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Vol. 25 #10 October 2019
Publishers: DJ CEO & Tampa Bay Tammy
Tampa • St. Petersburg • Clearwater • Largo • Tarpon Springs . Brandon • Bradenton • Sarasota • Lakeland Plant City
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10th Annual Power Couples’ Ball - Date Night The 2019 Power Couple of the year is Brian & Dr. Maureen Butler. Married 33 years, this power couple met on the campus of Hampton University. The Butlers are both former military officers. The Butlers moved to Tampa in 2006 and started Vistra Communications in 2007, which now employs nearly 80 people in their Lutz, FL headquarters and MacDill, AFB, across Florida, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Illinois. Their portfolio of clients includes healthcare, I.T., transportation, airports, sports & entertainment, local & federal government and nonprofit organizations. Some of their Fortune 500 clients are Coca- Cola, AT&T and ExxonMobil, to name a few. Vistra was recently recognized as an MBE Supplier of the Year by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council and a 2019 Florida Company to Watch by GrowFL. The Butlers have humbly volunteered and served the Tampa Bay community through multiple charitable organizations and schools. Dr. Maureen is Executive Vice President at Vistra and an adjunct professor of Accounting at The University of Tampa where she was the first Black American Woman to earn tenure. As a former US Army Finance Officer, she achieved the rank of Captain. Her experience includes public and private accounting and academia. She has published research in the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy and many more. She is a licensed CPA and earned her PhD from the University of Arkansas and her bachelor’s in accounting from Syracuse University. Brian, a combat decorated retired military officer is President and CEO of Vistra. He holds master’s degrees from the National War College and Central Michigan University and a bachelor’s from Hampton University. He was instrumental in establishing the USO in Tampa International Airport and has volunteered and served on quite a few boards which include the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation, Minority Enterprise Development Corporation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council, and Visit Tampa Bay. Brian’s community involvement inspired him to develop “CEOs in Schools.” Vistra, along with Hillsborough County Public Schools, has recruited 170 CEOs to each volunteer an entire day at one of the county’s elementary schools. Brian and Maureen both agree that their greatest accomplishment is being the parents of two exceptional, college-educated, self-sufficient adults, Christopher and Allison.
Staying in Love and Keepimg our Community Strong
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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-
talking, wanting to have a good time Tampa Bay Tammy. But I will not celebrate Halloween in any form or fashion. So don’t take it personal if I don’t come to your Halloween or masquerade party on Halloween. Please don’t try to change my mind and I won’t try to change yours. My revelation is mine. I am not judging you, and don’t you judge me. We all have to get there in our own time and seek knowledge for ourselves, so our change will be a permanent one. More importantly, so we can protect our children and our children’s children. When you know better, you must do better, because then you are judged on a whole ‘nother level. When my days on earth, in this body are gone, I want my God to say “Well done, servant” and I want my children to have a peace about themselves and not have a second thought about my salvation.
10th Annual Power Couples’ Ball - Date Night
See Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, & 12 Page 5
10th Annual PowerCouples’ Ball
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10th Annual Power Couples’ Ball
See Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 12, 13 14 & 15 Page 7
Tampa Caribbean Festival Organization Held A Fund Raiser
Tampa Caribbean Festival organization held a fund raiser for the islands of the Bahamas on Saturday, September 29th at THAP’s 5508 patio venue. The event drew several hundred Caribbean Americans that donated their time, money and goods & services to the beleaguered islands. The goods were flown out two days later on a private jet donated by a native of the Bahamas and dual citizenship in Florida. Thanks, to Jennifer and Devon Garner of TCF for their effort. Go to www.ntouchnews.com for photos.
Introducing Designer Elizabeth Carson Racker “Fashion forward, High Quality, and Affordable Garments are the core characteristics of her designs.” She is a Womenswear Designer with a philosophy to always apply the highest standards of quality, creativity, honesty, and innovation. She attributes continuous research to staying in front of the latest trends while applying the highest standards of fabrication and constantly creating new and fresh silhouettes for the fashion forward woman. “My aesthetic is pulled from Ethnic culture, local influence, and a soulful movement. I am also inspired by music, art, dance, nature, photography and life,” stated Elizabeth Elizabeth is a native of Tampa, FL, born into an eclectic family of talents. At age twelve when she attended her first fashion production at the Ebony Fashion Fair, she found her passion in fashion. She followed her dreams and attended one of the top fashion design schools in the nation, Savannah College of Art and Design. During her years at SCAD, she truly found her love working with knit jersey and was highly recognized for her work, by the likes of Eric Gaskin, Andre Leon Talley, and David Rodriguez just to name a few.
