spectacular magazine nov 2010

16

Upload: spectacular-magazine

Post on 02-Mar-2016

235 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

Christopher "Play" Martin - Still Rollin' 20 Years After House Party; Commentary: The Slammer Not Worth Paper Its Printed On

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010
Page 2: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010
Page 3: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

Our seniors have helped make North Carolina a place that is growing andvibrant and have led us through many difficult times. During my pastterm in the General Assembly, I supported several initiatives that wehope will keep them healthy, safe and financially secure. Whatever wehave and have accomplished we owe to previous generations who madethe difficult decisions and sacrifices to achieve today’s reality.

Below, I have included a few highlights of our work in the past two ses-sions, as well as some information from the 2010-11 budget. I hope youwill find it useful. Please contact me if I can be of any help. I look for-ward to continuing to serve you.

PLANNING - The General Assembly has directed several agencies tobegin better preparing for the aging baby-boomer population. The law(SB 195 - SL2009-407) directs the Univ. of North Carolina Institute onAging and the Division of Aging and Adult Services to organize meetingsof gerontologists, researchers and others to identify and prioritize issuesthe state will have to address. It also calls for the development of a web-site with information about how serve increasing numbers of adults.

ADULT CARE - The Division of Aging and Adult Services will study theissue of criminal history record checks for owners, operators, volunteers,and prospective owners, operators, and volunteers in adult day care pro-grams and adult day health services programs. The legislation (HB 1703-SL2010-93) specifies that the study should identify which positions war-rant a background check, develop a process for conducting the checks anddesignate who is responsible for requesting and paying for the check._ County Departments of Social Services have been directed to conductfollow-up monitoring of adult care homes (HB 1186 - SL2009-232). Thelaw is meant to improve patient safety by improving oversight of adult-care homes.

HEALTH - Legislation to establish a long-term care partnership programwas passed (SB 1193 - SL2010-68). Under a partnership program, a per-son who purchases a qualified long-term care insurance policy that pro-vides a certain dollar amount of benefits will be allowed to disregardassets equal to the insurance payout when applying for Medicaid._ Several recommendations made by the N.C. Study Commission on Agingto expand dental care services for older and disabled North Carolinianswith special care needs were approved. (SB 188 - SL2009-100)._Automated calls to protect the public health, safety, or welfare are nowallowed under a new state law (HB 1034 - SL2009-364). The system willbe used to inform people that they have purchased products or medica-tion that may be subject to a safety recall; that the person has not pickedup a filled prescription drug or that one of their accounts may be subjectto potential fraudulent activity. The calls cannot be used for any commer-cial purposes.

SAFETY - The Division of Emergency Management is establishing a vol-untary registry that counties and municipalities can use to identify func-tionally and medically fragile people during a disaster under a new statelaw (SB 258 - SL2009-225).

_We passed a new law to clarify that a Silver Alert may be issued for aperson of any age (HB 1129 - SL2009-143). The Silver Alert System isa statewide system used to notify people about missing persons believedto be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairments.

HOUSING - The Statutory Homestead Exemption has beenincreased under a new state law (HB 1058 - SL2009-417). Qualified peo-ple aged 65 or older qualify for the exemption, which increased from$37,000 to $60,000.

BUDGET - $100,000 was approved to support Project C.A.R.E., therespite care and support program for families caring for persons withAlzheimer’s._ Funding for optional services under Medicaid (such as dentalcare; eye care and eyeglasses; occupational, physical, and speech thera-pies; hospice; prosthetics and orthotics; community alternative program;and rehabilitation services) for aged, blind, and disabled adults was pre-served. The one area with a significant cut was to Medicaid personal careservices which provides in-home help to disabled and frail older adults._ We maintained funding for the Home and Community Care BlockGrant at the current level which helps older adults stay in their homes._ $450,000 was appropriated for the operation of the StrokeAdvisory Council, the continued implementation of the public aware-ness campaign and identification of stroke rehabilitation servicesthroughout the State. _ $150,000 was authorized for a grant-in-aid to Prevent Blindness ofNorth Carolina._ $50,000 was provided for a non-recurring grant-in-aid to NC ArthritisPatient Services is provided for in the budget.

