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The Washington Breast Cervical & Colon Health Program is available throughout the state. Our program provides services for women in Clallam, Jefferson, King and Kitsap counties. Services Include: • • •
Women’s Health Exam Pap Test Mammogram
If you are eligible for the program, there is no cost for services. For women who: • • •
Are age 40 to 64 Have limited income Have no health insurance or insurance with high deductibles **Also ask about Colon Health screening, available for men and women on a limited basis.
To find out more about the program and for a clinic referral, call the Community Health Access Line at 1-800-756-5437. For more information contact Mattie Taplin, BCCHP Specialist, Senior Services at (206) 726-4926.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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www.kingcounty.gov/health/cancer
Raising Money Smart Kids
By Patrycia L. Taylor Discussing ways to teach your kids about money.
So You’re Headed to College... By Bartley Felder Helping the college bound student understand what is ahead.
Back to School Basics
By Dr. Cherita Raines Good tips to remember when preparing your child for school.
The Short Sale Opportunity By Djuna Basconcelo What is a short sale?
Is Being Black Ever Enough? By Starla L. Fitch What does being black mean in America?
Dedicated to God’s Work: Retiring after 30 years of Teaching Theology By Starla L. Fitch Dr. Robert Houston retires from the United Theological Seminary.
Jacqueline Moscou: Obama On My Mind
By Jacob Galfano A new musical production coming to the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.
In Every Issue
The Skin You’re In
By Starla L. Fitch Tips about skin care.
Paul Knalls: The Truth about Olive Oil
By Starla L. Fitch Learn more about how this man is changing olive oil standards in Oregon.
Urban Life Outdoors Updates and photos from Urban Life Outdoor Explorers Hiking Trip and Fir State Junior Golf Tournament.
A Word from our Editor Family Activities Calendar Green Knowledge is Power Laugh Out Loud Community Calendar Inspiration Food
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Urban Life Northwest, September 2009, Volume II, Issue IX Publisher/Editor - Starla L. Fitch Copy Editor - Sylvia Fitch Graphic Design - Miklos L. Fitch Photography - Aiana Poquiz & Miklos L. Fitch Advertising/Marketing - Starla L. Fitch, Hakeem Shakoor, Melissa Reese Contributors- Cherita J. Raines MD, MPH, Tim Jackson, Patrycia L. Taylor, Djuna Basconcelo, Evelyn Ray, Bartley Felder, Rev. Dana McClendon 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)
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This is our 12th issue. We have completed a full year! Hallelujah! Next month, we will celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We’ve come a long way! But we still have a long way to go. October 2008 we began as a community newsletter, serving only the Central Area in Seattle and in less than a year we’ve grown into a regional magazine serving communities in both Washington and Oregon. Urban Life Northwest is on a mission to be the magazine that people of color turn to when they want to know what is happening in their community and in other communities of color in the Pacific Northwest. As always, we will continue to provide a quality magazine that will represent people of color in a positive and progressive light. That has been our goal since our inception and each month we work hard to achieve that goal.
A WORD FROM OUR EDITOR
Being a regional magazine, benefits our readers, advertisers and the communities we serve, therefore we owe all that we have become to the support of our readers, advertisers and the communities we serve. Thank you all so much! Urban Life Northwest was one of several proud sponsors of the 3rd Annual Seniors for Juniors Golf Tournament. It was an honor to meet Alberta “Birdie” Griffey, mother of Seattle Mariner’s own, Ken Griffey Jr. For more information and photos, see page 21.
Alberta “Birdie” Griffey & Starla L. Fitch
Urban Life Outdoor Explorers are growing and going strong! For more information and photos, see page 21.
Become a fan on facebook! Follow us on twitter! WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING… Excellent! Keep up the good work! H. Marshall, Houston, TX, a ULNW Subscriber, received August 6, 2009
Dear Urban Life Northwest I was talking to a gentleman who attended our recent African and African American dialogue held at Center for Intercultural Organizing on August 26th. He told me that he’d heard about our event through a magazine he was reading while getting his haircut. I was grateful and surprised to hear our announcement was listed the community section of Urban Life Northwest. Thank you for helping us to get the word out about programs being offered to our community by the Urban League of Portland. S. Dixon, Urban League of Portland, received August 27, 2009
ATTNETION READERS! We want to publish your comments, suggestions and compliments in our up coming anniversary issue.
Please send your thoughts to us at
wpas@urbanlifenw.com
Dear Editor, What can I say about Roy Jay? I was impressed with what he is doing in Portland. When I read that article (August Issue) my first thought was how do we get that program in Washington? I personally know several people who could benefit from that program (Project Clean Slate). Maybe some community leaders read that article and will make it happen for people in our state.
Then look for your comment in our October 2009 Issue!
We love hearing from you!
