March 14, 2015
Elegant dining
The Masked Award Presentation
The Parade of Masks
Dancing and Live Entertainment
Early reservations for prime seating and sponsorships are now being accepted. For more information and sponsorship opportunities call UNCF at 205.322.8623 or email wilisha.washington@uncf.org. UNCF.org
National Black Chamber of Commerce 23rd Convention to be held in Hollywood, Fla. August 6-9
Progress Report February 2
1. Facebook is the easiest way for everyone to stay in touch with NBCC’s initiatives and development. Like us on Facebook today!
2. Making Internet Access Tax Free: On the Senate side, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Ron Wyden introduced the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act. On the House side Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member Anna Eshoo are carrying the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (H.R. 235). We have enjoyed a tax free Internet Service for over 17 years. May we continue via the efforts of these champions.
3. Interest in Belize and/or Paris: We will be making a Fact Finding Mission to the nation of Belize during the month of June. The purpose is to identify what immediate opportunities exist between our two nations. Any members having a particular interest in our mission should contact Charles DeBow for further details at cdebow@nationalbcc.org. Also, we will be returning to Paris, France to follow up with our French chapter. Contact Chuck is you wish to join us.
4. Time has come for Ohio: We have begun the process of starting a new statewide chapter in Ohio. Larry Ivory and Charles DeBow will begin forming what promises to be a new “giant” within our federation. Those of you who reside within the “Buckeye State” should contact us for more information and milestones.
5. An SOS from Ferguson, Missouri: Finally some good news from this volatile community. Residents have formally contacted us and would like to establish a Black chamber of commerce. That makes a lot of sense and we are putting together a plan to have a viable member of our federation up and running before our national convention. When you think about it – that is probably all this community needs to improve its plight.
6. A Model for DBE Outreach: “Good Faith Effort” can be a much abused term in the world of procurement. Here is a model from our good people in New Orleans as to how they are ensuring that “Good Faith Effort” will result in good results!
7. EPA’s Phony Science: Many in Congress and business associations accuse the Environmental Protection Agency of using dubious or even “phony facts” to justify some of their arduous rules and regulations. Here, the true story how some of this came to be. You can’t make this stuff up folks! Go to www,nationalbcc.org/news.
8. Tribute to Executive Women in Sports and Entertainment: Keymanna Management is producing an exciting show honoring female executives during NBA All Star Week. Congratulations to all of the deserving winners.
9. Census Bureau Scientific Advisory Committee: The U.S. Census Bureau is now receiving applications for its upcoming Scientific Advisory Committee. Details and the application process can be found at www.nationalbcc.org/news.
10. American Association of Blacks in Energy 2015 Summit: Don’t miss the upcoming summit for Blacks in Energy. The speakers, panels and trends for our nation and the world will be thoroughly discussed here in D.C. For more and registration: www.aabe.org.
By Samuetta Hill Drew
As a child I often wondered why my parents never thought to upgrade the entrance door from our garage into our family’s home. All other exterior doors were substantial with quality grade locks, even the sliding glass doors, but never the door leading from the garage to our home where we cooked, ate, watched television, laughed and slumbered at night. For years this seriously concerned me, so when I became an adult I decided to address the matter myself (of course with parental permission). I had, unknowingly as a child, begun conducting safety assessments. This task ironically would become a part of my future professional duties and responsibilities. With this in mind, this week I thought it beneficial to share with you some safety tips for your exterior doors.
Exterior Door Tip #1 – Make sure all of your exterior doors are substantial. This should also include the door leading from your garage into the interior of your home, if applicable. Substantial doors, whether they are wooden or metal, are not hollow on the inside.
Exterior Door Tip #2 – Check to make sure your door hinges are not on the outside. They should always be mounted from the inside of your home.
Exterior Door Tip #3 – Always install a quality deadbolt lock with the bolt measuring at least 1 inch on each of your exterior doors with the exception of sliding glass doors. This lock should be in addition to any locks built into an existing doorknob. Remember the deadbolt lock screws should never be exposed on the outside – rather from inside the home.
