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Spring, glorious Spring! Although the weather has not been spring-like, I know that in another OUR PUBLISHER & EDITOR week or two, the warm weather will arrive. I’m so excited about all the things we are doing and it is good to know that our readers are excited as well. We’re off to a great start with our Dream Wedding Contest. A few of you have already sent in the required paperwork and I know that there are others out there who are working hard to get their entry form completed. We eagerly await your response. I am also happy that so many of you have contacted us about our Urban Life Outdoor Explorers group. We’re having our first meeting this month on April 25th and I look forward to meeting each of you who have responded. If you sent your contact information but have not received email regarding our April meeting, please resend to ulnwoutdoors@urbanlifenw.com I don’t want anyone to be left out. I know that the formation of this group is a great way to learn more about the outdoors from each other and the perfect way to experience wonderful adventures with other people who appreciate the outdoors. We’ve made it to our 7th issue - hurray! I hope you like our new magazine look. It took 7 months to get to this point, many skeptics thought we wouldn’t survive this long but so far, so good! Publishing this magazine is an exciting journey filled with ups, downs, disappointments and rewards. I owe everything we are and all that we have accomplished to my advertisers, writers, sales associates and last but not least, my readers. I could not do this without you. I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart. I ask for your continued support us so that we may continue to provide a quality magazine for people of color in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re not on our email list but would like to be, please send your email address to info@urbanlifenw.com. We send out bi-monthly email blast to keep our readers informed about what is happening with Urban Life NW during the month. In this issue, the cover story discusses myths and/or reasons why there are so few minority businesses on the web. I hope that this article will encourage minority business owners to make that next important step to promote and grow their business with the help of a website. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a website for your business, regardless of the type of business you are in. We as business owners must learn to let technology work for us. We can not run from it nor can we fight it because technology is here to stay therefore we must adapt and learn how to use technology to our advantage. Special thanks to La’Chris Jordan for inviting me to the opening night performance of her play Piney Ridge. It was a wonderful production. The characters were well written and excellently performed by the actors. The director, Isiah Anderson Jr. did an exceptional job with the staging, directing and pace of the production. Kudos La’Chris! Kudos Isiah! I wish both of you much success in your current and future endeavors.
“Living Life to the Fullest!”
Letters and comments we’ve received from our readers… Dear Editor,
"I am a new Small Business Owner. I look forward to advertising in your magazine very soon. As an African American, I feel your magazine is very Enlighten for Our Community. Thank You for your Positive Work. Again I look forward to doing Business with you in the near Future." Best regardsC. Worthy -received March 4, 2009
Starla Fitch & La’Chris Jordan
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Pacific Northwest
Orthodontics C. Neil Nicholson, D.D.S. 2815 S. McClellan Street Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 722-5000 Page 3
Urban Life Northwest April 2009 Volume II, Issue IV
Publisher/Editor Starla L. Fitch
Copy Editor Djuna Basconcelo
CEDAR RIVER SMOKE HOUSE
Graphic Design Miklos L. Fitch
Texas Style Barbecue 304 Wells Ave S. Renton, WA 98055 (425) 255-4820 www.cedarriversmokehouse.com
Advertising/Marketing Janis Patton Harris Paul Sims
Contributors Pastor Amos Landry
UL Health & Fitness
5 UL Seniors
16
Having Trouble Sleeping…Try This!
UL Politically Inclined
Creator of All (poem) Senior Announcements
6
Accountability: Tavis Smiley hits the Road UL Inspiration 17 Literacy: What it has to do with Black People
UL Style
7 Make it POP! Add a Scarf!
UL Marriage & Family
UL Outdoors
17
Enjoy the Scenery - Take a Ferry!
8-9
18 What’s in a Name? UL Business & Employment It’s all about the Resumé Family Activities Calendar 10 UL Money Matters
UL Real Estate
Obtaining a Mortgage
19 Make Mine a Million
19 UL Entertainment 10 Subscription Form Must-See Events! 21 KIP Quiz (Knowledge is Power) Blacks in Business UL Green 11 Using the 3 R’s to help the Environment Advertise with us! 21 UL People 12 UL Community Calendar 22 Model Families Start at Home: Gary & Deborah Boone
UL Cover Story
2009 Dream Wedding Contest
13 14
UL Food
15 Sweet Onion Pie - Recipe Mix it Up!
Cherita J. Raines MD, MPH Tim Jackson Patrycia L. Taylor Djuna Basconcelo Tobi Ellison Leanne W. Evelyn Ray Debbie M. Haggin La’Chris Jordan Bartley Felder
23 Urban Life Northwest is published monthly. Direct all editorial and subscription inquiries to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 98124-
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Having Trouble Sleeping…Tr y This!
URBAN LIFE HEALTH & FITNESSES
By Cherita Raines, MD I must admit upfront that I have an ulterior motive for choosing insomnia as a topic to discuss. I chose this topic not only because most of my clinic patients, when asked, admit to having difficulty falling asleep and or staying asleep. However, I also suffer from insomnia on occasion and must remind myself of the good sleep hygiene tips I am going to share with you. What is insomnia? Insomnia is when you have trouble sleeping. Chronic insomnia is when your sleeping trouble lasts for four weeks or longer. Insomnia causes you to feel tired, have less energy, and have difficulty concentrating. You may also worry about being able to sleep. Some people with insomnia fall asleep easily, but wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. Others may have trouble falling asleep when they first go to bed. How is it treated? Improving your sleep habits is the best way to treat insomnia. Behavior therapy can help teach you about good sleep habits. This usually includes learning ways to relax and not worry as much about sleep. Talk to your doctor about behavior therapy versus medications for insomnia. What can I do to help myself get better sleep? We need less sleep as we age. Some people need only five to six hours of sleep a night, but most people do better with seven to eight hours. Sleep usually occurs in three-hour cycles, so it is important to get at least three uninterrupted hours of sleep. These tips can help you develop better sleep habits: • Go to sleep only when you feel tired. • Use the bedroom only for sleep and sex. • Avoid reading, watching TV, paying bills, or working in bed. • Avoid exercise during the four hours before bedtime; daily exercise is beneficial for deep sleep, but can interfere if done close to bedtime because of endorphins released during exercise. I am a fan of early morning exercise it rejuvenates you for the day. • If you can’t fall asleep after 15 minutes, go to another room, do something relaxing, and return to your bed only when you feel tired. You may repeat this as often as needed during the night. Avoid overly bright lights during this time as it can cue your wake cycle. • Avoid worrying about things you need to do tomorrow. Get out of bed, write a “things to do list” for tomorrow, stop worrying about those things, and go back to sleep. • Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. • Avoid napping, because it can disturb your normal sleep rhythm. • Avoid caffeine from coffee, tea, and soft drinks especially late in the day. • Avoid alcohol close to bedtime and avoid nicotine from cigarettes all together. • Avoid eating large meals within 2 hours of sleep. • Use sleep aids conservatively. Avoid using more than 1-2 nights a month. • Avoid drinking a lot of water in the evening to avoid frequent nighttime urination. • Keep your bedroom at a cool comfortable temperature and as dark as possible Set aside some time to relax before going to bed A good way to relax is to focus on your breathing by taking slow deep breaths while counting to five. Then listen to the sound of your breath as you breathe out. You can also try to tighten and relax the muscle groups in your body, beginning at your feet and ending with your face muscles. Stylist A trained therapist can teach you other ways to relax. You can also listen to relaxation CDs or tapes. Micro Braids If you earnestly try these tips and find that you are still suffering from insomnia please see your Hair Extensions doctor. You may have a diagnosed or undiagnosed medical condition (depression, hyperthyroidDesign Coloring Invisible Weaves ism, anxiety, etc), or medications (diuretics, herbal remedies, steroids, etc) that could be seconLace Cap Wigs dary causes of your insomnia. Relaxer Systems Flat Iron
