houston style magazine vol 21 no 21

Heartbreak of a Hustler’s... Terri Reviews a

Book by Nikki Turner

roland Martin Talks About...Newt’s Version of the Truth

sPotliGHts

tedasHiGives Fan a Deeper View

with Third Album

Haul’s financial kickoff GoinG Green at tHe tbeHaPPy 55tH Mayor Parker

H Wake uP your reciPes WitH juicy toMatoes HComplimentary H Houston's Urban Weekly Publication Volume 21 H Number 21 MAy 26 - juNe 1, 2011

VeGGies!just Got easier

to eat

* neWs * coMMentaries * sPorts * HealtH * entertainMent

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WWW.STYLEMAGAZINE.COM May 26 - June 1, 2011 PG 3

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DJ Superstar: The Next...By Jo-Carolyn Goode

Newt Wrong to Back Down from ...By Roland S. Martin{

THIS WEEkdEPArTMENTS4 Commentary5 Local briefs6 Haute Shots8 haute Shots 9 Commentary10 What’s In Style11 Feature12 Entertainment14 business Shots15 health16 book review17 Culinary18 haute Shots19 Auto Review/haute Shots20 business21 Classifieds22 Classifieds

©2011 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2007 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP).

VOLUME 21 • NUMbER 21 • MAy 26 - JUNE 1, 2011

Page 17


COMMENTArYFor millions of Americans, this is a calam-ity. The savings they thought they had in the value of their homes are gone. Many are paying on mortgages for homes that may never return to their original value. Millions are losing their homes to foreclo-sure, or choosing to walk away from in-vestments that no longer make sense. This is the fallout from the hous-ing bubble and bust that triggered the glob-al recession, and has left nearly 25 million in need of full-time work, while generating crippling budget deficits at the local, state and national level. What is increasingly coming clear is that beneath this calamity is an extensive pattern of fraud, negligence and misbehav-ior by America’s biggest banks. Last week, The Huffington Post reported that confidential audits by the De-partment of Housing and Urban Develop-ment charged that the nation’s five largest mortgage companies had cheated taxpay-ers. The HUD audits showed that the banks filed defective documents to get excessive reimbursement from the federal govern-ment on foreclosed loans. Now the Justice Department is trying to sort out criminal and civil enforcement actions. Who were the five mortgage com-

Will the Banks be Held Accountable?panies who together handle three-fifths of all U.S. mortgages? Only a Who’s Who of our respected and biggest financial institu-tions: Bank of America, Citigroup, JP Mor-gan Chase, Wells Fargo and Ally Financial. Two of them, including Bank of America, refused to cooperate with the audits. Now they face civil and potentially criminal charges. The bank scandals in the housing mess -- from robo-signing, to mortgages financed on fraudulent terms, to defective securitization, to foreclosures on innocent homeowners -- keep piling up. And now, efforts by the banks to shut down the inves-tigations seem to be failing. In Illinois, the attorney general is reportedly examining potentially fraudulent court filings. Nevada and Arizona have launched lawsuits against Bank of America. New York Attorney Gen-eral Eric Schneiderman has indicated that he will do a complete investigation of bank practices in the mortgage area, from fraud-ulent lending to illegal home seizures. The Justice Department should expand a full investigation also. If the HUD audits prove to be correct, the banks will be liable for literally tens of billions of dollars. The damages recovered could provide an opportunity to provide relief for homeown-

ers who have suffered wrongful foreclo-sure or been trapped in fraudulently issued mortgages. A carefully administered pool of funds recovered from the banks could bring a measure of justice to homeowners in cities like Detroit or Chicago where en-tire neighborhoods have been devastated by foreclosures. When the bubble burst in 2007 and 2008, Washington’s response, start-ing under Bush’s Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, was to focus on rescuing the banks. They were bailed out by the Treasury and the Federal Reserve. They emerged from the crisis bigger and more concentrated than ever. No major officer of a big bank was prosecuted. Million-dollar bonuses returned. But now more and more indica-tions of pervasive fraud or illegal mishan-dling of mortgages are piling up. Taxpay-ers and many homeowners have suffered losses as a result. The time for investiga-tion, for prosecution and for remedy is long past due. You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson care of this newspaper or by e-mail at [email protected]. Share this story on stylemagazine.com.

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It isn’t clear what is worse: the hous-ing crisis that keeps deepening or the reports of pervasive banking fraud that

keep getting exposed. With the banks fac-ing billions in potential damages, perhaps some measure of justice can be done to the homeowners who have been the victims of the crisis and the crimes. We’re still not at the bottom of the housing mess. Home prices continue to fall. Now nearly 30 percent of homes with mortgages are under water. Another 2 million in foreclosures are due to come. Banks are sitting on hundreds of thousands of foreclosed homes, a dead weight on any recovery in home prices.


Prairie View A&M junior volleyball student-athlete Meagan Coleman will take

her talents to the West Coast over the summer after accepting an in-ternship with nationally renowned sports- w e a r g i - a n t

Nike. A native of Lancaster, Texas, Coleman is the first-ever Prairie View A&M student-athlete to earn the Nike internship and will be one of three interns to spend two months in Los Angeles, Calif. The Texas House yesterday

accepted Senate amend-ments to legislation that will

State District Court Judge Buddie J. Hahn of Orange County, who was appointed

to serve as required under the Elec-tion Code, issued a summary judg-ment ruling in favor of the City of Houston in the pending lawsuit relating to the Proposition 1 ballot language, now known as ReBuild Houston. Judge Hahn’s decision dismisses the case against the City. Mayor Annise Parker released the following statement: “This is yet another frivolous lawsuit that has

LOCAL brIEFSPrAIrIE vIEW A&M

vOLLYEbALL STUdENT-ATHLETE MAkES HISTO-rY WITH PrESTIGIOUS SUMMEr INTErNSHIP

City of Houston Prevails in Prop 1 Language Lawsuit

Coleman bill to Protect religious Freedom Head-

ed to Governor’s Desk

Forty area centenarians to receive recognition

from Harris County Area Agency on Aging, HdHHS

cost taxpayers money at a time when the City can least afford it. Last fall’s ballot language clearly indicated that Prop 1 was an ini-t i a t ive aimed at f i x - i n g

Hous- t o n ’ s drainage problem. I hope this ruling answers any lingering ques-tions raised about the voters’ deci-sion to implement this solution.”

protect religious freedom, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk. HB 1278 by Reps. Coleman, Riddle and Hochberg, and sponsored by Sen. Seliger prohibits a property owners’ association (POA) from barring a resident from displaying a religious item on the door of his or her home. Rep. Coleman filed this legislation after a POA threat-ened a Houston couple with a hefty recurring fine if the couple didn’t take down their mezuzah, which is required to be posted by their Jew-ish faith. The couple’s POA rules stated that floor mats, plants, and decorative items were not allowed on common areas. However, sev-eral homeowners had large plants and door mats in the hallways. HB 1278 bars a POA from prohibiting a resident from displaying reli-gious items, that are motivated by a resident’s sincere religious belief, on the door of his or her home. HB 1278 is carefully crafted with significant safeguards to POAs. A POA may still adopt rules to pro-hibit an item if it is larger than 25 square inches, threatens public health or safety, violates a law, or contains language or graphics that are patently offensive to a pass-erby.

at Nike’s retail department. In order to be considered for an internship at Nike, Coleman had to endure an extensive interview process which put plenty of emphasis on her grade point average. Coleman also had to demonstrate her passion for sports and the Nike brand in order to land the position. Coleman’s internship starts on June 14 and will conclude in August as she enters her senior season as a member of the Prairie View A&M Lady Panther volley-ball team.

