow Democrats from all Texas before the convention and at the convention in Dallas to ensure she would win this election because as an attorney and working mom, a woman, minority and most important as a friend I know she is right for the future of our Democratic Party,” State Rep. Reynolds said.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT A JAGGED FILMS/ BRIAN GRAZER PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH WYOLAH FILMS ATATE TAYLOR FILM “GET ON UP” CHADWICK BOSEMAN NELSAN ELLIS DAN AYKROYD VIOLA DAVIS EXECUTIVE MUSIC MUSIC EXECUTIVE CRAIG ROBINSON OCTAVIA SPENCER MUSIC PRODUCED PRODUCER MICK JAGGER BY THOMAS NEWMAN SUPERVISORS BUDD CARR MARGARET YEN PRODUCERS PETER AFTERMAN TRISH HOFMANN JEZ BUTTERWORTH JOHN-HENRY BUTTERWORTH JOHN NORRIS ANNA CULP BY BRIAN GRAZER p.g.a. MICK JAGGER p.g.a.SCREENPLAY VICTORIA PEARMAN p.g.a. ERICA HUGGINS p.g.a. TATE TAYLORDIRECTEDSTORYBY STEVEN BAIGELMAN AND JEZ BUTTERWORTH & JOHN-HENRY BUTTERWORTH A UNIVERSAL PICTURE BY JEZ BUTTERWORTH & JOHN-HENRY BUTTERWORTH BY TATE TAYLOR SOUNDTRACK ON UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES

THIS FILM CONTAINS DEPICTIONS OF TOBACCO CONSUMPTION

STARTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 Houston Style Magazine THURSDAY 07/10 3 COL. (5”) X 6.5” ALL.GOU.0710.HSMemail

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

JULY 23 8:30 p.m. Making its Miller Theatre debut, this beloved dance institution of unparalleled global renown dazzles audiences with an eclectic repertoire that demonstrates the company’s range and versatility, including Alvin Ailey’s The Lark Ascending, Robert Garland’s Gloria and Return-a fascinating blend of classical technique and funky soul set to music by Aretha Franklin and James Brown.

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H-E-B Presents: Dance Theatre of Harlem Miller Outdoor Theatre, and community partner H-E-B, welcome the internationally-acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem, America’s foremost AfricanAmerican ballet company, led by former DTH ballerina and current Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. PRESENTED BY

VISIT WWW.MILLER OUTDOORTHEATRE.COM FOR TICKET INFORMATION. 281-FREE-FUN (281-373-3386)

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LOCAL BRIEFS

titioned to keep other details from investigation out of public record.

Turner Named Head of FBI Houston Division

errye K. Turner is the man in charge of the Houston division of the FBI. Director James B. Comey officially announced Turner’s new appointment this past MonPerrye K. Turner day in a special ceremony. Turner has extensive experience in various divisions of the FBI since 1991 including working in the Louisville Division in Kentucky, Birmingham Division in Alabama, New Orleans Division in Louisiana, and the FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Three Teachers Fired Over HISD Cheating Scandal

ince the fall of 2013 Atherton Elementary School has been under investigation over an alleged cheating scandal Atherton School Principal Albert L. Lemons and HISD with the STARR test. Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier Sparking the investigation was a spike in students’ math and reading scores. Along with Atherton, other schools with similar circumstances were examined including Paige Elementary, Davila Elementary, and others. HISD investigated numerous school administrators and teachers, three of whom were fired. All three teachers have claimed they are innocent and even passed a polygraph test. HISD pe-

City of Houston Reaches Milestone for One Bin For All Program

he City of Houston received five proposals for the One Bin for All initiative. A Request for Proposals for the waste diversion project was issued in April, 2014. The City of Houston invited submittals from short-listed firms that participated in the City’s earlier Request for Qualifications process. “We have reached another key milestone in this process and are eager to move forward as this advanced recycling and waste diversion technology has the potential to improve health and quality of life not only in Houston, but around the world,” said Mayor Annise Parker. The City is seeking a public/private partnership that will change the way the City handles trash, significantly increase its overall recycling and waste diversion rate, create jobs within the City limits, maintain a cost-neutral expense to the City, reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to current processes, and protect and educate local communities. The City will now review the proposals, and will have a recommendation by the end of the year.

M.D. Anderson No Longer No. 1 Ranked Cancer Center

oustonian know when it comes to cancer treatment that M.D. Anderson in the Texas Medical Center is the best place. This was something that was recognized by the U. S. News & World report annually for seven years. But the release of their report on this past Tuesday has revealed there is a new champ, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New

York. With a score of 100 to 99.9, Kettering barely beat out M. D. Anderson. Besides that ranking, M. D. Anderson also fell in subspecialty care in the areas of ear, nose and throat; gynecology; pediatric oncology; and urology. Despite the ranking, M. D. Anderson President Dr. Ron DePinho said he is still proud to ranked among the top two cancer centers for the past 25 years.

Slain Family Remembered

he lone survivor of the Stay family mass killings will laid her family to rest this past Wednesday. The 90-minute funeral was opened to the public but the burial of Katie and Stephen Stay and their four youngest children: Bryan, 13; Emily, 9; Rebecca, 7; and Zach, 4; was private. Cassidy, who survived by playing dead, is expected make a full recovery. Ronald Haskell, who was divorced from Cassidy’s aunt, is the alledged shooter in the killings and faces multiple counts of capital murder. Chick-fil-a and several businesses and organizations are raising money to help Cassidy Stay. They hope to raise $350,000 and to date have raised $321,933.00. If you would like to donate visit the family’s gofund me page at http:// www.gofundme. com/bbh9go or at Stay Family www.stayfamilyfund.org.