*Dr. Raines is a practicing physician at the UW’s Roosevelt Family Medicine Clinic. Page 5
Accountability: Tavis Smiley Hits the Road
URBAN LIFE POLITICALLY INCLINED
By Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney There is nothing better than seeing that those in the public eye are capable of self-correction. Arguably, that is what Tavis Smiley is doing with the tour for his latest book, Accountable: Making America As Good as its Promise. Though he would vehemently disagree, I would argue that this book tour partly allows Smiley to represent himself to America, and in particular – black America – after tearing his pants with them so badly over the past few years. Smiley states that his role as an interviewer is protective; he holds those to whom he speaks accountable for their actions. As seen from its cover, this book challenges President Obama to enact his campaign promises. Elected officials, community and faith leaders and citizens are provided checklists for supporting the president’s goals; they can also use their unique group qualifiers to successfully address the “divide between the promise of and the possibility in America for everyday people.” Smiley is certainly an impressive man. Best known for socio-political commentary and conversations with leaders, Tavis Smiley has, in a relatively short amount of time, broken considerable ground as a broadcaster, author, and philanthropist. He has authored eleven books; The Covenant with Black America became the first nonTavis Smiley fiction book by a black publisher to reach #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list. Smiley was the first black American to simultaneously host shows on public radio and public television. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the youngest African American to have a professional school and center named after him on a university campus; The Tavis Smiley School of Communications and The Tavis Smiley Center for Professional Media Studies are located at Texas Southern University. On March 11, 2009 Tavis Smiley spoke at the main branch of the Seattle Public Library. When asked by a friend to attend, I was unenthusiastic about the event. While proud of Smiley’s accomplishments, I had never been an aficionado. I do not routinely watch or listen to him in any of his communication formats. My reticence towards him stemmed from residual annoyance resulting from the highly publicized kerfuffle that occurred when Senator Barack Obama did not attend the annual 2007 State of the Black Union forum held in Virginia... On the Tom Joyner Morning Show, America’s most listened to black radio show, Smiley announced that he had invited all three presidential candidates, that Clinton had accepted and that he planned to speak negatively about McCain and Obama, insisting that they address the black and social justice issues outlined in The Covenant with Black America. Obama’s absence from the meeting got the most discussion from Smiley on his and other shows. There was an excellent reason why Obama could not attend the forum – he was announcing his run for the presidency on the same day. Though Michelle Obama made herself available to speak in his stead, her request was publicly denied. After Iowa when blacks realized that Obama could win, sentiment turned, in some measure, against Smiley. It is hypothesized that he chose to leave the Tom Joyner Morning Show because of the negative publicity that his position on Obama had caused. I firmly believe that each person has the right to support the political candidates they choose. It certainly benefits journalists to maintain political neutrality. I was stymied, however, by Smiley’s hubris. Presidential candidates have schedules that keep them away from their families. It is not surprising that they may be unable to attend even important events, especially if they conflict with filing days. The manner in which he addressed this issue in his library talk was the most disingenuous component of what was otherwise a fairly good talk on community accountability. Smiley did not mention the well-noted aforementioned events, all of which have considerable taped and televised evidence of his statements. Instead he mentioned that he and Obama have a long-standing friendship, that they call each other “brother”, and that Obama heeds Smiley’s caution “not to sell out.” Primarily, though, Smiley spoke thoughtfully about America’s post-election status. Though the audience was racially and culturally mixed, he joked that the town meeting was more like Bible study, using church references and seeking the occasional “Amen.” Smiley talked about his prayer that Obama be a “great, not good President”, singing the song. “Lord, I’m running, trying to make a hundred (99 ½ just won’t do).” He acknowledged that greatness often results from a combination of social and political adversities and relationships that push a president beyond what they believe to be their strengths (Lincoln had Frederick Douglass; Obama has… Accountable?). He encouraged everyone to their potential for leadership. “You can’t lead folks if you don’t love folks”, he told the audience. “And you can’t save folks if you don’t serve folks.” We laughed when he noted, “If you think you’re leading and turn around to find no one behind you, you’re just out for a walk!” In multicultural Seattle, he made the important reminder that Obama’s election does not make us post-racial, but less racist “as it is easier….to vote for a black man than to deal with the racial divide.” But if Smiley’s personal redemption and accountability are – perhaps - what this tour are partly about, he earned his fare in the last 5 minutes of the Q and A session. A white man nervously approached the mike, asking a question that was a bit challenging to understand. Its purpose, however, was clear. He was there with a black boy, Trey, whose father was jailed and wanted Smiley’s recommendations for services. Smiley acknowledged that the Seattle audience might contain professionals adept at answering what specific services were available and asked them to meet the man and his charge following the meeting. Smiley spoke about the variety of ways that parents, social systems and the larger society had failed our children. Then he spoke directly to Trey, who had begun to get into trouble. “Don’t do to anyone what you don’t want done to you. Don’t hurt anyone if you don’t want anyone you love hurt. Don’t let the pain in your heart turn you into someone who can’t grow into the man you are meant to be.” And then, modeling the man that he can be, Smiley invited Trey to receive Smiley’s personal copy of Accountable: Making America as Good as its Promise, which he autographed for him. They shook hands. Hopefully making man and boy as good as their promise and their promises. *Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. is an expert in community health, social services, social justice and education. She heads her own consulting firm and is a published author.
Page 6
URBAN LIFE STYLE
Make it POP! Add a Scarf! By Debbie M. Haggin For some, times are tough right now, others just want to cut back a little. So why not use accessories to give your wardrobe a boost. Use accessories as an affordable way to give your wardrobe a different look and as a way to express your personal style.
For example, you’re running late and black is your only option; why not pop with a fuchsia scarf? A scarf can give your wardrobe a boost and be easy on your wallet all at the same time.
Try to wear your scarves in different ways, perhaps draped around your shoulders, hanging strait down from your neck or really get sassy and wear a scarf around your waist. For an extra touch, top it off with a broach.
These are just a few ideas to help you get started with a new look. Don't hesitate ladies, break out of that shell. A scarf adds class and sass!
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What’s in a Name?
