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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Volume 82 | Number 7
DECEMBER 6, 2012 |FREE
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NEWSTALK
Stop the
gangs
DERIC MUHAMMAD says male summit a success
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NATIONAL AL SHARPTON joins Black leaders in D.C.
P4 ENTERTAINMENT OPINION
BERRY GORDY shares memories of Motown
Early babies
Kevin Sumlin
Premature, small or sick babies require special care, like the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital. Find out what strides have been made in the area of neonatology. See what challenges premature babies face. Discover what “low tech” approach has become invaluable.
Things have changed at College Station since the Texas A&M University Aggies hired Kevin Sumlin as head football coach. How is his team faring in the tough Southeastern Conference? What does Sumlin believe is the key to success? Why is America taking note of Sumlin’s quarterback Johnny “Football?”
get special care
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P6 FEATURE
GABBY DOUGLAS writes book about her faith
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012
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Black Male Summit a success
Participants enjoy the Black Male Summit held at Lone Star Collge.
By ASWAD WALKER Defender
According to one education statistic, only 52 percent of Black males in high school graduate after four years. According to organizers of the recent 2012 Smart’n Up Black Male Summit, event participants will soon replace those horrid statistics with stories of exceptional academic accomplishments. The third annual summit provided its youthful participants with presentations from State Rep. Sylvester Turner and presenter Silky Slim of Stop the Killing Inc., who spoke on conflict resolution through education. “The event was standing-room only; young brothers want this,” said event organizer Deric Muhammad about the abundance of positive male role models gathered for the purpose of mentoring participants and redefining the Black male image. “Our goal was to inspire young men to pursue the acquisition of knowledge, inside the classroom as well as outside. But most importantly we wanted to affect and impact the way those young boys see themselves, which can only be accomplished through the knowledge of self,” Muhammad said. Workshops and a panel discussion focused on both the image and the essence of Black manhood. “The Black male is righteous by nature. He is only unrighteous by circumstance,” Muhammad said. “His forefathers built the pyramids, the Sphinx and were the architects of civilization.
Event organizer Deric Muhammad is joined by panelists.
Higher education is in his very DNA. Programs like ‘Smart’n Up’ are designed to bring out of him that which is already in him. Event organizers felt that a Black Male Summit was necessary to stop the downward social trajectory of young Black men that has them labeled an endangered species, especially in terms of academic excellence. “Black males have unique needs that the American educational system does not know how to fulfill. There must be programs that speak to those unique needs and prove that the bestial image portrayed in the media is more hype than substance,” Muhammad said. Youth were not the only ones who benefitted from the event. Single parents – particularly single mothers – who were present were thankful for the opportunity their sons had to be around strong male figures. “Imagine if every day of school was like the Black Male Summit for these young boys. We would produce giants ad infinitum. Our community would be a factory for the production of greatness,” said Muhammad, who wants to expand the event. “We are planning a special summit for Black History Month that will be held in Southeast Houston. We believe that the best way to celebrate our history is to focus on our future,” he said. “We plan to take this message to Northeast Houston, Fort Bend, Southwest Houston and other areas of town where the need is so great. We also want to encourage the public not to give up on the young Black male. He is smarter than you think.”
Participants at the standing-roomonly summit listen intently.
Young men of all ages (and some young women) gather at the summit.
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| DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
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U.S.briefs
Black leaders outline priorities Defender News Services
Nearly 60 leading civil rights, social justice, business and community leaders recently met in Washington, D.C. to collaborate on national concerns Al Sharpton for the new presidential term. They said the nation must commit to economic and educational parity for communities of color, and outlined a list of priorities. “The plight of the AfricanAmerican community underscores the urgency of our demand,” the leaders wrote. “The African-American community was disproportionately battered by the Great Recession, and has benefited the least from the fragile economic recovery. “Unemployment remains unacceptably high; income inequality and the ever-widening wealth gap threaten to relegate the Black community to perpetual underclass status. And those who wish to curtail investment education and career preparation further dim the prospects for
African-Americans. 2. Promote equity in educational opportunity. 3. Protect and defend voting rights. 4. Promote a healthier nation by eliminating healthcare disparities. Ben Jealous Marc Morial 5. Achieve compreupward mobility for our hensive reform of the young people.” criminal justice system. The meeting was convened by “We come together at this the presidents of four organizations: historic juncture to articulate our vision for those priorities that can – Marc H. Morial, National Urban and must – drive economic recovery League; Rev. Al Sharpton, National and rebirth not just for the AfricanAction Network; Ben Jealous, American community, but also for NAACP, and Melanie Campbell, urban communities and all lowNational Coalition on Black Civic income and working-class AmeriParticipation. cans,” the leaders wrote. Others in attendance included: “As we approach the 50th anniMarian Wright Edelman, Chilversary of the great March on Washdren’s Defense Fund; U.S. Rep. ington and the 150th anniversary of Emanuel Cleaver II, Congressional the Emancipation Proclamation, we Black Caucus; Cloves Campbell must have a seat at the table to fully Jr., National Newspaper Publishers leverage the talents, intellectual capAssociation, and Harry E. Johnson, ital and contributions of our leaders Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to craft a domestic agenda that Foundation. The leaders approved a commu- brings African-Americans closer to niqué outlining five priorities: parity and equality, and fulfills the 1. Achieve economic parity for promise of these milestones.”
NAACP grades hotel industry Defender News Services
The NAACP released the findings from its Opportunities & Diversity Report Card: Hotel & Lodging Industry. Marriott International received an overall B grade – the highest rating out of all the hotels – with the remaining hotels scoring either a C+ or C. The report suggests that corporate leaders in the industry still have far to go to ensure their workforce leadership and suppliers adequately reflect the demographics of the United States. “The lodging industry has failed to keep pace with our diverse nation,”
Report card results
Hilton Worldwide – C+ Hyatt Hotels Corporation – C Marriott International – B Starwood Hotels & Resorts – C Wyndham Hotel Group – C said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “As one of the fastest growing industries in the country, the lodging industry has opportunities for entry level positions, senior management positions, ownership and supplier diversity – a full spectrum
of economic opportunity.” Of the corporations graded in the report, only 8 percent of total dollars spent for goods and services went to companies owned by people of color and a dismal 1 percent went to Blackowned companies. The report card graded the five largest hotels – Marriott, Wyndam, Hyatt, Starwood and Hilton. Grades are based on three main criteria: workforce and job advancement; contracting and procurement, and ownership. The report can be viewed at http://www.naacp.org/blog/entry/ opportunity-and-diversity-report-card.
NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER is trying to prove a point by only eating $29.78 worth of food for one week. He is participating in a challenge to bring attention to hunger in America, and the $29.78 figure is equivalent to the amount the average New Jersey resident receives in food stamps – about $4 a day. Booker’s grocery list included beans, corn and an apple. He is a vegetarian so his list didn’t include any meat. Booker is documenting his experience on social media, and agreed to the challenge after sparring with tweeters over the necessity of programs such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, commonly called food stamps …….. XAVIER UNIVERSITY of Louisiana is bucking the trend whereby the United States lags behind other countries in graduating students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Xavier is enrolling and graduating more underrepresented African-Americans than any U.S. college or university, with 65 percent of its incoming freshmen focusing on a STEM discipline. In 2011 Xavier was the top producer of AfricanAmerican students who went on to earn medical degrees. “Success breeds success. The rigorous academics at Xavier enable students to believe they are prepared to compete with their peers,” said Xavier President Dr. Norman Francis…….THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL students will spend more time in the classroom in 2013 as part of a three-year pilot program. The initiative is funded by a combination of federal, state and private monies, and will add at least 300 hours of learning time to schools in five states: Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Tennessee. The program is intended to boost student achievement and make U.S. schools more competitive. Officials believe additional classroom time will give students access to a better-rounded curriculum, help those who fall behind and reinforce critical math and science skills.
VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 7 DECEMBER 6, 2012
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley
Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
‘Fiscal cliff’ might push Blacks over edge NNPA News Service
If Republicans and Democrats don’t reach a 12th hour deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” many lower-and middleincome families will feel deep pain, according to analysis by economists and respected think tanks. The Budget Control Act, set to expire at the end of the year, will usher in draconian social spending and defense cuts along with tax hikes on all Americans if lawmakers can’t get a deal done. Much of the impact of such a decision – or non-decision – will come later in the year. Some changes will be immediate. “The most immediate one is the payroll tax,” said Chuck Marr, director of federal tax policy at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a fiscal policy and public program research group. “That’s going to come right out of your paycheck; your first one is going to change.” In 2010, President Obama worked with the Congress to continue the “payroll tax holiday” and unemployment insurance benefits. In an October 2012 brief on the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance extension, CBPP reported that both were still needed to spur growth in a fragile economy. The CBPP brief listed a number of examples. A cashier making $20,230 saved $405 as a result of the payroll tax cut, a hair dresser who earned $26,460 saved $529, and an electrician who made $52,910 kept an additional $1,037. Those savings will disappear on New Year’s Day if a deal isn’t reached. The report noted that the temporary payroll tax cut could add $100 billion to the economy, twice what the upperincome tax cuts would contribute, “because much of the payroll tax cut goes to low and middle-income households, whose spending rises more in response to increases in their income than does wealthier people’s.” The brief also recommended extending unemployment insurance for another year to prop up the ailing economy. Even though Blacks access unemployment benefits at lower rates than whites, more than 1 million Blacks receive the help, softening the impact of a double-digit jobless rate (14.1 percent in October 2012) that plagues the Black community. As the clock ticks down to December 31, some lawmakers remain optimistic about a budget deal. “I think we’re going to get this done. I’m more positive than most,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (DIll.) said recently.
Durbin said that he didn’t know if there was a mandate that came out of the recent election, but there certainly was a work order. “It said: ‘Get to work and do it together and get the job done.’ ”
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entertainment
Berry Gordy
shares Motown memories
Berry Gordy Jr. owned Motown from 1960 to 1988.
Special to NNPA from The Chicago Crusader
Berry Gordy Jr. left big shoes to fill when he sold Motown Records nearly 25 years ago. As founder of the historic record company, which launched the careers of Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and many others, Gordy, 82, said he had a vision to introduce Black singers to America. “I knew there was talent beyond just white voices. There were soulful sounds being made by Blacks but no one could hear them because they had nowhere to go to produce the kind of music Blacks wanted to hear,” Gordy said during a tribGordy launched the career of Diana Ross. ute to him at the Art Institute of Chicago. spring 2013. “All I wanted to do was help Black He said that he often took the unconventional singers recognize their talent and share it with the route to success, regardless what the circumstances world.” were. Gordy recalled Motown memories during a He talked about trying to get the classic movie PBS-TV taping where journalist Gwen Ifill inter“Lady Sings the Blues” made and released by viewed him before a live audience. The History Paramount Pictures. The movie studio had only Makers, a non-profit organization in Chicago, budgeted $500,000 for what they described as a hosted the tribute. The show is expected to air in
Black movie. “I told them that this is not a Black film but a film with Black stars,” recalled Gordy. Audience members at the tribute were treated to a performance by two cast members of Gordy’s upcoming Broadway show, “Motown: The Musical.” The scene re-enacted Gordy and Diana Ross falling in love in Paris. Berry dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a boxer, which lasted until 1950 when the Army drafted him for service in the Korean War. In 1953, he returned home to Detroit and used the money he saved from his military pay to open a record store. He worked for his father for a short period and then on an assembly line at the Ford Motor Company. As he worked he wrote songs in his head, some of which were recorded by local singers. At the suggestion of a friend, teenage singer William “Smokey” Robinson, Gordy borrowed $700 from his father and formed his own company to make and sell records. In 1960 Motown released its first hit, “Shop Around,” by Robinson and the Miracles.
what’sup JAMIE FOXX has drawn the wrath of one conservative for his comments during the Soul Train Awards. During the awards show, Foxx told audience members, “It’s like church in here. First of all, give an honor to God and our Lord and savior Barack Obama.” John Hayward, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, wasn’t amused. “Practicing Christians are not amused by the portrayal of modern secular politicians as replacements for Jesus,” Hayward said. Foxx is also making news because of his charitable deeds. He is the new national spokesperson for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and hosted a private party for a group of boys and their mentors at his Los Angeles-area home……..BET is debuting two new series next month. The first, “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” airs Jan. 15 at 9 p.m. It stars recently divorced comedian and actor KEVIN HART; NICK CANNON,
husband of MARIAH CAREY; BORIS KODJOE, husband of NICOLE ARI PARKER; DUANE MARTIN, husband of TISHA CAMPBELL-MARTIN; ROBIN THICKE, husband of actress PAULA PATTON, and J. B. SMOOVE, husband of songstress SHAHIDAH OMAR. Special guests will include SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, NELLY, COMMON and CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER. The “fake” reality show is based on sketches aired during the BET Awards. ……..The other new comedy, “Second Generation Wayans,” airs immediately after “Real Husbands of Hollywood.” It stars DAMIEN DANTE WAYANS, CRAIG WAYANS, GEORGE O. GORE II and TATYANA ALI. During the show, viewers will see how Damien and Craig emerge from the shadows of their uncles to find their own paths to stardom in Hollywood. Special guests will include MARLON WAYANS,
DAMON WAYANS JR., REGINA HALL, GABOUREY SIDIBE, TERRY CREWS and former Destiny’s Child member LETOYA LUCKETT …….. Jackson family patriarch JOE JACKSON suffered three strokes, not just one as previously reported. That’s the word from his daughter LA TOYA JACKSON, who updated his condition on Twitter. She also told fans, “Just spoke to my father & he is doing extremely well! So proud of his strength in recovery! He thanks you all for the well wishes & prayers!” The elder Jackson, 83, was admitted to a Las Vegas Hospital after experiencing weakness……..MICHAEL JACKSON memorabilia brought in big money during a recent L.A. auction. The jacket he wore during his “Bad” tour fetched $240,000 and two of his crystal-encrusted gloves sold for more than $100,000 each. The auction raised more than $5 million.
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DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
Was your home in the FORECLOSURE PROCESS in 2009-2010, and was your mortgage loan serviced by one of the companies listed here? America’s Servicing Co.
EMC
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HFC
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If you believe foreclosure errors cost you money, you can request a free review of your mortgage foreclosure file by a neutral party. You give up nothing by requesting a review and waive no rights by accepting compensation.
IF AN ERROR IS FOUND, YOU COULD RECEIVE A PAYMENT OR OTHER COMPENSATION THAT MAY INCLUDE REFUNDED FEES, STOPPING OF A FORECLOSURE OR PAYMENTS UP TO $125,000 PLUS EQUITY.*
Visit IndependentForeclosureReview.com or call 1-888-952-9105 to request a review today. You must submit a Request for Review Form no later than December 31, 2012. Don’t pay for help to request a review. Federal bank regulators—the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury—are directing and monitoring the review process. For more information, go to the government websites: occ.gov/independentforeclosurereview or federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/independent-foreclosure-review.htm If you need free help to complete the Request for Review Form, contact a HUD-approved nonprofit organization that helps homeowners in distress. Information about HUD-approved nonprofit organizations that can provide free assistance is available at makinghomeaffordable.gov/get-started/housing-expert or by calling 1-855-778-0855. Si usted habla español, tenemos representantes que pueden asistirle en su idioma para darle información sobre la Revisión Independiente de Ejecución Hipotecaria. Assistance is also available in over 200 languages, including: Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hmong and Russian. 提供中文幫助。 한국어 도움을 제공합니다. Помощь на русском языке.
Trợ giúp hiện có bằng tiếng Việt. Peb muaj cov neeg hais lus Hmoob pab nej. Available ang tulong sa wikang Tagalog.
