May 2020

Vol. 26 #5 May 2020

Tampa • St. Petersburg • Clearwater • Largo • Tarpon Springs . Brandon • Bradenton • Sarasota • Lakeland Plant City Publishers: TAMPA BAY TAMMY & DJ CEO

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Keith Harris Appointed Interim CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay Page 7

Kindall “Sunshine” Hayes Discusses Her Year of Uncertainty Page 5

What’s inside

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N-Touch News, The Good News Resource Since 1996 It’s A Family Affair

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Hills.Cty.

Dear Girlfriend, I read the advice you gave the “Corona Move” writer, and I thought it was quite good, so I decided to reach out to you about something related.

I’m sure you know our govenor has decided to open Florida back up, and I have reservations about going back to work so soon. While, I’m not Black or African American, I am a minority in my work environment. Yep, that’s right, I’m a white girl. Don’t get me wrong: I love where I work, I love my co-workers, and they love me. We’ve been working together for almost 27 years. So believe it or not, we are like family. We’ve partied together and even went to Disney together. Yet, here is my fear.

I have been socially isolating myself since before the shut down. But my co-workers have not. I know this, because we are Facebook friends, and I have seen their posts. I have also been invited to a baby shower from a close friend who is also a co-worker. Since this virus is affecting African Americans more than others, my fear is that I could bring it home to my family.

I don’t want to offend my friends or even some of my family members (who happen to be Black) by not showing up, but this is a real concern of mine.

What do I say to them? How will they react to me? Please help me to not offend anybody that I’ve worked with and loved for so many years, but I’m truly scared to death.

Signed, Scared to Death!

Dear Scared to Death, Girl, do not feel guilty. A lot of Black people that I know quietly feel the same way about White people. When the pandemic began, the news mostly showed international travelers dying from the virus, and we believed that most of them were White. Early in the pandemic, it was rumored among the African-American community that Black people could not catch it. However, I didn’t belive that mess for a moment. Fortunately, that myth was dispelled for many of us when a young, Black NBA player with no pre-existing conditions tested positive for the coronavirus, and the owners shut down all professional games. Intelligent people know that this is not a Black or White problem; this is an everyone problem. This is not a United States problem, but a world-wide problem. All races and creeds are susceptible to COVID-19. So, the real culprit is ignorance and contact.

We all miss our friends and family members, yet we stay away from them whether black, white, red, or yellow. Mothers worry about their own adult children that won’t sit still, and are coming in and out of their homes. We must all be focused on being healthy and clean, regardless of the color of our skin. But we cannot stay home forever. If you plan to keep the job that you currently have, you will either have to go back to work or lose your job and income. Unless you have a job you can do online, a trust fund or a retirement check, take your azz back to work! All you can do is follow the instructions of medical professionals and wear a mask. We cannot live in fear, but we can exercise to build our heart and lungs and eat well to build our immune system.

A weak immune system will have a hard time surviving in this environment.

So, if that is you, you have to prioritize your own health. If you do go back to work, remember to drink something hot daily, and continue to practice social distancing by keeping your hugs and hands to yourself.

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Getting Older, Getting Focused I thought it was just another day working in the yard. I had badly sprained my knee about a month ago, and it was healing pretty well. So, I decided that it was healed enough to weed whack and edge my grass after paying someone else to cut it for me. I started blowing the clippings on the driveway and, because it is a wide surface, I moved in a wide motion like ice skaters that go side to side. That may invoke a dramatic image, but this has been my routine for years. Apparently, that was too much for my not-quitehealed knee, so it popped, and I fell to the ground. My daughters had to come pick me up off of the driveway, after my wife announced: “Come out side.

Your daddy is down.”

Just before I cranked the blower, something told me that I should have gotten the company that cut the grass to leaf blow the yard, but I didn’t listen to that inner voice that warned me. Needless to say, I’m scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery this June to repair my torn ACL and Meniscus.

Getting older is no joke! It is something we have to take seri-

ously before we get there. So, where is there? Any age north of 40 puts you on the “yellow brick road.”As we approach the age that we know as senior citizenship, a lot of things happen along the way.

