February 2009 Issue

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Happy Valentines Day!

A Lifestyle Magazine for People of Color in the Northwest

Celebrating Black History Month Freedom or Slavery which have you chosen for your life?

Black is Back!

Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney A Pacific Northwest Living Legend

Free February 2009

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Say I Love You with Chocolate!

Network, Network, Network!


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A Word from the Editor

February is Black History Month. It is a time to celebrate but it is also a time to reflect on who we are individually and collectively. All too often we throw around the words “Unity in the community” and “building unity” but I’m not really sure if we know how to do this or if this is still possible. Our “community” has changed. We are no longer living, working and socializing in the same area. We live at point A, work at point B, go to church at point C and have friends and relatives at points D and E. We are so spread out in the cities where we live that “community” takes on a different meaning than it had 35 or 40 years ago. We may never have “community” as we did then, but I do believe that there are ways for us to support each other and improve how we live, regardless of where we live. I believe that we must learn to trust each other and accept that we may be different in many ways but overall we are the same. We share the same planet. We have similar goals and dreams for ourselves and our families. We breathe the same air. We eat the same foods. We are one. During our civil rights struggle, our ancestors came together in unity singing “We shall overcome” and we did. That is the unity I speak of. Unity that our history demands. Unity, that without which, we would never have been able to survive such a difficult and painful history. Unity that let’s us know we have strength and that our strength is valuable and powerful. Let’s not underestimate the lessons to be learned from history. In order to know where we’re going, we must first understand where we’ve been.

On January 17, 2009, the Universal Peace Federation and the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, honored me with an Ambassador for Peace award. When I was invited to attend this commemorative luncheon in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I was unaware that I would be recognized in such a way. Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney and Mr. Kwasi Poku - President of Yamfoman association WA chapter received this honor as well. I am so grateful that the work I do is being recognized for the intent for which it was started - to help people of color in particular and all people in general by providing information and motivation to help all of us live our best lives now! Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney & Starla L. Fitch

“Living Life to the Fullest!”

One last thing, if you haven’t seen Gee’s Bend at the Taproot theater, you should! The performance is moving and the intimacy of the theater helps you experience the power and sincerity of this dynamic story. This is a must see! Special thanks to Daytona for inviting me to the opening night performance. (more info on Gee’s Bend see page 18)

Regarding our name change from Central Area Monthly to Urban Life Northwest

Is a “Victim Mentality” keeping you from living life to the fullest? (January 2009)

Looking good, excited about the new name and I know that 2009 will be big for this publication.

Dear Ms. Fitch,

Received via email from Athlan L. on January 15, 2009

Pacific Northwest

Orthodontics C. Neil Nicholson, D.D.S. Orthodontist

I sometimes think of myself as a “victim” but I know I have got to do things differently. I liked what you said in that article. I know how easy it is to think that somebody else is the problem, when it’s not them, it’s me. I need to make changes in my life. I needed that article, it spoke to me on so many levels. Keep up this good work. God will bless you. (name withheld as per sender’s request)

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Urban Life Northwest Bibles/Bibles, CD’s/Cassettes, Church Supplies, Libros in Espanol, Invitations, Robes, Hymnals, Figurines, Gifts/Special Orders

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Contributors

Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. David White, RN

Contents Employment 101

5

Network, Network, Network!

About Business

5

From Head 2 Toe

13

Growing a Healthy Head of Hair

Politically Inclined

14 Black is Back!

Make your business stand out!

Real Estate Corner

6

Laugh Out Loud (LOL)

7 Freedom or Slavery?

Marriage & Family

8

Our Health & Fitness

8

Eat, Drink & Enjoy!

9

Making a Difference

10

15

Tim Jackson Patrycia L. Taylor Djuna Basconcelo Tobi Ellison

President Obama

Considering Condos?

Cover Story

Pastor Robert L. Manaway

Just 4 Seniors

16

The Meaning of SOLO, Blessed & Pets Add Years of JOY!

17 Marriage is not a Fairytale The Green Revolution What does “Green” mean?

Monique Jong Tina Austin Leanne W. Athlan Lathan

18 Seasonal Affective Disorder Indoor Décor Love Thy Bathroom and It will Love You Back

Say “I Love You” with Chocolate Community Voice

KIP Quiz (Knowledge is Power)

12 Are You Covered?

Subscription Form

12

Inspirational Thoughts

13

Try Something New

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19 Black Inventors

Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney

Money Matters

18

Advertise with us!

19

Our Advertisers make this publication possible, please give them your support. Tell them you saw their ad in Urban Life Northwest. Advertiser discounts and specials on pages - 4, 9, 18 & 19

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By Athlan Lathan As we enter month two of the New Year, many people are either: A) Looking for work, or B) Happy to hang on to their current JOB. Take inventory of your career goals and objectives and stay positive. If you are unhappy at work, find out why. If you are looking for a promotion, find out how. I would not recommend leaving your current position until you have something else lined up. This is age old advice, but even more critical than ever considering the current economic climate.

Employment 101

Network, Network, Network!

Making sure you have a good grasp of what you plan to do with your career is much like losing weight. Most people don’t start until it’s too late. Take the time to work on your career. Networking should become a part of your daily work and career related endeavors. Your network should include anyone that can help you in your current career or when you decide to make a move. I could feel some of you cringe at the word network as if I said a bad word, but trust me it is critical to your future success. Networking contacts can help with more than simple job leads; it can be a conduit to insider information and referrals within a company. Over 80% of job seekers say that their network has helped with their job search. Take the time to build your “referral base”. By that I mean people that can help you with your career. We all know we are supposed to do it, network, network, network, but what is the best way to go about it? You don’t want to go to a “networking event” to just be there, it needs to be productive. Your time is valuable, you have things to do, responsibilities. Find groups or activities that are of interest in your chosen field or that relate to the position you want to obtain. Another resource that I am a fan of for networking is Linkedin.com, sometimes referred to as Facebook for professionals. Linkedin allows you to connect with people you know and reach out to those that you want to get to know. If there is someone specific that you want to meet, you can send them a message directly through Linkedin. I always like to buy someone a cup of coffee as a “thank you” for taking the time to meet with me. Don’t just use your network to get job leads; the people you meet can advise you on everything from new computing systems to office politics so the possibilities are endless. Networking will allow you to stand out from everyone else who simply submits a resume.

