Unite News - Jan 2012

January Unite Page 12

January 2012 Volume 22/ Number 1 • A Monthly Publication of Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc •

www.unitenewsonline.org

UNITE.

Plan To Attend The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday Activities Monday, January 16, 2012

Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community

Martin Luther King Day March and Celebration Jan 16 Springfield, MO— Each year, area community members join the NAACP in honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther Dr. Terarai Trent

Continued on page 11

At 80, Elaine Graham Estes is still a tiny giant of a woman

Estes is one of the honorees in the newly dedicated World Food Prizes headquarters.

Elaine Estes

See Story On Page 2

Rewrite Your Life Story In 2012 by Mia Jackson-Huskisson

Presented by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc | For more information, please visit www.unitenewsonline.org

The introduction of a new year seems like a great time to turn over a new leaf, kick bad habits and run toward a fresh start. Most people will take the time to create New Year’s Resolutions Continued on page 11

Highlighting the qualities of our Southwest MO Area by Mia Jackson-Huskisson Unite Contributing Writer On January 16, 2012, the Springfield Multicutural Festival will fill Juanita K. Hammons Hall with a celebration of cultural diversity and community resources fit for the whole family. The 15th annual Multicultural Festival, hosted by Unite of Southwest Missouri, will be held at Juanita K. Hammons Hall from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. “We are offering a great way to celebrate the Martin Luther King holiday,” said Unite Managing Editor and Multicul-

tural Festival Event Organizer the many cultures that have Samuel Knox. contributed to our countries’ Knox said this greatness.” Knox said. As with each festival, year’s festival will Knox said the multihost more than 50 cultural event will have exhibitors. The some new surprises for exhibitors range festival -goers. from craft vendors The festival is a to employment opcollaboration of muportunities. sic, dance, and area “From the lively resources. The festiSamuel Knox folk dancing and val will feature dance musical performances to the styles including Irish and Latin colorful regalia worn by the American. variety of international cultures “It’s a great opportunity to represented, visitors of all ages teach children about different enjoy themselves year after cultures,” Knox said. year. Our goal is to highlight Knox said last year’s festival the qualities of our Southwest hosted more than 1,800 visitors. Missouri area while promoting Continued on page 11

January Unite Page 2

January Unite Page 11

At 80, Elaine Graham Estes is still a tiny giant of a woman by George Freeman Unite Guest Writer It seems delightfully ironic somehow, that one of the honorees in the newly dedicated World Food Prizes headquarters is Elaine Graham Estes, is the same young woman known to generations of Springfield aficionados as the iconic likeness featured on each bottle of Graham’s Barbecue Sauce. The World Food Prize is located in the majestic former Des Moines Public Library, where the same Elaine Graham Estes worked for 35 years and was director for nearly two decades. It is regarded as the foremost organization in the world honoring the achievements of men and women by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food, and carries a $250,000 cash prize awarded annually to two laureates. For some, Graham Estes remains hard to keep up with, having recently returned from a trip to Antarctica at the age of 80. And yet she prefers to travel back and forth between Des Moines and Springfield on a bus that once would not have seated her. That is a trip of another kind. This tiny giant of a woman whose bust is displayed for all to admire might still be persuaded to prepare a bottle of original Graham’s Barbecue elixir. She recently polished off a plate of ribs at lunch in Crosstown Barbecue while modestly revealing stories of the men she met in her young life, including Lionel Hampton, Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neill (to name but a few), who stayed at her parents’ Graham’s Motel near Graham’s Rib Station because visiting black men and women were not welcome to stay elsewhere, no matter their degree of national acclaim. Today, Graham Estes is as filled with the same gracious

Elaine Graham Estes standing beside her sculpture. goodness and gumption that must have made her hard to keep up with when she entered Drake University in Des Moines at the age of 16 on a $50 scholarship, housed in a dormitory that had never hosted a young black woman. But that was just the first of many frontiers in education, government and culture so many now take for granted. Indulge yourself, if you are near a computer, by entering her name into a search engine. You will learn that Graham Estes earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Drake University and a Masters of Library Science at the University of Illinois; that she went to work at the Des Moines Public Library; and served on the board of directors of the Iowa Society for the Preservation of Historic Landmarks for more than 25 years; that she currently serves on the board of the Terrace Hill Society, and was the group’s president from 1993–96; that she served as Questers president for several years and also works with Proteus, the Iowa Antique Association, the Des Moines Art Center, the Henry Wallace House Foundation and Friends of Libraries, USA. She is still an active member of the Des Moines Rotary Club and visits

frequently at local Rotary clubs. In 1953, the year of her college graduation, she married John Estes, Jr., a star athlete who played football for the University Of Iowa until a lifethreatening spinal cord injury. He owned Estes Funeral Home for many years. He was a founding coach of Little League so that he could give back to young people. In the tumultuous 1960s, the Estes plowed a memorable path through the political soil of progressive Iowa’s awakening like few couples before or after them. Though noteworthy, the served quietly, through leadership at their respective universities; Estes was elected board president of Simpson College and later granted lifetime status. He died in 2010 at age 82; her mother died four months later at 105. Here is a woman who endured and overcame and persevered and rose to the pinnacle of her profession, witnessing court-ordered integration a year after she graduated from Lincoln High School (now a part of Ozarks Technical College). She is amazing. About the World Food Prize: The two World Food Prize laureates for 2011 were John Agyekum Kufuor, former

president of Ghana, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former president of Brazil. If this award is new to you, on the world stage of agricultural development it is akin the the Nobel prizes, created by two small-town Iowans – Norman Borlaug and John Ruan. Borlaug’s pioneering research to produce higher yielding strains of wheat ushered in the Greene Revolution, averting the death from starvation for more than a billion people. For his work, Borlaug was awarded the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. The Atlantic Monthly declared that he “saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived.” He also received other international honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, one of only six people in the world so honored. (The others: Martin Luther King Jr. Mother Teresa, Aung San Suu Kyi; Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela.) John Ruan was one of Iowa’s most successful business men, and name familiar in the Midwest for The Ruan Companies who believed strongly that Iowa should be seen as the agricultural capital of the world. His $10 million endowment of the World Food Prize in 1990 replaced the original sponsor. The World Food Prize Council of Advisers have included U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush; former President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines; former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique; and former President Olesgun Obasanjo of Nigeria. George Freeman is editor of GREENE Magazine and former editorial page editor of the Springfield News-Leader. He is known to posses a bottle of Graham’s Barbecue Sauce, but also frequents Crosstown Barbecue on frequent occasions.

