12 5 2012

VOL. 61, No. 48

www.tsdmemphis.com

November 29 - December 5, 2012

75 Cents

Airing out Aerotropolis Master Plan Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Wiley Henry

Aerotropolis: A city or an economic hub that extends out from a large airport into a surrounding area that consists mostly of distribution centers, office buildings, light manufacturing firms, convention centers, and hotels, all linked to the airport via roads, expressways, and rail lines.

– Greater Memphis Chamber

Exemplary…

November is designated as National Caregivers Month and The Caregivers Organization, founded by Janice Williams, recently held its second annual Caregiver of the Year ceremony at the Church Health Center. Ann Williams (left) – no relation to the Caregivers founder – emerged as the winner from 10 nominees. (Photo by Stroudmark Photography)

World AIDS Day in Memphis

Saturday – officially speaking – is World Aids Day, with local observances scheduled before, on and after the Dec. 1 designation.

World AIDS Day quite simply is a recognized time for individual and collective reflection on the impact of HIV in the United States and around the world.

In “Vital Signs: HIV Infection, Testing, and Risk Behaviors Among Youths-United States,” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes sobering information amplifying the need for African Americans to be fully committed to spreading awareness on HIV/AIDS. For example: About 50,000 people get HIV each year and young people between the ages of 13 and 24 represent about a quarter of the new HIV infections (26 percent). The majority of youth living with HIV are unaware they are infected. Young gay and bisexual men and African Americans are the most affected.

Nearly 60 percent of new infections among youth occur in African Americans, about 20 percent in Hispanics/Latinos and about 20 percent in whites.

World AIDS Day events in the Memphis area include: Thursday, Nov. 29

Memphis Ambassadors Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and the City of Memphis Office of Youth Services will host the 2nd Annual World AIDS Day event at 4 p.m. at 1141 S. Barksdale at the Glenview Community Center.

Speakers and local organizations will address topics to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

Nicole Becton of Nicole Becton Ministries is the scheduled speaker.

Participating local organizations include the Shelby County Health

SEE WHITEHAVEN ON PAGE 5

Department, Caritas Village, Church Health Center, Friends for Life, Mid-South AIDS Fund, Planned Parenthood, South Memphis Alliance and UT Health Sciences Uni-

versity Clinic.

According to the Shelby County SEE AIDS ON PAGE 5

Memphis boxing trainer Pete Mitchell has a rooting interest in the “MMA invades Boxing” event that will feature a guest appearance by Floyd Mayweather Sr. (father of boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr.) and his rising female sensation, Yolanda “Mz. Knockout” Ezell.

(Photo by Chris Hope)

Next up: TSD Digital Daily Dear Readers:

The New Tri-State Defender (TSD) is thrilled to announce another first – a new product that will enable us to bring you timely news and information on a daily basis!

We invite you to be a part of this exciting TSD development by visiting www. tsdmemphis.com to sign up today for the TSD Digital Bernal E. Daily. Our new daily e-newsletter Smith II launches on Monday, Dec. 3.

The TSD Digital Daily will route summarized news and information right to your computer, tablet or smart phone (or all three for many of us). We will aggregate what’s hot and trending in Politics, Business, Education, Sports, Technology and Entertainment at the local and national levels and deliver it to you every afternoon.

The news and information cycle today moves at almost blinding speed. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Cable TV, radio, and national and local print sources are pumping out information at a tremendous pace.

If you blink, you might miss it.

We at the TSD aren’t blinking. In fact, we’ve got our eyes and ears wide open to keep you connected, and to deliver news, information, inspiration and elevation where you live, work, and play…every day!

“We are the longest continuously published blackowned newspaper in Memphis and the Mid-South and have been committed to providing the entire community with timely information on the issues each week,” said President/ Publisher Bernal E. Smith II. “Under my leadership we have embarked on a journey of transformation, renewal and growth.

“Now, we’re taking the next step to be one of the first publications in the Mid-South to provide a digital daily,” said Smith. “Of course, we will continue to provide our award-winning, weekly print newspaper as we have since 1951. Thanks for staying with us and, more importantly, growing with us. The best is yet to come.”

Arvin W. Glass has lived in Whitehaven since the ’70s and has seen businesses come and go. There once was a thriving Red Lobster restaurant, but the doors closed, he used as an example. Other businesses would follow, including the box stores.

“It’s still a good community,” said Glass, a proud resident of Bluebird Estates. “But I never understood why Red Lobster moved. It wasn’t that they weren’t making money. It’s just hard to believe it was an economic move.”

Whitehaven has had its share of business closings and other travails. It’s a pre-dominantly African-American community nestled inside a 50 squaremile perimeter around the Memphis International Airport that’s part of a Master Plan and Real Estate Market Analysis that will be useful in the redevelopment of Memphis Aerotropolis.

Glass wants to see Whitehaven prosper. After attending the groundbreaking of the community’s new Welcome Center on Nov. 15, he invited former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon to an Aerotropolis meeting that evening at the Airways Professional Center, which he manages.

Dixon arrived 30 minutes early. He wasted no time quick-studying the project, pointing to historic neighborhoods and communities that interested him on an aerial map of the Aerotropolis. Soon, nearly two dozen people had gathered to hear about Memphis Aerotropolis. It was the last of three public meetings during the second phase of a listening tour that began in August.

“We’re hosting listening tours to get your response, opinions and thoughts,” Chad Bowman, the Memphis Aerotropolis manager, explained to the group. “We want you to be enthusiastic about the process.”

‘Down goes skepticism’ Friday night is fight night!

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kelvin Cowans

When George Foreman put Joe Frazier on his back in the first round of their epic 1973 World Heavyweight Championship boxing match, legendary sports commentator Howard Cosell knew he was watching history in the making and welcomed it with a now-classic spin.

“Down goes Frazier!” – a three-word sentence that Cosell yelled at least six times – is a sound bite for the ages. Down went the champ, along with all the doubters who thought that Foreman couldn’t defeat the tough-as nails Frazier.

After speaking with Memphis boxing trainer Pete Mitchell, I had the same feeling about anyone who doubts that Friday night boxing in Memphis couldn’t live again and become as strong as it was back in the days.

Mitchell, a former amateur fighter himself, has two fighters on Friday night’s (Nov. 30), 7-bout card at The Eclipse Convention Center at 4532 Getwell Rd. Dubbed “MMA invades Boxing,” the event is being promoted by Monyette Flowers of Flowers Power Boxing, along with Cliff Dates and CDA Promotions.

Fans will have an opportunity to see two of MMA’s elite fighters, Brian “The Law” Hall and Brandon Harder, as they test their boxing skills. Hall and Harder are both Memphis Police Department officers whose definition of civic duty includes working with local youth boxers.

Tri-State Defender: What is your vision for boxing in Memphis? What do you believe can be accomplished here with this type of event?

Pete Mitchell: Well, there are a lot of promoters around town that are doing boxing now. I’m telling you that somebody is going to rise to the top. We have more boxers training SEE BOXING ON PAGE 5

- INSIDE -

• It’s coming: TSDmemphis. com Downtown Holiday Parade. See page 3.

• ‘Lincoln,’ the movie: ‘We’ are what’s missing. See Opinion, page 4.

• ‘Fiscal cliff’ and market changes bear watching. See Business, page 5.

• Even church folk get confused about money. See Religion, page 8.

• ‘Who Is Black in America?’

See Entertainment, page 10.

• Back-to-back-to-back wins for the Grizz. See Sports, page 12.

MEMPHIS WEEKEND

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

H -64o - L-46o Part l y Cl oud y

H- 6 7 o - L - 5 6 o P a r tl y C l oud y

H- 7 0 o - L - 5 7 o Mostl y Cl o udy

REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

Friday H-66 L-50 H-64 L-41 H-68 L-46

Saturday H-68 L-57 H-67 L-50 H-72 L-50

Sunday H-72 L-56 H-68 L-51 H-74 L-50

Page 2

November 29 - December 5, 2012

Tri-State Defender

NEWS

Tri-State Defender

Page 3

November 29 - December 5, 2012

TSDmemphis.com Downtown Holiday Parade

On Dec. 8th, The New TriState Defender will host the TSDmemphis.com Holiday Parade, signaling the return of a tradition to Downtown Memphis.

“Many in the community have been looking forward to the return of a downtown holiday parade. We listened and embraced the opportunity to extend our brand in serving our readership and the community at-large during this festive season of giving,” said TSD President and Publisher Bernal E. Smith II. “It is always great to bring kids and families out to celebrate during this time of year and what better place to do it than the heart of downtown and historic Beale Street where our offices just happen to be.”

The TSDmemphis.com Holiday Parade will begin at 10 a.m. (organization and lining up starts at 8 a.m.) at the corner of Fourth and Beale streets.

The morning will begin at 8 a.m. with Christmas songs and entertainment as the participating groups and floats are lined up for the 10 a.m. start. The parade route will begin at Fourth and Beale, head south towards Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., proceed west on MLK Jr. Ave. to Second St., proceed north to Beale, then east on Beale and back to Fourth, where it will culminate. Holiday Lane (grand stand) performances will be judged and awarded.

The parade also presents an additional opportunity for contributions to the Olympic Cares Toy Drive (organized by Olympic Tax Service) sponsored

by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, Frito Lay, Cricket Communications, Mapco and The New Tri-State Defender.

Participants and parade-watchers are asked to donate a new toy to the toy drive, which officially ends on Dec. 10th. The toys will be given away at the Neighborhood Christian Center (NCC) on Dec. 13th to families that have signed up with NCC. “The parade gives us one last opportunity to secure additional gifts for the anticipated 1,000 families in need that we will serve to make sure those children have a Merry Christmas,” said Christian Davis, CEO of Olympic Tax Service.

‘Ambassador’ honors for 3 MCS teachers Awards net their schools $20,000 in flexible funding

Already bonded by the word “teacher,” Pierre Jackson, Danielle Ringold and Edna Williams embraced another linking word – ambassadors – this week.

On Monday (Nov. 26), the Tennessee Department of Education named fifteen of the best teachers across the state to serve in the 2012-14 Reward School Ambassador Program (RSAP). On the list were three Memphis City Schools teachers: Jackson of Middle College High School; Ringold of Kingsbury Middle School; and Williams of Vollentine Elementary School.

The Ambassador Program provides leadership opportunities and resources to the state’s Reward Schools to help them advance and serve as models of success for schools across Tennessee. MCS provided the most teachers for the program from any single school district in the state.

Reward Schools with teacher ambassadors will receive $20,000 each in flexible funding to further their educational programming, whether it involves creating new initiatives or expanding existing programs that have proven to be effective. RSAP is financed through Race to the Top funds.

In addition to improving their individual Reward Schools, Ambassador Program teachers will form partnerships with Focus Schools in the district so they can share information and best practices for student achievement. Each teacher has been involved in leadership initiatives, such as an instructional coach or teacher leader, and has displayed both personal and professional integrity.

Teachers in the Reward School Ambassador Program will serve through June 2014.

“The New Tri-State Defender has been a tremendous partner to Olympic Taxes and all of our sponsors to make this year’s annual toy drive a huge success. I appreciate Bernal’s vision to bring a holiday parade back to downtown Memphis and make the toy drive a part of it.”

Smith said publications such

as the TSD have always been rooted in the community.