Remember, it’s not who you know, but who knows you. *Athlan Lathan is an Account Manager for a local staffing firm. He helps people find employment and advance in their careers.

About Business

Make your business stand out! By Starla L. Fitch There are several ways to make your business stand out from the rest. Below are 4 simple things you can do to help increase your business and build name recognition in your community.

1. You need a sign! Do you have a sign that is visible from the street? If not, get one. If your business name is not clearly visible from the street so that passing cars and pedestrians can see your name and identify your business then you are losing business. There are two types of customers that business owners fail to remember - the forgetful buyer and curious shopper. The forgetful buyer depends on signs to help trigger his/her memory. The curious shopper will drop in just because of your sign and want to know more about your business. A clear and visible sign is a must for a successful business. 2. ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE! As we mentioned in the January 2009 issue advertising is not only important but necessary. If you want people to recognize your business name and remember it, you must advertise. If advertising didn’t work, McDonalds, Burger King, Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks etc...would stop doing it. Advertising works! 3. A website is a must! If you don’t have a presence on the web, get one, immediately! Society is not moving toward the internet for information, it has already moved. So, if you’re not on the web, you’ve been left behind and your business is not going to grow in the way it could or should without having a presence on the web. Technology has made websites inexpensive to obtain and easy to create yourself. If you are not technologically savvy, you can always hire someone to create a website for you. 4. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Location is an important factor that can make or break a business. If you have a location where parking is a problem, you may what to consider a new location. Customers want ease and convenience when shopping or seeking a service. When choosing a location, consider the clientele you want to service and make that your deciding factor. Think about how you want to present your business to the public and find a location that helps you achieve that goal. If you are serious about your business, and you honestly want to serve your customers, you’ve got to make your business stand out from the rest. You’ve got to be visible, you’ve got to advertise, you need a website and you need a location that will help you reach your desired market.

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Real Estate Corner

Considering Condos? By Djuna Basconcelo So, may I get on the soapbox for minute here? People bag on condos because they don’t want to pay dues. The fact is, home and townhouse owners still have to pay utilities, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. That is what the dues are for. Ok, thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Now, often people equate owning a condominium with owning an apartment. Condominium is a form of ownership. The absolute ownership of a unit in a multi unit property based on the legal description, and in high rise buildings, of the airspaces the unit actually occupies, plus an undivided interest in the ownership of the common elements, which are owned jointly with the other condominium unit owners. Each owner has his or her own tax ID number. A developer could put up a group of unattached houses and “condo-ize” them; the buyers are then buying condos even though they are individual houses. Townhouses, single-family residences, and flats are types of construction, which may or may not be owned as condominiums.

Tacoma

There is also something called a cooperative, AKA a co-op. A residential multi unit building whose title is held by and operated for the benefit of people living in the building, who are beneficial owners of the trust or stockholders of the corporation, each possessing a proprietary lease. In other words, every owner has a portion of a single entity. Co-ops are much more common on the east coast than here in Puget Sound. What we’re really talking about when considering condo living is living in a managed environment and in shared space, either a shared entrance, walls, amenities, garden area, garage, or all of the above. For people who always want the their places to look tops but don’t want to pick the weeds, handle the re-roofing, the exterior paint, the routine exterior maintenance, condo life may be perfect. Think of it this way, the rules that restrict behavior also protect investment. The standards are established; adherence to and enforcement of the rules means that owners can expect the conditions they buy into to be preserved years down the road. Some condo associations are more lax than others and allow the rules to be bent, others are quite strict, so it behooves the homebuyer to observe closely all aspects of an association in which he or she is considering buying. About those dues…do you ever wonder why some condos dues are so outrageously high? There are a couple reasons, owners wanting lots of amenities and services will pay higher dues to cover the extra costs associated with having the concierge, pool, gym, cabana, valet parking, tennis court…you get the point. The other reason is less pleasant. Some associations have set dues so low that they are not collecting enough to build a sufficient reserve fund. Then when repairs and maintenance become necessary there isn’t enough money to cover the expenses. In urgent situations dues can be raised dramatically and/or big lump sums can be assessed to the owners to cover the necessary work. If high dues are not paying for all the trimmings take pause before buying in.

Portland, OR

Seattle

Like most things, condos are great under the right set of circumstances; buyers just need to know what to look for so they buy the best one for their preferences and tastes.

Auto, Home, Life and Business *Djuna Basconcelo has worked for Keller Williams Realty for 10 years. She specializes in helping her clients find homes that they love.

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By Starla L. Fitch

Cover Story

FREEDOM or SLAVERY, which have you chosen for your life?

