From the Publisher Exciting New Magazine for the Community Six years ago Arlene and James Washington decided to provide a service to Southwest Michigan that would offer positive news about our multicultural community. Today, that dedication to serve the communities of West Michigan as a media source continues. We are excited to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of Community Voices! For five years Community Voices was faithfully delivered twice a month to areas in Southwest Michigan from Battle Creek to Benton Harbor. Many looked forward to the free publication that offered the positive news not often highlighted in mainstream media. One of the highlights of Community Voices was when dozens of you provided congratulatory messages to Barak Obama in our special Presidential Election issue. He read them! Not long after his term in office began as the first African American president of the United States, he sent a letter of thanks to Community Voices. That letter sent to founding editor, Arlene Washington, is proudly framed as a special memento of just how inspirational a community’s voice can be. More than a year ago, Community Voices became an online news site. As Comvoicesonline.com, we joined the thousands of other newspapers across the globe that, because of high newsprint costs, had to find an alternative way to provide the news to our readers. We thank all of you faithful readers for watching us through this transition and for even becoming our Facebook friends! We encourage those who have yet to visit us online, to do so and watch us as we add more news, video interviews, photos and stories from Community Voices Junior Reporter Camps for youth. A big Thank You goes out to Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran for being our 6th Anniversary Edition cover girl. She is the first African American and first women president of Kalamazoo College. I also want to thank the Rev. Denise Posie of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, the first female president of the Northside Ministerial Alliance. The support of these two leaders has been instrumental for this issue. As we continue to grow into a competitive 21st Century news source, we ask for your continued support. Share your events, promotions, or even news that will help us live better lives. Together we will be the voices of our community through Community Voices. See you online!
Volume 01, Issue 01 Founders Arlene & James Washington Publisher Season Press LLC Editor-In-Chief Sonya Bernard-Hollins Graphic Design and Layout Fortitude Graphic Design and Printing Senior Design Consultant Sean Hollins Layout Designer Chad Sutton Webmaster Geoffrey Brege Cover Story Photographer Aaron Cantrell Entertainment Photographer Chad Sutton
For more information visit us at: www.comvoicesonline.com or write: Community Voices P.O. Box 51042 Kalamazoo, MI 49005 269-365-4019
On the Cover: Dr. Eileen WilsonOyelaran, first African American and female president of Kalamazoo College. Editorial Photo: Editor Sonya Bernard-Hollins (center) poses with, left, Dr. Eileen Wilson Oyelaran, and the Rev. Denise Posie. Photo by Aaron Cantrell.
Sonya Bernard-Hollins Editor-In-Chief
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Featured Contributors Aaron Cantrell
Aaron Cantrell has captured many of the significant people and events in Kalamazoo on film. As a highly sought-after photographer, his talents allow him to create memorable photo moments for events from weddings to sports. He also is active in educating youth on the art of photography. He and his wife, Jackie, reside in Kalamazoo with their children. Aaron is Feature Story photographer for this issue.
Patricia Clark
Patricia Clark is an animal lover and a nature fanatic. She is currently retired and volunteers at the Nature Center in Kalamazoo. Her dog, Prince Osito, has inspired her to create a cartoon of his hilarious antics. She hopes his ‘human-like’ characteristics bring laughter to others who visit her site, www.ositocomics.com. See page 24.
Buddy Hannah
For the past 14 years Buddy Hannah has been the voice of “Talk It Up” a social commentary radio program heard on 1560 AM and 95.5 FM the Touch AM in Kalamazoo, Mich. He performs poetry and has self published several books of poetry including, Conversations from Elsa’s On The Park, which was used in a Black Studies class at WMU. He is a regular contributor of Community Voices. See Page 23.
Robert Kaufman
Robert Kaufman has a Ph.D. in Political Science and taught at Western Michigan University for 32 years where he specialized in American Government and public policy. Since 2010 he has written a series for Community Voices entitled, “Kalamazoo’s Evolving Framework to Reduce Racism and Promote Social Justice.” See page 15.
Stanley Steppes
Stanley Steppes, President and Director of Investments of Christian Alexander Wealth Advisors, has dedicated his life to providing individuals and families with the guidance they need to become financially secure and independent. He currently serves on various community boards and resides in Kalamazoo, Mich., with his wife, Abra, and their children, Christian and Carter. See page 17.
Chad Sutton Chad Sutton resides in Kalamazoo. He attended WMU and Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Center for New Media where he graduated with a degree in Graphic Design. He has been working as a graphic designer who specializes in illustration, web design and photography. In this issue Chad served in the roles of design, layout and photographer of the Matt Giraud feature story on page 18. 4
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Contents What’s Inside Feature Story
Kalamazoo College President: Leader in Global Education Education Nationally Known Author and Illustrator Motivate Kids to Read. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6
Health
12
Making a Difference From the Womb: Dr. Arthur James Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.10
18
Entertainment
Claiming an Idol: Kalamazoo Proud to Call Matt Giraud One of Their Own
Business Don’t Manage Your Debt: Eliminate It!
Youth
Junior Reporter Camp Graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.20
Faith
17
Trenches Community Church . . . . . . . . . . . p.25
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Education
James Peterson of Mary Douglass’ class at Marshall Elementary School read 20 books in exchanged for an autographed
Check ‘Em Out!
hatchet themed for Paulsen’s book, Hatchet.
