March 6, 2009

the orlando

Advocate

March 6, 2009

First African-American Appointed to the 1st black superintendent nation’s 11th largest school district to Grade “A” status 18thleads Circuit Court Bench

Search for NFL players called off See page 4

Ronald Blocker

Central Florida Money Watch back page

HistoryMaker

Steering a straight course to successful schools

See page 3

o r l a n d o a d v o c a t e . c o m

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“I shall be an ADVOCATE of the full practice of the principles implicit in “Life, Liberty and Justice for All.” I shall be an ADVOCATE for these human and civil rights on behalf of those to whom they are denied, and I shall turn the pitiless light of publicity upon all men who would deny these rights to others. I shall be an ADVOCATE for my country, my state, my city, and my race, but I shall ever be on guard that I will not forget the greatest good for the greatest number while seeking benefits for the small segments who are disadvantaged by their denial.”

Tel. 407.648.1162 Fax 407.649.8702 email [email protected] http://orlandoadvocate.com Publisher Kevin Seraaj Managing Editor Louise Seraaj Production Manager Dihon Seraaj ~ Contributing ~ Writers/Reporters Frank Butler Cynthia Harris Sharon Fletcher Jones Lela Salter Columnists Judge Greg Mathis Sandra “Sandy B” Brown Derrick Drake Mary “Action” Jackson Basil A. Jones Kevin Seraaj Keysha Williams, Esq. Prophetess Yolanda Dean Photographers Janice LaBord Madonna Alexis Jennissha Casillas Paul Graine Circulation Manager Robert Brown Sales Derrick Drake, Manager The Adams Group Feotis Dean Lela Salter The Advocate is published weekly by Cornerstone Community Development Corporation of Orlando, Florida, and is available free of charge. ISSN: 1060-5715

Guest Commentary Making Black History by Investing In The Future Kevin Seraaj Esther Silver-Parker Black History Month 2009 is now history itself, but new Black history is made every day by African Americans who are willing to share their time, talent and resources with the larger Black community. Everyone gets the opportunity sooner or later, sometimes in surprising ways. I was fortunate to come of age during a dramatic period in the history of both African Americans and the United States. My high school years in the small, segregated North Carolina town where I grew up coincided with the climactic years of the Civil Rights movement. I’ll never forget marching with my classmates down our main street- past the local branches of retail store chains where I wouldn’t have been allowed to sit at the lunch counter or use the rest room. Fast forward through the decades, and today I, an African-American woman, work as an executive with Wal-Mart, a retailer with a commitment to promoting diversity and a philosophy of giving back to the communities it serves. Wal-Mart exemplifies this philosophy through its support of endeavors that highlight the legacy of African Americans. Wal-Mart is the presenting sponsor of Tavis Smiley’s “America I AM: The African American Imprint,” a mobile museum and exhibit that celebrates the impact African Americans’ actions, innovations and teachings have had on nearly 400 years of American history. We were also able to provide a $12.5 million letter of credit through the Wal-Mart Foundation to start construction on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. We are proud to be a part of a project that will help future generations uphold the legacy Dr. King stood for by studying his work, ideals and vision for America. It’s personally gratifying to be part of efforts that help make a corporate investment in the continuing history of Black America. I’m constantly aware, though, that whatever I’ve achieved in my own life is the result of investments others have made in me. My family had more love than money, but my father and mother always made it a point to give back. There were seven children in our family and my father worked as a janitor, but my parents saw to it that we all went to college. Like most children in our tight-knit community, I also benefited from the investment of older African Americans who were our role models. They ranged from the highly motivated teachers in our schools to the elderly “porch ladies” who watched over the community’s children from their front porches. They delivered the message that we were the future, and our future would only be limited by our own goals and commitment. You can’t directly re-pay personal investments like that, but you can make investments of your own in those who need it most. It’s something we all can do on some level. We can help a motivated, but financially needy, young person attend college. We can share our time and experience by acting as mentors to students or young people finding their way in the business world. It can be as simple as providing an elderly neighbor good company or perhaps a hot meal.

This publication services the tri-county Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area, consisting of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Alachua Counties. It focuses on local issues; and features political, business and entertainment personalities.

No matter who you are, or how you do it, giving back is one of the best ways to honor and exemplify the spirit of black history and make a big difference at the same time.

Views from across the political and social spectrum will from time to time appear in these pages; they do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the publishers.

Esther Silver-Parker Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Memberships: National Newspaper Publishers Association, Southeastern Black Publishers Association, Florida Press Association.

2 The Advocate

March 6, 2009

Ronald Blocker Steering a Straight Course

Orange County Schools Superintendent Ron Blocker has announced that he will be stepping down in 2012 from the job he has

held for nearly a decade. He has weathered a number of storms during his tenure- calls for his resignation, criticism of student performance, charges of bloat in administrative staffing- and is currently facing one of the District’s most critical times as the national

economy plays havoc with state financng of public schools. Through it all, he has persevered, and will leave office revered and respected for the straight stands he has taken and the toughness that has allowed him to see his district do well. Blocker was named Orange County’s superintendent in July 2000 and took the helm of the nation’s 11th largest school district. He had worked for Orange County Public Schools since 1977, and before becoming superintendent served as Deputy Superintendent of Opera-

tions. He began his career as a school psychologist, served as principal of a middle school and an exceptional education center school, and held several district-level administrative positions. Mr. Blocker holds both a specialist’s degree in educational leadership and counselor education from the University of Florida. He came to the job with a wealth of experienced that he had to draw on very quickly. As superintendent, Blocker has held fast to his initial vision-- that Orange County Public Schools be the top producer of successful students in the nation. His goals were ambitious- too ambitious for some who thought he was setting standards too high for students to meet-- but he never backed away from making high academic standards, a high-performing

and dedicated work force and increased community involvement high priority items. Under his leadership, the district has increased Advanced Placement enrollment and participation, aggressively moved to narrow the achievement gap in minority populations, has developed a comprehensive academic plan for the district, and has embarked on one of the largest school capital programs in the state. Under Blocker’s leadership, Orange County Public Schools has made great academic strides. Indicators of achievement have been trending upward for the past several years. In 2008, the district has 126 high-performing schools (A and B grades) and has earned an ‘A’ grade from the Florida Department of Education. Thirteen Orange County high schools

made Newsweek’s Top of the Class list, announced in May 2008. Because of his influence in the community, Mr. Blocker was ranked #9 by Orlando magazine’s for its “50 Most Powerful People in Central Florida” list published in July 2008. During his tenure, the district has made substantial progress building new schools and replacing and upgrading older facilities. He has his critics, who believe he has not been as aggressive about the repair and renovation of majority black schools, but it is to his credit that he initiated and was instrumental in the efforts to pass the half-cent sales tax for school construction in 2002. True to his character, Blocker’s announcement of his retirement was followed by his statement that he intended to stay to lead the district through the difficult

times is is facing. Challenges remain, but Blocker continues to lead for the future. At his direction, high school principals created the League of Educational Excellence, a program of best practices to improve the performance of every high school student. To prepare students for the rigorous coursework of high school, he has expanded the League of Educational Excellence to also include middle schools. Blocker works hard to maintain the balance between complying with the legal requirements for class sizes and opening or renovating an average of 10 schools per year. He will have to work just as hard over the next couple of years to deal with the budgetary shortfalls that some in his department say will necessitate a $100 million reduction in spending.

Orlando Magic, City of Orlando and KaBOOM! Build New Playground at Jackson Center Orlando Magic players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Rafer Alston; Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner District 5 Daisy W. Lynum, Florida State Representative Geraldine Thompson, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and more than 300 volunteers from the Orlando Magic, the City of Orlando and Orlando Community and Trust, Inc., organizers from KaBOOM! and residents of the Parramore community joined forces on Thursday, March 5 to build a new, safe playground at the John H. Jackson Community Center. The new playground’s design was based on drawings provided by children who attended a Design Day event in January. The new playground will provide hundreds of children in Parramore with a safe place to play. Currently, the children can play sports on the athletics fields or engage in indoor activities at the John H. Jackson Community Center. The addition of this playground will provide an additional form of play within a reasonable distance for this walking-oriented community. The City of Orlando was named one of the nation’s “Playful City USA” communities by KaBOOM! in honor of its innovative efforts in making play a priority for local children. The playspace is the third built by KaBOOM! and the Magic, and one of more than 200 KaBOOM! will lead across the country in 2009 in an effort March 6, 2009

to provide a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. The Orlando Magic has made a commitment to the revitalization of the Parramore area. Orlando Magic efforts in the city’s west-side community have included: * Pledging $250,000 to the Parramore Kidz Zone and After School AllStars to provide positive programs for local youth vulnerable to drugs, gangs and violence. * Refurbishing Parramore’s New Image Youth Center. Once moldy and rat-infested, the new education center now features flat-screen televisions, freshly painted walls, desktop computers, new carpeting, a Nintendo Wii and central air conditioning. * Building a new playground at the John H. Jackson Community Center in Parramore. * Renovating the Downtown Boys and Girls Club. * Providing school supplies to the Bridge To Independence School and sponsoring a trip for kids from the Parramore Kidz Zone to New York City. * Partnering with the Orange County Arts Education Center to provide Parramore youth exposure to the arts via a series of ongoing arts-enriching endeavors, including sponsoring educational field trips for children at the Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. * When Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu received the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award presented by Kia

Motors, he donated a brand-new 2009 Kia Borrego seven-passenger SUV to Parramore Kidz Zone. * Dwight Howard presented 300 pairs of adidas shoes to the students at Orange Center Elementary for their hard work towards improving their FCATs. Howard also donated $25,000 to help renovate the Parramore Kidz Zone Teen Shack, a facility which gives teens a place to hang out and is now complete with a new photography lab, laptops and videogames. Howard’s donation was a portion of the grant he earned by winning the DeVos Community Enrichment Award which is annually given by the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation to the Orlando Magic player who has dedicated his effort off the court for the purpose of enhancing others’ lives. * Former Orlando Magic center Adonal Foyle delivered healthy snacks, Magic backpacks and a meaningful message on making healthy lifestyle choices to the elementary students at Nap Ford Community School in Parramore. The visit coincided with the school’s commencement of the “Junk Free Zone,” which focuses on eliminating bad language, unhealthy foods and unproductive habits, while encouraging a healthy lifestyle. * Equipped with paint brushes, drills, hammers, gloves and garbage bags, the Orlando Magic’s staff volunteer program (MVP) helped renovate a Parramore area home. Last year the Magic employees totaled 5,858 hours of community service.