“Those who don’t know their history are destined to repeat it”, a quote by Edmund Burke, a British Statesman and Philosopher. This quote is not only prophetic but extremely powerful. I understand the logic of this quote, because I see its relevance today. I see us repeating our history over and over again. It seems as if, we’ve forgotten what our ancestors had to endure and the sacrifices that they made in order for us to enjoy the freedom that we have today. We have chosen to limit our education of our history to one month of the year and even then, we only focus on a few key figures that have made remarkable contributions to our history. One month of the year is just not enough. We should make the learning and the remembrance of our history a constant component in our lives. Without such reflection, too many of us are going to continue to repeat some of the most negative and dehumanizing parts of our history. The part of history I’m speaking of is slavery. Slavery is a painful part of Black history, but we simply cannot chose to ignore it, because, too many of us are becoming modern day slaves. Not slaves by force, due to a society that refused to recognize or accept that our ancestors were intelligent, creative, talent, and beautiful beings but slaves by choice because we have chosen to allow things and behaviors enslave us. Too many of us have given up our freedom because we lack the motivation to live up to our dynamic potential. There are some extremely intelligent and industrious men and women, living their lives behind bars because they failed to remember their history. When you give up your freedom for any reason, you have become a slave. A slave in the sense that your life is no longer your own. Someone or something controls you. When you choose to do the crime, you are also choosing to do the time. No one and I repeat no one gets away without facing up to the consequences of their actions. Over-crowded jails are proof of that. When you are living your life behind bars, you are a slave. Too many of us are slaves to addiction. When you allow a drug or alcohol to motivate you to action or inaction, you’ve allowed that addition to become your master. When your entire day is focused on when you will get your next fix or what you will have to do to get your next fix, you have allowed your mind to be controlled by an entity other than yourself, thus you are a slave. Some of us are living life on government assistance when the only real assistance we need is motivation. On a side note, I must say that for a few years of my life, I worked as an Eligibility Specialist for the Texas Department of Human Services, i.e. “the welfare department”, I have personally helped men and women, realize that they don’t have to eek out an existence on welfare, they can do more and be more if they will just apply themselves and utilize the self-improvement programs that the government provides. And guess what, these programs are FREE. I helped some of my clients realize that welfare is a road to no where and success will only come when they choose to take a different road. Most of us just need a hand up, not a hand out. If you are able bodied, with no disabilities or health challenges, then there is no reason for you to live a slave-like existence on welfare. Constantly answering to a government entity for your housing, clothes and food for your family is not life that you control. I am not against welfare. Welfare has its place and that is to assist (temporarily) not to become a way of life. No one has become successful, while living on welfare. Success comes when you get off welfare and live a life that you control. We must choose to be FREE! Free to live life on your own terms. Free to choose where you live. Free to choose where you go. Free to choose how you spend your money and your time. FREE! The choice is yours. Stop repeating a doomed history that at this day and time, no emancipation proclamation, political leader or religious leader can free you from. You have to free yourself. I challenge you to take charge of your life. We’ve been blessed to see the first African-American President take office, that in and of itself should be motivation enough to make you want to improve your life. Our President had to face challenges of his own but he figured out a way to overcome and succeed, and his way was though education. We all must figure out the path to our success! Your success may be getting a college education. Your success may be getting a better job. Your success may be starting a business. Your success may be living a drug-free life. Your success may be getting out of jail and staying out of jail. Whatever you have deemed your success to be, now is the time to work toward that success. Tomorrow is not promised to any man; therefore we must not waste one moment of our time living a “slave-like” existence.

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Marriage & Family

Marriage is not a Fair ytale…. By Starla L. Fitch As I approach my 5th year of marriage, I know without a doubt that marriage is a wonderful experience but it is not the fairytale of my childhood dreams. My advice to all young women who are reading this and who are looking for “Mr. Right”, don’t expect him to come riding up to you on the proverbial “white horse”. Don’t expect to be swept off your feet. Don’t keep waiting to be rescued. Going into marriage with fairytale expectations, will ultimately destroy your marriage once reality sets in. Fairytales can only be found in books or movies. Too many men and women, believe that the fairytale is real or that they can make it real. Too many men and women marry for fairytale reasons disguised as love. They marry for looks, for money, for status, for prestige, to avoid being alone or because they want to have children. When you marry for these reasons, you’ve removed love from the equation and you are placing yourself in the middle of a battle that you cannot win. Look at the divorce rate in this country, more than 50% of all marriages fail. I believe that marriage fails when it is not rooted in love. The saying “Love conquers all”, is especially true when it comes to marriage.

Our Health & Fitness

As I said before, marriage is wonderful! I don't miss my single life at all. I love being married. I love my husband and I love our beautiful son but there is work required for our marriage to thrive and flourish as it does. It is not easy. We’ve had disappointments and triumphs. Successes and failures but as my mother use to say, “Anything worth having is worth fighting (working) for”. And my husband and I fight (work) for our marriage everyday. We love, we argue, we love, we forgive, we love, we apologize, we love, we remember, we love. We know that love is the key to the success of our marriage. When you love, all else can be forgiven and/or forgotten. When choosing a partner for life, look for someone that you truly love and that truly loves you. Know that love is intangible. You can’t see love only feel it. You can’t buy love only receive and give it. You can’t deny love because your heart won’t let you. You can’t ignore love because it demands your attention. Know that love supersedes beauty, fame, fortune and status. Here is a test you can take to know if you have really chosen a mate with love in mind. If you can see yourself, being with this person if he/she is ill, unemployed, gains/loses weight, loses their hair, if you can go through financial turmoil together, if you can argue then kiss and make up, if you can forgive and forget, if you can see yourself raising kids together, then maybe, just maybe, love is your guide and marriage is the right step for you. I can’t say that love will give you a successful marriage but I do believe that if you start with love, you have at least won half the battle, the other half takes, work, time, patience and understanding. No, marriage is not a fairytale, but at times, can feel like one, when you’re in love with the right person.

Seasonal Affective Disorder By David White The past few afternoons have brought glorious sunshine to my neighborhood, with sighs of relief all around and whoops of joy from some households. Many of us simply dread these dark winter mornings and early nights, but there are a few of us out there who are susceptible to true depression this time of year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is the name of this condition that affects many people around the world who live in northern climates. The symptoms of SAD are similar to those of depression in general, but are relieved with artificial light therapy or travel to a southern latitude where the days are longer and there is more natural light. If on a seasonal basis you experience the following symptoms, then you should ask your doctor whether you might have SAD. •Feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or despair. •Loss of energy •Social withdrawal •Appetite changes, especially a craving for sweets or carbohydrates •Oversleeping or feeling especially sleepy during the day even if you've gotten 9 hours of sleep •Weight gain •Difficulty concentrating or processing information. Fortunately, SAD is easily treatable. Light therapy provides great relief for many people in as little as one or two weeks. Many people use commercially available "light boxes" for this purpose. These are portable units which you can read by while you have your morning coffee. As long as the light strikes your eyes it is effective, and should be used for 20-30 minutes as soon as possible after you wake up. Recent research has shown that the amount of outdoor light even on an overcast day is greater than that from any light box, but in the winter it is difficult for some people to get motivated to be outside. If you think you have seasonal depression, it is important to consult with your doctor for a screening exam before beginning any kind of therapy on your own. If you do decide to try light therapy, you can find dealerships in the Yellow Pages under "Light bulbs and tubes." Some retailers will even loan you a box so that you can see if it works before buying. Let the sunshine in and see if it helps your mood! *David White has been a critical care/emergency RN at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for 12 years.

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By Leanne W. Many women are pleased to see a red bow atop a heart shaped box on Valentine’s Day, knowing it contains our favorite sweet treat. But how did it come about that we should associate chocolate with romance? The history of chocolate spans many cultures and thousands of years, beginning with the Mayans around 250 A.D. Chocolate, a native crop of Mexico, was first consumed as a spicy drink reserved for the Mayan upper-class. By the 1400’s the Aztecs had adopted the chocolate beverage and even used chocolate seeds as money. The popularity of chocolate soared when in the 1500’s Spaniards brought it home from their travels and added sugar to sweeten the bitter drink. Eventually modern machinery made it easier to produce chocolate in bars making it more affordable and its popularity spread across Europe.