PhD BOOK REVIEW Supersurvivors by& LeeDavidDanielB. Feldman, Kravetz By Terri Schichenmeyer, Literary Writer

ou’re not sure if you’ll ever recover. The loss of job or a business. The loss of a lifelong dream. The loss of your health or the life of someone you love. Without a doubt, you’ll never be the same. It’s the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Or is it? Studies show that, depending on several factors, hardship may be beneficial and may even strengthen you. Find out how in the new book “Supersurvivors” by David B. Feldman, PhD & Lee Daniel Kravetz. Some thirteen million people, world-wide, are diagnosed each year with cancer. Around ten million suffer brain injuries. Fifty million survive traffic accidents. The U.N. says that one-third of the worlds’ women will be abused at some point in their lives. About twenty-five percent of these people will suffer from PTSD. Yes, bad things happen to good people and trauma occurs somewhere daily. “Suffering is real,” the authors point out, but so is resiliency. Some folks, however, don’t just bounce back; they “bounce forward…” The authors call them “supersurvivors” – people who “refocus their energies” after a traumatic, life-altering event to achieve “some degree of

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positive change” from it. Their worstcase scenario turns around to become their best. Not surprisingly, supersurvivors share several common traits. Undoubtedly, they’re urged to think positively, but they don’t rely on it and may reject it completely in order to think realistically with “grounded hope.” They’re often told not to give up, but they understand that quitting is sometimes the only way to move forward. They acknowledge risk but utilize “comparative optimism” to carefully choose what happens next in life. Their belief in controlling their own destiny motivates them when they fail. Supersurvivors often hold a different “assumptive worldview” than most of us, and are able to “accommodate” a new normal within an old life. They look deep into beliefs of a higher power, and make peace with what they find. They have a strong support system, whether perceived or real. And supersurvivors know that forgiveness is essential for moving on – especially if it means forgiving themselves. Is it true that that which does not kill you makes you stronger? The answer might lie inside studies and anecdotes gathered and presented inside “Supersurvivors.” And it might irritate you.

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That’s because authors David B. Feldman and Lee Daniel Kravetz, who stress that they’re not trying to minimize anyone’s trauma, use science and research to blow apart old (and potentially ineffectual) advice for coping with tragedy. Advice, it seems, isn’t really all that helpful: I noticed that, ultimately, each individual profiled in this book – from athletes to Civil Rights leaders, soldiers to war survivors, accident victims to survivors of natural disasters – came to their own resolution for suffering that often had little to do with conventional thinking. And that’s part of what’s so intriguing about this book, that “every one of us has the capacity to be super.” And if you want to learn how, or learn how others have found that ability, “Supersurvivors” is a book you should uncover. David B. Feldman,Ph.D.

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c.2014, Harper Wave $25.99 / $31.99 Canada 243 pages

ENTERTAINMENT By Erynn Haskins, Feature Writer

Grammy-Nominated Artist Anita Wilson Talks New Album, Influences And Staying Humble

rammy-nominated singer Anita Wilson is having a phenomenal year. With her debut album Worship Soul recognized by the New York Times as one of 2012’s top ten albums, it is apparent that her preceding album Vintage Worship is nothing less than stellar. When asked about her Grammy nomination, Anita says she tries to stay grounded and truly appreciates the recognition. “I still get nervous, but it is incredibly exciting to be able to share a huge stage with amazing artists.” She continued, “I never get used to it.” Self-described as a “natural evolution” from her first “live” studio-album Vintage Worship brings a fresh mixture of 70’s, 80’s and 90’s Anita Wilson gospel and R&B. While in Houston on promotion with the likes of Yolanda Adams, Anita has been making her rounds at radio stations, concerts and meet & greets to stay in touch with her Houston supporters.

As a pastor’s daughter and aspiring artist, Anita moved to Chicago in 1999 where she met her musical influence Rick Robinson. After singing background in 2004, she began to learn more about the business through Donald Lawrence and was in-

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stantly motivated. She gained a “humble confidence” and made it her goal to apply everything she learned before pursuing her own career path. Within her career, Anita has learned to always be prepared. Through her experiences she has been able to know all sides of the music industry and stay educated. She’s also not afraid to see the fun side of the industry and not take herself too seriously. “I’ve learned to own my strengths, be authentic, be confident, maximize and be faithful.” For the remainder of the year, Anita hopes to continue promoting Vintage Worship and is looking forward to her performance at the 2014 NAACP Convention to be held in Las Vegas, NV. “It’s a blessing to do what you love and I want to let people know I am grateful.”