In our 40’s, we start to lose the edge on our vision. It seems you cannot read the newspaper, no matter how far you stretch your arms. You go by the dollar store looking for 1.50’s, and I’m not talking about rolling papers, I’m talking about eyeglasses.

By Daryl Johnson (DJ CEO)

You see (no pun intended) your 40’s is the hint that poor vision could be something waiting on you in old age.

Your 50’s bring on the more physical challenges of staying in shape.

Things as simple as getting out of the bed or picking things up off the floor can become a real challenge.

Of course, your 60’s tell you that perhaps your memory is not as good as it was, and you are suffering from CRS syndrome (Can’t Remember Sh!% ).

You don’t have to listen to me, just take the lead from your parents, in laws, any person older than you. or even your doctor. I am sure they have been telling you to do this or to do that, and you just didn’t listen.

As I get older, the one thing that I find myself listening to every day is my body. In my experience, there is something about getting older that gets your inner ear more attuned to the way your blood flows through your veins, the way your brain connects thoughts, the way your heart beat becomes louder and the way your internal clock regulates your life expectancy. I

truly feel as though I can hear all of theses things internally!

Just keep living, and you will begin to realize that, in order to age well, you need to focus. You have to listen to that inner voice that tells you: “Write that phone number down, before you forget it,” or “Get up, you are sitting too long.” If you listen a little closer, you may just hear: “You are drinking too much alcohol or smoking too much, and it’s clogging up your brain. So, quit!” This is your body telling you what you need, and that same body can be self-healing.

As you get older, take my advice: get focused on you! Listen, and live a good life! The more focused you are, the better your chances are of doing just that.

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By Kindall Sunshine Hayes

International Travel

“Let Go. Move Forward. Evolve.”

Author’s Note: This story was written at the request of a friend who worked with me in Bangladesh. The prompt was “Harnessing Strength in Times of Uncertainty.” Before COVID-19, I was navigating a new season of change. I am thankful for friends like David and Gaina who have given me space to reflect. Check out their incredible coffee company and new cookbook at www. davilakafe.com.

The day after my husband left for Iraq, I was on a plane to Nicaragua, a small country in Central America. Although we intended to serve one year in the diplomatic mission of Iraq together, we had no idea that a few months later, my job would be cut, and my husband would be going alone. We soon found out that, due to the security situation in the region, we had unintentionally signed up for an unaccompanied assignment.

In the first six months, while my husband was posted to Iraq, I worked in three different countries and utilized two different languages. I was blessed to always receive my followon assignments a few days before the previous job ended. I lived in hotels and showed up to work with new

colleagues to solve new problems.

Life demanded flexibility and adaptability. I could either rise to the occasion or fall apart.

In Costa Rica, on my second assignment, acknowledging that this unaccompanied assignment was my “new normal,” I began to intentionally pour into my spirit. I read and listened to books and online sermons. I indulged in lavish selfcare: long baths, trips to the spa, and deep-tissue massages. I reconnected with friends that I loved dearly but called too infrequently. I wrote new prayers and vision for my life. I read old prayers to remember which requests God had answered. I learned to respect the ones He denied.

Out of abundant self-love, I could

affirm and encourage my husband while he worked in an increasingly-active war zone. Though I met him as a college freshman and became an adult alongside him, I learned to fortify him in prayer from afar. As a person who loves making lists and plans, responding to this season of uncertainty was a challenge. I had to reorganize my goals, my plans, and even my sense of identity.

In my last two weeks in Costa Rica, I was notified that I would not be allowed to extend my time at the embassy there. I was well adjusted and performing, and it felt comfortable to stay where my contribution was valued. Instead, I was offered an assignment in Egypt. After all I had endured, it was hard to believe that I was being offered a job in the place I most wanted to be in the world. Egypt was my dream assignment since we began working in the Department of State. I gathered my resolve and my belongings. Thankful for every experience along the way, I walked through the next open door. I have learned to let go, move forward, and, in the process, evolve.

