Families Can Work Together To Survive Economically in the 21st Century!

ALL Women: We Must Protect and Respect Them!

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:02:00 +0000

The Black Woman

The woman is man's field to produce his nation. If he does not keep the enemy out of his field, he won't produce a good nation. If we love our vegetable crops, we will go out and turn up the leaves on that vegetable stalk and look carefully for worms that are eating and destroying the vegetables. We will kill that worm—right?

Again, we will go out into the cotton field and look for the enemies of our cotton and try to kill that enemy. We study poisons and chemicals of the earth and we pour these chemicals on the enemies of our crops to keep the enemies from destroying them. We love a crop that we can produce every year, every season, so well that we will kill every enemy that we find seeking to destroy it.

We will even kill one another if we find the other one out there trying to steal that crop.

Is not your woman more valuable than that crop of corn, that crop of cotton, that crop of cabbage, potatoes, beans, tomatoes? How much more valuable is your woman than these crops, that you should keep the enemies from destroying the crop? Yet you are not careful about your women. You don't love them. Why? It is because you have allowed visitors to run in and out of your house, thus they have destroyed your love for your woman and your woman has not the love for you that she should.

That is a good sign. Until we learn to love and protect our woman, we will never be a fit and recognized people on the earth. The White people here among you will never recognize you until you protect your woman.

The Brown man will never recognize you until you protect your woman. The Yellow man will never recognize you until you protect your woman. The White man will never recognize you until you protect your woman.

You and I may go to Harvard, we may go to York of England, or go to Al Ahzar in Cairo and get degrees from all of these great seats of learning. But we will never be recognized until we recognize our women.

The "Red Table Talk" - What Many [Generational] Moms Should Do!

Sat, 12 May 2012 13:43:00 +0000

One of the most precious blessings I've had in my life was having both my mom and dad growing up in Bronx, New York. And as a mother and grandmother myself, it did not take decades to appreciate my own mom, and the numerous sacrifices she made to ensure that my siblings and I received the basics in our upbringing.

When I watched this three-part video with Jada Pinkett-Smith with her daughter and mother, I found it to be poignantly refreshing. Especially when Jada spoke about how important it is for mothers to make themselves just as happy as providing happiness for her family. In other words, as the old aphorism goes . . . If momma's not happy, no one is happy. And when momma is happy, everyone is happy! Plain and simple!

However, this video also touched on something that I wrote about in my 2003 and 2007 independently-published book Conversations in Poetry: Take Charge of Your Life By 'Preserving Your Sanity' At All Cost, and that there are a myriad of women who have not wrestled, nor confronted, with their own demons in terms of dealing with their past.

And as a result of these women who've for their own reasons repressed their past saturated with negative outcomes, they wound up having a family of their own, thus passing on a abusive cycle of hurt. It becomes a generational problem, if not corrected, nor recognized early enough.

Oddly enough, this generational breeding of self-abusive behavior on the part of women who've not spoken about their hurt, anguish, and/or painful upbringing, tend to fester within germinating resentment, which seemingly manifest itself when their child[ren] reach puberty - a time when "self-independence" and "independent thinking" begins to evolve. Especially if that child is a female.

Much to my surprise, many of the questions that I had for many years living in New York about my own mom were answered when I moved to the state of South Carolina, which is where my mom was born and raised. Little did I know that my own independent research of seeking answers would become a revelation.

Hundreds of women, both Black and Caucasian, whom I have had the pleasure of engaging dialogue with all shared the same experiences, which led me to believe that these women experiences could only be described as a southern regional phenom, which saturated throughout, and outside, the State of South Carolina,but yet, not ever being addressed on a public (or private) scale.

Every woman whom I spoke with all shared a common denominator in their relationships with their mothers: Their world begun to fall apart, per se, during their adolescent years. I was stunned!

What the "Red Table Talk" video does is to encourage mothers, daughters, and grandmothers, to engage in healthy honest conversations about their personal views on life issues, family issues, and outwardly orate past demons that have not been confronted, nor wrestled with, on a personal level, without fear of judgement, ridicule, or shame, which is often why so many moms are not willing to share with others.

Although the video is somewhat short, it does reveal enough character and integrity in its message to foster a movement for others to explore and take part in their lives. I applaud Jada for taking this bold move to a public forum. And by no means did I find her video to be pretentious, fault-finding, nor condescending.

In my opinion, what I saw was a woman and mother, who truly wanted to share with the world a message that needed to be said . . . and that message is that moms must take charge of providing happiness for themselves. Happiness must begin with you.

Before I independently published by book Conversations in Poetry in 2003, I was hesitant in doing so because my aim was not to make money, or to shame anyone in particular. In fact, it was a therapeutic tool for me at that time in my life. My purpose was to "heal thyself" first - then my prayer was to help others, who, too, experienced, or was experiencing the same.

I've always believed that if you do not 'preserve your sanity' at all cost, then you're no good to anyone else, especially to your child[ren], spouse, or anyone else whom you love, like, and cherish, in your life. It's that simple!

It pleases me to say, however, that I did receive a lot of positive feedback when my book got published. I did not realize how many more women have encountered the same experiences as myself, and with the many women whom I've spoken with throughout the course of my research.

Let's face it: I'm not Jada. I do not have the celebrity status that she, or her daughter, Willow, hold in the entertainment industry. I don't have fame. I'm simply a bless woman who have a wonderful husband, great children, and an adorable grandchild. It's my pleasure to share what I know, learn about, and provide anything that I believe will help others to catapult themselves to great heights in life. I've always been this way, and I guess I'll remain this way til I cannot do it any longer.

And yes, it is good to know that I am not alone in believing that moms, especially of the older generation, need to sit down with their daughters, and granddaughters, have a cup of coffee or tea (or something stronger), and express what is in their heart.

It is time to eradicate what this country has dictated for so long, and that is to bottle your emotions inside to show you're a trooper of a mom sacrificing yourself to no end. Thank God we do have our menstruation because there would be no one around to be angry with, or hurt by any longer! But I digress.

My mom passed-on last June 2011. And if your mom, or the person whom you call 'Mom' is physically no longer with you, then please know that you are her legacy bound with profound love. Carry-on in your life knowing that you've been bless to have a person like her in your corner. And now it is you who have to continue her legacy in a positive good light.

Thank you, Jada, for your video.

May all of you have a Happy Bless Mother's Day!

Peace and Blessings To All of You,

Miriam.

Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

The "Red Table Talk" with Jada Pinkett-Smith

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:15:00 +0000

Top U.S. colleges to offer free classes online

Five prestigious U.S. universities will create free online courses for students worldwide through a new, interactive education platform dubbed Coursera, the founders announced Wednesday.

The two founders, both professors of computer science at Stanford University, also announced that they had received $16 million in financing from two Silicon Valley venture capital firms.

Coursera will offer more than three dozen college courses in the coming year through its website at coursera.org, on subjects ranging from Greek mythology to neurology, from calculus to contemporary American poetry. The classes are designed and taught by professors at Stanford, Princeton, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan.

Students will not get college credit. But Coursera may offer "certificates of completion" or transcripts for a fee. The company may also seek to turn a profit by connecting employers with students who have shown aptitude in a particular field, a spokeswoman said.

Future Healthcare Professionals: Your Middle School-Age Child Can Learn Medical Terminology

Hey, if your child can text using abbreviations and acronyms, then your child can learn medical terminology!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Shopping Blog Store Emporium

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Gil Noble, pioneering black journalist, dies

Founder of long-running ‘Like It Is’ program on WABC-TV remembered for drive, kindness

Tim Soter/WireImage

Gil Noble, host of “Like It Is,” died at age 80.

Gil Noble, who became one of the city’s most revered black media voices for seeking the truth even when it was hard to find and hard to hear, died Thursday at the age of 80.

He had suffered a debilitating stroke last summer that forced him to leave “Like It Is,” the weekly public affairs program he had hosted on WABC-TV since 1967.

Over nearly five decades he became an admired colleague, an iconic community voice and an uncompromising survivor.

News director Bob Slade of WRKS (98.7 FM) noted that “Like It Is” was the last regular public affairs show in local mainstream media with a focus on black affairs, politics, music and culture.

“Gil Noble's life and work had a profound effect on our society and culture," said WABC-TV President and General Manager Dave Davis. "His contributions are a part of history and will be remembered for years to come. Today, our hearts are with Gil's family - his wife Jean and their five children - and we thank them for so lovingly sharing him with the world all these years."

