A Lifestyle Magazine for People of Color in the Northwest
Free March 2009 www.UrbanLifeNW.com
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First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit
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OUR PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Here we are on the verge of leaving ‘ol Mister Winter behind and welcoming glorious Spring. I don’t know about the rest of you but I am ready for Spring. Seeing the flowers bloom and the sun shine more often just makes me giddy. I look forward to spending more time outdoors and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. I’m just happier in Spring and Summer than at any other time of year. Spring is the time for re-birth, renewal, and rejuvenation. Which is why we do spring cleaning. Spring cleaning gives you an opportunity to clean up, clean out and discard the old, worn out and dusty things in your life. A chance to start anew. If you’re bogged down with old tired behaviors that are keeping you in a rut, now is the time to discard and start fresh. If you’ve allowed dust and cobwebs to form in your life, now is the time to clean up and clean out. If you’re out of work or fear that your current job maybe in jeopardy, now is the time to reinvent yourself, improve your situation and/or change your career. Just take a day or two to inventory your life, then set new goals. Make a plan and follow it. No excuses this time, just do it! In this issue we are introducing some exciting new things to our readers. First is Urban Life Outdoors, a new department that we have developed to help us focus on all things outdoors. We know that in this part of the country, we only have a few short months to enjoy warm weather so we created this department to help all of us make the most of our beautiful warm weather days. In conjunction with this department, we are starting a new group for people who want to do more outdoor recreational activities. If you’re interested in meeting other people who have an appreciation for spending time outdoors, please check out our website, we would love to hear from you. Lastly, we are sponsoring our first annual Dream Wedding Contest. We encourage anyone who is getting married within the next year to enter this contest. We have several sponsors ready to help you have the best wedding possible. For more information, please check out our back cover. As is our mission, we want to do everything we can to help our readers live their best life now. Giving one lucky western Washington couple a dream wedding is something we’re happy to be involved with. Remember, day light savings begins on March 8th. As the saying goes, “Spring forward and fall back” which means, in the Spring you set your clock one hour ahead and in the Fall you set your clock one hour back. The first day of Spring is on Friday, March 20th, yeah! I’m looking forward to it, aren't you?
“Living Life to the Fullest!”
Letters and comments we’ve received from
Starla L. Fitch
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING… Letter to the Editor,
Dear Editor,
I like your new name and love your publication - good reading and positive thought. Keep up the good work. It appears that you accept articles from various writers and thinkers. It’s especially necessary during these questionable times to listen to others views on life and survival. In addition, you are obviously a woman of faith. As times proceed, my hope is that we will meet and exchange ideas. Once again, thank you for your efforts, energies and ability to reach Mrs. R. Harris across the city of Seattle. I wish you very good fortune and that you -received February 17, 2009 will prosper in your endeavors.
I want to say that I have read every issue of Urban Life Northwest even when it was still called Central Area Monthly and I see it growing and improving and I see that this magazine is going somewhere. I can tell that you care because each month it gets better and I hope that you do not stop doing what you doing. Be Blessed.
Ms. Anonymous -received February 23, 2009
Pacific Northwest
Orthodontics C. Neil Nicholson, D.D.S. 2815 S. McClellan Street Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 722-5000
*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!
Page 3
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Urban Life Northwest
Every 2nd Friday at
March 2009 Volume II, Issue III
MAXI’S LOUNGE
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Janis Patton Harris - Unknown Contributors
Contents UL Business & Employment
5
Looking for a Job? Try Staffing Agencies
Subscription Form
5
UL Real Estate
6
UL Food
14
Make the most of Spring - Eat Outside!
UL Entertainment
15
Piney Ridge - a new play by LaChris Jordan
First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit UL Seniors
UL Style
7
The Big Trend for Spring is Color, Color, Color!
UL Marriage & Family
16 Mid-life Transition Seminars Senior Services Replaces... Planet Earth (poem)
8 - 9 UL Health & Fitness
16
Family Safety The Health Benefits of Drinking Water Family Prayer 17 Family Activities Calendar UL Green Going Green before Spring
UL Politically Inclined
Urban Life Outdoors - Cover Story 11
KIP Quiz (Knowledge is Power)
Black People don’t Camp!
12 Genessa Krasnow
UL Inspiration
Our Father
13 The Tax Man Cometh!
Laugh Out Loud (LOL)
Patrycia L. Taylor Djuna Basconcelo Tobi Ellison Leanne W. Athlan Lathan
19
The Evergreen State
Advertise with us!
19
2009 Dream Wedding Contest
20
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Urban Life Northwest is published monthly. Direct all editorial and subscription inquiries to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 981249457, call (425) 533-7802 or visit our website. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without consent. Query in advance of article submission; unsolicited materials may not be returned. Subscriptions: $10 p/year US; Canada $14 p/ year; all other countries $20 p/year (US currency only)
14
The Great Outdoors
Page 4
Tim Jackson
18
13
UL Money Matters
Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D.