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HEALTH By Family Features

Pain 101: Understanding and Finding Relief For Body Pains 90 percent of sufferers. If you suffer from persistent body and head pains, it’s important to understand the source of the pain. For more ways to stop the pain, visit http://thermalaidproducts.com. Important Questions to Consider When consulting your medical professional about pain, he or she will likely ask you a set of questions similar to those listed below. It is essential to prepare before you visit the doctor so you can help pinpoint the pain for the best diagnosis and treatment: Where is the location of the pain? When did it start? What kind of pain is it? (Some descriptions include burning, dull, sharp, etc.) Do certain activities alleviate or worsen the feeling? What treatments have you used? Have you experienced any side effects?

hether it’s sharp or dull, off and on or constant, pain can be a real pain at times. With the ability to interrupt time with family, lessen productivity at work and create many sleepless nights, understanding the source of your pain is essential for relief. The ache and its sources As a source of discomfort, it may be hard to view pain in a positive light. But this natural, protective tool is used by the body as an alert of present or potential harm to tissues. While pain usually ceases once the stimulus has been removed and the damage to tissue has healed, there are many different factors involved for the amount of time the process takes. One thing is certain — whether it takes an hour or several months, relief is the main focus for those who suffer from any type of pain. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, approximately 100 million Americans deal with chronic pain, which is classified as discomfort lasting six months or longer. While this type of pain can range from minor to debilitating, it can disrupt the social and physical aspects of life in a major way. Those that suffer from this condition often experience headaches, backaches and neck pain, though it can aggravate other areas within the body. Due to its lengthy nature, chronic pain can often lead to emotional issues, such as depression and stress, which can exacerbate the healing process. The best way to identify chronic pain is to be aware of its symptoms. This pain is persistent and can often be described as aching, burning or shooting. The area where the pain is located is often defined by patients as sore, tight or stiff. Because this type of pain can affect so many areas of life, many in the health community recommend a comprehensive mind and body approach for its management. This can include medication, injections, acupuncture and other holistic treatments. Here are some of the common types of chronic pain and a few ways to end the discomfort, so you can get back to enjoying life. Back and neck pain What causes nearly 40 percent of missed

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work days in the U.S. and is the fifth most common cause for doctor visits? Running from the top of the neck to the bottom of the spine, back pain is a common complaint among many people. While back pain is typically divided into the most common areas of neck, middle back, lower back and tailbone, its symptoms can also be felt in other parts of the body, including arms, hands, legs and feet. Some of the common remedies for back and neck pain include everything from massage therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, back conditioning exercises and medication. Due to the controversy surrounding the last remedy, many patients prefer a more natural way to ease back pain with hot and cold therapy, such as Thermal-Aid Large Sectional Pack, which helps eliminate swelling and eases pain on any area of the back. Headache pain Though there are many factors that can trigger its unpleasant feeling; headaches can range from a minor sinus headache to a severe migraine. Though it may feel that your brain is the source for the pain, the discomfort is actually caused by a disturbance to the structures surrounding it, and not within the tissue itself. Some headache symptoms can be as minor as sensitivity to light or noise to the extreme conditions of fever and vomiting. While most physicians typically recommend the use of overthe-counter medications, there are also new natural treatments available. One natural product, the Thermal-Aid Headache Relief System provides fast, safe pain relief and is clinically proven to relieve headache pain in over

July 17 - July 23, 2014

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Helping Children through Pain Whether they’re visiting a physician to receive a routine shot or undergoing treatment, it can be difficult for parents to watch their children experience pain. Here are some tips from the American Medical Association for helping your little ones cope: Stay close during the pain. Regardless of their age, your presence is comforting to your child. Make contact with your child. If you can, hold or touch your child throughout the process. Take notes from nature: Some animals, such as kangaroo mothers, carry their young close to them. If you have an infant in pain, hold your baby close to your chest wearing only a diaper. This tactic is used worldwide and research shows that it can reduce pain during a procedure. Offer distractions. Focus the attention on things your child enjoys to help them relax. Some helpful diversions include singing a song together, reading a book out loud or telling their favorite story. Or, give them a playful stuffed toy that also helps ease pain, such as the Thermal-Aid Zoo animals, which offers a 100 percent natural, therapeutic heating and cooling treatment. Be truthful. Tell your child up front the procedure will cause discomfort but you will be there for support.

CULINARY By Family Features

he summer forecast calls for delightful weather and a calendar full of casual, fun-filled gatherings with family and friends. Make sure you’re prepared for all the seasonal soirees with delicious wines that enhance the mood and the good times. A Perfect Picnic Pairing Celebrate the summer sun with the ultimate in al fresco dining — a picnic with friends and the perfect pairing of wine. Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay is a winemaker’s blend from hillside vineyards along California’s cool, coastal appellations. Made from hand selected grapes from the best estate vineyards, each lot is kept separate, barrel-aged and handcrafted — boutique winery style. With rich, tropical flavors accompanied by clean acidity and finesse, this elegantly layered wine exhibits a rich texture with a hint of vanilla and spice. It pairs deliciously with picnic foods like creamy goat cheese, garlic roasted hummus and crudites. For more information, visit www.kj.com. Refreshing Anytime Pick From crunchy, cool salads to succulent seafood, warmer weather inspires its own impressive menu. If hosting a summer gathering or you need to bring a wine to enjoy and share as a guest, consider the bright, fresh and crisp flavors of La Crema’s Monterey Pinot Gris. The winery has dedicated more than 30 years to exploring California’s finest cool-climate vineyards, and chose Monterey as the perfect region for growing its new Pinot Gris. Cool winds and fog help the wine develop a natural, juicy palate with notable complexity and minerality. With aromas of white peach and subtle floral hints, it pairs beautifully with all the flavors of summer. For more information, visit www.lacrema.com. Great for Grilled Fare Based in Sonoma County, Murphy-Goode Winery is all about good wine, good times and good deeds. The wine producer is a partner with Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial assistance to military families and wounded warriors. The winery’s red blend wine, Homefront Red, launched in 2013 to support veterans and military families in need, with 50 cents from each bottle sold benefitting the organization. To date, Murphy-Goode has raised more than $400,000 for the cause. A blend of Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, the wine boasts juicy black cherry and raspberry flavors complemented by toasty vanilla notes. Each glass ends in a long finish, making for a food-friendly wine that pairs well with grilled dishes. Available nationwide, this robust red will be a hit at your next barbecue or outdoor event. For more information, visit www.murphygoodewinery.com. A Happy, Summer Hostess Gift When you’ve been invited to a joyful, warm-weather gathering, it’s only right to show the hostess your gratitude. Thank them properly with a distinctive wine, such as Julia’s Pinot Noir from Cambria Estate Winery, a family-owned winery located on the famed Santa Maria bench in Santa Barbara County. Known for stylistically distinct bottlings, the winery focuses on small-lot practices, highlighting individual vineyard parcels, clones and soil types, as well as winemaking techniques. The namesake of proprietor Barbara Banke’s youngest

