Tallahassee,
Florida
A Web newspaper dedicated to the First
Amendment Spring 2017
This publication is
affiliated with The
Tallahassee News and offers space
to students and free-lancer
FAMU
tennis team wins
conference
championship for
first time in 17
years
By
Dominique
Roy Florida
A&M
University
Florida A&M
University has
once again
showcased its
student athletic
skills at the
2017 Mid-Eastern
Athletic
Conference
(MEAC) Men's
Tennis
Championship.
The tournament
began Thursday
April 20 and
ended Saturday
April 22 as FAMU
defeated South
Carolina State
on the campus of
Old Dominion
University.
The men's tennis
team brought
back the winning
trophy to
display their
arduous work for
the 2016-2017
school year
under the
coaching of
Director of
Tennis Rochelle
Goldthreate and
Assistant Coach
Carl Goodman.
The team
includes
student-athletes
Walner Espinoza,
Jalen Evans,
Hema "Samer"
Hasona,
Frederico Nani,
Courage
Okungbowa, Illya
Skoromnyy,
Karlyn Small and
Carlos Agustin
Waitman.
Senior Walner
Espinoza and
teammate
Frederico Nani
strutted around
campus Sunday
with the
award-winning
trophy. Both
athletes are
from South
America on an
athletic
scholarship.
Nani, a freshman
business
administration
student, began
playing
for FAMU in
January as
number five on
the team and
number three on
the doubles. He
and his partner
Jalen Evans won
an award for
best
doubles.
He stated that
"it's been a
wonderful
experience."
Walner graduates
in the fall with
a degree in
information
technology, so
this was his
last tournament.
Throughout his
years at FAMU he
has learned the
true meaning of
discipline.
"There is a lot
of challenging
work that is put
into training
and with that
there is
sacrifice," he
says.
Nani and Walner
have a strong
bond outside of
being team
members. It will
be difficult for
Nani to
transition into
his sophomore
year without his
teammate around.
Walner's last
words of advice
to him is "to
continue the
hard work, don't
let anything
distract you and
keep a strong
mind."
Nani has learned
from him that if
you work hard
you can be a
champion.
FAMU's last
title was in
2000. Walner's
hard work
inspires Nani,
in the view of
Walner winning
the MVP Award at
the MEAC
Championship.
The two members
said they would
like to
encourage more
students from
the university
as well as the
surrounding
community to
support the
tennis team.
Tennis is not
popular as
popular as the
other sports on
campus and would
like the team to
gain more
support for the
upcoming season.
Walner
Espinoza (l)
and Frederico
Nani
(photo by Ernest
Nelfrard)
The conference
is comprised of
13 historically
black
institutions:
Bethune-Cookman
University,
Coppin State
University,
Delaware State
University,
Florida A&M
University,
Hampton
University,
Howard
University,
University of
Maryland Eastern
Shore, Morgan
State
University,
Norfolk State
University,
North Carolina
A&T State
University,
North Carolina
Central
University,
Savannah State
University and
South Carolina
State
University.
Student perfects his
camera craft
as Florida A&M
University journalist
By
Dominique Roy Florida A&M
University
Nothing is too impossible
for Ernest J. Nelfrard to
capture. The 35-year-old admits
that it took over a decade to
perfect his craft in photography
that he's still perfecting.
His educational journey was not
an easy venture either, contrary
to everyone else's beliefs.
He plans to graduate April 28,
2017 from the School of
Journalism & Graphic
Communication at Florida A &
M University.
At the age of 13 Nelfrard
relocated to Fort Lauderdale,
Florida from Haiti with a
passion for photography.
He learned most of his
techniques from his father
growing up in South Florida who
allowed him to experience what
it was like in front and behind
a camera.
In some instances, he likes to
consider himself to be a "super
hero" with a camera and his
drone hobby and not because of
the quality of his work. He
possesses the talents to
document events to share with
various audiences on what the
FAMU experience is like as a
student. He has used his skills
with the drone to capture video
and gathers a crowd each time.
He began his college career in
2003 at Tallahassee Community
College and transferred to
Florida State University.
The aesthetics of FSU
didn't coincide with his
creativity, swaying him to
enroll at FAMU in 2012.
Falling on financial
hardship, he had to discontinue
his education until he could pay
off his student account.
Nelfrard surely did not let that
deter him, it only gave him fuel
to complete his education.
'I'm inspired by
my peers. I'm inspired by the
struggle - both of my parents
struggled- it's
inspiration to make a better
life for me and family," he
said.
He is known to be the best
videographer on campus with
everyone putting in requests for
material. Being creative allows
him to 'walk in his purpose with
great honor,' which he explains
enables him to produce content
with positive energy. This
process allows people to have
memories to hold onto.
His goal is to "make a
difference in this world." Not
to say he would ultimately
change the world, he said, but
to spark an idea that can
'influence a trend of changing
the world.'
'I'm
inspired by my
peers. I'm
inspired by the
struggle - both
of my parents
struggled - it's
inspiration to
make a better
life for me and
family'Ernest
Nelfrard
He came up with a personal
quote: 'I feel as though my life
is a single raindrop, with
enough strength to flood the
entire world,'
He always reminds himself to
keep this objective embedded in
his mind.
Nelfrard's accomplishments
include creating a successful
social media photo campaign,
Rattlers United, that's been
going strong for two years and
is branching off to an official
website.
Rattlers United came about
because of a professor, Dr.
Michael Abrams, who challenged
his class to come up with
alternative, independent
platforms for students to
publish their stories.
Rattler's United has a following
of 18,000 people. "I didn't
think it would ever get this
big," he said.
He said that user data showed
him that there was a shift in
followers when he showcased
different events or
organizations.
He grew to know what works best
for his brand.
In all, the School of Journalism
& Graphic Communication
allows students to write their
own epic story, he said. The
school encourages students to
find the material and voice for
their own story.
He stated that all the tools
needed are in "J-school" without
the company of babysitters.
His ideology is that if you
produce a product or an idea and
begin to develop it before or
even after graduating, you will
be successful. His advice to his
peers is "get ready to be a
beast."
Male, female behavior tied
to cell phone brand? Social status on FAMU campus
may
depend on your iPhone or Android
By
Troy Townsend Florida A&M Universtiy November 28, 2016
Without question, the iPhone is
one of the top phones on the
market as far as specs, picture
quality, memory size, and
ability. However, is it worthy
enough to be considered a status
symbol?
On Florida A&M University's
campus, the answer could be
found among the students.
A status symbol is defined as an
object that indicates an
individual's wealth or social
status. To some people, a fancy
car or a big house can be their
status symbol. For some students
at FAMU, their phone determines
that.
For today's millennials, the
type of phone someone has can
factor into the way they behave
as a person. As unlikely as it
may sound, many find it to be
true.
There seems to be a stereotype
that iPhone users feel
privileged, or have a higher
social status than Android users
because of the growing fondness
and love of the Apple product.
According to a report by Forbes
in 2016, the iPhone 6s was
crowned as "The World's
Best-Selling Smartphone." With
the emergence of the iPhone 7
and iPhone 7 Plus, one could
imagine that that crown has been
passed down to those phones.
Ryan Cooper, a junior Business
Administration student at
Florida A&M University from
St. Petersburg, Florida who is
an iPhone user, believes that
the iPhone gives users a boost
of confidence.
"It could pick up for people who
lack in certain areas if their
phone may make them feel better
than who they are," said Cooper.
Cooper believes that people
purchase iPhones to be a part of
a bigger trend, rather than
because of what the device
offers. "I think a lot of people
just get the iPhone just to say
they have one, because the next
person has one."
As of 2015, there were 101
million iPhone users in the US
alone, while there are 1.4
billion Android users worldwide
according to
expandedramblings.com.
Andrew Grant, a freshman Biology
Pre-Med student from Haines
City, Florida, owns a Samsung
Galaxy S7.
Iphones vs. Androids on the
FAMU campus - Photo by
Troy Townsend
"The iPhone in my opinion is a
fashion statement, just like you
go buy an expensive belt or an
expensive shirt, it's a fashion
statement."
Grant argues that iPhone users
find an opportunity to fit into
popular things more easily than
one could with an Android.
"Social media apps like Snapchat
are optimized for iPhones, so
when you have the iPhone, you
fit in more with the trendiness
of the world."
Both Cooper and Grant have
observed someone with an Android
be dismissed or treated
differently because of their
phone.
Cooper said, "I have witnessed
girls say that if your text pops
up green, I won't respond." When
a message shows up in a green
box on an iPhone, that means the
message was sent from an Android
phone.
Not everyone thinks that the
iPhone serves as a status symbol
or changes the behavior of the
user.
"Some of my peers have Androids
and we interact in the same
activities," said Kiana
Williams, a junior Physical
Therapy student from Orlando,
Florida.
Despite the idea that some
people buy iPhones to be trendy,
some people buy them because
they are actually a really good
product.
"I used to have an Android but
now I have an iPhone and it
always gets more updates."
"It has better emojis, better
picture quality, everything is
better with iPhones,"said Aja
Evans, a freshman Pre-Nursing
student from Fernandina Beach,
Florida.
Muslim
Students find comfort being
at FAMU
Muslims meet on campus to
discuss challenge of religious
misperception
By
Jasmine Glover Florida A&M
University November 28, 2016
People cling to many negative
perceptions about Muslims in
America and the Muslim Student
Association (MSA) at Florida
A&M University held a panel
discussion to try to correct
these ideas.
With a room of more than 50
people, the university MSA held
a panel discussion called
'Muslims Surviving in America.'
This event allowed the panel to
reveal a lot about themselves
and their religion by giving the
audience a glimpse of the life
of a Muslim living in a nation
that is dominated by
Christianity.
The event started off with an
Islamic prayer that was said in
Arabic and then translated in
English.
The president of the MSA, Tarik
Siddeeq, a sophomore business
administration student from
Atlanta, took the lead
afterwards and gave facts about
the religion.
The panel consisted of three
students, a religious leader,
and a professor: Anta Deen,
Ferha Brhan, Abdul Razak, Imam
(Reverend) Rashad Mujahid, and
Professor Rabbani Muhammad.
During the discussion many
critical questions were asked
during and after a slide show.
These questions allowed the
panelists to answer any negative
stereotypes one may have had
about Muslims.
The differences of experiences,
answers and comments suggested
that every person in the Muslim
faith is different.
One question that was asked
concentrated on the life of a
Muslim living in America. A
couple of the panelists and
audience members, who are
Muslim, shared similar
experiences. They were hesitant
to show their religion until
they got older.
Ahmad Qawi, a sophomore business
administration student from
Racine, Wisconsin, talked about
his experience growing up.
"Growing up was very different.
Being in my kindergarten class,
and growing up, kids don't
really know so when I would say
my beliefs, people would
look at me weird."
Qawi continued, "But now after
coming to FAMU, I've embraced it
a lot more with the great
support system of MSA. It
makes being Muslim in America
lit (exciting) to me!"
President Siddeeq had a very
different experience than many
in the room.
"It was very comfortable growing
up for me. Elementary school was
the only school that I went to
without being around Muslims all
the time but even then I went to
a very international school."
"But I was in elementary school
so, you know, it wasn't really
ingrained into me yet. In middle
and high school I was around
Muslims all the time. So it was
very comfortable. I knew who I
was and I was very proud of it."
The Muslim woman's hijab, a head
scarf to cover their head and
hair, was also a topic of
interest.
A question asked in the
president's slide show was,
"Many want to know, why wear the
hijab?"
Pannelist Anta Deen said that
the hijab represents modesty,
morals, the respect that you
show others, and the respect
that they show you.
Ferha Brhan, a senior business
administration student from
Miami, Florida said, "A Muslim
is identified with the hijab. It
is rewarding to be able to get
identified as a Muslim. You are
treated differently because
often times people show you a
lot of respect."
However, now that Donald Trump
is the president- elect many
Muslims and other minorities
have reported their mishaps with
people since the decision made
on Nov. 9.
Meeting featured slide show
and questions - Photo by
Jasmine Glover
Deen said that it was a "fear
that came out of nowhere." Imam
Rashad Mujahid counteracted that
statement with encouraging
words, "Fear God as God alone
should be feared. We have to
stand firm in what we
believe.... don't close your
eyes to the threat but don't let
them take away your
rights."
Brhan was courageous enough to
share her experience of what
could be considered prejudice
since the election of Donald
Trump.
"I don't want to jump to
conclusions, but I was in Urgent
Care two days ago. I felt like
she [her doctor] was acting a
different way because of my
scarf. I came in and the nurse
came in right after me. Forty
minutes passes by nobody came."
She took a nap and no one came.
"She finally comes in, knocks on
the door, sits down and asks me
what's wrong. I tell her and the
next thing you know she says 'Ok
well your symptoms are very
vague.' I'm in urgent care, she
doesn't do anything. I asked,
'So you're not going to check
me? Check my heart rate,
nothing?'
She said, 'Yeah I'll check if
you want me to.'"
Not wanting to assume that she
was not properly treated because
she is Muslim, Brhan went on to
say, "After Trump I feel like
with me per say, I haven't
really experienced anything."
"But within my brothers and
sisters in Islam I feel like
there have been instances where
their scarves have been pulled
down, people have been pushed to
the side and people have been
called different things."
As Brhan continued with her
story she said, "I just thank
God I'm in this type of
environment."
"Being at an HBCU you don't
really experience the 'you can't
come with us because you're such
and such.' The people are very
welcoming and asking me about my
religion and showing interest in
it. So I appreciate Islam
whether Trump was president or
not. "
The MSA has a few people who are
associated with the Nation of
Islam (NOI). According to a few
websites members of the NOI
acknowledge Islam's fundamental
teachings.
However, traditional Muslims
believe that many of the beliefs
and practices of the NOI are
contrary to their faith.
The NOI, founded in 1930 by
Wallace D. Ford Muhammad, is
primarily a political
organization and Islam is
supremely a religious belief
system.
At the end of the session, the
audience was asked to take a
quick survey that asked a series
of questions on how they felt
about Muslims before and after
learning about the religion. The
survey showed that over 99% of
the audience gained appreciation
for the Muslim faith.
President Siddeeq said, "I liked
the results. They were all
honest, which was good. So I
knew that people learned, I knew
what people's opinions were
like. It kind of reflected what
the general population thinks.
I'm just glad that people were
able to leave with learning at
least one thing they didn't know
before."
Love
is not blind
Students
have diversity of messages
on
interracial relationships
By
Sha' Simon Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2016
Tallahassee - Love is not as
blind as some may think.
Students today are split on
their views on interracial
dating.
Sha'
Simon
In today's
day and age it seems
probable that
interracial
relationships would be
accepted by everyone.
However they are not.
Although same-sex
marriage is legal today
in most states,
Americans still struggle
to accept interracial
dating.
While some say "love is
love," others believe love is
love -if your lover is the same
race as you.
Patricia Ashford, a first year
pharmacy student at Florida
A&M University, is strongly
against interracial dating
between African Americans and
Caucasians.
"How can you love someone whose
race once hated you? How can you
find comfort in a race that
outcasts you?" asked Patricia.
"I only date men I see myself
building a family with. I do not
want to have a biracial child
who has to live a culturally
conflicted life, therefore I
only date black men."
Some students believe attending
an HBCU makes it challenging to
date outside of your race.
"At an HBCU you are made aware
of the history of oppression to
African Americans and you are
empowered. It makes you want to
love a black man, cherish him
and marry him." says Raikeshia
Moultrie, a second year
pre-pharmacy student.
On the other hand, Sydney Baker,
a second year computer science
student at Florida A&M says
"It's 2016, people should be
free to love who they love
without judgment. If you find
love and happiness in someone
that happens to be a different
color than you, who cares?"
Baker says she can definitely
see herself loving someone
outside of her race.
The world is constantly changing
and what is socially accepted is
always up for debate. Americans
today are openly homosexual,
openly transgender and openly in
interracial relationships,
whether people like it or not.
Abusive
relationships This
one was close to home for student
By Cayla
McBride Florida A&M
University
Most young women encounter an
abusive relationship. They can
be physically, mentally and
emotionally abused by their
partner.
Many people don't understand
what causes their partner to
attack or abuse them.
Cayla McBride
According to the website
"Love is Respect" at http://www.loveisrespect.org, 43
percent of dating
college women report
experiencing violent and
abusive dating
behaviors.
Young women stay in an abusive
relationship due to the
predicament their partner puts
them in. They suffer from mental
abuse from their domestic
partner - from their comments
and remarks. Some women are
physically abused, and that can
leave scars and bruises all over
the body and face.
A
young lady explained her
experience and how she was able
to survive and find a way to
peace. She stayed in a physical,
mental, and sexually abusive
relationship because she felt
her family's life would be put
in danger.
He put her in headlocks and
kicked her numerous of times
when she tried to break up with
him. He even went as far as
pulling a gun her.
He dealt with much insecurity as
her partner because other men
around him intimidated him. He
knew there was someone out there
who could treat her better and
would reap all of the benefits
that he had already experienced.
In return, he believed that he
could abuse her into staying in
the relationship.
The young lady simply had enough
of supplying for him and being
abused for random things. She
soon called her family for help
and guidance to press charges on
her partner - to make sure that
the relationship was called
quits. He is now
elsewhere, and she is
currently still attending
Florida A&M University.
She goes by the name of Cayla
McBride and she is a survivor of
an abusive relationship. She
currently mentors children and
teenagers about life and school.
In
the end, all you have is
family
I remember the day my my
cousin was murdered
By Davunda
Watkins Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2016
The day my 19-year-old cousin
was murdered my life changed.
Right then and there I realized
how short life is and that I
should cherish every moment with
my love ones.
I knew from that point on
I wouldn't be the same, my
family wouldn't be the same and
relationships would change.
Mikel was 19-years-old when he
was murdered.
He attended Alabama State
University and played on the
football team as a defensive
back. I'm a few months
older than Mikel but we were
raised together our entire life.
Although I was the oldest he was
always overprotective, not only
of me but all of his female
cousins.
When I received several phone
calls that morning I knew
something was wrong. My mom woke
me up and gave me the worst news
ever.
She cried "Mikel just got
killed." I felt a pain in my
heart that was unbearable, all I
could do was pray for strength.
Since the death of my cousin. I
have learned to trust God's
will.
I don't know why he took Mikel
away so soon but it's not my
place to question God.
The murder of my cousin has
strengthened my family's faith
and left us to depend on each
other. At the end all you have
is family.
The
value of caring, loyalty,
sincerity
Friendships can often be
as close as family
and these people should be
cherished
By
Hubert Campbell Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2016
There are so many people in your
life you will come into contact
with - who leave everlasting
impressions on you. With
education being such a big part
of the American Dream, your
schoolmates become your closest
acquaintances.
Hubert Campbell
During grade school and
even after that, your
peers are the people you
see and talk to the most
during the daylight
hours because you spend
12 hours together every
single day.
You see them more often than
most of your distant family and
perhaps more than your family at
home.
You eat breakfast every morning
together at least 200 times a
year. Think of all the
extracurricular activities you
participate in with your
friends. They are the ones you
talk to who probably know you
the best because they have been
around you so long and have seen
your growth from year to year.
Your close friends are the ones
who can pick you up when you are
down.
There are times when your
friends can help you out better
than some family members can,
because they have possibly gone
through similar situations.
Real friends are very hard to
come by and it isn't exactly
normal to always have friends
who really care about your
well-being and your future.
People who share common
interests with you and actually
want to see you succeed and not
fail - those are qualities of a
good, genuine friend.
People change every day,
and no two minds think alike.
But I feel that in those
friendships that last five plus
years, you can start to consider
these friends to be family.
"Family" is defined as the
descendants of a common ancestor
or a person or people related to
one another. These people are
treated with a special loyalty
or intimacy.
If a person exhibits a high
level of loyalty and
sincerity, then he should
be valued as such. I have had
high school friends who are able
to come into my home and they
are welcomed on Thanksgiving
dinner and even on Christmas
day.
Families typically celebrate
together with their immediate
loved ones, but if you have
friends that you can tell
genuinely care about you, you
should show it.
Tell them you love them because
you never know if one day you
will never be able to talk or
laugh with them ever again.
Roommates
can become good friends How
one interacts is the key to one's
mental state
By
Kwame Manu Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2016
For college students, leaving
their parents' homes after high
school may be the first time he
or she tastes independence.
Kwame Manu
Curfews and television
restrictions become a
thing of the past as
students exit their
parental nest and step
foot into their new
dormitory or apartment.
On that first step, they
are most likely to catch
sight of their new
roommate for the
semester.
These are individuals who are in
the same shoes as the college
student: away from home
embarking on a new journey.
The potential conflict is
however, that roommates have to
share the same road (as well as
Brita filter, dishes,
television, etc).
Whether one's roommate is chosen
or selected at random, it is
still possible for disaster to
come forth.
How people interact with their
roommates is vital to one's
mental state. The home is a
place of refuge: a sanctuary
from the plight of the outside
world.
If two roommates have a positive
or neutral relationship, there
is no anxiety to form when
returning back to his or her
home after a stressful day.
If two roommates have conflict
the sanctuary deteriorates into
a regular apartment entangled
with another stressful
environment.
My
roommates Isaiah Fennell and
Humberto Barroso have become my
closest friends this year. We
all understand the sanctuary
concept and initially we all
consciously fought to make sure
problems would not surface
inside our living quarters.
'I never thought I would have a
problem with a roommate because
I'm a sociable person. I try to
make friends with my roommates,"
stated Barroso, freshman at
Florida State University.
Fennell on the other hand came
in preparing for troubles. He
expected, at the very least,
problems would come from
assigned chore duties, a major
source of conflict for
roommates.
We agree that although having
roommates includes
responsibilities and forces us
to think twice about our actions
that having roommates is much
better than living alone.
"I prefer having roommates. I
like it," Fennell stated.
Fennell and Barroso both agree
that without roommates, the
semesters are less eventful and
more predictable. Also, we would
never return to our parents.
"I could never live with my
parents again. I do things on my
own schedule. I could never be
under someone's rule," Barroso
affirmed.
Once students get a taste of
life away from home they tend to
grow accustomed to it and
cherish it.
Roommates tend to be a focal
point in many college reflection
stories -whether good or bad-
since having them is so natural
to college life.
In my story, I will be able to
mention the times in the
apartment where we bonded and
shot music videos, threw parties
and broke bread together.
I am glad that I will be able to
reflect back at this current
time and say I had great friends
to call roommates.
'To
Thine Own Self Be True' I learned to
accept myself, and not to make
comparisons
By
Destinee McGhee Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2016
In life we regret more of the
things we didn't do rather than
the things we did do. Though I
wouldn't change anything in my
life because I wouldn't be who I
am without those experiences, I
wish I would have learned how to
mind my own business sooner.
Destinee McGhee
This past
November, I made it my
business to mind my
business and have never
felt more free.
Prior to November, I had
spent the last few years
comparing myself to
everybody. I was
constantly on social
media comparing every
aspect of my life to
others.
Afterward, I would have
low self esteem and sabotage all
efforts of bettering myself
because I didn't believe in
myself. Many bad decisions I
made were from a place of fear,
insecurity or lack.
I was too focused
on what everyone else was doing
to truly focus on learning to
actually like myself. It wasn't
until I learned that comparison
is the thief of joy, that I
started minding my own business.
When you compare yourself to
others, you aren't minding your
own business.
I promised myself that I would
focus on me and no longer live
for female or male acceptance. I
started to focus on making my
mental, physical, spiritual and
emotional state a priority.
The more I self affirmed myself,
the less I needed other people
to do it for me. I now live by
the Shakespeare quote "To thine
own self be true."
You can fool everybody else, but
you only have yourself to answer
to at the end of the day. I
catch up on TV shows and action
movies because I want to. I make
good eating choices and go to
the gym because I want to.
I watch cooking, makeup
and D.I.Y. videos on Youtube
because I want to. These things
make me happy and have allowed
me to tap into my potential. I'm
starting to actually like myself
and that truly is the greatest
love of all.
Gentrification
comes to the neighborhood Life
in DC: From Chocolate City
to a Vanilla Swirl City
By
Kiah Lewis Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2016
Living in the Shaw neighborhood
of Washington, DC for 19 years
has shown me what
'gentrification' truly is.
Kiah Lewis
At an early age I
started to notice small
things like my best
friends and childhood
friends who were black
moving out while white
people would replace
them.
Many of my black neighbors moved
out one by one, faster and
faster, until we were one of the
very few black Families on the
block.
I also noticed small things like
long time corner stores and
schools shutting down, and
luxurious condos,
state-of-the-art facilities
being built and neighborhoods
being revitalized as more and
more white people started to
move in.
My zip code, 20001, is one of
the three most gentrified areas
in the United States. I didn't
know, until I was 15, that the
real reason black people were
moving out was because of the
rising costs to live in DC and
the deliberate tactics which
were leading to the displacement
of black and disenfranchised
people.
I didn't know the reason new
buildings were popping up,
streets being repaved with new
bike lanes, new coffee shops and
dog parks at every corner was
because white people were moving
in.
As a young adult who has lived
through the change, I see
clearly that
gentrification has led to
significant changes and
improvements in Washington, DC
for the benefit of the new,
wealthier residents, while the
long time elderly, low and
moderate income, children,
renters and majority black
population have been victims of
displacement and negatively
impacted by property tax
increases and a growing homeless
population.
-------------------
I also experienced racial
profiling myself by being
overly watched . . .
--------------------
Sadly, gentrification has also
caused a lot of racial tensions.
I have witnessed racial
discrimination and disparities
first hand. I noticed a great
amount of racial profiling
especially since I have two
older brothers who are black
men.
My brothers were stopped
countless times in our
neighborhood and even in front
of our house and questioned by
police for no other reason than
being black. It appears that
because of their skin color, the
police labeled them guilty of
something.
But they were wrong every
time. I also experienced
racial profiling myself by being
overly watched in the new
stores, as if I would
steal.
New neighbors coming into the
city bring fears that won't even
allow them to speak while
walking by on the sidewalk. Some
even cross to the other side of
the street before they have to
pass me.
Because of gentrification, the
look of Shaw neighborhood of DC
has significantly changed. The
beauty of the development and
the added commercial and retail
businesses that keep coming is a
good thing.
But the negative impact on young
black people, especially males
is not good. The challenge
now is to create a diverse
community with inclusion for all
to benefit from the growth and
success.
Let's
talk compromise. maybe one day
a week Why must
woman always be the one
who must sacrifice in a
relationship?
Aaliyah W.
Wilkerson
Florida A&M University February 18, 2016
What is a relationship without
sacrifices? Women have a
tendency to be the person in the
relationship to compromise. The
woman sacrifices her needs for
those of her man, whether they
vary from eating habits to
sexual desires.
Aaliyah Wilkerson
Without
her making that
sacrifice, she will risk
losing everything she
has put in overtime for:
her relationship with
her man.
But at what cost does a
man lose his
relationship if he
refuses to give up some
of his guilty pleasure?
Why must we, as women, have to
sacrifice some of the joys in
our lives, while our men sit
back and indulge in all of their
happiness, with a strong woman
by his side?
The women who chose not to
negotiate or compromise, are
seen as bourgeoisie, stubborn,
hard-to-get, and my favorite, a
'bitch.'
How many times have we turned
away that extra slice of bread?
How many times have we not used
a particular color nail polish
because our "Man" hates that
color on us?
How many times have we not said
what was really on our minds, in
fear of hurting our men? But
what about how we feel: those
extra pounds he has added since
you guys first met, those same
pair of Hanes boxers with the
holes in them that he wears all
the time, and Lord, the morning
breath!
Yet we don't complain. We just
do. At what point does our doing
get rewarded? Does it have to
wait until Mother's Day or the
annual anniversary?
Even then we plan the events. We
throw hints all year about what
we want as that special gift,
yet we just seem to know what he
always wants.
Our natural sense to nurture and
satisfy is so strong that we
subdue our own needs for our
lovers. But it is time that men
realize women may be strong, but
they have feelings, too.
Sure, they appreciate their
man's honest opinion; but it is
not what you say, it is how you
say it. I say, women and men
should declare a day out of the
week where the man in the
relationship is not catered to,
but the woman is.
It is the one day out of every
week that he washes the dishes,
or makes dinner. That night is
the night he finally eats her up
like the delicious woman she is;
compared to her eating him every
hour of the day. Actions speak
louder than words.
You can tell anyone anything,
but if your actions show
differently that is what they
are going to believe. It is time
that women stop being the only
one to sacrifice or compromise
their wants for the happiness of
their men.
It is time for this generation
of men to step it up, and
serenade their women; then they
wouldn't have to be concerned
about another man stepping in to
do their job!
Sincerely,
Needing To Be Catered To, Too.
Being
OK by being single
Self-confidence is
learning about 'self'
By
Alexias Brasfield
Florida A&M University
Feb. 26, 2016
You are the best you when you're
focusing on you! The only way
this is possible is by allowing
yourself to be single and OK
with it. Relationships are
great, but they can also be
tiring and make you unhappy.
Alexias Brasfield
Imagine
how much happier one
would be if they didn't
have to be worried about
the well-being of their
partner. Embrace the
option of being able to
label yourself as
single.
'Single' has become a
word that many people
fear because our society
has become too dependent
on relationships. It is
not a way of life.
In fact, being single means that
an individual is strong enough
to be alone and live happily.
The moment you get dressed for
the day and decide to look great
for no one but yourself, you've
made it to the next level. Not
that it's a game or anything,
only the next level of
self-confidence or just
appreciating you.
For some reason, individuals
think it's only necessary to
look presentable to impress
someone, but that shouldn't be
the case. Look good because you
feel good and you want to
express that feeling with your
appearance.
Want do I want? What
do I like to do?
Am I even happy? These
are questions that being alone
will help you find answers to.
--------------------
Learn how to be
content and self-reliant.
Relationships are great,
but you don't need to be
in one to survive.
---------------------
You will never know yourself
until you take the time to learn
about yourself. In a
relationship, you spend too much
time compromising and conforming
to things you may dislike.
Instead of going against it, one
will usually do whatever it
takes to keep their significant
other happy. Be happy for you!
Honestly though, it's not like
you'll actually be alone. During
this period, you'll have more
time to spend with people like
family and friends who are more
permanent in your life.
They still exist. These
people are usually neglected
when relationships emerge
because of different
perspectives and sudden
busyness.
Though we all feel like we can't
survive without companionship,
it is possible. Learn how to be
content and self-reliant.
Relationships are great, but you
don't need to be in one to
survive.
Remember that being single has
never showed up on an autopsy
report, and it doesn't affect
your breathing. Seriously, stop
crying and being depressed
because you haven't met the
right one or just left the wrong
one. Be patient, spend some time
with yourself and become the
best you!
Be single and sane.
The
story of an unbreakable bond
My mom and I enjoy
the definition
of a good relationship
By
Amari Godwin Florida A&M
University
Feb. 26, 2016
Relationships are
defined as two or more people
that are connected or at the
state of being connected.
Relationships are is something
that bonds people together. But
what is a "good" relationship?
Good relationships are
unbreakable bonds, support
systems and being involved with
people who care about you
unconditionally.
Every little girl has dreamed of
being their "Daddy's little
girl" or "Daddy's Princess" but
I was the complete opposite; a
Mommy's girl. Being the strong
black woman my mom is, she
always inspired me to do
anything that I believed I
couldn't - and she never gave up
on me.
In elementary school when I was
discouraged during FCAT,
ACT/SAT, and now, through final
exams in college, she has always
lifted me up and made every
negative situation positive.
I did the same for her in
return. During lay-off season
when she lost her job, I was
there to give her hope on
finding another job, and never
stopped until she found the
perfect one.
Teenage girls loved to go
shopping with daddy's credit
cards but not I. Whatever I need
my mom was right there to
provide it for me and I never
had to ask twice.
For most girls it was about just
going out with their friends to
the mall and spending all of
daddy's money but for me it was
about actually going to the mall
with my mom to spend time and
shop with her.
She also made sure that I
never had anything to worry
about financially. Being in
college away from your hometown
with no job or car can get
pretty stressful. Not only does
she take care of my tuition all
by herself, but she also gives
me what I need to survive away
from home.
Everything between us wasn't
always perfect. We had our share
of fights and arguments that
left us mad at each other for a
few minutes.
Growing up, I was a brat and
used to get mad when I could
never get my way- but now I see
why she didn't say "yes" to
everything I asked for.
She was shaping me into the
strong and wise young lady I am
today and preparing me for the
world. The arguments and fights
never broke our bond- we went
back to being best friends in
the next hour.
Good relationships are
never perfect- you will
experience a few bumps in the
road -but an unbreakable bond
will never let the bumps affect
anything.
Good relationships are formed by
people who care for one another,
are connected and will always be
there for each other, no matter
the circumstance.
My mother and I have the perfect
definition of a good
relationship. No matter how far
away we are from each other, we
still share that unbreakable
bond.
Life
after marriage is
challenging
Many discover being young and
married
throws the relationship into
different gear
By
Brianna McGregor Florida A&M
University Oct. 13, 2014
While most students are casually
dating, others are planning
their June wedding- a month that
is quickly approaching.
Young people are often told that
they will find their soul mate
during the college years, but
the next question that comes up
is, "Is it a distraction from
school or will it help you by
having that consistent help?"
Life after marriage may be
challenging to some because most
married people typically hang
around other married couples,
but while in college, that
situation may hinder your social
life.
Dating while in college may put
some at risk for missing certain
opportunities for their career.
While one may want to leave the
significant other to study
abroad, some may not want to
attend an internship for the
summer because it may put their
relationship in jeopardy.
"I missed out on a great
internship while in a previous
relationship with my now
ex-boyfriend," said Ashley
Collins, education major at
Florida A&M University.
Staying focused on what you came
to college to accomplish is
ideal but the risk of losing
your significant other is scary
for some.
The fund of time together could
disappear in a matter of months
- maybe even weeks, for some.
Some people jump for the joy of
commitment but wind up thinking
that they're ultimately missing
out on the joy of being young,
wild and free.
"Now I wish I would have taken
that opportunity because we're
not even together anymore," said
Collins.
Some
people jump for the joy
of commitment but wind
up thinking that they're
ultimately missing out
on the joy of being
young, wild and free.
"We thought we had hard times
while away from each other, but
once we both graduated and moved
in, those hard times got
worse," said Kenard Stevens, who
has been married now for four
months.
One of the main reasons for
attending college is to get away
from your parents so you can be
free as a bird.
Couples who marry young are
drawn to the idea of "happily
ever after."
Most don't even think of the
worst that can happen -
not only to the relationship,
but also to them.
Being in relationships at a
young age can cause people to
lose themselves because they're
always trying to please the
opposite partner.
They believe that it's their
duty to place the opposite
person's happiness before their
own.
No one can tell you the right
age you need to be before you
get married. But you should
consider all possibilities,
whether they're good or bad.
"Giving each other their space
is a must," said Stevens. "You
always need that alone time
because being together at every
second of the day can be a
strain."
Stores
compete, you win
Students who need to pinch their
pennies
find that couponing can bring
rewards
By
Brianna McGregor Florida A&M
University Oct. 13, 2014
Having a taste for fine wine -
but living on a beer budget -
may not be easy, but it is
manageable.
Ideally you won't learn the
importance of budgeting until
you enroll in a two- or
four-year university.
There is a plethora of ways
students can save money on
purchases, such as "extreme
couponing" and "thrifting" -
from going to Goodwill for
clothing and using the practice
of price matching, for example.
Let's take groceries. Remember
when you used to live at home
with your parents and they would
get you any and everything you
wanted from the grocery store?
Those times typically change for
college students since other
priorities come into play.
"Being a mother and student, I
need to pinch every penny
possible," said Tyeisha Steele,
a mother of two and student at
Tallahassee Community College.
With Wal-Mart being a stickler
for having the cheapest prices
in town, the company created a
savings catcher app that
customers can use to get money
back on purchases.
The app allows you to upload
your receipt number no longer
than seven days after the
initial purchase.
The system will then search
every store in town and see if
the price is cheaper. If found
cheaper, you will get the
difference in the form of reward
dollars or an e-gift card.
"Since downloading the app, I
have saved $5 from a single
purchase by using coupons and
the new app," said LaChanze
Willis, a Tallahassee resident.
Couponing has become more
popular now than ever. We all
hated standing in line behind
someone who had to gather all
their coupons together at the
end of their checkout process,
but now we all are looking to
save a buck or two.
E-COUPON
SHOWS
THAT
CUSTOMER
WILL GET
A REFUND
Clipping coupons on a Sunday
afternoon isn't so bad anymore
when you know you will be saving
abundantly.
Strategizing your coupons with
your local grocery store sales
is the best way to keep a little
more in your wallet than in the
register.
According to Forbes, if students
cook dinner in a crock-pot
before leaving for class, they
can save that $10 or more that
they would spend at Chipotle.
Graduate student Bryan Williams
said he is always looking for a
good deal when shopping.
"Having Wal-Mart accept Publix
sales was one of the best ideas
ever," Williams said. "I get
great deals at a cheaper price."
Lake
Ella offers array of
dining
Tallahassee's food trucks put
Thursdays
on the menu with delightful
varieties
By Brianna
McGregor Florida A&M
University Oct. 13, 2014
Thursday nights have never been
the same in the capital city
since 2011. Tallahassee food
trucks have taken over the city
with a wide variety of food from
local vendors, chefs and
musicians.
A typical Thursday down North
Monroe Street in Tallahassee may
seem hectic to some, but others
it is something to look forward
to each and every week.
Food trucks have been traced
back to the early 1900's in Los
Angeles as citizens were on the
prowl looking for unique eats
during strange hours of the
night.
The Tallahassee Food Truck
Association conducts weekly
meetings for officers and
members. Any food truck member
can attend the meeting. However,
if you'd like to join the team.
you must submit an
application. In addition,
a monthly rent must be paid.
"Once the application is
accepted and reviewed, annual
dues are to be paid on time,"
said Beverly Rich, vice
president, chef and co-owner of
Valhall Grill food truck.
Rich said that dues are
allocated to the maintenance of
the website and other costs.
"My Thursday nights have become
routine," said Tiffany West,
junior at Florida State
University. "After a long
day of classes I go to Lake Ella
to unwind and have delicious
food awaiting me at my
fingertips."
"Being stationed at Lake Ella
was quite convenient for the
trucks," said Leona Bullard, a
resident of Tallahassee. "
People note that there is so
much foot traffic at Lake Ella
that it only seemed right for
the trucks to move there as
opposed to being next to Burger
King on Tharpe Street.
Tallahassee food trucks are
mapped on social media app.
Every Thursday has different
trucks.
Eighteen trucks in total are a
part of the team.
Foods range from Puerto Rican
mojo pulled pork quesadillas to
all-American classics such as
brick oven pizza.
Two dessert trucks have an array
of foods that will satisfy that
sweet tooth.
TFTA created an app called
"Tallahassee Streetfood" which
customers can download on their
smartphone device.
The app allows food truck
patrons to know where to meet
their favorite truck during the
day and night.
And let's not forget those
locally-based bands that
entertain all those hungry
people while they are in line
socializing and jamming to the
beats of the drums.
"The purpose of TFTA is to
foster and promote growth in the
food truck industry," said Rich.
Hot
lines, refuge housing
available
'Purple' signifies domestic
violence
as stories of abuse, trauma are
shared
By
Brianna McGregor Florida A&M
University Oct. 13, 2014
The town has been painted pink
in honor of breast cancer
awareness, but what about the
color purple?
Purple signifies domestic
violence. Webster dictionary
describes domestic violence as
the act of abuse from one person
to another either in a marriage
or cohabitation.
Noticing the signs of abuse
early is the best way to stop
it. Living in fear of the person
you love isn't ideal. And
staying in a relationship just
because you don't want to be
alone isn't ideal, either.
Safehorizon.org reported that
women aged 20-24 are at a higher
risk for domestic violence.
Also, one in three women are
victims of homicide from a
current or former partner every
year.
Robin Nelson was married more
than 10 years. She thought she
had the best relationship with
only a few disagreements here
and there. One day that all
changed because what she thought
was a normal little argument
sent her crawling on the floor,
bleeding and crying for help.
"I never thought this would have
happened to me. I always had a
sincere heart for those that I
knew of who were going through
it," said Nelson.
Most of the abuse that women
-and sometimes men- encounter is
during the hours of 6 p.m. and 6
a.m. The abuser knows that the
victim won't normally call out
for help at this hour.
There are many types of domestic
violence. Physical violence is
the act of grabbing, punching,
shoving and beating. Emotional
violence is repetitive criticism
and emotional degrading. Sexual
violence refers to rape, or
forcing the partner to have
rough, unwanted sex.
Psychological can result in the
victims threatening to harm
themselves, kidnapping someone
and thinking of suicide. Lastly,
there is economic violence,
which is keeping money from the
other person.
Gwendolyn Washington was never
married, but she had been with
her now ex-boyfriend for eight
years. Washington said that she
never saw the signs of domestic
abuse in him. He was always
sweet, loving and understanding.
"Being pushed down seven steps
of my staircase, I thought my
life had flashed before my
eyes," said Washington.
Some women may think that
because they are abused they
don't have anyone to turn to,
whether it may be a friend or
family member.
'Being pushed
down seven steps of my
staircase I thought my
life had flashed before my
eyes' - Gwendolyn
Washington
There are an abundance of hot
lines where victims can speak to
representatives about help and
also community outreach groups
where they can share stories
about their experiences.
"I was scared, hurt and felt
like I had nowhere to turn to,"
said Nelson.
In Tallahassee, there are more
than 10 different abuse shelters
for women and children to seek
help if they want it. Leon
County's Refuge House is
available 24 hours a day.
Unfortunately financial
assistance is not available but
they do however, offer
counseling, emergency shelters
and transportation.
Washington suffered through
stitches and wore a cast for two
months. She said that she then
mustered the courage to start
her own domestic violence
support group.
Every year during the month of
June -which is when her domestic
violence occurred- Washington
conducts a weekend of events
with friends and the community
to raise awareness about
domestic abuse.
"Life after my abusive
relationship has taught me so
much," Nelson said.
She was afraid to share her
story with others because she
didn't want to get judged, but
she realized she could help
others in the same situation.
She knew she had to speak out
and hold her head high.
"I've decided that at this point
I don't need to be in a
relationship, I need to focus on
myself and try to trust again,"
said Nelson.
Refuge House -located in Leon
County and also surrounding
areas -offers shelters,
counseling services, 24-hour
available hotlines, and therapy
and safety guidelines.
"We have eight other houses
available for citizens to seek
for help," said Jessica Pinto,
community education office
representative at Refuge House
in Leon County.
To learn more about whom to call
please call Leon County's Refuge
House at 850-681-2111 or visit http://www. refugehouse.com/ to
seek help.
'Clinic
needed more funding'
Here's why students are paying
more
for health fees at Florida
A&M University
By
Brianna McGregor Florida A&M
University Oct. 13, 2014
Some students are wondering why
they are now paying more money
for their health fees at Florida
A&M University. Where does
the student health fee go?
Whether their parents are paying
for their education or the
student, additions to tuition
payments can become costly and
emotionally draining.
"I never understood all the fees
that are listed on my account
breakdown. Every time I ask
student accounts about them, all
they say is that's normal to
have the same fee listed twice,"
said Tabari Holland, graduate
student at Florida A&M
University.
The health fee is calculated by
each credit hour the student is
enrolled. In 2011, the usual fee
was $59 a semester and now three
years later the fee has been
hiked up to $103.50 a semester.
"The health fee was increased
because the clinic needed more
funding to maintain supply
cost," said Tanya Tatum,
director of Florida A&M
University clinic.
"No state dollars goes toward
the clinic's funding for
anything. Every charge comes
from each student enrolled at
the university," said Tatum.
Money goes to the first aid
station at football games, the
nutritionist at the FAMU
Recreational Center and Sunshine
Manor - the on-campus counseling
center.
The clinic's hours are 8 a.m. -
4:30 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and
10a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Fridays.
In addition to the clinic being
open early morning, there is a
pharmacy on-site where students
can obtain any medication they
may need, but prescription
prices vary.
It may be difficult to get an
appointment.
Fees are going up, students
learn.
"Every time I try and book an
appointment they were booked for
months," said Taleria Rolle,
nursing student at FAMU.
Currently there is only one
physician, three medical
practitioners and four exam
rooms.
"We are looking for another
physician until then we make do
with what we have," said Tatum.
Students must also pay for
prescriptions and x-rays that
may have been prescribed during
the visit.
The FAMU clinic along with
Florida State University's
clinic also doesn't allow
overnight stays, but it does
offer a wide range of testing,
screening and counseling to
those in need.
No overnight services or beds
offered to students at either
campus clinic, but they will
refer you to a nearby clinic in
town.
The clinic accepts walk-ins.
Stars,
vendors show how
Cut the perm, return to
natural hairstyle
is the message of expo in
Tallahassee
By
Briana McGregor Florida A&M
University Fall 2014
To cut the perm out or become
natural? Many people began their
natural hair journey years ago
while, for some, it has recently
become a lifestyle.
The third annual Capital City
Natural Hair & Health Expo
took place earlier this semester
at FAMU Developmental Research
School, hosted by Florida
A&M University alumna
Valencia and Denise Jones.
Several local and out-of-town
vendors who sold varieties of
clothing, jewelry, homemade hair
and body oils, among others,
attended the expo.
Several speakers spoke about
topics ranging from hair-care
techniques to life after what
some would call the "big chop."
Being natural typically means
that one's hair is free from all
chemicals that could potentially
damage hair.
Many African-American women feel
freely about being natural and
supporting their black heritage
through their hair with many
hairstyles such as twist and
blowouts and Afros.
"I alter my hair styles from
hair puffs to twists to the side
with curls and every now and
then I'll get a press out," said
Kimberly Francois, who owns
Think Kinkz Natural Hair
Apparel.
Francois, a Florida State
University graduate, sold
inspirational T-shirts and
jewelry at her booth. Although
she doesn't have a storefront,
she sells her items on Etsy.com
with sizes ranging from children
to adults.
After doing the big chop in
March 2010, Francois said her
hair is free and manageable.
Valencia Jones, who also owns
Mandisa-Ngozi Art & Braiding
Gallery - which means "sweet
blessing" in Swahili - founded
the hair expo. She co-owns her
hair studio with her sister,
Denise Jones.
Click on picture to watch
video in Quicktime.
"I started the expo to
inspire individuals and uplift
the natural movement," Valencia
Jones said.
The duo are not only owners of a
local hair gallery that
specializes in braids, locs,
twist and yarn wraps, but they
both are also certified to
educate and provide license for
the state of Florida.
Denise Jones said, "Being
natural isn't a trend; it's a
lifestyle."
In addition to the vendors,
fashion shows, raffle giveaways
and live performances, there was
also a celebrity guest in
attendance, Tyra Ferrell.
Ferrell is an actress who
resides in Tallahassee. She has
played in "Boyz N the Hood" and
debuted in "Dream Girls" on
Broadway.
"Valencia Jones is a powerhouse
and I come to support her every
year," said Ferrell, who is a
client and good friend of
Valencia Jones.