PHOTO #1: Orlando Magic Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins assists with “project mulch” during the KaBoom! playground build. PHOTO #2: Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis adds some finishing touches to the fence surrounding the play area. PHOTO #3: The entire group of Magic, city and community volunteers along with Magic players celebrate after the playground is complete and ready for the youth. All photos by BY FERNANDO MEDINA, ORLANDO MAGIC

The Advocate 3

2 NFL players among boaters missing in Florida Advocate Columnist

Prophetess Yolanda Dean

CLEARWATER, Florida (CNN) -- Two NFL players are among four boaters missing since Saturday night off Florida’s Gulf Coast, officials told CNN. Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper and NFL free Cooper

Coast Guard with the coordinates of where the men planned to fish. “Usually I’m on the boat. It’s a little difficult wondering if something would have been different if I had been there,” Miller said. “Or who knows? They may Smith

ing and hoping for the best.” The boat, a center-console vessel manufactured by Everglades Boats, is billed as “unsinkable,” Close said. On Monday, Schuyler was rescued. He was found clinging Buckley

Extreme Home Makeover Recipient Arrested Sadie Holmes, the Altamonte Springs, Florida woman who was the 2006 recipient of the Extreme Home Makeover was arrested at her home last Wednesday by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of Grand Theft. Ms. Holmes allegedly removed tenants from another property she owns at 622 Plum Lane in Altamonte Springs, Florida,

Sadie Holmes

without having gone to court as required by law. The tenants’ property was set outside at a time when Tropical Storm Fay was approaching the area, almost guaranteeing substantial damage and loss. But to make matters worse, it is alleged, she then directed other tenants to help themselves to the items she set out on the street. According to records, a Sheriff’s Deputy called out to the property had previously advised Ms. Holmes not to take any action without legal counsel or properly filing for eviction. Also, the tenants had left the one bedroom loft during the tropical storm because Ms. Holmes was turning the power to their unit off and on for no reason and at intentionally inconvenient times even though a minor child was present. Sadie Holmes developed a nonprofit clothing and food bank in her community after witnessing the outpouring of help she re-

4 The Advocate

ceived when changing her life from drug addiction and prostitution. She also opened On Angel Wings, a house that helps the downtrodden and gives them a place to transition back into productive citizenship. This house operates from the very place she was living when Extreme Home Makeover rolled into Central Florida and built her a new home on Amanda Street. Much has been happening in her life since she began recovering and letting Jesus heal her. She has been forced to move from her Thrift Store in Sanford to a location in Longwood and finally to her location on Highway 436 in Altamonte Springs, Florida all with the help of the very people that she stands accused of mistreating. Holmes’ life was changed by a community that saw a woman changing her life. She had left old things behind and began witnessing about a Savior’s love, grace and mercy, and was to all intents and purposes trying to make a difference in the lives around her. I wonder if that woman still exists? Or if she allowed herself to be trumped by her 15 minutes of fame? If it is proven that she did what she is alleged to have done, she will have travelled far from being the Sadie Holmes, Extreme Home Makeover Recipient of days gone by. A sign outside her thrift store shouts to all who pass by to perform an “Act of Random Kindness!” And that’s good advice. For her as well as the rest of us. For truly without clear vision the people of God will perish!

agent Corey Smith, who played for the Detroit Lions for the past three seasons, have not returned from a Saturday fishing trip in water off Clearwater, Florida, family members and colleagues said Sunday. “It feels like my greatest fear coming true -- it doesn’t feel real,” Cooper’s wife, Rebekah, told CNN affiliate WTSP in Tampa on Sunday afternoon. “I’m just waiting for a phone call.” William Bleakley also still missing The Coast Guard began searching around 2 a.m. Sunday after it learned that four men -Cooper, Smith, and former University of South Florida football players William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler -- had not returned from their fishing trip Saturday evening as expected. Rough weather has hampered the effort, but “it’s still a very active search,” Coast Guard Capt. Tim Close told reporters Sunday afternoon. Poor visibility from heavy waves forced the search-andrescue effort to be conducted primarily by air, though authorities deployed patrol boats as well, Close said. Searchers have focused on 750 square miles of open water in the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles west of Clearwater Pass. From there, the men had left the Seminole Boat Ramp in a 21-foot single-engine boat about 6:30 a.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard said. Rebekah Cooper said she became worried Saturday night when she didn’t hear from her husband. She called her one of her husband’s fishing buddies, Brian Miller, who contacted the

be just sitting out there with a broken motor -- and that’s what we’re hoping for.” He said it was clear something was wrong when Cooper didn’t call Saturday night. “He should’ve been within range to use his cell phone, and he knows enough to shut it off when he goes out so the batteries are still there,” he said. Close said weather conditions were relatively good Saturday, “but the weather picked up overnight.” “It’s a small vessel for the conditions that are out there right now,” Close said Sunday afternoon. Rebekah Cooper said her husband was aware of Sunday’s weather forecast and for that reason picked Saturday for the trip. “Fishing is his first love, it always has been,” she said, adding, “I have a lot of faith in him out there.” Cooper’s father said he learned of the situation Sunday morning from his daughter-inlaw. His son “routinely stays out on the water 12-14 hours,” Bruce Cooper, a sports anchor for CNN affiliate KPNX in Phoenix, Arizona, said in a statement. Close said authorities had not received a distress signal from the boaters. Close said Cooper owns the boat. Bruce Cooper called his son an “avid fisherman.” “He goes deep sea fishing any opportunity he gets,” Cooper said in the statement. “Two years ago I went deep sea fishing with him. I swore I would never do so again; I didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t see land. Needless to say I am very concerned. I am pray-

to the anchor housing of an overturned boat. There would have been room enough for only one of the four men to use that spot. On Tuesday, at sunset, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended a search for the remaining missing boaters. The Detroit Lions released a statement acknowledging that Smith was among the missing men, adding, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all the passengers, their families and all those involved in the search efforts.” Smith and Cooper were teammates with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for part of the 2004 season, when Cooper was a rookie, according to the NFL’s Web site. Smith, who entered the league with Tampa Bay in 2002, went on to play for the Washington Redskins before moving to the Lions for the 2006 season. Cooper has played for six teams in his fiveseason career. Cooper played college football at the University of Washington. Smith played at North Carolina State. Schuyler’s father, Stu, told reporters that the four men knew each other from working out at a gym, and that his son had accompanied Cooper and Smith on a fishing trip last week that lasted 15 hours. Bleakley lettered from 2004 to 2006 as a tight end for USF, according to a spokesman for the university’s athletics department. Schuyler was a walk-on defensive end for USF in 2006, but he never played in a game, the spokesman said. The Coast Guard asked anyone with information on the boaters to contact its St. Petersburg, Florida, office at 727-824-7506 March 6, 2009

New Office to Help Drivers Get Birth Cerificates ORLANDO - The Orange County Health Department (OCHD), in partnership with the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), has opened a brand new office that will make it easier for people to obtain their birth certificate when they need it most. The new vital statistics office is located inside the driver licenses office at 4101 Clarcona-Ocoee Road in Orlando. This is the first driver licenses office in the state of Florida to offer this service. The health department and the DHSMV entered into a partnership to make it easier for customers to get access to birth certificates. This is important because of new state and federal iden-

tification regulations requiring U.S. citizens to present a birth certificate when applying for a driver license or identification card. “For the Orange County Health Department, this is yet another first for the vital statistics program, and the people we serve in this community. We continue to strive to increase customer satisfaction and make getting these important documents easier for the public,” said Dr. Kevin M. Sherin, Director of the Orange County Health Department. There are now five locations across Orange County where residents can obtain birth certificates. The locations are: the Orange County Central Health Center at 807

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West Church Street, Orlando; the Orange County Service Center at 1111 North Rock Springs Road, Apopka; Winter Park Memorial Hospital at 200 Lakemont Avenue, Winter Park; and Winnie Palmer Hospital at 44 Lake Beauty Drive, 4th Floor, Orlando. The vital statistics office hours at the driver license location are Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 4:30pm. As with all vital statistics offices, the cost for a certified birth certificate is $14.00. For more information, please call 407-445-5594.

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School District Wins Award for Classroom Technology ORLANDO, FL - Orange County Public Schools put in place a project to significantly increase access to the Internet and for the efforts and implementation won the 2009 AOTMP Industry Excellence Award. AOTMP is a resource organization dedicated to telecom environment management. OCPS Assistant Direc-

tor of Network Services Myron Bryant received the award at the recent AOTMP TEM2009 conference held in Orlando. Bryant presented at the conference where the audience voted the OCPS high-speed broadband Internet network project as the winner. Three other organizations were entered in the same category.

Bryant’s work, along with that of his team, can be seen in action every day in Orange County classrooms where students are using the latest in technology to learn and become successful. To find out more on how the project works, log on to: http://ena.com/

Head Start Taking Applications ORLANDO, FL - Orange County Head Start is currently accepting applications at all centers for the 2009-2010 school year. Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income fami-

lies that promotes school readiness by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities that support children’s

growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, creative arts, and physical skills. Program services include nutritional meals, access to medical and dental health services as well as mental health and dis-

Forum on Homelessness Set for Sanford SANFORD, FL - The Seminole Action Coalition Serving Our Needy (S.A.C.S.O.N.) will host a community forum on the cost of homelessness to the Sanford community during a program at Holy Cross Episcopal Church’s Parish Hall (4th Street and South Magnolia Avenue) in

March 6, 2009

Sanford on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to take part in a discussion with Cathy Jackson of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida. Complimentary coffee and dessert will be served. A brief presentation will be immediately followed

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�������������������������������������������������������������������������������� abilities services. Family the Federal government. proof of household ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� development services inParents need to bring the from all sources for

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by a question and answer period. S.A.C.S.O.N. was formed in 2008 as a faithsupported community group concerned with addressing the challenges of homelessness and poverty in North Seminole County.

goal setting and case management. To be eligible a child must be three years of age by September 1, 2009, reside in Orange County, and the family must meet income guidelines established by

following items to register their child: a copy of the child’s birth certificate, parent’s photo identification, proof of residency, the child’s current Medicaid card or health insurance card, Social Security cards for the whole family, and

income the past

12 months. Services are free to those who qualify. For more information and to locate the center in your area to schedule an appointment please call the Head Start Administrative Office at 407-836-6590.

Computer problems? We can help. Call for repairs at your home or office. 321-286-6087 www.bscconsultingllc.com [email protected] www.rlbbcs.blogspot.com

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School Hopes Success Will Silence Merger Talk Rock Lake Elementary receives prestigious state and national nomination Rock Lake Elementary School was nominated as the state of Florida’s number one school in exceptional student performance for two or more

Title I Nationally Distinguished Schools out of 1,450 Title I schools in the state. In February 2009, Rock Lake was honored at the national level in San Antonio,

consecutive years under Title I. This honor qualifies Rock Lake as one of only two Florida

Texas at the Title I Conference. It was one of only 57 schools in the United States to receive the

Dear Mr. President

Student letters written to the President of the United States are on display at the public library in downtown Orlando.

ORLANDO, FL - The public is welcome to read the handwritten letters by 18 second graders from Sunset Park Elementary School. The topics of the letters to President Barack Obama range from friendly pen pal type letters to much more serious letters about the need for lower energy prices.

The class is also on track to become published authors by June. Their book is titled, “Fantastic Writers and Awesome Leaders.” In the book, the students write about the future of America and ideas they have to help solve some of the problems our country is facing.

ORLANDO, FL - The “Teach One to Lead One, Living Principles” program is a mentoring program that invites community members to mentor high school students using a program of 12 principles. Some of the principles include good character, volunteerism and leadership. West Orange

High School has the largest volunteer-led project in the nation. The director of the program will be in town to see the program in action because of this distinction. Nearly 60 community-based volunteers teach more than 500 students at West Orange in this life-changing curriculum.

“Teach One to Lead One”

6 The Advocate

Distinguished School Award. In May, Rock Lake will be recognized by the state of Florida in Tallahassee. In spite of this outstanding achievement, Rock Lake Elementary School and parents in the neighborhood are being faced with the possibility of the school’s closure because of budget cuts. Brenda Martin-Smith, principal of Rock Lake Elementary School hosted District 5 School Board Member Kathleen “Kat’ Gordon as she held one of two emergency community meetings Thursday evening. Mrs. Gordon held emergency community meetings to discuss the potential merger of small schools in her district at Pineloch Elementary School cafeteria from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at 3101 Woods Avenue, Orlando, FL 32805 and at Rock Lake Elementary School cafeteria, 7: 30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Board members across the district are meeting with angry and anxious parents as proposals to deal with budget shortfalls impact a wide range of programs

meeting to deal with the propsed closure of smaller elementary schools, to be held on March 9. The town of Eatonville recently announced its intention of

and schools. Superintendent Blocker recently formally announced a

vigorously fighting any attempt to close Hungerford Elementary School.

