Special to the Outlook

To create more jobs now, President Barack Obama is send-ing Congress the American Jobs Act – a set of ideas supported by both Democrats and Repub-licans that Congress must pass right away. The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans. Here’s how:

•First, it provides a tax cut for small businesses, not big cor-porations, to help them hire and expand now and provides an ad-ditional tax cut to any business that hires or increases wages.

•Second, it puts more peo-ple back to work, including up to 280,000 teachers laid off by state-budget cuts, first respond-ers and veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, and construction workers repair-ing crumbling bridges, roads and more than 35,000 public schools, with projects chosen by need and impact, not earmarks and politics. And, it expands job opportunities for hundreds of

By Ashley HogansOutlook Staff Writer

During the late 1990s, Gar-dens of Weems Plantation neigh-borhood, known for its com-munity service and friendliness, was developed. The neighbor-hood is located off of Weems Road between East Mahan Drive and Southeast Capital Circle.

“They have provided for the Second Harvest Food Bank for the last two years and they have also put out bells for the food banks,” said Cheri Lewis Garbark, property manager of Gardens of Weems Plantation and owner of Lewis Property Management.

Gardens of Weems Planta-tion has a homeowners associa-tion, which oversees the commu-nity. The volunteer board mem-bers have hosted events for the neighborhood to bring everyone closer together.

“We have an annual garage sale, Easter egg hunt and an end-of-the-year pizza party for the

kids of the neighborhood,” said Garbark.

The neighborhood encom-passes 371 homes, and has a di-verse community, which ranges

from different age groups. The homeowners association is very active in the community and is preparing for their annual Oc-toberfest Picnic, which will be

held October 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will have food, games and a live band.

“This year the Tallahas-see Police Department will be there to give children finger print cards in case they are abducted,” Garbark said.

The association meets once a month to keep residents in-formed concerning neighbor-hood events and programs. The board feels that it is important to let the community know what is going on in the neighborhood.

One thing the association strongly believes in is communi-ty service. The neighborhood has teams known as the Women of Weems and Men of Weems, who helps fund money for projects such as providing a playground for the children, benches, beau-tifying the neighborhood and helping others.

“We have people who are el-derly who cannot afford to keep their homes maintained and the

Vol. 37, No. 37: Section 01Vol. 37, No. 37: Section 01 TTallahassee, Floridaallahassee, FloridaTallahassee, FloridaTTallahassee, FloridaT Sept. 15 - Sept. 21, 201Sept. 15 - Sept. 21, 20111

Inside

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This Week’s Word

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FAMILY/YOUTH / 3OPINION / 4EDUCATION / 5RELIGION / 6COMMUNITY NEWS/ 7

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit

the earth.”Matthew 5:5 (KJV)

www.capitaloutlook.com

See NEIGHBORHOOD, Page 2

See JOBS, Page 2opportunities for hundreds of

See JOBS, Page 2opportunities for hundreds of

1363 E. Tennessee St, Tallahassee, Fla. 32310

Clock ticks on future of jobless Clock ticks on future of jobless benefits

For more than 240,000 For more than 240,000 Floridians getting federal Floridians getting federal unemployment benefits the unemployment benefits the next few months will be next few months will be uncomfortably familiar. Funding uncomfortably familiar. Funding for the payments ends in January for the payments ends in January unless Congress reauthorizes a unless Congress reauthorizes a program that’s been a financial program that’s been a financial lifeline for the long-term jobless. lifeline for the long-term jobless. And it’s not yet clear how that And it’s not yet clear how that will play out. will play out.

Lawmakers from Tallahassee Lawmakers from Tallahassee to Washington, D.C., have to Washington, D.C., have discovered the political potency discovered the political potency of fiscal restraint, and there is of fiscal restraint, and there is little stomach for more spending little stomach for more spending – in this case $45 billion for the – in this case $45 billion for the unemployed.unemployed.

More Floridians suing debt More Floridians suing debt collectors for cell calls

Florida consumers Florida consumers aggravated by annoying “robo aggravated by annoying “robo calls” on their cell phones from calls” on their cell phones from debt collectors are fighting back debt collectors are fighting back – suing the companies that make – suing the companies that make the calls and often collecting cash the calls and often collecting cash settlements from the lenders.

Fort Lauderdale lawyer Scott Fort Lauderdale lawyer Scott D. Owens has filed dozens of civil D. Owens has filed dozens of civil lawsuits against lenders and debt lawsuits against lenders and debt collection agencies. He says they collection agencies. He says they have been violating the federal have been violating the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Telephone Consumer Protection Act by using “autodialers” – Act by using “autodialers” – services that automatically store services that automatically store and call phone numbers, then and call phone numbers, then play a pre-recorded message that play a pre-recorded message that says something like, “This is says something like, “This is Debt Collector X calling for John Debt Collector X calling for John Jones. If this is John Jones, please Jones. If this is John Jones, please press one, if not, press two.” press one, if not, press two.”

If the companies don’t play If the companies don’t play by the rules, the law says they can by the rules, the law says they can be forced to pay the consumer be forced to pay the consumer $500 in damages per call or $500 in damages per call or $1,500 per call for “knowing or $1,500 per call for “knowing or willful” violations. willful” violations.

Gardens of Weems committed to service

Person of the Week

See POW, Page 2

Florida Memorial University: The soul of South Florida

Unity after 9/11 . . . Page 4

Finding the fun

Tommy Daymond

See FMU, Page 2

By Terrika MitchellOutlook Staff Writer

Miracle Hill Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center was “founded on Good Samaritan principles” in 1968. According to its website, it operates with ap-proximately 150 dedicated em-ployees.

One of those employees, the center’s activity director and volunteer coordinator, is Tommy Daymond, a Winter Haven, Fla. native. For 20 years he has pro-vided service to residents and pa-tients of Miracle Hill. Daymond was awarded for his tremendous efforts and named Activity Pro-fessional of the Year for 2010-2011 by Florida Health Care

President Barack Obama delivers an address on jobs and the economy to a Joint Session of Congress ers and veterans coming back

President Barack Obama delivers an address on jobs and the economy to a Joint Session of Congress ers and veterans coming back

in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Sept. 8. Behind the president are Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner.

By Terrika MitchellOutlook Staff Writer

A melodious, choral rendi-tion of “Lift Ev’ry Voice” sounds through the phone as the caller holds. It is abruptly interrupted when a university official an-swers.

Florida Memorial Univer-sity (FMU) is not just South Florida’s only historically black university or Florida’s third old-est institution of higher learning. When it was still Florida Baptist Academy in Jacksonville, the school became most popular for being the birthplace of the black

national anthem. The song was written by James Weldon John-son, who was assisted by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson, a faculty member at the time. Flor-ida Baptist Academy and Florida Baptist Institute in St. Augustine, Fla. merged in 1941 and became Florida Normal and Industrial Institute – which became FMU in 1963.

Tradition, coupled with ded-ication, is at the root of the uni-versity’s core values. According to fmuniv.edu, “The University was established by, and remains closely affiliated with, the Bap-tist Church. However, our motto,

‘Leadership, Character, and Ser-vice,’ emphasizes Christian val-ues. Strong moral character, mu-tual respect, freedom of worship and a commitment to serve are the hallmarks of what it means to be a Florida Memorial Lion.”