* Any payments made to you if errors in your foreclosure are found may be reported to the IRS and may have tax implications. Consult a tax advisor to discuss those implications.
An important message directed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
INDEPENDENT FORECLOSURE REVIEW
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com
Chef Lisa
Santa Fe South Catering MENU • German chocolate cake pops • Old-fashioned bread pudding draped in Jack Daniels sauce • Mini ice cream cones filled with Bavarian crème mousse
Twelve Tastes of Christmas the holiday party of the year The holiday season is full of joy, the smell and aroma of cedar and the taste of delightful food coupled with good music and a great party. The Defender and KTSU-FM are putting together all of these ingredients to create the Twelve Tastes of Christmas sponsored by Buick. Labeled as the “Holiday Party of the Year,” the event gets underway at 8 pm and lasts until 12 midnight on Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road. As the Twelve Tastes of Christmas begins its 16th year, KTSU-FM and the Defender are proud to award annual scholarships to Texas Southern University School of Communication students. KTSU-FM General Manager George Thomas said: “With the high cost of education today, the station and its listeners understand how important these scholarships are to furthering the advancement of these students. We continue this tradition of helping our future broadcasters and journalists which is a fitting tribute as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Choice 90.9 FM.” This year the Twelve Tastes of Christmas will feature four Houston chefs who will prepare tastes of culinary pleasure. They are Lisa Green of Santa
“With the high cost of education today, the station and its listeners understand how important these scholarships are.” Fe South Catering, Ken Senegal of Space City Catering, Patricia Swayzer of Eloquent Expressions and Joseph Hopkins of the Power Center. The 12 different appetizing tastes make this a unique experience. A special award will be presented to honoree Marie Bosarge, CEO of Music Doing Good, who is a philanthropist through music. Ms. Bosarge has been a strong advocate and supporter of KTSU, music education for children and jazz throughout the city of Houston.
Also, five TSU students will receive scholarships to assist them in paying for their education. Entertainment for the night will begin with the Conrad Johnson Orchestra offering an array of big band sounds. The icing on the cake will spotlight KTSUFM DJs as they take the audience on a stroll down memory lane with 40 years of music in all its many colors – jazz, soul, rhythm and blues, reggae, and the list goes on. The flashback should be a hit on the dance floor. “It is a rare occasion where you can enjoy a variety of foods or listen to live music and flashbacks of recordings of the greats, celebrate 40 years of an institution like KTSU-FM, contribute to the education of young college students and join in the unveiling of the new Defendernetwork.com website,” said Sonceria Messiah Jiles, CEO of the Defender Media Group, an event presenter. The event promises to be an enjoyable occasion with event planner Elmer Rogers of All About Events at the helm. Tickets are $50 for KTSU-FM members and $75 for non-members. Tables and sponsorships are still available. To purchase your tickets go to www.ktsufm.org or www.defendernet-
Chef Ken
Space City Catering MENU • Roast turkey breast carving station • Holiday pasta station • Chicken & sausage gumbo
Chef Taylor
Eloquent Expressions MENU • Cajun Pasta • Vegetable medley • Chicken Diablo or turkey roll
Chef Joseph
Power Center MENU • Montreal steak, 3-mushroom sauce with pork glaze, garlic mashed potatoes • Garlic sautéed shrimp with curry rice • Teriyaki salmon with miniature vegetables
Gabby Douglas writes about faith Defender News Services
Gymnast and two-time Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas believes that her own success is directly proportional to the immense support of her family, friends, and faith in God. That theme is at the heart of her debut memoir, “Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith,” published by Zondervan. “Even before I competed in the Olympics, I always wanted to write a book,” the
16-year-old said prior to its recent release. “Of course, there’ll be a lot of stories about gymnastics, but the book will also be about how much my family and I have overcome during our journey. “It hasn’t been easy. I want people to read my story and say, ‘If Gabby can do it, I can do it, too. Anything is possible.’ “ In her memoir, Douglas reveals how her modest upbringing shaped her into the young woman and role model she is today. The youngest of four siblings, Douglas shares poignant, often humorous stories from her childhood as she talks candidly
about the obstacles faced along her road toward the world gymnastics stage. “Grace, Gold & Glory” offers a firsthand look into the intense training and sacrifice required of Douglas, and reveals the bullying and racism she endured as an African-American gymnast. Douglas also opens up for the first time about her father’s role in her life. “With strong faith in God and some serious determination, every dream is possible,” Douglas reiterated. “I hope this book inspires others to go for their biggest dreams.”
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| DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
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Emancipation 150 events designed to break chains
Scholarship Gala & Dance
By ASWAD WALKER Defender
January 2013 will bring with it the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, an act that symbolically brought an end to slavery in the United States. MarcHowever, Morial many contend that the vestiges of mental shackles still remain affixed, as evidenced by morbidly high drop-out, incarceration, and The Emancipation Proclamation was drafted by Abraham Lincoln Black-on-Black in 1862 and issued in 1863. crime rates. contradictory to theearly reality of a toward universal childhood In an effortNews Services Defender two-term Black president. education.” to confront issues that impede “The Great Recession, which Blacks from obtaining Morial also encouraged the Following the Nov.full 6 elecwiped out on average 40 percent equality, the Shrine Christian expansion of efforts to make coltion, National Urban League of people’s wealth, did even Center of Houston has launched lege and higher education more President and CEO Marc H. more damage to Blacks, wiping “Emancipation 150: to Campaign affordable by including a new Morial sent a letter President out nearly all of the wealth we to Break the Psychological emphasis on job training, workBarack Obama, Democratic have accumulated since emanciChains.” force development and skills Leader Nancy Pelosi and House pation,” Nelson said. “The John real question retraining for those citizens who Speaker Boehner.we must Statistics bear out Nelson’s ask Morial as we reflect thethe 150th do notthe choose college or who asked on that second claim; net household worth anniversary Emancipadid not complete high school term agendaofofthe Congress and whites in 2010 was slightly on tion Proclamation ‘What have oftime. the president focusison the issues over $110,000, while for Blacks we done with our freedom?’ ” “Third, had the been scourge of gun of economic opportunity and that number reduced to said Kimathi Nelson, presiding violence cries out for a compreincome inequality. $4,995. bishop of the Shrine’s constellanew approach to com“While we recognize that the hensive Emancipation 150 seeks to tion of 10 churches. munity safety and crime reduccountry has been brought from celebrate those who are making On Saturday, Dec. 15, Morial said. “This requires the brink of economic disaster; a tion,” difference in the community Emancipation 150 will host a stronger enforcement of existand job growth has been steady while inspiring young people. Lights of Freedom Youth Rally ing“Harriet gun laws, re-enactment and consistent, we believe that Tubman said, ‘I of at 2 p.m. at the center, 5151 the assault weapons ban, and a freed a thousand slaves; I could job creation, economic developMartin Luther King Blvd. thoughtful examination of crimihave freed a thousand more, ment and economic empower“With this event we seek justice system disparities ifnal they only knew they were ment the most important to findare today’s Marcus Garvey, slaves,’ implying that there were which have created an explodissues facing our great nation,” Ida B. Wells Barnett, and Malmental shackles placed upon us ing prison population at great Morial said. colm X,” said event coordinator that were even stronger than the expense to the taxpayers at both TheThomas. former New Orleans Norma physical ones,” Thomas said. the state and federal level.” mayor four areas that “Weoutlined have invited ‘30-to“The evidence that these Morial said finally, themenUrban need attention. He first, 50-somethings’ whosaid have beena tal chains still exist can be seensenLeague supports a fair and comprehensive jobscommunity program engaged in positive insible the [high rate], in fiscalincarceration plan. should betodeveloped and exbuilding be recognized for how our young sisters disrespect “Like all Americans, we their work, and to some ecuted between thespend government, themselves and allow must otherstackle to believe the nation time in group sesprivate sector mentoring and the nation’s do the same, and in how a growdeficit reduction,” he said. “Our sions with young people ages non-profit community. ing culture among our people 13-24.” approach must marry compas“Second, we urge an intense celebrates ignorance and apathy Emancipation 150 concludes sion for the most vulnerable focus on children and youth,” rather than excellence and social on the final ofapplaud Kwanzaa on Americans with protection for Morial said.day “We your responsibility.” Jan. 1, 2013. Activities begin the nation’s jobs, and require efforts and leadership when it For more information, email with drumming and African sacrifice from every American, comes to K-12 education, but we NJThomaskl@gmail.com or info@ Dance at more. 5:30 p.m. including those who have benmust do We need a natheyearofrestoration.org, or call Nelson noted that today, efited the most.” tional policy to move the nation 713-641-5035. facts and figures paint a picture