URBAN LIFE MARRIAGE & FAMILY
By Bartley Felder In the midst of the heartache and anxiety of the current world economic crisis from which it seems no one is exempt, individual control at best is somewhat limited. Stop, take a deep breath and focus on something over which your control is practically absolute. That something is the naming of your children. While names can refer to an individual entity of group of class of things, for the purpose of this article, a name is a word by which a person is known. A name is one’s title. A name is a means of addressing an individual. We as parents need to pay close attention to what we decide to call our children. The names we give them most likely will be their lifelong identifiers. Malia and Natasha are two very nice names. I wonder how our First Lady Michelle and President Obama arrived at these names. Very early on, it seems Natasha decided that she preferred to be called Sasha and so that is exactly how she is addressed. It doesn’t matter if your child’s name is spelled phonetically or pronounced un-phonetically, the important thing is what’s in one’s heart when a child is named and that there is indeed a well thought out reason for said name.
What’s in a name? You send your child off to school and one day he comes home and announces that he wants to be called something that at worst bears no resemblance whatsoever to your carefully thought out moniker for him, or at best a watered down trendy version of his birth name. This may have occurred because of affectionate, well meaning friends or relatives of even the result of the innocuous non-reason. As a people we have historically named our children after relatives who came before us. While the current generation is admittedly extremely creative in naming their children, to a lesser degree this practice of honoring our ancestors continues. There was an elderly woman whose first name, for example, was in honor of her maternal grandmother’s sister, her middle name was the same as the first name of her father. After her father denied her as a child, she decided to deny him and from that day on she no longer acknowledged a middle name.
What’s in a name? Years ago being curious about my own name, I learned that the slaveholder surname imposed on my ancestors was in a class of names called English Place Names, whereby a person was called by the name of the town or area in which he was born. For example, if that practice were adhered today, a person living in the Central District might be known as Bobby Central, or a Montlake resident as Susie Montlake, or going south you might even meet up with Keisha SouthEnd. You get the point. Last names that were originally Place names are less personal and less intimate than other categories of names and are a matter of public concern. When christening infants at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Pastor Emeritus, Samuel Berry McKinney would ask the parents “Why did you name this child….this?” In most cases the parents would have already thought about it and would have had a ready answer. Some others might say, “Oh, I just liked the way it sounds, or I don’t know, or It was the name of my mother/father/sister/friend/my favorite singer/actor/ ballplayer, etc…” Whether your reason is a good or bad one, it is of course subjective and it is always valid. Just have a reason! I think Reverend McKinney’s point was that one needs to think about the momentousness of this act and not take it lightly. Names with no apparent meaning can have “associations”. Perhaps that Uncle John after whom you were named was given that name because it is “in the Bible.” In some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa the practice of “apotropaic” or “bad” names, were given that when translated into English meant “ugly” or “fat one” or “skinny one” etc… and were given to children to render them undesirable to demons. Today we might call them “nicknames” and use these same names to evoke ridicule or just to get a laugh. When I heard a lady in South Carolina tell her friend that “Dog” had phoned earlier in the day, she laughingly explained to me that that had been her childhood friend’s “nickname” all of their lives and why was I making such a fuss over the fact that they thought she looked like the family pet.
What’s in a name? What was your reason for giving your child the name you did? Do you know how to spell it? Do you know how to pronounce it? Will you be like the couple who took a foreign name from a book of names and throughout the child’s formative years the mother steadfastly refused to accept her family’s attempt to correct her pronunciation. When her son got to Junior High School her epiphany was the result of relentless and merciless teasing from his classmates and from his teacher adhering to the accepted pronunciation to the extent that the son would correct his mother each time she used her made up Americanized pronunciation. Mom now uses the correct foreign pronunciation albeit with an African American tinge. She obviously had no idea what she was naming her child.
...continued on page 20 Page 8
Debbie M. Haggin Owner
Kent Station 441 Ramsay Way, Suite 103 Kent, WA 98032 (253) 859-9769 www.mariehaggin.com
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Family Activities Calendar Seattle Area March 29th – April 12th – Seattle Center Whirligig! Kids can bounce, glide, and ride on super-sized inflatables. A Toddler Zone is available. Rides are free on Thursdays in the Center House, but not the Fun Forest. For more info call (206) 684 -7200, 11am-6pm, unlimited use day pass $7.25; Toddler pass $4.25; Single use ticket $1.50 April 1st – 30th – Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, over 700 acres of Skagit Valley tulips are on view during this month. Take a picture of your child against the backdrop of brilliant tulips in full bloom. For more info go to www.tulipfestival.org Now to May 11th - Children’s Museum of Seattle presents Curious George: Let's Get Curious, an exhibit based on H.A. and Margret Rey's lovable monkey, allows kids to visit George and The Man with the Yellow Hat.. Other exhibit highlights include pictures with a full-sized Curious George, a three-hole mini golf course, a space rocket, and a special farm. Available during regular museum hours, free with paid admission, for more info go to www.thechildrensmuseum.org Now to May 17th - The Museum of History and Industry presents - The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons. Kids can learn how cartoons were made before the age of computers at an exhibit that includes drawings, paintings, cells, film, and other objects featuring Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Tweety, and Yosemite Sam. For more info call (206) 324-1126 or go to www.seattlehistory.org April 24th – KidsQuest Children’s Museum at Factoria Mall, Free admission. 4910 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA, for more info call (425) 637-8100 or go to www.kidsquestmuseum.org May 1st – Free-Admission on 1st Friday at the Bellevue Art Museum, enjoy a day at the museum for free, 510 Bellevue Way NE, for more info call (425) 519-0770 or go to www.bellevuearts.org
Tacoma Area Now to December 12th - Family Days at the Museum of Glass, each family day is based around a unique theme. Participate in handson crafts, catch some entertainment and enjoy family time. Second Saturday from 1-4 p.m., activities are free with the cost of admission. For more info call (253) 284-4750 or go to www.museumofglass.org May 1st – Free-Admission on 1st Friday at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, enjoy a day at the museum for free, 936 Broadway Ave, for more info call (253) 627-6031 or go to www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org
Page 9
URBAN LIFE REAL ESTATE
Obtaining a Mortgage By Djuna Basconcelo
First, a point of clarification, mortgages are not used in the state of Washington. Lenders secure a homeowner’s debt with an instrument called a note, which is recorded at the county recorder’s office of the county where the property is located. For simplicity’s sake the word mortgage is commonly used to refer to debt recorded against real property. So what does it take to obtain a mortgage today? In the interest of full disclosure, getting a home loan has become a complex process with numerous variables and each person needs to seek the advice of a trusted professional. Generally speaking, there are 4 pieces to the loan puzzle. The home buyer will have to compile a lot of documents and have a nice balanced financial picture to get the best rates, fees, and terms. Be prepared to bring in tax returns from the past 2 years, banking statements for the past 3 months, 2 months income documentation, and any retirement/investment portfolio statements. Self employed people and business owners will need to have copies of their business and professional licenses, several years’ profit & loss statements and tax filings, and will most likely undergo stricter scrutiny than employees. There are a number of disclosures the borrower will have to sign, including an authorization for the bank or mortgage broker to obtain a credit report. This report lists employment history, past addresses, aliases, loans, revolving credit, and perhaps even cell phone or cable accounts. The credit score is generated by complex calculations, the most important part being timely payments on all accounts. The higher the number, the better the borrower’s credit is. Another critical part of getting the approval is the debt to income ratio. Lenders have established formulas they use to decide if a borrower is likely to repay the loan, the higher their perceived risk the higher the rates and fees can go. Needless to say the lower the debt compared to the income the better the borrower’s position. That means a person earning $200,000 a year who spends every dime of it on housing and debt service could be denied a loan; and the person earning $48,000 a year who is frugal and stays out of debt could be approved. The last piece is cash on hand for reserves, closing costs (the cost of obtaining the money), prepaid expenses (property taxes and hazard insurance), and down payment. There are still a number of very low down payment loans available, but we have returned to the days of having a couple months’ expenses in the bank. Closing costs and prepaid expenses can be paid by the seller, if the seller agrees to do so, within limits set by the buyer’s lender. This process has been complicated and at times frustrating for years now, today the guidelines and rates can change so frequently that navigating a home loan online or with someone you don’t trust is just plain dangerous. Get recommendations from trustworthy people and talk to a couple mortgage planners, put their GFE’s (good faith estimates) side by side and decide who is offering the best overall package. Yes, it can be done! *Djuna Basconcelo has worked for Keller Williams Realty for 10 years. She specializes in helping her clients find homes that they love. See her website at www.TheReDoc.com
Must-See Events!