The Jones sisters have won
multiple awards and are highly
respected locally and in
surrounding cities.
Asia Moore, a student who
attended the expo, said she
enjoyed the show."I spent over
$50 on products to better take
care of my hair," Moore said.
Grossly
over-exercising is 'new
epidemic'
By
Keira Green Florida A&M
University Oct. 12, 2014 Millions of people all over
the nation are trying to lose
weight - but how far will they
go to drop those excess pounds?
The rising epidemic of people
trying to lose weight fast by
grossly over- exercising is very
dangerous, but quickly growing
in popularity.
According to the Association for
Body Image Disordered Eating
(ABIDE), the number of people
with eating disorders has
increased, along with a shocking
rise in the number of people
with exercise disorders.
These individuals do not
mentally understand that too
much exercise can actually do
more harm than good.
"I believe that the trend of
over-exercising is due to the
stereotypes of society," said
Stephanie Pierre, the floor
supervisor of the Hansel E.
Tookes Recreation Center at
Florida A&M University.
"There are so many people who
come into the gym believing that
they are too big, when in
actuality they are physically
fit. So many people become
obsessed with dieting and
exercising because they believe
that their bodies are not good
enough when they are," said
Pierre.
Pierre says that she sees
hundreds of people come in and
out of the center every week to
work out when they are already
physically fit.
ABIDE states that these
individuals are called
compulsive exercisers because
they seem to be physically
unable to stop exercising. They
will not stop even if they are
asked, threatened, or begged by
loved ones, trainers, or peers.
"I have to admit that sometimes
I will work out in an unhealthy
way because there are times I
really want to lose weight
fast," said Reaven Cunningham, a
college student from Miami.
Equipment may beckon students
to do too much.
(Photos by Keira Green)
"I know it's bad but I still do
it when I need to."
Across the nation, there are
plenty of people who just like
Cunningham who stray from their
normal exercise patterns to lose
weight quickly.
These people are putting
themselves at risk of compulsive
exercise disorder by doing this.
Jibri Bailey, a college student,
also agrees that she usually has
healthy weight loss habits, but
if she needs to lose extra
weight, she will over-exercise
as much as possible.
ABIDE states that if you want to
lose weight, you should do it in
a healthy way by exercising no
more than three to four times a
week, for no longer than two
hours on those days.
Monique Pearson, a college
student from Miami, sticks to a
schedule.
"I make sure to work out no more
than three days a week and for
no more than an hour to an
hour-and-a-half. I make sure to
stick to this schedule because I
want to get fit, but I don't
want to do it in an unhealthy
way," Pearson said.
October
is AIDS Awareness Month
Local organization
offers training and
certification in HIV testing,
counseling
By
Krystal Smith Florida A&M
University Oct. 12, 2014
Are you aware of the possibility
you may be infected with the HIV
virus?
The month of October marks the
coming of AIDS Awareness Month.
a month in which prevention is
the byword.
Nowadays with new advances in
technology HIV/AIDS is more
contained than it was 30 years
ago, say experts. One step in
protecting yourself from this
virus is prevention.
One of the most common methods
of prevention is getting tested
regularly for HIV.
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC),
recommends everyone between the
ages of 13 and 64 get tested at
least once as part of a routine
health screening.
Usually when most people think
about an HIV test, they think
about needles and blood. In
recent years, however, HIV tests
have gotten relatively easy to
take.
Today in many clinics, oral HIV
tests are used rather than blood
tests.
Oral tests are they are
painless, you do not have to
worry about spilling blood, and
they are easier to give.
One Tallahassee organization,
The Minority Alliance for
Advocating Community Awareness
and Action, Inc.,(MAACA) offers
classes so anyone can get
certified in HIV testing.
Niya Hubbard is MAACA's
Volunteer Coordinator,
"It's important that we get
people in the community involved
with HIV testing. Getting tested
and knowing whether or not you
have the virus is the first step
in preventing it."
Oral HIV tests are used
rather than blood tests.
At MAACA, anyone can get a
certification in HIV testing. To
become certified in HIV testing
you must take a course with
MAACA.
During the course, you will sit
through videos and presentations
about the history of HIV, what
HIV is, how it affects your
body, and how to help people
cope if they find out they are
HIV positive.
After this portion of the
training, you will be given an
exercise on how to give an HIV
test.
After you take this exercise you
will be taken into the community
where you will be give three
oral HIV tests to individuals
who you come across in the
community, under the supervision
of a trained individual.
After you have completed this,
you will then become certified
in HIV testing and counseling.
LaCourtney Baker a business
student, became certified in HIV
testing through MAACA.
"The class was very helpful and
now I'm glad to be certified in
HIV testing. It makes me feel
like I'm doing the community a
service."
If you are interested in
becoming certified in HIV
testing and counseling, please
contact MAACA's volunteer
coordinator Niya Hubbard at 850-
942-6222. You can also visit
MAACA at its website, http://www.maaction.org.
Experts
urge speed in getting child
tested
Parents can lessen
child's hearing loss
with early diagnosis and
intervention
By Tonnesha
Edmond Florida A&M
University Oct. 12, 2014
Imagine reading a story each
night to your child. The child
may feel the story. The child
may even be able to see the
pictures of the story.
Can your child hear the story?
According to the National
Institute on Deafness and Other
Communication Disorders, about
three in 1,000 infants in
America are born deaf or with
some level of hearing loss every
year.
Many parents go without notice
of their infant's inability to
hear until later.
In some cases, later could
almost be too late. The serious
period for speech and language
development occurs during the
first three years of life. This
is the time when the brain is
doing most of its developing and
maturing.
The newborn hearing screening
isn't a test any parent would
expect their newborn to fail. It
is vital that the child sees an
audiologist if the test is
failed.
It is perfectly normal to hope
for the best with your child's
hearing. But it is vital that
you don't let too much time
lapse before seeking help.
Too much delay can cause
difficulty in language and
speech skills in the future.
"Children that are not provided
access to sound and enrolled in
speech-language therapy from a
young age do not develop the
basic skills required to become
independent communicators," said
Nicole Riley, a speech-language
pathologist at Progressive
Pediatrics Center in
Tallahassee.
David Shropshire, a
hearing-impaired, 23-year-old
FSU student, said he was able to
hear sounds he had never heard.
"Early intervention allowed me
access to sounds that I was
unable to hear the first two
years of my life." He also said
that it allowed him to catch up
on the language skills that were
appropriate for his age.
All across America, there are
early intervention programs set
up for hearing-impaired
children. These programs help
improve childrens' literacy
skills (including sign
language).
The sooner the child is
diagnosed, the earlier a parent
can seek treatment options.
Early treatment allows the child
to have equal language skills as
his or her peers.
One expert speaks of the "window
of opportunity." Chris Moleski
is a parent/infant provider for
Florida School for the Deaf and
the Blind in their Outreach
Program.
'Early
intervention
allowed me
access to
sounds that I
was unable to
hear the first
two years of
my life'
-
David
Shropshire,
FSU student
The American Academy of
Pediatrics reports that a child
identified as hearing impaired
before six months of age scored
higher on speech and language
assessments than those
identified after six months of
age, according to studies.
"By intervening early with
amplification and activities to
foster listening, speech and
language skills, families can
take advantage of that critical
window of opportunity that
occurs between birth and three
years to maximize their child's
development," he said.
Early signs of hearing loss
include a child's
unresponsiveness to sounds or
failure to make vowel sounds.
New research performed by the
University of Missouri
suggests a direct
correlation between infant
vocalizations and their hearing
ability.
If an infant is able to hear his
own cooing, he or she is likely
to be motivated to babble more
than a hearing-impaired infant.
"Early intervention is essential
to the level of progress that
kids with developmental delays
are able to achieve," said
Deandrea Lee, a registered and
licensed occupational therapist
at Dick Howser Daycare Center in
Tallahassee.
To find out information about
local hearing-impaired family
support group meetings, contact
Linda Walker at (850) 645-4880.
FAMU's
Osceola lot erosion repair
will take months
Closed parking lot causes
inconvenience
for some; university cites
safety problem
By
Naikeema Fields Florida A&M
University Oct. 9, 2014
Students at Florida A&M
University who drive to campus
were in for a surprise this
semester.
As students arrived on campus to
park in one of their coveted
parking spots, they instead were
met with yellow police caution
tape, and a sign, warning
students and staff to not use
the parking lot.
The Osceola gravel lot, located
on the corner W. Osceola St. and
S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
was closed - due to erosion,
according to university
officials.
Michael S. Watson, FAMU's
parking services enforcement
coordinator, said that since the
creation of the Osceola gravel
lot many years ago, erosion has
always been an issue. Over a
period of time, the gravel began
to erode, due to rain.
The Osceola gravel lot has
approximately 166 parking spaces
available for students, faculty
and staff. With so many spaces
unavailable for use, many
students often find themselves
scrambling to find other places
to park.
Stephone Baker said he has been
inconvenienced by the closing of
the lot. "Parking is already
limited, so this just makes
students later," said Baker, a
senior pre-physical therapy
student from Orlando. "This
forces students to park
elsewhere, and then receive
tickets."
Baker also said he felt students
didn't receive an adequate
warning about the lot's closure.
"I'm more upset that they didn't
do a good job letting us
students know that the gravel
lot had closed. Of course they
sent emails through FamMail, but
who actually reads those?" he
added.
According to Watson, the Osceola
parking lot will be closed for
several more months.
"Parking services is in the
process of obtaining bids to
determine the cost for repairing
the parking lot. Once bids are
in, the funds to pay for the
repairs have been identified and
made available. This process can
take several months," he said.
"The company that will repair
the lot will be chosen through
FAMU's university procurement
bid process," said Watson. But
not all students have had
parking troubles.
"I noticed the gravel parking
lot was closed about a month
ago," said Telisia Isaac, a
junior health care management
student from Miami.
"I don't have any issues with
parking on campus because I come
to school early and I never
experienced not finding a
parking spot," said Isaac, who
once drove to campus every day.
Several of FAMU's departments
worked together to decide the
fate of the lot; they were the
police department, plant
operations management and
parking services.
"Our main goal in deciding
to close the lot or not was
based solely on the safety of
our students and staff," said
Watson.
FAMU parking service
coordination Michael Watson says lot will be closed
for several months. (Photo by Naikeema
Fields)
Watson urges students to utilize
the university's other
designated parking spaces, and
not depend solely on the gravel
parking lots, which are only
temporary parking solutions for
students and staff.
"While parking spaces may be
limited within the interior of
campus, there are adequate
parking spaces on the exterior
of campus," Watson said.
"There is always ample parking
in the football stadium, the
paved parking lot south of the
Osceola Gravel Lot and the
corner of Eugenia Street and
Perry Street. Unfortunately,
everyone cannot park next to
their classroom or office."
Isaac agrees. She urges other
students who come to campus by
car to be patient, and arrive on
campus 15 minutes before the
start of their classes.
"What I would say is to just
remain patient when finding a
parking spot, and come (to
campus) earlier - the earlier
the better," she added.
Baker, however, has just one
wish. "I just wish there was
more parking. Students are
already stressed about classes
and finances. We shouldn't have
to worry about parking."
For any questions or comments
regarding parking at FAMU, or
for a complete list of available
places to park, contact FAMU
Parking Services at
850-599-2203.
Healthier
lifestyle is promoted
'Emotional eating'
can be overcome,
TMH diabetes support group
learns
By
Kiana Clark Florida A&M
University Oct. 9, 2014
Are you eating emotionally?
'Emotional eating' was a topic
discussed among 40 men and women
at the 'From Emotional Eating to
Mindful Eating' diabetes support
group hosted by The Tallahassee
Memorial Hospital Diabetes and
Bariatric center recently.
The support group supplied
knowledge about overcoming
emotional eating and the
alternatives to relying on food
for comfort.
Emotional eating is when people
turn to food for comfort,
stress, relief, or as a reward
to themselves.
This issue, eventually can turn
into a problem. People not only
gain weight, but feel guilty.
For diabetics, it can be
dangerous.
Shari Lindquist, a speaker and
counselor at the Bariatric
center, said this group session
had high attendance.
"I know this is something that
is really important to a lot of
people," said Lindquist. "It's
probably the most difficult for
people . . . to eat mindfully."
Those who attended the group
received a packet that helped
guide them along as Lindquist
spoke about emotional eating.
Many shared personal testimonies
and tips that could potentially
help others in the group.
Linda Fevrier, RN, a certified
diabetes educator at the
Bariatric Center, said the
session brought people between
the ages of 20 and 70. Many were
diabetics and others had a
diabetic family member.
Nancy Garcia, a daughter of a
diabetic, said she attended this
session to learn about having a
healthier lifestyle and to share
tips with her father who has
diabetes.
Eating the wrong foods
often an 'emotional' choice. (Photo by Kiana Clark)
"I came because I wanted to know
more," said Garcia. "My father
has never been to a class like
this and I feel like if he did
come to class when he first got
diagnosed many years ago, he
would understand better what's
going on."
Judy Haynes, a group member, has
been a diabetic for two years
and said she has lost 70 pounds
since coming to the diabetic
support groups.
"I think these groups are
outstanding," said Haynes. "It's
been really good for me, the
support, and just the
information at different times
coming to the different classes.
It keeps you on track."
Lindquist recommended for those
who eat for comfort or from
emotion to purchase and read the
book, "50 Ways to Soothe
Yourself Without Food," by Susan
Albers.
Who
will wear the pants in the
house?
Changing gender roles pose
challenges
By Whitney
Bristol Florida A&M
University Oct. 8, 2014
Men joke that women can't build
a house, while women say that
men can't ask for directions . .
. and the list goes on.
According to dictionary.com, a
stereotype is a fixed or
overgeneralized belief about a
particular group. Stereotypes
can cause imbalanced and/or
biased treatment because of a
person's gender.
For years women have kept silent
and played by the "rules."
Common stereotypes re that
women should take care of the
children, while men are expected
to be aggressive and repair the
household.
Sha'Ron Shaw, a cardiopulmonary
student from Lakeland, Fla.,
said that she is not a fan of
patriarchy and she believes in
equality.
"Women have been silenced for so
long and have been made to stand
behind their man instead of
beside him. . . we are just as
capable if not more successful,"
Shaw said.
Over the past few years, society
has made countless steps in
adjusting to new definitions of
gender roles.
Of course, the obvious
difference is that men can't
have babies, but several studies
are showing that men and women
are equal.
According to the U.S. Department
of Labor, women earn 95 cents on
the dollar that men earn.
Although there is a 5-cent gap,
President Obama signed an act in
2009 to ensure that women have
the legal tools they need for
equal pay and equal work.
Antonio Hunter, owner of Shop 25
in Tallahassee, said that he
feels like a woman can do as
much as a man, but should she. .
. 'NO. '
"Although women and men are
equal, I like to stick to
tradition," Hunter said.
'Women
have been silenced for so
long and have been made to
stand behind their man
instead of beside him. . .
we are just as capable if
not more successful' -
Sha'ron Shaw
Not so long ago, women did all
the chores while men worked
outside the home, and that was
just the way things were.
But times and the economy have
changed.
Deshaun Taylor, 25, from
Orlando, views gender role
stereotypes differently.
Taylor believes that it all
depends on characteristics and
circumstances.
"If the woman has a better job,
than maybe she should be the
breadwinner," Taylor said. "It's
all circumstantial."
Has this become the new norm?
Charneisha Pates, an English
graduate student at University
of Central Florida, an FSU alum,
said that she does feels as if
the role of women is to take
care of home and the kids, but
that doesn't mean that men can't
help around the house.
"I believe that men should be
the breadwinner, but in this day
and age, women are taking on the
role as well," Pates said.
Although men and women's brain
are wired differently, they
balance each other out.
Cynthia Davis, former guidance
counselor said that women are at
a place now where they can do
just as much men.
Women have broken into fields
once dominated by men, such as
business and law.
"Women were so accustomed to
what society told them to do,
instead of actually doing what
they want," Davis said.
Where
do we go from here?
Will the love last after the
graduation? College couples face
the big question
By
Whitney Bristol Florida A&M
University Oct. 7, 2014
Collegiate couples graduating
Dec. 12 have a lot more to worry
about than just finding a job.
As if the burden of graduation
and the insecurity that comes
with it isn't enough, there's
the underlying question of 'will
the love last after graduation?'
Some graduating seniors
determine the fate of their
relationship quicker than
expected - Do we continue? And
if so, where do we go from here?
After college, the next six
months aren't predictable. Some
graduates move back home, some
are offered jobs, and some may
continue their education.
Continuing to be with someone
after college is challenging,
considering there's more to
think about, but some couples
are up for the race.
Koviann Lowe and James Owens
were high school sweethearts and
now graduating seniors at
Florida A&M University.
Lowe, a pre-occupational therapy
student, and Owens, a criminal
justice student, believes that
love doesn't end after you walk
across the stage.
"Within the next two years after
graduation, we plan to get
married," Lowe said, "We're just
waiting on the start of our
careers and more financial
stability."
Koviann and James are able to
move forward because they are
truly each other's biggest
supporters.
"We do everything as a team,"
Lowe said. "If either one of us
is struggling with something, we
pick up the slack and help each
other out."
Koviann believes that if you
really care about someone you
will be patient and want to make
each other better.
"People have to learn that you
can't be selfish in a
relationship," Lowe said.
Koviann emphasized that although
they have their own agendas, the
love doesn't end there.
"We both have buy schedules but
we make it work because we want
to make a better life for our
son," Lowe said. "We keep the
romance alive by keeping the
relationship exciting." Ending
it would be "for what?"
You've come to college and met
that special person, what do you
decide to do?
Jamilah Fort and Andre Channel
from Orlando met in college and
plan to continue their
relationship as far as love will
take them.
Fort, a psychology student at
Bethune-Cookman University and
Channel, who graduated with a
bachelor's in mass
communications at Bethune,
believes that compromising is
key.
"Our biggest concern is location
and where we will live," Fort
said. "But we are both willing
to move so that we can stay
together."
Fort and Channel have devotional
time where they seek God as a
couple.
"As a couple, we pray a lot. .
. when times are hard we
pray for each other and give
each other space," Fort said.
Ebony Brown, a clinical social
worker in Tallahassee, believes
that whatever route you choose,
make sure that it fits into
one's long term plan.
"Graduation causes us to alter
and re-evaluate our
priorities," Brown said.
Brown said that if the partners
can come to a consensual
agreement and commit to
self-promises, than continuing
love after college should be of
no issue.
Canoodling in college is easy to
do. Both parties are in the same
city and live relatively close
to each other. But once those
students graduate, a big divider
among many couples is distance.
Jamilah and Andre look to the
future; below. Jasmine and Derrick have
overcome challenges
(Photos special to
Tallahasseenow)
Love has no distance limits in
Myami Singletary's story.
Singletary, a graduating biology
student at FAMU, has a rather
interesting love story.
Singletary resides in
Tallahassee but her boyfriend,
Mayne Smith lives in California.
"After college we plan to
continue our relationship, but
we are not sure where yet,"
Singletary said.
Singletary is hesitant about
moving to California because she
wouldn't feel safe there.
"It's hard right now because of
the time zone, but I know once I
graduate everything will fall
into place," Singletary said.
Jasmine Boykins and Derrick
Strozier both from
Orlando, another long
distance relationship couple,
have been together for four
years.
Jasmine, a graduating
occupational therapy student at
FAMU, and Derrick, a
graduating double major finance
and management major at Tulane
University, believe in moving
forward no matter how tough the
journey may get.
After college they plan to stay
together but continue to pursue
their own dreams.
Boykins wants to move back home
and work in the hospital.
Strozier wishes to pursue a
career with the NFL or work as
an investment banker.
Strozier doesn't mind where they
live as long as they're making
good money together.
Continuing love after college
isn't the easiest decision to
make, but these couples show
that with love, a
happily-ever-after is possible.
Flygirls
takes off
'First Love Yourself' is the
motto for girls
in innovative local mentoring
program
By Whitney Bristol Florida A&M
University Oct. 9, 2014
Little girls with dreams become
women with visions, and with
everything you do, you must
(F)first (L)love (Y)yourself.
At least that's the mindset of
Kortney Clinton, founder of FLY
for Girls Inc. Kortney has a
huge book filled with ideas, and
one of her ideas is now being
pursued.
FLY for Girls Inc., is a
non-profit mentoring program for
girls ages 7-17. Their mission
is to educate young girls on
self-love, provide educational
resources, spiritual guidance or
whatever support they need.
FLY for Girls Inc., has
also adopted Buck Lake Road.
Clinton, a 23-year old social
work student, said that she
never had a mentor coming to
FAMU.
"I made a lot of mistakes with
no support," Clinton said. "I
wanted to give back to the
community and help girls who
don't have help."
Clinton noticed that some of the
mentees lacked parental
involvement, wanted a big sister
figure to communicate with, or
yearned for small things like
someone to take them shopping.
"As of now, we have over 30
mentees," Clinton said. "Each
mentor is paired with 1-2 girls
to create a sisterly bond."
Jante Medlock, fourth-year
social work student from Daytona
Beach, Fla., said that being a
mentor is the most rewarding
feeling ever.
"My mentee and I go shopping
together, have ice-cream dates
and do homework together,"
Medlock said. "It feels good to
know that I have someone who
looks up to me."
Medlock said that being a part
of FLY for Girls is a good way
to give back as students.
Overcoming adversity while she's
in college allows her to share
her knowledge with her mentee.
Each month FLY for Girls hosts
an event for the girls.
This month they will have an "I
AM" vision event on Oct.
13. I AM vision is an
event where the girls will cut
scraps from a magazine and make
a vision board.
FLY for Girl's mentors will
motivate their mentees to
achieve this goal.
Aza Scroggins, 12, said that
being a part of FLY for Girls
taught her how to be a better
student and build her
confidence.
"I want to thank my mentee for
taking the time out to help me
with my homework," Scroggins
said. "I really appreciate her
time and effort she spends with
me."
Aza Scroggins is mentored by
Olivia Means (Photos special to
Tallahassee Now)
Flygirls adopted part
of Buck Lake Road
and developed this
logo.
Educational services are open to
any girl in the Tallahassee
community. FLY for Girls Inc.,
has a pantry available year
round containing clothes,
toiletry items and school
supplies.
Clinton said that initially she
created the program to help
others but seeing the impact
with the families has helped her
appreciate life and humble
herself.
Clinton hopes to reach higher
heights and reach out to more
girls.
Grad
school seen as option in
tight economy
As seniors prepare for the job
market,
many seek help through Career
Center
By
Kiana Clark Florida A&M
University Oct. 7, 2014
To enter the job market or not
is the question some seniors at
Florida A&M University are
contemplating with as they
prepare for post-graduation from
college.
To help seniors with that
decision, FAMU has provided some
opportunities for seniors to
help prepare for graduation this
December.
According to the 2014 Economy
Policy Institute, 16.8 percent
of new graduates are unemployed
and the majority of college
grads with a bachelor's degree
are either still hunting for
jobs or working part-time
outside of their field.
The transition from college to
the job market could be drastic
for some, but FAMU has provided
students with ways to prepare
for their careers.
The Career Center, located on
campus, provides career
counseling in variety of
occupational fields and guides
to graduate studies for current
students and alumni.
Delores Dean, director of the
Career Center, said it provides
many programs that benefit
graduating seniors. These
include career expos, on-campus
interviewing, internship
programs "to get your foot in
the door of employers," career
counseling and resume referral
programs.
"Also, students can attend a
number of workshops on
interviewing, transition from
school to work, professional
dress, interviewing skills,
negotiating salary and other
professional workshops," she
said.
This semester, FAMU's Career
Expo hosted approximately 150
organizations and Fortune 500
companies, including non-profit
and governmental agencies.
Students and alumni had good
opportunities to network.
Stephanie Seide, a FAMU alumna,
offered some tips for the future
graduates because she remembers
her journey as an undergraduate.
"Plan ahead. The job market is
so small these days," said
Seide.
"You have to apply early so that
employers know who you are.
Research in your field or the
jobs offered in your field and
don't be afraid to travel."
Some students have decided to
continue their studies in
graduate school and are delaying
the jump into the job market.
Student uses job websites in
Career Center. (Photo by Kiana Clark)
Taylor Campbell, a senior
pre-physical therapy student
from Detroit, said instead of
looking for a job, she wants to
continue to gain knowledge at a
graduate level.
"I am still young and want to
explore and live," said
Campbell.
"I have many years to work, so I
might as well continue to learn,
grow and expand myself."
Semara Watkins, a senior
healthcare management student
from Jacksonville, has decided
to apply for jobs and, at the
same time, search for grad
schools.
"I have been applying to at
least five companies that I am
interested in as well as
applying to grad schools," said
Watkins.
"I want to work full time and go
to school online if possible so
I don't waste any time."
Graduating students who are
searching for job opportunities
can use the following job search
sites to help along the
way: Career Builder,
Monster, Indeed, Snag a Job.
A
successful
25th annual event
Food donations to help local,
world hunger
gathered in CROP march in
Tallahassee
By Kiana Clark Florida A&M
University Oct. 7, 2014
The march against world hunger
took a fork in the road and
headed for Tallahassee this past
week.
Canned foods and walking shoes
took over Lake Ella park on
Sunday as the 2014 Tallahassee
CROP Hunger Walk Program hosted
its 25th annual event.
The CROP hunger program, which
started in 1947, is one of the
national known programs to help
end hunger on a global and
national level. Years later, the
program eventually turned into a
walking event to encourage
others to donate food or money.
Pastor Emory Hingst, the
Panhandle area CROP walk
consultant, said the food
donations that were received
from the event would be kept in
Tallahassee and the money will
be disbursed between Tallahassee
and other organizations helping
to feed others in need.
"All the food that has been
collected here today will be
given to three agencies in
Tallahassee, which are Emergency
Care Help Organization (ECHO),
Catholic charities and The
Shelter's lunch program," said
Hingst.
"Tallahassee will keep 25
percent of the money that will
be given to ECHO and the
Catholic charities," he
said. "The rest will be
given to domestic and
international emergency care and
long-term concerns to help
nations get established."
Participants and park
pedestrians were fed beans and
rice to satisfy their hunger.
Lametria Miller, a novice
participant, said she was
encouraged by her church to
attend the event and she was
excited to walk for the cause.
"My church brought me here to
help feed those who are
unfortunate - by walking," said
Miller. "I'm walking today in
hopes that we raise a lot of
money and get a lot of food
donations."
A CROP volunteer said that
volunteering for the event is
meaningful because of the
purpose it has.
CROP walkers enjoyed meal of
beans and rice.
(Photos by Kiana Clark)
"This is my first year here and
it's going very well," said
Giselle Scarano, a volunteer
from Good News Outreach. "People
are so kind and I hope they will
donate anything they had, even
if it's five dollars just to
help out."
Walkers all came together at the
event opened in prayer by the
Rev. Marda Messick from St.
Stephen Lutheran Church.
Everyone was excited to help
take a step to end hunger.
Several
day camps are open for kids
Leon County Schools
shut for fall 'holiday'
surprising some students and
parents
By Tonnesha
Edmond Florida A&M
University Oct. 3, 2014
Leon County Schools Close for
New Unofficial Holiday
A few minutes after the last
school bell chimed on Thursday
afternoon, a mother and her son
crossed the street.
She thanked the school crossing
guard and said, "See you
tomorrow."
Frank Walker, a Kate Sullivan
Elementary School crossing
guard, replied, "Oh no, you
won't."
This school year is the first
year that a Fall Holiday has
been added to LCS district-wide
calendar.
Bob Austin Jr., another school
crossing guard at Kate Sullivan,
said that this holiday comes as
a surprise to him as well. "I've
been here 14 years and we've
never celebrated this holiday."
About 6-8 months before the
2014-2015 school year began, a
draft of the Leon County Schools
calendar was taken to the school
board for adoption.
Kay Pons, the executive
assistant in the Policy and
Planning Department of LCS
Board, explained the
decision.
"After much discussion with our
District Advisory Council (a
group of parents, teachers,
school staff, school board
members, etc.), they approved
Oct. 3 as an additional day off
that was added to the calendar,"
she said.
One pre-kindergarten teacher at
Kate Sullivan, describes this
break as a "time to relax and
recharge."
"I'll be going camping
with my family."
To keep children entertained
during the Fall Holiday, several
community and recreational
centers are offering day camps.
These events will also
accommodate parents who have to
work and may be seeking
childcare for the Fall Holiday.
Kids, teachers get a break
today from classroom. (Photo by Tonnesha
Edmond)
The Tallahassee Museum, Sue
McCollum Community Center and
the YMCA are a few of the places
offering day camps. Although
programs are being offered,
parents may not be as aware of
Fall Holiday camps as winter and
summer camps.
"We still have about 268 out of
300 spots open for tomorrow's
camp," said Brianna Sherrod, a
Parkway YMCA staff member of
Membership Services.
The holiday has confused some.
"I appreciate the winter break
for Christmas and Hanukkah
observances that take place
every year, but I am not
understanding the purpose of
this made-up holiday," said
Joneka McKnight, a mother of a
4-year-old student at Oakridge
Elementary School.
According to Pons, Oct. 3 as a
fall holiday is included on the
draft for next year's calendar.
The holiday will be evaluated
and voted on again by the LCS
board in the next few months.
To view the LCS calendar, visit
http://www.leonschools.net/Page/2.
FAMU
offers free exams
Breast cancer month
helps fight disease
that will affect one in eight
women
By Bronte'
Laurent Florida A&M
University Oct. 3, 2014
October marks the month for
national breast cancer
awareness, but the battle goes
on every day.
According to American Cancer
Society, breast cancer is the
most common cancer among women
in the United States other than
skin cancer.
To recognize Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, Florida A&M
University's Student
Health Services will hold an
event called "Save the TATAs" -
giving free breast exams on Oct.
7 and 22 from 5 p.m. onward.
Students say they believe it is
important to spread awareness of
breast cancer.
"I think its good to recognize
something that affects so many
women in America," said
Juliette Pitt, a senior business
student from New Jersey.
"This month is about celebrating
the fight and survival of those
with breast cancer."
FAMU men also honor the month.
Former Vice President of Student
Government Association Evan
Bailey feels that it is equally
important for men to have
knowledge of breast cancer.
"We all have people in our lives
whether it's a sister, mother,
cousin . . . that is affected by
breast cancer," Bailey said.
"It's important that we do
everything we can to support
these women in our lives."
As the month continues. breast
cancer awareness will continue
to be spread nationwide.
Millions of women are surviving
the disease thanks in part to
early detection and improvements
in treatment.
The ACS says it is actively
fighting breast cancer by
helping women get tested to find
breast cancer earlier, and
helping them understand their
treatment options and cope with
the physical and emotional side
effects.
Senior Representative for
Community engagement at American
Cancer Society, Rachael Pienta,
says Breast Cancer Awareness
Month raises awareness about how
to detect breast cancer.
"Early detection is really key,"
Pienta said. 'Breast Cancer
Awareness Month helps women to
beat breast cancer and celebrate
more birthdays.'
About one in eight women born
today in the United States will
get breast cancer at some point,
according to ACS.
Gays,
bisexuals, transgenders
Recognizing your sexual
orientation
often requires courage of
'coming out'
By
Bronte' Laurent Florida A&M
University Oct. 2, 1014
"Coming out" has been very
difficult for young adults
because of society's prejudices,
say those who have been through
it.
Gay, bi-sexual, lesbian, and
transgender individuals are
facing an abundant amount of
backlash about their sexual
orientation.
According to The Board of
Trustees of the University of
Illinois, "coming out" is a
process of understanding,
accepting, and valuing one's
sexual orientation or gender
identity.
Sexuality orientation refers to
whom one is attracted to
emotionally, sexually,
physically and spiritually.
Coming out as a lesbian, gay or
bisexual involves an
acknowledgment and acceptance of
one's sexual orientation. Some
students at FAMU are beginning
to come out and express their
sexual freedom.
"I first expressed my sexual
orientation as a lesbian my
freshman year in college," said
FAMU alumni La'Chana Williams
who lives in Tallahassee.
"In the beginning it was
something I was nervous about
telling my friends, but today I
can say I am comfortable
expressing my sexual freedom."
The first step in coming out
about sexual orientation is
working toward self-acceptance.
An individual must recognize
their gender identity.
Studies by Illinois University
have shown that it is best for
gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and
transgenders to focus on the
positive aspect of the culture.
Music, art, theater, books,
events and groups are all
different examples of the
culture.
Sexualities that are not
heterosexual are exposed to
homophobic messages.
"I attended the pride parade in
Atlanta and there was a group of
protestors bashing gays," said
Erika Jeans, a Memphis woman who
is in the armed services and
lives in South Georgia.
Some face backlash from
family and friends. (Photo by Bronte'
Laurent)
"It hurt my feelings to
see this but it also brought
comfort back to me when I looked
around and saw so many just like
me celebrating their pride."
In today's society it is still
legal in some places to
discriminate against those who
are not heterosexual.
Individuals who have different
sexual orientation other than
heterosexual face the loss of
housing, employment, or entrance
into a business.
Dougla-Khan Stancil, licensed
mental health counselor at
Florida A&M's campus
counseling building -known as
Sunshine Manor- said the fear of
being ostracized by peers and
friends is the reason
individuals don't come out.
"Students being scared of
family's reaction to coming out
as well is a reason they choose
not to come out about
sexuality," said Stancil.
The campus experience for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender students can be
affected by what the
administrators have to say on
the matter.
Students should be aware of
their school's policies and
history of supporting or
ignoring their issues.
If FAMU students are in a
predicament where they are
afraid to express their
sexuality, the on-campus
counseling service at Sunshine
Manor is open to provide the
help.
Agriculture college shows tasty research
Muscadine grapes featured at
wine, cheese event for FAMU's
new president
By Bronte'
Laurent Florida A&M
University October 2, 2014
Wine and cheese and some special
grapes graced the table
Wednesday in honor of Florida
A&M University's new
president.
The occasion was to welcome
FAMU's 11th president, Elmira
Mangum. The inaugural week wine
and cheese event took place at
the Southeastern Regional Black
Archives Research Center and
Museum at FAMU.
The event featured exhibits from
FAMU's College of Agriculture
and Food Sciences, also known as
CAFS.
The Center for Viticulture and
Small Fruits Research in the
CAFS has built a long-term
program focused on the
development of improved grapes.
Methods include traditional
breeding, biotechnology and
in-vitro selection, according to
the research program.
CAFS presented to students and
faculty its study of new
muscadine grapes.. This included
samples of grapes turned into
syrup, jerkies, jellies, nuts,
infused water, and wine.
The University policy will not
allow FAMU's wine to be sold,
only sampled, according to
researcher at Center for
Viticulture and Small Fruit
Research Josie Toliver
"All of our wine is made of
muscadine grapes by FAMU,"
Toliver said. "We have used
these specific grapes to
experiment with different tastes
and see peoples reactions to the
taste."
CAFS has transformed research
findings into tangible benefits
for the University and grape
industry and developed and
released the new muscadine grape
cultivar.
Samples of delicacies at wine
and cheese event. (Photo by Bronte Laurent)
During this research, CAFS
cloned and deposited in public
gene banks eight new gene
sequences from muscadine grape.
Some students were not aware of
CAFS research and were very
impressed with the muscadine
samples.
"I never heard of mascudine
grapes until right now, nor did
I know FAMU had its own wine,"
said Lashana Williams graduate
broadcast student from Miami.
"I'm impressed with their
experiment. "I found the food
and wine to be amazing."
Students look forward to more
events being hosted by CAFS
student ambassadors.
"The fact that we were able to
use our own product from the
College of Agriculture and Food
Sciences was amazing," said
Dontae Iverson graduate public
relations student from Tampa.
CAFS mission is to promote
the development of a viable
viticulture industry in Florida.
World
Rabies Day spurs efforts
Be aware that rabies is fatal
disease for
animals and bite can be deadly
to humans
By
Sylvia Prevalus Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
Rabies is a fatal disease, once
symptoms start, and Tallahassee
residents are being encouraged
to learn how to prevent its
spread.
Sunday was World Rabies Day.
The viral disease is often found
in wildlife animals like
raccoons and foxes, but can be
found among domestic animals and
humans.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's
(CDC) website, the disease
attacks the central nervous
system causing the brain to be
infected with the disease and
within days, death.
The CDC says a person who is
bitten by a rabid animal should
receive rabies treatment within
10 days of infection. It is
usually too late once symptoms
appear.
Veterinarian Rachel Barton
explains how serious the disease
is.
"The rabies virus is actually a
deadly virus and by the time an
infected animal or an infected
person is showing symptoms of
the disease, it is fatal."
"There is no treatment to cure
it, so it is something we really
have to deal with through
prevention," said Barton, who
works for the City of
Tallahassee animal services.
The symptoms for the early stage
of rabies include headaches and
fevers, whereas the latter
stages include insomnia,
paralysis, hallucinations,
confusion, and hydrophobia, the
fear of water.
Although rabies is found mostly
in "developing countries like
Asia, India, and Africa,"
according to sanfordhealth.org,
there have also been cases of
the disease in Tallahassee.
An animal control officer for
the City of Tallahassee, Darin
Kimberl, said most cases within
the past few years were cats
that had become infected, and
there are a few of those cases
every year.
"Rabies is alive and well in the
city of Tallahassee, Leon
County. It's almost exclusively
in the wildlife particularly
because of the state law we
enforce," Kimberl said.
Florida has a law that orders
pet owners within the state to
get their pets vaccinated to
prevent outbreaks of the
disease.
City's Animal Services is
located near Tom Brown Park.
(Photo by Sylvia Prevalus)
Mary Gilbert, a local pet owner,
just recently took her dog,
Alexis, to get vaccinated.
She said that she had never
encountered an animal with
rabies, but wanted to be safe.
Once pets are vaccinated, the
city of Tallahassee wants owners
to take extra precautions to
identify that their pets have
been vaccinated.
"It is state law for dogs, cats,
and ferrets four years of age
and under to be vaccinated for
rabies by a licensed
veterinarian.
"In the city of Tallahassee, we
go a little bit further by
stating that the animals wear a
current rabies, vaccination,
tag," Kimberl said.
Rabies is contracted mostly
through dog bites, but there are
other ways to become infected.
"It is through saliva
contact, so through biting,
spitting and getting into the
mucus membranes. It's got to
break the skin and open wounds
or something, but biting is the
primary route of transmission,"
Kimberl said.
Barton said that the city is
constantly looking for new ways
to inform the community about
rabies and rabies prevention,
but residents learn what they
should do in case they ever see
an animal with rabies.
If anyone suspects that they
have seen an animal with rabies,
animal control advises that they
call them immediately at 850-891-2950.
The best way to ensure that your
property is safe is to keep it
clean.
Kimberl said that residents
discard of anything that an
animal with rabies can utilize
like food, shelter, and water.
City
sponsors Frenchtown clinic
People bring their pets for
vaccinations
to prevent the deadly disease of
rabies
By
Sylvia Prevalus Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
A lot of people don't have the
money to pay for the preventive
medical care for their pets, so
the city is helping the animals
and their humans.
The City of Tallahassee held an
animal clinic last Saturday for
rabies vaccinations in
Frenchtown.
It was the 22nd bi-annual clinic
at the LeVerne Payne Community
Center on Fourth Avenue, where
residents were allowed to get
their pets vaccinated for the
price of a small monetary
donation.
Mary Gilbert, a local resident,
brought her dog, Alexis, to the
clinic. She said it was a good
event and she appreciated the
fact that it was free.
Veterinarian Rachel Barton
agrees.
"Not everyone in the community
has the funds to provide needed
veterinary care for their pets
and rabies vaccines are
essential not in just protecting
the pet, but also protecting the
family," said Barton, a
veterinarian for the City of
Tallahassee animal services.
"We ask for a donation, and if
they can't afford it, we don't
turn them away."
The clinic started in
Frenchtown, because "it was
where one of the first cases of
rabies appeared," Barton said.
At the time, a stray cat tested
positive for the virus that was
usually found in wild animals.
"We knew that there was rabies
in the wild animals in our area,
but that was the first time in a
long time that we had seen it in
a domestic animal," she said.
In Florida, the law mandates pet
owners to get their pets
vaccinated, especially dogs,
cats, and ferrets. Animal
control officer Darin Kimberl
said they officers are
enforcing the law to keep the
pets safe, and also to keep the
community healthy.
"With rabies being in the area
among wildlife and pets being
vaccinated, it kind of keeps
that buffer," he said. "It keeps
it away from the human
population, because any animal
with hair, mammals, and humans
can get rabies. It's deadly."
Erica Gerber, 21, who
volunteers at the Tallahassee
animal shelter near Tom Brown
Park, decided to also help at
the animal clinic. She said that
they have vaccinated a lot of
pets so far, and she was happy
she could help.
"I decided to volunteer, because
it is a good cause. They also
needed the help," Gerber said.
"It's a good opportunity for
everyone to come out and get
their pets vaccinated if they
haven't already."
Veterinarian gives dog a
treat after vaccines.
Below, a resident signs
up to get her dog vaccinated.
(Photos by Sylvia Prevalus)
The funds given for vaccinations
are invested back into the
clinic to buy medical supplies
and more vaccines.
Because the clinic is run with
the money from donations, Barton
said it "barely receives enough
to do anything else."
"One of our volunteer stations
inside is our rabies
certificates station, and they
are still having to hand-write
the rabies certificate
information, the old-fashioned
way," Barton said.
"We have never made enough
donations to invest in
technology, but that is
something we would love to look
for in the future."
The City of Tallahassee hosts
the spring animal clinic with
Smith-Williams service center in
Bond community and the fall
animal clinic with LeVerne Payne
community center.
Barton said that the city always
sets the fall clinic in
conjunction with world rabies
day, which is on Sunday, Sept.
28.
"It's something we do locally to
help support the cause of
educating people about rabies
and the need to protect their
pets through vaccines," she
said.
The clinics are also used as a
tool to help educate the
community about other issues
that could occur with pets like
heart worms and fleas.
Veterinarians also take the time
to inform pet owners about the
importance of getting a pet
spayed or neutered.
Florida
Museum was the host for
event
Food, wine and music are
ingredients
for Hispanic Heritage Month
fiesta
By
Sylvia Prevalus Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
People of all ages packed the
Museum of Florida History last
Friday to enjoy the different
elements of the Hispanic
culture.
The museum celebrated Hispanic
Heritage Month as people came to
learn about the culture through
art, dance lessons, wine
tasting, and free food.
Whole Foods Market partnered
with the museum and introduced
the community to a variety of
Latin food and wine, while the
Azucar dance group gave dance
lessons.
Samatha Barklow, 21, Florida
State University student, found
out about the event through
social media and came with her
friends to enjoy the music and
the wine tasting.
"We all saw it on Facebook, and
we all wanted to celebrate the
Hispanic Latino culture tonight.
It seemed like a really cool way
to spend Friday evening," she
said.
The North Florida Hispanic
Association and the coordinators
of the Tally Fiesta event helped
spread the word about the event,
and Gary Pettit, the public
relations coordinator for Museum
of Florida History, said that he
was glad it turned out so well.
"There have been some wonderful
Hispanic heritage groups in
Tallahassee that has really
helped us reach a wide audience
to help publicize this event. It
has been really great," Pettit
said.
As president of a Hispanic
organization at FSU, Felicia
Perez, 21, received an email
invitation from the museum
asking her to come and to invite
others to join her.
Perez hadn't toured the inside
the museum before and the
opportunity to celebrate her
Hispanic heritage gave her a
chance to go.
"I have never been in the museum
of Florida History, so that is
something I am really excited
about. I love to be in the
element of my culture," she
said. "I love to hear the music,
and to see the dancing. I grew
up with it, so it is comfortable
for me."
Tim Storhoff from the Department
of State Division of Cultural
Affairs spoke about history and
impact of Latin music. He gave
insight into what made Latin
music popular within mainstream
music from the 1920s-80s and how
it transformed music culture.
Museum volunteer Brittney
Lightsey, 24, said she thought
the event was going great. She
"appreciated what the museum was
doing" for Hispanic Heritage
month.
Residents wait to taste Latin
wines at the museum.
Below, the band plays. (Photos
by Sylvia Prevalus)
She also wanted to make sure
that she not only enjoyed the
event as a volunteer, but that
she would put some thought into
participating.
"It's going beautifully. They
have played a couple of my
favorite songs so far. We will
see if my hips are ready to
shake, and what kind of mood I
am in," Lightsey
said.
'I am
blown away' says corporate
rep
Employers say they were
impressed
by FAMU students at the
Career Fair
By
Sylvia Prevalus Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
Employers were impressed with
the quality and professionalism
of Florida A&M University's
students at the career fair
recently in the Al Lawson
Center.
Companies like Johnson Control
have started to come back to the
career fair after a decline in
the automotive business.
Jesse Prims, a Johnson Control
representative, said that he
appreciated "the professionalism
of the students" along with the
"quality of students" that FAMU
is producing.
"I am blown away by the
professionalism of the students
here, thus far and to be honest,
compared to many of the career
fairs that I have been to, which
is awesome," Prims said.
Every semester the career fair
invites FAMU students to attend
and to come 'dressed to impress'
said Delores Dean, the event
coordinator.
The students attending the
career fair are expected to come
dressed in a suit and bring
their resumes and cover letters
to possibly get an internship or
a full-time job opportunity.
"I would like for the students
to come in professionally
dressed. They are going to need
a suit."
"Some people here came in causal
khakis and nice shirt, which is
ok. But if you are coming for a
job you want to come to
impress," she said.
The goal of the career fair is
for students to have a "better
sense of networking" Dean said.
First-time attendee Tenesha
Oliver, 20, said that she really
enjoyed the event and she was
glad that she had the
opportunity to network.
"I think it is a great
experience to be able to meet
corporate companies, talk
face-to-face, and make
connections," Oliver said.
Kim Nedd, a Walgreens
representative, said that the
company has been attending this
event for years and has seen a
lot of great students.
"Walgreens has been apart of the
career fair ever since I have
been with the company, and I
have been here for 16 years. "
"We have a lot of good prospects
and hopefully people that we can
give internships to," she said.
Jesse Prims (left) of Johnson
Control appreciated
professionalism of students.
Below, a display of the
entire career fair.
(Photos by Sylvia Prevalus)
Some students believe that not
taking advantage of the career
fair is not a smart idea. Lauren
Crawford, 17, journalism major,
said people should always "reach
out" and see what opportunity
could arise.
"I feel like you always should
seize any opportunity and every
opportunity that you have
especially in college.""They
(companies) want young people
and the people that will think
differently and have a new model
for their business," she said.
Next semester, Dean hopes to
bring more students and more
companies. She said that the
university is asking each dean
of each department to send lists
of corporate sponsors that the
department would like to invite.
"We want a variety of companies
looking for all majors. We want
to encourage all students- no
matter what they are majoring
in- freshman, sophomores,
juniors, seniors and alumni,"
Dean said.
"If you need a job or want
to network and meet some
employers, then all you need to
do is come to this event."