NOTES_ The latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows thatNorth Carolina led the nation in employment gains from July toAugust with the addition of 18,600 jobs. _ Cree Inc., a global leader in LED lighting technology and products,will expand its manufacturing operations in Durham. The company plansto create 244 jobs over the next two years and invest $135 million._ Empire Foods Inc., an advanced-technology food processingcompany, will bring 200 jobs to Halifax County. The company, usingtechnology licensed from N.C. State University, plans to create 200 jobsand invest $2.5 million over the next five years._ Baltek Inc., a manufacturer of core materials for the windenergy, mass transit, marine and military markets, will relocate to anew manufacturing facility in Guilford County. The company plans to cre-ate 68 jobs and invest $3.25 million over the next three years._ DNP IMS America Corp., a printing-technology company, willexpand in Concord. The company plans to create 37 jobs and invest $24.8million during the next three years.

Larry D. Hall [email protected]

FRO M THE OFFICES

OCTOCT.. - NO- NOVV.. ‘10 LEGISLA‘10 LEGISLATIVE REPORTIVE REPORTT

November 2010 SPECTACULAR 3www.spectacularmag.com

Page 4: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

4 SPECTACULAR November 2010 www.spectacularmag.com

ENTERTAINMENTEDITOR

FEATURESEDITOR

Grace GrahamGary N. Jones

SPECTACULARMAGAZINE

www.spectacularmag.com

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPHYLLIS COLEY

FEATURES EDITOR HEALTH EDITORGRACE GRAHAM DR. SHARON ELLIOTT-BYNUM

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORGARY JONES

COLUMNISTSLARRY HALL, ESQ. LAMONT LILLY DEL MATTIOLI

IRVING JOYNER, ESQ. REV. JAMES SMITH

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSAPRIL MIAL LENTONIA MOYE VALERIE WHITTED

PHOTOGRAPHERSMEL BROWN - STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LAYOUT/DESIGNPHYLLIS COLEY LAWRENCE DAVIS III

DISTRIBUTIONLAWRENCE DAVIS III LELIA ROYSTER

Spectacular Magazine enlightens, empowers and entertains AfricanAmericans with features, columns, commentaries and calendars.Spectacular Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed free inDurham, Wake, Guilford, Orange, Granville, Vance and Person counties.

Deadline for all submissions is the 18th of each month.

Contact us at: [email protected] by mail at:

P. O. 361 Durham, NC 27702 919-680-0465

Mail subscriptions are available for $29.95 per year. Secondclass postage is paid in Durham, NC. Subscription formavailable at www.spectacularmag.com

PRESIDENT - CEO VICE PRESIDENT - OPERATIONSPhyllis D. Coley Gary N. Jones, MBA

In November 2010 IssueEar to the Streets 15 Entertainment 15 Features

Christopher ‘Play’ Martin 9The Slammer 7

From The Publisher’s Desk 5Health 12Lifestyle 15Special Gee Top 20 Playlist 15Talkback 2 3

COVER PHOTO: Rita Granberry

Page 5: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

November 2010 SPECTACULAR 5www.spectacularmag.com

Mavis Staples was at The CarolinaTheatre recently and she sang oneof my all time favorites, “Let’s Do ItAgain” - a song recorded by TheStaples Singers for the movie by thesame name. The movie has a lot oftwists in its plot but is pretty pre-dictable. I tell you what else is pret-ty predictable - what will happen toour community if we don’t vote inthis election. We have a lot to lose.Don’t get it twisted - this election ismore important than the election in 2008. I can’t say it more plainly.

VOTE!Come on ya’ll - Let’s Do It Again in 2010.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Phyllis Coley [email protected]

Phyllis D. Coley

LET’S DO IT AGAINFrom The Publisher’s Desk...

Page 6: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

www.spectacularmag.com 6 SPECTACULAR November 2010

Page 7: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

GUEST COMMENTARYTHE SLAMMER: DOESN’T DESERVE THE PRICE OF PAPER IT’S PRINTED ON

BByy PPaannddeemmoonniiuumm aakkaa GGaabbrriieell

Isaac Carnetti, a.k.a. DashDangerfield, is the latest in a longline of leeches to suck the blood ofthe poor. Once a petty criminal, incar-cerated for a year after being convict-ed of larceny, marijuana possession,and breaking and entering, Carnettinow profits from publishing mugshots of mainly poor Floridians, NorthCarolinians, and Ohioans in TheSlammer.