Eat, Drink, & Enjoy!

Say “I Love You” with Chocolate!

In each chocolate loving culture the special drink was served in decorative cups, resulting in the creation of the saucer in Spain, which was used to keep the chocolate from dripping onto their clothes. So how did noble men drinking chocolate become romantic? Legends told of chocolate’s magical properties, it was even said to be a love potion. A suitor would send chocolate to the woman he loved hoping to seduce her into falling in love with him. Today we carry on the tradition of giving chocolate to the ones we love. But is chocolate a love potion? Well, science shows that chocolate does contain a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), which is the same chemical your body produces when you’re in love. However, there is no evidence to show that the PEA in chocolate can actually alter your feelings, emotionally or physically. Today you can share chocolate with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day in many ways. How about cutting into a decadent chocolate cake for dessert, sipping Spanish drinking chocolate from pretty mugs (recipe below), or dipping strawberries in melted chocolate as part of a surprise breakfast in bed surprise. Resources http://www.fieldmuseum.org/CHOCOLATE/about.html, January 6, 2009 Fun facts The average person in the USA consumes 12 pounds of chocolate each year. The first heart shaped box of chocolates was created by Cadbury in 1890.

*Leanne, is a professional baker who specializes in artisan custom cakes. You can find out more about Leanne and her business by visiting her website - www.vertucakes.com

Spanish Drinking Chocolate for Two - 500 years of history to share with your loved ones 3 ounces coarsely chopped semi sweet chocolate 2 ½ cups milk 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground chili powder (optional) 2 cinnamon sticks for garnish

In a saucepan heat milk until bubbling, remove from heat and add chopped chocolate. Stir until melted. Add sugar, cinnamon, and chili powder. Return to stove top; bring to a low simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve in decorative mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

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Making a Difference

Dr. Samuel Berr y McKinney By Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. It is a difficult task for a daughter to write about her father. Some readers might think me hopelessly unobjective, and there might be some truth to that concern. It can be tempered, however, with the entirety of my father’s life and work. I can say, with absolute certainty, that Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney is a great man, not because of what he has accomplished, which is substantial, but because he is compelled by his faith to contribute to the lives of “the least, the last, the lost, the locked up and left out.” So with your permission, here, briefly, is the story of the man who helped give me life, whose face I increasingly share, whose values shape my behavior, and who may also have meaningfully walked through your lives. When Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney retired eleven years ago as pastor, preacher, mentor and teacher of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington, Starla Lewis (Fitch), a choir member with an angelic voice and a gift for lyrics, wrote an original song to honor him:

Faithfully you follow In the way that God leadeth. In the path of righteousness, We know that you’ve been blessed. If ever there was a man, Sent by God, Samuel, it’s you. This song is so very true. After all, the name Samuel means called of God and from the day of his birth there seemed to be something very special about him. It was noted in the requests that he made during the year when, having been sent to bed for a year because his doctors feared he had polio, he asked his aunt to read Bible stories every day. This early attention to the Bible was the beginning of Dr. McKinney’s theological training. The son and grandson of Baptist preachers, Samuel Berry McKinney was born in Flint, Michigan to Rev. Dr. Wade Hampton McKinney, Jr. and Annie Ruth Berry McKinney, a gifted musician, on December 28, 1926. He was their second son, born 18 months after his brother, Wade Hampton McKinney III. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio where his father assumed the pastorate of this historic and politically influential Antioch Baptist Church. Twin sisters, Virginia Ruth and Mary Louise, were born six years later. As it happens, the name Samuel means “called of God.” Dr. McKinney initially planned to become a civil rights attorney. It is highly possible that those who were once at the battering end of his childhood violin did not see God in him early on, as it took his mother time to recognize that a violin was an insufficiently virile instrument for an East Cleveland boy. Soon, the messages in those early Bible lessons touched Dr. McKinney, turning his attention to God’s expectations for his life. Dr. McKinney joined church on Palm Sunday in 1936 and was baptized on Good Friday in that same year. A product of the Cleveland Public Schools, he entered Morehouse College in 1944 and, after a brief stint in the US Army Air Force, graduated in 1949, one year behind his classmate Martin Luther King. He strongly believes in the value of education as a tool of liberation. Dr. McKinney preaches the Social Gospel, believing strongly that the life and example of Jesus should be used to solve the problems of our present age. His trial sermon was given on September 4, 1949 at the Antioch Baptist Church, in Cleveland, Ohio where his father served for thirty four years. Unbeknownst to him, it used the same text, Matthew 4:1-11, that his father used in his first sermon. God works in mysterious ways, indeed. Dr. McKinney was proudly ordained into the ministry by his father and later attended the Colgate Rochester Divinity School, his father’s alma mater. In his father’s congregation was the beautiful and brilliant Louise Jones who, despite her father’s misgivings about the potential poverty of the ministerial life, fell in love with the assistant preacher and accepted his hand in marriage and his path through life. A Classics scholar and teacher, she became an administrator, responsible for early childhood education in Seattle. Following her retirement from the school system, Mrs. McKinney became an entrepreneur, successfully managing a variety of local businesses. Dr. McKinney had his first solo pastorate at the Olney Street Baptist Church in Providence, Rhode Island, where was born his elder daughter (me), Lora-Ellen, is a clinical child psychologist, health care specialist, Christian education writer, and community activist with degrees from Vassar College, the University of Washington and the Harvard Kennedy School. While it is well known that Dr. McKinney and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were friends – Dr. McKinney was King’s Pacific Northwest lieutenant - they actually knew each other in childhood, their fathers, who were friends, having taken them to Baptist conventions. Page 10