Nationally-Known Author, Illustrator Motivates Kids to Read
O
ne young man was physically abused by his parents. He used the sanctuary of a local library to escape his pain and enveloped himself into the welcoming world of books. Another young man had drawing talents that won him a city-wide award. His failing the third grade however, made that moment bitter sweet. These two boys grew up to become two of the most wellrespected role models in the literary world. Gary Paulsen is author of the New York Times Bestseller, Hatchet, and
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E.B. Lewis is Caldecott Award winner of the book, Coming on Home Soon, by Jacqueline Woodson. While the men are accomplished in their fields and are an inspiration to readers everywhere, they both want students to remember the importance of the arts for young people. This editor had an opportunity to meet both men during author event programs held at Willard Library in Battle Creek, Mich. CV
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Gary Paulson W
hat do you do when your parents are abusive alcoholics? What do you do when you would rather stay in a damp basement than be subject to their violence? For Gary Paulsen, the answer was found in his local library. One cold rainy night young Gary did his usual. The young teen would wait for the drunks in the bar to forget their change on the counter, and he would take it. He was a poor student, a military brat who moved constantly, had no friends and was close to flunking out in the ninth and tenth grades. On one night however, the light of a nearby library caught his attention. It looked like a place to get warm. Once he entered, the librarian offered him a book to read. “That librarian was what I needed then,” said Paulsen. “She helped me get a library card and after that,
I just couldn’t get enough of books. I fell in love with reading.” That moment like so many others were what Paulsen said helped develop him into the writer he is today. C all it divine intervention or angels watching over him, whatever the theory, Paulsen said there were always people like the librarian who came into his life when he was at his worst. By age 14, he had run away from home and traveled with a carnival. He learned to survive in the woods and trap animals for food. His grandmother was often his savior and cared for him when his parents were intolerable. He eventually tried his hand at sled dog racing in Alaska where he once got lost in the middle of nowhere. He was saved by the whits of his lead sled dog. It was at age 24 that he . n in discovered M , is ol p 39 in Minnea Born: May 17, 19 noff icia l) Ph.D. in L ife h e w a nt e d (u to become a E du cati on: A writer. Since s. re tu Adven d t he n mo st et, Dogsong, an ch at H all of his life s, ok o b Awards: His bery Honors. e x p e r i e nc e s ew N ed iv ce re , m on the have come out The Winter Roo s often appear ok o b er h ot s His variou ican Library in his awards of the Amer st li ks o o B t B es winning b o o k s . Association. t Children line gh ri W th Ru y and his wife, ar G up for hours e: e if H L o. ly ic ex Dai live in New M , st ti during book ar an of , y an Paulsen veral dogs---m se as h signings d an ly writes dai ters. el sh to get his om fr ed u e resc
Paulsen Author: Gar y
which h
autograph. The, mostly boy fans, say Paulsen’s books inspire them to take on life and survive anything that comes their way. One Boy Scout in particular took Paulsen’s Hatchet to heart. He had become lost from his troop during a hiking trip. The media bombarded the scene and asked the dad what he feels his lost son must be feeling. The father said, “He’s read Hatchet,” he knows what to do. Hatchet, a book about a boy, Brian Robeson also lost in the woods, survived in the winter with the knowhow of an accomplished pioneer. Paulsen’s own experiences running away to the woods were the basis for this award-winning plot. Through it all, Paulsen said he tells kids that he’s not a perfect person and luck has saved him time and time again. He said reading was a big part of that. “The only hope we have is young people,” Paulsen said. “We got to put money into the kids…that’s our only hope. We should take all our surplus money and put it toward teaching.” CV
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Education Section
E. B. Lewis
“ They think human interest and the ability I am there to to allow a child to see herself in talk about art, pages; something he didn’t see but I talk of in books while growing up in the process of Philadelphia. finding their Lewis said he is booked passion. When through 2014 for children’s they see I love books to be released. In addition, what I do, I want he hosts three-day hands-on them to find artists watercolor workshops what they love and has his work displayed in six Illustrator E.B. Lewis poses with Syann Hollins who is featured to do. When galleries throughout the country. on the Kalamazoo Public Library’s Read Poster with the book, His pride however, comes that happens, I Love My Hair, illustrated by Lewis. their test scores will change; from filling a void in children’s rtists were everywhere and that’s how it works. I was books by allowing children of in young E.B. Lewis’ life. just as confused as they are, but color to see themselves in the His father was an art handler through my passion I found a pages of books. at the Philadelphia Museum of way out,” said Lewis. “All throughout history Art. His uncle Bradley was an Lewis’ reputation of you see people as heroes; people instructor at Temple University beautifully depicting children of who took their weaknesses and and his uncle Lyle taught art at color in the books he illustrates turned them into strengths. Philadelphia College of Art. has led to him earning dozens That’s what I did. And that’s what So, it wasn’t a surprise of awards from prestigious I want to share with children,” when third grader E.B. took first literary organizations. He said Lewis. CV place in a city-wide art contest hand picks the books he works in Philadelphia. What was on selected from 14 different Article and feature photos by surprising was that his first art publishing companies who he Sonya Bernard-Hollins, editor award was overshadowed by his is contracted. He said each book failing the third grade. His years he selects must have a strong to follow didn’t change much in his academics either. When young Bradley was in the sixth grade, Bradley Born: Dec. 16, 1956 in Philadelphia, PA. Smith decided he would pick Education: 1979 gradua te of Temple Universi up his nephew each Saturday, ty’s Tyler School of the Art; majored in graphic design, ill to sit in an Art League class he ustration and art education. instructed. Awards: For his mor “He did that, that Saturday, e than 50 children’s books he has re ceived numerous aw and not just then, but for every ards including the Co ret ta Scott King Aw ard, Caldecott Hono Saturday for six years,” Lewis r Award, Notable Bo ok by selections the American Librar said. “That changed my life.” y Association, Penn sylvania School Librarians Associatio Thirty years and nearly 50 n’s Outstanding Penn sylvania Illustrator of the Year. children’s books later, Lewis’ passion is helping children D aily Life: Le wis di vides his time leadi realize their dreams through the ng watercolor workshops and disp lay in g his works in galle struggles of growing pains. ries across the country. He also tea ches at the Universi “I want to get (students) ty of Philadelphia and is th the Arts in e father of two sons, excited about life,” said Lewis. Aaron and Joshua.