It’s that time of the year Houston. Our days are long, hot, sunny and humid. When the traffic gets as stifling as the humidity, our tempers

can flare, especially if we’re hungry. On one of the busiest streets in Houston, Westheimer, there is a place that is as serene as a beach on a tropi-cal island. It’s called Jamaica House, and the only “jerk” you’ll encounter is on your plate. Jamaica House offers a variety of Caribbean style dishes from jerk chicken, jerk burgers to curry goat ox-tails, and “escoveitch” fish. The term “escoveitch” refers to the pickled carrots and onions that are served as a garnish, and the fish is served grilled or fried. They also offer Caribbean style beverages such as ginger beer and tropical smoothies made from fresh fruit. Jamaica House is located at 6357 Wes-theimer, between Hillcroft and Winrock. It is run by Jamaican natives Wendi Walker and her mother Jackie Francis. Additionally, all the recipes are Jackie’s, who is the Executive Chef. She oversees everything culinary at Jamaica House, from the catering, to making all the sauces from scratch. In fact, Jackie Francis is the owner the original Ja-maica House in Jamaica, where she was the Per-sonal Chef of the former Prime Minister of Jamai-ca for 10 years. Moreover, Jackie emphasized that “nobody touches my sauces but me”; furthermore, both Wendi and Jackie stated the importance of serving fresh and healthy food. Most of the dishes are grilled; however, if a customer insists on eat-ing something fried, they are happy to provide. The rice is steamed and so are the vegetables. The smoothies are made with fresh fruit, and the coffee is freshly ground.

On Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe will be visiting four H-

E-B stores in the Houston area to discuss the prequel to her debut novel The Upper Room. The prequel, titled Mama Ruby will be avail-able in hardcover for $24.99 on May 31, 2011. Monroe will appear at both H-E-B stores in Katy and Pearland on June 3 and in H-E-B stores in Houston and Tomball on June 4. Originally published in 1985, The Upper Room featured Ruby Montgomery, an indomitable character who steals her best friend’s baby daughter and flees to rural Flori-da, where she establishes herself as an almost mythical figure. Now, Monroe returns with Mama Ruby, giving readers a look into how Ruby becomes the person we met in The Up-per Room. Monroe hails from Oakland, Cali-fornia and is a critically acclaimed author who has received praise from the New York Times, Essence and the Chicago Sun Times. The daughter of sharecroppers and the first in her family to graduate from high school, Ala-bama-born Monroe is also the author of God Don’t Like Ugly, which received the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award and has over a quarter million copies in print.

The dish in the photo is: Jerk Chicken, rice with peas, steamed cabbage and caramelized plantains. “If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen”, because the “jerk” in the chicken has a bite like a Texas mosquito, but the season-ings are well balanced in my view. The plan-tains, offer the sweet coolness to offset the spicy chicken; the rice with peas, and steamed cabbage makes for a meal that is savory and filling. The ginger beer, which is a non-alcoholic beverage, is blended with fresh lemon and pairs well with this meal. I enjoyed every bite; and I hung around for dessert. I shared a piece of the “JH Choc Rum Cake” with a friend; I enjoyed mine with some “Jamaican Blue Mountain” coffee and my friend washed hers down with a coconut mango smooth-ie. We enjoyed the music, the relaxed atmosphere and great service. Go and see for yourself; visit Jamaica House, they are open seven days a week. You can learn more about the food and specialty drinks while planning your visit. Go to their web-site: www.myjamaicahouse.com. Do you have a favorite spot? Are you a restaurant owner? Write me at: [email protected]

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, June 3rd, 2011 12-2 p.m. H-E-B Katy (6711 S. Fry Road Katy, TX) 4-6 p.m. H-E-B Pearland (2805 Business Center Drive Pearl and, TX)

Saturday, June 4, 2011 12-2 p.m. H-E-B Vintage Park (10919 Louetta Houston, TX) 4-6 p.m. H-E-B Tomball (28520 Tomball Parkway Tom ball, TX)

CULINArY LOCALWhat a Jerk! Four Local H-E-B Stores to Host Author Mary Monroe Book Signing Event

jerk chicken, rice with peas, steamed cabbage and caramelized plantains

Forty Houston centenarians, volunteers and staff with the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS), Harris County Area Agency on Aging, the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature

and the Area Planning Advisory Coun-cil and elected officials were honored recently in celebration of Older Ameri-cans Month. The organization unveiled a senior community quilt, watched per-formances by the La Porte Senior Hand Bell Choir and the Bay Area Tap Danc-ers, a presentation on preventing fraud against seniors and an appearance by a 2011 Senior Citizen Pageant contestant. After the celebration, volunteers, elected officials and HDHHS staff drove to the homes of 40 area centenarians to present them with a dozen roses, a $35 gift card and a certificate recognizing them as an Honorary Texas Silver-Haired Legisla-tor. The Harris County Area Agency on Aging, a division of HDHHS, spon-sored the event and recognition. This year’s theme, Older Americans: Con-necting the Community, paid homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of U.S. communities.

By Yolanda PopeStyle Culinary Writer


THIS WEEk: Houston, TX

the intimate World of frida kahloP h o t o g r a p h y B y R o s w i t h a V o g l e r

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at Rice University for the special lecture “The Intimate World of Frida Kahlo.” Presented by the Consulate General of Mexico, in collaboration with Rice University’s Office of Multi-

cultural Community Relations and Literal Latin American Voices, the lecture was conducted by Hilda Trujillo Soto, the Director of the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera-Anahucalli Muse-ums in Mexico City. Some in attendance were David D. Medina, Director of Multicultural Community Relations; members of the Mexican Consul, Adhemir Olguin and Frida Vil-lalobos.

aetna’s 3-Point Play ProgramP h o t o g r a p h y B y V i c k y P i n k

On Friday, May 13, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at Youngblood In-termediate School in Alief ISD for the 3-Point Play Program. The program is a collaborative effort between national and local organizations to help improve com-

munity health. This year Aetna, the Aetna Foundation and the Magic Johnson Foundation sponsored the program. The goal is to help solve the challenge of childhood obesity and diabetes within a generation. Some in attendance were JJ Moses, London Dunlap, Sal-ly Imig, Lynn Scott, Valerie Green, Maria Mendez, Shaneisha Weir, Luis Chavez, Stephanie Zelaya, Jeffery Bernhard and Melvin Dixon.



Mayor annise Parker 55th birthday bashP h o t o g r a p h y B y R o s w i t h a V o g l e r

On Saturday, May 21, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at The Conti-nental Club for the 55th Birthday Bash for Mayor Annise Parker. Attendees were invited to join Mayor Parker’s celebration by contributing $55 for a ticket or $555

for sponsorship. Yvonne Washington performed live. Mayor Parker appeared to be hav-ing a blast. Some in attendance were Debbie Tyler-Dillard, Madea Guldedava, and Shelby Hodge. Happy 55th Birthday Mayor Annise Parker!

congresswoman lee Hosts education town Hall MeetingP h o t o g r a p h y B y V i c k y P i n k

On Saturday, May 21, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at J. Ryan Middle School for the Education Town Hall meeting. The event hosted by Congress-woman Sheila Jackson Lee had the community speak about their concerns and

suggestions to make their students have the best opportunity to succeed no matter what their zip code. Those joining Congresswoman Lee in the challenging discussion of what is being done to our children through the financing of a second class education were Taylor August and Angela Heights with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights; Rita Haecker, President of the Texas State Teachers Association; Dr. Lawrence Allen of the Texas State Board of Education; parents; local school board members; and education advocates. Congresswoman Lee hosted this meeting to allow her constituents to voice their opinions about issues affecting Texas school children, and to hear from educational leaders and experts.


