Volume 4, Issue 3March 2013 IssueYour Connection

INSIDE:Pg. 3

Your HealthCare for your Body

Pg. 4Your Voice

Read!

Pg. 5Your Community

Construction Program

Pg. 7Change Your FOODChange Your MOOD

Pg. 10Ministerial AllianceAwards Ceremony

Pg. 11Your Government

The Sequester

Unity in Action Magazine is an independent run paper. Views expressed may not be reflective of the publication, advertisers, or others in the publication. All rights reserved. Patent Pending.

P.O. Box 7764Champaign, IL 61826

contact@unityinactionmagazine.com

Together we can build stronger families and communities.

$1

Nutrition Awareness MonthThe Truth about Nutrition

Next Live Talk Show“The Community Meeting”

March 28th, 7p-8p

WHO AM I? A Champaign native, raised in Garden Hills Neighboorhood. Attended BT Washington, Edison Middle School, Central High School, and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a BA in Economics.

I am a mother, friend, and active community member. Many people know my grandmother, who helped anyone in need, Eular Mae Henderson.

Each year in school, we had the opportunity to do community service, from writing paypal letters to senior citizen or other students over seas to mentoring peers. It was during high school that I really took ownership of my passion to help the community as President of the Afro-American Club. I had the opportunity to write, direct, and produce a play called, “Breaking the Chains of Ignorance.” It was after then, that I knew that I would commit my life to helping the community.

While attending the University of Illinois, I was an Illinette in the Marching Illini Band. As always staying busy kept me on track. I was able to graduate in 4 years with an Economic degree. What I learn about social and economic warfare motivated me to create a counter solution to improve our community.

After taking a high paying job in corporate America, I quickly realized that making a lot of money was not important to me, I wanted to improve the conditions of communities like the one I grew up in. I wanted to help create lasting positive change. I was tired of everyone talking about the problems, I just wanted to work towards solutions. As I mediated on how to address the concerns that I saw as plaguing low-income communities I noticed that the issues crossed all races. Also, there had to be an umbrella approach that addressed many areas of one’s life at once. Also, there would have to be change on different levels; from the effectiveness of our democratic process to building empathy by sharing stories about the lifestyle and culture of poverty. I went on to design programs like the Summer Construction Program, Club Freestyle, Career Success Training Program and Unity in Action Magazine.

Unity in Action Magazine, formerly Habari Connection, is just one part of plan, which helps with the social development and helps provide a funding source for communit y programs. This is your magazine- readers and professionals are encouraged to submit your articles, share your stories, inform us of your events, and most important share your ideas on how we can address issues in our community. This magazine helps me and my family just as much as it helps yours. Yours Truly, Tanya Parker, Publisher

Please, connect with us FB@UnityinAction Mag, Tweet:@Unity in Action Magazine

Someone said I need to tell people: Where I am From?

Julie Pryde, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

“Unity in Action Magazine is great for our community”

Benita Rollins-Gay, MS. Ed.- “We need this paper in our

community! It can really help people and the

community as a whole.”

Anita Collins, Loyal Reader at Urban Beauty & Fashion- “We need to all come

together to address the issues and concerns of our community. Unity in Action

Magazine helps us to do that.”

2010 Social Entrepreneurship Innovation Award

2010 History Maker Award

2012 CU Community Leadership Award

The 1$ helps support community programs. I noticed lack of funding for community needs.

What is the fastest way to lose weight? What is the quickest way to gain muscle? What supplements work best for weight loss?There are literally hundreds of options to choose from in answering these questions. The primary issue with these questions is that none of them should be given any weight in attention, whatsoever.We have been taught that impatience and supplementation should be fused into the journey toward health. These are lies. There is no need to implement the acceleration of time within the pursuit of self-confidence; likewise introducing completely unnatural, unnecessarily chemically altered, processed, supplementation.

