A Lifestyle Magazine for People of Color in the Northwest
Free June 2009 www.UrbanLifeNW.com
10 Steps to a Financially ║ Blissful Union
Yours, Mine, then Ours
║
My Child is not Fat, He’s Healthy!
Giving our children an Afrocentric, Christian based education for over 26 years.
Call Today!
We prepare minds for the future!
(206) 723-0580
4730 32nd Ave. South Seattle, WA 98118
Now accepting applications for the 2009/2010 school year Pre-K through 5th grade.
www.zionprep.org
Call 253-332-5655 stylesofsteppin@yahoo.com WANT TO LEARN HOW TO CHICAGO STEP?
Chicago Steppin’… Sassy, Soulful Ballroom and Line Dance Lessons Weekly Dance Instruction
2
Every Monday, 7pm - 9pm McCabe’s American Music 2611 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, WA 98402 ===================== Every Tuesday, 7pm - 9pm Caballeros Club 1516 S. 28th (Cushman) Tacoma,WA 98408 ===================== Every Wednesday, 7pm - 9pm Tukwila Community Ctr. 12424 42nd Ave S. Tukwila, WA 98168 ===================== Every Thursday, 7pm - 9pm Golden Eagles Social Club 5808 7th St. W. Tacoma,WA 98499
We’re Steppin’ Out! Every 2nd Friday at MAXI’S LOUNGE DOUBLETREE Hotel SEATAC On 188th & International Blvd. 9PM-Until FREE COVER and PARKING
Our Publisher & Editor Family Activities Calendar Green Laugh Out Loud Food Politically Inclined Seniors Community Calendar Knowledge is Power
4 9 11 14 15 16 21 22 23
Front Cover, Fitch Family and Wedding Contest Winner’s photos taken by Aiana Poquiz Back Cover artwork “Jumpin’ the Broom” by Felicia Greenlee
Urban Life Northwest, June 2009, Volume II, Issue VI Publisher/Editor - Starla L. Fitch Copy Editor-Djuna Basconcelo Graphic Design-Miklos L. Fitch Photography - Aiana Poquiz Advertising/Marketing-Paul Sims, Janis P. Harris Contributors-Pastor Amos Landry, Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D., Cherita J. Raines MD, MPH, Tim Jackson, Patrycia L. Taylor, Djuna Basconcelo Miklos Fitch, Evelyn Ray, Tobi Ellison, La’Chris Jordan, Bartley Felder Urban Life Northwest is published monthly. Direct all editorial and subscription inquiries to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 98124-9457, call (425) 533-7802 or visit our website - www.UrbanLifeNW.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without consent. All advertising claims and offers are the sole responsibility of the listed advertiser. Query in advance of article submission; unsolicited materials may not be returned. Subscriptions: $12 p/year US; Canada $16 p/year; all other countries $24 p/year (US currency only)
Page 3
OUR PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Our 2009 Dream Wedding Contest was a great success! All of our contestants submitted excep-
tional entries with compelling stories. I wish we could have had prizes for everyone but unfortunately, there could only be one winning couple. Our judges had a hard time choosing a winner but after a long deliberation, a winning couple was chosen. Congratulations, Eboni & Chase! To learn more, please read our cover story on pages 12 & 13. The cover and other photos in this issue were taken by our newest staff member - Aiana Poquiz. Aiana is a young talented photographer with fresh ideas and an eye for getting just the right shot. She is a wonderful addition to our growing staff and we are so happy to have her. Our expansion into Portland, OR has truly made Urban Life Northwest a magazine for the entire Northwest. I can honestly say that ULNW is the only magazine that can showcase your business in communities of color from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR. Thank you Portland! You made us feel welcome and we appreciate your positive response. It is our continued goal, to consistently provide positive, motivational and inspirational information that will help all of us “live life to the fullest”! It is also our goal, to help businesses grow by providing a forum that will professionally promote their products and services in communities of color all over the Northwest.
On June 21st, we celebrate Father’s Day. I pray that all fathers will remember, support, love
Starla, Grant & Miklos Fitch
and spend time with their children. Children need devoted fathers. I’m happy my husband is a devoted father who loves being a father. Happy Father’s Day sweetheart, we love you!
Photo by Aiana Poquiz
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING…
Cappy's Boxing Club, located at 22nd and E. Union had three boxers entered in a recent boxing event. These events are typically grueling, with boxers weighing in early in the morning but not boxing until late afternoon or evening. The time in between can be nerve-wracking. Boxers are anxious about their upcoming fights, tired from getting up early, and hungry. Since they must be 'on weight', boxers sometimes skip breakfast the morning of the weigh-ins. The "fueling meal" needs to be nourishing and easy to digest. After weigh-ins the team gathers at the coach’s house for cooking lessons, the result of which is consumed as much needed fuel for the upcoming event.
*Please send your comments, suggestions and compliments to us via email wpas@urbanlifenw.com, or snail mail to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 98124 We love hearing from you!
In the April issue of Urban Life Northwest there was a recipe for Sweet Onion Pie. Coach and gym owner, Cappy Kotz, chose this recipe for the boxing club’s most recent cooking and fueling experience, with the addition of corn muffins and a salad. It was a big success! The boxers learned how to make a pie crust, a first for all of them. They had never used a sifter or a pastry cutter before, let alone rolled out pie crust or shaped the crust into a pie. They learned that onions make you cry, that salads taste different if the ingredients are chopped up small or cut into bigger pieces, mastered the ability to beat eggs and test a pie for doneness. Everyone agreed the sweet onion pie was excellent and all three boxers went on to win trophies that night.
Photos show a boxer preparing Sweet Onion Pie with a copy of ULNW’s April issue at his finger tips.