COMMENTArY

I f Newt Gingrich was planning to send GOP voters a message that he’s a different kind of politician who won’t just say anything to get

elected, he did a horrible job of driving that point home this week. After making a so-called verbal gaffe on NBC’s “Meet the Press” last Sunday regarding radical changes to Medicare, as proposed by con-gressman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Newt was on the defensive, apologizing, backtracking and grovel-ing to any Republican or conservative radio show host who would take his call. Instead of trying to blame the media for twisting his words, Gingrich should man up and defend his assessment of the Ryan proposal. It has gotten so bad that Newt is now suggesting he wasn’t even talking about Ryan’s Medicare plan, even though the “Meet the Press” transcript says that they discussed Medicare reform. Host David Gregory said: “But not what Paul Ryan is suggesting, which is completely changing Medi-care.” Now before his lips began to do the back-stroke, Newt said: “What you want to have is a system where people voluntarily migrate to bet-ter outcomes, better solutions, better options, not one where you suddenly impose it. I am against Obamacare imposing radical change, and I would be against a conservative imposing radical change.” Ryan’s plan calls for Medicare to be re-placed by a voucher system, so seniors could pur-chase private health insurance. “I don’t think right-wing social engineer-ing is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” he said. “I think we need a national conversation to get to a better Medicare solution for seniors.” Apparently, the GOP establishment doesn’t think Ryan’s plan is risky. So they pounced on Gingrich, forcing him to furiously backtrack from his initial assessment. But he’s right. The proposal pledged by Ryan is a radical one. And if you look at the re-ception it has received at the town halls of Re-publican members of Congress, you would also conclude that the plan is a whole lot for Ameri-cans to swallow. What is amazing is that we heard exact-ly the same complaints from Republicans about the health care reform championed by President Barack Obama. When Democrats had their hats

handed to them in November 2010, leading to the loss of the U.S. House, a number said that they may have overreached with the health plan. Gingrich isn’t a dumb politician. He knows that no matter how conservative some folks are, seniors will rebel against Ryan’s plans as it is presently constituted, which could be disastrous for Republicans in 2012. And if Republicans plant their flag in the ground based on Ryan’s place, the volatility that Democrats faced in 2010 will come knocking on their door. That’s what Newt should be telling those on his side of the aisle. But instead, he thinks that denying, obfuscating and shifting blame will make the story go away. But it won’t. The hardest thing for Americans to accept is change. Yes, radical change. Oh, sure, 69 mil-lion voted for then Sen. Barack Obama in Novem-ber 2008, but when change becomes reality, folks get skittish and want to scream, “Slow down!” The reason Gingrich has been looked upon as a star in the Republican Party is because he has always been seen as a master strategist, employing the tactics he has studied as a military historian. And maybe that’s the problem. Instead of having to always say one thing and mean another, Gin-grich may be best served as a thinker and not a candidate. You don’t believe me? Here is what Gin-grich said in that very interview on the May 15th edition of “Meet the Press”: “One of my great weaknesses is that part of me is a teacher analyst. And part of me is a political leader. And I’ve -- one of the most painful lessons I’ve had to learn, and I haven’t fully learned it obviously -- is that if you seek to be the president of the United States,

Newt Wrong to Back Down From GOP Critics

you are never an analyst, you know, you’re never a college teacher because those folks can say what they want to say. And somebody who offers to lead America has to be much more disciplined and much more thoughtful than an analyst. “Analysts can say anything they want to because there’s no downside. But the person to whom you’re entrusting the leadership of the United States had better think long and hard be-fore they say things. I think that’s a fair criticism of me.” So there you go. Newt Gingrich owns up to the fact that as an analyst, he can give unfiltered truth to the issues and not have to essentially lie in order to make his political supporters happy. Sorry, Newt. I don’t think you misspoke; you weren’t talking without thinking. I believe that you were giving an honest assessment of Ry-an’s Medicare plan, and it simply doesn’t sit well with many members of your party. And unfortunately for the voter, we’re left with another politician who will say whatever he needs to get elected, as opposed to the truth. If Gingrich wants us to believe Newt 2.0 is for real, stop dancing around the truth and just give it to us straight, no chaser. We’re big boys and girls, Newt. We can handle it. Roland S. Martin is an award-winning CNN analyst and the author of the book “The First: President Barack Obama’s Road to the White House as originally reported by Roland S. Martin.” Please visit his website at www.Ro-landSMartin.com. To find out more about Roland S. Martin and read his past columns, visit the Cre-ators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Share this story on stylemagazine.com.

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What’s in STYLE

l Summer breeze all white affairPoise yourself for a once in a lifetime event as the BMW showroom floor into a deca-dent haven for Houston’s tastemakers to party, mix, mingle, and enjoy the holiday weekend as Momentum BMW Southwest

l hhbCuaa annual hbCu alum-ni mixerThe Houston Historically Black Colleges & Universities Alumni Association (HH-BCUAA) annual HBCU Alumni Mixer, at Suite 6224, 6224 Richmond Avenue. The mixer will provide alumni another oppor-tunity to acquaint the community with the value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, while funding scholarships for deserving young people. Call 832- 293-3476, email [email protected] or log on to www.houstonhbcualumni.org for more information.

l eith irby joneS wellneSS retreat CenterEnjoy a day of relaxation and renewal at the Edith Irby Jones Wellness Retreat Cen-ter, 2601 Prospect St. From 10am – 6pm guests will enjoy a rejuvenating breakfast, lunch and dinner. Center yourself with yoga and Zumba. Relax yourself with a soothing massage. Make peace with food. Find joy for just $80. Call the center to get more information at (713) 240-7226 or visit them online at www.edithjoneswell-ness.com.

l 32nd annual Pan afriCan Cul-tural feStivalS.H.A.P.E. Community Center hosts the 32nd an-nual Pan African Cultural Festival: Our Family, Our Roots, and Our Strength, at Our Park, 2604 Alabama from 11:00am – 8:00pm. Featuring live performances and entertainment by notable and emerging local artists, arts and crafts exhibits, and a variety of informational displays and pre-sentations, this family oriented event will include music, dance, food, a film festival, and many ac-tivities for children. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Summer Youth Enrichment program. Call Nefertitti Jackmon at 832-549-0937 or 713-521-0641, or email [email protected] for details.

l mark eCko Summer ColleC-tion faShion ShowMarc Ecko Galleria Store presents Summer Collection Fashion Show at Evo Lounge, 2707 Milam. Show starts at 10:30pm. Music by DJ Nimbus. Cover charge at the door. VIP reservations call Taylor Williams (713) 376-5622.

may 29

june 3

june 1

may 28may 26

l largeSt hurriCan PrePared-neSS event in the nationGeorge R. Brown Convention, Hall B . Come join us for the largest hurricane preparedness event in the nation. The FREE, family-friend-ly event is open to the public and features an updated forecast of the 2011 hurricane sea-son, an interactive Kids Zone with exciting entertainment, presentations from emergency management experts, free hurricane pre-paredness materials, and much more! Log on to www.HurricaneWorkshop.com for details.

