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Vol. 25 #11 November 2019
Publishers: DJ CEO & Tampa Bay Tammy
Tampa • St. Petersburg • Clearwater • Largo • Tarpon Springs . Brandon • Bradenton • Sarasota • Lakeland Plant City
What’s inside
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TOUCH News Attorneys Beauty & Barber Dear Girlfriend Events Fashions Insurance Agents Realtors Sports & More Distributed in: Tampa St Pete Clearwater Largo Tarpon Springs New Port Richey Brandon Bradenton Sarasota Riverview Lutz Oldsmar Odessa Plant City Lakeland Safety Harbor Wesley Chapel
To Advertise DJ CEO (813) 842-3212 Tampa Bay Tammy (813) 404-5287 RJ Stevenson 813 614-6646 P.O. Box 545 Odessa, FL 33556-0545
www.n-touchnews.com
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Saturday Nov. 23rd
Florida Classic Saturday, Nov. 23 Kickoff 3:30 p.m. Camping World Stadium Orlando, Florida
Dear Girlfriend, I’ve got a Good friend but bad neighbor. I know the brother reads your paper religiously because he introduced it to me. As a matter of fact, he has introduced a lot of good things and people to me since I arrived here 5 years ago. That’s why I‘m not sure about how to handle this. Hopefully when he reads this, it will make him think. Thanks to him, I’ got a great deal on this piece of property and now I am his neighbor. However, he has the worst yard on the street and our other neighbors have approached me and ask me to say something to him. I told the other neighbor, I didn’t have a problem with him and to address him himself. I was lying. I do have a problem with him and my wife has asked me several times to say something. However my father always said to let every man runs his own house. Like the other neighbors, I am little worried that he is bringing down our property value and we were hoping to move next year when the property value goes back up. He cuts his yard, but he never edges it. I have edged some of his yard before, when I was doing my own, hoping he would catch a hint. He didn’t get it. There is always paper in his yard, and he leaves the garbage can out for two and three days after the garbage man has come and gone. If the trash gets to close to our yard or is in the street, I would make my son pick it up. My son gets angry and say “why I got to do it.” I say “because you see it and I said so.” He recently got an older model car he is refurbishing and has started parking it on the grass. I do want to mention this without pissing a brother off. I know I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for him. Our children play together and our wives speak in passing. He has been a good friend in so many ways. Girlfriend I am throwing the ball in your court. Go head and do what you do and let the people know what we need to be doing as homeowners. The Neighbor and Friend The Neighbor and Friend, You are right to try and protect your relationship with your neighbor. Sometimes we may get cocky and think, we don’t need our neighbors, but you will be surprised at who you will need. Having a good relationship is very important, and especially when you have children. There’s nothing like a good neighbor keeping an eye out for your children and your home. It really does take a village to raise a child. Your neighbors are the village. In your neighbors defense, he may not have been blessed to come from a family that lived in a nice neighborhood or ever had to maintain a yard. He may not have been blessed to have a father to teach him how to care for his home. We are all products of our environment and experiences. So please continue to lead by example. Here is a check list for homeowners to determine if you are a lousy neighbor and need to change: Do you roll up playing your music loud at night? Do you have a car parked on your grass? Do you have grass? Do you keep your grass cut? Do you keep your bushes trimmed? Do you keep your yard edged? Do you park your car on the street behind your neighbors driveway (making it difficult for them to get in and out of their driveway)? Do you leave your trash can out front from week to week? Is there paper and cans in your front yard? Pick it up! Do you ever let your dog out unleashed and unsupervised? Does your house need painting? Do you drop cigarette butts in your yard or on the street? They don’t pick themselves up....They accumulate. Do you allow your children to play in neighbors yard? If you are guilty of 2 or more of these things, you are a lousy neighbor. Don’t Get Mad, Do Better! Page 3
The Official Limousine of Tampa Bay Tammy
N-Touch News The Good News Resource Serving the Bay Area Since 1996!