A
Artist: Earl Bradley Lewis
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Tips to Get Kids
Reading •
The library card is for more than checking out movies and using the internet. Encourage your child to check out at least one book during each visit to the library.
•
Does your child like to draw? Do they want a new puppy? Find out what your student’s interest are and assign him to find a book at the library to help them learn more about it.
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For toddlers, find a book which may have characters similar to those at the library’s puppet booth. Read it with them. Now, together act out what just happened in your own puppet show.
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Lead by example. During library book challenges, join in the adult challenge and work together toward fulfilling your goals for a prize.
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Some of the country’s most exciting authors and speaker are invited to libraries. Check your library calendar or website and visit at least one event each month. The library has a wealth of information for everyone and most importantly IT’S FREE!
Education
Ready To
Serve S
ean Anderson had big dreams. The Loy Norrix High School football standout wanted to play in the NFL. He also wanted to become a chef, and would work it as his “Plan B.” He took culinary classes with the school’s vocational education program and worked in restaurants as a teen. “I felt, when I retired from the NFL, I could open my own restaurant,” Anderson said. Life, however took him on a different path. After high school he accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Hawaii. While there he was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. His lack of breathing too became life threatening and he was forced to leave Hawaii after only a year. He then was admitted into the University of Michigan Medical Center where he spent months undergoing various operations. After leaving the hospital, he would return to his Plan B, and decided to become a chef. In 1996, he graduated from Johnson and Wales Culinary College of Culinary Arts in Charleston S.C. There he learned the art of cooking and various techniques to better his own recipes. In 1997, with his degree and years of past experience working with other caterers, he started Anderson Catering.
“I felt the general public was oftentimes taken advantage of by the high prices these places charged. I wanted to offer the same quality services that the everyday person could afford and feel good about,” he said. Today he caters for everything from private twoparty occasions to weddings of more than 500. He also provides in-home cooking lessons and is often seen serving up his creations at area festivals. A n d e rs on s ai d h i s company is unique as it offers opportunities to ex-offenders who have a love for culinary arts. “I know many of these people want to do something positive with their love for cooking, and many people don’t give them a chance,” said Anderson. He also said he wants his company to be one that he can pass down to younger chefs who in turn will teach others. In the meantime, he is always ready to serve. “I love people, I love God and I love food. What more is there?” For more information on Anderson’s Catering, contact Chef Sean Anderson at 269492-8379 or e-mail Saachef77@ yahoo.com. CV
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Making a Difference From the Womb
By: Sonya Bernard-Hollins, editor component of our community Dr. Arthur James came infant mortality which helped and simultaneously do so to Kalamazoo in 1988 after spearhead the Teen Pregnancy poorly for the black community; he and wife, Janice completed Alert Coalition in 2004. particularly teens?” their medical residencies at the In studying data from 1980 James’ fight in this area University of Texas at Houston. they learned that the State of has led to the Dr. Arthur James Throughout his years in Michigan had the highest rate Award founded by Healthy Kalamazoo he has remained of infant mortality in African Babies, Healthy Start program. faithful in the fight to reduce Americans in the United States, The 2nd Annual Healthy teen pregnancy and infant and Kalamazoo County had the Babies Healthy Start Dr. Arthur mortality in Kalamazoo County; highest rate of infant mortality James Award will be held from particularly when it comes to for that same group, in the state. African Americans. 8:30 -10 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, They also learned that 85 James, the Department 2011 at the Gilmore Education percent of the African American Chief of Obstetrics and Center on the campus of births in Kalamazoo County Gynecology at Borgess Medical Bronson Hospital, downtown were funded by Medicaid. At Center in Kalamazoo, can quickly Kalamazoo. that, he said poverty, quality of quote statistics from findings he This year’s recipient is the life and other issues came into and others discovered regarding Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. view. The event is free and open to the “It begins to raise a public. lot of questions about The award is given annually our community,” said to the individual or organization James. “What’s going on that has advanced the cause in the African American of maternal and infant health. community and what are we doing so well Healthy Babies Health Start to protect the white instituted the award in honor of the legacy Dr. James continues in making a positive change in (Pictured above) Dr. Arthur maternal and infant health. James poses with the staff of Last year’s award was Healthy Babies, Healthy Start. presented to Dr. Michael Liepman for the Mother Mind (Left) Dr. James poses with Sasha Hollins who he delivered. Matters Initiative. To attend the event, please RSVP, Kari Benjamin at 269-373-5279. CV
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Did You
Know...
Health Minority women need to be extra careful when it comes to their health, particularly during pregnancy.
•
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that some women get during pregnancy. Between 2 and 10 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy. It disproportionately affects pregnant Latinas who are giving birth in the U.S at younger ages than other women. Latinos have a greater predisposition to all types of diabetes. One in 4 has some form of the disease.