“The African community has lost one of its most humble, most noble and brightest stars,” said Bernard White, a friend and former program director of WBAI (99.5 FM). “I see his passing as the end of an important era of black progressive, uncompromising electronic journalism.”

“Gil stood tall both literally and figuratively,” said his long-time colleague Bill Ritter, an anchor at WABC-TV. “His work mirrored a strong belief in justice and civil rights, and in the school of thought that journalists should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Gil never feared seeking the truth, and, more importantly, he never feared speaking it.”

“I loved Gil,” said WPIX/Ch. 11 anchor and his former coworker Kaity Tong. “Classy and smart as hell. And he was cool. I was a rookie at Channel 7 when I met him, and he never treated me with anything but affection and respect.”

A Publisher's Personal Note:

It saddens me to learn of Mr. Noble's passing today. As a native Bronxite New Yorker, my family and I watched his "Like It Is" television program faithfully. I'd learned so much watching his programs because most of what he had aired was not often available to see in mainstream media news.

The very essence of knowing that my existence have meaning in this world is in part due to Mr. Noble's "Like It Is" television program because it was educational, informative, and the issues posed by Gil Noble germinated and brought to light 'thought-provoking' discussions, whereas otherwise may not ever be discussed in our homes, at our place of business, or with our neighbors.

One of the fondest memories I hold today is Gil Noble's mother, who was the Director at the New York City Housing Authority development called the "Soundview Houses," which was located off the Long Island Sound in Bronx, New York, and where I grew up from childhood to adulthood. And if there is anyone who remembers Mrs. Noble will know that her son was no doubt as intelligent and independent with a tremendous love for his people, as his mom, who did not take crap from anyone, and who believed strongly that no matter where you live, it is each of our responsibility to keep where you live clean, and maintain respect for yourself no matter what.

There is so much I can say about Gil Noble, and his illustrious career. However, I will say that he will always be remembered fondly in so many of our hearts who lived, and still live, in New York, and its surrounding areas, as man staunched with integrity, warmness for his people, and provoking actions on issues relating to race relations, the economy, health, and a plethora of issues that calls for the upliftment of Black and Hispanic people within the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut), on a national level, and throughout the world.

My deep condolence goes out to his family, friends, and close acquaintances, whom he respected and admired.

May Mr. Gil Noble's spirit soar as high as it can shielding the people whom he fondly love.

Miriam G. Aw, BCD 21st Century Global Network

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:26:00 +0000

23 Other States Have 'Stand Your Ground' Laws, Too

"Stand Your Ground," "Shoot First," "Make My Day" state laws—asserting an expansive right to self-defense—have come into focus after last month's killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
While local prosecutors have not arrested the shooter, George Zimmerman, the case is now being investigated by the Department of Justice and a Florida state attorney. It's not clear whether Florida's self-defense law will be applied in the case. (The police report on the shooting refers to it as an "unnecessary killing to prevent unlawful act.")

Still, in not arresting Zimmerman, local officials have pointed to Florida's wide definition of self-defense. In 2005, Florida became the first state to explicitly expand a person's right to use deadly force for self-defense.

Deadly force is justified if a person is gravely threatened in the home or "any other place where he or she has a right to be."

In Florida, once self-defense is invoked, the burden is on the prosecution to disprove the claim.

Here's a rundown of the states with laws mirroring the one in Florida, where there's no duty to retreat in public places and where, in most cases, self-defense claims have some degree of immunity in court. (The specifics of what kind of immunity, and when the burden of proof lies on the prosecution, vary from state to state.)

Many of the laws were originally advocated as a way to address domestic abuse cases 2014 how could a battered wife retreat if she was attacked in her own home? Such legislation also has been recently pushed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups.
Click on the state to see its law.
Alabama
Arizona
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois (The law does not include a duty to retreat, which courts have interpreted as a right to expansive self-defense.)
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon (Also does not include a duty to retreat.)
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington (Also does not include a duty to retreat.)
West Virginia

Obama: "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon"

President Obama spoke out for the first time on Friday about the fatal shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old African-American boy in Florida named Trayvon Martin, calling it a "tragedy."

"I can only imagine what these parents are going through," Mr. Obama said from the White House Rose Garden, "and when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids, and I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this and that everybody pulls together, federal, state and local, to figure out how this tragedy happened."

Mr. Obama said he is glad the Justice Department is investigating the shooting and that Florida Gov. Rick Scott formed a task force in response to the incident as well. The president suggested he was sympathetic to suspicion that the shooting may have been racially motivated.

"You know, if I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon," Mr. Obama said.

"All of us have to do some soul-searching to figure out how does something like this happen," he continued.

"And that means that we examine the laws and the context for what happened as well as the specifics of the incident."

Facebook: Password requests 'undermine' privacy

Senator: Ban bosses from asking for Facebook passwords

Facebook speaks out against employers asking for passwords

Facebook forbids employers from asking job seekers for passwords

Bobby Brown's Sister Blames Ray J For Whitney Houston's Cocaine Use

NC, SC state line isn't where folks thought it was

93 properties suddenly find themselves in another state

BofA: Families facing foreclosure can rent

Whitney Houston drowned, but how?

Ray J Rep Says He Had No Idea Whitney Houston Was Using Cocaine

Rep for Ray J said he was upset about claims that he was Houston's enabler.

Whitney Houston's family 'saddened' by toxicology report

White People, You Will Never Look Suspicious Like Trayvon Martin! by Michael Skolnik

Trayvon Martin's father: "He saved my life"

Author of "stand your ground" law: George Zimmerman should probably be arrested for killing Trayvon Martin

Michael Jackson’s House For Sale

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:15:00 +0000

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:19:00 +0000

What You Lose When You Sign That Donor Card

Giving away your organs sounds noble, but have doctors blurred the line between life and death?

The Best Natural Foods that Unclog Your Arteries Naturally 84

There are natural ways to unclog your arteries to prevent a heart attack or stroke...

Your arteries are the rivers within your body that continually transport essential nutrients and oxygen from your heart to the rest of your body.

A big part of staying healthy and also keeping your arteries clean and clear is related to your diet and what you eat. There’s no joke in the popular saying that says: “You are what you eat.” It just makes good sense that what you put in your body is what will reflect out in all aspects of your health.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:23:00 +0000

Happy Bless New Year To All of You!

written by Miriam G. Aw

It's now Year 2012, a number #5 year that depicts freedom of movement, partaking in joyful events, exercising patience by avoiding hasty and impulsive use of words and actions, but equally important, this is the year to think and act "outside-the box" when it comes to seeking employment, starting a business, or revamping your existing business model in order to generate lucrative income!

Granted, most folks will read this and believe that what I say has no validity, nor reason, due to the many decades of hype portrayed in mainstream media that seemingly dictates what you should, or should not do based on what so-called experts in their field of expertise have to say about what to wear, eat, or relationships, just to mention a few.

For far too long, our society have been duped into believing mainstream media reports about the economy, and how it continues to either decline, or rebound, despite what we think or believe what's really going on - especially since it is us who are feeling the brunt of the country's economic woes.

There are statistics being thrown at us left and right with adamant tones that are design to make us believe that whatever is being said regarding anything that affect us, as a whole, should be taken as 'gospel.' But you and I know that we need to have honesty in reporting.

How many times have you learned about pertinent information that is beneficial for us to know at a later time when such information was available for us to get at an earlier time? Especially when such information was already revealed by a so-called friend, relative, congregant member, neighbor, etc., but somehow you got it through 'the grapevine.'

If no one else told you, please allow me to share with you on what I've been observing for at least 7 to 10 years, and what I've just learned about last week.

If you are seeking employment, or if you are interested in attending medical school, for example, it will behoove you to check outside the U.S.A., for employment and/or schooling.

Yes, the opportunities of employment and schooling are out there for you to partake in, whether you are single or married with, or without children!

Last Monday (day after Christmas), I met a nice young man in the hospital emergency room. My husband took ill, and this lovely fella took my husband's EKG. As always, and at the risk of sounding bias because I love seeing young people, especially young black males, working in the medical profession in any capacity, I asked him which school did he graduate from, and whether if he aspired to go higher in the medical profession.

Come to find out that this young man, whose name is Germaine, attended and graduated from South Carolina State University, which is located in Orangeburg, S.C., and he further his education in Aruba! Yes child, Aruba! Well, I was taken back a bit when he went on more about how much he learned, and that there myriad of schools that provide great education, but only if you are up to the task of really wanting to learn without being spoon-fed everything like some spoil rich kid!