GODS & ANGELS AfroGanix, LLC & Goddess Talk Radio Show, Inc. are hosting an event Friday December 13, 2019 in Tampa Bay & would love to have you be part of it. Gods & Angels Gala is a MELANATED Met Gala Experience. Be a part of this prominent and exclusive social event featuring ALL BLACK OWNED businesses, Artists, & Performers! Gods & Angels ~ A show about Love, loss, and everything in between. We will have two visual artists coming from Philly & DC selling their beautiful artwork (B/ue Robin and arTestimony). Their collection showcases a series of mix-media paintings anchored in spiritual vision with the theme of Love and loss. Our list of performers for the evening are: Harpist Brandee Younger, Justin Paul “Abstract in the Sky�, professional Handpan player, Producer will be performing, Beryl Colbert with a dance
performance, and, story telling by The Mistress of Comedy Lynnette Hardy of the Carter G. Woodson Museum, St. Petersburg, FL. Each art form within the Gala will elicits an emotional response from viewers and the artists alike with a focus on healing and understanding the Divine immersed in love. Be prepared to have all of your senses stimulated. The Gods & Angels theme is the formal dress/attire of the evening and guests are expected to choose their fashion to match this theme. This affair will be attended by personalities from the arts, fashion, film, and music industry of Tampa Bay. A painting will be auctioned and a portion of ticket sales/proceeds will be donated to an Art Program/Organization of the Tampa Bay region (to be announced). For sponsorship information, please email queenbolaji@gmail.com
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The Daily Life Coach, Victor Young to Host New Show Powered Up The Daily Life Coach confirmed a recent rumor that host Victor Young will become the new host of the Powered Up podcast that will air in January 2020. Currently The Daily Life Coach is heard in over 35 countries and focuses on leadership development and entrepreneurship. “The difference between The Daily Life Coach and Powered Up is in the name” says host Victor Young. “Powered Up is hard hitting and focuses on tapping into our internal and environmental power along with reinvention which is critical in the Age of Automation”. Powered up will directly connect its listeners to other like minded professionals and entrepreneurs as well as possible funding sources for their business. It’s the power source needed by humans to stay ahead of the machines that will make us extinct one day if we don’t become Super Humans in our field. The Daily Life Coach format will change to host multiple coaches who fit the founding principals of the podcast and can be heard on Apple iTunes, Sound Cloud, Stitcher and its website www.TheDailyLifeCoach.Com . Follow Powered Up on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for the official launch date and co-host opportunities. For more information regarding Young and his enterprises including Sports and Entertainment, Automotive and speaking opportunities, please request a media kit from the contacts below. CONTACTS: Chief Marketing and Communication Officer,Jordyn A. Young jordyn@vyoungenterprises.com 1 (813) 760-3537 Business Manager, Raymond B. Johnson Ray@SarasotaMetropolisFC.Com 1 (954) 214-2287
Mayor’s African American Advisory Council By: Rolanda McDuffie, CPA
The City of Tampa Mayor’s African American Advisory Council (MAAAC) mission is to serve as a liaison between Tampa’s Mayor and its community stakeholders, in an effort to progress and strengthen our community. The MAAAC’s Economic Stability Committee invited leaders of organizations in the Tampa community whose focus is on economic empowerment/stability to attend a Joint Economic Stability & Empowerment Collaboration (JESEC) which was held on November 2, 2019 at THAP 5508. It was a good turnout. The attendees discussed ways to increase awareness of the programs provided by the
City of Tampa, as well as, ways in which we can collaborate to fill in the gaps for services needed that address the African American community. The JESEC is planning to hold a town hall meeting in the first quarter of 2020 to allow community leaders to provide their input so that the JESEC better understands the needs of the community. The JESEC’s focus will be in the areas of jobs, business development, housing, and financial planning. For more information regarding MAAAC: Call 813-274-8152 , or Visit MAAAC WEBSITE: www. tampagov.net/MAAAC, or Email MAAAC: MAAAC@tampagov.net
To Advertise or be a guest on Radio Show Call Tampa Bay Tammy at (813) 842-3212 DJ CEO (813) 404-5287
Wine In Wakonda
This wasn’t your average pop up, we explored Africa in an evening! Breathtaking African art, hand carved sculptures, and traditional dance were displayed. “Wine in Wakonda” was a night of culture, live music, flavorful wine and paintings from Kenya! Participants had the opportunity to sample luxury wines created by black wine makers, the Motherland and several other brands that capture the flavor and flair of Af-
