Let's Move Campaign!- Michelle Obama fight against Childhood Obesity

Earlier this week Michelle Obam joined President Obama and Cabinet members as he signed a Memorandum on Childhood Obesity. The Memorandum established a task force, headed by the First Lady, to encourage children to exercise more and adopt healthier eating habits. Later she was joined by local students, cabinet members, and athletes to kick off Let’s Move, a new nationwide campaign to combat childhood obesity. Childhood obesity or excess weight threatens the healthy future of one third of American children. We spend $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing.

Obesity rates tripled in the past 30 years, a trend that means, for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents. We need to get moving. Join First Lady Michelle Obama, community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.

Let's Move! has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Let’s Move will give parents the support they need, provide healthier food in schools, help our kids to be more physically active, and make healthy, affordable food available in every part of our country. for more info http://www.letsmove.gov/

Haiti Volunteer Oppurtunities

While the total cost of rebuilding Haiti is still unknown, Jean-Max Bellerive the prime minister of the republic of Haiti is vowing to build a prosperous future for his country. In a recent article he said “A major focus of our rebuilding will be providing jobs for the people of Haiti, and tourism will be an important component of that effort.” Additionally “we will report regularly on our progress. Donors will see the impact of their support. We expect to be held accountable - not only by our supporters but by our citizens and by the memories of so many lost loved ones.”

Personally, I hope this type of transparency remains during the rebuilding process, and as long as it does I foresee continued support and new businesses poring into the country for years to come.

If you or your business would like to volunteer in Haiti, here is a list of organizations who are actively recruiting volunteers for Haiti relief efforts.

1. The American Baptist International Ministries http://www.internationalministries.org/ Doctors and nurse practitioners interested in becoming part of a team are asked to email BIMvolunteers@abc-usa.org to register.

2. The newly-created FlightToCrisis seeks volunteers to join its group of physicians, nurses, clergy, medical specialists, engineers, and first responders. To apply, email reliefcharterflights2haiti@gmx.com and briefly state your area of expertise, and how you feel you may be able to assist. (They ask for only serious inquiries, please.)

3. Doctors, nurses and EMT's who wish to volunteer: The Jatukik Providence Foundation http://www.jatukikprovidence.org/ is offering free flights from Miami to Haiti. Travel dates and arrangements are relatively flexible. To apply, contact Fr. Jean-Claude Atusameso, executive director of the Washington, DC, based non-profit at 202-429-2067 or via email: jatusameso@jatukikprovidence.org

4. Medical professionals and French/Creole translators are sought by Partners in Development, http://www.pidonline.org/ an Ipswich, Mass., nonprofit that has been helping Haiti's needy since 1990. Interested volunteers can apply on there website.

7. A multi-agency group called Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) is now in Haiti assessing what the animals need are. They are lining up volunteers with a history of responding to major disasters and with experience handling small and/or large animals. If you are interested in volunteering, please email bfvolcoord@bestfriends.org

8. Mission-Haiti http://www.mission-haiti.org/ Most babies in Haiti are born at home on a dirt floor. If it is a complicated birth, the mother and the baby often do not make it. We have a couple women in Ti-Riviere willing to be trained to be midwives. If you have this knowledge and you are willing to spend a week in Haiti training them, we need you. If you would like more information on this volunteer opportunity, please contact Colleen at 605-526-4299 or colleen@mission-haiti.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For more volunteer opportunities in Haiti visit www.tonic.com

Wyclef's Response to Accusations from Smoking Gun

Last Week we shared some developments released by thesmokinggun.com in regard to Wyclef's non-profit organization Yele. This is his response to the criticism his organization received for how the money was spent in previous years. To read my original post click here

Say It Ain't So Wyclef?