MLK Celebration continued from page 1

King, Jr. with a march and celebratory events. The march will start at the Mediacom Ice Park to Clara Thompson Hall (Drury University) at 9:30 am on Monday, January 16, 2012. The NAACP Springfield branch is proud to announce exciting news in regards to this year’s celebration. The NAACP, an organization dedicated to equality and justice for all human beings will welcome the highly acclaimed, world-

Rewrite Life Story continued from page 1

but few of the new resolutions will be kept through the end of January. “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day,” said motivational author Edith L. Pierce. Millions of people pledge to lose weight, pay off debts, save money, stop smoking or increase their earnings. Creating resolutions are much easier than keeping them. As time passes our commitment to our resolutions decrease and before we know it we have repeated our past failures. How can 2012 really be different? What would happen if we vowed to rewrite the parts of their life’s story that aren’t satisfactory instead of making temporary promises and/or resolutions? The truth is, any day is a great day to make a positive change. Permanent change begins with reflection upon the past. What has gone right or

renowned inspirational guest speaker, Dr. Tererai Trent. Dr. Trent grew up in rural Zimbabwe and was denied an education because she was a girl. Despite all odds and numerous challenges, Dr. Trent went on to obtain her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. She is currently a senior consultant at Tinogona Consulting, which focuses on International Program and Policy Evaluation. Dr. Trent has been on the Oprah Winfrey show twice and Ms. Winfrey chose Tererai as her all-time favorite guest in the 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey. wrong for you in 2011? What was your 2011 story? Do you need to update your story to a new edition? In other words, is there destructive behavior in your life that needs to go out with the evening trash? Do you overspend, overeat, or excuse other negative actions? In most instances, it is impossible to read a large novel in one evening. Similarly, bad habits don’t just disappear because the calendar displays a new year. The longer habits have been with us, the harder it is for them to fall off of us. Replacing old and negative behavior with new positive behavior is a process. If you fail in your attempt toward new change, get up and restart. The old adage says an elephant is eaten one bite at a time. Who are the main characters within your life’s story? In other words, are you surrounded by people who add to or subtract from your life? Make this the year to excuse people with negative influence from your life and make room for positive influences. Are there people who could mentor you toward your dreams? Are there persons who have walked where

Rewrite Life Story

continued from column below you dream of going? Connect with people who are moving in a positive direction. Great novels have a point of conflict that characters must struggle to overcome. In your life, what is your struggle? What steps can you take to overcome personal obstacles? Create a plan to overcome your conflict. Are there people or groups you can connect with to assist you with the process? There is no conflict that can’t be overcome with hard work and perseverance. First- rate novels end with an unexpected but exhilarating conclusions. Regardless of how your story began you can

have a positive and rewarding outcome. Small consistent effort can change the whole course of your life. Use each day of 2012 to move toward your personal goals and remember there’s no time like the present. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Have a prosperous 2012.

Festival

continued from page 1 The festival is free and open to the public. For more information and a schedule of events please visit: unitenewsonline. org. or to see photos search for Springfield Multicultural Festival on Facebook. Carrington 309 - Glass Hall 103 417-836-5636 CareerCenter@MissouriState.edu careercenter.missouristate.edu

What can your Career Center do for you? For Students and Parents: ͻ tĞ ƐƚĂƌƚ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ĨƌĞƐŚŵĂŶ ŽŶ ĐĂƌĞĞƌ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚͲ Ă ĨŽƵƌͲǇĞĂƌ ƉůĂŶ͘ tĞ ŚĞůƉ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ŬŶŽǁ ǁŚĂƚ ƚŚĞǇ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ďĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ͘ ͻ ĂƌĞĞƌ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ŝƐ Ă ůŝĨĞůŽŶŐ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐ͖ ǁĞ ďƵŝůĚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ͘ ͻ ^ƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͗ ƚĂŬĞ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ŽĨ ǇŽƵƌ ĐĂƌĞĞƌ ĚĞƐƟŶǇ ĞĂƌůǇ͊ About Employers: ͻ ŵƉůŽǇĞƌƐ ǀŝĞǁ ĐĂƌĞĞƌ ĐĞŶƚĞƌƐ ĂƐ ĞƐƐĞŶƟĂů ŝŶ ƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͗ х ϱϬй ŽĨ ŐƌĂĚƵĂƚĞƐ ĂĐƋƵŝƌĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĮƌƐƚ ĨƵůůͲƟŵĞ ũŽď ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ĂŶ ŽŶͲĐĂŵƉƵƐ ŝŶƚĞƌǀŝĞǁ͘ ͻ dŚĞ ĂƌĞĞƌ ĞŶƚĞƌ ŬŶŽǁƐ ŚŽǁ ƚŽ ĮŶĚ ũŽďƐ͕ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŝŶƚĞƌŶƐŚŝƉƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŚŽǁ ĂŶĚ ǁŚĞŶ ƚŽ ƐŚŽǁĐĂƐĞ ǇŽƵƌƐĞůĨ ŽŶ ĐĂŵƉƵƐ͘ ͻ dŚĞ ĂƌĞĞƌ ĞŶƚĞƌ ŬŶŽǁ ĂŶĚ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚƐ ƚŚĞ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĞƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĞŵƉůŽǇĞƌƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ŽŶ ĐĂŵƉƵƐ͘ hƐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ǇŽƵƌ ƐĞĂƌĐŚ͘ &ŝŶĚ Ă ũŽď ƐƵŝƚĞĚ ƚŽ ǇŽƵƌ ĐƵůƚƵƌĂů ĂŶĚ ƉŚŝůŽƐŽƉŚŝĐĂů ƐƚǇůĞ͘ The Career Center can help with: ͻ ĂƚĂ ŽŶ ƐĂůĂƌŝĞƐ ďǇ ĚĞŐƌĞĞ͕ ŐĞŽŐƌĂƉŚŝĐ ůŽĐĂƟŽŶ͕ ĂŶĚ ũŽď ƚǇƉĞ͘ ͻ ĂƚĂ ŽŶ ĐŽƐƚ ŽĨ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ǀĂƌŝŽƵƐ h͘^͘ ĐŝƟĞƐ͘ ͻ ĂƚĂ ŽŶ ǀŽĐĂƟŽŶĂů ĂƌĞĂ ƐƵƉƉůǇ ĂŶĚ ĚĞŵĂŶĚ͘ ͻ ĂƌĞĞƌ ĐŽƵŶƐĞůŝŶŐ ƚŽ ŵĂƚĐŚ ǇŽƵƌ ƐŝůůƐ ;ĞǀĞŶ ŝĨ ǇŽƵ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ƌĞĐŽŐŶŝǌĞ ƚŚĞŵͿ ǁŝƚŚ ĂŶ ĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐ ĂƌĞĂ ;ŵĂũŽƌͿ ĂŶĚ ǀŽĐĂƟŽŶĂů ƉůĂŶ͘ ͻ WƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůƐ ǁŚŽ ĐĂŶ ŚĞůƉ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ ǇŽƵƌ ĐƌĞĚĞŶƟĂůƐ ;ƌĠƐƵŵĠ͕ ůĞƩĞƌƐ͕ ƐƚĂƚĞŵĞŶƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ ŝŶƐƵƌĞ ǇŽƵƌ ŝŶƚĞƌǀŝĞǁŝŶŐ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŽƉͲŶŽƚĐŚ͘ ͻ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ Ăůů ƚŚĞƐĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ;ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞͿ FREE ŽĨ ĐŚĂƌŐĞ͊ EĞǆƚ ƟŵĞ͕ ĮŶĚ ŽƵƚ ŚŽǁ ƚŽ ĐŽŶĚƵĐƚ Ă ũŽď ƐĞĂƌĐŚ͘ ͘ ͘ SUCCESSFULLY