Thank you Evelyn Ray for the recipe! As for Cappy’s Boxing Club, four of the team members are training for the biggest amateur boxing tournament in the world this August. They will travel to Kansas City to make their claim for a belt. Let’s hope they are as successful as they were when fueled by Sweet Onion Pie. Submitted by Margaret, a coach at Cappy’s Boxing Club
Weaves, Braids, Locs, Relaxers and more DeWanda Evans Owner/Stylist
www.anointedhandshairsalon.com ahbbs2001@aol.com
2512 6th St. Bremerton, WA 98312 (360) 782-2409 4
Walk-ins Welcome Tue - Fri 10:30am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 5pm
URBAN LIFE MONEY MATTERS
By Patrycia L. Taylor When Henry Drummond published “The Greatest Thing in the World”, he was talking about love. It is an emotion that leads many to enter into the God ordained institution of marriage and commit their lives as one forever. Once married, couples realize that the household becomes a business institution requiring careful management. For richer or for poorer it is the bringing together of two financial histories. Money, whether in abundance or sorely lacking, is one of the top five reasons marriages break up. Given this fact, it makes sense to learn how to stave off certain unwanted money issues:
BEFORE THE MARRIAGE 1. ‘Til debt do us part. Instead of using the charge card, save up money in anticipation of your wedding. This way, you do not come back from the honeymoon, with a mountain of wedding debt. 2. Slow your roll. Slow down before the whirlwind of wedding planning and activities to discuss goals you each want to accomplish. Plan how to meet those goals together. 3. Show me the money. Know each other’s salary, debt load, student loans, savings, inheritance, etc. It’s o.k. to exchange tax returns and fico scores. Talk openly in order to learn what each of you expects and wants. 4. Opposites attract but sometimes don’t last. Discover each other’s spending and saving styles. The more you have in common, the less volatile your marriage will be. 5. Can you say pre-nup? Be open minded to a pre-nuptial agreement. It comes in handy when you own a business, when you want to limit liability for pre-marriage debt, to provide for children from a previous marriage, or to keep property in your birth family.
AFTER THE MARRIAGE 1. Delay the honeymoon. Postpone an expensive out of town honeymoon if you truly cannot afford it. Instead try a weekend stay, away from family and friends, at the nicest hotel in your city. 2. Speak the truth in love. Speak up and communicate about any money matters that concern you. Issues will not magically work out after the vows are said. 3. Shun financial infidelity. Avoid having secrets from or fibbing to your spouse about the money you spend or the debt you’re in. Both should have household financial knowledge, even if only one is in charge. 4. Merge your money. Financial advisors recommend from three to six accounts for married couples, depending upon your assets and their complexity. For best results, include both joint and individual accounts. 5. Protect both incomes. Update both of your life insurance policies. Marriage is a big life event which usually necessitates a change in the amount of coverage and the designated beneficiary. *Patrycia L. Taylor has an MBA and is a Financial Advisor living in South Seattle. You may contact her at (206) 248-5642.
5
URBAN LIFE PEOPLE
By Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D.
Ruby Smith Love is an intelligent effervescent, elegant, charming marvel of a networker, all qualities that are undoubtedly part of the formula that make her one of the country’s best fundraisers. What makes Ruby Love unique is that she looks for the human stories behind those for whom dollars are being raised. And she shares them. The homeless cannot be nameless. Those experiencing domestic violence have previously been victims because they have lacked the opportunity for voice. Students whose lives are changed by scholarships have stories of education’s impact on their lives. Fundraisers can tell or otherwise share stories that make people, corporations and public entities want to give money that has the possibility of significantly changing lives. How we think about “the ask”, how we think about those for whom we are asking makes a world of difference in the response we receive. Ruby Love’s reputation as a fundraiser and resource developer is legendary. A nationally distinguished leader in fundraising and the management of non-profit organizations, Ms. Love has a new position as the Chief Development Officer of the College Success Foundation in Issaquah. The Foundation is Washington State’s largest provider of scholarships to low income, high potential students. She was previously the Director of the Gates Challenge and the Campaign to End Chronic Homelessness. Her work to raise funds for the endowment while maximizing organizational efficiencies re-created how work was done in portions of the United Way. It made it one of the best United Way organizations in the nation. Records for 2007 indicate $185 million in pledges, more than twice the amount for any previous year. The endowment began in 1999 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the Seattle United Way of King County allowing United Way to address priority services such as solving homelessness, improving school readiness, and ending domestic violence. Said Bill Neukom, a partner with K&L Gates, who also chaired the Gates Challenge Campaign for 5 years, “There is no other endowment in the country that has an endowment like this.” (Seattle Business Journal, April 20, 2007). Not surprisingly, Ms. Love exceeded by two years her five year fundraising goal for the Gates Challenge Fund. A lecturer and trainer on issues related to philanthropy, Ms. Love is a member of the Black Philanthropy Trust in Washington and People of Color in Philanthropy Network. She has served as an advisor to philanthropies and colleges, including the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Advancement Project, Columbia College, The Seattle Center Foundation, Social Venture Partners, and the Racial Justice Collaborative of the Rockefeller Foundation. As the owner of Certified Wealth Consultants™, LLC, Ms. Love guides individuals, business and families through a process that focuses on family and values rather than on money and taxes. By sharing their strength and stories, families and fortunes are more likely to avoid the rifts that impact so many families. Relationships intact, families and their fortunes stay together. Ms. Love serves on many boards. She chairs the board of Northwest African American Museum, and on the boards of Philanthropy World Magazine and the Martin Luther King Dream Foundation. In the Seattle Times (May 23,2009) was a fascinating article indicating that proportionally, the poor are more likely to be charitable than those of other socioeconomic classes. And less likely to get credit for their charity because they make too little to itemize their taxes. Obama’s presidential campaign and current policy initiatives have demonstrated the importance of fundraising across social classes. So, the next time you are asked to contribute to charity, consider that, wherever you fall along the spectrum, you can afford to give something to help those who, given our economy, are increasingly in need. The widow has given her mite. Give a mite more! And while you are sorting though your wallet, this you can know for sure. Whether helping families secure their legacies, creating thorough endowment opportunities for the voiceless to feel secure, or securing dollars so that low income students can achieve the American dream, Ruby Love is out there. Everywhere. Effervescing. Networking up a storm. Telling stories that attract significant funds. Beating deadlines. And living, beautifully, into her name.
*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.
6
We’re Growing and we want you to grow with us!
If you’re not advertising with us, you’re missing an opportunity!
www.UrbanLifeNW.com
Contact Us Today! (425) 533-7802
URBAN LIFE HEALTH & FITNESSES
By Cherita Raines, MD, MPH
Childhood overweight/obesity is not only a major health problem, but there are cultural differences that also contribute to this growing trend. People usually don’t see overweight/ obesity as a problem until later teen and adult years. In some cultures having “extra meat on the bones” is a sign of healthiness. As a physician, I have heard parents described their overweight children as healthy, sturdy, puffy, retaining baby fat, etc… However, few parents viewed their child’s size as a problem. In full disclosure it is also a difficult subject for some physicians to address out of fear of offending the child or parent, or discomfort in managing childhood overweight/obesity. Before I delve further into this topic about childhood overweight/obesity in subsequent issues, this article is meant to give a brief overview of things to consider.