Morial calls for economic equality
Sponsored by
A Fabulous Night of Fun benefiting TSU School of Communication Scholarships Presented by
Defender
Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Music
Honoree
Marie Bosarge, President
The Conrad O. Johnson Orchestra
MusicDoingGood LLC
& KTSU On-Air Radio Personalities
Featuring Top Chefs of Houston
Chef Joseph
The Power Center
Chef Lisa Green
Santa Fe South Catering
Chef Ken
Space City Catering
Chef Taylor
Eloquent Expressions
Saturday, December 15, 2012
8 pm – Midnight • Food Served 8:30 – 10pm
Bayou City Event Center 9401 Knight Road, Houston TX 77045
Tickets: Choice Members $50.00 Non-Members $75.00
To purchase tickets, tables or sponsorships go to:
www. Ktsufm.org/Twelvetastes www.defendernetwork.com/Twelvetastes
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| DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
WOW! PASS
HISD offers vendor workshops, RFQ Entrepreneurs interested in doing business with HISD are invited to attend “How to do Business with the District” workshops in December. Participants will learn about responding to proposals, the M/WBE program and details on the 2012 bond program. The workshops will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the following high schools: • Tuesday, Dec. 11, Sterling, 11625 Martindale • Wednesday, Dec. 12, HS for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, 4701 Dickson • Thursday, Dec. 13, Lee, 6529 Beverly Hill • Monday, Dec. 17, Bellaire, 5100 Maple • Tuesday, Dec. 18, Sharpstown, 7504 Bissonnet • Wednesday, Dec. 19, Westbury, 11911 Chimney Rock • Thursday, Dec. 20, Booker T. Washington, 119 East 39th For more information, contact the Office of Business Assistance at 713556-7273. HISD has also opened the solicitation process for architectural and engineering firms seeking to take part in the $1.89 billion 2012 bond program to replace and modernize schools across the city. The Request for Qualifications is available on the district’s website at http://prodnet.houstonisd.org/procurement/psd/. The RFQ is the first step toward winning a contract. It encompasses the design and engineering work for all 40 schools slated to be renovated, replaced or built during the 2012 bond program. In addition, HISD is promoting diversity among the companies doing business with the district by considering the participation of M/WBEs. Pre-submittal conferences will be held on the RFQ on Dec. 18. To be considered, firms must submit their Statement of Qualifications by Jan. 7, 2013. The district will conduct interviews with selected firms in late January before sending its recommendation to the Board of Education.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012
Stop the
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cover
gangs
By ASWAD WALKER Defender
There are more than 200 gangs operating in the metropolitan Houston area, and the minority community has reason for concern. Blacks and Hispanics make up 90 percent of gang members, and many belong to gangs that thrive on criminal activity. The community, however, can help keep its families and neighborhoods safe by putting a stop to Houston’s gang activity, and the crime and violence that often accompanies it. One way is by submitting anonymous tips online to stophoustongangs. org, while becoming more educated about the problem. The brainchild of members of the Houston-area MultiAgency Gang Task Force (MAGTF), stophoustongangs.org has taken a sizeable bite out of gang-related crime in Houston and surrounding areas, and offers a bevy of useful information geared toward parents, educators and youth. Along with information on gangs operating in the metropolitan Houston area, the site provides information on gang initiation tactics, gang vernacular, warning signs of possible gang activity, prevention services offered by various local agencies, and a list of things communities can do to curb gang activity – of which Houston has an alarming amount. Program organizers believe the website’s impact has room to grow. The overall objective of stophoustongangs.org is to disrupt and dismantle the most significant criminal gangs in Houston and the surrounding area, a lofty vision broken down into two main parts. “The website is unique in that it has two goals: to educate the public about gangs so they can recognize their activities and the signs in their own children signaling potential gang involvement,” said FBI Special Agent Shauna Dunlap. “The second goal is to provide a way for residents to anonymously report any potential or committed gang related crimes or activities from the comfort and safety of their homes, without fear of retaliation.” Dunlap said the very real fear of a person’s name showing up on a police report after reporting suspicious activity, or the danger of being targeted by neighborhood gangs, or gang members in their own family proved to be a huge deterrent to many who wanted to notify police. That fear, and the desire to provide the public with a gang information education vehicle that operated 24/7, served as the impetus for stophoustongangs.org. “During the monthly meetings of the MAGTF, we had this idea of a 24-hour tip line, an 800 number. This idea evolved as we realized more and more people are online. Thus, the site was born,” said Dunlap. And it’s been effective. “In terms of tips, we get a little bit of everything, not just gang stuff – robberies, prostitution, thefts,” said HPD Lt. Craig Williams who serves as one of the efforts chief organizers. “The site started out with a bang about two years ago, died off a little, and has since been rejuvenated.” “The website has been working. It has a tracker that lists the number of leads we’ve received – 1,389 tips – and the 316 arrests that
have been made directly attributable to those tips,” said Dunlap, who along with Williams, have noticed the tips received are getting better, with information that can lead to arrests. Dunlap says the site will soon reach 200,000 visitors. According to Williams, HPD and other law enforcement agencies document gangs using a gang tracker database with each run-in with a gang member. “We’re approaching roughly 20,000 gangsters in Houston and surrounding areas,” said Williams, emphasizing that the issue of gangs is not related to any one racial or economic demographic. “No neighborhood is immune to gang activity. We have gangs in the suburbs, in rural areas on the outskirts of the city. Anyone is susceptible to becoming a gang member,” said Williams, who urges parents to keep abreast of their children’s activities, and to educate themselves on gangs in their area. Nationally, there are approximately 1.4 million gang members belonging to more than 33,000 gangs. “Sixty-to-80 percent of all crimes committed in a given area are attributed to gangs,” said Dunlap, “and 60 percent of all gang members will be dead or in prison by the age of 20.” To fortify the website’s impact, a new offering was added to the information bullets and revealing videos on every gang-related subject imaginable. A new “Fugitive of the Week” is posted on the site every Thursday listing the individual’s height, weight, aliases, and crimes, along with a mug shot with the intent of removing yet another gang member off Houston streets. Williams believes the site also encourages more effective prevention at the front end. “Older kids recruit the younger kids into gangs, so any kid can be solicited if you don’t pay attention to what your kids are doing. This happens in middle-class and poor families. “So look at the website and educate yourself about particular gangs in your area, and about what you can do to stop your child from becoming a gang member. And if you see, know or suspect a gang crime, report it,” he said.
Gang warning signs Juvenile street gang members transcend age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status. According to stophoustongangs.org , youth who join gangs have different backgrounds and circumstances that lead to their involvement, but there are some common characteristics that they share. Initiated gang members are most likely between the ages of 12 and 25, though they can be much younger or well into adulthood. The majority are male, from single parent homes, or homes where there is little supervision or high family conflict. “They are usually low academic performers, truants, and cause disciplinary problems at home and school,” says the website. “They have low self-esteem and are usually indifferent, angry,
and apathetic because they feel There are specific warning si look out for that could signal pot • Graffiti or tattoos depicting num graphic areas, stars, pitchforks, t • Wearing clothing of all one colo • Wearing or possessing bandan • Using an unfamiliar nickname • Signs associated with drug and • Signs of physical abuse (new g “jumped” or beaten into gang m • Truancy and/or poor grades at • Discipline problems at home an
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rpage
hopeless.” igns parents and loved ones can tential gang activity. They include: mbers, initials, street names, geothree dots or crowns or nnas
d/or alcohol use gang members are traditionally membership) school nd/or school
15 facts about gangs
1
In the Houston area, more than 12,000 gang members belonging to more than 200 gangs have been documented by area law enforcement agencies.