As noted, they were also in the same Morehouse freshman class. Dr. King’s only Seattle visit was at Dr. McKinney’s invitation in 1961. What is a little known fact is that Dr. McKinney was offered the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama before it became the place from which Dr. King launched the Civil Rights Movement? The church’s search committee had contacted a short list of young ministers committed to social justice whose fathers were also prominent in the ministry. Says Dr. McKinney: “I was not committed to nonviolence at that time. I asked the Lord how far (from Cleveland, Ohio) He would take me. He said Cincinnati! Martin was the right man for the time.” Called to Mount Zion Baptist Church in 1958, Dr. McKinney immediately began working to create change. Within three months he started plans for the church credit union. After moving to Seattle, as minister of the Mount Zion Baptist Church, the McKinney’s gave birth to their younger daughter, Rhoda McKinney Jones, a graduate of Spellman College and Columbia University School of Journalism. Rhoda is media consultant for the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference. Living in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, she is married to Sam Henry Jones, a pharmaceutical executive. They are parents to a young son, Kent, who is the McKinney’s only grandchild. Dr. McKinney served as senior pastor of Mount Zion from 1958 to 1998. He gave forty years of service to God, the longest record of ministry in Mount Zion’s more than 120 year history. Dr. McKinney also provided interim pastoral service to the church from 2006 to 2008. Under his more than forty years of direction and administration, Mount Zion not only grew into an institution in the local community but gained a national and international reputation. Dr. McKinney wove together a progressive, proactive and peaceful leadership style; spirit-filled worship services; dynamic spiritual growth and development; an understanding of the role of the Black church in our history; political participation; Black economic development efforts; an appreciation for our historical and current musical traditions; and the value of educational excellence. Dr. McKinney has held and continues to hold offices in national Baptist conventions. He mentors local and national pastors. He is called upon by local, regional and national politicians for his special understanding of the strengths and needs of Washington States communities. A trained historian, Dr. McKinney greatly respects those who built bridges that facilitate passage for those who come after them. He is a natural conciliator, able through easy humor to work with diverse groups. Dr. McKinney has a long history of working with interfaith groups, especially among Abraham faiths, enhancing misunderstandings and creating opportunities to work together for peace. Dr. McKinney believes that God give each person talents that should continually be used in self-improvement, family stability, spiritual growth and outreach and community building. His unique ability to weave together these multiple threads has greatly strengthened the multiple communities with which he is involved. Dr. McKinney’s list of awards and recognition for church, community and educational contributions are too numerous to cite here. A complete listing of them can be read at www.mountzion.net. On 17/09 Rev With Dr. Floyd Massey, Dr. McKinney authored Church Administration in the Black Perspective, a book written from their doctoral dissertation, first published in 1976 by Judson Press. Now in its seventeenth (17th) printing, it was revised in 2003. Rev. McKinney was an active member of the cast of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity at Seattle’s Intiman Theater for ten years ending in 2007. In December 2008, the theater named the Black Nativity Youth Matinee for in his honor. Dr. McKinney was one of the inaugural recipients of the 2004 Hampton Ministers Conference “Living Legacy” Award. On January 16, 2009, Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney was honored as the first Hero of Faith for his interfaith work by Temple B’nai Torah at their Shabbat Service in recognition of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On February 14, 2009 he will receive Morehouse College’s highest honor, the Candle in the Dark Award (Religion category). Zion Garden is being created by the Greenwood Mortuary to honor Dr. McKinney’s community contributions. God has been good to Dr. Samuel Berry McKinney and he has sought to be worthy of all that God has given to him. Dr. McKinney proclaims the words of Luke, found in Chapter 4, verses 16 – 22, which state, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

If ever there was a man, Sent by God, Samuel, - my father - it’s you.

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Money Matters

Are You Covered? By Patrycia L. Taylor Life insurance is not usually a topic at the heart of touchy, feel good conversations. No one likes to be reminded of their immortality, which is why most people are uncomfortable talking about the subject, and would prefer to put it off until…well, whenever. The problem is that “whenever” often proves to be too late.

Who needs life insurance anyway? Anyone in the years of increasing responsibility needs life insurance. In other words, in the years when you have a mortgage or other debt, such as a car, student loan, or credit card debt. It is needed when you have children in the home, when college education expense is looming, even when you have a key business partner whose death would negatively impact the continuity of your business. Anyone who has others depending upon their income or their support needs life insurance. The good news is that when you are retired, your children are grown, your mortgage is paid off, your debt is lower, and you have decent savings, the amount of life insurance you need is reduced significantly. Otherwise it should be at the foundation of even the most basic financial plan. How much life insurance do you need? You need what is right for your family. A low premium should not be the only deciding factor. Advisors recommend eight to ten times the breadwinner’s income. If that amount is $50K annually, for example, you should obtain between $400K and $500K worth of coverage. The proceeds can be deposited into a high earning mutual fund account allowing the beneficiary to have a lifetime income by living on the earned interest and not touching the principle. You can increase insurance coverage to alleviate any other concerns, such as the simultaneous, unexpected death of both breadwinners, or to offset the impact of inflation and market conditions. Most people will gladly insure the loss of their tangible property like houses and cars before they insure the loss of their income. And too often when budgets are tight, life insurance is one of the first expenses to go. Big mistake~! It’s all about mitigating loss to your survivors by replacing your income. In so many cases, there is not nearly enough coverage, let alone any excess. This simply adds to the stress of the grieving process. The financial future of your family depends upon how much you protect your income today. *Patrycia L. Taylor, MBA is a Financial Advisor living in the South Seattle area. You may contact her at www.primerica.com/patryciataylor.

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by Pastor Robert L. Manaway There is certainly a new wind blowing in our country that I pray will begin to blow in our community. A new year always presents us with the opportunity to start over • With our commitment to family • By becoming more involved within our community • With a rededication to improving our physical, financial, mental and spiritual heath As a time to look inward and seek for the best person we can find. Our new president has called each of us to a new level of accountability and caring for each other. What does this mean to you? What plans do you have for helping someone live a better life?

Pastor R. L. Manaway

Inspirational Thoughts

Tr y Something New

Sometimes I imagine how me must look and sound to God. How confused He must be to witness the contradictions of our words and deeds. Davis (2009) stated in a recent inspirational article that he wants God to help him carry others to different levels, to help others see God’s purpose, and to realize the greatness in them. He suggested men should possess the ability to hope, breathe, believe, and dare to be all that God created them to be. So, I urge this community to try something new this year. Explore another culture, religion, language, or even another part of the world. We just might be surprised by what we discover. Reference - Davis, P. (2009, January 4). http://ezinearticles.com/I Love My Lord, Wife and Life - Newness of Life.