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, recruit-ers at HBCUs are breaking the mold. In attempts to increase enrollment numbers, they are reportedly equally targeting non-black students to attend their universities.

“Colleges are showcasing unique programs. Florida Me-morial University in Miami Gar-

FMU President Lewis (third from left) poses with members of the FMU Board of Trustees and descendants of A. L. Lewis after dedicating the recently restored A. L. Lewis Archway Plaza during a ceremony celebrating the school’s former entryway and historic roots in St. Augustine, Florida.

Gardens of Weems Plantation neighborhood, known for its com-munity service and friendliness

The American Jobs Act

Photo by ASHLEY HOGANS

Official White House Photo by PETE SOUZA

thousands of low-income youth and adults through a new Pathways Back to Work Fund that supports summer and year-round jobs for youth; innovative new job training programs to connect low-income workers to jobs quickly; and successful programs to encourage employers to bring on disadvantaged workers.

•Third, it helps out-of-work Americans by extending unemployment benefits to help them sup-port their families while looking for work and re-forming the system with training programs that build real skills, connect to real jobs and help the long-term unemployed. It bans employers from dis-criminating against the un-employed when hiring, and provides a new tax credit to employers hiring workers who have been out of a job for over six months.

•Fourth, it puts more money in the pockets of working and middle-class Americans by cutting in half the payroll tax that comes out of every work-er’s paycheck, saving fami-lies an average of $1,500 a year and taking executive action to remove the barri-ers that exist in the current federal refinancing pro-gram (HARP) to help more Americans refinance their mortgages at historically

low rates, save money and stay in their homes.

•Last, the plan won’t add a dime to the deficit and is fully paid for through a balanced deficit reduction plan that includes closing corporate tax loopholes and asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share.

As the president said, “The people of this country work hard to meet their re-sponsibilities. The question tonight is whether we’ll meet ours. The question is whether, in the face of an ongoing national crisis, we can stop the political circus and actually do something to help the economy. The question is – the question is whether we can restore some of the fairness and security that has defined this nation since our begin-ning.”

Later, he said, “Now, the American Jobs Act answers the urgent need to create jobs right away. But we can’t stop there. As I’ve argued since I ran for this office, we have to look beyond the immediate crisis and start building an economy that lasts into the future – an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs that pay well and of-jobs that pay well and of-jobs that pay well and offer security. We now live in a world where technol-ogy has made it possible for companies to take their business anywhere. If we want them to start here and

stay here and hire here, we have to be able to out-build and out-educate and out-in-novate every other country on Earth.”

The president con-cluded the speech by say-ing, “Regardless of the ar-guments we’ve had in the past, regardless of the argu-ments we will have in the future, this plan is the right thing to do right now. You should pass it. And I intend to take that message to ev-ery corner of this country. And I ask – I ask every American who agrees to lift your voice: Tell the people who are gathered here tonight that you want action now. Tell Washing-ton that doing nothing is not an option. Remind us that if we act as one nation and one people, we have it within our power to meet this challenge.

President John F. Ken-nedy once said, ‘Our prob-lems are man-made – there-fore they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants.’

These are difficult years for our country. But we are Americans. We are tougher than the times we live in, and we are bigger than our politics have been. So let’s meet the moment. Let’s get to work, and let’s show the world once again why the United States of America remains the great-est nation on Earth. ”

2 www.capitaloutlook.com Sept. 15 - Sept. 21, 2011Capital Outlook

Neighborhood from Page 1

Jobs from Page 1

Activity Coordinators As-sociation (FHCACA).

“I think the award was well deserved,” said Sha-ron Dawkins, FHCACA District 10 president. “I’m actually the one who nomi-nated him and pushed for him to win.” Dawkins, who is also an activity coordina-tor at Centre Pointe, met Daymond over 15 years ago.

She said he is very de-pendable and that his work is impressive. Though Day-mond is currently the dis-trict 10 secretary, Dawkins also said that as vice presi-dent, he conducted meet-ings in her absence as if she was there in a professional manner.

Seemingly, Daymond possesses the compassion needed to work in this field.

“He evolves his calen-dar around each patient’s interests,” Dawkins said. “That’s important because with such a diverse group, you need activities that are just as diverse.”

Daymond graduated from Florida A&M Uni-

versity with a bachelor’s in health care management. Many describe his work as Christian-based. While he is an active member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, he said there was a time in col-lege when he “put God on the back burner.”

“I became involved in relationships that I shouldn’t have been in and activities that I shouldn’t have been involved with,” Daymond said. “I would encourage every young man and every young woman to keep God first. Make sure your priorities are straight. Give God your best.”

He serves on the pas-toral leadership team, in-spirational choir, Bethel male chorus, men’s minis-try, youth ministry and vol-unteers at Bethel Towers. Daymond credits his wife of 18 years, Sonjia Day-mond, for influencing him to rebuild his relationship with God.

“My wife made a world of difference in my

life by reminding me that I had a charge to keep and a God to glorify,” he said. The two have three chil-dren.

Daymond grew up with both parents who had a “huge impact on (him) in terms of shaping (his) character, values and per-sonal outlook on life.” As a result, he is most satisfied with how he can serve oth-ers.

“My most rewarding moments are when I see the smile that I can bring on a residents face through an activity program or a spe-cial event for residents and their families,” he noted. “Making a difference in the life of others is most re-warding for me.”

Some special events-photos featured on miracle-hillhealthcare.com show-case Miracle Hill King and Queen, the 42nd anniversa-ry gala and worship service 2010.

Terrika Mitchell can be contacted at tmitchell@capitaloutlook.com

POW from Page 1

Men and Women of Weems go out there and work on the houses for them,” said Garbark.

The residents in the community have also been very instrumental in im-proving the neighborhood.

“They re-did the irriga-

tion at both of the entranc-es,” said Garbark. “They have a playground now that we just built including a new swing set and we have worked very hard in getting compliance with the City of Tallahassee because a lot of things were unfinished.”

The association re-ceives funding for all proj-ects by donations, commu-nity yard sales and annual homeowner fees.

Ashley Hogans can be contacted at ahogans@capitaloutlook.com

dens promotes its chorale, which backed Queen Lati-fah in the 2010 Super Bowl, for example,” the article said. If newly appointed university President Henry Lewis III intends to meet, or even exceed, his 3,500 enrollment goal by 2020, exposing special programs may not be a bad idea.

Shortly after taking the position in February 2011, Lewis, FMU’s 12th president, announced Vi-sion 2020 – 40 university objectives to accomplish in 10 years.

These goals include increasing student enroll-ment from 2,000 to 3,500, constructing a 360-bed dorm hall, and building two academic facilities with computers and tutorial labs – all without spiking tuition costs. Florida Memorial’s Office of Institutional Re-search enrollment profile reports that enrollment in-creased by 4.9 percent in

Fall 2009 after four years in the red; enrollment de-creased by as much as 9.7 percent in Fall 2005.

