VOL. 61, No. 23
www.tsdmemphis.com
June 7 - 13, 2012
75 Cents
Get ready! She’s coming First Lady Michelle Obama headed to Memphis Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Tarrin McGhee
The first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, will be the special guest at an Obama for America fundraising reception to be held at the Memphis Cook Convention Center on June 28 at 11:30 a.m. The reception is open to the public, and ticket prices for the event range from $500 for individual tickets to $5,000 for two reception tickets and a photo with the first lady. For $35,000 the option to co-chair the reception is also available and includes six tickets plus a photo for two.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Obama Victory Fund 2012, a joint fundraising committee authorized by Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Parties in various states supporting President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign. In his bid for reelection, President Obama is facing opposition from Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney – an independently wealthy candidate whose campaign is heavily financed. Van Turner, chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party, said Michelle Obama’s upcoming appearance in Memphis, and her recent visit
to Nashville (on April 17), indicate that the Obama for America campaign wants southern states to play a larger role in helping the president win election this year than they did in 2008. “There is a focus on the south that we haven’t seen in the past and I think that is good,” Turner said. “Our community is hungry for opportunities to help and to get involved. Michelle Obama’s visit will undoubtedly help the president raise money and increase awareness in Memphis and Tennessee, and also provide a needed boost to galvanize voters and get them inspired to vote SEE OBAMA ON PAGE 3
Sherman and Tammie Gillums look at their pictures with First Lady Michelle Obama as Mrs. Obama continues to greet guests at the Joining Forces Community Challenge event on the South Lawn of the White House (April 11). The first lady – and the excitement that accompanies her – will be in Memphis on June 28. (White House photo by Sonya N. Hebert)
TECHNOLOGY AT A GLANCE
The E3 Technology Conference unfolded in Los Angeles this week (June 5-8) and Michigan Chronicle Managing Editor Cornelius Fortune captured the latest innovations for the Real Times Media newspapers, including The New Tri-State Defender.
New way to NBA:
ʻNBA Baller Beatsʼ scores big innovation Real Times News Service
by Cornelius Fortune
Tina Guy peers at history, with her son, Thomas, eager for a glance. (Photo by Shirley Jackson)
Venus Transit: June 5, 2012
Tina Guy did the math and then wheeled her children – Cierra, Kerrie and Thomas – over to the Pink Palace, where on Tuesday (June 5) they witnessed a rarity, the Venus Transit. “Witnessing Venus cross the path of the sun at the Pink Palace with my family was literally a once in a lifetime experience,” said Guy. “Seeing it through the telescope lens was awesome and the kids enjoyed looking at it through 3D glasses. This was The transit of Venus across the face of the sun happens in an event in history that will always be with us.” pairs eight years apart and separated from each other by The next Venus Transit is Dec. 11, 2117. With or with105 or 121 years. The last transit was in 2004 and the next out a calculator, that’s 105 years from now! will not happen until 2117. (Photo: NASA/SDO, HMI)
- INSIDE • Community help is needed to eradicate synthetic drugs. See Opinion, page 4. • Haiti hopes gold find means boom times ahead. See World, page 6. • Stop with the ‘only’ stuff about white, rich, good-hair people. See Religion, page 10.
• Drake: At ‘home’ in Memphis. See Entertainment, page 12.
A less violent America is plea from Trayvon Martin’s parents NNPA News Service
by J. Coyden Palmer CHICAGO – As Chicago dealt with yet another deadly weekend of violence – 10 people killed and nearly three dozen injured – the parents of slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin were in town to talk about the impact of gun violence on communities. Speaking at the national headquarters for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton choked back tears as they told their story of being the parents of a murdered teen. “As any of you know as parents, or family members of slain victims, to look at a crime scene photo, it’s very disturbing,” said Martin. “It was certainly very disturbing to see that picture of my son on the ground dead. That will be ingrained in my memory for the rest of my life.” Trayvon’s father said he is even more disappointed that unlike the sit-
Trayvon Martin’s killer awaits revoked-bond appeal. See National, page 5.
Tracy Martin
Sybrina Fulton
uation with his son, most AfricanAmerican males being killed are the victims of other African-American males. Trayvon Martin, 17, was shot by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman in February. Zimmerman is of mixed heritage. “While the race of the killer really does little to change anything when a
person dies, because death is death, we should still be concerned when we look at the number of young black men dying at the hands of their fellow brothers,” Martin said. Fulton said every day is a struggle for her and Trayvon’s father and siblings. She said while the family has been in the public spotlight as a show of solidarity, in private they still are grieving like thousands of other families across the country who have lost loved ones. Fulton said she and Martin feel it is their duty as parents to keep Trayvon’s case in the public’s conscious to see that justice is done. “We are the voice of Trayvon Martin….He’s not here to speak for himself, so we as his parents have decided instead of sitting back and not doing anything, this is what we have decided to do, to help our community and to help other parents,” Fulton said. She also added that all of America can play a role in reducing violence. SEE VIOLENCE ON PAGE 3
Can’t teach an old ball new tricks? Think again. “NBA Baller Beats,” unveiled during this year’s annual E3 conference – featuring the best and latest innovations of the video game industry – has all the makings of a hit game. The Majesco Entertainment title is slated for a September release and includes not only the game, but a full-sized Spalding basketball. Let that sink in a moment. Nothing says “serious about hoops” like packaging a full-sized ball with the game. And there’s a reason for this: you’re Exercise your going to be drib- game. See bling this ball in Technology, real time, but page 8. your goal isn’t to go for the three- MOGA puts the point shot, or future of mobile dunking on your gaming in your opponent. Oh no, hands. See you’ve done that Business, before. In “NBA Baller page 9. Beats” you dribble, shift position, and move (and groove) to your favorite hip-hop, dance, or pop music. Think of it as “Guitar Hero” meets “Just Dance 4,” greeting, and in some ways, overtaking the best NBA console games; that is, if you’re into that sort of thing. For awhile now, thanks to Nintendo’s Wii game console (and Xbox 360’s Kinect), the new alternative to sitting on a couch and hammering the buttons of a game controller has been, if not replaced, then at least given a newly polished image where physical SEE GAME ON PAGE 8
MEMPHIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY
H -88o - L-67o Mostl y Su nn y
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
H- 8 9 o - L - 7 1 o H- 8 4 o - L - 7 1 o I so . T- St orms Scat. T-Storms
REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS
Friday H-88 L-67 H-88 L-62 H-90 L-69
Saturday H-88 L-71 H-90 L-67 H-86 L-68
Sunday H-86 L-71 H-88 L-68 H-85 L-70
NEWS
Page 2
Tri-State Defender
June 7 - 13, 2012
Citywide pool card registration time Pools to open June 9th
The City of Memphis Division of Parks and Neighborhoods will hold registration for pool identification cards June 7th and 8th. Everyone attending a City of Memphis aquatic facility must have a Park Services pool photo identification card. If you have a previously issued City of Memphis Parks and Neighborhoods pool identification card, you do not have to register again. You must register for a pool card if: • You desire to attend a City of Memphis aquatic facility. • You have misplaced your previously issued pool card. • You have turned 13 since your previous pool card was issued. • You have turned 18 since your previous pool card was issued.
For registration
All minors under the age of
17 must be accompanied by parent or guardian at registration and bring with them valid identification in the form of a birth certificate or another form of identification with the minors birth date listed. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all City of Memphis pools. Parent/guardian accompanying children 12 and under must also receive a pool card. Adults 18 and older will need to bring valid drivers license or other picture identification to receive a pool registration card. Pool photo identification cards will be issued at registration. To receive a pool card you must be present at registration. There will be no absentee cards issued.
Registration sites
June 7-8, 5-7 p.m. Community Centers: Bickford, Charles Powell, Ed Rice, Gaisman, Hickory Hill, Lester, Orange Mound, Skinner Center
Ongoing pool registration
Ongoing registration will continue for the remainder of the pool season: June 9-July 28, Tuesdays and Thursday’s, 10 a.m.-noon; Community Centers: Bickford, Charles Powell, Ed Rice, Gaisman, Hickory Hill, Lester, Orange Mound, Skinner Center
Pool hours
City of Memphis outdoor swimming pools will open Saturday (June 9) and are free to the public, but you must have a pool card to enter. Outdoor pools: Tues.-Sat., 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Indoor pools: Bickford: Mon.-Fri., 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; Hickory Hill: Mon-Fri., noon-8 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Orange Mound: Mon.-Fri., 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; Skinner: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. for therapeutic use only.
(For more information, contact Toni Holmon-Turner, public affairs manager, at 901-576-4272.)
Rebranding campaign underway for Memphis Branch NAACP
Coincides with 95 years of advocacy
The month of June marks 95 years that The Memphis Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has been advocating and fighting for the rights of African Americans in Memphis and Shelby County. After nearly 100 years of advocacy, the local branch has begun celebrating its rich history in Memphis in addition to launching a rebranding campaign with the slogan, “You May Need Us. We’re Still Fighting for You. 95 Years of Advocacy. Your Memphis Branch NAACP.” “We’re still fighting with just as much zeal and determination nearly 100 years later to improve the socioeconomic positions and wellbeing of
African Americans and, with just as much determination and readiness, to dismantle any barriers that would hinDr. Warner d e r Dickerson progress and prevent Africa Americans from achieving justice and freedom,” said Dr. Warner Dickerson, president, Memphis Branch NAACP. The campaign is designed to build awareness, bolster the important work and history of the local branch, and highlight its relevancy as a muchneeded civil rights and human rights organization. The local branch fought to end at-large
Ten-year-old Angiel has a cancersurvival story to share. (Courtesy photo)
elections for city council, which diluted the votes of racial minorities, supported major civil rights legislation, and took positions to remedy unfair laws that negatively impacted those who were less fortunate. The NAACP continues to promote voter registration and voter education and is now focused on school unification issue, redistricting, photo ID laws and other relevant issues. “The fight we’re engaged in today to right the wrongs in society is no different than the fight that we were involved in past years to end racial and socioeconomic barriers,” Dickerson said. The rebranding campaign includes the participation of African-American churches and individuals who are asked to donate $.95 per person to support the Memphis Branch NAACP’s 95th anniversary.
Angiel and St. Jude patients promote St. Jude message Special to The New Tri-State Defender
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has launched a new series of public service announcements (PSAs) to help raise awareness and deepen the understanding of the hospital’s lifesaving mission through real St. Jude heroes – its patients and families. St. Jude has not produced national PSAs since 2003 and timed the new multichannel campaign to coincide with the hospital’s 50th anniversary. The PSAs share St. Jude moments through patients and families such as 10-year-old Angiel. Angiel and her mom, Damaris, were planning a trip to Africa for a family reunion when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that produced tumors in both of Angiel’s legs. Today, thanks to St. Jude doctors, Angiel can still look forward to visiting family in a foreign land one day. Angiel’s story is just one of several
patients featured in the PSAs. “For 50 years St. Jude has been dedicated to finding cures and saving the lives of children like Angiel,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “However, childhood cancer still kills more children in the U.S. over the age of 1 than any other disease. Through our new PSAs, we want to share our lifesaving mission and show why our work is so critical. Who better to tell that story than the very patients and families whose lives are impacted the most by the work of St. Jude?” The new PSA allows St. Jude to share its message in the African-American community through patients such as Angiel in her own words. At St. Jude, an African-American child has the same chances of survival as a white child, according to a recent St. Jude study. Historically, African-American cancer pa-
tients have been less likely than white cancer patients of any age to become long-term survivors. Thus the critical importance of educating communities about cancer and other deadly childhood diseases. The PSA strategy is based on market research to define the purpose and messages for the campaign. The suite of PSAs, available in English and Spanish, is designed for use on television and radio, billboard and airport dioramas, in print and in interactive media. All of the PSAs were shot in the hospital with patients currently in treatment and tell the story of what the children – many of them thousands of miles away from home – long for most: reading a night-time story in their own beds, seeing their pets, hugging a sibling, the everyday moments that mean so much to families whether their child is sick or healthy. To view or download the PSAs, visit www.stjude.org/psa.
NEWS
Tri-State Defender
VIOLENCE
“I believe more people are seeing that violence is CONTINUED FROM FRONT everywhere and you have Fulton said since her son’s to care about violence in death, she has heard from peo- other communities not just ple from all communities who what is happening in your are outraged, not just the own neighborhood.” African-American community. Sybrina Fulton She said the outpouring of sup-
port has helped the family and she is trying to use that positive energy to make big changes in society’s behavior. “I think for too long some people have looked at the violence in America as mostly an African-American and Latino issue,” Fulton said. “I believe more people are seeing that violence is everywhere and you have to care about violence in other communities not just what is happening in your own neighborhood.” Trayvon’s parents, along with their attorney, Benjamin Crump, participated in a forum about violence in the AfricanAmerican community. Crump said the solution to the problems facing the African-American community will come from within and outside the community. Nearly 30,000 people a year die as a result of gun violence in the United States, according
Robert Champion
New evidence in FAMU drum major’s death Medical examiner: Drumsticks and mallets used NNPA News Service
by Latoya Burgess
In recent weeks, Florida medical examiners have deemed the official cause of death for Florida A&M University (FAMU) drum major, Robert Champion, as “hemorrhagic shock due to force blunt trauma.” This comes after the 26year-old was brutally beaten during a hazing incident last fall when fellow bandmates sought to “initiate” Champion into the band. Witnesses told police that after the 2011 Florida Classic football game in Orlando, Fla., Champion boarded a bus where bandmates waited to “cross over” the drum major. The tradition of ‘crossing over’ is where new band members (initiates) make their way through a herd of people throwing kicks and punches. Last week, witnesses added that those punches and kicks were accompanied by blows with drumsticks and mallets. After the beating, Champion collapsed on the bus and was pronounced dead a short time later. He was a first-year drum major. Police currently hold more than 2,000 pages of interviews with defendants and witnesses who were on board the bus that day. In other related news, last Friday (June 1), an Orlando judge denied a motion by The Associated Press and the Orlando Sentinel to release probable cause affidavits used to arrest the 13 defendants charged in Champion’s death. Officials say their refusal is based on the fact that the records are part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
(Special to the NNPA from The Miami Times)
OBAMA
CONTINUED FROM FRONT in August and again in November.” Turner said he has been in communication with Obama for America’s Tennessee State Director, Justin Wilkins, and Chip Forrester, chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, about hosting a welcome reception with the Shelby County Democratic Party for the First Lady upon her arrival. Details have not yet been confirmed. For more information about the fundraising reception on June 28, or to purchase tickets, visit www.barackobama.com.
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June 7 - 13, 2012
to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An additional 100,000 people a year are injured, requiring emergency medical
treatment and hospitalization, which contributes to the strain being put on public health agencies around the country. “If it can happen to my son, it can happen to your son,” Crump said. “None of us are safe until all of us are safe.” Fulton said she believes part of the problem of violence is racial profiling that takes place by police and by individuals such as Zimmerman. She believes if her son were white, he would have never been followed by Zimmerman that
night in Florida when Trayvon was killed. Zimmerman, she believes, followed Trayvon because of his race or what he was wearing, which led to a confrontation between the two that should have never ensued. Due to worldwide scrutiny of how the initial investigation was handled and a special prosecutor being brought in, Zimmerman has since been charged with second-degree murder in Florida. He is back in jail, awaiting a revokedbond appeal.