•
High Blood Pressure occurs when the force exerted by the blood pushing against the artery walls becomes too high. High blood pressure is more common in Black women than in women of other racial groups in the U.S. Some studies link high levels of hypertension among black women to physical inactivity. CV
Popular Hispanic Baby Names:
Girls: 1. Sofía 2. Valentina 3. Camila 4. Isabella 5. Mariana 6. Valeria 7. Sara 8. Daniela 9. Gabriela 10. María Boys: 1. Santiago 2. Sebastián 3. Joaquín 4. Matías 5. Samuel 6. Alejandre 7. Mateo 8. Diego 9.Daniel 10. Benjamín
Popular African-American Baby Names Based on Famous People: • Alicia (Keys, vocalist and musician) • Angela (Bassett, actress) • Beyoncé (Knowles, vocalist and songwriter) • Halle (Berry, actress) • Janet (Jackson, vocalist and actress) • Arsenio (Hall, actor, comedian, and talk show host) • Bill (Cosby, comedian and actor; born William) • Denzel (Washington, actor) • Eddie (Murphy, comedian and actor) • James (Earl Jones, actor) *Information provided from Babycenter.com
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Feature
KALAMAZOO COLLEGE PRESIDENT:
Leader In Global EDUCATION A young Eileen Wilson craved reading the newspaper. As she head to school early from her home in Pomona, Calif., she thought what she would ask Mrs. Caldwell about that day’s headlines. Her fifth grade teacher would be there, ready and waiting. What she didn’t realize was that Mrs. Caldwell anticipated the daily news quiz from young Eileen. “She told me years later that she came to school early, and read the paper knowing I was going to ask her something,” Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran recalls. “She said, ‘I had to be ready for you.’” It was that kind of commitment and dedication from teachers like Mrs. Caldwell that inspired Oyelaran, president of Kalamazoo College, to become a teacher. “(Our) teachers pushed us. They took no hostages, no excuses, and made sure we lived up to high expectations,” Oyelaran said. “There was no choice but to succeed.” And succeed she did. In 2005 Oyelaran became the first female and first African American president in the history of Kalamazoo College. Her years of dedication to education and teaching abroad enabled her to hit the ground running with an action plan to equipped the students and staff with what they needed to be 21st Century leaders. Under her guidance she aimed to create an inclusive student-
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Feature
focused campus. She boasts that the college, founded in 1861, has one of its most diverse classes as 11 percent of this year’s freshman are international students. A total 17 percent of the current students on campus are of color, 38 percent are out-of-state students, and 17 percent of all students are Pell Grant eligible. “We are trying to have a college that reflects the world,” Oyelaran said. “The economic, geographic, racial and ethnic
diversity here makes it an especially exciting time to be at K.” Oyelaran also wanted the college to create a curriculum that meets the needs of the 21st Century student. The Shared Passesges seminars for study abroad students and a greater choice of courses have been added to aid in this goal. A focus on leadership development for students has led to the stationing of the ARCUS Center for Social Justice on K’s campus. The Center works closely with the new Service Learning Center which relates academic life to realities and problems of the Kalamazoo community. For her staff and administrators she been instrumental in
providing professional development opportunities. Since her arrival the staff has grown from under 100, to 400 faculty and staff. Her involvement with the Kalamazoo community too has been exceptional as she aims toward providing oncampus programs for youth. She is seen supporting various community events and was the keynote speaker at the 2011 MLK Celebration hosted by the Northside Ministerial Alliance. Through it all she encourages students to take advantage of the world and what it has to offer, just as she did. After graduating from Pomona College in California, she ventured to Africa. Her parents raised their three children to know and love their African
u
Congratulations
Community Voices!
Photo: Anthony Dugal
Through your new magazine and online community, you give voice to the whole community. —Your friends at Kalamazoo College
KCollege_Ad.indd 1
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(Above) Dr. Oyelaran shows Tori Zackery how to wrap an African head scarf during a visit with the Merze Tate Travel Club. (Right) Area leaders welcome Dr. Oyelaran to the city during a special event in 2005.
heritage and were excited for their middle daughter’s chance to study in the Motherland. During her years in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania, her parents and siblings visited and experienced the sites they read about in books. In Nigeria she would meet her husband, Olasope, who had recently returned from California where he earned his Ph.D. in lingusitics. The two have four children, all with duel citizenship to Africa and America. They now live in Washington D.C., New York, Massachuessets, and Botswana, South Africa. As a parent and educator, Oyelaran craves learning just as she did as a student of Mrs. Caldwell. She and her husband love to dance and the former violin player enjoys the arts. She will visit Brazil this summer and wants to study Chinese and visit China. She lives what she wants other students to learn. “It’s so important for our young people to speak another language,” Oyelaran said. “I love to encounter new places and it’s important we encourage our children to get that wonder lust; encounter new places and cultures. It unlocks the world.” CV 14
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Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran Historic Fact: Became first African American and first female president of Kalamazoo College in 2005. She is the 17th President of Kalamazoo College which was founded in 1833. Birthplace: Born in Los Angeles, Calif. Family: She and husband, Dr. Olasope Oyelaran has four childrenAdedoyin, Oyindasola, Omosalewa, and Oyeyinka. Education: B.A. in Sociology from Pomona College; M.A. and Ph.D. in Education from the Claremont Graduate University. Studies abroad in England and was the recipient of the Thomas J. Watson Traveling Fellowship for independent research in Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Honors and Awards: The Kent Fellowship, American Council on Education Fellowship and the Visionary Leadership Award presented by the Claremont Colleges Intercollegiate Office of Black Studies. National recognition for her work on behalf of young women and girls. Recipient of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) Gender Equity Architect Award, the Salvation Army’s Strong, Smart, and Bold Award, and the YWCA Woman of Vision. Photos by Aaron Cantrell Visit the interactive history timeline of Kalamazoo College at: http://www.kzoo.edu/college/history/
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Dr. Oyelaran poses with her family.
K-College President Speaks of
Hope
A
By Robert Kaufman
pproval ratings were high and expressed often at the Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday celebration at Chenery Auditorium sponsored by the Northside Ministerial Alliance in January. Dr. Eileen B. WilsonO yel aran, president of Kalamazoo College, highlighted the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr. as encasing basic tools needed to understand our evolving global environment. She recognized we live in an age of desegregation with an elected Black President and notes, that some people believe America is a post-racial society. Later in her remarks she denies such an assertion, “We are nowhere near a post-racial society,” she said. More to the point she emphasized the continued need for the “nonviolent struggle,” and the “beloved community” to remain as essential elements in the larger, more complex global reality. The speaker chose three contemporary areas to illustrate Dr. King’s continued relevance.
