Feb. 1, 2017
Remembering Coretta Scott King
Page 10
The Women’s March in D.C. was a movement felt around the world
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Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times
Where will the funding come from? How will you meet your fundraising goal in 2017? This question typically elicits one of three responses. Some are confident they will be able to secure the funds their organization needs. Others have a general feeling about where the money and resources will come from. Still others are used to making do and believe they will survive one way or the other. Where does your nonprofit fall on this spectrum of responses?
closely at the numbers as you plan. Don’t assume 20% growth if you can’t support the calculation. When looking at gifts from individuals, review who gave last year and at what level. Can you reasonably expect they would repeat their giving? Which gifts do you believe were one-time gifts? You need to identify actual potential donors and then determine the best way to approach each.
Managing the fundraising process throughout the year can help reduce year-end “surprises.” With this column we offer three suggestions to support your fundraising. First, set your annual fundraising goal. How much do you need to raise? This should be set by the board based on information presented by the executive director and finance director. Working with a specific goal means you can track your progress. Once you know your goal, consider where the funds could come from. For example, you may expect to meet your goal with funds from four sources: special events, foundation grants, individual gifts, and online giving. In this case, you need to put numbers against each revenue stream. This takes work. Look at where your revenue came from in the prior year, and what you know about whether or not you can expect that revenue to sustain, decrease or increase.
For example, in the last year you may have raised $200,000 from special events, $400,000 in foundation grants, $200,000 in gifts from individuals, and $60,000 in online giving. Meeting with your staff and members of the board development committee, you should look at exactly where that money came from last year. When looking at special events revenue you may want to ask questions such as: Did the majority of revenue come from sponsorships, ticket sales, or gifts made at the event? Did we have multiple sponsors? Will all our sponsors come back this year? Can we expect to repeat revenue from ticket sales and gifts made the day of the event? Can we sustain our special event revenue? Look
TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll The style of “sagging” pants in which pants hang so low that underwear is exposed could come at a price in the state of Mississippi. A GOP lawmaker is proposing fines and counseling for saggy pants. A warning would be issued for the first offense of the noncriminal citation, $20 for the second, and up to $100 for the sixth offense along with psychological and social counseling. Cities in several other states have adopted similar measures.
Letter To The Editor
In general, we encourage organizations to identify a pool of prospective donors, sponsors and funders who can collectively give three-times the fundraising goal. This is important because not every person or institution you approach will actually give. That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t support your organization; it may be that this year is simply not the right time for them to give. Using a 3:1 ratio of prospective donors to actual gifts/grants can keep your team focused on communicating with a large enough pool of people to ensure you can meet your goal. Copyright 2017 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of four books on fundraising available on Amazon.com. For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com, or call (901) 522-8727.
If you would like to respond to Viewpoints, your submission should contain your name, a full valid address and a daytime phone number. We cannot acknowledge submitted letters. We reserve the right to edit for accuracy, clarity, legality and taste. E-mail (without attachments) to editor@urbanviewsweekly.com. Mail letters to Editor Urban Views Weekly.
What’s your take? Should the government be in the business of regulating saggy pants? Is this proposed bill a form of racial profiling? Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv
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Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com
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Health News
sponsored by VCU Health J. Chevonte’ Alexander
Go Red for Women It’s February! The month of chocolates and teddy bears, surprise dates and flowers, but most importantly love. That’s right love...love of each other, but also love of the heart and heart health. February is Heart Health month and this month we wear red and ‘go red’ for women!
advocate for themselves and each other (family, friends, etc.) in order to improve awareness of the risks for heart disease in women. Let’s all GO RED for WOMEN and show our support by wearing RED!