'We
have to train up our
children'
Hands Up Speak Out event
promotes
changes in the Tallahassee
community
By
Sylvia Prevalus Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
African-Americans must learn "to
take care of their own,"
students from Florida A&M
University were told recently.
Speakers gathered in Florida
A&M University's
architecture building to
motivate African-American
students to make a stand for
justice, not just in national
cases- but within the community.
Event coordinator, Tahara
Jordan, 20, started the Hands Up
Speak Out event with a quote
from Malcolm X that "nobody can
give you freedom and nobody can
give you equality" but that you
have to take it.
Larry Thompson, a Leon county
school district administrator,
said that despite well-known
incidents such as that of
Michael Brown in Ferguson,
Missouri, "Tallahassee is second
to Miami in Florida for gun
violence."
He stressed the importance of
efforts to reach youth now.
"I want to make sure that the
Famuans know what is going on in
our community, and I want to
make sure that young men who
really want a chance have a
chance to make it out," he said.
Thompson is also the coordinator
of a youth program, 50 Large,
that mentors young men who
were involved with gangs, drugs,
or the legal system.
He encouraged students like
21-year-old Caleb Bodley, a
member of Voices poetry group,
to come and be a positive role
model that the young men within
the community need.
Bodley said that he understands
that there aren't many "positive
male role models in general" -
especially fathers- but he hoped
that people would look beyond
the television with rappers and
basketball players and
self-reflect.
"I expect people to understand
the how urgent we need to be
about these situations, and not
only questioning the
system as a whole, but also how
much do we value each other on a
day to day basis," he
said. "Just
interacting, how we speak to
each other and how we see
ourselves when we look in the
mirror."
Thomas Range, president of
Collegiate 100, agreed with
Thompson about the importance of
mentoring youth. He said that
"if African-Americans take care
of their own, no one else will
have to."
Larry Thompson says that now
is the time to reach youths.
Below, students are
attentive to the message.
(Photos by Sylvia Prevalus)
"Our plight is not with the
white man, so to speak. We have
to train up our children in the
way that they should go," Range
said.
Davonte Fason, 20, a member of
Big Brother Little Brother
mentoring program, said that he
was glad that the event
happened. He also said that he
liked that men at FAMU had an
opportunity to be seen as
positive role models.
"I like what Tahara is doing,
and that she is trying to show
off the men on this campus who
choose to be great and choose to
be an example for other men
around the university and around
the world," he said.
Alligator
tail, conch and frog legs
are tasty treats at game for
residents
By
Sylvia Prevalus Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
Vendors were crowded as
residents lined up after they
saw various signs about exotic
foods that are rare in
Tallahassee.
At Florida A&M University's
home game recently vendors were
allowed to sell food and
souvenirs to residents and
people attending the game behind
Bragg stadium.
Items such as shirts, hats, and
smoothies were among the things
being sold, but most people came
out specifically for the food.
McDuffies Seafood & More, a
vendor from Ocala, is
known for selling exotic seafood
cuisine like alligator, frog
legs, oysters, conch salad,
fried conch, and conch patties.
Darrin Rogers, Owner of
McDuffies, said most people sale
regular things like fish, crabs,
and chicken, but the vendor
wanted to try something a little
different.
"It might make you frown
sometimes, but you would not
believe how wonderful they
taste, including gator tail,"
Rogers said.
Robert Okeafor from Jacksonville
said although he would eat it if
he had to, he is not in love
with gator tail. One food
that he does enjoy is the taste
of conch.
"Gator tail is all right, but I
like conch. It reminds me of
shrimp," he said. "I get fried
shrimp and conch when I am in
Miami, and it tastes real good
together with lemon juice."
Conch is a marine mollusk or
snail. According to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/,
conch can be found in the Gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Although it's used for food, the
queen conch is a species that
could be in danger of going
extinct. It is illegal to
harvest in some Caribbean
countries and illegal to trade
internationally.
Also according to the website,
in Florida it is prohibited to
have queen conch, but other
kinds of conch can be consumed.
Some students like Kia Williams,
a 21-year-old FAMU student, said
her family is from the Bahamas,
and whenever she gets the
opportunity to eat conch, she
does.
"I love conch. They don't have
much conch places up here or
even sell much conch up here,"
Williams said. "It's hard to
find, so when it's here I come
here for that."
Rogers was sold out of conch and
gator tail before FAMU's home
game ended. He said that they
typically sell out of frog legs
last.
They only sold two orders of
frog legs in an eight hour span,
but once the game ended, they
sold out within 30
minutes.
Chef prepares exotic
cuisine for people after the
game. Below,
people wait to order the
popular and tasty foods. (Photos by Sylvia
Prevalus)
Laquiesha Evans, 22-year-old
criminal justice major, tried
frog legs and said she can't
believe that it is a frog.
"I tried frog legs and I hate
frog legs. Everyone says it
tastes like chicken," Evans
said.
"I can't get over the fact that
it's a frog's leg."Evans, along
with some other South Florida
natives said conch is not rare
there and that "it is all that
they eat."
Roger's sister, Linda, said
conch was one of the first
things that the vendor sold out
of and that she didn't expect it
to happen so quickly.
Rogers said that next time he
has to be more prepared, so he
doesn't sell out of the exotic
foods.
"We have sold out today, thank
the Lord. We must have more of
everything next time, because
people in Tallahassee love conch
and gator tail," he said.
Rogers and his sister have owned
their restaurant for over 20
years, and as vendors they
travel to different events to
sell their exotic food.
They make sure to attend all the
home games in Tallahassee along
with events like the Brown Sugar
festival in Clewiston,
Bethune-Cookman University's
homecoming, and the Orlando
Classic.
Bahamian
Junkanoo group sways audience
Abundance of energy
is given out in
FAMU African-Caribbean concert
By Sylvia
Prevalus Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
The curtains
closed and the lights in the
auditorium came on as the
audience clapped to the
fading rhythm of the drums
and the resounding sound of
a whistle.
"The
performances were alive.
They weren't so over
rehearsed and stagnant or
stale, but very sincere,"
Laura Floyd, Director of
Cultural Arts Alliance said.
The
African-Caribbean concert at
Florida A&M University's
Lee Hall ended with the
Rhythm Rushers.
The Rhythm Rushers is a
group of students who
performed a type of Bahamian
music called Junkanoo.
The group
was founded at FAMU in 1997
by DeVaughan Woodside and
Jan DeCosmo, professor and
founder and producer of the
African-Caribbean concert.
"Not a lot
of people know about the
African and Caribbean
cultural expressions: the
drumming, the dancing, the
singing, and the poetry.
This is a way to show it
every semester," DeCosmo
said.
She
encouraged the youth to also
learn more. She said that
"it's important" for
children to start learning
while they are young.
A group of
little girls from Excellence
Dance Studio performed a
dance, Rising Sun:
Pre-Madonna's Anthem. The
routine was created to the
song Three Little Birds by
Jamaican-reggae-artist Bob
Marley.
'Overall,
I think it went
great, and I am
glad that so many
people enjoyed it'
Prof. Jan
DeCosmo
Rhythm
Rushers' Nikita
Williamson, a
23-year-old FAMU
graduate student from
Nassau, Bahamas, has
been playing the
Junkanoo music since he
was two years old. He
said that playing can be
hard at first, but
eventually all you hear
is the music.
"It's a lot of energy that
you give out, but after a
minute of playing and
hearing the music it's just
as if you're taken away," He
said.
Although he
was nervous, Williamson said
that he was happy to share a
part of his culture with
people. The students in the
group also made their own
head pieces for their
outfits and each piece added
meaning and brought
different elements of their
culture to their outfits.
DeCosmo
hopes to get more financial
help with the concert from
FAMU's student government.
She said that the semesters
she has received help they
were "able to get people
from the Caribbean and
groups that are in Miami,
New York, and even Brazil."
"Overall, I
think it went great, and I
am glad that so many people
enjoyed it," DeCosmo said.
Iphone
6 lures customers to
Jacksonville
'Apple a day keeps the doctor
away'
as students travel to buy new
phone
By Kyle-Kyson
Clark Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
As in most cities, people were
lined up early at Apple Stores
across the nation for the
release of the 6th generation
iPhone, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6
Plus.
However, with no Apple Store in
Tallahassee, there were some
students who traveled to get in
line.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus had a
warm welcome from fans and
consumers, many of whom hoped to
be the first in line. Some
students couldn't wait for the
shipments to arrive, so
Jacksonville was their
destination.
"I knew Apple or AT&T were
going to see me the day it was
released," said Erica Kennedy,
an elementary education student.
"Tallahassee doesn't have an
Apple store and I had to have it
the same day."
The iPhone consumers were not
the only ones who were drained
from the iPhone 6 frenzy. The
employees also had many tasks to
fulfill, said Denzel Chandler, a
political science student.
"I can finally get a little
breathing room from family,
friends, and strangers," said
Chandler, an At-Home-Apple
employee.
"Since I'm like one of the very
few Apple workers in
Tallahassee, people were
bombarding me with many requests
for favors." Employees at the
Jacksonville Apple Store
received travelers from all
over.
Quillian Black, a 2012 FAMU
graduate, said the influx of
customers was greater this time
around than for the iPhone 5.
Tevin Blake says new phone
makes life easier.
(Photo by Kyle-Kyson
Clark)
"Customers didn't want to close
their eyes while camping out
because of the insane cutting in
line."
"I'm glad the release craze is
over," he said.
Tevin Blake is happy with his
new phone.
"Best iPhone to date," said
Blake. "I love it. It makes life
so much easier, I'm
actually writing a 10 page
article on it."
The starting prices will be the
traditional $199 for a two-year
contract with the iPhone 6,
which includes 16 gigabytes of
storage.
However, The iPhone 6 Plus will
be delivering users a larger
screen of 5.5. inches in height
compared to the iPhone 5s' 4.87
inches.
An Apple a day apparently keeps
the doctor away.
Social
media used as a platform
Students at historically black
colleges unite
in awareness of Michael Brown
shooting
By
Dia Blackmon Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
Students at FAMU have not
forgotten Michael Brown.
Michael Brown, 18, was an
African-American male who was
fatally shot by a white police
officer in Ferguson, Missouri, a
city which is part of the
greater St. Louis metropolitan
area.
Although there had been a report
of a robbery at a gas station,
Brown was apparently shot before
the report had reached police
officer Darren Wilson, who has
been suspended by the police
department.
The shooting of the unarmed
Brown has caused uproar in the
media. Wilson shot Brown six
times and there are different
reports as to whether Brown had
his hands raised (universal sign
of surrender) or if he were
approaching Wilson when the
fatal shots were fired.
Michael Brown was slated to
begin Vatterott College in St.
Louis on Aug. 11, 2014. Since
the shooting occurred, several
historically black colleges and
universities (HBCU's) and
students have been deeply
impacted and motivated about the
issues of race, justice and
police brutality.
Florida A&M University
students and other HBCU students
have taken action.
These include students at Howard
University, Norfolk State
University, Oakwood University,
Central State University and
Southern University.
The HBCU's have all raised
awareness for the
#handsupdontshoot photographs
for social media outlets
including instagram and twitter
to show the universal sign of
surrender that witnesses say
that Brown employed before he
was shot.
"There is no control of the
image of young black men,"
said Darius Young, an assistant
professor of African American
history at FAMU.
He said that the only difference
students felt between them and
Michael Brown was simply time
and place.
"Students are desensitized until
they come to FAMU and are now
angry and informed about the
issue of racism and America's
distorted view of African
Americans," Young said.
Picture circulating on social
media sites Instagram, Twitter
Melanie Andrade, a junior
and English student at Florida
A&M University from
Kissimmee, Florida, is a part of
the Dream Defenders,
an organization focused on the
development of the next
generation of radical leaders.
The organization takes pride in
changing oppressed communities.
"This situation is hard to
ignore. No mother should ever
have to justify her son's
life. This situation is
dehumanizing."
"This is a racial issue but also
deeper this is a human issue,"
Andrade said.
Danielle Adams is the current
president of the chapter of
Dream Defenders at Florida State
University.
She is a senior majoring in
African American studies and
sociology from Sanford, Florida.
Adams shared her views on the
situation as she attends a
predominantly white institution
where African Americans make up
8 percent of the student
population.
"There is no police
accountability. Awareness
needs to raised about the issue
of police brutality and that
black lives do matter," Adams
said.
Both university chapters have
participated in vigils and in
marches to the capital for
justice for Brown.
Students
are forced
to mature early
Balancing babies and books:
trials of between being a
student-parent
By
Kyle-Kyson Clark Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
It is 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and
Shauntece Moore acknowledges her
mother on the phone as she
checks her bank account.
Five days of the week Moore is a
full time student at Florida
A&M University.
Seven days of the week she
is the mother of 2-year-old
A'sha.
"I honestly don't know what I
would do without my family's
assistance, because being a
young mother forces you to
mature instead of living in
carefree world," Moore said.
"You have to be a mom, student,
daughter, every day of the
week."
Most college students are now
"nontraditional," according to
the Student Parent Success
Initiative, the Institute for
Women's Policy Research (IWPR).
Recent IWPR research shows that
colleges have only one child
care slot for every 10 students
who need services.
The father of 1-year-old
Kenleigh, Kendall
Broughton, says it can be
difficult to pay for daycare
being a college student.
"On average I have to work about
32 hours a week sometimes 40
just to cover daycare cost,"
Broughton said.
"Raising awareness and educating
institutional leaders on how
significant it is to financially
support student parents is the
goal of our program by hosting
college tours and
seminars," says Caroline
Dobuzinskis, communications
manager at IWPR.
The last two years of college
was a completely different
experience for Broughton. He had
to give up simple things like
campus involvement, spring-break
trips, partying with friends,
and study groups at odd hours of
the night - all things that
college students can take for
granted.
Looking from the living room,
Shauntece Moore is brushing
A'sha's hair and telling her how
beautiful she is. Osha's
adorable smile lit up the entire
room.
Moore clothed A'sha as she gets
ready to take her to the daycare
so she can begin to start on her
homework assignments.
She uses motivation as her
instrument to progress daily as
a mother.
Above, Kendall
Broughton works with
his daughter
on homework at
daycare. Below, Shauntece
Moore takes a moment
to hold daughter
A'sha. Photos by
Kyle-Kyson Clark.
"What motivated me? I want to be
able to give my daughter the
best life possible and I know
without an education it would be
a struggle."
Moore glanced at her daughter
and smiled. "She means the world
to me, my greatest blessing."
As Broughton showed pictures of
his daughter, his genuine love
was visible. "Balance.
It's difficult to balance
everything. At times, I feel
drained. But I keep going hard
just for my baby, Kenleigh,"
says Broughton.
March
draws 300,000 participants,
many HBCUs
Twenty Florida
A&M students attend
big climate march in New York
City
By Renee Mowatt Florida A&M
University Oct. 1, 2014
Kenya Strickland was excited to
be one of over 300,000
participants in the largest
climate march in history.
Strickland, a senior African
American studies student from
Orlando, traveled to New York
City, Sept. 18 -21, with 19
other Florida A&M University
students to participate in a
weekend of "Climate Week"
events.
Strickland said she learned a
lot about the impact that
capitalism has on climate issues
and plans to use the knowledge
she gained to teach
sustainability and the
importance of community gardens.
"We want to focus on
environmental justice issues in
the urban communities of
Tallahassee," said Strickland.
Travel and housing for faculty
and students were arranged and
funded by Florida A&M
University's Sustainability
Institute, the HBCU Climate
Change Initiative, the Energy
Action Initiative and the FAMU
Student Government Association.
FAMU students were able to
attend educational panels,
presentations and youth
leadership workshops.
Saturday's youth convergence
workshops featured presentations
and activities on topics such as
"Building Community Power,"
"Mobilizing HBCU Students" and
"Energy Utilities."
Students learned that tens of
thousands of people a year in
the United States die
prematurely due to pollution.
Yj Cho, Youth and Student
Coordinator for the People's
Climate March, said she once
wanted to become a doctor after
noticing the health care
disparities in the immigrant
community.
However, after discovering the
environmental impact of coal on
poor immigrants and people of
color communities, Cho felt that
she could make a greater impact
in that space.
"The people that are most
impacted are contributing the
least to the issue," said Cho.
"It's those people that have the
opportunity and responsibility
to fight back."
"The HBCU community is one that
has not traditionally been
involved in climate issues but
it so rooted in fighting for
justice."
"I am hopeful about these long
term relationships that will
help us stand together and fight
for justice."
Ursula Ible, senior political
science student from
Jacksonville, Florida was the
FAMU head student organizer for
the trip.
Ible worked with the
organizational leaders and
recruited FAMU students to
increase black student
representation at the march.
Students took their
message to the streets
in New York
City. (Photos
special to
Tallahassee Now)
Banners expressed
essential messages.
Ible also sat on a panel that
discussed the mobilization of
HBCU students regarding climate
change and partnering with
fellow HBCU's and larger
institutions for funding.
Texas Southern University,
Howard University and Xavier
University were among the other
HBCU's that had student
representation during the
weekend of activities.
Although Ible understands that
climate change issues may not
traditionally garner HBCU
involvement, she said she is
hopeful that the march will
increase awareness and
involvement in the HBCU
community.
"Climate issues directly
affect our community (such as)
food deserts, air and water
pollution and much more. We have
to be conscious and aware. We
have to voice our concerns. We
need to be at the table when
they are having these
conversations. We can do so many
things in our community on a
small scale that really make a
larger impact," said Ible.
Ible, who is also a co-founder
of the FAMU Student Community
Garden, said she believes that
the average person can help the
environment by recycling, being
conscious of products that may
harm the environment and using
different modes of
transportation to decrease
carbon footprint.
Strickland said she hopes to
change the face of climate issue
involvement.
"When you see environmental
justice issues you don't
necessarily see people of color.
It was great to see not only
FAMU students but other HBCU
students participating and
learning about these issues that
affect us."
Women
need help in abusive
relationships
March to Capitol gave
participants lesson
on helping victims of domestic
violence
By Bronte' Laurent Florida A&M
University Sept. 29, 2014
Florida A&M University
joined marchers from all over
the city on Sept. 24 in a march
to the Capitol to seek an end to
violence against women.
The march, better known as
"Behind the Door," was a time
for colleges and communities to
gather to try to help remedy the
silence on domestic violence.
"Behind the Door" was sponsored
by the Domestic Violence
Coordinating Council - also
known as DVCC - and the Florida
State University Family Violence
Studies area.
Students and members of DVCC
from FAMU, FSU and TCC joined in
the march.
Throughout the march to the
Capitol, the participants not
only discussed the prevention of
domestic violence among
themselves, but shouted, blew
whistles, and spread awareness
through the streets.
TCC student Nakia Love said many
people do not have knowledge
about domestic violence among
woman.
"Believe it or not, women are
constantly victims of sexual
assault and I believe I need to
be one of the voices for women,"
Love said. "This march is
definitely my first step towards
bringing awareness to young men
and women about domestic
violence."
After arriving at the
Capitol, participants of
the march helped themselves to
an Italian dinner buffet
presented by DVCC.
During this dinner a brave
survivor of domestic violence
shared her story.
Survival speaker Alicia A.
related her story about her
boyfriend who emotionally and
physically abused her for one
year. She talked about how it
took her boyfriend threatening
her dog for her to actually get
the courage to leave.
Several of Alicia's
friends spoke out about
constantly trying to get her out
of the abusive relationship, and
all of the things they tried to
do to help her.
'People
have knowledge
on what to do
if they see
someone in an
abusive
relationship.'
DVCC Director of
Domestic Violence
Kelly O'Rourke
Students said they found the
speech inspirational.
"I really found her speech
touching - it definitely made me
shed a few tears I must say,"
said Ke'Onna Keys, senior
English student from St.
Petersburg.
After the speech, a brief
tutorial about how to talk to
someone about domestic violence
was given by DVCC.
Director of Domestic Violence
Kelly O'Rourke said this event
took place not only to spread
awareness about domestic
violence but so individuals now
know what to do if they are in
an abusive relationship or see a
friend in one.
"The event overall went very
well with over 150 people
participating," O'Rourke said.
"People have knowledge on what
to do if they see someone in an
abusive relationship."
DVCC plans to continue to team
up with the community and spread
awareness concerning domestic
violence.
'Love
Doesn't Hit'
FAMU's Men of Strength will
march
to help prevent violence against
women
By
Bronte' Laurent Florida A&M University Sept. 24, 2014
They're fighting to end the
silence on domestic violence.
Florida A&M University's Men
of Strength Organization is
ready will join the march today
from FAMU's campus to the
Capitol in a fight against what
is often a silent crime.
The Men of Strength
Organization, better known as
MOST, says it works to prevent
men's violence against woman by
helping to create a campus
culture that does not tolerate
attitudes or actions that are
harmful to women.
This organization explores what
it means to be a man at FAMU and
in the world, while seeking to
develop and encourage healthy
masculinity, say members.
MOST conducts 'community
strength projects' on campus and
outside of the FAMU community.
MOST has been active at FAMU
since Fall 2011 and marked its
first semester as recognized
Organization Spring 2013.
Men Can Stop Rape recognized
MOST as its premier
college-level organization.
MOST advisor Dougla-Khan Stancil
said the march occurs yearly and
MOST has participated for the
last three years.
"Part of what we do as an
organization is act as active
allies to issues in preventing
violence against women," Stancil
said. "We want to raise
awareness that preventing
violence against women is a
man's issue as well."
The organization seeks gender
equity. Members explore how
stereotypical forms of
masculinity contribute to
violence and they seek to
develop healthy visions of
masculinity.
According to the president of
MOST, Christopher Smith, the
organization aims to have more
of a collective view in the
black community.
"I believe there is not a lot of
awareness about the sexual
violence rates on FAMU's
campus," Smith said.
Photos special to
Tallahassee Now.
"Eighty percent of women dealing
with sexual violence are under
30."
Members look forward to the walk
today.
"Last year's march experience
was empowering," said Edgar
'Zay' Woods. a senior in
construction-engineering
technology from Ocala.
"I look forward to going again
this Wednesday because I know
the speaker will most likely be
awesome like the one from last
year."
MOST members encouraged students
to join them on the Set this
Wednesday for the march.
Encourage
peers, friends to seek
help
Survey shows depression affects
30% of students, is sometimes
deadly
By
Bronte' Laurent Florida A&M University Sept. 24, 2014
College students often suffer
from depression, yet some
students are afraid to seek
help.
One in four students will
experience a depressive episode
by age 24, according to the HBCU
Center for Excellence in
Behavioral Health.
The American College Health
Association National College
Health Assessment, a nationwide
survey in 2011 of college
students at 2 and 4-year
institutions, discovered
that 30 percent of college
students reported feeling "so
depressed that it was difficult
to function" at some time in the
past year.
Depression has many roots. A
recent death or loss, feelings
of grief, class work overload,
family conflict or divorce,
financial difficulties, major
life transitions, and other
stressors can contribute to a
depressive episode.
Research evidence indicates that
consumption of drugs and alcohol
may play a role in causing some
depressive disorders.
Some students aren't aware of
peers suffering from depression.
"I find that students should be
more aware of depression and
know the signs, because with
this knowledge you may be able
to save a life," said Vallery
Agenor, senior Psychology
student from Fort Lauderdale.
An average of 66-75 percent of
college students do not talk
about or seek help for mental
health problems. Only 16 percent
of African-Americans will seek
treatment from specialty mental
health clinics.
"I think students are afraid to
seek help because they almost
feel ashamed to be feeling this
depressive state," said Amber
Anderson senior psychology
student from Pensacola,
Florida.
Symptoms of depression are
fatigue or decreased energy,
feelings of worthlessness,
hopelessness or inappropriate
guilt, decreased concentration
or indecisiveness and suicidal
thoughts.
Depression often leads to
suicide.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
between 1999-2004 the suicide
rate for African-Americans of
all ages was 5.25 per 100,000,
about half the overall U.S. rate
of 10.75 per 100,000.
Young African-American males,
ranging from ages 20-24, had the
highest rate of suicide due to
depression.
Don't ignore stress.
(Photo/art)
Suicide is the third leading
cause of death for African
Americans between the ages of
15-24, and the third leading
cause of death among all college
students.
Quantina Washington, assistant
director at FAMU's counseling
service, said it's important for
students to have knowledge about
suicide and depression because
one in four college students
suffer from some form of mental
illness.
"Hopefully by bringing awareness
to this issue, students will be
able to recognize warning signs
and seek treatment early," Ms.
Washington said.
"There are a number of reasons
why a student may be hesitant to
seek help: they may think they
can handle it or they may think
seeking treatment won't help."
"They may also be worried about
being judged for seeking
treatment," she said.
"If you have a friend who is
dealing with depression or
having suicidal thoughts offer
support, encouragement and
understanding," she advised.
"Talk to your friend and listen
carefully - never ignore
statements regarding suicide and
encourage your friend to seek
professional help."
If a student is battling with
depression it is best to seek
help immediately. Also, if an
individual has a friend
suffering from depression,
emphasize that your primary
objective is to convey concern
and to assist them in receiving
appropriate professional help.
Help can be found at the FAMU
counseling center across from
Tucker Hall.
Hurricane
App sends alerts, says 'I'm
safe'
Red Cross hopes cellphone
innovation, preparedness will
save lives this year
By Ayanna Young Florida A&M
University April 24, 2014
The American Red Cross hopes
some powerful cellphone
technology and more education
will save lives in Florida this
hurricane season.
To prepare for hurricane season,
June 1-Dec. 1, people can
download a free app to their
Android and iPhone devices.
It's called the 'Red Cross
Hurricane app.' The app can be
found on Google Play for Android
users and on iTunes for iPhone
users.
The app is aimed at saving lives
by sending an alert siren to
phones when severe storm weather
approaches.
It monitors conditions in the
use's area and up to 500 miles
away. It informs family and
friends of an individual's
safety status via social media -
even if there's a power outage.
The app includes quizzes and
preparedness tips to make sure
people are hurricane-ready.
The Hurricane App allows
personal customization with the
"I'm safe button," said Jim
Russell, disaster service
program manager of Florida's Mid
region of the Red Cross.
It lets family members know you
evacuated safely.
In the West Coast region, the
Red Cross is working to educate
thousands of Floridians in
"Prepare Florida" - a three-year
initiative launched in March.
One of the goals is to plan
actions before, during and after
a hurricane.
"We want to speak to
one-half-million community
members," said Janet McGuire,
the West Coast regional
communications officer. "We also
plan to train 350,000 volunteers
statewide in first aid, CPR and
automatic external defibrillator
classes."
Red Cross organizers suggest
people store enough food and
water to last for three days.
In the North region,
communication is No.1 with Red
Cross planners, said Katie
Sherk, the Capital Area disaster
program manager.
"When working with emergency
management, we make sure we're
reporting the same facts about
areas impacted by a
hurricane," Sherk said.
To see video of Sharon Tyler,
American Red Cross,
Tallahassee, click on
picture below.
William Burger helps case
worker volunteer contact
disaster victims(Photo
by Ayanna Young)
The key to any disaster response
is having information about
evacuation zones.
In the Southern Gulf Florida
region, the "Pillowcase Project"
partners with Disney to focus on
third to fifth graders. The
project teaches children to grab
items and put them into a
pillowcase if a disaster
strikes.
"I explain during class
presentations, if a storm
happens, children should bring
items that make you feel comfy
like a teddy bear, clothes and a
toothbrush," said Jada
Ross-Henry, AmeriCorps youth
coordinator at the Southern Gulf
Florida region.
"We teach if families evacuate
or their homes are damaged,
support groups can help."
The South region focuses on
children and seniors when it
comes to planning for hurricane
season.
"We're really concerned about
our elderly and children," said
Tammy Jackson-Moore, community
executive of the South region.
"We prepare them with
information from our emergency
operations center. Last year, we
had more than 1,000 classes in
disaster preparedness."
For an assessment on how
prepared you and your family are
this hurricane season, visit http://readyrating.org
Or visit http://www.redcross.org
to find a hurricane checklist
and your local American Red
Cross chapter.
Summer
camp registration is open
Queen Up Foundation molds
character, helps young girls
develop self-worth
By
Jibri Bailey Florida A&M
University April 24, 2014
Building a positive self-image
is vital for young women and a
new organization is doing just
that.
"I created Queen Up because I
want to shape the young minds of
our female youth in a positive
way," said Tuesday Knight of
Tallahassee.
Knight is the operations manager
at the Big Bend Community
Development Corporation. She is
also the creator of the Queen Up
Foundation.
The Queen Up Foundation is a
female youth empowerment
initiative helping young women
from ages 7-17 build
character, positive self-image,
social skills and self-respect,
said Knight.
She started Queen Up in
Tallahassee to ensure young
girls have a safe place to
learn, grow and experience new
things.
"The vision began in 2009 to
build a platform for mothers and
daughters to communicate and
build a stronger foundation,"
Knight said.
Knight's goal for Queen Up is to
make sure every girl walks away
with skills needed in the real
world.
"It is the goal of Queen Up to
provide essential life skills
every young woman needs for
healthy maturation, development,
formation of healthy
relationships, and the
opportunity to reach her highest
potential," Knight said.
Ariel Norton, a pre-queen from
last summer's camp, said she
gained a lot of new skills while
attending the camp.
"Queen Up taught me the
importance of confidence and
self-worth. Before I went to
Queen Up, I was shy and insecure
when it came to talking to new
people. Now, I feel more
confident and open," Norton
said.
'Before I went to
Queen Up, I was shy and
insecure when it came to
talking to new people.
Now, I feel more confident
and open' - Ariel Norton
Ashley Brown had the chance to
mentor the pre-queens last year.
Brown said the girls are
introduced to new activities.
These include art,
African-Caribbean dance, yoga,
tennis, writing and theater
exercises, Brown said. Guest
speakers are also featured.
Knight's involvement with the
community has helped her realize
her purpose in Tallahassee's
Frenchtown community.
"This community motivates me to
help others, I enjoy giving
back. Queen Up is allowing me to
do that," Knight said.
Registration for the 2014 Queen
Up summer camp in Tallahassee is
open.
The camp will be held June
16-Aug. 15; Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
with optional Fridays, 10 a.m.-2
p.m. The meeting place is
421 W. Georgia St. The summer
camp fee is $125. It includes
food and field trips.
The camp is partially funded by
the Michelle Obama's "Let's
Move" campaign.
Counseling,
anger management help
Prevention reduces school
violence
tied to the 'culture' of
campuses
By
Terence Jordan Florida A&M
University April 24, 2014
Prevention is the first line
of defense in making Florida
schools safe. The problem of
school violence is complex. It
doesn't have one easy solution,
say experts.
Schools reported four (K-12)
shootings in Florida in 2013,
according to a national report.
The report cited 44 school
shootings in U.S. schools and
colleges from Jan. 8, 2013 to
Feb. 10, 2014.
Student violence is often "tied
to the culture of the campus,"
said Tiffany Cowie, information
officer for Florida Department
of Education.
"Prevention is the best strategy
for schools to pursue."
Staff members can refer students
to services if they notice
strange behavior. Certain school
districts provide
"counseling, anger
management training or mentors,"
Cowie said.
"In general, schools are the
safest place for children," said
Steve Hegarty, communications
officer for the Hillsborough
County Public School Board.
Educators and school
administrators work to create a
climate where students can
"flourish."
Cameras and metal detectors
present a thin line between
safety and militarization.
Hegarty said schools work with
parents to find the right
balance.
Campus safety device used to
contact police
(Photo by Terence Jordan)
Florida schools try to prevent
unauthorized people on campus. A
"defensible design" of school
facilities can control access to
campus. This design is called
CPTED - Crime Prevention through
Environmental Design.
CPTED focuses on access control,
natural surveillance and
maintaining the school
"territory," Cowie said. To read
more about CPTED, go to http://www.scnus.org/page.aspx?id=101237
School resource officers are
assigned to primary and
secondary schools. SROs are
sworn law enforcement officers.
They often act as "deterrents to
help prevent deadly incidents,"
said Lt. James McQuaig,
information officer for Leon
County Sheriff's Department.
Constant interaction between
SROs and students "builds
communication," said McQuaig.
This allows students to report
unusual activity.
'We get
to break mommy rules'
Stay-at-home dads reap joyful
benefits
as numbers double in the last 20
years
By Khadijah McCoy Florida A&M
University April 24, 2014
New York Mets second baseman
Daniel Murphy was criticized in
April for taking three days off
to be home with his newborn son
and wife.
Murphy isn't a stay-at-home dad,
but his absence from work to be
with family puts the spotlight
on fathers who are stay-at-home
dads.
National figures show the number
of stay-at-home dads has doubled
in the past 20 years.
Stay-at-home dads find their new
freedom liberating.
Jose Ramos, Miami, enjoys being
a full-time father to his
1-year-old daughter, Amelie. "We
get to break mommy rules and
have more play time,
roughhousing, and less
structure," said Ramos, who left
his job as an artist last year.
Ramos, 38, said there is never a
dull moment with his daughter.
"It's about special moments and
milestones they achieve," Ramos
said. "Dads might not know what
they're doing, but they'll
figure it out."
The Ramos family decided Jose
would be a stay-at-home father
when Amelie was born. His wife
works full-time in insurance
marketing.
Michael Murray is a 24-year-old
stay-at-home dad in Tallahassee.
He said his experience as a dad
to his 6-month-old son, Michael
Murray Jr., is cherished.
"I cherish being a stay-at-home
dad because I get to see what my
father missed. Most dads are
limited to building deep bonds
with their kids because of
work," Murray said.
Murray said being a stay-at-home
dad is better than people think.
"I'm not exhausted or stressed
when I want to spend time with
my son. It's a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,"
Murray said.
Previously an auditor, Murray
said he felt stressed balancing
work and his family.
Murray's decision helps his
girlfriend pursue business
management. Staying at home also
saves him babysitting money.
Raleigh, N.C., stay-at-home
father of two, Austin Dowd, 30,
left work as a photographer to
stay-at-home with his 3-year-old
and 9-month-old sons.
See video
by reporter Khadijah McCoy of
Dads Michael Murray, Jose Ramos,
John Wright by clicking on photo
below.
Stay-at-home dad, Michael
Murray, and his son at home. (Photo by Khadijah McCoy)
Dowd said interacting with his
sons daily helps him understand
his children. Dowd did not want
to send his children to daycare.
His family weighed social
factors to make a decision.
Dowd's wife Mary works for a
medical software company.
"I won't say that every man
should be a stay-at-home dad,
but I think families should make
the decision that's best, not
just what's expected of you,"
Dowd said.
"There are support groups and
social media to help
stay-at-home dads, as well."
To learn about the 19th Annual
National At-Home Dad Convention,
Sept. 19-20 in Denver, go to
At-Home Dad Network, http://athomedad.org/
One
in four college women
face attack
FSU teaches a defense class
for women
during Sexual Assault
Awareness Month
By Keira Green Florida A&M
University April 24, 2014
April is Sexual Assault
Awareness Month and Florida
State University is doing many
things to protect students from
sexual assault. One in
four women in college face
sexual attack, statistics say.
"FSU has a defense class that is
available for girls to take so
that they can learn how to
protect themselves," said
Alexandra Villaba, an FSU
student.
Florida State University's Crime
Prevention Department has set up
the rape defense class that can
help young, female students
learn how to protect themselves
from possible attacks while on
campus and throughout their
lives.
These classes are offered to the
students as a for- credit course
that the students can pay
through tuition. just as any
other class offered at the
university. The R.A.D. program
stands for 'Rape Action
Defense.'
"This class teaches young ladies
what to do if they are ever in
an emergency situation where
they have to defend themselves,"
said Officer Jeremy Izquierdo of
the FSU Police Department.
One in four college women have
either been raped or have
suffered from attempted rape.
Eighty-four percent of women who
were raped knew their assailant.
Also, the majority of rape
attacks, 57 percent, occurred
while the young woman was on a
date. FSU's police
department says it is doing
everything in its power to
ensure safety for women.
However, it's also up to FSU
students to make sure that they
are protected and safe at all
times.
"I just use common sense, like
not being in a parking garage at
night by myself, and when it
starts getting dark to start
heading in-doors," said FSU
student Lia Delgurchao.
'This
class teaches
young ladies what
to do if they are
ever in an
emergency
situation where
they have to
defend themselves'
FSU Officer Jeremy
Izquierdo
FSU has posed safety initiatives
such as constant patrol and the
Emergency Blue Lighting Systems
positioned all over campus for
the students to use quickly to
call the police in case of an
emergency.
"We have over 300 Blue Lighting
Systems on campus and we have
them positioned so that the
students can turn a full 360
degrees and see another lighting
system," said Officer Izquierdo.
"If the student is in trouble
and is running from their
attacker, they can push the
button on the system and keep
running to the next system and
push the button.
"Then here at the station we can
follow your position and send
someone to your location to help
you," said Officer Izquierdo
"I've lived on campus for all of
my four years here and I feel
very safe with the emergency
lighting system and I always see
FSUPD constantly patrolling,"
said FSU student Alexandra
Villaba.
'Celebrate Life Day' draws 150 people
Florida abortion measures focus
on case
involving pills and death of
unborn child
By Stuart L.
Cockerham Florida A&M
University April 20, 2014
The debate about abortion
rights, focusing on bills in the
Florida Legislature, was
compared to the debate over
slavery by Florida House Speaker
Will Weatherford, addressing an
audience at the recent Celebrate
Life Day gathering in
Tallahassee.
The event took place at the
Doubletree Hotel ballroom with
150 people gathered to hear the
many speakers concerned with the
issue of abortion.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio,
R-Fla., opened the event
via Skype, and began by
welcoming all the participants
and the co-hosts with his
remarks from his home town of
Miami.
"I encourage all of you to
continue to talk about the moral
and social issues, but also
discuss those most vulnerable,
the unborn, who can't speak for
themselves - they cannot
hire a lawyer, they cannot vote,
but are just as worthy of the
same protections of our laws,"
Rubio said at the April 10
event.
Weatherford, a representative
from the city of Wesley Chapel,
north of Tampa, said there
is a need for more laws.
"Our rights as individuals don't
come from us, from government.
They don't come from each other
- you don't get your rights from
me and I don't get my rights
from you. They come from our
creator. They come from our
Lord, and nobody can take them
away," Weatherford said.
"There are times in history when
man's law has come into conflict
with God's law. Let me give an
example of that. About 150 years
ago, there was a scourge upon
the United States of America. It
was called slavery," Weatherford
said.
"There was a vicious debate
taking place all across America
about whether slavery should be
legal, whether new states coming
into this country should be able
to erase it or not," said
Weatherford.
" If you can admit that it is
morally and unjustifiably wrong,
that means we are out of
alignment with God's law. God's
law is superior to man's law."
Sponsors included Florida Right
to Life, Florida Baptist
Children's Home, Pregnancy and
Family Resource Alliance, The
International House of Prayer,
Personhood Florida, A Cry
without a Voice, Catholic
Charities, Faith Freedom
Coalition and Bound 4
Life.
Two of the general abortion
bills before the Florida
Legislature are SB 162 and HB
59, known as the "Offenses
Against Unborn Children Act."
These bills are a legislative
response to public pressure
after what happened to Florida
resident Remee Jo Lee, 26.
Lee's former boyfriend Andrew
Welden, 28, allegedly gave her a
bottle of the abortion-inducing
pills after disguising the pills
as antibiotics, causing her to
chemically abort her baby.
Lee has since worked tirelessly
to prompt lawmakers to pass
legislation making such actions
against Florida law. Lee had her
audience spell-bound with her
tragic and very emotional story.
Lee described her ordeal with
being tricked by her former
boyfriend into aborting her
baby.
"Last year my world was turned
upside down when my baby was
stolen from me. On Good Friday,
my ex-boyfriend decided to do
the worst thing that he could
possibly ever do."
"He switched my antibiotics with
a Cytotec medication, causing me
to lose my baby. Easter Sunday
was the day they told me that I
was losing my baby."
"My life has never been the same
since," Lee said, gasping for
breath through tears.
'I
encourage all of
you to continue to
talk about the
moral and social
issues, but also
discuss the most
vulnerable . . . '
-U.S.
Sen Marco Rubio,
R-Fla.
Rubio website
"After Hillsborough County
deputies had Weldon in the back
of a cop car, he confessed to
the crime, that he wanted our
child dead."
"The deputies could not do a
thing and returned to tell me
that they had to release Weldon
and could not press any charges
because what he had done was not
against Florida law."
Weldon was tried in federal
court for product tampering and
first-degree murder under a
federal law that protects unborn
children against violence in
conjunction with another
criminal offense.
On Jan. 27, 2013,
Lee's former boyfriend, Weldon,
now 29, was sentenced in the
U.S. District Court in Tampa to
13 years and 8 months in prison
after pleading guilty to his
charges, according to court
records.
He was also ordered to pay
nearly $30,000 in damages to Lee
for the chemical-induced
abortion he forced on Lee.
The other general abortion bills
before the Florida Legislature
are SB 918 and HB 1047, and are
known as the "Unborn Viability
Protection Act" or the
"Termination of Pregnancies"
bill. SB 918 passed easily
in the Florida Senate on
Tuesday, April 8.
Planned Parenthood Federation of
America has responded to the
anti-abortion campaign.
PPFA is the nation's largest
provider of women's reproductive
health care, including cancer
screenings, HIV testing and
counseling, contraception, and
abortion services.
PPFA conducts roughly 300,000
abortions in the U.S. each
year, according to the PPFA
website.
In response to SB 918 and HB
1047, PPFA released a petition
with the following statements at
secure.ppaction.org/site.
"It's time to put a stop to
political interference in a
women's personal medical
decisions. Florida politicians
need to know that they can't get
away with putting politics
before a women's health.
"SB 918 and HB 1047 place the
health of a women at risk by
dramatically narrowing the
exceptions for abortions later
in pregnancy."
DR. Sujatha Prabhakaran serves
as the Vice President of Medical
Affairs for Planned Parenthood
of the Southwest and Central
Florida and currently lives in
Sarasota, Fla.
Prabhakaran practices as a
gynecologic surgeon at Bay Pines
Medical Center and is an
Affiliate Asst. Professor in the
Dept. of Obstetrics and
Gynecology at the University of
South Florida.
Planned Parenthood released the
following statements by Dr.
Prabhakaran as part of a press
release in response to the
Florida general abortion bills
passing committee on March 27,
2014 at fappa.org.
"This legislation attempts to
insert politics into a deeply
personal and complex decision
that should be left to a woman,
her family, her faith and her
doctor. Florida families want to
see legislature expanding access
to health care, not restricting
it," said Dr. Prabhakaran.
Millions
have little water
FAMU grad helps raise
money
to drill water well in
Africa
By
Danay Dubrey Florida A&M
University March 6, 2014
Florida A&M University
alumna Sarah Lee is
raising funds to have a well
drilled in Africa.
Lee is working with The Water
Project, which is a non-profit
organization that creates access
to clean water in sub-Saharan
Africa. With the money Lee
collects, a community in Africa
will be able to access clean
water to drink and wash with.
"This was something that was
dear to my heart and I really
wanted to do," Lee said. "I do
have the leverage and contacts
and the network in the
community, both on campus and
outside of campus. I
could really reach my goal of
$5,000."
Lee has created her own webpage
and hopes to reach her
fundraising goal by the year
2015.
According to Water.Org,
about 345 million people do not
have access to clean water in
Africa today.
Joshua Thomas, senior pre-law
and political science double
major from Pensacola, Fla., says
raising money to build a well is
a selfless endeavor.
"I have heard of the work that
the project has done before,"
Thomas said. "I would be
interested in helping. I think
the Water Project has the
potential to greatly benefit
people in Africa with little
access to water."
'This
was something that was
dear to my heart and I
really wanted to do' -
Sarah Lee
Having clean and accessible
water is an issue here in
Florida as well.
On Feb. 18, activists from
around the state gathered at a
rally at the Capitol to protect
and restore Florida's springs
rivers and bays.
Lee was inspired to take on this
task after representatives from
The Water Project contacted her
in 2010, and she realized the
importance of serving
underprivileged people.
After graduating two years ago
and becoming the program
assistant for the Legal Scholars
Program, Lee found time to
fulfill her pledge to help
others. She is now preparing to
petition her peers and
supporters to help sponsor the
project.
Nandi Sevillian, a fourth year
electrical engineering major
from Buffalo, N.Y., was glad to
hear the news of a Rattler
helping others in real time, not
just virtually generating buzz.
"That seems fantastic that
someone wants to help by actions
and not just liking of a page,"
Sevillian said.
E-books,
printed material both in
use
Library is still a vital
resource despite
changes in technology,
librarians say
By
Shoaleh James Florida A&M
University March 6, 2014
College students have a
misconception of libraries being
obsolete because of electronic
publications.
Libraries are coping with the
rising use of electronic books
and journals. Physical books
will continue to be cataloged on
the library shelves, but use of
e-books has significantly risen,
say librarians.
According to the Florida A&M
University Libraries' 5-year
statistical summary, 3,052
e-books were cataloged at FAMU
libraries in the year 2010-2011.
By the next year, the number
increased with 11,966 e-books
cataloged.
In a nearby branch of the Leon
County library, popular with
students, e-books are also an
alternative.
Kaleigh Clemons, information
professional at Leon County's
Dr. B.L. Perry Jr. Branch
Library, says the purchase of
physical publications hasn't
dropped.
But she can see how people can
have that misconception.
Clemons said e-books are an
alternative for people. Some
people like to hold the books
and smell the book pages, while
other people have dry skin
conditions and their hands get
irritated by the dry pages.
"Regular printed books circulate
as much as E-books," Clemons
said.
"It's just another way of
reading it. People thought the
same thing about audio books."
While librarians may believe
that libraries aren't becoming
obsolete, college students beg
to differ.
With technology advancing for
many years, academic
libraries for college students
are forever changing.
Morgan Frison, biology student
from Florida A&M University,
goes to the library three to
four times a week and uses
physical publications, computers
and online databases.
Frison refuses to use e-books
because it's a hassle and a
distraction to her when
studying.
"I rather read a hard
copy," Frison said.
Faye Watkins, dean of
universities libraries at
Florida A&M University, said
that it is necessary for a
library to exist in a physical
space.
Coleman Library above and
county's B.L. Perry Library
are popular places for
students to study.
(Photos by Shoaleh James)
"Students, faculty and staff
come to the libraries find space
to work and study," Watkins
said.
"The library is still attractive
and important to people because
it offers access to technology
and a quiet environment for
students to study."In 2007-
2011, the library resource
budget decreased due to campus
budget cuts and prioritizing
resources.
In 2011-2012 the budget
increased five percent - to only
$4,000 less than the $2.7
million budget in 2007.
"We do have to budget and
allocate resources to purchase
these electronic databases," she
said
"We're spending funds on
e-books, but at the same time we
find again that students do
generally check out physical
books from the library and do
prefer print material."
According to FAMU, combined
monthly database, the
circulation of books has
decreased in the years of
2011-2012.
Here
are some guidelines
Getting ready for the job
market:
that dream job may not be your
first
By
Shoaleh James Florida A&M
University March 6, 2014
With spring graduation around
the corner, many students are
gearing up for the job market.
