December 2009 Houston Business Connections

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS www.peopledoingbusiness.com

Houston-Area

Published By Aubrey R. Taylor • Serving The Houston Community Since 1998 •

Email: news@houston-businessconnections.com • PROMOTIONAL ISSUE!

“THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAY” “Each new year provides us with the unique opportunity to begin again. At Genesis National Healthcare, Inc we believe that this is indeed, “The Beginning of a New Day” in our lives. My wife Valencia and I would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!” - Craig Bell, COO, Genesis National Healthcare, Inc. - SEE PAGE • 2

2010:

Anything Can Happen In Texas!

(LtoR) Sara Speer Selber, Debbie Clark Dalton, Gela Segovia.

– December 2009 –

A funny thing happened on the way to the beach!

A GLIMPSE AT THE HISTORY OF A GREAT CITY

HOUSTON

Two brothers, J.K. and A.C. Allen, founded Houston on August 30, 1836 just a few months after the end of the Texas War for Independence. They named the new settlement for the hero of that war, General Sam Houston. SEE MORE ON PAGE • 4

CITY OF HOUSTON TO SAVE MORE THAN $70 MILLION FROM RENEGOTIATED DISPOSAL AND TRANSFER STATION CONTRACTS Mayor Bill White and Houston City Council have unanimously approved the revised waste disposal contract between the Solid Waste Management Department and Republic Waste Services Inc. The negotiations for this contract revision began almost a year ago, and the results are a savings to the taxpayers of Houston of $70 million over the term of the new agreement, and a savings of more than $150 million from the original agreement. (LtoR) Council member Melissa Noriega, At-Large Position 3, Mayor Bill White, Council member Jarvis Johnson, District B, and Council member Mike Sullivan, District E,

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

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Aubrey R. Taylor Publisher/CEO Contact: 832.212.8735 Cell: 832.894.1352

Are You Ready To Win in 2010? don't know about you, but I'm extremely excited to bring 2009 to a close. Not so much because this year hasn't been good to us at Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, but more so, because I'm anxious to see what awaits us in the coming year.

I wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And I hope you're ready to win in right along with us 2010!

Hey, do you like teacakes? My grandmother used to make some mean teacakes...so I know a good teacake when I've tasted one. And my friend Reynaud Thibodeaux has a very good teacake!

If you get the taste in your mouth for a good old-fashioned teacake just like your Grandma used to make, I would strongly recommend giving Reynaud Thibodeaux a call at 832.892.7211!

Or feel free to visit (www.myteacakes.com) to get your hand on some of the best teacakes in Houston.

Thibodeaux is currently receiving local support from five Fiesta Grocery Stores and is in negotiation for deals with others. Thibodeaux's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes is a 'teacake' business that specializes in selling extremely fresh (no more than one day from the oven) teacakes to local, national, and international customers. You may want to give them a try today!

I like them...and I think you will also!

I

Reynaud Thibodeaux, Owner THIBODEAUX’S OLD FASHIONED TEA CAKES

832.892.7211

Meet one of the newest sponsors of the Aubrey R. Taylor Communications “People Doing Business Series” published inside Aubrey Magazine and Houston Business Connections Newspaper. This fine couple will be featured on the cover of the “Women's Issue” of Aubrey Magazine along with other sponsors and supporters. The issue will be released during the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Craig and Valencia Bell are the founders of Genesis Home Care, Inc., the corporate headquarters is located at 8323 Southwest Freeway Suite #100 in Houston, Texas 77074. For more information call (713)933-0427 ABOUT GENESIS HOME CARE

Your home can and should be a special healing place…familiar and comfortable.

Genesis Home Care provides a complete range of services for clients of all ages with a variety of needs.

Genesis Home Care is a MediCare certified home care agency where the patient is our top priority.

Genesis Home Care has a team of specialized health care personnel that provide skilled nursing, therapy, social and home care aide services under a care plan approved by the physician.

Genesis Home Care has a team of top-notch professionals that work closely with the patient and the family to educate and provide instruction in all aspects of health care. We provide quality, compassionate and competent care in the comfort of your home.

For more information about home health care provider services or for your medical equipment needs, please call Genesis today and make it the beginning of a new day!

HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES • Diabetic Care • Wound Care • Nutrition • Medical Equipment • RNs & LVNs • Home Care Aides • Physical Therapy • Medication Reminders • Lab Work • Transportation • Provider Services • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Social Services Genesis Home Care Inc. accepts Medicare, Private Pay, Medicaid and Some Private Insurance.

DECEMBER 2009 EDITION! Houston Business Connections Newspaper is published by AUBREY R. TAYLOR. All right reserved. No articles may be copied, rewritten, published, or otherwise distributed without the prior written approval of the publisher. For special requests please call: 832.783.1113 or call the publisher directly at: 832.212.8735.

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Attorney Making A Positive Difference oe Jaworski combines a celebrated family tradition of public service with a deep faith in the power of individuals to make a positive difference in their communities.

Jaworski served three terms on the Galveston City Council, where he earned a reputation for insisting on strict financial accountability to hold the line on new taxes while safeguarding vital services. First elected in 2000, he was re-elected in 2002 and then again in 2004 as Mayor ProTem. He stepped down in May 2006 under the city's term limits law.

In 2005, Jaworski helped lead the team that faced Hurricane Rita and won

J

praise for his role in that region's emergency preparation and response to the devastating storm.

Born in Houston on the day Texas prepared to mark its 126th year of independence, Jaworski earned his bachelor's from North Carolina's Davidson College and his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in 1991 and won honors for his mock trial work and was elected to the prestigious Order of Barristers.

Jaworski served as law clerk to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge John Brown, practiced maritime law on behalf of numerous shipping and energy companies, and has worked to defend individuals' rights against special interests throughout his career. He is currently a partner in The Jaworski Law Firm, headquartered in

Galveston, and specializes in representing maritime clients in state and federal courts around the country.

A former chairman of the City of Galveston Ethics Commission and a Trustee of both Galveston’s Park Board and Wharves Board, Jaworski is a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum and a director of the Texas Lyceum. He is a longtime member of the Galveston County Democratic Party and serves on the board of directors of the Children's Center. He is also a member of the University of Texas

Medical Branch's Community Service Excellence Committee and has been appointed to UTMB's BSL-4 Community Liaison Committee, a group of local leaders charged with strengthening communication between the institution and the community about the university's infectious disease research program and high-containment laboratories.

Jaworski and his wife Rebecca have two children and live in Galveston.

CALL JOE JAWORSKI TODAY!

409.763.0700 JOE JAWORSKI WILL PERSONALLY RETURN YOUR CALL.

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MESSAGE GET TO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT OUR CITY “OUR FUTURE HAS NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER,” - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS - 832.212.8735!

HOUSTON Two brothers, J.K. and A.C. Allen, founded Houston on August 30, 1836 just a few months after the end of the Texas War for Independence. They named the new settlement for the hero of that war, General Sam Houston.

Bill White 2004 - Present

Lee P. Brown 1998-2004

Bob Lanier 1992-1998

Kathy Whitmire 1982-1991

Jim McConn 1978-1981

From 1841 to 1939, Houston municipal government was headquartered at Old Market Square, on a site donated to the City by Houston's founder, the Allen brothers. The City Hall on Market Square was destroyed by fire in the 1870's, and again in 1901, and rebuilt each time.

City Hall in those days was part of the lively commercial atmosphere of Market Square.

City offices were located on the second floor of the municipal building. The first floor tenant was a fish market. By the 1920's, it had become apparent that these facilities were no longer adequate for the municipal government. In 1927, voters approved by wide margins bond issues for the construction of a new Civic Center ($1.4 million) and a new City Hall ($1 million).

In 1929, a report by the City planning Commission urged the establishment of a Civic Center - a downtown area of architecturally-coordinated buildings and parks. The Planning Commission was chaired by Will C. Hogg, son of Texas Governor James Hogg and the developer of the River Oaks residential area.

The Planning Commission report suggested establishing the Civic center around Hermann Square and recommended the construction of a new City Hall (or City-County Building) at Bagby between Walker and McKinney, on the site currently occupied by the City Hall Annex. During the Depression, plans for constructing the City Hall were temporarily sidetracked. In 1933, however, the City applied for a federal Public Works Administration grant to help finance the construction of a new City Hall. Straw votes on building a new City Hall were taken in 1933, 1934 and 1935, In 1934 voters rejected a proposition to build the City Hall, but also voted that if one were to be built, it should be put on the Civic Center site rather than at Market Square. On August 8, 1937, the City Hall W.P.A. grant was approved. The City Commission authorized the taking of bids on the City Hall bond funds originally approved in 1927. Mayor R.H. Fonville and the Commissioners also passed an ordinance designating the west end of Martha Hermann Square as the site of the new City Hall.

In October 1937 the City Commissioners awarded the City Hall architectural contract to Joseph Finger. Finger, an Austrian-born architect, had designed the William Penn Hotel, the Montgomery County Courthouse in Conroe and the Temple Beth Israel, among other buildings.

Finger received the contract over the objections of Mayor Fonville, who wanted it awarded to architect A.C. Finn, designer of Jefferson Davis Hospital. The construction contract was awarded to Bates Construction Company.

Fonville also objected to no avail to Finger's "ultra-modern" building design for City Hall. The mayor said he wanted the building to conform architecturally to the City Library and the site of the former Sam Houston Coliseum, located on either side of the proposed building. Finger called this an impossible task, since the Library and Coliseum were each built in a different style.

"Here in America we are rapidly developing our own type of architecture which is far above that of foreign countries," Finger told the Mayor and Commissioners. "We are building for the masses, not the classes," he added. The City Commission voted to accept his plans.

The project hit a snag when Lawrence Settegast sued to block the sale of the City Hall bonds. The bonds had been approved for construction of a City Hall on the Market Square site, he argued.

He also objected on the grounds the City did not have sufficient property tax revenues to support the sale of the bonds. The Texas Supreme Court decided the suit in the City's favor, and the bonds were sold at an interest rate of 2.5 percent.

Construction began on March 7, 1938. The cornerstone was laid on October 1, 1938. A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone, containing a Bible, copies of the City charter, Houston's three daily newspapers and the City Auditor's report for 1937. The construction job took 20 months.

Work was finished in July 1939. continued on page, P.6 The work was done by 100%

Houston Business Connections Newspaper, would like to wish Attorney, and former City Attorney Gene Locke much success in his quest to become Houston’s next Mayor.

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MESSAGE GET TO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT OUR CITY “HOUSTON’S FUTURE IS SHINNING BRIGHT” - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS - 832.212.8735!

HOUSTON Fred Hofheinz 1974 - 1977

Louie Welch 1964 - 1973

Lewis Cutrer 1958-1963

Oscar Holcombe 1956 - 1957

Roy Hofheinze 1953-1955

A.F. of L. union labor. Wages on the job site ranged from 40 cents an hour to 1.85 an hour. An estimated 800,000 hours of labor were expended on the job.

The Mayor and City Commissioners moved from the old City Hall to the new one on December 3, 1939. The old building was converted to a bus terminal. It was destroyed by fire in 1960.

Total cost of the new City Hall, including landscaping and furniture, was estimated at $1,670,000. Forty-five percent of the continued from page, P.4 cost was covered by the W.P.A. grant. Landscaping was done by the Japanese Nursery, 7200 Lawndale. The $28,000 electrical fixtures contract went to Livers Lighting and Bronze Company, Kansas City, Missouri. $80,000 worth of furniture and office equipment was purchased from the Thomas Watson Company, Jamestown, N.Y. An additional $17,000 in office equipment was purchased from the Willhide Equipment Company. Basement offices, originally used for a tobacco stand and coffee shop, were built by Brown Construction Company.

The doors to the building are of a specially cast aluminum. In the grillwork above the main entrances are aluminum medallions of the "great lawgivers" from ancient times to the founding of America: Akhenaten, Julius Caesar, Moses, Charlemagne, King John and Thomas Jefferson. The lobby is walled with lightly veined marble. The entrances to the Tax Department are inlaid with bronze, nickel and silver. All elevator lobbies are treated with marble base, walls and wainscoting.

Wood trim and wood doors are of figured gum, a Texas product.

The 1940 Directory noted that "all floors of the building are served by two high-speed elevators. The cabs are of walnut and prima vera panels with concealed troughs of nickel and bronze." City Hall also was one of the first totally air-conditioned office buildings in Houston.

An article in the December 3, 1939, Houston Chronicle described the Mayor's Office. "His large business office is tastefully decorated with a beige rug and apple green draperies. His desk and other office furniture are of a modern design and of imported koan wood, with teakwood and ebony inlay, trimmed in aluminum. Some of the chairs are upholstered in apricot-colored leather," the story continued. "The lounge and easy chairs are upholstered in fabric to match the draperies. The walls are of walnut paneling."

A marble stairway and aluminum railing lead from the basement to the third floor. The City Council chambers on the second floor are constructed of walls of blond walnut with panels of natural walnut. A horseshoe table faces the leather-upholstered seats for the public. The chamber is capable of seating more than 200 spectators.

Above the lobby entrance facing the reflecting pool in Hermann Square is a stone sculpture depicting two men taming a wild horse. This represents men uniting in government to control the chaotic forces of nature. The plaster cast for this sculpture, and twenty-seven casts for friezes around the building, were done by Beaumont artist Herring Coe and co-designer Raoul Jassett.

Ringing the building above the windows on the first floor are friezes depicting the Industries of Houston. Above the tenth floor windows are friezes portraying the functions of municipal government. Crowning the building are friezes of the head of the Texas bobcat. For their work, Coe and Jassett were paid $2,200.

The Mural on the ceiling of the first floor lobby was painted by commercial artist Donald MacMorris of Kansas City. The mural depicts industry, culture, law and municipal administration in Houston. In one panel a man appears to be wearing a Confederate officer's uniform under his cape. Colors of dusty pink, saffron and rosy red were used to blend with the marble and the soft lighting in the lobby. The centerpiece of the mural is a plaster relief of the Western hemisphere, with the star of Houston in the center. The relief is surrounded by the signs of the zodiac. Local artists Grace Spaulding and John and Ruth Uhler assisted in painting the mural.