Florida AG Warns: Avoid Foreclosure “Rescue,” Loan Modification Scam Offers

~ Homeowners encouraged to look for warning signs, avoid common scams ~

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory as part of National Consumer Protection Week on foreclosure “rescue” services and loan modification offers, the most frequent subject of complaints to the Attorney General’s Office during 2008. Within the last year, the Attorney General’s has reviewed information on over 200 foreclosure rescue businesses and has over 40 active investigations into potential violations of Florida’s Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act, a new law supported last year by the Attorney General. Several lawsuits have been filed throughout the state, including one against a South Florida company which allegedly defrauded several hundred homeowners out of more than $1 million collectively. “Today, homeowners are being bombarded with advertising from companies claiming they can save homes, reduce mortgage payments, and many other offers,” said Attorney General McCollum. “Florida homeowners need to be very cautious and should know that Florida law prohibits any company or individual from charging up-front fees for foreclosure

rescue or loan modification services.” The Attorney General urged homeowners facing foreclosure or mortgage payments in default to contact their lenders directly before reaching out to a third party. Consumers also should avoid any business that seeks to charge for services related to the new Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan initiated by the President. Lenders and mortgage servicers can provide information about negotiating a new payment schedule or about homeowners’ eligibility for loan modification under the new federal plan. Services under this initiative will be provided at no cost to consumers; more information about the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is available at http://www.fina ncialstability.gov/. The Attorney General also offered the following tips to identify and avoid a potential foreclosure rescue scam: - Avoid businesses that guarantee to save homes from foreclosure or stop the foreclosure process “no matter what the circumstances.” - Do not work with businesses or individuals who

instruct homeowners not to contact their lenders, lawyers or financial counselors and to make mortgage payments directly to the business or individual. - Avoid businesses that use names or symbols which mimic federal and state programs or falsely suggest they offer legal services or are affiliated with an attorney or law firm. - Before doing business with any loan modification business, check it out fully. Get its physical address, ask for the names of its corporate officers, and call the Attorney General’s Office to determine whether it has any complaints reported against it. Consumers who wish to file a complaint may do so by calling the Attorney General’s fraud hotline at 1-866-9-NOSCAM (1-866-966-7226) or by filing a complaint online at http://myfloridalegal.com. Additional information about National Consumer Protection Week is available at http: //www.consumer.gov/ncpw. More tips are available online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/ pages.nsf/Main/55BC21CB131 28F728525741800481491. March 6, 2009

Local News Dwight Howard Surprises Lake Como Students

Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard Ensures Local Children Aren’t Going Hungry Over the Weekend By Dan Dugger ORLANDO, FL – On various Thursday afternoons throughout the current school year, volunteers from the Orlando Magic’s corporate office have arrived at Lake Como Elementary on the city’s south-side to fill more than 200 backpacks with an assortment of food. The knapsacks of nourishment ensure that the children who receive them won’t be going hungry over the weekend. Each Friday afternoon, the bag packs, filled with such goodies as applesauce, macaroni and cheese, juice boxes and oatmeal, are distributed to students in an event that is highly anticipated by the children and incredibly rewarding for all involved. “Seeing some of the situations that our children deal with,” explains school

guidance counselor Sandy Glaze. “And how they come out so strong, and how they are so resilient. If this program can be a little piece in that path to resiliency, I am very appreciative to be a part of that.” The Magic’s Dwight Howard pledged $25,000 of the DeVos Community Enrichment Award he received from the Rich and Helen DeVos Foundation for his efforts off the court. The funds have been used to purchase all of the food each week to fill the backpacks. “It’s about giving,” explained Magic center Dwight Howard, after speaking to an auditorium filled with overly joyful students. “The kids just make everything better. Just like when I see my son filled with joy, it’s the same way when I see these kids.

To put a smile on their face, it means a lot.” Howard was recently named the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award for January in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work. The league presents the NBA Community Assist Award monthly to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities. Blessings in a Backpack is a 501C (3) non-profit organization that provides food to school children in need. The program started within the Jefferson County Schools in Louisville,

County Project Aims to Reduce Infant Mortality

Pictured L to R:Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of the Orange County Health Department; Tony Jenkins, vice president, board of directors, The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida; and Penny Smith, Orange County Healthy Start Program Manager ORLANDO, FL – A new program linking women of child bearing age to affordable dental health care and education services is being started to help reMarch 6, 2009

duce infant mortality among Orange County’s uninsured population. According to Kevin Sherin, MD, MPH, director, Orange County Health

Department, women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have babies born early or very small than women with good oral health.

Orlando Magic All-Star Dwight Howard surprises Lake Como Elementary School students. Howard came to the school for a visit with the children to reveal he was the “Superman” behind their Blessings in a Backpack program. Blessings in a Backpack is a program designed to provide food and nutrition to children on weekends when school is not in session so that on Monday they return ready to learn. The Blessings in a Backpack program at Lake Como became a reality due to the generous support of Howard, who donated $25,000 to this project as part of winning the 2007-2008 DeVos Community Enrichment Award for his efforts off the court. Photo by Fernando Medina, Orlando Magic Kentucky in 2005. Stan Curtis, the program founder, saw a need for to help the less fortunate children in our public schools system. By providing them with nourishment over the weekend, it would increase the odds of education success. Blessings in a Backpack started with three elementary schools in Kentucky and now serves over 50 schools across the nation. Food is distributed through a network of volunteers and school officials on Fridays before the children leave for the weekend. The program serves children between the ages of five and eleven

within Title 1 Elementary Schools. All students served are recipients of the national Free and Reduced Meal/Lunch program. Most of our recipients are in a household with a single parent or with parents who are classified as working poor, those individuals who are employed but don’t earn enough to make ends meet. Food and Services Provided by Blessings in a Backpack Our weekend backpacks include ready to eat food items such items as: Fruit Roll Ups, Pop Tarts, Lemonade and other drink mix packs, Ramen Noodles, Peanut Butter, Macaroni and Cheese, Rice, Pasta,

Instant Potato Flakes, Dry Cereal, etc. All of our food is kid friendly. This means our food is healthy, light in weight and easy for children of all ages to carry, easy to make, and non-perishable. We rely on private donors such as you to purchase this food, as well as supermarkets which give us a substantial discount for this food. A donation of $80.00 feeds a child for an entire school year. Contributions are tax-deductible and qualify for a tax credit for food pantries and other food programs. For more information email us at stan@blessings inabackpack.com

“Oral health affects much more than a person’s appearance,” said Sherin. “Among serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes and respiratory diseases, cavities and gum disease can cause premature births and low weight babies.” Today, the health department and The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF), announced a $100,000 grant to The Orange County Health Department to educate and link preconceptual and pregnant women to local health clinics for oral health services. Specifically, the program will target women in four urban zip codes in Orange County -- 32805,

32808, 32811 and 32818 – that have more uninsured residents than the county’s average. “The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is dedicated to making a constructive contribution to the health and well-being of all Floridians – especially the uninsured and underserved,” said Susan Towler, executive director, The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. “Orange County Health Department’s efforts in connecting in-need women to affordable oral health services bring us one step closer to reducing the infant mortality rate in our state.” For more information on this initiative, call the Healthy Start program at

407-254-6822. The Orange County Health Department strives for superior community health promotion, protection and preparedness. The agency places special emphasis on health education, maternal and child health, epidemiology, environmental health, school health, dental care services, and a variety of other programs. The health department’s mission is to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Orange County Florida. For more information on The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, please visit its Web site at: www.bluefoundationfl.com.

The Advocate

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Asa Page 16 Movies Music Beauty Fashion Health Wellness Events Home Family

Relationships Same Old, Why is the American Dream a Liability in Some Relationships? Same Old By G. Craige Lewis

Heb. 12:1 ¶ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

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he devil has no new tricks. He keeps using the same things over and over to test you, try you, and cause you to fall. But God never lives in the past. How many times have you ever heard God say in his word, “if you had done this, you would have this?” Never! God only moves forward. He does not even consider your past when he is working on you. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t even care to remember your past. But the enemy keeps bringing situations that once caused you [to] stumble. When it involves your past, or when it’s something that you once struggled with, you can bet it’s the enemy testing your progress. God matures us, and then God allows the enemy to try us to prove our progress. Before you can move to the next level, you must first pass the test for the level you are on now. So many of us are stuck on the same level for years because we will not let go of people, places, things, that cause us to fall. But until you master your level, you will not be promoted. You have to desire to be better to get better, and you have to desire to be free to get free. As long as you are holding on to the same stuff, then you will

10 The Advocate

by Gillis Triplett

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he United States is a Mecca for many immigrants because of the American Dream. One of the premier points in The American Dream is material prosperity for all. This prosperity includes houses, cars, and everything material. Internationally, Americans are known for their excess whether it be cars, designer jewelry, or clothes. In the dating process many people measure a potential mate’s eligibility by how he or she measures up to the American Dream.Does the person have a house and what type of car does he or she drive? In marriage, one person or both, spend more time at work than they do with one another and their families. Sometimes being a workaholic is not about survival but about the pursuit of the American Dream. The pursuit of the American Dream includes keeping up with the “Joneses,” the only problem with keeping up with the “Joneses” is that they refinance. The constant pursuit of things causes couples to purchase on credit which in turn becomes a source of contention in the family. When one party in the relationship is modest and the other is excessive conflict is inevitable. Couples need to rewind the tape of

their relationship and focus more on God and their relationship than on the ambition of attaining the American Dream. Is Wanting the American Dream Really a Problem? Lust is defined as an excessive desire for any person, place, or thing. The pursuit of the American Dream is like poison and becomes lustful when we put it ahead of God, relationship, and family. Once we attain the house, the car, or the clothes we end up wanting a bigger house, car, or more clothes so the problem is the lust that drives us not the mere fact that we want nice things in life. Couples need to reassess what’s really important in their relationship. Is intimacy and quality time spent together important or is having material things which can only bring a temporary comfort. What Should a Couple Do to Bring Balance in Their Relationship?

The most important thing in our relationships is a shared faith in God. Secondly, communication is essential so couples need to discuss what is most important to them individually and collectively. They need to set out a budget and determine what their needs are. The budget should include a specified amount for discretionary spending which they can use to purchase their wants as long as they make their needs primary. Couples need to understand that the pursuit of the American Dream, without God and relationship in balance, is lust and will not lead to a happy ending.

