Houston Defender: September 27, 2012

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TEXAS FAMILIES PROMOTE JUSTICE IN JUVENILE SYSTEM P3

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Volume 81 | Number 48 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 |FREE

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The new digital divide  PAGE 8

NATIONAL THE OBAMAS reveal plans for future

P4 WHAT’S UP R. KELLY makes music awards history

P6 FEATURE OPINION

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by October 9

Viola Davis

embraces acting Viola Davis is one of Hollywood’s most talented stars. She has received two Academy Award nominations, most recently for her role as a maid in “The Help.” She currently stars in a new film, “Won’t Back Down.”

Hear what she has to say about the challenge as an actress. Learn about the film’s special message.  PAGE 6

Tim Flanders

excels at SHSU Sam Houston State University has a top college football team, and running back Tim Flanders is one of the reasons why. Read about Flanders’ impressive accomplishments. Find out about his outstanding teammates.

See what the team’s coach has to say about its tough schedule, talent pool and immediate goals.  PAGE 14

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P11 SPORTS

JOE MORGAN named to Astros top 25

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012

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Stay Connected! Experience the Defender on the world wide web.

Serving up ‘Soul Food’

What to do this weekend

Everyone loves a good soul food dinner; that’s why the movie “Soul Food” is such a classic. But there are some things you might not know when it comes to trying to make the movie. Find out at defendernetwork.com

Looking for something to do this weekend? The Defender has a list of things to do in the Houston area at defendernetwork.com.

Growing up in the White House What is life like as children living in the White House?

Look at what life is like for Sasha and Malia Obama. At defendernetwork.com.

Book TALK Tom Reiss takes a historical look at a little known Black history fact in the book, The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal and the Real Count of Monte Cristo. See why critics are hailing it as a must-read. At www.defendernetwork.com.

The Houston Texans play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 30 at noon in Reliant Stadium.

See more on: defendernetwork.com

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Families promote

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justice in juvenile system Bauer said the report was produced for a varied audience of policy-makers, judges, correction officers and family members whose children are in the system.

“The report shows we’re not lazy or don’t care, and says to families, ‘You’re not alone,’ because families in this situation are isolated and stigmatized,” Bauer added.

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

A

dvocates for incarcerated young people hope that a groundbreaking report will have an impact on the state’s juvenile justice system.

Texas Families of Incarcerated Youth (TFIY) along with various community partners recently released “Families Unlocking Futures: Solutions to the Crisis in Juvenile Justice,” a first-of-its kind analysis generated by parents directly affected by the system.

The report contends that the current system fails to deter or redirect Tarsha Jackson (far right), TFIY’s project director, is joined by (from left) young people from juvenile misconMary Jane Martinez, Rick Luna, Diana Ramirez and Isela Gutierrez-Gunter. duct, and demonstrates the “incredible damage” the system causes to families “My child at 10 years old was handcuffed and and communities. taken from school for delinquent conduct, not a crime,” It is based on more than 1,000 surveys with parJackson recalled. “And no system stakeholder told me ents and family members of incarcerated youth and 24 anything even though I thought they were there to help focus groups nationwide. me. I didn’t know what rights my child had.”

“Reports of this kind are traditionally produced Jackson said her son spent five years incarcerated by policy directors, but this one was co-produced by – from age 11 to 16 – for a class C misdemeanor. She parents seeking to change the prevailing conversation views the report as a step toward empowering parents in that families of youth caught up in the justice system her situation. don’t care, or that these parents are unfit,” said Tarsha Jackson also advises parents to seek help from a Jackson, TFIY’s project director. family support group or child advocate to help them “Research shows these are predominantly hardnavigate the system and explain their rights. working, caring families whose kids simply got caught The TFIY report presents data that has never been up.” captured before, breaking the silence of families across “What makes the ‘Families Unlocking Futures’ the country by uncovering personal experiences. report unique is that instead of practitioners telling par“For all the history of the juvenile justice, families ents what ‘ya’ll need to do,’ this report is parents telling have been viewed as the problem,” said Grace Bauer, legislators and other policy makers this is what we need co-director of Justice for Families, a national alliance of to strengthen our communities and keep our families family-focused organizations. “This document shows together,” she said. families as the solution, ready to do our part to strengthJackson knows firsthand the pain of having a child en the system.” incarcerated.

Solutions to the juvenile justice crisis In “Families Unlocking Futures: Solutions to the Crisis in Juvenile Justice,” parents directly impacted by the system offer proposed changes.

They include: • Replace school police officers with peace and intervention officers.

•Stop criminalizing childish behavior by putting an end to the zero tolerance that ends up criminalizing minor cases of delinquency.

• Invest more in the communities, particularly after-school programs.

•Provide parents and children involved in the system with an advocate who can provide critical guidance.

• Encourage your organization or place of worship to endorse the National Family Bill of Rights, which seeks to empower parents without placing them at odds with the juvenile justice system.

• Make sure parents who have children in the criminal justice system know they are not alone.

Knowing that help and support is available can make all the difference in the world.

• Get involved with any of the member organizations of Justice for Families, a national alliance that serves as a hub for accessing information about the “school-to-prison pipeline.”

• Read the “Families Unlocking Futures” report by visiting www.futures4families.org.

Library renamed in Beulah Shepard’s honor Defender News Services

Houston City Council voted to change the name of the Acres Homes library to the Beulah Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library, in memory of the late community leader.

Mrs. Shepard died in 2010 at the age of 89. She was known as the “mayor” of Acres Homes and was instrumental in improving the community. She was active in such groups as the Harris County Council of Organizations and the Democratic Party.

She was known from Houston’s City Hall to the White House, and worked on numerous local and state campaigns.

Mrs. Shepard also worked on the campaigns of Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter.

A native of Plain Dealing, La., she moved to Houston in 1948. She became a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and a deacon’s wife. She worked as a community aide for Commissioner E.A. Squatty Lyons for 25 years.

The Acres Homes community was developed in the early 1940s in northwest Houston and was named for its one-acre home sites. The library opened in 1976.