Herbert Schneider of Houston did the gold-leafing. The artists were paid $6,000 for their work.

The Houston City Directory of 1940 called the City Hall the "realization of a dream of a lifetime." The more irreverent Houston Press noted that the building featured "a private elevator for the Mayor, shower baths for the City Councilmen and private passageways for officials so they may dodge crowds."

The ground floor of City Hall now is home to the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and its Visitors Center.

Houston's City Government has over 500 buildings utilized by the over 23,000 City employees. The core of this local government is located in the downtown Civic Center. This includes City Hall and the Annex, the Central Public Library, the Hobby Center, Jones Hall, the Wortham Theater, George R. Brown Convention Center, Tranquillity Park, Sam Houston Park, and Hermann Plaza. Located north of Interstate 45 from the Hobby Center site is the Police Station with the Municipal Courts Building next door.

Houston Business Connections Newspaper, would also like to wish City Controller Annise Parker much success in her quest to become the City of Houston’s next Mayor.

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EYE ON THE PRESIDENT

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Top Leaders Spell Out President’s Strategy

By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service

W

ASHINGTON, – Even as hundreds of Marines launched a new offensive in southern Afghanistan, top U.S government and military officials made the Sunday morning news-show circuit recently spelling out President Barack Obama's new war strategy.

Both Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared on three major networks in a rare showing by two cabinet-level officials at the same time in the studios.

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, and James L. Jones, Obama's national security advisor, also made appearances on the news shows.

forces and begin to bring them home, but the pace of bringing them home and where we will bring them home from will depend on the circumstances on the ground, and those judgments will be made by our commanders in the field," he said. "We will have a significant number of forces in there for some considerable period of time after that."

But at the same time, Clinton said, a strong message had to be

sent to the Afghan government that it needed to step up and realize that the relationship will change in July 2011.

Clinton promised an ongoing civilian commitment long after combat troops have left the country.

"We will have an enduring commitment to Afghanistan," she said.

"We don't have an open-ended combat commitment, ... but we're not continued on page, P.18

All fielded questions on the newly announced war strategy ranging from funding to alQaida in Pakistan to how the United States will measure its success on the ground. But central to the questioning was the July 2011 date set by the president in the strategy to begin withdrawing troops.

Gates was quick to clear up debate centered on the notion that setting a date to begin withdrawal allows the Taliban simply to wait out U.S. efforts there.

"I don't consider this an exit strategy. I try to avoid using that term. This is a transition that's going to take place," Gates said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." Gates said the transition will be gradual and will be based on how quickly Afghan security forces can take over control of security in the country.

Both Gates and Clinton reinforced the president's position that the United States would not abandon Afghanistan, but that the commitment to provide security for the country is not an open-ended agreement.

"We're not talking about an abrupt withdrawal. We're talking about something that will take place over a period of time," Gates said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"We will begin to thin our

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“My extensive State and Federal Court experience, along with my life experience, has prepared me to be the best qualified candidate to serve the citizens of Harris County as the Judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law #9.”

• Silvia Pubchara-Munoz •

EXPERIENCE:

• FORMER ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FORT BEND COUNTY • APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR ANN RICHARDS TO A COMMITTEE TO ESTABLISH PROSECUTOR STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES • 22 YEARS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE EXCLUSIVELY HANDLING CRIMINAL CASES IN BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100 • Houston, Texas 77046 • 713.222.9300 •

email: spubchara@comcast.net www.SilviaForJudge.com In voluntary Compliance with the Judicial Fairness Act. Political Adv. paid for by the Silvia Pubchara-Munoz campaign, Jim Garcia, Treasurer.

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MESSAGE A SPECIAL NOTE FROM BISHOP K.J. BROWN EVERY VOTE WILL COUNT IN THE DECEMBER 12TH, RUNOFF ELECTION! - A MESSAGE FROM AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS!

Moving Forward with

Optimism!!!!

Bishop K.J.Brown Senior Pastor Zion Tabernacle Church Contact: 832.893.9424 Email: kelbrwn@yahoo.com

M

y how time flies. This year's almost over.

What have we done with the time? What have we done with the time is the question I ask every year at year's end. In answering that perplexing question it would help us greatly if we would use an effective system to evaluate what we actually did with the time. Maybe these steps will be useful to you in answering that question.

Reflection: We have to take a look at where we are in life in terms of our goals, dreams, desires, failures and accomplishments. As we reflect on these things it is good to look at where we are in a spectrum of areas.

We will often at year's end just think about our financial condition. However, let us consider that wealth is a multifaceted thing. As we reflect, a better assessment would be to look at Spiritual wealth, Emotional wealth, Material wealth, Professional or vocational wealth, as well as wealth in our Relationships and Health.

Review: After we've made an honest review of what happened with our time, and how we've fared in all the areas of wealth I've mentioned. Then look at how you can improve during the coming year to have better outcomes. As you review, be sure and give credit to yourself in area that you've done well, but would like to do better in. Then you will have to plan the course of action you can take to do better in the areas where you've not done as well as you would like to have done.

Resources: 1.Start where you are. 2. Use what you have. 3. Find out what you need. 4. Expect to do better.

5. Don't allow finances to be a dream killer. Write it down. Scripture says, to write the vision and make it plain. In making your plans be smart. A. Specific B. Measurable C. Achievable D. Realistic E. Time Framed.

Response: Once you've written down your goals for the coming year. You've just begun. This is a useful plan that I use, in what I call my goal activation process. 1.

Pray for guidance 2. Praise for successes 3. Plan for implementations, both short term and long term 4.

Participation: you've got to do something. Faith without works is dead.

Hope these tools empower you to have a winning year!

Bishop K.J.Brown Building Winning Lives for a Coming Lord!!!

P.S The Lord wants you to win!!!

Bishop K.J.Brown is the founder and senior pastor at the Zion Tabernacle Church where he's focusing on "Building Winning Lives For A Coming Lord." You may contact Bishop Brown by calling: (832) 893-9424! Or by email at: kelbrwn@yahoo.com.

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EYE ON THE GOVERNOR

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SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS A CONNECTION! CALL US AT: 832.212.8735!

Gov. Perry: The Future of Innovation and Technology is in the state of Texas Perry Speaks at Grand Opening of Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies COLLEGE STATION Gov. Rick Perry recently emphasized the importance of strengthening Texas' economy by promoting research and education in emerging technology sectors. The governor spoke at the grand opening of the Texas A&M Institute for Pre-clinical Studies (TIPS), which will train veterinarians, physicians, scientists, technicians and engineers to meet the growing needs of the biomedical industry, while accelerating the research, development and commercialization of breakthrough technologies.

“This building and its high-tech mission are proof that Texas is prepared to play a lead role in the development of new ideas, technologies, and therapies,” Gov. Perry said. “The TIPS institute will fuel our state's economy by facilitating collaboration between public universities and

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the private sector and providing a forum where great ideas can grow into successful businesses and quality jobs.”

In July 2007, Gov. Perry announced a

and director Dr. Theresa W. Fossum said.

“The world-class services that we can provide biotechnology companies will advance their initiatives to the next stages of develop-

tion product safety studies in large animals, pre-clinical studies, and biomedical imaging to support pharmaceutical and medical equipment development. This

Gov. Rick Perry speaking at the Grand Opening of the Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies. $6 million investment through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) to help recruit world-class biotechnology researchers to the TIPS institute. This investment leveraged an additional $40 million for the institute from the Texas A&M University System, and $2.5 million from the local community through the Research Valley Partnership.

“I am extremely excited to have our TIPS facility up and running,” TIPS founder

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ment, and that is unique in one location.”

The 112,000 square-foot, state-of-theart facility features sophisticated imaging technology, a large animal hospital, animal housing, surgical laboratories, pre-operation and recovery areas, an interventional catheterization laboratory and incubator space for start-up companies.

The TIPS facility will house research activities from the public and private sectors, such as medical device and combina-

facility, together with the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Engineering Experiment Station and Texas A&M University System will give industry and academic researchers across many disciplines access to vital research and testing capabilities in one location.

----------------------------------------------------For more information on the TIPS facility, please visit http://tips.tamu.edu/.

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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735!

Here’s to financial stability in the new year It may take a while for the dust to settle, but evertumultuous 2009 is coming to a close. Signs of economic recovery-most pointedly, the 3.5% GDP growth in the third quarter of the year-have started to emerge. And so, too, has a sense of cautious optimism. If you, like many, are eager to move past the economic trauma of the last few years, the dawn of 2010 may be the right opportunity to assess your financial situation and determine a saving and investment strategy for the years ahead.

Reduce debt. If you have relied too heavily on credit to get by in the past, it's time to get out from under your debt burden. Make timely payments to avoid late fees and pay down your credit card balances as aggressively as you can. If you are in over your head, you may qualify for a modified payment plan with reduced interest rates. Call your card company to explore your options.

Spend less and save more. One good thing to come out of the “Great Recession” is Americans' renewed emphasis on careful spending. Choosing economy over extravagance is Walker fashionable again. Try cutting back on non-essentialslunches out, newsstand papers and magazines, fancy coffee drinks, and so on. You'll be amazed how these small expenses can add up to significant savings over time.

Transact in cash. If paying by plastic is a catalyst for overspending and burdensome debt, put the cards away.

Instead, pay by cash, check or debit card. Debit cards differ from credit cards because your purchase is paid immediately from available funds rather than by borrowing. Many debit cards will not allow you to make purchases that exceed the available funds in your checking account; however, some will. If you're prone to overdrawing, talk to your bank about enrolling in overdraft protection. Make sure you understand the associated costs before you sign up.

Save and invest automatically. Take the pain out of saving by making it happen automatically. Use direct deposit to divert a specified amount or percentage of your paychecks into savings. Your financial institution can also help you roll money into your savings account, IRA, money market account or other savings and investment plans without any effort on your part. Monitor your statements to make sure your money is diverted where you want it to go and pat yourself on the back for investing in your future.

Diversify. None of us has the ability to predict the inevitable ups and downs of the stock market.

That's why it's important to diversify your investments - it's the best way to reduce your risk while preserving the opportunity to benefit when things are moving in the right direction. Choose from mutual funds, stocks, bonds, annuities and other investment vehicles that serve different financial objectives.

Re-evaluate and adjust on a regular basis.

Don't just sock away money and forget about it. Every six months, look at the rates of return earned on your savings and investments, consider risk, and rebalance to align with your goals.

Get professional advice. It can be difficult to make smart decisions about your money. Family and emotional history can trigger unwise choices. Consult a professional financial advisor to review your financial situation. Assess your earnings, savings and spending and take a fresh look at ways to maximize your assets. With the benefit of professional expertise and financial modeling software, an advisor can help you take the guesswork out of asset allocation and diversification so you can achieve your financial goals.

Your focus in the new year should be on what you can do today and tomorrow to improve your situation. As you assess your personal balance sheet, commit yourself to fiscal awareness and responsibility. Taking action now will position you for a better and more stable financial future.

Contributing Editor Contact: Victor Walker, CPA, JD Financial Advisor Ameriprise Financial Inc. 13750 Richmond Avenue, Ste. 600 Houston, TX 77042 * (713)-260-1358 Office http://www.ameripriseadvisors/victor.d.walker

The Executive Vice President and COO Greater Houston Partnership

T

racye McDaniel currently serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Greater Houston Partnership, a post that she began in June 2006. In this capacity, McDaniel has oversight of the daily operations at the Partnership, which was formed in 1989 from a merger with the Houston Chamber of Commerce, Houston Economic Development Council and Houston World Trade Association. The Partnership is the fifth largest business alliance in the nation representing 10 counties and nearly 2,000 businesses in the greater Houston area.

If the Greater Houston Partnership were a Fortune 500 company, the $1.92 trillion in combined annual sales and other receipts of the firms represented by the Partnership's board of directors would exceed the gross domestic products of all but the top six nations in the world. This figure is also equivalent to approximately one-fifth of the U.S. GDP. Firms and organizations represented on the Partnership's board directly account for one in every 12 of the Houston metropolitan area's more than 2.5 million jobs.

In addition to McDaniel's overall operational duties for the Partnership, she is charged with overseeing activities for the organization's $40 million capital fundraising campaign,

Crystal Brown-Tatum rs. Crystal Brown-Tatum is the CEO and President of Crystal Clear Communications; a Houston based advertising agency and public relations firm with whose portfolio boasts work for Fortune 500 companies including Intel, Wal-mart, Comp USA, Best Buy and Audi. She was profiled on Techmag.com in a Women & Technology special section for her significant contributions to Intel Corporation. The firm was ranked as a 2006 and 2007 “Top 20 Public Relations Firm and named 2007 4th Fastest Growing Woman Owned Businesses in Houston by the Houston Business Journal. Crystal Clear Communications was also named a 2008 Pinnacle Award finalist from the Houston Citizen's Chamber of Commerce.

Crystal is a San Antonio, Texas

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During her tenure with the State of Texas, she was a part of three gubernatorial administrations: Gov. Ann Richards, Gov. George W. Bush and Gov. Rick Perry. Under her helm as Tourism Director of Texas, the state became the second most-visited destination in America. She garnered such honors as one of the "Most Influential AfricanAmericans in the Meetings/Tourism Industry" and one of the "Most Powerful Women in Travel," both from Black Opportunity Houston_. Opportunity Meetings & Tourism magazine.

Houston_ is an aggressive five-year McDaniel holds leadership posimarketing program that will generate tions in numerous professional and leads for economic development industry organizations. organizations throughTexas Governor Rick out the 10-county Perry appointed Ms. region. It is the direct McDaniel to serve on the result of the Advisory Board of Partnership's visionEconomic Development ary, 10-year strategic Stakeholders in April, plan, which aims to 2008, the Texas create 600,000 new Economic Development jobs; attract $60 bilCorporation (Austin, lion in new capital Texas), and as a regent investment; and for Texas Southern increase foreign trade University's Board of to $225 billion in the Regents (Houston, Texas) Houston region. in October, 2007. She Previously, also serves as chair-emerMcDaniel served as McDaniel itus of the board for the executive director for Capital City Africanthe Office of the American Chamber of Commerce Governor Economic Development and (Austin, Texas); honorary chairwoman Tourism Division (EDT), spearheading of the capital fundraising campaign for economic development and tourism the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum operations for the State of Texas.

