Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper Digital Edition Issue December 22, 2022

Milwaukee North Sunrise hosts 'Christmas with Dignity' program in partnership with Blanket of Love

Milwaukee North Sunrise Rotary Club partners with the Blanket of Love project to spread joy during the Christmas holiday season for the “Christmas with Dignity Program" for disadvantaged families. Rotary members' hearts are filled with joy while shopping to put smiles on the faces of children.

Christmas with Dignity is a social enterprise program that seeks to level-up the traditional charitable giving opportunity at Christmas. Over the last four years the club has chosen to give parents the "dignity" of selecting, buying and wrapping the gifts for their children for pennies on the dollar, thus giving parents a hand-up instead of a hand-out. In addition, parents select a charity to benefit from the funds they used to "purchase" the gifts to further enhance the joy of giving. The recipients donate funds to help charities such as Polio Plus and Blanket of Love.

The recipients are the families from the Blanket of Love Program. Sunrise Rotary Club chooses 12 families from several names given and each family has an average of 3-7 children 0-18 years old. At least 60 children received new clothing, toys and age-appropriate gifts. The Blanket of Love program is housed in the Ebenezer Church and the church allows free use of the facility for distribution and pick-up of the

On Sunday December 11, 2022 the Eta Phi Beta Sorority held their Candlelight Vesper Service at Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church located at 2432 N. Teutonia Ave. The Kappa League members were in attendance and assisted Eta Phi Beta Sorority President Teresa Robinson (right photo, center) with the service.

Pictured at the event are (left photo, from left) Mahalia Kirk, Kim Ingram, Shelia Smith, Nicole Owens, Terese Robinson, Trina L. Ricks, Donna Kagel Wilkerson, Carolyn Cameron, Barbara Bracey, Wilma Spann, Mary T. Bullock; and Kappa League members (right photo, from left) Mason Griffin, Charles Griffin, Terese Robinson, and Kim A. Robinson

gifts by the parents.

Photo by Yvonne Kemp

Eta Phi Beta Sorority hosts 'Candlelight Vesper

Service' at Greater Galilee

Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, DJ for ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show,’ dead at 40

Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the amiable DJ for “Ellen DeGeneres Show” and dancer who rose to fame on “So You Think You Can Dance,” has died, his wife, fellow dancer Allison Holker Boss, confirmed in a statement to CNN. He was 40.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” Holker Boss said in a statement. “Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”

“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” she added. “I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.”

Boss died by suicide, according to the LA County Medical Examiner. The LA

County Coroner’s Office concluded their examination and published the report on his death on Wednesday.

Boss was pronounced dead around 11:25 a.m., Tuesday, December 13, 2022, in the Los Angeles suburb of Encino, according to the LA County Coroner.

Holker Boss concluded her statement by saying “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”

The couple celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary just days ago.

He was mourned on social media by many who shared videos of him dancing and

their memories.

“A kind soul and a sweet person.. that is how I will remember Twitch… This was his 40th birthday party .. my heart goes out to his family especially Allison and their beautiful kids.. this is devastating… I love you brother and will miss you dearly,” daytime TV host and comedian Loni Love tweeted.

Born in Montgomery, AL, Boss earned his nickname as a child when he couldn’t sit still.

He graduated from Lee High School in Montgomery in 2000 and went on to study dance performance at Southern Union State Com-

Triple threat: Flu, COVID-19 and RSV wreaking havoc before holiday travel

munity College in Alabama, and Chapman University in Orange, CA.

Six years ago he spoke with author and former football player Lewis Howes for the latter’s podcast and talked about his background, including being raised by a single mother and how his relationship with his absentee father helped shape him.

“I have always been that type ‘Don’t tell me what I won’t do,’” Boss said. “I remember talking to [his father] outside of his work in the parking lot and telling him ‘Hey, I’m joining the dance team. I’m going to need some shows and some money to get supplies’ and he went on this tangent…I was like ‘Oh, that means I’m really supposed to do this then.’”