L. Simmons, Kent, WA, received August 31, 2009
Pacific Northwest
Orthodontics C. Neil Nicholson, D.D.S. 2815 S. McClellan Street Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 722-5000 4
1408 22nd Ave. Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 322-6410
URBAN LIFE MONEY MATTERS By Patrycia L. Taylor Can you agree that the current economic crisis was caused in part by adults who over-extended themselves financially? We assume they learned the basics as kids in school - reading, writing and arithmetic. But historically, not many schools included coursework in personal finance topics such as debt, mortgages, liabilities and net worth. In fact, as recently as two years ago, only seven states required students to pass a personal finance class prior to high school graduation. Despite this fact, 80% of parents surveyed at the time believed that schools were teaching their children all they needed to know about money and budgeting. Small wonder that there is a gap in personal finance education today. Kids generally tend to emulate their parent’s spending lifestyles, whether good or bad. Even if parents are not talking to them about it, their actions will speak louder than their words would. To their credit, parents are increasingly aware that their kids need better training than they had – and that they need to be trained earlier on money matters. So parents, don’t depend solely upon the schools to teach your kids. See how many of these concepts you can incorporate into their daily lives: Start at the age when your children are ready. Children come from different home environments, and have different learning styles, and levels of intelligence. A six year old girl from one household may be ready before an eight year old boy in another or vice-versa. Even siblings in the same household will have different tendencies toward money. Start out by giving your children an allowance and see how they manage it. A good rule of thumb is to give $1 per week for each year of age. So a six year old would get $6 per week. Be sure to teach them how to distribute it between giving, saving, and spending. Discuss and correct any negative tendencies, and reward the positive ones. Teach as you go. Children generally learn best when they have an experience, then get immediate feedback on it. The story is told of a little boy who lagged behind the family after leaving a restaurant. He went back to pick up the gratuity from the table and stuffed it in his pockets. He thought his parents were just carelessly leaving all that money behind. The parents turned this into a teaching moment and explained how the waitress was paid and that it was customary for patrons to leave a gratuity. Don’t burden kids with the family’s financial secrets. You can explain to them, for example, what life insurance is and assure them that it is there to provide for them in case anything should happen to you or your spouse. But you don’t need to give them the details, such as the amount of the life insurance you have. Teach them the importance of confidentiality with the family’s financial information. Give them chores around the house and translate their earned money into how many minutes or hours it takes to work and buy what they want. Then they can decide if the purchase is still worth it. They’ll also feel empowered by making their own spending choices. This gives them a chance to make both good and bad decisions and learn how to respond to each. Buy educational games to teach your kids about money. Three excellent games are Monopoly, the Game of Life and Cashflow for Kids. The latter introduces more personal finance topics such as assets, liabilities and passive income. The game method enables kids to learn and have fun at the same time. Remember: Your kids are pretty smart – give them a head start on their financial future.
Stylist Micro Braids Hair Extensions Design Coloring Invisible Weaves Lace Cap Wigs Relaxer Systems Flat Iron
*Patrycia L. Taylor, MBA is a Financial Advisor living in South Seattle. You may contact her at (206) 248-5642.
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URBAN LIFE MARRIAGE & FAMILY
By Bartley Felder The Father's Day message delivered this past June by Dr. Michael Tate, Vice President for The Office of Equity and Diversity at Washington State University was powerful in its simplicity and its directness. "College," Vice President Tate said, "is hard work." To paraphrase his message, sometimes freshman students after studying long and hard during their high school years preparing for college, arrive on campus thinking the hard part is behind them and so they express a myriad of reasons for becoming under achievers. Their work is not up to par because: They miss Mom and home cooked meals. They need a break. Or as a classmate told me, "That instructor acts as if his class is the only one I'm taking.� Sometimes counselors tell parents that freshman students generally need that first year to acclimate to the college routine and always do better in their sophomore year. Admittedly there can be different and more numerous challenges for students living away from home than those commuting to campus daily. But taking a break or dropping out is not the answer. Hard work takes many forms. It can be physical, mental or a combination of the two. I've heard many people say they love doing something so much it doesn't seem like work. They may not even realize how much time they are devoting to it, whereby the outsider sees these folks working really hard. But isn't it interesting that when you enjoy something, it's not hard, but when you don't, it's just too hard. I can remember being too tired and sleepy to study and then the phone call comes with the message that everyone is meeting at the Kappa House. Magically I became infused with instant energy and was ready to "par-r-r-tay." A very impressive University of Washington student told me recently that even though she had taken AP classes in high school, had developed good study habits (i.e. no TV or music while studying), lived at home, and was ready to work hard; nevertheless she was somewhat surprised at just how hard she really does have to work.
Debbie M. Haggin Owner
Kent Station 441 Ramsay Way, Suite 103 Kent, WA 98032 (253) 859-9769 www.mariehaggin.com 6
Vice President Tate wants the freshman class to know that in this competitive global society the luxury of leisure is not an option and the hard work of college is real. So come to college/university prepared to work hard. The positive fruit of your labor, it seems to me, is guaranteed. Know who you are. Listen to the person in your life who makes sense to you. There is a host of genuine folks out there who would like nothing better than to see you succeed in all your endeavors. The work itself is up to you. The only way to achieve anything worthwhile is through hard work. So roll up your sleeves and as my British inlaws say, "Get on with it."
Voted Best Gift Store 2009 by Kent Reporter
Bartley Felder is a native of Washington D.C., has a BA degree in Anthropology, who has traveled the globe and loves to write.
URBAN LIFE HEALTH & FITNESS
By Cherita Raines, MD, MPH It’s back to school time! There are so many things to think about including getting to know your child’s teachers, friends, and classes etc.. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers several useful back to school tips for parents. The following tips are a few of my favorites:
BACKPACK SAFETY • •
•
Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Pack light. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
EATING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY •
•
Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat or is particularly unhealthy. Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child's risk of obesity by 60%. Restrict your child's soft drink consumption.
DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time. Supervise computer and internet use. Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework. If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help him or her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first. • • • •
BULLYING There is controversy as to how children should deal with bullies, but the following tips are agreeable to mostly everyone. When Your Child Is Bullied • Teach your child when and how to ask for help. • Encourage your child to make friends with other children. • Support activities that interest your child. • Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions. Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child's safety and well-being when you cannot be there. When Your Child Is the Bully • Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK. • Be a positive role mode. Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone. Develop practical solutions with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied. In addition to implementing the above tips, please make sure that your child is up to date on his or her vaccinations and check ups. Please, don’t forget to allow plenty of time for school physical forms to be completed by your child’s doctor. 7
September 13th – Enjoy Grandparents Day at the Hands On Children’s Museum. Time: 13:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Cost: $7.95 adults, $6.95 Seniors, $4.95 ages 1-2, FREE for Grandparents and children under 1 yrs old. For more information visit www.hocm.org or call (360) 956-0818 (OLYMPIA) September 16th – Tacoma FREE Day at the Zoo! Flash your Tacoma residential credentials and get into the zoo for free. Bring a current driver's license or utility bill. Time: 9:30 am - 4 pm, Location: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Ages: All ages Cost: FREE, For more info call (253) 591-6439 or visit http://www.pdza.org/ (TACOMA) September 18th – FREE Fridays KidsQuest Children’s Museum! Give your child a free evening of play and discovery. Time: 5 pm – 8pm, Location: Factoria Mall, For more info call (425) 637-8100 or visit www.kidsquestmuseum.org (BELLEVUE) September 20th – Family Day: Bug Blast! Touch, see, and make bugs of all varieties at Bug Blast, featuring thousands of bugs from the Burke Museum collection and amateur collectors. With hands-on buggy activities, the entire family is sure to enjoy this popular annual event! This event is included with museum admission. For more info call (206) 543-5590 or visit www.burkemuseum.org. (SEATTLE) September 26th – Mount Rainier Fee Free Day. Come out to Mount Rainier this year on National Public Lands Day and enter the park free of charge! For more info visit http://www.nps.gov/mora. (MOUNT RAINIER) September 26th – Smithsonian Museum Day. Enjoy FREE admission all day long at Seattle area museums with a Museum Day Admission Card. To download your museum card go to http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ (SEATTLE) September 26th - Park in the Dark! It’s nighttime in the Arboretum, but the forest isn’t sleeping! Learn about the adaptations of nocturnal animals and see the gardens in whole new light during this special family adventure. Games and activities are designed for families with children. Preregistration required. Time: TBD, Location: 2300 Arboretum Drive E., Seattle, WA 98112, Ages: Grades K-6, Cost: $6 per person. For more info call (206) 685-8033 http://depts.washington.edu/urbhort/ (SEATTLE)
September 12th - 12th the Washington County Museum Free September Family Day. Print Arts Northwest and Tears of Joy Theatre will host a day packed with history, art, and performances for all ages. The event will include marionette puppet making guided by local artists with PAN, and two puppet shows presented by Tears of Joy Theatre. Location: WA County Museum, Rock Creek Campus of PCC, Time: 9am to 5pm, for more info call (503) 645-5353 (PORTLAND) September 13th – Arts for Learning. Performances! Mini-workshops! Meet Young Audiences artists! Art for everyone! Door prizes, too. Location: Multnomah Arts Center, Time: 2:30pm to 5:30 pm, Cost: FREE & open to the public. For more info call (503) 225-5900 x226 (PORTLAND)
September 19th & 20th - Prepare to be boarded by pirate fun and family adventure for the fourth year in a row as Portland Pirate Festival sails into Cathedral Park Sept. 19 and 20. Portland Pirate festival has gained a worldwide reputation as a destination event offering the very best in family entertainment. For more info go to www.portlandpiratefestival.com or call (503) 853-1497 (PORTLAND) 8
Now accepting applications for the 2009/2010 school year Pre-K through 5th grade.
Call Today! (206) 723-0580
“Zion Prep Academy has a strong academic emphasis, in a Christian environment. The academy helps student build a strong sense of self-esteem, a strong moral compass, and a sense of purpose in their lives.
4730 32nd Ave. South Seattle, WA 98118
www.zionprep.org
We are very excited about all of the new changes at Zion Prep, including the social development curriculum, and the classes for both gifted and academically challenged students. Our family loves Zion Prep!“ -The Nichols Family
If you’re a senior and you’re looking for a fun way to spend your time, try the Central Area Senior Center and SOLO.
Tobi Ellison, SOLO Coordinator is sending out a personal invitation to seniors to come and be part of her Spirit of Life and Oneness program. In addition to SOLO, there are other fun and exciting programs and activities at the CASC, i.e. • • • •
Arts & Crafts Cards & Games Health & Wellness Services Physical Fitness Activities
...and much, much more. Contact the CASC at (206) 726-4926 or visit www.centralareaseniorcenter.org for more information. Cynthia Andrews, CASC Director 30th Ave S., Seattle, WA To contact Tobi call (206) 325-7663, or leave a message at (206) 726-4926
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URBAN LIFE REAL ESTATE
By Djuna Basconcelo Although not new, many people don’t know what a short sale is. One thing is for sure, the short sale is fast becoming a big part of our real estate reality now, and most likely will be for the foreseeable future. When the proceeds of the sale of a property are insufficient to repay all the loans on the property, the sale is deemed a short sale. In order to close this kind of sale the seller of the property has to obtain the bank’s approval, therein lies the challenge. Typically the seller will have to complete a hardship package including bank statements, pay stubs, IRS filings, mortgage statements, a letter explaining the hardship, and submit it to the bank(s)with the buyer’s offer to purchase. Then the waiting begins. In extreme cases the process can take up to 9 months, on average it takes 4 to 6 months to complete the sale. If the owner has been unable to make payments on the property quite possibly it is also facing foreclosure. While waiting for the loss mitigation department to process the file and respond to the seller’s request for a short sale the auction date may be postponed several times. Oddly enough, these stays of execution are given verbally. Occasionally the buyers and sellers can wait patiently for months and the postponement not be granted, and the property goes up on the auction block. Sounds delightful doesn’t it? The buyer’s opportunity presents itself in the waiting. Because it takes banks so long to respond to the initial offer to buy, keeping plans to move in the wings, uncertain if they will go through, the payoff is in the lower purchase price. Buyers are getting some pretty great deals for their trouble. Buying a short sale property isn’t for the people relocating in 4 weeks who have a commute to consider and need to have a school district identified ASAP. This is for the patient, and steadfast buyer who understands wealth in real estate is created on the buy side. *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
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URBAN LIFE GREEN
1. Work at Home & Telecommute
A no-brainer! Present full-time home business owners & telecommuters save approximately 4,439 million gallons of gas per year. If businesses could allow their employees to work at home even one day a week, we could make a measurable impact on reducing carbon emissions from cars (not to mention the measurable impact on your pocketbook!).
2. Do the Paperless Polka Personally, I can’t stand using paper anymore - quite honestly, it either messes up my house, I lose it, or I have to file it (and you don’t even want to know how infrequently I do that!). Keeping electronic records not only makes things easier for you, but it is GREAT for our forests. Great paperless products include Adobe Acrobat for creating PDFs and eFax which sends and receives faxes via email.