“We continue to report, support and champion the issues and causes important to the community. Supporting the toy drive is just an extension of that commitment,” Smith said.

“We are committed to doing good while doing well and having fun while doing it all!

With the TSDmemphis.com Holiday Parade we are purposing to build a new Memphis tradition that young people and families throughout the MidSouth can look forward to each year during this season.”

Registrations will be taken through Dec. 8th. Affordable sponsorship opportunities for businesses are still available as

well.

For more information on how to participate in the parade, contact Nina Johnson at 901-679-8545, call the TSD offices at 901-523-1818, or visit www.tsdmemphis.com.

In operation for 61 years, The New Tri-State Defender is located at 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, in Downtown Mem-

phis. It is owned by Real Times Media, whose newspaper group also includes the Michigan Chronicle, Michigan FrontPage, New Pittsburgh Courier, Chicago Defender and the Atlanta Daily World.

Real Times Inc. is the nation’s largest African-American owned and operated newspaper organization.

Page 4

OPINION

November 29 - December 5, 2012

John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)

The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper

A Real Times Newspaper

Tri-State Defender

• Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher • Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor

‘Lincoln,’ the movie: ‘We’ are what’s missing

Carter G. Woodson was right when he essentially said that black history is the missing pages of world history.

Never was such so true than in the movie, “Lincoln.”

While I, as a Gary L. “weekend histoFlowers rian,” was impressed by Daniel Day Lewis’ portrayal of the 16th president of the United States, my knowledge of history begged questions: Why were Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman not portrayed or mentioned?

Why was the ancient Egyptian mathematical formula attributed to the Greek mathematician, Euclid?

The movie, ‘Lincoln,’ is politically presidential, yet porous on people who influenced the end of the American Civil War. The holes in Steven Spielberg’s epic film are rooted in Hollywood’s tendency to omit key historical personalities and events from biopics. History reminds us that Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth all played significant roles in the American Civil War, and thus in the decisions of President Lincoln.

For example, in the summer of 1863, Douglass was invited to the White House and introduced to President Lincoln by Secretary of State William Henry Seward and Sen. Samuel Pomeroy (Kan.). According to David Blight’s “Race and Reunion: Civil War in America Memory,” Douglass, said, “I told him I was assisting to raise Colored troops to enlist in the Union Army but was troubled that the United States government would not treat them fairly in three ways. First, Colored troops ought to receive the same wages as those paid to White soldiers. Second, Colored soldiers ought to receive the same protection when taken prisoner. Third, when Colored soldiers perform great and uncommon service on the battlefield they should be rewarded by distinction and promotion as White soldiers are rewarded.”

Moreover, Douglass relieved public pressure on President Lincoln regarding the Civil War in his speech in Philadelphia three weeks after the president dedicated the federal cemetery at Gettysburg, Pa. Douglass did so by saying, “We are not to be saved by the captain, but by the crew. We are not to be saved by Abraham Lincoln but by the power of the throne, greater than the throne itself, the supreme testing of ‘government of the people…’ of which the President spoke at Gettysburg. The ‘Abolition War’ and ensuing peace will never be completed until the Black men of the South and the Black men of the North shall have been admitted, fully and completely into the body politic of America.”

Likewise, in October 1864, Sojourner Truth was invited to the White House to meet with President Lincoln. Following her “Ain’t I A Woman” speech at a women’s convention in 1853, she was a renowned abolitionist. The meeting of Truth and President Lincoln at the White House is documented in Berry Horton’s famous painting depicting the president showing Truth his Bible.

Another omission of the movie ‘Lincoln’ involves Harriet Tubman.

Her many trips delivering enslaved black people from bondage to freedom provided her with knowledge of the terrain of the Confederate states. As such, Tubman contributed mightily to Union strategy in the Civil War. According to Benjamin Brawley’s “Harriet Tubman,” President Lincoln listened to the ideas of Tubman. And yet, neither of these significant black historical figures was portrayed or even mentioned in the movie.

At one critical point in the movie Lincoln justifies his position on passing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which would outlaw slavery on the basis that “all men are created equal…” He cited the Greek mathematician Euclid’s theorem that “things equal to the same are equal to one another.”

What was omitted in the movie is that Euclid did not originate the theorem; a Black Egyptian mathematician at the Library of Alexandria, Egypt trained him in 300 B.C. When people erroneously condemn “Black History” as a separatist scholarly pursuit, we need to look no further than movies made by Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, and other Hollywood directors who – consciously or unconsciously – omit the contributions of black people to world history and, thus, give un-earned credit to white scholars as the progenitors of higher thought.

We must re-insert Black History in the pages of world history.

(Gary L. Flowers is executive director and CEO of the Black Leadership Forum, Inc. He can be reached at glflowers@blackleadership forum.org.)

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Tri-State Defender Platform

1. Racial prejudice worldwide must be destroyed.

2. Racially unrestricted membership in all jobs, public and private.

3. Equal employment opportunities on all jobs, public and private.

4. True representation in all U.S. police forces.

5. Complete cessation of all school segregation.

6. Federal intervention to protect civil rights in all instances where civil rights compliance at the state level breaks down

DISTRIBUTION: Tri-State Defender is available at newsstands, street sales, store vendors, mail subscription and honor boxes throughout the Greater Memphis area. No person may, without prior written permission of the Tri-State Defender, reprint any part of or duplicate by electronic device any portion without written permission. Copyright 2012 by Tri-State Defender Publishing, Inc. Permission to Publisher, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103. Back copies can be obtained by calling the Tri-State Defender at (901) 523-1818, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Not all public policy is created equal

Discussions of the fiscal cliff also include discussions about ways to change Social Security and Medicare benefits in order to save money. One of the proposals is to raise the Social Security retirement age to 70. After all, some argue, there is nothing magic about 65 or 67, so why not push the rate up to 70?

The difference is the kind of work we do.

I can’t imagine that I will ever stop talking and writing, advanced age notwithstanding. However, someone who is waiting tables, working in a nursing home, or doing private household work might not want, but need, to slow it down after 65, or maybe even earlier. Some people take their Social Security earlier, although they are lower, at age 62.

Tired, and with sometimes broken bodies, they’d rather take less money than keep working.

Consider the construction worker who has not moved up into management. Will he (or in 10 percent of cases, she) still want to wield a hammer, climb onto roofs, or do other heavy work? Raising the Social Security retirement age hurts these people.

These folk are also hurt because their life expectancy is also lower.

People with less education have shorter life expectancies than those who are more highly educated.

African Americans have lower life expectancy rates than whites (although this gap is closing. Thus, people who have paid into the system, but they will get less out of when they live shorter lives. Again, those at the bottom are disadvantaged by public policy that seems race and class neutral.

Why the gap in life expectancy?

Part of it has to do with higher rates of smoking among less educated (which propels obesity), and the lack of health insurance, especially among those with lower Julianne incomes and less Malveaux education. Obamacare partly solves the insurance problems, but those living in an unreal time warp seem to think Mitt Romney won the election and they are acting accordingly by attempting to repeal health care reform.

Most of us got the memo about the dangers of smoking, but women who lack a high school diploma are more likely than others to smoke. Indeed, among women the levels of smoking have risen, while smoking rates had declined among men. Researchers who study these issues suggest that women are smoking more because of the many pressures women face, including being part of the “sandwich generation” juggling both elder care and child care.

I was talking to an elder whose smoking habit spans more than 50 years, and when we talked about the issue, she responded that she was over 70, still living, and wasn’t about to change. We talked a bit about stress and ways that smoking is a tension-tamer for her. I suggested she try yoga, and she just about laughed me out of the room.

The health insurance gap between those who are highly educated and

less well educated is growing.

Among working age adults without a high school diploma, 43 percent have no health insurance, up from 35 percent a decade ago. On the other hand, only 10 percent of those with a college education lacked health insurance.

While Americans do not like to talk about class, poor and working class people do less well in our society than others. For example, attempting to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood has a greater impact on poor women without health insurance than others whose contraceptive needs are covered by their insurance. Yet the right wing attempts to characterize Planned Parenthood as an abortion center, not a place that offers education on contraception, breast cancer, and other health issues.

Extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy certainly has a disproportionate impact on the poor and working class, but there are hidden attacks on the poorest in our nation. Raising the Social Security retirement age, eliminating Planned Parenthood, and attacking Obamacare are all implicit attacks on the poor. The class status of our federal elected officials (with median wealth of more than $750,000 excluding the value of their home, compared to just $20,000 for the average person) suggests that Congress just doesn’t get it. But we elect these people. What does that say about us?

(NNPA columnist Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.based economist and writer and President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.)

Civil rights hypocrites I was once told, “Be what you are looking for. If you want friends, go be a friend; if you want love, go love someone and if you want happiness, go make someone happy.”

As I have reflected on this simple, but yet profound statement, I have found most of the major black organizations are woefully hypocritical.

They refuse to be what they are looking for.

Groups such as the NAACP, The National Urban League and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) constantly complain about the lack of diversity in corporate America.

These groups claim they are always told by corporations that they “can’t find” minorities for board or employee positions. They, in turn, accuse the companies of not being serious about diversity. To a large extent, these groups are right. But what I find amazing is that these same groups do the very same thing they accuse corporate America of doing.

The elections this month showed that America is becoming more diverse and that diversity is here to stay. But, what is ironic is that within black organizations, there is no diversity of thought.

The aforementioned groups pretend to be non-partisan or bi-partisan. However, when you look at their leaders, they are all unabashed Democrats or very liberal in their thinking. When they are challenged on this, they claim they can’t find any black Republicans to get involved.

Sounds familiar? When they have their annual conferences, they will put one token black Republican on a panel (against five or six Democrats) so they can boast about being inclusive. Sounds familiar? Mind you that no black Republicans are ever involved in the planning or have any input about who will appear on a panel. Sounds familiar?

If these groups would admit to the obvious – that they have a liberal bias – at least they would be honest. But to insist, as they do, that they are not biased flies in the face of the truth.

Why has Jesse Raynard Jackson, Al Jackson Sharpton, and the CBC not demanded that these groups – and their own organizations – reflect diversity? How can they in good conscious demand from Corporate America what they are unwilling to provide themselves?

According to the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, 76 percent of blacks identify themselves as Democrats. However, 5 percent are Republicans and 16 percent prefer the independent label, though many independents lean toward the GOP. Back in the day, you had prominent black Republicans on the board of the NAACP and the National Urban League. This forced both political parties to engage with these groups. Today, these groups have become vestiges of the Democratic Party where one party takes them for granted and the other just ignores them. Sure, they still have some Republicans on their boards, but they are usually in the background.

From what I can tell, no established black newspaper endorsed Mitt Romney over President Obama.

Yet, Democrats refuse to spend any advertising dollars with them. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk free? Obama spent more than $ 2 billion on his campaign and very little money with the black media.

Granted, Republicans are guilty of the same slight.

Interestingly, not one member of the CBC contributed to Obama’s campaign this year. Not one. And there were only seven CBC contributors in 2008, according to OpenSecrets.org. Politicians, perhaps more than any other group, should understand the importance of campaign contributions.

Making our major organizations more politically and intellectually diverse doesn’t cost a cent. Are liberals really so insecure about their beliefs that they are afraid of having their ideas tested in the market place of ideas?