Assistance

and Jason Fichtner, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Springfield Area Chamber of January Unite Page 10 Commerce agency, explore the factors to www.spfldchamber.com Have you been wondering be considered when you think 417.862.5567 when the best time is to about when to retire. retire? If you have, then “There is no Small Business we have an audio podone ‘best age’ for Administration (SBA) www.sba.gov cast just for you. everyone,” explains 417.864.7670 Social Security’s in theOfpodSpringfield,Fichtner MO—Power Acts new podcast, “Deciding cast. “Ultimately, it’s Apostolic Church is currently Small Business When to Start Receiving a personal choice that Development Center meeting at La Quinta Inn, 2535 S. Retirement Benefits,” is www.sbdc.smsu.edu people haveMO to make Campbell, Springfield, in the 417.836.5685 available for you to listen hotel Meeting Room. based on their individRonald Ponds 417.864.7670 to now at HYPERLINK ual circumstances.” "http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ The podcast encourages lispodcasts" www.socialsecurity. teners to use Social Security’s gov/podcasts. online Retirement Estimator, In this discussion, Social which you can find online at Springfield, MO—Over 3,500 Security will tell you some of HYPERLINK "http://www. years ago, Rome was no more the things you need to consocialsecurity.gov/estimator" than a soggy marsh and the Everyone is Welcome! sider before making one of www.socialsecurity.gov/estimaSunday Morning Worship Acropolis was just 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy. 10:15 a.m. the most important decisions tor. The rock, Retirement Estimator Springfield, MO 65802 Youth Ministry: Ages 12-17 an empty Kingdom Kids: Ages 4-11 (417)865-4338 in your life. Social Security’s & Nursery Available canEgypt help you www.deliverancetemple.org but was “try on on” different Deputy Commissioner for retirement scenarios, playing the brink of its Communications, Jim Courtney with such as when greatest agevariables - the

you’d like to retire and how much you expect to earn in future working years. So stop wondering when the best time is for you to retire. Your first step to figuring out the answer to that question is to visit HYPERLINK "http://www. Praise & Worship starts at 11:00 socialsecurity.gov/podcasts" a.m. every Sunday morning with www.socialsecurity.gov/podPastor & Evangelist Daniel & casts and to listen “Deciding Jeanetta Smith. For to more When to Start information callReceiving (417) 414-3258. Retirement Benefits.” Then, you’ll want to subscribe to the ongoing series, or bookmark the web address and checkwas back additional podthese thefor river Nile, the freeway of the ancient world, whose casts. floodplains provided huge To learnalso more about Social expanses of fertile Security, visit the website at ground that HYPERLINK farming "http://www. kept Egypt self-sufsocialsecurity.gov" www. ficient and usually socialsecurity.gov. famine-free. New Kingdom. Along the banks Fades Barber Shop There was of the Will Your Life Work the Way You Want It To In 2009?Nile, the Specializing in Fades and an explosion of humble papyrus by Jack Canfield other popular styles. and dreams just because "the world is thriving. creativity, wealth plant was used to Co-Author of Chicken Soup for timepower isn't good"... you can still When people askame about and in create bureauthe Soul Series 812 S. Glenstone Ave make 2009 the year you uncover the single most important ingreEgypt that would cratic efficiency and Call to schedule an Tutankhmen Deathmask a whole new you for the dient to success, I always share make it the envy cultural sophisticaappointment or come by. As I mentioned better! the same response: realizing of the world. After tion previously unWalk-ins earlier, 2009 are maywelcome. Even in tough times, what's making you achieve sucdefeating the Hyksos invaders, known to mankind. bring greater uncer(417)832-8242 you get to decide how cess, and then realizing what successive Pharaohs expanded This three part special tells is the tainty and more unsetto respond to certain stifling your success. and maintained their Empire story of the Egyptian empire from tling economic news conditions, opportuniSometimes thecolthrough both force and diplomaits beginning in recognizing 1560 BC to its than recent years, but ties, and outcomes--both things working cy. In the process, they won Egypt lapse in that 1080are BCNOT through interIf you want to these circumstances good and bad. in your life can be painful, yet vast amounts of gold, influence views with scholars and dramatic experience something new should compel us to Life will always be VERY powerful to shaping the Jack Canfield and respect. recreations: —the and after take a before deep breath, and look a series of choices and you want. Pharaohs at They included; Ahmose, •life The Warrior of true beauty, come pause to think about our to: lives. YOU get to decide on what will Don't try to3rationalize Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis III, Amen- 7 p.m. January on Ozarks them, When things happen in the Trena’s Exquisite move you closer to your goals, make excuses for them, or hide hotep III, Akenhaten, TutankhaPublic Television (OPT) world that seem so far beyond or farther away from them. This isofwhen it's even Hair Salon men and Ramesses III. •them. Pharaohs the Sun at 8 p.m. our individual control, External forces will always be Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. it - 8can p.m.feel more critical to take personal Behind the power of the EgypJanuary 3 on OPT unsettling. 1553 N. National Ave. partempire of the lay equation, even durevictPharaoh those at tian a vast wealth of •inventory The Lastand Great Don't give up on your goals continued on page 7 Call: (417) 862-1106 ing the good times when the natural resources. Chief among 7 p.m. January 10 on OPT By Ron Ponds, Social Security District Manager

