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Vol. 24 #3 March 2018
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Dear Girlfriend, When I went home for my old friends funeral in our hometown of Alabama, I saw a young man that looked just like my sister’s husband and a lot like my nephew. I asked an older friend of ours, “Who is that child’s daddy?” To my surprise, she snapped back, “Girl it’s is your brother in laws child, you didn’t know? I said, “Hell naw.” She then asked, “Does your sister know? I replied, “I don’t think so but she is about to know.” I was going to call her right then and there but my phone was dead. I asked to use her phone and she said, “Nooooo. Girl you need to stay out of that” and would not give me her phone. Girlfriend even though my sister and I live in different cities, we are still very close and talk often. She is only 2 years older than me. I never married but my sister has been married for 20 years, has 2 children and lives in Atlanta. She married her high school sweetheart right after college who later became a minister. She’s not a house wife but she doesn’t work full time either because she doesn’t have to. However, she is very active in the community and with her sorority. I thought my sister and brother n law were a Power Couple. I then asked who was that child’s mother. I do remember hearing her name once a long time go. For the record, that kid was about 14 years old. My nephew is 18 getting ready to go off to college and my niece is 15. So this betrayal was definitely during their marriage. Shouldn’t I tell my sister? Shattered sister.
Dear Shattered Sister, Do not take this back to your sister. If she is doing well, why would you want to break her down with thatand it will most definitely break her down. In this case, what she doesn’t know will not hurt her and you do not want to break your sister’s heart. She will find out soon enough.... if she doesn’t already know. We all know A lot of maried men have cheated and were never caught and vice versa. They were allowed to be to be faultless. You would be surprise at what married folk have gone through, know about each other and have forgiven. His unfaithfulness does not mean they are not a Power Couple it just mean he was tempted and He failed the test. He cheated and the proof is there for the world to see. I learned long ago, that Power Couples are not perfect but they have concluded they are stronger together than they are apart and the good in their relationship out weighs the bad. Hopefully this is a wake up call for all the married women reading this article living in lallal land. . You can’t put all your faith and hope in a man because he will disappoint you. You see, even the good ministers fall short. Sometimes that is what runs them to the pulpit.... dealing with their sins in their lives, calling out to God trying to be forgiven. Is your brother in law a low down dirty dog or is he a good man? Should a mistake made 16 years ago out weigh the good he has done with your sister and their children? Here is your dilemma If you tell her she will feel compelled to make a decision that she may not be prepared to make right now. They are in the process of raising her children and she needs their daddy’s support and his finances. You surely don’t want to disrupt the children lives. Your niece and nephew needs the support of their father and unless your sister is well off enough to do it on her own. If you tell your sister and she stays, she will be embarrassed and it may cause a strain between the two of you and she will probably talk to you less. If you tell her and she leaves and she struggles or if her children began to act out without the supervision of two parents in the house, she may blame you or resent you for their failures. It happens! Now what you need to do is encourage her to keep growing and doing the things she loves to do and make sure she stays active with friends and family. Then she can be all right if and when this slaps her in her face. Girl, men are full of surprises. The best one
aint snap! Page 4
N-Touch News Dear Girlfriend Pictures:
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Beauty & Barber Shops Entrepreneurs Gospel Guide Jokes Distribution: Tampa St Pete Clearwater Largo Tarpon Springs Bradenton Sarasota Brandon Plant City Lakeland Riverview NewPort Richey
You Heard It From Me
By Daryl Johnson
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan Meets with H.O.P.E. Newly appointed Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, met with committee members of Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality, Inc (HOPE). The meeting was scheduled for his introduction to the group and the groups introduction to him as concerned citizens. Their main focus was what his stance is or will be on Civil Citations in the City of Tampa and other concerns of the committee. H.O.P.E. has been in existence for almost 30 years advocating for the improvement in quality of life, areas of education, employment, bus services and juvenile justice. The past 4 years H.O.P.E. has worked to reduce the arrests of our children. Unfortunately, Hillsborough County had been issuing civil citations to only 32% of eligible children but has since improved. There is still a lot of work to be done under the tutelage of the new chief. Chief Brian Dugan was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and is a Steelers fan, but he loves the Florida weather. His desire was to be with the DEA and because of the long process he thought he would be in Tampa just a short while until the hiring process was complete but President George H. Bush put a hiring freeze that killed the chances of him becoming a member of the D.E.A. In 1990, he was hired with the Tampa Police Deparrtmentand hasn’t looked back since. Although he didn’t think he would end up becoming the Chief of Police, he is up for the task. Chief Dugan has served
in almost all areas of the Department as; an officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant captain, major, deputy chief, and assistant chief. He is cochair to the Tampa Urban Area Security Initiative as well as on the Board of Directors with the Police Athletic League (PAL). He earned his bachelor’s degree from West Liberty University and a Masters Degree from Troy State University in Public Administration. He is married with two children, 19 and 16 years of age and a wife of 22 years. The Chief was very polished in his responses. When it came to Civil Citations, the Chief believes in accountability but is flexible on considering 2nd and 3rd offenses in the issuance of civil citations but struggle with some aspects of it. When
it came to the upcoming legislation of SB 1392, which puts the control of the Civil Citation Program in the hands of the State Attorneys. His naturally polished response was “I kind of let the mayor take the lead on that.” Chief Dugan was quick to say, “I am not a politician”, but since he is sitting in an appointed political position, one would beg to differ with that position. Overall the meeting went very well and scheduled for Monday, April 16th is the big event, The Nehemiah Action, to be held at Bible Based Fellowship Church on 4811 Ehrlich Rd in Tampa FL. So if you are concerned about the arresting of our youth, you will be there to support HOPE and the Tampa Chief of Police in decreasing the arrests of our children.