*Pastor Manaway is the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 S. Jackson, Seattle, WA

By Tina Austin To grow your hair to its’ maximum length, you must assume complete responsibility for its’ health and condition. Growing your hair out is a process. Everything you do will either promote or discourage your hair’s growth. So everything is relative. During your daily maintenance regimen, avoid brushing the hair while it is wet. If you must use a brush at all, use one with widely spaced plastic bristles and a soft cushion tips. Always use a wide-tooth comb; they are safe and easy on the scalp. Remember to use the cushioned part of your finger for massaging and shampooing the hair and scalp. It’s less abrasive than your nails. Anything that stimulates blood circulation helps to promote growth. Which is why hair grows more in the warmer climates and during the spring and summer months (heat exposure increases blood circulation).

From Head 2 Toe

Growing a Healthy Head of Hair

I suggest using a hand vibrator on the scalp to stimulate extra blood, nutrients, oxygen and hormones to the hair follicles. Hand vibrators can be used twice a day morning and evening before retiring to bed. Keep in mind, there is no scientific evidence to prove that conditioners repair damaged hair. But conditioners are very important to use when growing out the hair because they prevent the hair from further damage. You could try combining the following ingredients for a good homemade conditioner: on fourth ounce peppermint oil, one fourth ounce liquid moisture, one egg white mix thoroughly then apply evenly throughout your hair and scalp and sit under a heat cap or a warm dryer for 20 minutes. Cod liver oil tablets also keep the scalp and skin moist. And vitamin B complex preserves the hair and promotes growth. I hope these tidbits are helpful to you on your journey to a full healthy head of hair and a happy you. “You are a better you because of the good you do for yourself. Your goodness becomes contagious and others are affected.”

*Tina Austin is a dynamic hair stylist who has been doing hair in Seattle for over 18 years. To contact her, please view her ad on page 17.

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Politically Inclined

Black is Back! By Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney

NEGRO BLACK

An article recently written by journalist, K.A. Dilday suggested that Barack Obama’s candidacy for the American presidency had given her permission to change her personal racial label. An American black in London, she considered this moniker narrow, not inclusive of her parents’ country of origin or her diasporic tribe. In the United States, the term African American was first designated by Jesse Jackson in 1988 to supplant black, which as a shift from Negro, a move up from colored, to which had been ascribed the personhood denied by nigger. African American, Jackson believed, described the descendents of slaves.

COLORED

AFRICAN-AMERICAN

BLACK

African American became a universally accepted and politically correct term, one listed on all insurance, research and government forms. But what does it actually mean? At a comical Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents’ home in Cleveland soon after the distinction was floated into the vernacular, I chided my older cousin, Michael, that he should no longer call himself black. My grandfather, sounding annoyed, instructed us that we were both Negroes. Somehow, these terms matter to the people who live them generationally, inhabit them socially and feel, occasionally, their inconsistencies. As was the case with Dilday it soon became clear to me that African American was inherently imperfect. For medical research purposes, it did not account for the fact that most descendents of slaves were racially mixed. To understand disease processes, it is important to know all components of one’s gene pool. Racially, it did not count those African Americans born Caucasian. There were African immigrants and their progeny born in America. How were they to be labeled in a manner distinct from slave descendents or white Africans in America? For the first time in American history more blacks are voluntarily coming to the United States from African than entered during slavery. Should this fact, by the process of democracy, make the cause us to reconsider how we label ourselves? And what of President Obama? Technically, of course, he is the mulatto son of a black Kenyan exchange student and a white Kansan mother “''For me the term African-American really does fit,'' said Mr. Obama. ''I'm African, I trace half of my heritage to Africa directly and I'm American.'' (Rachel Swarns, New York Times, 8/29/204) Obama’s search for his political, social and spiritual identity and acknowledgement that his dark skin creates the perception that he is African American also makes this identity salient. Once the hurdle of the election was passed, we learned that Jim Robinson, the First Lady’s great–great grandfather, was once enslaved on the interestingly named Friendfield Plantation in Georgetown, South Carolina. Given all of these distinctions among people from the African disapora, it is not surprising that Dilday determined that it was prouder and more internationally unifying to go back to black. After claiming each other, the scattered people of Africa may then claim nation, ethnicity and tribe. These days find us focused on the seating of Roland Burris as the junior Senator from Illinois. Though he has not been in political office for a considerable time, his credentials are of less concern than his appointment by the now-impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of a play for pay scheme in which he allegedly attempted to sell the former Senator Obama’s senatorial seat. Burris is now the only black United States Senator, a role that has, at a minimum, significant symbolic importance. What few of us remember is the remarkable history of the houses of Congress and, indeed, the construction process of the White House relative to black Americans. Twelve American Presidents were slave owners; eight while in office. Barack Obama will be the first President who is admittedly black. Several Presidents, such as Warren G. Harding, were thought to have black blood. President Obama will be living with his lovely black family in a home built beginning in 1792 by slaves of West African origin, who were loaned to the White House by its chief architect, James Hoban. Burris follows not only Barack Obama, but the two Senators and 19 Representatives who served following Emancipation and the Civil War, viewing in their elections from former slave-owning states the promise of America. That promise was soon breached by the rise of Jim Crow laws which toppled any hopes raised for a glorious Reconstruction.

(continued on next page) Page 14


On March 3, 1901, the last proud black Congressmen, Republican George H. White of North Carolina, faced his fellow Congressmen with a prophesy of eventual justice for his people: This, Mr. Chairman, is perhaps the negroes’ temporary farewell to the American Congress but let me say Phoenix-like he will rise up some day and come again. These parting words are on behalf of an outraged, heartbroken, bruised and bleeding, but God-fearing people. (Congressional Record, House, 56th Cong., 2nd sess. (29 January 1901): 1638.) While President Obama’s hopeful campaign words resounded anew to of our hungry ears, they were grounded in the histories of men and women who did not allow their circumstances to blunt their spirits, who believed that their lives had purpose, that they could not disappoint their ancestors and that God had not brought them within sight of victory to abandon them. As David Remick recently noted in the New Yorker (January 12, 2009), “history has proved that the seemingly impossible can be achieved: the Irish have all but resolved a conflict that began in the days of Oliver Cromwell, and on January 20th an African American President cross(ed) the color line and mov(ed) into the White House – a house that slaves helped build.” Indeed the phoenix has risen again. And Congressman George H. White – a black -man – robed and shoed, must be dancing all over God’s Heaven. *Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney is an expert in community health, social services, social justice and education. She heads her own consulting firm and is a published author.