Blacks must get back to the days when we held spirited debates about what’s best for our communities. If an idea is worthy of implementing, it should be worth defending. And if it can’t be defended, maybe it was never a good idea at all.

With all of the problems we face – high unemployment, low educational accomplishment, crime, a dwindling middle class, among others –new ideas are needed now more than ever.

Over the past four decades – under black and white presidents – the unemployment rates for blacks have been double that of whites. Whatever we’ve tried in the past simply has not worked. And our community has been the real looser.

If we are ever going to change our predicament, the least we must do is create an honest dialogue between all segments of our community. Otherwise, we’ll never be what we’ve been looking for.

(Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a Washington, D.C.based public relations/government affairs firm. He can be reached via www.raynardjackson.com.)

NEWS

Tri-State Defender

BOXING

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

for the pros now. Then our amateur programs are getting better. I’m looking for big things out of boxing in Memphis. I’m sure we’re going to have some world-class boxers here. Many people may doubt this and be skeptical and all that’s fine, but I feel like it’s going to be surprisingly big. These guys are going to end up being household names….

I took up boxing back when I attended Melrose High School back in 1949-1952.

Back then, boxing was a school sport at the time. All of the schools participated in boxing just like they do basketball and football now.

TSD: When did you first get involved with training boxers?

PM: I got involved with boxing when I came back to Memphis from going to college at Southern University in 1956. It was during this time that I became one of the trainers for Dr. Willie Herenton.

When Herenton won his Golden Glove in 1957, I was one of his trainers.

They had some good boxers on the circuit back then.

Muhammad Ali was one of the young guys in that group as

AT A GLANCE

• “MMA invades Boxing” • Friday (Nov. 30), The Eclipse Convention Center, 4532 Getwell Rd. • Doors open at 6:30 pm. First bout, 7 p.m.

• Tickets: $30 ringside, $20 general.

• Promoters: Flowers Power Boxing (Monyette Flowers), along with CDA Promotions (Cliff Dates) • The card: Memphisʼ own “Flowers Power Brothers,” with their cousin, Marvin “Papi Gallo” Jones, along with Tristan “T-N-T” Todd and Donald “Bulldog” Ward.

• MMA elite fighters Brian “The Law” Hall and Brandon Harder also will test their boxing skills.

• Guest appearance: Floyd Mayweather Sr. (father of boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr.) and his rising star female sensation, Yolanda “Mz. Knockout” Ezell.

• Discount tickets available for fans that bring a food donation for the Mid-South Food Bank (MFSB).

• For more information, contact Clift Dates with CDA Promotions at 901-340-5261.

well. The Golden Gloves were held in Chicago back then at Chicago Stadium. Dr. Herenton was part of the Paducah, Ky. region and he was a good fighter.

He was a tall guy and had some good punches on him. He fought at 175 pounds back then.

TSD: Where do you train your fighters?

PM: I train them at the Memphis Police Gym over there across the street from the Liberty Bowl at the Fair Grounds. Coming up Friday I

have two fighters on the card, Tristan “T-N-T” Todd and heavyweight Rodricka Ray. Rodricka Ray and (his opponent) Jamal Woods are going to have a good one in the heavyweight division because they got some really bad blood going. But both of the fighters will be fighting six round fights and I’m sure that Friday is going to be an exciting time.

(Kelvin Cowans can be reached at (kelvincowans@ hotmail.com)

Promoting local shops and businesses within Memphis Aerotropolisʼ 50-square mile area brought several people into the breakout discussion following a slide presentation of the Master Plan. Former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon discusses the possibility of creating a tax-free shopping area at the Memphis International Airport. (Photo by Wiley Henry/The Carter Malone Group)

WHITEHAVEN

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Nate Cherry, the Aerotropolis project manager from RTKL in Los Angeles, followed Bowman with a PowerPoint presentation that included data, graphics, maps, photographs, and aerial views of neighborhoods based upon input from people who live and work in those areas.

Nine major topics were gleaned from prior stakeholders’ input and discussed: site condition, taxes and development financing, infrastructure and industry, housing, crime, workforce education, retail and commercial amenities, green space, and supply/demand and economic development summary.

“These nine strategies are important,” said Cherry, whose firm was hired by the City of Memphis and the Division of Planning and Development and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to create the master plan

Page 5

November 29 - December 5, 2012

for Memphis Aerotropolis.

MXD Strategists of British Columbia, Canada, was hired to create the Real Estate Market Analysis.

“I’m looking for a plan for the growth and development of the airport area. It’s a depressed area,” said Dixon, who lives in the Old Hickory community in Whitehaven. “And looks like they’re gonna develop a plan.”

“This area has not suffered from a lack of planning, but there’s nothing to show for it,” said Cherry. “Frankly, I think this is the most important planning process in America.”

Barbara Becton, a member of the Oakhaven Community Association, community organizer and neighborhood watch coordinator, came armed with questions and comments.

“I want to see Oakhaven, Hickory Hill and Whitehaven communities come together,” said Becton. “I want to see an alliance. I want to see things for youth and businesses, how to make businesses grow and how to get out of poverty.”

“Hopefully, this is a concrete program that involves the whole community,” said businessman M. LaTroy Williams, expressing some skepticism.

“A lot of programs over the past 15 or 20 years, when they say they’re gonna build, politics play a role.”

Eugene Eddins, a member of the Airways Business District Association, said some of the work that the CDC has done already overlaps some things being proposed in the Aerotropolis master plan.

“We’re working on code enforcement and partnering with Smith & Nephew and others to train people for jobs,” said Eddins, who retired from Memphis Light Gas & Water.

“We’re fighting crime and blight, too.”

Cherry said creating jobs are ultimately what Memphis Aerotropolis is all about. He also said the city should take advantage of its amenities, such as manufacturing, various modes of transportation, tourism, parks and green spaces.

AIDS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Health Department, Shelby County is home to less than 15 percent of the state’s residents, but the rate of HIV infection within Shelby County was twice as high as the national rate in 2008.

“While advances in the treatment of HIV and AIDS continue, there is still much work to be done in Memphis and Shelby County,” said James Nelson, special assistant to the Mayor, Office of Youth Services. “And while the number of new AIDS cases has declined over the last year, it’s important to remember those who continue to battle this disease.”

STD screenings In collaboration with Memphis City Schools and Well Child, Inc., the Shelby County Health Department will conduct STD screenings for students at Northside High School from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 30

Health Dept. & MCS The Shelby County Health Department in conjunction with Memphis City Schools will host its annual World AIDS Day Program from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kingsbury High School Auditorium, 1270 Graham Street.

The event will include an awards ceremony recognizing the recipients of the Light of Hope Award. The award is presented to a business, individual and organization having “consistently exhibited a strong desire to assist and/or support HIV/AIDS care, education and prevention efforts in Shelby County.”

STD screenings In collaboration with Memphis City Schools and Well Child, Inc., the Shelby County Health Department will conduct STD screenings for students at South East Prep from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1

Faith and AIDS Conference: Christ Missionary Baptist Church will host a Faith and AIDS Conference on World AIDS Day – Dec. 1 – in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis Ryan White Program and Mid-South AIDS Fund. (See Religion, page 8.)

Party in Red: A fitness party at Bert Ferguson Community Center, 8505 Trinity Road.

Le Bonheur Community HIV Network: A World AIDS Day observance at Mississippi River Greenbelt Park South Memphis Alliance (SMA) joins the world for World AIDS Day from 10 a.m. –to 2 p.m. at the Towne Center at Soulsville USA, 915 East McLemore Avenue.

SMA will focus on raising awareness, offering prevention, treatment and care options.

Sunday, Dec. 2

‘KNOW NOW. LIVE LONGER.’ The Memphis Transitional Grant Area (TGA) Ryan White Program and faith leaders have joined together, with the support of Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr., to bring World AIDS Sunday to the Mid-South on Dec. 2.

Memphis area churches will unite to educate their members about HIV/AIDS and address the critical community health issue in their respective places of worship.

Faith leaders will share the message of “Know Now. Live Longer.” with their congregations, encouraging members to learn more about HIV/AIDS and the care and services available to the community through the Memphis TGA Ryan White Program.

“Know Now. Live Longer.” is an awareness campaign launched by the Memphis TGA Ryan White program in 2010 to encourage HIV-positive individuals to seek care.

Knowing one’s HIV status al-

lows him or her to get the treatment needed to live a healthy life with HIV. There is a World AIDS Sunday toolkit available for download at www.hivmemphis.org/resources/WAS for churches interested in more information on getting involved with the World AIDS Sunday initiative.

“The support of our faith community is crucial to our fighting a good fight against the rise of HIV/AIDS in the Mid-South,” said Luttrell said. “We need to keep spreading the message to get tested, know your status and seek care. Our Ryan White Program is an excellent resource for anyone who needs care and support for HIV/AIDS. “It is critical that the members of our community keep raising awareness of this disease and its impact on the Mid-South, and it is gratifying to see faith leaders come together to combat HIV/AIDS.” Last year’s World AIDS Sunday brought together more than 115 congregations in the region to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Ecumenical service The 24th Ecumenical Healing Service for the Memphis Community; Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 North Second St.

NOTES

BRIEFLY: Through November – eat, drink and give back; Dine at South of Beale, Memphis’ first gastro pub and donate to the Mid-South AIDS Fund.

BRIEFLY: In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Health Department will offer free confidential HIV counseling and rapid testing in December. Additionally, free STD treatments during December will be offered at the following locations between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Packer Clinic, 814 Jefferson Ave., Room 221; Cawthon Public Health Clinic, 1000 Haynes St.

BUSINESS

Page 6

Tri-State Defender

November 29 - December 5, 2012

MONEY MATTERS

‘Fiscal cliff’ and market changes bear watching In February, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke coined the phrase “fiscal cliff” to warn Congress about the potentially harmful combination of nearly $600 billion in federal tax increases and spending cuts that are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2013, unless lawmakers address the deficit, taxes, and government spending.

Economists and government officials have expressed concern that failing to prevent such severe fiscal tightening at the start of the year could cause a recession.

The Congressional Budget Office projected that if no action is taken, U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) growth could fall 0.5 percent (yearover-year) by the fourth quarter of 2013, and unemployment could rise to 9.1 percent.

As the national election loomed, politicians largely

avoided controversial decisions related to taxes, governm e n t spending, and the nat i o n a l debt. Legislative Charles Sims Jr., CFP deadlines may now prompt the president and Congress to address a number of important financial issues possibly before the end of 2012.

A bigger tax burden Many of the tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 – including rates on regular income, capital gains, dividends, and estates – are scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2012, and revert to their previously higher

levels. The 2 percent payroll tax reduction for workers, enacted as a temporary stimulus, is also set to expire at the end of the year.

The expiring tax provisions could cause the federal tax bill of the average middle-income household (earning $50,000 annually) to rise by about $1,750, and higher-earning families could owe thousands more in total federal taxes.

Federal budget cuts The Budget Control Act of 2011 mandated $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction spread over nine years (2013-21), divided evenly between defense and non-defense programs. About $109 billion in automatic budget cuts are scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013 ($54.7 billion a year from U.S. defense spending). Pay for military service members and Social Security and Medicare

benefits are exempt.

The blunt cuts were meant to be indiscriminate and painful for both political parties in order to motivate lawmakers to replace them with a more targeted deficit-reduction package. To date, there has been much discussion but little agreement on how to accomplish such a feat.