In 2003, Boss was a semifinalist on MTV’s “The Wade Robson Project” and was also a runner-up on the television talent competition, “Star Search.”

Becoming a runner-up on “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2008 marked the beginning of his rise to fame and he would later return to serve as a judge for the dance

competition.

Ellen DeGeneres brought him on as the DJ of her popular daytime talk show in 2014, a job he held until the show went off the air this year. Boss was also a co-executive producer of the show.

He stayed in touch with fans via his popular social media accounts, often sharing videos of him dancing with his wife.

The pair were all-star dancers on Season 7 of “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2010 and connected romantically.

“We shared a dance at the wrap party of that season of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and we have been together ever since,” Boss told People in February.

“There was no dialogue, there was no conversation or a first hangout. Literally, we danced and we were together holding hands the very next day,” Holker Boss added. “And we never looked back.”

The pair are the parents of three children. Boss’ final Instagram post on Monday, December 12 showed him and Holker Boss dancing in front of a Christmas tree.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

Hospitals across the country are hitting capacity as flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases rise into the millions.

The spread of COVID-19 has increased by more than 35 percent in the last two weeks.

Nationwide flu activity remains high, with 15 million cases, and experts say this flu season is dramatically outpacing last year.

According to the CDC, across the country over the past 10 weeks, there have been more than 150,000 flu-related hospitalizations and more than 9,300 deaths.

This week nine pediatric deaths were attributed to the flu, bringing the total count to 30 for the season.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing a rapid rise in influenza cases, and COVID-19 cases are sort of more gradually increasing,” said Dr. Dean Blumberg, of UC Davis Pediatric Infectious Disease.

The CDC is now urging several cities to consider mask mandates.

As of now, 14.1 percent of people in the United States over the age of five have an updated COVID-19 booster.

This is causing concern among physicians as millions are expected to travel over the next week for Hannukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.

“Traveling during the holidays right now is going to be very tricky because we do have quite a few viruses circulating,” said Dr. Vanessa Walker with Pulmonary Medicine Associates.

“Wear a mask if you’re going to be moving through an airport or busy travel locations because you really don’t want to be exposed to all those people,” Dr. Walker said.

The Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper Louvenia Johnson Luther Golden Nathan Conyers (1981-2008) (1981-2005) (1981- 2018 )

Harold D. Turner, Sr., Publisher Jacquelyn D. Heath, Editorial Page Editor

Publisher/President Harold D. Turner, Sr.

Graphic Artists William Gooden Michelle Anibas

Founders Louvenia Johnson Nathan Conyers Luther Golden

The Milwaukee Times Weekly newspaper is published each Thursday at 2238 N. MLK Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212

Telephone: 414-263-5088 • Fax: 414-263-4445 Email: miltimes@gmail.com http://milwaukeetimesnews.com

By: Frank James

Special to the Milwaukee Times

It is Christmas time in the USA. People are feeling good about the holiday season. Kindness is flowing through every aspect of society. The shopping malls and online stores are raking in big money from gift purchases. This time of year is the closest the USA ever comes to being a peaceful place. I will add to the gift giving. Citizens of the US, I offer you the gift of peace of mind. Who said I wasn’t benevolent?

Peace of mind is the one gift that can change a person’s existence. Many people claim to have peace of mind, but still grind their teeth while sleeping. The peace of mind I am giving to anyone

who reads this dissertation is one of true mental bliss. The peace that can place a smile on a face in adverse conditions. The peace of mind that will allow a person to disengage from the madness that has become US society.

Peace of mind is easily attained if one will simply allow others to be, and do, who they are. This sounds easy, but take it from one who knows, the judgment habit is hard to break. US society programs people to look at other people and draw a conclusion. The factors that lead to this conclusion are usually ones set up by society. Stop doing this immediately. If one can stop judging other

people’s actions, looks, whatever, this person’s life will be much more peaceful. How many times have you looked at someone and come to a snap judgment about the person? How many times was this snap judgment incorrect? Worse, how many times did this snap judgment make you start thinking negative thoughts? The latter is the worst situation you can be in. You have allowed judgment to disrupt your thoughts and now your peaceful mindset has evaporated. Give up judgement of others and start enjoying peace.