In other words, you have to work for what you want, and ask questions if you don't know the answers by using your God-given common sense. And besides, who cannot learn anything in an environment that provides great weather every step of the way?!?

Out of curiosity, I asked him if he happen to convince, or at best, inform other youngsters who are in his peer group about attending medical school, or any other type of school in Aruba, or in any other part of the Caribbean, and much to my surprise, his answer astounded me, to say the least.

He stated that the majority of the people whom he shared his information with did not express any interest of doing the same, yet they continue to struggle with schools that they are unhappy with as a result of their teachers not giving enough 'instruction' on their class courses, and their extreme displeasure on the cost of books needed for their courses.

Unfortunately, paying through the nose for college books is a normal complaint. And if you are receiving a grant, most of your grant money goes to paying for the books and tuition, thus leaving practically nothing else for the remaining semester to use for much needed things (i.e., food, gas, apartment, etc.).

Although I cannot provide hard evidence of statistical data for your reading pleasure, I assure you that what I say here is a national problem . . . well, at least that is the problem here in the State of South Carolina.

Personally, it would behoove every young male and female to get their four-year degree at their local, regional, or national college/university, and then further their field of interest in the Caribbean, or some other country that offers superlative education. There are a host of great schools that offer a lot giving more bang to your buck. After all, this is a GLOBAL world, and no longer can any of us afford to remain isolated, or ignorant, to facts.

In fact, you can learn a lot about other countries, and what they can offer you by watching one of my favorite programs "House Hunter International," which is a HGTV program (Channel 229 on Directv). On this program, you will see how so many Americans left their home state, and home town, to live abroad to become gainfully employed, and/or attend school.

Also, Google Search "Caribbean Medical Schools," where you will find a list of schools in this part of the world. You must do your research. No one else can do it for you. Take the initiative, and start anew, or renew what you already know.

And if you decide that leaving the States is not your cup-of-tea, then you need to prepare yourself to undergo a major overhaul in your priorities regarding employment, school, money, family, comfortability, and so forth, that will allow you the freedom to enjoy life the way you want it.

With that said, may you have a Happy Bless New Year 2012, and may all of you aspirations are fulfilled, and your dreams realized with good spirits.

Peace & Blessings,

Miriam
BCD21CGN

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:59:00 +0000

Personally speaking, I think it is a damn shame that in today's society we have to write an article about the dangers of having sex with animals. Yeah, I said it, and I'm sticking to it, damn it!

Sex With Animals Can Lead To Penis Cancer: Study

If you're searching for a reason not to have sex with animals, add this to the list: It could give you penis cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The authors found that men who have had sex with animals were twice as likely to develop penile cancer as those who stick with their own kind.

Lead author Stenio de Cassio Zequi, a urologist in Sao Paulo, gave Live Science his theory explaining the increased risk.

"We think that the intense and long-term SWA [sex with animals] practice could produce micro-traumas in the human penile tissue," Zequi said. "The genital mucus membranes of animals could have different characteristics from human genitalia, and the animals' secretions are probably different from human fluids. Perhaps animal tissues are less soft than ours, and non-human secretions would be toxic for us."

Buffett buys IBM, Intel and DirecTV

Funeral held in Philadelphia for boxing great Joe Frazier

Boxing great Joe Frazier was laid to rest Monday in Philadelphia, one week after dying of liver cancer and four decades after capturing the world's attention in an epic showdown with Muhammad Ali.

Ali was among those at Frazier's private funeral at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, along with other boxing luminaries such as promoter Don King and current World Boxing Council champion Bernard Hopkins, video from CNN affiliate CSN Philly showed. Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter were also in attendance.

A program for the service billed it as the "Homegoing Celebration of Joseph Frazier," offering friends and family one last chance to pay their respects to the late 67-year-old athlete.

He died November 7, just a month after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Co-founder of social network site Diaspora, Ilya Zhitomirskiy, dies at 22

Ilya Zhitomirskiy, a co-founder of the startup social networking site Diaspora that put an emphasis on privacy and user-control, has died, a company spokesman said Monday. He was 22.

The cause of Zhitomirskiy’s death in San Francisco wasn’t immediately known, and neither the company nor the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s office would release details.

“No longer will you be at the whims of those large corporate networks who want to tell you that sharing and privacy are mutually exclusive,” Zhitomirskiy said alongside co-founders Raphael Sofaer, Dan Grippi, and Max Salzber.

1 in 10 adults could have diabetes by 2030

In a report issued on Monday, the advocacy group estimated that 552 million people could have diabetes in two decades' time based on factors like aging and demographic changes. Currently, the group says that about one adult in 13 has diabetes.

Players Reject N.B.A. Offer and Opt to Disband Union

Faced with a deal it could not accept, and a negotiating process that had reached a dead end, the National Basketball Players Association elected to disband Monday afternoon, thrusting the N.B.A. into chaos. The prospect of reviving the 2011-12 season now rests with the courts.

World’s Fastest-Growing Facebook App Will Scare the Crap Out of You

“I’ve never seen anything grow this fast that isn’t hugely supported by something,” says Zada, who hoped around 100,000 people would enjoy his side project. He threw the script together in about 30 minutes, and with the collaborative efforts of his production company, Tool of North America, and developer Jason Nickel, completed the interactive video in four weeks. It was simply a side project for Halloween.

“I just wanted to scare people. It’s kind of a horror movie that has no blood, no guts, but there’s this person that you don’t want looking at your information,” says Zada. “And that to me was the scariest of all.”

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:29:00 +0000

Shopping Blog Store Emporium - The place to shop and buy items for you, your family, home, and more!

Rap legend Heavy D of Heavy D and the Boyz leaves lasting final lyric: ‘BE INSPIRED!’

LOS ANGELES — It was as if Heavy D knew that it would be his last tweet.

The self-proclaimed “overweight lover” of hip hop, who became one of rap’s top hitmakers with his charming combination of humor and positivity, enthusiastically told his Twitter followers Tuesday morning to “BE INSPIRED!” He later collapsed outside his home following a shopping trip, unable to breathe, before he was transported to a nearby hospital.

Heavy D died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to Lt. Mark Rosen of the Beverly Hills police. He was 44. Rosen said detectives found no signs of foul play and believe his death was medically related. If true, Heavy D would of course not have known that “BE INSPIRED!” would be his last tweet but that it was is fitting for the life that Heavy D lived.

Heavy D may have died from pneumonia complications

Rapper Heavy D, who was pronounced dead Tuesday at the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, may have collapsed and died from complications related to pneumonia, authorities said.

Dwight Arrington "Heavy D" Myers

May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011

May God Bless His Soul & Spirit!

Emergency alert system to be tested Wednesday

The White House is preparing the country for the first nationwide test of the country's emergency alert system on Wednesday.

The test will occur at 2 p.m. EST Wednesday and will last about 30 seconds, presidential spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

Mortgage payments show surprising rise in delinquencies

While lawmakers in Washington debated the debt ceiling and consumer confidence dropped, more homeowners were having a harder time making their

mortgage payments.

The rate at which mortgage holders were late with their payments by 60 days or more rose in the June-to-September period for the first time since the last three months of 2009, according to TransUnion.

The credit reporting agency said 5.88% of homeowners missed two or more payments, an early sign of possible foreclosure. That was up from 5.82% in the second quarter.

The increase surprised TransUnion researchers, who had expected late payments, or delinquencies, to fall for the quarter.

Why Science Majors Change Their Minds (It’s Just So Darn Hard)

But, it turns out, middle and high school students are having most of the fun, building their erector sets and dropping eggs into water to test the first law of motion. The excitement quickly fades as students brush up against the reality of what David E. Goldberg, an emeritus engineering professor, calls “the math-science death march.” Freshmen in college wade through a blizzard of calculus, physics and chemistry in lecture halls with hundreds of other students. And then many wash out.

Studies have found that roughly 40 percent of students planning engineering and science majors end up switching to other subjects or failing to get any degree. That increases to as much as 60 percent when pre-medical students, who typically have the strongest SAT scores and high school science preparation, are included, according to new data from the University of California at Los Angeles. That is twice the combined attrition rate of all other majors.

LME plans to list Charleston as steel warehouse

The London Metal Exchange plans to approve Charleston, South Carolina, as a location of good delivery for steel billet, head of business development Chris Evans told Reuters.

The port was chosen for its proximity to steel mills on the southeast coast of the United States and is aimed at expanding the steel contract's footprint in North America even as domestic steel mills continue to resist using the futures market for hedging.