10
Kicking it Old School UL Community Calendar
UL People
Pastor Steven Baber
Photo on Cover and on page 16 (Planet Earth) by Miklos Fitch
www.UrbanLifeNW.com
Looking for a job? Tr y Staffing Agencies
URBAN LIFE BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT
By Athlan Lathan If you have recently lost your job, or you see the pink slip getting closer, you may want to turn to your local employment recruiter for your next gig. Because the staffing industry is largely relationship based, recruiters can hold the keys to the “hidden job market” career opportunities that often are not posted anywhere else. Recruiters may also hold great influence with the managers they are recruiting for. You gain insight into the organization to which you are applying and can get your resume directly in front of the hiring manager vs. being lost in the shuffle on an HR desk. Many people will apply directly for a position using job boards, i.e., Monster, CareerBuilder, etc. These can be great resources to see who might be hiring, but in reality, less that 12% of hires made in the U.S. are from job boards.* Within the staffing industry there are 3 basic hiring scenarios - Contract, Contract to Hire and Direct Placement. Working on contract is a temporary assignment generally for a pre-determined length of time. Contract to Hire allows the worker to work at a company for a pre-determined length of time with the option of becoming a full time employee of the hiring company. In both cases, the worker on contract actually works for the staffing agency. The last scenario is direct placement; this is where the worker is placed directly by the staffing agency as a full time employee with their client. There are two types of staffing agencies – Retained and Contingency. While both types charge fees only to the hiring company, there is a difference. Retained recruiting agencies get paid regardless of the results of the search. Retained agencies are typically used to fill higher level positions at $100,000+ salaries. Most agencies work on contingency, in which case, the staffing agency only receives payment when their candidate is hired directly or placed on contract at the client site. Think of the professional recruiter as your own personal agent. They don’t get paid unless they find you work. Typically jobseekers do not pay fees to work with a staffing agency. The fee, paid by the employer, is either based on a percentage of your first year salary or an hourly rate charged to the employer. If you are asked to pay a fee for job placement, use caution and find someone else to work with. There is also contracting work. This is where you work for the staffing company on “assignment” at the client site. This type of work is not for everyone, but can be great if you like to work in different environments or continually want a change of scenery. To make your search as effective as possible, work with recruiters that specializes in placement of your skill sets. If you work in IT, find IT staffing agencies, Engineering, Engineering agencies and so on. As you network with these specialized recruiters, you’ll find they are aware of opportunities that exist within companies that may not be advertised. Thus networking and building relationships with qualified, reputable recruiters is critical to your career management. When contacted by a recruiter, work with them as though they are the hiring company. Be professional, sell your self, make your best impression and understand that recruiters have access to a lot of talent. Help make it easier on the recruiter to represent you by making sure there are no typos in your resume, have your references ready to go and have a good idea of your strengths and want you are looking for. Most importantly don’t discount the access and exposure that a recruiter can give you and make the fatal error of not respecting them the same way you would a hiring manager. *Source – Staffing Industry Analysts *Athlan Lathan is an Account Manager for a local staffing firm. He helps people find employment and advance in their careers.
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First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit
URBAN LIFE REAL ESTATE
By Djuna Basconcelo Ugh, just saying the word “tax” sends many people running, they turn off and tune out. Just this once, stay with me and the newly minted tax benefit available to home purchasers will be crystal clear.
Who is eligible? Tax paying first time home buyers - individuals with adjusted gross income under $75,000/year and joint filers under $150,000/year who have never owned a home, or who have not owned primary residence in the U.S. in the last 3 years.
What is it?
Tax benefit meant to spur potential homebuyers to take the plunge - Amount-10% of home price or $8,000, which ever is lower. Refundable- can reduce or eliminate tax liability. A check for any unused portion of the credit is mailed to the homebuyer. Repayment-no repayment required. Recapture-if the home is sold within 3 years the credit must be repaid at time of sale.
Where?
Primary residences in the U.S. – must be single family home including co-ops, condos, and townhouses.
When?
The purchase must be completed between Jan 1, 2009 and before Dec 1, 2009. (Who knows why they didn’t just make it through the end of the year.)
How?
Claim the credit when filing 2009 income taxes. This version differs from and is a quite a bit better than the benefit available to people who bought homes before January 1, 2009. Specifically, it is better because it does not have to be repaid as long as the homeowner stays in the home for at least 3 years. As always, consult a professional tax preparer or tax accountant before basing a home purchase decision on the credit, there is always fine print to consider. *Djuna Basconcelo has worked for Keller Williams Realty for 10 years. She specializes in helping her clients find homes that they love.
Auto, Home, Life and Business WARREN INSURANCE AGENCY 17-148TH AVE SE SUITE #7 BELLEVUE, WA 98007 (425) 643-2130 www.farmersagent.com/kwarrenn
Page 6
URBAN LIFE STYLE
The Big trend for Spring is Color, Color, Color! By Starla L. Fitch Fashion for Spring must include COLOR! Designers tend to follow the Pantone Color Report and the report for this year is all about vibrant blues and greens and uplifting fruity lemons and limes. What is the Pantone Color Report? Good question, Pantone is the most widely recognized color standard in the world, and is used as a tool for the fashion industry. Every year at New York Fashion Week it surveys designers and collects feedback on the most prominent color collections. Then, Pantone puts together a report which is used as a source of reference for fashion retailers, journalists and fashionistas. J. Crew
Beyond Skin
Zimmerman
L’autre Chose
Let’s welcome Spring with all the color we can muster. Color makes you feel alive and can invigorate a dull wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to try new colors this Spring but be sure to find colors that compliment your personality and skin tone.
Dresses by Tracy Reese
*Source - http://fashion.about.com/od/fashionshows/a/spring2009.htm & http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_10_fashion_colors_for_spring_2009
Zion Preparatory Academy
Serving Seattle’s Children for 26 years, preschool through 8th grade. Now accepting applications for 2009/2010 school year 1st through 5th grade For registration information, call our main office at
(206) 723-0580 or visit our school
4730 32nd Ave South Seattle, WA 98118 www.zionprep.org Page 7
URBAN LIFE MARRIAGE & FAMILY
Family Security Plan
Our family is at the center of our personal universe. We would do almost anything for the sake of our family including protecting them from known danger and harm. This can be difficult because we cannot be with our children at all times and we live in an open society where they can be exposed to predators and violent criminals. The only place where we have some control over our environment is in our home. We can make our home reasonably safe by fortifying it and arming ourselves with self-defense methods necessary to protect our family. Whenever a family member leaves the home, they leave the zone of protection that we have created. One way to keep our family reasonably safe is to have a family security plan. When developing a family security plan you must give careful thought to the public routines of each family member and think of ways to keep them safe. One way to accomplish this is to hold a family meeting to discuss the security plan and explore what if scenarios of real life situations. For example, what if we need to use the bank ATM machine? What steps should we take to make the process safer? What if we need to go to the shopping mall? What precautions can we take to be safe in the parking lot? What if someone approaches to rob us while walking to our car? What should we do and how should we react? Where would we go and who would we notify in case of emergency? Most people have no such family plan nor have they met as a family to discuss what if scenarios. When or if a criminal assault occurs, the unprepared family will have to rely on natural instinct in response to an incident. What if their natural response is wrong or their reaction inappropriate, under the circumstances? We read about these cases all the time in the newspaper. For example, a man tried to overpower a gunman, only to be shot and killed. We have also become aware of incidents where a child was tricked to get into a car of a total stranger and kidnapped while walking home from school. I have attempted to set forth some common criminal confrontations in everyday settings that a family might face. I suggest that you hold a family meeting to discuss these scenarios and decide what steps your family should take in response to these threats. Your response to any criminal assault is highly personal and depends on the physical and mental capabilities of each family member. *Source - Chris E. McGoey is an internationally known author, trainer, speaker, and professional security consultant www.crimedoctor.com/family.htm
Debbie M. Haggin Owner
Kent Station 441 Ramsay Way, Suite 103 Kent, WA 98032 tel: 253-859-9769
www.mariehaggin.com Page 8
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Family Prayer By Starla L. Fitch When I was a little girl, my mother use to always say, “A family that prays together, stays together”. I would listen to all of her old saying and through the eyes of a child, would dismiss her words of wisdom. My dismissal mentally, did not prohibit me from following the practice (as per my mother’s instructions) of these sayings. As a family, we would always pray together. Nothing long and drawn out. Nothing elaborate or filled with ceremony, just a simple prayer at bedtime, on our knees by the side of my bed. My mother would kneel and invite (to put it nicely) me to do the same. Together we would bow our heads, put our hands in a praying position, close our eyes and say The Lord’s Prayer aloud. As I got older, we practiced silent prayer but nevertheless, we always prayed - together. We continued nightly prayers until I went away to college. I must admit that after leaving home, to spend my first year away at college, in a dorm with a bunch of people that didn’t share my morals and values, made me truly miss the serenity of nightly prayer with my mother. Something that I resented as a child, I learned to appreciate as an adult. Developing family traditions such as nightly prayer or grace before eating is something that unites and strengthens a family. Your children may not appreciate these rituals when they are children but they will remember how these simple practices added meaning and purpose to their family. They (your children) may kick and scream. They may say they hate it and you. They may even refuse to participate. But don’t stop the ritual. Implementing moral, spiritual and ethical routines for your children will pay off when they become parents themselves. I know my mother is smiling down from heaven, when she sees that the lessons she taught and the words of wisdom she spoke are being passed down to her grandson through me. Oh yes, she is smiling; because she knows she taught me well.
