Houston Defender: April 20, 2017

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BELLAIRE DISTANCE RUNNER ABABU MOHAMED READY FOR A CHALLENGE P7

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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 86 | Number 25

APRIL 20, 2017 |FREE

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NEWSTALK

Financial Edition

SYLVESTER TURNER continues fight for pension plans

SAVE MORE MONEY

P2 NATIONAL

OIL INDUSTRY has jobs for Blacks & Hispanics

P3 ENTERTAINMENT

H PAGE 1B

ALDIS HODGE stars in “Underground” series

P4 TOP EVENTS

Melinda Spaulding leaving anchor desk

DeShone Kizer

She’s graced the news desk at Fox 26 for more than 12 years. Now, the talented anchor is stepping down.

She shares with the Defender what’s behind her decision and what’s next.

The redshirt sophomore and twoyear starter is on the wish list for many Texans fans who hope the team will draft Kizer, who just so happens to be one of the leading NFL draft picks.

tops in NFL Draft

Dr. Dina Al-Sowayel, Gerald and Anita Smith at Community Artists’ Collective 30th anniversary gala.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

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newstalk

Pension fights escalate, spark debates

The municipal and police systems respectively have 48 percent and 62 percent ith only seven weeks left in of the money they are expected to pay out the legislative session and as to retirees over coming decades according a collection of pension bills to S&P. The firefighter fund, meanwhile, are poised to hit the floors of has about 81 percent of the money it needs both the Texas Senate and House, Houston to cover future pension costs. That puts it pension leaders and elected officials have yet among the best funded pension funds in to get on the same page on a multi-billion the state. dollar retirement pension shortfall.

Firefighter pension members said The disagreements over how best to that the two bills working through the move forward are now spurring spinoff legislature would lower their benefits in debates involving whether to dramatiorder to save the city money that could be cally overhaul future public retirements in spent helping shore up the municipal and Houston. police funds.

Lawmakers, city officials and pension Mayor Sylvester Turner “Talk about punishing success,” members vow to press on in behind-theKeller told members in his email. scenes negotiations aimed at quelling some of City officials, though, blame squabthe acrimony. bles over access to the firefighter fund’s financial data for the “It will be more of the same for the near future,” Houston plan enshrined in current legislation. fire pension chair David Keller told members in an email. “Back “In the absence of the data from the fire pension system, and forth to Austin. Back and forth with lawmakers.” we had no choice but to move forward with our own projecThe Houston fire pension fund opposes both the House and tions about what it will cost to provide future benefits for fire Senate bills that aim to shore up the city’s shortfalls. The vast retirees,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in an opinion piece submajority of unfunded pension liabilities in Houston come not mitted to media last month. from the firefighters’ pension but from the municipal employee The Houston shortfalls retirement fund and police pension system, according to credit in the police and municipal rating agency Standard & Poor’s. funds partially stem from

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Defender News Services

localbriefs METRO HAS IMPLEMENTED NEW SAFETY FEATURES while continuing to search for ways to cut down on the number of light-rail accidents, launching an awareness campaign that highlights the need for the public to be more alert when crossing light-rail tracks. In fiscal year 2015, Metro logged 87 rail accidents. The following fiscal year that number climbed to 108, and between Oct. 1 and Feb. 28, there have been 49 rail accidents…….HISD PLANS TO REVIEW ITS SPECIAL ED PROGRAM. The district approved a proposal to select American Institutes for Research to implement a comprehensive special education program review. The district will re-evaluate how it delivers special education services to students and families. The review will identify how HISD is providing proactive intervention for struggling students, offering suggestions on the evaluation referral process, and examining the process for identifying students with disabilities…….SUNNYSIDE RESIDENTS VOW TO CONTINUE fighting a plan to move the Sunnyside Multi-Purpose Center near an old landfill. During a recent town hall, Mayor Sylvester Turner explained that an environmental study found “no concentrations of the suspected contaminants in the tested media that exceeded health standards.” But many residents said they don’t believe the results or the politicians and think that the city wants to sell the current land to a developer. Turner disputed that claim. …….FBISD’s SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM will host a monthly workshop on April 26 from 2-4 p.m. at the Fort Bend ISD Triplex, Library Room 111, located at 550 Julie Rivers Drive in Sugar Land. Contractors, subcontractors and other interested business partners are invited to learn more about the projects included in Phase 3 of the 2014 bond program, as well as additional construction and non-construction small business opportunities……..SHAPE COMMUNITY CENTER will present its second annual International Food Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at 3815 Live Oak on Saturday, April 29.

years in which those respective boards agreed to let the city underfund its own contributions to the pensions. The firefighters didn’t strike such a deal.

To repay the underfunded amounts, the city plans to issue $1 billion in pension obligation bonds and give $750 million to the police pension and $250 million to the municipal system.

City Hall and both of those pension funds are on board with the plan, though the Senate passed a potentially problematic bill in March that could require voters to approve issuing the bonds. Scores of Houston business leaders have been lobbying lawmakers to include that election requirement to the legislature’s pension fix but it’s a provision Turner adamantly opposes.

Bill King, who opposed Turner in the 2015 Houston mayoral race, is among that group of Houston leaders at odds with Turner on this issue. They also want any pension fix to require that future employees be given defined contribution plans akin to 401ks instead of defined benefit plans like pensions.

King said pensions are throwbacks to a time when interest rates were higher and life expectancy was shorter. He said there are too many variables for any pension entity to accurately know how much money it’s going to need now to pay retirement benefits for the next four or five decades.

The Texas Tribune contributed to this report.

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APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs FACEBOOK SAID IT WILL REVIEW its process for reporting inappropriate content after an accused killer posted a video of his apparently unprovoked shooting of a 74-year-old man in Cleveland. Three posts to the suspect’s Facebook page ― a video announcing his intent to commit a murder, a graphic video of the killing, and a live video of his confession ― stayed online for about two hours, the social network said. Facebook said it was reviewing its “reporting flows to be sure people can report videos and other material that violates standards as easily and quickly as possible.” The company noted it is “constantly exploring” ways to harness advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to stop the spread of videos that violate its standards…..THE EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS FOR BLACKS showed little improvement in March, according to the Labor Department’s most recent jobs report.

The labor force participation rate, which is the share of Blacks who either hold jobs or are looking for work, remained unchanged from February (62.3 percent) to March. The share of Blacks who have jobs within the population was also flat (57.3 percent). The Black unemployment rate improved slightly, decreasing from 8.1 percent to 8 percent in March. The national unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in March and the economy added 98,000 jobs, the lowest monthly job growth under the Trump Administration, so far....A MAN WHO ASSAULTED A BLACK WOMAN at a Trump rally last year said he did so at the urging of Donald Trump. This complicates the now president’s argument that he is immune to civil lawsuits. Alvin Bamberger was filmed pushing a woman, Kashiya Nwanguma, at a proTrump rally in Louisville, Kentucky. During the altercation, Trump shouted at them to “get out” and “get ‘em out of here!”

VOLUME 86 • NUMBER 25 APRIL 20, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Jasemine Knowles Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

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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Blacks, Latinos needed for oil industry jobs

By STACY M. BROWN NNPA

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here are great opportunities for African-Americans and Latinos in the oil, natural gas and petrochemical industries, according to industry insiders, who are calling on minorities to “get in the game.”

“IHS Markit projects that there will be nearly 1.9 million job opportunities over the next 20 years in our industry, and [minorities] are expected to fill more than 575,000 of those positions,” Oil industry jobs are in high demand said Deryck Spooner, t‎ he senior director of external mobilization at databases.

American Petroleum Institute.

“Experienced engineers are being offered “These employment projections are based on sky-high salaries and are taking regular calls from current and expected trends in factors such as labor headhunters as the booming shale gas industry fights force participation rates, population growth rates, and for scarce talent, snapping up engineers from other educational attainment rates.” sectors,” reported Alanna Petroff of CNN Money.