Ventre: Frazier Deserves Same Reverence Given to Ali

It’s almost impossible to look at the career of Smokin’ Joe Frazier, who passed away far too soon Monday night from liver cancer at the age of 67, without also noticing the dancing shadow of Muhammad Ali. The two are locked in a clinch for eternity, and boxing fans tend to favor the flashier performer, especially when he is brilliant also as well as a once-in-a-lifetime personality.

But Joe Frazier was great, too. The phrase “Ali-Frazier” has been burned into the lexicon. It represents two titans of sport, not one and his able foil. It has been used to describe every clash between two parties of equal strength who pose a test to each other — Yankees-Red Sox, Lakers-Celtics, etc.

Boxing champ Joe Frazier passes away at 67

Frazier, who died Monday night after a brief battle with liver cancer at the age of 67, will forever be linked to Ali. But no one in boxing would ever dream of anointing Ali as The Greatest unless he, too, was linked to Smokin' Joe.

"You can't mention Ali without mentioning Joe Frazier," said former AP boxing writer Ed Schuyler Jr. "He beat Ali, don't forget that."

Joseph William "Joe" Frazier

January 12, 1944 - November 7, 2011

PHOTOS: Frazier's life in photos

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:53:00 +0000

The Not-So-Empty Nest: More Young Adults Choose To Live With Parents

The U.S. Census Bureau released a study on Thursday that tracks living situations for this demographic from 1983 through 2011. According to the data set, entitled America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2011, the number of 25 to 34 year olds living with mom and dad has risen among both sexes since 2005: the number of young men living with parents is up from 14% to 19% and the number of young women is up from 8% to 10%. The Census’ graphs indicate that the numbers of older Generation-Yers living under their parents’ roofs — a number that had already been trending up before the “Great Recession” — continued to shoot up following the financial meltdown of 2008, specifically from the beginning of 2009 onwards.

No More Home Alone as Economy Drives Men to Live With Parents

Too posh to push? More C-sections on demand in UK

LONDON—Pregnant women in Britain, where the government provides free health care, may soon be able to get a cesarean section on demand thanks to a rule change that critics describe as the health system caving into the "too posh to push" crowd.

"It's about time women who have no desire to view labor as a rite of passage into motherhood be able to choose how they want to have their baby," said Pauline Hull, who has had two children by cesarean because of medical reasons. "The important thing to me was meeting my baby, not the experience of labor."

Who Owns Your LinkedIn Contacts?

Who owns your LinkedIn profile? (Hint: it might not be you.)
That was the headline on a post on this blog back in June, 2011 — and the answer that I arrived at with help from a number of legal and compliance experts was, “It depends.”

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:45:00 +0000

Food Stamps: Democrats In Congress Attempt To Eat On $4.50 A Day To Protest Potential Budget Cuts

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) along with eight other congressional Democrats are eating on a budget of about $4.50 a day to show solidarity with food stamp recipients who receive $32.59 a week.

The personal thrift, which is part of a challenge organized by Fighting Poverty With Faith, was reported by Pacifica Patch. The site also listed the food items that Speier was now buying.

The number of people relying on food stamps has risen as a consequence of the recession. Over 40 million individuals and 19 million households used the program in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How To Look Good Using Food Stamps: Beautify Yourself with the Foods You Buy at the Market!

[Ebook, PDF Format]

Poorest poor in US hits new record: 1 in 15 people

The ranks of America's poorest poor have climbed to a record high — 1 in 15 people — spread widely across metropolitan areas as the housing bust pushed many inner-city poor into suburbs and other outlying places and shriveled jobs and income.

New census data paint a stark portrait of the nation's haves and have-nots at a time when unemployment remains persistently high. It comes a week before the government releases first-ever economic data that will show more Hispanics, elderly and working-age poor have fallen into poverty.

Owner of car dealership labeled "Taliban Toyota" wins millions

The owner of a large southwest Alabama car dealership derided as "Taliban Toyota" by a competitor has been awarded $7.5 million in damages after a jury trial for his slander claim.

Iranian-born Shawn Esfahani, owner of Eastern Shore Toyota in Daphne, Alabama, sought $28 million in compensatory and punitive damages from Bob Tyler Toyota, claiming employees at that Pensacola, Florida-based dealership falsely portrayed him as an Islamist militant to customers.

"The feeling I received in the courtroom for the truth to come out was worth a lot more than any money anybody can give me," Esfahani told Reuters on Tuesday.

4 million borrowers eligible for foreclosure review

More than 4 million borrowers who have faced foreclosure since early 2009 will have the chance to have their cases reviewed for potential wrongdoing, federal regulators and some of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers announced Tuesday.

The reviews stem from a deal forged earlier this year in which 14 servicers agreed to hire independent consultants to evaluate whether borrowers suffered financial injury during the foreclosure process. If a review finds errors or abuses by the financial firms, the consultants will determine what recompense wronged homeowners deserve.

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:04:00 +0000

House votes to honor first black Marines

The nation's first black Marines received a rare national tribute Tuesday as the House voted to award the Montford Point Marines with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress.

History books and Hollywood have chronicled the Army's Buffalo Soldiers and the Army Air Corps' Tuskegee Airmen, but the men who integrated the Marines during World War II often have been forgotten. That is starting to change, beginning with the House's 422-0 vote.

The black Marines received their basic training adjacent to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, where conditions were harsh and the treatment from their fellow Marines could be even harsher. The black Marines were not allowed to enter Camp Lejeune unless accompanied by a white officer. In the few times they participated in training exercises, they could not eat until the white Marines had finished. They were routinely passed over for promotions.

"People forget they were fighting two wars -- both foreign and domestic," Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., said.

Census: Atlanta has widest income gap between rich and poor

It is a case of the have and the have not. Of all major American cities, Atlanta now has the widest income gap between rich and poor. U.S census numbers have given the city a new label that's nothing to be proud of, but puts into perspective how many Georgians are struggling to make ends meet.

"I've been out of work almost two years," says Marcia Tolbert. "Most places tell me I'm over qualified. Others say I've been out of work for too long. It's like they keep kicking you when you are down."

Tolbert is a name and a face to a trend that is unfolding all over the county. The recession that began in 2007 took a steep toll, with only a few places spared from a rise in jobless rates and a decline in incomes. Nearly one-in-six Americans live in poverty.

The Class War Has Begun

And the very classlessness of our society makes the conflict more volatile, not less.

AP: NYPD officers charged in ticket-fix probe

What began two years ago as a low-profile wiretap investigation of a New York Police Department officer has resulted in criminal charges against at least 16 officers alleging they abused their authority by helping family and friends avoid paying traffic tickets, two people familiar with the case said Thursday.

The officers were expected to be arraigned Friday in the Bronx, said the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because authorities hadn't announced the results of the grand jury investigation.

The charges against 13 police officers, two sergeants and one lieutenant are the latest in a spate of corruption allegations against NYPD officers. They include delegates with the department's largest and most powerful union, the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

Hormones Linked to Weight Gain After Dieting

Findings of a new study from the University of Melbourne and Australia’s La Trobe University have revealed that for at least a year after dieting, a combination of hormonal changes endlessly signal the body to not only slow down metabolism, but also to increase the appetite.

Samuel L. Jackson named highest-grossing actor of all time

Samuel L. Jackson has been named the highest-grossing actor of all time by The Guinness Book of World Records, according to the New York Daily News. Jackson, 62, has made over $7.42 billion over the span of his entire career.

Jackson got his big break in 1991 in the Spike Lee film, Jungle Fever. He played the crack head brother of Wesley Snipes. Since then the acclaimed actor has starred in over 100 films such as Pulp Fiction, A Time To Kill, Eve's Bayou and Star Wars. You can see a more extensive list of his movie roles here.

Declining numbers of blacks seen in math, science

With black unemployment reaching historic levels, banks laying off tens of thousands and law school graduates waiting tables, why aren't more African-Americans looking toward science, technology, engineering and math -- the still-hiring careers known as STEM?

The answer turns out to be a complex equation of self-doubt, stereotypes, discouragement and economics -- and sometimes just wrong perceptions of what math and science are all about.

The percentage of African-Americans earning STEM degrees has fallen during the last decade. It may seem far-fetched for an undereducated black population to aspire to become chemists or computer scientists, but the door is wide open, colleges say, and the shortfall has created opportunities for those who choose this path.

STEM barriers are not unique to black people. The United States does not produce as high a proportion of white engineers, scientists and mathematicians as it used to. Women and Latinos also lag behind white men.