Love Lessons

Lessons for Single Men

by Dr. David F. Stephens

Flashing Money for Honey

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t has never been wise to flash your money to impress a woman nor has it ever been wise to attempt to win her affections with expensive gifts. Furthermore, it’s not only unwise to use money to get the attention of a woman, but it’s also very childish. If your relationship with a woman is based upon the money you spend on her and the expensive gifts you buy for

her, the relationship will turn sour as soon as you cut back on the spending. Men who use money and gifts to get next to a woman can find a date and cheap sex this way, but not the kind of woman most men would really want to marry. On the other hand, some women like men who think like this. They will typically date him long enough to gain control of his money through emotional games, false accusations, or paternity suits. If she doesn’t do either of these things, she may date him long enough to manipulate him into paying off her credit cards, buying her a few diamonds, a new car or even a new house before dumping him in favor of a different man who has a bigger bank account. So if you want the kind of relationship that can survive the normal challenges of life and the unpredictable struggles of marriage, don’t build your relationship with a woman on a foundation of material possession and money. March 6, 2009

Single, Saved and Having Sex By Ty Adams

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x-boyfriend, Mike, Robert, Tony, David…I could go on. Certainly there is no shortage of ex’s in my past. As I look back, I can remember some ‘fun’ times but without doubt the painful experience that it left me with overshadows the temporary oohs and aahhs. I mean if you take a good look at it, I have to ask myself was the spin on the amusement rides worth the high-priced lessons I had to pay for? I had a long trail of men waiting in line to get on my roller coaster. You know what it’s like, waiting in a long line at the park to twirl and scream for 3 minutes, then get off with a dizzy, head spin, barely able to walk straight. Okay, maybe you’ve been saved all your life, but I was signing up more people for hell than satan was. I thought I was having some real fun; I was loving something that was killing me. I was a whore and didn’t even know it! I was so blinded by satan that I overlooked my whorish lifestyle because I didn’t walk the streets, they came to my house or I went to theirs. I didn’t label them as clients, but boyfriends. Like many of you, I was convinced to just have him throw on a condom to protect myself. But why would you lay with them if you have to protect yourself from someone who could ultimately kill you? Blinded by stupidity! My ‘way’ of life was reality to me. It was virtually normal for me to open up the park everyday for folks to come in to play. After the ride was over, next….When I realized that a particular man in my life was causing me more pain than I could handle, the relationship was ended and I went on to the next one. It’s interesting though how you sometimes forget the pain that was inflicted when he calls you up to come and get a free re-feel. Okay, now some of you are acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Alright, help me out, brother. You know how a guy can call a girl up knowing that he’s not interested in a committed relationship but only want to get his surface wet? It’s almost like premeditated murder; his calculated, well thought out plan to seduce her back into the sheets is well rehearsed before he picks up the phone. The mind games begin. He knows exactly what to say, he gets you to rewind and then replay the memories you two created. He reminds you of the good times you two had together, don’t know how he ever let a good thing go and because traces of him are still on the inside of you, he’s standing in your bedroom getting free reFeels. You call yourself not really going to go all the way, you

not make any progress. God wants us to desire to please him and desire a better way of living. Sometimes we can do the same thing for so long that we lose sight of the real way it should be done. This is why church, fellowship, and reading the word is so important because it does not let us stay the same, but seeing others and hearing other testimonies and reading what God said will cause us to grow and not stay the same. just want to be ‘held’ but you succumb to the smooth jargon of his manipulation of mere words. It’s interesting though how one can think they are not really having sex because they are not going all the way. I beg to differ because even virgins can wake up in hell. There will be many virgin prostitutes spending eternity with satan. There are a lot of virgins who have sex, ones who have not gone all the way with sexual intercourse but who have operated in sexual activities like oral sex and masturbation; be it the receiver or the giver. Ty Adams, a relationship and sex expert and speaker, lives outside Detroit, Michigan. This piece is excerpted from her book, Single, Saved and Having Sex published by Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books, copyright © 2006 by Ty Adams. All rights reserved.

in the Advocate

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Call us about a package that fits your budget and your needs! The Advocate Derrick Drake, Sales Mgr. 407.648.1162 March 6, 2009

Anything that does not grow is dead! Plain and simple, you will be walking as a spiritually dead person if you stop growing. No God, no victory, and no progress. So, strive for excellence in your walk and get hip to the devils tactics. Know it is him and recognize when you should change things in your life. When that same old temptation comes, start resisting with everything you got! When that same old depression comes, block it out and speak the Word of God. When that same old situation tries to raise it’s head, run for your life into the shadow of the Almighty. Do what you have to do, but avoid doing the same old things. Suggested Reading: Eph. 4: 15, 1Tim. 6:11, 2Tim. 2:22, James 4:7, 1Pet. 2:2, 2Pet. 3:18, www.exministries.com ©2009 G. Craige Works. All Rights Reserved

The Advocate 11

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12 The Advocate

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Cooking For A Crowd: Entertaining On A Budget (Family Features)

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hether you’re expecting family for the weekend or a dozen friends for a party, feeding a lot of people can be challenging. But with some creativity and wallet-stretching tips, you can satisfy the hungry hoards without breaking the bank. Weekend Menu Friday Night Dinner: Home-style Comfort Meal. Make a one-pot meal that’s ready whenever they arrive: lasagna, layered potato casserole, a big pot of soup or stew. Offer plenty of cornbread, biscuits or good bread and butter. Saturday Breakfast: Omelet Bar. Dub someone Chef and provide plenty of fixin’sshredded cheese, bits of cooked bacon or deli meats, cream cheese, smoked salmon, diced veggies. You’ll use more eggs but fewer costly ingredients. Saturday Dinner: Beef Brisket with Carrots. Slow braising is easy and effective for this less pricey cut of meat. The beef gets fork tender and fills the kitchen with tantalizing aromas. .Sunday Lunch: Creamy Crab Bisque. Make this delicious Southern soup in a New York minute. Serve with crackers and salad March 6, 2009

tossed with hearts of palm and vinaigrette. Money-Saving Tips Bake it Yourself. Fancy desserts can set you back, so learn how to make a signature dessert, whether it’s an amazing batch of brownies or a simple apple tart. Less money for a lot more glory. Go Back to the Future. Watching your food dollar is nothing new. Many comfort foods were born in budget days. So bring back the family favorites that feed dozens on a dime-meatloaf, baked ziti, chicken casseroles, vegetarian chili. Get recipes at wholefoodsmarket.com. Get Value from Volume. A houseful is one time you can’t buy too much of a good thing. Ask about case and volume discounts in all departments. Choose recipes so you buy big on discounted and sale items. Sneaky Substitutions If you’re hosting a party, you can save on great tasting dishes by making some simple substitutions. The Usual: Guacamole The Alternative: Black Bean Dip topped with chopped avocado. Guacamole uses three to four avocados. This uses just one. The Usual: Smoked Salmon Slices The Alternative: Smoked Salmon

2/27/09 6:10:58 AM

Spread. Smoked salmon’s strong flavor penetrates cream cheese so you don’t need much. The Usual: Platter of Olives and Marinated Veggies The Alternative: Bruschetta with Olive & Veggie Topping. This uses less, controls portions and the bread is filling. For more recipes and money-saving ideas, visit wholefoodsmarket.com or check out Whole Foods Market’s quarterly guide, called The Whole Deal, available in stores.

Swiss Cheese Onion Crostini Makes 12-16 pieces (8 servings)

2-3 tablespoons 365 Everyday Value Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 yellow or white onions, very thinly sliced (about 3 cups) 1 teaspoon dried thyme salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 large baguette, sliced on the diagonal into 12-16 slices, about 1/2 inch thick 2 tablespoons 365 Everyday Value Organic Dijon Mustard 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

Preheat oven to 425°F. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; add onions. Let onions cook at least 3 minutes before stirring (they should start to brown before you move them around). Continue to cook, stirring only occasionally, about 20 minutes, until onions are well browned. Add thyme and season with salt and pepper. Spread bread slices with a little mustard. Divide onion mixture evenly over bread slices then top each with cheese. Place on foil-lined baking sheet; bake 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. The Advocate 13

Wellness

Staying Healthy at 50+

Health Tips

(Family Features)

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ife expectancy has grown dramatically over the last century, but not all those living longer now are living well. The survey “Growing Old in America: The Health and Retirement Study,” (HRS) sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, found some compelling insights into the health of older Americans. * Less than half of HRS participants aged 55 to 64 said they are in

What Junk Food Does to Your Brain “You are what you eat” is probably never more apparent than soon after you eat a convenient, good-tasting junk-food meal. Most of the time you begin to feel tired, your mood sinks, your brain feels foggy, and you may even feel hungry again, not to mention all the guilt you have for putting things into your body that you know will move you toward sickness and disease. You may feel a strange sensation on the roof of your mouth, a signal that you are harming yourself. Pay attention to the signals and clues your body is giving you, especially after you eat unhealthy food. The more that you eat a diet full of sugar, grains and bad fats (especially trans fats), the more you are impairing your brain’s ability to “hear” the biochemical signals that tell it to stop eating and storing fat--a good indication of why there are an increasing amount of obese people now. These signals come from the hormones insulin and leptin, and their job is to, among other things, control your metabolism. Insulin works mostly at the cellular level, telling the vast majority of your cells whether to burn or store fat and sugar, and whether to utilize that energy for maintenance, repair or reproduction. Leptin, on the other hand, sends signals that reduce your hunger, increase fat burning and reduce fat storage. This information is typical of the sound thinking of Dr. Mercola, whose website provides many articles, a free email newsletter, products, videos, and a forum to ask Dr. Mercola specific questions on health.

14 The Advocate

very good or excellent health. * Only about one quarter of participants aged 65 and older said they are in very good or excellent health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the leading causes of death for U.S. adults aged 65 or older are heart disease, cancer and stroke. These account for 61 percent of all deaths in this age group. What many people don’t realize is that behavior changes and preventive screenings can help them live better and longer lives. Behavior Men and women over 50 can take action to improve their overall health. It’s never too late to start. * Be tobacco free. To talk to someone about how, call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW. * Get active. Start small and work up to 30 minutes or more of moderate activity several days a week. Talk to your doctor about what you can do. * Eat healthy. Lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, whole grains

and fat free or low fat milk and milk products are best for people of any age. * Maintain a healthy weight. Balance calorie intake with calories spent in exercise. Talk to your doctor if you start to gain or lose weight unexpectedly. * Get immunized. Influenza and pneumonia kill an average of 36,000 people a year, most of whom are women aged 65 or older. Having a flu shot every year can prevent not only the flu and pneumonia, but whooping cough and shingles as well. Screenings Clinicians order diagnostic tests when they suspect someone has a disease. Screening tests, however, help check for problems before symptoms are apparent. Health experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend the following screenings for men and women over age 50: Colorectal Cancer. This is the third most common type of cancer for both men and women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. More than 90 percent of cases are diagnosed in people aged 50 or older. The Task Force recommends * A fecal occult blood test every year * Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years Depression. Emotional health is as important as physical health. If you have felt down, sad or hopeless over the last two weeks, or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you might have depression. Talk to your doctor about getting screened. High Blood Pressure. Have your blood pressure checked at least every two years. If you have high blood pressure, have a blood test for diabetes. High Cholesterol. Have your cholesterol checked regularly. Women over age 50 should have the following screenings as well: Breast Cancer. Mammogram every one to two years. The risk of getting breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. Nearly eight of 10 cases of breast cancer are found in women over age 50. Cervical Cancer. Pap smear every one to three years. Check with your doctor about what screenings you should have. Targeted screenings based on age, gender, underlying health condition or family history can make all the difference for a healthy life.