Good News, Great Music & Warm People

Power Of Acts, Apostolic Church Invites The Community To Come Fellowship

View The Three Part Series of Egypt’s Golden Empire On PBS Starting Jan 3

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Call: (417) 864-7444

you. These things will keep you from the life you want to be living. Let me give you some examples. Ask yourself if you relate to any of these questions: Do you want to be active, fit, and strong? Then you have to stop making excuses about your weight, diet choices, and lack of exercise. Do you want to be in a loving relationship based on friendship and respect? Then you have to stop rationalizing why you and E-Reader Training your partner are not communiFree At The Library cating well. byDo Kathleen O’Dell , you want to embrace Springfield-Greene County Monday mornings and feel Library District excited about going to work every Then It’sday? not that weyou don’thave love to the stop hidingpaperbacks your true passions traditional and hardback fill our itshelves, and gobooks after that whatever is you but librarians are a helpful lot.inSo really want to be doing day they’ve been eager to help patrons and daynew out.ways to enjoy books adopt Do you to lose the debt and movieswant on e-readers. We think it’syou an important forever? Then have to stop service that Library can and ignoring yourthespending habits should provide. As the sale of and get real about a creating e-readers has soared nationwide, budget that willofpull you out the checkouts the Library’s ofe-books debt and allow you to reach and other e-media jumped 90 percent from November 2010 financial freedom. toDo November 2011. you want to feel more The hard numbers: Reflecting connected to the people in your our growing collection of e-media life, as your children, andsuch the popularity of e-readers, friends, and colleagues? Then our e-checkouts went from 784 in November 2008complaining to 2,283 in Noyou have to stop vember 2010 to 4,337 last month. about your poor relationships That’s why the Library has and figure out why you don't stepped up e-reader training sesfeel as for connected asIfyou'd like sions early 2012. the holitodays be. brought an e-reader to your home andthings you’d like general These cansome be painful tips and hands-on help on downto look at because the truth is loading the Library’s e-collection, that you have to do something drop by one of these free sessions. about them inis order to make it Registration not required. work your • 10 in a.m. Jan.life. 7, Library Center meeting B say no to the You'll room have to • 2 p.m. Jan. 7, Branch second helping Willard of dinner and Library • Noon Jan. 10, Brentwood Branch • 6 p.m. Jan. 10, Library Center meeting room A • 7 p.m. Jan. 23, Library Station Frisco Room • 3 p.m. Jan. 25, Midtown Carnegie Branch upstairs meeting room • 7 p.m. Jan. 30, Brentwood Branch • 3 p.m. Feb. 4, Strafford Branch continued on page 4

You'll have to get past fears about changing your job or proM + FG fessional path... You'll have to January Unite Page 3 cut back on your spending and be frugal... You'll have to take a good hard look at your personal relationships and perhaps consider your own shortfalls and 4840 West Kearney Street P.O. Box 2877, 65801 Springfield, Missouri USA 65803 Volume 22, Number 1 weaknesses in communicating Tel 417-865-8715 Fax 417-865-2950 www.tuthill.com your needs and concerns. Publisher Vacuum & Blower Systems celebrates Women's History Month Plain and simple, you will News TuthillThe Unite. of Southwest Community Mission of TVBS is to be a world-class manufacturer of Missouri, Inc. have to do something uncomvacuum and blower solutions. Lead your children to victory... fortable. Managing Editor Equal Opportunity Employer by Gwen Marshall Successful people don't Samuel G. Knox waste time in denial (or comHealth News Contributing Writers Gospel Explosion! plain or make excuses for that Lyle Foster Creating Your Family Fire Escape Plan Featuring: Justin matter). They face situations MiaShaw Jackson-Huskisson Kathleen by The American Red Cross Friday, April 10, 2009 6:00 p.m.O'Dell like a warrior. They look for Catherine Thomas Ramada Oasis Convention Center the warning signs, they find out 2546 N. Glenstone Springfield, MO Photography why things aren't working, and Ticket $10. in Advance at Lifestyle & Entertainment News Springfield NewsLeader they go about fixing them- even Beauty Plus Barber & Salon David Huskisson Movie Review— Joyful Noise & when fixing requires problem Cell Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocols Sponsored by: Project Empty Jail Distribution solving, hard work, risk, and a Hear Shaw's music at www.bitmunk.com Bradley Knox level of uncertainty. Food Review—Famous Dave’s It's okay to identify a probVolunteers by Lyle Foster Tyra Knox lem even though you haven't a Kerri McGrew clue about how to go about solvAngelor Wilkes ing it right away. If you need help organizOpen Enrollment Now!The Unite. publication is a ing those "things" in your life, monthly newspaper published by try using the following list of Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. categories. I recommend reflecta 501(c)(3) Is yournon-profit four community ing on each of the 7 areas and The quality and care that you expect organization. or five year old in 242 years of combined experience ask yourself, what's not working Distribution of Unite. is by free W. Bruce Howell able to read? here in each one and then braincirculation at various locations. Robert J. Lohmeyer Don R. Lohmeyer storm 3 potential solutions. However, request for home delivery Marquis D. Howell, Jr by mail may be directed to Unite. 1.) Financial Goals, Heather K. Howell P. O. Box 1745, Angela N. Collins How aboutSpringfield, 2.) Career/Business Goals, Harley R. Williams Missouri 65801 and accompanied adding or 3.) Free Time/Family Time, Clint W. Mease by $25. for one year’s postage and Winford R Laster subtraction? 4.) Health/Appearance Goals, handling. (417)886-9994 • Fax: (417) 886-9996 • 1947 E. Seminole • Springfield, MO 65804 5.) Relationship Goals, Those wishing to make a For more information contact: contribution or become a monthly 6.) Personal Growth Arlene Smith, proprietor sponsor should direct corre7.) Making a Difference. Phone: (417) 823-3949/ home spondence to the same address. Remember, by facing what is not (417) 838Readers 0319/ comments cell and quesworking, you can only improve Email: msa306@yahoo.com tions are welcomed. The opinions your life! expressed in these pages do not The City of Springfield offers a variety of municipal career necessarily reflect the views of opportunities for individuals interested in public service. Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc. Job opportunities are updated each Friday and can be “The Unite Publication in acceptaccessed through a number of mediums: Web: http://www. ing advertising in this publication, springfieldmo.gov/jobs; or Phone: Jobs Hotline at 417-864makes no independent investigation 1606; or TV: CityView on Medicacom Cable Digital Channel concerning the services of products 80; or In Person: visiting our offices at 840 Boonville, Room advertised and neither endorses nor 324, Springfield, MO 65802. recommends the same and The City is fully committed to a policy of hiring without assumes no liability therefore.” regard to age, sex, race, religion, national For further information, you origin, or disability. The City is an equal can contact us at (417) 864-7444. opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Email: unitepublication@yahoo.com