2 3 4 5 6 7
Houston-area gang members do commit crimes with members of other gangs. From 2010 to 2011, confirmed gang crime in the city of Houston rose by 6 percent. Over 30 percent of Houston confirmed gang crime is drug-related.
The average gang membership is 65 people. The average age of gang members is 26.
Houston’s gang population by race is 47.14 percent Black, 43.3 percent Hispanic, (8.9 percent white), less than 1 percent Asian and less than 1 percent “other.”
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Houston gangs, like those nationally, are by far predominantly male – 98 percent. A criminal gang is defined as three or more persons having a common identifying sign or symbol or an
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identifiable leadership who continuously or regularly participates in the commission of criminal activities.
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Gang members are the primary retail-level drug distributors.
Gangs are not just an inner-city problem. Their criminal operations extend into suburban and rural areas to expand their drug distribution and recruit new members.
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Gangs vary in size from small neighborhood gangs to geographic, regional and prison gangs, along with national and transnational gangs.
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Organized gangs are increasingly conducting crossborder criminal activities with transnational gangs engaging in human, weapons and drug trafficking
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According to the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment and National Gang Intelligence Center, “gangs are responsible for an average of 48 percent of violent crime in most jurisdictions and up to 90 percent in several others.”
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Approximately 1.4 million gang members belong to more than 33,000 gangs and are criminally active throughout the U.S.
How to prevent gang involvement There are ways parents can help deter gang involvement. • Educate yourself on gangs and gang culture so you can recognize the warning signs. Be alert for them. • Meet your children’s basic needs for emotional support and understanding. • Talk to them, listen to them, and let them know you’re there for them. • Be involved – know their friends, support their interests, participate in their school events, spend time with them. • Encourage participation in positive extracurricular activities. • Establish consistent rules and discipline. • Limit unsupervised time. • Be a positive role model. If you suspect gang activity • Don’t allow gang-related behavior or displays of gang affiliation. Talk about these warning signs to determine if kids are just curious or imitating gang culture, if they’re being recruited by a gang or if they may already be involved. • Discuss the dangers and consequences of gang involvement with your kids. Imitating gang-related behavior can also be
he Houston area for over 80 years
dangerous. • Contact law enforcement to learn about the levels of gang-related crime and activity in your community and at your student’s school. • Contact youth service providers or school counselors for referrals to organizations that have experience in addressing gang and other delinquency related issues. What schools can do • Adopt a zero tolerance policy toward gang activity. • Work with school resource officers or local law enforcement on identification and suppression strategies. • Educate staff and parents about gangs, warning signs and indicators. • Provide referrals and assistance to parents and students. • Document and abate graffiti as soon as possible. • Institute anti-gang education and prevention programs. • Develop a conflict mediation process for students. • Keep up to date on gang activity within the school’s neighborhood. • Share information.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012
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food
Set a great holiday table Once done, remove from oven and allow cheesecake to cool completely before removing sides. Place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours to continue to set before serving. Tip: When serving, use a round mold to create individual portions, or cut slices and top each with mixed berries and a mint spring.
Family Features
The holidays are about making memories with friends and family. When it’s your turn to host, you can set a truly memorable holiday table – without breaking the bank. Celebrity chef and event planner Travis London of Healthy Chic Eats shares three great ideas for creating fantastic holiday table settings and a great recipe: Don’t be afraid to mix and match. It’s okay to mix patterns and textures because it adds another level of interest to the table. Mikasa offers many different dinnerware patterns that can be easily mixed with each other to create a great look. For example, start with red metallic chargers and add white dinner plates and festive salad plates. Be creative with table decorations. Try using what you have in new ways. Fill a serving bowl with cranberries or line a platter with pretty votives and evergreen sprigs you snip from the backyard. Use potted plants as centerpieces. Many supermarkets sell potted plants at great prices. Rosemary plants make a beautiful and fragrant addition to the holiday table. Try setting out two pots of rosemary wrapped in red foil, then put them on either side of a glass vase or jar filled with red ornaments. No matter how you dress your table for the holidays, the food is the real star of the show. A white chocolate and ricotta cheesecake recipe, for example, will look good on any plate and taste even better. You can also dress up Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies. Add a crushed peppermint to each cookie to create a beautiful and seasonal presentation.
Low Calorie White Chocolate & Ricotta Cheesecake Serves 8-10
12 ounces low fat cream cheese 1½ cups fresh ricotta 2 tablespoons sugar 5 ounces chopped white chocolate, melted
Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies (Makes 36 cookies) ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 3 cups Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 3 teaspoons Nescafé Taster’s Choice House Blend 100% Pure Instant Coffee Granules 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 3 large eggs 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 12 soft peppermint candies, crushed
1 large egg 2 egg whites 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly spray a 10inch spring form cake pan with vegetable oil. Using a mixer, beat together cream cheese, ricotta and sugar until soft. With the mixer set to low speed, beat remaining ingredients into mixture and mix until completely smooth. Pour cheesecake mixture into prepared cake pan and place in oven to bake until set, 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease or line baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt butter and 1 cup chocolate morsels in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Transfer chocolate mixture into a large mixer bowl; add sugar and beat until combined. Add coffee granules, vanilla extract and peppermint extract; beat just until combined. Beat in eggs. Add flour and baking powder, mixing until all is incorporated. Fold in remaining 2 cups chocolate morsels. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart, using a medium size cookie scoop. Sprinkle each cookie with a little of the crushed peppermint candies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set. Allow to cool for about 2 minutes on baking sheet and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
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| DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012
health
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A Defender & Texas Children’s Hospital Alliance
Treating premature babies:
What does the future hold? Predicting the future is always a dubious endeavor. Remarkably, the last 20 years have seen relatively incremental technological changes. Slightly better breathing machines and the use of a few important new medications. The most important “low tech” approach has been the use of human milk for small or sick babies. “We have learned that none of our technology can beat the incredible value of human milk for infants and especially premature ones,” says Dr. Steven Abrams, neonatologist at Texas Children’s Newborn Center. “We have challenges, but overall we are thrilled to see an era in which we are able to support mother’s breastfeeding or providing their milk for their baby that they have expressed with a pump.” Every baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Texas Children’s Hospital and the Pavilion for Women is offered donor milk if there is not enough of their own mother’s milk available to meet their needs. This is a major change in thought in the NICU world but is based on very solid
scientific evidence. Over the last 10 to 15 years care of very small infants has improved, such as those born at 23 and 24 weeks gestation. But there is still a long way to go with these infants. In the future a strong focus will continue on improving the short and long-term outcomes of babies who
are born prematurely or with other major health problems. This is happening now, using “high tech” approaches or a mix of high and low tech approaches. For example, one high tech approach includes new forms of breathing machines for babies (called mechanical ventilators) that breathe with the baby’s breathing rhythm, decreasing the damage that have historically been associated with ventilation. Also, huge strides have been made in developing neonatology as a familycentered specialty. Physicians at Texas Children’s work closely with families in caring for babies and developing care plans and overall plans for the neonatology program. Abrams believes that this trend will undoubtedly increase, and we will see parents taking an increasing role in taking care of their infants, even while still in the NICU. This change is critical, so the transition from NICU to home can improve and help to keep babies at home after their initial hospitalization.
healthnotes Exposing children to second and thirdhand tobacco smoke: What’s the problem? Most people know that tobacco smoke is unhealthy. Surveys show that both smokers and non-smokers generally agree on this point. But many times smokers fail to act on these expressed beliefs. Fewer smokers have home no smoking policies, though most parents who smoke say they smoke outside. Blood studies have shown children still show markers of smoke with nicotine levels even when parents who smoke don’t think they are exposed. Dr. Marianna Sockrider, a pediatric pulmonologist at Texas Children’s Hospital, says, “It bothers me when I see a child with asthma, and the parent who smokes says that smoke doesn’t seem to bother the child.” Many times the symptoms don’t appear right away. Smoke can make the lungs more sensitive so it is easier for other triggers to cause symptoms. “Over time, exposure causes a child to be more prone to problems such as ear infections, colds or pneumonia. These exposed children get sick more easily, can have more severe illness and can take longer to get better,” Sockrider adds. We now know that children also have risks from thirdhand smoke. Thirdhand smoke is the particles that land on surfaces as smoke settles. These particles can be stirred back up in the air or get on a child’s skin. There are harmful chemicals that over time can cause health risks and there’s really no safe level of smoking or smoke exposure. Even if a parent is smoking outside, the child knows it. That makes them think that smoking is not so bad and it is more likely the child will smoke. It matters more what you do, not just what you say. Remember: Parents have a choice. Tobacco smoke exposure is preventable.