Thumbing through back issues of Carnetti’s publication, TheSlammer, it is easy to understand why its circulation is high. Nosypeople with small minds are often intrigued by the misfortune ofothers. The corny captions, unfunny cartoons and shoddy editorialsdisguise the fact that Mr. Carnetti is a college graduate and the sonof well-to-do parents. His failure to be accepted to law school afterhis incarceration did not derail his crime fightingaspirations. According to an interview with TheChristian Science Monitor, Carnetti’s legal expert-ise was developed by sitting in the courthousewhere his mother worked and going home towatch “Law and Order,” “Perry Mason” and“Matlock.” Add a little Jerry Springer and TheSlammer is the final product.

According to the mission statement printedinside the cover of each issue, The Slammer’spurpose is to “inform the public of suspectedcriminal activity in the community; to assist lawenforcement in deterring crime and solvingcases; to foster public involvement in mattersof public safety and awareness; and to satisfythe natural curiosity of its readers.” The latter seems to be the trueintent of the magazine.

Although the mission statement includes the caveat; “not everyarrest leads to a conviction. All suspects are innocent until provenguilty in a court of law,” the de facto result, in the mind of the read-er, is that these people are guilty. Reading quotes from The Slammerreaders in the Christian Science Monitor article seems to reinforcethat conclusion. For example, Omar Williams, said, “It really lets youknow what’s going on around you. You could see your best friend in there for forging checks or selling cocaine, and he’s driving aroundin the car with you, and you don’t know this stuff.” Does it sound likethe hypothetical best friend is innocent, or guilty?

These are not celebri-ties, athletes or politi-cians. They are notpublic personalities ofmeans. The majority ofthe people featured inThe Slammer are poor,black or Latino. Theylack the funds for prop-er legal representationand usually have torely on an overly bur-dened public defendersystem. The deck isalready stackedagainst them.

What happens if a per-son whose mug shot isprinted is found not guilty, or has all charges dropped against him?Does Mr. Carnetti print a retraction, correction, or a story about the

wrongful charges? No. Is he worried that printingthese mug shots could eventually taint a jury? No.Furthermore, many of the people featured seem tohave drug and alcohol problems. These people needserious rehabilitative help, not ridicule. Their livesare already hell.

None of the people who are featured in The Slammerget to tell their side of the story. None of them havethe opportunity to rebut the charges against them.Carnetti is not interested in journalism, he is a coward.

If The Slammer merely printed mug shots of wantedsuspects, convicted criminals and sex offenders, alongwith the poor restaurant ratings, it would fulfill its ini-

tial stated purposes and might be worth the dollar price printed onits cover. Since its true purpose is to humiliate the defenseless, itdoesn’t deserve the price of the paper on which it’s printed. PPaannddeemmoonniiuummBorn and raised in Iowa, Pandemonium aka Gabriel moved to NC upon graduation from IowaState University to attend NCCU School of Law. He has been a musician since the age of 6and a poet since the age of 11. Pandemonium follows up successful independent releases“KnoWONDER,” “Darker Than Blue,” and “Word Spoken” with his current release “DigitalAnalog.” True to his provocative style, he feels that no subject matter is taboo, and no ideais too small for him to tackle.. He likes interacting with intelligent people, whether degreed ornot, and people who are not afraid to take a stand. Pandemonium aka Gabriel is also a writerwith published works in RIME Magazine, Spectacular Magazine, and TRIBES Magazine.www.reverbnation.com/pandemoniumakagabriel

Pandemonium aka Gabriel

www.spectacularmag.com November 2010 SPECTACULAR 7

“...The Slammer, it iseasy to understandwhy its circulation ishigh. Nosy people withsmall minds are oftenintrigued by the mis-fortune of others. Thecorny captions, unfun-ny cartoons and shod-dy editorials disguisethe fact...”Pandemonium

Page 8: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

www.spectacularmag.com 8 SPECTACULAR November 2010

Page 9: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

By Lentonia MoyeContributing Writer

DURHAM - In 1990 the film “House Party” appeared on the bigscreen and a Hip Hop classic was born. It’s now the 20th anniversaryyear and it’s still common to see the DVD on store shelves and oncein a while be able to catch it on cable television.

A classic in its own right, those who witnessed the movie saw onethat was fresh, as well as fun. The 90’s had ushered in a new style ofdress and dance and both were displayed.