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Chronicles of a Sun Goddess Hello, My loves! Spring is in the air and so is the pollen! Spring breakers will soon grace our beautiful shores and theme parks. More importantly, travelers will be gearing up for peak travel season, which runs April through mid-June and September through October. With that being said, I thought I would let you all in on the inside scoop. 1. Effective April 2, 2018 Passport fees will increase by $10.00. The new passport fee will then be $145.00. Also, passport photos usually price between $12 and $16. Moreover, photos can be purchased at Walgreens, CVS or any passport processing office. Please note, it takes a minimum of 6 weeks to process passport applications. Here are two of several passport locations for Hillsborough and Pinellas County. • The Passport Office 1111 N. Westshore Blvd.#206A Tampa, FL, 33607 813.527.3677 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Mon. Thru Fri. • Pinellas County Passport Application Office 29582 US Hwy 19 N. Clearwater, FL, 33761 727.464.4876 *Call for hours* Passport applications may be obtained at any passport location, post office or online at: www.travel.state. gov Don’t forget the little ones! When traveling internationally, children
and infants require a passport as well. Know Thy Colors As travelers, we should be aware of any “heightened” activity a country may be experiencing. This is where our colors come into play. The U.S. State Department uses a color-coded system to alert travelers of potential and ongoing conflicts that occur around the world. Remember, “An avid traveler is an informed and prepared traveler.” Here’s how it goes: • Level 1-Blue: Exercise Normal Precautions. This is the lowest level for travel and security. • Level 2-Beige: Exercise Increased Caution. At this level, travelers should be extra aware of risks relating to safety and security. • Level 3-Yellow: Reconsider Travel. You should avoid travel due to serious safety and security risks. • Level 4-Red: DO NOT TRAVEL. This is the highest advisory level due to life threatening risks. Be sure to check out my Chronicles of a Sungoddess Facebook page, where I continue to post “Travel Tips Tuesday” as well as, other travel information, pictures and quotes. If you are interested in travel or are planning travel in the near future, let Sundial Travels handle the details for you. I can be reached at: jackiewithsundialtravels@gmail.com or 727.401.4382 Peace & Blessings The Sungoddess
N-Touch News is the good news publication. We welcome your comments and concerns. P.O. Box 545 Odessa, Florida 33556-0545 or email tampabaytammy@hotmail.com
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ALPHA’S Black & Gold Scholarship Ball at Ruth Eckerd Hall
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N-Touch News...it’s not happening! Page 7
Jestina Cox Honored “Give me my flowers while I live.”
Close Friends, family members and sorority sisters came from near and far to honorretired School Administrator Jestina Cox at the Annual Alpha Kappa Alpha Miss Teenage Tampa Luncheon. Jestina is from Miami, Florida and pledged AKA at FAMU.