(Houston, Texas); board member of the During McDaniel's leadership, Texas saw the creation of 16,506 net new jobs Houston Greeters; board member of Center for Houston's Future; and board and a capital investment of more than member for the United Way of $4.3 billion.

Houston. As the founding president of She also served as chief executive the Texas Association of African officer for the Texas Economic American Chambers of Commerce Development Corporation TexasOne_ (TAAACC), McDaniel helped create Program, a public/private partnership more than 20 chambers of commerce marketing initiative to generate job nationally and throughout Texas. leads by actively promoting Texas as a Her commitment to community business location. service has been recently demonstratMcDaniel has more than 23 years ed by Texas Diversity Magazine honof executive and senior management oring her as one of the "2008 Most experience in tourism and business development, convention sales, national Powerful and Influential Women in Texas" and Houston Woman and international trade development, Magazine's honor of "One of destination marketing, advertising and Houston's Most Influential Women." public relations.

Coping with Cancer, Amoena Life and The Houston Chronicle. In addition, she is a features writer for the Shreveport Times and has appeared on Women's Entertainment Television as a featured guest on the Dove/Conde Nast “A Cut Above: Beautiful Hair” television show.

Ebony Magazine selected her as a 2006 Top Bachelorette. She is also a highly sought out speaker on the topic varying from depression, advanced communication skills to business etiquette.

Crystal was twice voted Miss native and Honors College graduate Congeniality in the Miss Texas USA of The University of Houston with a pageant and was a top ten finalist in the B.A. in Radio-Television. She has Miss San Antonio USA pageant. She completed post-graduate work in pubwas the first African-American women lic relations and is the author of three to be crowned Sigma Chi Fraternity poetry books, one nationally pubFight Night Queen. She was a recipient lished fiction novel Caramel and of the 2005 Emerging-10 Cream and a breast cancer award sponsored by the memoir entitled Saltwater Houston Minority Business Taffy and Red High Heels.

Council, 2006 Women on In addition, she completed the Move recipient and H an Honors College senior Texas magazine named her thesis on the overlooked a Top Professional on the effects of gangster rap Fast Track for 2006 and music on male perception 2007. In addition, she of women. received a Texas Senate Crystal has appeared on Commendation for her several local and national Brown-Tatum community service and was radio and television shows, awarded a Distinguished including Oprah, and has had more than Achievement Award from the City of 1000 editorials published including ediSan Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. torial work featured in national magaCommission and Unsung Hero Award zines including Vogue, People, Self,

by Sigma Gamma Rho Gamma Sigma Shape, Health & Fitness, Elle, The chapter. She is a 2009 Blazing Star Capitol Times, Today's Christian Award Finalist from the Women's Woman, Washington Weekly, The Daily Chamber of Commerce of Texas.

Cougar, The San Antonio Informer,

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TECHNOLOGY CORNER WRITTEN BY BRYAN POWELL SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS A CONNECTION! CALL US AT: 832.212.8735!

Spyware - a mystery

unraveled With all of the security concerns in the computing community today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep your computer secure and safe. Every day, hundreds of new threats emerge from all around the Planet. In addition, with identity theft being one of the fastest growing crimes in the Country today, ensuring safety of our personal information becomes more challenging with each passing day. As a result, I wanted to share some information regarding a category that is often overlooked, easily misunderstood, and what I consider to be quite dangerous. It is often dismissed as nothing more than a nuisance, however it can be much more than that. This category of software is called “Spyware”. I know, the name evokes images of James Bond and his technical gadgets, mini cameras, and wristwatch phones; however this software is anything but glamorous. In fact, many people have spyware on their computers without ever knowing it. I often times find computers that have come in for routine repairs or service and find spyware present.

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What is spyware? You may have heard the term somewhere before. Perhaps you are unsure as to what exactly it is, and what it does. It is a mysterious category of software, so you are not alone if you are unsure as to

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what it is. There are so many new types of security threats these days; it can be difficult to keep them all straight.

Spyware is not exactly a computer “virus” in the truest sense; however it is in the same category, in terms of having malicious or less than reputable intentions. Spyware, also known sometimes as “adware” is a category of software that, once installed, will send you a barrage of pop-up ads, redirect you to websites you didn't intend to visit, block you from visiting other site, and more.

Some spyware or adware can even go so far as to monitor precisely what sites you visit, and even monitor the keys you type.

Once the software has this information, it can send this information back to a central server somewhere, where it can be used, shared, or sold. With this information, the potential user will know what type of sites you visit, your approximate age category, and your interests, thus allowing them to target their advertising efforts. This is how a lot of spam is generated, as the software can capture your email address and the email addresses of friends in your contact lists. This is one of the ways other people can obtain your usernames and passwords for websites you visit, and could even be used in identity theft. If you typed data in a form, with information such as name, address, phone number, and email address, they could capture that information.

So, now that you know a bit about what it is, and why it is so dangerous, how do you

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know if you have it? There are many signs that you may have spyware. I will address treatment a bit later in this article. Some of the signs are as follows: • Sudden computer slowness (programs not responding, taking longer than usual to save or open files, etc) • Your browser's home page is changed, and you do not remember changing it • Your browser’s default search engine has changed unexpectedly • Lots of Windows error messages suddenly appear • New toolbars appear at the top of your browser suddenly • New icons appear on your desktop or in your toolbar at the bottom of the screen that you do not remember installing • You are redirected to a different website when typing in a website name Remember, these signs are not a guarantee that you have spyware; however they are certainly leading indicators. If you have found these things happening suddenly, you may have a problem with spyware. You could also have other viruses or malicious software to deal with as well. This is obviously a mess, but it can be handled.

So, now that you know what spyware is, the next step is to understand where it comes from.

Oddly enough, most spyware is installed by the end user without even knowing it. These guys that create the spyware are slick enough to convince you to install their malicious software on your computer without knowing the risks.

If you have done this - don't feel badly. These guys are masters of deception, and it happens to the best of us. The secret is to understand how they manage to trick you, and defeat it before it happens. Here are some of the ways

spyware can get loaded on your computer. Be aware of these, and you will be one step ahead of the spyware.

• Some free software isn't “free” - There are many sites that offer “free” downloads, such as toolbars and other browser plug-ins that seem appealing. Perhaps they are offering to share coupons, discounts, or other interesting things. This software may be used for less than honorable purposes, so be aware. This isn't saying that ALL free software is bad; rather, be wary and only download from trustworthy, reputable sites. After all, someone had to spend considerable time and effort on the software, so think about what return they are getting for that time and effort.

• Irony abounds online - There have been many reports of online ads and email ads that report to sell anti-spyware, when the website you are directed to actually contains the very spyware they claim to prevent. It is almost like a form of extortion: they install the software, and then sell you the product you need to remove it. Don't click ads in email, web pages, or pop-ups that claim to provide antispyware tools.

• Just say no - If you see a strange pop-up claiming you have spyware, and asking if you want it removed, just click “No”. This relates to the previous example, where the pop-up is probably caused by the spyware itself.

• Web pages that are overly “giving” Websites that seem to give away the World are often giving you more than you bargained for. Remember the phrase “there is no free lunch”?

Now that you know a bit about what spyware is, what it does, and where it comes from, let's discuss a strategy to prevent it and, if you already have it, get rid of it. You can take it into a professional technical services firm, if you don't want to deal with it, however, you can do it yourself. It will take a little time, and some patience, but you can usually get it off of your computer and not lose your data. You do not have to replace your computer, as some computer retailers would have you believe. Also, there are no viruses or spyware that can actually damage hardware, rendering a computer useless. These are just myths, not reality. Taking these steps can help remove the spyware and prevent future spyware from being installed.

• Run Anti-spyware Software - Make sure you have a tool specifically designed for spyware. The fact that you have an anti-virus tool isn't always enough. Some anti-virus tools do scan for spyware, some don't. Check with your vendor to ensure you have the capability to scan for, and delete, spyware.

• Run A Full Scan - You should be running scheduled scans on at least a weekly basis as it is, however if you think you have been affected, run a scan immediately. This will help catch it as early as possible, instead of waiting for the next scan.

• Check for programs/toolbars you didn't ask for - This can be accomplished by going to the Add/Remove programs feature in Windows. Look for toolbars, helpers, and other programs that do not belong there. You can also open a browser, and look at the top below the Address bar (the place you type the web address). If you see lots of different buttons and options below that bar, you may have some toolbars installed. Many of them are legit, such as Yahoo, Google, and others; however some websites install toolbars that are less than legit. Remove those by using add/remove programs in Windows. Simply disabling them may not be enough.

I hope this article helps clear up the mystery of spyware. My next article will discuss viruses and Trojans. If there are any questions, as always, feel free to email me at bryan@ boundlesstechnical.com. I am always happy to answer questions about my articles for free.

Happy Computing!

Bryan Boundless Technical Services 2616 South Loop West Ste. 525 Houston, Texas 77054

Phone: 832.203.5811

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Dave Ward Dave joined KTRK-TV in 1966 as an onthe-street reporter/photographer. In 1967, he was assigned to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7am newscast. Later that year he also became the first host of KTRK's "Dialing for Dollars."

In 1968, Dave was assigned to anchor the weekday 6 and 10pm newscasts where he remains today as one of Houston's most respected news anchors.

Born in Dallas and raised in Huntsville, Texas, Dave began his broadcast radio career with KGKB in Tyler.

Three years later, he moved to Waco, Texas, and WACO radio, and then to Houston and KNUZ/KQUE radio.

During his career with 13 Eyewitness News, Dave has covered fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes throughout Texas and the southern states.

He's interviewed heads of state and drug addicts, and traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua and Columbia on numerous stories. He has also covered many national political conventions and worked extensively with NASA on Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and shuttle missions.

Dave took an active role in the establishment of the Houston Crime Stoppers program, which has become the model of excellence for similar programs across the nation. He's also taken an active role in Houston's community affairs, serving as President of the local Easter Seals Society, chairing the Public Affairs Advisory Board of the Houston Business Council, and working with the American Cancer Society. In addition, Dave has served as a member of the Leukemia Society Board of Directors and Board Member of the Houston Press Club.

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Gina Gaston Gina Gaston originally came to KTRK-TV, ABC13 in the fall of 1992 to co-anchor the then newly expanded, and later top-rated 13 Eyewitness News at 6am. She continued as an anchor/reporter until 1999 when she left the station to move to New York and work for MSNBC. She returned to ABC13 in June 2001 to again serve as a reporter and co-anchor, but this time for the Eyewitness News at 6pm and Eyewitness News at 10pm.

Among the stories Gina covered while with 13 Eyewitness News, were the O.J. Simpson trial in Los Angeles, the Rockets Championships, and the Democratic National Convention.

During her time away from ABC13, Gina not only worked at MSNBC, but also married former Houston Rocket basketball star Mario Elie (whom she met while covering a Rocket championship game).

At MSNBC, Gina was a network correspondent anchoring the 2000 presidential election from coast-to-coast, including the Florida ballot recounts. She also anchored President George W. Bush's Inaugural activities, Elian Gonzales' departure to Cuba, the U.S. bombing in the Iraqi no-fly zone, the Mid-East Violence and the South American earthquake. In addition, she also filled-in as anchor for NBC's Weekend Today show.

Among those she's interviewed are Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison, Olympia Snowe, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Plus the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson and Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating.

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Before joining 13 Eyewitness News in 1992, Gina worked as an anchor/reporter at WTSP-TV in Tampa, Florida and as an anchor/reporter at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and KLTV in Tyler, Texas.

Gina is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and was honored by the Associated Press Broadcasters for News Reporting.

She is a graduate of the University of Southern California and is a native of Santa Barbara.

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Tom Koch Tom Koch joined KTRK-TV in 1982 as a reporter for 13 Eyewitness News. In 1987, in addition to his reporting duties, he became the morning anchor for 13 Eyewitness News at 7am.

During his career at KTRK-TV, Koch has won many awards for his reporting. The list includes awards from the Associated Press, United Press International, the Houston Press Club, the Houston Firefighters Association, the Texas Bar Association, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.

Koch has reported thousands of stories, large and small, for 13 Eyewitness News. He covered the earthquake in El Salvador in 1986; the Pope's visit to the United States in 1987, the Pope's trip to Cuba in 1998, the oil boom in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan, numerous national political conventions and ten hurricanes.

In his spare time, he serves on the board of the Houston Press Club and gives his time freely to many charitable events.

Majoring in communications and business, Koch graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh. He began his broadcasting career in 1977 at WAEO-TV in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and then in 1979, went to WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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election during her career. She has traveled to Cuba, Panama and Africa, among other places. She's won numerous awards for her reporting, including an Emmy for her coverage of President Clinton's visit to South Africa, the only local reporter in the nation to make that trip. And Melanie has interviewed a wide range of notables, including three U.S. Presidents, Henry Kissinger, the Dalai Lama, poet Maya Angelou, Grammy Award winners Destiny's Child, former heavyweight champion boxer George Foreman, director Spike Lee, legendary journalist Barbara Walters, evangelists Joel and Victoria Osteen, Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and actors Lily Tomlin, Shirley McLaine and Denzel Washington.

But Melanie's favorite stories are those about Houston's rich, multi-ethnic community - especially stories about children and those quietly working to make a difference in their lives.

Melanie's involvement in the Houston community is far reaching. She is on the board of numerous community organizations including the Houston Ballet, SHAPE Community Center, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Volunteer Houston, and the Houston Association of Black Journalists. She also belongs to the Houston Chapter of the Links, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and the American Leadership Forum.