Debt disputes The national debt is also projected to reach its legal limit (the “debt ceiling”) sometime around the end of 2012. Congress must pass legislation to raise the limit, which initiated heated negotiations in the summer of 2011.

Standard & Poor’s was the first ratings agency to downgrade the U.S. credit rating after a debt-ceiling standoff that threatened the U.S. Treasury’s ability to make payments to debt holders.

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

Bankruptcy: Chapter 11

Reorganization Our month-long focus on bankruptcies concludes with a focus on the Chapter 11 version. The key word is reorganization. Under Chapter 11, the debtor – commonly referred to as the debtor in possession (DIP) – retains control of the business and the assets.

Individuals with high levels of debt also may file under Chapter 11.

Automatic stay The automatic stay is in effect on all bankruptcies. Upon the filing of a petition for relief in the bankruptcy courts, the automatic stay prevents any creditor from proceeding to collect a debt.

Chapter 11 vs. Chapter 7 Remember, under the Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the individual is liquidating assets in an effort to satisfy debt. However under Chapter 11, the business owner or individuals wish to reorganize in order to maintain their assets and avoid liquidation. Many companies that file Chapter 11 bounce back and become profitable again. The court looks carefully at the plan and if approved expects the DIP to adhere to the plan. If the DIP deviates from the plan or a

plan is unaccepta b l e , Chapter 7 liquidation could be on the horizon.

Chapter 11 vs.

Chapter Carlee McCullough 13 Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 are similar in many ways. While there is a plan under both chapters, the court approves the plan under Chapter 13. Creditors vote to approve or reject the reorganization plan under Chapter 11 and may even submit their own plan for consideration.

Once the plan is approved, the DIP has a fiduciary duty toward its creditors and must submit monthly financial operating reports with the bankruptcy court.

Eligibility A sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation may file Chapter 11. The DIP must complete certified credit counseling and pay the appropriate filing fees, which tends to be higher than other chapters.

Small business bankruptcy Under a Chapter 11, there are typically no limits to the amounts of debt allowed. In cases where the DIP has noncontingent liquidated secured and unsecured debts of $2,343,300 or less (as of 2012), the DIP may qualify under the “Small Business Bankruptcy” (SBB) Chapter 11, which tends to move faster than the standard Chapter 11.

Under a SBB, the court will not appoint a creditors’ committee as in a traditional Chapter 11. The petition must include: a balance sheet, statement of operations, and a copy of the company’s most recent tax return. Unfortunately, real estate companies do not qualify for the Small Business Bankruptcy Chapter 11, but can file under the standard Chapter 11.

Individuals with high debt If an individual has more than $360,475 in unsecured debt (which includes judgments, credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, etc) and/or more than $1,081,400 in secured debt (which includes mortgages, car loans, boats, and any other collateralized loans), the individual may not qualify to file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and will be forced to file under a Chapter 11.

Payroll taxes A DIP, unfortunately, will have a multitude of debts, which may include unpaid

payroll taxes. By law, employers are required to withhold payroll taxes from employees’ earnings. The IRS considers payroll tax violations a serious issue and may resort to seizure of business assets, penalties, interest and fines. While taxes generally are not discharged under Chapter 11 Reorganization, they are paid over a period of time with interest but without penalties.

Denials by the court Under certain circumstances, the court may deny a discharge if the DIP is found

Moody’s Investors Service, which changed its outlook on U.S. government debt to “negative” last year after Congress and the White House finally agreed to an increase in the debt ceiling, has warned that it could lower the U.S. AAA credit rating next year if lawmakers fail to craft a longterm debt-reduction plan.

Deadline-driven decisions?

It’s possible that Congress may temporarily extend the current tax provisions and/or delay planned spending cuts until more comprehensive legislation can be enacted.

Even so, the resulting uncertainty may make it difficult for individuals and businesses to move forward on major purchases or investments.

Leaving critical issues unresolved for too long could also weaken the U.S. economy, especially if political gridlock to have concealed property, destroyed or falsified records or committed fraud. In addition to providing the court reasons to deny discharge, these actions may also be considered criminal.

The court may also deny confirmation of the plan. After a hearing, if the court believes the proposed plan is not feasible, not in the best interest of the creditors, not proposed in good faith or out of line with required amounts under the law, then the court may deny confirmation.

continues well into next year.

As an investor and taxpayer, you may want to monitor how the U.S. political situation and fiscal decisions unfold in the coming months. Maintaining a steady course could help you weather market changes. Keep in mind that it is important to make investment decisions based on your time horizon, risk tolerance, long-term goals, and personal circumstances.

(Charles Sims Jr. is President/ CEO of The Sims Financial Group. Contact him at 901-682-2410 or visit www.

SimsFinancialGroup.com.

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.)

Completing the plan Chapter 11 Reorganization requires payment over a certain period of time. The amount of income and debt will determine the amount of the fixed monthly payments for an agreed upon time. At the end of the term and completion of the plan, the remaining debts to those creditors will be discharged.

(Contact Carlee McCullough, Esq., at 5308 Cottonwood Road, Suite 1A, Memphis, TN 38118, or email her at jstce4all@aol.com.)

COMMUNITY

Tri-State Defender

Page 7

November 29 - December 5, 2012

MCS talks, others listen and learn about district’s teacher-evaluation role Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Jamie Greene, an instructional coach from Hamblen County, Tennessee listened intently as school leaders from Memphis City Schools, part of a panel of educators statewide, explained the district’s rationale for including student input as part of its teacher evaluation process.

The explanation boiled down to this: “Who knows better than students what goes on in the classroom? If we frame the questions appropriately, we find that we get much more insight into teachers’ performance from students, frankly, than we do from adults” In MCS, student perceptions are gathered through the TRIPOD survey, administered bi-annually to students. TRIPOD results count for fivepercent of a teacher’s annual evaluation score; while it seems a small percentage, no other district has yet to include student perceptions as part of its definition of effective

Tequilla Banks, executive director of the Department of Teacher, Talent and Effectiveness, speaks to a group of educators across Tennessee regarding Memphis City Schoolsʼ ongoing work with Teacher Effectiveness. (Courtesy photos) Jamie Greene from Hamblin County, Tennessee asks Memphis City Schools questions regarding its implementation of the Tripod Student Survey. teaching.

“It’s intriguing, and not as scary as you might think,” said Greene.

The Hamblen County school district is on the opposite end of the state from Memphis and differs radically in racial composition, class

size and economic status.

Greene said she agrees that student perceptions play a crucial role in helping to improve teacher effectiveness, no matter the school makeup.

And, after listening to MCS educators, she believes implementation of a fair and con-

structive process for capturing that input is possible.

During the recent Tennessee Educational LEADership Conference (LEAD) in Nashville, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education, Sara Heyburn, with the Tennessee Department of Education applauded Memphis for taking the lead in this area.

“We’re very excited about what we’ve been seeing from the Memphis model,” said

Heyburn.

Tequilla Banks leads the team charged with development and implementation of teacher evaluations in MCS. “We are proud to be considered a leader in transforming public education,” said Banks.

“We still have a long way to go, but we continue to seek input from teachers in our district as we work to refine our evaluation process to find the most effective measures.”

Greene said her district has

not yet added student surveys to their teacher evaluation process, but if they do, Memphis will be their “go-to” district.

“I didn’t know Memphis was a leader in all of this, but now I do,” said Greene. “This will definitely be a district that we look to for guidance.”

For more information about Memphis City Schools and its efforts regarding teacher effectiveness, please visit www.mcstei.com.

Finalists tapped for annual Agents of Change Awards The Memphis Urban League Young Professionals (MULYP) has selected finalists for its 3rd annual Agents of Change Awards.

A black tie affair, the Agents of Change Awards will honor young minority professionals making positive changes in the Memphis community.

Winners will be named at the event, which will be held Saturday (Dec. 1) at BRIDGES (477 N. Fifth Street) at 7 p.m.

“As young professionals, we feel it is our duty to acknowledge those among us making a tremendous difference in this city,” said Lori Spicer, president of the Memphis Urban League Young Professionals. “These finalists

truly represent the best of Memphis and we are ecstatic to honor their achievements.”

The categories are: Agent of Change Award; Legends Award; Member of the Year (YP to Watch); Innovator of the Year; Health Advocate of the Year (A Healthier You Award); Arts Enthusiast of the Year (Change Artist Award); Educator of the Year (Schooling Our Future Award); The Rising Star Award (On the Cusp); Non-Profit/FaithBased Organization of the Year (Helping Hand Award).

Tickets to the Agents of Change Awards are $50 and may be purchased online at aocmulyp2012.eventbrite .com.

Listen up...

Roxanne Shanté, who was the host of the Food Bank Bash held at the Hard Rock Café, gives contestants instructions before they participate in the Old School Trivia Contest. The event last Saturday (Nov. 24) was coupled with HBCU Hoop Classic Weekend and raised funds to assist the Memphis Food Bank. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)

Darrell Freeman, executive chairman of Zycron, Inc., was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Robert R. Church Awards. He gave insights into the “Formula for Excellence.” (Photo by Isaac Singleton)

MMBCC selects FedEx Express as Robert R. Church Award winner 2012 Corporation of the year

FedEx Express emerged as the Corporation of the Year winner during the Annual Robert R. Church Awards Luncheon held earlier this month at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.

The awards are presented yearly by the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum.

FedEx Express was honored for its to develop and promote minority business development and diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. The corporate finalists included the City of Memphis and Turner Construction Company.

Advocate of the Year was awarded to Debra Voss, Supplier Diversity Manager for International Paper. Other finalists included Kevin Moyes, Flintco, LLC, and Joe Sevier of FedEx Express.

Scalable M/WBE Business of the Year was awarded to

Ewing Moving & Storage, Inc. owned by Charles Ewing. Ewing Moving & Storage has been in business for 32 years and they have a long history of serving Memphis, the Mid-South and customers across the country. Other finalists included Kerr Brothers, Inc., owned by Ross Kerr, and ServiceMaster Facilities Maintenance, Inc., owned by Vincent Lee, Andre Coleman, William Watson & Laurence Plummer Sr. The M/WBE Quality Excellence Award, which is a new award, was presented for M/WBE firms nominated by the first time. There were two winners: Action Chemical, Sherry Crow & Charles Barnes, and Blues City Tours, owned by Melvin Bledsoe. Other finalists included Bean & Prince, owned by Lee Bean and operated by Felecia BeanBarnes.

They say it’s your birthday…

Lottie Strong observed her 80th birthday last Friday (Nov. 23) at the Memphis Marriott at 2625 Thousand Oaks. Her escorts were grandsons Bryan Kirkwood and Rufus Coleman (not pictured). (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

RELIGION

Page 8

Tri-State Defender

November 29 - December 5, 2012

LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE

Even church folk get confused about money

Dear Lucy: I went with my husband to pay his cell phone bill and while we were there the salesperson told him about a special offer. My husband decided to take advantage of it as a gift to me. I was excited about the gift. But, there was a glitch with the process and the total amount kept changing. My husband is very patient with this sort of stuff and can talk about money all day long. I absolutely hate conversations about money and got so irritated that I told him I didn’t want the gift. I am always sabotaging myself like this. Help!

– KL

Dear KL: I am laughing because I used to have the very same problem.