Dolores Dean, Director of
Florida A&M University
career center, said that
students graduating this
semester should be optimistic
because our job market looks
better then what it did in the
past.
"More employers are starting to
hire more students and
graduating seniors," Dean
said. "There has been an
increase since last year."
However, students might need to
face the reality that they might
not get their dream job in that
dream location.
Students graduating would need
to have an open mind and
flexibility for a job. Students
should look for an internship or
volunteer for agencies to get
their foot in the door.
Internships improve
employability, allowing the
student to network and make
contacts with the people already
there and keep in contact with
them.
Even though optimism is good
news for the graduating seniors,
it doesn't mean they can be lazy
with their job search.
Nathaniel Johnson, a Florida
A&M University economics
professor, believes that
unemployment is tied to what the
student majors in. Students who
major in political science,
sociology and history are where
the unemployment rate is high.
"Whatever you major in, make
sure that it's something
quantitative," Johnson said.
"Those non-quantitative
majors like sociology, political
science and criminal justice is
where everyone is getting those
degrees."
FAMU alum Jabari Payne found a
job within two months of his job
search as a director/ technical
media producer at WCTV in
Tallahassee.
Job hunt can begin here at
FAMU
(Photo by Shoaleh James)
"Those first couple weeks were
depressing and exciting," Payne
said. "I started my job search
two months before I graduated,
so not having a job after I
crossed the stage was
heartbreaking. However, the
exciting part came with
aggressively applying for jobs
daily."
Students who graduated
last year and beyond should be
hopeful with the upcoming
graduates.
-Move to locations where jobs
are available.
-Start your own business that
highlights your preferred skill.
-Get up and do something every
day.
You want to keep your resume as
relevant and current as
possible.
Volunteerism or internship could
open doors to new employers.
"Inactivity is the worst thing a
person could have on their
resume," Johnson said.
"You need to start now for your
ultimate goal to graduate," Dean
said.
"The students who do their
research on companies and know
what they want, come in and take
a part time job and are
interviewing steadily 2 or 3
times a week- those are the
students that are going to be
successful."
It's a
'prison state,' says
group's social media
campaign
Dream Defenders parody Florida
as place
where sun doesn't always shine
for people
By
Ameer Brown Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
The Dream Defenders launched
their '#VisitFL' campaign
Tuesday, during the first day
the Florida House was in
session.
The campaign is designed to
infiltrate Florida's highly
attractive tourism market to
inform people searching for the
State of Florida on social media
that it isn't all sunny beaches
and palm trees for the
African-American residents who
live here and staggeringly
overpopulate its prison system.
"We had a press conference where
we released our own 'state of
the state' address. The theme
was 'Visit Florida, it's a
prison state,'" said Steven
Pargett, co-communications
director at Dream Defenders.
The group's goal with the Visit
Florida campaign is to highlight
the disproportionate number of
black and brown prisoners,.
They want to derail what they
see as the school-to-prison
pipeline created by harsh
in-school rules that ship
children to facilities for minor
incidents, and to stop the
renewal of state contracts with
facilities that have egregious
track records.
"We have kind of flipped the
dream of Florida tourism on its
head because it is such an
important part of Florida
industry," said Pargett.
"That's where so much of the
state's money comes in, and we
pointed out the true climate of
Florida along with the biased
activities taking place here,"
Pargett added.
The Dream Defenders describes
itself as a human rights
organization, "directed by Black
& Brown youth who confront
Inequality & the
Criminalizing of our Generation
with nonviolent Direct Action
and building of collective power
in our communities."
According to Pargett, the
creative ideas behind the
campaigns are a group effort,
with members bouncing thoughts
and suggestions off each other
to create a cohesive
message.
The team gives Sandra Khalifa,
lead designer and content
creator for Dream Defenders,
plenty of insightful vision
before she begins making the
beautiful images the public gets
to see.
Minorities disproportionately
face prison, say Dream
Defenders.
"We have a communications team
that is really creative, so when
we all get together we all have
a good time thinking up ideas.
We are inspired by hip-hop
culture and the experiences that
we have every day," Khalifa
said.
The use of social media is
critical to the campaign because
it delivers the message directly
to the masses in a way people
are familiar with.
Online, viewers will find an
array of artistic images. For
instance, verlaying the pictures
of people enjoying the sunshine
are printed messages from Dream
Defenders. There are variations
on other types of images.
FAMUstudent Josh Smith, a fourth
year business student from
Orlando Fla., said, "I
like how the Dream Defenders
grabs our attention in a way we
find visually pleasing but yet
the messages behind it are
strong and serious matters.
They've done a great job
connecting my generation with
issues that pertain directly to
us."
They
juggle school, work,
children
More students now raise their
children
and attend college programs
full-time
By
Ilani Harris Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
Many students today are taking
on the task of being full time
students while raising children.
These non-traditional students
juggle their school work,
children and for some, even a
job. They have to plan
their schedules around their
child. They also have to find
day care centers that make sure
that their child is taken care
of.
"Me and the father of my child,
which is my boyfriend now, we
both set our class schedule
around each other," said Jonisha
Smith, a senior college student
from Jacksonville, Fla.
"So that when I'm class, he'll
be home, and when he is in
class, I'll home so that there
will be someone with the baby."
There are students who are older
and come back to school.
Universities now have day care
centers on campus for students
and staff.
Most find a waiting list to get
into some of these day cares
because of limited space. Some
day care centers go so far as to
help parents find grants and
other programs to help the day
care admit the child.
Robensky Theodore, a
former grant coordinator at a
day care, said he knew of a
student enrolled in a pharmacy
program.
"With the amount of hours that
she had to spend in there, I can
only imagine how hard it was to
spend time with her child."
According to the authors of the
book, Managing to Make It: The
College Trajectories of
Traditional-age Students with
Children, the number of students
who have children has grown in
the past 40 years.
Finding a good day care
center is essential.
(Photo by Ilani Harris)
Although having children in
college is no longer a taboo,
the struggle to keep it together
is still there.
But with dedication and time
management, many students make
it work.
Having a child does not prevent
students from graduating high
school or getting into college.
A study in the book stated that
11 percent of traditional-age
college students start college
with children.
It also stated that in the 2008
national statistics, 23 percent
of undergraduates in college had
at least one child, that almost
five percent had a child under
the age of one, and 12 percent
had at least on child under the
age of five.
"My family took care of my
daughter whenever I had class or
work," said FAMU graduate
Jessica Leon.
"Without their support staying
in school would be impossible."
Ticket
prices might become more
competitive
Airport could soon become
'international'
as expansion weighed, says TLH
manager
By
Stedmond Perkins
Florida
A&M University
March 5,
2014
The
Tallahassee Regional Airport
(TLH) is planning to become
international, with major
terminal renovations.
"There is a
push from the region for the
airport to become
international," says Chris
Curry, Director of Aviation
for TLH.
"We need to
build a facility to process
passengers, cargo, and for
general aviation. Throughout
the course of planning,
while working with customs
and board of protection, an
official date will be
released."
Installing
a new, inline baggage
handling system is one of
the ideas that have been
mentioned to alleviate
congestion.
TLH is
served by only four
airlines. The airport is
currently seeking more
carriers to serve more
destinations for customers.
International
airports
accommodate more traffic
than regional, which results
in more airlines and
destinations. This would
allow Tallahassee citizens
to have more options when
deciding how to travel. It
also calls for more
competitive ticket prices.
Another
part of the airport has
1,000 acres to possibly use
for commercial development.
"Businesses
can build facilities that
fit in the airport model,
which might include building
hangers and renovating
hanger facilities that we
have in the airport," said
Curry.
Curry said
TLH will provide a
feasibility study to take
before the city commission.
Once the commission approves
of the path toward
international status, then
they will work with customs
and other agencies to design
the facility to establish
the staffing requirements
necessary to operate.
If
a referendum of voters
passes the plans, TLH can
function as an international
airport when an agreement
for staffing is made.
"There
could be some job creation,
but it would come with the
construction of the facility
initially," said Curry.
"Other jobs should be
created if international
status produces more cargo,
freight, and passenger
opportunities."
Tallahassee airport could be
expanded. (Photos by Stedmond
Perkins)
If the
initiative is passed, then
the airport may consider
bonding to escalate the
project. If it's not
passed, other funding
alternatives have to be
found.
Part
of the one cent sales tax
for 2019 will generate a
little over $13 million,
which would be local match
dollars. That will help the
airport toward international
status.
The airport
has a long way to go.
Non-stop flights to
Washington, D.C. have been
discontinued from
Tallahassee, Fort Walton,
and Pensacola because of the
merger between US Airways
and American Airlines.
Curry said,
"As part of the merger, they
agreed to reduce the amount
of slots of that they had in
Reagan airport. Therefore,
they didn't have enough
slots to serve all the
destinations.
Store
plans to shut doors by May
3
Harveys Supermarket closing said
to
hurt the students, residents of
Southside
By Shoaleh James Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
Harveys Tallahassee supermarket
near Florida A&M University
is closing down and this will
affect thousands of students and
residents of the south side of
town who have few places to buy
groceries.
The shutdown is the decision of
Bi-Lo Holdings, LLC, which
purchased the company. They are
also the parent company of
Winn-Dixie, the only large
grocery store that will be left
in the proximity of the large
south side neighborhood.
The supermarket in the Southside
Shopping Plaza on South Monroe
Street will close by May 3,
2014. Thirteen stores of the
southeast region are slated for
closure.
Bi-Lo Holdings, LLC is the
parent company of Winn-Dixie
grocery stores in Jacksonville,
Fla. It is the ninth-largest
grocery store chain and employs
60,000 people.
Bi-Lo holdings will have owned
Harveys for one year, in May.
The announcement of the
closing was made on Feb. 25 when
Bi-Lo Holdings agreed to sell 12
supermarkets in Florida, Georgia
and South Carolina to settle
Federal Trade Commission
charges. Management and employees
refuse to comment on the
decision. Local residents said
they did not know the store
would be closed.
A reporter attempted to reach
Brian Wright, Bi-Lo
Holdings' marketing
director, for more information,
but he did not return calls.
Jabari Mickels, a graphic design
student at FAMU and volunteer at
the FAMU community garden
attended the city's Community
Redevelopment Agency board
meeting where the closing was
discussed.
"Harveys was great because it
was within walking distance,"
Mickels said. "Apparently
the owner (Bi-Lo Holdings) of
the Harveys believes that the
proximity is too close to
the [FAMU] campus and the
'ghettos' and they want to take
it out."
The CRA board is discussing
sending a letter to Bi-Lo
Holdings to explain how
important the supermarket is to
the neighborhood.
Across the street from the
Harveys Supermarket are FAMU
dorm residents. Students and
resident assistants of the
apartment style dorms are
frequent shoppers of the local
Harveys.
OJay Timot, Resident Assistant
at Phase III on FAMU is
disappointed about the closing
down of the grocery store.
Harvey's grocery store is
important to local community
(Staff photos)
"I'm a little upset about that
only because I just found out
about the fact today," Timot
said.
This decision will affect the
majority of students residing in
the dorms near the supermarket
during the summer semester.
"[The students] will be shocked
that the closest convenient
grocery store for them is
actually closing," Timot said.
Charles Thomas Wilmack, a
resident of southside from
Macon, Ga., been a frequent
shopper of the local Harveys
since he was a little boy. When
Wilmack was told that Harveys
will be closing this May he
couldn't believe it.
"Harveys not being here is going
to affect not only me but the
whole community," Wilmack said.
"It would probably be best if
they kept things simple."
Budget
requests are on the agenda
FAMU gears up for 'Day at
Capitol'
on March 26 with speakers,
reception
By
Terron Bolling Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
The Florida A&M University
National Alumni Association is
hosting its annual FAMU Day at
the Capitol event on March 26.
The FAMU NAA is inviting all
FAMU supporters to participate
in order to engage with Florida
legislators on the university's
behalf.
"We want our alumni, as
ambassadors on behalf of the
university, to speak as once
voice," said Carmen Cummings,
executive director of the FAMU
NAA.
One of the main goals of FAMU
Day at the Capitol is to speak
with Florida lawmakers regarding
requests or concerns the FAMU
community may have for the
upcoming school year. FAMU
created a budget request plan
for the 2014-2015 school year as
a guide.
There are five key elements to
FAMU's legislative budget
request. The university plans to
request funding for its
Crestview campus; increasing
pharmacy faulty salaries; and
creating services to help retain
and graduate students. Also,
FAMU wants to request funding to
help improve passing rates on
professional licensure exams and
to expand its online degree
programs.
The budget plan also has a
request for $10 million to
complete the Pharmacy Phase II
building, as well as $15 million
for Phase III of the FAMU-FSU
College of Engineering building.
In addition to requesting funds
for the university, FAMU Day at
the Capitol is a way to give
thanks to lawmakers for their
support.
"The goal is to convey our
gratitude to lawmakers who have
stood by FAMU," said FAMU NAA
President Tommy Mitchell Sr.
Everything from
scientific
research to
athletics can be
shared with
legislators that
may not know
about the
benefits of
having a public
HBCU here in
Florida - State Sen.
Dwight Bullard
FAMU has several alumni in the
Florida legislature. These
alumni visit Tallahassee from
their respective districts to
take part in FAMU Day at the
Capitol. One alumnus in the
Florida Senate is Sen. Dwight
Bullard, D-Miami-Dade.
"Everything from scientific
research to athletics can be
shared with legislators that may
not know about the benefits of
having a public HBCU here in
Florida," said Bullard.
"I've personally undertaken the
continuation of the Black Male
Explorers and Call Me Mister
programs on campus, as well as
fighting for continued dollars
to help in FAMU's growth."
Participants will be able to
visit Florida lawmakers
throughout the day from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Later, there will be a
reception at the Florida
Historic Capitol at 6 p.m. The
Historic Capitol is located at
400 S. Monroe St.
For students who wish to
participate, there will be
transportation from campus to
the Capitol.
For more information, contact
the FAMU National Alumni
Association at 850-599-3707.
Junior
League puts on best ever
'Whale of a Sale' attracts
hundreds
to benefit children in
Tallahassee area
Jalen
Williams March 3, 2014 2014 Whale of a Sale
The community's most popular and
largest garage sale was a
success once again.
The 2014 Whale of a Sale event
attracted hundreds of people
that came out to support on
Friday and Saturday. This event
was located in the Dillard's
Wing of the Tallahassee Mall
from 5-9 p.m.
The Whale of a Sale is a special
community event that provides
and helps the less fortunate
with school supplies and food.
It is a community event that is
primarily "kid-focused." The
purpose of this event is to help
put a child in a better position
in life.
Members of the Junior League of
Tallahassee were showcasing
unique, high-quality items at
bargain prices that included
children's items, furniture, and
discounts on food and clothes.
Compared to last year's event,
this year's Whale of a Sale
event is considered the best one
yet in 15 years.
"This year's event is twice as
big. We have record numbers of
donations in books from the Leon
County Library as well and
beautiful furniture," said
Kelly-Ann Fasano, Whale of a
Sale co-chairman.
Some similar fundraising events
that the Junior League of
Tallahassee also sponsors are
"Breakfast with Santa" and
"Cookbooks."
The purpose of these two events
is also to help less fortunate
children with school supplies
and food.
Events like these gives college
students and staff members who
are members in the Junior League
an opportunity to make a
significant impact to multiple
lives.
Bargains draw a crowd at sale
at old Dillards store. (Photo by Jalen Williams)
Alexis Phillips, Whale of a Sale
chair of publicity sub-committee
official, said that the
community has bargained prices
on wonderful donated items that
are in great shape looking for a
new home.
Fasano was glad to see the large
turnout. Fasano said a larger
turnout would make a difference
in the community.
100 percent of the donations go
directly right back into the
community, everything that the
Junior League does is to enhance
the lives of children and
families in the Tallahassee
area, Kelly-Ann Fasano said.
This was the 40th Birthday of
the Junior League of
Tallahassee's signature
fundraising annual event.
The Junior League of Tallahassee
cooperates with top-notch
partners like AMWAT and Eubanks
Fasig & Barrett Books to
help fundraise.
"The Junior League Council also
provides discount on clothes
from retail stores like Kohl's
for children and sponsor
families and have community
dinners," said Elizabeth Barron,
Whale of a Sale sub-committee
official.
Washing
hands is essential
Constant weather change promotes
flu,
so wear appropriate clothing for
weather
By
Kayla Robinson Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
Today the temperature high is 77
and tomorrow the temperature
high is expected to be 49.
With winter coming to a close
and the first day of spring
beginning March 20, one would
think it's time to switch their
wardrobe.
But with the weather at a
constant change and flu season
still in full swing, there are
some precautions Floridians need
to take before switch from their
winter pea-coats to tank top
shirts.
Dr. Shahid Ahmad, a Tallahassee
Memorial Hospital physician,
said the constant weather change
can cause someone to catch the
flu or common cold.
"The weather change makes our
respiratory tracts more
vulnerable, therefore lowering
our immune responses. This can
cause the common cold or flu,"
said Ahmad.
The common cold is an airborne
influenza virus that stays
confined to the upper
respiratory tract. The way a
person contracts a cold is by
inhaling infected droplets.
Because the common cold is
airborne, this can be contracted
anywhere.
The flu is a parainfluenza that
usually starts with a higher
grade of fever and muscle aches.
The flu can lead to full
respiratory failure and also
cause systemic problems.
"Washing your hands after
sneezing or coughing,
sanitizing, and keeping your
mouth covered is the best way to
prevent yourself from catching
the common cold or flu," said
Ahmed.
Kathy Dees, an herbalist at An
Herbal Solution, said it is
important to keep your
body properly covered. Not
washing your body or hands can
weaken your immune system and
cause you to get the common cold
or the flu.
Apples are the fruit people want
to consume daily because they
contain Vitamin A which is for
the skin, and the skin is the
biggest part of your immune
system because it covers all
your organs, she said. The
skin is the easiest way for
bacteria or viruses to creep in,
said Dees.
Mushrooms, garlic and yogurt are
some more foods people can eat
to build their immune system.
Over-the-counter
medicines only fight
symptoms.
(Photo by
Kayla Robinson)
They contain antioxidants and
help the body fight off free
radicals. Free radicals inform
the body that inflammation is
present.
Surette Sands, a pharmacist,
said washing of hands
thoroughly, eating a nutritious
meal and getting the proper rest
are ways to bolster the immune
system to fight off the common
cold or flu.
Flu season is still in progress
and flu shots are widely
recommended for many people,
especially the elderly.
"Over-the-counter medicines
don't get rid of virus or
influenza itself- they fight the
symptoms," said Sands.
Medicines such as Tylenol help
fight off fevers, and
decongestion medicines help
break down colds in the chest.
"The only difference between
prescribed and over-the-counter
medicine is safety. Prescribed
medicines are prescribed by a
doctor, for safety reasons,"
said Sands.
After a medicine is deemed safe
for one to take on his own, it
then becomes an over
-the-counter medicine.
Tax season is
the time most couples split,
according to statistics, divorce
lawyers
By
Kayla Robinson Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
Roses are red. Violets are blue.
After I file my taxes, I
plan to file for divorce too.
It's the beginning of the year
and tax season is in full swing.
While singles will be out
shopping with their tax refund,
married couples will be using
their refund to file for
divorce.
Adam R. Cowhey, a divorce lawyer
at Adam R, Cowhey P.A, of
Tallahassee tells the story.
"People usually do file for
divorce in spring time after tax
refunds come back," he said.
"The holiday season is over and
the kids are back in school, and
this gives them more time and
money to file for divorce."
Tax filing season begins Jan. 15
and ends April 15. The average
price for divorce in Florida
ranges between $10,000 and
$20,000. $15,000 is the median
price.
"There are a lot of factors that
go into the pricing depending on
how long the case takes to
litigate, and if children and
assets are involved. The average
case usually takes six months to
litigate," said Cowhey.
The month of April is the
leading month of divorce filing,
according to Florida Recorded
Dissolutions of Marriage report
of 2013.
The number of divorces filed
last year in April was 7,416.
The total number of divorces
filed in 2013 was 80,095.
"Most people file for divorce
between five and 10 years of
being married. I have had some
couples to reconcile," said
Cowhey.
Thelma Chodazeck, a tax advisor
for the IRS, files taxes for
about 350 people during the tax
season and about 280 of those
people are married couples.
Chodazeck has had some cases
where a couple who file
"married" one year are divorced
the next.
"If a person has filed for
legal separation or divorce with
the court, then they can file as
'married filing separate' or
'single head of household,'"
said Chodazeck.
This may be the first step
down a long road (Photo by
Kayla Robinson)
While some couples are in a
hurry to separate from their
partners, it is actually more
beneficial to file taxes
"married." The tax refund is
larger.
"I have a couple that is legally
separated, but still file their
taxes together every year
because of the refund," said
Chodazeck.
Dr. Kay Allen, a marriage
counselor, told of her
experiences.
"Some couples see their in
trouble and try to do something
to help the situation. Other
couples just get to the place
where they've given up and come
to counseling to confirm what
they already believe is true."
Florida has no law that demands
couples to go through counseling
before filing for divorce. But
Florida Statute 61.183, says
couples having issues in regards
to child custody must seek
mediation to handle their
differences.
Would
make it OK to possess 2.5
ounces
Florida senator files bill to
legalize marijuana as some other
states consider
decriminalization
By Raymond
Coleman Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
A Florida senator has filed a
bill that would make marijuana
legal for recreational usage in
the state of Florida.
Sen. Dwight Bullard, a Democrat
from Miami-Dade, has filed a
bill that, if passed, would make
it legal for any person 21 years
of age or over to possess up to
2.5 ounces of marijuana and
allow them to cultivate up to
six plants for recreational
use.
The bill also contains a
framework to tax and regulate
the sale of marijuana. One
specific piece of the bill is
geared towards making sure
underage people cannot purchase
marijuana legally.
With states like Colorado and
Washington decriminalizing
marijuana for recreational use,
many of the other states in the
U.S are considering doing the
same.
The obvious financial
stimulation that can come to a
local economy is what attracts
many lawmakers to the notion of
legalizing the street drug. An
estimated $1 million was made on
the first day of legalization in
Denver.
The law firm of Friedman, Frank
& Abrahamsen located in
Tallahassee specializes in
defending those charged with
marijuana- related offenses,
both local misdemeanor and
larger federal cases.
Attorney Eric Abrahamsen was
asked if marijuana should be
legal. "Yes, in a vacuum, I
would like to see marijuana
legalized, but there are some
consequences to it."
When asked if he thought the
legalization of marijuana would
lessen the number of people in
the judicial system he
replied, "I think you will
see a slight decline in arrests
made for possession but
intent-to-sell will still be a
big charge."
Possession of more than 20 grams
of marijuana is a felony in the
State of Florida and can carry a
maximum sentence of five years
imprisonment.
Marijuana has been at the center
of the new era of modern
medicine and, if legalized,
could quickly become a staple in
the medical world.
Marijuana was approved in
Colorado
(Photo in public domain)
Some cancer patients have been
known to use marijuana to settle
the nausea associated with
chemotherapy.
Mariann Blotsky, 56, is a
survivor of leukemia who works
at a local shopping mall.
"I never used it while I
was in therapy but I know some
people who did and it seemed to
help."
Blotsky was diagnosed with
leukemia back in 2009, underwent
chemotherapy and said "the
nausea is excruciating."
"Though I don't smoke it, if it
would help someone get through
something like chemo, I can't
say that I am against it."
Though it is unlikely that
Bullard's bill will pass through
the GOP-dominated legislature,
at the same time, the
legislature is considering
proposals to legalize
"Charlotte's Web," a marijuana
extract that can help individual
children who suffer a form of
epilepsy that leads to serious
seizures.
Stars
Lewis, Adams speak about
team
'Practice makes perfect' as
Rattler men's
basketball prepares for MEAC
tournament
By
Teriya Ogden Florida A&M
University March 5, 2014
It seems like FAMU's basketball
coach Clemon Johnson has a lot
to be proud of and much to look
forward to when it comes to his
team's outstanding victories.
Johnson, a former center for the
NBA Portland Trailblazers, was
drafted in 1978. The former
Rattler uses his professional
techniques and strategies to
carry his team through their
well-earned wins and placement
in the MEAC tournament which
begins March 10.
Johnson had a vision before
officially becoming the head
coach for FAMU's men's
basketball team.
He wanted to instill the
qualities of hard work and
endurance in his players.
Johnson is no stranger to the
phrase "practice makes perfect"
- holding practices 5 days out
of the week - two hours a day -
calling this game a "practice
game."
In the recent victory against
Edward Waters College, 104-69,
two back-to-back three-pointers
by Reggie Lewis, a senior who
plays guard, from
Cleveland, were the first
points to open the game up for
FAMU.
Following him was Jamie Adams, a
transfer senior who also plays
guard, from Chicago, who had a
hot hand of three-pointers.
Approaching this game, Johnson
had a goal for his players. He
wanted them to not overlook the
other team's ability.
"This is a game where we get an
opportunity to run through some
plays, get a little more relaxed
about shooting the basketball,"
said Johnson.
"Unfortunately, we gave up some
rebounds that I didn't like, but
again, it gives us a chance to
play a game and kind of relax.
Once we put our foot to the
metal, we could win the game."
Getting off to a quick start
offensively was not an obstacle
for the two star players.
"We just wanted to set the tone,
separate ourselves from the
beginning. We didn't want to
give them any confidence down
the stretch. We just came out to
put our foot on their throat,"
said Lewis.
'Reggie is the hot man
right now, and he's
carrying this team, so
I'm going to just keep
feeding him, and we are
going to keep trying to
get these W's' - Jamie
Adams
When asked about his consistent
shooting ability, Lewis simply
stated it came from "putting
work in the gym."
He adds:
"Coach always makes us get
individual time in working on
our game. With him designating
me as a shooter, that's what I
work on, getting a lot of shots
up, getting a lot of reps to
build my confidence for the
game."
Adams was not shy in being
Lewis's "right hand man."
Agreeing that it is a relief
having Lewis as an equal on the
team, Adams describes the
relationship.
"For me, Reggie knows everything
I'm going to do on the court, so
with him making shots, it makes
the game a lot easier for me.
I'm just starting to find my way
as a true point guard of the
team, that's what I'm trying to
build. That's what coach told me
I need to do in order to get to
the next level and play at the
highest level."
"Reggie is the hot man right
now, and he's carrying this
team, so I'm going to just keep
feeding him, and we are going to
keep trying to get these W's."
Both Lewis and Adams agreed that
their coach is the professional
motivation for their growing
athleticism.
With the Edward Waters game
being the 4th straight victory
by the team, momentum is now
building for the players, as
they prepare for the MEAC
tournament, which is scheduled
to be on March 10 in Norfolk,
Virginia.
Grandmother
gave sewing machine that
changed life
Student takes fashion skills to
'the next level'
designing cute, trendy clothing
and accessories
By
Destiny Drummond Florida A&M
University March 4, 2014
The first thing one would notice
when entering the room of
first-year student Wynee Reed
are the assorted fabrics
covering her bedroom floor.
Wynee Reed, a first- year
Florida A&M University
biology student from Chicago,
has decided to take her fashion
designing skills to the next
level.
After completing her website,
producing the clothes, and
conducting a photo-shoot, Reed
has launched her clothing and
headband accessories line,
Natiiv Clothing.
"Natiiv Clothing is designed for
the young lady on a budget
looking for cute, trendy and
customized pieces, but for a
reasonable price," said Reed.
Reed has been interested in
fashion since her senior year in
high school but was not quite
the designer she is today.
While in high school she was
well known for her hip and
trendy outfits that she created
from thrifting. Reed showed no
interest in designing clothes
until she received a
life-changing gift from a
special person in her life.
"I've been renovating thrifted
clothes for years," Reed said.
"But when my grandmother bought
me a sewing machine last
Christmas, I saw it as a sign
and ran with it."
From that moment on, Reed has
been designing her own clothes
and accessories.
"As a freshman, seeing my
clothes being worn on the set
for the first time was a moment
I will never forget," Reed said.
"I will forever be grateful of
the love I received here at
Florida A&M."
Since Reed debuted her clothing
line via Facebook and Internet,
she has been receiving rave
reviews from her peers.
First-year student Shakeyla
Thompson, from Thomaston, Ga.,
says she not only loved the
items she ordered from Reed, but
she enjoyed the experience even
more.
"Wynne made me feel like more
than a client," said Thompson.
"She made me feel like a friend,
which seems like a great quality
to have in this business."
Wynee Reed is an inspiration,
say her fellow students.
(Photo by Destiny Drummond)
As Reed's clientele continues to
grow, she is making sure that
this does not cause her to loose
focus of her main goal.
"I refuse to leave Tallahassee
without obtaining my degree,"
Reed said. "I mean that is the
reason we all came to Tally,
right?"
Reed provides not only
jaw-dropping designs, but
motivation to those that came in
with her.
According to Ayisha Plummer, a
first-year student and friend
from Chicago, Reed has been an
inspiration for her and her own
friends.
"Wynee is motivation to do
better," Plummer said. "To see
her doing things on her own only
motivates me too work harder."
For more information about
Natiiv Clothing, check out the
website, http://www.NatiivClothing.com,
or email Reed
@NatiivNatiiv@yahoo.com.
Spring
Break may mean making vacation
choice of islands, beaches,
cruises and more
By Destiny Drummond Florida A&M
University March 4, 2014
March is suddenly here, and for
most college students this only
means one thing. . .
Spring Break!
With so many vacation options,
students find themselves
confused about where to
vacation. Puerto Rico, South
Beach, and Panama City Beach are
among the many hot spots for
Spring Break 2014.
According to the Travel Channel
website, Puerto Rico, South
Beach and Panama City are among
the top 12 places that flood
with Spring Breakers.
Donnell Redman, a Florida
A&M University graduate
student from D.C. said, "South
Beach seems like the safest
route to avoid underclassmen or
those younger than 20."
Miami is well known for its
beautiful weather. But when
students hear South Beach, they
think long beaches, vibrant
nightlife for the 21-plus crowds
and money, money, money.
"I don't want to say that you
need to bring your life savings;
however, you must indeed be
prepared to shell out a pretty
penny because this venture can
be expensive," said Redman.
Over the past years, a crowd
favorite for anxious spring
breakers has been Panama City
Beach.
The Panama City Spring Break
Co-op group has announced that
during the week of March 8 -
March 15, students from more
than 500 colleges and
universities will be in
attendance.
"With 799 units, we expect to
see about 5-6,000 students a
week," said Shores of Panama
manager Eva Dixon, "and that's
in our establishment alone."
And with so many students
expected, some condominiums in
Panama have altered the age
requirement for booking.
"It's unusual, but this year we
are allowing students to book
rooms at the age of 18," said
Dixon.
Cruises are another spring break
activity that college students
partake in.
Cruise lines offer plenty of
deals for students during spring
break, so finding an affordable
trip won't be hard. Prices range
from as low as $229 for a
four-day trip to as high as $729
for a five-day trip staying in
the luxury suite.
However students choose to spend
their spring break, the rules
are that they must remember to
be safe. But students say that
having fun and making memories
are part of it all.
"When it comes to spring break I
live by the Magic School Bus
saying," said Jack Henri, an
engineer and mathematical
science student from Fort
Lauderdale. "Take chances, make
mistakes and get messy."
To find a listing of spring
break destination ideas, go to
http://www.studentcity.com/college.
Kids get
exciting chance to learn to
act
'Tomato Players' to
give farewell workshop
as show seeks someone to lead
local program
By Qunay Marshall Florida A&M
University March 4, 2014
The Tomato Players may be
leaving Tallahassee, and the
show won't go on.
The Tomato Players are a theater
troupe of actors who are devoted
to providing an educational,
interactive, and exciting
theatrical experience for
children of all ages.
On a recent Saturday, the
players held a free theatre
workshop at the LeRoy Collins
Leon County Public Library.
Elementary school age thespians
were invited to come and gain a
basic understanding of story
plots and other theatre tips.
Christi Willard, a member of the
tomato players and graduating
senior at FSU, taught the
workshop. Willard recently
returned from London before
conducting the workshop and she
hasn't quite gotten back to into
her routine.
"I was over in London
having a blast," Willard said.
"Now I come back [to
Tallahassee] and I have a class
to teach."
The players are moving to
the Orlando area. That's where
Willard is relocating after she
graduates.
During the acting
workshop, children used their
imaginations to act like worms,
chickens, astronauts landing on
the moon and even pretended they
were covered in Jell-O.
After using their
imaginations, the children were
to go on stage and act out their
favorite thing to do. Some
children didn't want to go on
stage because they were afraid
they'd mess up.
And to that Willard said:
"Acting is full of mess ups. But
that's good because you learn
from it."
Six-year-old Carter was
first to hit the stage. He acted
out listening to the gorilla
story.
Next was 6-year-old Anna.
She said her favorite thing to
do was to read, but she tripped
over her book.
The workshop concluded with a
song and dance performance from
the children. They sang the
lyrics to "Consider Yourself,"
which is from the film "Oliver!"
and performed a formation
routine.
John Grafton, Carter's
father, was proud to see his son
up on stage.
Tomato Players have learned
to overcome shyness and to
act.
Director Christi Willard must
depart for Orlando, however.
(Photos by Qunay Marshall)
"The kids really enjoy
it," Grafton said. "They're
doing sometime that isn't in
front of the TV and that's fine
by me."
Willard gets a kick out of the
workshops. Unfortunately she
hasn't found anyone who can take
over once she's gone.
"You know, I kind of
trained some people to fill my
spot, but when I asked them
straight up they declined to do
it," Willard said.
Sheila Boyd, an attending
parent, was sad to hear that
this one of the players last
shows.
"I understand she
[Christi] has her life to live,"
Boyd said. "The kids are going
to miss this."
The last workshop for the
players, in the Tallahassee area
is April 5. The workshop will
also be held in the LeRoy
Collins Leon County Public
Library.
'Women
of Power'
gather in Boca Raton
Race and gender can be used to
an advantage,
FAMU professor tells Black
Enterprise summit
By
Ameer Brown Florida A&M
University March 4, 2014
Race and gender can be an
advantage instead of a liability
in the marketplace according to
Atira Charles, 32, a
business professor at Florida
A&M University,
She was selected as a highlight
speaker at the 2014 Black
Enterprise Women of Power Summit
hosted by State Farm
Insurance.
The Summit was a four-day
professional leadership
conference held last weekend at
the Boca Raton Resort &
Club.
The event catered to executives,
professionals, entrepreneurs,
and professors, bringing
together more than 800 women of
power from a wide variety of
fields.
"I was looking forward to being
in the room with a lot of the
women who have motivated me over
the years as a young black
business woman and I can only
hope and pray that I accomplish,
in my lifetime, some of the
things that they have. I was
very excited and I am very
fortunate."
Professor Charles spoke on
"Balancing Act: Strategies for
Managing Racial & Gender
Identities at Work."
She coached guests on how to
navigate workplace perceptions
and biases. According to
Charles, listeners gained useful
emotional, psychological, and
behavioral strategies that will
increase chances of success
personally and professionally.
"Everybody walked out the
session understanding that
self-awareness and identity
management matters, and it is
something that they can achieve
with strategic effort," she
said.
"A lot of the experiences people
are feeling at work are human
experiences that can be managed,
and their racial and gender
identities can be a source of
empowerment," Charles added.
Charles received both her B.S.
and MBA from FAMU's SBI in 2003
and went on to receive her Ph.D.
in organizational management
from Arizona State University in
2008.
Everybody
walked out the
session
understanding
that
self-awareness
and identity
management
matters, and
it is
something that
they can
achieve with
strategic
effort - Atira
Charles
Her life's work focuses on race
and gender in the workplace,
bias and stereotypes in the
workplace, mentoring in diverse
organizations, performance
appraisal systems, and managing
emotions
Charles was also named one of
"125 Outstanding Alumni" during
FAMU's 125th homecoming
Presidential Gala in 2012.
Her most recent work was
featured in Black Enterprise's
February "Woman of Power"
edition entitled, "Are You
Suffering from an Identity
Threat?"
She was also recently published
a piece titled, "The
Intersection of Race and
Politics: A Framework of
Racialized Organizational
Politics Perceptions."
Sonia
Alleyne, the
editorial director of
careers and lifestyle
coverage at Black Enterprise said the summit was designed to help
female professionals "decode
the corporate workforce so
that they would have better
experiences and more control
over their professional
lives as well as advance
their careers."
President
and CEO of Black Enterprise,
Earl Butch Graves Jr, posted
on Twitter, "I can't be more
excited about our Women of
Power Summit. . . the summit
is the most dynamic
professional development event
that you will ever attend!"
Featured were luncheons,
receptions, various networking
opportunities and live
entertainment by artist such as
renowned R&B singer Tank.
Other speakers and
honorees included Emmy and Tony
Award winner Cicely Tyson,
world-class tennis player and
entrepreneur Venus Williams,
civil rights activists and
corporate executives.
Some
confess it's hard to stop
Students react in
various ways to Florida's
recent prohibition of texting
while driving
By Ilani
Harris
Florida A&M University March
3, 2014
Some students say it's hard to
stop the practice of texting
while driving, even though
Florida has recently joined a
large number states to crack
down on drivers sending messages
from cars.
The law went into effect Oct. 1,
2013. This bill makes the use of
wireless communication devices
while operating a motor vehicle
a secondary offense.
After signing the bill
into law, Gov. Rick Scott spoke
to reporters on the bill.
"Just the fact that it'll
be illegal to text and drive, I
think that's going to stop our
teenagers, stop citizens from
texting and driving," Scott
said.
From television
commercials to government
warnings, texting while driving
is on everyone's radar. Even
mobile phone providers are
warning against texting while
driving with commercials that
show what can happen if people
do. AT&T wireless is
promoting a campaign to persuade
teens to stop the practice.
In a recent national survey with
1200 teens, 97 percent of the
teens admitted that they know
texting while driving is wrong.
Some 73 percent of the teens
said that they look at their
phone while driving and 60
percent said that they actually
text while driving.
After seeing an AT&T
commercial, college student
Jashari Holloway from Apopka,
Fla., is rethinking texting
while driving. "The AT&T
commercials are what ready got
me thinking about the dangers of
texting and driving," said
Holloway. "Seeing how those
people were affected makes me
think twice about doing it."
Some college students say
that they just cannot wait to
see or reply to a message.
Also that they must reply
immediately or else they might
forget what they want to reply
back.
They keep their phones close at
hand in anticipation of their
next text. Some even say
that they get this bad habit
from seeing their parents or
family members do it.
Will people continue to text
while driving? (Photo by Ilani
Harris)
Alex Hall from Fort Lauderdale,
Fla. knows what it is like to
have parents who text while
driving.
"My parents text while they
drive but yet they tell me not
to do the same thing," said
Hall. "I think it's hypocritical
- if I shouldn't do it then they
shouldn't either."
Texting while driving has
been said to be more dangerous
than driving while
intoxicated. Many students
have been affected by someone
who was texting and driving.
There are some cases where some
will not get into the car with
someone who text and drives.
One person who fears
riding with certain friends is
Sydnie Medlin from Texas.
"I am afraid to get into
the car with one of my friends
because she text while she
drives," said Medlin." I am
really scared that she will hurt
someone. I tell her to stop but
she doesn't listen."
Metz
to offer social media
specials
Students
express mostly good
opinions
about the new food
services at FAMU
By
Gabrielle Dawkins Florida A&M
University March 4, 2014
The talk of the town is
Metz, the new food
company on the Florida
A&M University
campus.
Metz was established in
1994 by John Metz. It
ranks as No. 20 on the
Food Management
Magazine's list of the
top 50 Management
companies in the United
States.
Its website states "You
can expect expertly
'made food with the
freshest produce, eats
and high- quality
ingredients."
Students have a choice
of Commuter Bronze,
Silver, and Gold meal
plans. Each option
varies in price and
tailors to the students
wants. Prices range from
$1,990 to $2,490.
The original contract
with Sodexo ended on
June 30, 2013. After a
six month extension
granted by the Board of
Trustees, Sodexo's
contract expired on
December 20, 2013.
"Metz was selected as
the Food Service
Provider as they
prevailed through the
competitive solicitation
process," said Byron
Williams from FAMU's
Auxiliary Services.
"Metz scored favorably
in the areas of food
quality, customer
relations and financial
investment dollars."
Since the change,
Florida A&M
University students have
various opinions about
Metz.
Paul Thompson, a
fourth-year professional
pharmacy candidate from
Deland, Fla., noticed
some major changes,
including new cups,
improved service, and a
new display of desserts.
He gave Metz a "B- for
taste and quality of
food provided."
Kierra King a third-year
health care management
student from West Palm
Beach, Fla., said she
noticed a difference in
the flavor of the food.
"The food is a lot more
seasoned," King said.
Metz General Manager
Alan Bergman said he has
been in the food service
business for 30 years.
His day-to-day goals are
to insure that the needs
of the students,
employees, school- and
Metz staff' are met,
while setting the tone
and expectations.
According to the
website, Metz's "eight
core values" are
"hospitality, fun,
integrity, fairness,
quality, balance,
respect and caring."
"The key to keeping
customers coming back is
giving them what they
want and exceeding their
expectations," Bergman
said.
Metz posts its meal
plan options and
prices.
He said he spends most
of his time listening to
consumer feedback.
In order to obtain
comments from customers,
comment boards are
posted at each
restaurant location. He
said he also speaks to
students on how Metz can
improve its food and
service.
Metz is hoping to build
its social media
presence to coordinate
with the extensive use
of social media.
Ferrisa Connell, a
junior public relations
student and one of the
student marketing
coordinators of Metz,
said in addition to
increasing its social
media presence, Metz is
planning other
activities to reach out
to students.
"In the near future Metz
will incorporate more
games and marketing
initiatives to attract
new business and keep
current customers,"
Connell said.
One of the ideas is
"Flash Deals," where,
for a limited time, an
item will be advertised
through social media and
a participant has 10
minutes to receive a
discount on that item.
The current social media
contest is a monthly
Instagram challenge. To
participate, the
customer takes a picture
of his or her food from
a Metz eatery and posts
it along with the
hashtag #FamuFood. The
two users whose picture
receives the most
'likes' will receive
$25 in flex bucks.
Metz says it plans to
post the menus on
Facebook and on the Metz
website.
Thomas Jamal Williams, a
junior accounting
student from Chicago,
noted that Metz is "so
far so good."
Alan Bergman can be
reached at
abergman@metzcorp.com
Popular
boutique mixes premium,
vintage
Urban Outfitters
provides a stylish splash;
popular chain launches labels in
College Town
By
Raymond Coleman Florida A&M
University March 3, 2014
The newest addition to Gaines
Street has got the Tallahassee
student community abuzz.
The Urban Outfitters on Madison
Street opened at the end of
January and is already looking
to be a staple in the city's
retail market.
Urban Outfitters and
Anthropologie stores sell via
catalogs and e-commerce sites,
too. The company also operates a
bridal brand and garden center
stores.
The wholesale division makes,
sells, and distributes clothing
under the Leifsdottir and Free
People labels for more than 75
of its own stores and about
1,400 department and specialty
stores worldwide.
Chairman Richard Hayne founded
Urban Outfitters as The Free
People's Store in 1970.
The store began construction
last November and celebrated its
grand opening Jan. 24. The
store faces Doak Campbell
stadium on Madison Street, just
a few minutes' walk from
Florida A&M University or
Florida State Universitiy
campuses.
Marc Betancourt, 22, a
FAMU senior broadcast major, is
effusive with praise.
"Urban Always has great sales, I
love their prices and
selections."
The store's appeal to students
is mostly based on the price
point of the merchandise.
Urban's price ranges from items
priced as high as $400 to
clearance items marked below $5,
with a wide range of styles to
choose from.
Customers are usually taken by
the store's presentation. This
store offers the same vintage
aesthetic that has made them
famous, with a twist. Though
Urban Outfitters is a franchise
store, its boutique style layout
gives the store a thrifty feel.
"We are really excited to
be a part of the Tallahassee
community," said store manager
Christina Sanchez.
"We want to be a place for
students to come and hang out.
Even if they don't want to shop,
we want them to enjoy the
atmosphere we offer as well as
the merchandise."
Nationally prominent stores
attract student population. (Photos by Raymond
Coleman)
The men's section of the store
has everything from knitted
sweaters to graphic t-shirts.
The section also features a
Levis denim bar with several
premium cuts of men's denim
jeans.
One of the unknown brands the
store carries is Salt Valley
Western, a vintage clothing
brand that specializes in worn
looking clothes.
Why would anybody want used
looking clothes?
Vintage is a popular style among
college students, particularly
because of the price and
availability. Salt Valley
Western features classic fit
denim shirts, jeans, and vintage
t-shirts.
Lamont Howard, 22 who serves as
the art director for FAMU's
Journey Magazine said
"Urban is a staple for the
stylish, anybody who is into
fashion these days shops there."
"I only buy certain things from
there, but I can always count on
them to have something good."
The store's staff is
exceptionally stylish and
courteous. Many of them are
students from both FAMU and FSU.
The store has now been up and
operating for almost two months
and looks to become a major
landmark in the city's large
retail market.
TCC honors 14
African-Americans
Calendar project inspires
youth to be heroes
and make a positive impact on
community
By
Kaci Jones Florida A&M
University March 3, 2014
Tallahassee Community College
has unveiled its 14th annual
Cherry Hall Alexander
African-American History
Calendar.
The event at Turner Auditorium
recently honored 14
African-Americans who have made
a significant impact on the
community. However, the creator
of the calendar, Cherry Hall
Alexander, retired librarian and
head of the calendar committee,
says the calendar does more than
recognize community leaders.
"It goes deeper than our
honorees. The calendar is for
our youth,"Alexander said. "They
can see these people and have
someone to look up to."
Alexander wanted the students to
be able to "look up to someone
who could be their next door
neighbor."
She has a vision that students
will strive to be on the
calendar after they see and hear
about other African-Americans
making strides in the community.
Jerome Maples, political science
student at Florida A&M
University, from Quincy, Fla.,
was the youth honoree of 2014.
Maples spent many years
homeless, but he was able to
rise from the disadvantage by
guidance from his mentors. He
hopes to inspire youth to
"believe in themselves and keep
going."
"This award is humbling and it
shows how much people have put
their work into me," Maples
said. "It's not just because of
me- a lot of people have taken
me up by my boot to help me
along the way."
The calendar is also considered
a recruitment tool for TCC when
distributed to schools in Leon,
Wakulla and Gadsden County. More
than 20,000 calendars will be
distributed throughout Leon
county and surrounding areas.
(Bottom Row) Irene Thompson
Perry, Vernell Ross, Doby Lee
Flowers, Colleen
Skipper-Mitchell, Harold and
Erica Uzzell (Middle Row) Queen
Webster, Jerome Maples,
Evangeline (Regina) Bryant
(Top Row) Judge June McKinney,
Tommy Mills, Carolyn
Fitzgerald Colson (deceased),
Marilyn Holifield, Keith
Dowdell (Courtesy of
TCC)
Louis Dilbert, co-chair of
African-American history
planning committee at TCC says
the school hopes to let youth
see that they can "be great just
like the heroes in the
calendar."