Contestants: #1 Janiya Thomas, #2 Sosha James, #3 Chyna Green, #4 Ziya Moore, # 5 Deshawnda Hall-Lewis, #6 Lazlo Nziga,#7 Royal McIntrye #8 Joslyn Smith #9 Jazmyn Jones #10 Cymiah Alexander
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MEET THE DC DIVA Of N-TOUCH RADIO THE DC Diva is live on N-Touch Radio on Thursdays during the Tampa Bay Tammy Show sharing what’s going down in our nations’ capital of Washington DC. The DC Diva was actually born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the Hillsborough High International Baccalaureate program and was crowned “Miss Teenage Tampa.” She spent her early years as a columnist for N-Touch News as DIVA J. But now she is all grown up! She has completed her Bachelors degree at Howard University and is a DC homeowner, wife and mother Over the past 10 years, This DC Diva has become a millennial power player and has taken the capitol by storm as the CEO of Dash Coordinating & Marketing,LLC. She has worked with former Vice President Joe Biden, Con- mer contestant for MISS MARYLAND gressman John Lewis, State Delegates USA 2012. In efforts to give back to and other high profile clients. The DC the community, she serves as a motiDiva is a member of the National Co- vational speaker to students, adults and alition of 100 Black Women Prince emerging entrepreneurs. George’s County Chapter and a for- Tune in at www.n-touchnews.com
Black Construction Companies Working on $350 Million Obama Presidential Center Now that Barack Obama is out of the White House, he’s making a statement on support for Black businesses with a huge deal for the Obama Presidential Center (OPC). The OPC is set to cost about $350 million, and an alliance of minority firms is set to get a large chunk of that. Powers & Sons Construction, UJAMAA Construction, Brown & Momen, and Safeway Construction, all part of the Presidential Partners consortium, have all come together as part of the Lakeside Alliance working on the presidential center, according to Black Enterprise. The minority companies will be getting a 51% stake, while Turner Company, which is one of the nation’s largest construction companies, will have a 49% stake. It’s a historic move, not just because of
the companies involved but because most minority firms will be hired on as subcontractors and not given majority stakes like this. “The Obama Foundation believes in creating opportunities for diverse and local businesses and building pathways to meaningful jobs for minorities and other underrepresented populations,” said David Simas, CEO of the Obama Foundation. “The development of the Obama Presidential Center gives us an opportunity to make a major, unprec-
edented impact on the South Side in terms of hiring talented, local bunesses and individuals. We look forward to working with Lakeside Alliance to achieve our goals, set new benchmarks and make the Obama Presidential Center a landmark that our neighbors can be
proud of.” It’s a big win not just for the companies but the communities, because the alliance of minority companies has promised that they will be employing minority workers and people who live in the surrounding area for the massive project. That way, the companies will be giving back to the community and the presidential center will be a boon to Chicago’s South and West sides. Ground will be broken for the project later on this year. Source: Thegriot.com
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Justin Helicke of Keystone and Stephanie Odreman Offiicial Engagement Party
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Go Ahead and Get your Laugh on! Confessional Too Much To Drink If not for my Brothers The Wedding Anniversary
Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry. She told him “Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE!” The next morning he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, brought the box back in the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale. Bob has been missing since Friday.
Pickle Slicer
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 ashamed. 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.” Thats when the fight started
Working Hard or Hardly Working
My boss phoned me today. He said, “Is everything okay at the office?” I said, “Yes, it’s all under control. It’s been a very busy day, I haven’t stopped.” “Can you do me a favor?” he asked. I said, “Of course, what is it?” He said, “Hurry up and take your shot, I’m behind you on the 7th
An Irishman walks into a bar in Dublin, orders three pints of Guinness and sits in the back of the room, drinking a sip out of each one in turn. When he finishes them, he comes back to the bar and orders three more. The bartender approaches and tells him, “You know, a pint goes flat after I draw it, and it would taste better if you bought one at a time.” The Irishman replies, “Well, you see, I have two brothers. One is in America, the other is in Australia, and I’m in Dublin. When we all left home, we promised that we’d drink this way to remember the days we drank together. So I drink one for each o’me brothers and one for me self.” The bartender admits that this is a nice custom, and leaves it there. The Irishman becomes a regular in the bar, and always drinks the same way: He orders three pints and drinks them in turn. One day, he comes in and orders two pints. All the other regulars take notice and fall silent. When he comes back to the bar for the second round, the bartender says, “I don’t want to intrude on your grief, but I wanted to offer my condolences on your loss.” The Irishman looks quite puzzled for a moment, then a light dawns and he laughs. “Oh, no, everybody’s just fine,” he explains, “It’s just that me wife had us join that Baptist Church and I had to quit drinking. But it hasn’t affected me brothers though.”
The Games Men Play Two retired Foottball players were having a conversation. Men til 26 play football, Men at 40 play tennis, Men at 60 play golf, Have you noticed every time you get older your ball gets smaller
A married Irishman went into the confessional and said to his priest, “I almost had an affair with another woman.” The priest said, “What do you mean, almost?” The Irishman said, “Well, we got undressed and rubbed together, but then I stopped.” The priest said, “Rubbing together is the same as putting it in. You’re not to see that woman again. For your penance, say five Hail Mary’s and put $50 in the poor box.” The Irishman left the confessional, said his prayers, and then walked over to the poor box. He paused for a moment and then started to leave. The priest, who was watching, quickly ran over to him saying, “I saw that. You didn’t put any money in the poor box!” The Irishman replied, “Yeah, but I rubbed the $50 on the box, and according to you, that’s the same as putting it in!”