I simply had a jacked up relationship with money! And you are right...it can sabotage your receiving of money or things that cost money. Here are some of the symptoms of a bad relationship with money: • You feel anxiety anytime you have to pay bills; • You hide money in a “safe” place and forget where you put it or that you even have it; • You especially don’t want to talk

Love day…

to your spouse about money; • You are always saying that things cost too much while you long to have them; • You never have any money, even though you faithfully work, tithe and watch Lucy your spending; Shaw • You are ashamed to bargain with anyone when making a purchase because it makes you nervous, seem too aggressive or cheap; • You are always losing things that you paid good money for and don’t understand why.

These are just a few of the symptoms. There are many more. They seem foolish and counter-intuitive.

The truth is that you really want money and would love to have plenty of it. However, you are afraid of what you may do if you had it. You don’t trust yourself with it and don’t believe that you are worthy of it. You probably did something really fool-

ish in your past to prove that these things are true!

We learn about money and how to think about it as children and usually believe what our parents or people in authority had to say. We also get some mixed signals from church.

Money can be considered evil and selfish. Money is neither. We live in a world where money is useful, important and opens doors to opportunity and comfort. There is nothing wrong with either of those.

Money is not a person, so it cannot be selfish or evil. It’s how we think about it and use it that matters. Some of us were raised believing that people with money are selfish, dishonest and not to be trusted. Even church folk get confused about money and its use.

Money – when used correctly – can open doors to all sorts of possibilities.

This is especially true in churches. It takes money to run any organization.

How does your church use its money to help create better lives for its members and community?

Recently, I watched Oprah’s 2012 “Favorite Things” show. She did two this year. She gave away things that

were useful and things that were ridiculous to people who had not ever seen or heard of most of the stuff. Is she evil, selfish, not to be trusted? She had way more fun than the receivers of her gifts! So what if she persuaded lots of businesses to donate many or most of the gifts?

She simply gave them an opportunity to give something away. So what if it’s great publicity for them? Giving and receiving are two sides of the same coin. We cannot have one without the other.

Here are some ways I fixed my relationship with money: • If I caught myself judging someone who had money, I stopped myself and blessed them.

• If someone offered me something free, I accepted it graciously.

• I got $1000 in play money, spread it out on my bed and just wallowed in it as if it was real money. I did this until I felt OK about “wallowing in money!”

• Every time I started to say I could not afford something I changed it to “maybe later, this is not what I will do with my money right now.”

I used these affirmations:

• “It’s safe to be me having money, loving the use of money, giving and receiving money and seeing all of the good that comes through money.

• “I am worthy to receive and to give and I can be trusted with money.”

All of your negativity about money keeps the flow of money away from you. Money is a means for expressing appreciation. Forget the expression and enjoy the feelings of worth, pleasure and satisfaction.

Seeing you rich!

Lucy

(You can watch Lucy on Channel 17 (Comcast) every Thursday at 10:30 am. (Send your questions to her by U.S. mail to: Heartworks4U, LLC; 4646 Poplar Ave. Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38117 or by e-mail to lucy@heartworks4u.com. Get your free gift at http://www.heartworks4u .com/) (For help with the feelings that get in the way of prayer and peace of mind, get Lucy’s new book, “BE NOT ANXIOUS.” Order it directly from her at 901-907-0260 or from her website.)

Faith and AIDS Conference Set for World AIDS DAY

The Rev. Sampson Townsend Jr, of New Era Baptist Church delivered the “Spoken Word” on Sunday (Nov. 25) during the 34th Pastoral Anniversary for the Rev. Isaac A. Wright Sr. (left) of New Friendship Baptist Church on Alcy Rd. Rev. Townsendʼs subject was “A county preacher, preaching the word of God” taken from Amos 7:10-15. (Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

Christ Missionary Baptist Church will host a Faith and AIDS Conference on World AIDS Day – Dec. 1 – in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis Ryan White Program and Mid-South AIDS Fund.

The conference will include a community breakfast, workshops and the screening of the documentary “The Gospel of Healing.” Registration begins at 8 a.m. The goal is for local communities of faith to bring attention and awareness to the AIDS epidemic and to encourage a discussion on AIDS education, treatment and care.

The church is located at 480494 S. Parkway E. According to the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010, more than 1 in 3 of all the newly diagnosed HIV cases in the state occurred in Shelby County, even though only 15 percent of Tennessee’s population lives here. Also, over half of the newly diagnosed HIV infections in Shelby County occurred in people between the ages of 15 and 34. Nine out of every 10 newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Shelby County were in the African American population in 2010.

18682012…

Osie B. Lewis Sr., chairman of the St. John Baptist Church 144th Anniversary program, accepts special recognition from Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr. during the service last Sunday (Nov. 25) at the church located on Vance Ave. The guest speaker was Dr. William M. Young Sr. of The Healing Center.

(Photo by Tyrone P. Easley)

“HIV/AIDS is devastating our community in Memphis,” said the Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart, the host pastor. “The faith community in Memphis has the influence and duty to be responsible for educating our people about the disease. It is our hope that this conference will empower faith leaders and people of faith to use their influence to create safe spaces for persons infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS and to provide awareness, education and advocacy.

The day will begin with a community breakfast Saturday morning. The conference will feature national faith leaders who are engaged in HIV outreach and who are featured in the documentary “The Gospel of Healing.” The Rev. Edwin Sanders, senior pastor of Metropolitan Interdenominational Church in Nashville, and the Rev. Tony Lee, the senior pastor of Community of Hope AME Church in Hillcrest Heights, Md., and Paul Grant, the producer of the documentary, will share their stories and experiences.

The conference is free and refreshments will be served.

To register, go to faithandaids. eventbrite.com, or call Christ Missionary Baptist Church at 901-948-9786.

RELIGION BRIEFS

BRIEFLY: New Friendship Missionary Baptist, 724 E. Georgia, will host the TwentySeventh Celebration of Love and Appreciation for its pastor, the Rev. E.D. Wright, and

PRAISE CONNECT

the church’s first lady on Dec. 2, beginning at 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact trustee Jeanette B. Jefferson at 901-332-0219; church number, 901-527-9653.

-A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH Dr. Reginald L. Porter Sr., Pastor

767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126

ASSOCIATE MINISTERS

901-946-4095 fax 948-8311

Rev. Davena Young Porter Rev. Linda A Paige Rev. Luecretia Matthews SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY Sunday School .....................8:30 am Morning Worship Service ....10:00am

WEDNESDAY Bible Study .........................10:30 am Mid-Day Prayer Meeting .....12 noon Evening Prayer Meeting........7:00pm FRIDAY Cable Channel 17 ............... 8:00pm

Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter

TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

672 So. Lauderdale 38126 P.O. Box 314 Memphis, Tn 38101 Phone (General) 774-1572 Pastor: 775-0740 Secretary: 775-1909

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

WEEKLY SERVICES

Sunday Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Night YPWW 5:00 p.m.

Night Service 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday Night Prayer 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m.

Friday Morning Prayer 9:00 a.m.

Night Service 7:30 p.m.

BROADCASTS 9:30 a.m. Sunday WDIA - 1070 AM

No Telecast Service

Dr. David Allen Hall Pastor

— Proverbs 1:7

“The Founder’s Church”

First Pastor: Senior Bishop C.H. Mason

Greenwood Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 3311 Kimball Ave. Memphis, TN 38111 (901) 744-7531 (901) 744-7664

Worship Services

THE BLVD Ea s t 6 7 4 5 Wo l f R i v e r B o u l e v a r d @ Kir by Pa r k wa y (i n t he Cla r k Ope r a M em phis Ce nt e r ) Me mp h i s T N 3 8 1 2 0

Dr. Frank A. Thomas Senior Servant

Sunday Sunday School Worship Service

Clarence Kelby Heath Wednesday Pastor

Noon - 1 p.m.

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

9 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

ST. ANDREW A.M.E. CHURCH 867 SOUTH PARKWAY EAST Memphis, TN 38106

(901) 948-3441

Early Morning..........7:45 AM Church School..........9:45 AM Morning Worship......11:00 AM Bible Study For Youth and Adults Tuesday - 7:00 PM “Spirit, Soul, and Body!”

AM 1070 WDIA Sundays, 10:00-10:30 AM

TV Cable Access Broadcast Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Channel 17 Website:www.saintandrewamec.org

Child Care Center (901) 948-6441 Monday-Friday 6 AM- 5:30 PM Emergency Food Pantry Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, Pastor & Clothes Closet Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, Co-Pastor Wednesday 6 PM-8 PM

“Ministering to Memphis-Spirit, Soul and Body”

Tri-State Defender

HEALTH

November 29 - December 5, 2012

CHEF TIMOTHY

Don’t be afraid to be healthy Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Chef Timothy Moore Now that Thanksgiving has ended, all the turkey has been eaten, and your guests have returned to their destinations, now is the time to decide on a new course of action that will be beneficial for your overall health.

While holidays bring a lot of joy with them, they may also bring a lot of pain linked to the way that we feel once they are gone. We must examine ourselves and determine if we’ve had enough of this emotional-roller-coaster feeling.

Today needs to be the beginning of you deciding to make some simple but important decisions about achieving optimal health. The journey, the path and your road of choice have a beginning and an ending point. As you get started down the path, you will have to make some soul-searching decisions that initially will make you feel uncomfortable. Factor in that those decisions will yield changes that will improve your quality of life, with a real possibility of extending it.

The first step is a leap of faith amid the presence of fear. The road will come into focus as we move forward, increasingly relying on our inner strength to overcome the fears we have about breaking out of our habitual eating zones.

The majority of America’s health issues are related to the way we consume our favorite food dishes. We give far too little weight to the outcome, overindulging in greasy, oil-fried foods or sugary desserts and fruit juices. It’s as if we are saying, “They will not have any adverse effects on my health, but bad things could happen to somebody else.”

Our bodies are temples that must be cared for and nurtured. If a building is not properly cared for, the paint starts to peel and the roof leaks. You get the picture.

So many of our children, friends and family members are dying prematurely from diseases and other health-related issues that are preventable. The time is now for us to take action by becoming more health Dr. Timothy conscious and more obserMoore vant about the foods we consume. Read the labels.

Look at the ingredients. Determine the product’s nutritional value and assess how it will benefit your health.

We are quick to consider the source as it relates to unimportant things that can be easily acquired or replaced. The body is our most important asset, yet we routinely fail to put it first, completely ignoring the labeling or the source.

Take action to prevent and reverse health-related issues. Then you can truly enjoy your life.

(Dr. Timothy Moore teaches nutrition, heart disease and diabetes reversal through a plantbased lifestyle. He is a professional speaker, wellness coach and personal plant-based chef.

He is the author of “47 Tips To Reverse Your Diabetes.” He can be reached by email at cheftimothy@cheftimothymoore.com, visit him at www.cheftimothymoore.com or follow him at www.twitter.com/cheftimmoore.)

8 healthy ways to boost energy Special to CNN

by Tiffany Barrett As our energy levels decrease because of our overstressed lifestyles, many people look for a quick fix to combat fatigue.

Energy drinks mask the symptoms of fatigue and dehydrate the body. The majority of energy drinks contain excess sugar, high levels of caffeine and other stimulants.

Recently, the 5-hour Energy shot and Monster Energy drink have come under fire.