The school aims to get youth to
choose TCC after they get the
calendar.
"Students can take the calendar,
read the stories and be
motivated," Dilbert said. "We
also hope the calendar can
remind students that TCC is here
to help them succeed."
This event was the first in
conjunction with other African-
American History month events
including a Youth Day that will
give Tallahassee highs school
students a chance to tour the
TCC campus and learn about the
programs the college offers.
The calendar also features
important dates in
African-American history to help
the public stay informed.
Hundreds
of people are on the
streets
Generosity helps the homeless
shelter
give warmth for cold nights in
Tallahassee
By
Kaci Jones Florida A&M
University March 3, 2014
As the temperatures dropped,
conditions became more difficult
for homeless people to survive
on the streets of Tallahassee.
In the recent weeks, Tallahassee
has reached below freezing on
several nights. In effort to get
homeless people out of the cold,
area agencies partnered on cold
nights to provide shelter for
hundreds of men, women, and
children who would otherwise be
on the streets.
One homeless man said he would
have to sleep on a bench if it
weren't for The Shelter.
"I usually sleep on a bench
every night," the man said. "I'm
very grateful for their
generosity or else I would be
left out to freeze."
Jacob Reiter, the executive
director of The Shelter in
Tallahassee, said the shelter
couldn't provide assistance to
those in need without the help
of outside sources.
"The Shelter can't do it alone,"
Reiter said. "We rely on
assistance from local agencies
and generous givers."
The Shelter works alongside
First Presbyterian Church,
Jacob's Chapel Baptist Church,
the Leon County Health
Department, and Star Metro to
operate the cold night shelters.
Women and children are housed in
the shelter on West Tennessee
St., while men are accommodated
at Jacob's Chapel Baptist Church
on Lake Bradford Road.
Homeless people on the streets
rely on the generosity of
others, and even under the roof
of a shelter, they depend on the
donations of others. The Capital
Area Red Cross supplies cots to
the shelters on designated cold
nights to accommodate the crowd.
Leon County residents can help
by donating toiletries, towels,
clothes, and other basic needs
to the Shelter. They also accept
monetary donations, which go
toward the general upkeep of the
facility, and individual needs a
client might have. Some clients
require prescription medicine
and the shelter ensures they are
able to afford it.
'I
usually sleep on a bench
every night. I'm very
grateful for their
generosity or else I
would be left out to
freeze.'
The homeless population in
Florida has increased more than
any other state since 2007,
according to the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban
Development. The face of the
homeless person has changed and
more and more people have been
subject to this epidemic because
of the lack of work. The Shelter
reports that 15 to 20 percent of
their clients attend college of
some sort.
Adrian Redding, senior business
administration student at
Florida A&M University, has
volunteered at organizations for
the homeless here and back at
home in Fort Lauderdale. He said
he is grateful he can help
because "it could happen to
anyone."
"Whether it's their fault or
not, I want to be there to help
them," Redding said. "It can
happen to anyone - there is no
age limit or certain race that
it effects."
The number of homeless people
has increased so much that The
Shelter couldn't take care of
them all.
Sammy Towels, operations manager
at The Shelter, said intake has
reached an all-time high in
recent weeks.
"Just last week we had 274
people who needed help," Towels
said. "Unfortunately, we had to
turn some away because we just
didn't have the means to help
them."
In Leon County, the number of
homeless people has doubled
since 2010, according to the
Department of Children and
Families. Area agencies are
working toward getting more aid
to the homeless.
For more information on how to
help The Shelter, call (850)
224-8448.
Dangers
require more awareness,
education
African-Americans
face greater incidence
of HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer and
diabetes
By
Shakara Jenkins Florida A&M
University March 3, 2014
If you happen to be black, you
may face some diseases that seem
to plague Aftrican-Americans and
you need to be aware.
HIV/AIDS, diabetes and
cervical cancer are that are
frequent diseases within the
African-American community.
The American Diabetes
Association reports that 4.9
million or 18.7 percent of all
African-Americans 20 years of
age or older have diabetes and
are 1.8 times more likely to
contract it than non-Hispanic
whites.
Along with that, the
complications of diabetes also
have a great effect.
African-Americans are 2.7 times
more likely to suffer lower-limb
amputations and 2.6 to 5.6 times
more likely to suffer from
kidney disease and 50 percent
more likely to suffer blindness.
Deborah Jones, who is the
diabetes health educator at Bond
Community Health Center, said
that by gaining education,
African-Americans can limit the
risk of complications.
"Diabetes education helps people
with diabetes avoid
complications by teaching them
about their disease and ways to
stay healthier," Jones said.
"Complications do not happen to
everyone with diabetes if they
keep their blood sugar, blood
pressure and lipids under
control."
Jones explained that
diabetes is not only caused by
genetics - aging is also a
factor. She added there are a
lot of young people with
diabetes who have poor
lifestyles, are overweight, do
not exercise and don't eat right
Jones suggests 30 minutes of
physical activity a day. A
website called myplate.gov
advises people to eat five
vegetables and fruit servings a
day, to minimize their intake of
unsaturated fats such as animal
fat, and to avoid fast food.
Another disease affecting
African-Americans is cervical
cancer. Bond women's health case
manager Anya Monroe said that
cervical cancer affects more
than 11,000 women a year and
that 2,000 are
African-American.
In addition, Monroe says that
African-American women have a
lower five year survival rate
and die more often of cervical
cancer than any other race.
Monroe said that she is
heartbroken that so many women
are losing their lives to
cervical cancer.
"As a woman, it saddens me
because this is a preventable
disease," she said. "There are
policies -as well as community
health centers and health
departments - that are in place
to help," Monroe said.
While it may not be a woman's
disease, HIV/AIDS has certainly
taken over the African-American
community.
A study done by the Centers for
Disease Control shows that one
in 16 African-American men and
one in 32 women will
be diagnosed with HIV In their
lifetime. In 2011, some 15,958
African-Americans were diagnosed
with AIDS.
Bethel AME Church held day
for dialogue on minority
health (Photo by Shelia
Morris)
Bond program coordinator Kelvin
Wilson says he feels that few
African-Americans who reside in
the Big Bend area want to be
"the face of HIV/AIDS"
because of discrimination
against AIDS victims by the
public.
Wilson says he feels heartbreak
on how HIV/AIDS has taken over
the African-American community
and he is even more disappointed
that African-Americans ignore
how serious the disease is.
"Much of the time I am
frustrated and saddened over how
HIV/AIDS has affected and
infected the African-American
community.
"Collectively, we continue to
ignore the existence of and the
realities of HIV/AIDS and its
impact. It's a preventable
infection," Wilson said.
On Feb. 22 a day of dialogue on
minority health was held at
Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church to encourage
churches to have more seminars,
events and to educate members to
take better care of themselves.
Various health organizations
such as BCHC, the Leon County
Health Department and members
came out.
Participants took information
that was passed out such as
pamphlets and brochures to pass
along to others so they can be
better educated on how to
improve their health.
Counseling
is available
College can create uncertainty
and stress
as students try to cope with new
demands
By
Ilani Harris Florida A&M
University March 3, 2014
Many students have stress caused
by financial, academic, and
family issues. In some cases
they have even caused
depression.
For many first time students,
college is their first time
being on their own. They have to
deal with being on top of their
work, spending their money
responsibly, and being away from
their family that always
supported them.
Teacher Tristan Thompson
reflects on his experiences of
having to deal with stress in
college.
"There were many things going
wrong in my life right during my
junior year," said Thompson a
Teach for America Teacher in
Jacksonville. "I lost my job and
I wasn't doing well in many of
my classes so I focused social
life to escape all the stress
from my personal life and
school."
In a study done by Eboni Miller,
Terence Hicks, and Vivian
Dzokoto from Fayetteville State
University, on Student
Lifestyles and Emotional
Well-Being at a Historically
Black University, many students
are shown to deal with stress by
drinking, smoking, and using
other illegal substances.
The study also indicated that
many of the students who were
dealing with stress and
depression were first-time
student who stayed on campus.
Jasmine Louis from Orlando
had to deal with many cases of
stress. She was a resident
assistant at Florida A&M
University.
"Unfortunately, during my time
as a resident assistant,
there was a suicide attempt,"
said Louis. "And I
sometimes wonder what could have
been done to prevent her from
wanting to end her life."
There are a number of factors
that could lead to a student
becoming depressed. Some of the
most common are life changes,
increased responsibility,
dealing with relationships, and
financial
concerns. Some signs of
depression are feelings of
sadness, loss of interest in
daily activities, change in
appetite or weight, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, and
thoughts of suicide.
To
offer support, talk to
the person and listen
carefully. Don't ignore
comments about suicide.
FAMU student Damian Holmes from
Atlanta knows all too well about
stress during the first years of
college.
"When I first came to school I
was really stressed because I
was taking 17 credit hours and
the pressure my mom was putting
on me to get good grades didn't
help either," said Holmes. "I
felt like I had nowhere and no
one to go to for help. I had a
breakdown during my first
homecoming and never left my
room."
At Florida State University
counseling center, Nikki J.
Pritchett helps students with
stress on a daily basis. She
said that stress is really about
becoming overwhelmed and the
best way to manage it is just to
take care of yourself.
She also said that often when
people are stressed they do not
eat like they are supposed to
and do not sleep like they are
supposed to. She mentioned that
food gives the body energy in
order to function and sleep
gives the body rest in order to
Often when stress a person fells
stressed they are all over the
place. In order to help relieve
stress, Dr. Pritchett said
students should set priorities
and create a plan. Also they
must make sure one has a
positive, yet realistic attitude
because often people are their
worst enemies, by trying to make
goals that really unobtainable.
Take breaks in order to relax
and just breathe to help to
become centered.
Encourage those that are
stressed to seek professional
help or go to the counseling
center located on their college
campus. At Florida A&M a
student can go to Sunshine Manor
and receive 12 counseling
sessions each semester. For more
information call 850-599-3145.
Tragedy
in Miami recounted by his
widow
Hit-and-run drivers would face
stiffer time
under new bill remembering Aaron
Cohen
By
Shaina Thomas Florida A&M
University March 3, 2014
Hit-and-run victim Aaron Cohen
died, but his memory has
inspired others, including his
widow, to crack down on reckless
driving.
A bill that will help make sure
that hit-and-run drivers are
caught is backed by Attorney
General Pam Bondi and has been
filed by Sen. Miguel Diaz de la
Portilla, R-Miami, and Rep.Bryan
Nelson, R-Orlando.
Attorney General Pam Bondi says
this bill is "very necessary."
Three in every five accidents
are the result of a hit-and-run
according to a study by the
Department of Highway Safety.
Bondi talked about the State of
Florida being a "huge tourist
attraction" and said that there
are cyclists, joggers, and
mothers who walk their babies on
streets throughout the state -
and they deserve to feel a sense
of safety.
Rep. Nelson said this bill was
to help "anyone not protected by
metal of car."
Current law states that a DUI
hit is a minimum of four years
in jail and a hit-and-run has a
minimum of two years.
The changes with the new bill
will include four years minimum
in jail, three years revoked
license, and a driver-training
course before a perpetrator can
get a license back. Hit-and-run
also has been changed from a 3rd
degree to a 2nd degree felony.
The bill was created most
directly for the widow of Aaron
Cohen. A drunk driver hit Aaron
Cohen while he was on his
bicycle riding with a friend one
early one morning in the Miami
area.
His friend had injuries and
lived but Cohen did not survive.
The man who hit him went home to
sober up before turning himself
in.
Since he wasn't considered under
the influence when he turned
himself in, he was only
sentenced to 22 months, and
didn't even have to serve his
whole sentence.
Patti Cohen had a flashback of
that tragic day and recalls it
as being "any wife or mother's
worst fear" having to hear a
nurse answer your husband/son's
phone and telling you just to
get to the hospital as soon as
possible.
Cohen said, "I'm forced to raise
my young children alone now."
Patty Cohen wants to
strengthen law against
hit-and-run drivers (Photo by
Shaina Thomas)
She has two children, three and
five-years-old.
Cohen talked about how she fears
the day that her young children
are old enough to "Google" what
happened to their father.
Sen. Portilla said Patty
Cohen turned "tragedy into a
mission for safety."
Attorney General Bondi said,
"This was a horrible, horrible
tragedy that Patty decided to
use it to help save
others' lives."
Rep. Nelson said that Leon
County, Wakulla County, and the
Tallahassee Police Department
are all also behind this bill,
and agree that it is time for
change.
For more information on the
bill, you can view it at Aaron
Cohen Law
<http://aaroncohenlaw.org/>
.
Families
should grow own food,
audience told
'Saving your seeds' could make
people
more self-sufficient as well as
healthier
By Chelse Collins Florida A&M
University March 3, 2014
Author and seed-saving pioneer
Ira Wallace said she began
gardening and 'seed-saving' as a
young child with her
grandmother.
Now, she said, planting and
educating others on biodiversity
benefits is important to her
- because she believes
food has a direct impact on
health.
Wallace, from the Southern
Exposure Seed Exchange, said
that gardening or purchasing
organic produce might cost more
initially, but it's an
investment worth making.
"You're spending more money on
food at this moment, but you are
investing in the health of your
family and especially your
children," Wallace said,
Event organizer Jennifer Taylor,
the coordinator of the Small
Farm Program, said growing your
own food creates
self-sufficiency, and it allows
communities to live healthier
lifestyles.
"It's for nursing mothers and
our children. It's important for
communities. It's important for
the farming population to be
able to build a healthy food
support system," Taylor said.
"The primary way of doing that
would be to save your organic
seeds."
Florida State University adjunct
professor and horticulture
technician of FSU's nursery,
Heidi Haire, described the
event, which included a four day
tour, as 'revolutionary.'
Ira Wallace has been saving
seeds almost her entire life.
(Photo by Chelse Collins)"
Haire said shopping in grocery
stores often makes her feel
restricted as to what organic
products she can buy.
"I'm not into the monopolization
of our food," Haire said. "When
I go to the supermarket, I am
disappointed by the small
options, and I know there are
more options than what I am
being exposed to in the store."
For more information on the
Saving Your Seeds, email
FAMU-CAFS Cooperative Extension
Program at
famu.register@gmail.com
Rep. Michelle
Vasilinda optimistic
A bill to label
genetically-modified foods
is filed once more in Florida's
legislature
By Chelse Collins
Florida A&M University
March 3, 2014
A member of the Florida
House of Representatives said a
food labeling bill that's
gaining popularity in the U.S.
could make its way onto the
agenda during Florida's
legislative session. It's the second time around
for Rep. Michelle Vasilinda,
D-Tallahassee.
She introduced a genetically
modified organism- labeling bill
to the Florida House of
Representatives in 2013, after
receiving an overwhelming number
of petitions in favor of filing
the bill.
However, the House did not vote
on the bill last session
Vasilinda said that after the
dismissal of the bill last year,
she has continued to raise
awareness in the Agricultural
and Natural Resource Policy
Committee on the importance of
the bill, and she expects it to
be on the agenda this session.
"I believe it's very
important and one of my
priorities is to what we eat in
our families what we purchase to
put on our tables," Vasilinda
said.
The Food and Drug
Administration's
website,fda.gov, defines genetic
engineering as "the name of
certain methods that scientists
use to enhance the growth or
nutritional profile of food
crops."
Genetically engineered plants
were introduced into the food
industry in the 1990s. Now, the
majority of essential crops are
genetically modified. A few
multi-billion dollar
corporations like Monsanto and
Dupont dominate the GMO
(genetically modified organism)
seed production industry.
Agricultural biotechnology
corporation Monsanto is the
largest such seed
distributor.Monsanto.com
explains it this way on their
website:
"At Monsanto, we use
biotechnology to give plants
desirable characteristics (or
traits) that often cannot be
developed through breeding
practices. The traits we develop
help farmers produce more of
their crop and conserve
resources."
Anti-GMO interest groups across
the world have raised millions
of dollars for campaigns and
have rallied to get labeling
laws passed in the United
States.
Seed production companies such
as Monsanto have donated
millions of dollars to campaign
against labeling laws.
Currently in Florida, genetic
labeling can be done
voluntarily. GMO seed production
companies say mandatory-labeling
laws could mislead consumers.
"We oppose current initiatives
to mandate labeling of
ingredients developed from GM
seeds in the absence of any
demonstrated risks," says
Monsanto. "Such mandatory
labeling could imply that food
products containing these
ingredients are somehow inferior
to their conventional or organic
counterparts."
Some consumers are concerned
that there has not been enough
testing or time since the
introduction of GM produce to
know if it's safe.
The FDA states, on its website,
that all foods must meet the
same standards.
"Foods from genetically
engineered plants must meet the
same requirements, including
safety requirements, as foods
from traditionally bred plants.
FDA has a consultation process
that encourages developers of
genetically engineered plants to
consult with FDA before
marketing their products."
Florida A&M University food
science professor Neil James
said there have been small
studies where scientists say
they've seen diseases form
because of genetically modified
foods.
Consumers are becoming
more concerned about their
food. (Photo by
Chelse Collins)
But there has not been any
long-term accepted evidence in
the United States that GMOs
cause any harm.
"By and large, many of the large
food companies are not setting
out to let their consumers die -
it's not in their best economic
interest for that to happen,"
said James.
Neil said the difficulty that
arises with GM labeling is there
are many different forms of GM
food, and it can be difficult to
differentiate between products
that do and don't contain GMOs.
"Let me give you an example. "If
an animal is fed GMO corn and
another one is not feed GMO
corn, it would be difficult to
tell which animal ate the GMO
corn," said James.
The FDA says genetically
modified plants includes corn,
soybean and cotton.
These are ingredients that are
used to make most food products,
such as cornstarch found in
soups and sauces, corn syrup
used as a sweetener, cottonseed
oil and canola oil used in
mayonnaise, salad dressing,
cereals, breads and snack food.
Although GMOs dominate the US
food shelves, 49 countries, have
banned GM crops and/or GM
imports. Several other countries
enforce GM labeling.
At New Leaf, a longtime local
grocery store that provides
local and organic products to
consumers, marketing manager
Christin Burns said the store
supports mandatory labeling and
wants a national guideline in
place of what "GMO-free" means
on a label.
"We serve a wide variety of
consumers with a wide variety of
dietary restrictions and
preference," Burns said.
Burns said labeling laws would
provide New Leaf with security.
"We can feel confident that if a
product says it non-GMO, then it
actually is non-GMO, and we can
start to let consumers make
choices," Burns said.
'We
don't have time for
disappointment'
Selection of new president gets
mixed reaction
from some cautious, optimistic
FAMU students
By Shala Nettles
Florida A&M University
March 2, 2014
After more than a year-long
presidential search for Florida
A&M University's next
president, students finally get
the chance to have a fresh
start.
And their opinions in a "man on
the street" poll vary concerning
the new university president who
is expected to give them the new
beginning.
Last month, Elmira Mangum was
appointed FAMU's 11th president
with a 10-2 vote from FAMU's
Board of Trustees.
Her appointment will be an
adjustment for some students.
First-year pharmacy student
Melony Jordan said she has low
expectations about what Mangum
may accomplish at Florida
A&M.
"It's a lot that happened since
I've been here," said Jordan.
"So I just hope nothing bad
happens any more.
Jordan sees problems.
"She (Mangum) can't relate to
FAMU students because she didn't
attend here."
Mangum earned her bachelor's
degree from North Carolina
Central University, her two
master's degrees at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison
and a Ph.D. from the University
of Buffalo.Currently, Mangum,
60, is the vice president for
budget and planning at Cornell
University.
When she arrives, Mangum will
make FAMU history in becoming
the university's first female
president.
Eddie Lee, a third-year
pre-pharmacy student from
Lithonia, Ga., said he supports
Mangum "100 percent" during the
transitional period and is also
optimistic about what
opportunities can arise for
students.
"A lot of times, FAMU likes to
keep things the way they are
without change. We can keep the
traditional, but add an updated
flavor to things, whether it's
the renewal of buildings on
campus or having a first female
president," Lee said.
"I pray that change, order, and
consistency comes. Interim
President Robinson did a
magnificent job serving under
the capacity. I have no doubt in
Mangum and know she will do her
best and do the best."
Alexis Black is a fourth-year
business administration student
from Atlanta.
"By knowing FAMU's history, I
think it's great for our
university to finally have a
female president. It's
inspiring," Black said.
Top
left to right are Eddie
Lee, Alexis
Black, Melony
Jordan. Bottom
left to right are Camara
Johnson And
Anquinette Taylor. Photos
by Shala Nettles.
Mangum's appointment comes as
FAMU searches for closure in the
hazing death of drum major
Robert Champion in November
2011, which led to the
resignation of James Ammons, the
last president.
"FAMU needs love, passion, hard
work and dedication,"explained
Anquinette Taylor, a second-year
public relations student from
Orlando.
"With these characteristics in
our presidents' hearts, we will
positively grow as people - none
the less as a university."
"We don't have time for
disappointment. We need more
determination to get better."
On Feb. 20, the Board of
Governors confirmed Mangum's
appointment as FAMU's newest
head rattler.
Camara Johnson, a third-year
business administration from
Fredericksburg, Va., said that
she hopes Mangum has a smooth
transition during a sensitive
time.
"I am looking forward to
witnessing everything that she
will be implementing for FAMU."
After lengthy deliberation and
contract negotiations this past
month, the FAMU Board of
Trustees confirmed Mangum's
annual salary at an estimated
$425,000.
One of the benefits in her new
contract includes a monthly
$1,000 car allowance.
Her expected starting date is
April 1
Black
males are at greater risk
Breast cancer is also a silent
and rare
killer of men, and it often goes
undetected
By Keira Green
Florida A&M University
Feb. 27, 2014
Male breast cancer is
extremely rare. It only accounts
for one percent of all breast
cancer cases. But 410 men died
from it last year.
It often goes undetected for a
long time, and by the time it is
treated, in many cases, it is
already too late.
Figures show black males are
more at risk than white males.
This disease goes undetected for
so long because the majority of
men believe that breast cancer
is just a women's disease.
The truth is that many men are
at risk of getting this disease,
but not many men know that.
"I have heard that men can
get breast cancer, but I know
little-to- nothing about it,"
said Evan Parker, a senior
computer science student from
Houston, Texas.
Much is said about breast cancer
in women, how to treat it and
how to prevent it with monthly
mammograms - and female breast
cancer is given the entire month
of October to raise awareness.
Breast cancer in men does not
get the same type of publicity,
and may lead to many men dying
from an illness they don't even
understand.
"It's a small percentage but it
still does happen," said Anya
Monroe, Women's Health Case
Manager for Bond Community
Health Center.
"It is rare, but there still
needs to be an awareness for it
because many people believe that
men can't get breast cancer
because they do not have
'breasts', but it is the breast
gland that gets infected with
cancer, and we all have breast
glands."
A lump beneath the nipple is the
most common sign. The nipple can
start to scale, pucker, retract,
and even release bloody
discharge.
A male might also feel tired,
suffer from nausea, and feel the
change in the texture and
tightness in the breast skin.
Even though breast cancer in
women is 100 times more likely
than that in men, about 2,240
men were diagnosed in 2013 and
410 men died from breast cancer
last year.
"The most men who have
experienced breast cancer were
overweight, heavy drinkers, into
drugs, and maybe have a family
history of men in the past who
have had breast cancer," said
Monroe.
The most common type of male
breast cancer is infiltrating
ductal carcinoma. This type
occurs in the ducts of the
breast and the cancer cells have
spread to the surrounding tissue
beyond the ducts.
The type of men that have an
increased risk of getting cancer
are men ages 60-70, who are
overweight, heavy drinkers, drug
abusers, men who have elevated
levels of estrogen, who have
been previously exposed to
radiation, and have breast
cancer genetic traits
running in their family.
Logo for men's
awareness of breast cancer
"It's
good to always do breast
examinations all the time
so you can know your body
and notice when there is a
change, and when you
notice a change you can go
see somebody about it,"
said Monroe.
The best way for males to
prevent breast cancer is to get
frequent breast exams. A doctor
can diagnose what stage of
breast cancer the male is in and
treat it accordingly. There are
five stages of infiltrating
ductal carcinoma.
Stage zero occurs when cancer
cells have been detected but
they have not spread past the
ducts yet.
Stage one occurs when the tumor
or lump is two centimeters or
less and hasn't spread to the
lymph nodes.
Stage two involves tumors that
are less than two centimeters
but have spread to the lymph
nodes and tumors that are
between two and five centimeters
and have spread to the lymph
nodes.
Stage three is locally advanced
cancer where tumors that are
less and greater than five
centimeters spread from the
lymph nodes to the surrounding
tissue in the skin and chest
wall.
Stage four is the most advanced
and dangerous cancer because it
has metastasized to other parts
of the body, such as the lungs,
liver, brain, and bones.
Some people have to have cancer
removed by incision. and some
people may have some type of
cancer therapy, Monroe
explained.
There are a four ways to treat
male breast cancer, but the most
common is surgery and it is the
initial treatment for the
disease in men.
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy,
and hormonal therapy are also
important and effective
treatments.
"To prevent myself from getting
sick, I think I should have
frequent trips to my doctor and
stay abreast on my health more,"
said Evan Parker.
The best way for men to either
prevent themselves from getting
breast cancer is to visit
their primary doctor frequently,
take breast exams such as
mammograms, do self-check exams.
This is not just a woman's
disease. It is the silent, rare
killer of many men who do not
even know that they have it
because they know little to
nothing about it.
'I hope
nothing bad happens any
more'
FAMU students state varying
opinions on
the appointment of new FAMU
president
By
Shala Nettles Florida A&M
University Feb. 27, 2014
After more than a year-long
presidential search for Florida
A&M University's next
president, students finally get
the chance to have a fresh
start.
Last month, Elmira Mangum was
appointed FAMU's 11th president
with a 10-2 vote from FAMU's
Board of Trustees.
As FAMU strives to continue to
move forward, her appointment
will be an adjustment for some
students.
First-year pharmacy student
Melony Jordan said she has low
expectations regarding what
Mangum could really accomplish
at Florida A&M.
Jordan, from Jacksonville, said,
"It's a lot that happened since
I've been here. So I just hope
nothing bad happens any more."
Jordan added, "She can't relate
to FAMU students because she
didn't attend here."
Mangum earned her bachelor's
degree from North Carolina
Central University, her two
masters degrees from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
and a Ph.D. from the University
at Buffalo.
Currently, Mangum, 60, is the
vice president for budget and
planning at Cornell
University.
In her impending arrival on the
highest of seven hills, Mangum
will make FAMU history in
becoming the university's first
female president.
Eddie Lee, a third-year
pre-pharmacy student from
Lithonia, Ga., said he supports
Mangum "100 percent" during this
transitional period and is also
optimistic about what
opportunities can arise for
students.
"I pray that change, order, and
consistency comes," said
Lee. "Interim President
Robinson did a magnificent job
serving under the capacity."
"I have no doubt
in Mangum and know she will do
her best and do the best."
"A lot of times, FAMU likes to
keep things the way they are
without change." he added. "We
can keep the traditional, but
add an updated flavor to things
whether it's the renewal of
buildings on campus or having a
first female president."
Alexis Black, a fourth-year
business administration student
from Atlanta, said "By knowing
FAMU's history, I think it's
great for our university to
finally have a female president.
It's inspiring."
Her appointment appears to come
at a time of closure for
FAMU in the hazing death of drum
major Robert Champion in
November 2011.
"FAMU needs love, passion,
hard work and dedication,"
explained Anquinette Taylor, a
second-year public relations
student from Orlando. "With
these characteristics in our
presidents' hearts, we will
positively grow as people - none
the less as a university."
Taylor added, "We don't have
time for disappointment. We need
more determination to get
better."
On Feb. 20, the Board of
Governors confirmed Mangum's
appointment as FAMU's newest
head rattler.
Camara Johnson, a third-year
business administration from
Fredericksburg, Va., said that
she hopes Mangum has a smooth
transition during this sensitive
time.
Johnson explained, "I am looking
forward to witnessing everything
that she will be implementing
for FAMU."
After much deliberation and
contract negotiations this past
month, the FAMU Board of
Trustees confirmed Mangum's
annual salary to an estimated
$425,000. One of the benefits to
her new contract is a monthly
$1,000 car allowance.
Her expected start date is April
1.
He's
inspired
by the resources of country
FAMU alumnus markets
new clothing line
to help repair the devastated
nation of Haiti
By
Jonesa Rodriguez Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2014
Getting your feet off the ground
and making a name for yourself
can sometimes be the hardest
thing in life.
One Florida A&M University
alumnus is taking a chance with
his name by stepping into the
fashion world, designing his own
clothing line "Lee Joseph."
Marvyn Joseph, a Miami native
and a recent FAMU graduate, said
he was inspired to start the
line for many reasons. Two
professors at the university
played a role.
He wanted to find a way to help
out the nation of Haiti, which
is where his parents are
originally from.
And he was impressed by the
style of his mentor, James
Moran, who works at the
university in the pharmacy
college.
"Haiti has a lot of resources
that people have no idea they
can take advantage of or invest
in," he said. And that was
something Prof Benjamin Davis of
the journalism school told him
about.
Because of the family ties when
it comes to the apparel industry
and the textile fabric that
Haiti provides, Joseph knew that
Haiti would be the perfect place
to get the clothing
manufactured.
After thinking about his
parents' export business and
their connections, Joseph
expressed the idea of his
clothing line to his family and
friends and everyone thought it
was a wonderful idea.
"I think Lee Joseph will be very
successful," said Mike Zamor, a
close friend. "Marvyn has the
ambition, the motivation and the
drive to make this clothing line
the next big thing."
Nissi Vertus, the main designer
for Lee Joseph and also of
Haitian descent said, "I got
involved because I believed in
Maryvn's vision on what he
wanted to put out. I was
definitely all in. This was
something I couldn't pass."
Joseph said Haiti is going
through a lot. Rebuilding from
the effects of the earthquake
can take a toll on an island
that is somewhat rural and has a
shaky government structure.
But the traveling, the internal
issues, and scheduling are the
toughest things he faces and
they can be overwhelming at
times.
"The idea of having the clothes
made in Haiti was (based on)
hope that it will restore the
economy by building local Lee
Joseph stores and
manufactories," Joseph said.
"That's a future goal because
it's going to be a major
experiment."
Zamor is also optimistic.
"I think that having the clothes
being made in Haiti is a great
idea because the people that
will be purchasing from his line
will understand him as a person,
his background and his
nationality," said Zamor.
The other message that Mr.
Joseph wanted to convey about
his brand is that he wants to
prepare young black men for all
the events in life, not just the
work environment.
Marvyn Joseph was inspired by
two FAMU professors (Photos courtesy of
Marvyn Joseph)
New shirt styles
proposed by Lee Joseph company
He was inspired by the style of
his mentor Dr. James Moran, who
works in the College of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences at
FAMU.
"Dr. Moran, I would say,
inspired me to change my style
of fashion because his
appearance shows me the proper
way a man should dress," Joseph
said.
"It's crazy how young men dress
in today's society. I don't want
to prepare the men only for
corporate jobs, but to give them
a sense of style that is
suitable for any genre of event.
"
Questions about the clothing
line can be sent to
leejosepclothing@yahoo.com
Fight for
rights hasn't ended, she says
Melissa Harris-Perry
delivers passionate
speech about black struggle,
rights for all
By
Kethlene Jean-Jacques Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2014
Martin Luther King "did not
emerge from a rock" says a noted
author, television personality
and professor.
Melissa Harris-Perry had much to
say to her audience about
history and about the granite
monument for King in Washington,
D.C. , and about the history of
black people who suffered for
the right to speak up and for
minority participation,
including gay rights.
Black History Month was formally
recognized by President Gerald
R. Ford 38 years ago.
Last year marked the 50th
anniversary of the March on
Washington where Martin Luther
King Jr. delivered one of his
most powerful speeches, the "I
have a dream" speech.
Monday night, Feb. 24, Melissa
Harris-Perry, who is an author,
professor and television host,
delivered a witty yet passionate
message on democracy,
technology, education and the
continuous cycle of the struggle
in America.
Harris-Perry, speaking at
Florida State University, took a
brief moment to tell why she
dislikes the design of the
Martin Luther King Jr. monument,
which stands in Washington,
DC. In it, he emerges,
arms crossed, from a
30-foot-high block of granite.
"King did not emerge from a
rock, he emerged from a
movement, from a people, from a
community," said Harris-Perry.
In connection with this
movement, she mentioned
prominent motivators, like
Bayard Rustin, during
King's era.
She said that a belief in
democracy is a belief in the
right to speak and be heard
instead of being silenced by
political leaders.
"Democracy is for those of us
who expected to lose," she said.
"At the core, democracy believes
that simply because you have
lost does not mean that the
winners get to take all of the
goodies."
Harris-Perry delivered a
presentation on the deaths of
blacks during segregation.
She had a photo of a black man's
lynched body dangling lifeless
from a tree. In the same
picture there were white faces
that didn't seem troubled by the
death that surrounded them.
"The struggle is not
theoretical, and the struggle is
not about textbooks, and the
struggle is not about big broad
philosophy, but the struggle
happened on real bodies," she
said.
According to pbs.org, an
estimated two to three blacks
were lynched each week in the
South between the late 19th and
20th century.
There was very little fear of
consequences when it came to the
gruesome lynchings done and
watched publicly by white men
and women.
"The stories that we tell about
lynching in this country are
about mass night riots. [They
were] all men, all hiding their
identity, all showing up at two
a.m. and not wanting to be
seen," stated Harris Perry.
She moved forward in her
presentation, where spoke about
the struggle for integration.
"I've had black students from
privileged classrooms, like
Princeton, tell me that being
black at those institutions felt
like slavery," she said.
Speaker Melissa Harris-Perry
speaks at Ruby Diamond concert
hall at FSU (Photo by
Kethlene Jean-Jacques)
Princeton University's
undergraduate enrollment for the
2012 -2013 academic school year
was more than 5,000 students. Of
that number, only 391 students
were African-American.
"I am stunned at the willingness
of urban communities of color to
support school systems that
actually generate more
segregation racially," said
Harris-Perry.
For Harris-Perry, integration
matters because it is valuable
and builds communities that
support one another.
In the mix of integration, she
also discussed the "new" idea of
Jim Crow, as depicted in
Michelle Alexander's book "The
New Jim Crow."
She acknowledged her love for
the content from the book, but
said, however, she isn't a fan
of the title.
"Jim Crow was Jim Crow and this
ain't the new Jim Crow."
Harris-Perry spoke of more
struggles like the struggle of
economic empowerment,
citizenship and voting to a
crowd of focused young and old
faces
Before closing her presentation,
she reminded the audience of the
importance of arts education.
"We can't have decent politics;
we can't have democracy without
the arts. We have got to have
high quality arts education,
because an artist refuses to be
silent," said Harris-Perry.
Ternisha Williams, who is a
member of FSU's Student
Black Union, found
Harris-Perry's viewpoints
extremely important to hear.
"I feel like this event was very
successful and effective," she
said.
Williams also said she felt like
she could relate to the
struggles that were presented.
"I definitely agree that the
struggle is real," she said.
The story of the struggle that
students are told about in class
and from history books is
incomplete, she added.
Food and
Drug Administration takes
steps
Changing nutrition
labels will reflect new
ways to measure what's really in
your diet
By Amber Payne Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2014
For the first time since the
1990s, The Food and Drug
Administration is remodeling the
nutrition labels on the back of
food packages.
The FDA says knowledge on
nutrition has evolved and the
labels should reflect that
change. Many health groups are
suggesting that text size should
be larger and easier to
decipher.
The new changes will also help
Americans make healthier
conscious decisions on foods,
resulting in less illness and
longer life spans.
Roshunda Guildford, a
second-year political science
student from Tallahassee, is
optimistic that the changes will
help her live a healthier
lifestyle.
"I thought that the whole bag of
chips was a certain amount of
calories when actually it was
the serving size, so I probably
ate triple the amount of what I
was supposed to," Guildford
said.
According to a survey
administered by
http://thedailynews.com, more
than 25,000 respondents found
reading nutrition labels
extremely difficult. More than
half of those use the
nutritional guidelines on a
regular basis.
Eva Wright, a third-year nursing
student who attends The
University of Florida, admits
that she has a hard time reading
the labels.
"I want to keep up with my
figure and not overeat so I
count my calories and sugar
intake," Wright said. "But I
know that I have misread many
labels in the past because my
weight seems to fluctuate too
often."
The Huffington Post reported
that some health experts have
their own vision for the new
nutrition labels. They
want the number of calories to
be more prominent, and the
amount of added sugar and
percentage of whole wheat in
foods to be included - and more
transparency on serving sizes.
Licensed dietitian Amy Magnunson
knows a few changes that could
significantly help her clients
lose weight and stay fit.
"Putting 'whole grained' (on
nutrition labels) might be
helpful for those trying to get
more fiber in their diet, or
having the sugar amount. This
might help people who are trying
to cut back on sodium," said
Magnunson.
Nutrition labels to be
overhauled (Photo by Amber
Payne)
"But if you don't understand
what you're reading, then this
can be difficult."
According to the Associated
Press, one of the changes will
be a focus on calorie content.
Nutrition labels in the early
1990s focused mainly on fat
content. Over the years, health
experts have changed gears
toward trans and saturated fats.
Now health experts say some fats
can actually be beneficial for a
healthy diet.
Charles Reynolds, a personal
trainer from Miami, says he
doesn't keep up with the
changing nutrition trends.
"Exercise often and eat often,"
Reynolds said. "Don't get so
caught up in calories and these
Nutrition labels. Eat fresh
foods and cook your own meals,
and I guarantee you that you
will see the difference."
The FDA has sent guidelines for
the new labels to the White
House but they can not estimate
when the rules will be released.
New
restaurant also planned
Cascade Park to
finally open at pricetag of
$34 million with 5,000 capacity
ampitheatre
By
Raymond Coleman Florida A&M
University Feb. 26, 2014
At long last, the Downtown
Tallahassee landmark Cascade
Park will open March 14.
The opening date was announced
last Wednesday under rainy skies
and cool temperatures at the
24-acre project site.
The project carries a massive
price tag at $34 million. The
project began back in 2006 but
was halted midway after issues
with funding.
Cascade Park is located just
south of the Florida Capitol on
Meridian Street about
three-and-a half miles from
Florida A&M University.
The park serves two functions-
one is to play centerpiece to
the Capital district part of
town and also to serve as a
storm water retention system
which will digest millions of
gallons of rain water easily.
The project's executive Director
Jay Revell said "Cascade park is
an absolutely world class open
park that will serve all parts
of the city."
The park will feature an
interactive water fountain that
synchronizes the waterspouts to
music.
Perhaps the most eye-catching
site of the park will be the
5,000-seat amphitheater that
will play host to 10-ticketed
concerts per year and many other
free community events.
Before September there will also
be a new restaurant concept
brought to the park called "The
Edison."
"The restaurant is going to be
fantastic," Revell said.
The Edison will come as a result
of a subproject at the park site
in which builders will renovate
the city's old electric hub
which is located on the west end
of the park and build the
restaurant inside.
Graphic art / Raymond Coleman
/ photo and city sources
Some nearby Myers Park residents
are still concerned about just
how loud some of the concerts
will be.
Louis Greene 56, is a resident
of the Myers Park area and lives
on Lafayette Street just south
of the park.
"I hope it isn't always
too loud, but I think it will
also be good for the city."
Back in November a sound test
was conducted by Sieben and
Associates, a certified sound
engineer. Survey results showed
that at the sound systems
"preferred" decibel level only15
percent of the residents rated
the noise level as intolerable.
For more information on
the park visit
www.tallahasseedowntown.com.
Contact
lenses or glasses?
Here are the real specs about
vision choices
By
Shawna Housen Florida A&M
University Feb. 24, 2014
Contacts, glasses or both?
Whether they are for comfort,
fashion, or convenience, many
people base the choice on
personal preference- but the
physical shape of the eye may be
the final criteria.
According to the website
cdc.gov, more than 30 million
people in the U.S. wear contact
lenses. Two-thirds of contact
lens wearers are women.
Steven C. Laubach, an
optometrist-physician at Sears
in Tallahassee, said that it's
difficult to say whether contact
lens or glasses are better
because it depends on the
patient's "refractive error."
"Most people can see just as
well with glasses," said
Laubach. "There are some people
who see better with contacts
than glasses, and that's people
that have very strong
prescriptions because glasses
tend to give you some
distortion."
The National Eye Institute
defines the refractive error as
an error occurring when
the shape of the eye prevents
light from focusing directly on
the retina. The length of the
eyeball (longer or shorter),
changes in the shape of the
cornea, or aging of the lens can
cause refractive errors.
Contact lenses are medical
devices and are regulated by the
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) through the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic
Act, according to the Centers
for Disease Control.
Most people who wear contact
lens do not clean them properly
and glasses offer many benefits
that contacts do not - including
a fashion statement.
Ashley Livingston, a sports
management graduate student at
Florida A&M University, from
Fort. Lauderdale, Fla., has been
wearing glasses since she was in
middle school.
Steven C. Laubach in his
laboratory at Sears in
Tallahassee (Photo by Shawna
Housen)
She says she has never worn
contact lens and has no desire
to. She also says she
appreciates the price of her
frames and loves that she has an
extra pair.
"To me, glasses make a person
look sophisticated," said
Livingston. "Contacts don't
allow you to stand out and I
purchased two pairs of glasses
for $69 with an eye
examination."
According to allaboutvision.com,
frames are fashionable and can
speak volumes about your
personality and style - the look
of your glasses can make a bold
statement and wearing glasses
reduces the need to touch your
eyes which reduces the chances
of irritating the eye and
developing an eye infection.
Angela Magee, a second year
biology major at Florida A&M
University from Long Beach,
Calif., has also been wearing
glasses since she was in middle
school. She sports some
fashionable Ray-Ban Wayfarer
frames and says she loves her
glasses because she can just
grab them and go.
"Contacts are too much of
a hazard to me," said Magee.
"They can get really dry and
hurt your eyes, and that becomes
a serious hazard. It's just too
much of a hassle."
Problem
eased by Health Services, Farm
Share
Eat or pay rent? FAMU
students benefit from
free groceries
every other Tuesday on campus
By
Naikeema Fields Florida A&M
University Feb. 24, 2014
Every other Tuesday, dozens of
FAMU students line up inside of
the Rattler's Den to receive
free groceries, solving the
problem of whether to eat or to
pay rent.
The grocery giveaway is held
from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and is
put on by FAMU Student Health
Services and Farm Share, a
private organization in the Big
Bend.
There, FAMU students, faculty
and staff are able to get
tomatoes, pasta, soup, soda -
even blankets - in addition to
other goodies.
Harriett Jennings, office
manager of Student Health
Services, came up with the idea
of giving students the free
groceries.
"In the summer of 2011, we had a
number of students having to
decide whether to pay rent or
eat," she said.
"Student Health Services started
a small food pantry by asking
our employees to bring in canned
goods, but we helped so many
students, we could not keep
enough food in the pantry."
"I started asking any
administrators that would listen
to ask their employees to bring
in canned goods to help our
students," said Jennings.
Jennings' source of inspiration
to help students came from her
mother.
"My momma was a teacher, and she
always said 'A hungry child
cannot concentrate in school
when your stomach is talking.'
This is what drives me," she
said.
Her idea won over school
administrators, and the first
Farm Share was held Oct. 9,
2013.
Since then, FAMU students,
faculty and staff have been
packing the Rattler's Den to
receive the free goods.
Many students embraced the idea
of being able to receive free
groceries.
During one giveaway, Roberto
Larios, a first year
professional pharmacy student
from Managua, Nicaragua, was one
of the many students in line. It
was his first time attending
Farm Share.
"Sometimes, we really have a lot
of financial problems, and I
really think it's a good
incentive for us to eat
healthier," he said.
Harriett Jennings came up
with idea on campus (Photo by
Naikeema Fields)
Larios also said he would be
sure to spread the word about
Farm Share to his friends and
fellow classmates.
"I will definitely return," he
said, as he exited the Rattler's
Den with his bag of foodstuffs.
Student volunteers quickly
stuffed giant paper bags with
items to keep up with the steady
flow of students and staff
seeking the goods.
"This is my very first time
volunteering, and it was a great
feeling to help other students,"
said Kevin Affram, a freshman
pharmacy major from Ghana.
"I won't mind volunteering
again," he said.
Jennings also credits Tanya
Tatum, director of Student
Health Services, with helping to
establish Farm Share.
"Ms. Tatum and I were going once
a week [to pick up the
groceries] but I got in my head
to go every week. So we travel
to Quincy every Monday, with the
support of our physical plant,
for pick up,"
Jennings said.
According to Jennings, the goal
of Farm Share and Student Health
Services is simple.
"Student Health Services' goal
is to keep our students healthy,
and provide services that will
keep them healthy."
For more information or for any
questions about Farm Share, call
FAMU Student Health Services at
850-599-3777.
Experts
say:
Conversation on racial issues
loses value
if race suffers limited
depiction in movies
By
Bria Kelly Florida A&M
University Feb. 24, 2014
Depictions of race need to be
changed in America's film
industry before conversations
can be held on race, say
academic experts involved in
producing videos.
Recently the United States has
seen its share of racially-
sparked controversies like the
cases of Jordan Davis and
Trayvon Martin.
Both were young black males who
were unarmed and shot and killed
- with the perpetrators found
not guilty of murder.
Antron Mahoney, assistant
director at The Florida State
University Center for Leadership
and Social Change, said whenever
he has public discussions there
are certain themes that keep
coming up.
"One of the reoccurring themes
was this idea of limited
depictions in mainstream society
around people of color."
Films such as "Fruitvale
Station" and "12 Years a Slave"
have become a catalyst for these
conversations. Mahoney said he
believes films like these are
created help others to gain a
new perspective.
"We really want to touch on that
cultural piece which is really
looking at what stories are told
around people of color."
Florida A&M Journalism
Professor Kenneth Jones
explained why he thinks that
issues arise for minorities in
the media.
"Just because a person is of
color doesn't mean that they
have a color consciousness with
the product they produce."
Jones has a term for certain
media that taint images world
wide of certain cultures.
"Destructive media is where a
filmmaker or organization knows
that some of the depictions that
they're creating are not true to
the culture of a group."
His theory is that this
'destructive media' creates a
problem for people who have
little to no interaction with
another race, and who gain all
of their knowledge from movies,
magazines, and other media.
Florida State University Film
School Professor Valerie Scoon
pointed out other historical
factors that contribute to the
limit of black culture in the
media.
"Historically the challenge is
that it's an international
market." Scoon said. "The theory
is that African American films
somehow don't translate well
overseas."
Despite that fact, movies such
as "Fruitvale Station" seem to
correlate well with students
from FAMU and FSU.
Poster for movie that
discusses racial issue (from
movie website)
D Felicia Perez, a third year
Florida State psychology major
from West Palm Beach, said the
film was an eye-opener for her.
"I was crying like a baby
- I couldn't control my
emotions."