Spooner noted that opportunities would be “There aren’t enough experienced engineers available in a wide variety of occupations across the to go around, and global demand for engineers is country. growing, especially as the U.S. shale gas industry Of the 1.9 million new job opportunities, 57 balloons.” percent are projected to be in blue-collar occupations In order to take advantage of the oil and gas and 32 percent are projected to be in management boom, Spooner said that minorities must get in the and professional fields, according to IHS Markit, game. which provides information and analysis to business “Our polling of African-Americans and Latinos and government. showed that the vast majority of individuals had never Martha Montoya, the chair of the National applied for a job in the industry, with 60 percent of Association of Hispanic Publications, said that it’s those being driven by a basic lack of familiarity with important for Black and Latino families to have the industry’s opportunities,” Spooner said. conversations about opportunities in the oil industry With above-average salaries and an abundance that are available for people who aspire to join the of career opportunities projected over the next two middle class. decades, the oil and natural gas industry could offer IHS Markit noted that Hispanic and Africansolutions to wage stagnation and income inequality, American workers are projected to account for close which remain major concerns in our still-struggling to 25 percent of new hires in management, business economy. and financial jobs through 2035.

Many are surprised to learn that the industry has a Also, of the women projected to be hired in the great deal of job opportunities in blue collar occupations oil industry, more than half are expected to fill man(57 percent), which require a high school diploma and agement and professional occupations. some post-secondary training, Spooner said.

The salaries in the oil and gas industry make the “These are jobs like welders, pipefitters, truck drivjobs very attractive. ers, and construction workers,” said Spooner. “There Currently, the average salary for a financial are also hundreds of thousands of job opportunities analyst in the industry is $55,620, while a petroleum projected in management and professional fields as engineer makes $82,000 annually. Oil and gas pipescientists, engineers, architects, communication profesline construction workers average about $76,000 per sionals, business managers, and so much more.” year and those who drill oil and gas wells typically Companies like Airswift.com and Rigzone.com are rake in at least $98,000 per year, according to several great places to start looking for oil industry jobs in Houston.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

entertainment

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Aldis Hodge

The “Underground / Hidden Figures” Interview

By KAM WILLIAMS DEFENDER

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ldis Hodge has been around a long time, breaking into the entertainment business as a model when he was just three years old. Though he’s played in numerous movies, Hodge is perhaps best known for his roles as Alec Hardison on the TNT series “Leverage,” MC Ren in “Straight Outta Compton,” Levi Jackson in the Oscar-winner “Hidden Figures” and about his role as Noah on the television series “Underground.”

Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, but raised in New York and New Jersey, Aldis is an avid scriptwriter, designer and painter in addition to acting. Here, he talks about his latest projects.

Kam Williams: Congratulations on the second season of Underground. What first interested you in doing the series?

AH: I enjoyed the way the story was written. I was intrigued by the narrative showing people rising up and fighting for their freedom.

KW: This season is amazing. What else is in store?

AH: I’ll put it like this, brother. Everybody

thought it couldn’t get crazier or more dangerous, but it does. Last year, everyone was focused on this idea of freedom and just getting off the plantation without contemplating the harsh reality of what that really meant. At the end of the season, we were pretty much split up. Now, you get a pretty introspective view of each character.

We’re all dealing with the consequences of what transpired last season in our own way. My character, Noah, was learning what it meant to try to be a leader. This season, he’s learning more about who he is as a man. Right now, the strength of his love for Rosalee [played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell] is more important to him than freedom, whereas last year was purely about survival.

KW: What’s it like acting opposite Jurnee?

AH: She’s awesome! That’s my road dog right there. Our characters go through so much together this season that we have to depend on each other emotionally as actors. We didn’t share a lot of scenes together because our story focuses on Noah and Rosalee’s trying to get back to each other. We see that their love transcends their situation. There’s still a very powerful connection between them, and we had to develop that. So, we had to take a different approach, and Jurnee was there 100 percent of the way. She is an absolute

beast!

KW: What’s it been like working a real-life icon, Harriet Tubman, into the story?

AH: It’s great that we get to honor Tubman’s legacy through a real-life representation, although we’d already paid tribute to her last season. It’s not really a different approach.

The only thing that’s changed is that we have a fantastic actress in Aisha Hinds materializing Tubman. Aisha does a fantastic job of enabling us to explore who Harriet Tubman was.

KW: Why do you think “Hidden Figures” has made the most money of all the movies nominated for the Best Picture Oscar?

AH: It’s absolutely because of the message.

Granted, a big part is that people will go to the theater and enjoy it. But I think the primary reason it’s been so effective is that it represents the antidote to some of the cultural issues we’re still dealing with as a nation. It illustrates what can be accomplished when you look beyond the prejudices and stereotypes and allow equality to win out overall.

These women accomplished what they did in spite of segregated bathrooms, and not having equal pay or the right to vote. That made it an inspiring film for both little girls and boys.

what’sup “The Fate of the Furious,” starring DWAYNE JOHNSON and VIN DIESEL, set box office records and put Black director, F. GARY GRAY, in a company by himself. The movie, the eight in the installment, was the No. 1 film with $100.2 million, which is by any means extraordinary. But it is actually less than the previous F&F movie, “Furious 7,” which opened with $147 million. In terms of global box office, “Furious 8” broke the all-time record for the highest opening of any film worldwide, with $532 million…….A recently unsealed court document says a doctor prescribed oxycodone for PRINCE

under the name of the musician’s friend to protect his privacy. Prince was 57 when he was found alone and unresponsive in an elevator at his Paisley Park home on April 21, 2016. Autopsy results showed he died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, a synthetic drug 50 times more powerful than heroin.

The investigation into his death continues...….MARY J. BLIGE said someone hacked her account and sent out an angry comment aimed at her estranged exhusband KENDU ISSACS that was sent out from her Twitter account. “F–k Kendu Isaacs,” read the tweet that has since been deleted. “I f-ckin hate him and his

whole family.” The quickly-deleted tweet comes in the middle of the couple’s ongoing legal battle over their pending divorce following 13 years of marriage.

The singer said Isaacs is requesting over $100,000 per month in spousal support to cover expenses like clothing, a personal trainer and chef and child support for his children from a previous marriage…..KELLY ROWLAND’s recent book signing for her book, “Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (and Wonder What the #*$& Just Happened)” was ambushed by animal rights protesters upset over her decision to wear fur.

FINANCIAL

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APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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Special Edition

How to grow

your savings F

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

or many Americans, keeping extra money in the bank is a serious challenge, leaving them in a bind if their car breaks down or the air-conditioning goes out at home or they get laid off.

A report from the non-profit Pew Charitable Trusts found that more than half of American households have less than one month of income available in readily accessible savings to use in case of an emergency. It’s also estimated that 47 percent of African-American families have no savings.

The good news is, it’s never too late to start building your savings. John Lopez, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston’s C. T. Bauer College of Business, said growing your savings takes a concentrated effort and must be a priority.

“Make sure that a percentage of every dollar that comes into the household goes into a savings account first,” Lopez said. “That means [putting] money into a savings account before anything else gets paid.

Financial planners recommend between 10-15 percent of income go into a savings account.”

Walter Hopkins, a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Walter Hopkins Advisors, said saving more money requires knowing where it is going.

“Start by keeping tabs on your spending and maintaining an accurate record of where you stand with your personal finances,” Hopkins said. “Online tools are a great place to start.

They can make the budgeting exercise easier while helping you build confidence and personal satisfaction in the process.”

Hopkins said you can begin by adding up everything you spend in a month.

“You can come up with your own ledger or use Wells Fargo’s Budget Watch,” he said. “This online tool pulls data directly from your checking, savings, credit card, and brokerage accounts.

That allows you to quickly sort your spending into categories – from groceries to health care – to create a more comprehensive and accurate picture of where your money is going.

“Divide your monthly spending into two categories: necessities, such as rent, groceries, and

utilities; and discretionary costs, such as entertainment and shopping,” Hopkins said.