l big brotherS big SiSter’S bowl for kid’S SakeBig Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl For Kid’s Sake, at Palace Lanes, 4191 Bellaire Blvd., Hous-ton. One of BBBS’s largest events in which participants secure sponsors to enjoy a large, high energy bowling party where bowlers of all skill levels enjoy two games of bowling, food and drinks. To register a team log on to http://houstonbfks.kintera.org .

l the houSton Ck SCraPbook ConventionThe Houston CK Scrapbook Convention (CKC), at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, 1601 Robbins Drive, Spring, TX. Looking for incredible shopping, inspiring classes, and time to work on projects? The CKC is for you! Featuring a Vendor Faire, day classes, workshops, Pre-view, Celebration & Super Crops, and more! Register online now through Monday, June 27, 2011 midnight at www.ckscrapbookevents.com/houston .

l 2011 image exPo2011 The Image Expo, at the Reliant Center. Promising to be the hottest new hair and beauty show in the Southwest, Image Expo will focus on education in the cosmetology industry, fea-turing cutting-edge seminars, workshops and celebrity presentations. Log on to www.TheI-mageExpo.com for more information.

l danCin’ in the StreetS: motown & more revueThursday May 26, 2011 8:15 PM to 10:45 PMThis electrifying and soulful revue features many of Houston’s most talented vocalists and dancers, accompanied by the 23-piece BACEMENT Orchestra. Dancin’ in the Streets: Motown & More Revue features soul music from its inception in the 1950s to pres-ent day. For performance updates, please call (281) FREE-FUN (281-373-3386) or visit www. milleroutdoortheatre.com.

l houSton PubliC library’S Sum-mer reading ProgramHouston Public Library’s Summer Reading Pro-

june 4

june 10 - 11

july 7 - 9

july 10 - 11

may 26 - 29

june 1 - 5

LEGAL Prisons Profiting off Youth

Over the last several decades, the na-tion’s prison population has tripled and annual prison spending in-

creased by over $40 billion dollars. State and federal budgets are pushed to the limits as they work to fund existing prisons and jails. To further complicate matters, the high num-bers of offenders who recidivate, or return to jail, burden an already crowded system. It seems that no one – inmates, prison officials – is “winning”. No one, that is, except for the private corporations that now run many of the country’s prisons. For the most part, the na-

tion’s prisons fall under the guidance of both the federal and state governments. However, more and more states are allowing private contractors to step in and build and manage prisons. Supporters of prison privatization say the practice takes the heavy burden of prison facility management off of the gov-ernment, freeing up money and streamlining prison operations. But, how accountable are these contractors? Is protecting their bottom line more important that properly protecting and rehabilitating the prisoners? If you’re fa-miliar with recent incidents at Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility in Jackson, Mis-sissippi, you might be inclined to think, to private contractors who run prisons, profit trumps all. Walnut Grove houses young men, 90 percent of whom are African American, between the ages of 13 and 22. The facility is run by GEO Group, the nation’s second largest provider of private correctional fa-cility management services. The company is being sued by dozens of family members of inmates who say the corporation failed to provide adequate security in the prison. The families allege that the prison forces the

young men to live in sub-standard conditions, where they are subject to excessive force from staff and are sexually preyed upon by other inmates and staff. One of the most star-tling stories to come from the families is that of 21-year-old Mike McIntosh II. A 2010 riot at the prison left McIntosh, a former athlete, so severely brain damaged that he struggles with short-term memory and has lost some function in his right leg and arm. If you think that the violence at Walnut Grove cannot be avoided because the institution is full of hei-nous, violent criminals, consider this: of the 1,200 young men incarcerated there, more than two-thirds are jailed for nonviolent of-fenses. Only a thorough investigation will uncover exactly what’s going on at Walnut Grove but, based on the facts we have so far, it’s easy to see that the prison has failed to provide the staff needed to keep these young men safe. And, if they can’t keep them safe, they surely won’t be able to re-habilitate them. Many of those incarcerated don’t have a high school education: their job prospects and hope for the future were grim, so they turned to crime to escape poverty. If

they aren’t given the tools they need while in prison, namely an education and counseling, they are more likely to return. These private contractors are making money by incarcerat-ing young people, many of whom would be better served by being sentenced to intensive drug counseling and being properly educat-ed. If the government can’t handle the chal-lenge managing prisons presents, it needs to set guidelines that holds private management firms accountable for the inmate’s safety and their rehabilitation.

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presents Memorial Weekend Summer Breeze All White Affair and Official Un-veiling of BMW’s New 2012 6 Series Line from 9pm – 2pm at Momentum BMW Dealership Southwest, 10002 SW Freeway.

gram. This summer children ages 0-18 can feed their dreams by reading their favorite books during the 2011 John P. McGovern Foundation Summer Reading Program (SRP). This is a free program that rewards reading with a free book for the home. Register online at https://summer.hpl.lib.tx.us/evanced/sr/homepage.asp or by contact-ing the Houston Public Library at (832) 393-1313.


What’s my name? If you are Houston’s most preferred lady dj, your name is DJ Supastar,

who can be found doing her thing at par-ties, wedding receptions, and other social events in and around town. Spinning since 2001, DJ Supastar is one of Houston’s hottest female disk jockeys, a rare breed in a male-driven industry. She won’t be an oddity for long if she has something to say about it. With her brand new DJ summer camp just for girls, DJ Supastar is about to give the music industry an in-jection of estrogen. Before she became DJ Supastar, she was born as Zelma Lee. Always hav-ing a love for music, she woke up one day and decide the time to fulfill her desire to be a DJ was now. The problem was she didn’t know how to pursue her dream. In-stead of twiddling her thumbs, she bought a self-starter kit complete with turntables and taught herself how to be a disc jock-ey. With a yearning for more knowledge, she enlisted the help of GT, another well-known Houston DJ. As luck would have it, DJ GT from 97.9 the Box was looking for someone to train and she was look-ing for someone to teach her. This was a match made in heaven. With a little more knowledge and a few additional skills DJ Supastar decided to get out there on her own so that every-one would know who DJ Supastar is. “This industry is so tricky,” said Lee recalling her earlier days. Getting her foot in the door was no easy task. Promoters turned her down and when she did get gigs, DJ Supastar reluctantly admits that she did commit some errors on some of her initial gigs. That’s understandable. It is even ac-ceptable if you hear her today. Her client

list includes Solange Knowles, Chanel,

Rashard Lewis, Nike Pro-City Basketball, Praise 92.1 radio sta-tion, National Black

Caucus, Saks 5th Avenue, and Fonde Recreation Center. The

girl has developed mad skills. This sum-mer she plans to pass those skills on to Houston girls. “I have always wanted to share with girls,” said DJ Supastar. In her first ever DJ summer camp she will get her chance. Girls ages 13-17 are invited to learn the history of disk jockeying as an art form, how to setup basic equipment, and the basics of mixing music. Partici-pants will learn how to mix music on turn-tables the old school way versus the new school method of using computer software that DJ Supastar uses on her laptop. She wants these girls to grasp everything they can about the disc jockey business in the camp that will last 6 to 8 weeks. Though this is DJ Supastar’s first camp, she has her eyes set on the fu-ture. A successful summer camp is part of her overall goal to host sessions like this one year round. She would love to turn her DJ camp into an afterschool program so even more girls could learn the craft of DJing.

