October 2009 Houston Business Connections Newspaper

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!

ARE YOU DOING IT? ATTENTION: “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.”

Featured inside this issue of Houston Business Connections are just a few of the people you can expect to see in the next issue of Aubrey Magazine! Michelle Rodriguez, President of HSW Financial Services (Pictured Right) and Bryan Powell, President & CEO of Boundless Technical Services, Inc. (Pictured Left) are just two of the sponsors of the issue!

If you would like to have a “Branding Advertorial” on your business or organization included...your time is running out. Aubrey Magazine will spotlight over 250 women from across Texas! Call Us Today at: 832.212.8735!

— Machiavelli

www.PeopleDoingBusiness.Com Bryan Powell Business Owner/Supporter

Michelle Rodriguez Business Owner/Supporter

“PART THREE” PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES

“Women’s Issue” Supporters!

The Jaworski Law Firm The Law Office of Silvia Pubchara-Munoz Brown, Brown, Reynolds, P.C. Law Office of Dagnee McKinney, PLLC Leroy Simms & Associates Boundless Technical Services, Inc. HSW Financial Services

Leading By Example!

Council Member Jarvis Johnson making an impact in District B

See More Information On The Re-Elect Jarvis Johnson For Houston City Council District B • On PAGE • 12

DOWNLOAD THIS ISSUE ONLINE BY VISITING: HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE & SNAPSHOTS ON WOMEN!

SPECIAL NOTE: Check out just some of the names of the women already slated to be spotlighted in next edition of Aubrey magazine!

To see a complete list visit: www.houston-businessconnections.com!

Are You Doing Your Thing?

This issue marks the beginning of our push to make the promotion of women in business and politics a major part of our newspaper and magazine! Would you like to be included? Call us today at: (832)212-8735 or feel free to contact me directly at your leisure: at (832)894-1352 to discuss your inclusion.

We’re spotlighting such women as: First Lady Michelle Obama, self-proclaimed “Second Lady” Dr. Jill Biden, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. But we won’t stop there! You can also expect to see many local women from all walks of life. Women like: April Grant, Casandra Brown, Chaka Jones, Daphney Chaney, Denise Arlene Mann, Elder Cynthia Patterson, Eleanor Marsh, Eartha Jean Johnson, Erica Reynolds, Jocelyn Rhodes, Juniper Tyler, Karen Buris Simon, Lana Flakes, Latrice Antwine, Mary L. Sharp, Natalie Mott, Rose Rougeau, Roxanne Flores, Sha’Quilla Ellis, Shelita Anders, Tammy Jolivette, Tammy Fleming, Thelissa Edwards, and Tiwan Hawkins. Oh, and yes, we’re looking for you too...that is... if you’re doing your thing! Log on to www.houston-businessconnections.com to see the list of women who’ve already made our 2009 List of Women On The Move You Should Know!

Also on our list are many women who’ve been appointed to various offices, boards and judgeships by Governor Rick Perry!

And yes, the only woman ever elected as a U.S. Senator from Texas is also included at: www.houston-businessconnections.com!

A little about Kay Bailey-Hutchison:

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ay Bailey Hutchison’s Texas roots run deep. Thomas J. Rusk of Nacogdoches was the first Texan to hold the U.S. Senate seat she currently occupies. He and Senator Hutchison’s great-great-grandfather, Charles S. Taylor, were law partners, and both signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Kay Bailey Hutchison grew up in La Marque and graduated from the University of Texas and UT Law School. She has achieved many firsts in her life including the first woman television reporter in Texas, first Republican Woman elected to the Texas House of Representatives, first Republican elected as State Treasurer of Texas and as the senior United States Senator from Texas she is the highest ranking Republican woman in Congress.

Senator Hutchison has a deep love of Texas. During her time as a United States Senator she made it a goal and has visited all 254 counties in Texas.

In June 2000, she and several colleagues coauthored Nine and Counting: The Women of the Senate, and in 2004, she released her second book, American Heroines: The Spirited Women Who Shaped Our Country. Sen. Hutchison published her most recent bestseller, Leading Ladies: American Trailblazers, in October 2007.

The senator lives in Dallas with her husband, Ray, and their two children, Bailey and Houston.

GRANT 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT

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pril Grant is the middle of five children and was raised a “PK”, Preachers Kid. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, this self proclaimed “Testimonial Encourager” does not believe in taking herself too seriously. “That would get in the way of my testimony. I myself wouldn’t believe a “stuck–up” Christian – they are a contradiction to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must stand before the people of God completely transparent allowing the presence of God to be evident in us; otherwise, self hasn’t died out yet,” she shares with a laugh.

As humorous as April can be, she say’s she found herself on a number of occasions, in the middle of situations that were no laughing matter. One of those occasions occurred during the summer of 2007 when jobless, April and her son found themselves homeless and living in a shelter. Always extracting the positive in all situations, April says that through that experience she learned that it was necessary for her to be ‘broken’ in order to rid herself of drawbacks such as haughtiness and pride, and in effect learn not to trust solely on herself. During the course of that occurrence, came a breakthrough – an inextricable understanding that in order to begin to live again, God had to be fully in control. And from that moment on April hasn’t looked back!

April conveys the inspiration from God in her life and her personal relationship with Jesus Christ through poetry and other literary works. Focusing on her passion for assisting her friends and loved ones with their company project developments, April began a project administrative company, GIC Productions that provides assistance to smaller companies and individuals on an as needed basis.

Gods In Control Productions assists Non-Profit Organizations in the areas of Public Relations, Event Consulting, Project Coordinating, Research Development and Administrative duties as needed, on a contractual basis to help properly market their businesses service(s) and/or event(s).

For more information on GIC Productions please contact April directly at: april.grant@yahoo.com – Article Written by Aubrey Williams

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Aubrey R. Taylor, Publisher Houston Business Connections Newspaper

Contact The Publisher: 832.212.8735 Direct: aubreyrtaylor@houston-businessconnections.com

OCT. 2009 PROMOTIONAL 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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NORMAN 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT esha Denise Norman grew up in a family full of male cousins that liked to rough house and push her around. She learned to be tough at an early age, but she’s always had a feminine touch.

Kesha loved to play dress up, even as a young girl growing up in Memphis, TN. From cheerleader, to beauty pageant contestant and dignified debutante, Kesha has always been a woman of excellence, dedication, beauty and with a keen eye for fashion. After college, Kesha moved to New York, NY to go to school and further develop her pre-existing skills in make-up artistry. From there she moved to Houston, TX hoping to get a fresh start and pursue her dreams. After a couple of years, tiresomely working for different companies, Kesha’s desire to be an entrepreneur and break into fashion grew stronger. Inspired by God, her mother and her strong family roots, Kesha opened Material Girls Boutique! And she states that, “this is only the beginning of bigger and greater blessings to come!”

“Material Girls Boutique will be the premier spot to shop and experience fashion like none other,” she say’s. In a relaxed atmosphere, customers will be able to savor a glass of wine or champagne while shopping amongst some of the latest labels and trends such as: French Connection, Robins Jean, Glam, Dirtee Hollywood, and Black Orchid! As well as up and coming designers like Ren’eec. (L.A.) and M.Rena (L.A.)! If you’re a Material Girl come experience our luxury world!

For more information on Material Girls Boutique please contact Kesha directly at: materialgirls09@gmail.com

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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

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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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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS A CONNECTION! CALL US AT: 832.212.8735!

FLORES 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT andra Flores is a native Houstonian and single mother of a 4yr old daughter, Clarissa. As her independent insurance organization, Sandra Flores Insurance Agency continues to grow, she gives all the glory to the Most High in positioning her with clients who appreciate her dedication to finding complete insurance policies that truly fit all their needs from homeowners, auto, commercial and life insurance.

An industry expert for the last six years, she enjoys the great outdoors by biking and taking her daughter to museums and parks. To stay strong in this time of financial uncertainty, she stays very active in the networking spotlight. An active Chairman for the Service Cooperative Association, she contributes to the association of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial professional growth by encouraging business owners to not allow the society around them to

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discourage business profitability.

Also a partner in Benefit Home Buyer IQ, she coordinates city wide mixers to encourage future home buyers to stay educated and consciences of all available resources to insure the closing of their new home is an investment that continually builds their future wealth.