Here are other tips on growing your savings.

Set specific goals. Common goals include saving for a car, home, education, comfortable retirement, your children, periods of unemployment or medical or other emergencies. Give your goals price tags and deadlines to keep you motivated. Make your goals realistic so you won’t be discouraged.

Don’t dip into your account. Once you have a savings goal, set up automatic transfers from your paycheck to your savings account.

“Make sure you don’t dip into those funds to pay for a dinner out or a spontaneous weekend getaway,” Hopkins said.

Build an emergency fund. Hopkins said an unexpected medical bill or house repair can quickly throw a wrench into a budgeting plan. “Prepare for these unforeseen setbacks by building an emergency fund large enough to cover living expenses for three to six months,” he said. “This can help buffer your finances if a catastrophe strikes.

Review your budget to see how much you can comfortably allot to an emergency fund each month.”

Earn more interest. According to the FDIC, if you have money in your checking account that you do not expect to use right away, moving it to a savings account or a certificate of deposit (CD) can be a good strategy for building short-term savings and earning more interest. A CD is a special type of deposit account with a bank or thrift institution that typically offers a higher rate of interest than a regular savings account. When you purchase a CD, you invest a fixed sum of money for a fixed period of time and, in exchange, the issuing bank pays you interest, typically at regular intervals.

Save “extra” money. If you receive funds that are not part of your normal budget, such as a raise or cash for your birthday or Christmas, use those funds to help grow your savings. Also, if you pay off a debt, such as a high-interest credit card, transfer the regular

payment you used to make into your savings account.

Be willing to sacrifice. Growing your savings requires sacrifices, and might mean cutting back on eating out or engaging in social activities. If you buy a $2 cup of coffee every day and decide to give it up, that’s $730 a year that could go in your savings.

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FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

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Things to consider before

investing

Investing your hard-earned money wisely is a big decision, and you should know the facts in order to make an informed decision. Here are tips from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Evaluate your comfort zone in taking on risk.

Determine your goals and risk tolerance – either on your own or with the help of a financial professional. All investments involve some degree of risk. If you intend to purchase securities – such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds –understand before you invest that you could lose some or all of your money. The money you invest in securities typically is not federally insured. You could lose your principal, which is the amount you’ve invested.

The reward for taking on risk is the potential for a greater investment return.

Consider an appropriate mix of investments.

By including asset categories with investment returns that move up and down under different market conditions within a portfolio, an investor can help protect against significant losses. Historically, the returns of stocks, bonds and cash have not moved up and down at the same time. By investing in more than one asset category, you’ll reduce the risk that you’ll lose money.

Glossary

Bond – A loan that you are giving to the government or an institution in exchange for a pre-set interest rate paid regularly for a specified term. The bond pays interest while it’s active and expires on a specific date, at which point the total face value of the bond is paid to the investor.

Stock – A type of investment that gives you partial ownership of a publicly traded company.

Mutual fund – An investment vehicle that allows you to invest your money in a professionally-managed portfolio of assets that could contain a variety of stocks, bonds and other investment opportunities.

Source: Wells Fargo Be careful if investing heavily in shares of employer’s or individual stock.

One way to lessen the risks of investing is to diversify your investments. You’ll be exposed to significant risk if you invest heavily in shares of your employer’s stock or any individual stock. If that stock does poorly or the company goes bankrupt, you’ll probably lose a lot of money (and

perhaps your job).

Take advantage of “free money.”

In many employer-sponsored retirement plans, the employer will match some or all of your contributions. If your employer offers a retirement plan and you do not contribute enough to get your employer’s maximum match, you are passing up “free money” for your retirement savings.

Pay off high interest credit card debt.

If you owe money on high interest credit cards, the wisest thing you can do under any market conditions is to pay off the balance in full as quickly as possible.

Consider rebalancing portfolio.

Rebalancing is bringing your portfolio back to your original asset allocation mix. By rebalancing, you’ll ensure that your portfolio does not overemphasize one or more asset categories, and you’ll return your portfolio to a comfortable level of risk. Many financial experts recommend that investors rebalance their portfolios on a regular time interval, such as every six or twelve months.

Avoid circumstances that can lead to fraud.

Scam artists often use a highly publicized news item to lure potential investors and make their “opportunity” sound more legitimate. The SEC recommends that you ask questions and check out the answers with an unbiased source before you invest.

Message from the Publisher

M Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

anaging money isn’t easy but it’s absolutely necessary to keep a roof over our heads, food on our tables and clothes on our backs. The Defender is pleased to once again provide our readers with this annual financial edition, which offers valuable information on “dollars and sense.”

Saving money is two-fold – putting something away for a rainy day and finding more cost-effective ways to live. We offer advice on both with our articles on growing your savings and saving money at any age.

If you’re wondering about stocks and bonds, our article on investing will be of interest. Finding someone to help you man-

age your money is another important decision, and we include suggestions for choosing a financial professional.

No one looks forward to a call from a debt collector, and we explain your rights when dealing with this issue. There are also informative articles on maintaining a good credit score and older adults and finances.

In addition, we would like to thank our partners – Capital One, Frost Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Amegy and Wells Fargo – for sharing their expertise.

Knowledge is power, and with the right financial knowledge, we can help our families and communities thrive, not just survive.

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FINANCIAL

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APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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Looking for extra money?

Debt management could help you save

By DARRYL MONTGOMERY Regional President Wells Fargo Greater Houston

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ant to learn how debt management could help you save money?

You’re not alone.

Paying down debt is one of the top financial priorities for AfricanAmericans. The ability to understand and make thoughtful, informed decisions about your finances is an important life skill, no matter what stage of life you may find yourself in.

There is no time like the present to assess your financial goals and put together an action plan to manage your debt. Here are six tips to help alleviate financial burdens and work toward long-term wealth.

1

Pay off debt sooner and potentially pay less interest by paying more than the minimum each month on loans.

Also, ask your lender about paying half your monthly bill every two weeks instead of the full amount monthly.

You’ll make one extra payment over the course of a year and could pay your debt off faster (be sure to ask your lender

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about how partial payment reduce principal, any prepayment fees, and any other impacts of partial payments).

Reduce your overall monthly expenses by lowering the rate of your current loans. If your credit score has improved, or if overall interest rates have gone down since applying for a particular loan, you may be able to lower the rate of your auto, home, personal, or student loans or your credit cards. Consider any fees that might be associated with refinancing.

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Prioritize paying off loans with the highest interest rate first.

Stay on top of debt by setting up automatic payments.

Select the date, the amount, and the debt you’d like to pay.

4

Bank with a responsible lender that gives you options for paying down debt on terms better for your bottom line. There are many different ways to consolidate debt, so talk to your bank about your options.

6

Use free educational resources, such as Wells Fargo’s Hands on Banking® to help you make responsible financial decisions.

These sites offer interactive features that explain key credit concepts, such as building credit, improving or rebuilding credit, taking charge of existing debt and practicing good credit habits.

Improving your money management skills could help you lower monthly expenses on big ticket items, such as loan repayment, and reduce the overall cost of your debt over time.

01_20149 9.75x6.5 4c

Financial options for every phase of your life Whether you want to save for the future, secure a personal loan, utilize exclusive online and telephone banking services, or enjoy the convenience of our ATMs and many locations, we are here for you. Call, click, or stop by and talk with a banker. If you would like to open an account over the phone, call 1-800-932-6736 any time (or 1-800-311-9311 for service in Spanish). wellsfargo.com

All loans are subject to application, credit qualification, and income verification. © 2017 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. (4007401_20149)

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FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

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Choosing a

financial professional Choosing a professional to help you manage your finances is an important decision. A financial professional can provide advice on money issues such as investments, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning and taxes and retirement, depending on what the client needs. Here are tips on selecting a professional from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

1

Make sure the financial professional is licensed.