In recent years though, FMU’s renowned music program has managed to overshadow the college’s 2005 grade-change/sex scandal and reputation for campus violence.

One example is the an-nual Melton Mustafa jazz

festival, named after Miami trumpeter Melton Mustafa. Mustafa is also director of FMU’s jazz studies pro-gram.

Under Lewis’ leader-ship, the FMU commu-nity anticipates continued growth based in tradition.

Terrika Mitchell can be contacted at tmitchell@capitaloutlook.com.

FMU from Page 1

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Election panel approves legislative packageBy Michael Peltier The News Service of Florida

Candidates would need to pay unpaid election fines before their names go on the ballot under a pro-posal approved Sept. 6 by the Florida Elections Com-mission as it tries to recoup $1.4 million in unpaid pen-alties from political candi-dates.

Meeting by conference call, the commission also called for boosting penal-ties for judicial candidates who breech campaign laws. Both proposals were sub-mitted last year, but law-makers chose not to bring them up.

The two proposals were the only ones ap-

proved by the board, which reviewed six proposals brought to it by elections commission Executive Di-rector Rosanna Catalano in preparation for the 2012 session that begins in Janu-ary.

The unpaid fines pro-posal would prevent can-didates from collecting contributions or spending money on campaigns until their past unpaid fines were taken care of. In a unani-mous vote, the commission said lawmakers need to put more teeth in the laws to get the attention of those who refuse to pay, even af-who refuse to pay, even af-who refuse to pay, even after they are fined.

“It should be some-thing that happens before you are even able to run,”

said Commissioner Alia Faraj-Johnson. “You can’t start your campaign until you have paid your fines.”

Currently, the com-mission can place a lien on property for unpaid fines for up to 20 years. After that, the lien expires. The seeming lack of conse-quences has led many a political candidate or party official to go years without paying.

In May, the commis-sion released a list of 184 cases with fines totaling nearly $1.4 million. Many of those have already been written off by the state. The vast majority of the unpaid fines are for $5,000 or less, but there are also a handful of large payments outstand-

ing. Ted Brabham, a for-

mer chairman of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, owes more than a third of the total amount, more than $468,000 — the result of a 1996 campaign violation.

Leon County Commis-sioner Bill Proctor owes $82,017, stemming from a 1999 case that included 206 counts against him. Miguel Aguirre, a candidate for mayor of Hialeah Gardens, owes $102,082.74 after a 72-count case against him from 2001.

The commission has sent 60 of the 184 cases to the Department of Man-agement Services, which contracts with private col-

lection agencies to recoup the money. Board members said upping the ante may get more past-due politicos to pay up.

“(The penalty) should be a serious enough conse-quence that prompts them to pay their penalties or fines,” Faraj-Johnson said. “It’s sort of like a bank not loaning you if you still owe them money.”

Commissioners also approved a proposal to boost fines to up to $1,000 per incident for judicial candidates who violate campaign law. The current law caps fines at $1,000 re-gardless of the number of violations.

On Sept. 6, com-missioners unanimously

rejected other proposals brought to them by Cata-lano including one that re-quired candidates making formal challenges to do so before the Department of Administrative Hearings (DOAH). Current law al-lows candidates to choose between DOAH and hav-ing a formal hearing before the commission itself.

Another rejected pro-posal would have allowed election staff to advertise in local newspapers the names of those who had unpaid fines against them. That also was unanimously rejected.

Dr. Henry Lewis III.

3www.capitaloutlook.comFamily/Youth of the Month Sept. 15 - Sept. 21, 2011

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The Tenelle’s remain happy fifty years after wedding bellsBy Terrika MitchellOutlook Staff Writer

It was in a small church wedding at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Quincy, Fla. that Clarence and Patricia Tenelle joined in holy matrimony. This was nearly 50 years ago.

Clarence, a former New York Supreme Court judge, and Patricia, Ph.D, a retired licensed practical nurse, are from Quincy and said that they’re decision to wed in 1962, after being “high school sweet hearts,” was economically rewarding.

“We loved each other – and still do,” said Clarence. “At the time, we were going to (Florida A&M University) and

there wasn’t a lot of Pell grant money and loans for blacks.” Clarence said that neither of their parents could not afford to pay for college so he suggested they get married to combine resources.

“We were young and immature,” said Patricia. “It was a very small wedding and I remember everything being green. The only dramatic part was putting the reception together.”

The Tenelle’s union proved fruitful.

The couple went on to have two children – one son, Clarence Tenelle Jr. who is a teacher in Maryland, and a daughter, Sonya Tenelle, who works in corporate compliance in New York.

They said that having and raising their children were among their greatest accomplishments. Still, the two were fortunate to experience individual successes as well.

“One of the proudest

moments must have been when my wife received her Ph.D. from Waldon University in June 2002.” Patricia received her doctorate in health sciences.

Despite enduring obstacles like the death of a daughter in 1987, the couple counts their blessings. They said that overcoming took much prayer from minister friends and family. They were blessed to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary with a grand vowel renewal ceremony.

“When we renewed our vowels it was a huge ceremony,” Patricia said. She noted that she was able to appreciate the anniversary celebration because of the smaller wedding they had to have

when getting married.Today, after moving

back to Quincy in 2005, the two are still friends and continue to enjoy spending time together. The Tenelles were members of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church but decided to work more in their hometown. However, Clarence and Patricia remain closely affiliated with Bethel church as part of its Promise Ministry.

“We’re very community oriented,” said Clarence.

Clarence said he ponders moving back to Quincy himself but traveling together is nothing new for the married couple.

“We do a lot of traveling,” they said. “We’ve been to almost all

of the islands and if the Lord wills, we’ll be going again in November.”

Clarence says spending time getting to know one another is vital to a marriage. He advises any young couple to also have a relationship with Jesus.

“Our marriage is built on a solid Christian foundation,” he said. “Couples should worship together and they would be amazed at how sweet life can be with Jesus Christ.”

Terrika Mitchell can be contacted at tmitchell@capitaloutlook.com

Special to the Outlook

The setting was just right. In a filled-to-capacity auditorium in Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Col-lege of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS), FAMU show-cased its Schools of Nurs-ing and Allied Health as well as its Institute of Pub-lic Health and the COPPS during its second Presi-dent’s Executive Leader-ship Summit.

The nearly 200 partici-pants from various agencies such as: Tallahassee Me-morial Hospital, Apalachee Center, Inc., American Cancer Society, Big Bend Hospice, Boston Scien-tific Corporation, Capital Health Plan, Florida Hospi-tal Association, Sickle Cell Foundation, Vision Works, Hour Glass and Leon County Emergency Medi-cal Services, had an oppor-

tunity to learn more about FAMU’s research and pro-grams related to health-related issues. Participants also heard from two FAMU graduates on how FAMU prepared them for their pro-fessional careers.

Justin Brian Williams, a 2011 graduate who ma-jored in health care man-agement, told the audi-ence they should invest in FAMU.

“When you invest in a FAMU graduate, always know that you will receive quality,” said Williams, who interned with Optum-Health Behavioral Solu-tions in Atlanta, Ga. Wil-liams was the first intern from a historically black college or university to participate in the internship program.