She also said, "I've never seen
anything depicted in this way,
in this sense, and it was very
enlightening to see something so
human."
According to some, the terms
that are used to describe
African Americans in the media
need to evolve - and the media
has to stop using a narrow lens.
Jones said, "It's our job as we
move forward to try to use media
in its proper way . . . to show
that every person is
multi-layered."
Alisha Gaines, FSU English
professor, said it's essential
for people of color to use their
history as an advantage.
"It's important to contextualize
historically what we're
experiencing now. . . this is a
part of the genealogy of race
and racism of discrimination in
this country."
Students
are 'a big part of the
business'
'Thrift shop culture' displays
fashionable
bargains and treasures- and
lures students
By
Ebony Booker Florida A&M
University Feb. 23, 2014
For most students in
Tallahassee, staying current in
fashion and saving money is of
equal importance.
Alan Malnofski, Vice President
of Retail for Goodwill
Industries-Big Bend, said that
that his customer demographics
has changed drastically within
recent years.
"We understand that students are
a big part of our business as
they recognize trends,
appreciate value, and contribute
to the recycling or
merchandise," said Malnofski.
The thriftyshopper.com lists 20
local thrifty places to shop on
a dime. With close proximity to
stores like The Goodwill
Industries-Big Bend Inc.,
students and others are sure to
find fabulous treasures at
bottom dollar prices.
According to Guy Trebay writing
in The New York Times, "We live
in a thrift shop culture,
compelled by daily, hourly and
constantly refreshed trips to
the Goodwill outlet that is the
web."
It was "Thrift Shop" by Grammy
award winners Macklemore and
Ryan Lewis that reintroduced the
thrifting bug. The democratic
duo penned the line that saving
money has morphed into a bargain
bin frenzy where "one man's
trash is another man's come-up."
Wendy Palmeira, Refuge House
Thrift Store Manager, explains
that the Refuge House,
located at 1517 S. Adams St.
across from Florida A&M
University, serves all people
affected by domestic violence
and sexual assault across eight
counties of the Big Bend.
"We have all sorts of clothing
for every type of person," said
Palmeira. "I'm glad that
students are able to shop and
give to a worthy cause in the
Big Bend area."
Thrift Stores have also become
the go-to place for patriotic
do-it-yourself trends like Army
fatigue prints, American flag
stripes, and official classic
brand tees.
"Our shoppers love to find that
one of a kind item that is like
a true treasure," said
Malnofski. "It's so
inspiring to watch students come
in and turn uniforms into
stylish outfits."
The digital age has made fashion
easier and less costly to
express. With
do-it-yourself YouTube gurus
constantly pitching new
inexpensive ways to dress there
don't seem to be any limitations
in the near future for
thrifting.
YouTube currently has over 140
videos of thrift hauls. The
average thrift haul on YouTube
gets 4,000 views.
Fashion not expensive at
Refuge House (File photo)
With personal show-and-tell
thrift hauls on the rise, thrift
shopping has become a hobby in
itself. Some students consider
thrifting an exciting hobby.
Markel Mazelin,
style-writer for Journey
magazine, a student magazine at
Florida A&M
University, said, "The
rush I get from saving on a nice
vintage shirt or some
do-it-yourself jeans is the
ultimate high."
"We're in a period where
people who are interested in
fashion can be so, without
feeling restricted by any sort
of overarching trend dictation
or norm," said Annie Georgia
Greenberg, style editor of the
lifestyle site Refinery29.
Although Goodwill is known for
their inexpensive treasures and
trendsetting clothing, customers
even consider Goodwill as a
destination to find unique
gifts.
Rudi McFarlane, a Florida
A&M alumnus, said Goodwill
was on his list of stores for
Valentine's Day gifts.
"My sister will be so
happy when she finds out how
much I saved on her vintage
glasses from Goodwill."
'Truly a
blessing' says veteran in
need
Purple house on W. Georgia
Street offers
free food on Fridays for those
who hunger
By
Jibri Bailey Florida A&M
University Feb. 23, 2013
The purple house at 421 W.
Georgia St. in Tallahassee has
made a big statement to the
residents of Frenchtown, not
only because of the building's
unusual color but also because
of the free food distributed
there each week.
Since February 2013, the Big
Bend Community Development
Center, or CDC, has been
sponsoring Free Food Fridays
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. once a
week.
Thanks to donations from Farm
Share, another nonprofit
organization, the Big Bend CDC
is able to distribute fresh
fruits, vegetables, yogurt,
sodas, salad dressing and
assorted items to people in
need.
"Every Friday approximately 100
people receive free food," said
Regina Davis, CDC director. To
participate, residents need only
to show up with their own
shopping bags
"The CDC started this venture
because of so many people that
are in need in the Frenchtown
community. We just really wanted
to be a help to them. Everyone
doesn't have the luxury of
eating a meal every day, so we
wanted to give to those people
who don't have that luxury,"
said Davis.
Peter Jones, a military veteran,
comes to the CDC every Friday to
pick-up his free food. "I
appreciate this place so much.
There are so many people in
need, and y'all are truly a
blessing. Thank y'all so much
man. Y'all mean a lot to me,"
Jones said.
Another participant of Free Food
Fridays is Richard Brown, who
has been homeless for about
three months now and spends his
evenings at The Shelter on
Tennessee Street.
The free food he receives
supplements his diet. "I feel
truly blessed. I have prayed for
food to come my way, and God
made it happen."
Director Regina Davis helps
set up the tables (Photo by
Jibri Bailey)
"I just want to thank the CDC
'cause without them, I would
still be hungry," Brown said.
Tuesday Knight, operations
manager, would like people to
join the effort.
"The Big Bend CDC is always
looking for more volunteers to
help with Free Food Fridays. If
you are interested in
volunteering don't hesitate to
call me."
More information about how to
participate in Free Food Fridays
- either as a recipient or as a
volunteer - is available through
Knight at 850-485-5243 or
bigbendcdc@gmail.com
To start your own free food
giveaway you can visit
www.farmshare.org/ for more
information.
'Double-standard'
by U.S. blamed
Haitians are finding it much
more difficult
to escape plight, immigrate to
other countries
By Kethlene
Jean-Jacques Florida A&M
University Feb. 23, 2014
Haitian immigrants blame
bureaucratic U.S. policies for
making it difficult for refugees
to escape poverty, disease, and
devastation and build a new
life.
And the U.S. shares the blame
with other governments, say
immigrant spokespersons.
After 210 years of independence,
the troubled nation of Haiti
finds itself in another
difficult situation, with many
of its citizens fleeing to other
countries.
But it has become impossible for
some of them to leave, as other
governments have clamped down on
immigration, say Haitians in the
U.S. and elsewhere.
The problems in Haiti are
life-threatening and the answers
are not easy. The country has
been very slow to rebuild from
the damage that rocked the
country four years ago.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake in
January of 2010 left Haiti with
as much as $13.2 billion in
damages. Some 200,000 to 250,000
people died in the quake.
Many of the more than nine
million people can't find work
and the country faces a new
peril of infectious
diseases.
Haitians talk about a constant
battle between themselves and
immigration authorities
representing the U.S., the
Bahamas, and other nearby
countries.
People try to escape by many
routes. In November of 2013, at
least 30 of 150 Haitians died
after their boat capsized in the
Bahamas.
It is no surprise that many
Haitians continue the dangerous
voyages to the U.S. in search of
employment and new lives.
With 40 percent of the Haitian
population unemployed, some
citizens say they would rather
die trying to reach the U.S.
than perish in their
poverty-stricken country.
According to the Center for
Immigration Studies, an
estimated 75,000 to 125,000
Haitian immigrants live
illegally in the United States.
Options like temporary visas are
available; however the process
leaves room for frustration from
applicants.
Viergela Duclas, a naturalized
citizen, started the extensive
application process in 2003 for
her family members.
"I sent visa applications for my
brothers 11 years ago, and I
haven't been able to get at
least one in the U.S. by now,"
said Duclas.
Duclas entered the United States
in 1988, the same year of the
coup of June and September 1988.
During this time there was a
high volume of violence where
militants ousted both President
Leslie Manigat and Henri Namphy.
Duclas said that at that time,
the application procedure was
less complicated.
"The time frame and policies for
a visa now have drastically
changed. This has become really
expensive," she said.
According to the U.S. Embassy in
Port-au-Prince, the current fee
for processing an immigrant visa
application is $230 per
applicant.
Countless Haitians who are eager
to get a promising response will
also be faced with multiple fees
beside the processing fee.
Repairs are needed and far
fewer jobs are available(Photos
by Kethlene Jean-Jacques)
Country has been devastated
by natural disasters.
"If I ever get the approval from
the visa department, I will then
have to pay for medical tests
and passports for my brothers.
Sometimes any mistake can happen
and that could cause me to start
all over again," said Duclas.
Haitian citizens often have
loved ones left behind in Haiti,
and are often times the
providers for them.
Marleine Bastien, current
Executive Director of Fanm
Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc., is no
stranger to the immigration
issues that she and other
leaders have had to tackle.
"This costs money. The long wait
has made a major economic impact
on these families. They
seriously suffer emotionally,"
Bastien stated. She isn't shy
about questioning the real
amount of help coming from the
Obama administration.
"Obama doesn't need Congress to
act on this issue. People of the
community have shown me that
they've had to wait about 4 to
11 years to get approved, until
they started to see things
happen," she said.
After the earthquake devastation
in 2010, many Haitians
petitioned political
leaders and the Obama
administration for a Family
Reunification Parole Program
similar to the Cuban program.
Steven Forester, who is a
political organizer in Miami,
has also been an active
supporter in the Haitian
community.
"The administration can make
exceptions," said Forester. "In
2007, the Department of Homeland
Security created a Cuban Family
Reunification Parole Program so
that Cuban beneficiaries of
approved family-based visa
petitions wouldn't have to wait
for years in Cuba, before being
paroled into the United States."
Bastien says she is continuously
hit with one question:
"Are we not good enough to
receive better treatment than
we've had in the past?"
Although she gives hopeful
answers to her fellow Haitians,
Bastien doesn't hesitate to say
"the double standard and
discrimination against Haitians
must stop (in order) to get the
job done."
Sign
up by last week of
February
Deadline approaches to your
dream weight
at program run by Bond Community
Center
By
Marcus Oliver Florida A&M
University Feb. 20, 2014
Is your scale at home constantly
screaming at you that it's time
to shape up and get
healthy?
With warm weather and sunny
beaches in sight what better way
to kick off your journey by
joining Tallahassee's Walking
and Talking about Eating program
(W.A.T.E.)?
It kicks off the 1st of March at
the Bond Community Health Center
where registration is currently
taking place.
Directed by Dr. Jenice Rankins
of FSU, as well as FSU nutrition
and exercise students, the
program has experienced great
success. W.A.T.E.
primarily focuses on controlling
eating and developing good
exercise habits for the
community of
Tallahassee.
W.A.T.E. also focuses on
controlling hypertension, blood
cholesterol levels, and intake
of fattening foods.
Dr. Jenice Rankins is a
nutritionist at Florida State
University. She has worked very
hard in the community and also
overseas in Africa, Haiti, and
the Caribbean.
"It's an approach to integrate
nutrition information with
exercise," said Rankins who
holds a doctorate in
nutrition.
Rankins said that W.A.T.E has
been around and hosted by The
Bond Community Center since the
late 90's.
In addition to workout sessions,
W.A.T.E. has developed a program
to help its participators eat
healthy.
The program is called DASH
(Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension), which is a diet
plan that focuses mainly on
increasing the amount of
vegetables you are
consuming.
DASH is also endorsed by the
National Institutes of Health
and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
Camila Miyar, a Florida State
dietetics major from Tampa, said
"I definitely find it to be very
exciting and fun. It's a great
time to get together with the
community and show them easy
ways to modify their diet and be
healthy."
Miyar has been working with
Rankins for more than a year.
Exercise is key to success.
(Photo by Marcus Oliver)
"We want people to become aware
and acquire a healthier
lifestyle," said Miyar.
W.A.T.E targets four groups in
the community. The "Sassy
Singles," "Classy
Couples," "Family First," and
the "Wise Widowers."
These groups will meet monthly
on different days of the week
for their sessions starting the
last week of February and will
proceed for six months.
The session consists of
excising, and nutrition
education. The W.A.T.E. program
also is out on DVD and posts new
simple exercises frequently on
its website. This way
participants can do things on
their own at home.
Jamila Madden, a Florida State
graduate student from Moreno
Valley, Calif., said "I feel
that with all the new
participants on board, combined
with the old ones, we will be
very effective this year and
that our outreach this year will
top the outreach we had in the
past."
There is no charge to
participate in the W.A.T.E
program. W.A.T.E. wants all
interested participates to
register by the end of February
at the Bond Community Health
Center.
All that the W.A.T.E. program
asks of its participants is hard
work and dedication. W.A.T.E
also encourages everyone in the
community to join to bring a
healthy lifestyle to themselves
and their families.
Florist:
'It gets insanely crazy
here'
Chocolate, flowers mark the day
when
some people say 'those three
little words'
By Kethlene
Jean-Jacques Florida A&M
University Feb. 14, 2014
Of 365 days in the year, today
is the one day when some people,
finally, say those three little
words - 'I love you.'
This might also be the day 'the
big question' is asked. And on
this same day, sales of candy
and flowers hit a yearly high.
Valentine's Day takes a
strategic level of planning- not
only for the romantics, but for
the many businesses that offer
the finishing touch.
For local floral businesses in
Tallahassee, Valentine's Day
definitely is a challenge.
"It gets insanely crazy here,"
said Lisa Crawford, owner of
Busy Bee Florist.
"There are times where we have
to stop taking calls and unhook
phones, just because it gets
that busy," she said.
According to aboutflowers.com,
233 million roses were produced
in 2013. Valentine's Day is the
number one holiday for flower
purchases.
In a 2013 survey, the National
Retail Federation, estimates
that $1.9 billion dollars were
spent solely on flowers.
On the sweet side of Valentine's
Day, NRT also reported that
people would spend $1.6 billion
on their valentine's sweet
tooth.
What we know as 'milk chocolate'
began in the 1860's with a man
named Daniel Peter.
The Swiss chocolatier was the
first to successfully blend milk
into chocolate after many
attempts.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier, known
for its high quality chocolate,
has spread to Tallahassee in its
30 years of business.
A lot of chocolate is imported
from the Ivory Coast in Africa.
Valentine's Day is the busiest
holiday for the local chocolate
business. Peterbrooke manager
Richard Herbert says the most
popular request is for chocolate
covered strawberries.
"The two days before Valentine's
Day and on Valentine's Day, we
will go through about 5,000
strawberries," said Herbert.
The chocolate that is used has
to be stored 24 hours before
use, at 115 degrees.
"To have an efficient process,
chocolate has to be tempered
properly," he said.
Customers can choose from white
chocolate, milk chocolate and
dark chocolate.
Once the strawberries have been
dipped, they will take 10 to 20
minutes to dry.
On Valentine's Day love will
continue to spark for both old
and young couples.
For some young couples like
Simone Mayes and Ricardo
Argudin, Valentine's Day
shouldn't be the only day to
show love.
"It's a good excuse to show how
you feel about someone," said
Argudin.
"I agree," stated Mayes.
"But, you should be showing love
everyday. Any other day should
be just as special," she said.
- Chocolatier Richard Herbert
goes through 5,000
strawberries
Photos by Kethlene Jean-Jacques
Roses are popular way to 'say
it with flowers'
Although this day may be a time
to share and show love,
statistics show a report of high
suicide rates during this
holiday.
In 2012, a Missouri suicide
hotline reported that it
received 200 more calls on
Valentine's Day than its usual
400. Some of the calls are due
to loneliness.
Twenty-one-year-old pre-cardio
pulmonary student Alexis Johnson
doesn't believe the holiday is
just for couples.
"I love Valentine's Day. It's
not about having someone. Just
seeing the colors makes me feel
the love in the air."
But
some refuse to join the
crowd Tattoos
reveal emotions, life's lessons
as college students express
themselves in ink
By
Marcus Oliver Florida A&M
University Feb. 13, 2014
Tattoos are cool. Tattoos are
what's in right now.
Although they may be painful,
that doesn't stop a lot of
people who desperately want to
get inked. But what's the real
reason behind individuals with
tattoos? Most would say it's a
way to express themselves in
ways that words can't.
College students joining this
trend, and more each day.
Alain Rodger, owner of Euphoria
Tattoos located on 514 W. Gaines
St., has been in operation for
over 17 years.
"We get college students,
professional people - we get all
types of people," said
Rodger. He added that the
fall semester is the busiest
time of the year when it comes
to college students getting
inked in Tallahassee.
Kaloma Smith, a fourth- year
English major from Sanford,
Fla., is a loyal tattoo customer
who loves every tattoo she has.
"I love them. I feel like
they're a part of me," said
Smith. She also said that every
tattoo she has stands for
something significant. Her
favorite tattoo is one located
on her back that says "IRIE"
which stands for "I respect I
eternally."
"It's a word people in Jamaica
use to describe a peaceful,
joyous feeling, a good vibe or
peaceful mentality," said Smith.
"I love it because if I had to
describe myself in one word, I
would use Irie. I also plan on
naming my daughter that," Smith
added.
Rodger said that he inks about
1,000 tattoos a year, and 60
percent of his customers are
college students.
Rodger also noted that most
college kids - once they get
away from home - get a sense of
freedom and adopt tattoos.
"Soon as they get away from
their parents they go out and do
a lot of stupid things and
tattoos are (also) something
they will go do."
Lyanna Ridley, a fourth- year
political science major, from
Palm Beach, Fla., said, "I think
people get tattoos for
attention- that's basically
why."
"I wanted one to show it off, to
be cool, honestly," said Ridley.
Ridlley's favorite tattoo is her
wings on her back. "It
represents 'upliftment' and the
balance between the male and the
female energies," said Ridley.
Some 73 percent of people get
tattoos between the ages
18-22, according to the
National Institute of Health.
But not all are in love with
tattoos.
Some feel that it's a waste of
time to put ink on their body.
For example, first-year public
relations major Nadia Felder,
from Miami, isn't a big fan of
tattoos and has never been.
"I think people get tattoos just
because they can legally get
one. I feel like if I put ink on
my body it has to be has to be a
smart decision," said Felder.
Felder said that she doesn't see
herself getting any tattoos in
the near future. Felder feels no
rush to put something
permanently on her body and
later regret it.
On the other hand, Malasia
Greer, a fourth- year
pre-physical therapy major from
Miami, is yet another student
who is in love with every tattoo
she possesses.
Tattoo shops proliferate near
colleges. Photos by Marcus Oliver.
Alain Rodger, owner of
Euphoria Tattoos, inks
customer
Every tattoo she expresses her
emotions. The one that means the
most to her is a 'serenity
prayer' tattoo located on her
back.
"I love this tattoo because it
really helps me in my everyday
life," said Greer. The prayer
talks about God granting her
serenity to accept things she
can't change.
"It helps me with past mistakes
and deal with them as lessons,
and also to take the initiative
and make a difference," said
Greer.
'First
Friday' draws an excited crowd
at
Railroad Square every month of
year
By Shawna Housen Florida A&M
University Feb. 12, 2014
Despite the cold weather,
hundreds of students, families
and couples attended the recent
First Friday Gallery Hop at
Railroad Square from 6 p.m. to
10 p.m.
The event takes place on the
first Friday of each month,
drawing people from all walks of
life to enjoy food, live music,
performances, arcade games,
comics, shopping and a 9 p.m.
church service.
Railroad Square, the former
industrial park next to the
railroad tracks just a block
north of Florida A&M
University on Railroad Avenue,
is home to more than 50 shops,
studios and galleries of local
artists and crafters.The
brightly painted warehouses
display a creative, vibrant and
diverse environment.
The park also includes a belly
dance studio, arcade,
rock-climbing gym, martial arts
school, a community theatre,
Buddhist center and a cafe
inside a railroad caboose.
First Friday security officer of
five years, Lillian Finn,
describes the Gallery Hop as an
all-inclusive cultural block
party. She says that it started
out as the Art Hop where people
could come out and view
different forms of art and live
entertainment.
"We still have galleries open
where you can go in and view
different forms of art," said
Finn.
"And then we have our live
entertainment and food truck . .
. so from 6 to 9, it's
just people hanging out and
having a good time."
According to railroadsquare.us,
Railroad Square is the previous
site of the historic McDonnell
lumberyard, which became the
Downtown Industrial Park in the
1960's under William J. Boynton,
Jr.
In the mid-1970s his
daughter, Nan Boynton, foresaw
galleries and a relaxed
environment for artists to work.
Nicole Sielsky, a sophomore
business insurance student at
Florida State University,
visited First Friday for the
first time with her friends.
They stood and enjoyed french
fries from a sausage and hotdog
food truck.
"I love how everything is so
unique and interesting," said
Sielsky. "The food's awesome and
everyone's really friendly."
Celeste Ivory, owner of Ivory
Tower Collective, shares a space
with Bad Pony Vintage Clothing,
a pop up boutique. Both opened
up to the public in Railroad
Square for the first time this
first Friday.
For the month of February, Ivory
Towers Collective has set up a
Valentines Day station of
crafting, and features artwork
from the Ladies of the Northern
Tier, a collective of North
Florida female artist.
"We have all the supplies
provided for anything you can
think of to make something for
someone special," said Ivory.
"We plan to do more events like
this highlighting the Ladies of
the Northern Tier and their
different art mediums."Abi
Kingaby, owner of Bad Pony,
brings handmade and recycled
vintage clothing and designs to
markets all over Tallahassee.
"We're a mobile pop-up shop
and we'll be doing the First
Friday event every month," said
Kingaby. "We do the FSU Union
Wednesday and we want start
doing 'the set' on Friday at
FAMU."
"The Set" is a popular student
gathering area on the campus at
Florida A&M University.
Activities
at First Friday-
Photos by Shawna
Housen
A
puff of fresh, flavored air? Smokers
douse their cigarettes and
'vape'
while others question electronic
smoking
By
Brittanie Richardson Jan. 28, 2014
Tallahassee resident Tyler
Womack, made it his goal this
year to stop smoking.
"I decided that once 2014
started that I would stop
smoking cigarettes," said
Womack. "So far, I've found that
vaping has been working for me
because I still feel like I'm
smoking."
"Vaping" - also
known as smoking electronic
cigarettes- is the latest
craze for both cigarette smokers
and non-cigarette smokers. These
battery operated E-cigarettes
allows users to smoke or "vape"
without tobacco. It is also a
way for smokers to not have to
quit smoking "cold turkey."
Vaping contains liquid aerosol,
which is used in place of
tobacco. The liquid aerosol is
placed into the e-cigarette.
With the push of a button, the
liquid becomes steam while
passing through the pipe, and
can be seen in the air once the
user exhales it. E-cigarettes
are available is a variety of
shapes, colors and patterns. The
cost ranges from $13 to $85.
For those who just want to vape
for the taste, different flavors
of vapor are available ranging
from bubble gum to strawberry.
Flavor vapor contains propylene
glycol, vegetable glycerin and
natural flavoring. Jessica
Johnson mainly vapes for flavor,
but she is also trying to quit
smoking.
"I prefer the flavor jolly
menthol with no nicotine," said
Johnson. "I've been vaping for
two and a half months and it
hasn't really helped me quite
smoking. I still crave
cigarettes all the time."
Some smokers are able to still
satisfy their tobacco craving by
vaping with nicotine vapor,
which does not contain the same
chemicals found in cigarettes.
This type of vapor contains
propylene glycol, vegetable
glycerin and other chemicals.
Erin Marshall owns "EMFM-Vapin"
which is a kiosk located in
Governor's Square Mall. She says
that vaping is safe because it
contains propylene glycol and
vegetable glycerin and those
ingredients do not change form
when you inhale and exhale it.
Marshall said, "Studies show
that these ingredients are safe
to ingest because they can be
found in plenty of items in your
pantry, in shampoos and even
lotions."
"It's completely safe for human
consumption because we don't
absorb it. That's why we can
walk through the steam and not
be affected by it."
American Lung Association
representative Cheryl Winters
said that e-cigarettes are no
healthier or safer than smoking
cigarettes.
"The FDA has not approved the
use of e-cigarettes because
they're not quite sure what
exactly is in them," said
Winters. "Some reports have
shown that they have found
chemicals in e-cigarettes that
can cause cancer."
Photos by Brittanie Richardson Different models and flavors
'Cigarette' with holder
Kiosk at local mall
My
brother saved our mother's
life with the selfless act
of donation of his own
kidney
By Ameer
Brown
Jan. 27,
2014
Sometimes our hardest moments
turn out to be our biggest
blessing in disguise. No parent
who ever fought to keep a child
alive as an infant would ever
think that that same child would
one day be the person who saves
his or her life in return.
Ameer Brown
I
registered for classes
at Florida A&M
University for the fall
of 2012 and my financial
aid was processed.
All of my
extra-curricular
activities were getting
ready to begin. I was
all set to have a
stress-free and
successful semester.
That was until I found out that
my mother Rita Brown, who owns a
private school called
Brownsville Prep here in
Tallahassee, was in the final
stages of kidney disease.
My sister Atira called me and
said, "Mommy is in the hospital,
and she isn't feeling well. She
just threw up a small amount of
blood. You should make your way
up here."
My heart immediately dropped to
my stomach and I raced from
campus up to Tallahassee
Memorial Hospital. When I got to
the hospital my entire family
was already there with
distressed looks on their faces;
clearly nervous about what the
results of my mom's blood test
would be.
The doctor came back and told us
that the blood in her stomach
came from a small stomach ulcer
that can easily be treated. His
face didn't match the good news
we just received - as if he were
trying to figure out how he was
going to tell us something
worse.
He told us that her creatinine
levels were above 5mg, which is
fairly high, and he wanted her
to see the endocrinology expert
for further testing and
examination.
At the time we didn't know
anything about the connection
between creatinine and kidney
function. This was the medical
way of saying, you have stage
five kidney disease and are
experiencing kidney failure.
Normal levels of creatinine in
an adult female's blood are
around 0.5 to 1.1 milligrams per
deciliter. This gives you a
better understanding of how
severe her condition was.
Your body turns the amino acid
creatine into a compound called
creatinine that is then filtered
from your bloodstream through
your kidneys and into your
urine. When a person is
experiencing kidney
failure, the kidneys
cannot filter the creatinine
from their body which makes it
the primary indicator that
something is wrong.
My mother had to either start
dialysis treatment or get a
kidney transplant from a
donor. It just so turned
out that my brother Tony was the
perfect match. He was quoted in
The Huffington Post saying:
"Mom. it's selfish of you to say
I cannot donate my kidney to
you. You have been taking care
of me since day one. It's
selfish of you to not be at my
wedding and to not see my kid
take his or her first steps.
There are things that I need you
here for in good mind and health
and I can live with one. I am
giving you my kidney."
Photo special to
Tallahasseenow Rita Brown gets a hug from
kidney donor: her son, Tony
He gave her his kidney in March
of 2013 at New York-Presbyterian
Hospital and they both made a
speedy recovery.
My brother and I have always
been close friends since an
early age. Watching him go
through the process of kidney
donation was one of the most
selfless acts I've ever
experienced on a personal level.
His selfless act would in turn
save our mother, so that we can
all enjoy her company for years
to come. It meant the world to
me.
When my brother was a child he
was diagnosed with an auto
immune disease called Kawasaki
syndrome. Nine out of 10 kids
who got the disease died around
this time. My mom stayed by his
side and wouldn't accept living
life without him as an option.
She went to 40 different doctors
until somebody knew what could
save his life.
She is now living with a kidney
that she made inside of her own
body 25 years ago. The same
kidney that saved her life could
have perished if she was not
relentless in finding a cure for
my brother.
Now my brother travels around
the country speaking about organ
donation with organizations such
as American Kidney Fund and
Rambam Hospital in Haifa Israel.
Kidney disease is low on the
American health radar because
it's a silent killer that comes
after years of high blood
pressure and diabetes. According
to the CDC, one of five adults
with high blood pressure has
chronic kidney disease.
Schools,
city praised for natural
gas innovation
Doing what comes naturally
is a gas for Tallahassee
residents
By
Alex Buss Florida A&M
University Nov. 13, 2013
Leon County Schools are one
public venue that is benefiting
from a less expensive and
cleaner way to run their
vehicles.
"We are saving about $5,500 per
bus in fuel, so if you add that
up it's a lot of revenue we can
put back into our general fund
so the cost savings are very
important to us," said Leon
County School Superintendent
Jackie Pons.
Nearly 300 people attended a
symposium on the benefits of
compressed natural gas (CNG)
recently at Tallahassee's Civic
Center.
The audience included business
and government representatives
from all over the state.
"The turnout exceeded our
expectations," said Vicki
O'Neil, gas system support
administrator for the City of
Tallahassee Natural Gas
Utility.
Keynote speakers at the
conference included Pons as well
as representatives of the City
of Tallahassee and several
private sector companies.
The Leon County school system,
under the leadership of Pons,
was the first local school
system in the country to convert
its school bus fleet to use
CNG.
"The Leon County School program
is now recognized across the
country as the most dynamic
natural gas school bus system in
America," said David Rogers,
executive director of Florida
Natural Gas Association.
Leon County school buses get gas
from the first public and
private CNG fueling station,
NoPetro, on East College Avenue.
The CNG vehicles also have a
lower carbon footprint and
create public awareness of the
benefits of CNG among the
community.
"We felt like one of the most
important components of this is
educating our children on the
role that they play in
protecting the environment,"
said Pons.
Another example of innovation is
an alternative fuels
training program at Lively
Technical Center where students
are being taught to re-engineer
cars to run on both gasoline and
compressed natural gas.
Many of those at the conference
manage vehicle fleets. The fleet
managers came to learn more
about how the American-produced
clean and reliable natural gas
is used.
"Fleet managers looked at our
program and are here today to
find out about CNG, what it's
all about, and how their
companies can save money using
CNG," said city official O'Neil.
According to FNGA, on average
people save 40 percent on fuel
costs by using CNG compared to
diesel.
"We've had a substantial
penetration of natural gas in
the community. Overall, the key
is bringing forth
enlightenment," said Sandra
Manning, utility marketing
administrator for the city of
Tallahassee.
"Before you can have any kind of
behavioral change, you have to
let the public know the
benefits."
Lively Tech Center uses
natural gas car (Photos by
Alex Buss)
Symposium drew a large crowd.
Vendor booths helped bring
the word to the public.
Leon County Schools run some
buses on CNG.
Fabricator,
installer tells how
Chrome rimmed cruisers make his
life
a series of automotive
challenges
By Larika
Welch Florida A&M
University Oct. 31, 2013
Heads turn whenever Michael
Williams takes either one of
his Chevys out for a spin.
If it's not the custom paint
job, it's the 24-inch rims
that attract drivers to gaze
in amazement.
Williams owns a 2009 Silver
Chevy Monte Carlo with
24-inch chrome rims. He also
has a blue 2001 Chevy
Cavalier that cruises on
matching blue 22-inch rims.
Both cars are
fabricated inside and out,
but the Monte Carlo is
unique with TV screens
located in both of the front
side door panels. Speakers
engulf both cars, which
allows the sound to project
in all directions.
As a young boy Williams grew
up watching his older
cousins and uncles detail
cars. As a child he found
interest in seeing them work
and took matters into his
own hands and developed the
skill that has holds today.
Williams leaned more toward
the electrical side of car
detailing and turned his
then hobby into a career.
Williams started getting
hands-on experience until he
became a professional in the
craft.
He's been working with
Stereo Sales for five years,
but he's been manipulating
cars for roughly 15.
Williams now works at the
local Stereo Sales as a
fabricator/installer.
"It can be expensive," said
Williams. "The more
customizing you want and the
more customizing you do, it
gets costly."
Williams
says he feels people often
customize cars for car shows
but he chooses to customize
simply because he enjoys it.
Williams admits to spending
months on cars just for his
personal benefit.
"Anywhere between three and
six months," said Williams
when speaking on how much
time he put into each car.
But to stay in tune with the
high demand of being
up-to-date, he constantly
has to make changes to his
cars.
"I've done each one of them
a couple of different
times."
Upholsteries,
headliners and custom paint
jobs are things Williams
continually renews.
"I have to stay in style,"
said Williams.
Williams believes the craft
of car customizing can
attract all different kinds
of people. He says he feels
it doesn't speak to a
certain race, gender or
ethnicity.
Williams
said, "I wouldn't say
it's a race thing
because you have black
people who like to fix
up their cars and you
have white people who
like to fix up their
cars."
Chevy has 22 inch rims that
make it outstanding. (Photos
courtesy of Michael Williams)
He's always working on
improving his cars.
His dream
car and ultimate goal to
detail is a Porsche 911.
"I know as far as my
personal pocket budget, I
can't do it, but I know that
that gives me a goal to say,
'Hey, one day I'll be able
to fix up one of these
cars,'" said Williams.
With a smile on his face
Williams said, "I do it just
because I love it."
Another customizer, with 30
years experience, is Joe
Doughty, owner of local
Truck N' Car Concepts.
He says car
customizations are on
the rise.
Doughty says, "People
are fixing up their
vehicles a lot more now
due to the economical
date that we're in. "
"New vehicles are not
really available so
they're working on their
older vehicles and
making them nice."
Doughty said clients
often bring domestic
cars for him to
customize. "Domestic
and older vehicles are
easier and are more cost
effective for the
customer," said Doughty.
Bold,
sleek 'but not gaudy'
Former FAMU student launches line
of clothing
that spreads creative messages to
all generations
By
Antorris Williams Florida A&M
University Oct. 31, 2013
"Expression without Excuse" is
the mantra for a clothing brand
that encourages student travel,
laughter and social
consciousness.
It's the brainchild of former
Florida A&M student who took
his skills to a new level.
The brand is called
20Five|Twenty5,
Kyle Washington, 26, is the
owner and creative director. He
currently lives in Tallahassee
where he produces his line.
Washington is a former public
relations/theatre student.
Washington considers the
emerging line as his latest
project and a creation of "the
head, heart and hand of a
collegiate mind."
After working with student
government, the office of
student activities and leading
numerous homecoming events,
Washington says he understands
student's needs and their
spending habits when it comes to
clothing.
"My vision for 2F|T5 is for it
to become a major apparel brand
in the South 'first,' then
spread across the world," said
Washington. He said his goal is
to spread messages through
collections.
The artwork for the line is
created by Washington.
Students were the first to begin
making purchases from the line
at the "Set Friday" flea market
on FAMU's campus. He said they
were truly the driving force
behind the brand. They wore
their items and snapped pictures
to upload to social media.
Eventually the brand gained a
fan base on Instagram and
Twitter. Washington used his
campus appeal to sell his vision
to the students as well.
"Students like 20Five|Twenty5
because it was created by an
alumnus of our university," said
Jasmin Baker, 22, a health
science pre-physical therapy
student at FAMU.
Baker said Washington is "a
great individual, a creative
mind, and someone who students
encounter often- and has made
their experience at FAMU
wonderful."
The collections are considered
"series" because they all tell a
story. Each series of design
promotes a message through
visual communication.
The messages are geared to
students and the young at heart.
The line consists of shirts,
sweats, jackets, socks and
hoodies.
"PTA" is a moniker for the
"planes, train and automobiles"
series - which encourages
students to travel. A character
series follows "Trey Poindexter"
because he is a symbol of
laughter and fun.
"Consistently Fly" is a
tribute to Floridians who take
flight in order to explore the
world. There are several other
series that tie into the
messages and concepts of the
brand.
"I like 20Five|Twenty5 because
it shows a different style and
brand that all ages can wear,"
said Kenard Stevens, 24, a
masters of applied social
science graduate student.
Stevens was one of the first
customers to purchase apparel
from the line upon its launch.
Stevens said his favorite design
is planes, train and
automobiles. He has several
pieces from the collection.
Baker said her favorite design
is "Why drill holes in a sinking
ship?" because it is symbolic of
an individual's maturity level.
Model shows off the new logo
sweatshirt.
Some of the styles of the new
line (Photos special to
Tallahasseenow)
The quote reminds the consumer
that it is pointless to take
negative action toward a person
who is already reaping negative
consequences for his action.
"We want people to know there is
a whole entire world outside of
your door and 'Go Explore
It,'" said Washington.
The Trey Poindexter, PTA
and F Club sweaters are very
popular.
As a new season comes in,
students begin to purchase more
sweaters to pair with their
winter fashions. The sweats and
socks are coupled with other
items that will help keep
students warm in style.
Washington's goal was to create
a brand for that is loved by
collegiate fashionistas. He says
his vision requires students to
simply be themselves.
20Five|Twenty5 appeals to urban
folk and streetwear lovers as a
well as color-blocking preps,
vintage chic epicureans and
grunge fanatics.
"In about five years I see this
brand advancing in sales and
productivity," said Sean
Simpson, 20, a pre-biology
student at Tallahassee Community
College.
"The brand appeals to students
because it has a bold but sleek
composition of design. It
stands out without being too
predictable or gaudy."
At the time there is no
storefront but items can be
purchased on the internet and at
local campus flea markets. For
more information on
20Five|Twenty5 or to make a
purchase visit http://www.2ft5.com.
They
turn the porch lights
off
Some people refuse to celebrate
Halloween,
arguing it represents evil and
pagan holiday
By
Larika Welch Florida A&M
University Oct. 31, 2013
Pumpkins, witches, and ghost are
decorating the neighborhoods
which only means Halloween is
approaching.
However. some neighbors keep
their porch lights off because
they choose not to participate
in the holiday festivities.
Tamiko Harris, minister of the
local Healing Temple Church
said, "Halloween was originated
as a holiday to honor the dead."
Harris explained that Halloween
is considered a religious
holiday because it's believed
that during that night, the
world of the dead arise and
interact with the living causing
terror and havoc throughout the
land.
Minister Harris explained that
the world is filled with many
pagan holidays and festivities
but she encourages people visit
bible verse Deuteronomy
18:10-12, her source of truth.
Others agree.
"I believe in good and not evil
and Halloween is evil," said
Tamiko Salter, a Director
of Information Technology
at Healthplan Services in Tampa.
"Because of my Christian values
I choose not to
participate."
"It's ridiculous that such a
pagan holiday has become as big
Christmas."
Throughout her life, Salter has
never participated in any
Halloween events. She also finds
alternative methods of fall
celebrations to partake in.
On Halloween night, Salter keeps
her porch lights off so that no
one approaches her house in
search for candy.
"There's enough people who
participate in Halloween, that I
don't have to," said Salter.
The National Retail Federation
says 52.5 percent of people
chose not to decorate their
homes for Halloween in the year
2013.
But Nigel Lascelles, 20-year-old
Florida A&M University
chemistry major from Fort
Lauderdale. thinks otherwise.
"I still give out candy because
I don't want the kids to lose
out on their childhood. I
wouldn't want anybody to take
from my childhood," said
Lascelles.
Those who choose not to
celebrate often find new
alternatives in replace of trick
or treating.
Ruthi Critton, FAMU senior
philosophy and religion major
from Orlando, was raised in a
Christian household. Her parents
made the decision to not allow
her and her siblings participate
in any Halloween activities.
Church sells pumpkins, but
the reason is the season.
(Photo by Larika Welch)
As a child, Critton felt it was
difficult attending public
schools and not participating
but she feels she didn't miss
out on much."
Once I understood the religious
reasons behind it, not
celebrating Halloween was ok."
In place of Halloween, Crittons
family attended their church's
Fall Festival. The festival
usually consisted of games music
and free candy to go around.
In good nature, the church
commonly charged one canned good
for admission. They later used
the same canned goods to make
Thanksgiving baskets for the
needy.
"I didn't miss out on any candy,
which is what I thought
Halloween was all about at that
age," said Critton.
Gray Memorial United Methodist
Church has an annual pumpkin
patch fundraiser. The
church sells pumpkins of all
sizes to the community. Church
member Geney Smith said that
this fundraiser is all in the
spirit of the fall season.
"This is not really a Halloween
thing," said Smith.
Smith doesn't consider her self
to celebrate Halloween, but she
doesn't have a problem with
handing out candy to kids.
"As long as it's fun I like it,
but if it gets to things that
are not fun, then I don't care
for it," said Smith. "I think
Halloween used to be more fun
when the kids just dressed up in
cute costumes."
'Wanted
to have something
memorable'
People get tattoos for many
reasons,
but some stay away from the
needle
By
Larika Welch Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
Body art has risen to a trendy
way of expression in the new
century. What started thousands
of years ago as a way of
spiritual expression can now be
a spur-of-the-moment decision.
People get tattoos for all
different kinds of reasons.
Tattoos are often used to honor
loved ones, express religious
beliefs and even sometimes a
tattoo can be a bad decision
made on a drunken night.
Some say people treat tattoos
nonchalantly, but now with the
multiple methods of tattoo
removal, they are no longer a
permanent decision.
Cetrell Austin, a Tallahassee
Community College sophomore from
Orlando, dedicated one of his
many visible tattoos to his
mother and grandmother.
"I wanted to have something
memorable about them, and just
something to have so that
whenever I look at my arm I
recall joyful memories," said
Austin.
Miscellaneous tattoos cover
Austin's arms. Although some of
his tattoos may be sentimental,
he explains that his thought of
tattoos were a way of "acting
out."
Austin said, "I was being
rebellious, hardheaded, and all
things in that nature."
Some of Austin's tattoos consist
of praying hands, siblings'
names and the Tampa Bay Rays
logo.
Austin said he believes tattoos
are a form of self-expression.
Simon Jeffrey, a 24-year-old
fourth year business
administration student from St.
Martin, disagrees.
"I think it's just a choice
maybe to fit in. Especially in
the black culture a lot of
people look up to the hip hop
stars and now they're all tatted
up," said Martin.
He has chosen to stay away from
the needle and has never gotten
a tattoo.
Tattoo artist Keyonne Heath from
local shop No Regrets has done
the complete opposite. Nearly
every inch of Heath's body is
covered by tattoos.
Sentimental memories, other
occasions are celebrated.
(Photo by Larika Welch)
His tattoos range from an
organ-like heart on his left arm
to the face of Jesus on his
right.
"Tattooing is expressing
yourself to the world and
permanently archiving a point in
time that you're in," said
Heath.
Heath agreed that the most
common tattoos people get are
for cosmetic, religious and
sentimental reasons.
Heath said he felt that some of
his earlier tattoos weren't the
greatest quality and that's when
he then decided that tattooing
was something he would learn how
to do.
He has actually completed many
the tattoos on his body himself.
"When I get tattoos I'm
basically showing myself what
mindset I was in when I got this
tattoo," said Heath.
Heath says the heart tattooed on
his arm is to represent the fact
that he wears his heart on his
sleeve.
Both
men and women can be
victims
Breast cancer survivors advise
everyone
to get checked out by their
physicians
By Lechelle
Powell Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
As breast cancer month ends, the
public is reminded of both the
survivors and of those who lost
their fight to cancer.
As a wife and mother of six,
Sherry Ann Dawson never imagined
that she would have breast
cancer and become a survivor of
the disease.
Dawson is a Tallahassee native.
As a working mom and wife, the
trial of going through cancer
was very strenuous on her and
her family.
Dawson says that she didn't know
she had cancer until she felt a
lump in her breast.
"I noticed there was a change in
my body when I felt a lump
around Christmas time and then I
got a mammogram on New Year's
where I found out the news."
"I was really shocked - what
would I tell my children? How
would I explain it?" Dawson
said.
Dawson's cancer was so
aggressive that she had to begin
chemotherapy treatments
immediately. One of the stages
that women face while going
through chemotherapy is hair
loss.
For Dawson, the shedding of hair
was the least of her
troubles.
"Me losing all of my hair was a
tragic and drastic change
because I was so used to seeing
my long hair, but it was
something I had to adjust to."
Later this year Dawson underwent
a double lumpectomy, which is
the removal of both of breasts.
After the lumpectomy there was
no sign of breast cancer for
Dawson and she has now been in
remission since August.
Studies say women are about 100
times more likely to develop
breast cancer than men; however,
the survival rates are about the
same regardless of the patient's
sex.
Unfortunately, every woman has a
12 percent chance of developing
breast cancer at some point in
her life.
Statistics show that all women
have a one in eight chance of
having some form of breast
cancer.
Many patients can have a 98
percent chance of surviving the
disease if the cancer is
stabilized and has not spread to
the lymph nodes.
For a patient whose cancer
has spread to the lymph
nodes, the five-year
survival rate is about 84
percent.
Dorothy Glaze: get involved
in your health. (Photo special to
Tallahasseenow)
Cancer that has spread to the
distant organs or distant lymph
nodes will result in a 24
percent chance of survival.
Approximately three percent of
women die from breast cancer.
Dorothy Glaze, 65, from West
Palm Beach, is also a breast
cancer survivor. She said
that her breast cancer is a
testimony of "how good God truly
is."
"For me it's a testimony. . .
mine wasn't that severe. My
cancer started as something else
and then I found out that it was
breast cancer," said Glaze.
Glaze advises that all women and
men should get involved
with their health.
She urges young people to take
control of their health because
"now is the time to get fit.
Walk, exercise, do more, start a
regular exercise program and go
see your doctor every year."
"Above all those things, trust
in God for the good life."
People should be checked by a
physician once a year. Women 40
years of age should take a
mammogram once or twice a year.
Women who are under the age of
40 and have a risk of breast
cancer should ask their
physician about getting a
mammogram. Locally,
Capital Regional Medical Center
is offering free digital
mammogram screenings for the
month of October.
Do
they feel they deserve
success?
Entitled,
narcissistic, social media
savvy:
The Millennial generation faces
the future
By
Avagay Lindsay Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
The generation known as "the
Millennial" is the largest and
probably the most controversial
generation in U.S. history.
Some critics and observers call
them innovative, confident and
more open to change. Others call
them narcissistic, entitled and
self-obsessed in their social
media pages.
According to the Pew Research
Study Center, the Millennials
(born between 1980 and 2000),
and who are also known as Gen Y,
belong to a population of 80
million young teens and young
adults.
They are a techno-savvy,
educated, trendy, ethnically
diverse and pop culture driven.
"This generation has become so
dependent on social media and
electronic devices," said Henry
Kirby, Florida A&M
University's associate vice
president for Student Affairs
and dean of students.
"I don't think they could live
without them. If they were to
disappear today, they wouldn't
know what to do with
themselves."
Some people added more
generalized characterization of
specific observation of
"Millennial traits."
On the cover of Time Magazine's
May 20 issue, author Joel Stein
called Millennials the "ME ME
ME" generation. Stein
characterizes the Gen Y as lazy,
entitled narcissists who still
live with their parents.
The incidence of narcissistic
personality disorder is nearly
three times as high for people
in their 20s as for the
generation that is now 65 or
older, according to the National
Institute of Health; 58 percent
more college students scored
higher on a narcissism scale in
2009 than in 1982, observes
Stein.
He claims the generation also
feels entitled to receive jobs
that they are not fully
qualified for, want to choose
what job assignments they should
work on, believe they should be
promoted at least every two
years and yearns for acceptance
through social media (likes and
comments).