Always check the background of any financial professional to make sure the person is licensed. Unlicensed, unregistered persons commit much of the investment fraud in the United States. Even if a close friend or relative has recommended a financial professional, you should also check the person’s background for signs of any potential problems, such as a disciplinary history by a regulator or customer complaints. You can perform a quick – and free – search through www.investor.gov.

2

Find out if the products and services available are right for you.

Just as a grocery store offers more products than a convenience store, some financial professionals offer a wide range of products or services, while others offer a more limited selection. Think about what you might need, and ask about what would be available to you.

3

Understand how you’ll pay for services and products, and how your financial professional gets paid as well.

Many firms offer more than one type of account. You may be able to pay for services differently depending on the type of account you choose. For example, you might pay: • An hourly fee for advisory services • A flat fee for an annual portfolio review or a financial plan • A commission on the securities bought or sold, such as $12 per trade • A fee (sometimes called a “load”) based on the amount you invest in a mutual fund or variable annuity • A “mark-up” when you buy certain investment products, such as bonds or other debt securities, or a “mark-down” when you sell them.

Depending on what services you want and on the financial services firm in question, one type of account may cost you less than another. Ask about what alternatives make sense for you. And remember: even if you don’t pay the financial professional directly, such as through an annual fee, that

person is still getting paid.

Someone else may be paying the financial professional for selling specific products. However, those payments may be built into the costs you ultimately pay, such as the expenses associated with buying or holding a financial product.

While some of these fees may seem small, it is important to keep in mind that they can add up, and in the end take away from the profits you otherwise could be making from your investments.

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Learn about the financial professional’s experience and credentials.

Financial professionals hold different licenses. Financial professionals who are representatives of broker-dealers must take an exam to hold a license, while state regulators often require representatives of investment advisers to hold certain licenses.

Financial professionals also have a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds.

They may also have certain designations after their names, which are titles given by industry groups that themselves are not regulated or subject to standards other than their own.

Don’t accept a professional designation as a badge of knowledge without knowing what it means, and beware of false or exaggerated credentials.

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Know additional questions to ask.

Other key questions for hiring a financial professional include:

• How often should I expect to hear from you?

• How often will you review my account or make recommendations to me?

• If my investments aren’t doing well, will you call me and recommend something else?

• If I invest with you, how can I keep track of how well my investments are doing?

• What experience do you have with people with situations and goals that are similar to mine?

• What education have you had that relates to your work?

• What professional licenses do you hold?

• How long have you done this type of work?

• What type of products do you offer?

• How do you and your firm get paid?

• Given my situation and what I’m looking for, what is the best and most cost-effective way for me to pay for financial services? Why? • What are the fees that I will pay for products and services?

• Which of those fees will I pay directly (such as a commission on a stock trade) and which are taken directly from the products I own (such as some mutual fund expenses)?

• If I invested $1000 with you today, approximately how much would you get paid during the following year, based on my investment?

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

FINANCIAL

5B

Ready, Set, Bank Online banking made easy for all ages

C

By CAPITAL ONE BANK

apital One Bank is pleased to continue its sponsorship of this special section of the Defender and, through it, provide information to help readers succeed in the digital age by learning and practicing effective money management skills.

Technology has the power to transform the way consumers manage and maintain control of their finances.

Online and mobile banking provides easy access to finances, allows consumers to bank on-the-go, eliminates wait times at the bank and over the phone, and provides a convenient way to pay bills, review account activity, transfer funds instantly and get notified about important account information.

But few older Americans are taking advantage of online banking. According to a recent Federal Reserve Board report, only 18 percent of people over the age of 60 use mobile banking.

To help support online banking usage among older adults, Capital One in 2016 partnered with

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) – a nonprofit that helps older adults develop technology skills – and workplace learning innovator Grovo to launch “Ready, Set, Bank: Online Banking Made Easy.”

This online banking course offers a series of videos and lesson plans that explain online and mobile banking basics such as how to navigate apps, set up

account activity alerts, better prevent identity fraud, enroll in direct deposit and other important topics. These videos were created for older adults at any stage of the online banking learning process – from those new to online banking to those looking for new skills.

Consumers can access this program at no cost, regardless of where they live or choose to bank.

Since its inception, the program has proven to be indispensable for the millions of older adults who need training and support to take advantage of all that online banking has to offer.

These efforts are part of Capital One’s $150 million Future Edge initiative, which provides community grants and supports initiatives that prepare America’s workforce with the skills needed to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow; helps small business owners and entrepreneurs harness technology to grow, compete, and succeed in the digital age; and provides individuals with financial well-being resources to help them prepare and invest for the future.

For more information on “Ready, Set, Bank” or to view the program, visit www.readysetbank.org

Working together for a

Better Future INVESTED IN FINANCIAL WELL-BEING Capital One Bank® is proud to support the Houston Defender.

capitalone.com/investingforgood facebook.com/capitaloneinvestingforgood © 2017 Capital One. All rights reserved.

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6B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

Save money at any ag W

hether you’re 25 or 65, single or married with children, there are countless ways to save money on everything from transportation to prescriptions to home repairs. Here is a list for three groups: singles, families and senior citizens.

w SINGLES

Learn to cook – Eating more meals at home is one to save money.

With practice, you can learn to make restaurant-quality food in your own kitchen. Ask your parents or grandparents to show you how to make a favorite dish. Buy a good cookbook, get recipes online or watch cooking shows. campus has to offer in terms of activiConsider a roommate – Sharing ties, rather than spending money on an apartment or house with someone going out. Some campuses offer movie else means paying less for rent, utilinights, museum visits and other social ties and groceries since you’ll split the events cheaper or for free. costs. You might be able to afford a nicer, larger place than you could if you w FAMILIES were living by yourself. Pooling your resources can also make furnishing Enjoy free activities – Houston your place easier. has more than 370 parks, along with Lower car costs community and fitness – You can save on gas centers, skate parks and wear and tear on and nature trails. Your For money-saving your car by walking, family can swim, play resources, visit the riding a bike or using basketball, romp on public transportation the playground or following websites: whenever possible. In walk the dog. Houston www.aarp.org Houston, you can take also has libraries in www.cmhouston.org the bus, park and ride every part of the city www.energy.gov or rail. Driving sensioffering computers, www.houstonlibrary.org, bly is another way to classes, story times, www.houstontx.gov/parks/ save money – speedexhibits and more. The www.kids.usa.gov. ing, rapid acceleration Children’s Museum www.medicare.gov and hard braking can of Houston is free for www.ridemetro.org waste gas. Consider members, children www.walgreens.com carpooling with counder 1 and on Thursworkers or neighbors. days from 5-8 p.m.

Be responsible Cut food costs – with credit – If credit cards are new to Making a grocery list and sticking to it you, don’t abuse them. They can help is essential to a food budget. It helps to you build credit and practice money use coupons and money-saving apps as management skills. Only charge what well. If your kids shop with you, don’t you need and what you can afford to be distracted by impulse purchases, pay off each month. Shop around for a especially junk food. When eating out, low-interest credit card. pick restaurants that let kids eat free or Use student discounts – If you are for 99 cents during certain hours and in school part-time or full-time, shop at days. places that offer discounts to students Start a garden – Growing your with a school ID. Check out what your own fruits or veggies is another way to

cut food costs. By learning a few basic skills and techniques, you can make gardening a pleasant family experience. Grow what your family likes to eat and stay away from hardto-grow plants. If yard space is tight you can grow plants like strawberries, radishes, spinach and herbs in a window box.

Cut energy costs – Save money at home.

On hot days, avoid using the oven. Instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave or grill outside. Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Take short showers instead of baths.

Turn off the light when no one is in a room.

Use light fixtures and bulbs that promote energy efficiency.