URBAN LIFE ENTERTAINMENT
By La’Chris Jordan The Paramount Theater presents The Roots Thursday, April 9th www.theparamount.com
African American Film Festival, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, April 18 - 26. www.langstonblackfilmfest.org Page 10
Seattle Arts and Lecture present - Mira Nair Tuesday, April 23rd, Benaroya Hall, www.lectures.org, writer of Mississippi Masala
Spectrum Dance Theater - Icon Clan, The Moore Theater, April 25 & 26. www.themoore.com
La'Chris Jordan is an award-winning playwright whose plays have been performed in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York. She was selected as one of the "50 to Watch" by the Dramatists Guild and won Honorable Mention for the "Piney Ridge" TV pilot in the 2008 Writer's Digest Competition.
Using the 3 R’s to Help the Environment
URBAN LIFE GREEN
Because of global warming, pollution, diminishing forests, and a limited supply of natural resources, people are becoming more aware of the importance of protecting the environment. Waste in the environment affects the air, water, land, animals, plants, and humans. When we use the environment as a waste dump, we take land away from wildlife, pollute the environment, and deplete natural resources. One way people are doing their part to protect the environment is adopting the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste Program. The 3R program reduces the amount of garbage going into landfills thereby protecting and conserving our environment. Reduce: By purchasing long lasting products with very little packaging, you will decrease the amount of waste entering a landfill. Other ways of reducing waste include: - Buy products that do not require a lot of energy and resources to manufacture. Look for products that contain environmentally friendly packaging. - Reduce car use by riding your bicycle, carpooling with friends, walking, or taking the bus. Composting is a great way to dispose of kitchen waste. It is healthy for the soil and less waste will go into the landfill. - Turn off lights that you are not using and use energy efficient light bulbs. - Turn off the taps when brushing your teeth. Reuse: You can reduce waste by reusing products. Reusing methods include repairing damaged items, donating items to a worthy cause, or finding another way to use them. Some reusing tips include: - Use cloth grocery bags instead of plastic bags. They can be used repeatedly. Use reusable lunch bags. - Metal cans and plastic containers can be used for storing items. - Donate old clothes, furniture, and toys to a charity. - Use silverware and dishes instead of plastic utensils and plates. - Store food in reusable plastic containers. Recycling: This process involves making new products out of old products. This means potential landfill waste becomes a new product. You can protect the environment by buying products that contain recycled materials. Many of the things we use every day are recycled. Recycled products include: paper towels, toilet paper, paper bags, beverage bottles and cans, milk cartons, and much more. Most products have the recycle label on the package. Many towns and cities have recycling programs. Some places even have mandatory recycling programs. Junk removal companies are actively involved in reusing and recycling. These companies are very aware of the public's concern for the environment so they make reusing and recycling a big part of their business. Make sure you ask a junk removing company how much they recycle. You will feel good knowing that not all of the junk you are getting rid of will end up in a land fill. Reducing, reusing, and recycling helps lessen our impact on the environment and benefits the community. With the help of environmentally conscious companies such as junk removal companies, we are decreasing the amount of waste going into landfills. By participating in the 3R program, you will feel good knowing that you are doing your part to leave a healthier planet for your children. *Source - www.thinkgreenarticles.com
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Model Families Start at Home - Gar y & Deborah Boone
URBAN LIFE PEOPLE
By Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. Gary and Deborah Boone are connected at the hip. They are clearly in love after 17 years of marriage. Having both been raised in families for whom commitment to community was essential, service has become a cornerstone of their relationship. It is an important part of their definition of what makes a family. As a wise man once said, “relationships are primary; all else is secondary.” The Boones commitment to the primary nature of relationships is evidenced by their formation of the Model Family Mentorship Program, a program that recognizes that our culture has lost many of the structures of extended family kinship. In the early 1990’s, the Boones noticed that many programs for youth focused on individual youth while ignoring the impact of families on their children. The Boones believed that families who were struggling might best learn from those that were working well. Model Families is designed to provide “information, access and direction to families in need.” Begun in January 1995, targeted families receive “family to family mentorship,” a term the Boones coined. This term reflects the recreation of extended family by matching families in need of services (low income employed families with young children) with mentor families (two-parent families with children) skilled at accessing resources to strengthen their relationships and opportunities. Teaching mentored families to use resources well, Model Families leverages exposure to existing community programs and learning opportunities. They require educational excellence for children and parents, and enhance familial exposure to technology, life sciences and access to the arts. Model Families also encourages participation in civic and social justice concerns so that families begin their own framework for giving back. Families are referred through a wide variety of partner relationships. This year’s annual KiteFest (www.kitefest.net) will be held on July 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m at Magnuson Park. As Model Families’ signature event, it is evidence of the kind of fun families have together. Model Families has a number of corporate sponsors and individual volunteers who help with events. All families, mentors and those mentored, benefit from the activities and the relationships that are built. “Mentors learn about themselves and their families as they discover challenges in the lives of those they mentor”, said Gary. “They do critical thinking about themselves.” Said Deborah, “We really all experience the same kinds of things.” The Model Families program does not just proffer a structure to strengthen families. It is itself a model program. Considered to be the first program of this kind in the counWe look forward to the annual Kite Festival; the etiquette dintry, it is located in Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane; each city’s program uniquely meets ners are especially fun and helpful for the kids too. – Lupe community’s needs. No family is turned away. To date, the program has provided 135 families with individualized comprehensive services. The Boone’s program has been honored as a model for intensive family-to-family intervention. It has an excellent Board of Directors that includes such luminaries as Dr. Cornell West. Gary, a software developer, is Senior Managing Partner at Next Step Marketing Group. He learned to serve others from his mother and the Catholic Church. Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, he recalls that his mother taught him that community is bigger than self. He first had an opportunity to put this lesson into practice as a second grade student. A new student, “Gus”, arrived in class; he was one of the many Vietnamese boat people then flooding the nation. Gary’s church was collecting funds to assist these families. Combining his faith and family’s lessons, Gary collected money to donate to Gus’s family. Thus began his service to others. Deborah, is Senior Program Manager in the Small Business Unit of Cybersource, an e-commerce company. Deborah recalls that she learned her commitment to families from her mother’s work as a social worker for the Michigan Social and Welfare Services in Detroit. Deborah accompanied her mother on visits to client’s homes, seeing their life circumstances and learning what strategies successfully moved them off of the welfare rolls. When asked about her own commitment, Deborah said, “I watched (my mother). I don’t know how not to do it. It’s just in me.” The Boone’s childhood experiences allowed them to mold a marriage that supports service to community. The Model Families Mentoring Program is the result. “We get to be together, to be a team on a project that is important to the community”, says Deborah. Gary adds, “It’s not mine or Deborah’s. We are working on this together.” One model family is helping to create many others. We all benefit. *Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. is an expert in community health, social services, social justice and education. She heads her own consulting firm and is a published author.