The Food and Drug Administration said this month that 13 deaths have been reported after consumption of 5-hour Energy. Last month, the parents of a 14-year-old girl filed suit, alleging that she died after drinking two Monster Energy drinks in a 24-hour period. Anais Fournier’s underlying heart condition was complicated by caffeine toxicity, according to the death certificate.

Relying on caffeine and energy drinks makes us feel worse in the long run by causing our system to crash.

Continued fatigue decreases the immune system, making us more susceptible to depression and illness.

So what to do? Exercise, sleep and reducing stress are important in fighting fatigue. But our eating habits also directly affect energy levels.

And nutrition can affect energy levels throughout the day.

Here are some tips on healthy ways to boost your energy: Drink water The body needs water – multiple glasses a day.

Being hydrated is an easy and inexpensive way to increase energy levels. You don’t need vitamin water or sports drinks; they only add extra unneeded calories. Keep a fresh water source with you at all times and drink throughout the day. Add lemons, limes or oranges for taste variety.

Eat breakfast This is the meal that sets the stage for the entire day. Studies show that breakfast helps keep you alert, starts your metabolism for the day and keeps you satisfied until lunch.

But a healthy breakfast is the key. Good options include whole-grain cereals, breads, fruit and lean protein instead of doughnuts, pastries and white breads. A hard-boiled egg sliced into a whole wheat pita, oatmeal with fruit, and whole-grain toast with natural peanut butter are all healthy choices.

Don’t forget protein Not consuming enough protein during the day can be a primary reason for fatigue. Protein-

based foods provide the body with fuel to repair and build tissues. Protein takes longer than carbohydrates to break down in the body, providing a longer-lasting energy source. You can find protein in poultry, fish, lean red meat, nuts, milk, yogurt, eggs, yogurt, cheese and tofu.

Keep your carbs smart Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of fuel. Pick whole grains like cereal, brown rice and whole wheat bread, and avoid sweets, which cause energy to plummet. Many processed carbohydrates contain little to no fiber. Always read the nutrition label.

Snacks are important If you let yourself get too hungry between meals, your blood sugar falls, and you get lethargic. Keep your blood sugar and energy level steady during the day by consuming snacks. Choosing the right snacks prevent peaks and valleys in energy.

Combine complex carbs with a protein and/or fat for lasting energy. The protein and fat slow the breakdown of sugar into the blood, preventing fatigue. Snacks also can prevent overeating at mealtimes. A few examples of smart snack choices are yogurt with fruit, mixed nuts, veggies with hummus, pears with almond butter, whey protein shake or blueberries with a cheese stick. Plan ahead!

Omega-3 fatty acids Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, combat depression and improve mood and memory. Try to focus on omega-3 fats from food rather than supplements. Excellent sources include salmon, tuna, walnuts, flax seeds, leafy greens and hemp seeds.

Magnesium Almonds, walnuts and Brazil nuts are rich in magnesium, a mineral important in converting carbohydrates into energy. Other good sources of magnesium include whole grains and dark green vegetables.

Dont skimp on calories Skimping on calories decreases your metabolism and causes you to feel lethargic. Keep your energy levels high and increase metabolism by meeting your caloric needs each day.

Whole foods are preferred over supplements to obtain protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals instead of one or two single nutrients. Consume a variety of foods for overall health but also to keep your energy levels high.

(Tiffany Barrett is a registered dietician at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute.)

Page 9

ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, November 29 - December 5, 2012, Page 10

WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON?

TELEVISION

Urban spin powers Hattiloo’s Scrooge

It’s that time of year again and a community favorite has returned for another holiday season.

“If Scrooge Was a Brother” is now playing at the Hattiloo Theatre through Dec. 23.

Written by Myron Hattiloo Theatre Mays founder and director Ekundayo Bandele, “If Scrooge Was a Brother” is an urban spin of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. The musical tells the story of Eb Scroo’s ideological, ethical and emotional transformation after the supernatural visitations of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come.

Entertaining and enlightening, “If Scrooge Was a Brother” will be sure to have you looking forward to its return each year.

The Hattiloo Theatre is located at 656 Marshall Ave. For tickets and show times, call 901-525-0009 or visit www.hattilootheatre.com.

Kindle Awards

Loretta McNary presents the 2012 Kindle Awards and the 6th Anniversary Celebration of the “Loretta McNary Show” on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The Kindle Awards honor 25 unsung heroes and sheroes for their tireless and successful community and philanthropic endeavors. A silent auction and reception starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35 and the dress code is formal. It all unfolds at the Loretta McNary TV Studios located at the Hickory Ridge Mall.

‘The B.I.T.’

It’s already been a year since my good friend P.A. Bomani kicked off “The B.I.T” and now its time for an anniversary celebration. If you’re a fan of sketch and improv comedy, you’re gonna love this. And you don’t have to travel to New York of California to get it! It will also be P.A.’s 45th birthday celebration. The B.I.T. birthday show is set for Friday (Nov. 30) at the Open Heart Spiritual Center at 2489 Broad Ave. Showtime is at 7:30 and admission is $10.

Karen Brown

My girl Karen Brown is at it again and she’s doing it for the holidays!

Check her out this Sunday (Dec. 2) at the Rumba Room for “Karen Brown Live: The Holiday Edition.”

The Rumba Room is located at 303 South Main St. in Downtown Memphis. The show kicks off at 5:30 p.m.

Comedienne Mzzz. Kecia and the Karaoke King himself, Tim Bachus, will be the hosts. You don’t want to miss it, so go ahead and get your $15 advanced tickets. There will be no reservations and seating is limited.

Just call 901-573-6092.

The Digital Party

Just My Memphis and the Memphis Music Foundation invite you to the “Digital Party” on Friday (Nov, 30) from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Magazines, movies, books and televisions shows have all gone digital and can be seen from almost any mobile device! Learn how you can grow your business through these platforms.

Catering will be provided by Felicia Bean Catering and HotShots Photobooth will be there showcasing the Photobooth and taking event pictures. Every business owner who attends will receive discounts on digital services. The Memphis Music Foundation is located at 431 South Main, No. 201. For more details, call Jerome Robinson at 901-491-3356 or 888-295-4942, ext. 705, or RSVP to Jerome@justmy.com.

Parting Shot

Determined to do something very exciting and different during the holiday season, I am planning to kick off the Holiday Party Tour 2012.

What the heck is that?

Well, I am planning to attend as many Christmas parties as I can this holiday season. I get lots of invitations and I welcome yours! This year I plan to keep myself occupied and full of holiday cheer. So be on the lookout, I just might be at a Christmas party near you.

Until then, that’s what’s happening.

(Got an event you’d like for me to cover or attend, email me at Myron@whatshappeningmyron.com)

Young people provide some thought-provoking insights on the question of blackness in the upcoming documentary “Who Is Black in America?” (Photo by Bryan D. Kane)

‘Who Is Black in America?’ ʻBlack in Americaʼ special with CNNʼs Soledad OʼBrien Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

Kam Williams: Hi Soledad, thanks for another interview.

Soledad O’Brien: Thank you, Kam.

KW: Let’s talk about your upcoming special. Where did you come up with the idea for Who Is Black in America?

SO: We were thinking about universal themes for “Black in America” that really touch people, that really matter to people, and one of the themes that we kept coming up with was colorism, discrimination based on skin tone. It was fascinating to hear the conversations that were happening between people who were light-skinned, people who were dark-skinned, and people somewhere in between. Just the hurt, the pain and anger on all sides was very interesting.

So, we thought we would explore that because it seemed like a very interesting story to tell, especially since we were seeing a big change, generationally. The conversations I was having with men and women of my age group were very different from the conversations younger men and women were having with people of their age group. It’s fascinating to hear the take of those that we feature in the doc around 17, 18 and 19, as they kind of grapple with their identity and with where America is today.

Perry DiVirgilio runs the poetry workshop in Philadelphia on understanding who you are. CNN host Soledad OʼBrien says he is pretty much the center of all the stories in the documentary “Who Is Black in America?” (Courtesy photo)

cause he connects to all the young people as the poet/mentor who tries to get them to be honest. What you realize is that most people aren’t that honest, and this is one of the rare times when you capture people on camera speaking about how they feel about race and identity.

KW: I think I heard CNN’s Roland Martin mention in a promo for your show that he had someone in his family pass for white.

SO: Yep, and that’s not an unusual story.

That’s another question people would like to explore. What makes you black? How can you consider yourself black while someone with the identical genetic makeup considers themselves white or tries to pass for white?

Those are the sort of big questions we wanted to grapple with.

KW: I suspect that the influx of immigrants from South America, India, Africa, Mexico and so many other countries, along with mixed marriage, is changing the definition of what is black?

SO: I think that’s true. I also think that there’s a real interesting conversation going on generationally. One of the young women we profile, who is biracial, very much has a hard time identifying as black. And yet, she has a sister who would say the exact opposite. (Chuckles) So, this isn’t a documentary where we come up with the right answer at the end. It really is much more a conversation about colorism because, ultimately, what is at the heart of all this is this sense that there’s some better skin color to be, and that people are discriminated against. So, it’s not just that people are grappling with identity but that there’s a lot of pain and shame and embarrassment and hurt and anger on account of colorism. And we wanted to understand what that was.

KW: Tell me a little about Nayo Jones, one of the young women you profile on the special.

SO: She’s biracial. Her father is white and mother’s black. She lives with her dad and very much identifies with her white side.

She’s a super-talented, smart young singer and poet. She goes through life with people trying to figure out what she is, and asking, “What are you?” which really makes her mad.

KW: How do you see this coming-of-age generation as different?

SO: I think those in our documentary share a sense of optimism, and I’m curious to see where it goes. Overall, it was very interesting to see all these different people trying to tackle the problem of colorism, because in some ways it’s such a deep psychological problem. Perry, our poet, thinks so.

He believes that young people being able to articulate their poetry so unbelievably is really about understanding who they are. The exercises that he does in his poetry workshop are just fascinating.

The fifth segment of “Black in America” was designed as an opportunity for people to talk about “the roots of colorism.” (Photo by Bryan D. Kane)

KW: What about Perry DiVirgilio?

SO: In a way, he’s the center of all the stories. He’s a biracial guy. His dad is white, his mom is black, and he runs the poetry workshop in Philadelphia on understanding who you are where all of these people’s lives intersect. They’re sort of the right age for it because they’re the coming-of-age age. When you’re a slam poet, part of the agenda is to connect to your material. And your success is a measure of your honesty and your authenticity. I think a lot of those slam poets don’t want to tackle the hard stuff, and Perry really pushes them and challenges about what their identity means to them by asking, “What is making you angry?” “What are you afraid of?” and “What are you ashamed of?”

So, he’s sort of the centerpiece of our documentary not just for his own story but be-

KW: Do you think you might have different generational reactions to the special?

SO: I’m sure. Some of the younger people exhibit a certain flexibility. They’re like, “Why can’t I be biracial? Why can’t I be both?” I never felt that was an option for us.

Maybe it was, but I never felt like I had an option for both. My identity was very strong.

I never believed people who said things like, “You’re not really black,” or suggested my identity might be anything but black.

Today, I think there is this sense of flexibility among younger people. Whether or not that remains as they get older remains to be seen. The ultimate question we examine is, “Who decides?” Is it you? Is it society? I think it’s a really interesting documentary.