How do I know if my child is at a healthy weight? We use a formula called the body mass index (BMI) to figure out a child’s weight status. A BMI shows the relationship between a child’s weight and height. You can find out if your child has a healthy BMI by using the following calculator: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/ Calculator.aspx.
What are some risks of childhood obesity? Being obese puts children at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acidreflux disease, and sleep-related breathing problems. Obesity may also be related to depression, low self esteem, and not fitting in with other children.
How can I help my child reach or stay at a healthy weight? First, identify any unhealthy habits. Even slim children may have habits that could lead to obesity. It’s important to focus on specific habits instead of your child’s actual weight. A few habits to avoid are: • •
• •
•
•
Skipping breakfast, which often leads to overeating later in the day, can also lead to obesity. Drinking sugary drinks. For example: soft drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, and flavored milk (e.g., chocolate milk). Children should have no more than one 12ounce serving of these types of drinks each day. Eating fast food. Children should eat fast food no more than once a week (But do try to avoid fast food as much as possible.) Watching television, surfing the internet, playing video games or listening to music while sitting or lying down puts children at risk of obesity. Children should spend no more than two hours per day in these activities. Not being active. It is not healthy for children to avoid daily activities (e.g., walking, riding a bike, playing sports). Children should be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day, but 60 minutes per day would be better and ideal. Not eating dinner with an adult. Children who eat with at least one parent most nights of the week tend to eat healthier and weigh less. That is of course if the parent has prepared a healthy meal. I really favor this, because not only are you eating healthy but you an opportunity to dialogue with your child and stay abreast of what is going on in his/her life.
Focus, on healthy activities and positive results to help ease the shame children may feel about their weight. As with all illnesses and conditions please address any concerns you may have with your doctor. *Dr. Raines is a practicing physician at the UW’s Roosevelt Family Medicine Clinic in Seattle, WA.
7
URBAN LIFE MARRIAGE & FAMILY
By Bartley Felder Aah summer! Aah flowers! Aah warm sunny days and balmy moonlit nights in the Pacific Northwest - at least once in a while that is. Then as the month of June arrives, “wedding talk” is everywhere. Few subjects bring as big a smile to one's face as an invitation to a wedding. Let me say right off the bat, there are no wedding rules in the USA and the rituals are as varied as the myriad of ethnicities that practice them. The one basic governmental requirement is that the betrothed get licensed by the state and if you don't do that, tell the government that you lived together for "X" number of years and that your marriage is "de facto" and they say,...“Okay." But lest I stray too far afield, common law unions are a topic for another day. So too are the negative realities of forced or coerced nuptials that should not occur or occur before their intended time which could be the result of cultural or political judgments. One of the many great things about what has been described as the salad bowl culture of the United States is that as we observe the practices of our neighbors, we learn to appreciate the differences between us rather than run from those differences and the best venue for that is a wedding where the expectation is that everyone will have a good time. The result is that we collectively start out on the "good foot." There was however a wonderful wedding several years ago in the Madrona area of Seattle whereby the couple's religious rituals including the lighting of the Unity Candles were augmented by the jumping of the broom. The reception following was held in the church's dining room where all ages were included, another novel idea handed down by our ancestors. Several years ago in Portland, Oregon I attended the Buddhist wedding reception of a Vietnamese and Chinese couple. Although I did not witness the actual exchange of vows, aspects of their religion were incorporated into the reception and oh, what an experience. I shall summarize by saying the bride and groom posed with each of the 300 or so guests and the bride wore three different outfits. The first, her white wedding gown was for pictures, the second was her greeting dress worn as the couple visited each table, and the third outfit was the dance dress. The bride told me later that traditionally in her culture rituals can go on for three days or longer and brides could change clothes as many as 15 times. Whew! Shopping alone would be cause enough for some ladies to choose a Buddhist wedding. Keeping in mind the wedding dress is the only dress one can never wear again. Years ago while on a trip to Las Vegas, I smiled when the cab driver told me the people lined up outside the building were waiting their turn to get married. On another occasion I smiled yet again while attending what I will call a wedding chapel building in Jamaica, Queens in New York City where everything was timed down to the nano second because as one wedding party exited their assigned area another was waiting to enter. It was similar to multiple choirs changing positions at a church gospel program except this was a huge multistory building and people were being herded to and fro from every direction. It was truly a sight to behold. Each time I awkwardly passed a bride and groom, I told them how beautiful they looked. While marriage ceremonies can be strictly religious or secular, most of the time they are a combination of the two. Case in point, the religious Madrona ceremony included jumping the broom. In the Las Vegas wedding chapel, traditional scripture is read unless the couple has written their own vows. The American - Vietnamese ceremonial Pacific Northwest series of events based on lunar calculations included the couple bowOrthodontics ing three times - to each other, to the gods, and to the ancestors. Whether your chosen location is the family church, the county courthouse, your parent's living room/parlor, or the backyard you played in as a child, know that this day is for you. Keep in mind that milestone anniversaries are the perfect time to renew vows and do it all over again. You can modify, update, or change anything you did or did not do at the first ceremony. Yes, you can create your own rules and rituals. So have a happy, happy wedding day. Bartley Felder is a native of Washington D.C., has a BA degree in Anthropology, who has traveled the globe and loves to write. 8
C. Neil Nicholson, D.D.S. 2815 S. McClellan Street Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 722-5000
May 30th to June 28th - The Fir State Junior Golf Foundation begins it’s FREE Junior Golf Program. Registration begins, May 30th at Jefferson Park Golf Course, 4101 Beacon Ave. S., Club Fitting on June 20th at the Fir State Clubhouse, located at 3418 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. Seattle, The Instructional Program begins on June 28th, 3-6pm. Kids aged 7-18, of all golfing levels, are invited to participate in this FREE junior golf program offered by the Fir State Junior Golf Foundation. For more information please call Junior Program Director Samuel Tucker at (206) 725-0688, (206) 718-8615, or email: info@firstatejuniorgolf.org. (SEATTLE) June 5th – Hands On Children’s Museum, offers FREE admission on the first Friday of every month from 5pm to 9pm. This is a great way to spend an evening with your children. Location: 106 11th Ave SW, Olympia, Washington 98501, for more info call (360) 956 - 0818 (OLYMPIA) June 21st – Celebrate Father’s Day on the Argosy. Bring dad, grandpa, and all the rest along for a spectacular, fun-filled dining experience. The brunch is fabulous, the views are great, and everyone will enjoy spending time together. Note: There will be a special arts and crafts area for all kids (unsupervised) and live music on some decks. Tickets range from $29 $59 pp. For more info go to www.argosycruises.com, or call (206) 623-1445. (SEATTLE) June 26th to 28th – The Taste of Tacoma presents the Ultimate Family Picnic at Point Defiance Park. Admission: FREE, Times: Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. for more info go to www.tasteoftacoma.com. (TACOMA) June 26th to 28th – Five Star Dealerships Sand and Sawdust Festival, invite you to the beach to watch Master, Intermediate, and Novice Sand Sculpting teams compete for over $5,000.00 in cash prizes. Register a team of your family and friends in the Family Division and vie for hundreds of dollars in gift certificates and merchandise donated by the business community of Ocean Shores. Registration is noon to 6 p.m. Friday, June 26th at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Free sand sculpting lessons will be held Friday, on the beach from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission: FREE. For more info go to www.oceanshoresact.com (OCEAN SHORES)