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Keith Harris,Interim CEO

Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay Congratulations are in order for Tampa native Keith Harris who was recently selected to serve as the interim Chief Executive Officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay. Keith Harris, was recently selected to serve as the interim CEO for the organization. Prior to accepting the position, Keith served as Chairman of the Board for four years.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.”

“This position gives me the opportunity to put my talents where my mouth is, and this is where I want to be,” said the interim CEO. Keith is a graduate of Florida A&M University and holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Florida International University. He is a member of the Gamma Zeta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc..

Currently, there are more than a dozen Boys & Girls Club locations in the Tam-

pa Bay area. With the restrictions of social distancing and phased openings due to COVID-19, the scheduled summer programs will be held at only eight locations throughout the Tampa Bay area.

As the restrictions are lifted, more services and locations will become available, with the organization’s main focus to keep all programs up and running, and to foster continued partnership with the public. Updates can be found at bgctampa.org.

A man’s success has a lot to do with the kind of woman he chooses as a wife, and Keith is no exception. Wife and author, attorney Monica Harris is also a graduate of FAMU and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.. The Power Couple has not allowed the current pandemic to stop them from reaching their goals. They record their podcast, “Soul Purpose,” which airs live on N-Touch News Radio from their home every Saturday at 11 a.m.. They are members of Love First Christian Center, pastored by the Power Couple of 2018, Pastors Jomo and Monica Cousins.

The Return of Tampa Tony: “Keep Jukin, They Lookin” In the music world of the Dirty South, Tampa Tony is a household name.

With songs like “City Boy Wit It,” “No Good,” “Low Low,” and “Miss All the Way Live,” Tampa Tony put out music that had Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas “Jukin!”

Born Antonio Alls, Tampa Tony, aka the “King of Jook City,” jumped into the rap game at the age of 17 while attending King High School in Tampa Florida. Tampa Tony was a go-to artist on the club scene and on deejay playlists. The most requested song and crowd favorite among his hits was - and still is - “Keep Jukin’” Under the management of Isabomb Records, Tampa Tony performed with local and national artists such as Jaheim, Juvenile, Boyz II Men, Trick Daddy, Trina, Uncle Luke, Plies, Rated R Khia and Krazy. . However his career was brought to a halt when he was arrested on narcotics charges in 2006, and sentenced to life in prison. After serving 11 and a

half years, President Obama commuted his sentence in 2016 and he was released early along with 71 other inmates with non-violent crimes and harsh sentences.

Since Tampa Tony returned home, he has kept a low profile. He currently works as a construction worker and is reinventing his music career. Before the pandemic, he was scheduled to perform in Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, and is ready to get back to touring once the pandemic passes. Tampa Tony also has a new documentary and new EP scheduled to be released in 2021.

If you are interested in booking Tampa Tony for your next event, you can reach his manager, Lorenzo, by phone (786) 303-6135 or by email tampatonyinfo@gmail.com Tony is also single and ready to mingle. If you are interested in dating Tampa Tony, the 45 year old will be a guest on the upcoming live show, Tampa Bay Tammy’s Dating Game.

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History Moments

Walter C. Odom So, our historical moment subject I am sure this past for today is: “What is a Pandemic?” holiday must have It is important to know something been the strangest, most unusual about pandemics before one of our Mother’s Day ever Millenials or GEN Z grandkids calls for all of our “Hid- to check on how we are doing and den Figure” Moth- asks one of those special, innocent ers. No one was questions that only grandchildren are allowed to visit you at home; neither so good at asking: “Hello Grandma, young nor old. You could not go out Hello Granddad, I decided to call and attend your favorite Mother’s to check on you today on my new Day brunch. There was definitely iPhone. My iPhone can do just about no standing in restaurant lines or sit- everything, and I know how to use ting in crowded lobbies holding one it. However, I have this question I of those vibrating, flashing things in need to ask you today, because these your hand, waiting for the hostess to new words just keep popping up on my iPhone, ‘What is the coronavirus call you for your table.

However, I hope and pray that each pandemic?’”

