APRIL 2020

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Vol. 26 #4 April 2020

Publishers: DJ CEO & Tampa Bay Tammy

Tampa • St. Petersburg • Clearwater • Largo • Tarpon Springs . Brandon • Bradenton • Sarasota • Lakeland Plant City

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Dear Girlfriend, I was laid off, and I am supposed to be going home in three days to live with my parents. As a self-sufficent man, I m struggling with this. I have not lived with my family in 10 years. My parents are retired. My older sister moved back home with their only grandchild after a nasty divorce last year. They are getting along fine. However, I live alone and love my freedom. I date, but I am not in love with anyone. I have been in sales here in Tampa for the last six years. I was doing pretty well by myself, until this coronavirus outbreak. My mom called and asked me to come home when she first heard about the pandemic. I kindly thanked her but declined. I had been saving to purchase my own house. So, I am not struggling. However since the layoff, my savings has been dwindling fast. Considering my lease is up at the end of the month, I figured it’s in my best interest to make that move back home. When I told my mom I was coming, she screamed and hollered to the rest of the family that I was coming home. Everyone sounded happy. Then my mom said: “Don’t you come home upsetting your Daddy running up the utilty bill! You know he has high blood pressure, and don’t forget this is his house.” Now that made me feel some kind of way. Why did she have to say all that?

Later that night, I called a lady friend that I have been dating who owns her own home, and she offered for me to move in with her. She said she could use a little help with finances. Now I’m contemplating that but having mixed feelings about that move, too. I know I am not interested in being committed to just her, and moving in may be misleading.What should I do?

I am going to put this ball in your court.

Making a Corona Move.

Dear Making a “Corona” Move, I’m sure most folks could use a little help with their finances in this environment. The question is: With whom will you decide to pool your resources?

You asked why your mom felt compelled to make those comments. I would guess that it’s because in your past, you may have had an argument with your father about the utilty bill or may have upset your father in some way. I am sure that was before you became a self-sufficient, mature man. You already know that they are glad you are coming home, so you should not have been feeling any kind of way except grateful to still have somewhere to go with a family that is excited you are coming home. You should have laughed and responded to your mom like the grown man you are now: “Mom no problem.

Tell dad I will pay the utilty bill.” I’m sure your dad can respect that and would appreciate the help. With your level of maturity, you should be an asset and not a liability. I am sure your father would love to have his son around to help with the upkeep of the home, especially during this crisis. Also, I am sure your nephew would benefit from your presence.

As far as making a “corona” move with a woman you date but don’t want, sounds like a wrong move. For the record, God is still in charge, and He does not like ugly, nor does He like people who use others. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of guys who move in with women so they can have a roof over their head with no intentions of being loyal. They are asking for trouble. I don’t think it’s right to use a woman. Have you ever seen some guys who--no matter what they do or what they make--just can’t get ahead? They just can’t seem to win. I believe it is because they are out of order and not under God’s grace, so they are not being blessed. Don’t let that be you.

Do not move in with a woman knowing you are going to be disrespectful or break her heart. Lying around confined with a woman you have been sexual with but don’t want is a big mistake! With nothing else to do, but screw and watch TV, you will be walking around the house like a caged tiger pouncing on every comment ready to escape.

Go on home. This is family time; make the best of it.

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Ursula Yates 813-340-5454

uyates@my.tupperware.com www.my.tupperware.com/uyates

CORONA VIRUS IN OUR COMMUNITY By now you know somebody or know someone that knows somebody that’s been affected by the Coronavirus or COVID-19. COVID 19 is an acronym for the coronavirus disease 2019. The crazy rumor that was started about how Black folks cannot get the virus has not only proven to be false but fatal and shows how susceptible we are to bad and misleading information.

Nobody has done more for bringing to the forefront misleading information, i.e. “fake news,” than Donald Trump.

And, nobody spreads more misleading information than Donald Trump. What a tragedy for the American people! Just know that we elect our politicians to govern our country, states and cities, not to govern the decisions we can personally make for ourselves and our families. Believing everything you hear or see makes you vulnerable to deception, so know your facts.

Let’s start with some facts: On New Year’s Eve, the government of China announced they were treating several cases of pneumonia from an unknown source in the city of Wuhan which has 11 million people.

By January 11, the first known death was of a 61-year-old man in Wuhan that frequently visited the marketplace from which it is believed the virus originated.

By January 21, the first known case in the U.S. was in the state of Washington from a 30-year-old that had recently returned from Wuhan, China, and had symptoms.