Again, we didn’t set out to solve the problem. I just don’t think people talk about the roots of colorism, and this fifth “Black in America” special was a great opportunity to do so.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Soledad, and I look forward to speaking to you again with questions from my readers after the show airs.

SO: Talk to you then, Kam. Bye!

ENTERTAINMENT

Tri-State Defender

Page 11

November 29 - December 5, 2012

OPENING THIS WEEK

Kam’s Kapsules:

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kam Williams

For movies opening Nov. 30, 2012

BIG BUDGET FILMS

“Killing Them Softly” (R for violence, drug use, sexual references and pervasive profanity) Screen adaptation of the George V. Higgins crime thriller of the same name about a hit man (Brad Pitt) hired to investigate the heist of a mob-protected poker game. Cast includes Richard Jenkins, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, Sam Shepard and Max Casella.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

“Addicted to Fame” (Unrated) Price of fame biopic takes a behind-the-scenes look at the late Anna Nicole Smith during the making of Illegal Aliens, a sci-fi spoof of Charlie’s Angels. Featuring commentary by Larry King, Harvey Levin and Jesse Eisenberg.

“Back to 1942” (Unrated) Historical epic, set in Henan province, revisiting the political corruption within the Chinese government which led to the senseless starvation of 3,000,000 citizens during a year-long drought.

Starring Fan Xu, Daoming Chen, Alec Su, Tim Robbins and Adrien Brody. (In Mandarin and English with subtitles) “Beware of Mr. Baker” (Unrated) Warts-andall rocktrospective revisiting the rise and fall of Ginger Baker, from his glory days as the drummer for Cream and Blind Faith to the self-destructive behavior which led to the loss of his fortune and his withdrawing from the world into a fortified compound somewhere in South Africa.

“California Solo” (Unrated) Midlife crisis drama about a retired British rocker (Robert Carlyle), living in L.A., forced to clean up his

act when he finds himself facing deportation after being arrested for driving under the influence. With Danny Masterson, William Russ and Kathleen Wilhoite.

“The Collection” (R for profanity, graphic violence, grisly images and brief nudity) Horror sequel to The Collector finds a survivor (Josh Stewart) of the sadistic serial killer’s (Randall Archer) previous spree now leading an assault on the madman’s lair in order to rescue the daughter (Emma Fitzpatrick) of a wealthy businessman (Christopher McDonald). With Lee Tergesen, Navi Rawat and Johanna Brady.

“Dragon” (R for violence) Two-fisted tale of redemption about an unassuming village craftsman with a secret past (Donnie Yen) whose cover is blown by a detective (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and his former martial arts master (Yu Wang). With Kara Hui, Wu Jiang and Wei Tang. (In Mandarin with subtitles) “Elza” (Unrated) Roots drama about a Parisian-Caribbean woman’s (Stana Roumillac) return to her native Guadeloupe in search of her long-lost father after completing her master’s degree. With Vincent Byrd Le Sage, Christophe Cherki and Sophie Berger. (In French with subtitles)

“Ex-Girlfriends” (Unrated) Messy romantic dramedy, set in NYC, about a dude (Alexander Poe) desperate to rekindle a relationship with an ex (Kristen Connolly) who discovers that she and another former girlfriend (Jennifer Carpenter) are currently both dating the same guy. With Noah Bean, Teddy Bergman and Liz Holtan.

“Hecho en Mexico” (R for profanity, sexual references and brief drug use) Reverential documentary pays tribute to modern Mexico by weaving a cinematic tapestry about some of the country’s contemporary cultural icons, including Don Cheto, Ruben Albarron and Amandititita.

“My Brothers” (Unrated) Irish road drama,

set in County Cork over the course of Halloween weekend in 1987, revolving around the raucous sibling rivalry which surfaces among three brothers (Timmy Creed, Paul Courtney and TJ Griffin) trying to replace their dying father’s (Don Wycherley) favorite wristwatch while riding around in a stolen bread truck.

“Otelo Burning” (Unrated) Overcomingthe-odds drama about a poor, South African teenager (Jafta Mamabolo) whose fortunes change when he is afforded an opportunity to pursue his passion for surfing. With Thomas Gumede, Sihle Xaba and Kenneth Nkosi. (In English and Zulu with subtitles) “Parked” (Unrated) Unlikely-buddies drama about a lonely, middle-aged man living in his car (Colm Meany) who gets a new lease on life when he’s befriended by a 21 year-old stoner (Colin Morgan) who introduces him to an attractive music teacher (Milka Ahlroth). With Stuart Graham, Mark Butler and David Wilmot.

“Silent Night” (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity, graphic violence and brief drug use) Holiday-themed horror flick about a serial killer in a Santa Claus suit who goes on a bloody rampage around a quiet Midwestern town on Christmas Eve. Starring Malcolm McDowell, Jaime King and Donal Logue.

“Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning” (R for profanity, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity and pervasive gruesome violence) Vigilante drama about a man (Scott Adkins) who becomes bent on revenge when he comes out of a coma to learn that his wife and daughter had been slain by a creep (Jean-Claude Van Damme) during a home invasion. With Dolph Lundgren, Mariah Bonner and James Rawlings.

“Walk Away Renee” (Unrated) Post-Oedipal biopic chronicling filmmaker Jonathan Caouette’s cross-country road trip with his mentally-ill mother.

LITERATURE

African-American males & ‘hypermasculinity’ Youth mentor and author Kevin Todd Porter probes the struggles African-American boys face in the classroom in his debut book, “Angry Little Men: Hypermasculinity, Academic Disconnect and Mentoring African American Males.

Porter examines two key developmental factors to understanding African-American boys’ academic performance: hypermasculinity and academic self-concept.

Hypermasculinity is “male bravado” – a boastful, sexual and confrontational mindset and code of behavior valued by African-American males and scorned by mainstream society.

Anger is the engine that drives hypermasculin-

ity, a survival mechanism in high-risk communities used to instill fear and respect and that is prevalent in urban classrooms.

“Education is way down on a list of priorities that might include drugs, gangs, chasing girls, or just trying to survive a disruptive home life,” says Porter. “Our boys know that education can offer a brighter future, but maintaining a street image trumps doing homework, studying for tests, and behaving in the classroom.”

Porter studied academic self-concept (selfesteem) among a group of at-risk teens and found that despite failing grades, AfricanAmerican boys tend to rate highly in academic

self-concept compared with other groups.

“Clearly, black boys are not accurately understanding their own school performance,” says Porter. “They believe they are doing much better than their grades indicate. Furthermore, they tend to blame others, especially teachers, for their troubles in the classroom.”

A mentor for more than 20 years, Porter offers his C.O.D.E model for mentorship: Help youth to connect to a vision.

Observe and moderate personal behaviors.

Practice self-discipline.

Emulate positive examples.

(For more information: 1-800-552-1991)

HOROSCOPES

Nov. 29-Dec. 5, 2012

ARIES Ding-dong! Destiny is at the door. Let it in and enjoy the change of pace. You’ll be happy to make a few adjustments for this most welcome guest. Follow through on instincts and hunches!

TAURUS Stay on course with your current decisions and dreams. You may doubt your progress this week but you really are moving toward a better tomorrow with your determined attitude. Keep your emotions under control this week for sure.

GEMINI You feel great! Your shining spirit attracts many seekers this week so let your best wisest self answer questions that are put to you by those who want advice. You’ll smooth over a sticky situation at work with ease.

CANCER Busy week. You’ll want to get up with the birdies and you may even want to whistle a happy little tune. You’ll be very much in demand for your expertise and positive attitude. Way to go!

LEO A quiet week will work wonders for you.

Make an effort to slow your pace, both physically and mentally this week. Use your imagination to think of quiet ways to entertain yourself.

VIRGO While you may have much work facing you in the beginning of the week, a steady, patient attitude will help you accomplish a great deal this week. Be good to yourself and take things nice and slow. You’ll finish what you need to.

LIBRA This week is another week when your intuition and insights are remarkable. A lesson you learned in the past may suddenly reveal itself as more this week; you’ll have plenty of food for thought.

SCORPIO Someone whose values are different than yours may annoy you this week if you let them. Let your most tolerant mind-set rule, and enjoy being able to listen to others’ points of view. You’ll feel very blessed by the end of the week.

SAGITTARIUS You learn something this week that makes you very happy. One of your most wonderful gifts is your ability to be delighted with all forms of learning and education. This is a terrific week for personal delight.

CAPRICORN Shopping has its appeals this week, and you’ll want to check your bankbook balance before indulging in anything that is whimsical and expensive. Give yourself hours to think about what’s important to you. Control impulses this week.

AQUARIUS A road trip might be in the offing; grab a friend and go dutch-treat. You’ll enjoy yourself more if you are sharing costs this week.

Mutual generosity in all things will make your week perfect.

PISCES This week is likely to make you feel young again. You’ll want to play jokes and tricks on people around you. Make sure they are ready to deal with your playful mood. Enjoy yourself, you fabulous being!

Source: NNPA News Service

CLASSIFIEDS

SPORTS

Page 12

November 29 - December 5, 2012

Tri-State Defender

Employment

Sales Executive The New Tri-State Defender is seeking a results and revenue-driven multi-media Sales Executive with strong communication, organizational, business development and advertising skills. This challenging opportunity is for self-starters with formal sales experience. We are looking for an individual to further develop our organization.

Candidate must have a proven track record in advertising and event sponsorship sales, with a quick learning curve for new concepts. A strong motivator and strategic thinker is a must. Computer skills required (Word, Excel, Contact Management database, social media email, etc.).

Experience in newspaper advertising or other media is preferred but not required.

Primary Responsibilities: • Maintaining and developing relationships with existing customers via meetings, telephone calls and emails; • Visiting potential customers to prospect for new business; • Acting as a contact between a company and its existing and potential markets; • Negotiating the terms of an agreement and closing sales; • Gathering market and customer information; • Representing the organization at trade exhibitions, events and demonstrations; • Negotiating variations in price, delivery and specifications with managers; • Advising on forthcoming product developments and discussing special promotions; • Liaising with suppliers to check on the progress of existing orders; • Recording sales and order information using technology tools available; • Reviewing and reporting own sales performance, aiming to meet or exceed targets; • Gaining a clear understanding of customersʼ businesses and requirements; • Making accurate, rapid cost calculations, and providing customers with quotations; • Feeding future buying trends back to management.

Qualifications: • Ideal candidates will be financially driven, highly disciplined and have an exceptionally strong work ethic. Additionally, they will enjoy a team environment and the shared desire to exceed revenue goals.

We want ambitious, driven individuals with accountability to the organization – written and verbal.

• Manage the entire proposal process by working closely with management and staff Must consistently have a positive attitude toward providing excellent service to customers, co-workers and support personnel • Previous business and sales experience is a plus • Excellent oral communication skills • Excellent planning and organizational skills • Excellent time-management skills • Computer literacy and knowledge of computer software, apps and social media We offer a monthly base, some established accounts and relationships to grow to meet compensation requirements. Our competitive benefits package includes health, dental, 401k, and life insurance.

TSD is located in downtown Memphis on Beale Street (near the FedExForum), with monthly employer-paid parking.

To learn more about the Tri-State Defender, please visit www.tsdmemphis.com.

If you have the skills and seek a challenging growth opportunity, please respond with a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to besmith@tristatedefender.com.

Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we are not able to respond personally to every application. However, we do review every resume and will contact you if we think there is a possible fit for you.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Legal notices

ALL INTERESTED BIDDERS The Shelby County Board of Education is seeking proposals in response to its Request for Proposal for Student Transportation, dated November 21, 2012.

Visit our website for additional information: http://mcsk12.worldspice.net/ procurement/index.php?mylink=1 Questions concerning submission of this proposal should be addressed to Jacqueline Saunders at 901 416-5371 or emailed to saundersjc@mcsk12.net.

Even small ads get noticed.

Kobe Bryant of the Lakers gets a screen from Pau Gasol as he tries to elude Tony Allen.

Tristan Thomas (left) of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jerryd Bayless of the Memphis Grizzlies battle for a loose ball.

Grizz stay atop NBA with back-to-back-to-back wins Lakers, Cavs and Raptors fall

times I’ve got the best of him; sometimes he’s got the best of me. I love going against him. He’s a phenomenal player.”

The Lakers came in with newly appointed head coach Mike D’Antoni, who said credit had to be given to a well-player Grizzlies team.

“At the same time, we have to play a certain way and buck up a little bit. To beat a team on the road like this, you have to play every possession hard, and I don’t think we are there yet.”

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kelley Evans

It’s post-Thanksgiving in the sports world and with one game left in November, the Memphis Grizzlies have the NBA’s best record (11-2) after back-to-back-to-back home wins against the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.

The trifecta came Wednesday (Nov. 28) night with a 103-82 drubbing of Toronto. And with Detroit’s lowly pistons at the FedExForum on Friday, the Grizz have a good shot to take their winning roll into December.

In the Grizzlies locker room on Friday (Nov.23), there was no big celebration. The mood was jovial and the players were thankful.

“Hey Marc (Gasol), thanks for having my back out there man,” Memphis forward Zach Randolph said, lacing his shoes, preparing to speak with the media.

“No problem, that’s what we do,” said Gasol.

“We have to have each other’s back.

The Grizzlies had just defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-98 in front of a sell-out crowd at FedExForum.

Randolph recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Gasol scored 14 points, with a game-high eight assists.

Head Coach Lionel Hollins liked what he saw and heard.

“They talk a lot to each other,” Hollins said.

“The spirit and camaraderie is so much better than it has been since I have been here. It is just their individual maturity and their individual commitment to each other.”

The Grizzlies outscored the Lakers 40-24 in the paint, holding Los Angeles to an opponent’s season low. All five starters were in double digits and Memphis forced 18 turnovers on the Lakers.

In the first quarter, the Lakers were leading by one until Memphis went on a 21-6 run, building a lead they never relinquished.

Rudy Gay led the Grizzlies with 21 pints followed by starting point guard Mike Conley’s 19.

“I think it’s very dangerous to have so many dif-

‘Come out and play’

Tony Allen steals one against Toronto.

(Photos by Warren Roseborough)

ferent options,” Conley said. “We have so many games, a lot of games. Some nights it’s Marc Gasol’s night, some nights it’s Rudy Gay’s night.

You never know who’s going to step up and it’s hard to scheme for that and prepare for that when you have so many guys who can come up big at the end.”

The Lakers’ superstar guard Kobe Bryant finished with 30 points, but had to face the defense of Grizz guard Tony Allen and Quincy Pondexter.

“Tonight we came up here and we faced a really, really tough team. And they played extremely well,” said Bryant. “They played like a team that has the best record in the Western Conference. I felt like we did a pretty good job matching their intensity. I felt like our bench came in and played pretty well.”

Bryant said he thinks the world of Tony Allen.

“We’ve had a lot of battles in the past. Some-

Camaraderie carried over to Monday’s game (Nov. 26) as the Grizzlies defeated the Cavaliers 84-78. It was no easy win, with Conley missing his first game of the season battling flu-like symptoms. Jerryd Bayless started in his place.

The Grizzlies trailed most of the first half, going into the locker room down 47-42.

Cleveland out-rebounded Memphis 41-33 and it wasn’t until the third quarter that Memphis started bringing its tough game. The Grizzlies outscored the Cavaliers 22-9 in the fourth quarter and forced six turnovers down the stretch.

Randolph and Gasol both finished with 19 point.

Randolph’s 11-game, double-double streak ended as he collected eight rebounds.

“We have got to come out and play,” Randolph said. “We knew coming into this game it was going to be a tough game. Guys didn’t play too well tonight. It was a fight. It was a fight to the end. Jerryd hit big shots. Marc hit big shots. We got the win at the end of the game.”

Gay finished with 15 points while Bayless chipped in nine points and six assists.

Cavaliers center Anderson Verajao finished with 15 points and 22 rebounds, recording his fifth consecutive double-double.

Those stats caught the attention of Randolph.

“Verajao is a motor,” Randolph said. “He is moving non-stop. He reminds me of myself a couple of years ago. You have to give him a lot of credit.”

Said Verajao: “Coming from him it’s a big thing….He’s a very good player. We both can’t jump, but we can rebound. It’s all about going after every rebound, treating every shot as a miss.”

SPORTS

Tri-State Defender

November 29 - December 5, 2012

Page 13

Early ‘lack of effort’ too much to overcome for U of M women

Injuries factor into Prairie View loss

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by Kelley Evans

Facing a hungry opponent with one of your primary scorers and your starting pointing guard injured can be tough for any team.

That was the challenge for the University of Memphis women’s basketball team (3-2) against Prairie View A&M (1-4) on Sunday (Nov. 25) at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The Tigers fell to the Panthers 70-58.

“The pieces were just starting to fall into place with the eight new players that we have,” Memphis head coach Melissa McFerrin said.

Freshman guard Mooriah Rowser suffered a knee injury during the game against Illinois State and guard Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir broke her right hand during the Texas-Arlington game on Nov. 21.

The injuries notwithstanding, McFerrin was not happy about the level of play Memphis showed against Prairie View.

“I’m very surprised,” she said. “That is not the way we practice. That’s not the way we play. That’s not saying that it never happens, but that does not happen to us very often.

That’s why I’m so disappointed.”

There were several Memphis lineup changes during the first half but no combination yielded the defensive presence

needed to stop the Panthers.

“Once I found five players that were willing to do what I asked them to do, then I was just going to stay with those five players,” McFerrin said.

The Tigers went into the locker room trailing 42 to18.

They came back scrappy and ready to chip away at the deficit.

In the second half, the Tigers out-rebounded the Panthers (25-19) and shot 42.4 percent from the field compared to Prairie View’s 33.3 percent.

But it just wasn’t enough to overcome the lackadaisical effort in the first half.

When asked what was said to the Tigers at halftime to give them the momentum to go out and fight, McFerrin said, “We don’t play with a lack of effort.

That’s unacceptable in this program. The expectation when you wear Memphis across your chest is you play very hard.”

Freshman guard Ariel Hearn, who was an important piece in the Tigers comeback, brought the intensity that McFerrin wanted on the floor.

Hearn led the Tigers with 16 points, followed by Nicole Dickson with 13 points and Ann Jones with 12. Asianna Fuqua-Bey contributed nine rebounds toward the Tigers’ comeback attempt.

Hearn said McFerrin’s halftime talk was a difference maker.

“She (McFerrin) always preaches to us to be intense and play defense with intensity. So we came out and tried to make a come back by being intense.”

The Tigers needed every point they could get against Prairie View, which prevailed 70-58. (Photo by Kelley Evans)

Dickson, who was named CUSA player of the week following the Illinois State game, said the Tigers are going to regroup.

“We came out real slow and put ourselves in a hole that we just couldn’t come out of,” Dickson said. “We knew at halftime that there was a chance that we could still get in the game.”

Prairie View’s Latia Williams led all scorers with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The Tigers will face East Tennessee State University in Johnson City (Tenn.) on Friday (Nov. 30).

Season-ending streak buoys Tigers Special to The New Tri-State Defender

by J.R. Moorhead

A football season that felt painfully long amid a string of losses has come to a close for a University of Memphis Tigers’ football team that ended on a roll.

A 42-24 trouncing of the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles last weekend (Nov. 24) improved the Tigers record to 4-8 (4-4 C-USA) on the year.

The loss sealed a 0-12 season for the Golden Eagles – the only school in FBS football this year unable to record a single win. It’s the first time since 1925 that USM has been held winless for an entire year.

Golden Eagle fans were left reeling just a season after USM went 12 and 1 en route to the C-USA title.

The Tigers ended their season with a three-game win streak and some serious mo-

mentum headed into the offseason. This energy is much needed as Memphis prepares to leave the C-USA for the Big East next season. With a better conference comes stiffer competition.

A few other teams from CUSA (SMU, UCF, Houston, ECU and Tulane) will be making the transition into the Big East as well, but teams like Boise State, Cincinnati and South Florida make winning football games in the Big East a tall order.

At issue, however, is this: What teams will actually be in the Big East come 2013 or 2014? Memphis pursued the move to a bigger, better conference for some time. Now that they actually have, it all might be a mirage.

With news this week of Louisville leaving the Big East for the ACC, the Big East got noticeably weaker. Speculation about Rutgers, UConn and

Cincinnati looking to jump ship will also play out over the next few months.

And with these changes swirling, Boise State and San Diego State could be questioning their position in the Big East and choose to return to the Mountain West.

That’s a lot of “what ifs,” but that doesn’t mean that it couldn’t happen. If the dominos do start to fall, Memphis could be stuck in C-USA version 2.0.

If those teams do leave, the Big East will still be a strong basketball conference. And the football Tigers likely would be on a quicker timeline toward becoming more competitive.

The murkiness of Big East conference alignment aside, the Memphis True Blue Nation has to be excited about the Tigers ending the season on a three-game win streak and about what next season may hold for Memphis under head coach Justin Fuente.

State title game looms for Whitehaven Tigers

WKNO to air championship

The Tigers of Whitehaven High School are one victory away from a state title after downing Mt. Juliet 41-35 last Friday.

Whitehaven (12-2) takes on No. 1-ranked Maryville (14-0) on Saturday (Dec. 1) from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.

WKNO/Channel 10 will air the upcoming BlueCross Bowl: 2012 TSSAA Football Championships live Thursday through Saturday (Nov. 29Dec. 1).

The schedule for the high school football championships is: Thursday, Nov. 29 Division II, Class A at 3 p.m., featuring Evangelical Christian School in Cordova.

(The local broadcast of this game is sponsored by Evangelical Christian School.)

Division II, Class AA, scheduled to start at 7 p.m., featuring Memphis University School. (The local broadcast of this game is sponsored by Boyle Investment Company and Wunderlich Securities.)

Friday, Nov. 30 Division I, Class 1A at 11 a.m.

Division I, Class 3A, scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

Division I, Class 5A, scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1 Division I, Class 2A at 11 a.m.

Division I, Class 4A, scheduled to start at 3 p.m., featuring Covington High School.

Division I, Class 6A, scheduled to start at 7 p.m., featuring

Whitehaven High School.

The airing of the live games is part of a deal between the Tennessee Public Television Stations and the TSSAA Network, which is a partnership between The TSSAA and PlayOn! Sports.

The agreement continues in March with State High School Basketball Championships airing over three weekends.

For more information: wkno.org

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November 29 - December 5, 2012

Tri-State Defender