"It's not that I feel entitled,"
said TiQura Martin, a senior bio
pre-med student at FAMU. "I was
raised to think the sky is the
limit."
Ron Alsop, writer at The Wall
Street Journal, found research
that presents a possible
explanation as to why some
millennial traits seem
plausible.
He postulates that some of the
generation's actions are a
direct result of being raised by
"helicopter parents" - parents
who hover over their children
and seek to be involved in every
aspect of their lives, whether
it is sports, school, and even
work.
The objective of this hovering
is to ensure that their children
do not fail as they did, but
instead, lead a successful life.
"My parents always encouraged me
to follow my dreams," Martin
said. "If it were not for them
pushing and inspiring me, I
probably would not be the young
woman I am today."
Millennials are not only the
largest generation of all time,
but also the most "globalized"
generation ever.
Millennials are hooked to
their technologies. (Photos by Avagay
Lindsay)
Multi-tasking comes as second
nature.
The effect of social media, the
disseminating of western culture
across the Internet, the change
in social issues and norms have
made Millennials from across the
world more culturally
interrelated than any other
generation.
While many other generations
before Gen Y may have had to
read a book, write an e-mail,
phone and/or travel to interact
with someone who live in China,
Millennials around the world
know the lifestyle of other
countries just by logging on to
Skype, YouTube, Instagram,
Twitter, Vine, etc.
"I've met a lot of people around
the world through social media,"
said Loina Simon, a senior
criminal justice student
at Florida State
University.
"I've realized that though we
live in different countries,
speak different languages, we
still have the same interest and
desire."
What makes the Millennial
generation so widely
characterized and controversial
is that no other generation has
been so studied and dissected in
"real time" - during their own
time.
Whether they are being called
narcissistic, entitled and lazy
or innovative, creative and
social media engaging, this
generation is yet to be
understood and, maybe, too much
is misunderstood about them.
But what is known is that
Millennials are changing the
societal norms.
Pooches
dress in costumes as Dog-O-Ween
takes the center stage at Tom
Brown Park
By
Larika Welch Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
The pooch who took first place
wore a white round mask, what
looked like the remnants of a
pillowcase, with one eye painted
black and a pinstriped suit to
match.
In second place stood owner as
Progressive Insurance's "Flo"
and her dog the Geico pig.
It was Dog-O-Ween, sponsored by
Star 98.9, the radio station
with music from the 80s, 90s and
today.
The 26th annual Dog-O-Ween
celebration drew hundreds of
people and many dogs to Tom
Brown Park last weekend to watch
as dogs walked across the stage
in their Halloween costumes.
Bright and early, contestants
arrived to claim their position
at the front of the stage.
Vendors from all over the
Tallahassee area surrounded the
park as people and their pets
shopped around.
One by one, owners proceeded to
the registration table to sign
up. More than 50 dogs and owners
entered the contest to compete
for the $100 first place prize.
Dogs came dressed up regally.
Megan Miranda, Tallahassee
resident and FSU graduate, came
dressed as Princess Peach from
the Mario Brothers classic video
game, while her dog walked
proudly beside her as Bowser.
Her pup wore a green
backpack-like costume with white
spikes peaking out the top.
"I did it about three years ago
and it's fun every year. I just
haven't had a chance to come
back," said Miranda.
Some owners made their pup's
costumes by scratch while others
purchased them from costume
stores.
Not only did the owners dress
the part, they played the role
of their character as well. Some
contestants even brought
multiple costumes to complete
wardrobe changes as the event
carried on.
As the dogs strutted in the
costumes, some stood proud for
the audience while some dogs
kept their heads down in what
seemed like discomfort.
One smoky gray poodle dressed as
Clyde wore a top hat and white
sock booties. The poodle seemed
to really enjoy the crowd's
reaction and stood head up to
soak in the thunderous applause
from the crowd.
Although the contest may be
filled with fun and laughter,
Dog-O-Ween judge Abbey Maurer of
WTXL saw more of the sentimental
side of the event.
"It's not just about the
competition but also about the
awareness that goes into the
ownership of having a dog.
Raising money for the Humane
Society is a great thing as
well," she said.
Visitors could purchase dollar
raffle tickets for a chance to
win giveaways donated by the
attending vendors.
Proud winners receive their
prizes (Photos by
Larika Welch)
Bonnie and Clyde showed up to
compete.
A portion of the money collected
was donated to The Leon County
Humane Society.
Dog-O-Ween host and Star 98.9
morning show personality Tammy
Webb hyped the crowd up as she
crossed the stage.
This was Webb's 20th Dog-O-Ween
and she believes they get better
every year.
"I think people get more and
more creative," said Webb.
When it came down to the winner,
judges tallied up the points to
figure out who truly had the
best costume.
"Lots of favorites, so difficult
to decide which ones, but I
think the judging panel chose
the right ones," said judge
Maurer
A dog dressed as One-Eyed Jack
from the movie "The Nightmare
Before Christmas" took the stage
to receive the first place
prize. The owner was dressed as
the character "Sally."
Promotions director Esteffania
Najera and the Cumulus media
promotions crew worked together
to make the event a hit. Najera
described this year's Dog-O-Ween
"a must see."
And it was.
It's
provided for low-income
residents A little
free legal counseling can
improve
someone's personal situation
'dramatically'
By
Andrea Nunn Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
Suppose someone hits your car
and you have trouble collecting
the money. Or your legal bills
are so high you don't have
enough money to buy groceries.
If you are fighting a legal
battle, there are people who can
help you at no cost.
Residents who cannot afford
appropriate legal services can
receive free counseling from
Legal Services of North Florida,
a non-profit corporation that
provides free civil legal
services based on income.
"The objective of LSNF is
to counsel low income persons
with legal advice," LSNF
Resource Developer Mary Dekle
said.
Legal Services of North Florida
provides civil legal services to
16 counties in North Florida
including the cities of
Tallahassee, Quincy and Panama
City. Services are available
through mail, fax and outreach
intake system.
LSNF and the Leon County Library
schooled citizens of Tallahassee
on proper legal services during
Pro Bono Awareness Week.
"Ask the Attorney" one-on-one
forums were held thorough the
Leon County Public Library
locations Oct. 22 through
Oct. 26 to provide citizens with
legal services, advice, online
resources and attorney-search
databases.
Dekle explained the program:
"Children's advocacy, domestic
and sexual violence services and
even legal services for students
are available," she said.
"Whether you are having
issues with your landlord or are
a victim of assault, if you meet
the economic criteria we can
help you."
Leon County Library Operations
Manager Donna Cirenzad said the
community is in need of the
services.
"Quite often people come to the
library for legal information,"
Cirenzad said. "We have general
knowledge, but nothing in
comparison to what is being
provided today."
With an overwhelming number of
citizens showing up to seek
services, LSNF counselors
continued to provide counseling
past the noon event end time.
Mary Dekle gives information
about Legal Services
of North Florida (Photo by
Andrea Nunn)
Shanee Clark, a volunteer
legal advisor, said providing a
service to the community is well
worth her time.
"Sometimes people cannot afford
competent legal representation,"
Clark said. "A little bit of
information or advice can change
someone's legal issues
dramatically."
One 22-year-old Tallahassee
Community College student said
she may have to contact Legal
Services of North Florida in the
future. Her new car was struck
by a drunk driver in September
which left more than $2,000 in
damage.
"I filed an insurance claim and
was compensated for the
damages," she said. "I just
didn't receive enough money to
cover the total cost. I now have
to seek more money from the
insurance company. I just want
to make sure that this time I
receive enough money to cover
the total cost."
Another man, a retired
58-year-old Tallahassee
resident, said advisement from
LSNF was beneficial. He said he
has been on a three year
guardianship battle with his
brother, but he seems to be
running into a dead end.
"Sometimes I don't have
money to pay my bills or eat due
to this legal battle," he said.
After a 20 minute counseling
session with a legal counselor,
the resident said that his
situation seemed to have a light
at the end of the tunnel.
"A legal representative gave me
great advice on the next step to
take. I now have a better
understanding of my options."
For more information about LSNF
visit http://www.lsnbf.org
or call 850-385-9007.
First
of its kind in N. Florida
Rooftop nightclub
boasts pool, cabanas
as students, grads enjoy sexy
urban vibes
By
Brittany M. Somerville Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
A new club in College Town,
unlike any other around, has
become popular among Florida
State University and Florida
A&M University students and
graduates alike.
Recess, located at 705 S.
Woodward Ave., is the only
rooftop pool bar and nightclub
between Miami and Atlanta,
making it the first in club of
its kind in North Florida,
according to spokespersons.
The club opened its doors on
Oct. 11 and has been a hit ever
since.
Kevin Clark, 24, pharmacy
student at FAMU said, "Recess
sets the standard of day/night
parties in Tallahassee, bringing
the fun club atmosphere to an
outside venue."
Recess is a 5,000 square foot
rooftop day and nightclub with a
pool, sundecks with daybeds,
handcrafted bamboo furniture,
oversized lounge chairs and VIP
cabanas.
It overlooks Florida State
University and Doak Campbell
Stadium. The club offers
multiple dance areas, an indoor
lounge and bars.
Clark also said, "Drink prices
were reasonable which is
definitely a plus."
In most nightclubs in
Tallahassee, people have to
stand in line at the bar. But at
Recess, if they don't feel like
standing in line, they don't
have to. Scantily clad bottle
girls will provide bottle
service.
FAMU graduate Monique Mussio,
23, said, "The venue was great
and it has a certain appeal that
gives a real grown and sexy
vibe."
Hunter+Harp Hospitality
Management was striving for this
certain appeal. The inspiration
behind Recess was from the pool
clubs in Miami and Las Vegas.
The management describes Recess
as "the perfect blend of urban
oasis and rooftop retreat."
Clark agrees that it has the
urban feel.
Pool is a drawing
card for the new club.
Photos courtesy
of Recess.
"The atmosphere was comparable
to a rooftop party in Atlanta,"
he said.
FSU graduate Max Johnson, 25,
described Recess as a "chill
place with hot girls." Recess is
open Thursday-Sunday from 5 p.m.
to 2 a.m. Parking for Recess is
available along Madison Street
as well as the parking lot
behind College Town.
Recess caters to the FAMU
community and FSU community
alike. For FAMU's Homecoming,
the club hosted two parties
geared toward FAMU students and
alumni.
For FSU's home games, the club
hosts pre-game and post-game
parties.
Mussio said, "I'm positive
Recess will do well in the
Tallahassee community. It will
definitely give people a new
spot to go out to."
Many
have been wrongfully
convicted
He walked free after 18 years in
prison
with the help of The Innocence
Project
By
Ileejah Hutchinson Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
As staff attorney Meslissa
Montle of The Innocence Project
of Florida walked out of Hardee
Correctional Institute, her hand
was entangled with that of
Derrick Williams.
He was her IPF client who had
spent 18 years of a life
sentence behind bars for
kidnapping, sexual battery,
robbery and grand theft motor
vehicle, all crimes for
which he was innocent.
The attorney for the non-profit
law firm was instantly consumed
with happiness and joy. The
excitement of the day's events
and the clapping and cheering of
Williams' family sounded
throughout the parking lot.
She was so preoccupied in
thought that it took her a
moment to realize that Williams
was still holding onto her hand.
She turned to him and smiled,
assuring him that he was indeed
a free man. She watched as he
walked into the bright lights of
newscasters and toward a crowd
of people that had awaited his
overdue return - his family.
She remembers clearly that day
in April, 2011.
"Derrick's case was my baby,"
Montle said. "It was definitely
close to my heart because his
freedom was so hard-fought, so
when I watched him walk into his
family's arms, that was a
special moment for me."
Williams' dramatic story is one
repeated by more than a thousand
exonerations for wrongful
conviction, according to the National
Registry of Exonerations.
Executive Director of IPF, Seth
Miller, said there are copious
factors that lead to wrongful
imprisonment.
"Many people are unaware that
wrongful conviction even
happens," Miller said. "There
are so many factors that lead to
these individuals spending years
in prison for crimes they did
not do, and years away from
their loved ones."
In reference to the National
Registry of Exonerations, of the
416 homicide exonerations in
2012, 64 percent were
attributed, at least in part, to
perjury or false accusation.
Official misconduct by either
prosecutors or police, including
the withholding of evidence
favorable to the suspect, was a
contributor in 56 percent of the
cases.
In the registry's 203 sexual
assault cases, 80 percent
involved mistaken eyewitness
identification. Faulty witness
identification was a factor in
81 percent of 47 robbery cases.
What is being done to remedy
this epidemic?
Many groups and non-profit
organizations across the country
work to combat the problem. They
include the Center on Wrongful
Convictions and The Innocence
Project of New York.
Many of the branches of The
Innocence Network use DNA
testing to prove that their
clients could not have committed
the crime. Currently new DNA
evidence is the only tool used
by many Innocence Projects
throughout the country to free
blameless men and women.
Individuals who have been
victims of wrongful conviction
write to their state's Innocence
Project and have their case
handled by staff attorneys, free
of charge. Many interns
willingly devote countless hours
to their case.
"Since 1989, DNA testing has
been responsible for the
exoneration of 289 people in the
United States, including 17 who
served time on death row,"
Miller said.
Derrick Williams rejoins
family members. (Photos courtesy of The
Innocence Project)
"But that number does not
include many cases in which
innocent people plead guilty to
avoid the risk of more serious
punishments or cases that have
been dismissed because of legal
error without new evidence of
innocence."
"It represents only a fraction
of the problem in the nation's
criminal justice system," he
said.
IPF is one of the few projects
to have an in-house social
worker to help exonerees adjust
to the free world.
Anthony Scott, director of
social services, said innocent
men and women are not the only
victims of wrongful
imprisonment.
"Children are negatively
impacted as a result of one of
their parents being
incarcerated," Scott said.
"There are a lot of areas where
children are affected because
they don't have direct access
and guidance from their parent
who is wrongfully incarcerated."
IPF law intern Lisa Houser said
wrongful convictions destroy
lives.
"These innocent
individuals get so much stolen
from them as they are sitting in
prison," Houser said. "Many men
and women don't get the chance
to be proper parents to their
children; they miss out on
school plays and school sporting
events and they have their
entire life stolen."
"That is why it is important for
organizations like The Innocence
Project to create platforms to
educate and discuss the issue of
wrongful conviction and its
contributing factors so that we
can put a stop to it."
The Florida Innocence Project is
currently working on a case that
it hopes will mark its 14th
exoneration using DNA testing.
Floridians interested in
specifically helping IPF will
find it at 1100 East Park Ave.
in Tallahassee and can phone the
attorneys at 850.561.6767.
Trick
or treat is here
Spooky holiday: People to
spend billions
this Halloween to be zombies,
superheroes
By
Andrea Nunn Florida A&M
University Oct. 30, 2013
Even with the economy in an
unsteady position, millions of
people will be making room in
their budgets to celebrate
Halloween on Thursday night.
According to the National Retail
Federation, more than 158
million consumers will
participate in Halloween
activities.
The total spending for the
spooky holiday is estimated to
reach $7 billion this
year.
Celebrants are projected to
spend $2 billion on candy and $3
billion on traditional and
awe-inspiring costumes.
The rest of the projected sales
will come from decorations and
other Halloween memorabilia.
Dressing up in a costume and
trick-or-treating in Woodgate
Community is the goal for
10-year-old Payton
Dullivan.
With a shopping cart full of
candy and Halloween decorations,
Dullivan and his mother said
they are ready to begin the
Halloween festivities.
"Last year I was the Incredible
Hulk," Dullivan said. "I loved
the Superman movie, and I want
to be just like Superman when I
grow up."
With half of the Party City
store dedicated to Halloween
couture, candy and decorations,
Tallahassee residents scoured
the shelves trying to find the
perfect Halloween costume.
Halloween expert Paige Die
offered expert advice on
costumes and candy
"Thanks to television shows like
the Walking Dead, zombie
costumes are the top sellers
this year," Die said. "Classic
Halloween costumes such as
Freddie Cruger and Michael Myers
are also very popular as well."
Studies show that 25 percent of
U.S. consumers say the state of
the economy will impact their
Halloween spending plans.
Consumers will be conserving
money by buying less candy and
making a costume instead of
purchasing one this year.
Tania Lacayo offered her
expertise in proper costume
selection. Lacayo, who works at
Party City, is trained in
Halloween costumes, candy and
decorations.
"Whatever you decide to wear for
Halloween, make sure you're
comfortable," Lacayo said.
"Be creative and always have
enough candy for
trick-or-treaters. You can never
go wrong with classic chocolate
candy but have a variety because
some people are allergic."
Magic and Fun Costume Shop owner
Phil Sass showed traditional
maid, fireman and doctor
costumes and new, bizarre
costumes such as a $20 t-shirt
costume that converts from a
simple black t-shirt to a masked
bandit with no other props
required.
Open year-round, with extensive
costumes from magic equipment to
stink bombs, Magic and Fun
Costume Shop is a one-of-a-kind.
"Whether you're just looking or
you know exactly what you want
we have you covered," Sass said.
"We have been open since 1979
and we have a wide variety to
fit everyone's budget and
fantasy."
While some Tallahassee residents
are searching for new costumes,
Timothy Atterberry wore a
traditional superhero costume.
"I love to dress up for
Halloween every year,"
Atterberry said. "My favorite
costume is Superman. Too bad I
can't wear the costume
year-round."
Timothy Atterberry is
posed in the Superman
costume (Photos by Andrea Nunn)
Halloween decorations at
Party City are scary.
Much to choose from this year
in costumes.
Organic
foods can be key to healthy life
say those who have made the big
switch
By
Kayla Boronell Florida A&M
University Oct. 29, 2013
Living a healthy lifestyle can
be difficult.
A hectic schedule and a tight
purse can mean skipping a
healthy meal and gulping a fast
and non-nutritious one.
Luckily some college students
are finding ways to stay fit,
eat well, and remain active
despite a demanding schedule -
by "eating organic."
What does "organic" mean?
Organic food is described as
food that is minimally processed
and free of synthetic
preservatives; artificial
sweeteners, colors, flavors and
other artificial additives;
growth hormones; antibiotics;
hydrogenated oils; stabilizers;
and emulsifiers.
That's according to the Food and
Drug Administration, who should
know.
While grocery stores such as
Wal-Mart and Publix offer a
small selection of organic
products, specialty stores such
as New Leaf Market, Trader Joes
and Whole Foods carry mostly
organic and natural foods and
products.
Luckily for college students who
eat organic, Whole Foods Market,
the world's largest natural
market. made its big debut in
the capital city on Oct. 9.
Jeremy Jones, spokesperson for
Whole Foods, says the market has
a wide selection for college
students who want to eat
healthier.
According to a study done by
California Polytechnic State
University, 60 percent of
college students eat or attempt
to eat organic products.
Kaitlin McMurray, a Tallahassee
resident and recent college
grad, says eating organic on a
dime helped improve her health
and bank account.
"When I was in college I took a
class on food science. I learned
how much better organic foods
are for our bodies. I was still
in school and didn't have much
money to spare, but I would buy
organic foods on sale weekly."
"When I made these changes to my
diet, everything improved,
including my classes and
studies," said McMurray.
Students can choose from organic
eggs for breakfast to organic
ground beef and organic potatoes
for burgers and french fries for
dinner. Organic snacks like kale
and organic popcorn can quench
mid-day hunger pangs between
classes.
For Florida State University
freshman Kelly Wallace, eating
organic snacks in college has
helped maintain a healthy weight
and diet.
Whole Foods Market is source
for organic food. (Photos by
Kayla Boronell)
Even popcorn can be an
organic treat.
"When I'm eating my kale chips
and yogurts in between classes,
my friends tease me . . .
but I always joke and tell them
I can out-walk them to class
without feeling winded. I feel
healthy and happy," said
Wallace.
Websites such as
organicdeals.com offer weekly
coupons for shoppers who prefer
to buy organic products. There
are coupons for fresh produce,
dry snacks and canned foods.
For McMurray, websites like
those help college kids on a
budget.
"Organic foods tend to be very
expensive, so when I can find a
good deal through coupon
websites to eat organic, it's
worth the search. These healthy
habits have really improved my
life," said McMurray.
Mud
Runners trudge, slog
through the goo to benefit
the Big Bend Homeless
Coalition
By
Brittany Somerville Florida A&M
University Oct. 28, 2013
It was a dirty race, but
someone had to win.
On the dreary Saturday,
hundreds of people covered
in thick, lumpy mud trudged
through a painstaking
obstacle course all in the
name of charity.
The Big Bend Homeless
Coalition was the real
winner in the Oct. 19 run.
For the second year in a
row, the Big Bend Homeless
Coalition teamed up with
Tallahassee's Avago Mud Run.
More than 500 people
participated in this year's
race.
The BBHC
organized volunteers and
received proceeds from the
race.
Avago donated 10 percent of
the proceeds to the BBHC,
which totaled $1,280. These
proceeds will go toward the
HOPE Community and Home
Front for Veterans.
The BBHC is Tallahassee's
largest source of housing
for homeless people in the
community.
HOPE stands for Housing
Opportunities and Personal
Empowerment. The community
is a six-month transitional
housing program for both
individuals and families
experiencing homelessness.
BBHC's Home Front for
Veterans program provides
permanent housing for
veterans. Fifty veterans
rely on the Home Front
program.
Fifth place recipient for
women, Giavana Williams,
said she had such a good
time at the race last year,
she decided to race again
this year.
The three-mile run through
Mahan Farms wasn't easy for
Williams and other runners.
The course included deep mud
pits and outrageous
obstacles. These obstacles
included a tunnel-through,
mud waterslide, rotating
ties over mud, vaults,
haystacks, a chain link wall
and more mud.
The difficult course
fulfilled the goals of the
organizer of the Mud Run.
Mike
Conner, organizer of the Mud
Run, said he wanted the
Avago Mud Run "to be about
community getting together
and enjoying the outdoors,
getting dirty, and having
fun while supporting the
Homeless Coalition's
mission."
Participant Danielle Groton
said, "I honestly wasn't
expecting much of a
challenge with this event,
but a few of those obstacles
were actually extremely
difficult."
"I ran with a team of nine
other people and we all had
a blast and got extremely
muddy in the process."
Having fun wasn't the only
reason Groton participated
in the race.
"I decided to do this event
because I enjoy obstacle
runs and I also try to
support the Big Bend
Homeless Coalition in any
way that I can, so it was a
win-win," Groton said.
Conner welcomes participants
like Groton.
Mud Run
was dirty fun as friends
helped friends.
(Photos special
toTallahasseenow)
Obstacles
included a mud waterslide
and more.
"We're happy to promote an
active lifestyle and help
spread the word about ending
homelessness in our
community," Conner said.
Edward Kring, Homeless
Coalition's Development and
Community Affairs Director,
agreed.
"The Avago Mud Run provides a
fun opportunity to engage our
community in an environment
that encourages athleticism,"
he said. "Funds allow us to
help more men, women and
children who are in need of a
hand up to get back on their
feet and enter stable housing
of their own."
According to an agency report,
the BBHC has helped more than
1,000 people in the past six
years.
Kring was amazed by the
turnout. He said he was glad
people were enjoying
themselves and donating to a
good cause at the same time.
After the race, participants
relaxed with live music
provided by the Proper
Villain, and refreshments and
food.
The BBHC hopes to partner with
the Avago Mud Run again next
year.
Gordon believes if there is
another race next year, more
people should attend.
"I definitely would recommend
it, and I definitely plan on
participating next year, too."
Creative
apples draw customers
He crunched into a great candy
apple
and it changed his life for
the better
By Larika Welch Florida A&M
University Oct. 28, 2013
Some would say originality is
what makes a vendor stand out.
Rodney Russ made an imaginative
creation come to life and took
the world of candy apples to a
whole new level.
After purchasing bad candy
apples from a family friend,
Russ's ex-wife contacted her
grandmother in search of a
better recipe. Her
grandmother walked her through
the process on how to make candy
apples.
When Russ returned home that
night, his ex-wife asked if he
saw the candy apples on the
table. Little did he know this
day would change his life.
"When I bit down into it, just
the crunchiness, the firmness of
the apple, the quality of the
candy told me this was an old
school, made from scratch, candy
apple."
After his first bite, he
described the apple as
"sensational." Ever since 2002,
he's been selling candy apples
under the name Sensational Candy
Apples.
As time passed, Russ's business
expanded. He went global by
first coming to FAMU's
Homecoming.
"I had 700 candy apples. I left
here with none," said Russ.
From that moment on, he made
sure he would return to FAMU's
Homecoming every year. Last year
his candy apple sales dropped,
due to what he claims was the
absence of the famous Marching
100.
The Marching 100 was under
suspension, for the hazing
incident against the late Robert
Champion Jr.
"Nevertheless. we're going to
keep supporting the school,
we're going to keep coming, and
we're going to keep providing
good quality products for the
people that come out."
Russ travels all over to sell
his apples. He has sold apples
in Atlanta, Miami, Alabama, Fort
Pierce, West Palm Beach, the
Carolinas and Mississippi. He
also ships his apples to
customers who lust for more of
his sensational apples.
"I give them a quality product
they can always come back to,"
said Russ.
One quality that differentiates
Russ's apples from others is the
creativity he puts into his
apples. The common red candy
apple that people are used to
seeing is actually
strawberry-flavored.
Rodney Russ found life change
with candy apples
(Photo by Larika Welch)
Russ has created all kinds of
flavors such as pineapple, pina
colada and a
raspberry-strawberry mixture. He
even has a hard shell caramel
flavored apple for customers who
have trouble with the caramel
getting stuck in their teeth.
With all the originality and
hard work put into the
Sensational Candy Apples, Russ
charges only $3 each.
"I try to give the best prices I
can," said Russ.
A customer, Sarlentia Bell, said
she believes all the other candy
stands need to lower their
prices because their candy apple
quality isn't worth $3. But she
has the opposite mentality
when it comes to Sensational
Candy Apples.
Bell said, "You can truly see
that he took time and work to do
what he did."
Bell often walks the vendor
lineup in search of candy
apples. After stopping at the
Sensational Candy Apples table,
she had finally found what she
was looking for.
Jersey
Mike's, others lend
support Businesses
join hands to fight rare disease
for Fisher son, more than
130,000 others
By
Brittany Somerville Florida A&M
University Oct. 28, 2013
Florida State University's head
football coach Jimbo Fisher and
his wife, Candi, are bringing
awareness of the rare disease
Fanconi anemia to the
Tallahassee community.
Their child has the disease.
Helping to raise awareness and
research funds has now become a
cause around the Tallahassee
community.
The Fishers' Kidz1stFund is
teaming up with several
businesses across midtown and
Market Square on Nov. 1 for
"Tallahassee Gives to Kidz."
Campaigners include the Jersey
Mike's location at 1355 Market
St., one of many businesses
involved. It will donate 15
percent of the day's sales to
the Kidz1stFund.
Customers can also donate to the
cause at Tropical Smoothie Cafe,
Garnet & Gold, GameDay Chic
& Southern Boutique, Chicken
Salad Chick, the Wine Loft,
M&M Monogramming &
Gifts, Pilates Pavilion and
other businesses around town.
Jersey Mike's serves cold and
warm sub sandwiches, wraps and
salads.
The lunch spot isn't a stranger
to partnering with Kidz1stFund.
Every March, the two team up for
"Month of Giving."
Throughout March, customers can
donate to the cause at the four
Jersey Mike's locations across
Tallahassee.
The other locations in
Tallahassee are 1801 W.
Tennessee St., 1970 Gainsborough
Lane and 3122 Mahan Drive.
Customers are also able to
purchase bracelets that go
toward the cause.
"We're happy any time we're able
to donate to the cause," said
the storeowner Kimberly
Crowell, mother of a
one-year-old.
Jersey Mike's is helping to
fund research. (Photo by Brittany
Somerville)
The Fishers established
Kidz1stFund in 2011 to raise
awareness and research funds to
find a cure for this condition
that affects more than 130,000
people.
The Fishers' son Ethan suffers
from this rare medical
condition.
According to the National Heart,
Lung and Blood Institute,
children who have Fanconi
syndrome pass large amounts of
key nutrients and chemicals
through their urine.
These children may have serious
health and developmental
problems. Donations raised
through Kidz1stFund will go
toward research at the
University of Minnesota, the
single largest Fanconi anemia
treatment center in the country.
"My husband and I have a child
of our own," said Crowell,
"and we understand that children
are our future. We do what we
can to help our future doctors,
lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs
and more."
Candi Fisher is grateful for the
support.
"To have support from local
businesses in our fight to find
a cure for Fanconi anemia is
such a blessing," she said. "We
thank Jersey Mike's for joining
us in saying, 'I Fight
Fanconi.'"
Game
time not for the faint of
heart Fans
have been sweltering in the heat
at Florida A&M's football
games
By
Naikeema Fields Florida A&M
University Oct. 29, 2013
Hot weather this football season
has caused a change in policy
for Florida A&M University
sports and some cooling mist for
Rattler fans.
Each person entering FAMU's
football stadium is now allowed
to bring in one factory-sealed
water bottle, as long as it does
not exceed 20 ounces.
Mist stations are in place,
also, to help fans deal with the
heat.
With only one home game left,
and that one in November, the
worst part may be over.
On Sept 7, fans packed Bragg
Memorial Stadium for the first
home football game of the
season. Alumni, students,
supporters of the opposing team,
and the famed "Marching 100"
packed the stands to cheer for
the teams.
But something was different
about this particular home
opener - the excessive heat.
Temperatures soared into the
upper 90s, leaving those in
attendance to rely on fans, hats
and cold drinks to keep cool.
For the 2013 football season,
all home football games have a 2
p.m. start time.
According to Vaughn Wilson,
sports information director for
FAMU, the game times were
adjusted to accommodate fans
traveling from nearby locations.
"This season, football game
times were adjusted to allow us
to regain our regional fans, "
he said.
"Fans within driving distance of
Tallahassee under normal
circumstances had to stay in
hotels overnight with late
football games."
"By moving the time up during
the day, we had a record number
of buses on day trips from
regional areas," said Wilson.
But not all fans think the time
adjustment is accommodating,
especially with the extremely
high temperatures.
With the games beginning in the
middle of the afternoon, the
temperatures are at their
highest, leaving those in
attendance questioning why the
times were changed.
Fans also wonder if the high
temperatures will affect their
health.
"I feel the time should be
pushed back later since the
temperature is at its peak
around 2 p.m. This can result in
many health hazards. The heat
made the game very uncomfortable
to sit through," said Kelvin
Clark, a junior sociology and
psychology major from
Jacksonville.
Many people found it too hot
to stay at recent game
(Photo by Naikeema Fields)
According to FAMU SGA president
Anthony Siders II, at least 40
people attending the game passed
out, due to the heat and a lack
of hydration.
A few rows over from where Clark
sat were the world-famous
"Marching 100." Members of the
band fought to keep cool while
they played their tunes; sweat
drenched their uniforms.
One member of the band, who
asked to remain anonymous, had
this to say about the new game
times: "I definitely do not like
the time change. Being in the
stands and performing was a lot.
I was very irritable and annoyed
because of the heat."
Game attendees are encouraged to
stay safe in the heat by staying
hydrated before, during and
after the games, and wearing
loose, lightweight clothing.
The only home game left is Nov.
16 with Delaware State, and
temperatures probably are likely
to be cooler by then.
Game-goers can now cool down
with two misting stations,
located on the east and west
concourse of the stadium. Fans
are encouraged to stay safe for
every home game this season.
Have
some 'tofurkey'
Some people are the
happiest
with no turkey for
Thanksgiving
By
Lechelle Powell Florida A&M
University Oct. 28, 2013
Some turkeys can rejoice because
they won't be eaten at
Thanksgiving any more.
Thanksgiving is the time when
many people gather together with
family around a turkey to say
what they are thankful for, but
vegetarian Thanksgiving dinners
are a little different.
Instead of having a turkey for
Thanksgiving, most
vegetarians opt for the
"tofurkey," either branded
as such or nonbranded, which is
a faux turkey that is a loaf or
casserole of vegetarian protein.
It is flavored with a broth and
seasoned with herbs and spices,
according to Wikipedia.
Lisa Williams, 22, is a
vegetarian who eats pimento loaf
on Thanksgiving because it is
the closest thing to meat.
Williams said "most of my
friends have an all vegan
Thanksgiving."
Vegetarians at Thanksgiving
generally have limited options
at the dinner table, according
to Charmaine Henry, the only
vegetarian in her family.
"On Thanksgiving my family
usually makes separate sides for
me," she said, "so I have coli
(collard) greens, macaroni and
cheese and cornbread with any
other vegetable that is there."
Some vegetarians don't even
celebrate Thanksgiving,
like Soul Veg nutritionist
Danielle Rahm. Rahm is a Hebrew
Israelite and says she does not
celebrate Thanksgiving because
it is not a biblical holiday.
Soul Veg is a restaurant on
Adams Street near Florida
A&M University.
She said she wouldn't know how
to celebrate Thanksgiving and
perhaps it shouldn't be
celebrated because of the
takeover of Indian land.
Aaron Jbj, a server at
Sweet Pea, a restaurant on
Tharpe Street near Old
Bainbridge, is familiar
with students having a vegan
Thanksgiving. Jbj
explained that a vegan
Thanksgiving is "when you cook
things without using dairy
products or eggs."
A lot goes into vegetarianism
at Whole Foods Market
(Photo by Lechelle Powell)
"For Thanksgiving I've eaten all
the normal things," he said. "I
had vegan mashed potatoes and
macaroni and cheese. Most of the
vegans I know have a tofurkey
for Thanksgiving which is soy
based tofu, but there are many
things you can cook for
Thanksgiving like vegetarian
gravy or pimento loaf."
A website called allrecipes.com
has some mouthwatering recipes
for vegetarians to try for
Thanksgiving. One option is the
"no turkey - turkey." This is a
breaded, shiny crusted, pastry
lightly sprinkled with soy
milk.
There are also dishes like
harvest rice, vegetarian
stuffing, stuffed mushrooms and
yellow squash casserole.
Whether its tofurkey or
vegan mashed potatoes,
vegetarians enjoy their
Thanksgiving with great food,
but without the meat.
FAMU
considers changes in academic
policies affecting course loads
and more
By
Jonathan Heredia Florida A&M
University Oct. 24, 2013
Students at Florida A&M
University may see some big
changes in their academic
requirements.
The Florida A&M University
Academic Policies Committee
discussed possible reduced
course loads, GPA resets and
class withdrawals due to
military services.
The group of nine committee
members gathered at FAMU's New
Pharmacy Blue Cross Blue Shield
Auditorium to discuss and ask
questions about university
practices that may become
permanent policies.
Danette Saylor, the director of
the Center for Disability Access
and Resources, explained the
significance of the reduced
course load policy for students
who meet the requirements.
It allows the students to take a
lesser load, so they can do well
successfully and still be a full
time student, according to
Saylor.
The reduced course load permits
disabled students who are unable
to take 12 hours or more to
maintain full-time status and
benefits, as long as academic
integrity is not affected.
The number of students at
FAMU who can benefit from this
policy varies per semester.
Saylor stated that roughly 730
students are currently
registered as CeDAR
participants. Each candidate
must request to be a CeDAR
participant and must be
evaluated every semester http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?cedar.
The committee also discussed the
GPA reset policy at FAMU.
The policy is known as academic
amnesty at other universities
such as Florida International
University and the University of
Central Florida.
It states that any student who
has been dismissed from the
college for poor academic
standing may request to have his
or her cumulative GPA reset if
admitted back into the same
university.
"When Florida A&M students
get suspended for academic
reasons, some of them, instead
of going home and staying out
for a whole year or semester, go
to community colleges," said
Agatha Onwunli, a university
registration official.
When a student returns to FAMU
with an Associate in Arts
degree, the GPA will not be
automatically reset. It must be
requested.
"Let's say the student
left with a 1.5 GPA. When they
come back with an A.A. degree,
they'll still have a 1.5,"
Onwunli said." So when they come
back and request it [GPA reset],
we reset their GPA."
Prof. Valerie White addresses
session
(Photo by Jonathan Heredia)
A student's GPA may only be
reset once during an
undergraduate career and once as
a graduate student. This option
is not available for students
with double majors who have been
awarded a degree or students who
earn an A.A. degree from FAMU.
Although FAMU may reset
students' GPA upon re-entry to
the university with an A.A.,
degree, students must be aware
that financial aid does not
reset GPA when considering
satisfactory academic progress,
said Angela A. Coleman,
associate vice president of
Division of Student Affairs.
"While the registrar will reset
GPAs, financial aid will
not,"Coleman said. "That is the
current policy."
Coleman explained that financial
aid will consider the student's
original GPA when issuing
grants, loans and other
financial assistances.
The committee also reviewed
regulations and procedures of
student withdrawals from courses
due to military services.
Valerie White, a FAMU professor
and committee member, gave a
brief overview of the student
military policy.
"This is already a board of
governors regulation," White
said. "What we are trying to do
is get FAMU's policy in line
with the board of governors."
The board of governors'
regulation states that any
student enrolled at FAMU will
not incur academic or financial
penalties by performing military
services.
Students will have the option to
withdraw from courses with a
full refund or complete the
course at a later date with no
penalty.
"This is a positive to protect
those students who may be pulled
away for active duty," White
said.
"The student who is sponsoring
it [the policy] is in Reserve
Officers' Training Corps, so we
are just trying to be in
compliance with the board of
governors' regulations."
'Come
for the food, leave with the
culture'
is motto for the
Greek food festival here
By
Lechelle Powell
Florida A&M University Oct.
23, 2013
As the sun shown down on the
field, people filed in to be
enriched with the Greek culture
at the 2013 Greek Food Festival.
The festival was held at Holy
Mother of God Greek Orthodox
Church in Tallahassee.
This October festival provided a
fun-friendly atmosphere for
those to live by the
motto, "Come for the food, leave
with the culture."
Brandon Palmer, a
volunteer at this event, said
he believes that this
event is great representation of
life in Greece.
"It's a way to see and
experience a different culture."
At the festival. guests were
captivated by the atmosphere of
the Greek culture with the live
entertainment, booths of food
and traditional Greek dancers.
As guests ate their Zorba's
gyro, they were entertained by
the Kosta Kostanis Band playing
traditional Greek music and the
Hellenic Greek Dancers
performing traditional Greek
dances.
For the full Greek experience,
the church offered tours with
Father Robert O'Loughlin. The
tour was approximately 30
minutes long where guests could
tour the church and learn about
the history of the Greek
Orthodox faith.
In the kitchen (or
kouzina), guests
stood in line waiting for
the Niko's Deluxe
Platter that had pastitsio
, souvlaki, spanakopita,
tiropita, Athenian Greek salad
and fassolakia.
While some of the guests were
chowing down on a meal, others
were waiting on tasty
delectables that ranged from
almond cookies to baklava
cheesecake.
Other guests lounged at picnic
tables, tasting the food that
was outside, under the tents,
which included Zorba's gyro,
Manoli's souvalaki wrap and
Grecian delight, which is a
baklava sundae.
The souvalaki wrap was a
favorite among attendees,
especially Alexis Lane, 21, a
Florida State University student
who said that this was her first
time eating Greek food.
"I'm usually really picky about
what I eat, but the wrap
was very tasty- I really
enjoyed it."
Colby King, 17, has worked at
the Greek festival for four
years. She said that this event
was a great representation of
Greek life because of the food
and the music, and it was a good
family atmosphere.
King worked in the Greek
fries tent. Asked the difference
between Greek fries and American
fries she replied, "It's all
about the seasoning."
Greek festival drew large
crowd.
(Photos by Lechelle Powell)
A delicious atmosphere
outside.
Dancers and bands provided
entertainment.
"Greek fries are seasoned with
garlic salt, pepper, parmesan
cheese and Greek sweat because
there are full- blooded Greeks
cooking the fries."
Other than the food,
the Greek festival had fun
booths for families to create
memories with a photo that has a
backdrop of Greece. For the
kids, there was face painting
and henna tattoos.
One of the booths was the
Nomikos Colossus jewelry. All of
the jewelry that was on display
had the symbol of "the Greek
key" which signifies eternal
life.
Belly dancing costumes are also
worn in Greece and other
southeastern European countries.
Students
sound off on
bus route changes at FAMU;
buses travel farther but
take longer to get to class
By
Naikeema Fields Florida A&M
University Oct. 23, 2013
FAMU students who ride the
Venom buses were in for a
surprise the first day of
classes.
While many students packed the
many bus stops around campus,
they were shocked to find that
the routes had completely
changed.
Before the changes, the
Venom I solely shuttled students
around campus, with no service
to off-campus housing. The Venom
II served students living near
South Monroe Street and South
Adams Street to campus.
Now, the new route extends to
serve students living along
Tharpe Street, Old Bainbridge
Road and Frenchtown. The stops
are located at Colorado Street
and Tharpe Street, Tharpe Street
at the Commons apartments, and
Old Bainbridge at the Park at
Midtown apartments
Some students are not happy with
the change, particularly those
living in the Palmettos.
Dezziree Harrell, a fourth year
music industry student from
Nashville, Tenn., dislikes the
changes.
"I actually didn't know
anything about the new bus
routes until the first day of
school. I was almost late for
class because the school didn't
even send a memo or anything to
let people know ahead of time."
"The bus takes way longer to
come to Palmetto now and I've
missed the bus several times
because I waited for so long and
ended up walking to class," said
Harrell.
"I used to ride the bus once a
day and now I only ride it three
times a week- that is, if I
don't miss the bus."
Other students, like Nefertiti
Bennett, welcome the changes.
"I like the changes that the bus
system has made because it
allows off-campus students to
ride the bus feeling comfortable
and safer, knowing that the
majority of people on the bus
are students," said Bennett, a
senior biology/pre-professional
student.
The Venom Service operates as an
agreement between FAMU and
StarMetro. When the previous
contract expired in June, FAMU
administrators, members of SGA
and StarMetro negotiated a new
contract.
Brian Waterman, transit planning
manager with StarMetro, said the
main goal of the new contract
was to provide students with
excellent service without
significantly increasing FAMU's
budget.
"This budgetary limitation was
in support of the Board of
Trustees and the FAMU's
president's request for no
increase in tuition or
transportation fees."
Since providing transportation
to and from campus was seen by
FAMU administration and SGA as a
higher priority than campus
circulation, the routes were
combined to provide express
service from student apartment
complexes off-campus to
on-campus, explained Waterman.
Anthony Siders II, the student
body president, has received
both praise and opposition on
the new routes.
New Venom bus route begins
(Photo by Naikeema Fields)
"First and foremost," he
said, "let me state that
while there has been a moderate
level of appreciation for the
new changes, there have been an
overwhelming level of discontent
and dissatisfaction due to its
inconvenience."
He was asked if the student body
were going to petition to change
the routes back to the original
routes.
"I have spoken with Evan Bailey,
my vice president, to discuss a
possible strategy to ensure that
our students are completely
happy and satisfied with the bus
routes."
"However, we must identify a
plausible solution to this
issue. If a petition is
requested by the student body,
then we will unequivocally act
upon it."
According to Waterman, students
were in favor of the changes.
StarMetro did discuss the new
service during the summer by
talking to students boarding the
Venom routes at The Set, he
said.
"The students we talked to did
support the change. In addition,
two members of SGA were on the
negotiating team and they
supported the new route," he
said.
StarMetro did point out that no
changes were made to Florida
State University's campus bus
routes.
'You're
a name, not just a number. .
. ' Charts show
recent growing number of
non-blacks
finding their alma mater
at Florida A&M
University
By Jasmin
Harris Florida A&M
University Oct. 23, 2013
Her senior year of high
school, Reema Savani toured
many colleges including
Florida State University,
The University of Central
Florida, and The University
of South Florida.
However, upon touring
Florida A&M University
during campaign week, the
Jacksonville native knew
that she wanted to launch
her college career at a
historically black
university.
"At first, my parents were
not happy about it, because
it wasn't the typical school
the average Indian girl
would go to," Savani said.
However, as a prospective
student she stood her ground
and told her parents she
would have it no other way.
Now entering her senior year
at FAMU, the biology student
and her parents are both
pleased with her decision to
attend a predominantly black
university.
"After my orientation and
moving me in the dorms, they
became more and more
comfortable with me going to
FAMU. They began to see what
I saw in the school when I
first got there."
FAMU has changed a lot since
it opened its doors in 1887.
The historically black
university, originally named
the "State Normal College
for Colored Students," began
its classes with 15 students
and two instructors - all of
whom were African-Americans.
Today, FAMU has
attracted a demographic of
students and teachers beyond
blacks and
African-Americans. According
to FAMU's website, 5.4
percent of students enrolled
between 2010 and 2011 were
not black.
During the 2011-2012
academic year, 5.8 percent
of students were not
black. This fall, 6.1
percent of students are not
black, or African-American.
"I had originally been
recruited for the swim
teams" Chris Normann said.
The senior cardiopulmonary
science student, of Irish,
German, and Norwegian
descent, had a keen eye for
academics when deciding
which college he would
attend. "I was attracted to
the quality programs as
well."
Pleased with FAMU's academic
credentials, Danchely
Lizardo also decided to
enroll. "They offered me a
scholarship and I thought it
would be a great experience
to attend the largest HBCU,"
the biology student of
Dominican descent said.
FAMU had stolen Savani's
heart in another way. "What
caught my eye at FAMU was
the feel of the campus," the
fourth-year biology student
said.
"I toured during campaign
week and the energy and
diversity I saw around
campus was just amazing.
Everyone was so hyped and
different and excited and I
loved it."
"People approached me and
didn't even know me. I
somewhat fell in love with
the culture around me." "My family was
very supportive in any
decision that was going to
be beneficial to me
furthering my education,"
Lizardo said.
In addition to her family,
the Jacksonville native said
she also had the support of
her high school guidance
counselors.
"They would always be
available for advice and
answered all my questions. I
also had FAMU alumni at my
high school so they were all
for it."
Not having the assistance of
his guidance counselor,
Normann's experience was a
little different. "My coach
gave me most of my
guidance," he said. "He was
the one who initially told
me about FAMU."
While black students may
consider attending an HBCU
for benefits including
African-American cultural
enrichment, students of
other nationalities have
found the experience
beneficial as well.
The mandatory
African-American history
courses at FAMU helped
Normann appreciate black
history that he had not
received at other schools.
"High school and below
seemed to omit details in
history and the different
roles of African-Americans
affecting history that I
didn't know before I got
here. It was a real eye
-opener," he said.
In residing on campus,
Savani and Lazardo also had
the opportunity to
experience a culture outside
of their own.
"Living
on campus was
amazing,"
Lazardo said. "I
met so many
people from
different
lifestyles and
we all lived
under one roof.
You learn so
much and begin
to network and
make long life
friends."
Reema Savani (Photo by Jasmin
Harris)
Chart
from FAMU Webpage
Savani agrees.
"I stayed McGuinn
and Diamond my
freshman year and
Palemettos my
sophomore year. The
experience was
unforgettable. I
don't regret it at
all," said Savani.