FAMU pharmacy graduate Dr. Averill Gor-don, who is the corporate manager for pharmacy quality assurance for Wal-green Co., also shared his thoughts on investing in FAMU.

“When you get a FAMU student, you should feel confident that you are

getting the best,” said Gor-don. “‘Excellence with Caring’ is definitely what we do.”

John Hogan, CEO for Capital Health Plan who served as the chair of the summit, said he endorsed the summit as a way of con-necting FAMU with local and regional experts in the health care industry.

“The focus of to-day’s summit is to focus on FAMU’s assets in the health care industry,” said Hogan. “We are here to fo-cus on the future and issues down the road. In health care, we face tremendous issues.”

FAMU President James H. Ammons charged the audience to join FAMU’s Business and In-dustry cluster and to build a relationship with the uni-versity.

The last summit for the fall semester is scheduled for Oct. 6. The summit will focus on media, technol-ogy, media sales and enter-tainment, energy, chemical products industry and agri-culture.

Thurston breaks barriers in rapBy Ashley HogansOutlook Staff Writer

Lewis Thurston II, a musically inclined 20-year-old discovered his passion for producing music at the age of 13. Thurston now has his own music group known as Positive Genera-tion Entertainment.

“I felt in my heart to do music that I thought needed to be heard,” said Thurston. “I didn’t want to be placed in the box as Christian Rap, but we would be able to perform a song in a church if we needed to because I didn’t want to limit my-self.”

The Tallahassee native decided to produce hip-hop music but unlike other music groups in today’s society Thurston’s music denounces all negative con-notations.

“We do positive influ-ential songs, love songs, but it’s not degrading,” Thurston said.

The group is comprised of eight band members in-cluding Thurston’s younger brother Omyre Young. They have performed out-side of Florida and also in front of thousands of peo-ple at various local events including Florida A&M University Homecoming festivities, FAMU Friday Night Strikes, Act So Gos-pel Celebration and Gaines Street Block Party.

Although Thurston wears many hats in Positive Generation Entertainment; producing instrumentals, rapping, controlling CD distribution, internet web promotions on YouTube his mother Cathy Thurston, helps a great deal.

“I assist Lewis with the management of his group by providing contin-ued support in every aspect from performance events to trying to acquire sponsor-ship,” said Cathy Thurston. “Words of wisdom and advice are provided when inquired of for all members involved, I am known as Momma-Smooth.”

Thurston recently graduated with his A.A. degree from Tallahassee Community College and transferred to FAMU this semester and is majoring in music production.

“I am so proud of my son’s accomplishments from his academic honors to the Scholarships he has obtained to continue his education,” Cathy Thurston said.

However, before he thought of launching “Posi-tive Generation Entertain-ment,” Thurston started off playing the percussion and snare drum in the band at FAMU DRS middle school. He played the symbols and concert snare at Rickards High School, and trans-

ferred to Florida State Uni-versity High School where he started his own hip-hop dance group.

Originally Thurston wanted to be an architect, but after late nights that turned into early mornings of producing music he dis-covered his passion. On Aug. 25 Positive Genera-tion Entertainment received Limited Liability Company credentials and is currently looking for inspiring artists.

“It’s good to see how my dreams are coming into reality, little by little, piece by piece,” said Thurston. “I am not limited to hip-hop or R&B, I’ve done jazz and spoken word.”

Thurston currently interns at with Cumulus Broadcasting, LLC., in Tallahassee as a technician assisting with live events and selling radio spots. He enjoys flash mob danc-ing, bowling and drawing. Thurston plans on attend-ing Berkley University to receive his master’s then begin a career in music business.

However, as of now he is more occupied with

school and work, but en-joys spending quality time with his family.

“It’s a single-parent household but my mother definitely instilled in me and she’s still instilling in my brother that we are the only two that has each oth-er’s backs, and no matter what ‘you two will always be brothers.’ We always look out for each other so family really matters the most to me because even when we’re scraping up pennies to get something to eat we still have fun and still laugh.”

If you are interested in joining or sponsoring P.G.E., contact Lewis S. Thurston II at (850) 879-1294, P.O. Box 15871, Tal-lahassee, Fla. 32301

Ashley Hogans can be contacted at ahogans@captialoutlook.com

Clarence and Patricia Tenelle at a 2009 Valen-tine’s Day celebration.

Lewis Thurston II.

FAMU showcased its health professional programs during the Executive Leadership Summit

By U. S. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.)Special to-TriceEdney-Wire

As our nation grapples with wars on three fronts, enormous budget deficits, a stagnant economy, chronic unemployment and an ever-widening wealth gap, it seems that communities of color bear the brunt of the costs. We must ask some questions: Who is fighting the wars? What com-munities are experiencing depres-sion-era levels of unemployment? Whose families depend most on Pell grants, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security – the first programs on the chopping block when Republicans talk of cutting government spending? Which households have seen their assets decline in large part because most of their personal wealth is tied to their homes’ value?

In Congress, I have been deeply involved in the talks aimed at reducing our nation’s debt and deficits. I was one of the

six congressional participants in the talks convened by Vice Presi-dent Joe Biden to bring together Democrats and Republicans from the House and Senate to try to forge a bipartisan consensus. Al-though it did not work out as well as we had hoped, Senator Harry Reid said that our work formed the basis of the legislation that he and Senator McConnell finally agreed to.

I have recently been appoint-ed to the 12-member so-called “super committee” – the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction. That panel – six Democrats and six Republicans, six Senators and six Members of the House – has until Thanksgiving to produce a bipartisan plan before the “trig-ger” in the law kicks in with mas-sive across-the-board budget cuts that could devastate Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security and severely cut defense spending. As a member of Congress who rep-resents communities that depend both on military bases and con-stituents who rely on our nation’s safety nets, I am not willing to let either group suffer these painful and avoidable cuts.

I am hopeful that the pros-

pect of those massive reductions will be a strong incentive for bi-partisan cooperation to forge a balanced plan with real shared sacrifice, a plan that asks the well off to contribute to solving our na-tion’s economic crises rather than heaping more of the burden on the most vulnerable among us or our middle-income families. Too often, the human side gets lost in the Washington debates about our nation’s debts and deficits. I will seek to keep those interests on the table.

All options must remain on that table as we begin our de-liberations. There should be no lines in the sand and no hiding behind campaign pledges made to fringe political groups. Regret-fully, a number of my Republican colleagues have signed a no-tax pledge to some D.C. partisan op-eratives who are using that pledge to argue against closing loopholes in the tax code that shield billion-aires from paying their fair share. That makes no sense.

We need to use the oppor-tunity provided by this power-ful new panel to enact economic growth policies that will get our country moving again. Too many

Americans, especially in our African-American communities, lack work or any hope for oppor-tunity. We need to get about fix-ing that.

We still await the official dedication of the memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When that ceremony occurs, it will com-memorate the 48th anniversary of Dr. King’s memorable speech expressing disbelief that the vault of opportunity in this great coun-try was empty. Yet in 2011, the gap is widening between those who enjoy great wealth and those who struggle to get by with little thought of ever getting ahead.