Beulah Shepard

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27| 2012

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national

U.S.briefs

Groups demand probe of death penalty cases Defender News Services

On the one-year anniversary of the execution of Troy Davis, Amnesty International USA and the NAACP called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate growing concerns over prosecutorial and police misconduct in capital cases.

Suzanne Nossel, executive director of Amnesty International, said: “Troy was executed despite a mountain of doubt about his conviction and allegations that witnesses were coerced by police. A year later, the stain of injustice continues to spread, with the death penalty used despite substantial concerns over prosecutorial overreach, wrongful conviction or misapplication of the law.”

Nossel said the federal government must take action as case after case corrodes the credibility of U.S. criminal justice.

“The death penalty is the ultimate, irreversible human rights violation; we reject it under all circumstances,” she said.

NAACP President and CEO Benja-

min Todd Jealous had been active in Davis’ case for more than a decade.

“Last year the state of Georgia killed Troy Davis, an innocent man,” Jealous said. “Though he is not here, his memory lives on with us and fuels our fight to abolish the death penalty. Troy’s wrongful execution has changed the hearts of minds of millions and public support for the death penalty is now at an all-time low.

“We have heeded Troy’s request to not have the struggle for justice end with him,” Jealous said. “In the last year, we ended the death penalty in Connecticut and we are seeing momentum in Maryland and in California, where ending the death penalty is on the ballot.”

Davis was executed on Sept. 21, 2011 for the death of police officer Mark Allen MacPhail. He maintained his innocence even with his final words.

Since 1973, 140 people have been released from death rows due to evidence of wrongful convictions.

Benjamin Todd Jealous

Obamas reveal plans after White House Defender News Services

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle talked about life after the White House during a recent appearance on ABC’s “The View.”

Obama said he would enjoy working with kids when his term ends.

“I love teaching, I miss teaching,” he said. “I’m not sure it would necessarily be in a classroom, but the idea of being able to go around in various cities and helping to create mentorships, and apprenticeships, giving young people the sense of possibility and opportunity, and using whatever spotlight I can shine to show how much incredible talent there is out there.”

Obama added that as president, he enjoys

meeting smart, energetic young people who have ideas for making the world a better place.

The president and first lady both reiterated that she would not run for public office.

Though he said she would be “terrific,” he doesn’t think she has the temperament.

“No, it’s absolutely true,” Michelle Obama said.

“It takes a lot of patience to be the president of the United States, and I’m not that patient.”’

The first lady said she would focus on projects she’s passionate about, including helping veterans returning from war and their families.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have thoughts on their future.

TAVIS SMILEY & CORNEL WEST recently concluded their Poverty Tour 2.0 in Alexandria, Va. The four-day tour covered three other battleground states – Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida – that could prove decisive for both President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Smiley, a radio personality, and West, a Princeton professor, said the tour was part of a moral crusade to make the eradication of poverty a top priority in America. “Basic needs such as living-wage jobs, food, clothing, medicine, and shelter cannot be ignored by the major parties during the upcoming political conventions, or by their respective nominees on the campaign trail,” West said……..PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY has teamed with an ethnic relations consulting firm to offer sensitivity training to members of Greek organizations and high school and college students considering joining a fraternity or sorority. The training curriculum includes a 30-page facilitator guide, a 30-page participant guide and a 60-minute video. The program is part of a national antihazing initiative launched last May. “We no longer can treat pledging and hazing as a series of isolated and unrelated set of unfortunate incidences,” said Jimmy Hammock, president of Phi Beta Sigma…….. U.S. REP. MAXINE WATERS (D-Calif.) has been exonerated of allegations that she violated ethics codes in connection with her role in advocating for the inclusion of minority-owned banks in the federal government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Charges were filed against Waters with the House Ethics Committee when it was discovered that her husband, Sidney Williams, owned shares in OneUnited Bank, one of the Blackowned financial institutions that benefited from TARP funds. The House committee conducted an investigation that lasted more than 1,200 days. At issue was whether Waters was acting on behalf of OneUnited or seeking to protect her husband’s investment. Waters steadfastly declared her innocence throughout the ordeal.

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER 48 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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Watch what happens when only one star brings all the stars together under one roof. Tune in at macys.com/ onlyonestar

Texas Lottery revenue for public education grows The Texas Lottery Commission recently reported record results for fiscal year 2012, gaining $133 million in revenue over last year for the state’s Foundation School Fund, an increase of 13.8 percent.

Record sales of $4.19 billion shattered the previous sales record of $3.81 billion set in 2011 and resulted in a total contribution of $1.096 billion to the school fund, which supports public education in Texas.

“With sales up 10 percent over last year, this is the ninth consecutive year that the Texas Lottery generated more than $1 billion in contributions to the state of Texas,” said Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery.

“This is our largest transfer to the Foundation School Fund since 1998, and I want to thank all of our players, retailers, vendors and staff for this outstanding performance.”

The lottery saw sales increases across its game portfolio. Scratch-off ticket sales totaled more than $3.09 billion and accounted for 73.6 percent of fiscal year 2012 sales, while sales for the lottery’s draw games totaled more than $1.10 billion and accounted for 26.4 percent of sales.

Sales of the Veterans Cash scratchoff game resulted in $4.7 million for the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, which is administered by the Texas Veterans Commission.

Other lottery funds, including unclaimed prizes, resulted in a transfer of $46 million to the state’s General Revenue Fund.

In all, approximately 96 percent of the record $4.19 billion in sales was returned to the state in prizes, retailer commissions and bonuses, and transfers to various state funds.

Lottery players had a great year as well, with a record $2.68 billion collected in cash and merchandise prizes, easily surpassing the past record of $2.39 billion set in fiscal year 2011.

For the state’s more than 17,000 Texas Lottery retailers that collect a 5 percent commission on every lottery sale, those commissions amounted to a record $209.8 million in 2012. “We are extremely pleased with the results of the last fiscal year,” said Mary Ann Williamson, chair of the Texas Lottery Commission.

“The Texas Lottery continues to set new standards for success in its mission to generate revenue for the state of Texas, and we’re looking forward to building on that success in the future.”

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012 | DEFENDER

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entertainment

Viola Davis embraces acting challenges For me, the movie is about her story of coming back to life again. And that journey is a very human one. It intrigued me, and I saw it as a very interesting challenge as an actor.