Summertime Sweets daughter, Julia’s Pinot Noir is richly-textured, with aromatics of dark fruit and spice. It’s a lush Pinot Noir any hostess would be happy to receive. For more information, visit www.cambriawines. com. Savor Seafood Pairings A coastal inspired menu is a great way to please guests and showcase the fresh flavors of the season. Be sure to pair your favorite shellfish, shrimp and other seafood dishes with a wine that’s as equally pleasing, such as the Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc. With a storied history in Sonoma County, the winery has established a reputation for producing Sauvignon Blanc that is crisp, vibrant and bursting with fruit. With flavors strongly influenced by the coastal influence of the Pacific Ocean, this Sonoma County wine is a nod to the region’s extraordinary volcanic soils and wide daily temperature range. Heighten your dining experience with a harmonizing glass of Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc, which serves up a sense of delicacy, naturally mouthwatering fruit and balanced acidity. For more information, visit www.matanzascreek.com.

Pinot Noir -Meats and fish Roasted chicken, tuna, filet mignon, lamb and mild sausages -Fruits and vegetables Roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, figs, cherries and dried fruit -Sauces Mushroom sauces, light or medium red sauces -Desserts Vanilla pudding, milk chocolate, strawberries and cream or white chocolate Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Flavorful Pairing Partners No matter what ingredients you use, there’s a perfect wine to complement every meal. This helpful pairing guide features three popular varietals for your next summer soiree: Sauvignon Blanc -Meats and fish Lighter entrees such as shellfish, sushi, sole and chicken -Fruits and vegetables Citrus fruits, melons, green apples and asparagus -Sauces All light sauces, such as citrus sauce -Desserts Light, fruity sweets such as sorbet and key lime pie Chardonnay -Meats and fish Pork loin, chicken, veal, shrimp, crab and lobster -Fruits and vegetables Avocado, potato, butternut squash, apples and peaches -Sauces Creamy, mild and buttery sauces, pesto and tropical salsas -Desserts Apple, pecan and key lime pie; yellow and pound cake

UNIEXECUTIVE VERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS A PLATINUM DUNES/BLUMHOUSE/WHY NOT PRODUCTION “THE PURGE:ANARCHY” FRANK GRILLO CARMEN EJOGO ZACH GILFORD KIELE SANCHEZ AND MICHAEL K.WILLIAMS PRODUCED AND PRODUCERS JEANETTE VOLTURNO-BRILL LUC ETIENNE BY JASON BLUM p.g.a. MICHAEL BAY ANDREW FORM BRAD FULLER SEBASTI ´ EN K. LEMERCIER p.g.a. WRITTEN DIRECTED BY JAMES DE MONACO A UNIVERSAL RELEASE #PURGEANARCHY © 2014 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, JULY 18 THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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FEATURE

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Building the Greatest Show on Earth Takes You

King Charles Troupe

ions, tigers, and bears oh my! The greatest show on Earth has rolled into town Houston! Annually Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey makes the entire city turn into children as they amaze us with death defying acts and things we didn’t know were humanly possible. Now playing at Houston’s NRG Stadium through July 27th, this year’s Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is like none before giving us an in depth look at what it takes to build this awe inspiring show under the theme “Built to Amaze!” “It has a construction theme. It is like boy vs. girl. And in the end we prove it takes everyone to build the greatest show on Earth,” said Ringmaster Andre McClain. With more than 110 of the world’s best performers representing 17 countries along with 95 exotic and domestic animals it really does take a village to bring this world renown show to life that has a 143 year history. What is almost as fascinating as the circus itself is the back story of some of those who create the magic of the show. Leading the cast of characters for this Houston show is Andre McClain. Houstonians would automatically be drawn to McClain, even

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without his circus affiliation, because at heart he’s a cowboy. “I went from riding bulls and buck eyed horses to teaching myself how to trick rope, like Will Rogers, and do whip acts and train whip horses, “ he said in a recent interview with Houston Style. Following in the footsteps of his influential rodeo father, Lu, who founded the first allblack touring rodeo, the Bill Pickett Rodeo, McClain became a competitive cowboy at the age of 7. It is almost funny how his start in rodeo ultimately led him to a career with the circus. His talents of working with horses and rope became an anticipated attraction of his father’s rodeo. “I was a one man show,” laughed McClain. Like any great performer McClain didn’t want his act to become stale. He decided to spice it up with stilt walking. Just so happened when this idea entered his brain the circus had made it to his town. A young McClain thought who would be a better teacher of stilt walking than the folks at the circus. That first inquiry garnered him a unique opportunity to audition for the show with an invisible horse, he was offered a job on the spot. McClain has been trained and groomed by the circus for the last thirteenth years and is now the Ringmaster. “It is something