CULINArYFEATUrE

By Jo-Carolyn GoodeEditor-at-Large

DJ Supastar: Creating the Next Generation

As anyone can imagine the camp is stir-ring up a lot of buzz as girls anxiously sign up. Some adults are also anxious, anxious for DJ Supastar to do a camp for adults. “I wouldn’t mind helping adults,” said DJ Supastar but currently she has no plans for this venture. For stars like DJ Supastar the sky is the limit. Don’t just look at stars. Be a star. One way to start is by enrolling in DJ Su-

of Stars


Jesus Christ. His strong upbringing encour-aged him to pursue a college degree on an academic scholarship, and as a walk-on for the football team. He credits that his col-lege career gave him his epiphany to find

a new life in Christ. Tadashii’s newfound family in Christ encouraged him to use his rapping skills, honed since being chal-

Tadashii is a Houston native that has anointed his music with a spiritual message every time he touches the

microphone. His name in Japanese means: righteous, faithful, and true. Tedashii personifies the meaning of his name as a Christian hip-hop artist that has reached millions throughout his ministry of music, and traveled abroad throughout Europe and Australia. When you come in contact with him initially; you would automatical-ly assume that he is a professional football player from his burly stature. However; the Samoan is a gentle giant that uses his tal-ents to impact many that follow the path of

ENTErTAINMENTTadashii brings the riot as a Christian

hip hop artist with his third album

BlaCkligHT By Rebecca BriscoeStyle Entertainment Writer

lenged to freestyle in high school, to glo-rify God. The Grammy and Dove Awards nominated artist later graduated with a de-gree from the University of North Texas, and has been embarking on his success by utilizing his talents in Christian hip-hop to minister to the masses. Tadashii is adamant about the success of his third album Blacklight, be-cause his creation is from an artist’s stand-point. It encompasses all musical compo-nents with all-around sound. Per Tadashii, “This album will hit home by giving all of my listeners a deeper view of me”. A black light brings light to what normally can not be revealed in white light, so I am doing the same as a Christian, and musician. Blacklight will be in stores on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 in all major music retailers, online, and in Christian book-stores. The latest single Riot can be viewed online now on my website:www.reachre-cords.com, or downloaded on itunes.

RB: What was the concept and or mes-sage to create your third album Black-light ?T: The concept for this album is to live with the end in mind. I want my listen-ers to become mindful of their future, and continuously strive to attain their goals. It is imperative as a Christian to have hope, and keep a positive outlook towards the fulfillments of Christ. In order to achieve success one must have: focus, motivation, and not be discouraged by any negativity that may impede your objectives in life. RB: Is your music spiritual or religious?T: That really depends on the listener. It could be both. My music gives my audi-ence a goal internally with an underlying message. It is spiritually driven through Christ because you will feel something. Religiously speaking, my music show-cases sacred themes that represent a view-point of the world.

RB: Do you feel that you will ever cross over as a regular mainstream hip hop artist?T: I would love the opportunity to make the transition into a mainstream hip-hop

artist. My overall ambition is to constantly reach that milestone. As a Christian hip-hop artist, I view my artistry authentically; both as a hip-hop artist and as a Christian. I want my listeners to understand my view-point on array of topics, and recognize my talents as such. When you look at the artistry in hip-hop; I think of Lupe Fiasco. He is a devout Muslim, and a hip-hop artist that evokes groundbreaking messages lyrically with his beliefs.

RB: How important is it for your lyrics to impact audiences with a message?T: It is ideal for me to impact my audience with a message that resonates throughout my lyrics. Lyrics are the foundation of my music; which provides a catalyst of sub-stance. It is key for me to communicate the potency of my message lyrically. Black-light is filled with lyrics that will inspire audiences that may feel hopeless because they have lived their whole lives in detri-ment and misfortune.

RB: What artists do you listen to when not recording or touring?T: I am a connoisseur of various genres of music. I love jazz, vocally I listen to Con-temporary Christian/Gospel music, and as for Hip-hop I listen to Reach Records label mates: Trip Lee, Lecrae, and Sho Baraka. For more information and book-ing:

www.reachrecords.comwww.twitter.com/tadashiiwww.facebook.com/tadashii

"My music is the music of

a movement...Romans 1:16"

-Tadashii


Haul’s fPfeceP kick offP h o t o g r a p h y B y R o s w i t h a V o g l e r

On Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) for the kick-off reception for the Foreclosure Pre-vention Financial Education and Credit Enhancement Program (FPFECEP).

The FPFECEP program is unique because it is funded locally by area lender partners and provides a local solution to dwindling federal funds. To date, the funders are Wells Fargo, Citi Bank and JPMorgan Chase and more are expected to join the partnership. The event will feature area banks, HUD representatives, and client testimonies. Some in attendance were HAUL’s president and CEO Judson Robinson, HAUL’s treasurer Michael Pearson, HAUL’s CFO Debra King, Esther Richardson, Darlene Castille, Ron Branch, Cary Yates, Alan Waters, Thomas Jones, Andrea Jones Alan Peterson, Charnell Long, Anisa Mosely, Vickie McBride, David Slaughter, Derrick Duran, and Dr. Ed Pringle.

texas black expo corporate receptionP h o t o g r a p h y B y V i c k y P i n k

On Thursday, May 19, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at the George R. Brown Tasting Room for the Texas Black Expo Corporate Reception. The event was one of several kickoff events leading to the Texas Black Expo. The theme of

this year’s Expo was “Making Green, Going Green.” Some enjoying the tasty food were Houston Black Expo President and CEO Jerome Love, Dr. Shannon Cormier, LaTayne Bruce, Larry Green, Linda Ragland, Eric Goodie, Phil Dyson, Carolyn and Laverne Wilson, Marlen Whitley, Joe Arrington, Courtney Johnson Rose, Susan Bynam, Renee Parker, Owennetta Hamrick, Cindi Blount, Tyrus Brailey, Terry Stringer, Joyce Bethany, Jarrett Smith, Kimberly Barrett, Rev. Lynda Gittens and Douglas Malone.


HEALTH Five Easy Ways to Get Your Proper Serving of Vegetables

The USDA recommends that we get 5 servings of vegetables a day. As we move from Spring into Summer

it’s a great time to start taking their advice. Fresh produce is plentiful at the farmers’ markets and local supermarkets and is argu-ably tastier, more nutritious and just what we need at the time of the year when it’s in season. But most of us are not eating enough vegetables nor are we venturing be-yond potatoes (French fries) and tomatoes (ketchup). But figuring out what vegetables to eat and how much has become a road-block. “How can anyone forget Mom’s rule for eating all your vegetables at the dinner table? According to the USDA’s up-dated portion requirements, Mom is always right,” explained Doug Taeckens president and CEO of Healthy Steps by Jokari a well-ness-focused line of affordable everyday kitchen tools. “We have been mindful of the phrase “portion control” and how that might come across differently to different con-sumers. People need to increase their por-tions of vegetables and fruits, just like they may need to limit their portions of protein and dairy,” Taeckens explains. “Our serv-ing tools were created to make portion con-trol at home effortless,” he said. It takes some work to get 4 to 5 servings of vegetables a day but when you

know where to start and

how to prepare them it gets easier. Check out these five seasonal vegetables to add va-riety and flavor to your warm-weather diet:

1. Okra – We know it best in gumbo, but did you know you can eat okra raw? It is loaded with health benefits like vitamins A and C plus iron, calcium, magnesium and fi-ber. Added benefits are no mucilage (slime) when it’s raw. For optimal taste, make sure okra is fresh and tender. Squeeze lime over it, dip it in hummus or salsa. Or just chop and toss it into a green salad. Pickled is yummy too!2. Zucchini -- Fresh zucchini allows for tons of creativity. Eat it raw, grilled, or steamed. Try blanching and freezing thin slices in zippered baggies. Slice zucchini lengthwise and eat it raw like fries or brush with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian sea-soning and grill. Toss into a salad or serve it on the side with fish. 3. Asparagus -- Asparagus season is under-way and runs through June. It is best when eaten within a couple of days of harvesting -- so purchase it locally. Steaming is the most common cooking preparation but it too can be eaten raw or grilled. Toss it with a vinaigrette, dip it in hummus. Or grill it with olive-oil lemon juice and garlic. 4. Spring Peas – Protein doesn’t just come from animals. A serving of sweet green gar-den (or English) peas contains more protein than an egg-with less than a gram of fat and no cholesterol. These legumes should be shelled and blanched in boiling water just until they turn bright green. Sprinkle with just a touch of sea salt.5. Green Beans – This is one vegetable where you can really taste the difference when they are fresh from the garden. Steam and toss with sliced almonds, black pepper, sea salt and lemon juice. You can find more tasty recipes for more vegetables at http://www.myhealthys-

teps.com/recipes.

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a W

aRD


Terri Schlichenmeyer can be reached at:The Bookworm Sez, LLCN5593 County Road C

West Salem, Wisconsin, 54669 [email protected]

Everybody loves surprises. Flowers for no reason. A bonus in the old paycheck. A fiver found on the side-

walk. Even a phone call or email from a long-lost friend can put the bounce back in your step and the smile back on your face. Everybody loves surprises, but not the kind Yarni received. Her husband, Des, survived an attempted murder, then announced that he’s a father again. And in the new novel, “Heartbreak of a Hustler’s Wife” by Nikki Turner, that’s far from the only surprise Yarni has coming. Desmond “Des” Taylor wishes he

“ h e a r t b r e a k o f a h u s t l e r ’ s W i f e ” b y N i k k i T u r n e rknew who tried to kill him. If he knew, the fool wouldn’t be walking the streets, that’s for sure, but danger is part of the life of a hustler. For now, until word on the street flushes out the wanna-be gunman, all Des can do is surround himself with trusted associates and keep on preaching the Word of God at Good Life Minis-try, the church he set up to launder money. As a corporate lawyer, Yarni Taylor tries to live life on the straight-and-narrow but it’s not easy, knowing what she knows about her husband. She can’t deny that she knew Des was a hustler when she married him, but though she’s tried to make him promise to leave the life, he’s still doing things she doesn’t like. She loves her husband. The attempted murder scares her. Then, just days after the shooting, Good Life Ministry is violently robbed in the middle of services, and one of Des’s men is killed. Yarni learns that her mother has cancer, and with no time to mourn everything that’s happened so quickly, Des explains to Yarni that a daughter he’s never seen – a daughter he didn’t even know about – is coming to Virginia until things cool down back home. The girl, it seems, has been in a little

trouble. Desember Day is a lot like the father she’s about to meet. She loves fiercely and pas-sionately, she knows how to use a gun, and she understands the art of the hustle. But Desem-ber also takes after her new stepmother, too: when anybody messes with the ones she loves, they’re in for a very big and nasty surprise… Hard-edged, hard-boiled, and hard to put down. That pretty much describes this latest novel by author Nikki Turner, and you’ll have a hard time resisting it. Fans of Turner’s last novel, which gave us Desember Day in depth, will be happy to see this tender young woman again, as she grows up a little more. Desember has a good role model in her stepmother, and readers will love seeing Yarni – usually so put-together and calm – as she unleashes her inner tiger in this book. Yes, there’s a cliffhanger at the end of “Heartbreak of a Hustler’s Wife” and it’s a big-gie. But that will only have fans waiting in line for the next book because, for anybody who wants something very different and for novel lovers who like things a little rough, this deli-cious series is surprisingly addictive.

“Heartbreak of a Hustler’s Wife” by Nikki Turnerc.2011, Ballantine Books / One World$14.00 / $16.00 Canada 213 pages

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CULINArY You Say TomatoThere’s nothing like a

juicy, ripe tomato to wake up a recipe and put

a smile on your face. And toma-toes’ versatility means that you can enjoy them in a wide range of dishes that make friends and family smile, too. “Florida tomatoes have been the inspiration for many of my most treasured recipes,” said Chef Justin Timineri, Executive Chef and Culinary Ambassador, Florida Department of Agricul-ture and Consumer Services. “But honestly, my side dish of choice — the simple joy of fresh raw Florida tomatoes seasoned with a sprinkle of sea salt.” Chef Justin has created these recipes that maximize that fresh-off-the-vine taste and min-imize your time in the kitchen.For more Florida tomato recipes, visit www.floridatomatoes.org.

Classic Tomato Flavoring Partners

When creating your own tomato dishes, keep these great flavor partners in mind:— Basil— Black Pepper— Kosher Salt— Lemon— Lime— Chili Peppers or Powder— Curry Powder— Garlic— Orange Zest— Oregano— Rosemary— Tarragon

Storing Tomatoes Are you one of the 60 percent of people who currently store tomatoes in the refrigera-tor? Chef Justin says that kills flavor and texture. Instead, ripen your to-matoes in a bowl on your coun-ter where they can reach full flavor and color — a treat for your eyes and your palate. To hasten ripening, place tomatoes in a sealed paper bag or fruit-ripening bowl.

Your Recipe Could Win $500 To celebrate the versa-tility and great flavor of fresh Florida tomatoes, the Florida Tomato Committee is hosting its Most Delicious Dish Recipe Contest. Submit an original recipe that incorporates fresh Florida tomatoes. The winning recipe will be selected on the basis of taste, appearance and ease of preparation, with atten-tion also given to clear and cre-ative photos. Get all the details at www.floridatomatoes.org.

Arugula and Mozzarella

Spiked Tomatoes with Basil Vinaigrette

Yield: 4 servings 4 medium sized Flori-da tomatoes 1 pound fresh mozzarel la cheese 1 bunch fresh Florida arugula (or basil) Vinaigrette: 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons apple ci der vinegar 1 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1 clove garlic, minced Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste For vinaigrette: In medium sized bowl, whisk to-gether olive oil, vinegar, honey, basil and garlic until completely emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Rinse tomatoes under cold running water and pat dry with clean paper towels. With a sharp serrated knife, cut each tomato into an even number of wedges. Then make a horizontal cut near the tip of each wedge, being careful not to cut all the way down. Set aside sliced to-matoes. Cut mozzarella into slices that will fit into the slic-es made in the tomatoes. (Try to fit one piece of mozzarella into a tomato to see what size you’ll need to cut the rest.) To assemble, insert a slice of moz-zarella into each tomato wedge. Arrange wedges on a plate and top with arugula or basil leaves. Garnish with basil vinaigrette. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.