Once you give up judging others you will automatically stop nosing into other people’s business. I can hear the readers saying, “I’m not nosy.” Hint: if you are on social media you are nosy.

If you read the news about what famous people are doing, you are nosy. Do you really care about what someone else is eating for dinner? Is your life so pathetic that you have to be in Instagram living through another person’s life? This also means, keep your business to yourself. Posting everything about your trials and diet is disrupting your peace of mind. Why? Many people who do this are looking to gain acceptance or approval from others. What happens when no one gives your posts their stamp of approval? How will someone critiquing your actions affect your mental peace? Exactly, wonderful people. Stay out of others' business and keep yours to yourself and enjoy the gift of mental peace I offer.

Many people do not know who they are because they spend so much time with a chaotic mind from judging and being nosy. Do not be afraid to tell someone, “I don’t even want to have an opinion on that.” Or, “That has nothing to do with me. I am working on getting myself/mind right.” Try using the previous sentences when someone comes up to you with juicy gossip or their problems. In order to grasp peace of mind you have to stop listening to other people's problems. If you listen to other people's issues they become your own. How many times has someone come to you with a problem and after they were gone you were still thinking of it? Yep, it’s almost funny when you see how negative mental contagion is spread.

Enjoy the gift of mental peace I offer. If you grasp it you will never be bored because you will be enjoying the only person whose life matters, your own.

Frank James IV © 2022 beingfrankwithfrank@ gmail.com.

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or HT Group, LLC, its staff or management. "Being Frank" is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.

Order Of Service

Sunday School.........................9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship....................11:00 a.m.

Tuesday Night Prayer................7:30 p.m.

Wed. Night Bible Study.............7:30 p.m.

Fri. Night Spiritual Warfare.......7:30 p.m. Contact Pastor Eddie Guyton (414) 698-3038

Faith

Greater Spring Hill Baptist Church Rev. Danny Washington, Pastor

Holy Cathedral Church Of God In Christ

By Ira Hadnot

Blessings are not seasonal. For example, this year October became my December with its expectation of giving and getting on a grand scale. That is because on October 6, 2022, I received the gift of a lifetime: a kidney transplant.

At any given time in the US, thousands of people wait expectantly on organ transplant lists for the telephone call, the one that informs them a match with an organ donor has been found. When a candidate for an organ transplant is accepted into a program, the patient is told to pack an overnight travel bag and keep it ready, because that life-giving call could come at virtually any time.

Spotlight on Community

Getting to know the organizations and individuals helping make our community better

My Christmas miracle

I kept a leather overnight travel bag packed on the top shelf of my closet for six years before I received my blessing. At first, like an expectant mother, I counted the days, weeks, months and even years. Some organ transplant candidates keep a bag packed for as long as 15 years before the call informing them of an organ donor comes. The waiting tests your faith.

Unfortunately for some, that call never comes. Too many organ transplant candidates die before a match with a donor becomes available. For a variety of reasons, African Americans are under-represented in transplant programs and those that are accepted into a program typically remain on the waiting list longer.

I believe that blessings are guaranteed by a source great-

er than ourselves. Because of that there is something miraculous about them. If you are on a waiting list for an organ transplant, it is important to stay confident and continue believing that your turn is coming.

About two months ago, events aligned themselves like stars in the sky and led me to a new, healthier life. A long time ago, a different star led three wise men to a manger. Whether you are on a an organ transplant list or not, hold on to your faith and keep an overnight bag packed. The spirit of Christmas will eventually find you too.

Milwaukee resident Ira Hadnot is a retired journalist and kidney transplant survivor.

In

Don't get scammed this holiday season

The winter holidays are a time of charity, gratitude, and gift-giving. Everyone is looking for the best deals and money-saving tricks. Scammers try to take advantage of consumers’ holiday plans through rip-offs and fraudulent schemes. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) encourages all consumers to learn how to identify and avoid these common holiday scams:

Delivery notification/shipping scams

Fake shipping companies may send consumers messages alerting them to a delivery and threatening to delay unless the consumers ‘verify’ private information. Sometimes there is an attachment to download, usually containing a virus.