10 Ways The World Will End Videos

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Mixed reactions from black Muslims to Gadhafi death

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has publicly condemned what he describes as the "great assassination" of Muammar Gadhafi.

In his first major interview since the death of Gadhafi, Farrakhan says the "Nation of Islam mourns the loss of a great brother leader," and he personally feels as if he has, "lost a very important member of my own family."

College Prices Rise Again as States Slash Budgets

As President Obama prepared to announce new measures Wednesday to help ease the burden of student loan debt, new figures painted a demoralizing picture of college costs for students and parents: Average in-state tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose an additional $631 this fall, or 8.3%, compared with a year ago.

"The states cut budgets, the price goes up, and the (federal) money goes to that," said Patrick Callan, president of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. "For 25 years we've been putting more and more money into financial aid, and tuition keeps going up. We're on a national treadmill."

Obama Speeds Up Aid for College Students: How Will It Help You?

President Obama will pitch a plan today to help ease the burden of loans on college students, as a new report shows that higher education is becoming more expensive for many young Americans.

Starting next year, borrowers’ student loan payments will be capped at 10 percent of their discretionary income, and they could be eligible for forgiveness on the balance of their debt in 20 years. Under the current plan, loan payments are limited to 15 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income, and their balance is forgiven after 25 years.

“The students who signed the petition [to the president] and the students in ‘Occupy Wall Street,’ most of them are students who have already graduated. Most of them are unemployed and need help,” said Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid and a student aid expert. “They are the ones who brought attention to this issue and most of them are not going to benefit from this.”

Delta Sigma Theta president warns members to not wear colors in light of rapist

A Dallas-area rapist appears to be preying on members of a national black sorority, leading the organization to urge alumnae to remove any trace of their affiliation from cars, clothing and even their
key chains.

Delta Sigma Theta issued the warning this week, citing four sexual assaults, all involving black women in their mid-50s to mid-60s. Police say the assailant indicated during the attacks that he knew personal information about the victims.

"We believe it's more than just accidental," said Matthew Kosec, deputy police chief in Coppell.

Detectives have not determined exactly how the rapist might be learning about the sorority affiliation.

"We just don't know if the suspect is identifying these ladies as they are out shopping in the area or if it's something more advanced than that" such as using social networking sites, Corinth police Capt. Greg Wilkerson said.

Top Foods to Avoid with High Blood Pressure

Could Your Finances Give You a Heart Attack

Read more on Newsmax.com: Your Finances Could Cause a Heart Attack.
Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now!

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:05:00 +0000

The Northern Lights: You Saw Them Where?

Northern Lights Seen Across Midwestern U.S.

The red and pink streaks of the Northern Lights made a rare U.S. appearance Monday, delighting sky watchers in the southeastern part of the country. According to ABC News, the Aurora Borealis was caused after Earth’s magnetic field was hit by a coronal mass ejection at about 2 p.m. Eastern time.

States that caught a glimpse of the elusive shy show included Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and North Carolina. Viewers as far away as Chicago also claimed to see the Northern Lights.

Boy, did I see red - and green, and blue, and . . .

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Ravitch: Why Finland’s schools are great (by doing what we don’t)

What makes the Finnish school system so amazing is that Finnish students never take a standardized test until their last year of high school, when they take a matriculation examination for college admission.

Their own teachers design their tests, so teachers know how their students are doing and what they need. There is a national curriculum — broad guidelines to assure that all students have a full education — but it is not prescriptive. Teachers have extensive responsibility for designing curriculum and pedagogy in their school. They have a large degree of autonomy, because they are professionals.

Admission to teacher education programs at the end of high school is highly competitive; only one in 10 — or even fewer — qualify for teacher preparation programs. All Finnish teachers spend five years in a rigorous program of study, research, and practice, and all of them finish with a masters’ degree. Teachers are prepared for all eventualities, including students with disabilities, students with language difficulties, and students with other kinds of learning issues.

Million Man March, Farrakhan Forgotten At MLK Dedication

Many around the world watched with great pride as President Obama spoke at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial dedication. Black civil rights, political, and entertainment royalty were present, surrounded by thousands of people who wanted to be close to the tribute on the National Mall for a non-president.

Everyone from Rev. Al Sharpton and members of the Congressional Black Caucus to Nikki Giovanni and Aretha Franklin were there as presenters and participants alike. References were made to all forms of black resistance and struggle, providing the audience with a picture of the movements that shifted the country and the world to change. That is all but one movement and its leader.

Left out of the MLK Memorial celebration by every speaker was the fact that it was the 16th anniversary of the Million Man March. And Minister Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam and the march's charismatic and often chastised convener, was no where to be found in Washington DC.

The Next Great Migration? Black Chicagoans Return To The South

As the economy stays stagnant, many African Americans are leaving northern cities and returning to their more rural, southern roots.

Chicago's Great Migration: Blacks Leaving Historic Neighborhoods To Return South

Former magnets for black migrants, including Illinois, Michigan, New York and California, all have had black population declines. Atlanta has even overtaken Chicago as the city with the second-largest black population behind New York City. The black population in Atlanta has grown in the past decade by 473,493. In Dallas it grew by 233,890, and in Houston by 214,928 over the same period. Today, 57 percent of the country's black population lives in the South, a 50-year high, according to the most recent census data.

"There are places like Harlem that no longer have majority black populations because many of the black folks who have lived there for the last 50 or so years have decided to cash in, and they are going to live somewhere more affordable, places that don't come with the urban baggage that maybe we didn't ever want but put up with because this was our best chance at a solid economic future," said Khalil Muhammad, director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, part of the New York Public Library and renowned for its collections of historic artifacts. "Those people are going to places that look just the way they want them to look. They are not going to be shackled by a political nationalism or the segregation of the past."

Video Of Toddler Being Hit By Van And Ignored Sparks Outrage

BEIJING — A video showing a toddler being struck twice by vans and then ignored by passers-by is sparking outrage in China and prompting soul-searching over why people didn’t help the child.

The 2-year-old girl, identified as Wang Yue, is in a coma in critical condition in the Guangzhou Military District General Hospital following Thursday’s accident, state media reported Tuesday. The Guangzhou Daily quoted the hospital’s head of neurosurgery as saying the girl is likely to remain in a vegetative state if she survives.

Loss Of A Hero! Tuskegee Airman Dies In Tucson At 90-Years-Old

Retired Lt. Col. Luke J. Weathers Jr., a member of World War II’s legendary Tuskegee Airmen died in Tucson at age 90. He will be buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Choose Wisely In Your Career Choice!
Create Your Own Business Choice To Serve Your Neighbors and Community!

Let's face facts: The economy sucks! Year 2011 has become a nightmare for so many individuals who are seeking employment, have lost their jobs, and as a result of this despicable trend of employers not wanting to hire more people at their place of business is downright shameful! But then again, who is really to blame for this crisis?

While many of you are still figuring out whom to blame for our present economic condition, I urge all of you who are contemplating on a career choice to delve into, the following career choices that I believe will catapult your horizons by increasing your chances of getting hired, especially since a few of my suggestions are not palatable to some, or create for yourself, may prove to be beneficial in the long run.

What's Your 'True Calling?'

Take Advantage of "Who You Really Are" in Life!
Your parents want you to become a doctor. You, on the other hand, want to sing and dance on Broadway. Ahhh, decisions, decisions.

Well, the truth of the matter is that not everyone can become a doctor or dentist, and love it!

Much can be said about other careers that parents would rather see their child pursue in life, and to the parents dismay, these adult children are much happier than ever before doing what they know is best for them, and not the other way around!

However, let us not forget that those 20th Century days and ways of decision-making choosing to “do their thing,” or engaging in a career that “makes them happy” are basically OVER!

Postage prices go up ... again

Snail mail is about to get a little more expensive.

The price of a first class stamp is going up by one cent starting next year, the United States Postal Service said Tuesday.

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Mother, daughter enjoy working together as extras

The Gathers are among a handful of people from Orangeburg represented by Talent-Link Inc. of Charlotte, N.C.

Talent-Link will hold an open audition from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in South Carolina State University Fine Arts Center's Barbara Vaughn Recital Hall.

Audition slots are limited. To register, visit http://dareauditions1.eventbrite.com. For more information, call Sharon Gathers at 803-682-4863 or Rose Graham at 678-863-1639, or visit http://talent-link.com.

Casting Call with Vince Paul of Talent Link Friday October 14, 2011

Friday, October 14, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (ET), Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Herman Cain Tells Poor And Jobless “Don’t Blame Wall St., Blame Yourself”

Cain went on to blame the unemployed for their woes, saying, “if you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself!”:

CAIN: I don’t have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration. Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks, if you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself! [...] It is not someone’s fault if they succeeded, it is someone’s fault if they failed.