Is youth football safe? In youth sports injuries are seen that aren’t seen in adult athletes including certain types of fractures. However, it is clear that overall injury rates, as well as rates of severe injuries, are lower in youth football compared to high school or college football. On the other hand, a recent study has indicated that head accelerations during youth football can be as high as those seen in high school and college players. Dr. Jorge Gomez, primary care sports medicine specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, urges parents to keep in mind that force equals mass times
acceleration. So while the head acceleration can be the same as in adults playing football, the force is proportionally less. Nevertheless, the results of that study should make everyone more careful about safeguarding the brains of young players. Though very few scientific studies have been done on child athletes with concussions, we do know that: • Young athletes seem to be more susceptible to concussion than older athletes • Young athletes may take longer to recover than older athletes
“My answer to parents is that youth football is relatively safer than high school or college football,” Gomez says. “The greatest risk for significant injury in youth football is bad coaching.” An example of this includes not discouraging players when then collide head on. Gomez encourages parents to let their youngsters play youth football if it is something the child feels excited about doing. The best way to minimize the risk of concussion is to make sure they know the rules and insist that they play by them. He also recommends finding coaches who emphasize proper techniques.
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Dr. Jorge Gomez
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Texas Children’s Health Plan covers children from newborns to teenagers. We even cover adults and pregnant moms through STAR Medicaid. Families with children who qualify for CHIP pay $50 or less a year. Those who qualify for Medicaid pay nothing. CHIP and STAR Medicaid offer a wide range of benefits including checkups and shots, dental services, medications, and more. With Texas Children’s Health Plan you also get: ■
Over 2,100 doctors.
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A 24-hour nurse hotline.
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Pregnancy support program and classes.
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Help losing weight through the Keep Fit Program.
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Learn how to play soccer from the Houston Dynamo coaches.
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For more information, to receive an application, or to find an event in your
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012 defendernetwork.com
sports
Coach Kevin Sumlin
leads A&M through SEC By MAX EDISON Defender
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has a reputation as the toughest college football conference in the nation, while Texas A&M University had one of the most underachieving college football teams. Fortunately for the Aggies, things have changed since they hired Kevin Sumlin as head coach. You would be hard pressed to find a university with more resources, tradition and blue-chip athletes than Texas A&M. Yet most folks outside of diehard Aggie fans didn’t give the team much of a chance in the SEC. The team was a disappointing 7-6 in 2011, which included a 4-5 Big 12 record. That record was just good enough to get Mike Sherman fired. Let’s face it, if you couldn’t regularly win in a very good conference, how in the world do you expect to win in a great conference? How good is the SEC? They currently have six teams ranked in the USA Today Top 25 poll (A&M is No. 9). An SEC team has won the last six consecutive BCS championships. Texas A&M last won the Big 12 in 1998. Those are the facts, but that was before Sumlin. Last December, A&M hired Sumlin, a two-time National Coach of the Year finalist from the University of Houston, and almost immediately they became a better team. The Aggies, under Sumlin, not only survived their debut season in the SEC, they thrived. They finished with a 10-2 record overall, 6-2 in SEC competition, good enough for a tie for second place (with LSU) in the West division. That record includes a road win over the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, Alabama. With his first SEC season under his belt, Sumlin paused to reflect on the difficulty of competing in the SEC. “This league is what everybody says it is. It’s
Coach Kevin Sumlin has made a difference at Texas A&M.
a line-of-scrimmage league,” Sumlin explained. “There are a lot of talented guys in the front. A lot of the elite teams have great speed and depth. It’s the emotional and physical grind. “You watch different teams go through it throughout the year,” he continued. “They’re playing great and then have to go back, to back, to back. It’s not a onegame here and one game there…To handle some of those road stretches against quality opponents is very difficult. You have to have depth in this league to sustain success. You have to recruit to that.” Sumlin said his team has been fortunate this year from an Defensive end Damontre Moore leads the team in sacks. injury standpoint. the odds-on favorite to be the first freshman to win the “I think Heisman Trophy. Known as “Johnny Football,” Manziel how we manage guys during is a dual-threat QB that is the engine that drives A&M’s the week has helped us,” explosive offense. he said. “You’re going Manziel set an SEC record for total offense, with 4,600 to hit a stretch in this yards, and led the league in rushing and scoring. He threw league where you for 24 touchdowns and rushed for 19 scores. have to play very “He’s a confident kid, but not cocky. He just loves to physical ballgames every week in some play football and I’m sure he’ll remain the same,” offensive very hostile environ- coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. “He believes in his ability, first and foremost. He’s a ments. Fans are very good kid and a hard worker. His teammates love him and passionate.” you can see that. Every time he is out there, he is going to do No team is successwhatever it takes to win the game.” ful without quality playDefensively, the catalyst is All-American defensive end ers and Sumlin and staff Damontre Moore. The junior from Rowlett leads the Aggies were able to get their with 12.5 sacks and 54 unassisted tackles. He is one of six talent to maximize their finalists for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year potential. It helps the team to have wbonafide studs on each side Award. “Damontre has always been a talented guy,” Sumlin of the ball. said. “I think what you see now is his development into a Offensively, quarterback Johnny complete player, playing sideline-to-sideline, chasing down Manziel has exceeded all expectations balls on the other side, maintaining his gap integrity instead and has emerged as one of the nation’s of doing his own thing, and making plays down the field.” premier signal-callers in just one year. You can see the new and improved Aggies play in the The redshirt freshman from Kerrville is Cotton Bowl against former Big 12 rival Oklahoma on Jan. 4. QB Johnny Manziel wins praise as “Johnny Football.”