IN THIS ISSUE 4 6 8

Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc.

City Employment Link

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January Unite Page 9

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CommunitySection

Mission: Impossible

continued from page 8

January Message from the SPS Office of Cultural Diversity by Gwen Marshall Office of Cultural Diversity, SPS

that if a child can’t read fluently by the end of third grade, they may not become a strong reader. In fourth grade the subI am sure that many ject matter gets harder dads are making plans and poor reading skills for the NFL's 46th annuwill cause the student al Super Bowl, which is greater difficulty in scheduled to take place maintaining academic on February 5, 2012. successes. Some of these dads Reading does not will take on the vocation come naturally. You Gwen Marshall of arm chair coach and have to learn it. Dads or lead their team to a triumphant perhaps I should say “coaches,” victory. I would like to invite this is where you are needed. all of you arm chair coaches to Every minute you spend participate in another game that teaching your child the funwill lead your children to victory damentals of reading you are by learning to read. ensuring their continued sucEducators have discovered cess. The whole process of

Are You Really Committed To Diversity? If you are committed to employing a diverse workforce or contracting with local minority suppliers, try advertising your message in the Unite Publication. This tells the community you value new talent. It also says you're serious about valuing different perspectives and experiences to maximize your company's potential. For more information call (417)864-7444 or email: unitepublication@yahoo.com It would be our pleasure to assist you!

teaching someone to read can be complex. Yet, you can help by reading to your child every day, whether it’s a book, a street sign, or closed captions on a television screen. You can help even more by using these five skills, recommended by The National Institute for Literacy: (1) Spoken Words: Before your child ever sees a word on the page, he or she will hear thousands and thousands of words. (2) Written Words: The leap from talking to reading happens when a child starts to see how written letters stand for the sounds of speech. It’s like learning a code. (3) Word Power: The more words a person knows, the better they can read and speak. Try learning three new words a day with your child. It’s powerful! (4) Reading Smoothly and Easily: Reading those favorite books over and over again while you listen can help your child smooth out all the “bumps in the road.” Teachers call this ability to read accurately and quickly

Important Dates January 12, 2012 End of Second Quarter, End of First Semester January 13, 2012 Professional Learning/Work Day (Students Out All Day) January 16, 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School System Closed) January 17, 2012 Third Quarter Begins

“fluency.” (5) Knowing What It All Means: There is no point to reading if it doesn’t help us understand something. Ask questions. It’s a great way to know whether your young reader really understands what they are reading. Here are some ways you can coach your child with spoken words? Play with sounds in all parts of words. Rhyming is also important. Teach them to listen for rhyming words in songs, raps and poems. Spend some time playing a game, for example, who can be the first to come up with three words that rhyme with “cool?” You will be amazed at the results of teaching language sounds or “phonemic awareness” to increase their reading skills. We’ll discuss the second skill, written words, more in the next issue of Unite. Until then, keep up the good work, Coach! “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” – Mary McLeod Bethune

Library

continued from page 3 • 7 p.m. Feb. 4, Library Center auditorium • 3 p.m. Feb. 8, Republic Branch Shopping for an e-reader that’s right for you? You’ll find useful tips in the article, “Choosing an E-reader,” on the Library website, thelibrary.org, written by Library Center computer/periodicals assistant Trint Williams. If you’d like a copy emailed to you directly, drop a line to the email below – we’re happy to help!

organization's name. Mission Impossible is so far considered to be the only holiday hit...well the numbers speak for themselves...approaching $300 million in sales on the worldwide stage. And Mr. Cruise is considered to be a worldwide star as is the Mission Impossible franchise. Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Regg are the other leads and members of the team. I wouldn't quite call the acting predictable but it is definitely not Academy level but it holds your interest. This installment has a certain degree

Famous Dave's

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Landing so it seemed like only a matter or time before one came here and a few weeks ago it opened. The growing chain is known for its Bar-B-Q ribs and hickory smoked meats and it is going to be interesting to see how yet another bar-b-q house does in our town that already has its fair share of bar-b-q and want to be bar-b-q restaurants. We are known for eating in Stown and I guess some folks want to see if we want to eat some more. The ambiance for me is not a lot to comment on.....it is located in a converted car dealership which is a good thing in terms of utilizing a vacant space but the country scattered look is not me necessarily...I get what they are trying to do but the memorbilia look just never appealed to me. The staff are plentiful and friendly and very helpful which is very typical of new restaurant openings... Everyone asks have you ever been to a Famous Dave's before to which I answer yes. And then I suppose to still be friendly they ask how was your last experience and I

of humor that didn't quite work for me but you may like it. This is definitely a big screen film and not your 42" at home especially when watching the world's tallest building. I am a sucker for the special effects and the cool gadgets etc but the parking garage scene in the end gets to be just a bit overdone. It works because it is Mission Impossible and we all like a good spy movie and a crazy car that we leave saying why couldn't Santa have put that under my tree? Yet, if you are like me and have to do the family holiday movie or catch one of the last blockbusters for the year...then definitely check it out. 90 out of 100!!!!... Go!!!