June 11th to 27th – Pedalpalooza 2009, 2+ weeks of bikey fun. With 190 events, most organized by individuals. Bikers of all persuasions are likely to find many events of interest. Nearly all events are FREE. Events for Children and Adults. For more info go to http:// shift2bikes.org/pedalpalooza/index.shtml (VANCOUVER/PORTLAND) June 17th - Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts presents Femi Kuti and The Positive Force - 4 years after the DVD Live@Shrine, Femi Kuti returns with a generous, powerful and timeless new album, continuing to explore and push back the frontiers of Afrobeat. Location: Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd. Time: 7pm for more info call (503) 226-1561 (PORTLAND) June 27th - World Forestry Center presents Day of the African Child. A unique day where people from all cultures and backgrounds can come together to celebrate diversity. From 10am -5pm, the World Forestry Center’s Central Plaza will be transformed into a colorful African Market and the Discovery Museum will have crafts, activities, and events. For more info call (503) 228-1316 of go to www.worldforestry.org (PORTLAND) June 27 - Hatfield Marine Science Center’s “SeaFest 2009”. Don't miss the most interesting festival of the year! It's a fun-filled day of hands-on learning about the natural world. Perfect for the whole family and even better...it’s FREE! For more info go to http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu. (NEWPORT)
June 27th & 28th - Summer Kite Festival. This year's theme is "Pacific Wonderland" watch as we fill the sky with the most enjoyable selection of kites congregated on one beach! Enjoy kite-boarding demonstrations, large kite & sport kite demonstrations, kite making, educational opportunities with the Oregon Coast Aquarium and other great fun. Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival is a sanctioned event of the Portland Rose Festival. For more info call (800) 4522151. (LINCOLN CITY)
Courtesy of Lincoln City Visitors & Convention Bureau 9
URBAN LIFE REAL ESTATE
By Djuna Basconcelo In honor of this month’s wedding issue, let’s talk about moving in. It seems like the enthusiasm of a wedding trickles out into other areas of life, people begin buying furniture, vehicles, electronics, all sorts of things fresh and new. If buying “our” place is in the near future for the newlyweds’ new life together, best keep those other items on the wish list, for now. Perhaps the main thing that impacts home-buying-power is credit scores. To use both people’s income, both need to have the best credit score possible and keeping debt low is a big part of that. Don’t finance any big ticket items or increase credit card balances before consulting a mortgage planner about how those purchases can affect credit scores, debt to income ratios, and ultimately buying power. Another challenge is having to base the selection of the new home on a large bedroom set, mega sofa, or specialty electronics. Significant floor plan or wall space restrictions may reduce the options available, or even eliminate top picks. Just imagine missing out on the best home because it won’t accommodate newly acquired furnishings.
——————————
Wants Deal Breakers ————————————
The current housing climate offers unbelievably low interest rates, plenty of homes from which to choose, and some really motivated sellers. On one hand it is easy to expand the vision of the perfect home and let expectations run away unchecked. On the other hand, some folks can only list off the things they don’t want in a home. In either case a powerful tool to help bring the couple together is something my mom called a “management T”. On a fresh piece of paper each person, draws a vertical line down the middle of the page and a line across the top to form a “T”. On one side list the Wants and on the other list the Deal Breakers. Sit with it a while, think about lifestyle, hobbies, entertaining, additional family members, pets, and create an exhaustive list. Once each person has written a list, it is time to merge them. Be flexible and talk through differences, not only will the newlyweds get to know one another UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT! better, they’ll be well positioned to recognize the right home when they see it.
Malesis & Renton Flower Shop 313 Rainier Avenue South Renton, WA 98057-2404 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 10
The last thing to remember is the process of finding and buying a home can be intense and will require a fair share of mind space. Be ready for the extra phone calls, the hours of surfing the web, talking over options, compromising, making decisions, and exercising a Saint’s patience through the whole thing. *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
URBAN LIFE GREEN
With more and more couples opting for an environmentally friendly wedding, guests are increasingly finding themselves faced with the difficult question of what to give as a suitable green gift. Even at the best of times, buying a welcome gift for a bridal couple isn't the easiest task. Do they already have one? Will it match their color scheme? Can I afford it? These are all questions you'll need to raise in order to find something suitable. But when it's expected to be an environmentally friendly gift, and you're not a 'greenie' yourself, the problem becomes far greater. The following are ideas that will help, and hopefully get you on your way to thinking up some of your own. Plain, White Cotton Bed Linen This should match any color scheme, and organic bed linen is always welcome. The same goes for towels. A Time Capsule Create a time capsule containing items from each of their childhoods and tell them it's to be opened on their 25th wedding anniversary. An Organic Gardening Kit Seeds, hand tools and a beginner's guide to organic gardening. A Composter Buy a small bin to use in the kitchen too. Nobody likes to run out to the garden every time they peel a potato A Gift Certificate While it can sometimes appear rude to give cash, a gift certificate still allows the couple to make their own choice. This is especially useful if you're unsure of what they need or what their taste is. A Donation to Charity If they already have most of what they need, make a donation to their favorite charity instead of buying something they'll never use. It's also a nice idea to wrap gifts in something re-usable like a wicker basket, bath or kitchen towels or a canvas bag instead of the traditional wrapping paper. Not only will you be helping the couple keep their day green, they'll be receiving an extra gift, too! For the sake of the world we live in, going green isn't a bad thing. With just a little thought you'll be able to find an appropriate gift for the couple and, who knows, maybe you'll find yourself buying green wedding gifts for non-green wedding, too. You know what they say, “Every little bit helps�. *Source - http://ezinearticles.com/The-Green-Wedding-Gift-List, by Sharon Jacobsen 11
ULNW COVER STORY
By Starla L. Fitch
12
So the next day I started calling businesses with wedding related services and products and began pitching this idea to them. Some were receptive and others were not. The ones who were not receptive, I just assumed that they didn’t want to take a chance on such and new and virtually unknown magazine. But those businesses that were receptive and agreed to sponsor this contest took the chance on a new magazine and a new contest. The results are nothing less than awesome! In total, eleven couples entered our contest and of those eleven, one couple was from Boulder, Colorado...go figure? My husband and I had to narrow down the contestants to our top four choices and it was from those four couples that our judges made their unanimous decision. I couldn’t have been happier with their choice. We believe that Eboni Anglin and Chase Wilkerson are everything that Urban Life Northwest stands for. They are progressive, college educated, spiritually centered, positive and as an extra bonus, a very attractive young couple. Their entry was the third one we received. We liked every contestant and story so much, I knew that neither I nor my husband could judge this competition so I decided to contact a group of people I knew would be impartial our judges. I was able to find a wonderful group of judges to assist us with this contest - Edith Elion, Executive Director - Atlantic Street Center, Jessica Ross, Community Outreach Manager The Treehouse, Carol Versey, Owner - Salon Lorache & Day Spa and Twanda Hill, Chief Visionary - Twanda Hill & Associates. These judges are pillars in their community, thus making them the right choice for this contest. The judging was held at the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, Washington. The museum was gracious enough to lend us one of their many comfortable meeting rooms for this process. Thank you Northwest African American Museum and thank you judges for taking time out of your busy schedules to help us with this contest. (L-R) Edith Elion, Jessica Ross, Carol Versey and Twanda Hill To our sponsors, all I can say is thank you for giving this magazine the opportunity to give a young couple over $3500.00 in wedding products and services. Your generosity will always be remembered. Especially next year, when we hold our 2nd Annual Dream Wedding Contest…(just a heads up...)