Injustice! 96-Year-Old Woman Denied Voting ID

A 96-year old Tennessee woman has become the latest example of the GOP’s fight to suppress voters from heading to the polls.

That morning, Cooper slipped a rent receipt, a copy of her lease, her voter registration card and her birth certificate into a Manila envelope. Typewritten on the birth certificate was her maiden name, Dorothy Alexander.
“But I didn’t have my marriage certificate,” Cooper said Tuesday afternoon, and that was the reason the clerk said she was denied a free voter ID at the Cherokee Boulevard Driver Service Center.

Tyrese Booted From Radio Station For Protesting Liquor Stores

“Get them cats out of here,” he said to the DJ. ”Selling alcohol right across from your kids school, homie — put the pressure on them homie … you knowhow to put pressure on dudes selling in your hood.”

Detroit Officer Charged In “First 48″ Killing Of 7-Year-Old

A Detroit police officer was charged Tuesday in the slaying of a 7-year-old girl who was shot to death during a midnight raid on her home by a special unit that was being shadowed by a reality television show crew.

The worst hospitals in the US treat the poorest Americans: study

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:59:00 +0000

Reunions: A Time to Reflect, Ask Forgiveness, Give Thanks, and Pray Together!
Now, If Only I Can Attend the Damn Thing!
By Miriam G. Aw

The Season of Summer is usually the time when people across all racial, ethnic, cultural, geographic, class, and spiritual lines, come together to see relatives, friends, neighborhood chums, former classmates, acquaintances, and loved ones, all of whom who’ve touched someone's lives at one point or another in life, thus reuniting as one under the same umbrella. This indeed can be a joyous occasion.

There was a time when reunions were slated only for family gatherings to claim their existence on the family tree via the roots of their ancestral heritage through the wearing of T-shirts, caps, and other apparel ascribed to the names of their ascendants proudly on their person. Such a gathering is a feast in itself knowing from whence you came, and to introduce the latest generational descendants to the myriad of relatives who begat from the same ancestral loins.

In addition, a family reunion is also the reason for ’elders,’ such as the matriarch and/or patriarch of the family tree to be honored with respect, so that they may witness the generational legacy of descendants they helped to begat.

Reunions of any kind can bring about joyous feelings within oneself thanking God to be in a position to see folks whom we have known all of our lives, for a short while, or who is new to us in hopes of developing future relationships of strong kinship hereafter to enjoy.

There is no doubt that reunions can bring about an abundance of self-worth within oneself to rejoice a resounding ’Thank God, I am still here’ noise to everyone, and anyone within ear shot, and/or eye-range of our/their presence.

And of course, reunions are also reminders of people whom we knew, but who are no longer living among us leaving an impact of emptiness in the hearts and souls of those who were left behind to revive their existence by uttering their names among the Heavens on Earth, and share reflective memories of their existence, so that they will never be forgotten on a subsistent level.

The power of reunions in this manner can help to keep the spiritual embers of our loved-ones and friends’ past physical presence fluttering in the wind in a gentle way that no one can ever deny their Being was indeed an integral part of our lives.

On the other hand, there are some people who believe that reunions are nothing more than an annual event to air out grievances, or harbor ill-will against someone, based on gossip, rumors, and other negative actions of distaste and disdain. Such behavior should be left at home where it belong. Then again, a one-on-one with the two parties involved need to thrash it out on a verbal, yet, intelligible level, at a neutral place, and not at a reunion housed with people who have nothing to do with the matter.

All in all, Reunions are powerful spiritual engines-of-forces that drives many people from all walks of life to engage in full-throttle to fulfill a need of ’belonging’ that no one can fully understand other than the person who is seeking this purposeful duty to interact with others who are of the same ilk, and/or exhibit like-mindedness.

So, why are reunions becoming powerful annual events for hundreds to thousands of people to gather as one? And how important is it to have annual or bi-annual reunions as the source of coming together under one umbrella?

I, for one, believe that reunions of any kind should have meaning, purpose, a duty-of-call to engage in interactive dialogue that can bring about positive change for all of those who attend reunions.

Reunions of any kind should be a place a cohesiveness for people to assemble, so that they may learn from each other, help each other, share information with each other, forgive each other, and pray together as one, in spite of any past discretion, and/or our varied religious/spiritual beliefs many of us hold today as adults.

I remember attending my high school reunion many years ago. And suffice to say, it was nice, but disappointing at the same time. During this time, I realized that many of the fond memories of people I have held in my heart were not shared by many of the people whom I remembered in life. Now THAT IS a revelation!

There was one particular classmate who I saw at the high school reunion who claimed that she did not remember me at all. What? Me? You don’t remember me?

It’s amazing how some folks claim not to remember you, especially when you pulled their butt out of the fire numerous times, and/or helped them when no one else would at that time. Oh well, it is was it is . . ., or should I say it is what it was!

In any event, it happened, but that little bit of revelation did not put a damper on my night, nor did it sour my feelings about reunions.

Happily, I can say that there were more former classmates who’ve remembered me than I realized. And I was so glad to learn that there were some nice things I did, and/or said to my former classmates that had left an indelible mark in their lives. As a matter of fact, to date, I am often reminded about something I had did, or said, by a lot of folks who’d ‘thank me’ years later for the kind words I’ve said, or shown gestures of concern.

Another type of reunion that I’ve yet to attend is my neighborhood reunion located in Bronx, New York, and is held every August. When I first learned about it from a childhood friend whom I grew up with in the same building, I remember thinking that this is indeed a reunion I can relate to in every way.

Unlike my four years in high school, my neighborhood reunion with people whom I literally grew up together in multi-dwelling units housing with diverse people hailing from all walks of life since birth, and sharing the same upbringing, is definitely my cup-of-tea, as well as being truly a blessing that is immeasurable.

Unfortunately, however, to date, I’ve yet to attend my annual neighborhood event in Bronx, New York, but not through the lack of trying I assure you. Last year, I was speaking with one of my paternal aunts explaining how things seems to pop-up every time I attempt to attend my neighborhood reunion. She told me point-blank ’When it’s meant for you to go, you’ll get there!'

Thank goodness for social network sites, or else I may not ever get to communicate with some of my former neighborhood friends, classmates, neighbors, and so forth. Prayerfully, I will see them all in one sitting at the neighborhood reunion next year. Until then, I guess I’ll have to rely on the Internet to reach out, and post someone!

Although reunions are known to assemble family members, communities, [former] classmates, and so forth, to have an enjoyable fun time, I believe that reunions have a few other purposes that will forever prevail for allowing folks to further enrich their lives, and who are humbly thankful to be alive to attend such an event whenever the opportunity is given to do so.

I guess what I am trying to say is that ‘reunions’ are also a time to allow some people to wrestle or confront past demons, as well as allowing them the opportunity to reciprocate in kind by saying kind words of “Thank You” or “I’m sorry” to someone, or some people, when otherwise such an opportunity hadn’t present itself to do so in the past.

With that said, the following are merely suggestions I believe can help to foster positive solidarity at any, or all reunions, regardless of who you are, what you represent, why you’re there, when it is held, or where it is located:

Be Real:

Seek forgiveness from those who’ve been wronged by you via words or action(s);
Share information that can help the next person (i.e., employment, legal or medical advice, business opportunities, and so forth);
Be yourself! Do not be pretentious spewing falsehoods. Do not inflate your worth because your ‘self-worth’ is immeasurable and priceless;
Accept people for who they are TODAY, and NOT how they were YESTERYEAR (What we did as children, or younger in age, should not diminish who we are today as [wiser] adults), and
.Reflect fondly talking about the good old days with humbleness, fondness, and sincerity.

Prepare Early for Next Year’s Reunion with Variety:

Delegate a person, or persons, to formulate a master list of everyone who’d attended the reunion with names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, etc., to advise them of more functions to be held throughout the following year.
Put together a concert, sporting event team (i.e., softball, handball, stickball, etc.) to be performed at the reunion [Although many folks are just happy to be alive to attend the reunion, it can be nice to spice up the reunion to leave some memorable events];
Involve the children/grandchildren in the reunion planning. After all, they are an extension of us, and it will be nice to see the present generation engage in something positive, so that they, too, can continue the annual event with pride;
Designate a central location at the reunion venue with a “Media Center” to host the reunion via “Live Webcam” to allow anyone who could not attend the reunion to allow them to speak with/give shout-outs to those who are at the reunion, in ‘real time’ via a laptop computer (i.e., Skype, Tiny Chat, Google, etc.).