Family Activities Calendar - What’s happening in your community? Seattle Area March 12th – Free-Admission Thursdays at the Northwest African American Museum, take the family an experience the rich history of African Americans in the Northwest. For more info call (206) 518-6000 or go to www.naamnw.org Now to May 11th - Children’s Museum of Seattle presents Curious George: Let's Get Curious, an exhibit based on H.A. and Margret Rey's lovable monkey, allows kids to visit George and The Man with the Yellow Hat.. Other exhibit highlights include pictures with a fullsized Curious George, a three-hole mini golf course, a space rocket, and a special farm. Available during regular museum hours, free with paid admission, for more info go to www.thechildrensmuseum.org Now to May 17th - The Museum of History and Industry presents - The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons. Kids can learn how cartoons were made before the age of computers at an exhibit that includes drawings, paintings, cells, film, and other objects featuring Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Tweety, and Yosemite Sam. For more info call 206.324.1126 or go to www.seattlehistory.org Now to March 29th - Center for Wooden Boats invites you to a Free Public Sail! Every Sunday, hop in one of the CWB's classic boats, or its 1906 Steam Launch Puffin, for a half-hour sail around Lake Union. Sails are weather permitting, so call around noon on Sundays to check if you have a question. Staff recommend that you arrive early to sign up for a sail since they're popular (about 10:30 a.m. during the summer) since phone reservations are not taken. Sunday from 2-3:30 p.m., Cost: Free, for more info call 206-382-2628 or go to www.cwb.org March 29th – April 12th – Seattle Center Whirligig! Kids can bounce, glide, and ride on super-sized inflatables. A Toddler Zone is available. Rides are free on Thursdays in the Center House, but not the Fun Forest. For more info call (206) 684 -7200, 11am-6pm, unlimited use day pass $7.25; Toddler pass $4.25; Single use ticket $1.50
Tacoma Area March 24th - Children’s Museum of Tacoma presents, Parenting Workshop, As a child's first and most important teacher, how can parents support learning? Child development experts share strategies for infants, toddlers and preschoolers outlined in their Parenting Counts material. Find suggestions and ask questions to help you be the best first teacher for your child. Time: 6:00-7:30pm FREE childcare available during workshop, space is limited. Pre-registration required. Contact Debbie Kray (253) 627-6031or dkray@childrensmuseumoftacoma.org. Now to December 12th - Family Days at the Museum of Glass, each family day is based around a unique theme. Participate in hands-on crafts, catch some entertainment and enjoy family time. Second Saturday from 1-4 p.m., activities are free with the cost of admission. For more info call (253) 284-4750 or go to www.museumofglass.org Page 9
Kicking It Old School
URBAN LIFE POLITICALLY INCLINED
By Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney Having experienced alternating consecutive quarters of declining output, we are clearly in the midst of a roiling recession. Experts argue the technicalities of whether America is in the midst of an economic depression. The lay answer is that we are sitting on the edge of that precipice. The Economist defines an economic slump as a period where “output falls by at least 10%; a depression is an even deeper and more prolonged slump”. Definitional technicalities aside, it is difficult to avoid the emotional impact of bank failures, home foreclosures, layoffs at our most stable and historical companies, and fluctuating gas and food prices. American economic hardships have local, national and global impacts. Our families hurt, our communities are challenged, and the world suffers. In spite of the crass way in which George W. Bush told citizens to go shopping after 9/11, a gentler truth is that in our current economic structure, we must make purchases to keep the economy alive. Japan’s recession of the 1990’s is called The Lost Decade precisely because consumers refused to spend. Our politicians have given us no guidance. President Obama asked for bipartisan support for his stimulus package which is designed, among other things to provide jobs for the many who have lost jobs, to stabilize roads, bridges, levees and dams and to build schools (most of which are in our poorest communities). The president received no support from Congressional Republicans and three votes from Republican Senators after having to significantly weaken the bill. On This Week in Washington (2/22/09), California’s Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, (R) was indignant about this non-partisan behavior. He stated the importance of being team players for the sake of the country (paraphrased): Imagine, he said, that you are a patient who has just received a diagnosis of cancer and a group of highly trained and respected doctors come into your hospital room. You have high expectations of them. Instead of giving you a plan for recovery, they start arguing. This only makes you feel fearful and unsafe. This is what the Congress has done. Perhaps 2009 is not 1929; we are, after all, now a credit-based economy rather than one based on local agriculture and relationships. We cannot tell a smiling Mr. Smith at the corner store that we will pay him for our groceries when we can. It is clear that whether our depression is Great or small, we are experiencing a national form of hopelessness. Because some banks and lending institutions have failed even in how they have used governmental bailout funds, our fears are increasingly heightened. Our savings have disappeared. For the first time in generations, our children and grandchildren may do less well than we. As is required for any kind of emotional despondency, we require treatment. Soon and in a hurry. Luckily for us, treatment is easier than some might imagine. In this portion of Lincoln’s definition of democracy, this cure is “by the people.” Our healing combines two old chestnuts: • All politics is local. • Love they neighbor (as thyself). Having lived through hard times, including the Great Depression, my maternal grandmother, Laura Jones, knew how to stretch a dime. She made wonderful meals and shared her love through food. Her example of how to create political change, create community, and love those around her teaches us how to get through our current economic and emotional depressions. Here is what she did: she made soup.