3. Meet Virtually Unless an in-person meeting is required, why bother leaving the office when there are so many easy ways to conference online? Skype offers free calls AND free conferencing, and if you need visuals, try a service like GoToMeeting, a provider of online meeting and collaboration software.
4. Reduce Snail Mail Most companies offer an electronic alternative to notifications traditionally sent out by mail, especially when it comes to invoicing. Request that all communications be sent via email rather than snail mail to reduce the paper sent to your business. And to ensure you don’t get a swamped email inbox, use email filtering to automatically send incoming messages to their proper folders.
5. Get a Green PC I just found out about these computers in my research for this post - and what a killer find! Zonbu PCs consume one tenth of the power of a normal desktop, plus stores all of your data on their servers, so you don’t even need a hard drive (nor do you have to hear it - these PCs run completely silently!). To make things better, they are ridiculously cheap - as in less than $100. *Written by Wendy Piersall, from www.sparkplugging.com
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
American Trivia Answer these 5 questions correctly and win a $5.00 gift card!
August 2009
1. Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance?
Winners 2. The 13 red and white stripes on the American Flag represent what?
C. Denman, Portland, OR N. King, Vancouver, WA G. Ross, Seattle,WA
3. The term “E Pluribus Unum” means what?
~~~~~~
4. Every President has stayed in the White House except one. Who? 5. What year was the Statue of Liberty declared a National Monument?
The first 3 persons to answer correctly will receive a $5.00
Answers (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
True
False True False True
gift card!
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 October 2009 issue.**
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ULNW COVER STORY
By Starla L. Fitch The photo depicts a nice, happy black family. One that seems to be living the “American Dream”. One that should be able to have and do as much as any other family in America. But is that really the case? Is being black ever enough? I’ve pondered this question over and over in my head and I’ve concluded that the logical answer is NO. I really don’t believe that being black will ever be enough in this country. I believe that racism is so ingrained in the fabric of America that regardless of what we’ve accomplished, how much money we have, our profession, where we live and even if we’ve married into the dominant culture or have biracial heritage, it is still not enough. Just ask Henry Gates Jr. a prominent Harvard professor, literary critic and writer, who reminded America that he lives in a “white” neighborhood, is married to a “white” woman and has bi-racial children yet he was still arrested for breaking into his own home. It is surprising that with all he has and has done that his neighbor could not discern him from your typical run of the mill criminal. America is at a crossroads when it comes to issues of race. Legally, we (Blacks) can go anywhere we want to go. We can live anywhere we want to live. We can shop, eat, and work anywhere we choose because there are no laws preventing us from doing so. We can marry whomever our heart desires and yes, we have elected a black president. I agree that blacks in America have come a long way in the past fifty years but we still have a long way to go. I posed the question “Is being black ever enough?” because many times I just don’t think so. When I hear white Americans saying, “We want our country back” and they say this because we have a black president that they refuse to accept as a “real” American because they, “birthers”, choose to falsely believe that President Obama was born someplace other than on American soil even though the proof of his birth in America has been proven over and over again, or when “deathers” compare our president to Hitler or some other diabolical person just because he wants our country to have affordable health care or when white American’s verbally and physically attack other white American’s, mostly democrats, at “town hall meetings” because they support our president and his policies, which by the way is their job or when now, for some reason, people have chosen to openly bear arms at meeting where our President is speaking, I have to say that being black is just not enough. In addition to all of this, we can add a new group to the mix, “indoctrinators”. President Obama, like other Presidents before him, is taking time out of his busy schedule to speak to America’s children. He wants to discuss the importance of setting goals, staying in school and getting good grades and can you believe it, there are parents threatening to keep their children away from school and school districts threatening to not show the President’s message because they fear that the President is attempting to “indoctrinate” their children? What?! Are these people insane?! Oh, but wait, it goes even further, some elected officials are helping spread this negative, ridiculous and unfounded propaganda to the public. Let me repeat, elected officials. People who have taken an oath to represent constituents equally and fairly. Any elected official that would willingly spread such insane lies should be forced out of office due to his/her inability to reason and/or lack of common sense. With all the things that former President George Bush did to this country, i.e. sentence countless enlisted men and women to death in a senseless war, send our country into an economic recession, taint the image of America in the eyes of the world, still no one doubted his birthright to be president nor openly carried weapons to public meetings. No one threaten to pull their children out of school when he spoke to the country about terrorism. Why is it so easy to excuse the white man who has put this country on the verge of destruction yet so hard to accept the black man who has thus far, done nothing wrong? I sum it all up as nothing more than racism. Yes, I said it, racism. Wait, wait, wait... before you stop reading hear me out. To have a discussion about race, we have to be brave enough to call a spade a spade. (No pun intended) Let’s face it, there is racism in America. As liberal as the Pacific Northwest may seem on the surface, there is deep seated racism beneath it all. During and since Obama’s election, the gloves have come off and the mask have been removed. In the words of MSNBC’s Keith Olberman, this country has “Obamaphobia, the irrational fear of a black man running this country.” I understand that this racism is based on fear. And in this case, fear that some other culture or race will take something away something that the white race believes is rightfully theirs - America. If I know my history correctly, it was slaves and other minorities, who provided the labor and many of the ideas that helped build this America that so many white Americans believe is exclusively theirs. Mostly, white Americans benefited from this unpaid labor and ingenuity, hence the reason they hold the majority of this country’s wealth. Blacks were not allowed to benefit from their labor and ingenuity, nor were they able to amass wealth. Hence today, we are still playing “catch-up” so that our lives and the lives of our children can be as close to equal as possible to our white counterparts. What I mean by this is that a black family with two educated parents and two children (like the one pictured above), should be able to live, have and do the same things as a white family with the same background, but so often that is not the case. 12
When searching for artwork to depict the “melting pot” theory, none of the artwork I found, included Blacks. Does this artwork say more than most people are willing to admit?