Fulton said that day in February (when Trayvon was killed) was the worst day of her life. “I really didn’t believe it. That is the worst call a mother can get is to hear that your child is dead,” she said. Tracy Martin grew up in public housing complexes in East St. Louis. Before speaking in Chicago, he and Fulton appeared at an anti-violence rally there. Martin said the community has lost its spiritual compass and its understanding of
the value for education to getting a good job to raise a family. “We have to take the guns away, but we have to replace them with something. It starts with God and love. We have to get back to family love, family values,” he said. “Then we need jobs. And we have to give them a book, an education. Without education, it’s a lost cause.” (Special to the NNPA from the Chicago Crusader)
Page 4
John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)
The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper
A Real Times Newspaper
OPINION
Tri-State Defender
June 7 - 13, 2012
• Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher • Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor
Community help needed to eradicate synthetic drugs
Street culture vs. church power
(Bankole Thompson is the editor of the Michigan Chronicle, a Real Times Media newspaper and sister publication to The New Tri-State Defender.)
The Rev. Marvin Winans’ remark, “I refuse to be afraid of us,” in the wake of the robbery attack on him by four young black men at a neighborhood gas station on Linwood and Davison (in Detroit), carries a moral truth. It is a statement deeply rooted in the belief that we cannot throw our children away or become prisoners in our own communities, afraid to go out because young black males have become tigers in the hood, on the prowl for their next victims. I refuse to accept the notion that there is nothing else we can do, and that the solution is to dump Detroit and move out as quickly as you can. While such reasoning is politically expedient and the common sense thing to do in a state of fear, it is not the answer to the growing socioeconomic ills facing our community. It is not the answer to halt the violence in our town. To conclude that the best way to deal with the escalating violence in Detroit is to move out of the city is a defeatist attitude grounded in a weak notion that, in fact, we can no longer be problem solvers. Therefore, we should run away from the problem. What happened to our resilient spirit? The carjacking of Rev. Winans, a prominent Detroit minister and nationally celebrated gospel singer who was driving with a suspended license, provides a context for our men and women of the clergy to be engaged in tackling the despicable acts of crime in this city. Just as many were concerned about Winans and his well-being in the aftermath of the carjacking, we should all be equally concerned about the escalating crime rate in our city, and the senseless taking of lives. We should be concerned about the young woman who was raped in view of her child in broad daylight on Detroit’s west side. Children and adults are dying in horrific numbers, and the perpetrators of the crimes are usually young black men. The young men who attacked Rev. Winans did not know who their victim was, despite his being a prominent figure, seen often on television and in the print media. It says something much deeper: how out of touch they are with the real world outside of their own underworld of violence and mayhem. If those young men had been properly steered on a right, productive path they would not have become carjackers. If properly brought up in a nurturing environment and having the selfconfidence to know they can be whoever they choose to be, they would not be lured into a world of crime and drugs. Yes, they must bear personal responsibility, but as a community we also bear responsibility. Churches in particular cannot sit on the sidelines, claiming that parents have all of the responsibility. What happened to the communal spirit that made each of us responsible for the other? Our brother’s keeper.
What happened to the church that was once the center of our life and thus took a prominent role in the wellbeing of our children – the future leaders? Truth be told, Rev. Winans’ atBankole tack brought the Thompson violent crime in Detroit to the doorstep of the If there was and has ever a time for church, prompted many the church to in the clergy to demonstrate its call for some kind of action, power, it is and knowing that now when could be the black children they next victim. are dying and The church has adults are long been the being killed by center of transformation and at their own this crucial time children. cannot ignore its role in the community. The engagement has to reflect a broader embrace of children who are often treated as outcasts. They need not be. The interest has to go beyond church members focusing on their own well-being. After all, the church’s Biblical mandate is to go in search of the lost, not the saved. We have lost young black males walking down the streets like lions looking for someone to devour. They need to be saved and mentored into understanding that they have great potential, they need not rob, sell drugs or kill. If their homes did not remind or inculcate in them that sense of personal responsibility, the church can help them develop a clear path to the future. Because the Black Church historically has been the guiding light for our communities. If there was ever a time for the church to demonstrate its power, it is now when black children are dying and adults are being killed by their own children. To be commended are the group of clergy members, including Bishop Edgar Vann, as well as members of the law enforcement community and other leaders who last week launched an initiative called Detroit Night Walk to fight crime. We can create change and help those young black males trapped at the crossroads of drug dealing and carjacking. I believe that we can transform young black males who believe they have no alternatives and no future. In the words of the hip-hop icon and street poet Tupac Shakur, we can make these young black males “the rose that grew from concrete,” because by virtue of being a black male they already live under the heavy weight of stereotypes just as we saw in the Trayvon Martin case. Our young black males – and anyone who is raising a black boy is aware of this reality – are already facing an image battle, and many of them are holding our community hostage. The church can liberate the hostage taker and the hostages. (E-mail: michronicle.com.)
bthomspon@
FACEBOOK FAN OF THE WEEK Earl “E.J.” LeFlore
Earl “E.J.” LeFlore is this weekʼs TSD Facebook Fan of the Week! E.J. is the founder, leader and Head Gentlemen at the Gentlemenʼs Academy, an after-school and summer camp program providing leadership and personal development for young men. He is a passionate contributor to the growth and development of the young people with whom his company works. One of the tenets that he lives by is, “Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, ʻWhatʼs in it for me?ʼ” On his Facebook page, he describes himself as follows: extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends, very reliable. E.J. is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (University of Memphis, Spring 01). One of his favorite quotes is “Friendship isnʼt about who youʼve known the longest…itʼs about whoʼs never left your side!” We appreciate E.J. for being on our side and for being a part of the TSD Facebook family!
NAACP strays far from its mission
Those who have followed my writings over the years know that I am not very fond of the modern-day NAACP. They have strayed very far from their original mission and have become a patsy for the Democratic Party. They are more concerned with having a photo taken at the White House than being the picture of equality and fairness for those with no voice. The group was founded in 1909 as a civil rights organization. Its charter stated their mission as: “To promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; to advance the interest of colored (black) citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability and complete equality before law.” A charter or mission statement guides an organization to ensure that it stays true to its mission; it helps an organization to stay focused on its raison d’etre – its reason for being. So, I ask the NAACP: What is the basis for its focus on gay entitlements or citizenship for those in the country illegally? Notice that I used the term “gay entitlements,” not gay rights. A right has to be derived from some source document – the U.S. Constitution, a law, the Bible, etc. But, an entitlement is not derivative – it’s based on a “belief” that one deservers a benefit and that belief is totally subjective. Based on their charter, the NAACP has no business being involved in all these issues that are outside of their core mission of obtaining equality for black citizens. Has the Human Rights Campaign (a gay entitlements group) or the pro-amnesty forces come out with a statement about Trayvon Martin, or all the child killings in Chicago, or discrimination against blacks? We all know the answer is an emphatic no! So, you have the NAACP fighting for entitlements that are outside the scope of their charter yet the groups they are fighting for gives no reciprocity when it comes to issues of particular interest to the black community. It should not surprise the public that the NAACP has publically declared their support for “gay marriage.” Notice that I did not say “marriage equality.” When gays use the word marriage equality, they are saying that they want gay marriage to be “equal” to heterosexual marriage. By definition that cannot happen since marriage is between a man and a woman. Their goal is not equality, because that is an impossibility; they want acceptance. They want to redefine marriage, thereby forcing society to accept their lifestyle choices. When the NAACP issued their statement of support for gay entitlements they said, “The NAACP Con-
stitution affirmatively states our objective to ensure the ‘political, educational, social and economic equality’ of all people. Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will continue to oppose any naRaynard tional, state, local Jackson policy or legislative initiative that seeks to codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens. We support marriage equality consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Further, we strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all people as protected by the First Amendment.” Using the 14th Amendment as the basis for asserting the right for gays to marry is a bit of a stretch. In Hernandez v. Texas (1954) the U.S. Supreme Court held that the 14th Amendment protects those beyond the racial classes of white or “Negro” and extends to other racial, ethnic and other historically disadvantaged groups, i.e. women. So, please tell me which of the above groups would gay marriage come under? The 14th Amendment does not apply to them. They are asking the courts to create a special class of rights for them based on sexual preference, which is their ultimate goal. Gays do not deserve special protection based on their sexual preferences, but they do deserve equal protection based on their humanity. In a 2005 speech, former NAACP Chairman Julian Bond said, “…Sexual disposition parallels race. I (a gay person) was born this way. I have no choice. I wouldn’t change it if I could. Sexuality is unchangeable.” I guess Bond never heard of anyone having their sex changed surgically? So, let me make sure I understand this. If I choose to exercise my right to oppose gay marriage, I am hateful and believe in discrimination? So, while the black community is dysfunctional with black-on-black crime, runaway teenage pregnancy, high unemployment, the NAACP is taking up the cause that has absolutely no legal basis and is outside the mandate of their own charter. Are you kidding me? Weak people (and groups), take strong positions on weak issues. The modern day civil rights movement has done more harm to blacks than any man in a white hood. (Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a Washington, D.C.-based public relations/government affairs firm.)
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Tri-State Defender Platform
1. Racial prejudice worldwide must be destroyed. 2. Racially unrestricted membership in all jobs, public and private. 3. Equal employment opportunities on all jobs, public and private. 4. True representation in all U.S. police forces. 5. Complete cessation of all school segregation. 6. Federal intervention to protect civil rights in all instances where civil rights compliance at the state level breaks down
DISTRIBUTION: Tri-State Defender is available at newsstands, street sales, store vendors, mail subscription and honor boxes throughout the Greater Memphis area. No person may, without prior written permission of the Tri-State Defender, reprint any part of or duplicate by electronic device any portion without written permission. Copyright 2012 by Tri-State Defender Publishing, Inc. Permission to Publisher, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103. Back copies can be obtained by calling the Tri-State Defender at (901) 523-1818, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
There is a new system of drug trafficking in Tennessee, and it is being carried out right in front of our eyes at convenience stores across the state. Those who are breaking the Amy P. law are doing so Weirich knowingly, and I am writing today to alert you to this dangerous trend: synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs are illegal, and they are dangerous. Often sold in stores, some purchasers may not know that these drugs are illegal and dangerous. Across Tennessee, children and adults are having bad reactions to the changing chemicals used in these drugs. Along with my fellow district attorneys, I am working to strengthen laws seeking to eliminate these products altogether and to prosecute individuals who continue to sell these substances. Please help us by learning more about synthetic drugs and spreading the word within our community.
How can I recognize synthetic drugs?
Synthetic drugs are often marketed in small, colorful plastic pouches – sometimes using cartoon-like images – under names like K2, Spice or Molly’s Plant Food. They can be accompanied by disclaimers such as “Not for Human Consumption” and labeled as “plant food” or “bath salts” in an attempt to mask their true use and sidestep existing laws. Some are designed to look and be smoked like marijuana while others are used more like methamphetamine.
What are the dangers of synthetic drug use?
The effects of these chemicalbased substances – violent outbursts, hallucinations, paranoia, seizures, increased blood pressure, possible kidney failure, suicidal thoughts and more – are dangerous, and much more severe than users may anticipate. The substances are cheap, addictive, extremely potent and easily fatal.
What are lawmakers doing? In the past two years as synthetic drugs have become increasingly popular, lawmakers have acted repeatedly to outlaw the latest versions of these drugs. However, producers of synthetic drugs constantly alter the chemical contents of the products to circumvent ongoing law enforcement efforts. This is precisely why Tennessee’s district attorneys have continued to work on legislation that takes a big-picture approach to synthetic drugs and the many varied compounds used to produce them. My fellow district attorneys and I supported our legislators in addressing the present shortcomings in the law. Through several bills recently signed by Gov. Bill Haslam, the penalties regarding synthetic drugs will increase whether offenders are selling, possessing or ingesting synthetic drugs. The definition of synthetic drugs will also be expanded to include all possible synthetic derivates. These efforts will stiffen the penalties for infractions appropriately, as well as eliminate the weaknesses in the substance definition, which producers of synthetic drugs previously abused. We have also supported dozens of undercover law enforcement stings on convenience stores throughout the state. These efforts have brought criminals to trial and resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of synthetic drugs. As your district attorney, I will continue to work to eradicate synthetic drugs from Shelby County using the available resources. I hope you will join this effort by sharing this information with your family, friends and colleagues. (Amy P. Weirich is the Shelby County District Attorney General.)
Your letters to the editor are welcome. For verification, please include your name, address and telephone number. Mail to: In The Mail, TriState Defender, 203 Beale St., Ste. 200, Memphis, TN 38103 E-mail: inthemail@tri-statedefender.com Maximum length: 300 words (subject to editing for clarity)
IN THE MAIL
NATION
Tri-State Defender
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June 7 - 13, 2012
Back in jail, Trayvon Martin’s killer awaits revoked-bond appeal George Zimmerman and wife lied about finances NNPA News Service
By George E. Curry WASHINGTON – After having his bond revoked by a judge who wonders whether he was deliberately misled by George Zimmerman and his wife, the admitted killer of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin remains confined to his cell in the Polk County Correctional Facility in Sanford, Fla. this week facing serious credibility issues that could impact the outcome of his future trial. Acting on a motion by state prosecutors, Seminole County Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester revoked Zimmerman’s $150,000 bond last Friday (June 1) and ordered him returned to police custody within 48 hours. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Martin, who was returning from a nearby Seven-11 store with a can of Arizona tea and a bag of Skittles on Feb. 26 when he was shot fatally by Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain. Zimmerman, who had been living in an undisclosed location since posting bond on April 23, met personnel from the Seminole County Sheriff’s office in a parking lot off a nearby interstate highway where he was handcuffed and transferred to an unmarked white police van. At 1:43 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 45 minutes before the court-imposed deadline, Zimmerman was led out of the van and escorted inside the correctional facility where he was booked and placed in a private cell. Wearing a checkered button-down shirt and
j e a n s , Zimmerman did not answer questions shouted to him by waiting reporters. M a r k O’Mara, the attorGeorge for Zimmerman ney Zimmerman, filed a motion for a new bond hearing on Monday, which Judge Lester is expected to grant. The motion to revoke Zimmerman’s bond, filed by Assistant State Attorney Bernardo de la Rionda, stated: “On 4/20/2012, this Court conducted a Bond Hearing in which the Defendant was present and several of Defendant’s family members testified via telephone under oath. At the Bond Hearing Defendant misrepresented, misled and deceived the Court as to his possession of a United States passport, and Defendant and his family’s financial circumstances.” At that same nationallytelevised hearing, the motion declared, “Defendant’s family members misinformed the Court (the State would use a much stronger and accurate word to describe what occurred – Defendant’s wife lied to the Court) about Defendant and his family’s finances.” The prosecutors provided financial records and transcripts of taped telephone conversations between Zimmerman and his wife, Shelly. The transcripts of telephone calls the two knew were being recorded showed that they discussed money in a website account on April 12, 15 and 16,
well before the April 20 bond hearing at which they were trying to show that Zimmerman was indigent and could not afford a high bond. “During some of the calls to his wife, Shelly Zimmerman, Defendant discussed the amount of money sent to PayPal through the website, which was deposited into Defendant’s Credit Union account, and at defendant’s direction transferred into his wife’s Credit Union account,” the motion to revoke Zimmerman’s bond recounted. It also noted, “The Credit Union statements show on 4/19/2012, the day before the Bond Hearing, Defendant and his wife had access to over $135,000.00. Defendant has intentionally deceived the Court with the assistance of his wife, Shelly Zimmerman. During the jail phone calls both of them spoke in code to hide what they were doing. And, Defendant fully controlled and participated in the transfer of money from the PayPal accounts to Defendant and his wife’s Credit Union accounts. This occurred prior to the time Defendant was arguing to the Court that he was indigent and his wife had no money.” Part of those funds from the Web site, it was later learned, was used to post Zimmerman’s bond. The issue of Zimmerman’s credibility is crucial not only as to whether he will be allowed out again on bond, but to future trial proceedings as well. His creditability is key because Zimmerman claims he was acting in self-defense when he killed Martin. (George Curry is NNPA editor-in-chief.)