Urban Views Weekly had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Kyungeh An, Associate Professor for the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems at VCU’s School of Nursing, about the importance of this month. “It’s time to get back to heart-healthy habits after a little holiday “cheating”, says Dr. An. “The American Heart Association is trying to bring people’s attention to heart health by focusing on exercise and adding a good diet to their daily routine.” Very often, heart disease is dismissed as an older man’s disease, but that is not the case. To raise awareness of heart disease and stroke as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women, a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health. Support Go Red For Women by participating in National Wear Red Day® on Friday, February 3, 2017. About once every minute a woman dies from a stroke, heart attack or a lesser-known problem called a sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association. Sudden cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack. It’s not caused by a blockage that stops blood flow to the heart; instead, the heart’s electrical system stops
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G: GET YOUR NUMBERS Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol. O: OWN YOUR LIFESTYLE Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy. “Exercise is as important as healthy diet.” says Dr. An. working properly and can’t pump blood the way it should.
It’s up to you. No one can do it for you.
Women must take control of their own health. The first step in preventing heart disease-related deaths in American women is engagement. Every woman must know her risk for heart disease. It is essential that women partner with their physician or other healthcare provider in order to assess their health status and identify at risk behaviors or other high risk conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
R: REALIZE YOUR RISK
You must be able to connect and effectively communicate with your healthcare provider in order to work together to reduce risk. Ask questions and never accept an answer or an opinion from a medical professional that does not adequately address your concerns. Women must
We think it won’t happen to us, but heart disease kills one of three women. E: EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY Make healthy food choices for you and your family. “People should also read the nutrition labels on the food. Reading labels is important to make a wise choice to buy low-sodium products, and swapping out sweets for fruit or sugar-free items.” comments Dr. An. Teach your kids the importance of
continues to page 11
Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
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ViewPoints
By Dr. T
Just plain decency… Civility, graciousness, politeness, decorum, morality and dignity are all words that describe what is commonly known as just plain decency. It is certainly something one should strive to embrace as a part of the way we live our lives and conduct human interactions with one another. And yet, in this new age of social media sound bytes, trending topics and “virtual” interactions, the ability to have actual conversations and reallife human exchanges seems to be steadily eroding with the rapidity of the polar ice caps. This erosion has been happening so progressively with each passing decade that we have become accustomed to how completely it impacts our culture, and now we may have become resigned to it being “just the way things are.”
“We as a culture, to our own embarrassment, have allowed ourselves to entertain falsehood as truth... and crudeness as normal...”
publicly played out by political leaders holding some of the highest offices in the land, our common decency has devolved to a level of gross and base behavior. This is the example we set for our young people and our children. This is what we are teaching them to do and to say. We open the door that encourages behaviors that diminish us all as human beings when we continue to exercise our own “rights and privileges” over and above the rights and freedoms of our fellow human beings. When we marginalize those that are less powerful, less wealthy, less educated, less able to speak up for themselves, we become less benevolent, less caring, less kind and our own humanity must be called into question.
We are living in very uncertain times in America It seems that there is less and less time for where many people feel threatened and insecure kindness one to another or treating each other in their value as citizens whether they are legal with deference or with a sense of recognition of citizens of the United States of America or Global our common humanity. We are more likely to be citizens. People who have struggled to gain certain irritated and short-tempered with someone rather freedoms and liberties that should be rights for than to be patient and courteous. People no longer say hello or good morning as they enter a ALL Americans are once again constrained to assert their right to be fully recognized as space where others may be gathered. Please and thank you have disappeared from our daily people who are a part of the American Dream and the greatness that America aspires to discourse, even from those who make their living in the “service industry.” We are less likely achieve. We as a culture, to our own embarrassment, have allowed ourselves to entertain to hold the door open for someone coming behind us or give up our seat to an elder person falsehood as truth and absolute indecency and crudeness as normal and acceptable behavior, in these days and times than in times past. We are certainly capable of rising to the occasion even from those who used to be held to the highest standards of morality, decorum and when tragedy strikes or some type of cataclysmic event. And, we are just as likely to toot our integrity. own horns when these big events happen, as we take to If we are not willing to call out lies, bigotry, misogyny and twitter and other social media outlets to tout our largeness indecent proposals as what they are, then we are cowards Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. of spirit and goodwill towards men. and we deserve what we get. Shame on us! “Have we no Founder and Artistic Director human decency?” In a time not long from now, we will When name calling, ill-tempered and mean-spirited “put be ashamed for selling our birthright for “change”, and The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor downs”, racial and ethnic slurs, and “shut ups” become selling out our friends and neighbors as our children were Virginia Commonwealth University common communication methods in growing frequency, watching! DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org
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The Deal
By Nathaniel Sillin
Take Control of Your Electronic Entertainment Budget It seems like every few weeks there’s a new “must-watch” movie or show. Competition between traditional and new production companies is driving the wave of highquality content. I can’t complain, but it’s also hard to keep up. I have an ever-growing list of binge-able things to watch, read and listen to, and in the meantime, I’m paying multiple bills monthly.