I look forward to working on this committee to seek solutions to securing our nation’s finan-cial future in a fair and balanced way that requires shared sacrifice and creates opportunities for all Americans.

U. S. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) is assistant Democratic leader and the highest ranking African-American member of Congress.

By Gary L. FlowersNNPA Col-umnist

The at-tack on vot-ing rights for people of color in the

United States of America is as old as the Republic itself.

While Thomas Jefferson penned egalitarian words around the world against the tyranny of the oppressed, he ruled over forced labor and the enslaved at his home in Virginia. Under “Jef-ferson Democracy” only white men who owned land had the legal right to vote. By denying poor whites the exercise of their vote and denying white women and all African American’s (men and women) citizenship the so-called “Founding Fathers” set the foundation for today’s attack on voting rights.

The U. S. Constitution had to be amended to permit people of color and women to vote under the 15th and 19th Amendments (1870 and 1920, respectively) amid massive resistance from those who agreed with the found-er’s view of voter suppression.

After 95 years of dirty tricks

at polling places the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to outlaw all practices and pro-cedures that affected a citizen’s right to exercise their vote based on race, gender or other protected classes (section 2). The act also included a provision for areas that had a bad record of racially dis-criminating against people of col-or to pre-clear their voting plans with the U. S. Department of Jus-tice. Both section 2 and section 5 have been under attack since the 1960’s. Go figure!

The black robes of bigoted judges in 2011 have replaced the white robes of domestic terrorists in the Ku Klux Klan of the 1800s.

Today’s policy debate over voting rights can be broken down into two camps. In one camp are those who believe that states have the right under the 10th Amend-ment to the U.S. Constitution to control voting laws for state and federal elections, however re-strictive the laws. In the other camp are those of us who believe in federal enforced voting laws where every citizen has an in-dividual and equal right to vote enshrined in the Constitution. I fight for the latter.

Thus, 13 states have ap-proved new obstacles to voting:

• Kansas and Alabama –

would-be voters must provide proof of citizenship

• Florida and Texas – New obstacles for non-profit groups to register voters

• Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia – Reduced ear-ly voting period

• Iowa – Barred all ex-felons from voting

• Maine – Repealed election-day voter registration

• Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, South Car-olina – Require photo identifica-tion at polling places

The effect of onerous voter suppression laws is real. Most American voters remember the presidential election of 2000 where state officials in Florida used suppression schemes to steal a federal election (ex-felon roll purging, absentee ballot tamper-ing, voter intimidation, and out-right vote theft). Likewise, in the presidential election of 2004 Ohio schemes such as private tabulators on public voting ma-chines and voting machines de-signed and operated by political partisans again decided the fed-eral election for George W. Bush. The same un-American activities may well occur in 2012, but if so many more states rather than one.

We must put an end to state-

control of federal elections by calling on the White House and Congress to pass and enact a Constitutional Amendment for an individual right to vote protected by the U.S. Constitution. For those who believe such would take too long it is worth noting that of the 27 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution 7 were enacted into laws in less than one year. In fact, the 26th Amendment (grant-ing 18-year-olds voting rights) became law in only 3 months. Why? There was a demand for the White House and Congress to do the right thing.

Politically, we have come to a place for which our fathers and mothers sighed with the election of President Barrack Obama. Yet, their collective tears will flow from the “Great Beyond” if we do not electorally stand up against the tea-partying grandchildren of the Klan who exclaim with pride, “we too sing America,” and have the right to vote with equality.

Gary L. Flowers is the Ex-ecutive Director & CEO of the Black Leadership Forum, Inc.

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4 www.capitaloutlook.com Opinion Sept. 15 - Sept. 21, 2011

The long, vicious assault on voting rights in America

Let’s reclaim the post-9/11 unityBy President Obama

T e n Septembers have come and gone since that

awful morning. But on this 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we are summoned once more to honor those we lost by keeping our country strong and true to their memory.

Over the coming days, we will remember nearly 3,000 inno-cent victims — fathers and moth-ers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters who were simply going about their daily lives on a beau-tiful Tuesday morning. And we’ll talk to our children about what happened on that day, and what’s happened since.

Like every American, I’ll never forget how I heard the ter-rible news, on the car radio on my way to work in Chicago. Yet like a lot of younger Americans, our daughters have no memory of that day. Malia was just 3; Sasha was an infant. As they’ve grown, Michelle and I faced the same challenge as other parents in de-ciding how to talk with our chil-dren about 9/11.

One of the things we’ve told them is that the worst terrorist attack in American history also brought out the best in our coun-try. Firefighters, police and first

responders rushed into danger to save others. Americans came together in candlelight vigils, in our houses of worship and on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Volun-teers lined up to give blood and drove across the country to lend a hand. Schoolchildren donated their savings. Communities, faith groups and businesses collected food and clothing. We were unit-ed, as Americans.

This is the true spirit of America we must reclaim this an-niversary — the ordinary good-ness and patriotism of the Ameri-can people and the unity that we needed to move forward together, as one nation.

Indeed, the last decade has been a challenging one for our country. But we have also seen the strength of the United States— in cities that have refused to give in to fear; in communities that have persevered through hard econom-ic times; and, above all, in our men and women in uniform and their families who have borne an extraordinary burden for our se-curity and our values.

The perpetrators of those at-tacks wanted to terrorize us, but they are no match for our resil-ience. Today, our country is more secure and our enemies are weak-er. Yet, while we have delivered justice to Osama bin Laden and put al-Qaeda on the path to de-feat, we must never waver in the task of protecting our nation.

On a day when others sought

to destroy, we choose to build. Once again, Sept. 11 will be a National Day of Service and Remembrance, and at serve.gov every American can make a com-mitment to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 by serving our neighbors and communities.

Finally, on a day when others tried to divide us, we can regain the sense of common purpose that stirred in our hearts 10 years ago. As a nation, we face difficult challenges, and as citizens in a democratic society we engage in vigorous debates about the future. But as we do, let’s never forget the lesson we learned anew 10 years ago — that our differences

pale beside what unites us and that when we choose to move for-ward together, as one American family, the United States doesn’t just endure, we can emerge from our tests and trials stronger than before.

That’s the America we were on 9/11 and in the days that fol-lowed.

That’s the America we can and must always be.

Ed. Note: An op-ed written President Obama appears in USA Today, In it, he urges Americans to reclaim the unity that moved us forward as a nation after the at-tacks on 9/11.

African Americans lack work, hope and opportunityThis year marked the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Ronald W. Holmes, Ph.D.Education editor/Vice Presi-dent

According to Abra-ham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, when an individual’s physiological needs such as food, water, clothing and shelter are satisfied, other higher-level needs emerge and become important.

Those higher-level needs are safety, love, es-teem or self-actualization. Maslow’s theory suggests that it is difficult for in-dividuals to advance to higher-level needs when their lower-level needs are unsatisfied. Once a lower-level need is satisfied, indi-viduals become motivated to satisfy the next level of unsatisfied needs.