Exterior Door Tip #4 – If your home has sliding glass doors make sure you install an additional lock either at the top or bottom of your doors. Check with your local home improvement/hardware store and purchase a sturdy pole which will fit between your door casing and the door. Note, broom handles typically are not sturdy enough to provide the type of safety you may require.
Let me encourage you to conduct a family home assessment and make any necessary upgrades to keep you and your family safe.
Keeping an Eye on Safety should be a family affair!
(NAPSA) – Here’s an eye-opening statistic: According to the National Institutes of Health, adults need seven to eight hours of sleep a night, but nearly 30 percent are getting six or less.
Five Steps to Better Sleep
If you’re ever among them, consider these five tips:
1. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and rise at the same time each
morning.
2. Avoid large meals before bed.
3. Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.
4. Avoid nicotine.
5. Get a mattress with the right degree of firmness for you.
For example, a soft mattress is for sleepers who prefer to feel it hug them in a
supportive embrace but not let them sink in too much.
Choose soft if you:
• Sleep on your side and sometimes your back
• Like to feel enveloped in your bed and linens
• Have trouble with your arms falling asleep before you do.
The standard comfort level used in the finest hotels is luxury firm. This balances cushioning and contouring support to ensure proper spinal alignment.
Choose luxury firm if you:
• Sleep on your side, back or stomach
• Switch sleeping positions often in the night.
Firm is for sleepers who prefer an initial plushness quickly followed by firm support.
Choose firm if you:
• Sleep on your back or stomach
• Prefer a mattress that you float on top of instead of sink into
• Have been told by your doctor to sleep on a firm mattress.
Finding A Quality Mattress
Whatever degree of firmness you like, you want your mattress to be top quality. Look for higher density of nontoxic foams and dual innerspring construction, which prevents sagging. In the case of memory foam mattresses, look for higher weight and density and nontoxic foams. Focus only on a memory foam mattress that allows for the most efficient air circulation within the mattress. Memory foam mattresses are a rising choice with consumers, as they offer the elimination of pressure points or discomfort that can contribute to the “tossing and turning at night” to find a comfortable sleep position. A well-handcrafted memory foam mattress also eliminates “motion transfer,” the annoying transfer of motion from one side of the bed to the other that can come from sleeping next to a restless sleeper.
Also look for coil-on-coil construction. The lower coil unit should offer a connected, hourglass-shaped, steel support base while the top coil unit features an individually wrapped, pocketed coil system that contours and responds to your body, eliminating most motion transfer.
As for where to get a good mattress, a study by the Research Triangle Institute may help. It found many people feel “rushed” by in-store salespeople. As a result, online mattress purchasing is on the rise.
If you go that route, look for a mattress that’s delivered and set up in your home. A boxed compressed mattress may not recover to full size and, while some manufacturers fold mattresses for home delivery, a high-quality mattress should not be able to be rolled up. Make sure the manufacturer uses top-quality foams and that the company is mandated to follow proper guidelines. Nonmandated foams from other countries can contain dangerous carcinogens, linked to a variety of health concerns.
Make sure the manufacturer offers no restocking fees and a true return policy where you can get a full and prompt refund of the purchase price.
The largest “online only” luxury mattress firm, Saatva (which means “truth”) develops, manufactures and distributes an impressive line of ultrapremium mattresses in America with what many consumers have called unparalleled price, performance and service-and it has a 15-year warranty.
The company’s unique online-only business model means it can offer highly reduced prices for luxury mattresses and help customers with true comparison shopping, providing easy-to-read, objective measures on a website designed for easy navigation: www.saatvamattress.com.
Nine in 10 Alabamians believe children should have access to healthy food
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – An overwhelming majority of Alabamians believe the state should take steps to fight the growing obesity crisis among its children, according to a poll commissioned by VOICES for Alabama’s Children.
The poll was conducted in response to research collected by VOICES that demonstrated a prevalence of childhood obesity statewide and revealed that a contributing factor is the lack of or limited access to fresh, healthy food for many across the state. It showed that an overwhelming majority of Alabamians, 90 percent polled, believe “it is important for the state to make a strong effort to reduce obesity among children” and more than 90 percent believe “that more Alabama children should have access to fresh, healthy food.”