KW: What was it like working with such a topflight cast, such as Academy-Award-winner Holly Hunter and fellow Oscar-nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rosie Perez?

VD: You forgot another Oscar-nominee, Marianne

you’ve learned something.

KW: What would you say is the movie’s message?

VD: The movie really emphasizes that we’re all iola Davis was born in 1965 on her in the position to be the change that we want to see in grandmother’s farm in St. Matthews, this country. And I think there’s no better time to bring S.C., but reared by her parents in Centhat message home. What’s interesting is that that tral Falls, R.I. After earning a degree theme is a common thread in the film, even in terms in theater from Rhode Island College of the two main characters taking control of their own in 1988, she went on to do post-graduate work at the personal lives. prestigious Juilliard School prior to emThe world is very good at encouraging barking on a critically-acclaimed profesyou to go along with the status quo and at sional career. basking in your successes. But when you hit Davis made a memorable mark on a wall in your personal life, and you screw Broadway, winning Tonys for stellar perup, people don’t give you a chance to naviformances as Tonya in “King Hedley II” gate your way through it and tap into what’s and as Rose in the revival of “Fences.” She extraordinary about you. I think this movie has been nominated twice for an Acadtackles that subject in a beautiful way, and emy Award, for her powerful portrayal I think it’s the best message you could give of stoic Aibileen in “The Help” and for to a child. her equally-sterling interpretation of Mrs. KW: How much of the strength that we Miller in “Doubt.” see on the screen is you and how much of Here, she talks about her new film, it is great acting?

“Won’t Back Down,” a female empowerVD: Well, I’d like to say that it’s all ment saga where she plays Nona Alberts, great acting, but I suppose I do have that a jaded teacher who joins forces with a same quality in real life…When you’re refrustrated single-mom to turn around an ally passionate, you’re going to grab hold of underperforming public school. every rope you see, and wrap them around KW: What interested you in “Won’t your arms and legs to claw your way out.

Back Down?”

And that’s the way I’ve felt in my life.

Viola Davis portrays a teacher and Maggie Gyllenhaal is a single mother in the film “Won’t VD: My interests in the film were two- Back Down.”

KW: Will you be playing Barbara Jorfold: the backdrop of education and also dan in an upcoming biopic about the late the human story within it about a woman who, when Jean-Baptiste. It was fabulous. To me, it’s always a congresswoman? she was in her twenties, had all these high ideals and luxury to be able to work with the best of the best VD: Yes, my husband [Julius Tennon] and I hopes of taking the world by storm as a great teacher because they make it easier for you to do what you do. started a production company out of necessity, the and also as a great mother.

It’s harder to work with people who are not as dedineed for great narratives for actors of color, and we But all of that was just blown to bits, and we find cated to their craft. It also leaves you a better actor are currently developing that script with some great her at a low point where she’s totally disillusioned. when you finish the project, since you always feel like producers.

V

By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

What’sup CHRIS BROWN’S community service will be reviewed to determine if he violated the terms of his probation for the 2009 beating of RIHANNA. Brown appeared before a Los Angeles judge who attempted to examine his probation record and the impact of a positive marijuana result during a random drug screening. Brown produced a medicinal marijuana prescription so the drug test result might not have an impact on his probation. The judge scheduled another hearing for November to review Brown’s probation records.

A report issued in August said Brown needed 120 hours to complete his community service, but his attorney said the singer had already completed 1,400 hours of service……..

VING RHAMES will portray a hospital trauma chief in “Monday Mornings,” a medical drama airing on TNT next season. Set at the fictional hospital in Portland, Ore., the series follows the lives of doctors as they push the limits of their abilities and confront their personal and professional failings……..R. KELLY is now the most nominated artist in Soul Train Awards history. Kelly is nominated for album of the year and the Ashford & Simpson songwriter’s award, bringing his career total to 21 nominations. USHER, meanwhile, leads all artists with five nominations this year.

Rapper NAS garnered three nominations, while JOHN LEGEND, ESTELLE and TREY SONGZ received

three. The late WHITNEY HOUSTON and AMY WINEHOUSE each received a posthumous nomination.

The awards will be presented Nov. 25, and CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER is the host……..British talk show host TRISHA GODDARD recently kicked off her self-titled American daytime program. Goddard promises to help everyday people and their families navigate through tough issues by using her “conflict resolution skills, honesty and common sense.” Goddard’s background includes working as a TV reporter in Australia, where she was the country’s first Black anchorwoman. Her show airs in Houston at 5 p.m. Monday-Friday on KUBE 57.

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4 BILLION RAIL LINE_9.75x13_DEFENDER_FINAL.pdf

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

The new

digital divide W

hen the digital divide was first introduced as a concept in the 1990s, it referred to a gap between those who had access to computers and the Internet and those who did not.

There were concerns that minorities and low-income Americans were being left behind in cyberspace, while wealthier and predominantly white Americans flourished.

These days, the old digital divide – mere access to the worldwide web – has somewhat closed. The new digital divide between the technology haves and have-nots is now high-speed Internet access versus restricted wireless access.

With each passing day, urban and suburban-dwelling, upperincome households enjoy high-speed Internet access while the poor and working class can only afford a much slower level of access that in turn limits access to critical quality of life factors.

The recent emergence of online education, video-on-demand, and Internet-ordered medicine requiring reliable, high-speed connections, Dr. Onimi Wilcox has meant many Americans don’t earn enough to acquire those services – creating a very real virtual apartheid.

“When we talk about the Internet we often don’t realize that today, we’re really talking about two Internets – separate and unequal,” said Joyce Johnson, a technology professional with over 20 years of experience.

“Racial, geographic and income Joyce Johnson factors create a very real dividing line between those who can enjoy the amenities of high-speed access and those left with their noses pressed against the proverbial window, on the outside looking in.”

Just over 200 million Americans have high-speed, wired Internet access at home. Millions, however, are still completely offline, while others can only afford web access via phone lines or wireless smartphones that don’t allow for the full complement of online offerings.