I have seen some helpful vidMother reading this message today was able to find something enjoy- eos of speeches given by former able and pleasant to do on your very U.S. Presidents that should assist special day. I hope you were able to you with providing your grandwait to get your Mother’s Day meal kids some answers. You can find prepared for you on your home grill them by searching in YouTube for after you made sure everyone in your “George W. Bush Urged Us to Prehome understood that, for this occa- pare for Future Pandemics in 2005” sion, the microwave was closed and and “Obama Warned The U.S. to Prepare For A Pandemic Back in on vacation.

Today, we will cover this pandemic 2014.” Those resources have helped that changed every living genera- me, and I hope they help you stay informed and stay safe. tion’s experience on Mother’s Day.

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

Nu Air Airconditioning Inc. If you live in Florida, it is likely that someday you will need a repair man for your air conditioning. That day came for the Johnson household in the month of May. The air went out while we had a full house, and we were all miserably hot. We called a friend, but he was unavailable. Our situation left no room for waiting. We began to search for a new solution to our problem.

My husband remembered that he had met a businessman who seemed very professional and family oriented. He called Torrey Muhammad, the owner of NuAir Airconditioning

Incorporated. After Torrey completed his work on our home, the whole house rejoiced in cool, crisp air.

With 13 years of air conditioning installation and repair experience, this former Marine did an excellent job at a great price! Torrey holds a Bachelors in Business Administration, and he is a certified contractor for the State of Florida. Torrey Muhammad serves on the board for Southern Technical School. This community leader hopes to continue to teach young men his trade, so they will have the necessary skills and ability to support a family.

Go Ahead and Get your Laugh On Thanks, Barbara Days New Doctors

A woman went to the doctor’s office.

She was seen by one of the new doctors, but after about four minutes in the examination room, she burst out screaming as she ran down the hall.

An older doctor stopped and asked her what the problem was, and she explained. He had her sit down and relax in another room. The older doctor marched back to the first and demanded, “What’s the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 63 years old, she has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?” The new doctor smiled smugly as he continued to write on his clipboard, “Cured her hiccups though, didn’t it?”

Dreams

A woman was taking an afternoon nap. When she woke up, she called her husband at work and told him: “I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you think it means?” “You’ll know tonight,” he said. That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it to find a book entitled “The Meaning of Dreams.”

Who’s the Daddy

A very elderly couple is having an elegant dinner to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary. The old man leans forward and says softly to his wife, “Dear, there is something that I must ask you. It has always bothered me that our tenth child never quite looked like the rest of our children.

Now, I want to assure you that these 75 years have been the most wonderful experience I could have ever hoped for, and your answer cannot take that all that away. But, I must know, did he have a different father?” The wife drops her head, unable to look her husband in the eye, she paused for a moment and then confessed. “Yes, yes he did.” The old man was very shaken. The reality of what his wife was admitting hit him harder than he had expected.

With a tear in his eye he asks: “Who? Who was the father?” Again, the old woman drops her head, saying nothing at first as she tried to muster the courage to tell the truth to her husband. Then, finally, she says, “You.”

The Shed

This is the true story of George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi, who was going to bed when his wife told him that he’d left the light on in the shed. George opened the door to go turn off the light but saw there were people in the shed in the process of stealing things.

He immediately phoned the police, who asked, “Is someone in your house?” and George said, “No,” and explained the situation. Then they explained that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be there when available.

George said, “Okay,” hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again. “Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago, because there were people in my shed. Well, you don’t have to worry about them now, because I’ve just shot them all.” Then, he hung up.

Within five minutes three squad cars, an armed response unit, and an ambulance showed up. Of course, the police caught the burglars redhanded. One of the policemen said to George, “I thought you said that you’d shot them!” George said, “I thought you said there was nobody available!”