carefully. In some cases, sharing an account with a nonfamily or household member could be a violation of the terms and conditions, and with some types of accounts, you could be giving the other person access to your debit or credit card number. Make a list of free resources you can use. Knowing where you can turn to (legally) watch shows and movies, including recent releases, could put you at ease if you’re worried about canceling a service.
As long as my family’s necessary expenses are covered, spending money on entertainment can be worth it. However, I’ve also noticed that left unmonitored, expenses can slowly grow out of control. I’d rather look for ways to save money and make more meaningful purchases.
You could start by using ad-based websites that legally host movies and shows. While there are commercial breaks throughout the videos, the services are completely free, and some have mobile apps that you can use to start or resume a video while you’re away from home.
Periodically reviewing how much you spend on entertainment, especially electronic entertainment, could be a good place to start. Take stock of where you currently stand. Find your starting point by making a list of expenses that fall into the category of electronic entertainment. If you don’t have a budget where you can easily look up this information, you can review previous bank statements or connect your accounts to a budgeting app that can automatically pull in your spending history. This might also be a good time to try several budgeting apps and begin using the one you enjoy the most. Give traditional cable or satellite TV expenses a second look. If you haven’t “cut the cord” — canceled your cable or satellite TV service — now might be time to give the idea some thought. Many alternative, and often cheaper, options have become mainstream, including free and a la carte sports programming. Even premium networks are sold on their own or as inexpensive add-ons to other services. You may not want to cancel your entire service but after reviewing what you pay for and regularly watch, you might discover that you could be just as happy with a less expensive package.
“Between monthly subscription services, Internet and cable you could be paying several thousand dollars a year.” In either case, regularly calling your service provider and negotiating your rate could save you money. This same tactic could also work with internet service providers. Consider splitting the cost with someone else. Some subscription entertainment services can be shared with friends or family. A few even offer several tiers of service, or family packages, that let you create profiles and stream from multiple devices at once. Although the price might be higher for a multi-user account, you’ll still save on a per-person basis. Choose the person or people you share your account with
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As I’m sure you’re aware, there are plenty of free books, CDs and magazines at many libraries. But the library systems are also keeping up with the times. Some let you “check out” audiobooks, movies and shows without having to visit a branch. Bottom line: Having access to a wide variety of shows, movies and other types of electronic entertainment can be well worth the cost, but don’t let your monthly expenses go unchecked. Between monthly subscription services, Internet and cable you could be paying several thousand dollars a year. Find a happy medium by canceling services you don’t want anymore and finding ways to save on those you do. You could then use the savings for something more meaningful. Perhaps that means going to a sports game with friends or family rather than paying for a television service, or putting the money towards a non-entertainment goal, such as a college or retirement fund. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney
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Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
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Politically Empowered Ge with Women’s Mar
On August 28, 1963, around 250,000 people gathered together for the first ever March on Washington, serving as the largest demonstration ever seen in the nation’s capital. Organized by a number of civil rights and religious groups, this march for jobs and freedom became the first ever televised political rally and the home to Martin Luther King, Jr’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Since then, prominent political figures have passed on, but that spirit of marching, protesting, and fighting for social and economic justice remains. We’ve welcomed a new generation of leaders who’ve successfully mobilized crowds through social media to put up a unified front through protests and boycotts. We’ve challenged politicians and corporations to change policies and practices that discriminate against people of color. We’ve even developed new policy proposals that seek to dismantle generations of unjust treatment. More recently, we’ve made history yet again with the largest ever post-inauguration march.