1. Pot One: Family Pot – Meat, potatoes, and vegetables. The family would sit together at the
table and talk about what was going on in the world. They would thank God for their blessings. They would invite their boarders and various church members and friends to eat with them. They felt blessed with plenty. 2. Pot Two: Community Pot - Meat scraps, potatoes, vegetable peels. My grandmother left this pot of soup out on the back porch, along with bread, and a tub of soapy water and rags for homeless men (then called hobos). She also made sleeping pallets for them in the garage. These men felt blessed with plenty. 3. Pot Three: Animal Stew - Bones, potatoes, and gravy. From the final leaving of the first pot’s ingredients, my grandmother made a stew for the hungry animals in the neighborhood. My grandfather, John Jones, would take this steaming kettle out to the back of the garage. My grandparents fed the neighborhood animals through the 1990’s. Their owners did not even try to feed them. The animals felt blessed with plenty. Times have certainly changed. But thinking about how we can use the little we have to create community is an idea that never goes out of style. No more back to the future; these days we have to kick it old school. Pot Two is no longer necessarily a safe choice, but sharing items that we don’t need with a shelter is a great idea. Have clothing swaps with friends. Sell old books. An uncluttered environment is one into which new opportunities are more likely to find flower. Volunteer with your children at homeless and animal shelters; we are all in this together. Do special projects with neighbors and church members. Get together with friends to have one movie and pizza night a month so that the economy does not entirely tank. And the rest of the time, make soup. No cans. Soup is a fun process so get everyone involved in chopping and dicing. Share the process, the product and great conversation with those you love. As the soups’ liquid goodness slides warms you, be thankful for the wonder of small things. Emboldened economics can trickle up to Washington. What my grandmother knew in the last great depression and what we can practice now is this: all politics is local. The strength of democracy starts with each of us at our kitchen tables. *Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. is an expert in community health, social services, social justice and education. She heads her own consulting firm and is a published author.
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Black People don’t Camp! By Starla L. Fitch If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. This familiar phrase, “Black people don’t….” you can add in your own ending. This statement leads to the belief that there is some genetic code in every person of African descent which prevents us from doing certain things. The belief that there are certain things we don’t do just because we are black is just plain silly. People of African descent are not monolithic. I must admit, that when I was younger, I was guilty of screaming out this phrase in defense or in explanation of a behavior or action that is not predominant in black culture. What I didn't understand then but do now is that just because I don’t do “it” or personally know someone who does “it” does not mean that all black don’t do “it”. After moving to Seattle and experiencing all those things that I originally believed “Black people don’t...” I have now come to accept and understand that we may not as a collective, gravitate toward certain recreational activities or sports, not because we as a race of people don’t do “it” but because individual preference, not race, influences our aversion to these things. For me, living in the South, activities such as camping, hiking and biking were avoided at all cost because of the heat and mosquitoes. I went camping one time with my girl scout troop and that experience with the extreme heat and relentless insects was not something I had any desire to repeat. That experience made me avoid outdoor activities like the plague, but when I moved to the Northwest, I found summer to be so pleasant and being outside so enjoyable, that I was willing to give outdoor activities another try. So, if you think black people don’t… then you’re hearing from one black person who does. Just a few years ago, if someone had asked me to go camping, I would have looked at them as if they were crazy. My response would have been, “I don’t camp.” My reasoning would have been that I don’t like sleeping outside, I don’t like shared facilities for personal hygiene and again I would have reverted to the standard response - Black people don’t camp. After moving to the Northwest, my husband and I acquired brand new camping equipment from a friend who was leaving the country for a few years, once we had the equipment, we decided to try camping. We started off as what I like to call “day campers”. We would pack up the family, food and the equipment and set up camp at a local park. We would arrive at our destination at 6 am and stay until 7 or 8 pm, then go home. For the past few years, we’ve camped out with other families at Alki Beach on the 4th of July. Alki, on the 4th of July, is a great place to try your hand at “day camping”. Families from all walks of life, arrive at the parks on Alki as early as 5 am, set up camp and stay all day just to see the fireworks at 10 pm. Camping set-ups range from a simple blanket with a cooler to tents and RV’s. The firework displays are spectacular, from Alki; you can see displays from both Elliott Bay and Lake Union, which is why people are willing to camp out all day, just to insure that they have a good spot from which to see both displays. Last year, some friends invited us to go camping over night. You know, actually spend the night outside in a tent. I was reluctant at first but then I thought, we’ve got the equipment, we’ve “day camped” so let’s give it a try. I must say, the experience was liberating. We went to a camp ground on the Kitsap Peninsula and this location was on the water (beautiful views) with beach access, there were great restroom/shower facilities and a huge play ground for the kids. Everyone was nice and friendly. We were able to spend time with family and friends, in a relaxed environment, no TV or other distractions, just good food, good company and good conversation. The kids had a blast! I must admit that we did not see any other families of color but regardless, the experience was enjoyable. So much so that we plan to go camping over night least once each year in addition to our multiple “day camping” excursions. I was reading this article on the web which was published in the Seattle Times in 2005, called “Wanted – African American campers”. In this article, Frank Galloway, diversity program coordinator, stated “African Americans are our most underrepresented demographic – they don’t show up on our radar screen, they don’t come to parks.” This issue was so important to our state that Paul Martin was hired by the commission to run a camping program. Mr. Martin stated, “that just touting diversity won't necessarily get people to try something new. "We're taking an educational approach here, trying to break the perception people have built up — that African Americans don't hike, don't camp, don't like the cold and snow." My question is why don’t we go camping? Is it something that we’ve been conditioned to believe that only “other” people do? Or does it go deeper than that? Whatever reasons you’ve adopted to dismiss camping as some “off-limits” activity, I hope that after reading this article you will reconsider. If you want to try camping, but just can’t see yourself sleeping in a tent, maybe you should try RV’ng. The National African American RV’ers Association is approximately 10 years old. It was formed to promote camping in recreational vehicles as a way of life and as another means for African American families to have fun. Yes, black people own RV’s and they love to hit the open road just as much