The result – technology have-nots can expect lower-quality health services, career opportunities, education and entertainment options than they already receive if something is not done immediately to bridge the divide.

Statistics tell the story of the new digital divide: • According to the Department of Commerce, only four out of every 10 households with annual household incomes below $25,000 in 2010 reported having wired Internet access at home, compared with the vast majority — 93 percent — of households with incomes exceeding $100,000.

• Only slightly more than half of all Black and Latino households have wired Internet access at home, compared with 72

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

HCC gets students connected Houston Community College is making every effort to bridge the digital divide in higher education. Using an array of approaches and programs, HCC has moved beyond discussing the problem by adopting a “by any means necessary” approach to getting its students connected.

According to HCC’s Vice Chancellor of Information Technology, William “Bill” Carter, the institution is ahead of the curve when it comes to offering solutions for students experiencing online access issues.

“Only about 50 to 60 percent of our students have technology at home available to be successful,” said Carter. “Thus, we’re trying to figure out how to get the necessary devices into our students’ hands, and to better communicate with students via with the devices they already have in hand.”

Thanks in part to an $800,000 Broadband Telecommunications Grant won by the school, HCC will soon have over 300 wireless-capable notebook computers available for its students to check out from its library.

Thus, as a completely wireless campus, students who check out these computers can access the Internet in any percent of whites.

• According to a 2010 Pew Poll, 51 percent of Hispanics and 46 percent of African-Americans use their cell phones to access the Internet, compared with 33 percent of white Americans. Forty-seven percent of Latinos and 41 percent of African-Americans use their phones for email, compared with 30 percent of white Americans.

Dr. Onimi Wilcox, associate dean of Prairie View A&M University’s College of Arts and Sciences, acknowledges that the divide has been closed some, especially for Millennials (those born between 1980 and 2000) and women, but believes more needs to be done if today’s technology poor will enjoy 21st century success.

“It’s essential that everybody is at least on the same playing field,” Wilcox said. “If not, we can’t understand what is going on in various fields which affects access to jobs, college applications, online classes, and global knowledge. Without the skills, infrastructure, and access we need, we’re being left behind.

This does not just impact minorities, it impacts the future,” said Wilcox.

Johnson is also concerned about the future.

“I’m not being over-dramatic when I say if we don’t bridge this digital divide we are consigning our communities to death – if not physical death, the death of opportunity; the death of critical exposures to new ideas; the death of potential and possibilities,” Johnson said.

Social forecasters are predicting that within a decade,

campus study space, or use the devises from home, or any other desired location.

For students who would rather own a computer, HCC has reached agreements with Dell and Apple Computers allowing HCC students to purchase computers from those companies receiving the same discount as the institution—a move that can save students hundreds of dollars.

“HCC is also part of the WeCAN initiative,” said Carter, referring to the program established under former Houston Mayor Bill White’s administration to bridge the digital divide.

WeCAN was White’s citywide wireless project that is currently being implemented by the Houston Public Library with the assistance of HCC. The program seeks to provide Houstonians with digital literacy focused on dropout prevention/GED recovery and job/workforce readiness.

Learn more about what HCC is doing to bridge the digital divide at www.defendernetwork.com. people will be able to speak with their doctors online thus accessing lower-cost, higher-quality care, and monitor their energy use via smart-grid technology to keep costs down.

Presently, thousands are earning high school and college degrees via virtual classrooms thanks to high-speed connections.

Cognizant of these realities, the 2012 National Urban League Annual Conference addressed the issue of increasing broadband adoption in Black communities.

“I say without hesitation today, that broadband is the great equalizer,” said FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who spoke at the conference. “People should not have to choose between feeding their families and paying for the transformational benefits of broadband,” she added.

Johnson sees some efforts to bridge the present divide.

“We have some incredible minds who are not only using technology, but creating the technologies that the world uses.

That’s the untold story; but it’s a story that needs to grow; that needs more of us using technology for productive, programmatic efforts.”

Wilcox points to the requirements of college professors that students check their grades online, and the growing number of employers only accepting online applications as vehicles forcing more people to get online.

“The assumption the government is making is that the gap is closed,” Wilcox said. “The digital divide is not getting smaller; it’s actually getting larger because the world continues to move onto the next thing.”

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Comcast works to bridge divide While America has increasingly said Doug Guthrie, senior vice president become a digital nation, many for Comcast in Houston. “But we still low-income families are left at a have work to do. There are still too many disadvantage because they do low-income families in Houston who can not have Internet service at home. benefit from getting online at home.”

Cable provider Comcast is doing Program participants receive residential its part to bridge the digital divide Internet service for $9.95 a month plus currently hindering these families applicable taxes while avoiding price from accessing the world of increases, activation fees, and equipment ideas and opportunities available rental fees. Participants also receive a online. voucher to purchase a low-cost computer Through its Internet Essentials for $149.99, and access to free digital Program, the cable provider literacy training in print, online and inaddresses three primary barriers person. to broadband adoption: a lack To qualify for the program a household of understanding of how the must be located where Comcast offers Internet is relevant and useful, the Internet service, and have at least one cost of a home computer, and the child who is eligible to receive a free or cost of Internet service. reduced school lunch under the National Nearly 4,500 families or School Lunch Program. Additionally, 18,000 individuals throughout qualifying households cannot have the Greater Houston area have subscribed to Comcast within the last enrolled in the Internet Essentials Doug Guthrie, senior vice president of Comcast Houston, addresses participants at the Comcast 90 days, or have an overdue bill or Program. During its first full unreturned equipment.

Community Connections Forum. year of availability, the program Along with HAUL and AAMA, Comcast has helped more than 100,000 works with Neighborhood Centers and The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL), AAMA families or 400,000 Americans get online nationwide.

Change Happens to provide digital literacy training and and Crime Stoppers of Houston were among several Recently, Filemon Lopez, Comcast senior vice president community partners involved in the event. Workshops spread the word about Internet Essentials. of Strategic Operations, announced year two of the For more information about the program visit www. included Using the Internet to Find a Job, Helping Your program during an Internet Essentials Community internetessentials.com for English or www.internetbasico.