Creating illustrations for Urban Life Northwest marks Tim's return to Seattle since contributing art to Real Change Newspaper in the early 1990s.

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.

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Just 4 Seniors

The Meaning of SOLO - Spirit of Life & Oneness By Tobi Ellison It never occurred to me that there would be questions regarding the senior ministry - SOLO. One afternoon, a friend angrily attacked me, saying it was self-serving and only about me! Not only was there a misunderstanding, but that act also questioned my sincerity, desire and need to serve. Perhaps, the truth of SOLO needs more explanation so that the Seattle senior community will approve and hopefully, participate. SOLO meets each week at the Central Area Senior Center (CASC) at noon on Thursdays. Briefly, this is what SOLO is all about:

S = SPIRIT: Liveliness and life force. “Us”! That which keeps life within the flesh. The inner persona that identifies and projects our image to other people. The Spirit is the only reality that we exclusively possess. It is ours alone, and can be righteous and/or often, ruthless. Individuality in the highest or lowest. O = OF: A function word, i.e., “Child of God” or “Prince of Peace” - Spirit of L = LIFE: Spiritual existence transcending and overcoming physical death. Also a choice. We are blessed with Life, “Living”. Age is a blessing and entirely up to you to appreciate this precious time or complain. And, “&” O = ONENESS: Togetherness! Being the same in kind or quality. Collective. A cooperative group, unit or organization. Of like mind, spirit and commitment. Mankind. Recognizing the word of truth and helping when you can. Sharing good clean fun and fellowship, creating festivity and being non-judgmental. CASC welcomes the new members of the Board of Directors for 2009 - Mr. Rick Joseph, President, “To me, a leader is one who can see the complexity of a problem and break it down to find a solution.” and Ms. Jennifer Hopkins, Vice President. I’m also happy to report that the Red Hats have pledged to lend their support to the programs of the CASC & SESC Happy Valentines Day - Red Hat Ladies, Central Area Senior Center, Southeast Senior Centers & SOLO! “Rest in Peace” Mother Williams - We miss you - CASC Members

Blessed FROM THE SLIME AND THE GRIT THE SNAKE AND SPIDER PIT. FROM ILLUSION AND THE HEARTACHE THAT COMES FROM IT. FROM THE LOSS OF FRIENDLY FACES EVEN TO THE TRUMP OF ACES, LIKE BEING “TOP CHUMP” IN CRAZY PLACES AND HOW THAT DISGRACES. NOW RISING FROM MY KNEES AFTER CRYING “THANK YOU” “PLEASE” FOR DISPELLING MY FEAR, MY GREED, MY ENEMIES AND FULFILLING ALL MY HUMAN NEEDS. GRACIOUSLY, ALL THINGS BEING AS THEY ARE ALL THINGS BEING AS THEY SHOULD, I SHOUT “YES” I KNOW GOD’S LOVE AND IT IS GOOD!

Pets Add Years of Joy! By Tobi Ellison February is my birth month. I’m really happy about this as I share the month with Quincy Jones, Elizabeth Taylor and Einstien. All four of us are on the astrological cusp which is the last week of the month leaving Aquarius, going into Pisces. I’m telling you this because I enjoy having something in common with great known survivors with talent who aged gracefully. Of course Einstein died but he’s still here in spirit, developing atomic theories and leading power crazy madmen into war. Enough about that. I want to talk about my cat Angel, a long-haired black beauty. I want to share how important she is for my comfort and it has been proven that pets add years of joy to the lives of seniors. Not only are they topics of conversation but the love they return is absolutely remarkable. When they sit and just look at you with those loving eyes, somehow all the anxiety and anger or whatever else is bugging you just seems to disappear. Also, we who continue to carry time and may have lost a devoted, irreplaceable human companion can snuggle with a fuzzy buddy, if only for a moment of peace and warmth.

Unfortunately, some apartments don’t allow pets like dogs or cats. However, there are other forms of life that work perfectly well in cages (birds, hamsters, etc..) and aquariums. The smaller animals and fish will get to know you. Really! Being a lover of animals and creatures, I’ve had an assortment of both over the years. It’s unbelievable how even the smallest pet will get to know you and respond if you take good care of them. You also get the pleasure of smiling when you least expect it. There is healing power, beauty and satisfaction in T. Ellison - Expressionist pets that can not be ignored. When you are alone, just sharing your Seattle, WA 2009 time with another living being can prove rewarding and fun. Living *Tobi Ellison, SOLO Coordinator at CASC, 30th Ave S., Seattle, WA with a loving, open heart will definitely extend your years, add beauty To contact her call (206) 325-7663, or leave a message at (206) 726-4926 to your persona and make you a sweeter, more positive person. I recommend having a pet, especially if you live alone.

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By Starla L. Fitch Most of us don’t know what it really means to be “Green”. We do know that it has something to do with recycling, conservation and protecting the environment from further harm. Even though we try, it may seem as if we are not doing enough. It may also feel like we have allowed this problem with our environment to go on for so long unnoticed and ignored that no matter what we do now, it is just too late to make a difference. Well, if you feel like this, I say don’t. Don’t get overwhelmed by the problem. Just do your part and when everyone contributes, we can correct the problem and maybe even fix it. Let’s take this “Green” thing, one step at a time. First, let’s learn some of the “Green” terminology so that when we talk about “Green” we will at least sound “Green”. I hope the following terms help you increase your knowledge regarding what it means to be “Green”. biodegradable A material that breaks down with the assistance of microorganisms blackwater Water effluent containing fecal matter and urine - i.e. sewage carbon footprint the amount of carbon dioxide emissions created by a person or industry CFL Compact Fluorescent Lamp - an energy saving light bulb rapidly replacing traditional incandescent bulbs. climate change Most commonly means a rapid variation in the Earth's global climate due to anthropogenic (human) activity induced global warming co2 chemical shorthand for carbon dioxide - the greenhouse gas that is contributing greatly to global warming compostable A material that breaks down to become what is effectively dirt. It contains no toxins and can support plant live eco-savvy Someone who is environmentally aware fossil fuel any hydrocarbon deposit used for fuel such as oil, coal and natural gas. These are called "fossil" fuels as it takes many years for them to be created in the natural environment. free range is a method of farming where the animals are permitted to roam freely instead rather than being confined in an enclosure