July 17 - July 23, 2014

that I never thought I would be.” Someone else who never thought he would be with the circus is Kim Anthony Jones, better known as Kip. Just by fate, he joined the King Charles Troupe, first all-black circus act in the history of Ringling Bros., at 15. The troupe has performed off and on with the circus since 1969. Like McClain, Kip’s background meshed perfectly with that of a circus performer. Before joining the circus, Kip took gymnastics and was a very gifted athlete. One day he accompanied a friend who was trying out for the King Charles Troupe, the first all-black circus act in the history of Ringling Bros. “ I walked into this gym and saw about 20 guys doing some of the most amazing things on unicycles and playing basketball. And I fell in love with it ever since.” So much in love that he audition for a spot with his friend and was presented an offer to join the troupe on the spot. He, of course, signed up right away. Training on the unicycle takes a lot of strength and discipline. Kip says it builds character. A sentiment that first inspired the troupe founder Jerry King. King first taught his son and neighborhood children how to ride the unicycle by insisting they followed certain rules as keeping up their grades

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in school, respecting their parents and cleaning up their neighborhood. Before King knew it, he had a troupe. Kip leads the third generation of the troupe that currently has members ranging in age from 21-50. Performing on the unicycle is like a fountain of youth according to Kip, “We get better with age.” This is so true as Kip just set the record for most single jumps on a unicycle while double-dutch jump-roping. He did 164 jumps. After years of being with the circus McClain and Kip can’t imagine life without it. Since joining Ringling Bros. McClain met the love of his life Daniele, who is now his wife. A performer as well, Daniele is McClain’s backup singer in the show. The couple lives on the train with their children. Making Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey not just a producer of great family entertainment but also a great place to raise a family. “The circus is like a city with no zip code,” McClain told me as he took me deeper into life on the road. Traveling for 48 weeks out of the year, circus performers are able to eat, live and work all on the circus train. On the mile long circus train that houses 125 performers, each individual has their own area to live in complete with a bedroom, bathroom, and full kitchen. The rolling city has a nursery and school so parents can raise and educate their children. A church with a traveling pastor is on board as well as medical staff for humans and animals and a restaurant for good eats while moving from place to place. “It is like a city on rails,” said Kip, who added to live this kind of life one must have a passion for what they do. “It (living on the rail) has its ups and downs. The performers that work for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus have a passion for what they do and they love to perform for audiences across the country.” See what fuels McClain and Kip at the 2014 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus “Built to Amaze” now in Houston through July 27th. Tickets are available online at ringling.com. When you get your tickets be sure to come to the show early for interactive fun with the animals and circus performers and see why it takes everyone to build the greatest show on Earth.

LOCAL

he Ensemble Theatre celebrates its 37th uninterrupted season as Houston’s premier African American performing arts institution with a gala themed: Anchor of Inspiration Saturday, August 16, 2014, 6:30 PM at the Hyatt Regency – Downtown Houston, Imperial Ballroom, 1200 Louisiana, Houston, TX 77002. Hal Williams will be honored with The Ensemble Theatre’s Legacy Award. Although his acting career started much earlier, he was the highly recognized television dad “Lester Jenkins” opposite Marla Gibbs in the 1985 comedy series “227.” His career spans more than 25 years as a stage, film, and television actor, appearing in both comedic and dramatic roles. He is one of a few African American actors who have played regular or recurring roles in nine television series and more that 100 guest-starring roles. Robert Townsend will receive the Director of the Year Award. He is an actor, comedian, writer, director, producer and former CEO of (BFC) the Black Family Channel. He launched his career in film with Hollywood Shuffle, a satire depicting the trials and tribulations of black Actors in Hollywood. The film was a self-funded project that Townsend wrote, directed, produced, and starred in. Another film that brought Townsend the credit of a lifetime was the popular soul musical The Five Heartbeats, reminiscent of the 60’s R&B male groups and the ups and downs of the music industry. He made history by being nominated for 30 NAACP Awards and continues to work on projects in film, humanitarian efforts for underrepresented youth through his own 501 (c) 3 The Robert Townsend Foundation, and touring as a guest speaker at colleges and universities. LeToya Luckett will be recognized as this year’s Rising Star Award recipient. She is a Houston native and two-time GRAMMY Award winning artist with ties to The Ensemble Theatre as a young girl. She was an integral member of the group Destiny’s Child where she co-wrote gold certified singles “Bills Bills Bills” and “Say My Name.” Her star continues to rise as she peruses her solo career. Luckett is currently working on her third album “Until Then…” set to be released later this year. Her star continues to rise as she takes on stage, film and television projects including the Warner Premiere film Preacher’s Kid and the third season of HBO TV series “Treme.” Luckett is also starring alongside Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson and Tom Felton in From the Rough, the story of Dr. Cantana Starks, the first female head coach of an NCAA Division 1 men’s golf team.