On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus

a global pandemic, and on January 31, President Trump closed down travel from China to the U.S. At this point almost 10,000 people worldwide had contracted the virus.

Fast forward 80 days, and we have more than 785,000 cases in the United States alone with more than 2.6 million worldwide and over 48,000 deaths in the U.S. The deaths in the United States have been disproportionately people of color. It doesn’t matter whether or not any of the rumors are true, what matters is that real people are dying every day.

So, what does this mean for African American people? Since many of the deaths of African Americans are due to compromised immune systems, the first takeaway we should concern ourselves with is the business of improving our immune systems for future outbreaks.

How do we do that? Start out by educating yourself. Information is literally at your fingertips, so check and re-check the information that you read is accurate, true, and from a verified source.

Get information from multiple sources, and then make an informed decision.

While I am not a medical professional, here are a few suggestions that you can find via the CDC, but please check with your health care professional for guidance.

By Daryl Johnson (DJ CEO)

Don’t smoke!

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

Maintain a heathy weight.

Exercise often.

Drink alcohol in moderation

Minimize your stress levels

Get adequate sleep

Cook your meats thoroughly and reduce the intake (eat less).

Wash your hands thoroughly and often to prevent infection.

Practice social distancing with out being told.

Use common sense.

Grow a garden.…it is possible.

As a 63-year-old African American male, I am creeping into the high-risk category. However, as we have seen, neither the COVID-19 virus nor death is a respecter of age. Nonetheless, the older you get, the wiser you ought to become.

Our choices have to be considerate, because our decisions affect, not just us, but our families, friends, co-workers, church members, neighbors, communities, cities, states, our nation, and our world.

So, changing your mindset may take some time too, but it can be done. If you search online, there are several examples on what you can do. Personally, to help change your thought patterns, I would start with meditation.

You don’t have to cross your

legs and chant strange sounds to do it, just check it out for yourself.

I have been very fortunate to have two of my three daughters and my mother-inlaw home with my wife and me during these critical times. My middle daughter is working in Pennsylvania—believe it or not—on vaccines. She is a scientist, and while she may not be working on the vaccine that cures you, it may cure your loved one in the near future. This time at home has given me the opportunity to reflect, refresh, refuel, and refurbish my soul. It has given me the time to love on my family and for them to love on me.

Every year we host the Power Couples Ball, which promotes marriage, education and family. With that being said, I believe the days ahead will be even more difficult for individuals without a helpmate. All you single men and women out there, go home to your families.

Alone is not good. To the men, if you’ve always wanted a family, then what are you waiting on?

Let’s keep family at the heart of the African American community. Let’s unite our finances, reset our lives and survive!

The Official Limousine of Tampa Bay Tammy Page 3

Apply For ONE TAMPA Relief Now; Rise Together City of Tampa COVID19 Rent, Mortgage & Utility Relief Plan in partnership with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and 211 The COVID19 crisis has impacted many of Tampa’s individuals and families who are struggling to maintain basic needs, and many of its businesses which are struggling to stay afloat. For that reason, the City of Tampa is mobilizing an emergency relief program with a trusted partner, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, to ensure continuity of the foundations of our community.

The RELIEF NOW; RISE TOGETHER program will provide direct payments for eligible individuals, families, and businesses to cover a substantial part of their rent or mortgage payment and essential utility costs for one month to provide a critical bridge to state and federal support funds.

For eligible applicants, the City will directly pay all or part of rent or mortgage and/or the cost of one or more essential utilities (water, gas, electric) for one month per below. Payment will be made directly to the landlord or mortgagor or to the utility.

Individuals/Families: Up to $1,000 for rent or mortgage; up to

$250 for utilities.

Small Businesses in Specific Industries:Up to $4,000 for rent/mortgage; up to $1,000 for utilities.

Who Can Apply?

Individual / Family Relief Plan for Individuals and Families subject to the following qualifying criteria: -Currently reside in the City of Tampa.

-Have documentation reflecting employment as of Feb 1, 2020.Since February 1, 2020, have experienced a reduction in hours of work or pay by 25% or more as a direct result of COVID19 crisis.

-At the time of application, annual income must not exceed 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). For example, if you lost your job, your current income is zero.

-Must have paid 2018 property taxes in full (if applicable) and have no outstanding open code enforcement issues.

-Applicants will be required to provide documentation of their income and eligibility which may include check stubs, bank statements and/or a letter from an employer. Alternate documentation may

be considered for individuals whose income was based on cash compensation.

Small Business Relief Plan for businesses who meet the following qualifying criteria: -Have been continuously operating for 5 years prior to February 1, 2020.