rica! The next Wine in Wakonda is in the Spring of 2020. The event was hosted by Anji Degante owner of Accent Styles Boutique located in suite 34 on the 5508 business campus. The shop carries the latest in African fashions straight from Kenya. You can reach her through instagram @accentstylesboutique and on her Facebook page @accentstyles boutique or call her at 813-461-5888. Page 7
Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Lending & Credit Repair Financial Seminar and BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION
The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival (TBBHF20) announces it’s annual Financial Seminar, Luncheon, and "Level Up" Small Business Pitch Competition powered by TD Bank,N.A., and in collaboration with 5508 Co-Working and Collaboration Exchange. The Financial Seminar will take place on Friday, January 10, 2020 at 5508 Co-Working & Collaboration Exchange, Suite 20 located at 5508 N. 50th Street, Tampa, Florida 33610. Doors open at 10:30am. The cost of admission is $20 per person and will include a panel discussion on Lending & Credit Repair, Luncheon, and Small Business Pitch Competition. For more information on the seminar and the competition visit www. TampaBlackHeritage.org/seminars. The business seminar will provide participants with the knowledge of building and restoring one's credit and how to build business credit as
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well. Also, learn about debt consolidation and how it affects entrepreneurs. The commercial lending aspect will teach participants what banks are looking for from businesses and learn how to better ones chances of being approved for lending to expand their business. Seminar presenters include: Alan Borden Esp., is a Consumer Protection Lawyer who advocates on behalf of Consumers in financial trouble for over 10 years. A graduate in Government from the University of Texas and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law, Alan handles cases ranging from foreclosure defense, creditor harassment, bankruptcy, mortgage modification, identity theft and debt settlement. Tiffany Kleber, Tiffany L. Kleber is a Vice President and Business Relationship Manager for TD Bank in the Tampa Bay Market. Tiffany has over 15 years in the banking and financial
services industry. She joined TD in 2017 and covers portions of Hillsborough and Polk Counties. She is responsible for clients with loan needs that are less than 1 million in total exposure and works with various partners to advise clients on all banking needs. The Level Up Pitch Competition's objective is to support the development of ventures from ideation to commercialization. The highestranking business participating in the competition will receive a $1,000 prize to help accelerate their business, free office space for one (1) year, as well as access to a variety of supports and services offered by the 5508 Co-Working and Collaboration including valuable training and networking opportunities. The contest reflects the commitment of the Tam-
pa Bay Black Heritage Festival and Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan, Inc. to support innovation and entrepreneurship for economic prosperity in Hillsborough County. For more information on how to register please visit Seminars page on our website. For a more comprehensive list of events, ticket prices, registration, or for more information, visit www. TampaBlackHeritage.org. The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival is a ten-day event that features cultural enrichment activities, local and national speakers, musicians, poets, artists, and craftsmen. It offers the community a unique blend of African and African-American art, culture and history. It exists to support the culturally rich and diverse Tampa Bay community all events are inclusive of its entire people.
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USF Carribean Students Host Melanin Brunch @ 5508
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N-Touch News
Spiritual Leaders
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Morning Worship 9:30am Sunday School 8:30am Midweek Service Wednesday 6:30pm Page 13
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Stop Mosquitoes Multiplying around Home Residents may have standing water around their homes that can support the breeding of mosquitoes. Follow these tips from the Florida Department of Health to help prevent mosquito breeding: -Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots, buckets, watering cans, kiddie pools, and any other container where rainwater has collected. -Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances, and other items that may collect water.
-Clean out rain gutters and downspouts regularly. -Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week. -Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water. -Keep swimming pools in good condition, and maintain chlorination. For more information on Hillsborough County Mosquito Management and tips on preventing or reducing mosquitoes, visit HCFLGov.net/ Mosquito. or call (813) 635-5400.