ACCORDING TO THE SMOKING GUN:

The Haiti earthquake has already triggered hundreds of thousands of donations to musician Wyclef Jean's charitable foundation, which expects to raise upwards of $1 million a day in the disaster's wake. However, Internal Revenue Service records show the group has a lackluster history of accounting for its finances, and that the organization has paid the performer and his business partner at least $410,000 for rent, production services, and Jean's appearance at a benefit concert.

Though the Wyclef Jean Foundation, which does business as Yele Haiti Foundation, was incorporated 12 years ago--and has been active since that time--the group only first filed tax returns in August 2009. That month, the foundation provided the IRS with returns covering calendar years 2005, 2006, and 2007--the only periods for which it has publicly provided a glimpse at its financial affairs. In 2006, Jean's charity reported contributions of $1 million, the bulk of which came from People magazine in exchange for the first photos of a pregnant Angelina Jolie (the actress reportedly directed that the publication's payment go to Jean's charity, not her personally).

 As seen on the following pages from the foundation's 2006 tax return, the group paid $31,200 in rent to Platinum Sound, a Manhattan recording studio owned by Jean and Jerry Duplessis, who, like Jean, is a foundation board member. A $31,200 rent payment was also made in 2007 to Platinum Sound. The rent, tax returns assure, "is priced below market value." The recording studio also was paid $100,000 in 2006 for the "musical performance services of Wyclef Jean at a benefit concert." That six-figure payout, the tax return noted, "was substantially less than market value."

The return, of course, does not address why Jean needed to be paid to perform at his own charity's fundraiser. But the largest 2006 payout--a whopping $250,000--went to Telemax, S.A., a for-profit Haiti company in which Jean and Duplessis were said to "own a controlling interest." The money covered "pre-purchased...TV airtime and production services" that were part of the foundation's "outreach efforts" in Haiti. No further description of these services was offered, though the return claimed that "the fees paid are below market" and that the use of Telemax was the "most efficient way of providing these services." The group's tax returns also report "consultant" payments totaling $300,000 between 2005-2007, while the 2006 return reported nearly $225,000 in "promotion and PR" costs. These expenses are not itemized further in the IRS returns. Continue Reading

& Then Star's charity repeatedly dissolved after failing to file reports

JANUARY 15--Musician Wyclef Jean's charitable foundation--now the recipient of many donations big and small in the wake of the Haiti earthquake--has repeatedly had its corporate status dissolved for failing to file required state disclosure reports, records show. As seen below, the Florida Division of Corporations has, on four separate occasions over the past five years, sanctioned the Yele Haiti Foundation (the charity was incorporated in Florida in 1998 as the Wyclef Jean Foundation, but formally changed its name two months ago). The longest involuntarily dissolution lasted 26 months, ending in November 2008 when Jean's organization provided Florida officials with overdue annual reports disclosing the identities of the group's officers and directors, its registered agent, and office address. The foundation's most recent dissolution occurred in September 2009, but was vacated a month later when the 37-year-old Jean's group filed its disclosure report. As TSG reported yesterday, the Jean foundation's records delinquency extended to the filing of its tax returns--and could make a prospective donor question whether the organizationally challenged foundation is a wise choice for disaster relief contributions. In August 2009, the group filed overdue tax returns for 2005, 2006, and 2007, documents showing that Jean and fellow board member Jerry Duplessis paid themselves at least $410,000 for services provided to the foundation. Duplessis, a bass player who has toured with Jean, co-owns a New York City recording studio with the performer, as well as a Haiti-based production company. Continue Reading>>
Source:www.thesmokinggun.com
 
I surely hope and pray that the current donations are going to the right places.

Disney May Owe You $15.99

If you've purchased a Baby Einstein DVD between June 2004 and September 2009 you may be eligible for a refund of 15.99. Disney is finally admitting that the so called educational DVDs that were marketed to parents as educational tools that would make your baby or toddler smarter is bologna.