“Alabama is facing a public health crisis and most Alabamians recognize that grocers and other food retailers play a key role in the solution,” said VOICES campaign manager, Jada Shaffer. “Over the past 30 years, obesity has more than doubled among the state’s children. Encouraging grocers to bring healthier food options closer to families in low access areas is one step in reversing the crisis.
More than 1.8 million Alabamians, nearly half a million children, live in communities without healthy food retailers – such as grocery stores. Children without access to healthy food are more likely to develop chronic disease including high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes and breathing problems such as asthma. Lifetime health care costs for obese children who are 80 percent more likely to be obese as adults is estimated to be at least three times higher than for children who are not obese.
“Support for encouraging the private sector to make healthy food available to children in low access areas was viewed as important because of the dual benefits of improved health care resulting in lower health care costs for the state’s children along with improving local economies,” said Jerry Ingram, Ph.D., Southeast Research, Inc. “In all my years of polling, I have not seen support for a public policy issue as overwhelming and widespread as this one. Alabamians are truly not divided when it comes to supporting initiatives that improve the health of the state’s children.”
The poll surveyed 400 Alabamians in December 2014 by Montgomery, Ala. based Southeast Research, Inc. Those surveyed were adults who are residents of the state and were selected at random. It also found “very strong support for the state to encourage businesses to open grocery stores and farmers’ markets in communities where families and children do not have access to healthy food.
“Grocers want to be part of the solution by expanding into areas of Alabama that offer little or no fresh, healthy food options,” said Ellie Taylor, Alabama Grocers Association President. “They must also be able to sustain their business and can often require a small economic boost to expand or get the stores off the ground.”
In May 2013, VOICES launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness about the growing concern of childhood obesity and its relationship to food access and urge decision makers to prioritize implementing a statewide healthy food financing initiative – one solution to address the issue. Healthy food financing initiatives provide economic and financial resources to help spur grocery store development in communities with limited access to healthy food. Similar initiatives have been successful in other states and have brought healthy food closer to home for local communities, created jobs and boosted local economies.
“We are happy and encouraged by the strong support among Alabama residents and we hope to see this level of support in other southern states,” said Kim Milbrath, Southern Regional Campaign Manager for Voices for Healthy Kids, a joint initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Heart Association to combat childhood obesity. “We must provide children and families with healthier food options right in their communities or we could be raising the first generation not expected to live as long as their parents.”
Additional poll findings include:
· 70 percent support the state incentivizing businesses to open grocery stores in neighborhoods where children do not have access to healthy foods.
· 80 percent support the state incentivizing businesses to locate in low access areas after learning about additional benefits produced from grocers locating in low access areas.
· Overall, support for addressing the problem of obesity and healthy food access is robust and widespread across every demographic in the state.
More information can be viewed at http://bit.ly/1A7Qh9R.
NATIONWIDE (BlackNews.com) – For young sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients at the highest risk of stroke, a daily dose of the medication hydroxyurea provides management of the disease that is just effective as monthly blood transfusions, without the issues of iron overload and antibody formation which are sources of morbidity in these children. That finding is the result of a recent clinical trial that was halted a year early by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) because its findings were so conclusive.
“Hydroxyurea clearly works as well as blood transfusions to lower the risk of a child with sickle cell anemia having a stroke. Only rarely is a study stopped early for success,” said Russell Ware, MD PhD, director of Hematology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, which served as the study’s Medical Coordinating Center. “This is a major advancement.”
The trial was conducted at 25 medical centers in the U.S. and Canada, comparing the standard therapy of monthly blood transfusions with the alternative of taking a daily pill of hydroxyurea. It included children between the ages of four and 16 who were at the highest risk for stroke. 121 children took part in the trial, with about half receiving blood transfusions and half receiving hydroxyurea.