Make Pest Proofing Part of Your Spring Cleaning Routine (NU)

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f the sight of ants, spiders, mice or other household pests inside your home sends you running to jump up on a chair or cringing as you bravely squash the intruders, then spring may prove to be a harrowing time. Homeowners can avoid some seasonal stress by stopping pests from coming inside with some easy preventative measures. Although many homeowners often overlook it, their home is filled with hundreds or more tiny cracks and holes through which pests can enter. The best way to limit your unwelcome intruders is to deny them entry -; a procedure best known as pest proofing. And there is no better time to pest proof your home than during spring cleaning. Many pests seek refuge in homes and other buildings as a result of changes in weather, such as onset of cooler temperatures in autumn, or extended periods of rain or drought. Taking steps to block their entry before they end up inside can greatly reduce the chances of future sightings. Install door sweeps and use caulk to fill

gaps that may be around your doors and windows. These cracks are often areas where indoor air escapes and is noticed by outdoor pests, prompting them to make their way inside. Also, when it comes time to begin installing your screen doors and windows, make sure that there are no rips or punctures that need patching. It is also a good idea to install 1/4-inch wire mesh over attic, roof and crawl space vents in order to prevent entry of birds, bats, squirrels, rodents and other nuisance wildlife. For the best effort against pesky rodents and pests, visit a Web site that is designed to provide you with all the necessary tools and information for protecting your home and health from household pests and pest-related threats. At PestWorld.org, you can use the zip-code locator to find knowledgeable and qualified pest-control professionals in your area. The comprehensive Pest Guide can also help you determine what household pests may be in your home, and the pestprevention tips section is a how-to guide for properly pest proofing your home. Whether you have ants, termites, cockroaches, bed bugs or other household pests, the earlier you address a pest problem, the sooner you can rid yourself of a more serious infestation. Pest-control professionals,

Ants are a common pest that will infiltrate most homes during the spring and summer.

sometimes known as exterminators and pest-control technicians, have the experience and expertise to rid your home of pest infestations and protect your home and family from pest threats while maintaining your quality of life. For more information, visit the National Pest Management Association Web site at www.PestWorld.org.

March 6, 2009

Money

Small Businesses Draw Customers Spring to Saving With These Strategies From Big Brands S B (NU)

pring is all about fresh starts, which makes this the perfect time to reflect on your finances and rethink your saving strategies. Whether buying groceries or filing your taxes, here are a few tips to help you save this season: - Make every dollar count. As long as you pay off your balance each month, a credit card tied to a rewards program will earn you extra cash, points towards travel or other savings. One company, Upromise, gives its members money for college -- either for their savings account or to allocate towards student loans -- by offering 1 to 25 percent back on most purchases. - Make traveling more wallet-friendly. What’s bad news for the travel industry is good news for consumers -- major price slashing. With the down economy, destination hot spots such as Disney World are now offering huge deals. Do some online research to find out which package works best for you. Additionally, save administrative fees by booking directly through the airline’s Web site. If your schedule permits, try for a Wednesday departure, typically known as the cheapest day to fly. - Never pay full price on groceries. While some expenses are easy to cut, groceries are a line item you can’t ignore, but with a little preparation beforehand, you can save big. Check your local supermarket’s circular for weekly sales, and stock up on non-perishables or items that are freezable. In addition to checking your Sunday paper, check Web sites such as CouponMom.com and SmartSource.com for printable coupons. And don’t forget Upromise eCoupons, which are paperless and can save you up to $25 a month. - Save on your taxes. This year, save

(NU)

Coupon-clipping can save you big bucks on groceries.

money and trees by filing electronically. Programs such as TurboTax or H&R Block’s TaxCut allow you to e-file and receive your refund within two weeks. Plus, don’t forget all your deductions. Easily overlooked write-offs include your home office, student loan interest and any clothing or vehicle donations. - Take advantage of freebies. In this day and age, it’s easy to forget that some things are actually free. Instead of purchasing the new bestseller or latest DVD, borrow it from your local library. There are also great ways to find items you need, secondhand. Since now’s the time for spring cleaning, check out FreeCycle.org or your local swap shop for slightly used items. Someone else’s throwaway could be your treasured find.

(NewsUSA)

M

issing the previews at the movies might not seem like a big offense, but when running late becomes a habit, it can hurt relationships, push back schedules and cost money. According to a 2006 survey by Proudfoot Consulting, American CEOs arrive late to eight out of every 10 meetings. Their tardiness costs $90 billion a year in lost productivity. Running late can be a hard habit to break, but with a few time-management skills, Americans can get back on schedule. SUCCESS Magazine, a publication designed to helps its readers find success in every aspect of their lives, offers these tips to today’s white rabbits: - Don’t plan everything to go smoothly. Remember Murphy’s Law? Everything that can go wrong will go wrong. But this doesn’t mean that you should resign yourself to arriving late to every occasion. Instead, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled event. That way, situations beyond your control, like a cranky child or slow traffic, won’t put you behind. - Don’t underestimate the time you need. When figuring out your travel time, consider everything, including dressing, drinking coffee, sending e-mails and preparing documents. Figure on traffic delays, finding parking and walking to the actual destination. If you’re going someplace

March 6, 2009

rand loyalty is under siege, and small businesses stand to come out winners as the current economic meltdown transforms old buying behaviors. In marketing, brand loyalty is defined as a consumer’s commitment to repeatedly purchase a product or service from a particular brand or store. Online retail is not immune to this concept, where big brands have traditionally dominated. As economic conditions continue to deteriorate, however, smaller retailers looking to increase brand awareness may find new opportunity -- with an online storefront and a little ingenuity. Last September, survey house Mintel International reported that roughly 40 percent of primary household shoppers had started buying store-brand paper products because they were cheaper than the national brand products. Online, it doesn’t take much to create a wedge between brands and buyers -- coupons and discounts are proving they can make a massive impact in buying behavior. A study in January from microtrends researchers Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Inc. (PSB) identified a new demographic segment it labeled “recession shoppers.” According to the PSB research, 64 percent of “recession shoppers” purchased something from a new online retailer they wouldn’t have otherwise, because of a coupon or discount. So, how can a small e-commerce businesses let these bargain hunters know where to find them? Many industry experts say affiliate marketing is among the most cost-effective strategies. For small businesses, affiliate network providers, such as LinkShare.com, can provide broad consumer reach as well as smart

business advice. Based in part on sales tips offered by LinkShare.com in advance of last year’s holiday shopping season, merchants in the company’s affiliate network saw a 27 percent increase in year-over-year sales on a same-store basis, well above the national average. In the current economy, drawing even a small number of new consumers could mean life or death for many small e-retailers. Recent research seems to shine a light on a few keys to success: establish an online presence, attract buyers with incentives like free shipping or coupons and extend one’s reach to as many potential shoppers as possible.

The economic recession has given small businesses an oppurtunity to compete with big brand-name retailers.

Running Late? Time to Break a Costly Habit new, give yourself an extra 10 to 15 minutes to find the building. - Stay organized. Keep your wallet, keys, purse, briefcase and anything else you need every day in one location at home. Looking for your keys every morning will only put you behind schedule. - Block off a period of the day for time-consuming tasks. Answering e-mail and making or returning calls can intrude on the tasks that you need to complete. So, instead of answering messages as they come in, carve out a block of time in your day planner to return phone calls and respond Running late can cost both money and professionalism. to e-mail. - Work ahead of deadlines. When you get an assignment, start it immediately. That way, you won’t have to worry about www.SUCCESS.com or pick up a copy of SUCCESS Magazine at newsstands now. the project’s deadline. For more tips and successful ideas, visit

The Advocate 15

Asa

Asa, Naïve/Mercer Street Records : 2009

A

Review by Jeff Artist, okayplayer.com

t this point, I’m sure Asa (pronounced Asha) is sick as hell of being compared to India.Arie, Tracy Chapman and fellow Nigerian countrywoman Ayo. She’s a dready black chick with a guitar and a penchant for mild protest and songs about love and humanity. Her self-titled debut album presents a solid display of her potential but, while not as catchy as Arie, as haunting as Chapman or as consistent as Ayo, it also yields some good litmus results for what may work better on a sophomore release. The album opens with “Jailer,” a well-orchestrated juxtaposition of a prisoner and one who imprisons. It’s a catchy jam with strong acoustic guitar and passionate vocals that should lend themselves well to international radio and coffee shops alike. “Fire On The Mountain” has some good pop appeal to it and the stepped up drums/claps should push it to the forefront of follow-up single contenders. There’s also a fair amount of beauty sprinkled throughout Asa, via lo-fi ruminations on womanhood and what tomorrow may bring. That’s all well and good for reading in the rain or breaking up with someone but homegirl is most on point when the catchy meets the introspective, such as on the standout jam, “Subway,” with it’s in-the-cut drums and emotive string arrangements. As far as debuts go, Asa scores big with two ready-made radio-friendly singles and ample proof of range. I think once the fat is trimmed and her style is fine-tuned, Asa will garner similar props and comparisons as she does today, only then from the aspect of contemporary as opposed to pupil.

16 The Advocate

March 6, 2009

Opinions/Commentary/Forum The Gavel

Vantage Point

Allow Convict DNA Access

Finishing the Unfinished Revolution - Strengthening Democracy and Development in Haiti

Judge Greg Mathis

Y

ou would think that a convicted felon would have access to any and all evidence that would clear his name. Think again. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court was asked for the first time to decide whether or not convicts, in fact, have a right to seek DNA tests on evidence; tests that could prove they are innocent. Those who do not support the rights of convicted felons say it would be a ‘meaningless exercise’ and too expensive for states to allow all prisoners access to such expensive tests at their requests. The financial implications are great, but the moral costs of keeping an innocent person in prison - or executing them - are much higher. Since DNA results became admissible in courts of law, more than 230 prisoners have been freed after the results showed they could not have possibly committed the crime that put them behind bars. Though years were stolen from them, these men and women were able to get their lives back and return home to their families. All prisoners should have the right to prove their innocence, no matter the costs. Unfortunately, in some states, prisoners don’t have those rights. According to the Innocence

Project, Alaska, Alabama, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Mississippi and South Dakota do not have laws that allow new DNA tests on evidence for convicted prisoners. In a few states that do provide for testing, only those inmates on death row have a right to DNA that could free them. It’s scary to think that in some states in this country, maintaining the bottom line is more important than pursuing justice. Sure, there are those who continue to profess their innocence when they know that they are guilty. However, as a nation, we should not be willing to risk lives and throw away futures simply because we think most accused convicts are guilty. Even if the new tests prove an inmate was, in fact, the culprit, won’t we all sleep better because we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is guilty? Thanks to DNA testing, 232 people have been released, many of whom were on death row. How many more are there out there, begging for a chance to clear their names? If new DNA testing could decide someone’s innocence or guilt-and give them back their lives-then the accused should have a right to that testing. Let’s hope the Supreme Court agrees.