Reunions should and must not be a breeding ground for past pettiness of ill-will ignorance to be strewn around that was harbored within oneself for years. It only sour the attitudes of all who attend this festive occasion.

Facts of Life: Our Personal Daily Union with Family

The truth of the matter is that all of us have changed since childhood, high school, and/or college. We’re parents, grandparents, and have in-laws, neighbors, co-workers, our place of worship, colleagues, and so forth, whom we have known for either many years, or for a short time.

Our families are growing. And yes, we have our good days, and our bad days. But the days we do have are our own to deal with in the best way possible.

In other words, we are now adults thrust with responsibilities, obligations, commitments, deadlines at work . . . basically speaking, we’re trying to live the best way we know how with what we have in order to fulfill what has been bestowed unto us by a Higher Power than our own!

I would be remiss if I did not mention that I have never attended the family reunions on my father nor my mother’s side of the family. In fact, I don’t recall if there were annual family reunions on my mom side, especially since she was an only child. Plus, I’ve always visited my mom’s side of the family often throughout the year. I believe you don’t have to wait until all year just to see your peeps.

And as far as my dad’s side of the family, well let’s just say I’ve never attended any of the reunions. Hey, what can I say? It is what it is! It doesn't mean that I do not like them all. I do! I have, however, attended other people’s family reunion events, and they were very enjoyable.

My philosophy about the word ‘family’ goes deep with me. Simply put:

“Just because you’re related to someone doesn’t mean you’re ‘family.’ And if you’re not related to someone, it does not mean that they cannot be considered as family.”

I have seen actual love for family at some of the reunions I’ve attended. And that’s enough for me to write about it.

Reunions, you’ve got to love them because it is possibly the one annual event that most people look forward to attend to alleviate the stress of living hectically throughout the year. And there are those who may have dealt with the death of a loved one, or perhaps is going through a personal struggle with their health, or a loved one’s health.

Well, the holidays will be rolling around soon. Cool air will be (If it hadn’t already) forcing us to wear our jackets and sweaters soon. Yes, it is the Season of Autumn. Brisk air is upon us, and the turning of the leaves will soon become a thing of the past in either the months of November or December.

And during the hard Season of Winter, a myriad of us will be wishing for the Summer months to roll around quickly in the anticipation of attending another family, school, or neighborhood reunion. Whichever it is, I pray that you, and your family, will enjoy your personal [re]union with family and friends throughout the remainder of this year with bountiful blessings bestowed unto you all!

In the meantime, enjoy the four Seasons of life everyday. Don't wait for that one-day-a-year reunion event to see folks. Visit your loved ones, school chums, old neighborhood, and/or neighborhood friends and classmates whenever you can anytime throughout the year. Bottom line: Schedule your own personal reunion. Hey, it is what it is . . .so do it when you can!

Peace and Blessings!

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 04:03:00 +0000

Apples, Pears May Reduce Stroke Risk

Study Shows Fruits, Veggies With White Flesh May Be Best at Fighting Stroke Risk

Eating lots of white-fleshed fruit such as apples and pears may significantly reduce the risk of stroke.
In a new study, Dutch researchers set out to determine a possible link between stroke risk and eating fruits and vegetables of various colors. They took a look at self-reported information from 20,069 people between ages 20 and 65 of what they ate over a one-year period.

All of the people had no previous diagnosed heart disease or stroke at the start of the study.

During the 10 years of follow-up, 233 people had strokes. The researchers say the risk of stroke was 52% lower for people who ate a lot of white-fleshed fruits and vegetables, compared to those who didn’t.

Where All Work Is Created Equal

The two families met because of a bank — a time bank, where the unit of currency is not a dollar, but an hour. When you join a time bank, you indicate what services you might be able to offer others: financial planning, computer de-bugging, handyman repairs, housecleaning, child care, clothing alterations, cooking, taking someone to a doctor’s appointment on the bus, visiting the homebound or English conversation. People teach Mandarin and yoga and sushi-making. Castillo-Vélez earns a credit for each hour she spends tutoring José. She spends the credits on art classes.

NASA: Satellite pieces tumbling back to Earth

U.S. space officials say they expect a dead satellite to fall to Earth in about a week.

NASA has been watching the 6-ton satellite closely. On Friday officials moved up their prediction for its arrival to Sept. 23, give or take a day.

NASA scientists have calculated the satellite will break into 26 pieces as it gets closer to Earth. The odds of it hitting someone anywhere on the planet are 1 in 3,200.

The heaviest piece to hit the ground will be about 350 pounds, but no one has ever been hit by falling space junk in the past.

The Ten Happiest Jobs

There are also some surprises in the ten happiest jobs, as reported a General Social
Survey by the National Organization for Research at the University of Chicago.

What if the Secret to Success Is Failure?

Moving beyond 'blame the teacher'

Much of the current wave of school reform is informed by the same management myths that almost destroyed U.S. manufacturing. Instead of seeing teachers as key contributors to system improvement efforts, reformers are focused on making teachers more replaceable. Instead of involving teachers and their unions in collaborative reform, they are being pushed aside as impediments to top-down decision-making. Instead of bringing teachers together to help each other become more effective professionals, district administrators are resorting to simplistic quantified individual performance measures. In reality, schools are collaborative, not individual, enterprises, so teaching quality and school performance depend above all on whether the institutional systems support teachers' efforts.

The jobless young left behind

The harm today’s youth unemployment is doing will be felt for decades, both by those affected and by society at large

Ms Ulldemolins belongs to a generation of young Spaniards who feel that the implicit contract they accepted with their country—work hard, and you can have a better life than your parents—has been broken. Before the financial crisis Spanish unemployment, a perennial problem, was pushed down by credit-fuelled growth and a prolonged construction boom: in 2007 it was just 8%. Today it is 21.2%, and among the young a staggering 46.2%. “I trained for a world that doesn’t exist,” says Ms Ulldemolins.

Myth: Men Who Still Live At Home Are Wack

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Detroit Woman, 101, Gets Her House Back
Feds will pay her taxes and allow her to return

A happy ending in Detroit: 101-year-old Texana Hollis is getting her house back. HUD foreclosed on the home Monday and evicted the bewildered woman, who was unaware that her son had failed to pay property taxes to keep a reverse mortgage afloat. After the story made national headlines, HUD officials said today they would pay the taxes, get rid of the padlocks, and allow Hollis to return to the home she lived in for nearly 60 years, reports the Detroit News.

"We just want to make sure that Mrs. Hollis knows that her home of many years is hers to live in for as long as she wants," said a HUD spokesman. Hollis has been in the hospital since the eviction.

Dr. Oz slammed over apple juice arsenic warning

Arsenic in apple juice! Fed to babies! And it probably came from China! Television's Dr. Mehmet Oz is under fire from the FDA and others for sounding what they say is a false alarm about the dangers of apple juice.

Oz, one of TV's most popular medical experts, said on his Fox show Wednesday that testing by a New Jersey lab had found what he suggested were troubling levels of arsenic in many brands of juice.

The Food and Drug Administration said its own tests show no such thing, even on one of the same juice batches Oz cited.

"There is no evidence of any public health risk from drinking these juices. And FDA has been testing them for years," the agency said in a statement.

Tim Sullivan, a spokesman for Oz's show, said in an interview: "We don't think the show is irresponsible. We think the public has a right to know what's in their foods."

Publisher's Note:

Again, it's not about Dr. Oz is being accused of inflating the numbers of arsenic levels found in apple juice, thus informing his audience and the public about it, but instead it is about the fact that he has INFORMED his audience and the public that indeed there IS arsenic IN apple juice, which is approved by our own overseeing agencies, that is being consumed by the American public!

NYPD scores major pot bust: Cops arrest reggae star Denroy Morgan, seize 310 pounds of marijuana

Jamaican-born reggae star Denroy Morgan was busted on drug charges after cops saw him leaving a Bronx house carrying 25 pounds of ganja, police said Thursday. Morgan's capture led to the seizure of a 310-pound stash of marijuana and the arrest of another man caught toting 16 pounds of pot, cops said.

Known for his 1981 reggae-disco hit "I'll Do Anything For You," Morgan, 66, told cops he was flush with weed when they pulled his car over Wednesday afternoon and got a whiff of the drug, police said.

A source insisted the unraveling of the cannabis caper did not stem from a surveillance sting but was the result of eagle-eyed narcotics detectives.