Ohhhhhhh!
President Barack Obama greets members of the audience following his remarks at the Honeywell Golden Valley Facility in Golden Valley, Minn., June 1. (White House hoto by Pete Souza)
Sham food program nets conviction for former SCLC chair WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Former Southern Christian Leadership Conference Board Chairman Raleigh Trammell has been convicted on all 51 felony charges filed against him in Dayton, Ohio in connection with a sham home-delivery food program loosely modeled after the successful meals on wheels federal program. He remains free on $10,000 bail and is scheduled to be sentenced June 27. Trammell, 74, was ousted as chairman of SCLC on Nov. 13, 2009 along with treasurer Spiver Gordon of Eutaw, Ala. The two were suspected of operating unauthorized bank accounts that siphoned off more than $500,000 from the civil rights organization co-founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Trammell and Gordon went to court in Atlanta seeking reinstatement but lost that challenge. In the Ohio case, Trammell was accused of stealing $50,000 of taxpayer money from 2005 to 2010 that was
intended to go into programs helping the poor and the elderly. Trammell claimed to be serving meals to Oscar Davis, a longtime friend, residing in the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center nursing home. Witnesses testified that they never signed up for the program, had not received any food deliveries and did not meet the requirement that they be at least 60 years old. According to invoices submitted by Trammell in 2008, his group served hundreds of meals to Mary Frances Davis and Charlotte Mercedes Garrett. There was only one problem – the prosecutor produced death certificates showing that Davis died August 19, 2007 and Garrett died May 5, 2004. Trammell’s attorney tried to dismiss those offenses as accounting errors. But Montgomery County Prosecutor Ward Barrentine offered the court a different explanation: “That’s intentional fraud,” he said. “Dead people don’t eat meals. I don’t need to tell you
that.” When sentenced later this month, Trammell could be Raleigh staring at Trammell the possi- (booking shot) bility of spending the rest of his life behind bars. If Trammell is imprisoned, it won’t be his first time behind bars. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Trammell “went to prison in the 1970s for cheating a county welfare department in Ohio.” Former SCLC national treasurer Spiver Gordon also served time in federal prison for voter fraud. He pleaded guilty in 1999, admitting that he had asked a person who lived outside of Greene County, Ala. to fill out an absentee ballot that listed a false county address. Gordon was sentenced to six months in prison, fined $2,000 and given three years of supervised probation.
WORLD
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African immigrants edgy after violence in Israel
Haiti hopes gold find means boom times ahead by Monique Clesca
A significant discovery of gold and other precious metals in Haiti’s Northeastern mountain range has given residents hope that once mining gets under way in about five years, the revenues will offer the resources needed to transform a country beset by poverty and ravaged by earthquakes and disease into an emerging island economy. According to recent reports, a round of exploratory drilling by U.S. and Canadian investors this year has unearthed valuable metals including gold, silver and copper, which may be worth close to $20 billion. The discovery is viewed by many as Haiti’s gold moment, a potential economic boon that could help the nation rebuild its infrastructure and improve the quality of life of its 10 million residents, many who live on $1.25 per day. That is, if the potential mining projects are managed in a transparent manner by the country’s rulers, according to Bureau of Mines Director Dieuseul Anglade. The current project is being led by the Société Minière du Nord-Est (SOMINE, SA.), a Haitian company that is a partner of Majescor and its affiliate SIMACT Alliance Copper Gold Inc. Haitian engineer Michel Lamarre, who heads SOMINE, signed a 15-year mining agreement in March 2005 that includes research and mineral rights. He has said the gold mines could end years of Haiti’s dependence on humanitarian aid. However, prospecting for gold in Haiti has a long and traumatic history. More than 500 years ago, the island’s Taíno peoples produced ornaments from gold that flowed in Haiti’s riverbeds. By 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in Mole St. Nicholas in northwest Haiti. Shortly after his arrival, Spanish settlers came and exploited the area’s gold mines and forced the Taíno tribes into slavery. They killed off most of the tribe members, a practice that many Haitians regard as attempted genocide. By the time slaves were brought from Africa, both the gold and the Taínos were decimated, and the colonial powers’ commercial interests had turned to sugar. Centuries later, in the 1970s, United Nations geologists reported that Haiti had sizable deposits of gold and copper. By the 1980s, Newmont Mining Corporation ceased gold exploration in Haiti because of political instability and falling gold prices. Then, in early 2006, Eurasian Minerals, a company based in Canada, began its mining efforts. The next phase in the possible golden scenario is commercial mining, an industry that in Haiti has not had extensive federal oversight. Laurent Lamothe, a successful telecommunications executive who took office as prime minister this month, said that government officials are drafting legislation to regulate the new mining industry. What he calls the “correct mining law” will “ensure that the right portion comes to the state. It ensures that the people living in the region where the mines are, that their rights are protected. It ensures environmental protection,” he told the AP. As for the locals of the mining region, SOMINE says that the project is already leaving a financial footprint in the area since it employs between 50 and 100 day laborers, as well as nearly 50 other Haitians hired as geologists and technical and support staff. What long-term benefits the locals will reap and how their rights to the land and to a clean environment will be protected will depend on the mining law that will be passed, as well as its enforcement. Beyond the integrity of the mining companies, many more
Tri-State Defender
June 7 - 13, 2012
Haitians are watching to see what the government will do with the potential $20 billion treasure. What benefits Haiti will really get is the question asked by many in a country familiar with the bottom rungs on the list of the most corrupt states of Transparency International, an anti-corruption organization. Ultimately, the answer to the question is what will decide if it is indeed a gold moment for Haitia, which desperately needs a multibillion-dollar windfall. (Special to New America Media from The Root. Monique Clesca, a Haitian novelist and essayist, works in international development.)
An early morning arson attack Tuesday (June 5) on the home of African asylum seekers from Eritrea has marked an upsurge in hostilities towards Africans by Israeli citizens. Dozens of foreigners, including families with children, lived in the building where the fire broke out on Jaffa Road, one of the city’s central arteries. Four residents suffered burns and smoke inhalation. Graffiti in Hebrew sprayed on the building read: “Get out of the neighborhood.” Arson attacks were also reported in Tel Aviv and last month several homes and a kindergarten were firebombed. In Eilat, an African hotel employee was beaten by Israeli beach-goers. Two weeks ago, Israeli youths in southern Tel Aviv smashed storefront windows in a refugee neighborhood, police said. While the Israeli government officially condemned the violence, some in the government seemed to share the anti-immigrant fever with talk of deporting or imprisoning refugees. One lawmaker called on Israeli soldiers to shoot any refugees attempting to cross the border with Egypt. Meeting with his party members Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to complete a 150-mile, 16-foot-tall steel fence along the IsraeliEgyptian border; to speed up construction of a massive detention facility able to hold up to 10,000 immigrants; and to step up efforts to deport foreigners. Some 60,000 Africans who sought refuge in Jerusalem now face prosecu-
AFRICA BRIEFS
tion under a new law allowing authorities to detain illegal migrants for up to three years.
Slew of problems for first-year nation
Some $4 billion of public money has gone missing from the treasury of South Sudan, creating a crisis for the popular president, Salva Kiir Mayardit. In a letter sent to some 75 former and present government officials, Kiir begged for the return of the funds and blasted those who “forgot what we fought for” in the liberation war. “Many of our friends died for freedom, justice and equality,” he said, “yet once we got to power, we began to enrich ourselves at the expense of the people.” Kiir surmised that “most of these funds have been taken out of the country and deposited in foreign accounts. Some have purchased properties, often paid in cash.” Over half of the estimated $4 billion was diverted by the infamous grain scandal, where large orders of sorghum were ordered but never delivered or distributed. Hundreds of grain stores, to be used in emergencies, were also paid for but not built. Meanwhile, some 22 colleges and private universities, formerly run by Khartoum in the north, have been closed by the Minister of Higher Education. “There are so many challenges to higher education in South Sudan, including weak standards at a school level, poor infrastructure, a shortage of academic staff, the lack of funding for science and technology research….There are few university places for those that want to study,”
said John Akec, vice-chancellor of the University of Northern Bahr El Ghazal. About 80 per cent of the South Sudanese population is illiterate. Part of the challenge is to standardize the language in which schoolchildren are taught. South Sudan has chosen English as its state language, but many schools still teach in Arabic – the language favored by Sudan before independence.
Nigeria grieves after historic plane crash
President Goodluck Jonathan declared 3 days of national mourning for the victims of a horrific plane crash Sunday (June 3) in which the aircraft flying into Lagos lost altitude and plummeted into a residential area, exploding in flames. All the passengers, over 150 people, died at the scene. The Federal Government suspended the operational license of Dana Air, citing “safety precautionary reasons,” pending investigations. At least two people on the ground, including a woman clutching a baby in her arms, were also killed. There were no known mechanical problems, according to Dana Air’s Flight Operations Director, Oscar Wilson. The skyrocketing growth of Lagos has seen homes, businesses and industrial sites shoot up along the approach route used by aircraft landing at the airport, changing what used to be forests and wetlands into a sprawling mega-city. The development has put the population there at risk, with many aviation disasters in Nigeria over the last two decades. Source: Global Information Network
HEALTH
Tri-State Defender
HEALTH BRIEFS American Cancer Society ready with Relay For Life
The American Cancer Society will host the Relay For Life of Memphis on Friday (June 8) at 6 p.m. at Cancer Survivor Park, 701 Perkins Ext. The event works to ensure that cancer patients are provided essential programs and services. In 2011, the dollars raised by Relay For Life events made a difference for over 25,530 people diagnosed with cancer in Tennessee. The American Cancer Society provided over 27,061 services to Tennessee patients from donated dollars. For information, call 1-800227-2345 or 205-930-8868 or visit http://www.relayforlife .org/theworshipcenteral. Onsite contact: JoCathy Elkington at 901-725-8624 or e-mail Jo.Cathy.Elkington @cancer.org.
Summer Soiree to benefit Healthy Newborns campaign
The MED Foundation’s Young Leadership Council (YLC) will host its Summer Soiree on June 13th at Alchemy in Cooper Young. The YLC targets younger professionals in Memphis’ giving community with the aim of generating new interest in The MED and re-introducing it as a hospital of choice in the region. Proceeds generated from the Summer Soiree will benefit The MED’s Campaign for Healthy Newborns. The soiree is a wrap up of the campaign that started in November. “The Campaign for Healthy Newborns is important to us as we believe that every baby deserves a good start in life,” said Tammie Ritchey, executive director of the MED Foundation. “It’s important that the community feels they can be involved in The MED no matter how much their gifts are – every gift counts. “For instance, for each ticket purchased at the Summer Soiree, a newborn can have a warm blanket or a set of bottles or a mom can have a box of diapers. It’s seems so simple but makes a huge difference to new parents who are unprepared due to an early delivery.” The co-chairs are Lauren Johnson (Fox 13 anchor) and Patrick Hendricks. The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Alchemy, 940 South Cooper 38104 Tickets are $20. To purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/KwBpgk. To RSVP, contact Joy Doss at joy@redrovercompany.com or call 266-2662, ext. 303. For more information on The MED Foundation, visit www.the-med.org.
Stroke prevention support group at Methodist South
According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are the number three cause of death in the United States. Learn more about stroke prevention during a free support group meeting at Methodist South Hospital on Monday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. The group meets at the Methodist South Outpatient Rehabilitation office (located in the Medical Office Complex across from Methodist South Hospital) suite 141, 1251 Wesley Drive. Light refreshments will be served. This month’s topic is “Discovering your spiritual source” presented by TOC Youth Ministry. For more information or to register, contact Patricia Morgan at 516-3726 or visit www.methodisthealth.org.
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CHEF TIMOTHY
Mayor Bloomberg is right: impose a limit on sugary drinks by Chef Timothy Moore Ph.D, N.M.D, C.N. Special to The New Tri-State Defender
The mayor of New York has done it again; he has taken a personal interest in health and wellness of New Yorkers to try to control the out-ofcontrol obesity problem. The issue has caused both an uproar and praise from people who are glad to see a change for the better in “The Big Apple.” Sometimes drastic measures have to be imposed to make people see the errors of their ways. Soon, they’ll be able to see the change if they take seriously the mayor’s advice to cut down their sugar intake. As with anything, there is always opposition, even if change is going to benefit someone’s health. Change sometimes comes with a price. Those individuals who voice anger because Bloomberg wants to impose a 16-ounce limit on sugar drinks aren’t seeing the big picture. I get the picture, and I get the point that the mayor is trying to reduce dramatically the rapid rise in obesity rates and subsequently save lives. The issue to some people is that Bloomberg is sticking his nose into something that does not involve him. I beg to differ. Some people just don’t like to be told what to do – even if it saves their lives. The mayor, in my opinion, understands the
gravity of the obesity problem and is trying to make a difference before the problem spirals out of control. In past columns, I’ve talked about the dangers of overindulging in sweet treats, which include bottled drinks and Dr. Timothy fountain sodas. The 16-ounce Moore limit the mayor has imposed is a start to losing the weight, considering that most beverages are loaded with sugar. Just imagine for a moment what would happen if there were no concerned activists, government monitors or watchdogs such as Bloomberg standing in the gap for us. I’m sorely afraid that if the food supply isn’t monitored or regulated, we would be shocked if we discover that inferior foods – or the ones deemed unhealthy – are being packaged for human consumption. I find it surprising even today how foods are labeled. If you read the ingredients and decide to Google those “big” words, you’d be surprised to learn that you’re eating something totally different that did not give you a clear understanding on the label. In
March, for example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that “pink slime,” a beef-based food additive or inexpensive filler, is being added to ground beef and other beefbased processed meats. There are so many food items that are labeled safe for human consumption – even those with an over abundance of sugar in them. When I look at the world’s obesity problem, I wonder why are people so determined to eat their way to the grave. Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on sugary drinks is a health-conscious move on his part to help save their lives. When a smoking ban was put into place to prohibit smoking in public places, there was uproar, and the opposition was indignant. Countless people, for the most part, have been better off for it because they don’t have to breath dangerous secondhand smoke. In a recent study, Robert Lustig, MD, a UCSF pediatric neuroendocrinologist, calls sugar a deadly toxic poison and notes that that sugar is no better than fat. Sugar, in essence, is a new kind of legal drug. It can cause severe health issues and it’s very addictive. So what is the problem with sugar? Fructose. Fructose is a component of the two most popular sugars: sucrose or table sugar. High-fructose corn syrup has become ubiquitous in soft drinks and many processed foods. Fructose is toxic in large quanti-
ties, says Lustig, because it is metabolized in the liver in the same way as alcohol, which drives fat storage and makes the brain think it is hungry. So what if it’s not all your fault? You must read what you’re consuming. The issue has to do with the effects of sugar in the body and how it destroys the immune system. The book “The China Study” by Colin T. Campbell, Ph.D., addresses how sugar can affect the body and lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. When a child is obese at six months old, there’s a strong possibility that the child’s sugar intake is the culprit. One 12 oz. can of soda a day is 15 lbs. of fat gained a year. One 20 oz. bottle of soda is 26 lbs. of fat gained a year and that is not evening taking into consideration those sugary fruit drinks. Mayor Bloomberg, in my opinion, made the right decision to impose a limit on sugary drinks. (Dr. Timothy Moore teaches nutrition, heart disease and diabetes reversal through a plant-based lifestyle. He is a professional speaker, wellness coach and personal plant-based chef. He is the author of ‘’47 Tips To Reverse Your Diabetes.’’ He can be reached by email at cheftimothy@cheftimothymoore.com or visit him at www.cheftimothymoore .com or www.twitter.com/ cheftimmoore.)