“House Party” is just one of those staples that make up Hip Hophistory. That can also be very well said of the real life rapping anddancing duo that were the stars of the film. Christopher “Play” Martin

and Christopher “Kid” Reid, better known as Kid-n-Play, were alreadya successful rap group with the album titled “2 Hype.”

The character that Play portrayed in the movie loved gettingattention, being in the spotlight, and chasing the fast life. And beforehis drastic life change, so did Play off the screen.

Christopher Martin was born and raised in Queens, New York.Not being serious about his scholastic career resulted in him beingkicked out of five high schools. He may not have been focused onbeing successful academically, but instead he was determined in hav-ing a successful music career.

Before becoming one half of the group that he is most knownfor, Play began his journey towards stardom doing his thing in areasof New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. After the first group he wasa member of stopped performing, he joined forces with Kid and theyeventually became Kid-n-Play. The group was managed by PhyllisColey and produced by their longtime friend, Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor.

COVER STORY

CHRISTOPHER ‘PLAY’ MARTINSTILL ROLLIN’ 20 YEARS AFTER “HOUSE PARTY”

Christopher ’Play’ Martin continues on Page 10

www.spectacularmag.com November 2010 SPECTACULAR 9

Christopher ‘Play’ Martin

The 1990 movie “House Party” starred Christopher ‘Play’ Martinand Christopher ‘Kid’ Reid aka Kid n’ Play. submitted photo

Page 10: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

Music, movies (including the sequelsHouse Party II and III), and television appear-ances, proved that Play had attained the goodlife. Christopher Martin was beginning to real-ize that he wanted a better life than his alterego.

Martin is stern with sharing the fact thatKid-n-Play didn’t break up, but instead he“grew up.” “My agenda changed,” statesMartin. With laughter he shares that therewere no money issues with Kid, and even nowthe two see each other on a regular basis. Theworld saw the two reunite their signaturedance move on last year’s BET Hip HopAwards, and their guest appearances on TheMonique Show as well as the George LopezShow. He adds, “We’re good.”

Although there’s no doubt that Martin willforever be known as Play, Martin has beendoing a wonderful job assuring that his otherventures will be forever remembered as well.

So how did this change occur? Martinsays, “There was learning and relearning.” Thechange wasn’t just a snap-of-the-finger ordeal.Martin later adds, “Usually when you thinksomething is easy, you’re up for a rude awak-ening.”

He may no longer be making records, buta difference is still being made. Now residingin Durham, North Carolina, Martin teaches atNorth Carolina Central University. A pastinstructor position for the class titled Hip Hopin Context, Martin has been promoted to aposition which enables him to hold workshopsand be able to work closely with students with-in The Student Union. “Education is veryimportant,” says Martin. Being a part of high-er learning has been his “strategic way to stillbe relevant.”

He doesn’t want kids today to make thesame mistakes that he did while in school.Other than NCCU, other high schools and uni-versities including WSSU, FAMU, and in thenear future Howard, hold ties to Martin. Beinga celebrity judge for the Teen Fest yearly talentshow in N.C. is a proud title that he also holds.

On the music side of his present career, the subject matter mayhave changed, but not the drive. Being heavily involved in Christianmusic and having his own personal testimony to share, he is a partof Holy Hip Hop Music. Being more so behind the scenes, he still getsto be involved in the craft that he loves so much as well as help anddevelop other artists who also want to release this type of gospelmusic. Wanting to be approachable and being able to help are a cou-ple of things that has made his new music career so enjoyable.

Brand Newz is what he calls his “baby”. The news brief outletwas created out of frustration since he didn’t feel that a whole lot ofpositive news was being shown on television.

These days Martin is somewhat back in the mode in which hewas introduced to the world. In just the past year, other than televi-

sion performances, the rapping duo has been on Tom Joyner’sFantastic Voyage Cruise, and has started with the taping of a non-real-ity television show.

Joining other hip hop legends including Salt-n-Pepa for a tourthat is currently on the road, the fans are the reason he is no longerconcerned about being back on stage. “It’s Kid, Play- n- the audience.The audience does a lot for you.”

Christopher Martin wants his legacy to be that of an effectiveeducator. He sees the importance of using his popularity as a tool.

He wants doubters of whether there is a God or not to learn hisstory and look at the way He has changed his life. Martin says, “Therehas to be. Just look at me.”