For more information about our sponsors, check out our website - www.UrbanLifeNW.com. Last but not least, I must say thank you to Eboni and Chase, for submitting such an outstanding entry. We look forward to covering your wedding. If anyone wants to send well wishes or gifts to this young deserving couple, please go to our website and click on the Dream Wedding Winners tab. I’m sure they would love to hear from you. For more information about our winning couple and their wedding plans, go to our website and click on the link to their wedding page.
(L-R) Eboni Anglin, Starla L. Fitch and Chase Wilkerson
We’ll do this again in 2010, so watch out for our announcement!
13
LAUGH OUT LOUD (LOL)
Tim Jackson, is a nationally syndicated cartoonist, illustrator and graphic designer. Monthly, he creates original illustrations specifically for Urban Life Northwest.
Jump Starts
24/7 Towing Service
Gas Delivery Lock Outs Tire Changes Junk Car Removal
Auto Detailing 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Flat Bed Towing
55 SW 12th St. Renton, WA 98057 (425) 227-8330 - Office (866) 946-4499 - Toll Free Florenesexpresstow@msn.com
Monitored Security Alarm Systems for Homes, Businesses and Churches *Promotional Offer* Free Security Alarm System for New Customers!
Call Today! Richard Aaron, Security Consultant Call (800) 714-0972 or (503) 896-3941 Reasonable Rates– Satisfaction Guaranteed
14
pickensenterprisesresume@yahoo.com
URBAN LIFE FOOD
By Evelyn Ray 15 ounces of salmon 1/3 cup of nonfat yogurt 1/3 cup chopped green onions 1/3 cup chopped celery 1 table spoon lemon juice 2 slices bread black pepper garlic powder Drain and flake salmon. Stir remaining ingredients except pepper, garlic powder and bread. Season with pepper and garlic powder to taste. Spread salmon mixture on a slice of whole wheat bread; top with remaining slice of bread. Cut sandwich into halves or quarters, then serve. This makes a great light lunch or dinner. Recipe Twist: add lettuce, tomato slices, and bacon for additional flavor. Try with a cold glass of peach tea and your choice of fresh fruit. *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.
Urban Life Northwest is growing and this is your opportunity to grow with us! Success is up to you! Compensation directly related to the time and effort you commit.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS •
ADVERTISING SALES
•
DELIVERY DRIVERS
Auto, Home, Life and Business WARREN INSURANCE AGENCY 17-148TH AVE SE SUITE #7 BELLEVUE, WA 98007 (425) 643-2130 www.farmersagent.com/kwarrenn
Must Be: 1. Hard Working 2. Dependable 3. Detailed Oriented
Please send a letter of interest and/or resume to jobs@urbanlifenw.com (425) 533-7802 www.UrbanLifeNW.com
Artwork by Felicia Greenlee Www.feliciagreenlee.com greenlee@innova.net 15
URBAN LIFE POLITICALLY INCLINED
By Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney
By absolutely any measure, Dr. Riane Eisler is a phenomenal woman. A noted thinker, speaker and writer, Dr. Eisler is an attorney, social scientist, economist, historian, educator and internationally recognized peacemaker. Based on her work as a cultural historian and evolutionary theorist, Dr. Eisler is the only woman noted among twenty great thinkers including Hegel, Marx and Toynbee. Included in the award- winning book, Great Peacemakers, she is listed among such luminaries as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King. Her peacemaking is what her work is about. She seeks to understand, to connect the dots of social and neurosciences, to discover how the world works so that inequities might be balanced. On a recent visit to Seattle, she was the keynote speaker for two very different events. As opening speaker for the Northwest Women’s Convocation, a biannual meeting of over 1000 Catholic women, Dr. Eisler’s topic was What is Good for Women is Good for the World. The following evening, as guest of the Compassionate Action Network and the Social Justice Ministry of Mount Zion Baptist Church, she spoke to a more intimate gathering on the topic, Cultivating Societies of Caring and Compassion. In both settings she willingly shared lessons learned from a remarkable life. Dr. Eisler seeks, through her work, to create what she refers to as a caring revolution. She proposes that the greatest problems of history – poverty, family violence, inequalities of all kinds (racism, sexism, and ageism), environmental degradation, war, and terrorism - are directly related to our human inability to honor, cherish and support the most basic human work, loving and caring for each other. While it may sound, at first, like an alien concept to some, it is a concept that is at once beautifully simple and exceptionally politically radical. “Our challenge”, says Dr. Eisler “is to develop a caring economics where human needs and capacities are nurtured, our human habitat is conserved and our great potential for caring and creativity is supported.” According to Dr. Eisler, the American economy is comprised of the following neglected sectors, all of which are in constant interaction with one another:
1. Household Economy – We think of home as the place where the heart is, but our economic models don’t. They view home as a unit of 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
consumption rather than as place of “high-quality human capital,” specifically, compensated caring and caregiving. Unpaid Community Economy – charitable and social justice groups like non-profit groups and non-governmental organizations (civil society), and barter structures are currencies that promote caring and caregiving. Market Economy – this sector provides our traditional market analyses but discourages rather than promotes caring. Illegal Economy – economic activities that are run by crime syndicates and gangs (sex trade, drug trade, some arms trade, and other illegal activities). These activities do not promote caring. Government Economy – makes laws, policies, and rules impacting the market economy, public services, and contracts to private enterprises. Some entail caring components but government policies provide little support to the caring and caregiving activities of the household and unpaid community economies. Natural Economy - Conventional economic models give little value to nature. Caring for the environment is viewed as a liability in conventional cost-benefit analyses. More recently caring has been a consideration in some economic theories.