Learn to fix stuff – If you’re the do-ityourself type, learn how to fix things around the house. There are online tutorials and videos that show you how to make simple home repairs. You can unclog a toilet drain, repair a broken toilet lever, fix a leaky pipe or loosen a stuck window, among other

things. Be careful when projects.

w SENIORS

Take advantage of dis taurants provide discounts retailers offer 10 or 15 perc pers 55 and older, often on movie theaters and theme p discounts. Certain auto stor counts. Your utility and cel have discounts as well. It n Lower prescription co using a generic prescription available, ask your doctor i brand-name drug used to tr tion. See if a 90-day supply can be less expensive out o every 30 days. Some presc a preferred pharmacy netw a lower out-of-pocket copa

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

L EDITION

defendernetwork.com

ge

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

Other ways

to save

attempting electrical

scounts – Many resto older adults. Various cent discounts to shopTuesdays. Museums, parks often offer senior res give senior disll phone provider may never hurts to ask. osts – Save money by n. If that option isn’t if there is a lower cost reat the same condiy from your pharmacy of pocket than refilling cription drug plans have work where you can pay ay for the same drug.

Shop for new Medicare coverage – Don’t assume that last year’s Medicare coverage is still the best deal for you. Costs for health and drug plans can vary, and it’s important for people with Medicare to review their plan, shop and compare all their options during open enrollment.

Save on tuition or continuing education – You’re never too old to learn, and more than 50 percent of U.S. colleges and universities let older students take classes at a lower tuition rate or for free. Some groups and foundations offer grants, scholarships and fellowships for seniors.

Join an organization for seniors – AARP, the largest membership organization for older adults, offers discounts, memberexclusive insurance rates and various webinars. Other organizations include the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) and the American Seniors Association (ASA).

he Houston area for over 85 years

Adults of all ages can save more money by examining their lifestyle choices.

“It is important to review your spending habits at least monthly,” said Sonya Troullier, a senior vice president and registered investment advisor with Wealth Development Strategies.

“You might not realize exactly what you’re spending on all the bells and whistles that come with your cable or phone contract, or just how many times a month you dine out. Once you do, you’ll see that there are some simple steps you can take to improve your financial fitness and recapture hidden wealth.”

Troullier’s suggestions include: Re-evaluate your gym membership – If you’re among those who have a gym membership but never use it, save the monthly dues and stay fit in other ways. Take walks, hop on your bike, start using free weights Sonya Troullier and exercise bands you keep at home, and see if you don’t end up saving time and exercising more.

Negotiate with your cable provider – We all love the endless viewing options available on cable TV, but you can pay a steep price for all that channel flipping. Consider checking with your provider regularly to see if you qualify for any discounts.

Survey your cell phone statements – Do you find yourself only using your cell phone for occasional texts, or is it attached to you at the hip? Regardless of how many minutes you tally a month, you stand a good chance of scoring a better plan these days because the competition among providers just keeps increasing. Many providers will pay off the balance of your contract and offer you a lower-cost monthly deal – and a phone upgrade too.

Have more movie nights at home – Treat yourself to the latest releases once or twice a month, not every weekend.

Save the hefty cost of a movie theater ticket by waiting a few months until you can rent a movie for a fraction of that, or stream it for free.

7B

8B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

defendernetwork.com

How to keep a

good credit score Maintaining a good credit score will make it easier for you to qualify for a loan or credit card, and will mean a better rate of interest. Different lenders use different scoring formulas so your score can vary from lender to lender.

Most scores range from 300850, although there is one scoring method that uses a range from 501-990. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers the following suggestions on keeping a good credit score.

Pay your bills on time – One way to make sure your payments are on time is to set up automatic payments at the creditor’s website or from your bank’s online site. You have to watch your bank balance to make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the payments. Also, don’t just pay the minimum amount if you can afford to pay more. People with the best credit scores usually are those who pay off their credit cards in full every month.

Don’t get close to your credit limit – Credit scoring models look at how close you are to being “maxed out,” because the formulas predict that people who are using too much of their available credit may have future troubles with repayment.

A long credit history will help your score.

Credit scores are based on experience over time.

The more experience your credit report shows with paying your loans on time, the more information there is to determine whether you are a good credit

recipient.

Only apply for credit that you need – Credit scoring formulas look at your recent credit activity as a signal of your need for credit. If you apply for a lot of credit over a short period of time, it may appear to lenders that your economic circumstances have changed negatively.

Get your free credit report every year and check your score – Copies are available from each of the big three consumer reporting agencies. You can order your credit report at www. annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.

If you spot suspected errors, dispute them. If you have old credit card accounts you are not using, keep an eye on them to make sure that an identity thief is not using them. Make sure you are monitoring your score.

Make sure you are monitoring your score at sites like CreditKarma.com or Myfico.com.

Debt collection: Know your rights If you’re behind in paying a bill, you might be contacted by a debt collector.

Federal law – under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act – gives you certain rights in dealing with debt collectors. Here are things to know from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Prohibited debt collection practices include: 1. Contacting consumers at unusual times, which typically means before 8 a.m. or after 9 pm in the consumer’s time zone.

2. Using obscene or profane language; threatening or using violence; or falsely stating or implying that the debt collector is affiliated with the U.S. government or a state government.

3. Contacting consumers at their place of work if the consumer has notified the debt collector that they are not allowed to receive calls at work.

4. Telling a consumer’s co-workers or friends that the consumer is in debt.

5. Abusing or harassing a consumer, such as repeatedly calling their telephone or letting it ring continually.

The law allows for certain debt collection practices.

A debt collector can contact friends, neighbors, and co-workers, but only to find out a consumer’s home address, phone number and work address. Also, debt collectors can contact the consumer’s attorney, the creditor, the creditor’s attorney, the debt collector’s attorney, and credit reporting agencies. Debt collectors may also contact the consumer’s spouse, parent (if the consumer is a minor), guardian, executor or administrator.

There are other ways you can protect yourself.

1. Verify the debt is legitimate. When a debt collector first contacts you, they will

probably tell you the amount owed and the creditor’s name. Make sure this information is accurate.

2. Limit communication by hiring an attorney. Once debt collectors know you have an attorney to handle the debt, they will contact the attorney instead of you.

3. Request an end to communication.

When a creditor receives your written request to stop contacting you, they must stop (an exception is informing you there will be no further contact or to let you know that a specific action, like a lawsuit, is planned). This does not mean the debt goes away – the debt collector can still take legal action to collect the debt.

4. File a complaint with the FDIC, which directly handles debt collection complaints related to FDIC-supervised banks and forwards complaints to other regulators as needed. Visit www.fdic.gov.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

FINANCIAL

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

9B

Frost is here to help with services you need

By TRISHA BRADLEY Community Development Officer Frost Bank

I

n the time since Frost began serving the Houston area in 1977, we have become an integral part of each community where we have a financial center. In fact, Frost has more financial centers in the Houston area than in any other region around the state.

Residents and business people in the area know that they can come to Frost for a wide array of financial services – from loans, deposits, and checking to financial planning – or maybe just for a cookie and a friendly smile.

It’s all part of Frost’s commitment to personalized customer service and being a part of the communities that we serve.

At a time when other large banks are scaling back their FRO-17031-HoustonDefender-RightLoan-9p75x6p5.pdf

1

centers, Frost is expanding. We have opened four new financial centers in the Houston area during the past few months, and more are planned. That’s just one of a series of initiatives from Frost, a 149-year old bank with deep Texas roots.

At Frost, all of our customers are significant. How we treat people is not based on their income level. As we expand across Texas, we specifically look for growth areas where we can serve customers in a place that’s convenient for them.

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2:33 PM

We believe that opening financial centers in areas where people live and have businesses is a key way to provide the services that people need.

That includes things like loans to help finance a new air conditioner, replace a roof or renovate the kitchen.

Frost offers lines of home improvement loans, including ones that don’t require using your home as collateral. Of course, we also offer home equity loans for repairs or unexpected expenses, and home equity lines of credit, which allow you to borrow only the money that you need when you need it.

Applying is quick and easy – it takes only 15 minutes, and decisions are made locally within about four hours during normal business hours.