Do not open these messages or provide any person-

al information. Contact the company directly using a verified customer service phone number or email address for a shipping status update.

Giveaway scams

Consumers may receive messages claiming they have won a prize such as a gift card to a major retailer. The catch: consumers are asked to pay a small "processing fee," to complete a survey, or to provide some personal data before they can claim it.

Prizes do not require fees. Never engage with someone offering gift cards or other goods for “free,” but with strings attached.

Online marketplace scams

Social media platforms and other online marketplaces offer the option to buy and sell directly with other users. Scammers may pose as buyers or as sellers, and have a variety of strategies they use to fool consumers.

Be wary of buyers overpaying with checks – this is a sure sign of fraud; do not refund them. Do not pay for items unless the seller can be confirmed as legitimate. Do not give personal information or move the conversation to an off-site channel.

Pet scams

Pets are a popular holiday gift, but consumers should use caution when buying one online. Scammers will advertise pets, and when contacted claim the pets were already sold but that they know a faraway second seller with more options.

Ask for the name and location of the pet’s veterinarian. Contact the vet using publicly available information to confirm the pet really exists. Never pay up-front for pets sold online.

Ticket scams

Tickets to popular events can be expensive and in short supply. While many unofficial sellers and third-party websites are legitimate, watch for unreasonable prices and fake ticket sales.

Purchase tickets from official vendors that have established policies for cancellations and refunds.

For additional information and consumer protection resources or to file a complaint, visit DATCP’s Consumer Protection webpage at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov. If you have questions or believe you are a victim of a scam, report it by contacting DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline by phone at (800) 422-7128 or email at DATCPHotline@wi.gov.

As 2021’s tax filings fades into memory, there are some important takeaways for the upcoming tax season.

“Disrupted” best describes today’s tax landscape. Various temporary, COVID-19 related provisions are expiring. At the same time, the IRS and various state revenue departments are employing technological aids to contend with the ongoing backlog of paper mail and allow taxpayers easy online access to their information.

The following points lay out some lessons we have learned in this ever-changing landscape that are worth considering when gearing up for your 2022 filings:

Create online tax accounts with the IRS and WI Department of Revenue

The IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue are still working through significant mail processing backlogs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated work-from-home orders for governmental employees.

Because of this, many pieces of mail are still delayed in being opened, resulting in confusion from clients and erroneous assessment of penalties and interest.

One way to work around dealing with traditional mail is to create online accounts with both agencies. Doing so can allow you to access your previous tax records, view balances due, manage communication preferences with

the taxing authorities, and pay your tax bills (more on that below) using the most up-to-date information. For more information, visit:

• IRS: https://www.irs. gov/payments/your-online-account

• WI Dept. of Revenue: https://www.revenue. wi.gov/Pages/home.aspx

• Pay your tax bill online rather than by mail Didn’t get a refund on your taxes? Consider paying your amount due online.

The delays in mail processing mentioned above can include payment checks sent, so the IRS and the WI Department of Revenue have introduced options to pay amounts due online, allowing guest payments without needing to create an account.

In addition to tax return filing payments, both systems allow estimated quarterly and extension payments.

Be aware of the change in charitable contributions benefits

Besides the sense of well-being from contributing

to a nonprofit organization, you can also list charitable contributions as part of your itemized deductions on your federal tax return.

Over the past two years, a temporary provision allowed taxpayers who did not itemize their deductions to receive up to $300 in tax benefits ($600 if married filing jointly) for charitable contributions.

This benefit is no longer available starting in 2022,

meaning that for this year’s taxes and beyond, only taxpayers who itemize their deductions can deduct charitable contributions.

Be aware of the change in Child Tax Credit payments

In 2021, a temporary Child Tax Credit provision granted parents up to $3,600 in federal tax credit per child, half paid in advance from July – December 2021 and the other half when claimed in the 2021 tax return itself.