as the focal points of the protests, and the seas of men and women dedicated themselves to stand as an ally for their neighbor. What began as a March on Washington quickly spread from coast to coast, and then continent to continent. Perhaps it was the divisiveness the world heard during the presidential campaign, or the fear that social progress we’ve made in the past eight years was compromised under our new administration that made everyone join together in record numbers. Whatever the cause, the effect was one for the history Photo Credit Zoya Shaikh books. The spirit of our civil rights leaders permeated the crowds that marched for justice and equality. Glen Allen native Kristin Thomas was one of 500,000 who flooded the streets of Washington, D.C. on January 21st. Being no stranger to marching for causes she believes in, Thomas knew she had to take to the streets to join such a momentous occasion by any means necessary.
On January 21st, just one day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, millions “With everything that went of men, women, and children on leading up to the election, around the world—yes, on all I knew I had to go out and seven continents—gathered have my voice heard,” she Zoya Shaikh and Kristin Thomas together to march for causes that explains. “A lot of the things affect all Americans. Women’s our President said during reproductive rights, healthcare and immigration reform, the election process really hurt me, in particular the LGBTQ rights, and racial equality, to name a few, served comments referring to immigrants and Black Lives Matter. 6
Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
I’m really big on standing firm in my beliefs and helping others, so I knew I’d have to go out there whether friends came with me or not.” Thomas and a friend went out to Washington and spent four hours listening to moving speeches from congresswomen, musicians, political commentators, and other inspirational figures. Having gone to other large events in D.C. before, she wasn’t at all prepared for what she’d encounter while out in the trenches with other passionate men and women. “I didn’t expect a large crowd,” Thomas says. “I went to the inauguration in 2013, and I did the March on Washington in 2015, and I honestly didn’t think it’d be on that same level. I never expected to see so many men standing in solidarity with women, and it made me feel good.” That the Women’s March was the largest post-inaugural protest ever is no surprise. Behind those powerful men who have changed and will change this nation, you’ll find a Coretta Scott King, a Betty Shabazz, a Michelle Obama.
eneration Makes History rch on Washington By Janna M. Hall
issues. I sure hope to see them at the next Black Lives Matter march.”
For centuries, women—particularly women of color—have served as a backbone of sorts in this quest for change. In fact, 94% of black women voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Though all candidates came with flaws and cause for concern, black women at large understood the threat our democracy faced. It’s that very reason that many women of color met the Women’s March with ambivalence. One large critique was that black women did their part at the polls, and it was now up to the 47% of white women to push for change that the majority of their counterparts apparently didn’t vote for. Thomas admits that many friends didn’t attend for that very reason. “A lot of my Black female friends feel that we have been unified. We’ve educated ourselves on what’s at stake, and we have become more civically engaged than ever—we protest, hold rallies, we march, and we vote,” Thomas explains. “But it goes both ways. We need white women to not only march for equality and justice when it’s about them, but stand with us as we march, too. We’ve got to stand together on the issues that matter, including race
More than joining together during marches, we must unite at the polls. In addition to the candidates’ promises for our personal lives with tax and health care issues, we must consider which candidate will better our communities. As educated voters, we have a responsibility to consider the sum of the people who make up this nation, and consider the type of legislation new political leaders want to pass. We have a civic duty to hold our elected officials responsible, and push for equality for those whose struggles we don’t understand. The Women’s March reflected that unity that’s needed to take this nation further: Men stood in solidarity for women’s rights, whites marched on behalf of black lives, and natural born citizens fought for immigrant rights. Janet Speight, a senior at VCU, attended the march with her boyfriend, Jared Jackson. Gradually understanding their responsibility as young voters, Speight and Jackson first got involved in political marches with Richmond’s Black Lives Matter rallies in 2016. With so much at stake in this last election, they’ve felt growing responsibility to become civically and politically engaged citizens.