We need a Cultural Change.Human physiological necessity have been placed on the proverbial “back burner” in order to better house the position of power that a lack of education can wield in profits.The truth is, the human NEEDS proper nutrition and exercise. It is the quality of life that we must pursue, rather than the misleading concept that we will continue to “look good” once the “goal weight” is met.Micronutrients, macronutrients,

phytonutrients, hydration and regular exercise, are what the human body needs. We do not need fast foods, deep fried foods, heavy amounts of animal flesh, animal products, juices, and sodas. We need an apple, an orange, a banana, oats, rice, potatoes, beans, nuts: fruits, vegetables, legumes, and water.We do not need caffeine, hormone boosters, protein shakes, creatine, pre-workouts, and post-workout supplementation.We need exercise. The human body was structured in a fashion that requires activity. We were created in a way wherewhich we must consume energy sources, i.e. calories, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, etc. These nutrients are then broken down and distributed to the human body in order to fuel it’s cellular necessities. The liver purifies and detoxifies the energy sources. The kidneys cleanse the blood, and stores water and salts. The colon reabsorbs water, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes as it processes toxins out of the body. The entire process is revolved around transferring healthy, clean blood flow throughout the human body.The human lungs are muscles. Their primary job is to provide ample oxygen to the heart.

The human heart is a muscle, and it’s primary responsibility is to provide nutrition to the cells of the body, and to transport oxygen to the muscular skeletal system in order to enjoy the body’s ability to respond to motion. The muscular skeletal system’s primary job is to hold the skeleton together; to keep the body’s bones in place. In a nutshell, if we do not exercise the human body literally falls apart. In a nutshell, the human body is designed to be a complete immune system, and it is our job to fuel it properly, and use it appropriately.We as adults are the parents of our leaders of tomorrow. To choose not to educate our children on this subject, to choose not to lead by example, is to contribute to the statistic that our children are of the very first generation that is expected to be out-lived by their parents.

Owner at the Kalmese Wellness Foundation, 586 William Latham Dr. #8, Bourbonnais, IL 60914.

www.kalmesewellnessfoundation.comCover photo: Mrs. Calmese

Your Health Pg. 3

Quickest way toFastest way to lose weight? gain muscle?

How to care for your body?

Photo of Kris Calmese and his daughter.

By Kris Calmese, Wellness Consultant

Your VoicePg. 4

“IT’S THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE STRONG COMMUNITIES,RE-ELECT WILL KYLES APRIL 9TH, 2013 FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT 1,AND LET’S CONTINUE TO BUILD THIS STRONG COMMUNITY TOGETHER!”

RE-ELECT WILL KYLES APRIL 9TH

Why is it people won’t read something informative but will read gossip, feed into drama & watch drama? Whether it be on TV or in reality with no hesitation?? Smh. People always got some BS to talk about, but never nothing informative. I’ve heard a lot of people especially at or around Christmas time, birthdays, etc say that they only will buy their kids toys that are educational so their spending

their money on something that their children will learn from, yet some of these same people DO NOT apply this common sense to their own everyday life.

Time is money so some people need to evaluate themselves & stop spending valuable time on gossip & BS when you could use that time wisely on something that is informative or educational. Apply yourself to something

other than BS. As a child I was always taught ”TIME IS MONEY & NEITHER SHOULD BE WASTED & CAN’T BE RECOVERED & TO USE YOUR TIME WISELY”.

Some people really need to get it together. How can u instill this in your kids if you are not setting an example yourself??!! Occupy your mind & time with something you can learn from instead of BS!!!

By Phyllis”ALICIA”Bigham

Read! Occupy Your Mind

Break the Silence! Contact Unity in Action Magazine with your stories, ideas, comments and solutions to any issues that affect your family or community. FB, email, write, or attend/watch our online community meeting March 28th.

@ UnityinActionMag

WEBSITE: unityinactionmagazine.com EMAIL: contact@unityinactionmagazine.com

Live Talk Show“The Community Meeting”

Attend or Watch Online March 28th, 7-8p

American Legion Post 559or,

unityinactionmagazine.com

Y O U WA N T I T W E H AV E I T !