Child Apply for College and Keeping Kids Safe on the Connections Summit held at the Association for the com for Spanish. Or, call 1-855-846-8376 (English) or Internet.

Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) Learning 1-855-765-6995 (Spanish).

“I’m proud to stand here today and say the city of Center.

Houston is helping the nation close the digital divide,”

e Houston area for over 80 years

10 DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Highlights from African-American consumers: Still vital, still growing 2012 Report

The following information contains excerpts from a full 26-page report produced collaboratively by Nielsen, the global information and measurement company that measures what consumers watch and what consumers buy, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a 72-year old federation of more than 200 Black community newspapers. To download the full report, go to www.nielsen.com/africanamerican.

Executive summary

In 2012, the African-American consumer population continues to be a vibrant and dynamic market segment, providing both emerging and mature market attributes. Still the largest racial minority group in America, with a projected buying power of $1.1 trillion by 2015, Black consumers remain at the forefront of social trends and media consumption.

Companies that seek to better understand the unique lifestyles, habits and shopping patterns highlighted within can enhance their chances of creating better connectivity with Black consumers. Similarly, African-American consumers and entrepreneurs will find information that can be helpful in making informed decisions about which products or services to buy and have a better understanding about the companies that provide them.

The disparity in advertising dollars spent with African-American media is mapped out, suggesting a need for more fair methods of administering advertising spending to better reflect and align with Blacks’ preferences and the media environments most trusted by Black consumers.

• Black households are 127% more likely to include a single parent, most often a woman.

• 48% of Black grandparents who live in the same household with their grandchildren serve as their primary caregivers.

• 10% of African-American households earn $100,000 or more.

• 35% of African-American households earn $50,000 or more.

Blacks’ perceptions of Black media

Many companies assume that because there are no language barriers, there is no need to advertise to Black audiences through African-American media outlets.

Continued on Page 12

defendernetwork.com

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012 | DEFENDER

Local NAACP wants election investigated

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

In response to the ever-changing saga involving letters sent to local residents erroneously declaring them dead as well as other voting irregularities, the Houston Branch of the NAACP is seeking help from the U.S. Justice Department.

In a letter addressed to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, local branch president Rev. Reginald Lillie asked the DOJ to conduct an investigation of the election administration process in Harris County and send election monitors to the county and surrounding areas for the Nov. 6 election.

Lillie named three causes for concern: improper voting lines in the recent county Department of Education election, improper counting of votes in the primary run-off and improper purging of voters from the rolls.

The NAACP is joined in its request by the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice and the Houston Area Urban League.

“The NAACP is taking this action to honor our mission of ensuring that the right to vote is protected for all citizens, especially in light of the recent blatant and egregious acts of voter suppression taking place in Harris County and across the country,” said NAACP Houston’s Executive Director, Yolanda Smith.

Smith said they are still waiting for a response from Holder’s office regarding their request, and have lodged their concerns with lawmakers at both the state and national levels.

Countless living Black senior citizens received letters from the office of Harris County’s Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar, Don Sumner, stating that they were deceased and thus removed from the voter roll.

Recently, to the delight of those fighting to maintain their right to vote, a Travis County judge temporarily barred Texas election officials from removing thousands of “suspected” dead people from voting rolls after four living voters in that county complained that they had been improperly identified as “potentially deceased.”

Sumner’s office received several hundreds of similar complaints from Harris County residents.

State District Judge Tim Sulak issued the temporary restraining orRev. Reginald Lillie

Register to vote by Oct. 9 Texas voters have until Tuesday, Oct. 9, to register to vote for the Nov. 6 election. According to the Texas Secretary of State, you are eligible to register to vote if: • You are a United States citizen • You are a resident of the county where you submit the application • You are at least 18 years old on Election Day • You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have

completed your sentence, probation, and parole) • You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote To find out if you are already registered to vote or for more information, call 713.755.6965. Or, visit www.harrisvotes.com or www.sos. state.tx.us.

11

der and directed all sides to find an acceptable hearing date within two weeks to determine if the order should be made permanent.

However, lawyers for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott told Sulak that they intend to move the case into federal court, where a three-judge panel would determine how the lawsuit proceeds.

The legal wrangling revolves around the directive given to county voting registrars by Secretary of State Hope Andrade, to send letters asking roughly 80,000 voters to verify that they are alive. Those who do not respond within 30 days would have their voter registrations canceled.

Numerous community leaders and organizations joined the NAACP in charging voter suppression.

“I was in shock, especially since I just received my new voter registration card, making sure all my ducks were in a row to vote,” said Terri Collins, an avid voter who was informed she was dead.

Collins did not take the erroneous news lying down, calling others and finding she was one of over 9,000 Harris County residents to receive such letters.

“When I found out that others my age were taken off, I was really upset because it’s my group that votes. I’m 53, and I’ve been voting since I was 18,” she said.

Collins went to Sumner’s office, where she was assured she would be able to vote on Nov. 6.

Collins also demanded Sumner’s office generate new correspondence informing letter recipients that they would be able to vote. Collins has yet to receive such notification.

Photo ID laws could exclude young Blacks NNPA Nearly half a million young Blacks face a tough choice as the Nov. 6 presidential election approaches – either get a new, government-issued photo identification or don’t vote.

In “Turning Back the Clock on Voting Rights,” the Black Youth Project, a group that fosters political and civil engagement among young African-Americans, outlined how the lack of government-issued photo IDs threatens to disenfranchise young minorities ages 18 to 29, particularly in swing states such as Florida.

According to the report,

photo ID requirements could prevent 170,000 to 475,000 young Blacks from casting a vote in the upcoming presidential election.

In Florida alone, photo ID laws could block more than 76,000 young Blacks from casting a ballot in November, more than enough to turn the tide in the battleground state, where Barack Obama beat John McCain by less than 3 percent in 2008.

The Brennan Center for Justice found that 25 percent of Blacks nationwide do no possess photo identification compared to just 9 percent of whites.

12

DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Consumers...Continued from page 10 ....

This is a missed opportunity for companies, who can use such outlets to reach Black consumers in trusted environments where Blacks see themselves most often reflected. Consider the following facts on Blacks’ perceptions on advertising.