answer truthfully ... Not a very good one. But that is another story and with a new year a new leaf!!!! One thing I do like about Famous Dave's...(oh did I mention in a past life I met him etc... but that is also another story... nice guy!) are all of the sauce choices from hot to sweet to spicy to cowboy ketchup. I do a stupid kind of thing....I rotate my sauces so I get to try them all.... lol.....And then I go looking for my prilosec...lol. I like all their sauces but am somewhat special to the sweet sauce. Their baked beans and corn on the cob are also well prepared. Between my guest and I we had the wings... yes chicken wings.....rib tips... beef brisket and ribs. Hmmm... I didn't say we ate it all just ate some of it. The brisket was very flavorful and tender...I give it a thumbs up. I got the wings plain so I could taste the real flavor and they were well prepared... they were not overcooked or dry...I ate some with sauce and some plain and they were pretty good either way......thumbs up. I like my ribs wet and full of meat and to my surprise they fit the bill. I still am partial to the places with the big drum in

Famous Dave's

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the back yard with the smoke wafting in the air but I noticed without my planning to that I was licking my fingers and had to make myself stop. I could not handle a full slab but my bones were full of meat and with or without sauce the flavor was plentiful and not overbearing. I like them. I usually have mixed sentiments on rib tips...because at a lot of places there seems to be more tip than rib,.. I won't mislead you I am not a big ribtip fan these days but my guest indicated she liked them and so I will defer to that. I didn't have any complaints and I was too full for desert but unfortunately I had devoured their cornbread which was somewhat sweet which I really like anyhow so I was reading full on the fill-o-me-

ter. But I can attest to the pecan pie for desert...off the chain.... they have a great recipe for that and heated with or without the ice cream itcontinued is great. on When pageI 10 first settled into my table at Famous Dave's it was more empty than full...two hours later there was a line and all the seats in the waiting area were occupied so I think they have a chance to get a little piece of the Springfield BarB-Q dollar and if my experience is indicative of what meals will be like here in terms of flavor and consistency they deserve it. So if you still have room after all of your holiday eating and there is space in your new year's diet for an occasional treat you might want to be part of the welcoming committee to Springfield. Catering and take-out are also available. They are open every day for lunch and dinner. Slap your pappy scale...4 forks!!!!

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NOW HIRING • Installers (Joplin & Springfield) - install cable television and high speed internet within the Joplin, Springfield and surrounding areas. The successful applicant will possess a strong technical aptitude, adept customer service attitude, satisfactory driving record, and enjoy working outdoors • Direct Sales Representative (Springfield)- Sell Mediacom services in local neighborhoods and communities served by Mediacom as the Company's neighborhood marketing representative. Maintain minimum sales quotas as indicated by the Sales Supervisor/Manager following company guidelines. Candidates must have a High School Diploma or equivalent with depth of experience in mathematics, bookkeeping, and English. One year of sales experience preferred.

Mediacom offers a competitive wage in addition to a comprehensive benefit package to include paid vacation/flex/holidays, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, matching 401K, discounted services, tuition assistance and more. Apply online at www.careers.mediacomcc.com for immediate consideration. Pre-employment drug screen and background check required. MEDIACOM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

January Unite Page 8

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LifeStyle&EntertainmentNews Movie Review—Joyful Noise & Mission: Impossible

by Lyle Foster Unite Contributing Writer

already see the plot thickening. If you add a gospel choir competition and some love interests I want to first thank all of you and catfights ....well then you for your kind words and support have Joyful Noise!...Well, to be in 2011 and extend fair we know it's hard to sincere wishes for a keep the choir together great new year for all when no one has passed of you!!! away so it's easy to Well, these two titles guess some of the plot are about as far twists. But there are apart as you can get some amazing vocals, ...almost, Blessed great choreography New Year!!! I would and just some good old! Lyle Foster like to first extend And Queen Latifah... an invitation to all well she is the queen who would like to jump for and a multi-talented sister who joy in January to try to attend can work it on a lot of different the opening weekend of Joyful fronts. The pairing of these two Noise scheduled to be released great actresses and some good on January 13. There is a growold hand clapping foot stomping buzz already about the ing music should shake off the upcoming flick starring Dolly January doldrums. There are Parton and Queen Latifah. Both a couple of more surprises but of these ladies are powerhouses we don't want to tell it all ..... in their respective genres so go........! Even if you are not teaming them together can only a gospel fan it will make you result in double power!!! Plus I move....look for it on January 13! don't know about you but usually about this time in January Mission: Impossible- Ghost we are getting a little tired of Protocol the cold and sometimes snow I have seen most of the holiday or ice and we need a good films and it was somewhat slim warm-up. Seriously it would pickings. There was not too be fun to get a group of folks much that really stood out and together and attend and make a joyful noise together...anyone feeling it? The movie is written and directed by Todd Graff by Lyle Foster and the basic plot is the story Unite Contributing Writer of folks trying to keep a tight knit gospel choir together after I can't help but notice how much the death of the choir director the Springfield retail and restau(which was Dolly's husband in rant scene seems to be heating the movie). Queen Latifah's up and there are several more character has been assigned eating spots open for business to lead the choir and Dolly has that will help to make the new a vested interest so you can

a few films seemed like show it and they will come except in most cases they didn't come. Hollywood is in fact reporting a 10% drop in revenue for its productions. One of the few to buck that trend is the most recent installment in the Mission Impossible series. Tom Cruise who is now 49 years old has come a long way from when he was jumping on the couch with Oprah as this is now a Tom Cruise production. I didn't realize it but it has been 5 years since the last film and this is the fourth installment. I saw it twice...once as an Imax showing which was pretty cool. Now for the old timers Mission Impossible used to be a TV series and it was considered

somewhat groundbreaking at the time and that was back in the day. The movie version is full of cool locations and amazing special effects...great gadgets and gorgeous women which make for ...well a great spy movie. The locations in this installment are great... Budapest... Dubai and India! Of course, one of the scenes that makes the movie comes from one of these locations and reportedly Mr. Cruise did all of his stunts with special assistance but nonetheless did them. The scenery is way cool...now the plot I had to watch twice to make sure that I understood all of the subtleties. It is simplest to say the special team that did in fact accept their assignment had to work to clear the continued on page 9