Achievement of opening a second branch location in San Antonio Texas is on track for Sandra as she anticipates having the new office open by January 2010. Sandra’s passion in the industry has been noted by new business owners as she has become well-known for her desire to help grow companies into successful corporations, from their first day of business.

Sandra enjoys sharing her motivational outlook at speaking and educational engagements.

Servicing all of Houston she can be contacted at 832-289-4465 or in the office at 7322 Southwest Freeway Suite 1080 Houston, TX 77074.

with Kevin Price

CHANEY 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT “Blessed is the man whose trust is in the Lord, He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” ~ Jeremiah 17:8

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native Houstonian, single mother of two and anointed woman of God, Daphney Chaney, who bears a first and last name that are most befitting as both represent a type of “tree”; is a woman with strong and expansive roots! As trees are a major theme in the Bible, with an array of representation from strong roots to branches that bear fruit, Daphney has lived out the meaning of her name to its fullest.

Often placed on the front line, Daphney Chaney willingly shows hers wounds so that others may be healed. She stands firmly on the Word of God, rooted in His unfailing love and is a survivor of domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, and illness. , A charismatic Inspirational /Motivational speaker.

She boldly shares her testimonies from tragedy to triumph to inspire and motivate people from all walks of life. She has a special anointing and is spiritually gifted in leading women to discover their identity in Christ by nurturing developing and mentoring them through scripture, empowering them to reach their full potential in Christ, thus becoming victorious virtuous women of God. Burdened by the growing issues confronting our youth and the alarming rates of high school dropouts, teen pregnancy, teen violence, sexually transmitted diseases, depression and suicide, In May 2009 God gave her the vision to found Intentionally You (for girls) mentorship and Born to Lead (for boys), mentorship programs for youth ages 10-22 . Both programs serve to develop effective interventions,

The PRICE of Business

with a particular focus on inner city youth.

According to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston the National Vital Statistics Report that African Americans account for 70 percent of HIV/AIDS cases reported among teens. Moreover, only 40% of Houston's African American teen populace is expected to graduate High School. Both programs provide a platform for youth to be heard and empowered to live a life of chastity and pursue their dreams. In order to deliver the best possible service, Daphney brings together qualified individuals to provide the necessary tools to equip our youth to be courageous, successful, responsible, & confident adults.

Growing up in an environment where dreams and goals were never encouraged and gifts and talents were never nurtured, she became a self starter, and self motivator. Bearing many branches this true visionary posses a unique natural ability to encourage, motivate and inspire others to let go of the past , find strength through adversity, and move forward, toward fulfillment of their dreams.

Recently diagnosed with chronic nerve pain, pain that often leaves her incapacitated, Daphney still refuses to quit. Her motto is” No Guts, No Glory”. Unwavering in her faith and committed to excellence she is a most sought after youth and women summit speaker, a Certified Christian Counselor, Director of Evangelism at Higher Dimension Church (Houston, TX), part-time student at the College of Biblical Studies (Houston, TX) and inspirational writer. Her writings and articles have been featured in gospel magazines - Favor and The Devine Voice. She is author of Arise an Inspirational book of writings and poetry and anticipates the release of her new gospel spoken word CD She has completed Intentionally You, a motivational book for girls and eagerly anticipates more of God's marvelous works, in and through her life.

For more information on mentoring programs, or to request her as a speaker visit the following website: Website: www.livingbeyondministries.com Email: info@livingbeyondministries.com

Monday Through Friday at 11 AM on CNN 650 and AOL Radio Sponsored by the Bank of Houston

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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS A CONNECTION! CALL US AT: 832.212.8735!

OBAMA 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT

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hen people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn’t hesitate. First and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha’s mom.

But before she was a mother – or a wife, lawyer, or public servant – she was Fraser and Marian Robinson’s daughter.

The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her brother, Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons.

A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life.

After a few years, Michelle decided her true calling lay in encouraging people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago’s City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that pre-

pares youth for public service.

In 1996, Michelle joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. As associate dean of student services, she developed the university’s first community service program, and under her leadership as vice president of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed.

As First Lady, Michelle Obama looks forward to continuing her work on the issues close to her heart – supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, and encouraging national service.

Michelle and Barack Obama have two daughters: Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. Like their mother, the girls were born on the South Side of Chicago.

BIDEN 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT r. Jill Biden has been an educator for the past 28 years and continues to teach English classes at a DC-area community college. She is the wife of Vice President Joe Biden.

Jill has a long history of activism in her community and she continues to work to raise awareness on education, military families, and women’s health issues. Given her professional experience and passion, President Obama has asked Dr. Biden to help highlight the importance of America’s community colleges, and Dr. Biden frequently visits community colleges and speaks with students, parents, and teachers around the country as part of this outreach.

As a Blue Star Mom, Jill has made military families one of her top priorities. She has traveled to many bases in both the United States and in Germany to speak with soldiers and their families and try to raise awareness and show appreciation for the special sacrifices that these Americans make. In Delaware, she was active with a nonprofit organization called Delaware Boots on the Ground, which is dedicated to helping families during times of military deployment by organizing community events to raise awareness and support. An advocate of literacy and reading programs, she also helped found Book Buddies in 2007, a program that encourages reading among children from low-income families. In 1993, after four of her friends were diagnosed with breast cancer, she started the Biden Breast Health Initiative, which in the past 16 years has educated more than 10,000 ninth-through-twelfth-grade girls in Delaware about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

Prior to moving to Washington, Dr. Biden taught English for 15 years at Delaware

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Technical & Community College. Before that, she taught for 13 years in public schools as a reading specialist and English teacher, as well as working part-time with the Rockford Psychiatric Hospital Adolescent Program.

In January 2007, Dr. Biden earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Delaware. Her dissertation focused on maximizing student retention in community colleges.

She also has a Master’s Degree in English from Villanova University (1987) and a Master's Degree in reading from West Chester University (1981) - both of which she earned while working full-time and raising a family.

The oldest of five sisters, Jill Jacobs was raised in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, by her mother, Bonny and Donald Jacobs, both of whom are now deceased. Jill was a student at the University of Delaware in 1975 when Joe Biden's brother arranged an introduction between her and then-Senator Biden. On June 17, 1977, they were married at the United Nations chapel in New York City. The Bidens have three children: Ashley, a social worker; Beau, Attorney General of the State of Delaware and a captain in the Delaware Army National Guard; and Hunter, a lawyer. She is the proud grandmother (“Nana”) of Naomi, Finnegan, Roberta Mabel ("Maisy"), Natalie, and Robert Hunter.

The woman you should know, standing on your right is Michelle Rodriguez the President of HSW Financial. HSW Financial is one of the nation's leading buyers and servicers of commercial debt and has offices in Texas and California. Michelle is also a sponsor of the “People Doing Business Series.” For more information on Michelle Rodriguez contact the Houston office of HSW Financial: (713)590-6009. Or feel free to visit the company website located at: wwwhswfinancial.com.

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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS A CONNECTION! CALL US AT: 832.212.8735!

CLINTON 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT

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n January 21, 2009, Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in as the 67th Secretary of State of the United States.

Secretary Clinton joined the State Department after nearly four decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and Senator.

Secretary Clinton was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 26, 1947 to Dorothy Rodham and the late Hugh Rodham.

She attended local public schools before graduating from Wellesley College and Yale Law School, where she met Bill Clinton. In 1974, Secretary Clinton moved to Arkansas, a year later then married Bill Clinton and became a successful attorney while also raising their daughter, Chelsea. She was an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, and after working to strengthen the local legal aid office, she was appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977 to serve on the board of the Legal Services Corporation, which she later chaired.

During her 12 years as First Lady of the State of Arkansas, she was Chairwoman of the Arkansas Education Standards Committee, co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and served on the boards of the Arkansas Children's Hospital, and the Children's Defense Fund.

In 1992, Governor Clinton was elected President of the United States, and as First Lady, Hillary Clinton became an advocate of health care reform and worked on many issues relating to children and families. She led successful bipartisan efforts to improve the adoption and foster care systems, reduce teen pregnancy, and provide health care to millions of children through the Children's Health Insurance Program.

She also traveled to more than 80 countries as a representative of our country, winning respect as a champion of human rights, democracy and civil society. Her famous speech in Beijing in 1995 -- when she declared that "human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human rights" - inspired

women worldwide and helped galvanize a global movement for women's rights.

With Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary Clinton worked to launch the government's Vital Voices Democracy Initiative. Today, Vital Voices is a non-governmental organization that continues to train and organize women leaders across the globe.

In 2000, Hillary Clinton made history as the first First Lady elected to the United States Senate, and the first woman elected statewide in New York. In the Senate, she served on the Armed Services Committee, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Budget Committee and the Select Committee on Aging. She was also a Commissioner on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

As a Senator, Clinton worked across party lines to build support for causes important to her constituents and the country, including the expansion of economic opportunity and access to quality, affordable health care. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, she was a strong advocate for funding the rebuilding of New York and the health concerns of the first responders who risked their lives working at Ground Zero. She also championed the cause of our nation's military and fought for better health care and benefits for wounded service members, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves. She was also the only Senate member of the Transformation Advisory Group to the Department of Defense's Joint Forces Command.

In 2006, Senator Clinton won reelection to the Senate, and in 2007 she began her historic campaign for President. In 2008, she campaigned for the election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and in November, she was nominated by President-elect Obama to be Secretary of State.

Secretary Clinton is the author of best-selling books, including her memoir, Living History, and her groundbreaking book on children, It Takes A Village. She and President Clinton reside in New York.

The woman you should know, standing on your right is Constance Hicks. Constance is the Director of the New Beginning Academy, L.L.C., and a business supporter of the “People Doing Business Series!” At the New Beginnings Academy, Constance and her fine administration and staff are “Developing One Brilliant Mind At A Time...”

The New Beginnings Academy is located at 12240 Murphy Road Suite Q in Stafford, Texas 77477. The contact number is: (281)561-7238. Or visit them online at: www.nbalkids.com.You can find out more about Constance and others just like her by checking out our website: www.peopledoingbusiness.com

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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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OPPORTUNITY ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

MEET MR. JASON CHENIER Looking for a healthier way to drink coffee without it losing its rich, full-embodied flavor? Well, you may have just found it! mericans are said to drink over 400 million cups of coffee each day, which is nearly 52% of the American adult population! We drink coffee in the morning, afternoon and evening. It is our morning staple and our evening pick-me-up, as many of us depend on its caffeine to stay active and alert. For many Americans, drinking coffee has become a ritual. In fact, coffee is only second to water as the most consumed beverage in the world!

Now, if you are a devoted coffee consumer as I am, the words “healthy coffee” may not sound all that appealing. As coffee lovers, we look forward to sipping that cup of fresh brewed coffee and seldom consider any of the ramifications for doing so! With all of the other substitutes for healthy living, the “healthy” coffee alternative may not be one that automatically captures your attention, let alone the change in your pocketbook!

Well, OrGano Gold coffee with Ganoderma Extract may finally be the coffee that does capture your attention, especially for those of us who are looking for a healthier way to consume beverages.

We all know that caffeine is addictive, yet, for many coffee drinkers, the laced down affect of “decaf” just doesn't cut it. As a result, many of us who are in search of that all too important, “kick”, opt for the less healthy of the two - caffeinated.

OrGano Gold is a brand-new exotic coffee blend made from 100% Arabica coffee beans blended with the Reishi Mushroom, also dubbed the King of Herbs.

According to Jason Chenier, an independent consultant for OrGano Gold who has over 15 years of experience in the global supply chain industry as former owner of an importing and exporting company, the Arabica bean is said to have less caffeine than all other varieties of coffee beans. When blended with Ganoderma Extract (found in the Reishi Mushroom), the typical amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is said to be significantly reduced.

Mr. Chenier also explained the other benefits of the OrGano Gold product and that improvements in overall health have been seen. He states that Ganoderma also oxygenates the body, increasing oxygen to the brain, which in turn helps with mental capabilities and even flexibility. He also stated that Ganoderma helps to balance the P.H. levels in the body and is full of natural antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals.

The Reishi Mushroom is native to Asia, growing in countries such as Japan and China and is hailed as the “mushroom of immor-

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tality”. In China, it is known as Ling Zhi, and at one point in history was esteemed by Emperors and prized more highly than gold.

Founded by Bernie Chua, the OrGano Gold product has been the number one selling coffee in the Philippines for over 10 years. The OrGano Gold product was introduced to the United States in 2008 and has since created quite a “buzz” in and out of the social drinking community. In its first ten months in the states, the product is said to have had over $7M in sales.

An instant coffee, OrGano Gold comes in three gourmet flavors; Black, Latte and Mocha. The coffee is sold in single packets, by the box in counts of 30 for Black,

20 for Latte and 15 for Mocha, at ties). OrGano Gold's objective is to about .50 per cup. For individuals capture 1% of the coffee market, who may be in search of a healthiwhich would generate approxier drinking alternative with mately $125M in sales per month!

Ganoderma, but prefer something He further explained that Texas has other than coffee, OrGano Gold the highest number of distributors also has a delicious for the OrGano Gold green tea that may product, placing the ADVERTORIAL suit your taste buds.

Lone Star state in And hot chocolate, a favorite for prime position, and making the children (and those of us who are state a major player in reaching children at heart), is also available! their goal! Simply put, this means Mr. Chenier also explained there is potential to make trementhe OrGano Gold Compensation dous supplemental income for Package and its' “Seven Ways to entrepreneurs and those who may Get Paid”, which include their be interested in becoming one, Retail (buying product at wholeright here at home! sale) and the Dual Team Builder For more information on the packages (for consumers and those OrGano Gold product “The Coffee interested in business opportuniThat Pays” and their weekly network-

Mr. Chenier may be contacted directly at (832)-421-7102.

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ing meetings, or to become an independent consultant please visit Jason Chenier on the web at http://debtfree.coffeemillions.com/movie_player/. For purchase orders, please visit http://coffeecompany.organogold.com /na/biz/ or contact Mr. Chenier directly at (832)-421-7102 or ntsjasonchenier@netscape.net for free samples.

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LEADING BY EXAMPLE Council Member Jarvis Johnson making an impact in District B It has been said that just as you know a tree by the fruit it bears, you know a man by his works. Before and since becoming a member of the Houston City Council, Jarvis Johnson has been known for his impactful works within District B and throughout the city of Houston.

Pension Review, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Regulation, Development, Neighborhood Protection and Transportation, Infrastructure & Aviation committees.

Council Member Johnson has a continuing goal to empower our young people The mantra compliments the through education and community service so District's goals that have been outthat they may prosper and be exceptional lined by both Council Member examples. Council Member Johnson host sevJohnson and the constituents of eral youth-oriented community events designed to empower and equip young adults District B. Specifically, Council Member Johnson has committed him- for future success. In addition, Council self to the development of sustainable Member Johnson celebrates the Christmas season by giving away over 1600 toys and mixed-income communities, comfortproviding a cultural experience to underpriviable and stable living for senior citileged youth during his annual Winter zens, more green space for parks, and Wonderland Holiday Christmas party. better commercialism for urban com- Council Member Johnson also reaches out to District B's seniors through programs such as munities. By accomplishing the the District B Senior Citizen Christmas Party, aforementioned goals, District B has Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway, Annual Senior Citizen's Prom, and Senior Citizen City experienced an improved quality of Hall and Downtown Tours. life for it's over 250,000 constituents.

He has received many awards since he Council Member Johnson continues his has embarked on the challenge of creating, mission of improved quality of life as chair of developing and molding young minds into the City of Houston's Human Services and becoming great leaders. His work and conTechnology Access Committee. As Chair of tributions have been recognized by countthis committee, he considers strategies to less organizations, such as: The National achieve digital inclusion for all Houstonians Association of Black Social Workersas well as methods to improve access to Distinction Award, National Association of human services throughout the community, Black Public Administrators-Young with a specific focus on serving youth and Administrator of the Year Award, National senior citizens. He also serves on the City of Council of Negro Women-Houston Chapter Houston's Flooding and Distinguished Service Award, Drainage, Housing and ADVERTORIAL Texas Association for the Community Development, Education of Young ChildrenInternational Liaison and Advocate of the Year, and the H.E.S.P Protocol, M/WBE, Small Contractor Union 'Pillar of the Community' Award.

Development and Contract Compliance,

Council Member Johnson has adopted the internal and external mantra of “Leading By Example.”

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His other major accomplishments in District B have included: • The 5-Year CIP has a combined total of $1.9 billion in infrastructure projects.