S H O E S - H A T S - WA T C H E D -A C C E S S O R I E S

C L O T H I N G - A T H L E T I C A P PA R E L

1 7 2 6 W. B R A D L E Y AV E .C H A M PA I G N , I L 6 1 8 2 1

M O N - S A T 1 0 - 8 , S U N 1 2 - 5

( 2 1 7 ) 3 9 8 - 9 6 5 0

B U Y O N EG E T O N E F R E E

A P P A R E LA L L S N A P B A C K & F I T T E D H A T SE x p i r e s 3 / 3 1 / 1 3

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In 2007, I met Tanya Parker, now the Publisher of the local magazine, Unity in Action, at a demonstration in front of the County Court House in Urbana.  We were both protesting what we felt was racial inequality in the criminal justice system.  Tanya had been working with young African-American females, attempting to raise their self-confidence and aspirations.  I had for many years been a delegate to the AFL-CIO of Champaign County where I could not help notice the paucity of minorities and women among the building trade delegates.  I had been pondering in my own mind of how the trades could be diversified.  I raised the issue in my conversation with Tanya, and we agreed to work together on a project to bring this about.

We began by contacting school administrators, school board members, and the then-principal of Urbana High School, Laura Taylor to simply urge them to put a greater focus on vocational education in the schools.  We heard lots of reasons why they could not do that, ranging from budget constraints, to resistance from a community that is so academically-oriented, to the conservatism of school board members, to the lack of availability of teachers in vocational education.  We were also concerned that our efforts not be seen as advocacy of “tracking,” particularly of minority students.  continue pg.9

Parker & Fields Vision for a Teen

Summer Construction Program is Now a

Growing Success Story.

Everyone knows someone labeled or judged due to behavioral patterns. Moreover, there are thousands who have endured criticism due to the inability to correct unacceptable behavior. Many are guilty of looking at people and wonder why they act different from what society deems as normal and have gone as far as place harsh judgment against them. A mate who is confrontational, a child who is uncontrollable and irritable, a mother who is depressed, an aunt who is suicidal are all victims of judgments. Realistically speaking, how are we to judge if not by behavior? For some the culprit is the food they ingest that causes them to act in manners that warrant negative judgment. Behaviors such as temper tantrums are common among children under five years old, however frequently

seen in adults. Have you ever been in a space where you reacted in a manner that caused you to pause and ask yourself “What was that about?” More times than not it was about the food you ate. Furthermore, it was the food that causes toxins to be released which caused your negative behavior. Sugar for breakfast, fat for lunch, those additives for snacks, and that sodium nitrate you gave your child in the form of cereal, hamburgers, potato chips, and hotdogs that are causing the loss of self-control. When a person is out of control, others judge harshly and may even shun. Sugar is present in most breakfast cereal, chocolate, fruit snacks and nearly all the foods that not only children like best. Sugar creates states of hyperactivity, and then leaves them drained and irritable. Sodium benzoate, is found

in soft drinks and fruit juices and may cause someone to be easily distracted. Furthermore, sodium nitrate contributes to hyperactivity as well. OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has been linked to copper imbalance as well as arthritis and severe depression. Copper, mercury, manganese, and cadmium and other toxicities have been directly linked to schizophrenias. However it is the B-complex vitamins which are essential to ensure proper balance of the nervous system. More energy and less depression has been documented when thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and pyridoxine (B6). In addition, Pantothenic acid (B5) have been added as a supplement to any diet. There is plenty of scientific evidence to support this claim and

many others, yet the public lie in ignorance.Although, labels from behavior is becoming the norm healthy diet and eating habits can transform this thought process. Actions such as ODB (oppositional defiant behavior), ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Schizophrenia. Bipolar and Depression needs combatting by eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and grains. Certain foods can affect the way we all behave. A nutritious, balanced diet will help to maintain great attitude and good behavior. Consequently, longer-lasting energy, which is the catalyst, that leads to better performance in the classroom, on the job, and in the homes.