The Ensemble Theatre Celebrates 37th Season with Annual Celebrity Gala Jerelyn and Reverend DeFarris Gooden are the recipients of this year’s Founder’s Award. The couple began their support of The Ensemble Theatre during the lifetime of founder George W. Hawkins. Jerelyn Gooden, a prominent designer and Texas Southern University Professor worked on many of the theatre’s special events and galas. She was also appointed to the Cultural Arts Council Houston (CACH), now the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), where she served for six years. Two of those years she served as President, becoming the first African American to serve as president of CACH. She played a pivotal role in helping the council understand and access the financial needs of minority and emerging organizations. Reverend DeFarris Gooden, an Army Veteran and 30 year retired Chaplain for the Houston VA Hospital began his journey with the theatre as a volunteer and patron in support of his wife, but later became an Ensemble Theatre board member where his service to the organization continues in support of the theatre’s fundraising and community outreach initiatives. The Audrey and Reverend William “Bill” Lawson Family will received the President’s Award. The Lawson family’s support of The Ensemble Theatre spans generations. Audrey is the theatre’s president emeritus, recognized for spearheading the theatre’s first capital campaign to assist with the building renovations and purchase of the building at its current location. Reverend Bill Lawson volunteered his artistic talents painting the attention grabbing marquees and influencing community support. Their four children Melanie, Cheryl, Eric, and Roxanne follow in their parent’s footsteps with their service to the theatre and throughout the Greater Houston Community. Granddaughters Robyn and Raven grew up in the theatre’s Young Performers Program, a performing arts education program for youth, where they later returned as interns and instructors. Both are currently pursuing careers in Los Angeles California. Robyn was also the winner of the 2007 “My Grammy Moment” where she performed with Justin Timberlake. Audrey and Reverend Lawson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the theatre January of 2014 along with their family and a host of friends. BP America will be recognized with the Community Partner of the Year Award. BP America, Inc. is a

long-time strategic partner of The Ensemble’s youth programs. Iris Cross, BP General Manager of External Affairs volunteers her time and talents as an Ensemble theatre board member where she has led the charge in support. Other BP employees are also seen annually volunteering their time to the theatre’s special projects and events. This provides a platform for shared voices to be impactful. McConnell, Jones, Lanier & Murphy LLP will receive the Community investor Award. MJLM’s support for The Ensemble Theatre has remained strong since forming the business 15

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years ago; from helping to start the annual golf tournament to underwriting and participating in a variety of the theatre’s programs and events. MJLM partner Sharon Murphy is an active board member who most recently cochaired the theatre’s past two galas. Collectively, partners Wayne McConnell, Thomas Jones, Odysseus Lanier, Sharon Murphy, Tenë Thomas, and Eric Ernest serve on boards or volunteer their time and expertise to over 20 organizations representing education, health and wellness, and the arts. The celebration continues at The Ensemble Theatre on Sunday, August 12, 2:00PM with the community subscriber’s party and “Giorgee Awards,” The Ensemble’s own version of the Tony’s, affectionately named after the theatre’s founder George W. Hawkins. The Giorgee Awards are presented in recognition of the best actors, designers, and overall productions seen at The Ensemble Theatre the previous year. For more information, visit ensemblehouston.com.

800-745-3000

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LIFESTYLE

By Demez White, Feature Writer

Putting A Voice To Divorce

e live in a cynical society. Nothing shocks us anymore, no matter how violent or heartless or heinous. We view divorce in almost the same way, are we even shocked or surprised anymore when we hear about it. Not really, it’s almost as though we expect it. No matter what statistic or website you use the number is 50%. 50% of couples that get married will get a divorce. That’s 1 out of 2. No matter how often it happens or how expected it is, it’s still people’s lives. You don’t fall out of love overnight; you don’t stop being happy because you walked down the aisle. Sure people get married for the wrong reasons but it’s more to it than that right? It has to be. This article is my conversation with a woman that was divorced after only a couple years of marriage. She was incredibly honest and open with me. I write about love and dating and lust but I rarely write about what happens when that love and lust start to fade away. Here is her story. Together for five years she knew he had flaws but on their 5th anniversary when he got down on one knee none of those flaws mattered. “I knew he was everything I wanted within the first year we were together. There was just something about him as a man that let me know he would be my everything and everything I ever wanted. For her the marriage was never about the marriage but about the man and the love, everything else was incidental. Whether it’s a marriage or business venture there will always be blame placed. In the mature situations both parties will usually acknowledge they played just as big of a role as their mate. Often times the role can be something as simple as ignoring the signs in front of you. “At the end of the day I do blame myself for some of it because he cheated on me before we got married but I had it in the back of my head that he asked me to marry him so obviously he’s trying to change because he knew how much marriage meant to me.” “Looking back I see God had given me so many signs letting me know that; that was not the man he had for me but me being silly and crazy in love I ignored it all because I knew the man he could be, but he wasn’t ready to be that man just yet. The majority of the reason we are divorced is his fault.” “He still blames me, he tells everyone he divorced me because we argued too much and that I had too many people in our business, which isn’t true. We divorced because he conceived a child with his sister-in-law (his brother’s wife’s 22 year old sister at the time) during the time we were having complications trying to conceive.” “I found out about her and the child after he divorced me, he puts all the blame on me so he can justify what he did. I had to continue to tell myself that it wasn’t my fault but I should have let go long before I said ‘I DO.’” We think of abuse as physical and even emotional or mental abuse we have this image of a man screaming and yelling while the woman is crying on the bed. Emotional abuse is more sudden than that. It breaks you down over time and it erodes not just the individual but the marriage. “The memories that I go back to are the ones when I found out about other women, the times where he called me fat, ugly and other names I can’t really repeat. There were so many good things about him but he was a very insecure man and always degraded me and made me feel like I was the ugliest woman in