• Over $17 million allocated for Library/Parks projects and renovations • Over $8 million allocated for Parks Projects in District B • Over $8 million allocated to Multi-Service Center Renovations • Over $24 million allocated for Storm Drainage projects • Hosted several community conversations with community residents in Fifth Ward, Scenic Woods, Kashmere Gardens and Pleasantville to devise specific plans of action for community improvement.

• Chaired the Houston International Jazz Festival to raise money for Jazz Education Inc.'s community programs to benefit economically disadvantaged youth-over $60,000 raised.

• Hosted annual “Proximity to Opportunity” Business Forum with over 200 M/WBE certified businesses to discuss contracting opportunities for HAS 1.2 B Terminal B expansion.

• Expanded the boundaries of the 5th Ward TIRZ to stimulate new development and add millions in new revenue increment.

• Appropriated 3.5 M for Wireless Empowered Community Access Network (WeCan) Initiative. WeCan will bring wireless internet connectivity and programming to underserved communities in District B.

Council Member Jarvis Johnson is eager to continue serving his constituents in District B! For more information log on to: www.jarvis-johnson.com

Paid for by the Jarvis Johnson Campaign, Velika Hines, Treasurer

Early voting runs from October 19th-October 30th!

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WWW.PEOPLEDOINGBUSINESS.COM • 13

SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS A CONNECTION! CALL US AT: 832.212.8735!

SOLIS 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT

S

ecretary Hilda L. Solis was confirmed as Secretary of Labor on February 24, 2009. Prior to confirmation as Secretary of Labor, Secretary Solis represented the 32nd Congressional District in California, a position she held from 2001 - 2009.

In the Congress, Solis' priorities included expanding access to affordable health care, protecting the environment, and improving the lives of working families. A recognized leader on clean energy jobs, she authored the Green Jobs Act which provided funding for “green” collar job training for veterans, displaced workers, at risk youth, and individuals in families under 200 percent of the federal poverty line.

In 2007, Solis was appointed to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), as well as the Mexico - United States Interparliamentary Group. In June 2007, Solis was elected Vice Chair of the Helsinki Commission's General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. She was the only U.S. elected official to serve on this Committee.

A nationally recognized leader on the environment, Solis became the first woman to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2000 for her pioneering work on environmental justice issues. Her California environmental justice legislation, enacted in 1999, was the first of its kind in the nation to become law.

Solis was first elected to public office in 1985 as a member of the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees. She served in the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1994, and in 1994 made history by becoming the first Latina elected to the California State Senate. As the chairwoman of the California Senate Industrial Relations Committee, she led the battle to increase the state's minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.75 an hour in 1996.

She also authored a record seventeen state laws aimed at combating domestic violence.

Solis graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. A former federal employee, she worked in the Carter White House Office of Hispanic Affairs and was later appointed as a management analyst with the Office of Management and Budget in the Civil Rights Division.

She was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as Secretary of Labor on January 20, 2009.

The woman you should know, standing above is Angela Rogers, R.Ph her and her husband Matthew are owners of the Power Center Pharmacy located at: 12401 South Post Oak Rd. in Houston, Texas 77045. The contact number is: (713)721-3303. The Power Center Pharmacy is a supporter of the “People Doing Business Series.” The woman you should know pictured on your right Casondra Elizabeth Brown.

Casondra is the CEO of Don't Wanna Miss Productions,a creative arts company that places focus on areas such as poetry, performing arts, script/screen writing and motivational speaking. Find out more about these women and others just like them by visiting: www.peopledoingbusiness.com

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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS A CONNECTION! CALL US AT: 832.212.8735!

PURPOSED 2009 Woman On The Move Branding Snapshot

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Pastor Lader Brown-Carn is as a Gospel Recording Artist, Song Writer, Psalmist, Poet, Life Coach, Author, Motivational & Inspirational Speaker, Prophetess, who is in her now season, anointed & appointed by God she says. Known simply as Purposed, a this Houstonian is the daughter of A.C. Watson & the late Zelanda Watson.

MANN 2009 Woman On The Move Branding Snapshot enise Arlene Mann is a Lead Educational Diagnostician for the Houston Independent School District Central Region. She has also served as a Speech and Language Pathologist. She’s worked as an instructor for the Houston Community College and is also a devoted member of St. John’s United Methodist Church and has served as President of the Ushers and Coordinator of the Service Ministries.

She takes pride in the art of her occupation. That is, she uses the small amount of time that she interacts with students and creates a tapestry of goal oriented behaviors.

She endeavors to assist not only with an explanation of how a student performs but also how to extract a meaningful post secondary goal from the current level of performance. She stresses the need for student self-advocacy. She reminds the students about becoming a person of character and

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often quotes W.W. Ziege: “Nothing on earth can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goals; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”

Ms. Mann is the mother of two daughters and grandmother of five.

Spends her spare time volunteering and serving the needs of her community. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

JOHNSON

Purposed loves the Lord with all her heart and soul and is a role model to many women and girls who’ve lived a life faced with sexual and physical abuse. After seeking God for her purpose in life, D'Vine Destiny Outreach Ministry & Crisis Center was birthed. It is a faith-based non-profit social service agency serving the Houston area. The center is committed to engaging families and empowering women and children who have experienced domestic violence and child abuse. “I’m a Pastor, a wife, a mother, auntie, sister, a friend and an anointed singer after God's own

heart.” she say’s. She holds an AA in Psychology, a BA in Human Science, and a MA in Human Services. She considers herself to be highly educated and a strong advocate for education. She is currently completing a double PH.D in Psychology and Christian Counseling anticipating graduation in the summer of 2012. Purposed began singing at the tender age of four and believes after the passing of her mother God took her anointing to another level. She has been the psalmist for many events, school talent shows, black history programs, and social events. She recently opened for the popular stage play, “Only God Can Judge Me” written by Curtis Von. She's also participated on several Praise & Worship teams where she helps to usher the people of God into his presence. She is excited about her first single “I Owe It All”, which is soon to be released. She is an author of “Stretched Beyond Measures”, “Don't get it Twisted”, and “Prophetically Speaking Vol. II”. Her latest project is “The Foundation for a Blessed Marriage”, is scheduled to be published in 2011. Purposed is driven to cause full deliverance, repentance, and to help people develope an intimate encounter with Christ through her voice while the anointing freshly falls upon her. Her favorite saying is, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”, “All Things Work Together for the Good”, and “God use me until I can't be Used No More.”

-------------------------------------For more information contact Purposed at: (832)368-5859

2009 Woman On The Move Branding Snapshot

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artha Jean Johnson is President and Chief Executive Officer of LegalWATCH, a legal staffing and risk mitigation training company she formed in 1997 after practicing law for a Fortune 100 company, and working for the United States Department of Justice and an international law firm. She uses the knowledge and expertise she acquired practicing law to help companies avoid mistakes that can often force them into settlements or costly litigation. She has conducted numerous training courses, spearheaded governmental audits, designed compliance programs and negotiated settlements with third parties and governmental regulators across the United States and internationally. In addition to her Juris Doctorate Degree, she holds a Masters Degree in Energy, Environmental and Natural Resource Law, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. Jean is certified in Training and Development and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation.

Jean currently serves on the boards of WIPP (“Women Impacting Public Policy”) and NISH (“National Institute for the Severely Disabled”). Jean is Past Chair of the Women's Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association. She also served on the National Women's Business Council, a bi-partisan Federal government council that advises the President, Congress and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues important to women. Jean serves on the Forum of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and is a member of the Women Business Enterprise

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Alliance of Texas and Houston Minority Business Council and is Past President of the Houston Lawyers Association and Past Chair of the African American Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

1). LegalWATCH is a training company that specializes in risk avoidance. We help keep companies and their employees out of court, out of the news and out of negative news stories. 2). We are the only company of our kind that focuses primarily on lawsuit and avoidance. 3). Our trainers are licensed attorneys and corporate executives with a vast array of experience and expertise.