The positive results researchers observed in the study open the door to more treatment options for clinicians trying to prevent strokes in children living with SCA, according to Ware.
Over the past decade, the laboratory and clinical effectiveness of hydroxyurea has been demonstrated in children and adults with SCA. Originally developed as a drug to treat cancer and infections, hydroxyurea boosts fetal hemoglobin production in patients with SCA, preventing the red blood cells from acquiring the sickle shape that fuels the many complications.
Hydroxyurea has been previously shown to be effective for a variety of sickle-related complications, but this was the first trial that demonstrated its benefits for children at increased risk of stroke.
Barry R. Davis, MD, PhD, was principal investigator for the study’s Data Coordinating Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. Serving as co-principal investigator for the study’s neurological core was Robert J. Adams, MD, Medical University of South Carolina.
For more please visit:
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center – www.cincinnatichildrens.org
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) – www.uth.edu
Medical University of South Carolina – http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/musc/
by Cheryl Eldridge and wire reports
The Lexus CT 200h had me smiling last week due to its comfort and exclusive exterior styling.
The CT 200h is not your ordinary hatchback. It’s a hatchback that’s pretty sexy and doesn’t just apply to a certain group of people. It’s comfortable, easy to drive and if the driver places five dollars in the tank you will be blown away and surprised, for this baby delivers 43mpg in the city and 40mpg on the highway.
My eminent white exterior with black leather interior CT 200h combines a hybrid powertrain with a compact, four-door hatchback layout that seats five passengers, which was grand for my family of five. There was enough legroom, armroom and trunk space that met everyone’s needs.
This single trim standard equipment tester includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors with built-in turn signals and puddle lamps, a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), split-folding rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Siri Eyes Free technology that connects to select smartphones and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and a USB/iPod interface.
Naturally, there are a number of option packages available, but availability can vary depending on the region in which you live. The CT 200h’s Seat Comfort package includes heated front seats and a four-way power front passenger seat. The Premium package adds automatic wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 10-speaker audio system with a six-CD changer. The Leather package includes auto-dimming outside mirrors, leather upholstery and driver memory settings. I enjoyed them all. The Navigation package features a rearview camera which is a plus when backing up, voice-controlled navigation system, the Remote Touch interface, HD radio and Lexus’ Enform app-based infotainment and Safety Connect emergency telematics systems.
A Display Audio package includes the premium 10-speaker sound system, plus a 7-inch display screen, a rearview camera, an additional USB port and the Remote Touch controller. The optional F Sport package bundles distinctive 17-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a larger rear spoiler and a host of unique styling tweaks inside and out.
There are also a handful of stand-alone options, including LED (low-beam) headlights, adaptive cruise control with a pre-collision system, front and rear parking sensors and a back-up camera with the display built into the auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Power for the 2015 Lexus CT 200h hybrid comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a pair of electric motor/generators and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Total output is 134 hp, which is routed to the front wheels by way of a specialized continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
According to Edmunds testing, the CT 200h accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a slow 10.4 seconds.
On the safety side, the 2015 Lexus CT 200h includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front- and rear-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and dual front knee airbags. Lexus’ Safety Connect telematics system is also standard and includes functions like automatic collision notification, stolen-vehicle location and emergency assistance. A rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors are available as options.
The optional adaptive cruise control system includes a pre-collision feature that uses radar sensors to detect an imminent impact and responds by tightening the front seatbelts and initializing brake assist. In Edmunds brake testing, the CT’s performance was acceptable, with the car stopping from 60 mph in 120 feet.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the CT 200h its highest rating of “Good” in moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests. Its head restraint/seat design also earned a “Good” rating for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Inside its emphasis is on being environmentally friendly, therefore the interior of the 2015 Lexus CT 200h doesn’t have quite the same opulent feel of the traditional luxury models Lexus has built its reputation on. In place of the usual soft leather and gleaming wood trim, this hybrid’s passenger cabin incorporates recycled and sustainably sourced materials wherever possible. That said, the cabin still has a premium look that sets it apart from many more mainstream hybrids.