The Men’s Dept

A really huge muscular guy with a bad stutter goes to a counter in a department store and asks, “W-ww-where’s the m-m-m-men’s dep-pp-partment?” The clerk behind the counter just looks at him and says nothing. The man repeats himself: “W-w-w-where’s the m-m-m-men`s dep-p-p-partment?” Again, the clerk doesn’t answer him. The guy asks several more times: “W-w-wwhere’s the m-m-m-men’s dep-p-ppartment?” And the clerk just seems to ignore him. Finally, the guy is angry and storms off. The customer who was waiting in line behind the guy asks the clerk, “why wouldn`t you answer that guy’s question?”

The clerk answers, “D-d-d-do you th-th-th-think I w-w-w-want to get b-b-b-beat up?!!”

The Voice

Walking down the street, a man hears a voice: “Stop! If you take one more step, a brick will fall down and kill you.” The man stopped; a big brick fell in front of him. The astonished man continued walking to the cross walk. The voice shouted, “Stop! If you take one more step, a car will run over you and you will die.” The man stood still; a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him. “Where are you?” the man asked. “Who are you?” “I am your guardian angel,” the voice answered.

“Oh yeah?” the man asked. “Where the hell were you, when I got married last week?”

Senior Life

An older couple, who were both widowed, had been going out with each other for a long time.

Urged on by their friends, they decided it was finally time to get married. Before the wedding, they went out to dinner and had a long conversation regarding how their marriage might work.

They discussed finances, living arrangements, and so on. Finally, the old gentleman decided it was time to broach the subject of their physical relationship. “How do you feel about sex?” he asked, rather tentatively.

“I would like it infrequently,” she replied.

The old gentleman sat quietly for a moment, adjusted his glasses, then leaned over towards her and whispered, “Is that one word or two?”

The Cab Driver

A cab driver reaches the pearly gates. St. Peter looks him up in his Big Book and tells him to pick up a gold staff and a silk robe and proceed into Heaven. Next in line is a preacher. St. Peter looks him up in his Big Book, furrows his brow and says, “OK, we’ll let you in, but take that cloth robe and wooden staff.”

The preacher is shocked and replies: “But I am a man of the cloth. You gave that cab driver a gold staff and a silk robe. Surely, I rate higher than a cabbie!” St. Peter responds matterof-factly, “This is Heaven and up here, we are interested in results.

When you preached, people slept.

When the cabbie drove his taxi, people prayed.”

The Pickle Factory

Bill has worked in a pickle factory for several years. One day he confesses to his wife that he has a terrible urge to stick his penis into the pickle slicer. His wife suggests that he see a therapist to talk about it, but Bill vows to overcome this rash desire on his own. A few weeks later, Bill returns home absolutely ashen.

His wife asks, “What’s wrong, Bill?”

“Do you remember how I told you about my tremendous urge to put my penis into the pickle slicer?” His wife gasps, “My God, Bill, what happened?” “I got fired.” “No, Bill I mean, what happened with the pickle slicer?” “Oh, um, she got fired, too.”

Keep On Laughing... Laughter Heals!

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Tea with Tasha

front lines fighting the battle against COVID-19. Doctors, nurses, grocery store clerks, and a myriad of essential workers across the nation have bravely helped us and our loved ones tremendously during these challenging times.

Many people have experienced an abrupt end to how they traditionally work due to being quarantined, including me.

As an actor, I often receive praise and applause based on my performance.

Work can become a source of pride, that validates and affirms us, giving us a sense of purpose. With many of our normal routines on hold, we are now put in During these times, we celebrate, with positions to slow down. We are currently our deepest gratitude, our heroes on the being challenged to be still and pres-

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ent with ourselves and loved ones. Our quarantined “new normal” can cause restlessness and questioning of our status or progression in life, because we are unable to strive and produce in ways we are accustomed to. Talk about an identity crisis!

Dealing with the feelings of displacement, uncertainty, and insecurities that have surfaced while quarantined, I had to have a self-affirming conversation with myself. I looked in the mirror and said: “I AM ESSENTIAL. My essence, the indispensable quality of who I am, is enough.

I am enough.”

We often feel like we have to be doing something that we deem significant

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What is the essence that shines through, just being YOU? Please be gentle and kind to yourself during this time and most importantly, know that you are essential.

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