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Go Ahead and Get your Laugh On Thanks Barbara Days Landlord Joke
“Sir you have got to help!” said the tearful man at the door. “There is a family that I know very well that is in desperate need of money. The Father has been out of a job for over a year, they have five kids at home with barely a bit of food to eat. The worst part is, that they are about to kicked out of the house and they will be left on the streets without a roof over their heads!” The man concluded with one last heart wrenching sob. “Well,” said the man at the door, “that really is a sad story. Why don’t you come inside and we’ll talk about it a little more.” “So how much money is needed exactly?” asked the man when they were both seated. “Oh it’s really terrible”, said the man starting up again, “why just for the rent $3000 is needed by tomorrow otherwise they’ll be kicked out onto the streets.” “How do you know so much about this situation?” asked the man as he reached for his check book. “Well,” said the man breaking down once more “they are my tenants.”
Elderly Drivers
The Officer stops the elderly driver going the wrong way up a one way street. The Officer ask “Now where do you think you are going?” The elderly driver replied, “I’m not sure, but I must be late as everyone else is coming back.”
Man Walking Alone
There was a man walking alone along a beach. He comes across a bottle with a cork in it. The man picks up the bottle and pulls out the cork. A loud roar follows and a genie appears. The genie says to the man, “I’m a little tired today and I can only give you two wishes.” The man says “That’s OK, two is enough.” “First, I would like onebillion dollars in a Swiss bank account.” Poof - The genie hands the man a paper and says “Here’s the number to your account.” Next the man says, “Second, I would like to be irresistible to women.” Poof - the genie turned him into a box of chocolates.
Blind Man Joke
Two men, Jim and John, were walking their dogs when they passed by a restaurant. “Let’s go in and get something to eat,” Jim suggested. “We can’t” responded John, “don’t you see the sign says NO PETS ALLOWED.” “Aah that sign,” said Jim “don’t worry about it” and taking out a pair of sunglasses, he walked up to the door. As he tried walking into the restaurant he got stopped at the door, “sorry no pets allowed. ” Can’t you see” said Jim “I am blind, this is my seeing eye dog.” But it’s a doberman pincher, who uses a doberman pincher as a seeing eye dog?” the man asked “Oh,” Jim responded “you must have not heard, this is the latest type of seeing eye dog, they do a very good job.” Seeing that it worked, John tried walking in with his Chihuahua. Even before he could open his mouth, the doorman said “don’t tell me that a Chihuahua is the latest type of seeing eye dog.” Thinking quickly John responded in a angry voice “You mean they gave me a Chihuahua?”
The Burglary
“Didn’t you suspect burglars had been in the house when you saw all the drawers pulled out and the contents scattered all over the floor?” asked the policeman. “No, I just thought my husband had been looking for a clean shirt,” replied the woman.
Government Spending
During the initial space flights, Nasa discovered that biro pens didn’t work under zero gravity conditions. To beat the problem, Nasa spent 6 years and $2 million in designing a pen for use in space. The pen would work under zero gravity conditions due to the pressurized ink inside, it would work under sub zero conditions, underwater, on glass and virtually any surface known to man. The Russians used a pencil.
A New Job
A young student looking for a job goes to a big “everything under one roof” department store.The Manager says, “Do you have any sales experience?” The kid says “Very little.”Well, the boss liked the kid and gave him the job. “You start tomorrow. I’ll come down after we close and see how you did.”His first day on the job was rough, but he got through it. After the store was locked up, the boss came down. “How many customers bought something from you today?”The kid says “One”. The boss says “Just One? Our sales people average 20 to 30 customers a day. How much was the sale for?”The kid says “$165,000”.The boss says “$165,000? What the heck did you sell?”The kid says, “First, I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold hi m a medium fishhook. Then I sold him a larger fishhook. Then I sold him a new fishing rod. Then I asked him where he was going fishing and he said down the coast, so I told him he was going to need a boat, so we went down to the boat department and I sold him a twin engine Chris Craft. Then he said he didn’t think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him down to the automotive department and sold him that 4×4 Expedition.”The boss said, “A guy came in here to buy a fish hook and you sold him a BOAT and a TRUCK?”The kid said “No, the guy came in here to buy Tampons for his wife, and I said, ‘Dude, your weekend’s shot, you should go fishing.’ ”
A Musical Debate
Two Musicians’ in a major symphonic orchestra were discussing who they thought the LEAST talented person in the band was. One of them said; “That’s easy. See that guy standing in the back? Well, we just put two sticks in his hands and we call him a Drummer.” The other responded; “Well, if we take one stick away, we call him a Conductor!”