Sunshine Mary Yield: 6 servings 6 large ripe Florida tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced 2 teaspoons hot sauce, (or more if desired) 2 teaspoons fresh horse radish (or prepared) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon seafood boil seasoning (Cajun seasoning will do) 2 teaspoons celery salt 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper Salt or sugar to taste, for

glass rims In a blender, combine all ingredients except last until smooth. Taste and adjust season-ing to preference. Pour Sunshine Mary mix into a food storage container or pitcher, cover and chill. To assemble, combine 1 ounce of good quality vodka to every 6 ounces of Sunshine Mary mix. Pour salt on a nap-kin. Moisten the top of the glass and rotate the rim in the salt. For a sweet twist, try sugar instead of salt. Pour drink from pitcher over ice and garnish with celery sticks.

Tomato and Cucumber SalsaYield: 4 to 6 servings 2 large Florida tomatoes, diced 1 large Florida cucum ber, seeded and diced 1/2 cup red onion, chopped 1/2 cup Florida bell pep

arugula and Mozzarella spiked tomatoes with

basil Vinaigrette

tomato and cucumber salsa

sunshine Mary per, chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 lemon, juiced Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste In medium sized mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.


Mayor annise Parker’s Happy Hour with a PurposeP h o t o g r a p h y B y R o s w i t h a V o g l e r

On Tuesday, May 17, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at 13 Celsius Wine Bar & Café for Mayor Annise Parker’s Happy Hour with a Purpose. Hosted by Key-Pac, the event was a chance to bring in new blood into the city elections by

reaching out to bright young people under 40 in the workplace, church and community. The hosts collectively donated $1,000 and half that goes to SEARCH Homeless Services. Joining Mayor Parker and her mayoral campaign steering committee were Felix Cheva-lier, LaQuinta Donatto, Crystal Hadnott, Edward Hamb, Vanessa Johnson, Damon Mattox, Dawn Randle, Johnathan Randle, Kevin Thibodeaux, LaRence Snowden, Dr. Eric Tait, Tiffany Thomas, Ian Rosenberg, Diana Espitia, Mike Sammons, Jo-seph Frewer, Sean Matula, Thao Costis, Joyce Aquil, Heather Browne, Bridgett Joe, Ericka Graham, Chelsea Wade, Tina Cohen, Ashley Wyatt, Mary Bell, Randy Naquin, and Steve Brown.


emerging young leaders Visit city HallP h o t o g r a p h y B y J o - C a r o l y n G o o d e

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at City Hall as the Emerging Young Leaders visited the grounds. Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) is the signature program of the 2010-2014 administration of Alpha Kappa

Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) that will impact the lives of 10,000 girls in grades six through eight by providing leadership development, civic engagement, enhanced academic prepa-ration and character building. The Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of AKA has selected ladies at Attucks Middle School to be in their EYL program. All spring semester the members of AKA have been working with the young ladies. Calling on a fellow AKA to help expose the girls to the political arena, Houston Councilwoman Jolanda Jones invited EYL to City Hall for a special treat. Mayor Annise Parker proclaimes May 18, 2011, as EYL Day. Each EYL member received a certificate of recognition from Councilwoman Jones to com-memorate the day. In addition, Councilwoman Jones awarded 4 scholarships for essays written by students. Three students received $50 as runner-ups and the overall winner received $500.


f.b.i. cover up of Haunting in texas House exposed/Project aetherP h o t o g r a p h y B y R o s w i t h a V o g l e r

On Monday, May 23, 2011, Houston Style Magazine was on hand at Landmark River Oaks for the presentation of the Aether Project. The film is about an American writer’s fam-ily ties relates back to a late 1950’s experiment resulting in a high level haunting of a old wooded house they move into on the banks of a lazy bayou. A government conspiracy is connected to the disappearance of key individuals who have a special connection to the afterlife. Some cast members and directors in attendance at the showing were Executive Producer Shawn Welling, Marissa Lee, Michael Pickering, Joy Willard, John Soto-longo John Star, Michael Berry, John Sotolongo R. Scott Budge, and Joy Willard.

For all of my driving life, I have owned a car. Not just any kind of car but a specific type of car –

one that is compact with four doors. It had to be easy for me to whip in and out of spaces and roomy enough to accom-

modate my friends and all of my junk. My cars and I have had platonic rela-tionships. Trucks were my nemesis, that is, however, before I started reviewing vehicles. My mind has, in a sense, been opened and vehicles that once caused me trepidation now cause delight. I was all smiles when the friendly guys from Toyota dropped off the 2011 Toyota Ta-coma. The 2011 Toyota Tacoma is a great fit for me. Although it is larger than the vehicles I am use to driving, it is not too large to hamper my enjoy-ment of appreciating this amazing au-tomobile. As I was climbing into the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, I felt as if I were embarking on a new adventure. It is so spacious on the inside that there is am-ple room for me to transport my friends to their various designations. Plus it has four doors, which is awesome for a truck. This makes the Toyota Tacoma more sociable for a single girl like me. It can also accommodate anyone who has a family as well. Under the hood of the 2011 Toyota Tacoma either a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a 4.0-liter V6 en-gine will be found. EPA estimates for the 2.7-liter engine is 21-mpg city and 25-mpg highway with manual transmis-sion. There is a slight drop in EPA es-timates mpg in the city for the engines with automatic transmissions. With the more aggressive V6 engine EPA esti-

mates of 18 mpg city and 20 mpg high-way for manual transmission can be ex-pected. The EPA estimates is increased in highway mpg in those trucks with automatic transmissions. An addition to the 2011 Toyota Tacoma that enhances

toughness is the TRD off-road package. Please remember that this package is specifically for those who love trucks since it can be used when driving on ru-ral, rugged roads. The cabin of the Toyota Tacoma is extremely comfortable. I always find that the interior of trucks is generally more relaxing than I imagine it to be. The center console and stack are very convenient and accessible to both driv-er and passenger. The Toyota Tacoma comes standard with air-conditioning, a bed liner, a CD player and an audio system that has an auxiliary jack, and an adjustable steering wheel. For a little extra “green” more cosmetic features such as chrome grille and fog lights can be added. Bluetooth, upgraded JBL ste-reo and satellite radio are also a part of the extra features. The only problem I had with the Toyota Tacoma was that the screen for the backup camera was too small. Located in the left portion of the rear-view mirror, a truck of this size needs a larger screen. It might even need a cam-era with two different viewpoints - one from the height that it currently has and one from lower end of the truck so that children will not be in an obscured view. Other than that I really enjoyed the Toy-ota Tacoma. Base priced at just a little over $20,000 the Toyota Tacoma can be in your driveway. Test drive one today by visiting your local Toyota dealer.

AUTO No Longer Afraid of Trucks: Review of the 2011 Toyota Tacoma



Goldman Sachs cut its year-end tar-get for the S&P 500 and trimmed back its outlook for 2012 earn-

ings. The investment bank now expects the S&P 500 to finish the year at 1,450, down from its January forecast of 1,500. The call appears to be more cautious than bearish. Even with the downard revision, the S&P 500 would be up 15% from 2010. The index is currently at 1,315. Goldman Sachs also reeled in its outlook for 2012 corporate earnings, predicting S&P 500 companies will log earnings per share of $104 for the year, down $2 from its prior forecast. Goldman said “slightly higher in-flation and oil prices” will pressure profit margins. Crude prices have been above $100 a barrel for much of this year. While that’s not necessarily good for consumers, it is good for energy companies. Goldman recommended being overweight in energy, saying it expects 2012 earnings per share in that sector to bump up about $2. The en-ergy sector is up almost 11% this year, sec-ond only to health care. And shares of El Paso Corp., Cabot Oil & Gas and Marathon Oil have led the gains. Earlier this week, The Insurance Institute for Highway

Safety (IIHS) today announced the all-new Lexus 2011 CT 200h hybrid

vehicle earned a “Top Safety Pick” award. The “Top Safety Pick” is the highest safety designation awarded by the IIHS. To qualify

for the award, a vehicle must earn the high-est rating of “good” in the IIHS’ front, side, rollover, and rear impact evaluations and be equipped with electronic stability control.