“We’re such a social media-heavy generation, so we have a personal responsibility to not only get our news from credible sources, but to also share that news with people on our networks,” Speight explains. “It’s so easy to be biased, so I make sure to get my news from sources that are raw and give strictly facts about what’s happening with our country. Our ancestors fought for our right to an education, and our parents and grandparents endured a lot so that we could have voting rights. It’s our responsibility to be an educated voter.” While the first March on Washington was in 1963, the fight for equality began generations before and will continue on for generations to come. It’s an honor to exercise our right to vote and protest for causes we believe in. Our duties don’t begin and end at the polls; there are countless ways we can continue to push for change in our communities. “Call your local representatives!” Thomas urges, “Call their offices to voice your opinion on bills you’re passionate about. Tell them how you’d like them to vote; they listen, and the more we call, the more they’ll begin to represent our interests. Our democracy is being threatened, so let’s use the momentum from the Women’s March and make sure our voices are still heard.”
Photo credit: Kristin Thomas www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
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United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg Kicks Off Tax Season with Free Tax Preparation Services for Qualified Households Across Region Families who earned less than $54,000 can take advantage of electronically filing federal and state returns. The program schedules. metroCASH program at 13 locations promotes financial independence and utilizes the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a benefit for working people “The metroCASH program helps working families save With tax season now upon us, United Way of Greater with low- and moderate-incomes. hundreds of dollars in tax preparation fees every year,” said Richmond & Petersburg is kicking off its free tax United Way metroCASH program director Cara Cardotti. preparation service this week. “Research shows that the EITC is one of the best ways to “The program is free and open to all who qualify. Our goal lift people out of poverty,” said United Way of Greater is to help everyone who is eligible claim this credit.” MetroCASH, which provides free tax-preparation Richmond & Petersburg president and CEO James Taylor. and financial guidance to families earning $54,000 or “These short-term income gains provided by EITC can help Last year’s metroCASH program in Richmond and less, began its operations on Jan. 23 at the Blackwell families with health and educational outcomes in the long- Petersburg assisted more than 3,200 households with Community Center, one of metroCASH’s 13 locations term.” tax preparation. A total of $898,971 in EITC refunds across Richmond, Henrico County, Hanover County, was distributed by the IRS to local families that visited Chesterfield County, Charles City and Petersburg. In addition to free tax-preparation services, metroCASH metroCASH sites. promotes prosperity by educating attendees about savings MetroCASH sites are staffed with IRS-certified volunteer techniques and other financial best practices. Locations For more information, please visit www.metrocash.org. tax preparers that guide individuals through the process of are open at different times and days to fit a variety of A list of metroCASH locations is listed below. CHARLES CITY COUNTY
HENRICO COUNTY
Charles City Commissioner of Revenue 10780 Courthouse Rd., Room 2013 Charles City, VA 23030 Dates: March 8-April 10 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. *Charles City residents only
Fairfield Library 1001 N. Laburnum Ave. Henrico, VA 23223 Dates: Feb. 4-March 11 Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY Chesterfield at Trinity United Methodist Church 6600 Greenyard Rd. Chester, VA 23831 Dates: Feb. 1-April 12 Hours: Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. *Do not arrive before 1:30 p.m. or after 5:30 p.m. HANOVER COUNTY Hanover Department of Social Services 12304 Washington Highway Ashland, VA 23005 Opening Dates: Feb. 7-April 11 Hours: Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m.