Stretch-run looms for 100-day weight loss competitors Obesity Summit: June 16, with finale on June 17 Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Wiley Henry
The hundreds of Mid-Southerners participating in the Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss competition have just a few more days to work off a little more weight before the winners are announced on June 17 at the 19th Annual Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival in historic Douglass Park. The church that has the greatest percentage of weight loss will win a
$5,000 gift certificate to a sporting goods store and nutritional counseling. The individual who loses the most weight will receive a $500 gift certificate to a sporting goods store as well. But before the big announcement, the participants from nearly 50 churches will be required to weigh-in for the last time Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Church Wellness Center, 1115 Union Ave. To date, more than 1,700 pounds have been lost collectively. The weight-loss competition encourages participants to exercise and eat a well-balanced diet to lose the unwanted pounds and stay healthy. A healthy mind, body and soul were
determinants that prompted BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee to take the lead in resolving many of the health challenges of the day. The health care company is also encouraging the Healthy Church Challenge participants and the general public to attend the Obesity Summit on Saturday, June 16, at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Summit is free and open to the public. The purpose is to educate participants, disseminate health information and encourage participants to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise and live a healthy lifestyle both spiritually and physically.
Rosalind Kurita, policy advisor to the Tennessee Department of Health, and Donna Richardson Joyner, an internationally renowned fitness expert, will be the keynote speakers for the Summit. Joyner will work out with participants briefly following her address. Along with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the Challenge is sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care, News Channel 3, Hallelujah 95.7 FM, The New Tri-State Defender, and the Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival. For more information, call 901278-0881 or visit Facebook.com/The Healthy Church Challenge.
Debate surfaces on heals of task force finding NNPA News Service
by Dianne Anderson Since only African-American men are dying from prostate cancer earlier and at twice the rate over every other racial group, medical professionals might as well now throw out what many health officials believe is the best test for detecting prostate cancer in African-American men. The debate rages on in the medical community under the recent recommendation that doctors stop offering the PSA blood test. It comes as a big surprise to family practitioner Sanaa Ligons. The Prostate Specific Antigen test is always one of the first tests she orders for her over-50 male patients. Dr. Ligons of the Whitney Young Family Health Clinic in San Bernardino, Calif., said she understands that the test may not be so critical for other racial groups. Even so, she said African-American males should not only continue PSA testing, but start earlier than the current recommendations. “In some populations, maybe the Hispanic and Caucasian population, where it’s not so frequent or so bad, it’s Ok not to (PSA) screen, but for
African-American males, I think we should be screening earlier,” Ligons said. At the Whitney Young Clinic, African-American men over age 50 can routinely expect to get the essentially painless PSA test, an important protein marker that determines if a man has prostate cancer. If they’re over the recommended age, she automatically orders the lab. The other alternative – the dreaded Digital Rectal Exam – is often a deal breaker for African-American males. Ligons said the clinic doesn’t use DREs anymore, just the PSA because it is more reliable to detect the cancer. When men get their annual PSA, it’s easier to spot the trend over time. If the protein marker rises, it’s one indicator that he may have the beginning stages of the cancer. With that earlier indicator comes a better chance of survival. Patients must also watch for other symptoms, said Ligions. Urination shows the first signs of trouble if the patient sees a slower or weak urine stream, which could indicate prostate enlargement or cancer. Those symptoms could be benign, meaning not cancerous, but no one should take the chance by avoiding the test.
“The recommendation against PSA testing puts men’s lives in jeopardy as they will be discouraged from getting screened for prostate cancer.” Ana Fadich African-American men are most likely to get and die from prostate cancer, but she said that they are still not getting better about walking into her office, and asking for their PSA tests. “Nope; not at all. They don’t come in and request it,” she said. Recommendations on prostate screening come by way of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and is being criticized for calling to curb PSA testing, particularly since African-American men comprise those most at risk of dying from the cancer. However, they reportedly only made up about 4 percent of the Task Force’s case study. Essentially, medical advocates argue that throwing out the PSA test would be a killer for more AfricanAmerican men. Men’s Health Network (MHN) and the Veterans Health Council also stand strongly opposed to the decision to curb testing, claiming that
Vietnam-era veterans were also more at risk from over-exposure to Agent Orange. The group blasted the task force for not consulting with the National Cancer Institute, or its studies showing that PSA screening was attributed to a 45-70 percent decline in death rate, as presented at the annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit last year. “The recommendation against PSA testing puts men’s lives in jeopardy as they will be discouraged from getting screened for prostate cancer,” said Ana Fadich, MPH, CHES, Director of Programs and Health Promotion at MHN. “This especially affects AfricanAmerican men, men exposed to Agent Orange, and men with a family history, all of whom are at greatest risk of developing prostate cancer and dying from the disease. In the U.S. alone, 30,000 men die from prostate cancer annually, a staggering number. Early detection is key and PSA testing is the best available tool, reducing prostate cancer mortality by 40 percent since its inception.” (Special to the NNPA from the Precinct Reporter)
TECHNOLOGY
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Exercise your game Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Cornelius Fortune
Curtis Smith, a “Brand Ambassador,” demonstrates the new “NBA Baller Beats” game at the E3 conference in Los Angeles. (Photo by Cornelius Fortune)
GAME
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
activity is the sole driver behind the gameplay. Video games and physical games used to share a thickly constructed (almost impenetrable) wall between them, but now the wall is coming down. Dribbling a basketball to a music beat might almost seem a descent into self parody. As a result, hardcore basketball gamers are going to look completely the other way with this one. But no matter: this Xbox 360 Kinect game wants to reach a larger family-based audience, and you don’t even have to be a skilled player to master it. With three levels of difficulty, you can build your way up to an impressive score and some courtside bragging rights. You’ll find selections from Run-DMC, Kanye West, Common, Lady Gaga, LMFAO,
TSD newspaper locations
and a healthy serving of other popular artists, both classic and new, that will simultaneously enhance and challenge your game experience. Most games, by design, are all about game simulation, providing a list of favorite teams you can play with and compete against. “NBA Baller Beats” takes it one step further: You are the game; you are the center of attention; and if you’re highly competitive, you can get your friends and family together for a match-off. You can start a different type of family game night. “This game is extremely innovative – the first motionbased sports game that requires you to play using an actual basketball,” said Tony Chien, senior product manager, Majesco Entertainment. “It requires you to get off the couch and play. You’re not pretending to dribble, you actually have to get up, be active and
play the game of basketball. And it’s also a brand new way to experience the basketball video game like never before.” Virtual basketball’s are one thing, but dribbling the ball inside the house might give parents pause. According to Chien, if you have the gear, you’re already covered. “If you have a Kinect you can play in your house,” Chien said. “It works on most surfaces. It won’t work on supershag and plush carpets. If you have ‘Dance Game,’ or other games where you already play Kinect, it’s the same parameters. It’s the first of its kind. We’re targeting basketball fans of all ages.” “NBA Baller Beats” is the ultimate in hybrid game forms and one of the most unusual announcements to come from E3 so far. (For more information, visit http://bit.ly/Lz3nVz.)
One of the most exciting aspects of E3 wasn’t just all the innovation announcements and stunning demo play – it was the pound of music and the act of dance; fully assembled groups, coordinated and visually tracked upon large screens moving to an infectious beat. Two of these games, “Dance Central 3” and “Just Dance 4” were huge crowd pleasers. “Dance Central 3” for Xbox 360 Kinect features more than 40 tracks including Usher, 50 Cent, Gloria Gaynor (“I will Survive”) and other popular artists. It’s a really great blend of old school and new school jams. “Just Dance 4” will be available on the Wii system from Nintendo, Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation Move for PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. The game also will be released on the Wii U system from Nintendo at the system’s launch. The game features more than 40 new tracks, ranging from pop, hip-hop, rock,
Dancers show E3 audiences how to use “Dance Central 3.” (Photo by Cornelius Fortune) R&B, country or funk. Artist highlights are: Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Pink, The B-52’s and more. Dancing games have gained in popularity in part because of the push for more video games that require physical activity, and, they’re pure fun. Not only do you get to test out some serious moves, you can watch your avatar (digital representation) perform them on the screen. Both are due to hit stores this fall. If you love to dance, whether you’re a pro or an am-
ateur, “Dance Central 3” and “Just Dance 4” should provide hours of entertainment this fall.
(For additional information on “Dance Central 3,” visit www.dancecentral.com. Follow “Dance Central” on Twitter (twitter.com/dance_central) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/dancecentral). (For the latest information on “Just Dance 4, visit: www.justdancegame.com. Follow on Twitter and use hashtag #justdance4.)
BUSINESS
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June 7 - 13, 2012
ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY
‘The Church,’ community and economic impact For many years, African-American churches have been the catalysts of change in society. Churches have pushed the envelope as it relates to spiritual and social issues. Given their collective money, political power and expertise, churches continue to be in a unique position to impact the community from an economic perspective. The challenge of determining where the church begins versus the business venture may forever exist. Nonetheless, the economic development benefit that the community gains is invaluable. According to the New York Times, Bishop T.D. Jakes of Potters House in Dallas participated in the development of Capella Park, a community of 266 homes. And the relocation of Dr. Stacy L. Spencer’s New Direction Christian Church to the old Service Merchandise Building in Memphis is an example of the power and capability of the “mega-churches” in the marketplace. Additionally, after the 1992 riots in Los Angeles, mega-church First African Methodist Episcopal
(FAME) Church of Los Angeles rose to meet the challenge. As an economic lifeline for the devastated community, the church created the FAME Renaissance Program to fund community serCarlee McCullough vices, business and economic development programs through private and public funding sources. An example of a “private sector/church collaboration is the Renaissance Program which has a Micro Loan Program component funded by a $1-million grant from the Walt Disney Co. The Micro Loan Program supplies low-interest rate loans of $2,000 to $20,000 to minority entrepreneurs in the area including day-care centers, transportation companies, restaurants, a medical billings business, cosmetics companies and a manufacturing firm. We deal with people who won’t qualify
for a bank loan,” said Mark Whitlock, executive director of the Renaissance Program. “We don’t mind if you have a couple of bad nicks on your credit. We don’t mind if you’re a brand new business that has never received a business loan before,” according to Black Enterprise.??? Today, more and more partnerships are growing between government, business and church communities. While the lines continue to be drawn to separate church and state, the lines are just becoming a little faded. But with all of the ills that exist within our society, can that fade be all bad? Sometimes the bad behavior of government needs a little “God” in it. Understanding that the church, outside of government, is the most powerful institution in the world as it relates to impact and influence provides the opportunity for the church to engage in economic development while never losing its values and relationship with God. As an example of the fading of the line of separation of church and state,
in 1992, the United States Congress passed into law “Charitable Choice Legislation,” which gave rise to the establishment of the federal Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, according to Urbanham.??? This growing interest at the federal level in providing public funding for the secular activities of faith-based institutions, while controversial, raises numerous possibilities for increased public and private sector funding. This also appears to be an admission by government that “the Church represents a vast, untapped resource that can more effectively address some social and economic aspects of Urban Community and Economic Revitalization better than it can” said the Rev. Gerald Austin Sr., founder and CEO of the Center for Urban Missions.where?? As African Americans have gained in the areas of politics and job advancements, the economic disparities continue to widen as many in the Black Church failed to tackle the issue of community and economic development, according
to Austin. As the economy continues to struggle and families suffer through unemployment, programs encouraging entrepreneurship can be powerful, empowering and uplifting to the spirit of someone who has been turned down for jobs time and time again. The power of megachurches to simply encourage members to network and do business with each other is a start in the right direction. Just as the church was called on to play a major role in the civil rights movement, it is now being called on to play a major role in the “new civil rights movement” of economic development. Stay with us during this impactful series and learn more about the impressive ministers making a difference in the Mid-south. (For additional information about McCULLOUGH LAW please visit www.McCulloughLawFirm.com.) (Contact Carlee McCullough, Esq., at 5308 Cottonwood Road, Suite 1A, Memphis, Tenn. 38118, or email her at jstce4all@aol.com.)