Starting this year, parents will no longer receive direct, monthly payments relating to the Child Tax Credit. Parents can still claim up to $2,000 per child who qualifies for the Child Tax Credit on their 2022 tax return.

Put your tax refund into perspective When undertaking tax

planning, it is essential to realize a “tax refund” is really an interest-free loan of your tax withholdings to the IRS.

Although getting a large, lump-sum payment may feel good, reducing your tax payments throughout the year and getting a lower refund (or even making a small payment) may be more beneficial. Instead of sitting in an IRS account, you can invest the money and get a positive return.

Salaried employees can complete Form W-4 and furnish it to your employer to reduce withholdings. If you are a business owner, speak to your accountant about making the proper Safe Harbor estimated tax payments based on your projected income to avoid any underpayment penalties while still not paying more than necessary per quarter.

Progressive Baptist Church

December 22, 1943 – W.E. B. DuBois becomes the first African American elected to the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

December 23, 1869 – Madam C.J. Walker, businesswoman and first African American woman millionaire, born.

December 24, 1832 – Charter granted to the Georgia Infirmary, the first black hospital.

December 25, 1760 – Jupiter Hammon becomes first published black poet with his poem, “An Evening Thought”.

December 26, 1894 – Jean Toomer, author of Cane, born.

December 27, 1862 – African Methodist Episcopal Zion church founded in New Bern, North Carolina.

December 28, 1905 – Earl “Fatha” Hines, “Father of Modern Jazz Piano”, born.

Mrs. FuMbanks' birthday salutes "Wishing you all the best!"

December 1st Bernard Lyons

December 2nd Willie Brown Dalvery Blackwell

December 3rd Jewell D. Neal Crystal Smith Earlean Fleming

December 4th Joyce Davis Deonte Lewis Lorene Pierson George Smith Alexis Hodges

December 5th Gloria Dupar Lamitt Jenkins Giovanni Taylor December 6th Darnell I. Ingram Cashmir Chamberlain Tony Dobb

December 7th Debra Hinton

December 8th Keith A. Ingram Jason I. Miller Anthony J. Miller Rev. Herbert McGuin, Jr. Dwight Howard Nando Scott

December 9th Hattie B. Cooper Darnell I. Ingram Netha Clark Tyrone Gross

December 10th Milhell A. Cooper Nathaniel Banks Zuri Wells Rev. James Hughes

December 11th Mirah Chamberlin

December 12th Kemi Green Rodney Lee Shaquita Lee Rodney Johnson Jasmine O'Connor

December 14th Myrtle Wilburn December 15th Charline J. Ingram Lisa Kennedy

December 16th

Eric D. Madison Deborah Lee Malachi Naquron Rawls

December 17th Terry Pinder Nathaniel Banks Bishop Debbie Hayes

December 18th Caniyla Mone't Rawls Tranace K. Leonard

December 19th

Chloe R. Williams

Alvin Jackson Calvin Dodd Christine Clark Selena Boyle

December 20th Rachel Lee Trascy D. Duncan Richard Hightower, Sr. Alisha Jenkins

December 21st Anna Taylor Tiona Williams LoRay Peoples December 22nd Rochelle Cooper

December 24th Ruby Jackson

December 25th Esther K. McGuin Marquise Johnson Deshae Lewis

Mahogany DeGroff Amuir Davis Tonya Webb Robbie Cole Christine Zollicoffer

December 26th Elnora Breath Imani Fumbanks

December 28th Deborah A. Avery Nikole Lee Johnson

December 29th Randal Lee Candace Chamberlain Lisa Dodd

December 30th

Kenya Lindsey-Taylor Audrey Nabray Kayla Kennedy

Do you have a frienD, family member, church member, or colleague who has just celebrateD or is about to celebrate a birthDay? stop by our office with their name on monDay to get them in that week ’ s eDition of happy birthDay salutes! visit us at 2238 n. Dr. martin luther king jr. Drive, call us at (414) 263-5088 or e-mail them to miltimes@gmail.com.