-Be one of the designated ‘critically impacted’ business sectors (See Attached) - Have a physical location in one of the City’s designated low-income Census Tracts - Have business annual revenue less than $250,000 - Have no more than five (5) employees at the time of application - Experienced at least 50% reduction in revenue as a result of the COVID crisis.

- Have applied for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, if eligible.

- Have paid 2020 City business taxes and 2018 property taxes.

-- Have no outstanding property code enforcement issues.

What type of businesses can apply: 1.

Independent Restaurant - a.Food truck, market stand, street vendors

2.Bar/Nightclub 3.Small Retail 4.Personal Service 5.Hair, beauty, and other personal services (salons / spas, barbers, massage therapist, tattoo, etc.

6. Cleaning services 7.Personal care services (child/daycare, disabled, & elderly care services, funeral services, etc.)

8.Event spaces & services a. Event/Wedding Planner b. Caterer 9. 1099 contractors 10. Sole Proprietor consultantsFor qualified recipients, the City will remit rent or mortgage payments directly to landlords and mortgagors, and directly to TECO and COT, on behalf of eligible relief recipients through 211 and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation in support of One Tampa please make checks payable to City of Tampa and mail to The Municipal Office Building ℅ Banking 306 E Jackson Street Tampa, FL 33606

OUT of EGYPT Going to Egypt had been my dream for ten years before I ever stepped foot in the country. I wanted to study there as a senior in college.

After graduating with my minor in Arabic and spending a summer at a prestigious language school, I was admitted to a one-year program at the American University of Cairo.

My goal was to refine my language skills and to learn to speak the Egyptian dialect. However, life does not always go as planned. Egypt was in the middle of the Arab Spring when I graduated in 2011, which meant that the country was in a state of political and economic instability. On top of that, I did not have the financing to pay the expensive tuition.

My college sweetheart helped me find a soft landing after my “dream deferred” by applying for a fellowship on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.. I interned for a Member of Congress, and my life took on a new trajectory. When my college sweetheart became my husband, and we joined the Foreign Service, our directed assignments to Bangladesh and Colombia had me feeling that Egypt was a long-ago aspiration that should be placed in a box to be tucked away with forgotten childhood dreams. This year, however, the opportunity was extended to me to work in either Tunisia or Egypt to help their visa operations for two months. The choice was a no brainer.

In January 2020, I was on a plane to Cairo and finally going to fulfill my dream.

Egypt was everything I hoped it would be and more. I had no idea that I could walk the streets of Cairo or the hallways of the U.S. Embassy and look like any other Egyptian.

My Egyptian co-workers often called me “First Lady,” in reference to Michelle Obama or Cleopatra, and my work was making an impact. I believed that all of my life had prepared me for this moment at last.

On Thursday, March 12, I languished peacefully in bed, fully intending to

enjoy a day off by reading a good book. A storm was coming. Egypt had shut down public and private entities to prepare for the electricity and water outages that would result from expected hurricane-like winds and rain. I opened my balcony door, looking out over the Nile River. The sky was gray. It was only a matter of time. We were in the calm before the storm.

Egypt is a Muslim country. Closing down businesses on a Thursday was like having a three-day weekend. Friday is equivalent to a typical Saturday morning in the United States. Sunday is the start of the work week. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo was a part of the shutdown. I was feeling privileged to have another day of rest…until I saw the text messages.

By 7:45 AM, I had a missed call from my husband and urgent texts from my mother, sisters, and my friend who had departed on the last military flight out of South Korea.

At this hour of the day, all of these events were unusual and left me wondering, “What on earth is going on?”

While I was sleeping in Egypt, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, President Donald Trump was giving an address to the American public, informing the nation that on March 13 at midnight, all flights from Europe would be subject to

new travel restrictions. I was scheduled to complete my assignment and fly through Germany on March 20th. These new restrictions called into question my ability to get back home. I knew it was time to move.

I needed to get to the airport before the streets flooded.

By 10 AM, I was sitting in Terminal 3 of the Cairo International Airport. I had packed, checked out of the Marriott, taken a taxi, and convinced an airport official to let me into the partially-closed building. I told him that my flight was with the German airline Lufthansa, which it was, but a week from that day. I hoped to speak to a Lufthansa representative to change my flight, but, because of the storm, all of the airport offices were closed until 1 PM. To brace for the worst, I bought bottled water, took money out of the ATM. Then, I waited.