She is also a member of the Texas Lone Star Chapter of Emmys and Women in Film and Television. Melanie has also been honored as the YWCA's "Outstanding Women of the Year", a "Women of Distinction" by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and the Ben and Julie Rogers Ecumenism Award from the Anti-Defamation League.

She received her undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton University and a joint degree in Law and Journalism from Columbia University.

Melanie worked at a Wall Street law firm for three years before returning to Houston. She is admitted to both the Texas and New York State Bars.

Last, but certainly not least, she is a proud member of the church founded by her parents, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

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Melanie Lawson

Sharron Melton

Award-winning journalist Melanie Lawson is a proud Houstonian and a product of Houston schools.

Journalism has always been in Melanie's blood. She started first as a fulltime general assignments reporter at Channel 13, then went on to become the co-anchor of Live at 5 and Channel 13's midday show, Eyewitness News at 11am.

Melanie also hosts a weekly Community Affairs program called "Crossroads", focusing on issues and events around our city.

Melanie has had a varied and exhilarating stint at Channel 13. She has covered virtually every city, state and national

Sharron Melton is the co-anchor of ABC13's award winning morning newscast from 5am-7am.

She is also a proud Texas native and thrilled to be back in her home state.

A native of San Antonio, she has lived all over the state including Houston, where she has numerous family members who've lived in the city for decades. She's also lived around the nation, before joining the ABC 13 family. She was the Weekend Anchor/Reporter at WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida, the 5pm Anchor and Education Reporter at WPMI-TV in Mobile, Alabama. She was also an Anchor/Reporter/Producer at KOBR-TV in Roswell, New Mexico. She even worked

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as a radio reporter for the Agriculture Communications Network in Texas.

Sharron has been recognized several times for her broadcast work. She received the Outstanding Feature Story Award from the South Florida Black Journalists Association, Best Feature Reporting Award from the Press Club in Mobile, Alabama. She is the recipient of the Alabama Education Media Award. The New Mexico Broadcasters Association also presented her with the Outstanding Newscast Award.

She holds a Master's degree in Television Communication from Eastern New Mexico University and a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication and Journalism from Texas A&M University, in College Station. Sharron has also taught at the university level. She worked as an undergraduate lecturer and instructor in broadcast news fundamentals at the University of South Alabama.

Sharron is a member of the International Women's Forum, The Greater Miami Chapter of the Links, Inc., the National Association of Black Journalists, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Family Counseling Center of Mobile, Alabama. In her spare time, she is heavily involved in volunteer service work and enjoys singing, dancing, and swimming.

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Wayne Dolcefino Wayne Dolcefino joined KTRK-TV and 13 Eyewitness News in December 1985.

He has been recognized with honors from many prestigious organizations. Among the list of his most recent awards he has received are: • 2006 Texas Associated Press Award for Best Investigative Reports • Twenty Emmys from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences • 2001 Texas Associated Press Best Investigative Report • 2002 National Headliner Award • 2000 Texas Associated Press Best Investigative Report • 2002 and 1999 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award • Jack R. Howard Award for Journalism Excellence from the Scripps Howard Foundation-1994.

• Four Headliners Foundation Charles E. Green awards for investigative journalism.

• A Medal from the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) 1995 • Finalist IRE National Award 2001 • Finalist IRE National Award 1999 • Houston Press Club Television Journalist of the Year Since September 1991, Wayne has headed up the award winning 13 Undercover Unit which specializes in investigative reports concerning public corruption. His reports have had a significant impact on changes in policies and procedures inside many organizations.

In the last year, 13 Undercover got two million dollars back for Houston taxpayers after exposing possible fraud in the cities garbage bills. Wayne Dolcefino also exposed handicapped parking cheaters and a scheme to fake marriages for immigration fraud, a vehicle that terrorists have used to get in to the country.

His investigations have exposed tens of millions of dollars in waste and mismanagement in Houston government, phony bilingual teachers, broken fire trucks sent to burning houses and teachers with a history of sexual misconduct.

He's fought for taxpayers and protected our kids.

Wayne came to KTRK-TV from KTRH radio where he was an investigative

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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® EMAIL YOUR SNAPSHOT INFORMATION TO US TODAY AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM • (832)212-8735! reporter and talk show host from 1980 to 1985. Prior to working at KTRH, Wayne was the Assistant News Director at KLBJ radio in Austin, Texas.

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and attended nine elementary schools.

She's thrilled to be back in southeast Texas and closer to her parents, whose latest stop is Alexandria, Louisiana.

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Bob Allen Bob came to KTRK-TV in 1974 as Weekend Sports Director. Six months later he was named Sports Director of KTRK-TV. Bob has the longest tenure of any major market sports anchor in the country.

Over the years Bob has gotten involved with many local charities, but devotes much of his time to Special Olympics and The Sunshine Kids. Bob has served on the Board of Directors of both organizations, and was recognized with the highest honor given to a volunteer of Special Olympics, the Spirit of Special Olympics Award.

Bob also takes the Sunshine Kids, children with cancer on trips to Colorado, the Hill Country, and New Orleans, and produces specials on the kids so the kids can tell their story.

Bob has won many awards and honors for his work, including several Best Sportscaster awards. In 1995 he was named Interfaith Charity's Mister Sportsman. In 2004 an independent poll published in the Houston Chronicle named Bob Houston's favorite sportscaster.

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Tim Heller Tim Heller is the Chief Meteorologist at KTRK Channel 13, the ABC owned TV station in Houston, TX. He is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and member of the American Meteorological Society. His weathercasts have also earned the Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association.

His coverage of weather over the past 25 years has earned Tim Heller several awards including three Emmy Awards, one for his coverage of Hurricane Ike in 2008. Tim has also received multiple Best Weathercast awards from the Houston Press Club, the Dallas Press Club and the Texas Associated Press.

Before moving to Houston, Tim led the weather department at KDFW-TV in Dallas. He also worked at KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, KRCG-TV in Jefferson City, Missouri, KDUB-TV in Dubuque, Iowa and WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois.

He is a graduate of the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University, and he has a BA in Communications from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Tim is originally from Prairieburg, Iowa. He and his wife have three children.

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Art Rascon Emmy award winning Reporter and Anchor Art Rascon joined KTRK-TV's 13 Eyewitness News in September 1998 to serve as anchor of the five o'clock news.

Since joining ABC-13, Rascon has covered such major events wars and conflicts in Iraq, the Balkans, the Middle East and Central America, the

Christi Myers

U.S. Presidential elections, terrorist attacks both at home and abroad, and the Virginia Tech campus shooting. He has also covered natural disasters throughout the world, including reporting from Indonesia after the Tsunami.

He comes to Houston from the CBS Network where he was a correspondent reporting on Haiti's civil unrest, Mexico's guerilla wars, Peru's hostage standoff, Cuba's downing of U.S. planes, TWA and other airline disasters, various school shootings, conflicts in Central America, hurricanes throughout the Caribbean and U-S, the Oklahoma City bombing, and a host of other international stories. From '89 to '94, Rascon was a reporter at KABC-TV in Los Angeles, covering such notable stories as the O.J. Simpson case, the Rodney King beating trial, the L.A. riots, the Branch Davidian stand-off, as well as earthquakes, fires and floods.

Earlier, Rascon worked as a producer and reporter in San Antonio, El Paso, and Abilene and Salt Lake City.

Rascon has reported from more than 50 countries, five continents, and nearly every state in the Union. He has been nominated for 25 Emmys and has won 19. He's received more than three dozen other local and national reporting awards, including two Edward R. Murrow awards, three National Association of Hispanic Journalists' awards, the International Rotary Club award, two Headliner Awards, the RTNDA Award, 15 Associated Press Reporting awards, and more than a dozen outstanding reporting awards from Press Clubs in Los Angeles and Houston.

The National Hispanic Business Magazine named Rascon one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in America. In 2008 he was named Houston Father Of The Year. Rascon is a board member of Interfaith Of The Woodlands and is President of the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals. He is a popular motivational speaker and active participant of charity groups. Rascon is a former Vice-President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and former board member of The Radio Television News Directors Association.

Born in El Paso, Texas, & reared in Denver, Colorado, Rascon is a graduate of Brigham Young University with studies of Humanities and European Politics in Madrid, Spain. He and his wife, Patti, have six children.

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"Crimetracker" and tell us your story.

Andy holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Northern Colorado. He is an award winning journalist, honored twice by the Texas Association of Broadcasters for his coverage of breaking news.

Some of his career highlights include covering hurricanes Katrina & Rita in 2005. While in New Orleans, Andy filed reports from the Superdome as the mass evacuations got underway. He was also part of the press corps during former Texas Governor George W. Bush's 1998 re-election campaign. Andy covered the heartbreaking aftermath of the tornado that killed 25 people in Jarrell, Texas in May 1997. He also followed the Olympic Torch through Central Texas before the Summer games in 1996 and covered the Selena Murder Trial in 1995. Andy freelanced for NBC News and filed reports for the Geraldo Rivera Show.

He comes to Eyewitness News from Los Angeles where he worked as a reporter.

Prior to that, Andy worked at stations in Phoenix, Austin, and Abilene. A native New Yorker, Andy started and spent most of his television news career in Texas and is thrilled to call Houston home.

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Andy Cerota

Casey Curry

Andy Cerota joined the Eyewitness News Team in May 2003 as a general assignments reporter. He heads up 13's "Crimetracker" Unit.

Cutting-edge technology that allows our team of investigators to pinpoint and map crimes in your neighborhood. Information we use identify crime trends or patterns.

We then share the results of our investigations with public officials, holding them accountable for making the streets in your area safer. If you have concerns about crime in your neighborhood, click on

Bob Slovak Bob Slovak joined the 13 Eyewitness News Sports team in 1998.

Born in Dallas, Bob graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

From his days as a Little Leaguer thru his High School career Bob always had a strong passion for sports. He's carried that passion over to his sports broadcasting career.

Bob began his sportscasting career in Ada, Oklahoma at KTEN-TV. He's also worked in Beaumont at KFDM-TV, at KOTV-TV in Tulsa, and in Phoenix at KNXV-TV. He's been honored with Associated Press, Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Awards during his sports broadcasting career.

He and his wife Nancy live in Sugar Land with their daughters Shea and Sadie and son Stone.

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Meteorologist Casey Curry joined the Eyewitness Weather team in August 2006.

Casey started her broadcast career in Victoria, Texas. Before moving to Houston, she worked in Kansas City, Denver, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Abilene, Texas.

She is a graduate of the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State and earned her Journalism degree at the University of Colorado.

Casey is an "Army brat" and calls the world her home. She was born in Panama

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At Channel13 Eyewitness News, Medical Reporter Christi Myers has made a name for her professional work in the medical community -- not only in Houston but also around the state and the nation. She was recognized with a regional Emmy for her incredible story of a young father who donated part of his liver to his infant son.

In addition to winning the Emmy, Christi has also received 11 other Emmy nominations plus a National Award for Excellence from the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

But these are not the only organizations that have recognized her work. She has also received more than 100 awards from groups such as the Texas Public Health Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas AP Broadcasters, Houston Press Club, Harris County Medical Society, American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Harris County Pharmacy Association, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Jewish Federation of Houston.

Her reporting duties have covered subjects ranging from toxic waste to chocolate factories! She has traveled across the country and to Moscow. She even reported from the Russian Arctic where she was toasted with reindeer blood by nomadic herders! In 1989 she received a special award from the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston for her series of reports from Russia which helped secure the freedom of a Soviet Jewish family.

Her variety of Health Check reports cover the latest medical news of the day including her award-winning report on the rare father-son liver transplant as well as a story on brain surgery to cure epilepsy.

She's also covered health tips on living to be 100, and ways to overcome infertility.

She's done seven sets of bacteria and chemical pollution reports documenting findings of bacteria on hotel bedspreads, E.coli in iced tea, and mercury in the San Jacinto River.

She gave us an inside look at military medicine in Germany at Landstuhl Regional Hospital during the first week of the war in Iraq. She was among the last to videotape inside the emergency room before American casualties began arriving the next morning and the hospital was indefinitely closed to media.

She traveled to Japan with M.D. Anderson scientists to tell the story of a new proton radiation machine being built for Houston, and the M.D. Anderson physician from Hiroshima who helped bring it here.

Christi's reports have been recognized with many awards and honors among which are: • Regional Emmy • 11 Emmy nominations • 2003 Woman of Vision, Houston Delta Gamma • Epilepsy Foundation of America's National Journalism Award • Houston Jewish Federation Award, "One Who Helps the Downtrodden" • Harris County Medical Society, Francis C. Moore, M.D. Medical Journalism Award of Excellence 1996,1998, 2002, 2005 • Harris County Medical Society

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MESSAGE RON REYNOLDS FOR HOUSE DISTRICT-27

“HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS” Ron E. Reynolds, a candidate for Fort Bend County’s State Representative House District 27, is a long time resident of Fort Bend County who grew up in Missouri City. He is a product of Fort Bend County public schools, Blue Ridge Elementary and Quail Valley Middle School. He went on to attend Texas Southern University and received a B.S. degree in Public Affairs, “magna cum laude”.

Ron received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law. Ron is a successful small business owner of a title company and is a name partner in the Brown, Brown & Reynolds, P.C., law firm. He is a former Associate Municipal Judge for The City of Houston and TSU Adjunct Professor (College of Public Affairs).

“I’M READY TO SERVE FORT BEND COUNTY” • WWW.RONALDREYNOLDS.COM Paid for by the Ron Reynolds Campaign • 6140 Highway 6 South, #233 Missouri City, TX 77459 • 832-721-2667

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TEXAS POLICY & NEWS

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Top Leaders Spell Out President’s Strategy continued from page, P.7 going to be walking away from Afghanistan again. We will stay involved we will stay supportive."

The president's commitment of 30,000 additional U.S. troops, along with NATO's new pledge of 7,000 troops, will help to reverse the momentum the Taliban have gained in recent years, and give the Afghan government the space it needs to grow and train its own security forces, both Gates and Clinton said.