The detectives were working on an unrelated case in Soundview when they saw Morgan walking out of a building at 4p.m. carrying what appeared to be a brick of marijuana in shrink-wrap packaging, the source said.

High court halts Duane Buck's Texas execution

The U.S. Supreme Court halted the execution Thursday of a black man convicted of a double murder in Texas 16 years ago after his lawyers contended his sentence was unfair because of a question asked about race during his trial.

Duane Buck, 48, was spared from lethal injection when the justices, without extensive comment, said they would review an appeal in his case. Two appeals, both related to a psychologist's testimony that black people were more likely to commit violence, were before the court. One was granted; the other was denied.

"Praise the Lord!" Buck told Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark. "God is worthy to be praised. God's mercy triumphs over judgment. I feel good."

The jobless in New Jersey find refuge in Tent City

Lakewood, New Jersey (CNN) -- Cars and trucks cruise along Cedar Bridge Avenue, drivers listening to radio anchors reporting the headline that a record 46 million Americans are living in poverty, while 50 feet from the bustling boulevard, hidden by the woods that border the road, lies a shocking example of that shameful statistic.

Behind the trees, six dozen homeless Americans have set up camp, in tents, teepees and huts, residents of what they call Tent City. It's a place where those out of work and out of luck can drop out of society while living as cheaply as possible.

"It's a community here," said the Rev. Steven Brigham, who founded Tent City in 2006 as part of his Lakewood Outreach Ministry Church. "They have a sense of belonging."

In the past year Brigham has seen Tent City's population nearly double as the jobs recession drags on.

EDUCATION

GOOD NEWS: Black Quadruplets All Accepted To Yale

Boola Boola, Boola Boola: Yale Says Yes, 4 Times

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Post Office closings could move Ga. mail operation to Ala.

The U.S. Postal Service said Thursday it will conduct a study at the Columbus (Ga.) Customer Service Mail Processing Center to determine the feasibility of consolidating its operations into the Montgomery, Ala., Processing and Distribution Center, reports the Columbus Ledger Enquirer.

APNewsBreak: SC employers to get insurance refunds

South Carolina's unemployment insurance agency will be sending refund checks to businesses or giving them credits for past overpayments, the agency said Thursday.

Agency director Abraham Turner said "this is a very good news story for businesses in this state."
"Businesses will be able to invest a little bit more of their money because of the refund that's coming their way," said Turner, who just started the job a week ago. They will be "able to feel more confident about the future going forward."

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:54:00 +0000

Job seekers, get ready for personality tests

More employers are using pre-hire assessments

As it turns out, your childhood misdeeds, along with whether you care about someone else’s bad day and how much you read, may have an impact on how a prospective employer views you.

To get a read on applicants, more employers are using pre-hire assessments, which can check personality, cognitive ability, and competency, among other areas. About 56% of companies are using some sort of assessment tool as part of the hiring process this year, up from 48% in 2010, according to Aberdeen Group, a Boston-based research firm.

Facebook Organizes Friends into Lists Automatically

According to information posted to the Facebook blog , the new friends list feature – labeled Smart Lists – will automatically create groups for users' friends based on things they have in common: Workplace, school, city or family.
Additionally, users will be able to create lists for close friends and acquaintances. Though these lists won't update themselves, this innovation means that you'll be able to view photos or posts from those you really care about while skimming over information from more distant connections. You'll only receive major news – like engagements – from those flagged as acquaintances.

Georgia has 3rd highest poverty rate among states

New Census data shows that Georgia's poverty rate was the third highest in the country in 2010, up two spots from last year, with more than 1.8 million residents counted among the poor.

The only states with higher poverty rates in 2010 were Louisiana and Mississippi. Nationally, 15.1 percent of Americans were living in poverty last year.

Georgia also ranked eighth in the nation in the number of uninsured residents, at a rate of 19.4 percent. Roughly 1.9 million Georgians did not have health insurance last year when the state joined a challenge to President Barack Obama's health care plan, meant in part to address rising numbers of people without health insurance.

SAT scores drop in Georgia, South Carolina, U.S.

More high school graduates are trying to go to college, if SAT results released Wednesday are any indication.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean more graduates are ready for college.

Across Georgia, South Carolina and the nation, 2011 high school graduates posted lower SAT scores on average than students who graduated a year earlier. On the other hand, no graduating class has ever had more students take the SAT than last year’s.

Ohio has country's 11th highest foreclosure rate

Ohio had one of the nation's highest foreclosure rates last month as banks stepped up their actions against homeowners behind on their mortgage payments.

Foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday that the number of U.S. homes that received an initial default notice - the first step in the foreclosure process - jumped 33 percent in August from July.

Six Things the Film Industry Doesn't Want You To Know About

You may already be a film industry cynic. Maybe you think Hollywood is a barren wasteland, devoid of creativity and originality. Maybe you’re sick of seeing talented people get ignored and vapid hacks get splashed all over the trades. Maybe you’re tired of 3D everything and having to re-buy your movies every five to ten years.

I’m not here to dissuade you of any of that. Hell no, I’m here to make it worse. Get ready, because this is some of the rottenest shit of which the film industry is capable. These are the things so terrible that Hollywood has to cover them up, lest God see their sin and smite them accordingly (and keep various government entities and lawyers off their backs, of course). If you still had any kind thoughts toward Hollywood, I suggest you prepare yourself for crushing disappointment.

NLRB costing South Carolina jobs

The National Labor Relations Board is alleging that Boeing violated labor laws by locating its new 787 Dreamliner facility in North Charleston, S.C. For years, Boeing has operated predominantly in Washington state, where it has invested billions of dollars and created thousands of jobs.

New local plant will provide 350 jobs

South Carolina's top-flight aerospace team got a boost from a hometown player Wednesday when The InterTech Group Inc. announced its subsidiary's plans for a major manufacturing facility in North Charleston that would bring 350 jobs to a region hungry for employment and new investment.

10 Things Social Security Won't Tell You

The secret of bigger benefits, and the truth about the agency's bottom line.

A Social Security spokeswoman points out that interest income from the Treasury bonds held in the trust fund will allow it to keep growing until 2022 -- even if the agency has to siphon off some money to offset any shortages in tax revenue -- and won't be exhausted until 2036, when the first Gen Xers begin retiring. But that's already one year earlier than previous projections. After that, the agency says tax income under the current system will only cover about 75% of benefit payments through 2085.

'Family Unity' Is The Answer to Beat Economic Woes!

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:34:00 +0000

Record 46.2 million Americans live in poverty, Census Bureau says

High joblessness and the weak economic recovery pushed the ranks of the poor in the U.S. to 46.2 million in 2010 -- the fourth straight increase and the largest number of people living in poverty since record-keeping began 52 years ago, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

The share of all people in the U.S. who fell below the poverty line rose to 15.1% last year from 14.3% in 2009. That matched the poverty rate reached in 1993 before falling steadily to 11.3% in 2000. Since then the poverty rate has risen, accelerating after the recession began in late 2007, and is now approaching levels not seen since Lyndon B. Johnson launched the War on Poverty in 1965.

Last year the share of children under 18 living in poverty jumped to 22%, from 20.7% the previous year.

Poverty rate hits 18-year high as median income falls

The report comes as President Barack Obama has embarked on a campaign to boost U.S. jobs growth to shake the economy out of an unemployment rate that has stagnated at around 9 percent for months. On Monday he sent a $447 billion jobs creation bill to Congress, asking lawmakers to pass the bill as soon as possible.

Publisher's Note:

The following are reprints of two articles I'd wrote regarding how families can beat the economic crisis.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

BEATING THE ECONOMIC WOES IN YEAR 2010Beating Economic Woes Through Family Unityby Miriam G. Aw

The days when a young 18 year old carted him or her self to college away from home to receive a solid education, thus graduating with a degree in their chosen field with the expectation, or assurance, of getting employed, and earning a decent wage is gone! Long gone!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Family Selfishness vs Family Selflessness vs Self RighteousnessIt's Not Looking Good: And It's Not Good Looking!by Miriam G. Aw

Granted, every one of us have the right to choose what to believe, whom to believe, and state our case as to why we believe in an unseen Spirit or God, or in a person that cites self-proclaim wisdom based on his, or her's views of life.

September 11th, 2001 Memorial: An Infinite Historical Remembrance!

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:56:00 +0000

Hopefully, Time Will Heal All Hurt, And Our Memories Will Forever Linger Throughout Time!

9-11 Tenth Anniversary Remembrance - Peace!

List of Victims from Sept. 11, 2001