For Youth During MLK Celebration
The growth of incivility in our discourse. This is a reference to the U.S. Congress. “At a time when we face difficult and complex challenges our political leaders have modeled a level of incivility and what my grandmother would call, ‘downright stubbornness’ that would make Dr. King weep. “For Rev. King, the Beloved Community was not a lofty, utopian goal; it was an achievable possibility whose cornerstones are non-violence and reconciliation.” And she added: Dr. King recognized that individuals disagree, sometimes passionately, but “they listen patiently and respectfully to one another . . . their aim is to engage in difficult, thoughtful and honest debate as they work to address those challenges that limit the full development of the human personality.” Regarding the expanding landscape of war, she uses a direct quotation from Dr. King. “Wisdom born of experience would tell us that war is obsolete.” There may have been a time when war served a negative good by preventing the spread and growth of an evil force, but the destructive power of modern weapons of warfare eliminates even the possibility that war may any longer serve as negative good. “At a time when terrorism is global, interconnected and intercontinental, Dr. King’s moral vision of a world without war poses an incredible challenge
with which we must grapple as we develop and implement our foreign policy.” She added, “the effects of economic inequality are as deleterious as inequality based on race.” One must comment, that this is an astute and powerful comparison. She places some factual teeth into the argument, in (Kalamazoo) county, 41.5% of our children qualify for free and reduced lunch. “If you are a ver y young child, the picture is even grimmer. Over half of children aged five and under in Kalamazoo City live in poverty (and) in the county the figure is almost 30 percent.” Education is imbedded in her attention span. The Education Trust-Midwest in a recent report “stunned” Kalamazoo when it reported, “that the achievement gap for African-American children attending KPS was among the highest in the state.” She concludes, “…This gap in educational performance is one of the most pressing Civil Rights issues of our time.” Nor does she let the issue rest there. She bluntly states, that the responsibility for “Eradicating the disparity outlined in this article is everyone’s business. It is everyone’s responsibility.” CV Read Robert’s entire column at www.comvoicesonline.com/ viewpoints
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Section history
Local Students
Discover Merze Tate Through a Student-Produced Documentary of her Life
H
er first name sounds unusual, however when people learn of Merze Tate, it’s a name they don’t soon forget. Tate, a native of Blanchard, Mich., was the first African American to graduate from Oxford University in 1935. She was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, and was first African American to serve as Fulbright Scholar in India (1950-51). The Howard University professor traveled the world twice and spoke five languages. Her ability to manage a diverse portfolio led to her leaving more than $3 million dollars to universities in the United States. She left more than $1 million to Western Michigan University from which she graduated in 1927 (then Western Normal School) with the school’s highest academic record at that time. The Merze Tate Center is located in WMU’s Sangren Hall. The story of Tate is complex and inspiring and was sparked after a discovery by this editor of items Tate left to WMU’s Regional History Collection and Archives upon her death in 1996 at age 91.
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The Merze Tate Travel Club was founded in 2008, with a grant from the Kalamazoo C om mu n it y Fou nd at i on . This year the students of the Kalamazoo-based club created the documentary, ‘Who in the World is Merze Tate?” The project was a collaborative effort between Community Voices, Media Arts Academy, and Public Media Network. The all-girl production crew inter viewed people from Michigan to Oxford, England who knew of Tate’s accomplishments.They served as reporters, videographers, photographers and producers in this unique project to bring the history of Tate alive. Tate traveled with the U.S. State Department around the world as an expert in Disarmament during a time with African Americans in the U.S. were still fighting against segregation. The Fulbright Scholar to India once had dinner with the first women prime minister of India, Indira Ghandi. Tate held a press card with the Afro American Newspaper and served as their International Reporter when overseas. In addition to her political involvement, she was an avid photographer, a national champion in Bridge and i nve nt e d t wo h o u s e h o l d
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appliances. She authored seven books on world politics and received numerous honorary doctorate degrees. As an expert in World Peace, she often served as a consultant for the United Nations, met with heads of countries, U.S. presidents and president’s wives. Her desire to see the world and live without boundaries led to her purchasing a reservation card for the first proposed Pan American flight to outer space. The flight never came to fruition. An exhibit of some of the hundreds of photographs Tate took in her journey around the world is displayed at the Michigan Women’s Historical Center Hall of Fame in Lansing (through April 26 ) and the Gail Syndor Gallery in the Epic Center in Kalamazoo in June. CV For more information email Sonya Bernard-Hollins at: editor@ comvoicesonline.com Above: Merze Tate in her Oxford University graduation cap and gown. Below: Some of the doumentary crew include from left: Charita Quinn, Layla McKissack, Kennedy Shelton, Diamond Moore, Tori Zackery and Claire Khabeiry.
Business
Don’t Manage Your Debt,
! t i e t a Elimin
By Stanley M. Steppes
I
f you are like most Americans today, you are looking for an effective way to eliminate your debt, live comfortably, increase your income, and save for your future. In 2009, the average American owed $8,400 in credit card debt alone. When you add in student loans, auto loans, and a mortgage, you can begin to understand the importance of doing more than just managing your debt. Most Americans simply keep making the minimum payments instead of eliminating debt with an effective strategy. There are many different methods to pay off debt such as High Interest Debt Payoff Method, Smallest Payment First, Debt Snowball Method, and Debt Consolidation Payment Method. Some are even waiting for a Disappearing Method!
Most experts can agree that no matter which method you choose it will take focus, determination, resilience, and in some cases extreme sacrifice to stick with it to the end. Paying off debt is a challenge on almost any budget, but it is not impossible. SCENARIO: When Jean, a 31-year-old elementary school teacher decided that she wanted to purchase a home, she knew that she first wanted to eliminate some outstanding debt. She had very little options to increase her income due to the demands of her job. With the help of a financial counselor, she went through her budget and slashed everything she possibly could in order to free up enough cash to pay off the student loans, an auto loan, and a small store credit card. “Nothing was off the table when it came to freeing up more money each month. I cut the cable, downgraded my cell phone plan, and even stopped eating out. I was that serious about getting out of debt”, said Jean. It took her three years to eliminate the debt with an elimination strategy instead of the seven years it would have taken with just making the minimum payments.