Already, operations by Marines in southern Helmand province are showing progress, Gates said. The Marines moved in there about six months ago. By July 2011, U.S. and NATO troops will have been operating in the heavily contested province for two years.

This will be enough time, Gates said, for commanders on the ground to gauge the effectiveness of the surge.

Meanwhile, the strategy will be monitored, he said.

"We're not going to just plunge blindly ahead if it becomes clear that what we're doing isn't working. There are some other alternatives," Gates said.

Jones said on CNN's "State of the Union" that it was time to

PETRAEUS

CLINTON

GATES

change the strategy in Afghanistan.

"The status quo was clearly not working," he said. "This will buy the time and space we need to get these other things going. Get the Afghan governance established. Get the Afghan national security forces established. Better integrate the cohesive aspects of our economic development program."

Jones said officials want to make sure that Afghanistan does not return to a launch pad for attacks against the United States, and he

praised Pakistan's recent efforts to fight the Taliban in their more remote regions, expressing confidence that Pakistan has realized the internal threat provided by both the Taliban and al-Qaida.

Focusing on both Afghanistan and Pakistan will keep the Taliban on the run, he said.

"If you scatter the insurgents and they don't have a base of operations, then you have the upper hand," Jones said.

Gates called the border along

Afghanistan and Pakistan the epicenter of violent extremists.

"Al-Qaida has close relationships with the Taliban in Afghanistan, and they have very close relationships with the Taliban in Pakistan," he said. "Any success by the Taliban in either Afghanistan or Pakistan benefits al-Qaida, and any safe haven on either side of the border creates opportunity for them to recruit, get new funds, and do operational planning."

Gates noted that jihadists

defeated the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s and would like to do the same to the United States, he said.

"They believe that if they can defeat us in Afghanistan that they then have the opportunity to defeat a second superpower, and it creates huge opportunities for them in that area as well as around the world," Gates said.

On "Fox News Sunday," Petraeus praised the new strategy, saying that it sends the message of America's resolve to stand by Afghanistan, but also delivers a sense of urgency to the Afghan government.

The general defined success in Afghanistan as having security forces that can protect the people, and a government strong enough to provide for the people. Petraeus also said that he has no orders to begin withdrawing large numbers of troops starting in July 2011.

"That's a mark on the wall out there at which we begin to transition to Afghan security forces some of the security tasks. But it is conditions-based. It is a responsible drawdown," Petraeus said.

"There's no timeline, no ramp. I think it's very important to note this doesn't trigger a rush to the exits. It triggers a beginning of transition to Afghan security forces," he added.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 30TH AND CONTINUES THROUGH DECEMBER 8TH! ELECTION DAY IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30TH!

“Together We Can Do Better”

For Houston City Council At Large Position #2 ANDREW C. BURKS, JR. ON JOB CREATION: Andrew wants to create a "new Small Business Incubator System." This System will promote and encourage citizens to start their own business. The System provides business owners with accounting, business planning, marketing, tax preparation and other services. Many start-up businesses can't afford these services. Stimulus dollars will fund this program.

ANDREW C. BURKS, JR. ON CITY SERVICES: Andrew will work to implement an incentive pay plan for city employees to improve services through efficiency. All city departments work under an annual budget. At the end of the fiscal year, Andrew will advocate utilizing surplus funds as incentive pay for the best department employees. This plan improves the delivery of city services, increases employee pay, without imposing tax increases.

ANDREW C. BURKS, JR. ON CRIME REDUCTION: During tough economic times, crime always increases. Andrew's crime reduction plan addresses the consciousness of individuals, and teaches them how to avoid negative character and provides workable solutions to conflicts. Andrew's plan will help adults and children better contemplate the long term consequences of their behavior, thereby reducing crime, lower overcrowded jails and emergency facilities. This plan is vital to our protection, and it will be funded at no additional cost to Houston taxpayers.

Vote Saturday, December 12th!

Paid political advertisement by Andrew C. Burks, Jr. for Houston City Council 5606 Beldart I Houston, Texas 77033 I Phone: 713.715.7683 I Fax: 713.715.7682

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Living The American Dream; The Story of Lana Pham Faith, Family & Finances & The Future of America: A Vietnamese-Americans' Perspective on Life

By Aubrey Williams, Writer At-Large “When I came to America 30 years ago after leaving Vietnam, my family had to start over; we owned absolutely nothing. A significant problem was the language barrier; we knew very little English. To compound the problem we had no connections here in the States. All we had was hope. We had made it to America; the Land of Opportunity. If we had gone to another country such as France or Germany - they would have sponsored us for 3 months. However, we chose to stick-out the 12 month waiting period to enter into the United States. We were grateful for the Church as they sponsored my family. People suggested that we get on welfare, but my parents resisted. My father maintained that we got here safely, and with all of my brothers and sisters help to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table - we would make it. My father said to let other people that really need the money, have it. “Let them get the help they need”, he said, “because the system can only have so much money it can lend out”. ~ Lana Pham -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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The Other Side Of Through - God’s Wisdom in Due Season NOTE: I recently ran into a former church member who told me that this article, which I wrote in 2002 for a church newsletter, is something that she still reads and is blessed by it. I asked her to send it to me to share it with you. I hope there is something in it that will bless you! (THANK YOU GOD, for using me to be a blessing to another!)

By Roberta Smith Larkins ought sense. That's what my Mother always called it. It was what you gained AFTER you had experienced something. It was the lesson you carried with you from that day forward. As a Christian, it is the wisdom of God springing forth out of a difficult situation. It is where you land when you arrive on the other side of through. You know what “through” is, right? It's when you've cried all night long, or you are in a situation that you have no solution to, or when you just can't seem to pull yourself up out of that depression that you're in and people ask you, “What is wrong?” and you can only reply “I'm just going through”. Milton Bignon has a song that reminds us “there's a blessing on the other side of through.”

B

the past, I wouldn't have seen the doors and windows opening to me for the new improved and exciting blessings that God has lay before me now and in the future. This too shall pass - let it go. God has prepared us and is preparing us for exactly where we need to be in his kingdom, and he knows what he has brought us through to get there.

4. “The only difference between your present and your future is your wisdom.” My personal relationships have left a lot to be desired, and as a result, I remain a single woman - but I tell you, I would rather wait for the BEST man that God is preparing for me than settle for the GOOD man that I THINK I need. Stand still and know that with God ALL things are possible.

We all make mistakes, and will continue to do so. Just remember that the joy is in knowing that with each mistake, there is wisdom to be gained and a step to be made. With each step you get closer to the desires of your heart and the riches that God has prepared just for you. Don't be discouraged by the storms that come your way, just know that 'through” is something that we all experience.

You have either been through, are going through, or are about to go through - but know that there is a blessing, and added wisdom in the elements of your season, on the other side of through.

THEN AND NOW….

This was written 7 years ago, and yes, I still go through, and I still reflect on these aspects of what God is trying to show me as a result of whatever it is I am going through. I did get my Bachelor's degree; I also completed my Master's degree in Education in 2006 and am working on my PhD. I got married to a man that I thought was the man for me - he was a GOOD man, but not the BEST man that God has for me - and now I am divorced. I continue to strive for the prize that is awaiting me at the end of each lesson. I continue to examine who and what is in my life and whether or not it should remain there, and I tell you, EVERY TIME that I REMOVE some garbage from my life GOD SHOWERS ME WITH GOODNESS!!! I am not as insecure as I used to be. Do I question things - yes, sometimes, but don't get it twisted, I am a FABULOUSLY FIERCE DIVINE DIVA! I am a BEAUTIFUL woman with a huge heart and a loving spirit - and NOTHING you do will take that away from me! It IS who God created me to be - and the FAKE in you cannot remove the REAL in me! (Sorry, I had a moment..LOL!) Now with these thoughts in mind, WHY LAWD, WHY, wouldn't you look FORWARD to the OTHER SIDE of THROUGH?!?!

I recently was reflecting on the number of “throughs” that I have survived and also in the deliverance received in the series of messages by Pastor Ogletree on “It's My Time”. Is it really my time, I asked myself? Is it my season? In arriving on the other side of my latest “through”, God revealed to me the essence of what “your time and season” really is.

The four seasons or nature's cycle are all something that we are familiar with, and each season takes approximately 3 months to complete itself. So when we hear the words “it's your season or it's your time”, we immediately think that our prayers will be answered instantaneously, or at least by the end of the next season. We begin to rejoice! In three months, everything will be alright! But wait….we are still on God's time, not our time, and the amount of time that is necessary for us to complete our season or our cycle is completely dependent upon where we are in our walk with God. There are different elements of your season just as there are different elements of each season of nature.

Recognizing that you are in need of God's guidance in your life is one element. Growing in your knowledge of the word is another element. Recognizing that Momma's relationship with God is not yours is another element. Examining where you are in your personal relationships and removing the toxic people from your surroundings is another element. A few weeks ago someone emailed me a list of statements that I sat down and compared it to the bits of wisdom that God has given to me in arriving at the other side of through. I will share some of these with you.

1. “When you want something you've never had, you've got to do something you've never done”. A college degree was something that I never thought I would achieve.

There was always an “if only” standing between the degree and myself. One day, I decided that I would find a program that would allow me to work, be a good mother, and obtain my degree. I didn't know how I would pay for it or even if I would qualify for financial aid. That was in October of 1999. I began at LeTourneau University in January of 2000 and I will graduate this December with a degree in Business Management. Never say never.

2. “What you are willing to move away from determines what God will bring to you.” Bishop McLaughlin shared with us on Sunday about running to meet our giants.

My giant is insecurity. I stand witness to you today that every time I face that insecurity head on, God allows me to achieve my goal. I always felt that I was too tall, too large, too dark, hair too short, etc. to do anything that was associated with “beauty”. Last year, I faced that giant of insecurity and entered the Miss American Achievement pageant. I won the city title, state title, and ultimately became first runner up for the national title. I moved away from fear, and God brought me accomplishment.

3. “God never consults your past to determine your future.” There are things in my past that I am not proud of, just as there are in yours. If I continued to keep my head down because of the things that I had not been able to do in

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Adela Uchida Adela anchors Eyewitness News at 6 and 10pm on Saturday and Sunday, and reports during the week.

She comes to Houston from Michigan, where she says she won't miss the winters!

Adela anchored the 6 and 11pm weeknight shows there. She got her start in tiny Grand Junction, Colorado, and has worked elsewhere in Colorado, as well as Arizona and Michigan.

Adela can list anything from flying with the Navy's Blue Angels to interviewing Barack Obama to going for a run with Michigan's First Gentleman to field anchoring a 200 car pileup and the economically devastating closing of auto plants among her experiences in the TV news business. She is also among the first nine graduates of the Emma Bowen Foundation for Minorities in the Media, and is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association.

She is mom to a daughter, Siobhan, born in the summer of 2007. Adela and her husband

John enjoy spending time with their daughter, and love the outdoors. Adela is also an avid runner, reader and cook.

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Katie McCall Katie McCall anchors the weekend morning newscasts at abc13. She is an award-winning journalist who has received two Associated Press awards and was

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named "best local TV news reporter" by the Houston Press in 2004.

Her anchoring and reporting career has taken her all over the country, but she is proud to call Houston her home. Career highlights include covering President Barack Obama when he was an Illinois senator making a run for the White House, and the rise and fall of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Here in Houston, McCall covered Tropical Storm Allison, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the collapse of Enron.

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continued from page, P.15 Award of Merit 1996, 2002, 2005 • Press Club of Houston Excellence in Journalism for Best Television News Series • Harris County Pharmacy Association Media Recognition Award for Outstanding Coverage of Pharmacy Issues • Anson Jones MD Award of Merit, Texas Medical Association 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 • American Heart Association Paul R. Ellis Media Award 1998 • Media Award, Texas Public Health Association 1992, 1998, 1999, and 2000 • American Cancer Society Texas Media Awards 1996, 1999, 2004, 2005 • Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Best Series for "Toxic Tea" During her broadcasting career, Christi has worked as a nationally syndicated reporter for NIWS, News and Information Weekly Service. She also produced and reported two series on Sickle-Cell Anemia and Colon Cancer, both of which have resulted in community screenings that helped save lives.

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she was named Graduate of the Last Decade in 1999. Always enhancing her reporting abilities, Christine is a graduate of the Poynter Institute and she spent two weeks in Europe after being selected for the RTNDA-RIAS German Journalist Exchange Program.

Christine started her professional broadcasting career at WEHT-TV, the ABC affiliate in

Evansville, Indiana. At WEHT, she served the station as reporter and back-up anchor and covered major stories including the Heath High School shooting in Paducah, Ky., and the 1997 Ohio River flood, earning the station an Indiana Associated Press award.

An accomplished singer and dancer, Christine sang her way to the finals of Miss Indiana. She

has also held titles of Indianapolis 500 Princess, Miss Indianapolis, and Miss Heart of Indiana.

In her spare time, Christine enjoys running and working out as she has finished three halfmarathons (two Indy 500 Festival Mini-Marathons and the 2009 Houston Aramco Half-Marathon).

Dobbyn enjoys everything the nation's fourth largest city has to offer but especially its diverse population and food offerings!

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Cynthia Cisneros As a native Houstonian, Cynthia Cisneros has witnessed much of the city's astounding growth firsthand.

Growing up in the city of South Houston, Cynthia went to school there and later attended the University of Houston, gradu-

Christine Dobbyn Emmy award winning reporter Christine Dobbyn joined the Eyewitness News Team in January of 2005. Since coming to Houston she has covered stories including Pope Benedict's visit to New York City, the Presidential primaries, the raid on the FLDS compound in El Dorado, Texas, hurricanes Ike, Rita, and Katrina, and the legal battles upon the death of Anna Nicole Smith in both Florida and the Bahamas.

The Houston Press Club, the Emmy awards, the Ohio and Indiana Associated Press, and RTNDA have all honored Dobbyn for her outstanding journalistic merits. She received RTNDA's Sherlee Barish Award given to a journalist who shows great promise in her rookie year as a reporter.