Libbie Mill Library 2100 Libbie Lake East Street Henrico, VA 23230 Opening Date: Feb. 2-April 13 Hours: Wednesday/Thursdays, 4-8 p.m.
VCU School of Business 301 W. Main Street Richmond, VA 23284 Dates: March 18-April 15 Hours: All Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. *International & self-prep returns only
RICHMOND CITY
Sacred Heart Center, Southside Building (Se habla Española) 1420 McDonough Street Richmond, VA 23224 Dates: Jan. 28-April 15 Hours: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (*closed Feb. 4)
CAPUP – Richmond 1021 Oliver Hill Way Richmond, VA 23219 Dates: Feb. 6-April 12 Hours: Mondays/Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m. Richmond Department of Social Services, Southside Community Service Center 4100 Hull Street Rd. Richmond, VA 23224 Dates: Feb. 1-April 5 Hours: Tuesdays/Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.
Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce 8
Blackwell Community Center 300 E. 15th St. Richmond, VA 23224 Dates: Jan. 23-April 6 Hours: Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
Neighborhood Resource Center 1519 Williamsburg Road Richmond, VA 23231 Dates: Feb. 4-April 4 Hours: Select Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
www.CVAACC.org
(*open 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4); Select Saturdays, 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. (*open 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1) University of Richmond – Downtown campus 626 E. Broad Street, Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23219 Dates: Feb. 6- April 18 Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 3:45-7 p.m. (*closed 3/7 and 3/9) Select Saturdays, 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. (open 2/11, 2/25, 3/18, 3/25, 4/8) PETERSBURG CITY Petersburg Library (sponsored by CAPUP – Petersburg) 201 W. Washington St. Petersburg, VA 23803 Dates: Feb. 2-April 13 Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. *Select Saturdays (open: 3/18 and 4/1, 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m.)
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Family Features
SAVOR
Courtesy Borden Cheese
Comfort Food to Beat the Winter Blues
Altria Group Subsidiary to Donate Facility to Richmond Public Schools New space to serve as educational asset to enhance teaching and learning opportunities Altria Group subsidiary U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) has agreed to donate a two-story, 288,000 square foot facility to Richmond Public Schools (RPS). Through this donation, Altria continues to emphasize its desire to enhance educational opportunities for RPS students. The building will be used to contribute to an overall effort to modernize and replace outdated RPS educational facilities.
When the temperature drops, there’s nothing quite like the pleasure of simple and delicious comfort food. Instead of letting the winter chill get you down, warm your body and heart with a dish that is both comforting and delicious. After all, there is no better time to satisfy your
cravings for feel-good favorites than during the cold winter months. This mouthwatering winter recipe will not only help warm you up, but create a loving family dining experience that everyone can enjoy.
Baked Spaghetti Cook time: 35 minutes Servings: 6
Nonstick spray 1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped green pepper 1 pound ground beef 1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes with liquid, cut up 1 can (4 ounces) mushrooms, drained
1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 cups mild cheddar shreds 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Heat oven to 350° F.
medium. Simmer 10 minutes.
Spray 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
Place half of spaghetti in prepared baking dish. Top with half of vegetable-meat mixture. Sprinkle with half of cheddar cheese. Repeat layers.
In large, nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat until hot. Saute onion and pepper until tender. Add ground beef and cook until beef has browned; drain. Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms, olives and oregano. Bring to boil and reduce heat to www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
Proposals for the space include: • Possible redesign of the Richmond Technical Center • Infusion of new academic program offerings • Enhanced environment for new and existing programs • Creation of career academies as part of a hands-on learning experience
“We are pleased to accept this generous donation acquired through our continued community partnership with Altria,” said School Board Chairwoman Dawn Page. “This new facility will only increase the possibilities for teaching and learning opportunities in a more contemporary atmosphere that is customized to our students’ needs for their academic growth.” The school board will establish a committee to develop a funding plan that addresses the design concept for the building to support a 21st century teaching and learning program. USSTC will maintain operations at the facility through the end of 2017. “Altria and its companies are proud of our long-standing support of Richmond Public Schools, both financial support and employee volunteerism, and are pleased to make this donation,” said Brian Quigley, President & CEO, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. “This facility is an additional resource for the school system and an example of how the business community can help to contribute to student success.”