as anyone else. Check out the NAARVA website at www.naarva.com for more information about local and national RV camping groups. You can’t go wrong with camping. It’s fun, it’s relaxing and it doesn’t take much effort or money to accomplish. All you have to do is find a scenic location and set up camp. Camping gives you a chance to bond with family and friends while experiencing the beauty of nature. What more could you ask for? The most expensive part of camping is buying the equipment but once you have it, it will last for years. Think of it as an investment in your family. So, before you say no to camping, I urge you to give it a try. If you’re interested in outdoor recreation and/or want to learn more, we are starting a group for people of color called – Urban Life Outdoor Explorers. Once we know who is interested, we will schedule a meeting to discuss the details of when , where and how we can explore the great outdoors together. I hope there are others families, like mine, who appreciate the beauty and serenity of nature. If you want to be a part of this group, email your contact information to ulnwoutdoors@urbanlifenw.com and we will contact you when we’re ready to plan our first outing. *Source - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2002356450_blackcampers03m.html Page 11
Art+Activism = Compassionate Action - Genessa Krasnow
URBAN LIFE PEOPLE
By Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. Genessa Krasnow is an electric woman. Though small, the sheer force of her personality, softened by changeable green eyes, dark curly hair, a dazzling smile, seriously chicly sharp-toed boots and an array of decidedly quirky hats fill up any room she enters. Focused on the best management of her and others time, Genessa tends to have several conversations at once, at least one of which is on her cell phone. No one feels slighted; she does not get the conversations mixed up. Though the limits on her time can make her anxious, in her multiple conversations she never ignores one person to address another. In this and the rest of her life, she is a remarkably talented juggler. Her juggling, interestingly starts with her name. Of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, Genessa is named for her deceased paternal grandmother, Gertrude, whose Yiddish name was Ganesha. Wanting a modification of the Gertrude’s Yiddish moniker, Ganessa was named. Coincidentally, Ganesha sounds quite like Ganesh, the name of the Hindu god, Remover of Obstacles and Lord of Beginnings, with whom Genessa resonates deeply on a spiritual level. Starting her own life with a mix of interesting stories and multicultural influences, Genessa has since sought ways to create community through passions that connect technology to the arts, story-telling and social activism. For this unusual arena, in the form of a B.A. from American University, an M.A. from the Interactive Telecommunications Program at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, and a film and video degree from the University of Washington, Genessa’s preparation for an effective life began with several early and important lessons learned from her father. These lessons were to: • Work hard. • Refuse to take to heart society’s limited ideas about female roles. • Always ask for what she wanted. • Be unafraid. Genessa worked for nearly ten years at Microsoft during which time she married technology and entertainment, received patents for user experiences and interfaces and was the “first Microsoft employee to direct, produce and edit High Definition footage which influenced the High Definition standard debates.” Genessa has done amazing work local and international work with young girls. She was a founding board member and is current advisory board chair of Reel Grrls, a youth media empowerment program. She provides the tools to assist Fortune 500 companies that wish “to engage at risk youth in story-telling, media and technology.” Genessa has also created community recycling programs for Nicaraguan youth. In April 2008, Genessa had an opportunity that allowed her to combine her technology, entertainment, story-telling, youth support, business and community building skills in one event. She served as the Creative Director for the Seeds of Compassion, a Seattle-based event featuring the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, local and international spiritual leaders, entertainers and media personalities. The goal of this event was to “nurture kindness and compassion in the world, starting with children and all those who touch their lives.” Responsible for the thematic content and coordination of 13 events featuring over 50 musicians, Genessa managed a documentary film crew and youth bloggers. Of all of her many life accomplishments, she is proudest of three Seeds of Compassion events: 1. Prior to his concert, Genessa arranged an unprecedented conversation between local peace activist and internationally renowned band leader, Dave Matthews and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, facilitated by the Today Show’s Anne Curry. 2. She produced Seeds for the Spirit: An Evening of Music, Art and Dance. Rev. Samuel Berry McKinney served as the Master of Ceremonies for this multicultural concert. According to Genessa, “people can still feel the connection of that moment to compassion. There is actually more appreciation for it as time passes.” 3. Youth Day was an event for 15,000 students from around the state. “When the Dalai Lama walked into the room, all 15,000 kids stood up and roared! It was an amazing experience.” Her most recent adventure continues to connect technology, business, entertainment and community, all of the things that Genessa has a passion for and excels at connecting in unusually successful ways. Like her name, the name of Genessa’s newest venture can have multiple meanings. Bardo Industries takes its name from the Tibetan Buddhist word, bardo, the place Buddhists believe we go between death and reincarnation where change occurs. Genessa clearly, is a change agent and creative strategist; Bardo Industries is a change agency focused on creative strategies. She now works with companies to make world a better place through community connections based on the Confucian philosophy that says, “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand". She continues to juggle her world at a frenetic pace, phone at her ear, multiple conversations going, attention focused beautifully on everyone. “I have tons of balls in the air and am just waiting to catch one,” says Genessa. “We are in a period of great change.” And she, in personal and professional incarnations that combine her father’s lessons and her personal journey, is perfectly poised to usher change in. *Lora-Ellen McKinney, Ph.D. is an expert in community health, social services, social justice and education. She heads her own consulting firm and is a published author.
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Our Father
URBAN LIFE INSPIRATION
by Pastor Steve Baber So important are children to God that the last words God spoke before a recorded four hundredyear silence are these; “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” Malachi 4:6 Too many of our children’s hearts are both hurting and hungering for the love of their fathers. Absent of that love, care and nurture they struggle and stumble undirected, and unfocused in their lives, they are often angry feeling abandoned and having lowered self-esteem. How have we gotten into this mess, and more importantly how will we get out of it? Henri Nouwen in his book “The Wounded Healer” speaks of generations of youth being formed and developed by three very distinct conditions. The first being they are fatherless, no father on earth, no relationship with our Father in heaven. They are inner-perspective oriented, very materialistic and self-centered also looking to their peers for affirmation and approval, and lastly they will be seeking and searching for something deep and abiding to believe and place their faith in.