During these tough economic times, many fam-ilies’ physiological needs are not being satisfied. The U.S. unemployment rate is at a high of 9.1 percent. Over 15 percent of house-holds are having problems providing food for their families. An astounding 2.87 million homes have been lost to foreclosure.

To address these eco-nomic concerns, President Barrack Obama recently announced the American Jobs Act to put people back to work and help families save their homes and thus stabilize the economy.

U.S. schools, how-ever, are faced with deal-ing with the challenges of

families from different so-cio-economic backgrounds coupled with differing hi-erarchy of needs as defined by Maslow. Depending on parents’ economic circum-stances, they may become actively involved in their children’s schools. When they are involved, students do better in the classroom and on standardized tests. When they are not in-volved, students do poorly in school and the blame is often placed on the teach-ers, principals, superin-tendents and school board members.

Realizing that, “It takes a village to raise a child,” the questions to be asked are: Is it time to grade parents in school? What would be the process for grading parents? What are the pros and cons of grading parents? What pro-grams have school districts implemented to encourage parental involvement?

State lawmakers from Tennessee and Florida have proposed a bill to grade parents with children in pre-kindergarten through third grade as an avenue to hold parents accountable, increase their involvement in school and, subsequent-ly, improve student perfor-mance. While the bill in each state has not advanced to garner a vote, the intent is to have teachers grade parents according to their regular communication with them, their children’s

completion of homework and their children’s prepa-ration and attendance at school.

Additionally, teach-ers would assign parents a grade of “satisfactory, unsatisfactory and needs improvement” to appear on their children’s report cards. In Tennessee, teach-ers would also provide a grade of “excellent” for parents who are actively involved in their children’s education. This model has been implemented at Star Academy, a small K-5 charter school in Memphis, Tenn. According to former principal, Dr. Kia Young Tate, Star Academy “began giving parental involve-ment grades to parents upon opening in 2004 to encour-age parents to be actively involved in their children’s education.” In support of the grade, Star Academy parents are mandated to volunteer a minimum of five hours each nine weeks within the school. Five hours of school service is

considered Excellent, four hours is Satisfactory, two to three hours is graded as Needs Improvement and zero to one hour is Unsat-isfactory. Tate found that parents were “excited about being held accountable for their involvement in their children’s academics and teachers were excited to have parents actively re-questing opportunities to work in their classrooms.” As a result, the school out-performed other district and state schools with similar demographic backgrounds. The school also exceeded its annual benchmarks.

Other proponents for grading parents note this is a unique idea that adds accountability to schools and provides constructive mechanisms for parents to engage in the school and with their children. Pro-ponents for grading parent also state that parental in-volvement in schools helps better prepare students for life and keeps them from being labeled a potential criminal.

On the other hand, critics complain that grad-ing parents will create ten-sion between the teachers and parents, requires more work for teachers, more government control of schools and less time on teaching students. Critics also believe that grading parents will undermine the problems of parents from poor families and those

who cannot be involved in school due to their working two or more jobs to meet the demands and needs of their households.

While parents have physiological, social and other needs that may deter them from being actively involved in their children’s education, some school dis-tricts such as Boston and Philadelphia have imple-mented a parent university to address the problem. In Boston school district, a parent university provides parents and caregivers an opportunity to learn about child development, the courses children are learn-ing in schools, how to be an advocate, as well as leader-ship and effective parenting skills.

In Philadelphia school district, a parent univer-sity provides seminars on health/wellness and cultur-al environment, family and financial literacy, multi-lingual programs, profes-sional certifications and college degree attainment. Over 22,000 parents have benefited from the free of-benefited from the free of-benefited from the free offerings since its inception three years ago.

As schools struggle to determine the best mecha-nisms to foster better pa-rental involvement, it is clear that the U.S. economy has to be revitalized to al-low families to address the basic needs of food, shelter and employment. President Obama recognizes that the

government must actively look for ways to stabilize the economy and help fam-ilies provide for their basic needs. As individuals satis-fy their basic needs for food or shelter, they can emerge to the next level of needs unsatisfied. America’s schools need every finan-cial and human resource to ensure that parents are actively involved and stu-dents are getting a quality education. It is important, however, that schools and community stakeholders understand the physiologi-cal, social and economic challenges parents are fac-ing in their communities and provide support to incorporate relevant pro-grams to meet their needs. As this happens, parental involvement should in-crease and students should perform better in the class-room and on standardized tests.

Dr. Ronald W. Holmes is the National Superinten-dent of Education for the National Save the Family Now Movement, Inc. He is a former teacher, school administrator, and district superintendent and can be reached at rwholmes@cap-italoutlook.com.

5www.capitaloutlook.comEducationSept. 15 - Sept. 21, 2011

A Ministry of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Reverend Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr., Pastor

406 N. Bronough Street · Tallahassee · (850) 222-6605

Scholarship

Information

www.stepupforstudents.org or Early Learning Coalition

385-0551

PreK (Age 3) - Sixth Grade PreK (Age 3) PreK (Age 3) Small Class Sizes Christian Philosophy Christian PhilosophyChristian PhilosophyNurturing & Safe Environment Nurturing & Safe EnvironmentNurturing & Safe EnvironmentCommitted & Dedicated Teachers Challenging A Beka Curriculum Challenging A Beka CurriculumChallenging A Beka CurriculumComputer Technology Computer TechnologyComputer TechnologyMusic, Health & Physical Education

Application Information Go to

www.betheltally.org (Under Bethel’s Quicklinks

click Bethel’s Schools) or

Call (850) 222-6605 Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way

he should go: and when he

is old, he will not depart from it.

Where Every Child is S-H-I-N-I-N-G: Successful, Helpful, Imaginative, Neighborly, Intelligent, Noble, and Good Natured!

Since God’s love extends equally to all people, Bethel Christian Academy welcomes and encourages all His children, regardless of race, color, or nationality, to apply for admission, scholarship, any programs of the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or nationality in the administration of any program of the school.

Virtual classes go from optional to mandatoryBy Lilly RockwellThe News Service of Florida

A new state law that requires Florida high school students to take a class online is causing cash-strapped school dis-tricts to spend millions on new computers.

And it’s caught the attention of the Ameri-can Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which said Sept. 8 it is calling on school districts to ensure that stu-dents who do not have In-ternet access at home aren’t at a disadvantage when it comes to being able to take online courses.

“We are concerned about issues of access,” said ACLU spokesman Baylor Johnson. “There is a digital divide in this country and Internet access is limited by economic means.”

The new law requires entering high school fresh-man beginning this year to take at least one course online prior to graduation. School districts say, to meet this new requirement: it

means spending money on new computer labs so that students who do not have the Internet at home are able to take online courses.

“This could be con-sidered an unfunded man-date,” said Chris McGuire, the principal of Broward Virtual School.

While most schools al-ready have computer labs, McGuire said, the new law could force districts to buy additional computers and set up more labs for stu-dents that can only take the class while on campus.

“We don’t have a good indication of how many students have Internet ac-cess at home,” McGuire said, so districts have to es-timate how many students will want to use a computer on campus during school hours.

Pam McAuley, the manager of instructional programs at the Hillsbor-ough County School Dis-trict, said the new require-ment would place a burden on already crowded com-puter lab space.