Caring economics may not be a concept that makes immediate sense to some people. However, it makes perfect sense that Dr. Eisler sought to understand to make sense of a system that knit the world together in a way that differed considerably from her life’s experience. She is an Austrianborn Holocaust survivor, having, as a young girl lived through and her family lived through German Kristallnacht or the "night of the broken glass." On this night Nazis went through Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues smashing windows, religious symbols and crystal to show their power. Of those who entered her home was a boy soldier who had worked for her father. Bravely, her mother chastised him. Eisler's father was taken but through her mother’s ingenuity, was returned to the family. The family traveled for Cuba on the last ship to successfully leave the country. The fate of the ship that followed theirs was chronicled in the film, Voyage of the Damned. Raised in the industrial slums of Havana, Eisler had the choice to become bitter, angry and despondent. She chose, instead, to allow the extraordinary pain she had endured to challenge her to find a better way to understand her experiences. We are stories, we are spirit, we are equal and we all have the potential for partnership if we also have a willingness to push outside our pain and to see, as has Dr. Eisler, that any personal pain has the potential for greatness and compassion on the other side. A caring economic system restructures how we are living and can gives it value. Most recently, the United States Congress included her language on Caring Education in their legislation. The same should occur for her Economic plan (www.rianeeisler.com) . So the next time someone is flippant enough to respond to you with the statement, “Who cares?” think of who takes care of your elderly parents and your children. Think of who you care for and the value of this caring to society. Remember that teaching is undervalued. That there are environmental disasters somewhere on a monthly basis that take human lives – those of people who live near the devastated sites and those of first responders. That home health aides are underpaid. Remember that gangs are simply dysfunctional families and that prostitutes typically were abused at home or made vulnerable on the internet. Then kindly share with your friend what you have learned from Dr. Riane Eisler. Creating an economy based on caring is the basis of a new revolution. Or just a reasonable idea. It simply costs too much not to care. *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.
16
URBAN LIFE INSPIRATION
By Pastor Amos Landry
T
his question is a paraphrase taken from the works of William Shakespeare. When you consider the fact that marriage is an institution that is under attack as never before, this question merits our consideration. Marriage is under attack from every direction, yet people are not avoiding marriage, Statistics show that people who get divorced keep on trying again and again, two or even three times, to make a successful marriage. In order to clear up some misconceptions about marriage, perhaps we ought to start with the basics. First of all, most young Black couples have a false concept of what marriage is all about. They somehow believe that just being in love is all that is needed to make a marriage work. They believe that their love for each other will somehow take care of all their problems. I quote, Pastor Amos Landry & Sis. Landry “Our love is the only thing that matters.” They fail to realize that just saying ‘I love you’ won’t take care of the rent or the light bill. They don’t understand that Seattle City Light does not care how much they love each other! When the light bill is due, they want their money and not love. Those of you who are reading this article will probably admit that you did not receive marriage counseling before getting married. You perhaps saw the minister a week or two prior to the wedding, to find out if the church would be available. Too many of our youth have mistaken lust for love. Our young men are in love because she wiggles when she walks, and he gets weak when she talks. Our Black women are so in love because the Johns and Joes of this world have told them, and I quote, “Baby, you are the only woman that has ever meant anything to me.” He looked so fine from a distance with those big muscles and those dreamy eyes, and that heavy manly voice just drove her wild. But it takes more than just big muscles, a full head of hair and a deep voice to be a man. We have a storybook mentality when it comes to marriage. We believe that we will ride off into the sunset and that somehow our love for each other will take care of all of life’s problems. If marriages are to survive in these troubled times, among Black couples, there are some things we need to understand from a Biblical point of view. Marriage is an institution ordained by God. In Genesis 2:18 we read, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” Therein lies the key to a successful marriage. What God is really saying in today’s modern language is that He will make man a suitable companion distinctly for him - someone who will compliment him and walk with him and be supportive. God did not make a woman to walk ahead of a man nor to walk behind him. God made woman to walk by man’s side. She was not made to be trampled on. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. We must realize that good marriages don’t just happen. You have to work hard at having and keeping a good marriage. Brothers, you think that you are working hard now because you have a 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. job. Just wait until you’re married! You will work harder at that marriage than you ever worked a job but that hard work pays off in the long run because you will have a marriage that is strong and able to stand the test of time. Finally, my sisters and brothers, you should not get married because you need someone to take care of you financially or because you want to get away from parental constraints. As a pastor, I will visit with a couple six to eight weeks before consenting to perform a marriage, and there have been times that I have advised couples not to get married because of conflicts in their personalities. These same people have thanked me later for keeping them from making a serious and costly mistake in their lives. Remember, marriage is a blessing from God Almighty and not a curse. Whom God puts together will stay together if you are willing to work at it and allow it to be. *Rev Dr. Amos Landry Jr., Pastor of Peoples Institutional Church, 159 24th Ave. S., Seattle, WA
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!