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DECEMBER 6 | 2012 |DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs
Nederland High strives for respect By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
The Nederland Bulldogs may have turned the corner in their quest for state-wide respect. After years of district championships, playoff appearances and short-term postseason success, the tradition-rich Bulldogs are on the threshold of notoriety in the Lone Star State. A 22-19 overtime victory over previously-unbeaten and No. 1 state-ranked Pearland Dawson at Reliant Stadium has advanced Nederland into the Class 4A Region III championship game for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs will play the Georgetown, a 49-39 winner over Angleton, the only team to defeat Nederland this season. Nederland’s win avenges a 33-25 loss to Dawson in the area round of the 2011 playoffs. “We didn’t need to know a whole lot about Dawson. We remember them from last year,” said Nederland head coach Larry Neumann. “We knew what Dawson can do.” Trailing 19-16 in overtime following a 28-yard field goal by Dawson’s Jacob Hood, Nederland won the game in thrilling fashion on a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Raines to wide receiver Seth Barrow. “We’ve been waiting for this game since last year,” said Nederland defensive end Deshawn Washington. “They knocked us out last year, it was a close game and I just want to thank our seniors for not giving up and playing the game of their lives.” Nederland (12-1) controlled the game and led 16-0 until the final play of the third quarter when
Katy advances to regional The state’s top-ranked Class 5A school had dominated the competition for 12 consecutive weeks. In order to notch victory No. 13 and advance to the regional finals, Katy had to defeat La Porte, the school that ended their season last year following 12 straight wins. The smarting Tigers had waited a year to get revenge on the injury-plagued Bulldogs. Seventeen points in the opening quarter followed by 21 more prior to halftime and this game was a done deal. The final score was Katy 55, La Porte 10. Adam Taylor rushed for four touchdowns and 190 yards by halftime. Katy faces Cypress Ranch in the Region III-5A Division II championship game Dec. 8 at Rice Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Griner shines in homecoming Former Nimitz High School standout and AllAmerican Brittney Griner returned to Houston for the first time as a collegian and the 6-foot-8 reigning national player of the year led Baylor to an 89-49 victory over Rice before a record crowd at Tudor Fieldhouse. The crowd of 2,318 was the largest for a women’s game at this facility and the most for a women’s game at Rice since the Owls upset No. 16 Hawaii at Autry Court in 1998. Towering over the under-sized Owls, Griner scored a season-high 35 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added four blocked shots to lead third-ranked Baylor. “It definitely felt good being back in Houston,” said Griner, who watched the final 12 minutes of the game from the bench. “I seem to always have a good game when my mom is in the crowd.” Nederland playmakers include Deshawn Washington (90) and Kendrick Hopkins (24).
Dawson quarterback Josh Sharp launched a 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tony Upchurch. Sharp’s one-yard TD run with four minutes, nine seconds left in the fourth quarter brought the Eagles within 16-13. “I saw a big hole that my offensive line gave me,” said Bulldogs’ running back Kendrick Hopkins, who gave Nederland a 13-0 halftime advantage with a 32-yard TD run at the 2:20 mark of the second quarter. “I give my offensive line a whole lot of credit. It was a good team effort on their part and on a personal effort it was yards after contact. “We knew we had to get back in the groove and finish the game,” said Hopkins, who finished with 67 rushing yards on 12 carries. “We have faith in our entire team. We don’t give up on any one individual and we think we can win
against anybody that we play.” Nederland came into the contest knowing they had to slow down Dawson’s high-powered offense that featured running back James White. Dawson hadn’t lost since falling to Lake Travis in last year’s state semifinals. “We focused on their running game this whole week of practice leading up to the game,” Washington said. “These guys may be bigger than us and stronger than us but we’ve got to hit them in the mouth, control our gaps and get to the football by gang tackling. We did a good job of that.” Hood sent the game into overtime with a 32-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to tie the score at 16-16. “This is like a dream come true,” Washington said. “Our stands are filled up and our people came to support us. We got it right.”
“We have faith in our entire team.”
Pitts helps single fathers We often hear about acts of kindness and benevolence during the holiday season, but this act has a unique twist. Former Texan-turned-mediapersonality Chester Pitt, through his charitable foundation, recently hosted a shopping spree for 10 pre-selected Single Fathers and their families in need at Costco Wholesale-Galleria. That’s right C.P. showed a little love to the often overlooked dads. Participants received $200 gift cards from the foundation and gifts. Families were chosen based on need from the Houston Texans YMCA. Families also participated in a holiday arts & crafts project, as part of the foundation’s mission to encourage arts to underprivileged youth. Major props to Chester and his foundation.
End of an era The demolition of the 70-year old Robertson Stadium (formerly known as Jeppesen) on the campus of the University of Houston began on Dec 2. The stadium was the site of many historic sports events including the original home of the Houston Oilers, countless HISD games, TSU and UH games, as well as concerts. Manhattan Construction will begin erecting fencing surrounding the project area and mobilizing on the southwest corner of the stadium. Major activity is set to begin on Dec. 10 when the southeast concession stand is torn down. Demolition is projected to last six to eight weeks. The university will build a new state-of-the-art facility, set to open in August of 2014.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012 defendernetwork.com
opinion
‘Tis the season to be careful By JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA Columnist
Okay, I’ll admit it. I am truly the Grinch who wanted to steal Christmas. It takes me until about December 23 to get in the spirit, and I only feel obligated to find gifts for children and close family. I like to give, which is why I share with a few charities that are close to me. I like to connect, which is why I have a greeting card ritual. But all this crazy frenzy after Thanksgiving, before Christmas sale stuff truly repels me. And while I don’t want to put a damper on anybody’s sprit, I want to say that this is the season to be careful. After all, we live in a consumer-oriented society. When we spend, other people get paid. When we spend other people are blessed. But if you spend what you don’t have then you are sliding down your own fiscal cliff, and you won’t have a pillow to protect you. The average American will spend about $900 this year on Christmas gifts and toys, but that means that half will spend more. ‘Tis the season to be careful. Some of the biggest scams come from charities. They will reach you through email, snail mail, and even text mail. They may ask for a little or a lot. You’ve got to ask where your money is going. Some organizations take as much as 80 percent of your gift, which means that the people you want to help get just 20 percent of your money. Before you send a penny, ask the right questions. Too many charities lean on this time of year to make their money, but if the whole truth is told, they are really leaning on this time of year to make a living. Check these folks out online, and look for their annual reports. If their overhead is more than 15 percent, walk on by. Another scam is the garbled name scam. You may think you are giving to a worthy program, such as the Police Athletic League, only to find that you are giving to the non-registered Police Athletic Program. You may think you are giving to an African-American cause, only to find that a garbled name takes you someplace else. Americans want to give, and African-Americans are among the most generous, based on the percent of
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star
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income we give. But give with your head and not with your heart, and ask solicitors important questions. One of the other scams is the sale scam. If you buy it now, you will get a sale that will never, ever, in your lifetime be replicated. So stand in line all night for the 52-foot TV for $239, while the store has only 10. Find some furniture you like only to be told it is 50 percent off today, but not tomorrow. Retailers are playing on your greed and your panic. If you take your time, you might find an even better deal. And if seems too good to be true, it is. Scruffy little children will come to your door this time of year, asking for money for their church, for magazine subscriptions, for all form of causes. You may want to slip the child a few pennies, but please know they aren’t going to make more than that with the magazine subscription scam, or with the church solicitation. In fact, most churches run their own solicitations, so maybe ask for the name of the
church and call them before you make a donation. I suppose I am the Grinch because I am dismayed that our holiday season that supposedly celebrates the birth of the Christ child has turned into a commercial orgy with people shopping for a full five weeks. It has also turned into a solicitation orgy with almost every organization you have ever known asking for end of year contribution. In the middle of all this drama, the purpose of the holiday is swallowed. I am weary of seeing frenzied faces anxious for the next sale, or children (and grown folks) defining their worth by what goodies they pick up. I am weary of the folks who go into crazy debt to prove a point, to buy affection, to shower folks with gifts when they should shower them with love. Can we be careful with our wallets and open with our hearts? I hope that we will all remember and embrace the meaning of Christmas and not the crassness of consumerism.
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| DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
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22 DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting proposals for the following:
DOMESTIC WATER TANK REPAIR AT MHMRA’S 7011 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY FACILITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, December 10, 2012. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Thursday, January 3, 2013. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 7011 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 14, 2013 in a sealed envelope marked "PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013, DOMESTIC WATER TANK REPAIR”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, Buyer III, via fax at (713) 9707682 or E-mail questions to Sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org cc: Nina.cook@mhmraharris.org MHMRA reserves all rights to reject any and/ or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
Beware of car thieves Defender News Services
The holiday season is a busy season for criminals. The Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority, a division of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, reminds drivers that a vehicle is burglarized every two minutes and stolen every eight minutes in the state. These crimes can escalate during the holiday season when drivers are frequently out shopping for gifts and traveling to visit friends and family. During these times, drivers are more likely to leave belongings within view inside vehicles as well as become negligent in locking doors and taking keys. To make matters worse, a thief won’t necessarily stop with taking your vehicle and the things inside. They may also look for personal documents that can help them steal your identity or that indicate where you live so they can burglarize additional property from your home. “We know auto burglars scout malls, shopping centers, entertainment venues, hotels, and other business parking lots this time of year looking for opportunities to break into vehicles,” said Michelle Lan-
ham, program manager with ABTPA. “Drivers need to understand that almost anything they leave inside their vehicles can be valuable to a thief [including] gifts, purses, wallets, packages, electronics, suitcases, garage door openers, keys, and personal information,”
Lanham said. According to DPS, thieves committed 221,065 acts of vehicle burglary and stole 63,379 vehicles in Texas during 2011. In some jurisdictions, more than half of vehicle thefts occurred because doors were unlocked and keys left inside.