To Be Equal New York Post Cartoon Offends

R

ecently, we got a fresh reminder of America ‘s conflicting attitudes about race. On February 18th, the same day that our nation’s first African American Attorney General, spoke eloquently about the unfinished business of racial reconciliation before an audience at the Justice Department, the New York Post ran a cartoon which harkened back to the bad old days when Blacks were routinely dehumanized by being portrayed as watermelon-eating “porch monkeys” and worse. The cartoon shows two White police officers pumping bullets into a monkey with the caption, “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.” This insensitive, if not racist, attempt to link the recent shooting of a deranged monkey who had attacked a Connecticut woman with the signing of the $787 billion stimulus bill by President Obama, backfired big-time -- and rightly so. Individuals and organizations across the country, including the National Urban League, immediately expressed outrage. As I said in a statement issued the day the cartoon appeared, “Comparing President March 6, 2009

Marc Morial Obama and his efforts to revive the economy in a manner that depicts violence and racist inferences is unacceptable.” I believe the cartoon was in poor taste on many levels including a failure of its creator and publisher to comprehend its potential interpretation as a racial insult against our nation’s first African American president. And while we welcome the belated apology by Rupert Murdoch who owns the New York Post, Wall Street Journal and Fox, just saying “sorry” and sweeping the issue under the rug is not sufficient to resolve the issues the cartoon has exposed. The National Urban League is urging Murdoch to open a real dialogue about race and diversity and thus provide the leadership that he owes the public as one of the world’s top media magnates. He must take steps to increase the decision making diversity at all of his broadcast properties and newspapers. Persistent and offensive stereotypes associating African Americans and Black men in particular, with apes and monkeys can not merely be labeled juvenile name-calling. It can contribute to the kind of police brutality

I

Dr. Ron Daniels

n my most recent article, I argued that the Haitian Revolution, which produced the first Black Republic in the world, was one of the most important revolutions in history. Never before had humankind witnessed an enslaved people rising up to defeat the superpowers of the day to achieve self-determination and nationhood. But as we discussed, the Haitian people have never really been permitted to fully realize the potential of this improbable triumph because the western slave masters were determined that these “uppity” Africans would be punished for shattering the myth of white supremacy. So, Haiti’s path to democracy and development has been thwarted by denigration, isolation, marginalization and the chronic intervention into its affairs by foreign powers. Haiti has also had its internal contradictions, not the least of which has been a small mullato elite who owns the vast majority of the land, resources and wealth and has callously neglected or ruthlessly crushed the aspirations of the Haitian masses. This has often occurred in collaboration with and at the behest of foreign powers. This was certainly the case during the “Cold War” when the U.S. backed the draconian dictatorship of the Duvaliers with no regard for the regime’s brutal suppression of democracy and human rights. Indeed, the competition within the elite to gain power for self-aggrandizement and the perennial tension/conflict between the “masses and the classes” have retarded the process of developing a sustained culture of democracy and people oriented development in Haiti. Chronic political instability and economic underdevelopment have been the order of the day. In a real sense, the Haitian Revolution is an unfinished revolution; a Black Republic that has been reduced to being “the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.” Therefore, the critical imperative of the 21st century for Haiti and its allies/friends abroad is to finish the unfinished Revolution. And, this process must begin with a change in behavior by the U.S. and the western powers that have consistently trampled on the aspirations of the Haitian masses. In this regard, the U.S. government must take the lead by nurturing and supporting rather than interfering with and disrupting the fragile process of democratization in Haiti - including events of the most recent past. Secondly, the U.S. must demonstrate its respect for Haiti and the Haitian

people by ending the racist, discriminatory and insulting policy towards Haitian refugees. Haitian refugees to this country should be treated the same as Cuban refugees; granted expedited hearings, Green Cards where appropriate, and a path to citizenship. As this article goes to press, Trans Africa Forum has issued an urgent alert appealing to friends of Haiti to mobilize to block the deportation of some 30,000 Haitians who have been held in U.S. detention facilities. These refugees should be granted Temporary Protective Status (TPS) immediately. It is also important to halt these deportations because included in the mix are Haitians with criminal records who are being sent back because of immigration violations. Without a process for re-education, re-orientation and orderly re-entry into Haitian society, these deportees are prone to associate with or create criminal enterprises that can pose a threat to Haiti’s security/stability. The U.S. Government must adopt a policy and process for the orderly re-entry of deportees that have run afoul of the law in this country. In addition to major reforms in policy towards Haitian refugees and deportees with criminal records, the U.S. government can take several steps to significantly enhance and accelerate the process of democracy and development in Haiti. Under the Jubilee Initiative, the U.S. should forgive hundreds of millions of dollars of debt, much of which was incurred during the regime of the Duvaliers. Ridding Haiti of this burden would be an enormous boost to the economy. In addition, working in a coordinating manner with Haitian authorities, the U.S. should devote significant resources to drug interdiction. Currently Haiti is a transshipment point for drugs between Columbia and markets in the U.S. In a desperately poor nation, the lure of profits from such a lucrative enterprise can engender pervasive corruption and degeneration of institutions of government, including the police and the courts. The U.S. must spare no effort to prevent Haiti from becoming a narco-state. Closely tied to this critical initiative is the urgent need to assist Haiti to build a viable, effective, politically neutral National Police Force and an efficiently functioning, impartial judiciary. Police and judges must be reasonably compensated to avoid the corrosive seduction of the drug traffic.

that has occurred too often in New York City . I’m talking about the senseless killing of Amadou Diallo, an unarmed Black man in 1999; and the shooting death of an unarmed African American named Sean Bell on the eve of his wedding in 2006. For years, Dr. Phillip Atiba Goff, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at UCLA has focused his research on the link between dehumanizing stereotypes of African Americans and police discrimination and brutality. His studies show that the association can actually increase the likelihood of anti-black violence. Throughout our history, the National

Urban League has brought together people of all races and political persuasions to find solutions to our nation’s problems, especially in the areas of economics and civil rights. The New York Post cartoon reminds us that it is time for America to join with us in a serious dialogue about America ‘s most persistent social problem, including the need for more diversity and sensitivity in the media. As Eric Holder said, “One cannot truly understand America without understanding the historical experience of black people in this nation. Simply put, to get to the heart of this country one must examine its racial soul.”

Continued page 18

The Advocate 17

Strengthening Democracy and Development in Haiti

Continued from Page 17

In terms of economic assistance, the U.S. must take the lead within the international community by sending aid for health, education, housing, infrastructure and other essential social programs directly to the Government as opposed to funneling it through Non-governmental Agencies (NGOs). Because of political instability, corruption, the lack of transparency and occasionally to punish particular Governments, the U.S. and the international community have directed aid via NGOs. This has had

the effect of seriously undermining the capacity of the Government to meet some of the most vital needs of the country, thereby rendering it impotent and irrelevant in the eyes of the people. With successful efforts to improve systems of transparency and accountability under the current Government, this debilitating practice must end. Finally, there are two additional public policy proposals which the Haiti Support Project (HSP) of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) feels are of paramount importance. Massive unemployment/joblessness poses the greatest threat to stability and security in Haiti. While the passage of the HOPE Act to provide incentives for the manufacturing sector in Haiti was an important step, in essence it is a “trickle down” initiative which will take time to have maximum effect. In the meantime, millions of Haitians languish in poverty without jobs or the prospect of attaining employment in the near future. A huge number of the jobless 18 The Advocate

an ongoing basis. Accordingly, the Government should identify the highways which are most crucial to Haiti’s business/commercial development and designate them Strategic Highways. Rather than rely on the existing process of bidding out the construction and maintenance of these highways to the private sector, for a definable period, the Government would create a public authority charged with building and maintaining the nation’s Strategic Highways. In so doing the life sustaining arteries of the economy will always be open for business! While these policy prescriptions are not exhaustive, if adopted, they would go some distance in this crucial period in propelling

the most recent disruption of Haiti’s nascent democracy. The corrective is to develop and nurture a culture of democracy which creates an agreed upon framework for promoting national goals and working out differences. Though the nation’s constitution is helpful in this regard, ultimately enhancing the culture of democracy requires a systematic and sustained period of national reflection and dialogue among the political class and the masses of the Haitian people to constructively examine its political culture, the successes and failures of past regimes and foster justice and reconciliation. There must emerge a critical mass from all strata within so-

Haiti along the path of sustained development. But, these proposals will count for little unless Haiti addresses some of its internal political contradictions. Chronic political instability must give way to a vibrant, resilient and sustained democracy. From its inception, the tension/conflict between the wealthy elite and the impoverished masses has been a dominant theme in Haitian history. Moreover, while the passion for freedom and fierce fighting spirit to achieve it were

ciety dedicated to bridging the political divides that have historically hampered Haiti’s capacity to achieve a stable and enduring democracy. In this endeavor, the U.S. and the international community must be committed to nourishing this process as opposed to opportunistically operating to undermine and destroy it. People of African descent, America and the world owe a debt of gratitude to Haiti for being at the forefront of the struggle for freedom and human rights through the Haitian Revolution

characteristics which enabled the Haitian freedom fighters to defeat Napoleon, that same passion too often has manifested itself internally in political factionalism, zero sum politics and a winner take all attitude. Put another way, Haitians find it difficult to compromise and reconcile with each other when it comes to issues of politics, power and governance. This condition has been exacerbated by the intrusion of outside forces in nation’s affairs, including

and the declaration of the first Black Republic in the world. Now it is time to collectively pay that debt by rolling up our sleeves and respectfully aiding the Haitian people to finish the unfinished Haitian Revolution! Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. He can be reached via email at [email protected]. March 6, 2009

are also young people who absent productive alternatives can become easy prey to the illicit economy. Faced with this potentially combustible situation, HSP has strongly recommended that the U.S. and the international community collaborate with the Government of Haiti to create a massive New Deal, Works Progress Administration (WPA), Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) type public works program that would put a minimum of 300,000 - 500,000 Haitians to

work building, repairing and maintaining highways and bridges, building schools, hospitals and health care clinics, restoring historical sites, cleaning up the environment and undertaking massive reforestation projects. Taking a page from countries like Brazil, Haiti should also engage workers in projects that lay the foundation for a green economy. Education and vocational training should be an integral part of such a program in order to prepare the participants in the program for gainful employment in permanent careers as Haiti’s economy expands. In addition to a WPA, CCC type public works program, Haiti needs to create a National Strategic Highway Authority. One of the most frustrating and economically crippling realities in Haiti is the seeming inability to build and maintain a system of roads and highways. It is absolutely axiomatic that business/commerce in Haiti will not thrive, including the crucial cultural-historical tourism sector, until the most vital highways can be paved and maintained on

March 6, 2009

The Advocate 19

INDEX

100 LEGAL NOTICES 110 ADOPTIONS 112 ANNOUNCEMENTS 115 ANTIQUES 120 AUCTIONS 130 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 135 EDUCATION 140 FINANCIAL 145 FINACIAL SERVICES 150 FOR SALE/RENT 160 HEALTH & MISC. FOR SALE 170 HELP WANTED 180 LEGAL SERVICES 190 MISCELLANEOUS 200 SUPPLIES 205 PET SUPPLIES 210 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE 220 REAL ESTATE 223 RVs/TRAILERS 225 STEEL BUILDINGS 228 Vacations/ Resort Rentals 227 WEDDINGS/PERSONAL 229 WANTED TO BUY 230 YOUR AD COULD BE HERE

100 Legal Notices NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 08-CA-33715-O CITY OF ORLANDO, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Florida, Plaintiff, vs. LULA HAWKINS, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF FLOYD L. NELSON, SR.; UNKNOWN TENANT I; and any unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and other unknown persons or unknown spouses claiming by, through and under any of the abovenamed Defendants, Defendant(s), TO: Any unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and other unknown persons or unknown spouses claiming by, through and under any of the above-named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to enforce a code enforcement lien on the following properties in Orange County , Florida: Parcel ID#: 26-22-29-8460-01-090 Property Address: 201 N. Lee Avenue, Orlando, FL 32805 Legal Description: Lot 9, Bk. A, Sunset Park Subdivision, PB F, Page 115, public records of Orange County, Florida has been filed against you, and LULA HAWKINS, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF FLOYD L. NELSON, SR.; UNKNOWN TENANT I; you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, on JOYCE SAVAGE GASTON, ESQUIRE, Plaintiff'sattorney, whose address is: 5401 S. Kirkman Road, Suite 310, Orlando, Florida 32819 (30) days from the date of the first publication of this notice, and file the original with the clerk of court either before service on plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition. DATED on 16th day of January, 2009 CLERK OF THE COURT By Parris Sachse Deputy Clerk 2/27/09, 3/6/09 2x

20 The Advocate

classifieds Deadlines

Notice

Advertiser may request classification of any ad according to our INDEX. If we fail to properly classify an ad, the extent of our responsibility will be to run the ad a second time.