It may be 20 years later, but Chris is still having a House Party.

10 SPECTACULAR November 2010 www.spectacularmag.com

Christopher ‘Play” Martin continues

Page 11: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

November 2010 SPECTACULAR 11www.spectacularmag.com

Page 12: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

HEALTH

This November, remember NationalAlzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month,first proclaimed by President RonaldReagan back in 1983. Since then, theAlzheimer's Association has used the

month to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease, the experiences ofpeople with the disease and their families, and the importance offinding treatments, preventions and a cure. Also designated asNational Family Caregivers Month, this November is an importanttime for each of us to reach out and support those who provide care– or to acknowledge our own role as a caregiver.

Spectacular Magazine and Y-rag Entertainment in association withHillside High School Drama Department will present “Forget Me Not”- a G. Davis play that uses drama, music and entertainment to bringawareness about Alzheimer’s. This production, on Sunday November21 at 3:15pm, is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP.

My good friend and colleague, Barbara Pullen-Smith, ExecutiveDirector of the NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities,NC Department of Health and Human Services, with over 25 yearsexperience in public health, is personally experiencing the effects ofAlzheimer’s on her family. Here is her story in her words.

Peace, Blessings

Sharon [email protected]“Beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in Good Health…."

A SEASON OF WAITING: “AUNT CORA’S JOURNEY WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE”

By Barbara Pullen-Smith

My Aunt Cora is 88 years old, a very tall,proud Black woman, with youthful skin, bigfeet (size 13), strong hands and a broadsmile. Even her hair does not give away herage, with only a little gray sprinkledthroughout. If you ask her age, she will say,“not a day over 65 years old.” However, theyears of hard work, mostly as a domesticworker, have taken a toll on her heart,

joints, back, and legs. Uncontrolled blood pressure damaged her heart,leaving her doctor no choice but to install a pacemaker years ago. Herright leg was amputated at age 87 as a result of varicose veins and poorcirculation. Aunt Cora has endured a lot in her lifetime, yet she acceptsthings as they are and moves on. Her ability to bounce back continues toamaze me. The last survivor of six children, she often says, “I can’tunderstand why God has kept me here all these years.” Her siblings andclose friends are gone.

At 88 years young, some people would call these her golden years. But,her golden years, like for so many other elderly African Americans, arenot always glittering with gold. These days, Aunt Cora can no longerlive alone. We moved her, after 55+ years, from her home in Virginia toa nursing home close to our family, so that we can check on her often. I

am thankful that she still has us, including my two sis-ters and favorite brother (the fact that he is my onlybrother is just a coincidence).

The nursing home provides for her daily medical andphysical needs. Her mental needs remain a challenge.During recent years, her sharp mind and quit wit havebeen stricken by dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s dis-ease.

Some days I feel that Alzheimer’s has taken away thebest parts of my Aunt. On other days, I see glimpses of

the fun loving lady I know and love. The hardest thing about dealingwith this disease is letting go of the special parts of the person you knowand love. Wanda, a friend of mine whose mother was diagnosed withAlzheimer’s more than 10 years ago, said it best. “Alzheimer’s is morethan just a silent killer, it literally wipes away pieces of your life. Forevery stage my mother has gone through, I have lost a person, i.e., moth-er, friend, adult, teenager, and now during the last phase, I am left witha baby. You must understand that with each loss, you are in the grievingprocess while you are going through the process!”

Over time, I have learned to go with the flow with Aunt Cora. Whateveryear or phase of life she is in, I have learned to patiently go with it. Hermind takes her in and out of reality in the nursing home. She oftenthinks that I am my mother, Blanche, who transitioned to glory aboutseven years ago. (OK, I will admit, I have “Blanche’s hips and Aunt Corareminds me of that!”)

At first, I would get so frustrated with her, but then God revealed twotruths to me. One truth is that whatever is going on in Aunt Cora’s headis out of her control. Another revelation for me is that God’s grace andmercy abound in the most unusual ways. My Aunt Cora’s outings to thestore, visits with her long lost friends and siblings or trips back to herhome in Virginia or Littleton, North Carolina are examples of God’s graceand mercy in action. Those experiences are her escape from “reality,”her existence in the nursing home. Thank God for her escape, even if itis only in her mind. Only through God’s grace and mercy! We miss theblessing because our concerns are about us, our needs, and our loss.Aunt Cora always says, “God knows best.”