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the world. I use to blame myself for him cheating on me.” The lifeline of a lot of marriages is love, support, faith and trust and once you start to lose those you lose the intimacy. Sex can cover a lot of flaws; good sex can make you feel like you’re healing from an argument when the truth is you’re just masking the causes of the arguments. “There was a point where I did stop having sex with him because I knew he was sleeping with other women and I was more concerned about my safety than his sexual needs. Before all that I did a damned good job of making sure his sexual needs were met. Let’s just say he was and is a man that will never be completely satisfied.” It can be hard going through marriage or relationship problems. A part of you wants to vent, to get opinions, to ask people around you for help. Another part of you tells yourself, “This is between my husband and I and no one else should be involved in our marriage.” No one should have to go through the pain of ending vows alone but who can you trust? “No one really knew about what I was going through except a few friends, my cousin and his wife. They were there from the time everything hit the fan. No one knew why he started acting the way he did towards me, he told them all he didn’t want to be married to me anymore because we argued too much.” “When I looked at him I couldn’t even recognize the man he was anymore. At that point I knew something wasn’t right. I just couldn’t figure it out. Once we got divorced it was in everyone’s head that I was the reason for the divorce. My family in Seattle didn’t know about my divorce until after the divorce was final. They were upset about it but they were mainly upset because I was here in Houston by myself going through everything alone and no one knew. About a month after that, that is when I found out about the baby, once I told my family and friends the real reason behind the divorce they were livid.” Even after all that, after the emotional abuse, the cheating, and the lies. You can’t help who you love. You can’t help but feeling like you’ve taken a covenant with God and by giving up on your marriage you’re breaking a promise to God. It’s not as easy as just saying, “This isn’t working so I quit.” It’s never that easy even when it feels like it should be. “There was never a point where I said I couldn’t do this because I was not going to give up on my husband. I knew he was going through something and I needed to be there for him, even when he told me to stop calling and texting him (mind you we were still living in the same house when he told me

July 17 - July 23, 2014

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this). Even when he stopped coming home at night, would not talk to me, called the police on me and lied and said I broke it to our house just so he can get me out of there.” “He called me out my name, talked to me crazy. Lied to me and told me our home was being foreclosed but he ended up renting it out after he moved my stuff out knowing I had nowhere to go. I still prayed for him every night, sent him encouraging text messages, told him I was there for him and we can face any obstacles that come our way. At one point he told me he was cheating on me and I told him I already knew.” “My biggest fear was that someone else would end up pregnant. I asked him was someone pregnant and he told me yes, I don’t know what in me told him that everything will be ok; we’ll get through this, we just have to find a way to deal with it. The love I had for him made me want to stick by his side and ride this out. That same day he told me he lied because he wanted to see my reaction and all along that lie he told me was the real truth. Even after all that I fought for my marriage up until the day I signed the divorce papers. I didn’t want to sign them but I only did it because I saw that’s what he really wanted. Once the papers are signed and you realize life has to move on, it’s going to move on with or without you. Reality sets in, a reality that can be scary if it’s not what you wanted in the first place. You have to start from scratch knowing that no matter how good things may seem you can’t control what’s coming. “In a way I started dating but I have not committed to any relationship. The reason why is because I am seriously scared to give my all to someone again after going through everything I went through. I’ve had numerous guys ask me to be with them, propose to me but I know before I can give anyone 100% of me I have to give myself 100% of me first. It does feel different because I miss the married life; I’ve never been the type to talk to a bunch of different guys. I’ve always been a relationship person. At times I get to a point where I don’t want to talk to anyone because it’s just overwhelming. They want so much of my time that I can’t and don’t want to give them because of the fear I have of falling for them.” That’s the voice behind divorce. Not having a party or celebrating her freedom but simply healing after happily ever after turned out not to be so happy after all. Millions of Americans and people all over the world have to pick up their lives and start over. She’s just one of them.

Mary Bentonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farewell from KPRC Photography By Vicky Pink

n July 11, 12, and 15, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand as Mary Benton bid O farewell to reporting for Local 2 KPRC. After 20 years of reporting news stories that touch the lives of Houstonians and those around the world, veteran reporter Mary Benton

is putting down her mic to start a new chapter in her life. Many friends and colleagues that Mary has interacted with over the years came out to her many celebrations to wish her well. Some in attendance were Roseann Rogers, Deborah Duncan, Bill Balleza, Frank Billingsley, Khambrel Marshall, Dominique Sachse, Chester Pitts, Rachel McNeil, Phil Archer, Isiah Carey, Jerome Solomon, Amy Davis, Bun B, Melanie Lawson, Cindy George, Nakia Cooper, Ashley Small, Carl Davis, Francis Page Jr., Mayor Annise Parker, City Councilmen Dwight Boykins and Larry Green.

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Beyond the Court Charity Royale Photography By Vicky Pink

n Friday, July 11, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at Bentley Houston – O Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Houston for Beyond the Court’s High Heels and High Rollers Charity Royale. Founded by Renee Jones-Lee, Beyond the Court Inc. provides communi-

ty support in the area of health and human service. The festive affair was both a birthday celebration and fundraiser for the organization to continue its mission. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, casino play, wine tasting, live entertainment, and a presentation by Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The highlight of the evening was a presentation of the Beyond the Court program. Some in attendance were Deborah Duncan, Karen Johnson, Lloyd Gite, Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Dr. Latisha Rowe, DJ Supastar, Mimi LaRue, and Julie Griffith.

Pain is Power Inc. Brunch Launch Photography By Vicky Pink

n Saturday, July 12, 2014, Houston Style Magazine was on hand in the library at John O Marshall Middle School for the southern-inspired launch of Pain is Power Inc. With the goal of exposing youth to a broader array of educational, cultural and corporate experi-

ences, the nonprofit organization hosted over sixty Houston-area professionals, educators, and residents. Organizers showed attendees the various programs they want to offer youth in hopes of gaining their support to fulfill their mission. With almost no money, the organization has already developed four student-based programs to award scholarships, inspire youth in the Houston and Dallas area to verbalize their goals, and participate in a threemonth enrichment program.