For many years, America was billed as a “melting pot”. A place where all races and cultures could live freely and be treated equally but that “melting pot” theory has never been extended to Black Americans. Anglo-Saxon Europeans, Germans, Italians, Russians, French, Spanish, Chinese, etc… have all been welcomed to live in this country and have their culture, language and race respected. That welcome was not extended to blacks. We did not have the luxury of choosing America, America chose us and forced us to leave our African culture, language and racial pride behind. We’ve become something other than African to Africans but something less than American to Americans. How can this be? Did we not pay with our labor, talent and lives to be considered an equal part of this country? Did we not fight for this country in every war on American soil and abroad? Have we not proven over and over again that we are just as American as the next person? Are we asking too much to have our contributions, opinions, culture and race respected and accepted? Equality is what we seek. No handouts. No special treatment. Just equality. Equality in employment. Equality in the importance of our educational institutions. Equality in the consideration and value of our cultures. Equality in the way we are treated. Equality, no more no less. We shouldn’t have to “white-wash” our beliefs, actions, and mannerisms just to “fit-in” or be accepted. But that is the unspoken expectation of white America. That we are to be absorbed into their culture and forsake our own. Unfortunately, too many blacks are willing to do just that. When I speak of black culture, that term has a different meaning for all blacks. Since we are not monolithic, it should be expected that each of us experience and define “black culture” differently. Black “culture” is drastically different for a black person who grew up in an inner city project and one who grew up as middle class. Within our race we have lower, middle and upper classes just like our white counterparts. And all of this is ok. It is ok to be different and still be black. What is not ok is when we believe that our differences make us something other than who we are. That these differences allow us to transcend race. Or that these differences make it ok for us to live beneath our potential. If you think that money and talent will allow you to transcend race, just look at what happened with Michael Jackson. He tried to erase his racial features with multiple and ultimately disfiguring plastic surgeries. He bleached his skin to a color that made him look neither black nor white. In his attempt to transcend race, he made himself odd. It is easy to conclude from his actions, that Michael did not believe that being black was enough. I guess the real question is do Black people think that being black is enough? And to go even further, what does being “black” mean to black people? I don’t believe that there is a single answer for either of these questions. I believe that the answers will vary depending on the background and cultural experience of the person giving the answers. As in the hilarious words of Chris Rock, “there are two kinds of black people - black folks and n- - - - - -. Chris went on to explain the differences and although he made it funny for his routine there were some real and thought-provoking truth behind his philosophy. At times it seems that the only people who are proud to be black are the ones who brag about how “ghetto” they are. They proudly speak about being from the “hood” as if that is the only place that black people originate from in America. Not all of us were born in a “hood” and regardless of where we were born, we are all equally as black and our experiences are equally as valid. Rappers talk about their “hood” experiences as if that makes them more black or more “real” than those of us who didn't’ have a “hood” experience. These same rappers, who have found success in “pimping” their “hood” experience, are no longer living in the “hood” they speak about so glowingly. They’ve escaped to more affluent neighborhoods and they are playing a mind game with our children. Trying to make them believe that living in the “hood” proves something or gives them some special authenticity. These same rapper have chosen a better life for themselves and their children and I think it is criminal to glorify the life that they eagerly left behind. Let’s be honest, no one wants to live in the projects. Take a lesson from Good Times, the ultimate goal of the Evans family was to get out of the projects, not make living there a way of life for generations to come. It’s ok to tell the world that you survived the “hood” and life is now better for you. It is not ok to sell the fantasy that living in the “hood” is something to be desired. If that were the case, people would be trying to get into the “hood” instead of doing everything they can to get out of the “hood”. We, as people of color, must believe that who we are and what we add to America is as good as what other races add to America. Too often we sell ourselves short by devaluing the beauty and uniqueness of black people. Too many of us, cheat ourselves by dropping out of school then spending the rest of our lives believing that we’re the victim of some “white” conspiracy. Let’s get real, we are the masters of our own destiny and if we fail to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for what life has in store then it is no one’s fault but our own. We have to respect ourselves in the way we act, the way we dress, and the way we conduct our lives. Always, remember, respect is earned not given. We have to support each other, not just with words but with deeds. We must encourage each other and stop the negative and destructive practice of thinking just because it’s “white” it’s better. We have to treat each other as if being black is enough. America, with all of its problems is still a country that is open to progress and open to improvement but we must take the initiative. I don’t think that the issue of race will be resolved in my lifetime nor my son’s but maybe, just maybe, if we can keep the conversations going, open our minds, improve who we are from the inside out, then maybe racism will come to it’s logical end and true equality can begin. So I leave you to ponder the question, Is being black ever enough?
*If you have comments about this article or experiences you want to share, please send to wpas@urbanlifenw.com. 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.