For more information or to contact Jean directly you may call or email at 713.864.9997 or jean@legalwatch.com, or visit her on the web at:www.legalwatch.com

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TECHNOLOGY CORNER WRITTEN BY BRYAN POWELL

Secrets

I

to Optimizing your

website

If you are like most business owners today, you have found it imperative to have a website. Even if you don't sell products online, having a web presence is part of being in business, as much as having a sign out front for a retail store. The real challenge for many people is simply getting people to visit the site after it is created. Why do you want higher traffic on your site? As we all know, if you are not on the first page or two of the search engine results, you don't exist online, for the most part. If your site has more traffic, your site will come up higher in search listings on search engines such as Google. This, in turn, brings yet more traffic. Even if you are not a dotcom based business, higher exposure means more visibility, and thus a greater chance of being found locally. This is more important than many people think. How many times have you typed in something such as “barbecue restaurant Houston” in a search engine in hopes of finding a good barbecue restaurant in your own back yard? It happens all the time.

Even though the business may not do business online, having that website with relevant information such as a phone number, hours of operation, and directions brings in business. It is key to building a small business, whether the business has a local impact or global. So, how do you get traffic?

This can be a daunting task, to say the least. Websites can be optimized for better results using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques, which would be applied by a technical development firm. SEO is essential to having a highly ranked website, without question. It requires technical knowledge and considerable work to accomplish. It is an affordable way to build a business; however, there are also things even a non-technical person can do to help boost traffic on their website. #1 Submit To Search Engines Go to the search engine of your choice, such as Google, and find their link for “recommend a site” or “suggest my site”. I mention Google many times in this article, as they are the industry behemoth; however

these techniques apply to virtually any search engine. You only need to do this once, and you only need to submit your main page. DO NOT submit it every week, as this will be regarded as spam and will hurt your rankings, not help them. Follow the simple instructions to submit your site, and then let the search engine do the rest. You should do this for as many search engines as you can find. There are over 300 of them out there that I know of, so this will take a bit of time, but it is worth it. Be sure you at least cover the major engines, such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, and a few others. It is not absolutely imperative to be listed with all 300, however it won't hurt.

This is your first way to let the search engines know you exist. There is no reason to pay for inclusion in a search engine, as they all allow free inclusion.

Be certain to choose a relevant category when asked, as this will determine where you are placed in their directory. #2 Add Your URL to Your Signature File Be sure your signature file in your email programs always includes your URL (which is your website address). This will ensure your URL is available to anyone and everyone that ever gets an email from you, regardless of whether it is personal or business. You want to spread the word about the website, and this is essentially free

advertising. Take advantage of it!

#3 Get Back links This is just another way of saying that you want other sites to link to you. Be sure to find sites that would be complementary, and not competitive with you. Any place you can have your link available as a link will help you. Google and many other search engines use back links as a means of determining how important your site is.

If you have a lot of people linking to your site, you must be useful, therefore that weighs in on determining how highly you rank in the search engines.

The algorithm used to determine search engine placement is highly complex; however this is an important factor in the mix.

You can often ask webmasters of sites to give you a link.

Don't expect amazon.com or some other behemoth to link to you, but you can get them from other sites. The other way to get links for free is to post a relevant video about your product or service on a sharing site such as YouTube. If you want people to watch the video, make sure it is useful general information, not a sales pitch. I won't go on YouTube to search for an infomercial, however if you have a video that is a “How To” on a topic, I will watch it. If a real estate agent wanted to make a video, perhaps one that speaks generally to a topic such as “how to obtain financing in today's market” would bring in traffic. This should be very general and appealing to a large seg-

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ment of the population, as my example would.

If your link appears on the description, I will probably click it to see how your site relates to the video. This is a key component to building awareness of your site. Again, you must remember that you don't want to focus too much on selling here; you want to simply present interesting information that happens to also contain your link. Doing this will bring tons of other hits. If it appears too much like a sales pitch, people will not be as interested in it, and it will not become viral. I have done this myself many times, and the results are certainly worth it. I posted a video about a classic Corvette racing around a track, which is very appealing to other muscle car fans. I also added my link in the description to my Corvette Restoration website, which is simply a free site where I show pictures of the progress of my restoration. I have received hundreds of thousands of hits on the video and thousands on my site as a result - all for free!

I hope you find these techniques and tips helpful in optimizing your position on the web. The tips described here are not meant to be the absolute magic formula to getting more search engine traffic, as that is a complex challenge which requires knowledge of many areas of technology. This is merely meant as a guide to help get a small business site up and running more effectively. Using these techniques will certainly help, although you should not expect results overnight. As with anything else, it takes time. I am happy to answer any questions about this article via email at bryan @ boundlesstechnical.com Thanks,

Bryan Powell Boundless Technical Services

www.boundlesstechnical.com 832.203.5811 CALL US TODAY!

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REMINDER

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOV. 3RD!

Early voting runs from October 19th-October 30th!

Bohac Encourages Houstonians To Vote On Important Constitutional Amendments AUSTIN, TEXAS - During the 81st session of the Texas Legislature eight joint resolutions were passed that propose 11 amendments to the Texas Constitution. These proposed amendments will be offered to the voters of Texas for approval on the November 3, 2009 election ballot.

“These initiatives will have a profound impact on our state,” said State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston). “The 11 amendments will address issues such as protecting private property rights, helping veterans, appraisal reform, higher education, and protecting Texas’ beaches.”

PROPOSITION # 1: Allows local governments to finance the purchase of land to create buffer zones around military bases.

PROPOSITION # 1 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.”

PROPOSITION # 2: Stipulates that appraisals of homesteads will be based on the current use of a residence homestead and not the potential value of the property if the home is flipped to a commercial development.

PROPOSITION # 2 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property's value as a residence homestead.”

PROPOSITION # 3: Allows the Comptroller to enforce uniform appraisal standards for property tax purposes.

PROPOSITION # 3 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.”

PROPOSITION # 4: This initiative proposes promote 7 Texas Universities to Tier One status. This change will provide more research dollars to recruit top talent from around the world and ultimately lead to job growth in Texas. The 7 Universities eligible for Tier One Funding are: The University of Houston, The University of TexasEl Paso, The University of TexasSan Antonio, Texas Tech University, The University of Texas- Arlington, The University of North Texas and The University of Texas- Dallas.

PROPOSITION # 4 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.”

PROPOSITION # 5: Allows for the consolidation of appraisal review boards across counties.

PROPOSITION # 5 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amend-

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ment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.”

PROPOSITION # 6: Renews the Veterans’ Land Board bonding authority for home loans to veterans.

PROPOSITION # 6 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.”

PROPOSITION # 7: Allows members of the Texas State Guard to hold civil office.

PROPOSITION # 7 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.”

PROPOSITION # 8: Allows the state to contribute resources to

build veterans hospitals.

PROPOSITION # 8 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans’ hospitals in this state.”

PROPOSITION # 9: Establishes a constitutional right to access and use public beaches along the Gulf Coast.

PROPOSITION # 9 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.”

PROPOSITION # 10: Allows the elected board of directors for emergency service districts to serve 4-year terms instead of 2-year terms.

PROPOSITION # 10 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amend-

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ment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.”

PROPOSITION # 11: Restricts the use of eminent domain by a government entity to one that is solely for public use. This constitutional amendment will prohibit government taking of private property for public use if the purpose is for economic development or enhancement of tax revenue.

PROPOSITION # 11 LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particu-

State Rep. Dwayne Bohac lar parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.”

For additional information regarding the proposed constitutional amendments please visit: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/ voter/whatisontheballot.shtml.

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MESSAGE A SPECIAL NOTE FROM MICHELLE JONES “WRITE THE VISION”

A PRAYER FOR THIS ISSUE:

Most businesses today have a mission statement that talks about the purpose of the company.

In life, every person should also have their own mission statement. What's your purpose? What are you dreaming about? What are your goals? How are you going to use your talents and abilities?

Many people have an idea about where they are headed in life, but something supernatural happens when you write down your vision and make a plan.

"Father God, thank You for the dreams and desires You've placed in my heart.

Direct my steps. Fill me with Your peace. Show me the purpose and plan You have for me so that I can make them clear. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

There's a resolve that takes place on the inside of you. No longer is that thing just a dream, but now it's something you can look at every day. The people around you can see it, too. You never know how God is going to use someone in your life to help you get to where you need to be. If they can see your vision, then they can run with it! I want to encourage you, don't just vaguely live day to day. Make the decision to write down the dreams and visions you have in your heart. Submit your plans to the Lord and watch what He will do to bring them to pass.