As I think about the season of waiting, on the one hand, I feel a deep senseof sadness. Aunt Cora can no longer go where or when she wants. She nolonger can do the things she used to enjoy like sewing, crocheting, knit-ting, needle point, ceramics, etc. On the other hand, I feel a sense of com-fort because Aunt Cora seems to be okay with not being able to do thosethings anymore. I am not sure if she remembers her talents and gifts tomake pretty things. She has new priorities now. Some days she is veryirritable for no reason and a little paranoid about people in the nursinghome taking her stuff, but for the most part, Aunt Cora does not complain.She is content. Each day she waits.

Until my family had to deal directly with this disease, I had no idea whatothers were going through. On Sept 16, 2010 a character on the Youngand the Restless, named Kathryn Chancellor said, “Grief is the price youpay for love!” Even in these trying times, I can honestly say, the price iswell worth it. The love that my Aunt Cora has shown me for these 50years of my life far outweighs the sadness I feel when she is mad becauseI moved her sweater or she can not remember who I am, what day it is,or where she is.

With approximately 170,000 North Carolinians with Alzheimer’s, there

WWHHAATT’’SS UUPP DDOOCC??by Dr. Sharon Elliott-Bynum

RN, BSN, MA, PhD

Barbara Pullen-Smith

www.spectacularmag.com12 SPECTACULAR November 2010Alzheimer’s continues on page 13

Page 13: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

are so many families like mine and Wanda’s, who are in the grieving processwhile in the process. In 2006 approximately 2,265 deaths were attributed toAlzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that one in eight people 65 years andolder have Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is one of the common types of dementia. I can remember as achild, adults would say, “Oh he is just senile.” Senility is defined as a men-tal deterioration often associated with old age. What I am talking about ismore serious than a casual “senior moment.”

According to a medical information website, (www.WebMD.com), the follow-ing facts are documented about Alzheimer’s disease:. It leads to nerve cell death and tissue loss throughout the brain. The dam-age disrupts communication between brain cells, crippling memory, speechand comprehension. . In early phases, long term memory usually remains in tact, while shortterm memory becomes sketchy. . There are no known genetic factors that explain the greater prevalence ofAlzheimer’s disease and dementia in African Americans and Hispanics thanwhites.. The disease disrupts speech, so patients may struggle to remember commonwords.. It can cause confusion, mood swings, poor judgment, and poor hygiene. . It takes a different path in every patient. For some patients memory loss andconfusion may progress slowly, taking up to 20 years to run its course. Theaverage length of survival after diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is three to nine years.

www.spectacularmag.com November 2010 SPECTACULAR 13

There is NO CURE for Alzheimer’s and no known way to slow the nerve dam-age within the brain. However, there are medications that can help to main-tain mental function and slow the disease. See your doctor! The medicineswork best if treated during the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

The risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s are far too familiar to AfricanAmerican families, including my own high blood pressure, diabetes and fam-ily history are known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Heart disease anddiabetes are the top two leading causes of death for African Americans inNorth Carolina. The fact that higher rates of high blood pressure and dia-betes are among African Americans compared to whites in North Carolinagives each of us another reason to pay attention to our health.

Health is personal. Each one of us has to be intentional in our efforts to stayhealthy as a strategy to prevent high blood pressure and the onset of dia-betes. When we are diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes, wemust follow the doctor’s directions in order to control the chronic diseases.

As we age, the devastating impacts of unmanaged high blood pressure anddiabetes may show up in later years in the form of Alzheimer’s disease. Thenumber of people with Alzheimer’s doubles every five years beyond age 65.

Let facts conquer our fear! Become informed! Ask questions.