Prior to her arrival in Houston, Christine served as reporter and back-up anchor at WBNS-TV, the CBS affiliate and number one station in Columbus, Ohio. While there, she reported on major stories including the Columbus Highway Shooter, September 11 crash of Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pa., John Glenn's Return from Space Homecoming, controversial issues involving Ohio State University athletics, and the WW II Memorial Dedication in Washington D.C. Dobbyn also interviewed President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry numerous times during the 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign. She even landed an exclusive with George W. Bush, and wife Laura, during the 2000 Presidential campaign.

A Ball State University telecommunications graduate,

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ating with a degree in journalism.

As a teen, she worked summer jobs at Foley's and Astroworld.

Cynthia began her broadcasting career in 1982 in Jacksonville, Texas, at a local radio station where she hosted a morning talk show. She was later promoted to the position of News Director. While there, she received several local and regional awards for her spot news coverage and educational stories. She continued to work in radio in Longview,

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LEGAL CORNER FROM ADAMS & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C. HAVE A LEGAL QUESTION? ATTORNEY AARON ADAMS, ESQ. CAN BE REACHED AT (713) 566-1990

Using your Real Estate Attorney as a Real Estate Broker

By Aaron G. Adams, Esq.

In Texas a buyer or lessee is not required to use a real estate attorney or real estate agent in the buying or leasing of real property. However, it would be a big mistake not to use one or the other or both in residential and commercial transactions. This article will shed some light on the role of a real estate attorney and the benefits of using one during a real estate transaction.

A real estate attorney can function in various roles during a real estate transaction. The most familiar role of an attorney in a real estate transaction is his or her role as deed preparer. If you have ever wondered what the “Attorney's fees” on line 1107 of your HUD-1 or “closing statement” were; now you know.

Another common role of the real estate attorney is to function as closing agent. In addition to deed preparation and being a closing agent, a real estate attorney can draft custom agreements, create exotic seller financing instruments, perform UCC searches in commercial deals, evaluate title policies, and most importantly give legal advice.

Although these roles are important to the buyer and lessee, they are largely passive and do not take advantage of the “real” power of a real estate attorney.

In a real estate transaction, the buyer is somewhat at a disadvantage from the beginning because the seller ultimately has something that the buyer wants. However, most buyers do not understand that they can diminish this advantage by taking control of the transaction.

It is easy for a buyer to forget that within a real estate transaction there is a power struggle present between the parties. The power struggle is easily forgotten because the seller's agent usually appears to be a neutral party. However, in actuality the seller's agent is always seeking to get the most favorable terms for their client. In order to do so the seller's agent must control the transaction. As a buyer you can prevent the seller's agent from taking control and ultimately gain control of the real estate transaction by using a real estate attorney actively instead of passively.

Now you may ask, how do I use my real estate attorney in an active capacity? Its simple, in his capacity as real estate broker first and attorney second. The Texas Real Estate License Act exempts attorneys from any of its provisions.

This exemption permits attorneys to represent clients in real estate transactions by virtue of their license to practice law. That representation includes providing those services usually associated with real estate brokers. Aside from the most sophisticated real estate investors, most are not familiar with the con-

cept of using a real estate attorney as a broker.

In order to use your real estate attorney as a broker you must under no circumstance contact the seller or lessor directly.

Attempting to negotiate a real estate transaction without representation is akin to sky diving without a parachute! If the seller knows that you do not have representation they will provide the contracts and choose the closing arrangement, both of which will be more beneficial to the seller. If this has already happened there will

not be much that your real estate attorney can do to overcome their advantage. As a buyer or lessee you can take charge of the transaction by immediately contacting a real estate attorney once you find the property and instruct the attorney that you want them to broker the transaction. This will allow the real estate attorney to work the deal up in your favor by drafting the agreements and documents to your liking and insisting that the seller be amenable to your closing arrangements.

Aaron Gabriel Adams is a practicing attorney in the Houston area focusing on Business, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate Law. Have a margin tax question? or Do you have a general Legal Question? Contact him at aaronadams@aalawoffice.com or his office at 713-566-1990.

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continued from page, P.22 Marshall and Tyler.

In 1986, while still in radio, she became a television news reporter in Longview for KLMG-TV covering news in several east Texas cities.

A year later, she went to KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, California. While there, Cynthia's reporting duties included extensive coverage of Caesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers Union. She also won awards for her coverage on human rights issues among migrant workers.

Cynthia joined Eyewitness News as a general assignment reporter in August 1989. She's covered hurricanes and other adverse weather stories, as well as breaking news. Over the years, she's won several awards for her coverage of spot news and human interest stories.

But Cynthia says her greatest accomplishment has been the birth of her two children. Working at Channel 13 while pregnant was a real adventure for her.

She enjoys time with her husband and two children, a daughter and a son.

Cynthia still likes to go to South Houston to catch up on neighborhood news and she enjoys running into old high school buddies while out on stories.

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David Tillman David Tillman came to Houston's KTRKTV, ABC-13 in late 2000 from WMC-TV in Memphis. He worked there as that station's meteorologist and received an Emmy for his coverage of a snowstorm that hit that city.

David is a member of the American Meteorological Society and of the National Weather Association. In 1998, he received his seals of approval from both organizations.

After graduating from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science Degree in meteorology, David began his broadcast career. He was the Weekend Meteorologist at WAPT-TV in Jackson. A year later, he worked for the National Weather Network during the weekends and produced weather segments for 35 television stations and 45 radio stations across the United States.

Born in St. Louis, David and his wife Patricia have three children; David, Brianna and Sydney.

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Jeff Ehling “I began my reporting career in 1986 near my home town of Statenville, Georgia. I worked for ABC Affiliate WVGA in Valdosta, Georgia for three years before moving to NBC affiliate WMGT in Macon.

In 1990 I got a job working for the CBS affiliate, WCTV, in Tallahassee, Florida.

While there I was the Bureau Chief in Valdosta which gave me the chance to again report on news where in the place I graduated high school and college. Before leaving WCTV, I was promoted to Weekend Anchor.

In 1996 I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where I was a general assignment reporter. I look back on South Florida with great fondness because that is where I met my wife.

In December of 1999 she got a job in Houston so we moved to Texas. A month later, I was fortunate enough to land a

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position as the morning reporter at KTRK. After a year and a half I was promoted to a dayside shift and now I am the Consumer Reporter for KTRK. Since joining the ABC 13 family my own family has grown. My wife and I are the proud parents of two boys who keep us very busy and occasionally bleary eyed.

During my tenure at KTRK I have covered hurricanes, Operation Iraqi Freedom from Kuwait and Iraq and Texas troops guarding the prisoners at Guantanamo, Cuba. I look forward to many more exciting stories and happy years in Houston.

I enjoy travel and pro football (GO TEXANS). I hold a degree in Television from Valdosta State University.”

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Tom Abrahams Weekend Evening Anchor Tom Abrahams has traveled the world for Eyewitness News since arriving from Orlando in 1999.

From the jungles of South America and the irradiated air of Chernobyl to the barrios of Mexico City, he has shown Eyewitness News viewers how far away places can affect our lives here in Southeast Texas.

He was the first non-network reporter on the grounds of the Pentagon just 48 hours after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

He was the only local television reporter in the country to gain access to the UN Security Council chambers when Colin Powell made his case for war against Iraq in 2003.

And the first interview ever granted

by Charles Graner, the man at the center of the 2004 Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal, was on camera with Tom at a military facility in Mannheim, Germany.

Tom's 2005 report on the government "catch and release" policy for nonMexican undocumented immigrants was screened at the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting in Chicago.

Within weeks, The Department of Homeland Security announced it would eliminate the practice.

He currently writes a blog about national politics which you can find at thevote.abc13.com. You can also follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Tom's work has been recognized with a prestigious National Headliner Award, two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and an Emmy Award. He's also won more than a dozen additional reporting awards from The Hearst Foundation, Texas Associated Press Broadcasters, The Houston Press Club, The Press Club of Dallas, and The Telly Awards.

Tom is a proud graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville and is married with two children.

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Don Nelson Throughout his twenty-plus years at

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KTRK-TV, Don Nelson has worn many hats and handled many jobs!

He joined the station as co-host for its morning show, "Dialing for Dollars" which was later formatted to "Good Morning Houston." Don also served as the morning newscast's traffic reporter - a job he still maintains.

His role has currently expanded to include serving as the Entertainment Reporter for Eyewitness News.

This involves traveling to Los Angeles each season to interview the new ABC program stars. During his career with ABC13, Don has helped co-host almost all of the station's special programs. From the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade to the city's Power of Houston festival, Don's been on the scene and on-the-air.

Each year he also pitches in help in the station's Share Your Christmas Food Drive and March of Dimes Infant Goods drive. Viewers and fellow employees know Don as a man who loves to cook! And those who are lucky enough to taste his culinary talents are never disappointed!

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Travis Herzog Meteorologist Travis Herzog joined KTRKTV in July of 2006. Previously, he worked as the morning meteorologist just up the road in Bryan, Texas at KBTX-TV, where the Texas Associated Press twice recognized him as one of the top broadcast meteorologists in the state.

From hurricanes and tornadoes to ice storms and floods, Travis has covered just about every kind of weather element experienced in southeast Texas.

He aims to present the public with weather forecasts that are informative, educational, and fun. When severe weather strikes, you can trust Travis to provide you with timely weather updates and potentially lifesaving information. You can watch his live weather broadcasts Monday through Friday on Eyewitness News at 11am and Eyewitness News at 4pm.

Travis is no stranger to Texas weather because he's lived here all his life. In fact, he received his calling to be a meteorologist when Hurricane Gilbert spawned a tornado that passed by his childhood home in San Antonio, Texas. In the aftermath, he developed a deep passion and profound respect for the atmosphere by reading every weather book he could find, prompting his classmates to label him "the weatherman," which he preferred over "school boy."

Raised to be a Longhorn, Travis eventually received the blessing of his parents to pursue his love for weather at Texas A&M University. In Aggieland he met his wonderful wife and he determined that he wanted to be a broadcast meteorologist. Choosing a career that paid him to forecast and talk about the weather

seemed to be a no-brainer, even if it meant enduring corny weatherman jokes for the rest of his life.

Travis graduated with a B.S. in Meteorology and a perfect 4.0 GPR. He earned numerous awards and honors along the way, most notably the prestigious Brown-Rudder Outstanding Student Award, given to an individual that embodies the character, morals, and integrity of former Texas A&M University President Earl Rudder. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi. Travis enjoys marriage, Bible study, racquetball, Sudoku, and cold fronts. He also enjoys telling others about the wonders of our amazing atmosphere.

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Elissa Rivas Elissa Rivas was born and raised in Dallas, but after living and working throughout the Southwest, she is happy to make Houston her home.

She attended college at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, majoring in Political Science and Communications.

Elissa took her first job in television news as a reporter and anchor in Yuma, Arizona. Still, her heart longed for Texas so she returned to the Lone Star State to live and work in El Paso.

There she covered the intense impact of the 9-11 attacks on immigration and border traffic.

Elissa has been recognized for her work by receiving the regional and national RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for her continuing coverage of a child abduction and murder in El Paso.

Through her work documenting teenage alcohol and substance abuse, she earned a National Communicator Award of Distinction and a first place award in Serious Feature reporting from the Texas Associated Press.

Now in Houston, you can find her anchoring Eyewitness News on Saturday and Sunday mornings. She loves to hear from viewers about the stories she covers and with new ideas for stories. You can contact her by email at elissa.a.rivas@abc.com.

Elissa and her husband spend much of their free time trying to keep up with their little girl. Elissa's enjoying the challenge of working as a full-time journalist AND a full-time mom!

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Deborah Wrigley A talented reporter and writer, Deborah Wrigley has witnessed hurricanes, earthquakes, the Texas Legislature and countless other events, and lived to report about all of them.

Deborah graduated from the University of Houston with a degree from the now-prestigious English department.

Although she never planned for a career in television, it came about naturally. Her father was a leading Hollywood cinematographer and her mother loved literature, so Deborah combined both backgrounds and became a broadcast news reporter.

Among her accomplishments -- winning the prestigious Headliners Award for her coverage of the Mexico City earthquake. She and her photographer were the first crew in the world to get stories out of the site of one of the world's most

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She reported live from Galveston throughout the night when hurricane Alicia hit - even risking a drive off the Galveston seawall at the height of the storm to get the stories back to the station.

In between the breaking news stories that puncutate a reporter's job, Deborah focuses her interest on statewide issues and politics.

Her abiding interests include local history and anything to do with animals.

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Erik Barajas Erik Barajas joined KTRK-TV's 13 Eyewitness News in March 2008.

A true Texas journalist, Erik has worked as an anchor and a reporter all over the state. He comes to Houston from KSAT 12 in San Antonio where he was a weekend anchor and reporter for four years.

His television career began in Corpus Christi, Texas at KZTV 10 where he wore several hats. He worked as a news photographer, reporter, producer and anchor. He says his involvement in all those different positions helped give him an understanding and perspective of the challenges it takes to produce the news.

He later moved to Austin, Texas and to KTBC Fox 7 to be that station's weekend anchor and reporter.

One of the most notable stories Erik covered has been the crash of the space shuttle Columbia on the borders of Texas and Louisiana.

He says working in Houston at KTRK-TV is "a true blessing" because he can do what he does for a living "in front of family and friends". He adds, "Staying in Texas throughout my career, thus far has been eye opening in terms of really getting to know the state on a deeper level and realizing just how diverse this state really is."

Erik is married. He and his wife have a young boy and are very happy to be back in their hometown.

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Gene Apodaca Gene Apodaca joined the Eyewitness News Team in October 2004 as a general assignments reporter.

He comes to Eyewitness News from Miami where he worked as a reporter.

Prior to that, Gene worked at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, KIII in Corpus Christi, TX, and KOSA in Midland/Odessa, TX. Gene graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1996 with a double major in Journalism and Political Science.

Some of his career highlights include covering the 2000 Presidential Election for which his station won the regional Edward R. Murrow Award. He's also covered the Florida Anthrax attacks as well as the aftermath of several Hurricanes which hit the state in 2004.