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FOCUS ON FACEBOOK

WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

“DWTT:

Driving While Talking/Texting” On Monday, October 5, after about two hours of deliberation; Jeri Montgomery, 24, was sentenced to 10 years probation and fined $10,000 after she was found guilty of negligent homicide on Friday, October 2. The judge subsequently sentenced her to 30 days in jail. Montgomery must also write a 1,000 word essay “suitable for publication in school newspapers” about the dangers of distracted driving. She also may not drive until further notice.

Montgomery faced up to 10 years behind bars.

Prosecutors alleged Montgomery caused a three-car wreck on Interstate 45 near F.M. 2920 that killed Chance Wilcox, 25, after he was ejected from his Chevrolet Silverado on March 24, 2008. Montgomery made the illegal lane change while on a call with her boyfriend, in route to his home. Juror Sheri Owens stated that their decision did not revolve around the use of the cell phone.

“In our opinion, Jeri Montgomery made the mistake.

The fact was, bless her heart, she did make an illegal lane change, period, bottom line, which resulted in a death.”

Montgomery’s defense attorney, John Choate stated that the district attorney’s office was politically motivated and just trying to prove a point at the expense of his client.

“What this was about was they wanted to make a political point about cell phone use and it’s a complete waste of courtroom time. They made the victims go through this. They made the families go through this and it’s wrong,” Choate said.

A recent Harris poll suggests that 80% of Harris County residents favor a ban on texting while driving and 60% favor a ban on the use of cell phones in any form, while driving.

According to the Associated Press (AP), a study released in late July showed that texting while driving is an incredibly dangerous driving distraction.

The 18-month study, which was conducted with long-haul truckers (though the high risk applies to all drivers), found that drivers “are 23-times more likely to crash” while texting. The New York Times noted that among the findings were, “that drivers took their eyes off the road for around five seconds when texting.”

“The AP compared the 23-times greater risk of collision while texting to a six-fold increase while, “dialing a cell phone or reaching for an electronic device.” The researchers “recommended that texting should be banned for all drivers, and all cell phone use should be prohibited for newly licensed teen-drivers.”

Currently, only 14 states ban texting while driving.

Recently, Houston Business Connections newspaper asked Facebookers not only what their feelings were regarding the verdict and subsequent sentencing, but their feelings regarding cell phone use; specifically, texting while driving.

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SEE COMMENTS ON NEXT PAGE

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Here is the question: Facebook, what are your feelings about “us” using our cell phones while driving? Although this particular message applies mostly to texting while driving, we’d like to know your feelings about driving while using a cell phone in general. As the aforementioned states – any distraction while driving, which would of course include dialing your cell phone and even talking on it – is incredibly dangerous.

And for business persons/owners in particular: If a ban were to occur, how would it affect your capacity to do business?

Does Bluetooth devices help deter accidents as they eliminate the ‘hand-held’ which means (in general) at least one hand off the steering wheel notion, or is that too, still a distraction?

mind is that it is just a matter of time that there will be a “wreck”, not an "accident". I hope we can do something regarding this issue very soon. Have a great day!

Jim Johnson I sympathize with those who use cell phones and PDAs on a regular basis, but the danger is too high. If caught, I don't know, maybe something similar to a speeding ticket is appropriate, but the practice has to be discouraged. Frankly, knowing that some drivers are texting scares the heck out of me.

Orlando Walters I have seen too many accidents occur because of texting and or talking while driving. My bestfriend

died in a car accident in 2001. I believe because someone was driving and on a cell phone I will not hold a conversation with someone who is driving. Bluetooth or handsfree help but unless its an absolute emergency...I’m against it.

Erica Kemper The bluetooth has increased the safety of cell phone usage.

General cell phone use for holding verbal conversation is no different than conversing with another person riding in the car with you. Your eyes are not distracted from activity on the road and you still have the full use of both your hands to operate the vehicle safely.

On the other hand, the texting ban is necessary. This form

of communication necessitates our eyes being off the road as well as our hands. Which is completely unsafe when operating a motor vehicle. We must learn to unplug from electronics when appropriate.

Driving is one of those “appropriate” times. In a society big on multitasking, we need to continue to rely on common sense to define and apply this term in our everyday lives. Realistically, a person cannot safely operate a vehicle while texting. Just as there is a time for everything there is also a place.

Lisah Grant Moore Aubrey, Realtors depend greatly on their cell phones and can practically handle business on their blackberry. So most will invest in some sort of hands–free device to talk and Onstar or GPS

feature that speaks aloud the directions as you drive to prevent you from having to read directions.

I strongly disagree with texting while driving although I have been guilty of doing it. I mostly do it at a light or when traffic is at a stand– still; although the latter is not a good option. I hope that most will not use their phones for texting and will take calls when only necessary while driving. But to prevent the use of cell phones would be a harsh rule and a huge inconvenience.

Steel Dust I agree, the [talking on the] phone and texting needs to stop while driving, being a person who had my sister killed by a drunk driver at the age of seventeen, texting while driving is just as bad as driving drunk. They are accidents that can be avoided all together.

Here are some of the responses Houston Business Connections newspaper received: Nachelle Grant I’ve not been the same ever since Maya (my 7 yr. old cousin) passed. It kills me to know that money and a good time will always supersede life for many people. What I mean by that is that a lot of folks on the phone are business people…conducting business. Many of the other bunches are just texting/talking… about much of nothing quite often.

Yeah, I’ve done if before, but after her death – I stopped. I did answer once while driving. My aunt was on the way to the hospital to give birth – and her husband called.

Elizabeth DeLeon Howard Good morning Aubrey, Thank you for your posting. I have been hit from behind three different times and every time I was hit, it was because of some distraction the driver CHOSE. One driver was applying make up. The other one was on the cell phone and the third was a doctor looking at his pager (so he said). I suspected he was dialing and of course he was not looking ahead. The result, obviously, was not my demise, it was two cervical herniated and two bulging discs, one large herniated thoracic disc and two lumbar herniated discs causing terrible spasms and migraines from time to time. I was very angry at the lack of responsibility these people failed to take. The last time I was hit was last year while I was treating my sister for her birthday in Florida. It was the young lady applying make up. I got out of my car and scolded her. I did not file a report because the damage to my car was not bad, I just felt a hard jolt to my neck and back. I wanted her to understand that it could have been worse and that applying make up, nail polish and shaving, etc. are done at home, not on the road.

There have been times when I am driving and I see a someone weaving on the highway, when I realize they are either texting or dialing and the first thing that comes to my

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Five pitfalls to avoid in retirement Victor D. Walker CPA,JD Contributing Writer

Y

ou work hard and save aggressively so that one day you can retire from the workforce.

When the fabled day arrives and you enter the blissful state of retirement, you may be tempted to think you're done agonizing over your money and savings. The truth is the hard work is probably just beginning. Assuming you're like most of us, with a finite number of dollars available to fund your retirement, you need a plan to make sure you are spending and investing in the most optimal way to make your money last as long as possible. Here are five pitfalls to avoid in retirement to help you preserve your assets and maintain your lifestyle for years to come.

Don't retire too early. It's difficult to predict how long you will live, but longevity trends suggest the likelihood of longer life spans for current and future retirees. If you retire at age 62, you could live another 20 or 30 years. Not only do you need to think about how long your money will last, you should also consider the consequences for taking early withdrawals from your retirement nest egg. Also consider that if you choose to take Social Security early, you agree to receive a reduced amount each month for the privilege of potentially more years of the benefit. Your Social Security statement can help you determine the financial trade-offs of taking early benefits or postponing Social Security income for a few years.

Don't rely on just one form of income. You probably realize that Social Security is unlikely to provide you with enough money to live on in retirement, and that you will need additional sources of income to live comfortably. Most retirees look to a number of sources to cobble together a retirement income.

Even though you're retired, you can still seek out growth investments, assuming you retain a good share of your savings in less risky ventures.

Seek balance by diversifying or spreading your savings across a variety of investments with varying levels of risk. A financial advisor can help you select from available stocks and bonds to keep your money working for you and help generate investment income.

Beware of insurance gaps.

Your insurance needs may change in retirement, but they won't go away. You may need to replace employer-sponsored benefits such as life, health and dental insurance after you retire. Shop around for attractive price points and good quality plans. Even if your home is paid for, you should maintain an appropriate level of homeowners' insurance in case of theft, fire or other incidences. Consider whether long-term care insurance for you and your spouse is something you want to help pay for things like long-term care in a nursing home.