Baby Eiinstein DVD Collection included in the suit

As a result of the Campaign For a Comercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) 2006 Federal Trade Commission complaint, Disney stopped claiming that Baby Einstein videos were educational for infants, but the company made no attempt to compensate parents who purchased the products. CCFC’s ongoing campaign to stop the false and deceptive marketing of baby videos finally persuaded the Walt Disney Company to offer a full refund to anyone who purchased a Baby Einstein DVD in the last five years. The refund is only available for a limited time, so please spread the word. I have a few claims to make myself. Click here for refund guidelines

Where are Our News Stories? Please Read & Share

A few weeks ago I posted a story on missing California woman Miltrice Richardson who was released from a detention center in the middle of the night and never seen again. It has been over a month and to my knowledge this young lady has yet to be found. In early October her parents were asking for the FBI to get involved with this case, as of post time I did not find any official documents that said they had taken on the case.

I’m saddened because we have allowed our media, yes “OUR” because we shape what they cover; no complaints and they will continue to disregard our news stories that are not sports or entertainment related when it comes to “African Americans.” This is disgraceful, when Lacy Peterson, Casey Anthony, Sommer Johnson, Natalie Holloway, Balloon Boy went missing we are bombarded with story after story of news coverage on every station. As if these people lives or more valuable than the black children and adults that go missing daily.

Did you know there where 10 black women missing or dead, in Rocky Mount NC, me either until I read a story on Newsweek on Friday. If we don’t stand up for something what will we stand up for. When it’s your family of friend you are going to want equal coverage as well, so we can not just sit around and wait until that day comes. We only have 2 AA stations BET & Tvone and neither of them have a daily full coverage news program regretfully. I know there is more going on in Black America than a “Black in America” Special on CNN once a year.

We have specific health issues, financial matters, missing people, crimes, grants and programs, education, business, politics, entertainment, concerns just as the rest of the world. If Telemundo and the 42 other Hispanic channels can have several news programs and we don’t have 1 as a people we should truly be ashamed. Where are our priorities my people?

I’m frustrated as you can probably tell with my writing so I’m going to ring this in. We really need to analyze what we stand for in our country. We have a black President, a Latino Supreme Court Justice, Top Athletes & Entertainers, Top Movie producers and Execs and this is what we are settling for. Wendy Williams, Tyra Banks, Oprah, & Monique Congrats to you sisters, but the bus should not just stop there.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Miltrice Richardson is asked to call the LAPD Missing Persons Unit, Detective Kristin Merrill at (213) 485-5381. After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on web tips. When using a cell phone all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous

Economic Outlook for Baton Rouge

(Article Excerpts Source the Associated Press)

America's strongest economies have one thing in common -- home prices that never got too hot or too cold. Home prices in metros such as San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Little Rock, Ark., and Baton Rouge, La., remained steady through boom and bust. Although no metropolitan area entirely avoided the economic downturn, the most resilient metros were protected by a potent mix of recession-resistant jobs.

BusinessWeek.com used data and analysis from the Brookings Institution's new MetroMonitor to come up with the nation's 40 strongest economies. The MetroMonitor, which measures the nation's health on a quarterly basis, ranks the top 100 metros based on job growth, unemployment, gross metropolitan product, and home prices.

A relative boom in Baton Rouge
"No place has been untouched by this recession. This is a change from previous recessions," said Alan Berube, a senior fellow and research director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. "But there's a big difference in losing one-tenth of a percentage and losing 15% of jobs."

Baton Rouge, which was ranked No. 6, "grew jobs every month until August 2009 and in August it only lost nine-tenths of a percent, compared to 5.1% nationally," said Lauren C. Scott, professor emeritus of economics at Louisiana State University.

Scott said $5.1 billion of construction projects have been announced or are under construction in the Baton Rouge metro, including a new plant for French chemical company SNF and the expansion of an ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM - News) chemical plant. <--Thats where my honey works.