After 30 minutes, the waiting game was already wearing on me. I wanted to do something before flights sold out, but business hours in the United States had not begun. I took a risk and called the travel office for government employees and was connected to the representative onduty for emergencies. The office had booked my original flight and, after confirming that there were no seats on flights through Germany, placed me on a new flight through Morocco. I would depart at 7 AM the next day. I did not want to sleep in the airport during the storm, so I pushed my bags over to a hotel attached to the terminal. As the rain hit my room window, I prayed that God would hold the storm long enough for my plane to take off in the morning.

Just before 9pm on Friday, March 13, I arrived to Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C. I made it before the new restrictions took effect. During my trip, I discovered that I was not alone in my escape efforts.

I ran into many people who were leaving their lives abroad or ending their tourist trips early to get home to their families.

At the airport in Cairo, there

was a Black man from Memphis who worked at the U.S. Embassy and was ending his assignment ahead of schedule. His company, which completes construction projects at embassies around the world was pulling in all of their employees from abroad due to the virus.

The check-in line for the flight from Casablanca, Morocco, to the United States looked like a great American exodus: filled with college-aged students, young military members, and families. I sat in a row on a completely-filled plane with a Black woman who had shuttled back and forth between Rabat, Morocco, and the United States for three years through her work in an international organization. She was returning to her family based in Washington, D.C.. Next to her was a young man who was raised in D.C., but had spent the last several months with his father in Africa.

His dad was born in Africa, immigrated to the United States, married a Black American and had children.

His dad later divorced his mom and moved back to West Africa. Once he finished high school, the young man visited his father abroad and loved it so much, he was not ready to come home. In Africa, his family had wealth, and he had a personal driver. He had fallen in love with a young woman in his village. His father, seeing the same announcement from President Trump, sent his multilingual son home to finish his education at Howard University.

Since I have been home, it has been apparent that I made the right decision in the nick of time. I am so happy to be in Florida with my family. There is no place like home.

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Emotional Wellness in Times of Isolation Just a few weeks ago, life around the globe came to a grinding halt.

Although we did not choose the circumstances of this sudden change, we are empowered with the choice of how we respond to it.

If one chooses to view this as the end of the world, then creativity stops and depression sets in. If one views this as an opportunity, then ideas flow, creativity happens, and excitement kicks in. It all boils down to how we choose to respond to our present circumstances. Remember, one good choice can change one’s life, especially when facing turbulent times. When faced with depression and isolation, choose to follow the 5 Steps to Emotional Wellness.

Choose these steps, not because you are weak, but because you want to remain strong.

Choose to take ACTION with these steps: 1. SPIRITUALITY: Pray Without Ceasing. Don’t let anyone tell you that prayer doesn’t work. It not only works, but when we humble ourselves and go into a relaxing, serine setting it puts our entire body and spirit in a state of calmness where we can hear from God on the ACTION that he is guiding us to take. If he tells us to be still, then be still. If he

says move, then move.

We can’t hear from Him if we are in a state of hysteria.

This leads to making good and right choices for our lives and the lives of our family members.

2.

GET COUNSELING: Four plus weeks in isolation can cause anyone to start feeling stressed or depressed.

We normally don’t make the best choices under these conditions. We can receive spiritual counseling from a minister or therapy from a psychologist through telemedicine. If you have access to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) it will pay up to six sessions with a counselor. It’s a confidential and worthwhile benefit through your employer.

3.

FIND PURPOSE: Purpose has nothing to do with you and everything to do with why is someone

Roderick Cunningham, Emotional Wellness Expert

else’s life better because you lived. a. Deliver groceries to an elderly neighbor b. C a l l your children, nieces, and/or nephews to check on them and encourage them c.

Spread your gifting to others by doing a free video training to teach others a skill d.

Mentor a neighborhood kid with an absent mother/father (faceto-face or video call) 4.

JOURNAL/ART: You have been saying for years that you want to write a book, poem, movie, or a song that depicts your life. This is the perfect time to write. Writing is therapeutic. Someone needs to hear your story. You may have a desire to create through creative drawings or art that depicts your life. Create it!

5. FORGIVENESS: These times have taught us that life is precious and life is short. See this as an opportunity to let go of any unforgiveness and let God work in your life. EXPRESS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO EVERYONE. It’s life’s greatest gift. Remember, every human being is doing the best they can with what life has given them.

We should come out of this period of isolation as a better people than we went into it. But we have to choose it. Take a moment to write down the 10 things that you are “Grateful For” and recite these things every morning upon awaking and every night before you rest. Your life will never be the same, I guarantee it.