The announcement was re-leased on the IIHS website www.iihs.org. The IIHS is an independent non-profit re-search and communications organization funded by auto insurance companies. Ac-cording to Lexus, the body structure of the CT 200h plays a key role in the funda-mental safety characteristics. To help protect the driver and passengers, the body is designed to be strong but strategically resilient to help

This comprehensive, seven-month training program provides qualified business owners with information, re-

sources and guidance designed to help them grow their business. Areas of focus include credit, budgeting, marketing, business plans, financing, networking and insurance. Course participants also will be introduced to a net-work of industry experts who will discuss ways to avoid pitfalls that can ruin a business in its early stages. In addition, course partici-pants will receive matching funds to invest in their companies. Capital One Bank is teaming up with Accion Texas, Money Management International, African American Chamber of Commerce and SCORE to offer this course, which will be offered at the Capital One Bank building at 5718 Westheimer Rd. Each participant will be assigned to a counselor and receive one-on-one mentoring through-out the sessions. This program has produced several success stories among recent gradu-ates. They include an inventor whose “Loaf Lock” is now on store selves; a consultant who helps immigrants maneuver through the process of settling into the United States; a bookkeeper; a motel owner; and many more. The deadline to apply for the Getting Down To Business program is June 10. To request an application, call 713-435-5317.

National

Local

Local

Goldman Sachs Cuts S&P 500 Outlook

All-New Lexus 2011 CT 200h receives Top Safety Pick rating

for Crash Tests

Capital One bank Invites Hous-ton Small business Owners to

‘Get Down To business’

Metro Police veteran Takes on New role as Safety Chief

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Goldman raised its forecast for Brent crude -- the European benchmark -- to $120 per barrel for 2011, and $140 per barrel by the end of 2012. That marked a reversal from Goldman’s prior call, made last month, that oil prices would plunge. The bank also raised its outlook for the consumer staples sector, noting that food inflation costs are likely to peak later this year. Within the sector, Goldman said it expects food, bev-erage and tobacco stocks to perform well. So far this year, the consumer staples sec-tor is up nearly 8%, with shares of Dean Foods, Lorillard, maker of Newport, Kent and other cigarette brands, and Chipotle Mexican Grill among the S&P 500’s top performers. Goldman has ‘buy’ ratings on Coca -Cola, Pepsico, Coca-Cola Enterpris-es, Philip Morris, Lorillard, Dean Foods, General Mills and Sara Lee. Collectively, these eight companies account for 35% of the entire sector’s market capitalization.

After 28 years in law enforcement with METRO police, Tim Kelly will don a new “uniform” as vice

president of safety – one of the agency’s seven operating principles.

Kelly will be responsible for all aspects of safety – from bus and rail to industrial safety, and environmental compliance and risk management. “Our mission is clear – whether you use our system or not – safety is our highest priority,” said Kelly. “We will work on enhancing our operations and develop-ing strategies to continue providing a safe environment for our customers, our em-ployees and the public.” Kelly joined METRO in 1983 as an officer. A year later, he was promoted to sergeant and then lieutenant in 1992. He served as associate vice president and as-sistant police chief from 2007 to 2010, and most recently, as acting chief of police. The police veteran has a long list of accomplishments, among them: Devel-oped and maintained METRO’s System Security Program and Emergency Manage-ment Plan Oversaw Traffic Management Systems group at TranStar which integrat-ed METRO’s Intelligent Transportation Systems projects Managed safe opera-tions of HOV lanes, including Occupancy Guidelines and Traffic Safety Enforcement


Headed METRO’s Homeland Security Di-vision from 2003 to 2006 Secured federal and state grant monies for vehicles, equip-ment and training Kelly has a master’s in criminal justice leadership from Sam Houston State University, where he also attended the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree in governmental legal studies from the Uni-versity of Houston-Clear Lake.

tim kelly, Vice President of safety

absorb and distribute energy in the event of a crash. High-strength steel components are carefully located in the body structure to help ensure strength in key areas.


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SCOTT THOMASPartner

BOBBY WILLIAMSPartner

• Personal Injury• Probate• Criminal

713.665.8558 • Fax 713.665.85622646 South Loop West, Suite 180 • Houston, Texas 77054

(located in astrodome area)

Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

thomas and Williams, l.l.P.Attorneys At LAw

• Family• Business• Wills and Estate Planning

INVITATION FOR BIDSMANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY is soliciting subcontractor/supplier bids from Small, Minor-ity, Women-owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (S/MWDBE) as well as Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises (PDBE) for the Bid Package #06 scopes of work on the Houston Dynamo Stadium located in Houston, Texas. The project goal is 30% participation from City of Houston-certified S/MWDBE companies.

The bid due date is Thursday, June 9, 2011 by 2:00 p.m. The scopes of work available in Bid Package #06 are Masonry (lump sum bid), Hollow Metal Doors & Frames (lump sum bid), and the Audio Visual System (design-assist proposal). The complete requirements are described in the drawings, specifications, and request for proposal (RFP) documents.

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Meeting location is the Business and Technology Center, located at 5330 Griggs Road, Houston, Texas 77021. The pre-bid meeting is mandatory for the Audio Visual package, not mandatory for Masonry or Hollow Metal Doors & Frames.

All questions must be submitted in writing to Manhattan Construction Company no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, 2011. Submit written questions to:Masonry, Hollow Metal Doors & Frames: Matt Doffing ([email protected])Audio Visual: Sean Crozier ([email protected])

The successful proposers will be required to provide a payment and performance bond. If you need bonding assistance, please contact Roger Harris (City of Houston Office of Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance) at 713-837-9024.

The criteria for evaluation and selection of successful proposals will include the following: Competitive pricing, demonstrated capability on work of similar size and complexity, financial resources to satisfactorily perform the work within the time schedule projected, favorable references from past customers, verifiable safety record, the ability to furnish the required insurance, and the ability to provide acceptable bonding.

BID DUE DATE is Thursday, June 9, 2011 by 2:00 p.m. Submit bids in sealed envelopes to:

Manhattan Construction Company2120 Montrose BoulevardHouston, Texas 77006 REF: Houston Dynamo Stadium – Bid Package #06

Sealed bids must be delivered to the Manhattan office by 2:00 p.m. No faxed bids or late bids will be accepted.

Plans, specifications, and request for proposal (RFP) documents for this project are available electronically at the address planroom.manhattanconstruction.com (To obtain user name and password, e-mail a request to [email protected]). They can also be accessed electronically from iSqFt and Builders’ Exchange.

Documents for this project may be reviewed in Manhattan’s office at 2120 Montrose Blvd., Houston, Texas 77006. They may also be reviewed at the A.O. Phillips & Associates office (4615 S.W. Freeway, Suite 510, Houston, TX 77027) and the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) office (3825 Dacoma Street, Houston, Texas 77092).


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