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September 11th – 13th - Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. At the opening ceremony at Shoreline Community College, we will gather together to pay tribute to the many women and men who have lost their battle with breast cancer, and honor the survivors. The closing ceremony will be at the Seattle Center. Benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure for more info visit http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/SeattleEvent. (SEATTLE) September 12th - 2009 Old House Tour, Back to Basics: The American Four-Square. Historic Tacoma invites the public to take a rare peek inside seven of Tacoma's most interesting and well-preserved historic homes. All seven homes are examples of American Four-Square architecture, the early 20th Century ‘basic box’ design that proved so popular and so adaptable. Some were built to suit the simple needs of workingmen’s families. Others were the grand residences of the city’s elite. All remain private, single-family residences to this day. Time: 10am – 5pm Cost: $20.00 For more info visit http://www.historictacoma.net. (TACOMA) September 19th & 20th Gigantic Rummage Sale! This fundraiser for Radical Women helps support some seditious sisters organizing against layoffs, social service cutbacks, and war. You’ll find irresistible bargains on housewares, books, toys, tools, collectibles, electronics, clothing, furniture, and more! Donations of saleable items are encouraged. Time: 9am – 5pm on Saturday, 10am – 3pm on Sunday, Location: New Freeway Hall . For more info call (206) 722-6057 or email Rwseattle@mindspring.com. (SEATTLE) September 26th – El Centro de la Raza, invite you to their 2nd Annual Auction Banquet at the Seattle Design Center! For more info call (206) 957- 4649 or email events@elcentrodelaraza.org. (SEATTLE) September 26th & 27th - Peninsula Women's Expo is the place for women to pick up tips on cooking, fashion, child development, weight control, hers and her family's health; and "window shop" in a non-pressure environment. Benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Location: Kitsap Sun Pavillion. For more information please contact Stephanie White at 360-649-7240 or http:// www.peninsulawomensexpos.com/ (BREMERTON) October 1st - For networking and community activism attend First Thursday Seattle, Location: Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club, Time: 6:00 pm. For more info call W. Larry Williams at (206) 852-8145 or email info@firstthurdayseattle.org. (SEATTLE) October 1st - Come party with the CD Forum and kick-off our 10th Anniversary Season in style! Buy your tickets today and join us for an evening of food, drinks and performances by past and present CREATION Project Artists. Location: Sole Repair, Time: 6:30pm Cost: $10 Audience: 21+ For more info visit http://www.cdforum.org or call (206) 323-4032 x410 (SEATTLE)
September 12th & 13th – Don’t miss Dragon Sport USA! Spectators may view the dragon boats races from Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This event will offer food, merchandise vendors, and a beer garden. Over 50 teams of 20 paddlers each race 250m and 500m; with competitive and recreational divisions. Time: 9am to 5pm Admission: FREE, for more info, call (503) 679-4721 (PORTLAND) September 17th – 19th – Blues By The Sea is celebrating 10 years! This is the biggest blues festival on the Oregon coast. 5 reasons to come – Great Tunes, Great Times, Great Location, Great Cause and Great People! For more info visit - http:// www.bluesbythesea.com/Blues_By_The_Sea/Welcome.html. (ASTORIA) September 19th - This year, the Scappose Sauerkraut Festival will be held, rain or shine. You’ll find tons of vendors, food and activities - come join the fun! There is something for everyone at this coveted Columbia County Event. The Scappoose Farmers Market will be open extended hours as well.Come try the special Scappoose Sandwich and see what all the fuss is about. For more info visit www.scappoosecommunity.org (SCAPPOOSE) September 20th – The 100th Centennial Birthday Jubilee of the Vancouver Ave First Baptist Church building. We invite you to join us as we celebrate with a 100 Voice Reunion Gospel Choir. Time: 11:00 a.m. Location: 3138 North Vancouver Ave. For more information call (503) 282-9496 (PORTLAND) September 20th - Komen Race for the Cure® nationwide is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. This year marks the 18th year of our local event, the Komen Portland Race for the Cure®. On Sunday, September 20, thousands will join together at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland for this worthy cause. For more info visit www.komenoregon.org/race_for_the_cure. (PORTLAND) 15
URBAN LIFE PEOPLE
By Starla L. Fitch
Dr. Robert Houston has spent his life being dedicated to God’s work. He has been preaching for over 42 years. He’s the pastor of Beacon Hill First Baptist Church in Seattle, WA. It was 1975 when he envisioned a school in Seattle that would give ministers an opportunity to study theology. It took several years of work and perseverance to make this dream a reality. Dr. Houston received support from the United Theological Seminary and Bible College (UTS) based in Monroe, Louisiana. By 1979, he held his first seminary class in the fellowship hall at Beacon Hill First Baptist Church. He has been an admirable pastor, teacher, mentor and friend to a number of ministers in Seattle and around the country . He has 42 “sons” in the ministry all of whom he is proud to have played a small yet pivotal role in their spiritual and educational development. Dr. Houston has served as the CEO of the United Theological Seminary & Bible College - Seattle branch for 30 years. On Saturday, September 5, 2009, members of Beacon Hill First Baptist Church, UTS alumni, family and friends were in attendance at the Best Western Hotel, Seattle, WA, to celebrate and honor this dynamic man of God. When I spoke to Dr. Houston, he said that he would retire as CEO of UTS but not from the ministry. He plans to continue to pastor his flock at Beacon Hill First Baptist Church. He still travels and preaches at revivals. When I asked about his family, Dr. Houston smiled and said he is happily married with four children and six grandchildren. Best wishes to you, Dr. Houston. May God bless and keep you always.
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URBAN LIFE INSPIRATION
By Pastor Dana McClendon
I wish I could tell you that you will not have to face any more of life’s storms and that from the moment you receive Jesus into your heart, that life will be nothing but smooth sailing until, one day, you will just simple sail into the sunset on a tranquil sea in this life and right into Heaven’s harbor without pain, suffering, worry, fear or doubt. I wish I could tell you that, but I can’t. What I can tell you is that, even though the storms will surely come, there is still reason to rejoice. • • • •
In the midst of the storm your heart can be made to sing for joy. In the midst of trouble you can sleep in perfect peace. In the midst of trials you can lift up your head in hope. In the midst of suffering you can rest in confidence that everything is going to be all right.
Rev. Dana McClendon
What power can give that kind of peace, joy, confidence and hope? There is only one source for that kind of power. It’s found in serving the Lord Jesus Christ and allowing Him -- to be the captain of your soul, guiding you through life’s stormy seas. It’s through the shattering, and the brokenness, in the valley of weakness, that we really are made strong through the Blood of Christ. • • •
Each time, he lifts us up once again and we become just a little stronger than we were before. Each time, he restores our soul, and it brings us one step closer. Each time, one more flaw in our character is revealed, dealt with, corrected and forgiven.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." That’s the way God works in all of us. Time and again, my life has come to the place where I feel like I’m nothing but broken pieces. There is nothing of value for me to give anymore. • • • •
I’ve failed God miserably. I’ve said things or done things that bring sorrow into my heart. I’ve felt imprisoned by sin and shame. I’ve felt like I’m going to drown in the depths of sorrow.