Is Food the CULPRIT to Your Judgments? That is does what you eat affect your judgement?

Change Your FOOD Change Your MOOD

Contributed by Ordena Hope CLC C.Ht.Certified Life Coach

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

http://www.naturalhopehhc.com206-337-7666

Pg. 7

The War on American Soil:Wealthy Corporate Giants vs. The People

Tea Party Republican vs. Coffee Party Democrat

Facebook Leading the Charge

Pg. 9

We wanted students to be aware of opportunities in the building trades and pick up some of the skills, but to graduate from high school meeting all of the requirements that would be necessary to go on to higher education if that were to be their choice. While Principal Taylor made clear that given the tight budget she was not prepared to sacrifice some other courses for more vocational education, she did provide us with a breakthrough.  She suggested that we contact Sean McLaughlin, the director of a multi-county agency called Education for Employment Service (EFE).  Neither Tanya nor I had heard of the EFE before.  We called Sean, told him about our interest in expanded vocational education in the building trades, and asked for a meeting with him.  After discussing possibilities over coffee in Strawberry Fields, Sean proposed trying to get a summer program started.  His staffer at EFE, Lorie McDonald was equally keen to get a program off the ground. She would become the major point-person in the actual administration of the program.  Fortunately, Champaign’s Unit 4 School District had just hired a new industrial arts teacher, Alex Ramirez, who agreed to be the major instructor in the program.  Each year, Alex would have another instructor who would help him out, normally an industrial arts teacher from Rantoul High School, but last year from Villa Grove High School.

The program required community partnerships.  Financial, educational, and in-kind support came from the high schools in the twin cities and

Rantoul, the University of Illinois, and from Parkland College.  The city of Urbana offered a financial grant.  Specialized instructional and in-kind contributions (in the form of materials) came from local unions of electricians, plumbers and pipefitters, bricklayers, roofers, and cement masons and plasterers.  Local developers also assisted.  United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois also partnered with the program.

The first project, in 2008, consisted of building a storage shed right on the grounds of Champaign Central High School.  Projects from 2009 to 2011 were structures, usually garages, that were built for private parties who were willing to pay for the materials.  But then there was a certain unease with the lack of criteria of who would get this free labor. It was thus decided to work on projects selected by Habitat for Humanity.  The summer 2012 project was a cooperative one with Habitat, and there is some possibility that for the first time there will be two Habitat houses on which the young people will work.From its inception, through 2012, there have been seventy-four student participants.  The vast majority are in their junior years.  EFE first puts out a call for applications in early Spring.  These applications are screened, and those who make the screening are then called for interviews.  Attendance, disciplinary records, and grade point averages are taken into account for someone to be called for an interview.  In 2012, there were 40 applicants, of whom 30 were selected

to be interviewed, half of whom (15) were accepted into the program.  Some of the other 15 who were not accepted would have been had there been a second house to work on last year.  But it was determined that going beyond 15 would make the program less effective instructionally.Of the 74 students who have completed the program thus far, 56% were minorities, 5% were female, and 58% were from low income families.   Of the minority students, 71% were African American, 22% were Latino/Hispanic, 5% were East Asian, and 2% were Indian (South Asian).

The education and skills that the students learn, aside from the hands-on construction tasks like diving nails, were: applied mathematics, communication, blue print reading,familiarization with the different building materials, the basics of electricity, copper piping and fitting, electricity basics, flooring systems, and exterior finishing.

The students are also educated in the nature of careers in the different building trades, and in what it takes to be a successfully employed person, i.e, reliability, promptness, ability to work cooperatively in a team, and serious application to the task.  Students who successfully complete the program receive two tangible rewards, a $500 stipend and OSHA certification.  The latter is because they also receive training in workplace safety by a certified OSHA instructor, provided free of cost by the Bricklayers and Tilesetters Local #8.  Should students choose to apply to an apprenticeship program in a trade union, OSHA certification

might give them an advantage.