Adjustments

Ad copy & cancellations With prior space reservation: Tuesday, 4:30 pm (corporate accounts only) Ads requiring construction: Monday, 12:00 noon Cancellations must be received by Tuesday, 3:30 pm

Check your ad the first time it appears. Notify us immediately of any error. Our responsibility for incorrect insertion will not exceed the cost of the space advertised, first run only. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for inadvertent deletions or failure to publish ads.

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The Advocate respectfully reserves the right to reject or cancel any ad received.

Email us your classified ad copy: [email protected] NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No.: DR09-1517 MONA MICHAUD Petitioner, and JEAN A. MICHAUD, Respondent

Case No.: 2009-2069 IRMENGARD MARIE GUY Petitioner, and RODNEY A. GUY, Respondent

Case No.: 2009-2624 LIVIA GUTIERREZ Petitioner, and WALID KODAXR, Respondent

Case No.: 2009-2512 WILLIE WHITE Petitioner, and SHIRLEY WHITE, Respondent

Case No.: 2009-2658 TRINA KIRKLAND Petitioner, and RAY WATSON, JR., Respondent

TO: WALID KODAXR ADDRESS UNKNOWN

TO: SHIRLEY WHITE ADDRESS UNKNOWN

TO: RAY WATSON, JR. ADDRESS UNKNOWN

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to the Petitioner, LIVIA GUTIERREZ whose address is 400 CHAPEL TRACE DRIVE, #202, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32807 on or before April 2, 2009, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801 before service on the Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to the Petitioner, WILLIE WHITE whose address is 5231 VIA HACIENDA CIRCLE, APT. 118, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32839 on or before April 2, 2009, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801 before service on the Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to the Petitioner, TRINA KIRKLAND whose address is 813 AVONDALE DRIVE, #1, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32805 on or before April 2, 2009, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801 before service on the Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. You may review these documents upon request.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. You may review these documents upon request.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office notified of your current address. (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk's office.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office notified of your current address. (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk's office.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office notified of your current address. (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk's office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated February 19th, 2009 LYDIA GARDNER, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT by Marc LaRusso Deputy Clerk

Dated February 18th, 2009 LYDIA GARDNER, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT by Marc LaRusso Deputy Clerk

Dated February 19th, 2009 LYDIA GARDNER, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT by Marc LaRusso Deputy Clerk

Pub 2/27,3/6/09 4x

Pub 2/27,3/6/09 4x

Pub 2/27,3/6/09 4x

TO: JEAN A. MICHAUD ADDRESS UNKNOWN YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to the Petitioner, MONA MICHAUD whose address is 7069 CARDINAL WOOD CT, ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32818, on or before March 26, 2009, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at 425 N. Orange Avenue, Room 320, Orlando, Florida 32801 before service on the Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

TO: RODNEY A. GUY ADDRESS UNKNOWN YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to the Petitioner, IRMENGARD MARIE GUY whose address is 1614 DOREEN AVENUE, OCOEE, FLORIDA 34761, on or before March 26, 2009, and file the original with the Clerk of this Court at, 425 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801 before service on the Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. You may review these documents upon request.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office notified of your current address. (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk's office.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office notified of your current address. (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk's office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated February 13th, 2009 LYDIA GARDNER, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT by Yadira Aguilar Deputy Clerk

Dated February 11th, 2009 LYDIA GARDNER, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT by Jason Glenn Deputy Clerk

Pub 2/27,3/6/09 4x

Pub 2/27,3/6/09 4x

Email your legal or classified ad to:[email protected]

Call 407-648-1162 or e-mail your ad and instructions to [email protected]. NOTICE OF ACTION BEFORE THE FLORIDA BOARD OF EMPLOYEE LEASING COMPANIES IN RE: The practice of employee leasing The Human Resource Enterprise Corp. 8613 Pisa Dr. Suite 13210 Orlando, FL 32810 CASE NO.: 2008006594 LICENSE NO.: EL336 The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has filed an Administrative Complaint against you, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting, Jamie Duran, Office of General Counsel, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 33, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2203, (850) 487-9651. If no contact has been made by you concerning the above by April 10, 2009 the matter of the Administrative Complaint will be presented at a hearing pursuant to 120.57(2), F.S. before the Florida Board of Employee Leasing Companies. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the individual or agency sending notice not later than seven days prior to the proceeding at the address given on notice. Telephone: (850) 257-6097; 1-800-9558771 (TDD) or 1-800-9558770 (v), via Florida Relay Service. Pub 2/27,3/6/09 4x

Your business is our business. For hassle-free legal and classified advertising, call us at 407-648-1162 or e-mail your ad and instructions to

[email protected].

March 6, 2009

NOTICE FOR CONTINUING GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES

100 Legal Notices SOLICITATION FOR BIDS The Orange County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids (IFB) and proposals (RFP) for a variety of goods and services, construction, and architectural/engineering services. Interested parties may receive documents via the internet at orangecountyfl.net. A list of open solicitations is also available on the County’s Bid Hotline at (407) 8360011, or view Orange TV, TWC cable channel 9. NEW FEATURE: Visit our web site (orangecountyfl.net)* and sign up for electronic notification of County solicitations. On the web site, select Services Online and click on Vendor Registration System. For assistance, please email [email protected] or call (407) 836-5635. Pub 1/2/09 - 3/6/09 CLERK'S NOTICE OF SALE UNDER F.S. CHAPTER 45 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 48-2009-CA-002818-O CITY OF ORLANDO, a Municipal Corporation of the State of Florida, Plaintiff, vs. NATHAN STEELE; DAMIEN HIGGERSON; HELEN BROWN; UNKNOWN TENANT I; and any unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and other unknown persons or unknown spouses claiming by, through and under any of the abovenamed Defendants, Defendant(s), TO: Any unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and other unknown persons or unknown spouses claiming by, through and under any of the above-named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to enforce a code enforcement lien on the following properties in Orange County, Florida: Parcel ID#: 35-22-29-1916-00-311 Property Address: 638 W. Anderson Street, Orlando, Florida

Case No.: 2006-CA-5847

Legal Description:

MARIE G. NOELVANCOURT,

H CARL DANN ADDITION TO ORLANDO D/52 LOT 31

Petitioner, and GERALD ALEXANDRE, Respondent NOTICE IS GIVEN that, in accordance with the Final Judgment of Partition dated April 14, 2008, in the abovestyled cause, I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, on March 24, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Orange County Courthouse, 425 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801, Room 350, the following described property: Lot 21 in Block E of Signal Hill Unit Two, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 4, at page 136, of the public records of Orange County, Florida Street Address: 4732 Nantucket Lane, Florida, Orlando, Florida Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner and the attorney fees and cost as of the date of the lis pendens,v must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Dated: February 25, 2009 LYDIA GARDNER, Clerk of Court By: Norma J. Felshaw, Deputy Clerk Published 2/27/09,3/6/09 2x

March 6, 2009

has been filed against you, and NATHAN STEELE; DAMIEN HIGGERSON; HELEN BROWN; UNKNOWN TENANT I; you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, on JOYCE SAVAGE GASTON, ESQUIRE, Plaintiff'sattorney, whose address is: 5401 S. Kirkman Road, Suite 310, Orlando, Florida 32819 (30) days from the date of the first publication of this notice, and file the original with the clerk of court either before service on plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition. DATED: February 5, 2009 CLERK OF THE COURT By Katie Snow Deputy Clerk 2/27/09, 3/6/09 2x For hassle-free legal and classified advertising, call us at 407-648-1162 or e-mail your ad and instructions to [email protected].

Run your ad STATEWIDE! Run your classified ad in over 100 Florida newspapers reaching over 4 MILLION readers. Call the Advocate at 407-648-1162 or call (866)742-1373 for more details or

visit: www.floridaclassifieds.com.

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT The School Board of Orange County, Florida announces that bids shall be accepted for the project listed below. PROJECT NAME AND NUMBER:

General Contractor Term Service Bid Bid #09-01-CGC.

SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED:

Continuing General Contractor Services as required and specified in the bid documents.

PRE-BID MEETING:

March 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., 6501 Magic Way, Bldg 100A, Orlando, FL, Building 100A. Attendance is not mandatory.

OCPS CONTACT:

William Irvine (407) 317-3700 ext 5319 Fax Number (407) 317-3752

BIDS ARE TO BE SENT TO :

Orange County Public Schools Contract Administration 6501 Magic Way, Bldg. 100B Orlando, FL 32809

BID DUE DATE:

March 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.

Requirements: Interested firms are required to comply with all requirements of the Bid. A copy of the bid and any and all clarifications issued shall be obtained from our web site http://www.ocps.net/op/contract/. Copies of the bid may also be picked up at the above address (during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) or upon written request will be mailed to interested firms. Written requests for a copy of the bid must be faxed to (407) 317-3752. Furthermore, all Notices concerning this solicitation and award shall be posted to the aforementioned web site. These Notices shall include, but are not limited to short list meeting dates and times, presentation meeting dates and times, intended decision and decision information. Equal Employment Opportunity: The School Board of Orange County, Florida does not discriminate in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability or any other reason prohibited by law. The Equal Opportunity supervisor responsible for compliance is Catherine Van Kirk, EEO & Legal Services, who may be contacted at the Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, 407.317.3200. Published 2/27/09, 3/6/09 2x

Apartment for Rent Bank Foreclosures! 4 Br $25,000! Only $225/Mo! 3 Notice is hereby given Br $12,500! Only $199/Mo! that the School Board of 5% down 15 years @ 8% Orange County, Florida will apr. for listings (800)366meet on March 9, 2009, 6 9783 ext 5669. p.m., at the Educational Auctions Leadership Center, 445 NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION

ABSOLUTE AUCTIONBaldwin County Real Estate, residential, commercial, lots, near gulf - March 12, 1:00PM, (800)996-2877, gtauctions.com, Granger, Thagard and Assoc. Inc, AB2100. G.W. Thagard #BK3009116/ AU2846, If any person decides AL675. W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801 for a work session. The meeting will be for the purpose of discussing Budget – Small Schools – School Closures & Consolidation Plan.

to appeal any decision made by the school board with respect to any matter considered at said meeting, he will need to record the proceedings and, for such purpose, he may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Auto Donations DONATE YOUR VEHICLE RECEIVE $1000 GROCERY COUPON UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info FREE Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted, (888)468-5964.