MONEY MATTERS
Two questions: Retirement challenges facing business owners and professionals
The MOGA controller hopes to change the face of mobile gaming. “Pac-Man” is one of a select list of titles to use the new technology. (Photo by Cornelius Fortune)
MOGA puts the future of mobile gaming in your hands Real Times News Service
by Cornelius Fortune “Angry Birds” excluded, most games designed for your phone don’t replicate the game controller that well (“Angry Birds” was designed for mobile platforms). While touchscreen technology has a plethora of advantages and intuitive controls, it’s not always compatible with video game play. Enter the MOGA Mobile Gaming System just unveiled at the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in Los Angeles. Developed by PowerA (a leader in gaming innovation) this device connects to your tablet or cell phone, giving a much richer game experience on par with your console experience. Once a very small industry, the mobile gaming field has moved from its infancy and is now toddling towards a maturity that might reveal itself in just under a few years. And top game publishers have already thrown their support behind the technology. Industry leaders Gameloft, MachineWorks, Namco Bandai, SEGA, Atari and Ratrod Studio Inc. will deliver new and classic favorites such as “N.O.V.A. 3 – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance,” “Six-Guns,” “Dungeon Hunter 3,” “Painkiller: Purgatory HD,” “Pac-Man,” and others. The prime objective is to bring console-
quality gaming to consumers on the go. “Mobile devices are capable of console quality graphics today, but providing precision control is the key,” said John Moore, vice president of product development and marketing for PowerA. “With MOGA we are unleashing the power of today’s smartphones and tablets to enable console quality gaming experiences that you can enjoy anytime and anywhere. MOGA is the first and only complete mobile gaming system that combines a true state-of-the-art mobile controller, top quality game titles enabled by robust development software and a unique game library app that makes finding, using and sharing MOGA Enhanced games fast and easy.” Not only do you have a state-ofthe-art game portable controller to rival what you use at home, the MOGA Pivot App also enables gamers to easily browse, find, and play a library of MOGA Enhanced games in one convenient location. MOGA Pivot will land as a free app via Google Play. So far, the device is will only be available for Android 2.3 + users. Mobile gamers interested in taking their game to the next level will want a MOGA controller of their own, which will be available later this year. Till then, you can learn more about it at www.PowerA.com/MOGA.
Q: How can I convert my business into planned retirement income? A: With all businesses, especially those that are primarily service oriented, it is important to transition from one that is “lifestyle based” to one that can be “equity based.” Lifestyle, as the name implies, is purposed to support the owner’s living standard according to his/her schedule, income and tax benefit needs. As such, the value is based on the owner and typically diminishes or vanishes when he/she retires or passes. By contrast, an equity-based organization is designed to run with the intention of providing a value that can be accessed by the owner or his/her family at some future time. Keys to developing an equity-based entity include: Staff – The owner must be surrounded by people capable of replicating the product or service, thereby extricating him/her from the dayto-day business operations. Critical in this is the staff’s capability to handle routine matters, especially those that involve customer contact. The owner involvement of course remains, but is elevated to a significantly higher level like new business development and strategic planning. Procedures – Key to the businesses equity value is its ability to deliver a consistently high quality product or service independent of the owner’s involvement. A “replicable” process can only be based on developing clear procedures and guidelines that motivated staff can follow without the owner’s constant oversight and direction. Michael Gerber’s “E-Myth Revisited” provides an excellent foundation for proceduralizing that replicable process. Retention – It is essential to have one to three key employees who can act as the owner would, take pride in the business’ success, and have effective incentives to thrive personally along with that success. Bonuses based on performance and results, or even potential incremental ownership over time may prove
helpful in retaining good employees. Succession can involve ownership transference to family members, co-owners, current employees or an outside Charles Sims third party. The keys are that the Jr., CFP entity be capable of operating separately from its owner, and that the transference be done in the most tax advantaged manner possible. Depending on the circumstances, this can result in a lump sum, a payment over time, an on-going interest in the entity or some combination of these.
Q: Which qualified retirement plan is best for my situation? A: Several factors need to be considered, including: Variability of business revenues and income – Generally, greater tax benefits are available at the cost of higher committed plan contribution levels. The downside, of course, is that in lean years it could be difficult to maintain those higher contributions. It is important to carefully weigh these, and often advisable to err on the side of greater flexibility and lower contribution levels. Owner or Employee Emphasis – The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is the major body of regulations that specifies minimum participation requirements for rank and file employees. Within these rules is some flexibility that can allow owners to receive a relatively greater proportion of dollars contributed. This is especially so if the firm is willing to make prescribed minimum contributions under “Safe Harbor” provisions, and/or if the key employees have a significantly higher average age under “Age Weighted” arrangements. Retention – Ensuring that the dedicated staff built through the years is sufficiently compensated
so to not be tempted to look elsewhere for employment is important. It may also be a priority to provide them with an incentive to begin saving for their futures. This is especially so since many workers are not saving enough to be able to live comfortably after retirement and the owner worries about their well-being. Every business weighs the relative importance of these issues differently. Generally, each plan has trade offs between amount of annual tax-deductible contribution allowed, flexibility of varying that contribution in good and lean years, and a desire to reward employees versus encourage them to save for themselves. When properly done, the right retirement plan can provide the owner with effective tax benefits now, a stream of reliable income well into retirement, and a motivational-retention tool for important employees. Every owner will one day leave the business. The question is, will it be on his/her own terms or dictated based on health or financial circumstances? When it is properly planned, it can be a positive, life changing, wealth creation event that brings financial independence to the owner and/or family, and has the added benefit of leaving the business a healthy, viable entity that can flourish long after the owner departs. A qualified financial adviser can help develop a clear picture of a business’s value and then integrate that information with the owner’s personal financial situation to give a comprehensive view needed to plan for a successful future. (Charles Sims Jr. is President/ CEO of The Sims Financial Group. Contact him at 901-682-2410 or visit www.SimsFinancial Group.com. The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.)
RELIGION
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Tri-State Defender
June 7 - 13, 2012
NEW MUSIC
LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE
Nicois Harris: ‘Un-de-ni-a-bel’ album gives space to praise NNPA News Service
by Alexis Taylor
Effortlessly blending the message of Christ with edgy rock, Nicois Harris has once again captured audiences with her second album, “Un-de-nia-bel” (Undeniable). The Arlington, Va. native has returned from her October 2011 mission to Ghana full of inspiration and with an important message that crosses all color and culture lines. “I hope listeners walk away with how easy it is to engage in conversations with God. It’s not as bureaucratic as religion makes it,” said Harris. “It’s easy to converse with him and receive from him. Its easy to have a trusting friend in him and receive the love he lavishes on us- we just make it hard.” Opening with an up-tempo piece heavy with electric guitar, synthesizers, and bass, Harris says she first started putting together a concept for the album two years ago. “I didn’t force it, it just sort of landed in my lap,” said Harris, who admits that she, like many gospel artists first tried her hand at secular music. “I started to meet the producers that I’m working with now and then there were little nudges from friends saying ‘You ought to do your own project – there’s a void.’” Offering a range of musical experiences, Harris’ album gives space to praise and dance with numbers such as “Take Everything” and “Digital World,” while also leaving room for intimate worship and meditation with pieces like “Revive Us” and “We Worship.” Harris has shared the stage with gospel greats such as Shirley Caesar and Tye Tribbett, and clear influences of Martha Munizzi, Chris Tomlin, and Karen Clark-Sheard can be heard in her music. “Nicois brings a fresh energy and passion to the world of Christian music,” said musician, songwriter, and producer Kurtis Parks, in a statement about Harris’ musical gift. “Her ministry is not just a
Stop with the ‘only’ stuff about white, rich, good-hair people
Check your self worth
Nicois Harrisʼ new album release, ʻUn-de-ni-a-bel,ʼ is her second. (Courtesy photo)
thing that happens on stage, but the way she lives her life. Her songs are not only catch and filled with incredible layers of music, but they are brought to life by heartfelt lyrics and the power of Nicois’ voice,” said Parks. Harris says her trip to Ghana helped her grow not only as an artist, but as a human being. “It was life changing and very enlightening. I got to experience events that I probably would have never experienced in the U.S. because we are very spoiled here,” said Harris. “It’s a very proud people and they are very poor – but their countenances are high even in the midst of poverty.” The artist says she now draws her strength and inspiration from the “Word,” citing “the entire passage of Psalm 90 as a favorite.” The mother of three has been married for eleven years and even enlisted the help of her husband to help pen part of the album. The couple’s work can be heard on “Day One” and “Fighting to Die,” an innovative take on the Bible’s call for the daily death to all things dealing with selfish human nature.
Dear Lucy: There is a woman who has worked with me for 6 years. We have the same job title and she does way less work than I do and gets away with it. Recently a position came up in another department. She applied for it, got it and a substantial increase in pay. I am definitely the better qualified and I have carried her for years and she gets the reward! How is it that people like her always come out on top while those of us who work hard get so much less? – Signed: Disgusted
Dear Disgusted: I have seen this myself and wondered what was going on. Well, as I have grown older, studied, observed and worked hard on my own understanding, here is what I have learned. And, I hope you can swallow this answer. It is all about expectancy and self-value. No one can ever value you more than you can value yourself. No one can expect more for you than you can expect for yourself. I remember a friend saying to me that she felt that some people just had better connections than others. Yet, she admitted that when she had been given the opportunity for a “slam dunk” interview based on connections, she still did not get the job. As we talked about the interview she reflected on the fact that as she went through the process, she began to see all the reasons why she really did not want to work at this company. As the process continued, she began to want the job less and less. So, when she did not get the job, she was upset that the “slam dunk” didn’t work! What blocked her getting the job? Her own thinking. As she interviewed, her own thoughts turned to a negativity that was too strong to be overcome. This is one aspect of expectancy.
And then, there are the times we have thoughts like, “They won’t give it to me,” “I am too old, or fat, or whatever.” Or sometimes we say things like, “I know they really want to hire someone of the other race or gender, so I won’t even try.” Lucy This is another form Shaw of negative expectancy or the Law of Attraction at work. We attract what we believe and think…period. And also, why did you not apply for the job??? And then there is self-value or selfworth. This is the most common block to getting what we want. We just simply, deep down inside don’t believe we deserve it! Perhaps your co-worker got what she wanted because she believed that she was entitled to it, deserved it and was worthy of having it. And for no other reason than that she felt good enough about who she is to go after her heart’s desire. We learn to be worthy or not at a very young age. People who we respect and think know what they are talking about tell us some really stupid stuff about our self worth. They don’t always say it out of meanness. Sometimes they are just saying what has been said to them by their parents. Things like, “only white people, rich people, smart people, skinny people, light-complexioned people, tall people, highly educated people, godly people, clean people, people with good hair, people from the east side…” and the list goes on. As a child, you hear these “only’s,” believe them and stake your future on them as limitations that you accept. And so you are never enough or good enough to be worthy of having what you want.
Cooking Clergy Taste Fest on Father’s Day Families Matter of Memphis is hosting the Cooking Clergy Taste Fest 2012 on Father’s Day, June 17, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bartlett Station Municipal Complex, 5868 Stage Road. Local pastors will be serving their favorite dishes, paintings by local artist Lonnie Wilson will be on display and a
silent auction will be held. Families Matter, an organization of Christ Community Health Services, will also be recognizing the “Dad of the Year” through its Dynamic Dads program. The award will be presented by Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. “Fathers are called to be provider and
PRAISE CONNECT
(Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspaper)
-A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. —John 13:34
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126
ASSOCIATE MINISTERS
ST. ANDREW A.M.E. CHURCH
901-946-4095 fax 948-8311
(901) 948-3441
Early Morning..........7:45 AM Church School..........9:45 AM Morning Worship......11:00 AM
Rev. Davena Young Porter Rev. Linda A Paige Rev. Luecretia Matthews
Bible Study For Youth and Adults Tuesday - 7:00 PM “Spirit, Soul, and Body!” AM 1070 WDIA Sundays, 10:00-10:30 AM
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY Sunday School .....................8:30 am Morning Worship Service ....10:00am WEDNESDAY Bible Study .........................10:30 am Mid-Day Prayer Meeting .....12 noon Evening Prayer Meeting........7:00pm FRIDAY Cable Channel 17 ............... 8:00pm
TV Cable Access Broadcast Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Channel 17 Website:www.saintandrewamec.org
Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter
THE BLVD Ea s t 6745 Wol f Ri v e r B oule v a r d @ Ki r by Pa r k wa y ( i n t he Cl a rk Ope r a Me mphi s Ce nte r ) Me mp h i s T N 3 8 1 2 0
Dr. Frank A. Thomas Senior Servant
TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
WEEKLY SERVICES
Sunday Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Night YPWW 5:00 p.m. Night Service 6:00 p.m. Tuesday Night Prayer 6:00 p.m. Bible Study 7:15 p.m. Wednesday Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Friday Morning Prayer 9:00 a.m. Night Service 7:30 p.m.
— Proverbs 1:7
Dr. David Allen Hall Pastor
“The Founder’s Church”
First Pastor: Senior Bishop C.H. Mason
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1
Greenwood Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 3311 Kimball Ave. Memphis, TN 38111 (901) 744-7531 (901) 744-7664
Worship Services Sunday Sunday School Worship Service
Clarence Kelby Heath Wednesday Pastor
Noon - 1 p.m. 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Child Care Center (901) 948-6441 Monday-Friday 6 AM- 5:30 PM Emergency Food Pantry Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, Pastor & Clothes Closet Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, Co-Pastor Wednesday 6 PM-8 PM
“Ministering to Memphis-Spirit, Soul and Body”
672 So. Lauderdale 38126 P.O. Box 314 Memphis, Tn 38101 Phone (General) 774-1572 Pastor: 775-0740 Secretary: 775-1909
No Telecast Service
leaders of their families,” said the Rev. Walter Green, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, advisory board member and chair of the Families Matter 2013 Walk/Run Committee. Donation: Adults – $20; 4 to 12 year olds - $10; 3 year olds and younger – free.
867 SOUTH PARKWAY EAST Memphis, TN 38106
Dr. Reginald L. Porter Sr., Pastor
BROADCASTS 9:30 a.m. Sunday WDIA - 1070 AM
These beliefs in limitations are so deeply hidden in our minds that we can miss how they work to keep us down. Have you ever noticed that every lawyer, doctor, or person with a Ph.D is not making big bucks? And yet there are those who you might have gone to school with, know that they have nothing special going on and there they are living the high life. Again, they have a different level of self worth or expectancy for good in their lives. If you can give yourself credit for being a good, talented and hard worker, take the time to write down all that you are good at. Read the list out loud. If your heart starts to beat fast or if you have a hard time writing the list, you may have a problem with believing that you are OK and that it is alright to own up to it being wonderful. Write the list anyway, read it out loud to yourself twice a day for 28 days. Also, at the end of the list, write and speak this, “I am a person of greatness and value and I deserve to receive the good that I have earned!” And then, if you still have trouble accepting your worthiness, remember this verse from 1John 3:1: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” As God’s beloved children we all deserve the best, if we will believe it for ourselves. Lucy (Check out Lucy Shaw’s website at http://www.heartworks4u.com. You may send your questions to her by U.S. mail to: Heartworks4U, LLC; 4646 Poplar Ave. Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38117 or by e-mail to lucy@heartworks4u.com.) (For help with the feelings that get in the way of prayer and peace of mind, get Lucy’s new book, “BE NOT ANXIOUS.” Order it directly from her at 901-9070260 or go to her web site www.heartworks4u.com.)
9 a.m. 10:30 a.m.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. —Revelation 1:8
Tri-State Defender
RELIGION RELIGION BRIEFS
Heritage Day 2012 at Monumental Baptist
Traditionally, Heritage Day at Monumental Baptist Church is celebrated on the last Sunday May. This year, it will be observed on June 10 as an addition to the activities scheduled during Youth and Young Adult Month. The purpose is to get more young people involved in learning and honoring their history. “African American history is not to be taught only in the month of February,” said the Rev. Samuel B. Kyles, pastor of the church, “but should be taught and cherished on a year-round basis.” Heritage Day 2012 will celebrate Africa and will concentrate on 12 countries on the African continent. The countries will be highlighted by the foods and clothing peculiar to those countries. The 10:15 a.m. service will be devoted to sharing information on the cultures and practices of the countries same and the struggles the peoples of these countries have overcome in the past and still face today. “We want our young people to appreciate who they are and telling and re-telling our story is one of the ways we instill in them the pride they should have in being African Americans,” said Diane Hurth, event chairperson.