For the most part, gauges and controls are well-placed and intuitive to use. The singular exception to this would be the laptop track pad-like Remote Touch system that’s used to make selections on the large central display (included in the Display Audio and Navigation option packages), which is frequently too sensitive to use on the fly. Ultimately, it’s a clever idea, but ends up being more frustrating than it’s worth.
By the way my tester was $37,865 loaded for a king or queen.
Until next week, drive safe, buckle up, it’s the law and please don’t text and drive.
would like to remind families that the use of addicting drugs is on the rise, take steps to protect your family from drug use. If you know anyone who is struggling with drug addiction get them the help they need.
Call for a free brochure on the signs of addiction for all drugs. Narconon also offers free screenings and referrals. 800-431-1754 or DrugAbuseSolution.com
ADDICTION COUNSELING
Narconon can help you take steps to overcome addiction in your family. Call today for free screenings or referrals. 800-431-1754
(NAPSA) – Here’s an eye-opening statistic: According to the National Institutes of Health, adults need seven to eight hours of sleep a night, but nearly 30 percent are getting six or less.
Five Steps to Better Sleep
If you’re ever among them, consider these five tips:
1. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and rise at the same time each
morning.
2. Avoid large meals before bed.
3. Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.
4. Avoid nicotine.
5. Get a mattress with the right degree of firmness for you.
For example, a soft mattress is for sleepers who prefer to feel it hug them in a
supportive embrace but not let them sink in too much.
Choose soft if you:
• Sleep on your side and sometimes your back
• Like to feel enveloped in your bed and linens
• Have trouble with your arms falling asleep before you do.
The standard comfort level used in the finest hotels is luxury firm. This balances cushioning and contouring support to ensure proper spinal alignment.
Choose luxury firm if you:
• Sleep on your side, back or stomach
• Switch sleeping positions often in the night.
Firm is for sleepers who prefer an initial plushness quickly followed by firm support.
Choose firm if you:
• Sleep on your back or stomach
• Prefer a mattress that you float on top of instead of sink into
• Have been told by your doctor to sleep on a firm mattress.
Finding A Quality Mattress
Whatever degree of firmness you like, you want your mattress to be top quality. Look for higher density of nontoxic foams and dual innerspring construction, which prevents sagging. In the case of memory foam mattresses, look for higher weight and density and nontoxic foams. Focus only on a memory foam mattress that allows for the most efficient air circulation within the mattress. Memory foam mattresses are a rising choice with consumers, as they offer the elimination of pressure points or discomfort that can contribute to the “tossing and turning at night” to find a comfortable sleep position. A well-handcrafted memory foam mattress also eliminates “motion transfer,” the annoying transfer of motion from one side of the bed to the other that can come from sleeping next to a restless sleeper.
Also look for coil-on-coil construction. The lower coil unit should offer a connected, hourglass-shaped, steel support base while the top coil unit features an individually wrapped, pocketed coil system that contours and responds to your body, eliminating most motion transfer.
As for where to get a good mattress, a study by the Research Triangle Institute may help. It found many people feel “rushed” by in-store salespeople. As a result, online mattress purchasing is on the rise.
If you go that route, look for a mattress that’s delivered and set up in your home. A boxed compressed mattress may not recover to full size and, while some manufacturers fold mattresses for home delivery, a high-quality mattress should not be able to be rolled up. Make sure the manufacturer uses top-quality foams and that the company is mandated to follow proper guidelines. Nonmandated foams from other countries can contain dangerous carcinogens, linked to a variety of health concerns.
Make sure the manufacturer offers no restocking fees and a true return policy where you can get a full and prompt refund of the purchase price.
The largest “online only” luxury mattress firm, Saatva (which means “truth”) develops, manufactures and distributes an impressive line of ultrapremium mattresses in America with what many consumers have called unparalleled price, performance and service-and it has a 15-year warranty.
The company’s unique online-only business model means it can offer highly reduced prices for luxury mattresses and help customers with true comparison shopping, providing easy-to-read, objective measures on a website designed for easy navigation: www.saatvamattress.com.