I do not know how many, if any, of the students who have gone through the five-week summer program have actually applied for such an apprenticeship. In an exit questionnaire given to the 2012 class, 9 said they would consider applying for such an apprenticeship.  Four said no, and one said maybe.  When asked if they had decided to pursue additional training in construction or the various building trades, 13 said maybe, 1 said yes, and none said no.

But even if these young people do not enter the building trade unions, this experience in making something concrete, in learning how to work with others in a cooperative and disciplined way, and in bringing home a paycheck based on the sweat of their labor should be of service to them whatever occupational paths they may choose in the future.  While it cannot be presumed that the program is solely responsible, it is interesting that the 97% graduation rate of students who have gone through it is considerably higher than that of the total eligible student bodies in any of the high schools in Champaign, Urbana, and Rantoul.If the reader of this article is either a high school student or knows of high school students in Champaign-Urbana or Rantoul, especially minority or female students, who might benefit from this program, I urge you to contact Lorie McDonald at the Education For Employment System, 3 Henson Place, Champaign, tel: (217) 355-1382.

Parker & Fields Vision for a Teen Summer Construction Program is

Now a Growing Success Story.

TEENS TO BUILD MORE HOMES THIS SUMMER.

Continuing from pg. 3

Honor the PastPg. 10

The Villager AwardPastors of the Alliance selected individuals from the churches (grandmother, family member, etc.) who have demonstrated the late proverb: “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”. Awardees included: Mother Leona Brown (Truth Pentecost Christian Center) and Elderess Melinda Carr (New Free Will Baptist Church).The Alliance is grateful for all who came out and supported this event from near and far to honor individuals and celebrate our great history! As you continue to work in the community, remem-ber the words of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15:58 which reads: “Therefore, my brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Layperson of the Year AwardThis award was voted on by Ministerial Alliance members and given to individuals for their tireless devotion to education for all children and uplifting the community. Awardees included: Brother Nathaniel Banks, Sister Mary Haywood Benson, Minister Noah Brown, Brother Robert Lewis, Sister Janice Mitchell, Minister Todd Rent, and Evangelist Shandra Summerville.

President’s AwardThis award was given by the President of the Ministerial Alliance to individuals and organiza-tions that have made outstanding contributions to the community. Awardees included: Sister Carletta Donaldson; Citizens with Conviction, represented by Brother Gregory Hayes, Vice President and Brother Aaron Ammons, President; Rev. Michael Himick, representing the Agape “Love” Feasts; and Deacon Willie T. Summerville.Past Presidents of the Alliance and a MemoriamFor more than 50 years the Ministerial Alliance has existed in this community, and we honor the great work of those who have served in this organization with a steadfast commitment to the Most High God!Past leadership included: Pastor Roland Brown, Pastor Jimmie O. Holmes, Pastor Cyprus Hughes, the late Pastor William B. Keaton, Pastor Charles Nash, the late Pastor Lundy Savage, Pastor Claude Shelby, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Underwood, Pastor Phillip Wright, and Rev. Morris Clark.A framed certificate also was provided in memory of the late Rev. Olivia W. Neal who was one of the first women to join the organization when the doors were opened to women in the ministry.

Ministerial Alliance: 2012 Awards Program

Celebrating the History of Past Presidents

The Ministerial Alliance of Champaign-Urbana and Vicinity’s 2012 Annu-al Award’s Program was held on October 26, 2012, at New Hope Church of God in Christ to honor individuals for their service to the community and past presidents of the organization. The speaker for the event was Rev. Charles Nash, Pastor of New Hope. Officers of the Ministerial Alliance are President, Rev. Melinda Carr; Vice President, Pastor Jimmie Holmes; Re-cording/Corresponding Secretary, Rev. Joyce Roundtree; Treasurer, Pastor Larry Lewis; and Chaplain, Pastor Charlotte Blissit.Following are the categories and names of individuals who received awards:

Environmental Working GroupFreedomworks

Western Peanut Growers AssociationUSA Rice Federation

USA Dry Pea & Lentil CouncilUS Dry Bean CouncilUS Canola AssociationSouthern Peanut Farmers FederationNational Sunflower AssociationNational Sorghum ProducersNational Council of Farmer Cooperatives

National Cotton CouncilNational Barley Growers

National Association of Wheat GrowersAmerican Soybean Association

American Farm Bureau FederationNational Taxpayers Union

US Chamber of Commerce

S.388 as introduced in the Senate on February 26, 2013

S. 388 would eliminate the automatic spending reductions scheduled to occur under current law for 2013 and would partially eliminate the reductions scheduled for 2014. The bill also would eliminate direct payments to certain agricultural producers, provide funding for agricultural disaster assistance, and exempt from sequestration all mandatory funding provided for the Department of Agriculture.

In addition, S. 388 would ensure that taxpayers with annual income above $5 million face an average tax rate of at least 30 percent on their income, and it would extend an existing per-barrel tax on oil production to oil produced from tar sands.

http://www.cbo.gov/publication/43960

UNEMPLOYMENT IS ONE OF MANY CUTS TO COME!!Changes to Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)If you are collecting federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC), the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has advised that, barring Congressional action, weekly EUC benefits will be reduced by approximately 10 percent effective the week-beginning March 3rd. The maximum amount of benefits that will be collected will be reduced by approximately 10 percent, as well.The reductions are part of the federal sequestration that begins March 1. The sequester will not affect regular state benefits.

What Is the Sequester? Why Now?ACCORDING TO WHITEHOUSE.GOVIn the last few years, President Obama and both parties in Congress have worked together to reduce our deficit by more than $2.5 trillion through a combination of spending cuts and increased tax rates.

In 2011, Congress passed a law saying that if they couldn’t agree on a plan to reduce our deficit by $4 trillion — including the $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction lawmakers in both parties have already accomplished over the last few years — about $1 trillion in automatic, arbitrary and across the board budget cuts would start to take effect in 2013.

“The whole design of these arbitrary cuts was to make them so unattractive and unappealing that Democrats and Republicans would actually get together and find a good compromise of sensible cuts as well as closing tax loopholes and so forth. And so this was all designed to say we can’t do these bad cuts; let’s do something smarter. That was the whole point of this so-called sequestration.”—PRESIDENT OBAMAUnfortunately, Congress hasn’t compromised, and as a consequence, harmful cuts — known as the sequester — begin March 1.

These cuts will jeopardize our military readiness and eviscerate job-creating investments in education and energy and medical research, and don’t take into account whether they eliminate some bloated program that has outlived its usefulness, or cut a vital service that Americans depend on every single day.

More to come like this unless Congress STOPS Sequester!

VOTED AGAINSTAll Republican & 4 Democrats-

Harry Reid, D(NV)Mark Pryor, D(AR)

Mary Landrieu, D(LA)Kay Hagan, D(NC)

What you Need To Know About Sequester Cuts?

WHAT WAS S.388?S. 388: American Family Economic Protection Act of 2013 was

the finally attempt before the deadline of Feb 28th to try to stop the damaging affects of the sequester. IT DID NOT PASS

CONGRESS, SO ON MARCH 1 SEQUESTER CUTS STARTED.

The reductions may require claimants to eventually repay some of the EUC payments they receive for weeks beginning on or after March 3. Other states face the same issue.Congress could delay or avoid the sequester. Until that happens, the federal reductions must be implemented.Additional information might be available from your Congressional representative.

One Current Effect Since March 1st?

VOTED AGAINST S.388 to STOP Sequester:

Your MoneyPg. 11

Pg. 10Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00pm - The Hinds Community College Choir and Jubilee Singers will perform at the Greater New Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1500 Sheppard Drive, Rantoul. FREE, but an offering will be taken for the Choir.