Here are a few tips to help you eliminate your debt and in doing so begin to live free in your finances:
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Assess your current financial situation: Create an up-to-date snapshot of your financial health. Write down the numbers no matter how bad or ugly it seems. You can’t begin to fix it until you know where it’s broken.
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Update your monthly spending plan: A good spending plan will help you manage your expected expenses as well as prepare you for the unexpected.
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Adjust your spending plan: Begin making adjustments to your expenses and find extra money you can use to pay down your debt. For example, if you are paying for premium cable, you may consider going to a basic plan for a period of time and using that extra cash to pay down your debt.
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Get started today: As you begin to eliminate your debt, celebrate each milestone. In doing so, you are encouraged to keep going. Share your story about how you eliminated your debt or ask for help at info@cawealthadvisors. com. To download a spending plan worksheet, visit http://www. cawealthadvisors.com/resources CV
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Entertainment “After that, I just wanted to perform all the time,” said Giraud who worked his way through college at Western Michigan University by working as a piano player at local bars and restaurants. “Whenever there was a piano around, I just had to sit at it and play.” After high school he decided to attend WMU and participate in its nationallyknown and respected Gold Company. The Communications and African American Studies major auditioned for Dr. Stephen Zegree and landed positions in the GC2, the ‘junior varsity’ version of Gold Company. While under the direction of Zegree, he would go on to receive various accolades for his
: l o d I n A iming
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iraud G t t a for M e m o work, including the h is o o z a Downbeat Magazine’s Award for Kalam
n any given Sunday in Detroit, Mich., a young Matt Giraud could be heard keeping a foot stompin’, hand clappin’, praise the Lord and amen rhythm. He was the drummer for the choir in a Baptist church and had the talent required to help get the spirit moving. “I was the only White kid in the choir, but I could jam,” Giraud said, laughing during an interview in downtown Kalamazoo. “I guess nobody told me I was White. I come from a colorful family and just thought that (diversity) was normal.” Giraud, one of the Top
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Outstanding Performance by an Artist. It would be his job playing at local piano bars that would
Photos by Chad Sutton
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10 finalists of Season Eight’s American Idol in 2009, said his unique style on the show was often called, Bluesy, but it’s what he said is a ‘gospel thang’.” He is known for his soulful voice which is accentuated with the flavor her brings as a pianist. Not many know that he only learned to play the piano during his senior year at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, MI. It was there he took a beginner’s class and said once his fingers hit the keys, he was a natural. He refused to use the book his teacher, Karen Nevers provided to learn the scales, chords. His fingers did their own thing and his soul just took over.
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Entertainment help toward his big break. A friend there invited him to attend an audition for American Idol. He planned to take his daughter and felt Giraud’s popular showstopping style may be what the judges were looking for. The rest is history. It was his connection to Kalamazoo and the love he felt by others for his talent that has led him to calling Kalamazoo home. He volunteers in the community and serves as a Big Brother in the Big Brother Big Sister program. After becoming a ‘star’ Giraud said his “little brother” often becomes bored with the newfound fame of his mentor. For him, he was the same old, Matt. After Idol Since American Idol, Giraud has been working as an independent artist. He said he did not get signed to a record label as do some Idols. However, he said the contractual pressures of selling millions of albums often lead to the demise of those whose Idol status isn’t selling. “Selling records today is not like the old days,” Giraud said. “You used to have to be with a label to sell records. Now, artists sell millions of records and have never been signed because they don’t want to be. It’s a different world in the digital age of the internet. You can get music out to people easier than ever before.” He said he has released some of his original songs on YouTube video and have been stunned to see people singing along at his concerts. He has collaborated with signed artists such as Anna Wilson. Their song, “You Don’t Know me,” hit #1 on iTunes in January 2010. And is song, “Thank You,” with Jim Brickman made the top 20 not long after. Hearing his songs while
out in places he least expects still sends him into a childlike giddiness. “I was at Target shopping for Christmas and I heard the song playing. I was so excited I didn’t know who to tell. So, I told the “Target lady,” ‘that’s my song.’ She didn’t know who I was and just looked at me like, ‘o.k., that’s my song too,’ and walked away,” Giraud said laughing. He said he still has those ‘star’ moments when he meets actors or singers he admires and they are glad to meet him. “When you’re on Idol, you’re like in a bubble. But when you get out and see that people have been watching you, know your name, and scream for you, that’s when it really hits home,” Giraud said. When he returned to Detroit as an Idol, it seemed to all come full circle. He and the Top 10 Idols flew from Los Angeles to Detroit for a 10 hour trip to meet at Hitsville U.S.A. with Motown Founder Barry Gordy and hit-making producer Smokey Robinson. The two would provide inspiration and advice on the Motown tunes the idols were to perform in an upcoming episode. His introduction to the world through Idol has been an exciting one. He has his degree from WMU to fall back on one day, however in the meantime his dreams of writing and performing top hits is in his future. He said it’s the faith his family and others have in him that has helped him to have faith in himself. He said he loves Kalamazoo and calls it his home. It’s there where
he has learned to find himself and realize how he can inspire others. Since his Idol fame he performed nationally and been a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Access Hollywood, The Today Show and others. He remains true to his state of Michigan and performs to sold-out crowds and for fundraisers for those such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. Locally he performed with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and at the Miller Auditorium, on the campus of WMU. “If I could leave (a message) to others it would be for people to believe in themselves. You can do more than you think,” Giraud said with a conviction he too had to learn. “One day you could just be tinkering around on the piano or whatever you do, and the next thing you know you could be on tour. Never doubt yourself. What you think about, you draw to you.” CV
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Junior
Youth
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eens who visit Fire Historical and Cultural Collaborative took part in a recent Community Voices Junior Reporter Camp. The camps are created for youth interested in learning more about the media. Students are taught how to write a variety of news stories and submit
press releases to the media regarding happenings in their organizations, neighborhoods and schools. Students also are introduced to photojournalism and video interviews for the web. Featured here are some of their stories.