"I'd say that
everyone who enters
college should stay
on campus at least
once while in
school. You
appreciate how to
get through the days
without a kitchen,
without
transportation, and
also sharing a room
with a stranger."
"You learn a lot
about other peoples'
lifestyles and also
appreciating things
you had back home."
While the enrollment
of non-black
students at FAMU has
broken cultural
boundaries, common
stereotypes still do
exist among minority
students.
"Automatically people
think that I'm Indian so
I should be getting
straight A's." Savani
said. "There have been
many occasions where
people ask me for
answers or help and I
tell them straight up
that I just don't know
sometimes. I'm not
perfect, and no I'm not
a genius. As everyone
else, I may fail an exam
here and there."
Donovan Parisi, a senior
graphic design student,
transferred to FAMU
during the summer 2011
semester after attending
Tallahassee Community
College. "The
environment at FAMU
feels to me like
everyone is here to
learn rather than
because they have to be,
as it was at TCC," the
student of Italian
descent said.
"I feel like more people
stare at me when I'm on
FSU's campus rather than
here," Normann said.
"The campus is so big.
No one knows anyone."
Lazardo has also grown
an appreciation to
FAMU's small, intimate
campus. "There's this
bond within students at
an HBCU you don't see
anywhere.
"You're a name, not just
a number. Because FAMU's
not that big, you become
closer to your
classmates and to people
you see every day."
Savani says attending
was a good decision. "Attending
an HBCU is probably one
of my best decisions
I've made in my life
and, through all the
obstacles, I feel like
I've gained so much
patience throughout the
years I've been at
FAMU," said Savani.
Study
abroad -- Richard Panier in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
(Photo special to Tallahasseenow) Number
of students traveling overseas
increases at Florida A&M
University
By Jasmin Harris Florida A&M
University Oct. 23, 2013
After the university's office of
international studies took a hit
from budget cuts in 2011, study
abroad trends are finally
increasing at Florida A&M
University.
"Economy and loss of staff
caused study abroad number to go
down," said Education Abroad
Coordinator Karen Mitchell.
According to FAMU's office of
international studies, 57
students study abroad in 2009
and 59 students studied abroad
in 2010. However, in 2011 only
28 students studied abroad.
Mitchell said grants from the
Brazil Exchange Program and
Global Security program helped
study abroad numbers increase.
Twenty-five students studied
abroad in 2012 and 48 students
studied abroad in 2013.
Richard Panier, a senior
accounting student at FAMU,
participated in the Brazil
Exchange Program this summer.
"I was recommended to the
program by one of my finance
professors approximately two
years ago."
"I progressed through the
application and interview
process and finally was admitted
into the program. I did not
spend an entire semester (about
six months) abroad but actually
just a month and a half."
During his study abroad
experience in Sao Paulo, Brazil,
the West Palm Beach native
studied portuguese and biofuel
production and consumption.
"Bio-fuels are created through a
mechanical process of turning
crops such as corn or sugar cane
into fuel for machinery and
automobiles," said Panier.
Panier believes his study abroad
experience in Brazil will make
him more marketable in the
future.
"I wanted to gain the most of my
college career. I had already
obtained several internships but
had yet to participate in the
prestige opportunity of studying
abroad. Having this experience
will definitely place me at a
higher ranking in the workforce
when global or travel
opportunities arise."
FAMU alumni Elisa Cornelius
studied abroad at Pontifica
Universidad Catolica Madre y
Maestra in Dominican Republic
during the summer 2010 semester.
"I took classes during the
summer because I only wanted to
take Spanish and culture
classes. I wanted to take core
classes like Biology and Anatomy
here. It was two months rather
than six so it was a lot
cheaper."
Now in medical school at St.
George's University in Grenada,
the Jacksonville native
appreciates her study abroad
experience.
"I really believe it helped me
stand out when I was applying
for medical school," Cornelius
said.
"I encourage students to study
abroad even if they are not
interested in global
opportunities. Even if you
decide not to go other
countries, citizens from other
countries will definitely be
coming to the United States and
pre-knowledge of their culture
may win you some extra bonus
points or even a raise," said
Panier.
For more information about study
abroad students can contact Mrs.
Mitchell, FAMU's education
abroad coordinator, in Perry
Paige room 304. Students can
also visit www.famu.edu/oied or
call (850) 599-3295.
Electric
buses roll out on the
streets
in Tallahassee's
'eco-friendly' strategy
By Qunay
Marshall Florida A&M
University Oct. 23, 2013
A new kind of bus may be
pulling up to a stop
near you. And the
difference is all in the
fueling.
Tallahassee's bus
system, StarMetro, has
added five electrical
buses to its transit
line. Mary White,
coordinator of special
projects for StarMetro,
explains why the city
elected
electricity.
Mary
White
James Holt
"We
thought about
the cost of
diesel going up
so high. We were
looking for an
alternative
method to
compensate the
cost of fuel,"
said White.
Another factor
in the search
for fuel
alternatives is
"green."
James Holt,
electrical bus
technician for
StarMetro,
explained.
"The city of
Tallahassee is
starting to be
more
eco-friendly
along with the
nation."
The buses are
charged at the
FastFill
station, which
is located at
C.K. Steele
Plaza which is
downtown.
This eliminates the need
for the electric buses
to be out of operation
in order to receive a
charge at StarMetro's
main facility on
Appleyard Drive.
While there is a fare to
ride StarMetro, thanks
to a grant- it's not
costing the city a dime.
"The electric buses are
being funded by the
Transit Investment in
Green Gas Energy
Reduction grant, or the
TIGGER grant," said
White.
In 2010, the Federal
Transit Administration
(FTA) awarded StarMetro
more than $5 million of
the Transit Investments
for Green Gas and Energy
Reduction (TIGGER) II
grant to purchase three
all-electric buses and
construct a charging
station.
The following year,
StarMetro signed a
contract with Proterra
for the production of
these buses and charging
station. Last year, the
FTA increased the amount
awarded by $2 million
for StarMetro to
purchase two additional
electric buses.
As of now, the electric
buses are only being
used on the Canopy
route. The route runs
from Tallahassee
Community College to
Governor's Square Mall.
The electric buses are
making a big spark all
throughout Tallahassee.
Modern steering
console (Photos
by Qunay Marshall)
Fancy decoration
Inside comfort
Charging station
Party
on!
Throwing a party for
a child can be
fun, affordable if you know the
secrets
By
Kayla Boronell Florida A&M
University Oct. 23, 2013
Confetti, cake, and kids! Oh,
my!
Party planning for a youngster
can be some work.
Attention to detail, themes and
strict planning are among the
things parents consider when
planning.
In a tight economy, some parents
are discovering ways to throw a
great party for their kids while
keeping their budget intact.
One local mom shared her
experience planning her child's
party.
Homemade parties can be both fun
and affordable.
Tamara Austin is mom to
seven-year-old Lauren. For
Lauren's birthday celebration,
Austin decided to throw her
daughter a "Hannah Montana"
themed party.
Hannah Montana is a blonde,
wig-wearing, rock star Disney
character. Lauren got her mother
familiar with the character so
that Tamara would have a solid
theme to build around.
"First thing you think about
when planning a party is where
you want to throw it and the
date you want to have it," said
Austin.
She decided to throw her
daughter a party at a local
park. The first thing she
decided to do was create a list
and budget.
By renting out a table near the
jungle gym at the park, she
figured all of Lauren's guests
would have a great time. "The
essentials of a great party are
games, entertainment, the cake,
and goodie bags," said Austin.
Goody bags can be both a fun and
inexpensive way to create
something memorable for guests
who attend parties.
The "goodies" can range from
assorted candies and snacks to
small toys and themed favors.
You do not have to be an expert
or spend a fortune to make a
"good" goody bag.
Tamara Austin and daughter
Lauren (Photo by Kayla
Boronell)
"The Dollar Store is a great
store to shop at for cheap party
supplies," said Lauren's
mom.
"The Dollar Store is a great
store to shop at for cheap party
supplies," she continued.
Locals have an array of party
planning stores to choose
from. Shoppers can visit
Party City, The Dollar Store,
and local Walmart and Target
stores for super-saving steals.
For local party thrower Jessica
Browen, checking for weekly
deals can really help your
pockets when it comes to party
throwing.
"I absolutely love throwing
parties and I always save a
penny by couponing and watching
the weekly ads. I was able to
throw my son, Jack, a wonderful
piratep-theme party, just off of
watching for savings."
In Tallahassee there are a lot
of options for throwing a great
party, including Tom Brown Park.
For Austin, getting her child
involved makes the fun.
She decided to include her
daughter in the goody bag
stuffing process. They filled
the favors with Hannah Montana
stickers, candy, tiny coloring
books and crayons.
"I really like helping my mommy
for my party," said Lauren.
FAMU
students scoot around town
more than ever before, permits
show
By
Jasmin Harris Florida A&M
University Oct. 23, 2013
More Florida A&M University
students are driving motorcycles
and scooters to commute to
campus.
According to FAMU's department
of parking services, during the
2011-2012 academic school year,
35 students received parking
permits for their scooters or
motorcycles.
During the 2012-2013 academic
school year, 65 students
acquired parking permits for
their two-wheel motor vehicles.
Director of Parking Services
John Kirby said he believes more
students are using scooters
because they are easier to get
around on and help avoid
traffic.
"We have a number of
special parking areas for
scooters," said Kirby. "We
started making parking zones for
them about three years ago."
Designated motor vehicle parking
lots are located throughout
FAMU's campus. Locations include
the parking garage, the parking
services lot, Foster Tanner,
Perry Paige, Gibbs Hall,
Palmetto North, and Palmetto
South.
"If you're parked in a no
parking zone the ticket will be
$20 and there's a $10 late fee,"
said Kirby.
Junior Accounting student
Cameron Koonce uses his scooter
to commute to campus.
"It's very convenient," the
Orlando native said. "It's a lot
cheaper. Gas is very expensive
nowadays. The only down side is
now it's getting cold so it's a
little nippy."
All About Scooters manager Roy
Smith believes riding scooters
and motorcycles are safe.
"Of course it's safe, but there
is risk in everything," said
Smith. "People have been using
motorcycles and scooters since
1903."
In the State of Florida,
motorists under 21 are required
to ride wearing a helmet.
"Also it is required that you
wear eye protection no matter
what your age is. If you don't
you can get a ticket for that,"
said Smith.
People who drive a scooter with
an engine that is 50cc or larger
are also required to take a
driving class for two wheeled
vehicles. Two places in
Tallahassee that offer the two
day class are Florida Safe Rider
and Lively Tech.
Andrea Nunn has been riding
recreation vehicles since age
five.
"I bought my first motorcycle
for my 21st birthday as a gift
to myself," said the
senior FAMU public
relations student.
Andrea Nunn on her bike.
(Photo by Jasmin Harris)
After her cousin died in a
motorcycle collision, Nunn is
very cautious.
"Since then, safety is my number
one goal. I love to ride my
motorcycle, but with so many
people so unfocused in their
vehicles, I have to be the most
defensive driver on the road or
else it may cost me my life."
Scooterville, the only
black-owned, scooter dealership
in Tallahassee, sells between 10
and 15 scooters a week. Most of
its customers are students.
"I would say a good 80 percent
of our customers are students,"
said sales manager Ladjuan
Alston. Most of his
customersattend FAMU, FSU, or
TCC.
"Economically they're (scooters)
the best way to get around town
and I really think that's why so
many students are buying them,"
said Alton. "You get more
freedom, self-independence and
you see a lot more than being in
a car."
Scooterville provides payment
plans and even offers a layaway
service for customers.
Scooterville, located at 2420
West Pensacola St., sells a
variety of scooters including
Peace Sports, Bintellis and
Jonway. Prices range between
$799 and $1,300.
"We do maintenance and pretty
much anything except performance
and upholstery," said
Alton.
'I
enjoy every moment of
life' Coming to
America brought challenges
and allowed her to grow in many
ways
By
Salina Peace Florida A&M
University Oct. 14, 2013
Coming to America was a big
dream for Beena Syed and her
family. That dream came true in
May of 1997.
"I was excited because our
family had discussed this for as
long as I could remember and it
was finally happening," said
Syed.
Syed moved to America at the age
of 12. Her uncle sponsored her
family to come to America so
they could all be together and
to better the family's future.
Being a new student in middle
school was one of the most
difficult things to overcome for
Syed.
"School life as very difficult
in the beginning," said Syed.
She said when she moved to
Blountstown, not a lot of
children had seen anyone who
looked different or spoke a
different language. Her English
was very limited so it was hard
to communicate. The kids teased
her because of her accent and
the clothes she wore.
"The majority of people treated
me like I'm an alien," she said.
"I got picked on about
everything, from how I dressed
to what I ate."
Community college was like a
bigger high school. according to
Syed, "but I loved my
university life." She was more
comfortable at Florida State
University because there were
more diverse people and they
were open-minded even if they
weren't familiar.
"All of a sudden, it became cool
to be from another country and
knowing another language," said
Syed.
Everything was different in
America than it was in Pakistan,
according to Syed. Though some
people in Pakistan wore
"western" clothing, it was rare
to see someone in America wear
clothing from Pakistan. She also
wasn't used to the mixed
friendships and relationships.
"Dating was not a common thing
in Pakistan at that time mainly
because it's not part of the
religion or culture," said Syed.
Pakistan's main religion is
Islam and even though Syed moved
to America, one of the things
that remained the same is her
belief in Allah. She gives
thanks to Allah and when asked
if she would start a family,
Syed said, "Yes, inshAllah."
That means, "if it's Allah's
will."
Having to adapt to an extremely
different country was already
hard for Syed, but then Sept. 11
happened.
"Our Mosque's window was broken
by some type of alcohol bottle,"
said Syed
Beena Syed came to America at
12 years of age (Photo by
Salina Peace)
Syed never experienced any other
violent reprisals due to the
terrorist attacks. She mainly
was aware of whispers about the
situation behind her back. Her
classmates knew her to be a good
person but put the rest of the
Pakistanis in a bad category.
"I wanted them to see that there
are more like me than there are
people who do these types of
things," explained Syed.
Coming to America allowed her to
be more open-minded and grow to
be herself. Because she knew
enough about her culture, she
was able to embrace a new
culture and way of life.
"I feel that I'm in the middle.
I can understand and relate to
both cultures and see things
from both points of view while
having my own opinion," said
Syed.
Syed moved on to get her
bachelor's degree in
Communication at Florida State
University and is currently on
her own and working. She lives
life like every day is her last.
"Life is and has always been a
blessing," she said. "I am an
independent woman and thanks to
Allah, I enjoy every moment of
life."
Shoppers
wheel carts into the Whole Foods
market
as grand opening celebrates a
'natural fit' for the city
By
Salina Peace Florida A&M
University Oct. 14, 2013
The world's leading natural and
organic foods super market,
Whole Foods, has opened its
doors to Tallahassee residents
who have flocked to the store in
large numbers.
People wanted it to come.
After receiving emails pleas and
calls from Tallahassee residents
who wanted a store in this city,
Jeremy Jones, the public
relations and social media
coordinator for the Florida
region, said it was "about time"
Whole Foods came to Tallahassee.
"The reason why we came to
Tallahassee was because we had
so much feedback from the
community here that they really
wanted a Whole Foods market,"
said Jones.
The Miracle Plaza parking lot on
Thomasville Road was flooded
with cars and police directing
traffic.
Whole Foods also offered a
complimentary breakfast for
their excited customers, who had
been waiting all morning.
The store also kicked off a "5%
Day," where it chose a local
non-profit or education
organization and gave the group
five percent of that specific
day's net sales.
Whole Foods shopper Lisa
Stoutamire was excited about the
grand opening but was more
enthused that her charity was
chosen to help start the "5%
Day."
"Plus, the charity today is five
percent of sales go to my
charity at my church, Boy Scouts
USA," she cheered. "So I'm
spending money!"
While people were spending
money, they were also saving
money. Shoppers were thrilled
about the grand opening specials
Whole Foods had to offer.
Healthy eater Paula Kapral
shared some sale items in her
basket that she was excited
about.
"I'm excited about the Garden of
Life Raw Protein. It's on sale
for $20 with a $5 coupon," said
Kapral. "I'm very excited for
the Ezekiel bread, which is also
on sale, which I love!"
The grand opening sales lasts
for two weeks, so residents who
couldn't make it to the grand
opening still have time to take
full advantage of those
sales.
Toward the end of their grand
opening specials, Whole Foods
will be having a week-long
celebration of local foods.
There, they will host workshops,
demos, activities, forums and
more, giving local businesses a
chance to come by and share
their food.
Residents like Stoutamire enjoy
having local businesses
recognized. She said she is very
excited because "it's all
natural products" and the store
is supporting other local
businesses.
The grand opening of Whole Foods
was a success and "it was the
perfect, most natural fit," said
Jones.
Photos by Salina Peace
Students
can't pay bills ROTC cadets
feel the pinch as federal shutdown
affects U.S. military as well as
civilian employees
By
Ileejah Hutchinson Florida A&M
University Oct. 14, 2013
The Florida A&M University
ROTC program has felt the
effects of the federal
government shutdown as perhaps
half of the 100 Army cadets will
not get their monthly stipend,
said one military professor who
is concerned his students can't
pay their bills.
Others, in the Navy ROTC, say
they are also affected.
Lt. Col. Joseph Kelly, a
professor of military science,
said he lost employees the first
week the shutdown went into
effect. These included executive
assistants, and who helped with
the day to day flow of business.
"I had three government service
civilians that were furloughed,"
Kelly said. "They were sent home
and not getting paid until they
were authorized to work, and
this week they were authorized
to work, so they have returned."
On Oct. 1, more than 7,000
Florida government workers were
sent home temporarily due to the
U.S. federal government
shutdown, which affected roughly
800,000 federal workers
nationwide.
As of Oct. 6, the Pay Our
Military Act was interpreted by
lawyers from the Defense and
Justice Departments to allow
nearly all civilian defense
personnel to return to work, on
the basis that they "contribute
to the morale, well-being,
capabilities and readiness of
service members."
About 1.3 million essential
federal workers and 1.4 million
active duty members were not
directly affected by the
shutdown, but Kelly said many of
his 100 Army ROTC cadets were
not as lucky.
"Some of our cadets won't get
their monthly stipend," he said.
"Many of them depend on that to
pay rent and to eat."
Kelly said about half of his
cadets will not receive their
stipend until Congress can make
a decision, but he has taken the
necessary steps to ensure bill
collectors understand.
"I have drawn up a memorandum,
explaining to creditors the
situation," he said. "We hope
they understand the
circumstances."
Typically, the various military
branches of the college-based
training program provide
students with monthly stipend
ranging from $250 for freshman
to $500 a month for seniors.
The FAMU Army ROTC was not the
only branch of the military to
endure drawbacks after the
shutdown.
Navy ROTC officer cadet Thomas
Sims, a freshman physics student
from Bertram, Texas, said many
officers cannot receive required
waivers due to the shutdown.
ROTC Building (photo by
Ileejah Hutchinson)
"Friends of mine need to
actually get medical waivers so
that they can go back up to the
Department of Defense Medical
Examination Review Board,"
Thomas said.
But they can't do that because
the board isn't activated and
there is no one to process their
request, according to Thomas.
The review board is responsible
for the determination of medical
qualification of applicants for
appointment to a United States
Service Academy, the Uniformed
Services University of the
Health Sciences, the ROTC
Programs of the United States
Armed Forces, and other
programs.
Although the government shutdown
has caused its fair share of
national havoc, Thomas remains
positive.
"It will be harder times for us
in the military to get by and do
what we do," he said. "But the
bottom line is not about getting
paid, it's about serving a
country and that's what we are
here to do."
On Oct. 10, the Senate passed a
bill that will provide
death benefits to the families
of men and women killed while on
active duty during the
government shutdown.
Controversy began circulating
concerning the $100,000 in death
benefits the Department of
Defense usually pays out within
three days of a service member's
death.
Families usually use the money
to travel for burial services,
but the payments were halted as
a result of the shutdown.
The government made the right
decision re-implementing the
military death benefits, said
Stephanie Pierre, a senior
psychology student from Orlando.
"Giving that money back to
military families was the best
move possible," Pierre said.
"The officers and their families
are not at fault for the
shutdown so they shouldn't have
to endure more suffering."
For more information regarding
the FAMU ROTC call (850)
599-3515 or visit the website at
http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?arotc
The
food everyone needs Fruit
nourishes the body, prevents
disease, helps
the body compete, say the experts
in the field
By
Jayme Warner Florida A&M
University Oct. 9, 2013
Fruit contains the secret to
good health, according to those
who know what the body needs to
live well and compete on the
playing field of life.
"Most people don't realize that
fruit can help benefit your
health rather than just being a
good snack," said former TCC
women's basketball coach Teresa
Atkinson.
Munching on that apple can help
a healthy diet by increasing
vitamin and nutrient intake.
Fruits such as prunes, bananas,
plums, and grapes may help to
relieve the body of harmful
substances, local and national
sources say.
Fruits such as prunes have
strong medical values which can
help prevent cancer, diabetes,
and heart disease, according to
the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Fruits also give important
nutrients such as retinol, iron,
and potassium. Along with
potassium and iron, the body can
produce a healthy immune system
due to rich vitamin intake.
As a prominent source of energy,
fruit has become one of the most
popular snacks for athletes.
Whether it's prepared the night
before a game or consumed right
before a race, fruit helps let
the body gain rich nutrients
such as iron, calcium, and
potassium.
Bananas, for example, give the
consumer 110 nutrient-dense
calories per serving, which can
help relieve the body of cramps.
"Athletes need fruit due to how
they (fruits) provide natural
sugars and are not a high
calorie food," said Brian
Griffith, track and field coach
and secondary science and
nutrition teacher at Florida
High School.
"They also contain a lot of
fibers, which helps to settle
stomachs."
According to the Livestrong
website, plums are also one of
the healthiest fruits and can be
used in a variety of recipes.
They are very low in fat, with
less than 0.2 grams in each
small fruit.
The benefits of plums are that
they can help relieve the
digestive system, which may
clear the body of constipation.
"The taste you get from plums is
tart and sweet," said Griffith.
"They're really helpful to
athletes and they're also small
and easy to carry around."
Aside from coming in a variety
of colors, apples and grapes
also pose beneficial properties.
Both apples and grapes give its
consumer a high amount of
Vitamin C and minerals.
With the help of Vitamin C,
one's immune system can grow
stronger. The white blood
cells within the body are then
able to aid in fighting off
bacteria within the body.
Grapes, which carry a high dose
of copper, can also help form
red blood cells, which promote
healthy skin and assists in the
production of bone.
"People can eat chips, candy,
and greasy foods, but find it
hard to snack on fruits in their
leisure time," said Atkinson.
Raspberries are example of
delicious fruit(file
photo)
"If more people decided to eat
healthy, there wouldn't be so
many health risks."
In recent reports from the
Emedicine website, the obesity
epidemic has grown to afflict 26
percent of Floridians.
Furthermore, in many lunchrooms
today, youth are given the
choice to choose either fruits
or other products.
Additionally, organizations such
as first lady Michelle Obama's
"Let's Move" program also
promote living a healthy
lifestyle by being physically
active and eating proper foods.
"Schools today are making it
easier for people to get that
nutritious value that they need
to get them through the day,"
said Jasmine Grice a member of
FAMU women's basketball team.
In an effort to produce a more
healthy generation, some
merchants have also created
tropical fruit related
smoothies.
Restaurants such as Tropical
Smoothie let customers enjoy
healthy sandwiches and salads
along with their popular fruit
smoothie with high levels of
beneficial nutrients.
Low fat smoothies come in a
variety of flavors including
Kiwi Quencher, Sunrise Sunset,
Paradise Point, and Blue
Lagoon.
The smoothies "are really good
because of the ingredients they
have in them, they have wheat,
soy protein, whole grain oats,
and Vitamin C," said Grice.
According to cdc.gov, healthy
diets rich in fruits and
vegetables may reduce the risk
of cancer and other chronic
diseases.
Fruits and vegetables also
provide essential vitamins and
minerals, fiber, and other
substances that are important
for good health. Most fruits and
vegetables are naturally low in
fat and calories and are
filling.
"Anyone who likes that extra
boost to keep them going will
enjoy fruit; but then again, who
doesn't love fruit?" Grice said.
"It's just an all-around
delicious substance."
'Locks
of Love' provides cancer patients
with new hope
as they receive gift of
replacement hair from caring
donors
By
Jayme Warner Florida A&M
University Oct. 9, 2013
Tim Robinson had been growing
his hair long for more than 20
years. He then decided to help
his friend, Shirley Powell
Jackson, who was diagnosed with
cancer in August of 2011.
He cut his hair and donated to
Locks of Love, an organization
which has been in operation
since 1997. The idea took
flight, and soon a high school
became involved and some $5,000
was raised.
The teachers and staff member of
the Hospitality Club of Florida
High aided with this process by
raising and donating their own
funds to bid on behalf of the
school for Robinson's hair
"Like anybody who finds out a
friend has cancer, it's a very
low and depressing feeling. It
brings down your level of
confidence," said Robinson, a
Tallahassee native.
"Locks of Love" aims to help
individuals affected by the
aftermath of cancer.
Locks of Love is a public
non-profit organization that
provides hairpieces to
financially disadvantaged
children in the United States
and Canada suffering from
long-term medical hair loss from
any diagnosis.
The group uses donated hair to
create high quality hair
prosthetics. Most of the
children helped by Locks of Love
have lost their hair due to a
medical condition called
alopecia areata, which has no
known cause or cure.
The prostheses provided by the
organization help to restore
self-esteem and confidence.
After cutting his hair in
September, Robinson decided to
additionally aid Jackson by
setting bids for his hair, so
those interested in donating
money to help pay for hospital
bills would be able to buy his
recently cut hair and donate to
the Locks of Love organization.
This money was then given to
Locks of Love, as well.
Florida High School joined the
campaign.
"It was nice to see the Florida
High faculty and staff come
together as a family," said
Michelle Hartsfield, Hospitality
Club sponsor and visual arts
teacher. "Even though the money
didn't go directly towards
Jackson, it went towards a
wonderful cause."
Men or women who have more than
10 inches of hair that is not
bleached or highlighted, may
mail their hair to the
organization headquarters in
West Palm Beach.
Click on picture to go to
website to donate hair
According to Robinson, a trust
fund is also set up, known as
The Shirley J. Jackson Trust
Fund.
According to the official Locks
of Love website, the recipients
of the wigs are financially
disadvantaged children, ages 21
and under.
First. the recipient must
fill out the hairpiece
application, which is located
at LocksofLove.com.
"The number of recipients
applying for hairpieces varies
from year to year. With that
being said, we have never turned
anyone away and we do not have a
waiting list," said Lauren
Boothby, the communications
director for Locks of Love.
"However many people apply for
hairpieces is the number of
hairpieces we produce. This year
I believe we produced over 500
hairpieces."
There are some guidelines one
must take into consideration
when donating hair.
For example, hair that has been
bleached (usually this refers to
highlighted hair) is not usable.
The group is not able to accept
bleached hair due to a chemical
reaction that occurs during the
manufacturing process.
However, hair that was
bleached years ago and has
completely grown out is
accepted. Also, hair that is
shaved off and not in a ponytail
or braid is not usable. Those
who shave their head must first
divide hair into multiple
ponytails to cut it off.
Donors can find the full list of
guidelines also on the "Locks of
Love" website.
Her
daughter wasvictim
of illness Mom campaigns
to save others from
the fatal disease bacterial
meningitis
By
Brittanie Richardson Florida A&M
University Oct. 8, 2013
Lawson Mayfield was 18 years old
when she passed away suddenly in
Tallahassee in 2009 after being
diagnosed with bacterial
meningitis.
According to Lawson's mother,
Cathy Mayfield, Lawson had just
returned from her two-week trip
in Germany when she began to
complain about a migraine.
Lawson having migraines was
nothing out of the ordinary
considering that she had
medication for them because she
got them frequently.
When Lawson's migraine did not
improve the next day, her mother
decided to take her to the
emergency room. It was there
that a spiral tap was done and
revealed that Lawson had
bacterial meningitis.
She died shortly thereafter.
Cathy Mayfield wants people to
be aware of the disease and the
warning signs.
"Many cases of bacterial
meningitis are preventable by
vaccinations even though
Lawson's wasn't," said Mayfield.
"The signs are similar to
flu-like symptoms such as
fevers, headaches, having a
stiff neck and a unfamiliar
rashes."
The disease affects about 1,500
people a year and of those
cases, nearly half are fatal.
Cathy has worked hand- in -hand
with the National Meningitis
Association to educate people
about the preventable disease.
Mayfield said, "Everyone is
getting a vaccine at 11 years
old, but people also need to get
their booster shots between the
ages of 16 and 18."
Lawson was an avid equestrian
who loved to travel and read.
Family friend Helen Terrebrood
knew Lawson through riding.
"Lawson rode horses with my
daughters Kelsey and Khristen,
said Terrebrood. "She was a very
helpful and giving and overall
just a wonderful young lady."
To celebrate Lawson's life and
to bring awareness to bacterial
meningitis, Lawson's parents,
Cathy and Emory Mayfield,
started "Run For Lawson."
Lawson's love for the outdoors
inspired the race.
More than 600 people showed up
in support of the third annual
"Run For Lawson" race recently
at Holy Comforter Episcopal
School in Tallahassee.
There were three races
available: the mile, the
5k and the 10k. All of the
proceeds will be donated to NMA.
Race sponsor Jeremy Spinks was
one of the first people to
finish the mile run.
"I just wanted to run to show my
support," said Spinks.
Over the past two years, "Run
For Lawson" has raised and
donated over $70,000 to NMA.
This year the race is partnered
with Leon County Schools.
Information about bacterial
meningitis has been distributed
to the schools supplied by NMA.
The top three participating
schools will be rewarded
courtesy of "Run For Lawson."
The top school will get $2,000,
the second school will receive
$1,000 and the third school will
collect $500.
Cathy is content knowing that
she is keeping her daughter
Lawson"s legacy alive.
"I think that Lawson would love
the fact that we're doing this
and that we're turning a
devastating situation into a
positive one."
Mom Cathy Mayfield (photos by
Brittanie Richardson)
Memorial board
Medals that runners received
College
Town:a
magnet for dining, shopping,
socializing offers
'perfect' but pricey lifestyle
to students in Tallahassee
By Salina
Peace
Florida
A&M University
Oct. 7,
2013
With a place to socialize,
dine and shop, College Town has
become a popular place for
students within weeks of its
opening.
On Friday, Sept. 14,
College Town had its grand
opening, welcoming many
students from all over the
Tallahassee area.
"I think they're trying to
create an area where everyone
can come and be together in a
safer environment rather than
running across Tennessee Street
and all those places that
everyone goes to," said Abbie
Zohne, a graduate student at
Florida State University.
College Town was built on
Madison Street, one block away
from Gaines Street and down the
street from FSU's stadium.
College Town is comprised of
different restaurants,
entertainment space and
apartments on the upper level.
College Town resident
Pierson Caddick is an
enthusiastic resident.
"It's really convenient; I can
walk to school and to work
easily," he said.
Caddick works at a
restaurant in College Town
called The Original Brooklyn
Water Company, so his commute to
and from work takes just a few
steps.
This is the life for some
students but for others, the
price to live outweighs the
convenience.
"I think it's a little
pricey," said Zohne. "I
personally wouldn't pay that
much to live in Tallahassee."
Zohne has a friend who
stays in a one-bedroom
one-bathroom apartment on the
fifth floor. According to
assistant leasing manager
Guisell Carrion, the one-bedroom
apartments cost $1,200.
"I know that people are
paying for the different
restaurants and shops that are
going to be here, and for the
location," said Zohne.
Most students feel that
College Town couldn't be more
perfect but the only concern
they have is with parking. It is
hard for residents to have
visitors because there isn't
anywhere for them to park.
"There's no parking,
that's the only problem," said
Caddick "There's no visitor
parking for the people upstairs,
so we really can't have any
visitors."
Residents have a parking
area behind the building but
their friends have to pay to
park at the meters in front of
the building.
"There used to be free parking
in the front for visitors, but
unfortunately they changed it
and now everyone has to pay the
meter," said Carrion.
Photos by Salina Peace
Despite the parking problem,
many students flock to College
Town after classes and during
the weekend.
A club called "Rise" will soon
be finished and will be having
live performances and specialty
drinks.
During the day, Rise will be
considered a lounge but at night
it will be a nightclub. College
Town is already a popular place
and is "on the rise."
Struggle
is remembered
Foot soldiers
for the civil rights movement
are memorialized by City
of Tallahassee
By
David Brown Florida A&M
University Oct. 7, 2013
The struggle for civil rights
has been memorialized in brass
by the city.
"Everybody, every African
American who struggled in that
time, every Caucasian person who
struggled, marched, who worked
are foot soldiers in one way or
another," said foot soldier Rev.
Dr. Henry Steele, son of
prominent civil rights leader
the late Rev. Dr. Charles Kenzie
Steele.
The City of Tallahassee unveiled
its newest addition to celebrate
the lives of civil rights
activists of the 1960s on a
Jefferson Street sidewalk, Sept.
30.
The "Footsteps to Freedom"
ceremony that took place in the
City Commission Chambers at 6
p.m. was filled to capacity with
state representatives, Florida
State and Florida A&M
students and pillars of the
community.
Among the many honored and asked
to speak on their struggle and
breakthrough during the Civil
Rights Movement was the Rev. Dr.
Henry M. Steele.
A brass footprint in his honor
was placed on the sidewalk as a
foot soldier, but he said he
felt his story was like so many
others.
Steele is the second son of the
late Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Charles
Steele. He was the first high
school student in the country to
accept jail rather than pay bail
during the lunch counter sit-ins
in Tallahassee.
His father, Rev. Dr. Charles
Kenzie (C.K.) Steele, was
revered for his leadership in
Tallahassee during the 1956 bus
boycott.
"We are not here actually to
honor any particular
individuals. It just grew into
something," Steele said. "It
originally started with the
persons who picketed and
protested the lunch counters. Of
course, they were backed by
everybody else."
Steele continued that even those
who weren't
fighting physically, but working
toward greater change, were
"foot soldiers."
The dedication ceremony
continued with a speech from a
Florida State University student
and more remarks from Florida
A&M SGA President Anthony
Siders.
"If anyone decides to stand
between FAMU and her promise,"
he said, "her legacy, her past
and her future - we send them
one message with one sound, with
one voice, as one body, as one
people, as one family . . . "
Civil rights 'soldiers'
immortalized Photo by David Brown
"Backwards, never. FAMU
today, FAMU tomorrow and FAMU
forever."
The program concluded with
performances from the Boys Choir
of Tallahassee singing Negro
spirituals.
Guests piled into the corridor
at city hall after final
speeches, some to dine on the
light dinner or to try the
dessert table; others to get
across the street to view the
Heritage sidewalk.
Frank Dietrich, employee of the
Tallahassee Leon County Planning
Department, who worked with Dan
Donovan, the man behind the
commemorative sidewalk, helped
in the design.
"I designed the brochures, some
of the signs and the window
graphics," Dietrich said.
Donovan, he added, "had an idea
to help preserve the heritage of
the civil rights protests that
took place around the corners
and he came up with the idea of
designing a sidewalk."
"It was something that would be
permanent and be here for years
to come."
Enlarged black and white photos
dressed windows; large graphics
stood on display and the
sidewalk was lit with cameras.
Rita Taylor, Administrative
Services Manager for the City of
Tallahassee, said the struggle
goes on.
"The struggle is still not over;
the struggle has just changed
faces, it's changed the coat. We
still have a lot to do and a lot
of ground to gain," Taylor said.
Gridiron,
steaks and the latest apps
make for a tasty tailgating
recipe
By Kayla
Boronell Florida A&M
University Oct. 2, 1013
For football fans, it's
all about the gridiron
and steaks on the grill.
The fun is in gathering
a few buddies and a few
beers. Tailgating can be
fun yet expensive. It's
a tradition that calls
for lots of food, fun
and organization.
Fans from all different
teams explain what's
important to them when
it comes to the honored
tradition of "The
Tailgate."
For FSU student Alex
Yoder, the fun and
stress begin when he
sits down to plan for
his tailgating party. As
an avid tailgater and
FSU Seminole fan, Yoder
considers food and fun
first among priorities
of planning.
"Planning out what to
cook, which people to
invite, and who, brings
what is one of the
things I think about
first," said Yoder. "I
think about if I'm going
to cook or have it
catered."
Many food places are
happy to cater to
tailgating parties. Fan
day favorites such as
wings and pizza can be
purchased to feed hungry
guest.
Staying organized can be
a task, but luckily for
some tailgate party
planners, there's an app
for that.
Bob Tedeshi, a New York
Times App Smart
columnist, is a fan of
the app that keeps
tailgaters organized.
"For organizers of more
ambitious festivities,
Tailgating (app) offers
the best checklist based
system for tracking
items you'll need and
items you've stocked,"
said Tedeshi in his
review of the app
featured in The New York
Times.
These kind of tailgating
apps help spread the
word about the time and
date of the party, types
of checklist for the
food and gear, and the
app even allows you to
share list with
attendees.
"The most difficult
thing to plan is
deciding who is in
charge for what item,"
said Yoder on planning
his parties.
Apps geared towards
tailgating really allow
for less stress and more
creativity. The app even
allows you to boast
about what you will be
serving at the tailgate.
You can send out
messages boasting on
your famous guacamole or
renowned beef brisket
chili. For most
tailgaters, organizing
and cooking is apart of
the fun.
This is one of
the apps for
tailgating
Pat Lee, an Atlanta
Braves fan, says cooking
really is apart of the
experience of
Tailgating. Lee is known
for his sky-high topping
nachos, famous smoked
ribs and other
tailgating favorites
that keep his friends
coming back year after
year.
"Tailgating is your own
private
restaurant. If
people like it, they'll
keep coming back," said
Lee.
Tailgating apps can be
found for free on app
stores.
Whether it's
coordinating food,
inviting guest or
revving up the grill,
apps for tailgate
planning can be very
helpful in creating
touchdown kind of
fun.
Local
activist group fights, marches
in its battle against capital
punishment
By Ileejah
Hutchinson Florida A&M University Oct. 1, 2013
Kurt Wadsworth Jr. began his
more-than-2,000-mile "March for
Life and Justice" on May 25,
walking from Pensacola to the
state capital in Tallahassee in
protest of the death penalty.
His efforts caught the attention
of a local activist group,
Floridians for Alternatives to
the Death Penalty, which
assisted Wadsworth in organizing
his walk and provided financial
support to help spread his
message.
Wadsworth, 27, is a University
of West Florida student who has
lived in Florida all of his
life.
According to the March for Life
and Justice website, Wadsworth
grew up around people from
different backgrounds and was
taught by his father to love
everyone and not let anger or
other things get the best of
him.
As an adult, he was dedicated
his life to helping others and
has worked on copious political
campaigns and has advocated
different causes, just as FADP
has supported his most recent
campaign to bring an end to
capital punishment.
Wadsworth plans to journey
south to Key West and end his
journey at the Capitol in
Tallahassee.
He is unsure how long the walk
will take, but plans to gather
as many supporters for his
cause.
The FADP, a group of activists
who work to find alternate means
to capital punishment, was
founded in Palm Beach County in
1998 by Dave Bonowitz.
Since its inception, FADP has
expanded from one member to a
chapter in every major city in
the state including Tallahassee,
Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
The organization currently has
several thousand memberships
across the state, says Bonowitz.
FADP has managed to
educate individuals across the
country on alternatives to the
death penalty and gain advocates
who support its cause.
Andrew Mason, an activist who
supports life in prison, is an
FADP member who says he is
against the death penalty
because the government abuses
its power.
"Twelve people sitting on a
panel should not have the power
to execute someone," said Mason,
26. "I don't think government
should have the power to capture
and put people to death."
FADP activists say they are
adamant about abolishing the
death penalty. It is not only a
morality issue for many, but a
financial one too.
In consonance with the Death
Penalty Information Center, the
State of Florida could save $51
million a year by punishing all
first degree murderers with life
in prison without parole,
instead of condemning them to
death, which ultimately depletes
the pockets of tax payers, Mason
says.
Kurt Wadsworth from
'Florida March to End Death
Penalty' website
"The system is very costly,"
Mason explained. "Not just the
execution itself but the trial
and appeal process. Florida has
spent $24 million per execution
based on the 44 executions the
state has carried out since
1976."
The Florida Legislature recently
passed Bill 1750, "Timely
Justice Act," which shortens the
amount of time death row inmates
stay in prison before their
execution.
The bill raises major concerns
for FADP and other local
organizations because inmates on
death row use the lengthy course
to try to prove their innocence.
"The process is utilized
by innocent people who are
victims of a miscarriage of
justice," Bonowitz said.
Tyler Lawrence, a youth
counselor and recent member of
FADP, says the bill will cause
innocent Floridians to suffer.
"Florida leads the country with
people who have been convicted
and then exonerated," Lawrence
explained.
"With this new act in
place people are more likely to
be executed for crimes they did
not do."
Although many activist groups
like FADP want to do away with
capital punishment, some
disagree.
Ronald Archey, 32, a biology
student from Florida A&M
University, says capital
punishment is needed.
"Murderers need to be put
to death, bottom line,"Archey
said. "An eye-for-an-eye is the
only way some people will
learn."
Students
divided on Obama idea to attack
Syria after
alleged use of poison gas by
Syrian army against people
By Jasmin Harris Florida A&M
University Sept. 15, 2013
What do FAMU students say about
the possibility of bombing Syria
in retaliation for allegations
that the Syrian state forces
used poison gas against their
own people?
The Obama administration has
released an intelligence
assessment that has described a
chemical weapon attack in Syria
that has killed more than a
thousand people.
The attack, which was executed
by Syrian President Bashar al
Assad, according to the Obama
administration, killed more than
1,500 civilians; 426 were
children.
President Obama initially
planned to send military forces
to Syria without congressional
deliberation. However, he
decided to allow Congress to
vote on the issue. As the world
awaits a final decision, the
nation has erupted in a debate.
During an informal walk through
Florida A&M University, this
reporter gathered opinions on
whether or not the United States
should intervene with Syria.
Students had strong opinions,
but they were split on the
issue.
Lisa Alexander, a senior
mathematics education student
from Fort Lauderdale, would act
quickly.
"If I had a friend that needed
my help in regaining control of
a bad situation and I had the
power to stop chaos, I'd be
there to help in a heartbeat.
Although something has nothing
to do with you, sometimes you
have a duty as an ally to do
something about it."
Elijah Jones, freshman physics
student from Gainesville,
says he would consider other
factors.
"Not if there's innocent people
there. Yes, if it's a war zone."
Ajene Edwards, fourth-year
health information management
student from California, would
hesitate.
"I do not think the us should
strike Syria. It's not cost
effective and they will
retaliate which will cause
financial problems and technical
problems."
"We would be putting American
lives at stake if we do go to
war. We just got out of a war;
we would be losing more troops
and allies with other foreign
relations."
__________________________________________
Jeremy Hannah, senior business
administration student from
Miami, thinks there is a message
about bullying.
"I'm in-between. Like I feel
like we should let it be because
we need to stop being bullies
and stop trying to put
everything we do on everyone
else. Everything we do doesn't
work with everyone else."
"But I feel we should strike
because they're hurting their
own people. It's like if a bully
is beating you and I'm that
bully. You will need that
outside force to help, you
know?"
Kendrea Crite, fourth-year
psychology student from Chicago,
is on the fence.
"Yes and no. America has become
a protector of the weak, so to
speak. If we don't help, then
other terrorists and dictators
will think that they can commit
war crimes and not be punished,"
she said.
Suicide
trend troubles college
campuses as students
hear about getting
help to deal with stress,
depression
By
Joleise Gresham Florida A&M
University Sept. 15, 2013
Suicide is currently the
third most common cause
of death among college
students. According to
the American College
Health Association, the
suicide rate among young
adults ages 15-24 has
tripled since the
1950's.
Accidents and homicides
are in the lead.
For the majority of
college freshman,
college is often their
first time away from
home, family, and
friends. These new
students have to adjust
to living with
strangers, new sleep
patterns, and the
pressure of being in
college. All these
things can become very
overwhelming and
stressful, and often
leads to depression.
"When I first came to
college, I cried every
day for 4 weeks
straight!" Samantha
Barrett, 20, sophomore
at Tallahassee Community
College said. "I was
overwhelmed with the
fact that I was
homesick, I had no
friends, I lived with
complete strangers, and
I had to focus on
school."
Unfortunately for one
student at Florida State
University, the pressure
of school and being away
from home became too
much to handle.
On Sept. 7, Dylan Kutz,
18, a freshman at FSU,
committed suicide in his
dorm room.
Research shows that most
college students who
commit suicide are
struggling with
untreated depression or
other significant
psychiatric disorders.
In half of these cases,
the signs and symptoms
are present, but often
go undetected.
For the past four years,
in honor of World
Suicide Prevention Day
and ironically the
recent tragedy to hit
its campus, the FSU
Police Department held a
candlelight vigil for
those who have committed
suicide, as well as
those affected by
suicide.
The vigil was held on
Sept. 10 at the
university's police
department.
As the small crowd of
students, survivors, and
those who have been
affected by suicide
gathered to pay their
respects, Maj. James
Russell of the
department took the time
to share why this event
was so important to him.
"It's important to show
that as a community we
are going to break the
stigma that surrounds it
(suicide)," Maj. Russell
explained, "because I'm
a firm believer that the
stigma and silence is
what ultimately kills."
Russell went on to share
his personal struggles
dealing with "major
depression disorder,"
and how he was able to
overcome his demons,
even when he felt all
hope was lost.
Photo by Joleise
Gresham
"FSU had a huge piece in
saving me," Russell
said.
"I think the solution to
people finding hope is
through the people that
have battled mental
illness standing up and
being a beacon to others
who are scared of the
stigma and not going to
the doctor."
Throughout the remainder
of the vigil the crowd
heard testimonies from
survivors and counselors
from FSU, informing them
on how to assist in
suicide prevention.
"If you see someone who
is going through
something, or having a
tough time in their
life, be that voice for
them," FSU police
officer Keir Edwards
said. "Your small
input can make a huge
difference."
The vigil ended with a
speech from Jori
Collette, licensed
mental health counselor,
educating the crowd on
how they can help
prevent suicide, as well
as giving advice to
those who have lost a
loved one to suicide.
"Hope is not pretending
that troubles don't
exist, it is the hope
that it won't last
forever," Collette said.
"It's that hurt will be
healed and difficulties
overcome, that we will
be lead out of the
darkness and into the
light."
Collette went on to
inform the crowd about
the services of Nole
Care suicide prevention
center.
Although depression and
stress can be
overwhelming there is
always someone there who
can help you get through
the hard times.
On Oct. 5, Nole
Care is hosting a mood
screening event to help
students and friends
from the community to be
aware of how they are
feeling and ways to deal
with stress.
People who feel
depressed should call
the hotline at
1-800-273-8255 or
1-800-273-TALK.
Sha'
Simon