Wednesday, March 13 at 2:00pm – Hinds Community College Choir will sing for Canaan Academy, 207 N. Central, U.

Wednesday, March 13 at 7:00pm – Hinds Community College Choir and Jubilee Singers performing at Ca-naan Baptist Church, 402 W. Main St., U. Call 217-367-2158 for more information. FREE, but an offering will be taken for the Choir.

EVENTS

Women of Color, an organization on the University of Illinois campus whose mission statement is to “edu-cate, uplift and unite minority women on campus” is pleased to announce their 24th annual Women of Col-or (WOC) Conference from Friday, April 5 - Sunday, April 7. Judy Smith, the inspiration for the hit show Scandal will be the speaker for our opening ceremonies on Friday night and we will have workshops all day on Saturday. REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE AT: http://wocconference.eventbrite.com/

EVENTS

Freedom From Smoking Classes at the Champaign County Public Health Department, Every Tuesday February 19 - April 2 at 5:30pm – 201 W. Kenyon, Ch. $20.00 per person includes program materials and 8-week supply of nicotine patches (patches for those who qualify). Complete 6 out of 8 sessions and receive a $10.00 refund. For more information or to register, call Nikki at 217-531-2914 or by email at nhillier@c-uphd.org. Seating is limited and you must reserve a seat. This program is available for Champaign County Residents only.

CHURCH EVENTS

SALEM CELEBRATING THEIR 70TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S DAYThe Women of Salem Baptist Church, 500 East Park, Champaign, Illinois will celebrate their 70th Annual Women’s Day, Sunday, March 24, 2013. “Steadfast, Immovable Christian Women”, I Corinthians 15:58 will be their celebration theme. Morning and Afternoon worship services will be held that day with Sis. Montrula Shelby, First Lady of Salem sharing her spiritfilled message at the 11:00 a.m. worship service and the First Lady of Liberty Temple Church of God in Christ, Evangelist Juan Chambers bringing an inspirational message at the 3:30 p.m. afternoon service.

General Chairperson, Sis. Lynnette White-McIntyre, and Co-chairperson, Sis. Pat Shelton are extending an invitation to the entire Champaign-Urbana community to come and join in all celebration activities.

Festivities leading up to the Annual Day will include a prayer breakfast, Saturday, March 23, 2013 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the church. Prayer Breakfast Theme is “Women Pressing Forward in the Spirit of God”, Mark 5:27. Speakers are Sis.Yavonnda Smith, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, and Minister Regina Crider, Cross Road Church, Rantoul. Sis. Ulanda Hunter and Sis. Katrina Harris, serve respectively as Chair and Co-Chair for the Prayer Breakfast.

Live Talk Show“The Community Meeting”

Attend or Watch Online

March 28th, 7-8pAmerican Legion Post 559

or,unityinactionmagazine.com

Pg. 13

The Next South Philo Road Safety meeting will be March 20th at Noon in the Sunnycrest Center on Philo Rd. The majority of partic-ipants are business owners in the area but all residents of the area are invited to attend.

If you have any questions about the meeting, you can contact Lieu-tenant Robert J Fitzgerald,South District Patrol Commander, Urbana Police Department.

BUSINESS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

Healthy Smiles is going to get a team together to do a walk-a-thon that the Parkland hygiene students are coordinating with SmileHealthy. The walk will be held April 13th and all of the registration money as well as money from businesses in the community will go towards a free dental clinic that the hygiene students are organizing with SmileHealthy in May.