BRIEFLY: The 5th Annual Men’s Health Summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 9 at THE UT Alumni Center, 800 Madison Ave. The event is for ages 12 and up, participants under 18 must be accompanied by
June 7 - 13, 2012
an adult. For more information, call 901-2618833. BRIEFLY: Rust College will host a luncheon during the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 8 at 12:30 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Center. Tickets are $25. Tickets my be reserved by mailing a check to Rust College, c/o Emma Miller, 150 Rust Avenue, Holly Springs, MS 38635. For more information, email emiller@rustcollege.edu or call 662-252-8000 ext. 4904. BRIEFLY: Eternal Peace Missionary Baptist Church, whose pastor is the Rev. Maurice T. Hunt, will host 2012 Youth Day with an event at 3 p.m. Sunday (June 10) at the church at 1251 S. Willett Street. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Christopher Williams from the Gospel recording group Perfection. Guest soloists are Taylor Bailey and Italy Moore. For more information, call Vernita Jones at 901-265-7392 or Rosalyn Mason at 901-6440506. BRIEFLY: The Jehovah’s Witnesses 2012 “Safeguard Your Heart” District Convention will head at the Memphis Cook Convention June 8-10, continuing June 29-July 1 and July 6-8. The first of the three-day events begins at 9:20 a.m. on Friday. Admission is free and the public is invited. BRIEFLY: Promise Land Church at 3430 Overton Crossing will celebrate Father’s Day Weekend with “A Male Chat and Fellowship” at 11 a.m. on June 16 (lunch provided) and an 10 a.m. service on June 17. For more information: 901-357-0200; www.thepland.com.
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ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, June 7 - 13, 2012, Page 12
WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON?
LENS & LINES
Chefs, stilettos, comedy and funk
The Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Delta Fine Arts, Education and Cultural Center present their signature event – Cater to You: A Gentleman’s Way – on June 16 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Pink Palace Myron Museum Exhibit Mays Center, 3050 Central Avenue. The event is an effort to provide scholarships to deserving, college bound inner city youth, as well as free arts and cultural programming to the Memphis community. The evening will feature gourmet dishes prepared by amateur male chefs. Political leaders, pastors, entertainers, business owners and members of the corporate workforce are donating their time to support a worthwhile cause. Each chef will be judged on originality, taste and presentation. Guests will judge each dish and will designate one of the participants as Memphis’ Best Gourmet Gent People’s Choice. Live entertainment will provide a spirited anchor, with Jamille Hunter the special musical guest. During the course of the evening, an original art piece will be spontaneously created and then auctioned to the highest bidder. The night also includes a silent auction and will conclude with guests receiving a commemorative souvenir. Oh yeah, I’m the host. Tickets are $60 and can be obtained by contacting Sheretta Dobbins, 901230-1430, or Adrienne Dobbins, 901603-9003. For more information, contact Genarda Wright, 901-356-0061, or Qadriyyah Debnam, 901-483-1839.
Stilettos & Sandals
High energy and fun filled fits the bill in describing Stilettos & Sandals after Sunset, an OPUS Entertainment Group event set for June 23 at Minglewood Hall, 1555 Madison Ave. The show features songstress Avery Sunshine,“Def Jam” comedian Lester Bibbs, and comedian V-Mack. On the wheels is DJ Jeff Lee! It is set to run from 7 p.m. - until, benefiting the Memphis Food Bank backpacks for underprivileged kids in the Mid-South. Single tickets are $35, and advance tickets $25 with 6 canned goods or backpack donation. Reserved tables are $500 for a table of eight, including tickets, auction coupons and complimentary VIP Buffet. Also, you can purchase $15 VIP Buffet tickets from Nikki Catering or in advance for $10. Don’t miss the sharpest Stilettos in the House Award! An after-party will follow the show with DJ Jeff Lee. For tickets, visit minglewoodhall.com/calendar. VIP tables and buffet can be purchased by calling 901 650-2986.
Drake: At ‘home’ in Memphis Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Warren Roseborough A silhouette – that’s all you could see when the multi-talented Drake appeared on stage at the FedExForum on Tuesday (June 5) night. Then the rapper, singer, songwriter and actor began to shout out the good times he had in Myriad parts of Memphis – East Memphis, Orange Mound, the mall and various other spots. The crowd of about 10,000 young adults – an array of different races and cultures – screamed and shouted: Drake! Drake! Drake! Then came the show. The concertgoers seemed to really enjoy rapper (and producer) J. Cole and southern hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame, but you could tell who came to see – Drake! In the crowd was Natasha Tyler, who had made her way across the bridge from West Memphis. Tri-State Defender: So, who did you come to see? Natasha Tyler: Drake.
TSD: And how long have you been a Drake Fan? N.T.: Every since he came out with his first album.
Drake performing at the FedExForum. (Photos by Warren Roseborough)
TSD: What is your favorite Drake song? (She begin to sing it, trying to remember the name of it, and I couldn’t help her because I don’t know any of his songs. She finally recalled the name of the song – “Find Your Love, ” which features the lyrics “I’d better find your lovin/ I’d better find your heart.” TSD: Are you a Waka Flocka Flame fan? N.T.: He’s Ok, but I came to see Drake. Natasha Tyler
Waka Flocka Flame (above) and J. Cole (left) were also in appearance at Tuesdayʼs concert.
Dave Chappelle at the Orpheum
Comedian Dave Chappelle is on his way to Memphis to perform at the Orpheum next Tuesday (June 12) at 7 p.m. I know you’ve seen him on “Comedy Central” on his kind of short-lived but very funny television show “Chappelles Show.” Well, that show only lives in reruns, however, if you’re a Chappelle fan, you’re sure to enjoy this guy in person. And so will others, even though it has short notice. Tickets are available at the Orpheum box office, 203 S. Main Street, Orpheum-memphis.com, livenation.com or by phone at 901-525-3000.
Bartlett Comedy Spot
He starred along with Halle Berry in the movie “B.A.P.S” and on tour, Comedian Pierre, who starred along with Halle Berry in the movie “B.A.P.S will be performing at the Bartlett Comedy Spot for four big shows this weekend (June 8-9). Come and get your laugh on at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Admission: $10. The Bartlett Comedy Spot is located at 5709 Raleigh-Lagrange. For more details, call 901-590-3620
Funk Fest
The Funk Fest is now one BIG day of funk, Saturday, June 16. It’s going to feature Frankie Beverly and Maze, Charlie Wilson, El Debarge, Cameo and Slick Rick – all on one stage and all in one night, starting at 6 p.m. at the Mud Island Amphitheatre. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets and at ticketmaster.com. For more information, call 704-5100539 or visit www.funkfest2012.com.
(Got an event you’d like for me to cover or attend, email me at Myron@ whatshappeningmyron.com.)
BOOK REVIEW
‘The Reverend’s Wife’ does not disappoint Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Nona Allen
If you attended the Sisterhood Showcase (June 1-3), I am sure you were introduced to a variety of talented writers from various genres. A literary veteran of the authors featured was Kimberla Lawson Roby. Roby is the author of over 15 books that are widely read and extremely popular in the AfricanAmerican community. Noted for her engaging writing style, Roby is probably most famous for the Reverend Curtis Black. Black is the main character in nine of her novels. Don’t let the title fool you; Black may be a minister, but he is no angel. Roby reminds us of the humanness of the clergy through the character of Reverend Curtis Black. “The Reverend’s Wife” is the latest in the Curtis Black series and it
Kimberla Lawson Roby, the creative force that pumps life into the character of the Reverend Curtis Black, at the Sisterhood Showcase. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)
does not disappoint the Kimberla Lawson Roby reader, old or new. In this novel, we find the focus on
Charlotte, Black’s third wife. We are introduced to Charlotte in “Casting the First Stone” and we
learn all she is capable of – or so we think. This novel introduces us to more of the ups and downs of the Black family. Charlotte and Curtis have been married for a number of years and are seemingly on the path to marital stability. Soon enough those same demons that have haunted the pair rear their ugly heads again. I won’t reveal the ending of the story; I suggest you read the book. In fact, if you have never read about the infamous Reverend Curtis Black, I suggest you start with “Casting the First Stone” and read through the Reverend Curtis Black series. You will enjoy the read from the beginning to the end. Roby has noted that she gets letters asking if the Reverend Curtis Black is based on a particular pastor. She said that in each city she gets the name of a pastor who embodies the persona of the fictional reverend.
ENTERTAINMENT
Tri-State Defender
Page 13
June 7 - 13, 2012
June 7-13, 2012
OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam’s Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Kam Williams
For movies opening June 8, 2012
BIG BUDGET FILMS
“Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” (PG for mild action and rude humor) Latest adventure in the animated franchise finds the anthropomorphic menagerie joining the circus in Monte Carlo to evade capture by a mean, animal control officer (Frances McDormand). Voice cast includes Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer and Cedric the Entertainer.
“Prometheus” (R for intense violence and brief profanity) Ridley Scott directed this scifi thriller, set in the late 21st Century, about a team of scientists whose research expedition to outer space turns into a desperate struggle for survival when they encounter a bloodthirsty race of aliens bent on exterminating all of humanity. Starring Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Guy Perace.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
“Bel Ami” (R for nudity, graphic sexuality and brief profanity) Romance drama, set in Paris in the 1890s, about an ambitious young politician (Robert Pattinson) who rises to power by seducing the city’s wealthiest and most-influential women. With Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas.
Charlize Theron and Idris Elba in the Sci-fi thriller, “Prometheus.” (Photo courtesy Twentieth Century Fox) “Patagonia Rising” (Unrated) Eco-documentary chronicling the battle between conservationists and an insensitive, multi-national corporation planning to build five dams on free-flowing rivers in Chile’s pristine Patagonia region. (In English and Spanish with subtitles) “Paul Williams: Still Alive” (PG-13 for drug references and brief profanity) Reverential biopic about the legendary singer/songwriter and talk show staple best known as the composer of a string of hits in the Seventies, including “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Just an Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Rainy Days and Mondays.”
“Corpo Celeste” (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama about a 13 year-old (Yle Vianello) who resists the pressure to practice Catholicism when her family moves back to Italy after living in Switzerland for a decade. With Salvatore Cantalupo, Anita Caprioli and Paola Lavini. (In Italian with subtitles) “Dark Horse” (Unrated) Todd Solondz directed this romance drama about the love which blossoms between a couple of dysfunctional adults still living with their parents, one (Jordan Gelber), a toy collector, the other (Selma Blair), a clinically-depressed, aspiring writer. Supporting cast includes Christopher Walken, Mia Farrow and Jusin Bartha.
“Knockdown” (Unrated) Two-fisted tale of redemption about a disgraced boxer (Casey T. Evans), betrayed by a bookie, who moves from St. Louis to Bangkok where he secretly returns to the ring on the underground circuit until his past catches up with him when he’s recognized by a mysterious fight fan from his hometown. With Tom Arnold, Bai Ling, Alex Veadov and Nick Faltas.
“Lola Versus” (R for profanity, sexuality
“Peace, Love & Misunderstanding” (R for drug use and sexual references) Dysfunctional family dramedy about a tightly-wound, Manhattan attorney (Katherine Keener) in a failing marriage who takes her teenage kids (Nate Wolff and Elizabeth Olsen) upstate to Woodstock to meet their estranged grandmother (Jane Fonda) for the first time in their lives. With Kyle MacLachlan, Rosanna Arquette and Chace Crawford. and drug use) Greta Gerwig stars in the title role of this romantic comedy about a jilted bride-to-be’s promiscuity in the wake of being dumped by her fiancé (Joel Kinnaman) just three weeks before their wedding day. Cast includes Hamish Linklater, Zoe Lister-Jones, Debra Winger and Bill Pullman.
HOROSCOPES
“Safety Not Guaranteed” (R for profanity and sexual references) Sci-fi comedy about a magazine reporter (Aubrey Plaza) who, much to the chagrin of coworkers (Karan Soni and Jake M. Johnson) also covering the story, falls head over heels for the weirdo (Mark Duplass) looking for a companion to travel back in time with him. With Basil Harris, Jeff Garlin and Lauren Carlos.
ARIES Lover, friends, relatives are in your corner. They just have a hard time verbalizing it. Their support gives you the boost you need if you’d swallow your pride and reach out for it. Their help may not come in the form you want it, but it is in the form you need. TAURUS It wouldn’t hurt to be a little less independent. Depend on someone. Declare a truce. Decide that you are not right. Elevate a friend’s opinion to your guiding principle for this week. Compromise. Be a team player and watch the reward unfold. GEMINI You won’t have enough time to get as far away as you want to go, but you’ll have enough time to do some shopping for the trip. Your focus on what you need is keener now than closer to trip time. Get to the mall and buy your miscellaneous items. CANCER Don’t waste time thinking about the past. Sure they were wrong, but what does it matter now. Enjoy the present. Find something good to do for the rest of the week. Avoid conflict. Nothing is so important that it needs to be resolved this week. LEO You face a big challenge that allows you to take big steps toward your career goals. It’ll be on your mind for the next few weeks. Spend some time planning. Life is not always for fun and games. Games are not your biggest satisfaction anyway. VIRGO Reconsider a business offer, it might be a good one. You’ve got time so sit down and weigh the pros and cons. Doing it alone is not best. Make a phone call. Talk to someone who knows you well. Get an objective opinion. LIBRA Your intuition is very high this week. You see where things are going even before they start. This will keep you from making false moves. Be careful not to let your suspicions keep you from making the moves that are definitely called for. SCORPIO Beware of financial pitfalls. Your thinking on money matters is not as clear as it could be this week. Someone will try to catch you off guard. This week your luck turns for the better, so spend it with the one you love or want to love! SAGITTARIUS Your mate has a sweet surprise. He or she might be a little timid about revealing it unless you present a very receptive mood. Choose your words carefully. You will receive good news about a loan or financial investment. CAPRICORN You and your mate should start saving for a joint project. It will make you feel closer to each other. It’ll give you something with which to bind the relationship. Otherwise you might feel that you are drifting apart. AQUARIUS Challenges will be ever present for you this week. Work at it calmly knowing that you are getting some things out of the way. Tackle tasks using your famous self-control rather than your passion. Use your passion on the weekends. Let loose! Be free! PISCES Harmonious communications are part of your charm, and you’ll get far this week by speaking your word in an easy-going way. You’ll find that your domestic arrangements are very comfortable to you. Source: NNPA New Service
ENTERTAINMENT
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June 7 - 13, 2012
KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: “What excites you?” CJ: Performing of any kind: singing, acting, dancing. I also get really excited during interviews….