Our local, dedicated bankers will help you with every step of the process.

Would you like more information? Contact Trisha Bradley at 713-388-7734 or trisha.bradley@frostbank.com.

All loans are subject to credit approval. Member FDIC

10B

FINANCIAL

DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

defendernetwork.com

FAQ:

Older adults and finances

O

lder adults have unique financial circumstances.

Here are frequently asked questions from seniors and answers from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a government agency created to protect consumers.

Q: I would like to be able to have my friend or family member help with my bill-paying and banking. What are my options?

A: If you are still able to handle your banking and billpaying but would like some help going through the bills and budgeting, a friend or family member can review your bills with you and help you figure out which ones to pay and when. Under this arrangement, you still sign your checks and no one else is authorized to make account transactions.

If you would like to enable a friend or family member to write checks and make deposits on your behalf, you may open a joint account. Generally, everyone whose name is on a joint account can write checks, withdraw money, and make transactions.

A “convenience account” or “agency account” enables you to designate a family member or friend to help you by depositing or withdrawing money and writing checks.

A convenience account does not change the ownership of the money in the account or give your helper the right to keep the money when you die.

Q: What is power of attorney?

A: A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows someone else to act on your behalf. POAs can be helpful to older people and others who want to choose a trusted person to act when they cannot. Creating a POA is a private way to appoint a substitute decision-maker and is relatively inexpensive, although it may involve help from a lawyer.

If you don’t create a POA in advance, a friend or family member might have to go to court to have a guardian appointed – and that process can be lengthy, expensive and very public.

Q: A financial planner offered to help with my bill paying and banking, but said the

only way she or he could help is if I opened a joint account with both of our names on it. Is this true?

A: No. Hiring someone to help with financial services generally does not involve or require adding the person’s name to your bank account. If anyone – a financial services professional, money manager, or anyone else – tells you that he or she can only provide services if you add him or her to your bank account or otherwise give access to your money, you should think seriously about whether the person is a legitimate business or professional and whether you want their involvement.

Q: Can a debt collector garnish my federal benefits?

A: In most cases, debt collectors can’t garnish federal benefits to repay your debts.

Federal benefits include Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, veteran’s benefits, civil service and federal retirement and disability benefits, service member pay, military annuities and survivor benefits, federal student aid and railroad retirement benefits. Your bank account balance has some protections if these types of

payments are directly deposited to your bank account. Even if your account only contains federal benefits that can’t be garnished, you should respond to any action seeking a garnishment to make sure your benefits are protected.

Q: I was offered a pension advance.

What is this? What should I look out for?

A: You should be careful if you get offers for pension advance products. These are offers to pay a lump-sum payout to military or other retirees who receive pensions. This payout is made in exchange for all or part of your monthly retirement pension payment. Though you might get a large amount of money up front, in the end you may only be paid a small amount of what you would have earned if you waited to receive your full pension payments.

There are many companies making pension advance offers on the Internet. Many use patriotic-sounding names or logos. You should always research the terms and conditions to figure out whether their offers will actually help you in the long run. Pension advance offers promise quick money, but the cost can be very high.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 85 years

FINANCIAL

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

11B

Making more money:

Here’s how to save

B

be able to repeat your performance and earn the same bonus amount next time around. So, the best thing to do is treat every windfall – as a one off, and save as much of it as you can.

By CHASE NEWSROOM

ig salaries don’t always equal great wealth because people tend to spend as much as they earn – and then some.

If you’re heading in this direction – earning more without seeing your savings grow – here are some ways to get on the right financial track:

Treat yourself – to a point

It’s great to celebrate life’s wins. But you need to be able to reward yourself without jeopardizing your future. So stop acting like you’ve hit the jackpot on every pay day. Before buying that designer bag or taking an exotic vacation, check your budget to make sure that you can actually afford it.

Stop lifestyle inflation

As your salary grows, there’s the temptation to buy yourself nicer things, and go out more often. As you get used to these indulgences, your cost of living permanently increases. This eats up a tremendous amount of money that could otherwise be saved. To counteract lifestyle inflation, focus on maintaining the same standard of living — even as your salary increases.

Make savings a fixed cost

The most effective strategy is also the simplest: Spend what is left after saving, not the other way around. Saving should be the first thing you do with

Ask for advice

every paycheck. If you don’t have the discipline to do this, have a portion of your paycheck deposited automatically into a separate savings account – or increase contributions to your retirement account.

Don’t rely on bonuses

The natural reaction when you receive a bonus is to spend it on yourself. But don’t assume that you’ll

Most people have a financially accomplished friend – someone who has cleared their debts, joined all the right rewards programs, and who seems to have the money to go on every vacation, fancy dinner, or concert that comes up.

This person can be a great source of guidance on how to manage your own money. If that’s not a comfortable conversation for you to have, ask a close family member or a professional financial advisor.

Getting good advice on managing money is one of the best investments you’ll ever make.

12B

FINANCIAL Should you lease or buy

DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

defendernetwork.com

business work space?

By AMEGY BANK

When you should lease

Not every business should buy its workspace. For example, start-up businesses with constricted budgets should probably use available cash to market and grow their business.

Leasing company space when cash flow is unstable or company cash is tied up might be in your best interest.

You could put excess cash to other uses like purchasing equipment or hiring more staff to boost production.

In addition, finding the right location for your business takes time. Keeping your business flexible to make the right moves is ideal for certain business owners.

Wherever business takes place, every business owner should initially and periodically weigh the pros and cons of buying or leasing their workspace.

Perks of buying workspace Low-rate environment

As commercial rents increase and mortgage rates continue to be at 50-year lows, business owners should evaluate whether buying their space is a better option than leasing it.

For example, if the building where your popular and long-established store conducts business gets great foot traffic on Main Street, you might consider purchasing that commercial property. You would help protect your business from rent increases or, worse, the need to relocate due to the property being sold.

Added value

When you buy your business facilities, you could add immediate value to your company. The business’s value would include not only its product, client base or customer list but also the building, parking lot and warehouse where its business activity takes place.

Fixed costs

Knowing your monthly cost of facilities – mainte-

Your bank can help!

nance, utilities, mortgage, cleaning crew, etc. – enables you to more accurately project expenses and simplify business planning.

Tax write-offs*

You may be able to deduct mortgage interest on the company tax forms the year they’re incurred, the same with local and state tax assessments.

Do it your way

When you buy the property, you can make it your own without losing your investment in upgrades.

The Amegy Bank® Great Don’t-Wait Rate.

Apply for yours today.

A Home Equity Line of Credit* from Amegy Bank can fund just about anything under the sun, like a pool, a dream trip, college tuition or even cash flow management for the family budget. And when you can do it with a low introductory rate this great, the last thing you want to do is wait.

It’s a smart business decision to discuss commercial real estate options with your banker. These financial business professionals can guide you toward taking your business to the next level. Before you make a decision to buy or lease, consult the professionals at Amegy Bank at 281-3201418 to chart a course for continued business success. *Consult your tax advisor about tax deductibility The information contained herein may not represent the views and opinions of Amegy Bank or its affiliates. It is presented for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or business advice.

Introductory 2.99% APR* fixed for the first 12 months; variable 3.75% - 7.00% APR thereafter.

Get a low introductory rate on an Amegy Bank Home Equity Line of Credit. Apply for yours today. www.amegybank.com/HELOCRate Important Disclosure Information: *Loans subject to credit approval; terms and conditions apply. Minimum loan amount $8,000. Minimum draw amount is $4,000. Property insurance is required.

Offer not available for existing Amegy Bank Home Equity Lines of Credit. Other loan options are available. Advertised offer subject to change at any time. Loan application must be received by 05/27/17 for offer to apply. Speak with an Amegy banker for more details.