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July 17 - July 23, 2014

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

like child, a wheelchair bounded individual and am puttee. The mannequins are part of JC Penny’s “When it fits, you feel it” campaign. For more information, visit jcpenny.com.

Hershey Raises The Price Of Chocolate Apple Teams Up with IBM for Larger Business Presence

pple and IBM are teaming up for a major business expansion. IBM has agreed to exclusively create over 100 business apps to run on Apple iOS platform while IBM will market Apple products. This partnership will then create a new cloud service and other management tools. The IBM MobileFirst for iOS solutions will position Apple to more than just a consumer brand. For more information, visit apple.com.

Woman Breaks Record with $60+ Starbucks Drink

our sweet treat of chocolate is about to starting costing you a lot more money. In statement release by Hershey on Tuesday, the company announced that due to the increasing price of cocoa, dairy and nuts that for the first time in three years Hershey is raising the cost of their product. Kraft and Nestle are expected to follow Hershey’s lead. For more information, visit Hershey.com.

DC is Best City for Black Business Sameera Raziuddin

ameera Raziuddin, a 23-year-old medical student from Florida, regularly studies at Starbucks so she is up on all the news surrounding the coffee chain. When she found out about a customer who ordered the most expensive drink, she knew she wanted to take on the challenge to bit him. So she did. With the help of store employees, she ordered a 192 oz concoction that cost a whopping $60.58. For more information, visit starbucks.com.

JCPenny Celebrates the Diversity of America with ‘Real People’ Inspired Mannequins

iding the coattails of the Today Show’s #LoveYourSelfie campaign where mannequins were created to resembled real life people, JCPenny celebrated the diversity of America. JCPenny got the mannequins used on the show and displayed in their main window in their Manhattan store. Mannequinns depicted an overweight woman, an above height male, dwarf

ccording to the National Urban League Policy Institute, Washington D.C. is tops amongst cities that have the most opportunities for Black business. Noted for their diversity and easy access to business contracts, DC is the best environment for Black business growth. Los Angeles and Chicago follow behind DC. For more information, visit nul.com.

yellow and black color scheme as Bucees. This is not Bucee’s first suit against a company for infringement. In 2013, Buc-ee’s sued Chicks for using their brand development in their stores. That case was settled out of court. For more information, visit buc-ees. com.

BMW Recalls 1.6 million Cars

MW Group is recalling 1.6 million of its popular 3 Series vehicles, making it the latest global automaker to issue a massive recall based on concerns over airbag safety. The recall affects BMW cars manufactured between mid-1999 and mid-2006. The company said roughly 574,000 cars could be recalled in the U.S. BMW said it had not received any reports about problems with its airbags. Including an earlier announcement, BMW has now recalled about 1.8 million 3 Series vehicles over these airbag issues. Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda have also recalled millions of vehicles related to issues with the Takata-made airbag inflators. For more information, visit bmw.com.

Buc-ee’s Beaver vs Frio Beaver

he highly popular gas convenient store chain that decorates highways Buc-ee’s has filed suit against another Texas convenience story that has a similar mascot. Frio Beaver, that recently opened in Concan, Texas, uses a beaver with bucked teeth and sunshades and it is striking how similar it looks to Buc-ee’s, something Buc-ee’s thinks will confused consumers. Frio’s also uses the same

Airlines’ Annoying Fees Add Up To $31.5 Billion

irlines worldwide brought in $31.5 billion in revenue from fees last year, according to a new survey. That’s more than 11 times their non-ticket revenue just six years earlier, adjusted for inflation. Fees grew far faster than ticket prices, and helped airlines stay profitable. Including a 10% decline in 2009 amid the economic downturn, airline ticket prices climbed only 4% in the same period, according to federal data. Part of the increase is due to awareness -- more airlines are breaking out non-ticket revenue in their financial reports. The 2013 data includes 59 airlines, while the 2007 snapshot counted

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only 23. For more information, visit cnn.com.

Amazon Mulls $10 Subscription Service for E-books

mazon is testing a service called “Kindle Unlimited” that would give subscribers unlimited access to e-books and audiobooks for $9.99 a month. The company had published

several pages on its website with information about the service, but it pulled them on Wednesday. The pages still exist in Google’s cache, however, and a subsection of the Kindle Store labeled “KU Test” included over 638,000 titles as of Wednesday. The Kindle Unlimited news was first reported by Gigaom; Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. If all those “KU Test” books end up being included in Amazon’s subscription service, that would trounce the size of rivals’ subscription reading libraries. Scribd, for instance, offers 400,000 titles on its book subscription service, which costs $8.99 a month. There are around 500,000 on Oyster, which is $9.95. For more information, visit cnn.com.

July 17 4- 1July 02 ,6 23, 2 y2014 raurbeF-02 yraurbeF

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Natural Delights Dates 3.3 - 4.4 oz. assorted varieties

Prices Good Wednesday, July 16 Thru Tuesday, July 22, 2014 At Your Neighborhood H-E-B Stores.

Some items may not be available in all stores. Items not valid at Central Market. Due to the popularity of our Extra Low Prices Every Day, we reserve the right to limit quantities. Limit Rights Reserved. We Accept Lone Star Card, WIC And Manufacturers’ Coupons. ©2014 HEB, 14-2177 visit www.heb.com

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July 17 - July 23, 2014

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That’s up to

2.28

free!