Visit www.comvoicesonline. com/youth to see their other contributions. For more information on how to get your students or organization involved in the Community Voices Junior Reporter Camp, e-mail: editor@comvoicesonline.com
Make Art, Not Vandalism
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andalism has become a controversial issue in the Edison community of Kalamazoo. Various businesses, organizations, and homes have been randomly tagged in the area and it is beginning to cause a stir among local business owners and residents. One organization in particular, Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative has been targeted repeatedly. In my opinion, the perpetrators are completely wrong in regards to their actions. Their spray painting devalues buildings vital to the area, causes the owners to be penalized by police when they had nothing to do the crime, and it gives graffiti art a bad name as a means for self-expression. Tagging is when a person or group of people signs or “tags” a building, wall, canvas, etc. via spray paint. This type of vandalism has given spray painting a misconception of being an act of rebellion, committed mostly by insubordinate adolescent gang members with the intent of 20
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damaging or defacing property for amusement. Conversely, spray painting is really an art form in its own right. Graffiti art stemmed from the innovative hip-hop culture, and was unveiled to help showcase the aesthetic genius instilled in many innercity artists. Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative can offer individuals an outlet to express themselves through Graffiti Art. So ironically, the taggers could spray paint liberally inside of the building and put their talents to good use, opposed to inappropriately
By Devontee DeJarnette
tagging the edifice itself. Although, those suspects living in the community may be highly skilled in the area of graffiti art, their talent in no way justifies the crime of tagging buildings when they aren’t permitted to do so. Going to Fire as an alternative would allow taggers to accomplish something more productive and save themselves, residents, and law enforcement precious time and money. Read Devontee’s other contributions at: www.comvoicesonline.com/ youth CV
Devontee DeJarnette is a graduate of the Junior Reporter Camp
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Youth
Reporter Camp
Graduates
An Interactive, Entertaining Way to View Today’s Issues
By Devontee DeJarnette
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eaders’ Theater is a new project formulated by the youth staff at Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative. The project’s mission is to entertain a wide range of people through theater, and to educate its audience on relevant social issues and current data that affects our country. Readers’ Theater also aims to depict vivid scenarios of how said issues positively or negatively affect our society. Readers’ Theater shows also seek to offer spectators solutions to the problems discussed, and/or motivate those in attendance to ponder on questions of how to prevent these dilemmas from taking place on a daily basis. In the production, “Don’t Hate or Discriminate,” each topic contained a problematic situation in which the characters first negatively reacted to the issue. Then, after coming to the realization that their actions were wrong and detrimental, the characters experienced a change of heart, and responded pro actively to the circumstance by reconciling their differences with the individuals being discriminated against.
The second time they concluded the scenes posing a viable solution. Lakira DeJarnette was present for the event. Aquair Mu h a m m a d attended the production and viewed “Don’t Hate or Discriminate,” as an overall success. “I felt that the event was very entertaining, informative, creative, and insightful,” Muhammad said. He also feels that the project had an integral message for young people, and that others could learn a lot from it.
“Others can learn how to respond to conversations where these issues are present, recognize that the issues are not okay at any time, and that they’re intolerable.” Muhammad said. Don’t Hate or Discriminate debuted as the premier event of the Readers’ Theater project. Other Readers’ Theater events will be held monthly at Fire Historical and Cultural Collaborative located at 1249 Portage Road in Kalamazoo, across from Washington Square Library. For more information, visit: www.thisisfire.com. CV
Jordan Smith is the photographer for Fire Historical and Cultural Collaborative. His photos are featured on pages 20 and 22.
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Mother’s Poetry Inspires Her Son
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By Aletha Gallegos
evonnte Dejarnette first got involved with poetry at the age of 10. He was a student at Kalamazoo Charter Academy where students were challenged to write a poem about someone they admired. A young Devonnte chose to write about basketball legend Michael Jordan and he won first prize--a free meal at Denny’s. A few years later he entered an online poetry contest with his poem, “Drunk.” The poem based on the intoxication of love, won recognition as well and became part of a poetry anthology. Today, Dejarnette, 19, works at Fire Historical And Cultural Arts Collaborative. He wishes to continue to influence others through his art as a poet and rapper. He said it all began from his own mother’s passion for poetry. He often saw his her, a care provider for disabled Veterans, share her poetry to motive others and
make them feel good. Today he is inspired to make a difference in social justice, possibly as a journalist and rapper to other youth. Michelle Johnson, one of the founders of Fire, met Dejarnette three years ago. She was impressed when she learned of his talent as a rapper during a two-week summer project hosted by Fire called Rebirth OF The Soul. During the project a producer named, Bang, helped record potential vocalists and rappers. “(He) was very quiet and shy but would be very funny one-onone” Johnson said. “Since first working at fire at the age of 15 he’s matured and become more responsible now, from coming in late everyday, to early; and focuses more on work tasks.” Denise Miller, co-founder of Fire, said she feels others can be inspired by the high school graduate who has dreams of success. Miller said his beginnings
them the art of quilting. Each of the girls learned everything from threading a needle to how to create a quilt pattern of their own. Bette Boulding, far right, with Kalamazoo Junior Girls. The squares were combined together to ette Boulding a retired create a wall hanging which teacher of Kalamazoo will be on permanent display Public Schools loves to create at the Kalamazoo Junior Girls quilts. She recently worked with Organization located at 1114 local girls of the Kalamazoo Paterson St. in Kalamazoo. Junior Girls to share with Boulding’s efforts were part
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Aletha Gallegos, Report er
Youth
at Fire came with his own life changes. He had attended elementary school in Detroit, then Kalamazoo and later to Allen, Texas where he graduated high school. After high school he faced challenges in Texas which led him to return to Kalamazoo to live with an older sister. Since then Fire has been his saving grace by allowing him to express his talents through the various music and other art programs they offer. “I want others to take chances to achieve there ,goals, and dreams,” Dejarnette said. “I don’t know what my life would be like without (Michelle and Denise). Thanks to them I pursued a new passions and talents that I didn’t know I had.” CV of a Kalamazoo Community Foundation “Change Makers” project. Through Change Makers, local residents can provide a service to the community by using their own unique skills and talents. Participants receive a $250 grant for supplies and other needs to make the program a success. “A quilt, like life, is made up of many different pieces,” Boulding told the girls during the unveiling of their project. “No matter what happens in your life, when you do your best, it will all work together to create something beautiful.” CV