While in Texas, Gene reported on the Selena Trial, as well as the capture of the "Railroad Killer," which brought him to Houston.

Gene is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Gene was born in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A majority of Gene's career has been in Texas. He enjoys being back in the Lone Star

State close to his friends and close to his family.

Ilona Carson Ilona Carson joins ABC-13 as the anchor of Eyewitness News at 4 and reporter for Eyewitness News.

Prior to her move to Houston, Ilona anchored a four-hour morning show and noon newscast at KSAZ in Phoenix, Arizona.

She also spent time in the Panhandle, where she was an anchor and reporter at KAMR in Amarillo.

Ilona spent many years moving with her parents and three brothers overseas and around the United States. She attended high school in Moriarty, New Mexico, and then headed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she graduated with her BA degree.

In her spare time, Ilona tries to keep up with her horses (three Arabians), dog, and cats, and is thrilled to be calling Houston home.

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Tim Melton Tim Melton joined KTRK-TV in August 1981 as Weekend Sports Director.

He came to Houston from Cincinnati where he was Sports Director at WCP-TV for two years. Prior to that position, he was Sports Director at WHP Radio and TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Tim has a degree in Psychology from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and a Masters Degree in Radio/Television from Memphis State.

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Jessica Willey As a general assignment reporter, Jessica Willey tells all kinds of stories. One day she may be standing in the rain to warn Houstonians about flood conditions, the next she could be covering a Congressional hearing from Capitol Hill.

Telling people's stories is what she has wanted to do since she was a little girl.

Jessica came to Channel 13 in 2000.

Since then the station has called on her to cover the important stories. In 2003, she traveled to Iraq to report on the conflict there. In 2005, she spent nine days in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans gathering stories on Katrina's aftermath. She also traveled to Rome twice that same year to cover Pope John Paul II's passing and its impact on the world. In addition, Jessica is often on the front lines of the station's hurricane coverage. In 2008, she was in Galveston, reporting live, as one of the most destructive storms in American history, Hurricane Ike, came ashore.

Other stories have taken her to Germany, Mexico, and across the country.

Jessica has been honored for her work.

The Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Association has recognized her for her reporting skills. She has also been awarded a regional Emmy for a half hour program about a controversial museum exhibition that hails from Germany.

That same television special garnered a national award---a prestigious Gracie Award from American Women in Radio and Television.

Jessica came to Channel 13 from KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City. Prior to KOKH, she worked for Denison, TXbased KTEN. Jessica graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. During college, she was a member of BU's Varsity Crew Team and also spent a semester abroad in England.

Jessica lives in the Houston area with her family and has another title -- Mom. She and her husband, a native Houstonian, have two precious children, a boy and a girl.

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Kevin Quinn

Patricia Lopez

Kevin Quinn joined the Eyewitness News team in February of 2003 as a general assignments reporter.

In 1994, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University. His broadcast journalism career then began in West Texas. He worked at KMID, the ABC affiliate in Midland as a photographer, reporter and anchor. While there he was recognized for his work by the Texas Associated Press.

In 1997 he accepted a job at the ABC Owned and Operated station in Fresno, California. During his tenure at KFSN, Kevin received a number of awards including a prestigious regional Edward R. Murrow. He was recognized by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, nominated for an Emmy, and even named Associated Press Reporter of the Year for 2002. Kevin's reports revealed lapses in governmental oversight, uncovered questionable practices by law enforcement and even led to a change in California law. While working full time in Fresno, Kevin was also employed as a freelance reporter for KGO, the ABC station in San Francisco.

Kevin, his wife and their three children live in Fort Bend County. He is proud of living in one of the fastest growing communities in the country. Fort Bend is his "beat". He is always looking for stories related to its growth, its history and its enormous potential -- stories that matter to those living here -- his neighbors.

Kevin also covers NASA and the space "beat" for Eyewitness News ... fitting he says because he has always been intrigued by space and the human exploration of it. He saw, first hand, the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery and NASA's "Return to Flight" in 2005. Kevin says it was one of the highlights of his career. He has reported on nearly every shuttle mission since.

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Miya Shay Miya Shay is your typical, overworked journalist who's always juggling several things at once. Currently, she is a reporter KTRK, ABC 13.

Miya's main focus is government and politics. You will often find her chasing after politicians at Houston's City Hall or at the State Capitol in Austin.

Born in China, Miya graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She has worked as a television reporter in New York, Alabama, Kansas, and Michigan, where it snows from November to May. Since joining the Eyewitness News team in 2002, Miya has covered a variety of

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stories. She traveled to China twice, once covering the Houston Rockets, and another covering Mayor Bill White. The resulting reports garnered an Emmy Award. Miya travelled extensively during the 2008 Presidential campaign, and is currently spending a lot of time covering Houston's mayoral candidates. Besides her TV reports, Miya also write a weekly column for Houston Community Newspapers, and writes a daily blog.

Away from work, Miya loves to travel and look for the next cool scuba diving location. She's got a super cute dog. In addition, she spends way too much time on Facebook and Twitter.

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ACTION 13 CONSUMER Reporter Patricia Lopez is focused on women's issues and saving you money through her weekly "Stretch your Dollar" segments on ABC13. The Kingwood High graduate and former state champion golfer is back home after stops in Denver, Washington, D.C and New York City, including guest host appearances on Barbara Walter's Show, "The View."

Born in a Laredo, TX, Patricia grew up in a traditional Catholic "Tex-Mex" household. Her family later moved to Houston and while at Kingwood middle school she decided at the age of twelve to pursue a career in journalism after writing for the school paper and yearbook.

Patricia attended the University of Oklahoma under a golf scholarship and was a four-year letterman. After earning a degree in journalism, she accepted her first television job in Houston as an assistant assignment editor. Nine months later, Patricia got her big on-air break as a reporter in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Following reporting stints in Tucson and Tulsa, Patricia made the climb to the Rocky Mountain State and reported in Denver, Colorado, then a stint in Washington, D.C. before landing a job in New York City.

Moving around the country the past few years has given Patricia a unique insight into many different cultures, and its this amazing perspective that is the basis for her style in covering women's issues and consumer stories.

Patricia likes to spend her free time with her husband Dean and their daughter Madelina. She also enjoys running, volunteering, reading, and heading to her Mom and Dad's for some good home cooked Mexican food.

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Ted Oberg Eyewitness News InFocus Reporter Ted Oberg thinks he has the greatest job in local news anywhere. Ted's InFocus reports air on our 6 & 10 O'Clock newscasts and strive to look beyond the news.

We give InFocus more time to research and report topics that need a little extra explanation.

Whether it's a political race or a breaking news story there are always reasons why things unfold the way they do and that is what InFocus strives to explain.

Ted's been in Houston since 2001.

He and his wife, Krista have 3 wonderful daughters. They live in the Houston Heights.

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TSU Honors Eight Distinguished Alumni exas Southern University recently presented accomplished alumni with the Association’s highest honor – the Distinguished Alumni Award. The University honored eight former students at its Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner at the Westin Oaks Hotel – Galleria. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes excellence among former students of the university. Honorees are nominated by their respective colleges and schools. The campus community, alumni, students and the general public were invited to attend.

T

As part of Homecoming Week, the event was sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations at the university. Proceeds serves to help Alumni expand and enrich student support services and programs at Texas Southern.

The following individuals, listed in alphabetical order, were honored during the celebration: Dr. Johnella R. Bradford (Classes of ’69,’89,’96), is Dean of Workforce Development at Houston Community College Southeast. A strong advocate for higher education, under her leadership, the Business Technology program was rated Exemplary by the Higher Education Board. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration; Masters of Education and Bachelor of Science...all from Texas Southern University. Dr. Bradford has served as President of the Southeast College Faculty Association and co-chair of the educational committee of the Houston Independent School District. She is an Adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix, a member of the East End Chamber of Commerce, and Texas Women in Higher Education. She is a graduate of the United Way Project Blueprint, Future Business leader of American and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Her major support to Texas Southern has been in the training, preparation, and employment of graduates at all levels to enter into the workforce in educational institutions in the Greater Houston area.

Judge Zinetta Burney (Classes of 1968 & 1973), presiding judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court, precinct 7, place 2 and prior to that time, was in private practice for thirty years with the firm of Burney and Foreman. An under graduate(mathematics) and graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of law), Judge Burney served on the University of Houston Board of Regents, Commissioner for the Housing Authority of the City of Houston, Board of the United Way, Donald Watkins Aids Foundation. She is currently President of the Board of the OST/Almeda Redevelopment Authority, a fellow in American Leadership Forum and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She has been recognized by many for her community Service including, Houston Lawyers Association, United Cerebral Palsy, Missouri City Chapter of Links, Channel 13’ Women of Distinction and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. For over three decade she remains committed to TSU and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, giving of her time, service, and support.

Dr. Llayron L. Clarkson (Class of 1950 & 53), a native Houstonian, graduate of Jack Yates High, Texas Southern University (BS,MS) and University of Texas (PH.D). He taught mathematics at Jack Yates, Texas Southern and was visiting Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His commitment to Texas Southern and its students has been unwavering, serving in many capacities including Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Executive Vice President, Director of Campus-wide Academic and Information Systems, and Director of Institutional Research...retiring in 1994. In his retirement he continues to serve TSU, mentoring and tutoring students in his “favorite subject”. Dr. Clarkson is CEO of Clarkson Aerospace Corp.

Ruben Dominguez (Class of 1993) is currently the cohost of the Fox 26 morning news and Planning Manager for the newsroom. He began his professional career at the CBS station as an assignments editor. After graduating from Texas Southern University, he was hired by Fox News in a similar capacity, helping Fox News become one of the most watched stations in the Houston area. In 1999 Ruben participated

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in an undercover investigation of child prostitution in Costa Rica garnering national attention. As part of the Internet new Show, his webcast was nominated for and won an Emmy in 2007. He is proud of his success as a graduate of Texas Southern and constantly gives back with his commitment to the Student intern program for Texas Southern student as Fox News.

Clyde Owen Jackson (Class of 1960 & 1964), an adjunct professor of Music in the Department of Fine Arts, author of 8 books with focus of the study of Negro Spirituals. He was FounderConductor of the Texas Southern University Men’s Glee Club and Director of the University Choir. Mr. Jackson has been honored and recognized by the National Council of Negro Women, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, City of Houston, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Galveston Public Library and Tuskegee University. His service to the community has included the Director of the Ebony Opera Guild, Houston Post Office Chorale and the Masterworks Chorus. As supporter the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences, his scholarship committee within the past two years raised over $40,000.

He continues as guest director of the University Choir and member of the Music Alumni Board.

James T Knox (Class of 1960 & 1970), after graduating with a degree in chemistry and mathematics, began his professional career as a high school teacher in Bryan, Texas, and was later employed in California by North American Aviation. He returned to Texas Southern and received his Pharmacy degree in 1970. Beginning as a Senior Analyst with Abbott Laboratories, he retired from that Corporation after 27 year of service. Retiring to Hot Springs Arkansas, he volunteers as a pharmacist at the Christian Charitable Medical Clinic, meals on wheels, Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs and is moderator of Stewardship in the Presbyterian Church. His support of Texas Southern University and the Pharmacy Scholarship program is distinguished. He is forever committed to “giving back” to young people as witnessed in his community services to the Piney Wood School, Teen Challenge Arkansas, the Glen Haven Youth Ranch, Mountain Pine Elementary, and the local Paul Bewie Boys and Girls Club.

Carl Richie (Class of 1984) received his Master’s in Public Administration from Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. Also armed with an undergraduate degree from Texas A & M and a Law degree from University of Houston, he is now vice president of Government affairs At TXU Energy, leading their State Legislative and regulatory Teams. R. Richie serves as Chairman of the Travis County Healthcare District Board of Managers, Vice Chair of the Housing Authorities for the City of Austin and serves on the St. Edwards University Advisory board.

Ernestine Thrash Taylor (Class of 1964) is currently President of ET Consulting, an executive coaching firm, and her business career expands 30 years as a Human Resource Executive with Johnson & Johnson, Avon Company, Continental Can and the Ford Foundation.

She was the founder and President of a Health Start non-profit for young girls, shwe has served as Board member of Goodwill Industries, Advisory Council on Nursing at North Carolina A&T, Children’s Museum, YWCA, Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and member of the Transition Team of the Newly Elected Governor of North Carolina. She is a Lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the member of The Links Incorporated. Ms. Taylor’s reputation in the Jesse H. Jones School of Business is stellar. In 2005 she established a scholarship in her name for female business majors which has benefitted over 12 students since its inception.

New Nat’l Alumni President Davis Plans to Galvanize Alumni/ Former Students Marcus Davis plans to utilize his business savvy, community involvement and the degree he earned as Public Affairs major at Texas Southern, to galvanize the alumni and former students of his alma mater to increase student and alumni enrollment, community outreach and giving.

Davis, who was elected president of the TSU National Alumni Association, is energized and anxious to get to work.

He will officially assume his role as national president in January 2010. The 1996 graduate of TSU says, “Being elected president of the national alumni association of one of the

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largest Historically Black College Universities (HBCU) in the country is exciting, challenging, and full of opportunities.”

“I know where the alumni association is; and I know where it has the potential to go,” Davis states. He plans to take advantage of the fact TSU sits in the third largest city in the U.S., and has a vast amount of resources available to raise awareness about TSU. Davis will use all of the above and other advantages to raise money for scholarships and fellowships, create mentoring programs and community outreach and partnerships. Davis says he would like to undertake new initiatives and will start with acknowledging the graduates of TSU who are supportive of the university and who have been a mainstay through the university’s growing pains, which have not always been that pleasant. “We have got some graduates whose support for the university is unwavering. We need to say thank you to them for remaining steadfast. I think that’s a first step and a great place to begin.” He referenced the recent Distinguished Alumni Gala held last month by the university that honored 8 alumni and 11 chapters. “We need to do more of that because the alumni, like other individuals have an innate desire to be recognized. I think the more the university does for the alumni, the more the alumni can and will do for the university.” Davis, who is a long-time Houston businessman and owner of popular, The Breakfast Klub Restaurant, has a plan and that plan calls for painting a picture of a common goal for Texas Southern University and the Alumni Association. “I plan to paint the picture of our common goal, which is to make Texas Southern the best university in the world.