Avoid tax mistakes with retirement distributions. Your sources of income in retirement may include Social Security, a company-sponsored pension plan, IRA, 401(k) or a profit sharing plan. How you access your savings in these various investment vehicles can have a profound affect on how long your money lasts. The IRS regulates how much you can take out of your retirement accounts each year and

22 •

you can incur stiff tax penalties if you do not abide by the rules. Talk to your tax preparer and financial advisor about required minimum distributions from your retirement accounts and establish a schedule of withdrawals that satisfies requirements while preserving principal. At retirement, you are generally required to begin taking minimum distributions from qualified retirement plans by April 1 of the year after you turn 70_.

Don't underestimate the impact of inflation. When you estimate how much you need in retirement, don't forget to consider how inflation reduces the value of your savings over time. Your budget should factor in rising health care costs and other expenses that may grow disproportionately. In general,

can help you analyze your retirement portfolio and recommend steps to help you make choices with your retirement assets. Talk to your advisor and tax professional to plan your distributions to help reduce your tax obligation.

With careful planning, you can effectively manage your retirement assets - and relax and enjoy the golden years.

----------------------------------------Victor D. Walker CPA,JD early retirees spend more on travel and hobbies while they are still active and healthy; these costs may go down as you get older.

Get professional advice. A knowledgeable financial advisor

This column is for informational purposes only. The information may not be suitable for every situation and should not be relied on without the advice of your tax, legal and/or financial advisors. Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its financial advisors provide tax or legal advice. Consult with qualified tax and legal advisors about your tax

and legal situation. This column was prepared by Ameriprise Financial.

Diversification helps spread risk throughout your portfolio, so that investments that do poorly may be balanced by others that do relatively better. Diversification is not a guarantee of overall portfolio profit or protection against loss.

----------------------------------------For More Information Contact Victor D. Walker CPA,JD Financial Advisor Ameriprise Financial, Inc. 10375 Richmond Avenue, Suite. 600 Houston, TX 77042 713-260-1358-0 www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ victor.d.walker

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Can Adults Really Have ADHD? T

wenty years ago researchers believed that attention problems did not occur in adults. It was thought that children that suffered from the disorder, once they turned eighteen the medication and treatment stopped and the problem just disappeared.

However, it was later discovered that the symptoms did not disappear they just took on a different form. Today there are over eight million adults diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD which is characterized by excessive inattentiveness, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. If left undiagnosed and undertreated it can cause difficulty in all aspects of a person's life including work, financial stability, and developing healthy relationships.

of making sudden decisions “on a whim” or have trouble listening to others.

Relating to others. Trouble following a conversation, interrupting others, answering before a question has been asked, or blurting out things that they regret later.

important role in the ability to focus and pay attention to tasks Genetics-Research strongly suggests that ADHD tends to run in families. However, this does not mean that all children in a family will have the disorder

The exact origin of ADHD is unknown, but scientists think the disorder may be caused by one or more of the following factors:

Environment-Certain external factors, such as smoking during pregnancy or complications from pregnancy, delivery, or infancy, may contribute to ADHD .

Neurotransmitter functionADHD is thought to be caused by an imbalance of 2 neurotransmitters, dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Scientists think that these chemicals play an

ADHD is not an adult onset disorder, which means that systems have to have been present in childhood. An evaluation and gathering of information will help the clinician in making a diagno-

sis. This may include family background information, review of report cards, psychological testing, completion of questionnaires, EEG, CT, or MRI etc.

Once a person has been diagnosed by a mental health professional they can benefit from basic organizational concepts and behavior management strategies to help manage the condition. In addition, drug treatments that have been proven to be effective in children appear to also benefit adults.. Two types of drug treatments are available stimulant and non stimulant medication. The

choice that best fits the individual is determined by a psychiatrist.

Although most people don't outgrow ADHD they do learn to adapt. If the difficulties associated are managed appropriately throughout their lives, they learn to develop personal strengths and they become productive and successful individuals.

Dr. Janice M. Beal Clinical Director Beal Counseling Associates 2600 South Loop West Ste. 562 Houston, Texas 77054 (713) 337-2457 phone

What Are The Symptoms?

Inattention symptoms In adults, symptoms of inattention, especially those of concentration and organization, often become more dominant than in children.

Concentration. Adults with ADHD have trouble with concentration to an extreme degree. They might have trouble following conversations, “zoning out” without realizing it. Finishing tasks might feel impossible, or they might have several tasks started at once without the ability to finish. They may be easily distracted or forgetful, leading to errors or incomplete work.

Organization. Keeping things organized at home and work might be an enormous challenge. Home and/or work space might be unusually cluttered and messy. They might underestimate the time it takes to complete tasks or have trouble with procrastination, making and completing large projects are very difficult. Adults with ADHD often continually forget or lose things.

Hyperactivity symptoms While hyperactivity may conjure up an image of a child bouncing around and screaming, in adults it looks different. Adults may find themselves easily bored, irritated and experience mood swings.

Becoming restless and full of nervous energy, not able to sit and relax. Quiet activities might feel impossible. They may feel the need to talk incessantly.

Impulsivity symptoms

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Decision making. Patterns

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LEGAL CORNER FROM ADAMS & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.

SBA LOAN BASICS

By Aaron G. Adams, M.B.A., J.D.

The Small Business Administration or SBA is an excellent source of financing for entrepreneurs who cannot obtain financing with reasonable terms through normal lending channels.

While there is a misconception that the SBA lends money directly to small businesses, it does not. The SBA guarantees private commercial loans structured to SBA requirements.

Therefore, the prerequisite for obtaining an SBA guaranty is that the applicant must meet the private lender's requirements.

Before applying for any type of loan, it is imperative that you examine your personal credit history. You need to obtain copies of your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion because each receives information from different creditors. Review those reports, spot any issues, and resolve those issues that can be resolved. If there are any issues that cannot be resolved that were caused by circumstances beyond your control include a detail explanation of those circumstances with supporting documentation in your loan application. Lenders use your credit history to gauge your credit worthiness and to gain insight as to how you repay your debts.

This is important to your lender, because they will require a personal guaranty even if you are incorporated.

The next step is to prepare a draft loan package. The keyword here is “draft.” You will need a professional to review your draft and prepare your final loan package before submission to any loan officer. A basic draft loan package will consist of an executive sum-

24 •

mary, a business plan, and financial statements. The loan package will cover the purpose of the loan, loan amount and terms desired, how the loan will be repaid, and what collateral will be used to secure the loan. Your executive summary will summarize your loan package and serve as an overall roadmap. It will emphasize the positive effects of the loan as well as how the business will generate enough cash flow to service the loan payments. The business plan will set out your present and future business strategies as well

as the overall direction of the business. Include in your package business financials covering at least 3-5 years (cash flow statements, income statements, and balance sheets) and a personal financial statement.

Finally, review your loan package using the 3 Cs - character, capacity, and collateral.

Character - Is your credit history spotless? Do you have enough experience in the area of business you are planning to go into?

Do you have the necessary specialized knowledge or educa-

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tion? Do you have a solid management team and supporting cast? Capacity - Will your business generate enough cash flow to service the loan payment without jeopardizing the growth of the business? Collateral - Is there enough collateral to secure the loan amount in case of default? These questions address the minimal inquiries. If you feel confident that your loan package satisfies these then you are one step closer to obtaining financing and are ready to seek professional help.

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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SNAPSHOTS THE PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES® assuredly one of the cities busiest areas of town on any given day!

This makes their hot dog stand an opportune location to try and promote a business.

As former co-owner of a wellestablished club in Houston, Club

TYLER 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS BRANDING SNAPSHOT uniper Tyler is as unique as her name! Born in Florence, South Carolina, Juniper and her family moved to the southside of Houston when she was three years old. For as long as Juniper can remember, she’s always had an entrepreneurial spirit; a relentless drive and passion to dream daringly and subsequently, take action. If Juniper wasn’t selling cool cups she was out conjuring up some new idea! From a young child Juniper has always had a spirit to serve people and to help better the lives of those around her.

Throughout her life, and in all of her endeavors, she has always tried to ensure that everyone involved would benefit in some manner.

Today, this still stands true and shows forth in all that Juniper accomplishes. In 2004 Juniper graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Houston and began teaching at Robert Frost Elementary in Houston, Texas, where her 3rd grade students – her favorite people, have affectionately dubbed her “side” business as the “3 D’s”!