After earning her Bachelors in Fashion Design, she began a career with Ebony Fashion Fair as their Wardrobe Assistant and featured designer. After leaving Ebony, she continued to push her brand in Los Angeles; New York. Miami Atlanta and Belize. She was showcased in Atlanta International Fashion Week; Continental Airlines Charity EventBelize, BET Rip the Runway, Harlem Fashion Week; and most recently New York Fashion Week. Elizabeth shared, “My plan is to continue to design and push for excellence to further my career within the fashion industry. It is important that my clientele can relate to my design aesthetics and embrace the pure excitement, joy, and confidence that will come from my collections."
Men’s Wear, Women’s Wear, Stretch Jeans, Belts, Buckles, Beauty Supplies, Sneakers, Caps, Socks, Thermal Wear, Novelties, Oils Serving the Bay Area for over 30 Years Page 8
N-Touch News
10th Annual Power Couples’ Ball - Date Night
See Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 12, 13, 14, & 15 Page 9
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10th Annual Power Couples’ Ball
See Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15 Page 11
10th Annual Power Couples’ Ball - Date Night
See the Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 Page 12
Staying in Love and Keepimg our Community Strong
Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15 Page 13
10th Annual Power Couples’ Ball - Date Night
See the Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15
Staying in Love and Keepimg our Community Strong
See the Power Couples’ Ball Pictures on Pages 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15
The Official Limousine of Tampa Bay Tammy Page 15
Nephew Tommy and Will Packer Blesses the Bay Area with their Presence
The Historic Bethel AME Church in St. Petersburg Florida hosted their Heritage Gala in observance of their monumental 125th Church Anniversary. The Gala was held at the Hilton Carillon Park and tickets were a modest $50. The emcee for the evening was comedian Nephew Tommy from the Steve Harvey morning radio show. Thanks to the chair person, long time member Mrs. Packer the keynote speaker for the evening was her son movie producer and FAMU graduate Will Packer. Will was accompanied by his beautiful wife. The Church administrators recognized all their pastors through the
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years. Six of the Rev Cephas Johnson, Rev Roosevelt Hardy, Jimmy B Keel, Rev Donald L Connelly, Rev Ronald E Williams, Rev Bryant A Fayson for pastoral leadershop, service and dedication to the church. Reverend Adam J Richardso, Jr. is the Presiding Bishop. Thirty pastors have served the church for 125 years with the most recent being Rev Kenneth Irby. Music was by saxophonist Al Chism of the On Que players and songstress Rita Wilson. There was a silent auction held as well and unfortunately, I did not win the bid on the Starbucks’s coffee pack. Overall however, the event was well attended and quite entertaining
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N-Touch News The Good News Resource Serving the Bay Area Since 1996! Page 17
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The Things We Do For Love Gary Sheffields Team Wins Championship
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The Florida Heat brings home the trophy Under the leadersip of Retired MLB Player and dedicated Father Gary Sheffield.
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Nominations Now Open for 2020 Hillsborough County Women’s Hall Of Fame - The Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created in 2011 to honor and celebrate the achievements of Hillsborough County women who have made significant contributions in areas such as business, education, philanthropy, the military, and public service to improve the lives of residents of Hillsborough County. Since its inception, the Commis-
sion on the Status of Women has recognized and honored 33 notable women through induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame. All Women’s Hall of Fame inductees are permanently recognized with a plaque displayed at the Tampa Convention Center. Nomination forms are available at HCFLGOV.NET/COSW-HALLOF-FAME or by calling Elizabeth Cardenas at (813) 274-6790. Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2019.
“I can do all things through christ who strengthens me” Page 20
Go Ahead and Get your Laugh On Thanks Barbara Days Growing Old
An elderly couple were sitting outdoors at a cafe when they noticed an old man who seemed to be having trouble crossing the street with an ungainly shuffle. The man said to his wife “He surely has bad arthritis to walk like that.” His wife replied “No, that’s definitely old time rheumatism.” They couldn’t agree so the man decided to ask the old man. He walked over to him and said “Excuse me, sir, but my wife and I saw you having difficulty crossing the street and I told her that you have arthritis but she insisted that you have rheumatism. Which one of us was wrong?” The old man said “The three of us were wrong.” “Three of us were wrong? How so?” asked the man to which the old man replied “You were wrong when you said I had arthritis and your wife was wrong when she said I had rheumatism and I was wrong when I thought I had to pass gas.”