TALK IT UP:
Positive Youth by Buddy Hannah
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urn on the news or pick up a newspaper and you will probably hear or read about the issues and problems facing our young people today, especially our African American youth. Much of what you will hear or read is centered around the negative rather than the positive. We hear so much about the negative that sometimes it over shadow’s the positive things our young people are doing. Well not today. Today this is about the positive. Today this is about those young people who are doing positive things in our community. It’s about those young people in our community who are doing the right thing and are trying to help other young people do the right thing as well. Not just because we want them to do the right thing, but because they know it’s the right thing do. This is about those young people who know that in order for them to succeed it will not only require help from others
but it will require them to help themselves. Today this is about those young people among us who know the meaning of respect and those who have and show respect for their community, their peers, themselves, and for all adults. This is about those young people whom many of us encounter daily who use the words, please and thank you, Mr., Mrs., and Miss., to show their respect. Today this is about those young people who don’t let the rappers and rap videos distort and destroy their values and their thinking. Those young people who are not just hearing the beat of the music but are listening to the words and not liking what they are hearing It’s about those young people who know the value of an education and have dedicated themselves to becoming educated. Those young people who know the opportunity the Kalamazoo Promise has given
Youth them and they are putting themselves in a position to take advantage of that opportunity. This is about those young people who are in touch with themselves and their spirituality. Those young people who know who they are now and who they wish to become later. Today this is all about those young people who know they are our future and they are preparing themselves to meet and take charge of that future. Today I want to say to those young people who are trying to stay on the right track even though at times it may be hard to do so, we see you and we are proud of what you are doing and how you are doing it. We know there are those of you who are trying to succeed and will succeed in spite of the obstacles you may encounter. We know there are those of you who are working hard to be what we hoped you would be and what we want you to be. Today, to those young people I say keeping doing the good things you’re doing. We see it and we appreciate you, even if we don’t always say it as often as we should. Today it’s all about you. CV
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Faith
KALAMAZOO (MICH)- Youth of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo were choked up as they read touching letters to Min. James Harris during a farewell event in February. They recalled moments when the youth pastor was the father figure many never had who provided spiritual guidance. For the past five years Harris had been dishing up God’s Word to youth with the zest and zeal needed to bring them to Christ in the 21st Century. It is through his diligence as a minister that he has been led by God to lead his own flock. Harris is now the minister of Trenches Community Church which opened in February, 2011. The
church currently is sharing space with Bethel Reform Church, 1003 Gayle Ave., Kalamazoo. Hundreds f rom the community came out to his induction ceremony held at Centerpoint Church. He sees the challenges youth face and understands what is needed to bring more people to Christ. It is no accident that he has the gift of connecting with teens. He said it was in his own youth that he struggled to find himself. Before graduating high school, he and his high school sweetheart, Machelle, found out they would soon be parents. They went on to complete high school and Harris, a star
basketball player of his high school team, in Detroit landed a scholarship at Ferris State University. He took his new wife and child with him. His dream was to play for the NBA, however, his ‘hothead’ attitude was cooled when he left Ferris State University after he said he “didn’t get enough playing time.” He moved his family to Kalamazoo where he would play basketball for Nazareth College. After college he went to work at General Motors in Kalamazoo where he said he heard the call to ministry. “I had grown up in the church,” Harris said. “My grandmother was the foundation. I had an uncle who was a minister. “I want to bring that same since of community and family to Trenches,” he said. His vision from God is to lead people into an “intimate and personal relationship with God; not just go to church. “I want a place where youth can go, daily and play basketball, have fun in a safe environment,” Harris said. The theme for Trenches is “Loving God, Loving People, Living by Power. “I want to be a trench for God,” Harris said. “I want to take the Word of God and bring life to dry souls and watch them blossom.” CV
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My Prince Osito
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By Patricia Clark
y very spoiled-rotten, over weight and very lazy dog looks like a little Teddy bear. He was a Prince from day one and acted so regal that I named him Prince Osito. There are times I forget he’s a dog because he acts so human. When I’m talking to him I can just see that his mind is clicking away and that he is taking in everything I’m saying. But, while he hears me, he is going to do it the way he wants too; just like a kid. One day, he was just lying in the bed looking out the watching the neighbors down the street who were having some car problems. I could just ask him what’s going on, and I am sure
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Prince Osito would tell me all about the Browns and how their car died and that it took them a long time to move it. He watches anything and everything that moves. But the only thing that will get him to move fast is when we come to the end of our walks, food is served, or any cat is nearby. Even on our walks, if something interesting is going on, he will just sit right down wherever we are and watch. He knows I can’t move his bear-like body. On our walks it’s me encouraging him along and him pulling me back to the car. When we are close to the end of our walk, he runs fast to get
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to his favorite seat in the car. I am almost certain if he had a set of car keys, he would already be behind the wheel, honking the horn, and leaning out the window with his expressive yellow eyes asking, “Hey, what took you so long?” When I walk Prince Osito, people seem to stare at him like he is an alien. I think once you get over how he stares back at you and get over thinking, hemight-eat-me-up, you will see he is friendly and kind. CV Patricia has a web comic based on the true and funny stories of her and her dog, Prince Osito. Check out ositocomics.com for more comics!
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