Make your health your priority! Baarbaaraa PPuullen-SSmiithREFERENCES:The health facts contained in this article are from the following websites accessed on September25, 2010. http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/slidesshow-alzheimers overviewhttp://www.alz.org/factshttp://www.webmd.com/alzheimer’s-disease-overview-facts

Alzheimer’s continues

Page 14: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

www.spectacularmag.com November 2010 SPECTACULAR 14

Page 15: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010

EEAR TTO TTHHE SSTREETSGARY

“SPECIAL GEE”JONES

TOP 20PLAYLIST

1. CHRIS BROWN Deuces JIVE2. NE-YO Champagne Life DEF JAM3. RICK ROSS BMF (Blowing Fast Money) DEF JAM4. TREY SONGZ Bottoms Up ATLANTIC (F)NIKKI MANAJ5. T.I. (F) KERI HILSON I Got Your Back ATLANTIC6. EMINEM (F) RIHANNA Love The Way You Lie INTERSCOPE7. FANTASIA Bitter Sweet J RECORDS8. JASMINE SULLIVAN Holding You Down (Circles) J RECORDS9. YOUNG JEEZY All White Everything DEF JAM10. GUCCI MANE Gucci Time ASYLUM

(F) SWISS BEATZ11. J COLE Who Dat ROC NATION12. JAHEIM Ain’t Leaving Without You ATLANTIC13. WAKA FLOCKA FLAME No Hands MUSIC LINE14. ROBIN THICKE It’s In The Morning INTERSCOPE15. KANYA WEST (F) JAY-Z Power (Remix) DEF JAM16. MONICA Love All Over Me J RECORDS17. DRAKE Miss Me UNIVERSAL

(F) T.I. & SWISS BEATZ18. USHER There Goes My Baby LAFACE19. FAT JOE (F) TREY SONGZ If It Ain’t About Money E-120. ALICIA KEYS Unthinkable (I’m Ready) J RECORDS

November 2010 SPECTACULAR 15www.spectacularmag.com

LIFESTYLE

OBESITY IS COSTING US MORE THANYOU THINK

Self control and self discipline can pay off in the long run. Obesity has becomea major global epidemic. (Dove Press Journal)

The reality is 120 Million of Americans are overweight. 50 Million are obese. 9Million are severely obese. This alarming information affects us all! The cost isspread out amongst everyone. The bottom line is if being overweight doesn’t killyou—it does increase the chances for heart disease, cancer, and life threateningproblems.

Applying for life insurance can be challenging for the overweight, obese and bodybuild. Even talking about life insurance is forbidden because of the death issue.Life insurance/death and being fat) during peaceful conversations doesn’t go welltogether. Spending time with a loved one whom is obese is helpful because thesubject will come up and that is a good time to say “what can I do to be a part ofyour goal to remain healthy? Let’s work on our health together and stay account-able to each other.”

Overweight and Obesity at the same time sets the stage for one to be physicallyinactive. The habit of overeating often continues and food is usually available topack on the pounds. The condition leads to not getting invited to events, experi-encing unemployment, no health insurance, social avoidance, sleep apnea, dia-betes, and just feeling unhealthy. Depression may be present also.

Continue to make an honest effort to apply for life insurance even if you havebeen declined. There may be a few insurance carriers that specialize in issuing at-risk policies.

Steps to take may include: Get medical attention and obey the doctor’s orders.Obtain the medical records from the doctor before applying. Seek out an experi-enced life insurance representative. Upon approval the premium cost for the pol-icy may be substandard rates. A bad decision is to do nothing when an offer ismade. It is highly recommended to accept the policy or at least a part of the pol-icy’s face amount. Select an affordable cost. The insurance company’s reasoningmay be to make an offer because problems haven’t shown up yet. Is the familybetter off with nothing or a smaller amount?

Children that are experiencing being overweight—consider applying for theirlife insurance with the intentions of guaranteeing that their life insurance policyis in place upon adulthood. Don’t wait for something to occur to consider gettingLife Insurance for children. Diabetes may set in during childhood years and itcould become challenging to purchase life insurance for juvenile diabetics.

Everyone has a value to someone else either now or in the future. Preventivemeasures may be beneficial health wise to get better diagnosis and treatmentservices because it indirectly relates to morbidity and mortality costs.Morbidity cost is defined as value of income lost due to decreased productivity,restricted activities, absenteeism and bed rest days because of lack of energy.Mortality costs are values of future income due to dying too soon.

Let us all help each other by being more tolerant, open-minded and caring for oneanother in order to benefit everyone in the long run.

DDeell MMaattttiioollii Del Mattioli, MBA, CLTC, LUTCF, MDRT, is an established agent with New York Life Insurance Company.919 401 9988 4213 Hope Valley Road, Durham, NC 27707 www.delmattioli.com

ENTERTAINMENT

This is Your Life...

BBYY DEELL MAATTTTIIOOLLII

Page 16: Spectacular Magazine Nov 2010