Building Supplies In accordance with the METAL ROOFING. 40yr Americans with Disabilities Warranty-Buy direct from Act persons needing a manufacturer 30/colors in special accommodation stock, w/all accessories. to participate in this Quick turn around. Delivery proceeding should contact available. Gulf Coast Supthe office of School Board ply & Mfg, (888)393-0335 Services at (407) 317-3236 www.GulfCoastSupply.com at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Ronald Blocker Superintendent Published 3/6/09

Email your legal or classified ad to:

[email protected]

Business Opportunities 100% RECESSION PROOF! Do you earn $800 in a day? 25 Local Machines and Candy $9,995. (888)6299968 BO2000033 CALL US: We will not be undersold! Cars for Sale Police Impounds! 97 Honda Civic $500! 97 Honda Accord $700! 97 Toyota Camry $700! for listings call (800)366-9813 Ext 9275 Honda Accord 95 $500! Acura Integra 94 $750! Nissan Altima 97 $800! Police Impounds for Sale! hondas chevys jeeps! for listings (800)366-9813 ext 9499 Employment Services Post Office Now Hiring! Nationally! Avg. Pay $20/hr, $57K/yr includes Federal benefits/OT, Test Req. Offered fee-based test prep opt, Not affiliated with the US Postal Service. (866)713-4492. Health ONLINE PHARMACY Buy Soma, Ultram, Fioricet, Prozac, Buspar $71.99/90 $107/180 Quantities, PRICE INCLUDES PRESCRIPTION! Over 200 Meds $25Coupon Mention Offer: #91A31. (888)389-0461. tri-drugstore.com Help Wanted Help Wanted. Join Wil-Trans Lease or Company Driver Program. Enjoy our Strong Freight Network. Must be 23. (866)906-2982

EARN Extra Income Mailing Brochures. Weekly pay check! Free 24 hour information. (888)250-8110. $600 Weekly Potential$$$ Helping the government PT. No Experience. No Selling. Call: (888)213-5225 Ad Code: M Homes For Rent 3Br 2Ba Foreclosure! $11,000! Only $199/Mo! 5% down 15 years @ 8% apr. Buy, 4 Br $259/Mo! for listings (800)366-9783 Ext 5798. Homes For Sale 6Br 5Ba Foreclosure! $29,900! Only $238/Mo! 5% down 20 years @ 8% apr. Buy, 4 Br $326/Mo! for listings (800)366-9783 ext 5760 Lots & Acreage Florida Land- Investment Opportunity! 2 acre waterfront homesite only $89,900 (was 169,900). Private, gated community with 2 recreational lakes. Municipal water & sewer. Low taxes. Just 90 minutes south of Orlando! Excellent financing. Call now (866)352-2249 FLlandbargains.com FOR SALE OR TRADE Chattanooga Mountains 4500 acres in 5-800 acre tracts. $3000/acre. Owner Financing. Higgenbotham Auctioneers. FL Lic.#AU305AB158 (800)257-4161 Miscellaneous ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Computers, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call (866)858-2121, www.CenturaOnline.com. AIRLINESARE HIRING Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified - Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888)349-5387. ALASKA PLAYING & TRIVIA CARDS. Learn about Alaska while you play cards. $6.96/deck. Check/ m.o. PGS Enterprises, Box 18, 3231 Eureka Street, Anchorage, AK 99503 Real Estate VIRGINIA MTN CABIN, Ready to move in! Great views! Near large stocked trout strm, private, 2 acres, only $159,500 owner. (866)275-0442 Steel Buildings “BUILDING !”...”UNPRECEDENTED LOW PRICES.” REDUCED DEPOSITS. LIMITED INVENTORY. 25X40 $6,844. 30X50 $7,844. 35X60 $12,995. 40X60 $15,995. 60X100 $37,400. OTHERS! (800)668-5422. www.pioneersteel.com Since 1980

orlandoadvocate.com The Advocate 21

Puzzles, Crosswords & Toons Watch Your Head by Cory Thomas

Your favorite crosswords are now online at www.orlandoadvocate.com Click on Lifestyle, then Crossword Puzzles

Candorville by Darrin Bell

Secret Asian Man by Tak Toyoshima

Andy Singer

The Knight Life by Keith Knight

Rip Haywire by Dan Thompson

22 The Advocate

Nick Anderson

March 6, 2009

Just Talk Across 1: Attired 5: Like many chimneys 10: Curly coif 14: ‘Spenser: For ___’ (Urich series) 15: Dish made using a blender, often 16: Don 17: ___ nitrate 18: Who’s there 20: Paint-mixing boards 22: Hilltops 23: Hippodrome section 24: Nincompoop 26: Word on a certain door 29: Clergymen 32: Signs for Nostradamus 33: Prepares to cast 34: Aardvark’s tidbit 36: Dull, resonant sound 37: Sycamore trunks 38: ‘I’m history!’ 39: Away from the office 40: Buffalo gridders 41: Enter one’s computer password 42: Takes offense at 44: Many ‘streets’ of Venice 45: Hippies’ homes 46: Days gone by 47: Community character 50: Small country houses 54: Color named for a liqueur 57: Renege, slangily, with ‘out’ 58: Busy place 59: Cafeteria customer 60: Weight allowance 61: Kind of column 62: Get into uniform 63: Lip-___ Down 1: Bloke

HARD

Puzzles, Crosswords & Toons

2: Peru’s capital 3: Chemical group derived from benzene 4: Redlining 5: Torrents 6: Like some garments 7: Table scraps 8: Player’s peg 9: Craving 10: Expects 11: Marshes 12: Speedway competition 13: Hematite and galena 19: ___ up (quits talking) 21: Makes a sheepshank 24: Has a go at 25: Keen perception 26: Gray wolf 27: Love affair 28: Al ___ (pasta order) 29: Coffin covers 30: Eurasian forest 31: Slow critter 33: Eats and runs? 35: A whole lot 37: Tough spot 38: Influential people 40: Beauty lover 41: Bringing up the rear 43: Future ferns 44: Provides provender 46: Gets ready to be shot 47: Sound on the rebound 48: Word after paper or before skinned 49: Give birth to 50: Adorable 51: It’s often touched up 52: Make money 53: What some writers work on 55: Pinot Noir or Merlot 56: Van Gogh’s love offering

Cryptogram

OK, you asked for this! Now, break the code. Remember, single letter and two-letter words are the easiest. Letters don’t change. If “Z” represents “A” in one word, it will do so in all words! Answer is at bottom of page. Don’t peek unless you absolutely have to!

LE XPFV OAX ZGF XPRYM G LTFRURGY, XTV PSPYVTGJJE R CATYQ R ZGFY’V MAAQ PYALMK.

Word Search

Apollo

OCCUPATIONS Landing

Rocket Atmosphere Launch Satellite Booster Mars Saturn Control Mission Shuttle Countdown Module Space Crew Moon Stage Earth Nasa Training Gravity Orbit Houston Planet

MY BEST JOB WAS BEING A MUSICIAN, BUT EVENTUALLY I FOUND I WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH.

Cryptogram answer:

Sudoku

exercise your numbers side Here’s how to do a sudoku puzzle: Each puzzle is separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces in each square. Solve the puzzle by filling in the open spaces with “missing” numbers so that when you finish, each column and row contains every number from 1 to 9. (In column 1 for instance you see the numbers 1, 2, 7 & 9) Each number 1 to 9 can only appear one time in each column, and only 1 time in each row, AND only one time in each of the 9 squares. Have fun.

Meet your next employer...in person...at Central Florida’s Job Fair. “Hundreds of upper, mid, and entry level career openings in all types of Central Florida Industries!” Presented by Central Florida Employment Council & Christian HELP. Matching People, Jobs, Education & Community since 1994! March 25, 2009 12Noon - 4:00pm. Central Florida Fair Exposition Park, 4603 W Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808 (located on W. Colonial Dr. (SR 50) between Kirkman Rd. & John Young Parkway). Free Admission and Free Parking. Open to all Job Seekers with Career openings in all types of Central Florida Industries.

BackPage the Orlando Advocate

Biz Watch Orlando City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum and Florida State Senator Gary Siplin, in collaboration with the Black Partnership and the National Circle of Friends, are hosting a community meeting tonight (Friday) to inform and prepare minority-owned businesses for upcoming opportunities relating to SunRail, the Central Florida Commuter Rail project. SunRail is a partnership between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and local governments in Central Florida to provide commuter rail service in the greater Orlando area. When completed, it will consist of 61 miles along existing freight tracks, connecting four Central Florida counties. SunRail’s economic potential was recently highlighted in an FDOT Study: SunRail will result in the creation of 13,000 construction and operations jobs, a large portion of which will be created almost immediately, generating more than $350 million in household earnings. SunRail will ultimately have a total, statewide economic impact of nearly 9 billion dollars and 250thousand jobs over the next 30 years. The goal of Friday’s meeting is to give minority firms a general update on the status of the project and detail the steps necessary to begin tapping into the economic benefit of SunRail. Additionally, the program includes information on maximizing opportunities for local MBE’s on projects that carry Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contracting.

March 6, 2009

HUD Awards $600,000 to Florida Public Housing Authorities to Stimulate Jobs, Economic Independence for Housing Residents ORLANDO – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded public housing authorities in Florida a total of $568,170 that will be used to help public housing residents to find jobs that lead them toward economic independence. The housing authorities in Florida receiving funds are: Hialeah Housing Authority ($37,981), Housing Authority of Brevard County ($53,614), Housing Authority of City of Ft. Pierce ($45,320), Housing Authority of Lakeland ($49,094), Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers ($56,643), Jacksonville Housing Authority ($43,657), Lee County Housing Authority ($46,000), Sarasota Housing Authority ($45,000), Housing Authority of the City of Bradenton ($46,813), Housing Authority of the City of Daytona

Beach ($42,436), Housing Authority of the City of Tampa ($63,714 ) and West Palm Beach Housing Authority ($37,898). The funding is part of nearly $12 million awarded to 207 public housing agencies across the U.S. These grants are provided through HUD’s Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which enables public housing agencies (PHA) to hire program coordinators who work directly with residents to connect them with local education and training opportunities; job placement organizations and local employers. The purpose of the program is to encourage local innovative strategies that link public housing assistance with public and private resources to enable participating families to increase earned income; reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance;

Historical Implements: for the barn or the kitchen? If you know what these tools are, odds are your spring chicken days are long gone. On the left is a churn used for making butter. On the right is the (“happy days“) ice cream maker. Photo by Janice Smith LaBord.

and make progress toward achieving economic independence and housing selfsufficiency. “As America prepares to meet the growing challenges brought on by rising unemployment, it helps to have a helping hand guide individuals to training and job opportunities in their community,” said HUD Patricia A. Hoban-Moore, Deputy Regional Director. “These grants will help public housing residents find employment and assist

others who want to increase their earning power.” Public housing residents sign a contract to participate, which outlines their responsibilities towards completion of training and employment objectives up to a five-year period. For each participating family that is a welfare recipient, the PHA must establish an interim goal that the participating family be independent from welfare assistance prior to the expiration of the contract.

During the period of participation, residents may earn an escrow credit based on increased earned income, which they may use in a variety of ways, including continuing their education or down payment toward a home purchase. A HUD study showed low-income families who participated in a similar HUD family self-sufficiency programs saw their incomes increase at a higher rate than nonparticipants.

LYNX To Create More Jobs And Get More Money Than Requested From Recovery Act (Orlando, FL) - Congressman Alan ridership demands,” Watson said. Grayson (FL-8) proudly announced toThe money allocated today will day that LYNX will receive almost $30 focus on the urban core. LYNX is also million from the American Recovery eligible and will apply for additional and Reinvestment Act funding for rural areas. (ARRA). The money is The Florida Department $7 million more than the of Transportation will distransit agency requested. tribute those dollars at a “This is excellent news,” later date. Cong. Grayson said. “The The American Recovery money will enable LYNX and Reinvestment Act of to get even more people 2009 will create or sustain Cong. Alan Grayson working in Central Florida an estimated 3.5 million than originally expected. At the same jobs, provide tax cuts to 95% of all time, their efforts will make mass transit American workers, and will transform much more accessible, environmental- the struggling economy with the biggest ly-friendly, and pleasant for LYNX cus- government investment in infrastructure tomers. That’s what I mean when I talk since the creation of the federal highway about Progress For Central Florida.” system. LYNX CEO Linda Watson was also According to Grayson, the recovery thrilled after hearing the news. “LYNX bill does not have a single earmark and is very excited that after working vigor- implements unprecedented accountously with our federal elected officials, ability and oversight measures to ensure they along with the Federal Transit taxpayers that their money is being Administration have agreed to invest well-spent. heavily in Central Florida’s transportation system. These much needed ARRA Florida’s allocation: $316,196,713 dollars will enable LYNX to build the LYNX requested $22,490,000 necessary capital infrastructure to meet LYNX granted $29,574,615

o r l a n d o a d v o c a t e . c o m