Cuckoo for Coco! The ʻLet It Shineʼ interview
A fresh-faced, bright-eyed, Southern beauty, 14-year-old, Hollywood Records recording artist Coco Jones will grace television sets across the world on June 15th when she stars in the Disney Channel original movie “Let It Shine” opposite Tyler James Williams and Trevor Jackson. Coco plays the role of “Roxie,” a teenage singing sensation whose music label is sponsoring a songwriting contest at a teen club. “Cyrus DeBarge” (Williams) writes a contest-winning song about his love for Roxie but, when he’s too shy to claim it as his own, his best friend, “Kris McDuffy” (Jackson) takes the credit. Based on the play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “Let It Shine” relates a tale of young love with an underlying message about summoning self-confidence. Coco can also be seen regularly guest-starring on Disney Channel’s “So Random” and on “Good Luck Charlie.” Recently, she has been in the recording studio with Toby Gad, David Banner, and Rock Mafia. One of the hottest tracks to drop is a duet called “Whodunit?” with “Zeke and Luther” star Adam Hick. It peaked on the Radio Disney charts at No. 20. Born in Columbia, S. Car. on Jan. 4, 1998, to former NFL star Mike Jones and talented session vocalist Javonda Jones, Coco was raised in Lebanon, Tenn., where she began singing as soon as she learned to speak. The young actress/singer/rapper’s first stage performance was at the age of 6 when she belted out “America the Beautiful” to a wowed crowd of parents at her kindergarten graduation. In 2010, she released her debut CD,
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NOTICE OF SUNSET PUBLIC HEARING In accordance with Title 4, Chapter 29, Tennessee Code Annotated, the Government Operations Committees of the Tennessee General Assembly will conduct a public hearing to receive testimony on whether the entities listed below should be continued, restructured, or terminated. The hearing will be held in the Legislative Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee, as indicated below. Pertinent public testimony is invited. Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at 9:30 a.m., in Room 12 Collateral Pool Board Investment Advisory Council Tennessee Interagency Cash Flow Committee Commission on Uniform Legislation Post-Conviction Defender Commission Compact on Supervision of Adult Offenders Interstate Compact on Juveniles Tennessee Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Sex Offender Treatment Board Any changes in the above schedule which may become necessary will be announced at the Government Operations Committeesʼ website at www.capitol.tn. gov/joint/committees/gov-opps/. For additional information or to request special accommodations for individuals with disabilities, contact: Deborah V. Loveless, CPA, Assistant Director, Division of State Audit, Nashville, Tennessee; telephone: (615) 747-5258; e-mail: Deborah.Loveless @cot.tn.gov. Request for special accommodations should be made at least 24 hours prior to the meeting whenever possible.
IN THE LAKE CIRCUIT COURT SITTING IN CROWN POINT, INDIANA IN RE: THE DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE OF: LATONYA JOHNSON, wife/Mother vs. LARRY JOHNSON, Husband/Father SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION You are hereby notified that a Complaint has been filed by LATONYA JOHNSON in the above-captioned Court naming you as a Husband/Father. Wife/Mother seeks relief as stated in said Petition. You must respond within thirty (30) days after the last notice of the action is published and in the event you fail to do so, judgment by default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in said Complaint. Dated: 5-18-2012 Lisa A. Berdine Hammond Legal Aid Clinic 5231 Hohman Avenue, Suite 605 Hammond, Indiana 46320 PH: 219-853-6611 Atty. No. 24795-45 Attorney for: Wife/Mother
LEGAL NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received at the Office of the City of Memphis Purchasing Agent, Room 354, City Hall, 125 N. Main, Memphis, TN 38103, until 2:00 PM CT, Friday, June 29, 2012, for furnishing the City of Memphis with the following: FOR THE DIVISION OF: PUBLIC WORKS City of Memphis RFQ # 3147 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF: PW 04081 STP Curb Ramps Group 43 Bid Set 1 Federal Project No.: STP – M – 9409 (159 State PIN: 114576.00 Bid Set 1 Location(s): Various Locations City Wide State Project No: 79LPLM - F3 - 212 A Mandatory Pre-bid Conference will be held Monday, June 11, 2012, 10:00 AM CT; 2599 Avery AVE, Memphis, TN 38112 (901) 636 2462 1. The Prime Contractor and all Sub
“Coco Jones,” featuring songs reflecting her platform of positive values and strong self-esteem. Last year, Coco was one of five finalists in Disney’s “Next Big Thing” competition, an achievement that further helped to launch her musical career. And this summer, she will be touring with the “Next Big Thing” talent contest. Kam Williams: Hi, Coco, thanks for the interview. Coco Jones: Thank you, Kam, for having me.
KW: What interested you in the role of Roxie in “Let It Shine?” CJ: When I first read the script, I fell in love with it. Singing, dancing, and acting! The part was right up my alley. Plus, the thought of playing a rock star was like a dream for me.
KW: The movie is based on the “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Did you read the original play in preparation for the part? CJ: I read a lot of summaries about the story. I also watched “Roxanne,” the movie starring Steve Martin.
KW: The lead characters’ names have been changed slightly from Cyrano and Roxanne to Cyrus and Roxie. Has the story been changed, too? CJ: Oh, yes, they definitely updated the story, setting it around today’s music industry, featuring Gospel and hip-hop music. KW: The movie is also a musical. How much did you get to sing? CJ: I got to sing a lot. I am singing in five songs from the soundtrack.
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KW: What message do you think people will take away from the movie? CJ: The main message of this movie that everyone will take away is to believe in yourself. Cyrus learns to have confidence in his writing, Chris has confidence in his performance, and my character, Roxie, learns to be confident in her singing. Another great message that girls will take away from Roxie is to love yourself. All girls my age know about wanting to fit in. I think that they will watch Roxie trying to do the same thing with her clothes, make-up, and her entire performance. Over the course of the movie, she learns to be herself, to develop her own style, and to not change herself to please others. KW: You sing, rap, dance and act. Which is your favorite? CJ: I honestly love it all, which is why I enjoyed playing Roxie. Through the character, I was able to showcase all of my talents.
KW: You became a national sensation when you were a finalist on Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing” competition. Do you have a concert tour on the horizon? CJ: Yes, and I am so excited! I will be all over the United States through 2012. I love to see people enjoy my music and my shows.
KW: You were just signed to a recording contract with Hollywood Records. What was that like, to sign the papers and what kind of music can your fans look for in the near future? CJ: Signing with Hollywood Records was a dream come true. I am so blessed to get to do the things that I love to do every day of my life. My fans can expect to be blown away
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENTS BEING ACCEPTED The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) hereby gives notice that comments will be accepted from the public on proposed service changes on fixed-route bus service up until Monday, June 25, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. There will be no changes in trolley service or MATAplus service, or fares for any of MATAʼs services. The proposed fixed-route bus service changes are as follows: PROPOSED FIXED-ROUTE BUS CHANGES 5 Central Eliminate the 5:30 a.m. outbound trip from Downtown. No additional changes in service. No change in routing. 6 Northaven ***NEW ROUTE. Now a Connector Route between Northaven at William Cary Dr and Frayser Blvd at N Watkins St. Previous service was available on Route 11 Thomas / Northaven. Modified Weekday schedule consists of three a.m. outbound trips to William Cary, and four a.m. inbound trips to Frayser at Watkins; also four p.m. outbound trips to William Cary, and four p.m. inbound trips to Frayser at Watkins. Average Weekday frequency will change from 59 to 39 minutes. Average Saturday frequency will change from 170 minutes to 53 minutes. (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). New outbound routing directions: From Frayser Blvd travel north on N Watkins St, Left at Northaven Dr, to William Cary; New Inbound Routing Directions: From William Cary Dr, Left at N Circle Rd, Right at Braden Dr, Right at Brandywine Blvd, Right at Breckenwood Dr, Left at Northaven Dr, Right at N Watkins St, Right at Corning Ave, Left at Steele St, Left at Frayser Blvd to N Watkins. Modified Saturday service schedule consists of six trips between Northaven and Frayser at Watkins. 7 Air Park Modified schedule will eliminate the 7:12 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. eastbound trips from American Way Transit Center, and the 7:47 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. westbound trips from Raines at Hickory Hill; also the 4:03 p.m., 4:38 p.m., and 5:11 p.m. eastbound trips, and the 5:26 p.m. westbound trip. No additional changes in service. No change in routing. 11 Thomas Modified Weekday and Saturday schedules will provide service to Raleigh Springs Mall only (SEE ROUTE 6 FOR TRIPS TO NORTHAVEN). Average Weekday frequency will change from 39 to 33 minutes during peak and from 62 to 58 minutes during off-peak (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). Saturday frequency will operate every 90 minutes. No change in routing. 12 Florida / Weaver Eliminate Route 12 Florida / Weaver Weekday and Saturday
Tri-State Defender
ʻMy parents are the people that led me here,” says Coco Jones. (Courtesy photo)
with the music I’m writing. The day after I signed my contract, I went right into the studio. My new album will have Pop, Rap, R&B and some huge ballads. KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles says: “You’re only 14. How do you balance the demands of school and career?” CJ: Well, sometimes it is hard because my schedule is crazy. I am homeschooled, so my school travels with me. My parents have one rule for me: I can’t do any of this if I have any C’s on my report card.
KW: Is your online course work mostly an extension of your performance interests? CJ: Unfortunately, not. It is the exact same work any eighth grader would do. KW: What do you plan to study in college? CJ: I’d love to major in music. I love what I do, but I want to really understand it, more in depth….
service branch. Alternative service available on new Route 38 Westwood Connector and new Route 39 S. Third / Ford branch. Service on Sewanee Rd south of Raines Rd and on Shelby Dr west of S Third will be eliminated. 12 Florida / Levi Modified Weekday and Saturday schedule for service to Levi. Average Weekday frequency will change from 90 to 95 minutes. Average Saturday frequency will change from 119 to 121 minutes (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). No change to routing. 13 Lauderdale Combine Route 13 Lauderdale / Wellington and 13 Lauderdale / Waldorf branches into a single route. Modified Weekday and Saturday service schedule. Average Weekday frequency will change from 41 to 40 minutes during peak and from 89 to 82 minutes during offpeak. Average Saturday frequency will continue to operate every 81 minutes (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). New outbound routing directions: From N Main St (North End Terminal), Left at Shadyac Ave, Right at N Third St, Right at Jackson Ave, Left at N Front St, Left at G.E. Patterson Ave (Central Station), Right at Hernando St, Left at Saint Paul Ave, Right at S Fourth St, Right at E McLemore Ave, Left at Latham St, Left at Waldorf, Right at S Lauderdale St, Left at E Mallory Ave, Left at Prospect St, Left at Alice Ave; New Inbound Routing Directions: From Alice Ave, Right at Alton Ave, Right at S Lauderdale St, Left at Waldorf, Right at Latham St, Right at E McLemore Ave, Left at S Fourth St, Left at Saint Paul Ave, Right at Hernando St, Left at G.E. Patterson Ave (Central Station), Right at S Front St, Right at A.W. Willis Ave, Right at N Main St (North End Terminal). 19 Vollintine Weekday and Saturday service to Douglas only. Eliminate service to Raleigh Springs Mall, National Cemetery, and New Allen (SEE ROUTE 52 JACKSON / ST. ELMO). Modified Weekday schedule. Average Weekday frequency will change from 46 to 38 minutes. Average Saturday frequency will change from 70 to 66 minutes (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). 22 Poplar Express Eliminate Route 22 (See Route 50 Poplar for alternative service). 30 Perkins The current Route 30 Perkins Weekday will be split into two separate routes at the American Way Transit Center. SEE NEW ROUTES 30 BROOKS AND 37 PERKINS for proposed changes. 30 Brooks ***New Route 30 Brooks to operate between Peebles at Old Horn Lake to the American Way Transit Center with modified Weekday schedule. Average Weekday frequency will change from 48 to 49 minutes during peak and from 82 to 98 minutes during off–peak (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). Saturday service routing and schedule remains the same as the current 30 Perkins. 32 East Parkway 32 East Parkway / Airport branch will terminate at Airways Transit Center. For Alternative service see Route 2 Medical Center / Airport. Modified Weekday and Saturday service schedule. Average Weekday frequency will change from 36 to 23 minutes during peak and from 50 to 55 minutes during off-peak. Saturday frequency will change from 100 to 86 minutes (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). No change in service to FedEx Corporate, or night service to FedEx Hub. 35 South Parkway Eliminate Saturday Service. No change in Weekday service or routing. 37 Perkins ***New Route 37 Perkins to operate between the American Way Transit Center and Raleigh Springs Mall. Modified Weekday schedule. Average Weekday frequency will change from 48 to 39 minutes during peak and 82 to 78 minutes during off-peak (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). Saturday service routing and schedule remains the same as the current 30 Perkins. 38 Boxtown / Westwood Connector ***NEW ROUTE. New Connector route between Third at Peebles, Boxtown at Sewanee, and Parkrose at Doubletree, (Formerly portions of the 12 Florida / Weaver and 39 S Third / Raines branches). New outbound routing: From Parkrose Rd,
KW: Dante Lee, author of “Black Business Secrets,” asks: “What was the best business decision you ever made, and what was the worst?” CJ: I would have to say the best was when my mom formed a company for me. I write out all of the checks for my performance business. I get to see the money I make and how much it takes to do what I do. My worst decision was not learning Spanish yet. I think it would really help my business if I could do some of my singles in Spanish or a Spanish/English mix.
KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? CJ: A confident person who loves life. I see a happy girl!
KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for? CJ: My personal wish would be to have my own TV show but, if I could have anything, my wish for the world is that no one on the Earth would ever go hungry….
KW: The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal, what animal would you be? CJ: I would be a butterfly; a beautiful, purple butterfly….
KW: The Toure question: “Who is the person who led you to become the person you are today?” CJ: My parents are the people that led me here. My mom helped me learn to sing and she travels with me. My dad always told me that I could be anything I wanted, if I was willing to work hard enough to achieve it.
(“Let It Shine premieres Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. Central on the Disney Channel.)