APR: Advertised APRs are effective as of 3/17/17. 2.99% introductory APR is fixed for the first 12 months of account opening; after introductory period, variable APR of 3.75% - 7.00% will apply based on commitment amount, loan-to-value, lien position and credit worthiness. The variable APR is based on the Prime Rate as stated in The Wall Street Journal (4.00% as of 3/17/17) plus a margin and is subject to change at any time. The APR will change effective with changes in the Index. If the APR adjusts, the maximum APR will not exceed 18% and the minimum APR will not be lower than 3.50%.

Discounts: No additional discounts may apply during the introductory period. After the Introductory period, additional discounts may apply. Speak with an Amegy banker for more details.

Fees: No closing costs on loans up to $250,000, unless a full appraisal is necessary. For lines over $250,000 or those under $250,000 that require a full appraisal, borrower is responsible for 3rd party closing costs which may range from $425 up to 3% of loan amount.

A division of ZB, N.A. Member FDIC. ©2017 ZB, N.A.

TA31003 HELOC Acquisition Defender-Ad_v1.indd 1

Equal Housing Lender NMLS#467014

3/29/17 4:11 PM

defendernetwork.com

APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

5

Melinda Spaulding

Fox 26 anchor leaving the news desk Defender News Service

After a nearly 13-year run, Fox 26 anchor Melinda Spaulding is bidding farewell to the Fox 26 Houston news desk.

In a statement, Fox Television Stations said Spaulding chose not to renew her contract. She had been co-anchoring the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows.

“I’m so humbled that our viewers allow me into their homes every evening to share the stories that bond us; the good and the bad,” Spaulding said.

The mother of two simply says it was time to spend more time at home.

“This is my 20th year in media (12 1/2 years at Fox 26), and it’s time to make a shift for me, and most importantly for my family! It’s time for me to be there for homework, dinner and bedtime,” she said in a Facebook post. “My daughter and son are now 7 and 5, and I don’t want to miss another moment!”

Spaulding has been a staple at Fox 26 since she came to Houston in 2004 from New Orleans, LA. A favorite among many viewers, Spaulding says she has never taken her job lightly.

“The best part of being an anchor in Houston is getting to meet so many interesting people from different communities in our area, and being an eyewitness to news events, and sometimes history!” she said. “I embrace being a role model, especially for our young girls. And I hope that seeing me every day is affirming and inspiring. It’s a role and responsibility that I never take for granted.”

She has not specified an end date to her tenure, but she will be on hand to help the news team select her successor.

“My bosses at Fox 26 have been amazing throughout this process (even though they were a bit surprised),” she said. “And we’re working together to explore ways that I can remain a part of the Fox 26 family.”

News director Susan Schiller said, “Melinda is a consummate professional and we thank her for her years of dedication.

Although we are saddened to watch her go, the Fox 26 family is fortunate to have called her one of our own and she will remain part of our family. We wish her much happiness in the next chapter of her career.”

Melinda Spaulding

T:9.75”

TOGETHER, WE CAN GO FROM HOMEGROWN TO HOME COOKED.

East End Gardening and Cooking Class May 6, 2017 from 10am-Noon Finca Tres Robles – Urban Farm 257 N. Greenwood St. Houston, Texas 77001 Free Organic Gardening 101 Workshop May 13, 2017 from 9am-Noon Gregory Lincoln Educational Center 1101 Taft St. Houston, Texas 77019 Check out more free events we’re holding across town and get to know us at aarp.org/Houston

T:6.5”

AARP in Houston is hosting tons of fun, free and educational events all around town, like our cooking and gardening classes. So come learn how to grow your own produce and prepare delicious and healthy dishes for your entire family. With events like these, we can build better and healthier communities together.

6

DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

defendernetwork.com

sports

Wanted:

Young Texans Quarterback

S

By MAX EDISON Defender

ports fans who follow the Houston Texans know that the team is searching for a competent quarterback. The single most critical element to take the franchise from good to great is the appearance of a top shelf young QB. Simply take a look to the north with the Cowboys and Dak Prescott or to the west in Oakland with Derek Carr. Both teams have drafted young QB prospects in recent years that are showing signs of keeping their teams at or near the top of the leader board for years to come.

As the NFL draft rapidly approaches, you can bet the Texans will select a quarterback with one of their first three selections. The team hasn’t selected a signal caller that high since they drafted David Carr with the franchise’s first pick in 2002.

Whoever they select should be a candidate they think they can groom into the role of a starter after a minimal internship of one to two years.

The top three quarterback prospects in this year’s draft are: Deshaun Watson (6-feet-2½, 221 pounds), Clemson; Mitchell Trubisky (6-feet-2, 222 pounds), North Carolina; and Patrick Mahomes (6-feet-2, 225 pounds), Texas Tech. By the time the Texans pick at 25 all three of these prospects should be off the board.

According to ESPN draft expert and college talent evaluator Todd McShay, here are the top five prospects that should be available for the Texans in the first three rounds.

DeShone Kizer (6-4, 233), Notre Dame: Kizer is a redshirt sophomore and two year starter (12-11 career record) who is coming off an up and down 4-8 season in 2016 (59 percent, 2,925 yards , 26 TDs, 9 INTs). He possesses similar size, arm strength and deceptive mobility to that of Ben Roethlisberger or Joe Flacco. However, he would have benefitted from another year to hone his mechanics, develop mentally and continue to mature as a leader. Kizer holds an early second-round grade but could be selected higher due to an enticing physical skill set and enormous ceiling.

Joshua Dobbs (6-3, 216), Tennessee: Dobbs was a four-year player and three-year starter who finished with a 23-12 career record. He completed 61 percent of his career passes and finished with

a 1.8-1 TD-to-INT ratio (2.2-1 ratio his final three years). In addition, he rushed for 2,106 yards and 32 scores. An aerospace engineering major, Dobbs has excellent intangibles and intriguing physical tools as a dual-threat QB. His Senior Bowl performance (under Browns coach Hue Jackson) was promising, but Dobbs is still very much a project as a passer and needs the right coaching/ scheme to last in the NFL. Nathan Peterman (6-2, 226), Pittsburgh: Peterman began his career at Tennessee, where he played sparingly in 10 games (one start) during his first two seasons (2013-14).

He transferred to Pitt in 2015 and took over as the starter that season. He went on to play all 26 games (24 starts) during his two seasons as a Panther, completing 61 percent of his throws and posting a 3.1-1 TD-to-INT ratio (47-15). He has a strong work ethic, leadership skills and intangibles. Peterman grades out as a mid-round pick.

He projects as a good backup in the NFL who could possibly develop into a solid starter down the line.

Davis Webb (6-4, 239), California: Webb passed for 5,557 yards and 46 TDs in 23 games at Texas Tech but lost his starting job and transferred to Cal, where he was a one-year starter in 2016. He completed 61.6 percent of his throws at Cal with a 3-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio. Webb had some durability issues, needs to transition from the Air Raid offense to a pro system, and his accuracy is inconsistent. On the positive side, he has prototypical size, very good arm strength, and the football intelligence to absorb. Webb grades out as a late day two prospect.

Brad Kaaya (6-3, 214), Miami: Kaaya saw his smaller frame take a beating as a three-year starter at Miami. He suffered a concussion in 2015 and missed the following week, but to his credit he started all 38 other games. He completed 61 percent of his career passes and finished with a 2.9-1 TD-to-INT ratio (6924). Kaaya needs to add bulk/strength to his frame and his below average arm strength is limiting. But in a precision/timing based offense, Kaaya has the fast eyes, release quickness and anticipation to develop into a really good backup or possibly a solid starter.

DeShone Kizer

Joshua Dobbs

Nathan Peterman

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h.s.zone Ababu Mohamed

Bellaire distance runner ready for a challenge His senior year (2017) has included personal bests in both the two-mile (9:42) babu Moand one-mile (4:28) races. hamed was In the recent HISD in need of a District 18-6A meet, Mochallenge. hamed placed first in the A natwo-mile with a time of tive of Ethiopia, Mohamed nine minutes, 43.79 seconds. arrived at Bellaire High Yoel Yoel of Westbury was School by way of Minnesecond in 9:45.35. sota. His grades were good, The rivals traded posibut Mohamed was searchtions in the one-mile race with ing for something more.