Then Jesus comes, and makes me whole again, forms me into a better vessel than before and the process begins again. *Rev. Dana McClendon is the Pastor of Greater New Bethel, 5279 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA
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URBAN LIFE ENTERTAINMENT
By Jacob Galfano I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Jaqueline Moscou, the Artistic Director at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. She is directing its fall play, Obama on My Mind. This musical takes a humorous look at the whirlwind and wonderful world behind the scenes of an Obama campaign office in small town America. It opens at LHPAC on October 23rd, 2009. Urban Life Northwest: How did this project come about? Jaqueline Moscou: I received a phone call from the playwright, Teddy Hayes – a black American from Cleveland, Ohio living in London. He conceived of and produced the show in England during the height of the campaign frenzy and wanted to capture that action in theatrical form – including reaching audiences in the United States. After getting positive initial responses to the script, Mr. Hayes contacted me after researching African-American directors and hearing about Seattle’s strong theater scene. I decided to take on the play because it was a good fit for our mission; Obama’s campaign and election was momentous and brought together people from a wide variety of backgrounds. The timing is critical, and the excitement of doing a United States premier and the opportunity to bring together an excellent, creative team was all the rationale I needed. We decided against bringing Mr. Hayes’s cast to Seattle because the Obama campaign is of America. But we must not forget to acknowledge this play’s global perspective and impact. So I accepted the director’s invitation to direct the play in London, to develop the script, and to enhance our partnerships abroad. I will write about my travels in your next issue. ULNW: Describe the process of putting together a project like this. JM: It’s a very rare opportunity that our actors and production team get to work on. This artistic process of putting together a newly formed work unites local and global talent. At a time when there is not a lot of originality, we decided to exercise that muscle. And how strong it is: We have a dynamic cast of actors – some deeply experienced and others new to calling LHPAC home. Each is taking the initiative to enhance their characters. We have musical director Paul Thomas and choreographer Daniel Wilkins of DassDance, both of whom will accentuate the diversity and soulfulness of African-American music and movement. We have a wonderful crew who are creating spectacular costumes and set. I am very excited about developing an authentic story that connects so vividly with our mission and bringing it to the next level. Really, collaboration is the key. ULNW: What is most exciting to you about this project? JM: This musical is not about Obama; it never was. In fact, Obama is not even about Obama. He is a symbol of this time and space in our history, of a diversity of backgrounds coming together for change. America simply had to change. After a time like that – and during a recession like this – Americans need to see energetic dancing, catchy songs, and great fun; shared humor brings us together. This is a nutty comedy – meant to entertain and to make our audiences laugh. We are going to depict exaggerated characters under extraordinary circumstances… otherwise it isn’t theater. Theater is always a little larger-than-life. For example, the story will capture the madness of the Republican National Convention and what was happening with Sarah Palin. It will convey the uncertainty during Obama’s ride up and down the opinion polls and communicate the very high stakes in getting one’s candidate elected. It will absolutely resonate with people who can relate to this frenetic experience. 18
This page is sponsored by Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Jacob Galfano submitted this article on behalf of LHPAC.
URBAN LIFE STYLE
By Starla L. Fitch
Everyone wants to have clear, healthy skin. Most people have a skin care regimen that they swear by as the one that will give you the best skin ever. The skin care business is a multi-billion dollar business because skin texture, type and tone varies for every person. And every person is looking for something different when it comes to the care of their skin. For most women it takes time, effort, trial and error to find the right skin care products to address their individual skin care needs.
Finding the right skin care products is a difficult task and will most likely require that you try different skin care lines to find the one that is right for your skin. I think I have tried them all. Oil of Olay, Fashion Fair, Carol’s Daughter, Mary Kay and even simply washing my face with Dove. I’ve tried pretty much anything that is supposed to help you keep your skin clean and looking fresh. None of the products I mentioned are bad products but they were just not right for me. Many women like my mother-in-law have the type of skin that really doesn’t need much other than a simple cleanser and moisturizer. I don’t have that type of skin, although I don’t do much more than cleanse and moisturize. Finding the right cleanser and moisturizer took me years to accomplish and over the years I have gone from one skin care line to the next finding some positives and negatives in each. The line I am currently using and have been using for over a year is Clear Essence. Clear Essence specializes in skin care products for women and men of color. I’ve found that the cost is reasonable and the results are better than most of the more expensive lines I’ve tried. I don’t like complicated processes. Clear Essence makes it simple. Cleanse and Moisturize. They offer other products but I’ve found that this two step method is all I need. An added plus is that I don’t have to worry about finding these products in stores because I can order them online. They offer something for every skin type and tone. If you’re between skin care lines, give Clear Essence a try.
Lotions and potions to keep hands soft and moisturized is another part of caring for your skin. Women especially buy lotions to help keep their hands soft. For black skin in particular, lotion serves a two-fold purpose - to soften and to keep away the ash. No one wants to be seen with ashy hands. There are several lotions and potions that will work but not all are created equal. Once again, there are different formulas to meet the specific needs of the user. It is important to have a good moisturizer especially during the cold weather months. Sometimes we forget the important role our hands play in our day to day lives. When you meet someone, you shake their hand. We write with our hands. Eat with our hands. Touch and feel with our hands. So it is imperative that we give our hands the TLC they deserve. Most of us wash our hands multiple times during the day so keep a light moisturizer at your desk or in your car and apply when needed. Your hands will feel better and look better.