Roderick Cunningham CEO, Author, Speaker, and Emotional Wellness Expert www.ChiefEmpowerment.com Valerie Cunningham Author Speaker

N-Touch News Serving the Bay Area Since 1996!

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Tea with Tasha

I will never forget being on set Thursday, March 12, at Sony Picture Studios in Los Angeles. It was a very gloomy and rainy day. As an actor, I was preparing as I normally would by meeting with the wardrobe, hair, and makeup teams to collaborate on my final look for filming. That morning, I had to be at the studio early, and I did not have the time or energy to prepare breakfast. So, your girl was hungry!

With an earnest appetite, I traveled to a nearby stage on the lot, ready to grab a delicious omelette made-toorder. To my surprise, I found the cooks urgently throwing away pans of egg yolks, bell peppers, ham, sausage, onion, tomatoes, you name it!

I asked the staff why the food was being thrown out, and the cook said, “Because of the coronavirus, they shut us down!” I found out later that the show, which was hosting the omelette truck, stopped its production

prematurely that day due to COVID-19.

Later, while on set, I received notice that the theatre company where I worked cancelled our upcoming production meetings and that Disneyland closed their doors. When Hollywood decided to shut down, I knew things were getting serious.

In the days to follow, my roommates and I could not find toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, or Lysol wipes at any stores in Los Angeles. Eventually, on Saturday morning, the local stores were restocked, but it was so bizarre to see these items disappear over a 24-hour period. After many phone conversations with my mom about the scarcity of toilet paper in Los Angeles, I received a text from her that read, “Hey kiddo, remember you’re welcome home anytime...”

What started for me as a chuckle at the gentle way my mom tried to get her eldest daughter of five girls to come home, soon became a serious consideration.

With the theatre and television industries shutting down, I was out of work and I had nothing else tying me to the city of Los Angeles. Flights to Detroit were as low as $17. The question then became “Is it wise to travel during a pandemic to my beloved hometown, Flint, Michigan, while there is an ongoing water crisis?”

It was only mid-March and quarantined life was getting real. After chatting with a good friend, I decided to go home to be quarantined with family while I still had the freedom to travel, considering domestic flights could be restricted at

by Natasha LaGrone

any time. I knew that schools and childcare facilities were closing their doors, which meant my sisters and their children would be impacted, because they are essential workers in the healthcare field. I wanted to be able to assist my family with childcare due to the immediate closures.

After I informed my family of my decision to come home, my mom found a flight for $25.49 to the neighboring big city of Detroit, Michigan, and I was booked to travel that same day. I began packing items as if I was preparing to go and sterilize a hospital room: I had gloves, masks, concentrated Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer in high supply.

Within my first week of being home, news broke that my former pastor, Kevelin B. Jones, Sr. of Bountiful Love Ministries COGIC in Flint passed away from COVID-19.

On the same day, Elder Freddie Lee Brown Jr. passed away due to COVID-19 and Elder Brown’s son, Freddie III, who was 20-years-old and slated to attend Michigan State University in the fall, died just three days later of the coronavirus. These ministers served together during the years my family attended the church.

I will never forget hearing the emotional voice of Sandy Brown, widow of Elder Brown, speaking on our local news about the loss of her husband and only child. She shared that, in most cases, when someone loses a loved one, people can come to sit with you and hug you during your time of grieving. However, she had to remain in physical isolation, because she had been exposed to two people who died of the virus. Each

funeral service was streamed online, and I was able to watch them with others who could not attend due to the restrictions on large gatherings.

A little over a week later, my former classmate and Flint native, Christopher Burtely, lost his father due to COVID-19. His father, Nathel Burtely, was the well respected, first Black superintendent of the Flint Community School District.

Reaching out to friends to express condolences has become a weekly norm for me. There was a time, I would hesitate to express my condolences, because I always wanted to have the right words to share. However, this pandemic has taught me to act immediately on expressing my heart with those experiencing loss in hopes of lending timely support.

My daily prayers are with my Flint family and community. We live in a predominately AfricanAmerican city facing an ongoing water-crisis and dramatic disparities when it comes to the facilitation of COVID-19 testing. Individuals who wanted to be tested early for the coronavirus had been turned away by doctors, because they said these patients did not meet CDC requirements for testing. Many of these patients later tested positive for COVID-19 and by that point were at critical stages. The delay in diagnosis can literally mean life or death, which I’ve witnessed first-hand What’s in your cup? I’d love to hear how you’re filling up during this unique time.

Take a sip of #TeaWithTasha weekly on Instagram @Natashagrone.