Lets Fix This
A priest, doctor, and engineer were golfingThey were stuck behind a really slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed, “What’s with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!” The doctor chimed in, “I don’t know, but I’ve never seen such inept golf! ”The priest said, “Here comes the greens-keeper. Let’s have a word with him.” He said, “Hello George, What’s wrong with that group ahead of us? They’re rather slow, aren’t they?” The greens-keeper replied, “Oh, yes. That’s a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime!. ”The group fell silent for a moment. The priest said, “That’s so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight. ”The doctor said, “Good idea. I’m going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there’s anything she can do for them.”The engineer said, “Why can’t they play at night?”
Nice Legs
A man goes to a bar and sees a fat girl dancing on a table. He walks over to her and says, “Wow, nice legs!” She is flattered and replies, “You really think so?”The man says, “Oh definitely! Most tables would have collapsed by now.”
Sports
Charlie took his girl friend to her first football game. They had really good seats, right above their team’s bench. At the end of the game, Charlie asked her if she liked it. “Yeah, it was great,” she said. “I mean, with all the tight pants and stuff. I just don’t get why all the fuss about a quarter!” Charlie is confused. “At the beginning of the game,” she explained, “I saw the two guys flip a quarter. Then the rest of the game, all they said was: Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback! Hello! It’s only 25 cents!”
Keep On Laughing... Laughter Heals! Page 17
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Dear Girlfriend , I am a grandmother now. Halloween is coming upon us and I had read an artticle you wrote about 10 years or more ago about Halloween that I would like to share with my children. They love your column and think your advice is always on point. Will you please re run it if you have it. I’m trying to handle this Holiday Grandma For years, I have dealt with the issue of giving out candy or not, and I have always come to the conclusion I would, because I enjoy making kids happy. I love chocolate candy. I love receiving it and love giving it. However, it has been said that, “When you know better, you do better.” I have always been told that Halloween was supposed to be the devil’s holiday. However, since I did not worship the devil I resolved that had nothing to do with me. Thus, I dressed my kids in cute costumes (nothing scary). I bought the best candy I could afford, and I got about the business of making Halloween a positive holiday for my family. What I didn’t realize was... I was making my children and other children love the holiday. My actions helped them to grow up and look forward to dressing up, going out and partaking in the event willingly. Indirectly, I was allowing the devil to use me. My children were comfortable with the masks and secrecy of the evening and would excitedly make plans. Thus, making them susceptible to danger every year because it’s easy for people with malicious intent to go undetected on that evening. For years, I justified my actions, saying, “This makes my children happy, and I don’t want to disappoint them.” See, I did not want to give up our good times or good feelings, so I continued to do what was questionably wrong in my mind. I would say, “I am not hurting anyone.” However, the law of physic states that, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Lately, I have not liked the reactions to some of the actions I have been apart of. So, I cannot justify my actions any more. After witnessing a sequence of personal life changing revelations, I be-
came new and aware. There is right and there is wrong. There is good and there is evil. In the comedy “Dogma” starring Chris Rock, the Latin Muse makes reference to another angel saying, You are either on one side or the other. You have got to choose a side. You cannot walk the middle line. What side are you on? Sometimes the devil uses us without us even realizing it’s being done. As I’ve become older and wiser, I have begun to recognize how at different times in my life, I have been used and my so-called friends have been used too. No matter what has happened in the past, I want God, and only God, to use me. After the death of my father, back in March 2006, we were returning home to Tampa on 75 South from Memphis. I was sleeping in the back seat, when I awoke to Kirk Franklin on the radio hollering “SOLDIERS.” I immediately said out loud to my husband who was driving “I want to be a soldier.” Confused at my outburst, he responded, “What?” I repeated, “I want to be a soldier.” Then, I hastily retracted my statement and said, “No I don’t.... because soldiers have to fight. Soldiers are fighting while others don’t even know a war is going on. The enemy comes after soldiers. I don’t want the enemy coming after me.” My husband then told me “You’re already a soldier.” I laid back down in the back seat and cried softly. Now, I ask God daily to guide my steps. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I am still messing up every day, saying something I should not have said. But like Steve Harvey said in his BET comedy show, “He (God) ain’t through with me yet.” I am still the same old flip at the mouth, fast-