A Quickie
Bill Clinton and Al Gore are sitting in a diner. The waitress says, "Ready to order?" Clinton says, "Yeah. I'd like a quickie." The waitress says, "A quickie? Mr. President, I don't think that's a real good idea. I'll come back when you're ready to order from the menu." Gore leans and says, "It's pronounced "quiche."
Eye Popping
This guy is dining alone in a fancy restaurant and there’s a beautiful redhead sitting at the next table. He’s been sneakily checking her out ever since he arrived, but doesn’t have the courage to start talking to her. Suddenly she sneezes, and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket toward the man. His reflexes kick in and he reaches out, plucks it out of the air, and hands it back to her. The redhead is mortified. “Oh my, I am so sorry,” she says as she pops her eye back into place. “Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you.” So he joins her table and they enjoy a wonderful meal together. Afterwards they go to the theatre followed by drinks at a bar. They talk, they laugh, she shares her deepest dreams and he shares his. She listens. After paying for everything, she asks him if he would like to come to her place for a nightcap. He says yes and they return to her place. He ends up staying the night. The next morning, she cooks a gourmet meal with all the trimmings. The guy is amazed at how everything has been so perfect and how incredible this woman is. He can’t believe his luck. “You know,” he said, “you are the perfect woman, are you this nice to every guy you meet?” “No,” she replies, “You just happened to catch my eye.”
The Raise
Marriage
Three couples are trying to get married at the same church. There is a young couple, a middle-aged couple, and an elderly couple. The three couples meet with the priest and discuss when they can get married. “If you wish to get married in my church, you must all go one month without having sex,” says the priest. One month later the three couples Smart Parrot return to the church and talk to the An old lady walked into a pet store, priest. He then asks the elderly found a parrot and asked the owner couple, “Have you completed the if she could buy it. The owner said, month with sex?” “Heck no! That parrot has a bad “Yes we have, it was easy,” replies mouth! Trust me – you do not want the elderly couple. that parrot!” “How about you?” He asks the She said, “I can teach it good manmiddle-aged couple. ners.” “It was hard, but we didn’t have sex But, when she got home the parrot for the whole month,” they respond. said a bad word, so she put it in the “And how about you two?” He asks freezer for 10 seconds. the young couple. She took it out and said, “Did you “No we couldn’t do it,” responds learn your lesson?” It said another the boyfriend. bad word so she put it back in for 30 seconds. She took it out and asked if “Tell me why,” says the priest. “Well my girlfriend had a can of it learned its lesson yet. The parrot said “Brr… Yes I learned corn in her hand and she accidentalmy lesson, but, what did the chicken ly dropped it. She bent over to pick it up and that’s when it happened.” do?” The priest then tells them, “You’re Freshmen Year not welcome in my church.” It was the first day of the new year at a “We’re not welcome in the supercollege and the dean was addressing market either,” says the boyfriend. the freshman class. "We have very strict rules here regarding the dormiThe BookStore tories," the dean explained. "The feA man is walking through his lomale dorms are not to be visited my cal mall and notices a Mexican book any male student and the men dorms store. are off limits to the female students." "Anyone caught breaking this rule He decides to go in because he has will be fined $ 50 for the first time." never seen a Mexican book store be"Anyone caught breaking this rule fore. He browses through the store a second time will be fined $ 100," and finally asks the clerk, “Do you he added. "Breaking the rule three have the book on Donald Trump’s times will cost you $ 200. Any ques- foreign policies with Mexico?” The clerk replies, “F*ck you, get tions?" the dean asked the students. One male student in the back raised out, stay out!” his hand and spoke out, "How much The man replies, “Yeah, that’s the one!” for a season pass?" I told my boss three companies were after me and I needed a raise to stay at my job. We haggled for a few minutes and he gave me a 5 % raise. Leaving his office, he stopped and asked me, “By the way, which companies are after you?” I responded, “The gas, electric and cable company.”
Near Death Experience
A boss asked one of his employees, "Do you believe in life after death?" "Yes, sir," replied the new employee. "I thought you would," said the boss. "Yesterday after you left to go to your brother's funeral, he stopped by to see you."
Keep On Laughing... Laughter Heals! Page 21
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TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating? SIMON: No sir, I don’t have to. My mom is a good cook.
VIOLATION OF PROBATION
DUI/DWI TRAFFIC TICKETS
Notary Pubic Toastmasters Breast Cancer Survivor Servant Leader Page 22
DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES
STATE/FEDERAL APPEALS LANDLORD/TENANT IMMIGRATIONS CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
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