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Is your Business on the Web?
ULNW COVER STORY
By Starla L. Fitch I know I’ve chosen to focus mostly on issues plaguing African Americans or Black Americans or whatever the going term is today, maybe because being a Black American, I take these issues personally. I must say, that I prefer to be considered Black American since I really know nothing about Africa other than what I’ve seen on television and learned in school, but I digress. I don’t know about you but I find it extremely frustrating to be living in the land of Microsoft and in a region where technology abounds but when I go to the internet, it is almost impossible to find a blackowned business with a website. Why is that? Why are we, as Black Americans allowing technology to leave us behind? Are we incapable of having a web presence? Is it too difficult to acquire and maintain a website so that your business can prosper and thrive? When I am on the internet, which is everyday, all day, and I’m looking for a business (you choose the category) I can never, and I repeat never find more than one, if one, black-owned business with a website. There are hundreds of black-owned businesses in the Seattle/Tacoma area but we have made little to no impact on the web! Ok, excuse me if I sound a little angry but I am. Every business and I repeat every business should have a web presence! Let’s dispel some myths that I believe may be the reasons that Black businesses in Seattle/Tacoma are virtually non-existent on the web.
Myth #1 – Websites are too costly. Wrong! You can get a website for as
little as $10.00 per month. So let’s add it up, $10 x 12 = $120 per year. This minimal amount will give your business an exceptional and professional web presence. Isn’t your business worth that much?
Myth #2 – I’m not good with computers and it cost to much to have someone else do it. Wrong! Today’s technology has made website creation
so simple that if you know how to use the internet at all; you can create your own website. But if you just don’t have the time or inclination to do this, there are companies that can inexpensively create a site for you. Shop around (on the internet) and you’ll find the help you need at a price you can afford.
Myth #3 – I don’t need a website. I’m in the phonebook, I advertise and I’m in the AABD. Wrong! It’s great that you are taking steps to promote your business, advertising is vital to the survival of any business. If you don’t have a web presence, you are missing innumerable opportunities. Consumers, age 50 and under, depend on the internet for just about everything. If you want their attention, you MUST have a web presence.
Myth #4 – I don’t need all that stuff on websites for my business. Maybe you’re right. You don’t have to have a website with animation or music or all the other “bells and whistles” but you can at the very least have a simple web page which shows your business name, contact information and provides a brief description of your business. This will give your business the same opportunity and visibility as millions of other businesses all around the world. When you’re ready to step up to a more sophisticated site then do so, but having a web page is at least a starting point that you can develop into a full fledged site in time and in accordance with your budget. You can’t grow your business if people don’t know about your business. You can’t survive in business if you’re depending only on the “tried and true” methods of advertising, i.e. phone book, print ads, radio, TV and word-of-mouth. Times have changed and we must keep up if we want to survive. In some ways, a website is better than a TV ad because your website is visible and available to customers 24/7. A TV ad is only visible for the few seconds it is aired. Who knows how many people actually saw your ad? Were they getting a snack during your commercial? Or, were they channel surfing? With a website, you can track the number of visitors to your site, so you’ll know what type of impact your site is making. I’m not telling you to stop advertising on TV, radio or in print, because as I said in our January 2009 issue – Advertise or Die. Advertising in all forms is important to the growth and prosperity of your business which includes having a website. When you advertise, whether it is print or broadcast, advertise your website. Just remember, your website is always working, even when you’re not.
Page 13
LAUGH OUT LOUD (LOL)
Native of Dayton, Ohio, Tim Jackson is a nationally syndicated cartoonist, illustrator and graphic designer. Currently pens editorial cartoons for the Chicago Defender, The Madison Times (Wisc.), Cincinnati Herald, Capital Outlook (Tallahassee) and the Northern Kentucky Herald newspapers. Creating illustrations for Urban Life Northwest marks Tim's return to Seattle since contributing art to Real Change Newspaper in the early 1990s.
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Call today for a price quote! (425) 533-7802 www.UrbanLifeNW.com
Page 14
URBAN LIFE FOOD
Tr y a New Dish By Evelyn Ray
Sweet Onion Pie Ingredients: 1 – 9 inch deep pie crust 7 – strips of bacon 3 – tablespoons unsalted butter 3 – cups medium sliced sweet onions 3 – eggs 1 – 16oz container of sour cream 3 – tablespoons all purpose flour ¾ - teaspoon salt 1 – tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees Cook pie crust 5-7 minutes In a skillet fry the bacon until crisp. Remove and cut into bite size pieces. Add butter and heat until melted; add onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until slightly brown. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to partially baked pie crust and set aside. In a bowl, beat eggs and sour cream until well blended. Add flour, salt and pepper and mix well to combine. Pour over onion mixture and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until firm. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Recipe Twist – add a handful of Colby jack cheese immediately after removal from oven. *Evelyn Ray is the owner of Royal Catering. Her dishes have a Southern flare but are influenced by local ingredients. You may contact Evelyn at royalcatering@yahoo.com.