Last but not least, caring for the skin on your body. Taking daily showers or baths in warm water instead of hot is a good way to keep your skin from being excessively dry. Upon completion of your shower or bath, try moisturizing your skin while it is still damp. Damp skin allows a smooth and easy application of moisturizers or oils. Often times, men neglect to pamper their skin with a moisturizer. Light lotions and oils help to replace the natural oils that are lost when bathing. These oils are imperative to the health of your skin. Be sure to save a little time to moisturize your body on a daily basis. Your body deserves it. Women and men alike should have a skin care regimen. Caring for your skin is essential to maintaining a fresh and youthful appearance well into your 60’s and 70’s. Something as simple as cleansing and moisturizing your skin will help your skin defy the test of time and keep you looking and feeling great. So, pamper the skin you’re in. Your skin will love you for it! 19
URBAN LIFE FOOD By Starla L. Fitch
Paul Knalls is a man who knows about olive oil and cares about the olive oil we buy. I asked him to share his story about how he got into the olive oil business. ULNW: What made you decide to go into the olive oil business? PK: A friend of mine, four years ago, came to Portland from Andalucia Spain and gave me a 2 liter bottle of olive oil. It was the most incredible olive oil I ever had tasted. The more I used it, the more I noticed how different it was from the oil I had been using, it really enhanced the flavor of my food. The closer I got to the end of the bottle, I started wondering when I would see my friend again. Two years passed and my friend showed up again, and this time with an offer to help expand the family business. That meant launching Andalucian Girl Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the United States. ULNW: How did you discover there were issues with the labeling of olive oil? PK: After reaching the end of the bottle of olive oil my friend gave me. I went to the store to purchase extra virgin olive oil. I spent about 25 dollars on a bottle. I got home, tried the oil and was very disappointed. It certainly did not taste or have the nice fragrant plume, like the oil I had got from my friend and I also noticed the texture was different. And I found out that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had not set any standards of identity for extra virgin olive oil or just olive oil. In 1996 the FDA tested 74 bottles of olive oils, the results were astounding. Only 4% of the olive oil tested were really olive oil. The other oils were found to contain a number of other oils such as hazelnut, vegetable, canola, grape seed, even peanut oil. ULNW: What did you have to do to get the state to listen to you? PK: I spoke with my State Representative Chip Shields one day when he came in to get a haircut. I told him I had concerns about the public heath and safety issue related to olive oil, because of the recent discoveries of olive oil containing peanut oil in the United States as recent as last year. That's when Representative Shields let me know that he was willing to look into my concern. I was able to get House Bill 2893 passed, a truth in labeling legislation. ULNW: Have you seen any changes in the labeling of olive oil since legislation was passed? PK: There have been no changes at this point. The law will go into effect 1/1/2011. At that point if you sell or distribute olive oil in the state of Oregon, and blend other oils with it, the label will have to state the complete contents of the bottle. What a novel idea, truth in labeling. I certainly think we (Oregonians) deserve it, and so do millions of other Americans. The Portland Tribune, applauded his efforts to get legislators to pass a bill that will protect public health. For Paul, knowing what is in the oils you buy is a public health concern. If you want to know more about Paul Knalls and the exceptionally pure olive oil he sells, you may contact him at evooilman@live.com or call (503) 449-3642.
By Evelyn Ray 1 - 8oz. can of dice peaches (heavy syrup) 2 - 8oz. containers of strawberry yogurt
Directions: Step 1 - In a medium size glass bowl spread one 8oz. strawberry yogurt on the bottom of the bowl. Step 2 - Make sure you drain as much juice as possible off your peaches, then place half of your peaches evenly on top of the strawberry yogurt. Repeat Steps 1 and 2. Let chill for 1 hour in your refrigerator. This is really a light but filling dessert that can be served at any time of year. Other options – Try this dish with vanilla yogurt and strawberries. 20
*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 OUTDOORS
Symbil, Joseph, Pauline, Patrycia & Adia
Scott, Pauline, Symbil, Joseph & Patrycia
A lot has happened with Urban Life Outdoor Explorers since our first meeting in May. We have a new Coordinator - Adia Callahan. She is devoting her time and effort to helping this group develop and grow. She has successfully organized our first activity and we're happy to say that it was a great success. More importantly, we are happy to have Adia. She loves physical fitness and is studying to become a Fitness Training Specialist. We appreciate your talent, dedication and positive energy. Welcome aboard, Adia! To contact Adia, you may email her at acallahan@urbanlifenw.com . OO On August 15, 2009 our Urban Life Outdoor Explorers decided to take a hike...literally. They met at Snoqualmie Falls at 10:30 am, it was a cloudy and cool day but no rain - perfect weather for hiking. First, they stopped by the observation deck to drink in the beautiful view. Then they found the trailhead and began their hike. It took approximately 30 minutes to hike down to the base of the falls but the hike up was a little longer, about 45 minutes. This was a good, easy trail and everyone had fun. They took some great photos, had some good conversations and enjoyed a few laughs. Adia has another hike scheduled for September 12, 2009. She has great ideas and we’re excited to see what she comes up with next! If you are interested this group, send your contact information to ulnwoutdoors@urbanlifenw.com .
Adia Callahan
...MORE URBAN LIFE OUTDOORS Urban Life Northwest was one of several proud sponsors of the 3rd Annual Seniors for Juniors Golf Tournament which benefits Fir State Junior Golf Foundation and Northwest Senior Games. Our Publisher and Editor, Starla L. Fitch was in attendance as was Alberta “Birdie” Griffey, mother of Ken Griffey Jr., Rod Long, local comedian, David Mann, legendary Seattle Rainiers baseball player, and the co-chairs of the tournament - Candace Oehler and Bob “Woody” Woodard. Birdie was the host for this event. Urban Life Northwest sponsored the 5th hole.
David Mann
Starla L. Fitch at the 5th hole.
Rod Long, Alberta Griffey and Starla Fitch
Fir State Junior Golf Foundation is committed to “investing in our future through golf”. This organization assist area youth in achieving his or her dreams in - golf, academics and life. They help area youth develop leadership skills and attain higher education goals through a scholarship awards program. For more info about this fantastic organization be sure to check out their website at http://www.firstatejuniorgolf.org/. To see more photos from this event, view our Facebook page, key words “Urban Life Northwest Magazine”.
Candace, Woody and Alberta read the rules.
The golfers listen, eager to get on the green. 21
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