For more information on how your business can get involved visit: www.smilehealthy.org/

NEWS

WANTED! Drivers for straight truck and tractor trailer de-livery service. Local drivers haul industrial, office and house-hold goods. Short haul drivers deliver household goods.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITSPotential Earnings: $25,000 - $30,000$30,000 - $35,000$40,000 - $45,000

Driver Type: Delivery

LocalPercentage Short Haul

All drivers receive Federal Companies’ benefit package including:Training

Late Model EquipmentMobility OpportunityCareer Advancement401K Retirement Plan

Profit SharingPaid HolidaysPaid Vacations

Health Insurance PlanLife Insurance Plan

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:Must be at least 21 years of age

Must have a valid driver’s license or CDLNo DUI within the last six years

No misdemeanor convictions within the last three yearsNo felony convictions within the last eight years

Ability to successfully pass a drug test and a DOT physical

MAIL resume to: 401 Kenyon Rd. Champaign, IL 61820or, EMAIL: james_mcne@federalcos.com

Amir is an 11 year old African-American boy with big hopes and dreams of becoming an actor. However, this is not easy for Amir. He has struggled with reading fluently and has had some difficulty with his speech since he began to talk. But this hasn’t stopped Amir. Through hard work, dedication, some professional support, a few pencils in between the teeth tips from his dad, and being driven by his dreams, Amir has begun to read more fluently and his personality is blossoming.

On January 15, 2013, Amir turned in a homework assignment to his 5th grade teacher at Canaan Academy, telling her why he wanted to be an actor on Disney Channel. He expressed the idea that more little boys like him needed a chance to act. He stated, “All I want is to have a chance to prove that I can do it!” Amir began doing research online to contact PBS, Disney Channel, and other children productions. He soon learned that is wasn’t that simple. After school on January 24th, while listening to the radio he heard an advertisment about auditions being held in our area. He took charge, got the number and gave it to his mom. She made the call. Within two days, Amir had signed up, received and memorized his scripts and auditioned with 30

other children at Eastland Suites in our hometown of Urbana, Illinois. To his amazement, he was one of eight children selected to go on to Chicago to join a regional showcase. Again he worked hard, memorized his lines and auditioned in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2013, with 31 other youth. To all of our delight, Amir was one of eight selected to go to the Los Angeles IPOP convention representing Illinois! In as little as four weeks, this young boy who struggled with reading and feeling like his dreams were deferred, has auditioned and competed for a chance to be trained by leading industry professionals in hopes of fulfilling his dream of becoming an actor.

The joy in his face warms our hearts. So we can’t tell him that we can’t afford for him to pursue his dreams. As community activist and working class parents living from check-to-check, the financial hurdle makes this an impossible task for the parents to accomplish alone.

INSPIRATION

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License#: IL 2141MC, USDOT 076235

“All I want is a chance...”

Let’s Support Amir’s Ammons Dream

TO SUPPORT VISIT:http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/amir-s-campaign?c=home

Please send your donation to: CCU c/o

Aaron-Amir, memo:#2673:Canaan Credit Union,

404 W. Main Street,Urbana, IL 61801

NEWSYouth Confinement at 35-Year Low. Though US remains the largest number of youth locked up, in 2010 US reached a 35-year low. Even more supporting is to know that crime amongst jueveniles has fallen sharply as well- over 41% according to date from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of f Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.However, racial disparities still per-sist. African-American youth are 5 times likely to be confined than white youth.

The Rosa Parks statue unveiled at the U.S. Capitol!

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“The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” This is the famous quote from Rosa Parkes the First Black woman to be honored in the U.S. Captiol statue collection of promi-nent American people. The statue was revealed Feb.

Congress Protected Their Pay From Sequester Cuts. The 27th Amendment states that, ‘no law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Rep-resentatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.’That’s why they made sure the law regarding the sequester cuts can the day before the newly elected were to take seat. Thus, they would not be affected the sequester cuts.

Reports Catches People Who Get Unemployment While Working.New monthly wage reports will help stop individuals from illegally collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working because officials will have the most up-to-date wage information available. http://www.ides.illinois.gov/

ALERT MONTANA!!!!A bill introduced by Montana state Rep. Steve Lavin would give corporations the right to vote in municipal elections:

March 29, 30 & 31stTub O’Tips $13.89

Plus Free Liter of Coke/Diet Coke Pint of BBQ in Commemorative Mug

34th Anniversary

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