Mix it Up! By Leanne W. Do you regularly eat the same food day in and day out? You know who you are, you go to the same coffee shop every morning, order the same bran muffin, then you have the same old turkey sandwich for lunch. It’s comforting to have a routine that works for you. I encourage you, even if it’s just one meal a week, to try something new. As a cake maker I get customers all the time who order plain old vanilla because they don’t know how vast the cake world is that awaits them. I often suggest they try orange cake with pomegranate filling or green tea cake with honey frosting. Sometimes it awakens their creativity and other times they still order vanilla. I guess what I’m trying to say is, you don’t know what the possibilities are until you make some room for new things and try to see things outside of your routine. I know you’re thinking “Leanne, how can I mix it up?” Well, for starters, you need a desire to try something new and then you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. I suggest that you start small, maybe have a blueberry muffin tomorrow instead of bran, or how about going to a different coffee shop to see what they have to offer. Trying new food doesn’t have to be an expensive venture. On your next trip to the grocery store, let the produce staff make a suggestion about a seasonal vegetable that just came in. Or you could use different seasonings on things you already eat, like ginger on your carrots or cinnamon in your tomato soup (trust me it’s good). However you mix it up I hope you are encouraged to leave behind your routine once and a while so you have room to grow and learn, the world has so much to offer, you just have to be open to it. *Leanne, is a professional baker who specializes in artisan custom cakes.
Page 15
URBAN LIFE SENIORS
SEED OF ABRAHAM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 24th International Convention 42 Years of Ministry Lois M. Sharpe - Pastor & Overseer 246 Wells Avenue N., Renton, WA 98057 (425) 228-1200 THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS BE REFRESHED IN GOD’S HOLY WORD
CREATOR OF ALL
Wednesday, April 15th - Sunday, April 19th
Great Spirit, God, Creator of All I welcome you into my heart, mind, body and soul. There is always room for you here. Grant me the wisdom to heed my inner voice and the strength to stay grounded while I sing my sacred song.
Day Sessions - 9:30 a.m. Prayer Evening Sessions - 7:00 p.m. Holy Worship Wednesday - Men’s Day Thursday - Women’s Day Friday - Evangelistic Day Saturday - Youth Day Sunday - Holy Leadership
Guide me down my chosen path and give me the courage to pursue what is available to me. I am thankful for the lessons and grateful for my struggles; I have not forgotten what has brought me to where I am today.
This event ends Sunday, with our 11:00 a.m. worship Complimentary lunch after each afternoon session. Dinner after 11:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service
Open my heart to the healing wholeness of nature; We are all related and through this, I will find serenity. Great Spirit - God - Creator of All Cleanse my spirit and wash my soul.
BE RENEWED BY NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS “Everytime I feel the spirit moving in my heart I will pray.” African-American Gospel
Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens Coffee Hour
There is always room for you here! Native American Prayer Laurel Singing Water Cat
Central Building, 810 - 3rd Ave Seattle, WA 98104 3rd Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. For more info call - (206) 684-0500
*Tobi Ellison, SOLO Coordinator at CASC, 30th Ave S., Seattle, WA. To contact her call (206) 325-7663, or leave a message at (206) 726-4926
If you have any information, events, or announcements for Seniors please give Tobi a call @ (206) 325-7663. It is her goal to help Seniors live a vibrant, spiritually grounded and active life. She would love to hear from you!
April 16th Special Guest: Adrienne Quinn Tobi Ellison, Expressionist
Metro Rider Info - (206) 533-3000
Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens
Calling all Seniors and Baby Boomers! Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Place: Central Building, 810 - 3rd Ave
(Between Columbia & Marion in downtown Seattle)
Contact Info: (206) 684-0500, TTY (206) 223-2778
or email seniors@seattle.gov Page 16
City of Seattle Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor Human Services Dept. Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens
Come gain a wealth of knowledge on wellness, disease prevention and fitness. Get your hearing tested, blood pressure checked and your posture/ spine screened. Learn about nutrition, utility assistance, senior employment services, volunteer opportunities and recreation.
Keynote address - 12 noon to 1:30 pm - Dr. Basia Belza, a nationally recognized professor at University of Washington will present The 7 Habits of Healthy Living in Seattle.
Literacy: What it has to do with Black People
URBAN LIFE INSPIRATION
by Pastor Amos Landry Jr. So many of us Black people take literacy for granted. For many of us it seems trivial at best. The consequence of this kind of prevailing attitude is that hundreds of thousands of Black students exit school each year without learning to read, write or compute. The results are disastrous. Dr. Amos Jones, Jr., former Director of the Staff of The Christian Education Department of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. states, and I quote, “In Packard and Johnston’s Workforce 2000, Hudson Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, again the point is strongly made that jobs available in this new millennium will require a high level of literacy. Without it, people will only be candidates for jobs at Burger King and McDonald’s or for the burgeoning prisons and jails that are being built to deal with the increasing number of criminals.” Now, there is nothing wrong with working at McDonald’s or Burger King if you’re going into the job with the mindset that I am going to be an owner of a major corporation or “chain” of corporations. As parents, teachers, ministers, and professionals, we must place a great deal of Pastor Amos Landry emphasis on literacy and the necessity of Black students becoming masters of it. Our existence and survival in this computerized and mechanized world is dependent upon how well we play the game called literacy. Young people must be taught that the inability to read a road map, if one is lost, will result in fear in one’s heart that he might be lost forever. Our youth must be told that it is imperative to learn how to count their money upon checking out of a grocery store, or be short-changed in life. Our economic, social, political, spiritual and mental well-being is dependent upon how literate we become. Our ability to compete with other nations of the world will depend solely on how well our nation masters the art of literacy. As the motto of our President of the United States is so often quoted, “It is time for a change.” We can do it and it is imperative we believe that we can so that we can make it happen. The Scripture declares, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21) What we speak, we give life to. It is time to give life to the words that “change is possible and I am that agent of change who will strive for the advancement of a nation.” *Rev Dr. Amos Landry Jr., Pastor of Peoples Institutional Church, 159 24th Ave. S., Seattle, WA
Enjoy the Scener y - Take a Ferr y!
URBAN LIFE OUTDOORS
By Starla L. Fitch
I love the scenic views that can be enjoyed while riding a ferry. A ferry trip is a great way to relax while spending time with your significant other and/or family. A ferry ride can be whatever you make of it - a romantic afternoon with that special someone or a fun adventure you share with your kids. Choosing where to go is the biggest decision you have to make. Once that is done, you’re on your way. Just pay your fare, park your car and let the ferry crew do the rest. Most ferry rides are less than an hour unless you are thinking about going to Canada, which is not a bad idea. I’ve taken the ferry from Anacortes to Sidney B.C. and it was a wonderful experience. Beautiful water and scenic views will relax and calm you. You are able to sit back and just enjoy the ride. No reason to feel rushed or stressed because someone else is in the driver’s seat and they know exactly what to do. All you have to do is read a book, make a new friend, play a friendly game of cards or go out on deck and breath in the fresh Pacific Northwest air. The Pacific Northwest is so picturesque that your camera will get tired before you do. Once you reach your destination, return to your car and explore the area. Find a nice park or camp ground where you can continue to enjoy the beauty of nature. Or you may choose to drive to one of the quaint little towns and shop till you drop or sample the local cuisine. Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will be fun. Ferry rides to new locations will give you the opportunity to explore and discover. When you take a ferry ride, don’t rush and don’t worry, if you miss one ferry, there is probably another one coming along within the hour. Be sure to keep a ferry schedule with you so you can keep track of when your ferry arrives and departs, you don’t want to miss the boat. Enjoy the outdoors? We do, come join the Urban Life Outdoor Explorers as we embark on new and exciting adventures. For more information, email us at ulnwoutdoors@urbanlifenw.com.