“As we stand right now, there are no funds to add more computers or lab space,” McAuley said. “We are going to have to get creative site by site and see what kind of lab space they have.”

This shift from merely requiring districts to offer online courses as an option to mandating that students take an online course prior to graduation is a huge pol-icy change, educators say.

In Broward County, which educators say of-which educators say of-which educators say offers one of the best virtual education programs in the state, one study reported that at most, only 20 per-cent of high school seniors graduate having taken an online course.

This means thousands of students who ordinarily wouldn’t have taken online course are now required to.

School officials also say there is confusion as to whether special education students are also required to take an online course. “A lot of online courses aren’t built to a lower reading lev-

el,” McAuley said.Florida Virtual School,

a state-supported virtual school program that some districts contract with to of-districts contract with to of-districts contract with to offer their own virtual class-es, said its most popular high school courses include algebra, geometry, Spanish, and a health and physical education class. The school is funded by the state through student enrollment and course completion.

“We expect to see in-creased enrollments and we are already seeing that with the start of the traditional school calendar,” said Se-nior Director of Instruction Jodi Marshall. “We current-ly serve hundreds of thou-sands of students; however we still serve a small part of the population. We’re excited to have a new audi-ence.”

In Escambia County, school officials say they are working toward getting the word out to all entering freshman and their parents that taking an online course is now mandatory.

“It is what it is, and

there are concerns, but we will work through them,” said Norm Ross, a deputy superintendent for the Es-cambia County School Dis-trict.

Ross said there are “companies jumping for joy who want to take ad-vantage of this.” The bill that instituted the require-ment was heavily lobbied by for-profit virtual educa-tion providers.

Virtual education com-panies are a fast-growing industry as more states em-brace online education. It is championed by Republican lawmakers as a way to give flexibility to school dis-tricts and students.

It is also touted as a way to help students pre-paring for the shift in three years to online-only stan-dardized tests.

Critics of online education say that it makes c h e a t i n g on assign-ments and

tests easier and for some students; the material is more difficult to under-stand when delivered over the Web.

Marilyn Myers, the principal of Duval Vir-tual Instruction Academy, said there will be a “capi-tal cost,” for districts. She estimated the cost of ret-rofitting a classroom into a computer lab is between $30,000 and $50,000 and that almost every middle and high school in the Du-val County School District would need an additional lab.

“As principal of a virtual school, I am a big supporter of it,” Myers said. She said it prepares students for taking online courses in college. “It’s a step in the right direction,” Myers said.

Is it time to grade parents in school?

Ronald W. Holmes, Ph.D.

6 www.capitaloutlook.com Religion Sept. 15 - Sept. 21, 2011

Women’s Devotional –––––––– “Abundance from Above” “Abundance from Above” The Capital Outlook continues its weekly women’s devotionals.

This week’s devotion is prayerfully presented by Natalie R. Jackson. John 10:10

God has allowed us to make it to the end of this business week. It is a bless-ing and a pleasure.

Getting ready for work one morning, I noticed that my hands were peeling. Usually this happens when

the seasons change and it’s as if my body is getting ready for the new atmo-sphere.

I had a question on my mind that morning – What have you peeled off for your new season? Have you been angry too much lately? Have you been self-ish? Have you not com-municated well? Have you taken advantage of a situa-tion and you need to back up? What layers still need to be peeled?

I have been working “extra” hours lately and my attitude has increased – es-pecially in 5:00 traffic. My God, help me PEEL!

Peeling is a natural state of the skin regenerat-ing itself; it’s a renewal. Do

we know that as we peel, we are so much livelier and pleasant?

Encouraged in He-brews 12:1-2, “1. Where-fore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of wit-nesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with pa-tience the race that is set before us, 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and fin-isher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, de-spising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

One of the first things we have to do is realize when it is time to peel. My

body showed me “it’s time FOR ME to peel.” So we are encouraged to “peel” and as we do that, know that God is the only “sooth-ing” lotion that can mini-mize the itch.

Love you much, but God will always love you best.

“The Christ Centered Church With a Program of Prayer and Progress ”

Reverend Dr. R. B. Holmes , Jr.

“The Christ Centered Church With a Program of Prayer and Progress ”

“I’m Peeling”Natalie R. Jackson

First Mission COGIC, Tallahassee, Fla.

LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERSJOB OPENINGS

THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS HAVE A CLOSING DATE OF: September 16, 2011

Information Professional(Part-time position @ East-side Branch)

Equipment Mechanic

Library Services Specialist(Two full-time positions @ Main Library)

THE FOLLOWING PO-SITION IS “Open Until Filled”

Application Development Analyst

GIS Database Analyst

THE FOLLOWING PO-SITIONS ARE “OPEN CONTINUOUSLY”

Paramedic (PRN)EMT (PRN)

For additional information on these positions and other job openings:job openings:• Go to www.leoncountyfl.gov/HR/jobs/joblist.asp• Call our Job Line at (850) 606-2403

• Watch Comcast Channel 16 (Tuesdays 9am-12am)• Visit Human Resources, 315 South Calhoun Street, 315 South Calhoun Street, 5th Floor, Suite #502

An Equal Opportunity Em-ployer

Dept. of Health, Bureau of Dept. of Health, Bureau of HIV/AIDS, Government HIV/AIDS, Government Operations Consultant II, annual salary $38,659.92 - $45,000.00. This is a highly responsible professional position that manages data collection and reporting collection and reporting procedures for the HIV procedures for the HIV Prevention counseling and Prevention counseling and testing program, includ-ing the Expanded Testing ing the Expanded Testing Initiative (ETI). This posi-tion is referred to as a Data tion is referred to as a Data Analyst, technical writing Analyst, technical writing and statistical data analysis using SAS/SPSS preferred. Experience managing large Experience managing large (>2 million records) data-sets preferred. Excellent sets preferred. Excellent oral and written commu-nication skills preferred. This position requires a se-curity background check as a condition of employment. a condition of employment. Only State of Florida Ap-plications will be accepted plications will be accepted – no resumes, Ad closes 9/22/2011. EO/AA/VP Em-ployer.

7www.capitaloutlook.comCommunity NewsSept. 15 - Sept. 21, 2011

CLASSIFIEDS

Employment

An Educational Lecture An Educational Lecture SeriesSeries

“Black Hospitals In Ameri“Black Hospitals In Ameri-ca: History, Contribution & Demise”Speaker: Nathaniel Wesley, Jr. When: Sept. 15 from 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Where: Smith-Williams Service Center Annex2295 Pasco St.

Call: 850-942-7288Call: 850-942-7288Email: Nathaniel Wesley Jr. @ nwesley67@comcast.netVisit: nathanielwesley.info

Alzheimer’s Association“Walk to End Alzheimer’s”When: Sept. 24 @ 9 a.m.Contact: RSVP 1-800-272-3900

Sign up at alz.org/walkSign up at alz.org/walk

The Mary Brogan Museum: TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition When: Sept. 2, 2011 – Jan. 2, 2012Hours of Operation: Mon.–Sat.: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.Sunday: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

Publix is the real deal.With all the claims of low prices and great values, which grocery store really does o� er you the most? Bottom line, it’s Publix. No gimmicks. No come-ons. Just straight-up savings that will help keep your grocery budget in check. Go to publix.com/save right now to make plans to save this week.

to save here.