The Director of the Center for Disease Control projected a second wave of infections in fall or winter and said testing for antibodies is key to being prepared. It has not yet been proven that patients develop immunity after recovering from the virus.

3 Convenient Locations Page 7

Suriya McGuire: From the Basketball Court to the Runway vision One schools, she decided to sign with The University of Miami.

Suriya is the Daughter of Tampa radio personality, Queen B, who can be heard evenings on I Heart radio keeping it lit on 95.7 The Beat.

Queen B shared, “That’s actually what brought me to Tampa Bay. — I followed my daughter to Florida.”

Suriya always believe the WNBA was in her future and she was right.

Suriya played professional basketball overseas in Iceland, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic and AngoJust when you think you have it all figured out, a new opportunity may drop in your lap. So, what do you do? Well, Suriya McGuire rose to the occasion and got her stroll on.

Since she was 6-years-old, Suriya has been a basketball player...until now. Suriya, who goes by the nickname “Ray Ray” was ranked fifth among high school point guards in the country from her position at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the 7th ranked female player in the country overall.

After being recruited by several Di-

R E A L E S T A T E Page 8

la. However she didn’t see this next move coming.

There was a shift in the atmosphere. October 2019, Suriya was invited to walk in a fashion show for a friend’s clothing line. Fortunately, for Suriya, it was the kickoff of LA Fashion Week! This turned out to be the chance of a lifetime and the beginning of a new career. The rest, as they say is history. January 2020, Suriya moved to Los Angeles and is now pursuing a modeling, styling, designing and music career. Suriya has already earned styling credits for several artists for ‘Rolling Loud’ (music fest). Suriya has been

blessed to attend the Grammy’s, the Oscars and a host of other nationally reknown events. Suriya has modeled in several fashion shows & has been chosen for several photo shoots for clothing lines and recently landed a production credit for a major athletic brand ad. Before this global pandemic, Suriya was scheduled for a TV and print ad campaign for a well known protein drink (I don’t want to shout it out because it’s not out yet, but you will see it soon)! Keep your eyes on this beauty because she is multi talented and full of surprises.

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Safe Coverage in a Sustainable Way? Way Photo by Tite Photography

If there is one business owner that’s taking on COVID-19 with a positive twist, it’s Tampa Bay Creative and Fashionista, NaKena Cromartie.

NaKena is the Founder and CEO of SUSTAINABLE SHIFT™, an online resale clothing company.

NaKena, like many small business owners, has had to pause community development activities due to social distancing guidelines. Now, Nakena has shifted to making and providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

NaKena is hand-making, reusable surgical face masks in an affordable, stylish, and sustainable way. These face masks are one of a kind!

They are made from 100% Cotton with a 90day air filter, equipped with wiring for shaping at the nose. The masks are $13.99 for adults and $9.99 for children ages 12 and under.

“Now more than ever, it is important to reinvent and retool to ensure our communities have access to the supplies they need and to ensure continuity of small businesses,” says NaKena. She felt compelled to contribute to making our social lives and environment safer by taking to the sewing machine and putting her styling skills to work. Order your reusable face mask today by emailing sustainshift@gmail.com!

SUSTAINABLE SHIFT™ marks to reduce textile waste through our daily style choice. Interested in learning more, visit www.sustainshift.com.

Preparing Meals at Home

10 Great Food Combinations Thinking of what to prepare for dinner daily can get difficult.

Listed below are a few food combinations you may want to try.

1. Roasted salmon, yellow rice, stir-fried spinach cooked with onions, and minced garlic.

2. Red beans boiled with yellow onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, Bay leaves, and pepper. Add chopped smoked sausage. Serve over white rice with cornbread and a garden salad 3. Homemade hamburgers with spinach leaves, tomatoes and onions on a fresh bun.

Peel and slice white potatoes for french fries.

8.Rice, curry chicken, cabbage, plantains fried in coconut oil.

9. Cajun shrimp pasta over linguini. Pour whipping cream sauce 4. Baked chicken, seasoned with soy sauce brocolli cooked in yel- and chopped green onlow rice. ions (scallions). Serve 5. Collard greens with garlic bread and a boiled with salt meat salad. or ham bone, pepper 10. Used vegetable onions, fried chicken, broth to make soup. baked sweet potatoes.

Stir fry onion, garlic, 6. Fresh fish with a celery, carrot, and spinach salad; add tomato at the base of sliced strawberries. a pan with your sea7. Barbecue ribs on the soning of choice, add grill, baked beans, corn lentils, then broth and on a cob, cole slaw. water Boil well. Enjoy.