Page 17
It’s all about the Resumé
URBAN LIFE BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT According to an old adage, "There's many a slip between the cup and the lip!" The dream job offer may be inches away from you at one moment and at the next moment; it's probably a mile away! There are various factors that may lead to such a situation. One of the reasons can be your resumé format. However much we may huff and puff at the thought of talking about our accomplishments and work experience over the years, it is very important for your resumé to stand out from the crowd. From the recruiter’s point of view, a resumé should give all the relevant details about the person in a precise and clear way. Due to the increasing volume in the number of resumé submitted online on job portals, it becomes a tedious task sifting through so many documents. The proper way to write a resumé involves knowing little tricks of the trade. Use these resumé writing tips to make your resumé distinguishable from the crowd!
Resumé Writing Tips: Decide on the format of the resumé. One of the most commonly used and proper format is the chronological order. This is very popular with employers. A chronological order simply means that you begin with your current employment details. This should be followed with your educational details. Chronological formats are useful when you are applying for a position that is similar to your current profile. Always use action words. When you describe job details and the kind of work handled, use active words. Use adjectives where necessary to describe your work profile. This will help to make the right impression. A word of caution, even if you have the choice of using multiple fonts or colors - don’t. Keep it simple and readable. A font that is easy to read makes the whole format appear presentable. You don't really want to scare prospective employers with a colorful or wacky resumé and make them discard the job application! Highlight your qualities without trying to sound desperate! Prospective employers need to know your strengths and they do not really have the time to go through long sentences. Keep it simple and snappy. Use words such as creative, problem solver etc. Use bullet format where required. An employer or a recruitment firm may not have the time to read things in detail. Having a bullet format for your educational background and core strengths will make it more readable. Always talk about the most important points in the beginning of the resumé. When one skims through the text file, one may not reach the end of the resumé. You surely don't want important points to be missed! Therefore, highlight these in the beginning. Always try to include your career goal. It helps employers to know about your thought process and area of interests. A career goal can be modified to suit the kind of opening available. Many may apply for positions in diverse fields. In that case, your goal should be modified accordingly, or else you might give the wrong impression to the reader. Always keep your resumé short and simple. Lengthy resumés tend to make the whole format appear tedious. Generally, the length of a resumé should be kept between 1-3 pages. Here's hoping you have a flying start to your career with these resumé writing tips! Best of luck in your endeavors! *Source - By Kashmira Lad, Published: 3/19/2009, www.buzzle.com/articles/resumewriting-tips-proper-way-to-write-aresume.html
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www.UrbanLifeNW.com (425) 533-7802 Page 18
URBAN LIFE MONEY MATTERS
Make Mine a Million! By Patrycia L. Taylor
Too many working people today have never figured out how much income they’ll need during retirement. The younger folks think retirement is light years away. The older folks think the possibility of accumulating the needed funds is too remote. The folks in the middle are busy spending their money on life’s needs and wants. There is no sense of urgency in figuring out just how much will be needed during retirement. One Million dollars is the estimate that many people use as their retirement number. It pays to know your amount so you can figure out how long you have to accumulate as much of it as you can! The real question then becomes: How do I accumulate one million to begin with? First, realistically determine what you want your retirement days to look like. Do you want to travel all year round? Move to a house on the beach? Sit in your favorite rocking chair surrounded by grandchildren? Become a missionary in a less fortunate country? Start a consulting business? Do you want to work part-time at Wal-Mart or McDonalds, or do you have to? Estimate how much income you need to live on today, add in the financial impact of your desired lifestyle, subtract expenses that will go away when you’re no longer working and when your mortgage is paid off, throw in estimated annual inflation and voilá! you get an estimate of your retirement number. Next, determine at what age you wish to retire. It doesn’t have to be age 65! People are living and working longer and thus retiring later. People are also retiring a lot earlier than 65. Your retirement age is whatever age your mind, body and cash flow will allow. Take the retirement age you select and subtract it from your age today. For example, if you are 25 today, retiring at 65, or 40 years from today, you need to start putting away $298 each month in order to accumulate $1Million by retirement (see table below). The shorter the time, the more you need to deposit each month. You can see why it makes sense to get rid of debt in order to make money available for savings. Deposits required to reach $1,000.000 @ 8% interest earnings: Years to Retirement
40
30
20
15
10
5
1
Monthly Deposit
$298
$681
$1,686
$2,842
$5,623
$13,153
$77,161
Remember: This doesn’t mean you have to be a miser and sacrifice good quality of life today. The key is to have a good balance of income, expenses, savings, and discretionary funds.
*Patrycia L. Taylor, MBA is a Financial Advisor living in the South Seattle area. You may contact her at (206) 248-5642.
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Continued from page 8
There is also the amusing scenario of the college co-eds hanging out at the campus student union cafeteria discussing how they would balance their future careers and families and what they would name their children. When one teenage freshman said she would name her daughter “Latrina”, the group burst out in raucous laughter as the poor girl was informed that Latrine was the military term for toilet or bathroom.
What’s in a name? Names are categorized as first name, middle name and last name. While first names are also called birth name, baptismal name, Christian name, given name or forename; last names are also known as surname, family name, or sometimes in the case of women - maiden name. Because many people in some historical communities were given the same first name, they were differentiated by surnames unique to them such as Bob Brown because Bob had brown hair or Bob Hunter because that was Bob’s occupation, of Bob RedRiver because Bob #3 lived near the Red River. In fact, in some parts of the world, the origin of one’s surname also reflected the status or position of the family member at that time and was passed down through the generations. If the father was Michael John, then his son’s last name would be Johnson, indicating that he was the son of Mr. John. Meanwhile the daughter’s last name would remain the same as that of her father until she married. There seems to be no universal rule as to the number of names by which a particular culture of ethnic group is constrained to giving their children. Here in the U.S. we usually stop at three names, i.e. a first name, a middle name, and a last name. While there are no rules whatsoever for first or middle names, one is born into a last name.
What’s in a name? Name patterning is also unique to different areas in the world. While the pattern in China is last name followed by first name. In Spain the last name is the family name of the father followed by that of the mother with the first being most important which has been Spain’s pattern since the latter middle ages. Our basic pattern in the U.S. is first name plus last name. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the U.S. and U.K. are two of the few countries in the world that adhere to the ancient Roman law that says a person has the right to use and change his name as he sees fit except for fraudulent purposes. Does your child have a name he can aspire to live up to or one he is relegated to live down? Once again I ask, what’s in a name? Think about it… Bartley Felder is a native of Washington D.C., has a BA degree in Anthropology, has traveled the globe and loves to write.