Combine soup with water; pour over casserole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered 30-35 minutes, or until thoroughly heated. Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
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Remembering Black History
By Barbara Reynolds, TriceEdneywire.com
Remembering Coretta Scott King as one who moved us forward Coretta Scott King died on January 30, 2006. Yet her legacy is very much alive as a coalition builder, a strategist and a moral voice that confronted detractors but insisted upon non-violent approaches, such as dialogue, protests and economic boycotts with the end goal of peaceful reconciliation.
and lesbian people have families and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union. I believe unequivocally that discrimination because of sexual orientation is wrong and unacceptable in a democracy that protects the human rights of all its citizens.” King was a spokeswoman for social justice causes, both large and small, writing a syndicated news column on issues from gun violence, to environmental racism, to apartheid in South Africa. She was rarely missing in action. “Sometimes you win, just by showing up,” she said, often referring to her role as a ministry of presence.
In their own analysis, 60-era civil rights leaders used to refer to a Zeitgeist, the spirit of the times, which divine dimension that summons leaders exactly when needed most. That certainly describes the timing of human rights activist Coretta Scott King as people take a fresh look at those who successfully moved themselves and others forward through the heavy thicket of discrimination such as the leading ladies in the new film, Hidden Figures. Coretta King certainly came to mind of many as millions gathered in Washington and in sister cities around the world last week to mount a rebuke to President Donald Trump. Her name was scrawled on home-made signs scattered throughout. It is appropriate that we remember her appeal to women and her global human rights efforts. That was the capstone of King’s thirty-eight year mission as she shifted from civil rights to a more global inclusive human rights agenda after the assassination of her husband, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. A favorite slogan was: “Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.”
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Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
Coretta Scott attends the signing of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by President Ronald Reagan on November 2, 1983
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed her a nonvoting delegate to the 32nd General Assembly of the United Nations, where she advocated for more international focus on the human rights of women. That same year in Houston, she served as Commissioner on the International Women’s Year Conference where she created quite a stir over her support for gay rights, an unpopular issue at the time. In her memoir, she tells how she opposed the various women’s groups at the Conference who were advocating a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. “I feel that gay
King believed that it is citizen action that is crucial to the making of a president. She often said that Ronald Reagan did not warm to the idea of a Dr. King holiday until the movement created a groundswell for it with three million signatures, marches and years of lobbying Congress. He signed it on November 20, 1983. King’s influence was mammoth in the shaping of the political landscape. She successfully campaigned to elect scores of liberals to political office, worked with Carter in the selection of federal judges and threw her weight against those who stood in the way of voting rights. Typical of her role is how she confronted and helped block Alabama U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions who in 1985 was vying for a federal judgeship. Sessions, who was called “brilliant” Continues to Page 11
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by Trump, is his choice for U.S. Attorney General. In a recently surfaced 10-page letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, King had called him “lacking in judgement and temperament who would irreparably harm the work the movement had done to seize a slice of democracy for disenfranchised blacks.” King opposed Sessions for his 1985 attempt to prosecute three civil rights activists from Marion, Alabama for voter fraud - accusations that were later proved unmerited. Civil rights activists fear that Sessions will not hold law enforcement officials accountable for the episodic incidents of unarmed black men being murdered, as was done under the Obama administration. Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Reynolds is the author of seven books. Her latest is the Life, the Love and the Legacy of Coretta Scott King. Dr. Reynolds can be reached at Reynew@aol.com
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Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
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Urban Views Weekly | February 1, 2017
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