Pastor Steve Baber
The question is, where is the Church in this, is it silent or just condemning? We need not ask where the fathers are who are missing nor blame the women who choose such wounded and deficient males to be their sperm donors. The question before us is what will we do to save our children, our future, our families, our communities, and our legacy? There is a way out of this mess, Rachel need not weep for her children, healing of the land is possible and promised, and so is removal of the curse. God is both glorious and compassionate, and more importantly larger than all our problems. *Rev Steve E. Baber, Pastor of Skyway United Methodist Church, 11800 Renton Ave. S., Seattle, WA President of 4C’s, Chair Pastors Committee of APRI, Co-Chair, Washington Christian Leaders Coalition (WCLC)
The Tax Man Cometh!
URBAN LIFE MONEY MATTERS
By Patrycia L. Taylor Once again, it’s that time of year when you distract yourself from your daily routine, round up all those year end tax documents, install your tax software, or run to your local tax preparer, and get your taxes done. To those of you who have already filed, kudos for being financially organized and for minimizing the time the IRS gets to sit on your money! According to one source, there were 500 changes to the tax code in 2008 alone, most in relation to the receding economy and the housing crisis. This is a good reason to start early, as some of these changes will directly impact your 2008 return. Make sure you pay attention to tax treatment for topics such as rebates or stimulus checks, first time home buyers’ credits, new property tax deductions, earned income credit, the capital gains tax, kiddie taxes, business mileage, alternative minimum taxes, required retirement distributions, and any other topic that applies to your return. Going forward, review your income and potential tax liability once per quarter. Work toward significantly reducing your taxes by this time next year. For example, plan to max out your IRA contribution for the year. For many, it is easier to contribute 1/12th each month, than to hand over $5,000 just before filing in April. Figure out whether a Traditional or Roth IRA works best for you as they have different tax benefits. Also remember, that IRAs may phase out once your AGI (adjusted gross income) reaches a certain level. Better to anticipate that during the year and divert the funds to a tax shelter with different limits, than to be surprised once you file your return. Investigate ways you can avoid tax altogether. Find creative ways to convert your taxable income into non-taxable income. This essentially gives you more money to use during the year rather than waiting until you receive your tax refund once per year. Consider municipal bonds for example, which are exempt from federal taxation. True, they’ve taken a beating lately like just about every other investment vehicle, but analysts believe they will bounce back as a decent investment in 2009. If you want a steady, low risk investment with free interest income, they are a good way to go! Remember: The ultimate goal should be to give less of your hard earned money to the IRS and keep more in your pocket. *Patrycia L. Taylor, MBA is a Financial Advisor living in the South Seattle area. You may contact her at (206) 248-5642.
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LAUGH OUT LOUD (LOL)
Native of Dayton, Ohio, Tim Jackson is a nationally syndicated cartoonist, illustrator and graphic designer. Currently pens editorial cartoons for the Chicago Defender, The Madison Times (Wisc.), Cincinnati Herald, Capital Outlook (Tallahassee) and the Northern Kentucky Herald newspapers. Creating illustrations for Urban Life Northwest marks Tim's return to Seattle since contributing art to Real Change Newspaper in the early 1990s.
URBAN LIFE FOOD
Make the most of Spring - Eat Outside! By Leanne W.
This time of year as we shed our gloves and scarves we itch to be in the great outdoors, after all that’s why we live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Why not venture out for a family picnic to celebrate spring. There’s no need to be fancy, just pack some sandwiches, some fruit, something cold to drink, throw in a blanket and you’re set! When picnicking there are a few guidelines that will help keep you and our planet protected. Try to pack your food in reusable containers that you can take back home with you but if you must use wrappers be sure to discard of your trash properly to keep our parks litter free for future use. Second, pack foods that will keep with little to no ice such as PB & J, salami, hard cheeses, fruits, and nuts. I encourage you to get out and visit a new park this weekend, bring the kids, the dog, and the neighbors and enjoy a simple picnic menu for a day of fresh air and fun. The Impromptu Picnic: First, sleep in on Saturday morning relax and enjoy your coffee, then grab a blanket and your shopping tote and head out the door, don’t forget the kids. Second, make a quick stop a nearby grocery store. Grab a loaf of crusty French bread, a bundle of fresh basil, some sliced salami, and an assortment of seasonal fruit. Lastly, find a park, any park will do, but if you’re looking for scenic views or a play area for the kids, check out our city website at www.seattle.gov/PARKS for local park information. My favorite picnic spot is Lincoln Park in West Seattle for the ocean views and tall pine trees. When you’ve enjoyed the scenery, had a leisurely walk, maybe played a game of catch or passed the Frisbee, break into that loaf a French bread and enjoy an effortless lunch of a salami and basil sandwich. You’re sure to have fun, build bonds with your loved ones, and get some much needed fresh air. Maybe you’ll even start a new Saturday afternoon tradition. *Leanne, is a professional baker who specializes in artisan custom cakes.
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URBAN LIFE ENTERTAINMENT
Piney Ridge, An exciting new play by La’Chris Jordan By Starla L. Fitch Piney Ridge, a story about two families of sharecroppers, one black and one white, set in the racially charged era of 1910 Virginia, is a powerful and poignant story by a talented young playwright, Ms. La’Chris Jordan. This story centers around a race riot in the neighboring town of Thaxton, Virgina which has many of the black and white residents of Piney Ridge on edge. Partly based on real-life events, this story brings to the surface the racial tensions and fears of these communities. Piney Ridge opens on March 20th and runs thru April 5th at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle, WA.
Playwright - La’Chris Jordan & Director - Isiah Anderson Jr.