Floral Consultant Specialists Flowers are what we do best!
jaquiseproduction720@msn.com
(206) 722-3611 17
URBAN LIFE ENTERTAINMENT
By La’Chris Jordan It was the day before his birthday, and Wayman Chapman, international musician, vocalist and bass guitarist, was sitting in a sports bar in his hometown of Yakima, Washington watching the NBA playoffs. An area known for its burgeoning wine industry, Yakima has only two percent African-Americans, but Wayman Chapmen was clearly relaxed and right at home, unfazed by being the sole brother in the place. We laughed as he talked about his life, of events past and present – the time when he started playing guitar when was nine years old but thought all he wanted to do was be a pastor, standing on apple crates and preaching to the kids at his church, all the while using his childhood friend’s father, who was a pastor in the same church, as his inspiration. That childhood friend – Oleta Adams – went on to achieve international fame and success herself, but in all of that, she never forgot Wayman. “I got a call from Oleta out of the blue asking me if I wanted to go on tour with her,” Chapman said, who met Adams when he was six years old. The two hadn’t spoken since high school but he didn’t hesitate when she reached out to him. It was 1995 and Chapman had just come off a six-month tour in Hong Kong. “We toured all over Europe, the U.S., Puerto Vallarta, St. Lucia, everywhere,” Chapman recalled of Adams’ international tour. Chapman toured with Adams for almost three years, playing with such notables as Isaac Hayes and the recording group Sounds of Blackness, and re-affirmed their personal and musical bond, one that exists to this day. Yet, before the memorable tour with Adams, Chapman had already made a name for himself, performing in such groups as The Bus Boys (known for their part in the movie 48 Hours with Eddie Murphy) and Pressure Point from Ed McMahon’s “Star Search”. He also wrote jingles and lyrics for TV commercials on HBO, penned songs for many top Asian artists, and even released a CD. Now Chapman plays at jazz festivals, local wineries, and various nightclubs throughout the Yakima Valley and beyond to give music lovers from all walks of life a taste of live R&B, blues, jazz, “old school tunes”, even country. Yes, even country. “Country is just another form of blues,” Chapman laughed. His diversity as a musician is the reason why he has lasted so long in a business that is known for quickly discarding recording artists if they don’t sell a million records. “I decided a long time ago the type of musician I wanted to be,” said the 50-something musician. “I’ve always loved music. It’s my passion. But I’ve always remained humble in it. I have a love and respect for music and artists and what they’re doing, all that transcends the standards of the music industry.” His mentor, Larry Graham, the R&B guitarist and singer of “One in a Million” fame, was a major influence in Chapman’s life, giving the young musician tons of advice and guidance that he still remembers and appreciates to this day. This mentoring allowed Chapman to do the same with other musicians. “When I speak to kids (at the schools), I tell them they really need an education,” says Chapman, whose adult son and daughter have a master’s and bachelor’s degree, respectively. “I tell them to find something they want to do, find their passion.” And for a man who has played more songs than we can count, it is clear that he found his. Stylist
(To find our more about Wayman Chapman visit his website at www.waymanchapman.) Micro Braids Hair Extensions Design Coloring Invisible Weaves Lace Cap Wigs Relaxer Systems Flat Iron
18
La'Chris Jordan is an award-winning playwright whose plays have been performed in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York.
*If you have entertainment related ideas or events that you want covered by Urban Life NW, contact La’Chris Jordan @ wpas@urbanlifenw.com. She would love to hear from you!
URBAN LIFE STYLE
Reflecting the overall trend of breaking away from tradition and steadfast rules, modern brides are choosing wedding gowns that reflect their personality and vision - not necessarily their grandmother's. The only rule for wedding dress style these days is to choose one that suits you - whether that means wearing a gold wedding dress, trouser suit or sundress. And even if you are more traditional and have always envisioned yourself as the fairy princess in the white satin ball gown, you needn't worry about being perceived as old fashioned. The modern "rule" for wedding dress style is to choose something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful on your day. That said, although certain traditional dress styles are always popular, bridal fashion does follow mainstream fashion to some extent. So if you are looking for something a little more contemporary or "now," consider these top trends. Add Some Color Use your wedding dress to bring out your colorful personality. Modern brides are not afraid to add a splash of color to the traditional white gown. Whether that means adding a colored ribbon or piece of jewelry or foregoing the white wedding dress all together, today's brides find inventive ways to incorporate color into their wedding attire. Particularly popular shades are blue, pink, cappuccino and champagne. Lace Up Lace has made a recent comeback, exuding a look vintage romance that is feminine, yet not overdone. Many brides are enchanted by lace, envisioning a majestic day in a lush green garden. Magnificent Embroidery For an ultra elegant, opulent feel, glamour girls savor wedding gowns adorned with intricate handembroidered details. This look warrants grand chandeliers, candlelight and an isle of red roses. Ultra-Feminine As seen on the runway, feminine details are making a big impact. Ribbons, ruffles, flowers and bows are finding their way back onto wedding dresses and taking femininity to a new level. Brides who envision themselves floating along the cobblestones of a historic mansion will love this look.
*Source - http://articles.directorym.net
Debbie M. Haggin Owner
Kent Station 441 Ramsay Way, Suite 103 Kent, WA 98032 (253) 859-9769 www.mariehaggin.com
Voted Best Gift Store 2009 by Kent Reporter 19
20
URBAN LIFE REMEMBERS
By Starla L. Fitch
What is Juneteenth and why do we celebrate it? That’s a fair question for anyone to ask but most of us who are Black Americans of African descent already know the answer. We celebrate it because it signifies the complete end to slavery in this country. President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 freeing the slaves but slaves in Texas didn’t get the message that they were free until 2 1/2 years later on June 19, 1865. There is a famous quote that I will paraphrase, which states, “None are free until all are free”. Even though Black Americans living in other parts of the United States were experiencing freedom, Blacks in Texas lived in bondage for an additional two and 1/2 years. In essence, slavery didn’t end until Juneteenth which is why we celebrate the significance of this day. Although some think of Juneteenth as a “Texas” holiday, Juneteenth is celebrated in states all across America. The importance and remembrance of this holiday was carried from state to state as Texans moved to various parts of the country and wanted to share this custom of our culture with others. Juneteenth is as important to Black America as the Forth of July is to every American. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate and remember what our ancestors endured so that we may enjoy all the promises that are stated in the United States Constitution. America as a whole should celebrate this day as a day that made this country a better place to live for everyone. everyone URBAN LIFE SENIORS *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
Seattle Parks and Recreation conjunction with SOLO - Spirit of Life & Oneness in invite you to
Community Spirit Rainier Valley & Columbia City Summer Picnic The Rainier Valley & Columbia City are the most diverse neighborhoods in the world, there are nearly 80 languages spoken here. Another way to look at this is to say that this community is the best place in the world to live, why else would so many cultural groups converge in a single neighborhood? Let’s celebrate the richness of this diverse neighborhood. Come enjoy lunch, entertainment and the open spaces of our Rainier park and playfields.