That's Good To know :-)

In Case You Missed It: Nas talks with CNN's Don Lemon

CNN took some time out to speak with Nas about his community stand after the violent beating death of Chicago teenager, Derrion Albert. As previously reported, Nas tried to relate to the youth involved in the homicide by penning an ‘Open Letter To Young Warriors'. Now just days later Young Escobar made an appearance on CNN to talk further about the situation with correspondent, Don Lemon.

The casual meeting between the two appeared as though it would be another opportunity to talk about Nas's compelling opinion on the tragic situation, but unfortunately for him the network had other plans. The media giant didn't miss the opportunity to fire a few shots at the artist and emphasized some of the most violent lyrics he'd ever written. They opened up the segment with a playback of “Shoot Em Up” from his Nastradamus album and displayed the lyrics to the chorus that say,

“Shoot em up, just shoot em up, what…kill kill kill, murder, murder, murder.”

Following that Lemon cut to the chase and asked him about glorifying violence in his music. Obviously on the defensive, he answered saying:

“I feel it's the obvious thing for the media to kinda point out one of the most violent lyrical records that I made….I made a lot of records about children…not a lot but I made records about children, about struggle and those are never the songs that are talked about. There's no love for these songs. There's only attention put on the songs where there's violence in it but the reality of it is, I'm only speaking about reality.”

When asked by Lemon if he would consider changing some of his lyrics, he stayed true to himself and stayed 100% honest saying:

“Never. Never. Music comes from life. I write about what I see. I write about what I live. I write about what I see other people live and I use a little bit of imagination to talk to them.”

Continuing on his rant, he eventually made the most quotable statement of the night when he so boldly said,

“A rap song influencing violence in the 21st century is a joke.”

A joke Nas? Really?
The correspondent continued grilling the MC for the rest of the interview, even asking a valid question about why Chicago lyricists like Kanye and Common haven't spoken out on the situation before ending the conversation.

Check out the interview here.



Source HipHopWired.com

Guess Who's Bizzack!

I’m so happy to be back, I was actually having blog withdrawals lol; I hope you missed me too. I am now a new resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and I’m loving my new house, the neighborhood is really nice and unpacking is coming along as expected. I have not ventured out too much because I’m trying to finish unpacking, but I will get out this weekend. Next week things should go back to normal, if at all possible and I will begin pursuing a writing gig at a magazine or newspaper here or in New Orleans area. I will keep you posted on my progress. So now for a few updates...

Ashley AJ Jewell & Kandi Buress

A lot has taken place since my last post on Thursday, RIP to Ashley AJ Jewell, ex-fiancé of Real Housewives of Atlanta Star Kandi Burress. Jewel was killed outside of an Atlanta Strip club, The Body Tap on Friday night. The suspect Fredrick Henderson, has been apprehended and charged with AJ’s murder and was denied bail today. Richardson’s attorney attempted to get the charges of manslaughter dismissed, however the judge denied his request. His attorney argued that “the medical examiner has not officially determined a cause of death to support the manslaughter charge” and that AJ could have died from a health problem. His attorney also claims that AJ Jewell pulled a gun on Frederick and delivered the first blow.

AJ’s funeral will be held Friday at the Ray of Hope Christian Church on Snapfinger Road in DeKalb County. The time has not yet been determined. A visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Donald Trimble Mortuary in Decatur.

Chris Rock & Nia Long

Chris Rock is getting sued by director Regina Kimbell, who claims she showed Chris her 2005 documentary “My Nappy Roots” in 2007 on the set of Everbody Hates Chris and she is alleging that’s where the idea for “Good Hair” came from. Chris say the idea was inspired by his daughters’ inquiry about having “Good Hair.” Kimbell has since filed suit in U.S. District Court in downtown L.A., and is seeking $5 million dollars. The Documentary has been getting rave reviews so far I guess we will have to see how this plays out in the courts. Good Hair hits theatres this Friday. Click here to view the trailer for the movie.

Nia Long, Ashanti & Amber rose @ NY Good Hair Premier