Ms. Jordan has put together a story that looks at race and poverty from a human point of view. Ms. Jordan and her director Mr. Isiah Anderson Jr. has assembled an ensemble cast of talented actors who have taken on roles with such conviction that they will draw you in with the sincerity of the characters that they portray. Each character provides something powerful and necessary to the overall story. Each character has been given life through the talent of these actors and for a moment, just one moment, you’ll believe that you’ve taken a step back in time and that you are seeing this story as an eyewitness. Piney Ridge, is not the first play written by Ms. Jordan. She has written several one act plays and a few full length plays. She is currently working on another play entitled, Roses in the water. In my interview with Ms. Jordan, I was impressed with her motivation for writing this play and her goals for the future of this play. She stated that Piney Ridge started out as an image in her head which she developed into a 10 minute play and from that to the full-length stage play it is today. She started with the ending and worked her way back to the beginning. It was the ending that she saw in her head and that ending caused her to research and probe and look deep into the recesses of her mind to develop a beginning as powerful as the ending she had already visualized. Ms. Jordan is extremely happy that her work is being appreciated and that this play has touched lives in ways she could have never believed possible. When I asked Ms. Jordan what was next for her, her simple response was, “I just live in the moment”. That statement alone, was a brief summary of the life Ms. Jordan leads. She has traveled the world but has learned something that most of us tend to forget, to live life moment by moment. She went on to reveal that she is working on a pilot for television that would take Piney Ridge from the stage to the small screen and who knows, maybe even the big screen. Ms. Jordan was born in California and has called Seattle home since 1991. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and of course, her major was Journalism. She is currently single but for you guys out there who are interested, she is off the market, because she is engaged. No children as of yet and because of her work, motherhood may have to take a back seat, at least for the time being. I found Ms. Jordan to have a pleasant personality, somewhat reserved but I could sense that underneath her modest reservation was a voice demanding to be heard. She is someone with something to say and is using her playwriting ability to give life to the visions within her soul. The Cast From left to right - Back - Rick DuPree, Mel Ellis, Sterling Beard, Joseph P. McCarthy Front - Chernese Robertson-Abrudan, Tina Austin, Robin Coffin, & Tammy Brockway Joyce
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URBAN LIFE SENIORS
Holy Ground - Mid-life Transitions Sponsored by Pastoral Care Commission St. Theresa Church, 35th Ave, Seattle, WA * 3 Saturdays in March * March 7th: The New Face of mid-life and how do I move through this time of major transition? March 14th: Getting in touch with my soul’s deepest longings March 21st: Coming Home to Myself: Finding New Meaning & Wholeness This series is being conducted by Pat Lewis. Ms. Lewis has a masters degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences and Religion Education. She firmly believes that we can “get better as we get older”. Thousands have attended her seminars to learn how to make the latter years become the better years. Spirituality and Aging are her business. *No Charge to attend. Everyone is welcome! To RSVP for rides or questions, please call Vicki Garner, (206) 697-4809 Submitted by Barbara Peete (CASC & St. Theresa Church member)
My challenge and renewal after near death experience Senior Services Replaces: • • • • • • • •
Fear with courage and confidence Loneliness with love and laughter Isolation with inspiration and involvement That horrible despair and depression with desire, delight and human dignity Confusion with spiritual clarity Grief with growth Sadness with satisfaction Fatigue with the pleasure of festivity and fun
(Excerpt from a speech at Senior Service Soiree, September 19, 2008 Senior Services Outreach - Mattie Taplin, Specialist)
The Health Benefits of Drinking Water
-T. Ellison, - Expressionist Seattle, WA 2009
*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
URBAN LIFE HEALTH & FITNESS
Water, a precious gift bestowed on us by Mother Nature, forms a major part of our body constitution. In fact, 2/3 of our body weight is water. The very composition of our body is like that; blood is 83% water, muscles are 75% water, brain is 74% water and bone is 22% water. Water is necessary for the very survival of human beings, as it ensures the smooth functioning of body systems. Lack of water in the body tends to give rise to dehydration, thereby posing hurdles for the blood to circulate. The gravity of problems increase, as it causes the brain to become less active and your body feels tired and fatigued. Water keeps the digestive system in order and flushes out the waste products from your body. There are so many health benefits of drinking water that I can’t mention them all but a few more are listed below. Water acts as a natural remedy to head your way towards achieving beautiful rich glowing skin. The skin benefits from drinking water can be attributed to the fact that water acts as a body purifier, by removing toxins and waste from your body. People who are fed up with being overweight should try drinking hot water with lemons. It works wonders in promoting faster weight loss. It also keeps your heart healthy. So, drink lots of water throughout the day, to promote healthy mind and body fitness. *Source - www.iloveindia.com/nutrition/water/index.html
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Going Green Before Spring
URBAN LIFE GREEN
Going green before spring is one of the best possible things you could do this year for your home, for the environment, and for the all important pocketbook. Here are a few great green project ideas to think about…
Why Not Recycle Grey Water? You’ll need to ask your plumber first about code requirements, but most locales will permit homeowners to convert their grey water-such as the used water from your washing machine-into a valuable renewable resource. Just this one source of used water can add up to hundreds of gallons a year in the average household that would normally go right down the drain, but instead, could be perfectly used for outdoor watering (plants don’t mind the leftover suds at all). Depending on the position of your grey water source and the external water storage tank that’ll be required, a knowledgeable plumbing professional can probably have such a system set up for you in just a day.
Shower In Green Having a heat recovery drain installed on a shower can save serious energy over time. Basically, this system works as a heat exchanger, using the heat from the hot water that pours down the drain to pre-heat the cold water as it flows into the water heater. A qualified plumber can explain this technology to you in detail. Depending on the location of your shower and water heater, and if access is easy, this can often be a really simple job. While the plumber is there, have a new water saving showerhead installed. The technology used with the latest generation of green showerheads has improved immensely over the last several years-the performance and comfort these provide is really great. At the same time, they will significantly reduce your home’s water usage.
Improve Window Efficiency When it comes to keeping your home as greenly efficient as possible, it’s important to realize that one of the largest sources of energy loss in the home is through the windows. Having old, leaky windows replaced with new energy saving (and solar blocking) units will usually pay for the cost of the improvements over a span of a few years. All the while, you’ll be doing the green thing by reducing energy waste. If new windows aren’t quite the answer for your home, having quality storm windows installed will often achieve a nice energy savings effect at a minimal cost. Also, while many folks don’t realize it, having new interior window treatments can also increase efficiency by remarkable levels. Ask a window treatment installer about shades with excellent insulating qualities-they really work, plus they offer a little bit of fresh, new style to your home too! Again, going green-or at least trying to make your home as efficient as possible-comes with a lengthy list of attractive benefits. Why not take advantage of the rest of winter’s slow season to have your own green projects completed? The busyness that comes with springtime will be here before we know it!