Yoel taking the gold medal He initially tried soccer (4:28.52) and Mohamed setprior to moving to Houston. tling for the silver (4:29.01).

After relocating, he took up “I like both races, but running on his own. since I am a distance runner, “It was really hard for I like the two-mile a little me to get started. I didn’t more,” Mohamed said. have any experience and I “Last week we ran in didn’t know how to run,” Fort Bend and I won both my Mohamed said. two-mile and one-mile races,” “I talked to someone he said. that ran marathons and Mohamed is looking half-marathons. He told forward to navigating the me to find a running coach upcoming weeks with area at Bellaire High School, so and regional meets preceding that’s what I did.” the state meet in Austin.

During his fresh“I’m getting back into man year Mohamed was top shape and I like my invited to participate About Ababu Mohamed results right now,” he said. in a tryout for distance Birth date – Nov. 29, 1998 “I’m right on my personal runners.

Birth sign – Sagittarius bests in both races.

“I won that two-mile Favorite subject – Math If Mohamed were to tryout in a little over 11 Possible college major – Mechanical qualify for state in both minutes,” Mohamed said. engineering races, he could run them on “That inspired me and I How he relaxes – Go out with friends or separate days. was the second best guy watch TV “I don’t tire that easily on the team as a freshso I’m hoping to run fast man. Ever since then I’ve times in both races,” he been the No. 1 guy on the said. “That’s why I like the Find out who is one of the team. district meet. I have good premiere track & field coaches “I needed to find competition from Westbury something that could help and it makes me run a good train me for the future,” time.”

Mohamed said. “I was searching for another talent to Mohamed said he doesn’t compare times from help me get into a good college. I found it in running across the state. He concerns himself with improving and I continue to challenge myself.” his own time and deals with the competition during the Despite coming off an injury-ravaged junior race. year, Mohamed signed a full athletic scholarship to “I don’t look at who is good or who is bad. I just Tennessee Tech University last December. worry about my time,” he said.

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

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APRIL 20 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs Bradshaw donates water Give Hall of Fame QB Terry Bradshaw props for a recent donation that will help thousands. Bradshaw and wife Tammy fully funded the construction of a sustainable, solar-powered deep borehole well in East Africa through the organization’s cornerstone initiative, Waterboys. The Bradshaws’ charitable contribution ($45,000) will cover all the costs to erect Waterboys’ 19th well and service a community of up to 7,500 people. “Waterboys does a fantastic job of providing water for the people in North Africa, and to the families that have to struggle to go and get clean water,” Bradshaw said. “I helped finish up Well 17 and I now am providing the funds for Well 19 because I believe so strongly that our calling on earth is to not always receive, but our calling on earth is that God has blessed us with the ability to help others.”

Steelers’ Rooney dies Pittsburgh Steelers owner/chairman Dan Rooney, the architect of the franchise, died April 13 at age 84. Rooney served as general manager of the team from 1975-2003. “Few men have contributed as much to the National Football League as Dan Rooney,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Rooney was admitted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. A staunch supporter of presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008, Rooney was later named ambassador to Ireland (2009-2012)

by President Obama. Rooney also led the charge of identifying minority head coaching candidates while leading the league’s diversity committee.

BTW soccer run ends Booker T. Washington’s magical run to the high school boys’ Class 4A state soccer tournament ended with a 4-0 loss to Kilgore in the state semifinals at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown. Following a 6-2 loss to District 21-4A rival Wheatley in the Region III-4A title game in College Station, Washington was named the regional qualifier after Wheatley forfeited due to using an ineligible player. Washington had no practice time until warm-ups prior to playing Kilgore. “We did our best,” said Washington senior Jonathan Santos. “We lost today but I think we did everything we could on the field.” It was a historic year for HISD soccer. Washington and Wheatley meeting in the regional final marked a first for HISD schools. Washington was the second school from the district to qualify for the boys’ state soccer tournament. Wisdom (formerly Lee) advanced in 2014. After eliminating Washington, Kilgore defeated Bridgeport 3-2 (shootout) to win the 2017 Class 4A boys’ state soccer championship.

Two teams make history The Pasadena Dobie High School boys’ soccer team made the school’s first appearance in the state soccer tournament. Although leading 1-0 at halftime, Dobie was eliminated 2-1 by Arlington Sam Houston in a Class 6A state semifinal. Edwin Saldivar’s penalty kick was the lone goal for Dobie. “Hopefully, this experience will make us stronger for the next time,” said Dobie coach Justo Manrique. In only its third year of varsity competition, the Katy Tompkins girls fell to Pflugerville Hendrickson 2-0 in the Class 6A title game. Tompkins finished the season 19-5-3.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 20 | 2017

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

NATIONAL MINORITY CANCER AWARENESS WEEK……..TSU’s College in the U.S. Panelists Kathy Griffin-Grinan, Ann Johnson, FBI Special Agent of Pharmacy and Health Science (COPHS) and the National Black Leadership Theo Williams, immigration Judge Clarease Yates and moderator Judge Maria Initiative on Cancer (NBLIC) hosted the National Minority Cancer Awareness Jackson discussed ways to prevent this horrific criminal activity. Attendees included Week event at TSU’s Sterling Student Life Center. The event honored Dr. Lovell Pam Thorne, Julie Fitzpatrick, Lorraine Breckenridge-Sterling, Connie Jones, Dr. Elise Cook, Dr. Debbie Jones-Tyrone and Janice Workcuff for their Cochran, Marcus Esther, Arvia Few and others..…..COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ various roles in confronting cancer health disparities in the Black community. Dr. COLLECTIVE 30TH ANNIVERSARY……...The Collective celebrated its Shirlette Milton, dean of COPHS, welcomed participants, while Dr. Floyd Atkins birthday with the 30th Anniversary Ungala Awards. Deemed “An Evening of of the Center for Wellness and Healing served as moderator Champagne and Art,” the event honored Artist/Historian of the of the panel discussion. NBLIC members Cassandra Harris Year Dr. Alvia Wardlaw and Patron of the Year Peter Brown, Defender TOP EVENTS while also featuring a live auction. Collective founders Michelle and Chardria Trotter facilitated the event’s Q&A. Attendees More photos on defendernetwork.com included Dr. LaKeisha Batts, Dr. Michelle DuBose, Monica Barnes and Dr. Sarah Trotty were on hand, along with James, Rev. Emit Square, Gloria Johnson, Francise Collective board president Beverly Harmon and event honorary Huckaby and many more…….. HUMAN TRAFFICKING chairs Dr. Dina Al-Sowayel and Tony Chase. Some of the COMMUNITY DISCUSSION…….. The Links Houston Chapter and the Houston many in attendance included Alvin Wardlaw, Deborah Colton, Beverly Harmon, Area Urban League (HAUL) hosted “When it Hits Close to Home,” a Human Melanie Lawson, Cynthia Foreman, Mary Fontenot, Winell Herron, Dr. Michon Trafficking community discussion to bring awareness to this growing epidemic Benson, Willie Trotty, Gerald and Anita Smith, Holly Charles, Christopher in Houston. Houston has long been one of the most intense areas for trafficking Green, Jojo Chase and Terry St. John.

Dr. Elise Cook, Janice Workcuff

Derius Davis, Somone Winn, Lisa Nguyen, Kelsey Riley

Pam Thorne, Lorraine Breckenridge-Sterling, Tracie Kirkland, Julie Fitzpatrick

Michelle Barnes, Angela Jones, Matt Barnes

Dr. Kimberly Pounds, Cassandra Harris, Chardria Trotter

Judge Maria Jackson, Agent Theo Williams, Kathryn GriffinGrinan

Dr. Dina Al-Sowayel, Gerald Smith, Anita Smith

Ann Johnson, Judge Clarease Yates

John Guess, Melanie Lawson

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