African American Read-In Group Presents “Tales of Wonder - A Celebration of African and African-American Storytelling” SPRINGFIELD, MO.—“Tales of Wonder,” a celebration of African and African-American folktales, featuring local storytellers, will be presented on Monday, February 6, 2012, from 7:00pm-8:30pm, at the Diversity Center on the campus of Drury University. The program is part of Springfield’s African American Read-In. Local storytelling favorite Gwen Marshall will join other community members to tell African tribal and African-American folktales. There will be a telling of an original tale called “Hair Story,” written by Peoples Etiquette. The “Tales of Wonder” choir will perform.

The 2012 NAACP MLK Poster Winning Design Is Revealed SPRINGFIELD, MO.— The NAACP MLK Committee is pleased to reveal the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. poster! The winning design was created by Rachel Todd and Frank Albenesius of MSU’s Department of Art and Design. Both Rachel and Todd were recognized and given an MSU

Bookstore Gift Certificate at the NAACP General Meeting on Saturday, December 17 at 1:30pm (at the Mid-Town Carnegie Library). Look for a display at the Park Central Library in January and the Sky Gallery (SpringfieldBranson airport) in February.

proud to present a short video that highlights Springfield youth who participated in storytelling workshop that was held in November 2011 at the Midtown Carnegie Library." Local sponsors of the 2012 African American Read-In are the Missouri State University Libraries, Drury University, Springfield-Greene County Library District, Springfield Public Schools, the Springfield chapter of the NAACP, Storytellers of the Ozarks, and Peoples Etiquette. Contact: Martha Love Telephone: (417) 616-0580

Distinctive Mission, Remarkable Education Affordable Choice, Unbeatable Value Memorable Experiences, Lifetime Success

Missouri State University is currently recruiting diverse staff and faculty to add to the growing University system.

www.missouristate.edu/jobs

Food Review—Famous Dave’s year even better! I also couldn't help but notice despite the economy there is growth in our fair town. Famous Dave's is located on south Campbell just south of the James River Freeway. When you sit in the parking lot you immediately notice that what used to be a big field across the

The event is free and open to the public. Call (417) 616-0580 or e-mail marthal@thelibrary. org for more information. The national African American Read-In coincides with Black History Month in February and is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (http:// www.ncte.org/action/aari). Grace Jackson-Brown, MSU Assistant Professor of Library Science and Co-Chairperson of the AARI, commented, "In 2012, the Springfield AARI is celebrating the African American oral tradition of storytelling. During its finale program on February 6th the AARI committee is

Join the NAACP Springfield, Missouri to commemorate the life and vision of

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

street now contains a new Sam's warehouse and a spanking new Academy sports store. To the south is a new strip center that Einstein Bagels is in.....wow.. Springpatch...our big town is growing. There was already a Famous Dave's at Branson continued on page 9

Vacancy recording: 417-836-4683

Successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse student and community populations.

Monday, January 16, 2012 9:30 March and 10:00 Celebration Keynote Speaker

Dr. Tererai Trent

Call to Action Gwen Marshall and Lyle Foster 9:30 am Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway 10:00 am Clara Thompson Hall, 900 North Benton Avenue www.naacpspringfieldmo.org www.facebook.com/naacpspringfieldmo 417.873.6386 Illustration: Rachel Todd · Design: Frank Albenesius

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

January Unite Page 7

January Unite Page 6

A Directory of local and regional health resources AIDS Federal hotline; 24 hours a day, everyday, including holidays. 1-800-590-AIDS (2437) Local office: 417-881-1900 Alzheimer’s Disease 1-800-272-3900 American Stroke Association Learn more about strokes by calling 1-888-4-STROKE Cancer Resource Network 1-800-227-2345 Diabetes Hotline Division of Cox Medical Center North 417-269-3737 Medicare Information Medicare Information Hotline 1-800-494-7355 Mental Health Crisis Hotline Counseling needs & crisis intervention 1-800-494-7355 National Parkinson Foundation Education, announcements, links to related sites 1-800-327-4545 www.parkinson.org OTC Dental Hygiene Clinic Provides low cost dental care for adults and children; performed by students under the supervision of faculty and local dentists. Cleanings, X-rays and exams For adults $50. for children $35. Call 417-447-8835 to make appt. DHSS/ Office Of Minority Health The mission is to eliminate health disparities through assertive leadership, advocacy support, and visible interaction with minority communities in Missouri. The Southwest Alliance meeting is held every other month on the last Tuesday at 12:00 p.m.in Springfield at the Deliverance Temple Campus 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy. Call: 1-800-877-3180

Health & MentalFitness Creating Your Family Fire Escape Plan Edited news release from American Red Cross Home fires are the most common disaster that the Red Cross responds to and also the most preventable. In just the last 23 days of December, the Greater Ozarks Chapter serving 29 counties, has responded to 41 fires, assisting 119 people of which 45 have been children under the age of 18. Families need to take a few simple precautions to avoid tragedies, such as having working smoke alarms on every level of their homes and having family fire escape plans in place to help get everyone out of the house safely. The American Red Cross recommends the following when creating your family escape plan: • Identify two ways to escape from every room in the home. • Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. • Select a safe location away from the home where your family can meet after escaping. • Consider purchasing and storing escape ladders for rooms above ground level and make sure to learn how to use them. • If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. • If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke. • Before escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second escape route. • If smoke, heat or flames block both of your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Place a rolled towel underneath the door. Signal for help by waving a brightly colored cloth

or shining a flashlight at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and let them know your exact location inside the home. • Once you've escaped, stay out. Keeping warm during winter is important, please be sure that you are safe when using space heaters and fire places.