The Green Revolution

What does “Green” mean?

global warming the increase in the average temperature of our planet's air and ocean temperature largely due to human influences green anything considered environmentally friendly greenhouse gas Any of a number of atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse (warming) effect of our atmosphere greywater Effluent from the shower, bath, sinks and washing machines. Does not contain sewage heavy metal A poisonous metal, including lead and mercury that builds up in the tissues of organisms LED Light Emitting Diode - becoming more common as a replacement for traditional incandescent lighting recycle To extract and reuse useful substances found in items that may be otherwise considered as waste renewable energy The use of natural resources such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal (heath in the earth) to create another form of energy such as electricity repurpose To take what may be otherwise a waste item and use it for another purpose - e.g a coffee jar becomes a jar for keeping nails

*Source - www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/200/1/green-jargon-and-terminology.html

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Page 17


Indoor Décor

Love Thy Bathroom and It will Love Thee Back By Monique Jong A bathroom may have different functions depending on where in the world you live, but for the most part American bathrooms consist of a sink area, toilet and shower/bath area. Here, one bathes, dresses or changes for the day and uses the toilet. We spend a good amount of time here, relaxing or preparing ourselves for our many daily activities i.e. work, play or exercise.

So why don’t we love our bathroom more? In this humble room, we have the opportunity to create a Zen-style simplicity, a relaxing spa or even an elegant surrounding that makes us feel our best as we prepare for the outside world. Easier said than done? Too much to imagine? Consider this: loving our bathroom need not be a makeover project, but can take the form of simply updating a toilet, sink and shower with water saving devices. Why bother? The largest daily user of water in the home is the toilet (1). If your toilet flushes 3.5 gallons each time, a single person can consume as much as 19.5 gal per day including leakage. This amounts to 7,135 gallons per year. If your toilet uses 1.0 gallons per flush, single person usage is reduced to 5 gallons per day, or 1,928 gallons per year. By replacing your toilet with a high efficiency toilet (HET), you can pare down water usage from 7100 gallons to 1900 gallon per year, a 73 percent reduction in water use! This translates into a savings of $23.00 per year per person! (2) As a designer, I’m mindful of my duty to create awareness about conserving precious resources, as well as assisting clients in selecting appropriate materials when recreating their spaces. When it comes to the bathroom, whether old or new, that selection can be a daunting exercise. We express our style and individual needs through tile, cabinetry, lighting, mirrors and accessories – different finishes, textures, and designs. Whatever function you choose for a bathroom, your “love” will expand through use of economical fixtures and materials that make you feel both comfortable and wise. Resources - (1)www.Toiletabcs.com sponsored by Flushmate (2) http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Water/Rates/

Before:

Community Voice

Inadequate storage. Cold space, inefficient (3.5 gpf) toilet. Harsh lighting. Cluttered.

After: Elegant key-patterned tile, mahogany cabinetry with built-in mirrors. Glass block walls for more light & to separate the toilet & shower. High-efficiency toilet.

*Monique Jong is a professional designer ,you may contact her design group Guild 2001 @ (206)760-2530 or visit her website www.geocities.com/niquej2

Now - March 1st - C Art Gallery presents Political Reflections “Current Events and Historical Challenges” exhibit, featuring works by Esperanza Grundy, Elizabeth Halfacre, Eric D. Salisbury, Andrew Phillips, Jane Sauer, Joachim Mcmillan, Andrea Savar, Debbie Savar and Cheri Kopp, for more info call (206) 554-9444 or visit their website - www.cartgallery.net. January 30 - February 28th - Taproot Theater opens its 2009 Mainstage season with the regional premiere of Gee’s Bend. A story of courage and hope spanning over 60 years in the African-American community of Gee’s Bend Alabama. For tickets, contact Taproot Theater’s box office at (206) 781-9707 or call Ticketmaster at (206) 292-ARTS. February 7th - Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, will host their fifth annual Illuminating Langston Fundraising Gala, Saturday, 6-9pm Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104th 17th Ave. South, tickets are $100 and tables are $1000, for more information call (206) 386-1177 or goto www.brownpapertickets.com/event/49909.

February 11th - The Tacoma Arts Museum presents the 9th Northwest Biennial, features compelling works by regional artist. For more information call (253) 272-4258 or visit their website, www.tacomaartmuseum.org

February 12th - SBA Education and Training center present - Seattle - Taxes and the Small Business Owner, 10:30 am, 4th and Battery Building, Seattle. For more information call (206) 553-2664 or pre-register via email shirley.mcginnis@sba.gov

February 13th - 16th - Festival Sundiata will celebrate it’s 29th year as the Northwest’s premiere cultural arts celebration for people of African descent. For more information, visit their website at www.festivalsundiata.org. Location - Seattle Center Fisher Pavillion, Cost - FREE!

February 14th - Spend an evening with Gladys Knight at the Emerald Queen Casino. Saturday, at 8:00pm, tickets from $45 - $85, call Ticketmaster or EQC @ (253) 594-7777

Check out our website for

February 17th - 22nd - The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents vocal- 2 for 1 discounts on shows ist - Jane Monheit. For more information check out their website - www.jazzalley.com, cost at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley! from $25.50 - $27.50. www.UrbanLifeNW.com

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Let us send business to your store!

Answer these 5 questions correctly & win a $5.00 gift card! 1. The phrase “the real McCoy” was in reference to which great inventor? 2. What was his invention? 3. Who invented the “Jenny Coupler”? 4. In 1897 this inventor, invented the pencil sharpener? 5. Lonnie G. Johnson, invented what toy which became Americas #1 selling toy in 1991?

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January 2009 Winners Geoffrey B. - Seattle, WA Carole C. - Seattle, WA John K - Tacoma, WA

The first 3 persons to answer correctly will each receive a $5.00 gift card.

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Submit your answers via email to KIP@UrbanLifeNW.com.

Answers

KIP Quiz (Knowledge is Power)

Black Inventors

Please include your name and a mailing address so that we may send your prize. (1) April 30, 1789 **Winners will be announced in our February 2009 issue.**

(2) New York (3) 1937 (4) 1933 ratification of the 20th Amendment (5) Thomas Jefferson

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“Living Life to the Fullest!”

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