US 290 CORRIDOR FM 2920 to IH 610, Harris County, Texas The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in association with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), will conduct two Public Meetings to discuss a proposed interim design phase project for approved transportation improvements for the US 290 Corridor in Harris County, Texas. Two meetings are being held in order to accommodate the length of the corridor and those persons who would be interested in attending. The same material will be presented at both meetings. The US 290 Corridor project extends from Farm-to-Market (FM) 2920 to Interstate Highway (IH) 610 in Harris County, Texas. The proposed interim design phase project includes: 1) additional general-purpose lanes on US 290 and reconstruction of US 290 frontage roads, which were included as part of the Selected Alternative approved in the Record of Decision (ROD) (August 25, 2010) for the US 290 Corridor Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (March 2010), and 2) the addition of an interim reversible managed lane/toll facility in the center of US 290 from the future Grand Parkway (SH 99) to IH 610. The proposed interim design phase project was developed to improve mobility in the corridor in the near future, as there is a lack of funding to construct the entire Selected Alternative at this time. The Harris County Toll Road Authority would partner with TxDOT to fund construction of the interim design, and would operate and maintain the reversible managed lane/toll facility. Minimal right-of-way would be required to incorporate the interim design phase project on US 290. An Open House will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to allow for questions and review of project exhibits. TxDOT staff will be available to answer questions during the Open House. A Formal Presentation will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m., followed by a public comment period. The Public Meetings will be held at these locations: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Sheraton Brookhollow 3000 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77092
Thursday, December 13, 2012 Berry Center 8877 Barker Cypress Road Cypress, Texas 77433
The purpose of these Public Meetings is to discuss the proposed interim design, which would incorporate a reversible managed lane (toll) facility on US 290 from SH 99 to IH 610. The US 290 managed lane facility is expected to be in operation until the Hempstead Tollway portion of the Selected Alternative (identified in the ROD for the US 290 Corridor project) is constructed. FHWA and TxDOT are preparing an FEIS Re-evaluation to assess the potential impacts of the proposed interim design. Attendees are encouraged to view the displays and ask questions before the Formal Presentation. Representatives from TxDOT will be available to answer questions and provide information. The Formal Presentation will discuss the proposed interim project and the issues that will be evaluated in the FEIS Re-evaluation. These Public Meetings are being held in order to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the proposed interim design for the US 290 Corridor project. All interested persons are invited to attend this meeting to either speak or submit their comments in writing. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or persons interested in attending the meetings who have special communication needs are encouraged to contact the TxDOT Houston District Public Information Officer at (713) 802-5072. The Public Meetings will be conducted in English. Any requests for language interpreters or other special communication needs should be made at least two (2) days prior to the Public Meetings. TxDOT will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs. Written and verbal comments from the public regarding the proposed interim design may be presented at the Public Meetings. Written comments will also be accepted via mail or email through January 2, 2013. Written comments may be mailed to TxDOT Houston District, Attention: Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, TX 77251-1386. Comments will be accepted by e-mail at: www.HOUPIOWebmail@txdot.gov. Written comments submitted after the Public Meetings must be emailed or postmarked on or before Wednesday, January 2, 2013 to be included in the Public Meetings record. A digital version of the FEIS, ROD, and engineering schematics of the Selected Alternative and proposed interim design may be viewed and downloaded from the US 290 Program website at www.my290.com. These items are also available for viewing at the US 290 Program Office located at Brookhollow Central III, 2950 North Loop West, Suite 1150, Houston, TX 77092 (713-354-1500). The US 290 Program Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Copies are available for the cost of reproduction. Additional information about the project may be obtained by contacting the US 290 Program Office at (713) 354-1500.
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| DECEMBER 6 | 2012 | DEFENDER
Communities becoming more connected By CHERYL PEARSON-McNEIL Nielsen
I love this time of the year. Oh yes – the holidays, too – but, I am referring to the release of the newest Nielsen Cross-Platform Report. The latest edition is called A New Connected Community, analyzing the constant shifting in how and where consumers watch our content. I love the idea that through the marvels and growth of technology, “the community” of consumers is all of us, one people – multiple generations, all ethnicities and races, breaking down socio-economic boundaries. We are connected. To each other and to our content. And, boy do we consumers love our visual and informational content. Big time. 24/7. Let’s break it down. According to the report, Americans spent more than 34 hours a week in front of a TV set in the second quarter of 2012. Being sophisticated consumers (and regular readers of this column), we know that being in front Cheryl Pearson-McNeil of a TV can mean watching traditional TV, timeshifted TV, DVDs or game playing. And, as we all know and have discussed here, TV isn’t what it used to be when many of us were growing up. Instead of three or four channels and rabbit ears, there are hundreds of channels from which to choose and several sources of content distribution which require no antennae: broadcast, cable, satellite, telco or Internet connection. For African-Americans, those numbers skew higher. We know from the AfricanAmerican Consumers: Still Vital, Still Growing 2012 Report, that on average we spend nearly six and a half hours a day of television viewing in all of its forms. In studying the entire U.S. population, the cross-platform report gives an even closer and later analysis of weekly TV watching in hours and minutes among African-Americans over age 2: • Traditional TV – 44:25 (hours and minutes) • Watching time-shifted TV – 1:56 • Using a DVD/Blu-ray device – 1:26 • Using a game console – 1:41 • Using the internet on a computer – 4:16 • Watching video on the Internet – :52 • Mobile subscribers watching video on a mo-
bile phone – :15 Then there are those near-ubiquitous extensions of us – our smartphones and tablets. Smartphones now claim more than 50 percent of the market. Penetration of these devices is, however, highest among ethnic groups. Sixty-two percent of African-Americans, 60 percent of Hispanics and 70 percent of Asian-Americans in the U.S. own smartphones. The conclusion is that smartphones provide an opportunity for American consumers who might not have regular access to a computer to get on the Internet. As for tablets, they seem to be everywhere with new models offered by any number of providers at a dizzying rate. Just two years ago, tablets were a novelty. In that short period, this device has found its way into nearly 20 percent of American homes. Tablet ownership among African-Americans, however, remains low at about 11 percent. You know what the really cool thing is about tablet ownership? The data shows that young folks don’t corner the market on trying the newest or the latest in this instance. Tablet owners tend to be older and more affluent. All of us are becoming more adept at doing it all, engaging our smartphones or tablets while watching TV. Do you know what this means for all of us as consumers? It means advertisers, marketers and media companies have new ways and evergrowing opportunities to woo us and reach out to us with their messages. So even more, you matter.
Multi-tasking facts • Eighty-five percent of tablet and smartphone owners use their devices at least once a month while watching TV. • Those age 25-34 and 55-64 are most likely to use their tablets several times a day while watching TV. • Smartphone multi-taskers are a bit younger. Nearly half of 18 to 24-yearolds use their smartphones while watching TV at least once a day. • Forty-one percent of tablet owners use their device at least once a day while watching TV. Thirty-nine percent of smartphone owners do this daily. • Americans ages 55 to 64 are the heaviest tablet web surfers and email checkers during commercial breaks and programs. • Nearly one-third of all tablet users age 25 to 64 check sports scores on their tablets while watching TV. • Emailing is the heaviest simultaneous smartphone activity across the board, with 50 percent of users checking email during TV shows and commercials.
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24 DEFENDER | DEFENDER 6 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com