The Black population is not a homogeneous group. A deeper understanding of the unique lifestyles, viewing habits and shopping patterns can help companies create better connectivity with Black consumers.

We are optimistic that this report will empower you to value your role in the economic infrastructure of the United States. Each purchasing decision, viewing opportunity, mobile phone activity and digital experience you have impacts a company’s bottom line.

We encourage you to use that power wisely and with care. Whether you are a single mother, Baby Boomer or Millenial, your consumer dollars matter.

You matter!

classified PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING NOTICE

NORTH HOUSTON HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will hold a second public scoping meeting regarding the North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The project limits are from the interchange of US 59 and SH 288 to the interchange of IH 45 and Beltway 8 North, a distance of approximately 16 miles. The study area includes portions of IH 10, US 59, and SH 288 near downtown Houston; Hardy Toll Road from north of downtown Houston to Beltway 8 North; and IH 610 and Beltway 8 North between IH 45 and Hardy Toll Road.

TxDOT is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, to analyze potential direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to the human and natural environment that may occur from the construction and operation of proposed transportation improvements in the project area.

Two identical public scoping meetings will be held in the project area.

An open house meeting format will allow the public to come and go at their convenience. Project team members will be available to discuss issues and answer questions regarding the proposed improvements and the EIS process. A short video regarding the project will be presented throughout the meeting. Maps of the study area and exhibits of the preliminary alternatives will be on display. The same information will be presented at both meetings. The public is encouraged to attend anytime between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the most convenient meeting location.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Jefferson Davis High School 1101 Quitman Street Houston, TX 77009

Thursday, October 11, 2012 Aldine Ninth Grade School 10650 North Freeway Houston, TX 77037

The purpose of this public scoping meeting is to present information about, and receive public feedback on, preliminary alternatives for highway improvements in the North Houston corridor, the process being used to evaluate these alternatives, and how community feedback has been incorporated to date in the planning process. The revised Need and Purpose Statement and Project Coordination Plan documents will be available for review. After the scoping meetings, the information presented at the meetings will be available for review and reproduction on the project website www.IH45NorthandMore.com, and at the TxDOT Houston District Office, 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays.

The public will have the opportunity to provide written comments during and after the meeting. If you are unable to attend one of the public scoping meetings, you may view project information and submit comments on the project website www.IH45NorthandMore.com, or you can mail comments to: Director of Project Development, Texas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 772511386. You may also email comments to the address: HOU-piowebmail@txdot.gov. Comments received by email or postmarked by Friday, October 26, 2012, will be included in the public meeting record.

Your participation is encouraged in this important step of the EIS process. We appreciate your interest in the proposed project and hope you will attend this second public scoping meeting. Meeting materials will be presented in English, with some materials also in Spanish. Spanish-speaking project team members will be available to assist with translation of other materials. Persons interested in attending the public meeting who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact TxDOT’s District Public Information Office at (713) 802-5072 by Friday October 5, 2012. TxDOT will make every reasonable effort to accommodate special needs. For more information regarding the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, please visit the project website www.IH45NorthandMore.com.

classified MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following:

MHMRA’S INTRUSION DETECTION AND PREVENTION Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, Telephone number, 713-970-7300, and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, October 1, 2012. The Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by, Wednesday, October 17, 2012 @ 2:00 pm. All responses, and any questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Senior Purchasing Coordinator via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org, cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following:

MHMRA’S PHARMACY INVENTORY Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, Telephone number, 713-970-7300, and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, October 1, 2012. The Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by, Wednesday, October 17, 2012 @ 10:00am . All responses, and any questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Senior Purchasing Coordinator via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to joycie.sheba@mhmraharris.org, cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

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WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012 | DEFENDER

13

Entrepreneurs over 50 can receive advice Defender New Services

ecutives) to provide a workshop designed to help small businesses not only survive but thrive in the current economy.

The luncheon workshop will address pressing business needs, whether they be money or customer attraction and conversion, and examine who and what is available to assist small business owners in any way possible.

With one in four

HUD funds will assist public housing job-seekers 1

to work during retirement, small business ownershipT:4.79” is a good option.

LEGAL NOTICE

For more information about encore entrepreneurship visit www. aarp.org/startabusiness.

These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon:

Game #

Game Name / Odds

$

Official Close of Game

End Validations Date

1355

Weekly Grand – Overall Odds are 1 in 3.91

$2

10/05/12

04/03/13

1403

Black Pearls – Overall Odds are 1 in 3.83

$5

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1350

Bingo Multi-Prize – Overall Odds are 1 in 3.53

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1407

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20th Anniversary – Overall Odds are 1 in 3.52

$5

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1445

The Avengers™ – Overall Odds are 1 in 4.30

$1

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For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket.

The Texas Lottery supports Texas Education. © 2012 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

T:6.187”

TX6358_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_0927.indd

Saved at

9-19-2012 3:57 PM

Job info U.S. to hire or retain jobs.

It includes Job Public # TX6358 $15 million through the HousingClient TEXAS LOTTERY Family Self-Sufficiency Program and Headline/Tag OCTOBER EOG $60 million through the Housing Choice Trim 4.79” x 3.25” Bleed None Voucher-Family Self-Sufficiency ProLive None gram.

Color Setup BW Service coordinators hired through Vendor/Pub HOUSTON DEFENDER Media Type both programs work directly withNEWSPAPER Die Cut None residents to connect them with local organizations that provide education and job training and placement opportunities, as 206 E. 9th Street • Austin, TX 78701 well as childcare, counseling, transportaTel 512.479.6200 Fax 512.479.6024 tion and computer and financial literacy services available in their community.

Both programs encourage innovative strategies that link public housing and Housing Choice Voucher assistance with other resources to enable participating families to find employment, increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for rental and/or welfare assistance, and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.

Participants in both programs sign a five-year contract that requires the head of the household to obtain employment and no longer receive welfare assistance at the end of the five-year term.

As the family’s income rises, a portion of the increased income is deposited in an interest-bearing escrow account.