*Source - www.homeimprovementadvisors.com/going-green-before-spring, written by damacher on February 9th, 2009
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March 5th - 1st Thursday Seattle meets the 1st Thursday of every month at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club and Teen Center, 6pm, for more info call W. Larry Williams (206) 852-8145.
URBAN LIFE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
March 8th - C.Arts Gallery Presents an Urban Art Fair, featuring Pacific Northwest fine artist and community arts organizations on one day in one place. For more information goto www.cartgallery.net. March 10th - Theater on the Square presents, Harriet Tubman - Women of Action, a Women and Girls HIV/AIDS awareness and Harriet Tubman Day special event – a dramatic musical portrayal of Harriet Tubman with information on women with HIV/AIDS, 2 performances at 2pm and 7pm, Broadway St. downtown, Tacoma, tickets are $15.00, $3.00 from each ticket will go to the Pierce County AIDS Foundation’s Unity Now program. For more information call Karol or James Brown (253) 581-1954 or go to www.visitharriettubman.com March 13th - The Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce is very excited to be establishing a monthly Art Walk in the GreenwoodPhinney neighborhood and would be most appreciative of your promotion. The following three Art Walks will be March 13, April 10, and May 8. For more information, including participating businesses, visit www.greenwood-phinney.com. March 14th - Don’t miss Comedy Explosion 2009, featuring Jason Earls - from BET Comic View and Tracy Davis, also featuring - Pastor Al Davis & Family, Pastor Andre Sims, MC– Evangelist Judy Neal, New Beginnings Dance/Step Troop , True Victory and Flames of Fire. This event is FREE. Location:Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4818 Portland Ave, Tacoma, WA, Time: 6pm To reserve seats call (253) 241-8644 March 14th - HIV/AIDS Stigma & Women of Color, a National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Event, at NAAM, 2300 S. Massachuchetts St., Seattle, WA, 10am to 3pm, for more info call (206 ) 850-2070 or email aarthministry@aarth.org March 20th - April 5th – Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center presents Piney Ridge an award winning play by La’Chris Jordan, directed by Isiah Anderson Jr. For more information call (800) 838-3600 for tickets go to www.brownpapertickets.com. March 20th – Kona Kai Coffee, presents Darren Motamedy, a soulful saxophonist. Each month Kona Kai has awesome, family-friendly jazz performances. Don’t miss this one! 124 - 4th Ave S., Kent, WA, $7.00 cover charge, for more info call (253) 859-5662
March 19th – 22nd - The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents Branford Marsalis. Marsalis, a three-time Grammy Award winning saxophonist is touring in support of his new release Metamorphosen, nightly show times - 7:30pm & 9:30pm, cost - $30.50, for more go to www.jazzalley.com or call (206) 441-9729
March 19th – 21st - The Washington Alliance of Black School Educators (WASBE) will hold its’ 16th Annual State Conference at the Marriott Seattle Airport Hotel, 3201 S. 176th St., Seatac, WA. The theme for this year is “Education is a Civil Right: Closing the Achievement Gap for African American Students” For more info visit their website – www.wabse.org or contact Dr. Thelma Jackson (360) 4561412 March 21st & 22nd - With the theme "Black History: Full Disclosure," the Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation (AAAHRP) will meet at Seattle University, to bring together historians, scholars, students, and community members to present, learn and discuss historical information related to people of African descent. For additional conference details, including the names of the scheduled presenters, and registration information, please visit www.aaahrp.org. March 28th - Beacon Hill First Baptist Church Choir will have a concert to celebrate Pastor Dr. Robert Houston and First Lady, Sister Ciara Houston for their 42 years of service. The concert starts at 7:00 pm and will be held at the church at 1607 S. Forest Street, Seattle, WA. The choir is under the leadership of the minister of music, Sharon McCraney. For more information call (206) 763-1425.
If you have a community event or announcement, please email us at community@urbanlifenw.com. Let us help you spread the word about your community event! Page 18
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Washington - The Evergreen State Answer these 5 questions correctly & win a $5.00 gift card! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
What is the state flower? What is the state bird? What is the state tree? What is the state song? What is the state fruit?
February 2009 Winners
The first 3 persons to answer correctly will each receive a $5.00 gift card.
C. Finkley - Covington, WA M. Harris - Tacoma, WA L. Davis - Kent, WA
Submit your answers via email to KIP@UrbanLifeNW.com.
~~~~~~
Please include your name and mailing address so that we may send your prize.
Answers
**Winners will be announced in our April 2009 issue.**
(1) Elijah McCoy (2) An automatic lubricator for steam engines (1872) (3) Andrew Jackson Beard (4) John Love (5) Super Soaker water gun
Crusaders for Christ International Covenant Ministries
Eph 6:17
...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 psims1@clearwire.net Service Times: Friday Night Discipleship Study, 6 - 7:30 pm Sunday Street Ministry on Rainier & Henderson, 12-1:30 pm Sunday Prayer @ 3:30 pm Sunday Worship @ 4:00 pm Bread of Life Mission every 4th Sunday, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Present this coupon at time of purchase. One coupon per order. Expires March 31, 2009. VALID ON ORDERS OF $10.00 OR MORE ONLY!
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 Page 19
Enter Today! Entry deadline is May 17, 2009
The winning couple will be featured on the cover of our June 2009 - Dream Wedding Issue
To enter, print and complete the entry form on our website and please include a photo of you and your future mate. (For complete rules and regulations, please visit our website - www.urbanlifenw.com)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Sponsors & Prizes
Please send your entry letter via mail to -
L’Wood Photography (Photography) Morfey’s Cakes (Wedding Cake) Blessed Limo (Limousine Service) Merchant’s Paper & Design (Invitations) Brown Shugar Designs (Event Planning) Xazz Salon (Hair for Bride & Groom) Discover Yourself w/Bonnie Gantt (Make-Up) KC’s Flowers (Flowers for Bride & Groom) Marie Haggins Accessories (Jewelry for Bride) Urban Life NW (Cash Prize)
ULNW - Dream Wedding Contest P.O. Box 94057 Seattle, WA 98124-9457 For questions, please email us at ulnwcontest@urbanlifenw.com www.UrbanLifeNW.com