Paul’s Customcuts (206) 722-7106 9431 Rainier Ave S. Seattle, WA 98118 mrsims30@gmail.com Hair Cuts Beard Trims Razor Lines Custom Designs When only the best will do, an appointment is always available for you! Walk-ins welcome!
Page 20
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Blacks in Business Answer these 5 questions correctly & receive a $5.00 gift certificate from Grown Folks CoffeeHouse 1. Who founded Johnson Products Company in 1954? 2. Who is the broadcast pioneer known as the “Queen of Radio”? 3. Who is the first woman and the only black to become CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group? 4. Earl Graves Sr. launched Black Enterprise Magazine in what year? 5. Edward Gardner started what company in 1964?
Grown Folks CoffeeHouse Family Owned
The first 3 persons to answer correctly will receive a $5.00 gift certificate for use at -
March 2009
Grown Folks CoffeeHouse 4878 Beacon Ave. South Seattle, WA 98108 (206) 420420-2983 (206) 420420-3024
Winners N. Morris - Tacoma, WA C. Finkley - Covington, WA K. Harris - Tacoma, WA
www.GrownFolksCoffeeHouse.com
Answers
~~~~~~
Urban Life Northwest is proud to welcome Grown Folks CoffeeHouse as our KIP sponsor! Submit your answers via email to KIP@UrbanLifeNW.com. Please include your name and mailing address so that we may send your prize. **Winners will be announced in our May 2009 issue.**
Eph
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Rhododendron The Willow Goldfinch Western Hemlock Washington, my home Apple
VÜâátwxÜá yÉÜ V{Ü|áà \ÇàxÜÇtà|ÉÇtÄ VÉäxÇtÇà `|Ç|áàÜ|xá
6:17
...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
More Sunday Dinner Options
Pastor Paul Sims & 1st Lady Jean Sims “One with the Lord and one with each other”
We do more than just BBQ! Come by & give us a try!
2588 S. Alaska St. at Christ Temple Seattle, WA 98108 (206) 299-2632 www.crusadersforchrist-icm.org cfcicm@clearwire.net Service Times: Friday Night Discipleship Study, 6 - 7:30 pm Sunday Street Ministry on Rainier & Henderson, 12-1:30 pm Sunday Prayer @ 3:30 pm Sunday Worship @ 4:00 pm Bread of Life Mission Ministry Monthly Meetings
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If you’re not advertising with us, you’re missing an opportunity!
www.urbanlifenw.com
Contact Us Today! (425) 533-7802 Page 21
April 2nd - 1st Thursday Seattle meets the 1st Thursday of every month at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club and Teen Center, 6pm, Contact W. Larry Williams at (206) 852-8145 for more info. Next meeting, May 7th.
URBAN LIFE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
April 2009 - Until - Seattle Central Grind is featuring the artwork of Sam Blackwell. Blackwell is not only a talented local artist but he is also the owner of Seattle Central Grind. For more info call (206) 709-9902 or stop by 2727 E. Cherry St., Seattle, WA.
If you have a community event or announcement, please email community@urbanlifenw.com. Let us help you spread the word!
April 16th - CD Forums presents American Heritage Series: Caribbean Americans, this event is co-sponsored by the Northwest African American Museum and will be held at the museum at 7:00pm, 2300 S. Massachusetts St., Seattle, WA, tickets - $7.00 advanced sales available through Brown Paper Tickets. For more info call (206) 323-4032 or go to www.cdforum.org
April 16th – 19th – The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents Oleta Adams. Oleta, a soulful vocalist, best known for her Grammy nominated hit “Get Here”. Performing Thursday – Saturday at 7:30pm & 9:30pm on Sunday at 7:30pm, cost $28.50, for more info go to www.jazzalley.com or call (206) 441-9729 (Urban Life NW has partnered with Jazz Alley to offer an exciting discount to see her show on April 16th, visit our website for more info - www.UrbanLifeNW.com) April 18th – CD Forum, hosts the fifth annual Food as Art 2009 celebration. Time: 6:00pm -11pm General Reception, Dinner & Program. Location: Bell Harbor, Tickets: $125 for general admission. Buy tickets by April 16th. Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets, www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Visit www.cdforum.org for more information. April 24th - Lady A & the Baby Blues for Oldies & Fish Fry Friday w/DJ Gary Alexander at The Royal Esquire Club, 5016 Rainier Ave S., Seattle, WA, $8.00 cover charge. Showtimes - 7:30pm and 12:30am. For more info go to www.ladyababyblues.com April 24th - CD Forums presents The CREATION Project, a new works and professional development program for African American Performing Artist, application deadline May 22, 2009. For guidelines and application go to www.cdforums.org April 24th - Friends LLC presents, Last Friday - a better way to network and market your business with other businesses in the Tacoma area. Come join us at The Temple Theater, 47 St. Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA from 5pm until… There will be smooth jazz and “old school music”, buffet dinner, business presentations, no host bar, and limitless networking. For tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com or call (253) 682-9998 for more info. April 29th - Columbia City Farmers Market Opens! With over 30 farmers and food vendors. Opening Day celebration begins at 3:30 pm, location: 4801 Rainier Ave. S @ S. Edmonds, Seattle, WA May 7th – Traces of the Trade, a documentary about the slave trade enterprise of a Northern family. This event is free to the public but a $5.00 donation is suggested. Hosted by Columbia City Cinema, Muse Indigo Creative, 4816 Rainier Ave S., Seattle, WA, 7:00 – 10:00 pm
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!
Malesis & Renton Flower Shop 313 Rainier Avenue South Renton, WA 98057-2404 Stop by or call about our Mother’s Day Special
www.malesisflowers.com
(425) 228-6622 1 OWNER
(800) 248-1047 -
2 LOCATIONS
Beyond The Garden Gate
FLORAL & INTERIORS
(253) 850-6000 417 S. Central Ave. Kent, WA 98032 www.BeyondTheGardenGate-Kent.com Page 22
Enter Today! Entry deadline is May 17, 2009
The winning couple will be featured on the cover of our June 2009 - Dream Wedding Issue
To enter, print and complete the entry form on our website and please include a photo of you and your future mate. (For complete rules and regulations, please visit our website - www.urbanlifenw.com)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Sponsors & Prizes
Please send your entry letter via mail to -
L’Wood Photography (Photography) Morfey’s Cakes (Wedding Cake) Blessed Limo (Limousine Service) Merchant’s Paper & Design (Invitations) Brown Shugar Designs (Event Planning) Xazz Salon (Hair for Bride & Groom) Discover Yourself w/Bonnie Gantt (Make-Up) KC’s Flowers (Flowers for Bride & Groom) Marie Haggins Accessories (Jewelry for Bride) Urban Life NW (Cash Prize)
ULNW - Dream Wedding Contest P.O. Box 94057 Seattle, WA 98124-9457 For questions or email entry, send to ulnwcontest@urbanlifenw.com www.UrbanLifeNW.com
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“Living Life to the Fullest!”
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