If the family successfully completes its FSS contract, the family receives the escrow funds that it can use for any purpose, including paying educational expenses, starting a business or paying debts.

from

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None HappyCreative 40thDir Anniversary

Fonts Helvetica (Black), Helvetica Neue (Medium, Bold, 77 Bold Condensed, 57 Condensed), Times (Regular)

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Prepared by LatinWorks Marketing, Inc. 2009. All rights reserved.

1982 T:10”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded Texas $5,015,817 in grants to help public and assisted housing residents connect with local services to obtain education and training to find jobs.

The funding allows local grantees to retain or hire 98 service coordinators in Texas to work directly with HUD-assisted families to connect them to the supportive services that meet their individual needs to become gainfully employed.

The Houston Housing Authority received $366,352 in funding. Nearby, the Housing Authority of the City of Galveston received $59,151, while the Montgomery County Housing Authority received $43,122 “This funding ultimately links individuals to childcare, computer access, job training and other basic skills individuals need to compete for jobs that pay a living wage,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

“To continue to grow America’s economy, we must see to it that every American has the skills and resources they need to become gainfully employed.”

“These grants are a win for both the grantee and Texas families who participate in HUD rental assistance programs,” said Mark Brezina, acting regional director. The grantee can keep or can hire an employee whose job is to help hundreds of individuals here find employment.”

The HUD funding is part of $75 million awarded to agencies across the

Americans ages 44 to 70 interested in becoming entrepreneurs, and a large majority planning

T:3.25”

AARP and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will team up to host the first National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day targeted at entrepreneurs age 50 and older.

It takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5330 Griggs Road. The goal is to match “encore entrepreneurs” with experienced business owners

and community leaders for advice and assistance, and to link them to the resources they need to successfully start and grow businesses and create jobs.

National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day is part of a larger effort

by AARP and SBA to promote entrepreneurship among individuals 50 and older. They have partnered with SCORE (formerly the Service Corps of Retired Ex-

1972 National Black McDonald’s Operators Association is founded

Cheers to your spectacular past and a promising future. May you continue to rise to the top.

© 2012 McDonald’s

14

DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012

defendernetwork.com

sports

Sam Houston State University

Bearkats football program on the rise

D

By MAX EDISON Defender

on’t look now, but one of the nation’s top Division IAA/FCS football programs is quietly being assembled just 71 miles due north of Houston in Huntsville.

The Sam Houston State University Bearkats were 14-1 in 2011 and lost in the FCS championship game to North Dakota State. In just his third season at the helm of the ‘Kats, head coach Willie Fritz has resurrected the Sam Houston program.

The Bearkats return 18 starters, including 2011 Southland Conference Player of the Year in running back Tim Flanders, the Offensive Player of the Year in wide receiver Richard Sincere, and the Defensive Player of the Year in safety Darnell Taylor.

The 2012 squad is nationally ranked and prepared to play back- to-back contests in Houston. They play Texas Southern University at BBVA Compass Stadium in a nationally televised game. The following week they play Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods at Reliant Stadium on Oc. 6.

With such amazing success in 2011, Coach Fritz realizes the bar has been raised and expectations are heightened.

“We’ve got arguably the toughest schedule in FCS football,” Fritz said.

“We’ve played a team from the Big 12 (Baylor). We play a team from the SEC (Texas A&M) at the end of the year and we’ve only got three home games, one of which we’ve already played.

With our schedule we’ve got to be better than last year.”

After going undefeated in Southland Conference play in 2011, the Bearkats know that they have a bull’s eye painted squarely on their backs.

“We’ve got to bring our A game every week,” Fritz continued. “We started to stress that back in March, and we carried that over to fall workouts before school started. I think with the experience we had last year the returning players understand that and are focused

on the task at hand.

“We want to be a team that makes the playoffs every year and competes for a championship. We’re on the verge of that. We don’t want to be a one-hit wonder.”

Coach Fritz believes that a major key to the Bearkats success now and in the future will be their ability to recruit players from the greater Houston area.

“Recruiting Houston is huge for us,” Fritz said.

“The talent in the area is outstanding. For some reason the previous staff had not made Houston a priority, but we certainly have.

“We try to encourage students to stay in state, stay local,” Fritz said. “We think our location, an hour north of Houston, is ideal. Students are out of town, but still close enough for their parents to come and see them play.”

Sam Houston boasts one of the most explosive teams in the nation. They return 2011 starter Brian Bell (junior) at quarterback. Most importantly they return All-American running back Tim Flanders (junior), the school’s all-time leading rusher. Flanders scored 24 touchdowns and rushed for 1644 yards in 2011, both conference records.

He will team up with another All-American, versatile wide receiver/ QB Richard Sincere (junior). Speedy

Third-year head coach Willie Fritz has the Sam Houston State football program headed in the right direction.

Michigan transfer, wide receiver Terrance Robinson (senior), will add additional fire power. Up front the Bearkats boast two of the Southland Conference’s best offensive linemen in Caleb Hopson (senior) and Dan Jenkins (senior).

Defensively the Bearkats are loaded with talent, starting with All-American safety Darnell Taylor (senior), the 2011 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Combine him with All-American cornerback Dax Swanson and All-Conference safety Kenneth Jenkins (senior) and you have one of the nation’s best secondaries.

The defensive front is solid with J.T. Cleveland (senior), Andrew Weaver (junior) and Gary Lorance (junior) boasting first team All-Conference pedigrees.

There has been a growing trend among mid-major universities that were once FCS schools to take the step up to Division I status. Count former Southland conference foes Texas State and UTSA among that group. Despite a student enrollment of some 19,000, Fritz believes the FCS suits Sam Houston best.

“We’ve looked at it and we’ll have dialogue with people, but our goal is to dominate at this level,” Fritz said. “We want to be the top team He’s a 330-pound nose tackle that in the Southland Conference, can dominate the line of scrimnot just in football, but in all mage.” sports. We still have a

way to go for that, but that’s our immediate goal.”

Bearkat playmakers include (l. to r.) Tim Flanders, Darnell Taylor and Richard Sincere.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

defendernetwork.com

h.s.zone Reagan continues to

make school history “It’s golden having Joseph Dehn as a receiver.

He’s strong and very smart.