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Date: July 17, 2009
Rainier Community Center Meadow 4600 38th Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98118 (206) 386-1919 This Event is FREE! 21
June 4th to 6th – The Mahogany Project presents, Declaration of Independents (D.O.I.). This three day event will combine the works of African American film and theatre artists into a unique events package. The audience will be treated to a series of one-act plays and short films. This event will be held on the Seattle University Campus at the Lee Center for the Arts. Cost: FREE to the public. (SEATTLE)
June 11th to 14th – Jazz Alley presents, Kevin Eubanks from The Tonight Show! We will be running another great special offer for the opening night performance of this show. Check out our website for more information about this show - www.UrbanLifeNW.com. (SEATTLE)
June 17th - Susan L. Taylor – former editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine will be here for the 2009 Call to Action Mentor Rally Community members, families and children are invited to the rally. The event will feature guest speakers, entertainment and food. Mentoring organizations from the Seattle area will be on hand to talk with potential mentors. Location: First AME Church, 1522 14th Ave, Time: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (SEATTLE)
June 13th – Celebrate Juneteenth & Freedom Days 2009, presented by the Juneteenth Celebration Committee - Entertainment, Vendors, Food, Fun and Drawings. Family Life Center, 4818 Portland Ave. Tacoma, WA. For more info contact Miss Schaffer at (253) 759-0373 or Letrese at (253) 426-2647 or email juneteenth09@earthlink.net. (TACOMA)
June 19th to 21st – Mount Zion Baptist Church will celebrate Father’s Day sponsored by the Brotherhood
Dr. Floyd
Ministry. All events are open to the general public and everyone is welcome. June 19th - Family & Friends night fellowship begins at 6:00 p.m., June 20th - Brotherhood Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., cost $5.00, the guest speaker will be Dr. Elson S. Floyd, president of Washington State University. Brotherhood Golf Tournament, will start following breakfast, cost $65.00. This fee helps support the Young Lions Rites of Passage program. June 21st - Father’s Day Luncheon will begin at 1:00 p.m., cost $20.00. For more info, contact Edward Bell, at (206) 715-0778 or Mount Zion Baptist Church at (206) 322-6500, or email brotherhood@mountzionseattle.org (SEATTLE)
June 20th – Kona Kai will be holding a CD release party for Michael Powers. Stop by 124 - 4th Ave S., Kent, WA at 8:00 p.m. for good music, food and fun. Everyone is welcome. For more info all (253) 859-5662. (KENT)
June 28th – Washington State History Museum presents, Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way. This exhibit explores the trials and tribulations of the civil rights movement in the City of Destiny. For more info go to www.washingtonhistory.org. (TACOMA)
June 29th to July 1st – Visit the Taste of Tacoma. Experience regional restaurants, beer and wine gardens and outdoor-entertainment stages are featured at the Taste of Tacoma. When: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. June 29-30, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. July 1. Where: Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, for more info call 425-283-5050 or go to www.tasteoftacoma.com. (TACOMA)
June 11th - Partners in Diversity host a quarterly reception called “Say Hey, NW”. This event brings together professionals new to the area, with a more established “welcome brigade”. This is a multicultural event, everyone is welcome. 6:00-8:00 PM, at Wieden & Kennedy, 224 NW 13th Avenue, food & drink available for a small fee, contact Vicki Nakashima at (503) 516-3505 or nakashimav@mac.com (PORTLAND)
*Coming July 2nd to 5th - The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is the largest blues festival on the West Coast and the second largest blues festival in the nation. The festival not only brings the best blues artist to Portland, it benefits Oregon Food Bank’s work to eliminate hunger and its root causes … because no one should be hungry. For more info go to www.waterfrontbluesfest.com. (PORTLAND)
*Coming July 18th – Urban League of Portland, is offering Social Justice & Civic Lead-
ership Training. The first of four sessions was held on May 23rd. The upcoming sessions will be held on July 18th, August 22nd & September 19th. The program builds capacity for community members to advocate for policy change, social justice and become more involved in decision-making in the city, county and state. Youth involved in school and community groups are welcome to attend. Location: Most sessions will be held at the Urban League Multi-cultural Senior Center 5325 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (and Killngsworth). To register, call 503-280-2626 or email mpurcell@ulpdx.org (PORTLAND)
*Coming July 23rd – Black United Fund of Oregon will host its annual benefit concert featuring local jazz musician Mel Brown. Proceeds benefit the Black United Fund of Oregon’s Scholarship Fund and Grantee Programs, whose services address community problems. Location: Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave., Time: 6:00pm, Cost: $35.00. For more info call (503) 282-7973, email Christina Jenkins at cjenkins@bufor.org or go to www.bufor.org. (PORTLAND)
22
Urban Life Northwest is proud to welcome Church’s Chicken as the sponsor of Urban Life Community.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Notable Marriages Answer these 5 questions correctly and win a 1 year subscription to Urban Life Northwest!
1. He is a handsome black actor, who has won an Oscar among other notable awards and achievements. She is a mother and homemaker. They have been married 26 years and have four children. 2. They have been married for 11 years and are considered a “power couple” in Hollywood. Early in their careers, he was known as a “prince” and she was living in a “different world”. 3. He is the funny man who even made Jello pudding funny. She is a wife and homemaker. They have been married 45 years. 4. The original Black “power couple”. Both were well-known and sought after actors from the 1940’s to the 1990’s. He, now deceased, appeared in over 100 films and TV productions. She, now 84 years old, starred in “A Raisin in the Sun” and appeared in several film, TV & stage productions. 5. He is a retired military general. He spoke out in support of the election of President Obama even though, at the time he was an active republican. She, his wife and confidant for 47 years.
May 2009 Winners A. Bailey, Portland, OR C. Finkley, Covington, WA
~~~~~~
Answers (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Michelle Obama Halle Berry Coretta Scott King Clara Hale Your Mother
The first 3 persons to answer correctly will receive a 1 year subscription to our magazine! We would love to mail our magazine to your home or office. This subscription is a $12.00 value! 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 July 2009 issue.**
Eph
6:17
VÜâátwxÜá yÉÜ V{Ü|áà \ÇàxÜÇtà|ÉÇtÄ VÉäxÇtÇà `|Ç|áàÜ|xá
...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
Pastor Paul Sims & 1st Lady Jean Sims “One with the Lord and one with each other”
2588 S. Alaska St. at Christ Temple Seattle, WA 98108 (206) 299-2632 www.crusadersforchrist-icm.org cfcicm@clearwire.net
Service Times: Saturday Street Ministry on Rainier Ave. S.& Henderson, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Sunday Prayer @ 2:00 pm Sunday Worship @ 2:30 pm 3rd Sunday Discipleship Ministry (Taught by Evangelist Jean Sims) Sunday Street Ministry on Occidental & Washington 11:00 am to 1:30 pm (If weather permits) 23
To purchase artwork by Felicia Greenlee, see her ad on page 15 or go to her website at www.feliciagreenlee.com