POPS honors student interns and employersBy Alicia McKnightContributing Writer

The Professional Op-portunities Program for Students, Inc. (POPS) hosted its first employer appreciation reception where students and em-ployers who participated in the summer internship pro-gram were recognized.

POPS is a non-profit community-based orga-nization that focuses on the personal and profes-sional development of high school students.

Regina Bryant, Tal-lahassee district manager, retired after 38 years of working with Leon County schools and had the oppor-tunity to work with grade-school students again.

“I’m seasoned but I have a lot of energy and the kids will tell you that. I

take pride in working with our youth,” said Bryant.

POPS has existed in Florida for 10 years.

“Thanks to representa-tives, senators and the De-partment of Education, the program is now year round and has branched out to seven other cities including Tallahassee,” said Bryant.

Forty high school stu-dents participated in the POPS program and were able to intern at businesses around Tallahassee.

“POPS provides the students with a work-site in a professional workplace for eight weeks during the summer,” Bryant also mentioned, “Students are awarded stipends during their participation in the summer internship.”

Stephon Mclrvin, 17, a senior at Godby High School, interned at the Law

Firm of Parks and Crump. Mclrvin mentioned

how the program impacted him.

“It has changed my life tremendously,” said Mclrvin.

Mclrvin said he is leaning toward the law field possibly becoming a lobbyist.

Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, was another employer for the POPS program.

Williams had the op-portunity to employ Kev-eena Jackson, a senior volleyball player at Godby High School.

“It was a great oppor-tunity for me to learn from her and to provide her with the life lessons that I have learned,” Williams said.

Williams also men-tioned he wanted to give her the skills and neces-

sary training that one needs to be professional in this global economy.

“She was able to work directly with me on a num-ber of projects and sit in on meetings with influential individuals,” he said.

Williams commended the program for having professional and self-gov-erning students.

“To have such a young person is a testament to the type of students that the POPS program has gone out and recruited to be a part of this one of a kind program,” said the repre-sentative.

For additional infor-For additional infor-For additional information about the POPS program, contact Regina Bryant at (850)363-9897 or regina.bryant@popsinc.org.

Group photo of POPS sudents.

www.capitaloutlook.com8 Sept. 15 - Sept. 21, 2011Capital Outlook

Call 866.484.7057

2 WAYS to test-drive Prism:

> 1544-2 Governor’s Square Blvd.> 1410 Market St. > 2020 West Pensacola St.

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ONLINE: seeprismtv.com

*Offer ends 12/31/2011. Offer and stated rates are available to new, first-time CenturyLink™ Prism™ TV residential customers in select areas only. The $65.95 monthly rate applies to up to 1.5 Mbps Pure Broadband and Prism™ TV package for six (6) months of service with a minimum service commitment of twelve (12) months, after which standard rates apply. A $6.99 monthly DVR service fee applies when the Quad Play DVR is purchased with Prism™ TV package. Promotional offer cannot be combined with any other Prism offers. All prices, packages and programming are subject to change without notice. Taxes, fees, and surcharges will apply. An additional monthly fee (including professional installation, if applicable) and a shipping and handling fee will apply to customer’s modem or router. Customer must cancel DVR and/or HD service by calling CenturyLink Customer Service before the end of the six-month promotional period to avoid monthly charges, or the standard monthly rate for each service will apply until service(s) are cancelled. Offers may be limited to specific locations. General – Services and offers not available everywhere. CenturyLink may change, cancel, or substitute offers and services, or vary them by service area, at its sole discretion without notice. Requires credit approval and deposit may be required. Additional restrictions apply. Terms and Conditions – All products and services listed are Terms and Conditions – All products and services listed are Terms and Conditions –governed by tariffs, local terms of service, or terms and conditions posted at http://about.centurylink.com. Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges – Taxes, fees, and surcharges apply, including a Carrier Universal Service charge, National Access Fee surcharge, a one-time High-Speed Internet activation fee, state and local fees that vary by area and certain in-state surcharges. Cost recovery fees are not taxes or government-required charges for use. Taxes, fees, and surcharges apply based on standard monthly, not promotional, rates. Call for a listing of applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges. Monthly Rate for All Service Bundles – The monthly rate for all bundled services will apply while customer subscribes to all qualifying services. If one (1) or more services are cancelled, the standard monthly fee will apply to each remaining service. Pure Broadband – Early termination results in customer being responsible for payment of the applicable monthly recurring service fee multiplied by the number of months remaining in the minimum service period, up to $200. Performance will vary due to conditions outside of network control and no speed is guaranteed. Telephone landline is part of the service only for the purpose of data traffic transmission/connection and cannot be used for voice traffic transmission, except for 911 services. CenturyLink™ Prism™ TV – All plans require separate local phone service plan and include digital channels (including local channels), one (1) set-top box, one (1) modem gateway, and up to four (4) standard direct video streams to residence. CenturyLink-provided set-top boxes are required to view TV. If a term agreement applies to the offer, an early termination fee in the amount of discounts received applies if customer terminates services before the end of the applicable term agreement. Local channel availability varies by market. Caller ID service must be purchased separately to enable the on-screen Caller ID feature; Caller ID feature is not available in all areas. High Definition (HD) available on all TV plans for an additional $11.99/month, and up to two (2) of the up to four (4) video streams can be in HD. Customer’s location determines both HD availability and the maximum number of HD video streams (between 0 and 2 HD streams) a customer can view and record at any one time per residence, regardless of the number of set-top boxes (STBs) in the household. All non-HD video streams are provided in standard definition. Subscription to service precludes customers from purchasing high-speed Internet services from any third party. Additional charges will apply for additional programming packages, movie channel subscriptions (except for Prism™ Premium plan), Pay Per View movies and events, On Demand purchases, and premium services/subscriptions for all plans. Some subscription services, events, and broadcast network service may be blacked out in customer’s area. Customer may dial *67 (touchtone) or 1167 (rotary) prior to placing a call to block their calling information. In order for media sharing to operate correctly customer must have Windows XP or VISTA and Windows Media Player 11. Equipment – Minimum equipment and CenturyLink professional installation are required. At initial installation, each customer receives: one (1) VDSL 2 modem; up to six (6) STBs (standard plan includes one (1) STB; additional STBs are available for an additional monthly rate, per STB); and one (1) remote control per STB installed. All equipment must be returned to designated CenturyLink retail store within thirty (30) days after service disconnection in an undamaged condition, or customer is charged for each equipment piece not returned or returned as damaged. Prism™ TV Plan – Quad Play DVR service excluded and is available for an additional monthly fee. X-Men First Class – ©2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. X-Men, all character names and their distinctive likenesses: TM & ©2011 Marvel Entertainment, LLC and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. ©2011 CenturyLink, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The name CenturyLink and the pathways logo are trademarks of CenturyLink, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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