Remember that over this holiday weekend our Volunteers will be on call 24/7. Disaster takes no Holiday, and neither does the Red Cross. Be Safe and Happy Holidays! For additional information regarding the Red Cross response to house fires please contact Nigel Holderby.

Why Black Women Gain More Weight Than Other Women The statistics are widely published. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than one half (54.3 percent) of Americans are obese, with black women comprising the most overweight segment of the U.S. population, followed by Hispanic women. The statistics indicate that 78 percent of us are overweight - that's nearly four out of five black women - and 54 percent of us are obese. AfricanAmerican women are suffering from obesity at an alarmingly disproportionate rate compared to women of other races. There are a variety of reasons that black women gain more weight than other women. In my new book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!, I dedicate an entire chapter on all the reasons black women gain weight and provide solutions that meet our unique needs. Never before has there been a weight loss book that focuses on the unique reasons that black women gain weight and provides solutions for sistas who want to lose weight permanently! In this article, I want to provide you with 3 reasons why black wom-

en gain more weight than other women to get you started. Black Woman Have a Slower Metabolism Genetically, African-American women tend to have a slower metabolism, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A University of Pennsylvania Medical Center study found that black women have "a biological disadvantage" that makes it more difficult to lose weight. Researchers have found that even at rest, overweight black women burn nearly 100 fewer calories daily compared to their overweight white peers. While this news may seem like gloom and doom for black women who want to lose weight, know that it is a challenge that can be overcome. In my new book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!, there is a chapter dedicated to the 12 ways to speed up your metabolism so you can lose weight effortlessly. Black Women Are More Prone to Insulin Resistance, continued on page 7

continued from page 6 Which Causes Excess Fat Storage in the Body Black women, even if their weight is normal, may be at increased risk for insulin resistance, a condition linked to increased fat storage in the body, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure, according to research by Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Insulin resistance means the body can't effectively use the hormone insulin to process glucose, forcing the pancreas to produce more insulin, and elevated insulin levels lead to excess fat storage in the body. Almost half of lean black women had insulin resistance, which was double the rate in both Hispanic and Caucasian women. The researchers looked at how obesity relates to insulin resistance in Black, Caucasian, and Hispanic women as a part of the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). The research suggested that race, in addition to obesity, is an important contributor to the development of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. This means that black women, even when lean, have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance, which leads to excess fat storage in the body if not properly treated. Many Black Women Are Prone to Emotional Eating Many black women have had to become heads of households, hold down multiple jobs, and raise kids alone. Eating may become a way to deal with the stress and disappointments of life. But unfortunately, weight gain leads to chronic illness.

Mortality rates for black women are higher than that for any other racial/ethnic group in nearly every major cause of death, including heart disease, lung cancer, and breast cancer. We are the lifegivers, the caregivers, and think it is our job to take care of everyone but ourselves. However, self-love demands that we take care of ourselves first, so we can give to others from our abundance. We must become accountable to ourselves. Self-love is essential to survival. There is no successful, authentic relationship with others without self-love. We cannot nurture others from a dry well. It is not selfish or self-indulgent. We have to take care of our needs first so we can give to others from our abundance. You will have to love yourself and love your body. Whether you feel fat or overweight, you have to love your body now, unconditionally. If you can't love your body now, then you can't truly love yourself unconditionally. If you can't love your body because you don't like the way it looks, then know that the reasons you became overweight were not all your fault. But once you get new knowledge about healthy eating, it's time to forgive yourself and others so you can let go of your old body and move toward your slimmer, healthier body. To my sistas, it's time to lose weight and save your life; you've got a lot of living left to do! JJ Smith (www.jjsmithonline. com) is the author of "Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!"

African American Community Organizations Directory Mark A. Dixon Bartley-Decatur Neighborhood Center 918 E. Calhoun Springfield, MO 65802 417-719-4300 www.bartley-decatur.org Duke Winkfield American Legion Post Norvel Stafford 1339 E. Division St Springfield, MO 65803 417-862-9123 Alana Lyles, President Ladies Civic League Provides scholarships for youth P. O. Box 8296 Springfield, MO 65801 Patricia Burton, President Leisurette’s Ladies Social & Charitable Org. 1520 E. Berkeley Springfield, MO 65804 417-886-1387 Robert Looney, Ozarks Golf Club, Inc Spfld. Community Center 618 N. Benton Springfield, MO 65806 Sidney Needem, Sec., Sherman Avenue Project Committee, Inc. Housing Org. 1228 N. Sherman Springfield, MO 65802 417-865-1203 W.M. Herman Burkett, Jr. Prince Hall Masons Truth Lodge #151 P.O. Box 8063 Springfield, MO 65801 417-890-5180 Wesley Pratt The Gathering A community action group For more information call 417-987-7809

Qunci Williams, Success Coach Sassy Sistah Network Life skill mentoring for women in transition sassysistahnet@aol.com 417-861-3965 Calvin L. Allen, Exec. Director Springfield Community Center- Family Achievement Academy Corner of Sherman Ave/Division St Springfield, MO 65803 417-866-4359 Cheryl Clay, President Springfield Branch N.A.A.C.P. P.O. Box 8983 Springfield, MO 65801 (417) 873-6386 Meetings are every third Saturday of the month from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Flora (Pat) Looney, President Our Night Out Social & Charitable Org. 417-866-2387 James Pike, President Springfield Reunion Club Organizes the Annual Park Day/ Reunion Weekend 1447 N. Hampton Springfield, MO 65802 417-869-0183 Meeting every first Monday Samuel G. Knox Unite of SWMO, Inc. Publishes the Unite Publication; presenters of the Annual MultiCultural Festival 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy. Springfield, MO 65802 Phone: 417-864-7444 unitepublication@yahoo.com www.unitenewsonline.org Shelia Burton, President Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Board, Inc. P.O. Box 9282 Springfield, MO 65801 417-877-0668

If you are a part of a Springfield African American Community Organization, we want to hear from you. Please send the name of your organization, address, phone number and a contact person to Unite., P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, MO 65801