I know when I put the After a long period of ball in the air, he’s going futility, the Reagan High to come down with it,” School varsity football Washington said. “It’s good program is continuing to to have him on the Bullexperience success and make dogs after he came from history.

Florida.”

Last November, Reagan Washington added defeated Worthing 35-6 in a he has confidence that all first-round playoff matchup of his receivers will catch for the school’s first postseathe ball and that the team son triumph in nearly five is feeling good about itself decades. right now.

Tavon Dodd, Joseph Dehn and Tyron Washington (l. to r.) play hard A week ago, the Bullfor Reagan.

“Tyron is tall and has dogs accomplished somegood athletic ability,” Dehn those losses, we just had to regroup and thing they’d never done before. said. “He’s got more trust in himself play hard.”

“We beat Wheatley in football than he did last year. It’s always good to Although Dodd is a three-year varfor the first time in school history,” said have a good quarterback when you’re a sity letterman, this is the first season he Reagan junior quarterback Tyron Washreceiver. “ has started on both offense and defense. ington, who threw touchdown passes Reagan head coach Stephen Dixon “Going both ways I know I have of 12 yards to Malcolm LaFleur and 34 believes he has enough experienced to be a playmaker on both sides of the yards to Joseph Dehn in the Bulldogs’ players to make this another successful ball. During the offseason, I wanted to 41-21 victory over Wheatley at Barnett season for the Bulldogs. outwork everybody in our facility and Stadium.

“We lost our first district game to become the best football player I can be.”

“It’s always good to jump on an North Forest and I wouldn’t be surprised Washington believes the Bulldogs’ opponent from the start and continue to if they finish the regular season undeformula for success against Wheatley build on your momentum,” Washington feated. But it was big for us to rebound can be revisited as the team enjoys a said. and defeat a team that’s been going to bye week before getting into the teeth The Bulldogs led 14-13 at halftime the playoffs regularly like Wheatley,” he on the strength of two Tavon Dodd three- of its schedule beginning Oct. 5 at Dyer said. “We’ve got some things to clean up yard touchdown runs and broke the game Stadium against Milby. before we take on Milby.

“It’s good having a back like Tavon open in the second half by scoring the “Tyron is in his third year starting Dodd, who can find holes and make it first four TDs after intermission. at quarterback. He’s starting to round into The victory evened Reagan’s overall easier on the offense and the offensive form after missing most of the two-a-day line,” Washington said. “When the ofrecord at 2-2 during the 2012 season and practices. “I believe Joseph is a kid that’s fensive line does a good job of blocking, 1-1 in District 21-4A. going to play receiver in college. Having we can make the plays.

“My offensive line did a good job those kids along with some other experiand I believe in them,” Dodd said. “Our enced personnel is going to loom big for coach emphasized that this was going to Coach us going forward. be a big game for us. We went out and Stephen The Reagan defense will also be got the W.” Dixon counted on heavily over the next six A junior two-way starter at runweeks. Dixon cited the play of Dodd ning back and safety, Dodd believes the at safety along with linebackers Trevor Bulldogs have benefitted from playing a O’Reilly and Jalen Wells. tough early-season schedule.

“I think the biggest reason our “Playing good competition like defense played so well against Westside and North Forest has Wheatley was nose tackle Jaaron helped gets us ready for disThomas,” Dixon said. “He trict games,” he said. “It pretty much controlled the builds our confidence center and allowed everyand helps makes us body else to roam free. a better team. After

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012 DEFENDER

15

sportsbriefs Two schools ranked in top 10 Katy is the state’s top-ranked Class 5A school even though the Tigers sat out a bye week. Former No. 1 Lake Travis lost 30-28 to A&M Consolidated opening the way for idle Katy, which was ranked No. 2. The 3-0 Tigers will begin their District 19-5A ledger against unbeaten Mayde Creek (3-0) at Rhodes Stadium. State-ranked North Shore improved to 4-0 with a 56-8 victory over Madison.

The Mustangs face Channelview in the District 215A lid lifter for both schools. Pearland Dawson is the state’s top-ranked Class 4A school after disposing of Clear Falls (55-24).

Hammon rushes for 459 yards Former Sugar Land Dulles running back Ken Hall still owns the Houston area’s top high school rushing mark with a 520-yard game in 1953. Yet Dickinson running back Krystn Hammon turned in a performance for the ages in a recent 52-49 loss to South Houston. The junior ran 31 times for 459 yards, averaging nearly 15 yards per carry. Hammon scored five touchdowns on runs of 80, 11, 8, 34 and 69 yards.

Marble Falls QB sets record Mike Richardson of Marble Falls passed for 715 yards to break the state’s single-game record in a 62-55 victory over Boerne Champion. Richardson threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another, completing 35-of-44 attempts and fell nine yards shy of the national record. The old state record was 683 yards by Dylan Sheffield of Wichita Falls set in 2011.

Astros announce All-Time 25 As part of the 50-year anniversary of the franchise, the Astros have announced their All-Time 25 man roster, selected by a combination of online fan voting and the voting of a panel of 12 experienced baseball writers and broadcasters. The roster, which consists of 12 pitchers, 13 position players and a manager, includes starters at each position, a five-man starting pitching rotation, a seven-man bullpen with a designated closer and five utility players. All five utility players were everyday players in their Astros careers while five of the seven members selected for the bullpen were starting pitchers while with Houston. Starting position players: C Alan Ashby, 1B Jeff Bagwell, 2B Craig Biggio, SS Craig Reynolds, 3B Doug Rader, OF Lance Berkman, OF Cesar Cedeno, OF Jose Cruz Starting pitching rotation: RHP Larry Dierker, RHP Joe Niekro, RHP Nolan Ryan, RHP Roy Oswalt, RHP Mike Scott, RHP Don Wilson Utility players: OF Jimmy Wynn, 1B Bob Watson, 2B Joe Morgan, 2B Bill Doran, 3B Ken Caminiti Bullpen: RHP J.R. Richard, RHP Shane Reynolds, LHP Mike Hampton, RHP Roger Clemens, RHP Dave Smith Closer: Billy Wagner Manager: Larry Dierker

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

S:9.75”

16

DEFENDER | WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27 | 2012

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S:13”

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