They don’t refer to it as such because she’s known for handing out not so fabulous grades, but because she’s known for handing out absolutely fabulous dogs! Hot dogs that is! That’s right. Juniper Tyler sells hot dogs from her mobile hot dog stand when she’s not in the classroom lecturing…and she’s doggone proud of it!

Spawning off of an idea from 2003 given to her from her brother, ‘Dez’ Stephen Tyler, owner of The House of Greenwood, a media firm and the company responsible for the marketing and promotion for Dem Damn Doggs, to begin a mobile hot dog stand, Juniper latched on to the idea and got to work! In 2006 Juniper and Stephen opened up Dem Damn Doggs off of Westheimer Rd. in the Montrose/Midtown area of Houston, Texas and have been a hit ever since!

Dem Damn Doggs will create for you, practically any hot dog you can imagine! Their mainstays are their veggie, turkey, and 100% beef dogs. And fixin’s range from your typical mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise to the “sour lover’s delight” – sauerkraut! And it just wouldn’t be a Texas dog without some of that good ole’ Texas chili! And for those who venture over extra hungry, “Bigg Juicy”, Dem Damn Doggs’ signature quarter pound all beef kosher hot dog, is sure to satisfy your appetite!

In addition to selling great dogs, Juniper and her brother aspire to help other businesses, especially smaller companies, market and sell their products by creating an “information hub” around the perimeter of their stand. This would entail setting

J

up small kiosks and racks that would accommodate CD’s/DVD’s, newspapers, and other periodicals, and all soon to be right in the heart of Downtown Houston –

MVP, Juniper found club ownership to be an entrepreneurial endeavor that was quite costly in more ways than one. After running a club, she believed that beginning a hot dog stand would be simple…she was unequivocally incorrect! From city inspections to customer satisfaction – it is all very similar to running any other business she states, this time however all of her hard work doesn’t seem nearly as hard, because Juniper absolutely loves what she does – serve great dogs and in return…see people smile!

After being in the Montrose area for three consecutive summers, Dem Damn Doggs will move to its new location in Downtown Houston in the fall of 2009 at 410 Main Street between Prairie & Preston…just in time for Thanksgiving, a perfect reason to drive or walk on over and munch down on a delicious turkey dog better known as “Da Gobbler”!

Juniper shares in the rearing of her 11 year-old God son, JoVante and with the money she’s earned by selling hot dogs, was able to purchase a new home! She is an awesome example of a woman who desired to do something different and unique, took the steps necessary in order to make it happen and as a result, has given many people a sense of joy and consequently, earned a living while doing so.

Hot dog stands have for the most part, been indigenous to the New York and Chicago areas for quite some time. By beginning one here in the Lone Star State, Juniper and Stephen have indeed brought something new and exciting to Houston!

If you would like more information about Dem Damn Doggs please visit them on the web at: www.myspace.com/demdamndoggs.

– Written by Aubrey Williams

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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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Pam Holm Welcomes Dr. D.Z. Cofield as New Co-Chairman to Her Campaign for Houston Controller HOUSTON - The momentum continues to nationally and internationally in the areas of grow for the Pam Holm Campaign. Today, Christian Education, Expository Preaching, under the City Hall Rotunda, Pam introduced Pastoral Ministries, and Worship and Dr. D. Z. Cofield as a new co-chairman for her Educational Leadership. In addition, he campaign for Houston Controller. Cofield's presently serves as the first vice president of support comes at a critical time when voters the Houston branch of the NAACP. are making their decision before Early Voting Dr. Cofield has received numerous honstarts next week. ors and awards including the “We are thrilled to welPresidential Scholarship Award ANNOUNCEMENTS come Dr. Cofield to our camat Dallas Theological Seminary, paign as a new co-chairman,” Pam said. “Having the H. A. Ironside Award for excellence in the support of Dr. Cofield is an honor, and expository preaching. Cofield was also listed together we are building a coalition of voters in Who's Who among Students in Colleges who want Houston to have a Controller who is a and Universities for three consecutive years. watchdog over city spending.”

He has written for several Christian publicaDr. Cofield has led Good Hope tions, including Preaching Today, Leadership Missionary Baptist Church since 1994 as Journal and the African-American Pastors' Dr. D.Z. Cofield Candidate Pam Holm its Senior Pastor. As a preacher, author and Journal on Great Eulogies. community stakeholder, Cofield brings a perspective on coalition building through public service.

“The City Controller must be someone who represents what is in the best interests of all Houstonians, making sure people are treated fairly at every level. Pam Holm's desire to build a better Houston that is inclusive, and not exclusive, is evidenced by her not simply asking for my endorsement, but in asking me to be part of her campaign leadership team,” Cofield said. “I am honored and humbled to serve as Co-Chair of Pam Holm's campaign to continue her public service to the city of Houston. In accepting this invitation I will do all I can to help her make Houston even better.”

Cofield will be teaming with Susan • Medicaid Kellner, Fred Zeidman and Lee Hogan, who • Discount cards are already part of the Holm campaign's leadChimezie lloanya - R.Ph ership committee.

• We deliver to your home Pharmacist “Adding Dr. Cofield to our campaign's • Special discounts for Senior Citizens leadership team gives me great pride because • Discounts for cash paying customers also our campaign has a strong team of leaders who reflect the best of Houston,” Pam said.

A native Houstonian and a citizen activist for more than 35 years, Pam Holm 6776 SW Freeway Ste. #102 • Houston, Texas 77074 was first elected to City Council in 2003 Phone: 713.782.0558 • Fax: 713.782.0508 to represent the people and interests of west Houston in District G. She is currentDirections: Southbound on highway 59 between Hillcroft and ly serving in her third term, which began Bellaire next to the Colorado Plaza at the VIP Powernet building. in January 2008.

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Biographical Sketch For Dr. D. Z. Cofield D. Z. Cofield is a native New Yorker, who has traveled across the world serving in the gospel of Jesus Christ. After graduating from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, he earned a Masters Degree in Theology at the Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas and a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Faith Evangelical Seminary in Tacoma, Washington.

In 1994, Dr. Cofield was chosen to serve as the Senior Pastor for the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.

Since that time, Good Hope has grown from a congregation of approximately 150 members to an active membership of more than 2,500.

Dr. Cofield is a former instructor at Dallas Theological Seminary and a former adjunct professor at the College of Biblical Studies-Houston. He additionally teaches

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E A R LY V O T I N G R U N S O C TO B E R 1 9 T H - O C TO B E R 3 0 T H !

Vote for Pam Holm on Tuesday, November 3rd!

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Cofield to our campaign as a new co-chairman. Having the support of Dr. Cofield is an honor, and together we are building a coalition of voters who want Houston to have a Controller who is a watchdog over city spending.” – PAM HOLM FOR HOUSTON CONTROLLER

Pam Holm - A life of service to Houston A native Houstonian and a citizen activist for more than 35 years, Pam Holm was first elected to City Council in 2003 to represent the people and interests of west Houston in District G. She is currently serving in her third term, which began in January 2008.

During her tenure on Council, Pam has challenged budgets and, when necessary, opposed appropriations where there was wasteful spending and information lacking. She has been a committed, full-time member, engaged on a daily basis, participating on every key committee where some of the city's most significant issues are handled.

Pam is Chairman of the Pension Review Committee, member of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Aviation Committee; the Quality of Life Committee, which she also chaired; the Regulation, Development and Neighborhood Protection Committee; and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee.

Additionally, she served as Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council of the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

With public and private stakeholders, Pam coordinated efforts to rebuild Looscan Library and the Kendall Library complex that will include a community center. She shepherded the designation of the first railroad Quiet Zone in Houston and the 2005 Historic Preservation Ordinance establishing the protected landmark status.

She and her husband, Chuck Holm, whom she met in junior high school and began dating while at TCU, have been married for 39 years. Their son, Nelson Holm, his wife, Courtney, and their children, Hudson and Eleanor, reside in Fort Worth.

Pam Holm Welcomes Dr. D.Z. Cofield as New Co-Chairman to Her Campaign for Houston Controller • See Page • 15 & 26 P o l i t i c a l A d v P a i d f o r b y P a m H o l m C a m p a i g n I P e n n y B u t l e r, T r e a s u r e r I 5 7 7 3 W o o d w a y D r i v e , P M B 2 9 3 I H o u s t o n , Te x a s 7 7 0 5 7

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