This picture will then compel alumni and former students to work toward that goal. I hope to remind our graduates of the good fortune they have received by being a product of TSU, and to then encourage them to think about all they have to offer potential students. As parents always want better for their children, we as TSU alumni should want better for our university,” Davis continued.

Davis doesn’t just talk the talk, he spends a lot of time on campus, at least two to three days a week. “I love being on the campus. I get inspired by walking the campus, talking to students and watching the physical changes, from the newly trimmed trees to the weekly conversations with students, it’s quite obvious that there is something different going on at TSU,” says Davis, who adds, “There is an apparent rush to ‘get it done’ attitude, and a good deal of hustling and bustling I see among the students to grasp knowledge and get that education.” When asked how he plans to include the alumni in his vision, Davis maintains, “I intend to ask the alumni to get involved in things that connect them to the school and to the students. For instance, he plans to energize the on-campus career days by asking alumni to speak and mentor. The first thing he wants to build upon is communicating what TSU has the potential to build and to become. “I’m a firm believer in the old adage, `If you build it, they will come.’ If we build a better TSU, everyone will want to be a part of it.” Davis says that, “The role of alumni has not caught on at TSU yet, but it wasn’t ingrained and instilled in me to give back until recent years. Now I know that we (alumni and former students) have got to take care of TSU. The culture of giving back has to be created across the universe. Other universities send that message of giving back loudly and clearly and we have got to do the same,” the new president stressed. “Once we all see the vision,” Davis envisions a better alumni association and a better TSU. He plans to link arms with the university and communicate regularly with former students about the university’s goals, vision, accomplishments and achievements. “I am going to ask all alumni and former students of TSU to join forces with the university and continue to further its tradition of educating our youth.” Davis feels, from where TSU sits, in the heart of an urban community, created for a special purpose, that TSU can be the greatest institution in the land.

“There should be a steady stream of students, from the feeder schools, matriculating seamlessly to TSU and graduating in four years into the wonderful world of work. That’s the way it should be....let it be said, let it be done. We’ve got work to do!” Davis works everyday to help enhance his community and the lives of others. Some of the recent awards and honors he has received include, the 2006 Pinnacle Award, which he received along with his brothers, given in honor of companies that spur growth and development; and just recently he participated in the 2009 Men of Style and the Iota Phi Lamda Sorority- Alpha Kappa Chapter, presented Davis with the business of the month award. Davis’ motto that he ends each and every show on Sunday Morning Live, where he serves as host is, “Whenever the opportunity to do good presents itself, why do anything else.”

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INTERVIEW THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® New Beginnings Academy is located at 12240 Murphy Road Suite Q in Stafford, Texas 77477 • Please call (281)561-7238

BUSINESSWOMAN

CONSTANCE

HICKS INTERVIEW BY AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Constance Hicks is the proud Director/Owner of New Beginnings Academy located in Stafford, Texas. Prior to planning and opening New Beginnings Academy, she was an educator/administrator with Houston Independent School District and Spring Branch Independent School District.

After planning for one year, New Beginnings Academy opened in October 2003, and she’s never looked back.

AUBREY: Constance, what was life like for you growing up? I’m talking about your family life as a child? What was it like?

CONSTANCE: We grew up as a working class family. My stepdad worked two jobs to provide and support his family while my Mom was a domestic engineer(housewife). She took her role as our MOM seriously and still does. I was always doing things very advanced for my age although I was always reading, studying and playing school. I recalled as a little girl about the age of 7 playing school during the summer months with my siblings and cousins and I always wanted to be the teacher and principal.

So, I realize as a young child, that GOD had gifted me to connect with young children. We lived in 3rd Ward and later move to the southwest side of Houston, but we were normal kids with a very strict Mom and a laid back Dad. My mother believed strongly in education and GOD! AUBREY: At what point in your life did you decide that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?

CONSTANCE: I always seemed to assume leadership roles at every job, but after volunteering at my son’s school and leaving Corporate America to teach, and then after (5) years in

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Education and believing that my voice needed to be heard outside the classroom and becoming frustrated with the infrastructure of education – is when I decided that I needed to make a difference and plant seeds in children that I felt I could impact the most. First, I wanted NBA to be a Charter School, but after meeting in Austin, and talking with other Charter School owners and working for a Charter School (for about a year) – at that point decided I wanted to open my own model pre-school that would elevate GOD and promote education and develop one brilliant mind at a time. After struggling for (2) years, laughing to keep from crying, and walking around in a daze and praying until my knees were worn – I never imagine that the decision I made in October 2003 would lead to this! God stepped in and poured out a blessing beyond my imagination.

AUBREY: I understand that you own multiple businesses today Constance. I know about New Beginnings Academy...but could you share a little with us about your other business ventures and how they’re doing right now?

CONSTANCE: I currently own New Beginnings Academy, New Beginnings Consulting (which is a consulting company) that

works with other pre-schools and presents workshops, and I also own a franchise (Colbert & Ball) Tax Service, which will launch a year-round financial program that will allow our office to be open all year long.

AUBREY: Initially when you went into business...did you have a partner? Were you well capitalized? Or has this been a faith walk of sorts for you the entire way?

CONSTANCE: Initially, when I started NBA I wanted to be a charter but the process was overwhelming. I was pregnant with NBA and planned for a whole year with my Godmother, Mable Humphrey to give birth to New Beginnings Academy. However, I saved and used all of my 401(k) savings from my teacher’s retirement but there wasn’t enough planning to prepare me for the turbulent-contractor issues, delayed and late opening which resulted in very low enrollment – which is where my FAITH walk came in. After being open about 3 months, struggling to pay bills (personal and business) and then most importantly trying to build up my enrollment. My lights were turned off several times at my home and then my son and I had to eat hotdogs and chips because of my budget – it was all

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we could afford considering this was the the first (2) years that the doors of NBA were opened. I cried and prayed, was financially broke and shaken, but never broken, and never wavered in my FAITH. I knew if I would continue to PRAY, lift my eyes to the hills, and believe and have FAITH in GOD – that this too would pass! I believe with all my heart that GOD doesn’t give you a vision without any provision.

AUBREY: Constance, if you could look back over your business life...what has been one of the major challenges you’ve had to overcome? And could you tell us how you overcame this major challenge? And what bit of advice could you offer or share with someone who may be going through a trying or difficult circumstance right now in their business, professional, or personal life?

CONSTANCE: One of the many challenges that I had to face was just TRUSTING GOD with every aspect of my business and believing that I had to stay true and committed to my business.

Again, I strongly would tell any entrepreneur to practice the 3P'spray, plan, and know what your purpose is – especially according to GOD's will. I would encourage you to never give up or give in.

Remember GOD is the author of our life and finisher of our FATE. Never stop praying and fasting.

Continue to plan and proceed – no matter how things look! FAITH without work is dead. Remember never to limit your life by comparing it to others. Believe that GOD will and always provide.

AUBREY: Constance, in closing I would like to share something with you that Henry Ward Beecher once said, “The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.”

My final questions to you are...how strong is your will to reach every God-given goal that He has placed in your heart? And could you tell us a little about your goals for the future?

CONSTANCE: My will is very strong and so is my FAITH in GOD. I believe that if you are faithful over a little, then he will make you ruler over much. TRUST GOD and seek him to guide you so that He can use your tests as a testimony to to serve a story of encouragement for others.

Surround yourself with positive people and never WAIVER your faith! In the natural, a car that is broken is usually useless, but in the SPIRIT being broken and shaken is an opportunity for GOD to repair and refill. Our goal in the next (2) years is to open a 2nd location (New Beginnings University) and a group home for pregnant teens under the umbrella of our Not for Profit

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Organization. In 2010, we will have completed phase 1 for the group home to assist Pregnant and Unwed Mothers and hopefully will be open by the end of 2010.

I believe my gift to connect with children is to mold, nurture and prepare them to become productive citizens. The group home compliment what I’m already doing with New Beginnings Academy.

A Little About New Beginnings Academy Our Mission NBA will empower children to soar to a higher level in academics, social skills and spiritual growth allowing them to explore learning in a warm, bright, love and secure environment.

Our Vision NBA will develop a foundation that includes academic, social, spiritual and physical growth and awareness, which will enable them to become life-long learners.

About The Director Constance Hicks is the proud Director/Owner of New Beginnings Academy located in Stafford, Texas. Prior to planning and opening New Beginnings Academy, she was an educator, administrator with Houston Independent School District and Spring Branch Independent School District. After planning for one year, New Beginnings Academy opened in October 2003.

She believes in providing a smaller setting that will empower all children to excel in reading writing and math in early childhood education. She solicits the support of parents and welcomes their positive involvement and presence throughout the school year. She believes and realizes that takes "A village to raise and provide optimal care for all children."

New Beginnings was founded on the basis of being a model school and giving your child opportunities to blossom into responsible, considerate, honest and contributing members of society. She believes the main goal of her school is to provide each child with a quality education and cater to their emotional, physical, and cognitive growth while providing the finest care available for children between the ages of 18 months to 12 years of age.

Constance is a University of Houston graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in English. She is currently matriculating at University of HoustonSugarland pursuing a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., National.

She enjoys presenting workshops and is currently planning to open a second location to better serve the needs of children in the Houston/Sugarland areas.

Constance has one son, Brandon and is a spiritual mother to all of the students enrolled at New Beginnings Academy. In her past time she enjoys home and gardening, reading, cooking, and shopping. She is always looking for and trying to create ways to present and teach in a unique and fun way.

New Beginnings Academy is located at 12240 Murphy Road Suite Q in Stafford, Texas 77477. If you would like more information on New Beginnings Academy, please call (281)561-7238 and someone will gladly answer your questions.

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ADVERTISE HERE! THE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS SHOWCASE is a monthly platform sponsored by the businesses showcased. All advertisements are accepted at the discretion of the publisher. Although Aubrey R. Taylor Communications makes every effort to check the authenticity of our advertisements, we accept no responsibility or liability for the contents therein. The advertiser assures that advertisements will not contain any matter that is libelous or violates any person's right of privacy or constitutes copyright infringement or is otherwise contrary to law. The advertiser assumes all responsibility in connection with the advertisement placed in this publication. Aubrey R. Taylor Communications shall be held harmless from any claim, loss, damage (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that may be incurred or suffered for any reason including but not limited to a breach of any kind associated with advertisers included in this section. What are you waiting for? Call today to get started! Advertising in this section is an excellent way to promote your business in 2009!

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Year End Tax Considerations

By Ronnie R. Alexander, CPA

It's that time of year again when most of us start to think about taxes. The truth is that we should be thinking about them and planning throughout the year. But alas, we often fall short of our goal getting our act together and doing some real tax planning. However, it's still not too late make a difference with regard to our 2009 tax obligation. Below are a few strategies to consider before December 31st to lower your income taxes.

Increase Tax Deductible Expenses Consider making an extras mortgage payment. The extra payment includes interest that can be deducted in the current tax year.

Pay property taxes before year end. If you property taxes are due early next year, if you pay them by December 31st, they are deductible in the current year.

Make charitable donations. “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and the government gives you a tax deduction for doing so-provided that you give to an IRS-recognized charitable organization.

Charitable organizations are really hurting and would greatly benefit from your donations. Don't forget to donate household goods, clothing and other items. Just make certain that they are in good or better condition and you get a receipt.

First-Time Homebuyers Credit. If you haven't heard of this by now, you've been hiding under a rock. The maximum credit is $8,000 for first-time homebuyers.

It was originally scheduled to end on November 30, 2009, but was extended until April 31, 2010. For purchases after November 6, 2009 and before May 1, 2010, existing homeowners can purchase a new home and get a credit of $6,500, if they have owned and lived in their residence for any five consecutive years during the eightyear period ending with the date of the new home purchase.

Consumer Energy Tax Incentives. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended many consumer tax incentives set to expire under previous acts.

Consumers may receive tax credits for such things as energyefficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, etc. (30% of the cost, up to $1,500) for improvements placed in service from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. Installing solar energy systems can garner you a credit of 30% for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016. There are also credits available for the purchase of hybrid gas-electric and alternative fuel vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid

Investment and Retirement Considerations Maximize your retirement savings.

Contributions to tax-deferred retirement plans or accounts reduce your taxable income, thereby reducing taxes due. Tax deferred retirement plans and accounts include your 401(k) as well as IRAs and

offset any capital gains realized from selling other investments at a profit. In addition, you can deduct up to $3,000 of losses that exceed gains each year.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of available tax deductions and incentives; however, you should have a few items to consider during your year-end tax planning. Everyone has to pay his/her “fair share” of taxes. With proper tax planning, you can be assured that you are paying only your fair share, not someone else's. With proper tax planning, when you file your tax returns you should owe the government little or nothing, and the government should not be holding your money interest free. Tough times call for smart money management, this includes smart tax planning.

ALEXANDER business owner retirement plans.

(Remember, IRA contributions can be made any time before April 16th of each year for the previous tax year.)

Get rid of those losing investments. If you have some investments whose value has fallen significantly below your basis, consider selling them before year end to

Ronnie R. Alexander is the owner/proprietor of Ronnie R. Alexander, CPA. His firm offers accounting, tax and business consulting to small businesses, as well as tax planning and preparation services to individuals. If you are in need of accounting, tax or business consulting services, he can be reached at (832) 638-2757 or on the web at www.RonnieAlexanderCPA.com.

Pharmacy Plus

Pay medical bills. You can get a deduction for medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, so pay your insurance premiums, stock up on prescription meds, or buy those eyeglasses that you know you need.

Pay next semester's tuition early. You may qualify for a credit of up to $2,500 if you pay your child's tuition bill in 2009.

This deduction is called the American Opportunity Tax Credit (formerly the Hope credit). The credit does have a phase out at certain income levels.

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