Eat Something Green Everyday!

Mayor Castor recently held a press conference discussing how Tampa is coming together as one!

“One Tampa: Relief Now, Rise Together” is an effort to help preserve everything we love about our city. Many small businesses, families, and individuals are in critical need of financial support. Now is the time to rally together and rise up as “One” city.

The “One Tampa” program will provide direct payments for eli-

gible businesses up to $4,000 for rent or mortgage and up to $1,000 for utilities. Please visit tampagov. net/relief-now/businesses for more information.

To seek assistance for critically impacted businesses, you can go to tampagov.net/relief-now/criitically-impacted-businesses. The “One Tampa: Relief Now, Rise Together” program will provide direct payments for eligible families and individuals to cover up to $1,000 to pay all or part of their rent or mortgage for one month, and up to $250 to pay for essential utility costs for one month. Information is available at tampagov.net/relief-now/individuals.

So until we are back to normal, stay safe, and stay home.

Trust Your Instincts By: Mary Geraci

Recently, I saw several stories on Facebook that troubled me. Such as: Masks don’t work, people should go outside and spread the virus to infect people so that they could become immune (herd mentality); Don’t isolate just take vitamin D and C; and another one from a self-proclaimed doctor (done in a video) that stated immune support powders like Emergen-C don’t work.

There is a lot of good and bad information out there. We have never been through a pandemic like this before, so news is changing all the time with new breakthroughs. As a former news videographer who primarily worked on medical stories, I feel that trusting your instincts is critical. Do your research, consider the source and do what feels safe and right for you.

Recently, I overheard a conversation among several employees at my neighborhood Walgreens who said that the manager is out on a self-

imposed isolation period.

I have worn my mask, sanitized my hands and have stood six feet apart every time I have been in the store. Ideally, if I never have to be near any person that would work for me. You can avoid grocery stores by ordering on line. You can order take out food, as well, from most local restaurants.

I personally believe that assuming YOU could have the virus is not a bad idea. The fact that we can be carriers without knowing it is scary.

I wash and sanitize my hands every time I enter any facility, wear my mask, and keep to the six-foot rule not just so that I can be safe but so that I don’t spread the virus if I am a carrier.

There are dozens of ways we can take care of ourselves. Please consider the source of the information you are receiving, and make sound choices. I will be wearing my mask, washing my hands and doing things that feel prudent and safe for me.

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N-Touch News

Go Ahead and Get your Laugh On Thanks, Barbara Days The Cow

A man's car stalled on a country road one morning. When the man got out to fix it, a cow came along and stopped beside him. "Your trouble is probably in the carburetor," said the cow. Startled, the man jumped back and ran down the road until he met a farmer. The amazed man told the farmer his story. "Was it a large red cow with a brown spot over the right eye?" asked the farmer. "Yes, yes," the man replied. "Oh, I wouldn't listen to Bessie," said the farmer. "She doesn't know a thing about cars."

Retirement

Three old men are sitting on the porch of a retirement home. The first old man says: “Fellas, I got real problems. I’m seventy years old. Every morning at seven o’clock I get up, and I try to urinate. All day long I try to urinate. They give me all kinds of medicine but nothing helps.” The second old man says, “You think you have problems. I’m eighty years old. Every morning at 8:00 I get up and try to move my bowels. I try all day long. They give me all kinds of stuff but nothing helps.” Finally the third old man speaks up, “Fellas: I’m ninety years old. Every morning at 7:00 sharp I urinate. Every morning at 8:00 I move my bowels. Every morning at 9:00 sharp I wake up.”

Sweet 16

Lisa, a 16-year-old girl, nervously brought her most recent boyfriend home with her to meet her parents.

Although Lisa was very fond of him, she was nervous about what sort of impression he’d make on her parents. After all, he was full of tattoos and rings all over his body. “Mom,” said Lisa nervously: “I would like you to meet Spike, my boyfriend.

Spike, this is my Mom.” After a few minutes of small talk and pleasantries, Lisa’s Mom called her over and whispered “Lisa, I don’t like him, he just doesn’t seem very nice!” “Mom please!” retorted Lisa, “If he’s not a nice guy, how can you explain the forty hours of community service he does a week?!”

The Redhead

A gorgeous young redhead went into a doctor’s office and said that her body hurt wherever she touched it. “Impossible!” the doctor said. “Show me.”