Left at Weaver Rd, Right at W Levi Rd, Right at Oakshire St, Right at Castlewood Ave, Left at Westmont Rd, Left at W Raines Rd, Left at S Third, Left at W Peebles Rd, Left at Sax Rd, Right at W Mitchell Rd, Right at Canary Ln, Right at Fieldlark, Right at Skylark Dr, Left at Fields Rd, Left at Boxtown Rd, to Sewanee Rd. New Inbound Routing: From Sewanee Rd, Left at E Boxtown Rd, Right at Boxtown Rd, Right at Fields Rd, Right at Skylark Dr, Left at Pelican Ln, Left at Canary Ln, Left at Weaver Rd, Right at W Mitchell Rd, Left at Sax Rd, Right at W Peebles Rd, Right at S Third Rd, Right at W Raines Rd, Right at Westmont Rd, Right at Castlewood Ave, Left at Oakshire St, Left at W Levi Rd, Left at Weaver Rd, Right at W Raines Rd, Left at Double Tree Rd, to Parkrose Rd. 39 South Third Modified routing for 39 S Third / Raines branch along S Third Rd, south of Raines Rd. New service name to be 39 South Third / Ford branch. Average Weekday frequency for 39 S Third / Ford will change from 40 to 37 minutes during peak and from 90 to 83 minutes during offpeak. Average Saturday frequency for 39 S Third / Ford will change from 87 to 90 minutes (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). New outbound routing: From N Main St (North End Terminal), Left at Shadyac Ave, Right at N Third St, Right at Jackson Ave, Left at N Front St, Left at Dr. MLK Jr. Ave, Right at S Third, Left at W Holmes Rd. New Inbound Routing: From W Holmes Rd, Left at Ford Rd, Left at Shelby Drive, Right at S Third, Left at Dr. MLK Jr. Ave, Right at S Front St, Right at A.W. Willis Ave, Right N Main St (North End Terminal). Modified Weekday and Saturday service schedule. No change in service or routing to Western Park or Hodge branches. 52 Jackson / St. Elmo Modified routing for 52 Jackson / St. Elmo, which will include peak time service to New Allen. Previously served by 19 Vollintine / New Allen. Modified Weekday peak-time service schedule to New Allen / St. Elmo. Average Weekday frequency will change from 65 to 61 minutes (SEE SCHEDULE FOR SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES). New outbound routing for 52 Jackson / St Elmo: From N Main St (North End Terminal), Right at A.W. Willis Ave, Left at Danny Thomas, Right at Jackson Ave, Left at Warford St, to New Allen Rd, Right at Old Raleigh Millington Rd, to Raleigh Millington Rd, to St. Elmo Ave. New Inbound Routing For 52 Jackson / St. Elmo: From St. Elmo Ave, Left at Hobson Rd, Left at Hawkins Mill Rd, Left at Ramill Rd, to Raleigh Millington Rd, to Old Raleigh Millington Rd, Left at New Allen Rd, to Warford St, Right at Jackson Ave, Left at Danny Thomas, Right at A.W. Willis Ave, Left at N Second St, Right at Shadyac Ave, Right at N Main St (North End Terminal). No change in service to 52 Jackson / Raleigh Springs Mall. Beginning on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, proposed changes, schedules, and maps may be obtained by contacting MATAʼs Information Center at 901-274-6282. They may also be viewed at www.matatransit.com and at the North End Terminal, the American Way Transit Center, and the Airways Transit Center. Oral and/or written comments will also be received at the Board meeting on June 25, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.; however, the public is encouraged to submit their comments in writing ahead of time to allow sufficient time for review. All written comments submitted must be addressed to the MATA Board of Commissioners. They may be mailed to MATA, 1370 Levee Road, Memphis, TN 38108; faxed to 901-722-7123 or may be sent via e-mail to publiccomments@matatransit.com. MATAʼs Board of Commissioners will review and consider the comments and address the service changes at the June 25, 2012 Board meeting. If approved, the proposed changes to the fixed-route bus service will be effective August 12, 2012. MATA does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment. EOE/Affirmative Action/Drug Free Workplace/ADA/ADEA/Title VI/Title VII William Hudson, Jr. President/General Manager
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June 7 - 13, 2012
4 year olds to get MCS assist at ‘Pre-K Express’ Thousands of families are expected to visit the Memphis Cook Convention Center for Memphis City Schools’ 4th Annual Pre-K Express – a one-stop-shop for enrolling children in prekindergarten classes for the 2012-13 school year. The event is June 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., The MSC Pre-K program provides 4,100 spaces at 205 locations, with classes held at elementary schools in the district, Shelby County Head Start Centers, and at community partner sites. The initiative helps 4-yearold children to become adequately prepared for kindergarten. Studies show that PreK education helps students to make strides in grade school and beyond, which gave rise
to the program’s motto: “PreK is the answer!” The family-friendly event signals the end of Pre-K enrollment for 2012-13 and is crafted to help parents to see what goes into Pre-K learning. Pre-K Express features model classrooms, learning games, children’s books, free backpacks and school supplies, applications, onsite screenings, vendors and entertainment. Families are encouraged to arrive early at the convention center. Last year, 15,000 parents and children were in attendance; many were in line before the 8 a.m. start time. “Our children are, and should be, our first priority,” said Carolyn Harvey, Ed.D, director of the MCS Pre-K Office. “We thank our community partners, civic leaders, and
BRIEFS & THINGS New scholarship to honor Dr. Raines
A new scholarship has been established to honor Dr. Shirley Raines, president of the University of Memphis, by Brad Martin and his wife, Dina MarThe tin. scholars h i p , which will be awarded annually to Dr. Shirley three unRaines dergraduates from West Tennessee who intend to pursue a career in teaching, is being underwritten initially by a commitment of $100,000 from the Martins. The scholarship recognizes Raines for her leadership of the University of Memphis since July 2001. “The esteem in which President Raines is held by students, faculty, alumni, and our community is a direct reflection of the fact that she is, first, a great teacher,” said Brad Martin. “The Raines Scholarships will support individuals from our region who likewise intend to devote themselves to a life of teaching. In Shirley Raines, they will have an extraordinary role model.” Raines said future generations of young teachers will be helped by the Martins’ generosity. “As someone who has spent a lifetime in the field of education, I realize the vital importance of teachers to our society and of the preparation of teachers for their chosen careers. These scholarships will benefit future teachers from West Tennessee, the area of the state where I grew up and where I was taught by extraordinary teachers.”
Vandals delay opening Of Boys & Girls Club Oakhaven Branch
An act of vandalism at the proposed site of the new Boys & Girls Club Oakhaven Branch has significantly de-
layed plans to open Jan. 1, 2013. Plans to begin renovating the property this week to open and serve hundreds of kids were delayed when vandals broke into the building and removed all the HVAC units, copper wire and fixtures from the inside of the property. Initial renovation expenses were estimated at $20,000; now the cost of repairs and replacing the units to make the Club “kid-ready” is closer to $100,000. “This vandalism is evidence of just how much the community needs a positive place for their kids,” said Vincent Borello, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. “The Oakhaven community is home to thousands of kids who could benefit from a Boys & Girls Club. We regret that the vandalism will significantly delay our plans on to open till additional funding can be found. We’re already searching for a community partner who can help us repair the damages and get back on track to open as soon as possible.” If you would like to help, visit www.bgcm.org or call 901-278-2947.
BRIEFLY: Shelby County Commissioner Mike Ritz, (District 1, Position1) will host a town hall meeting at 5 p.m. June 7 at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 7289 U. S. Highway 64, Bartlett. The topics: examining the dollars and cents required for the Bartlett Special School District; and how the school merger will affect public education in Bartlett. BRIEFLY: The Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center, 1555 McAlister Drive (off Mill branch-between Holmes and Stateline roads, will host the unveiling of an oil painting donated to the Hooks Job Corps by local artist and photographer, Larry Walker, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday (June 8) The public is invited. BRIEFLY: Common Ground will celebrate four years of working to improve race relations with a party at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 14. Jazz recording artist Kirk Whalum will be the special guest for the night full of food, music, and fun.
For stepping up…
Rose Jackson Flenorl (second from left), received the Salvation Army Partner In Mission award during National Salvation Army Week. The award, the first ever presented in Memphis, recognized Flenorlʼs extraordinary service in helping to coordinate the FedEx donation of Disaster Relief Vehicles to 15 Salvation Army units around the world. Also pictured (l-r): Salvation Army Memphis Area Commander Major Mark Woodcock, Elizabeth Duncan, Salvation Army Development Director, and Mike Ducker, Executive Vice-President and Chief (Courtesy photo)
citizens for recognizing the importance of Pre-K learning, and for their diligent support of Pre-K Express.” The event will include a “Meet and Greet Breakfast” to allow Pre-K supporters an opportunity to discuss the value of Pre-K education. MCS Supt. Dr. Kriner Cash and Shelby County Schools Supt. John Aitken will be available, along with Mayor AC Wharton Jr., Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, City Councilman Myron Lowery, State Representatives G.A. Hardaway, Antonio Parkinson and Karen Kemper, State Senator Reginald Tate, and School Board Commissioners Betty Mallot and Reginald Porter. Pre-K applications will be reviewed until all 4,100 spaces are filled. To enroll,
The Pre-K Express is now in its fourth year. (Courtesy photo) children must reside in Memphis and be four years old on or before September 30. The program is free. Priority is given to families meeting low-income guidelines. Applications are available in
both English and Spanish, and children are screened for eligibility. To complete the application process, parents must provide a certified birth certificate, proof of income, two proofs of resi-
dency, and the child’s health and immunization records.
(For more information, call the MCS Pre-K Office at 901416-3450 or visit www.mcsk12.net/prek/.)
Sisterhood Outreach, Summit & Showcase
The Grammy and Stellar Award winning gospel group, The Williams Brothers (front), performed last Saturday (June 2) at the 17th Annual Sisterhood Outreach Summit & Showcase at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. Also pictured: Allstate Insurance provider Cynthia Scales-Hill and Hallelujah FM radio personality Michael Adrian Davis. The AARP had one of the 300-plus vendorsʼ booths at the Annual Sisterhood Outreach Summit & Showcase founded by Grace Magazine Publisher Tina Birchett. (Photos by Tyrone P. Easley)
Maya Angelou joins Agape celebration
Agape Child & Family Services’ annual HeartLight fundraiser, presented by IMC Companies, will feature Dr. Maya Angelou. The participation of the iconic poet, filmmaker, author, playwright and civil Dr. Maya rights acAngelou tivist is designed to bridge the gap between community responsibility and the love that Agape shares for helping families in need. This year’s HeartLight celebration is set for 7 p.m., Aug. 25 at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 N. Main St.Tickets go on sale July 1 at all Ticketmaster locations, the Cannon Center box office oronline at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone call 800745-3000. For more information, call 901-323-3600 or visit www.AgapeMeansLove.org.
That’s jazz, man!..
Jazz and blues legend Junior Mance (piano) and the Junior Mance Trio (Michi Fuji, violin and Hide Tanaka, bass) played at the Memphis Sounds Lounge, 22 N. Third St. on Wednesday night. The 82-year-old Mance composed the Dinah Washington tune “Teach Me Tonight.” Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)
SPORTS
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Tri-State Defender
June 7 - 13, 2012
Sports Desk Faceoff: Was the NBA Lottery fixed?
by Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley NNPA News Service
The New Orleans Hornets came away as the big winners in the National Basketball Association (NBA) this past week, securing the top overall selection in the summer’s NBA Draft. Conspiracy theorists have popped up everywhere around the league, noting how ironic it is that the Hornets, a team currently owned by the league, came away as draft lottery winners when their 13.7 percent chance of winning the lottery was nearly 12 percentage points less than Charlotte (25 percent) and nearly six percent less than the Washington Wizards (19 percent). With Kentucky power forward Anthony Davis the apple of many NBA executives’ eyes, for New Orleans to land the pick only increases the league’s chances (and price) of selling the team. Was the NBA lottery fixed? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley examine the idea. Green: From Ohio native LeBron James being handed to Cleveland in 2002 to Chicago local Derrick Rose being given back to the Bulls in 2008, a fixed NBA lottery has always been the topic of discussion since its 1985 inception. The fact that the NBA happens to own the New Orleans Hornets and they just happened to win the lottery by sheer luck screams “Yeah…, Right” to me. Of course it was fixed. You have a team that’s owned by the league that also wants to sell it. There haven’t been any buyers because the team stinks, so what do you do? You hand them the No. 1 overall pick for the best prospect to come along in years to make the team
more attractive for a potential buyer. Brilliant. Riley: The NBA lottery isn’t fixed; it’s all pure luck. If the lottery was rigged in a way that the league’s precious teams would win, then the Orlando Magic wouldn’t have won it in 1993 with a 1.5 percent chance and the Boston Celtics would’ve won it in 2007 when they had the second worst record in the league and Ohio State center Greg Oden and Texas small forward Kevin Durant were seen as can’t miss prospects. Theorists will find any reason to make an argument and this is just another in a long line. Green: Money matters and it’s just hard for me to believe that this isn’t some type of financial ploy to make the Hornets more attractive to a bidder. You look at the NBA and you have referees fixing games, a fixed lottery system and an interfering commissioner who botches good trades and gives the green light on bad ones. This incident is just another in a long line of NBA slipups. Riley: There isn’t a professional sport going that doesn’t have some type of controversy whether it’s boxing, baseball or football. Apparently, no sport is exactly pure in the eyes of onlookers. If you think the NBA is fixed just because a leagueowned team happened to win the lottery then that’s your right but it sounds foolish. If the NBA were somehow trying to make the Hornets more appealing then it would’ve blocked the Chris Paul trade to the Los Angels Clippers and found a way to acquire great talent for cheap like the Lakers did when they traded Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol. Nice try basketball theorists. You’ll have an easier time proving aliens exist than selling the idea that the fix is in in the NBA. (Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspaper)
Western Conference champs!...
Russell Westbrook (center), Kevin Durant (left) and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder are headed to the NBA Finals after a thrilling comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night (June 6).
Diddy’s son defends acceptance of UCLA football scholarship Cites high grades, athletic skill
Justin Combs, son of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, took to Twitter this week to defend his full scholarship to UCLA, which the school has confirmed. Many in cyberspace are questioning whether the multimillionaire’s son should have accepted the $54,000 football scholarship, given the school’s economic troubles. But the 18 year old said he earned the scholarship. “Regardless what the circumstances are, I put that work in!!!! PERIOD,” he tweeted on May 30. “Regardless of what you do in life every1 is gonna have their own opinion,” he tweeted. “Stay focused, keep that tunnel vision & never 4get why u started.” Combs, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound defensive back, graduated from New York’s New Rochelle Iona Prep with a 3.75 GPA, according to the Los Angeles Times. UCLA defended its decision, say-
Sean Combs and his son, Justin Combs. (R) (Courtesy Photo)
ing Combs’ award was not siphoned from need-based scholarships to other students. Athletic scholarships are “entirely funded by Athletic Department ticket sales, corporate partnerships, media contracts and private donations” and “do not rely on state funds,” university spokesman Ricardo Vazquez told the Times. “There is a big separation between financial aid based on need and how that’s funded and how athletic scholarships are funded and awarded to students,” he added.
Jay Hopson
Historically black Alcorn State hires white football coach
(NNPA) – Alcorn State has hired Jay Hopson as its football coach, making the former Memphis defensive coordinator the first “non-black” head coach in the history of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, according to the school. The school announced the hiring Monday, holding a news conference on the lawn of the school president M, Christopher Brown II’s home. Hopson, 43, replaces Melvin Spears, who was fired in February after going 2-8 in his only season. “I don’t see black or white, we’re all purple and gold,” Hopson told reporters after being introduced. Hopson said he had withdrawn his name from consideration for the Alcorn State job but Brown convinced him to reconsider. “Today’s historical appointment will require us to walk hand in hand to disrupt naysayers wedded to a racist past,” Brown said. Hopson resigned from Memphis’ staff in September 2011. He also has coached at Marshall, Delta State, Southern Mississippi and Michigan. He played defensive back at Mississippi from 1988 to ’91. (Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.)