Lil Johnny
Little Johnny was sitting in class doing math problems when his teacher picked him to answer a question, “Johnny, if there were five birds sitting on a fence and you shot one with your gun, how many would be left?” “None,” replied Johnny, “cause the rest would fly away.” “Well, the answer is four,” said the teacher, “but I like the way you’re thinking.” Little Johnny says, “I have a question for you. If there were three women eating ice cream cones in a shop, one was licking her cone, the second was biting her cone and the third was sucking her cone, which one is married?” “Well,” said the teacher nervously, “I guess the one sucking the cone.” “No,” said Little Johnny, “the one with the wedding ring on her finger, but I like the way you’re thinking.”
Two guys are sitting on a bar stool. One starts to insult the other one. He screams, “I slept with your mother!” The bar gets quiet as everyone listens to see what the other weasel will do. The first again yells, “I SLEPT WITH YOUR MOTHER!” The other says, “Go home dad, you’re drunk.”
What’s Wrong This woman rushed to see her doctor, looking very much worried and all strung out. She rattles off: “Doctor, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my hair all wiry and frazzled up, my skin was all wrinkled and pasty, my eyes were bloodshot and bugging out, and I had this corpse-like look on my face! What’s WRONG with me, Doctor!?” The doctor looks her over for a couple of minutes, then calmly says: “Well, I can tell you that there ain’t nothing wrong with your eyesight....”
Vocabulary lesson
So what if I don't know what Armageddon means? It's not the end of the world.
813-841-4286
Keep on Laughing .....Laughter Heals!
hole.” Page 15
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8718 N. 46th St. Tampa Fl. 33617 Sunday Worship Services 7:30am & 11:00am Sunday School 10:00am
Hillsborough County Helps Students Achieve Higher Education Goals Through Community Action Block Grant Scholarships Hillsborough County, Fla. (March 6, 2018) – Achieving a higher education is an important life goal for young people and their families. Hillsborough County Social Services has partnered with the Community Action Board to offer scholarships for up to $5,000 to eligible students wishing to continue their education by attending an institution of higher learning. Scholarship applications for the 2018-2019 school year will be accepted through Friday, March 30, 2018. Recipients will be notified in writing prior to the start of the fall semester. Applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements may be awarded a scholarship: Be between the ages of 16 and 24, and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (16-year-olds may apply if they are graduating seniors)
Reside in Hillsborough County Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 Household income must fall within 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) The following criteria will also be used to evaluate applicants: Community service and school involvement Application and letters of recommendation Academic record (Transcript) Essay response Panel interview participation Application materials can be downloaded on the Scholarship Application page on the County website. Detailed instructions on how to apply can also be found on the page. Students may submit completed applications online, via mail, or deliver applications in person to any County Community Resource Center. Mailed applications can be sent to P.O. Box 1110, Department of Social Services 24th Floor, Attention Marie Theodore, Tampa, FL 33601.
To Advertise Call Tammy (813)842-3212 Daryl (813)404-5287 or Music Man (813)514-5030
“A Real Church For Real People”
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St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
813 247-2345 Dr. Manuel Sykes
The Church Where Teaching, Preaching and Praising God Abides.
God May Not call the Qualified...but He Qualifies the Called Page 16
ESSAY CHALLENGE Mr. Ronald and Essie Dismuke are local entrepreneurs who are the sole owners of Zipurban, LLC. Zipurban, is a urban community mobile app. Their mobile app is a real time community voice platform orchestrated through the use of zip-codes and postal codes of urban communities worldwide. Zipurban can be download for free on the two major social media platforms of Google Play and the AppStore. Ronald was born in Tampa,FL. The son of Helen Armstrong and the late Johnny Armstrong Sr and Marcellis Dismuke. Essie is the daughter of Rose Washington and the late Edward Baker Sr. On February 27th, the Dismuke’s launched a kids 30 Day Essay Challenge for ages up to 18. The essays will be 600 words minimum about the community and how they (the kids) would “Pay It Forward “. A minimum of $500 will go to the first place winner with the most likes on their Essay. The initial $500 is put
forth by the Dismuke’s. Anyone can donate to the children Essay Challenge by visiting Zipurban’s official website at zipurbanus.com Additional proceeds would increase the kids prize winnings. The Dismuke’s are honored and feel extremely blessed to have launched the kids essay challenge during black history month. It’s Zipurban philosophy to bring together families and all communities for social and economic advancement. Mr. Dismuke openly admits that the idea of Zipurban was an actual vision he had from the presents of God. He truly feels blessed to be enabled with a responsibility to provide communities across the nation and abroad with such a platform. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dismuke believes that the “kids is our future and we the adults within the community must set stern examples of great leadership, discipline with a clear direction”. Page 17
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