The redhead took her finger, pushed on her hip and screamed. Then she pushed her elbow and screamed in even more. She pushed her knee and screamed; likewise she pushed her ankle and screamed. Everywhere she touched made her scream. The doctor said, “You’re not really a redhead, are you? “Well, no” she said, “I’m actually a blonde.” “I thought so,” the doctor said. “Your finger is broken.”

Judgement Day

St. Peter is questioning three married couples to see if they qualify for admittance to heaven. "Why do you deserve to pass the Pearly Gates?" he asks one of the men, who had been a butler. "I was a good father," he answers. "Yes, but you were a drunk all your life. In fact, you were so bad you even married a woman named Sherry. No admittance." St. Peter then turned to the next man, a carpenter, and asked him the same question. The carpenter replied that he had worked hard and taken good care of his family. But St. Peter also rejected him, pointing out that he had been an impossible glutton, so much so that he married a woman named BonBon. At this point the third man, who had been a lawyer, stood up and said, "Come on, Penny, let's get out of here."

Cancer

An old man visits his doctor and after thorough examination the doctor tells him: "I have good news and bad news, what would you like to hear first?" Patient: "Well, give me the bad news first." Doctor: "You have cancer, I estimate that you have about two years left." Patient: "OH NO! That's awful! In two years, my life will be over! What kind of good news could you probably tell me, after this?" Doctor: "You also have Alzheimer's. In about three months you are going to forget everything I told you."

The Symphony

A musical director was having a lot of trouble with one drummer. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but his performance simply didn’t improve. Finally, before the whole orchestra, he said, “When a musician just can’t handle his instrument and doesn’t improve when given help, they take away the instrument, and give him two sticks, and make him a drummer.”

A stage whisper was heard from the percussion section: “And if he can’t handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor.”

My Birthday

Well, last week was my birthday. My wife didn’t wish me a happy birthday. My parents forgot and so did my kids. I went to work and even my colleagues didn’t wish me a happy birthday. As I entered my office, my secretary said, “Happy birthday, boss!” I felt so special. She asked me out for lunch. After lunch, she invited me to her apartment. We went there and she said, “Do you mind if I go into the bedroom for a minute?”

“Okay,” I said. She came out five minutes later with a birthday cake, my wife, my parents, my kids, my friends, and my colleagues all yelling, “SURPRISE!!!” while I was waiting on the sofa... naked.

A Smart Blomde

There was a blonde who just got sick and tired of all the blonde jokes. One evening, she went home and memorized all the state capitals. Back in the office the next day, some guy started telling a dumb blonde joke.

She interrupted him with a shrill announcement: “I’ve had it up to here with these blonde jokes. I want you to know that this blonde went home last night and did something probably none of you could do. I memorized all the state capitals.” One of the guys, of course, said, “I don’t believe you. What is the capital of Nevada?” “N,” she answered.

Keep On Laughing... Laughter Heals!

Best Friends Friend

Mark was passing by the bar on the way home from work when he sees his good friend, Tom, gulping down one shot after another. Fearing the worst, Mark charged into the bar and confronted Tom. “Tom what’s going on?” Mark asked, “It’s my wife Beckie,” Tom replied. “She ran off with my best friend!” “Hey, wait a second,” said Mark “Aren’t I your best friend?” “Not any more,” Tom said with a happy smile. “He is!”

The Irishmen

Two Irish gentlemen walk into a pub.

They both sit down at the counter and place their orders. As they’re sipping their drinks one looks at the other and thinks that they’re something familiar about him. The guy says to the other, “Hey, do I know you from somewhere?”, to which the other responds, “Well, I’m from Galway, where are you from?” The first guy brightens up and says, “You don’t say! I’m from Galway as well! What school did you go to?” The other responds, “I went to St. Paul’s Secondary.”, to which the first replies, “My God! I went there as well! What year did you graduate?” The second says, “I finished in 1977. You?” The first becomes even more animated and says, “I did as well! I knew that I recognized you from somewhere!” The men start buying each other drinks and start reminiscing about school, when another guy walks into the pub.

He says to the barkeep, “Hey, Liam, what’s new? I haven’t been around in a while.” The barkeep responds, “Ah not a whole lot of anything, really. Except the O’Flaherty twins are drunk again.”

The Farmer

A farmer had three daughters and each was going on a date one Friday night. The first daughter’s date showed up “Hi I’m Freddy here to pick up Betty to eat spaghetti, is she ready?” Betty left with Freddy. The second daughters date showed up “Hey I’m Joe here to pick up Flo to go to the show, is she ready to go?”

Flo left with Joe. The third daughter’s date showed up “Hello I’m Chuck...” The farmer shot chuck.

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