POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 1 OINT OF IEW www.afampointofview.comP V may 1, 2012 Our Community Newspaper AN APT REPLACEMENT FOR THE “THRILL” OF RAISING KIDS By Frederick A. Hurst 688 Boston Road resisted going on a European vacation to Scotland, A COMMUNITY BANQUET Ireland and England so adamantly that when my wife HALL WITH ELEGANCE Ifinally tricked me into acquiescence, as intelligent as I “Although advance reservations must be made, might be, I couldn’t figure out how she did it, and I they are known for inviting the public to their scratched my head repeatedly during the flight over the successful, bi-monthly (every two months) ‘lob- ster and seafood feasts’.” By Zelmon (Zee) Johnson – 8 SELECTIVE SERVICE: ARE YOU REGISTERED? “When a male reaches his 18th birthday, he is required to register for the selective service, and failing to register for the selective service is a felony that carries penalties of up to 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.” By Larry Martin – 8 ‘REVERSE RACISM’ DOES NOT EXIST, THE “RACE CARD” IS NOT IN THE DECK AND “POST Publisher Rick Hurst and Glen O’Connor, RACIAL AMERICA” HAS NOT owner of O’Connor’s Pub BEEN BUILT YET Atlantic and wondered how in the hell anyone could have “If we don’t discuss race then it’s allowed to fes- convinced me to spend my valuable vacation time in ter and grow unchecked like an untreated Celtic Europe. I figured they still might not have recovered from the malignant tumor. Race is an issue every citizen I had been programmed to believe that the weather Revolutionary War debacle that sent them scurrying, and must care about. It’s not a black issue; it’s not and the people were equally wet and dank and would rep- a white issue; it’s not a Puerto Rican issue. It’s resent the worst of the residue of their immigrant ances- from the War of 1812 where the burning of the White everyone’s issue.“ tors who migrated to America and enslaved my ancestors. House left them with puffed up egos but, to the delight By Rev. Talbert W. Swan – 13 continues to page 5 READING ROCKS! “Many of our children have little to no control over any aspect of his/her life. Families divided. A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE AGES Jobs unavailable. Food limited. Streets unsafe. By Kevin McCaskill No control. What they do have control over, chool partnerships have been however, is their desire to learn. The choice to around for decades. Small and read. Be a rock star.” large businesses, local communi- By Gianna Allentuck – 17 S ty organizations, and local city gov- OVERCOMING SHAME ernments have partnered with local “One of the ways some people cope (with schools to assist in providing shame) is to act out roles that disguise their resources and support of educators shame; it serves a useful purpose of protecting their ego or pride. It may even help them to and students in their respective com- save face. These pretenses act as a defense munities. The city of Hartford is no against the feelings of shame. But even though different; countless numbers of enti- they may think they are skillfully defending ties have provided their services to themselves against the shame, it can be seen by help improve the lives of students others when they hang their head, slump down, and families here. I would like to CPBN partners with Hartford Public Schools avoid eye contact or apologize for having needs highlight one — the Connecticut Connecticut Educational Television in its state-of-the-art facility at 1049 and desires.” By Dr. Sweets S. Wilson – 23 Public Broadcasting Network Station started in the basement of the Asylum Avenue. CPTV and WNPR’s (CPBN). Trinity College library in Hartford. In community-supported, statewide GO, MAYOR CPBN is Connecticut’s only 1978, Connecticut Public Radio public broadcasting networks are SARNO! locally owned media organization (WNPR) joined the network, form- committed to serving diverse com- By Frederick A. Hurst – 24 producing television, radio, print, ing Connecticut Public Broadcasting, munities in Connecticut with a mix and Internet content for distribution Inc. (CPBI). Today, the organization of educational, news, public affairs, throughout the state. In 1962, has evolved into CPBN and is housed continues to page 7 POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 2 african american point of view page two may 1, 2012 $25 all in. Unlimited talk & text. PINNACLE PRESTO PRESTO 8530 50% OFF Nationwide> No annual contract> ANY ACCESSORY While supplies last. New activation or new ® phone purcase required. Value up to $20. Only$30 mail-in rebatesPer month. are Limited via MetroPCS time offer. Visa Prepaid Card at participating location(s). Expires 6/30/2012 PRESENT AND RECEIVE SeeSee sales sales associateassociate oror metropcs.com metropcs.com for for details. details. Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook @MetroPCS_CT at MetroPCS 888.8metro8 Visit www.metropcs.com/storelocator for a MetroPCS store near you! metropcs.com MetroPCS Retail Stores MetroPCS Authorized Dealers Hartford Bloomfield Hartford Hartford Meriden New Britain New Haven Springfield Springfield 1200 Park St. 415 Cottage Grove Rd. 1162 Albany Ave. 808 Maple Ave. 470 Lewis Ave. 292 Main St. 80 Church St. 135 Boston Rd. 455 Sumner Ave. 860-951-7804 860-206-3737 860-724-0315 860-890-0047 (Inside Meriden Mall) 860-890-0046 413-301-5308 413-342-4116 203-639-4899 West Haven East Hartford 250 Main St. 879 New Britain Ave. 976 West Main 1356 Boston Rd. 500 Armory St. West Springfield 163 Boston Post Rd. 235 Riverdale St. 1227 Burnside St. 860-890-0024 860-263-7100 612 East Main St. 860-505-0836 413-301-6031 413-285-8370 (The Riverdale Shops) 860-216-5607 203-237-5290 38 Saw Mill Rd. 915 Main St. New Haven 1365A Liberty St. 413-733-1215 3281 Main St. 1261 Main St. 860-206-3737 860-560-9507 978 Broad St. 128 Grand Ave. 39 Elm St. 860-788-6303 1380 Main St. Hamden 203-891-5637 577 Campbell Ave. Manchester 413-363-9052 1315 Dixwell Ave. 655A Blue Hills Ave. 1314 State St. 203-437-8371 203-691-7391 860-904-5150 435 Main St. Middletown 1655 Boston Rd. 860-890-2372 668 Main St. 294 Foxon Blvd. Springfield 413-455-2690 2300 Dixwell Ave. 741 Park St. 203-821-7314 Meriden New Britain 1131 State St. 296 Cooley St. 860-246-7947 162 West Main St. 130 South Main St. 407 Howard Ave. 413-363-0002 413-783-9900 203-639-4899 860-826-0317 475-238-8976 Unlimited international calling not available with certain rate plans. Unlimited international calls are limited to selected countries, destinations, technologies and carriers. Consult a MetroPCS associate or metropcs.com for details on specific countries and destinations. Specific unlimited international calling countries, destinations, technologies and carriers are subject to change without notice, as are terms and conditions of international service. Certain restrictions apply. Visit metropcs.com or a MetroPCS store for Terms and Conditions of Service, coverage and details. Domestic nationwide long distance available only to continental U.S. and PuertoMPCS-3014ti/03-12 Rico. Coverage and services not available everywhere. Rates, services and features subject to change. MetroPCS services for personal use only. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 3 african american point of view page three may 1, 2012 COVER N FRICAN MERICAN A A A POINT OF VIEW AN APT REPLACEMENT FOR THE “THRILL” OF RAISING KIDS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN Point of View 688 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119 A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE AGES CONTENTS Phone: (413) 796-1500 Fax: (413) 796-6100 CONTENTS E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.afampointofview.com BUSINESS & FINANCE Point of View is a monthly news journal with an African American orientation. It is dis- Black Businesses ...............................................................................8 tributed free to select locations in Hampden and Hampshire counties and in Connecticut. Business & Workforce Development .................................................8 Letters, articles and comments appearing in the newspaper reflect the opinions of the con- Financial Cents .................................................................................9 tributors and do not constitute an endorsement by POV and are subject to editing. POV Financially Yours...............................................................................9 assumes no responsibility for photos, articles, letters, press releases or unsolicited mate- rials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of material are based on space availabil- CLASSIFIED......................................................................................32 ity and the discretion of the publisher and editor. Distribution locations are listed on our COMMUNITY web site. POV assumes no financial responsibility for failure to publish an advertise- Call to the Cause...............................................................................14 ment, incorrect placement or typographical errors in its publication. Advertisers are sole- Community Focus.............................................................................16, 34 ly responsible for the content of their advertising and claims and offers contained within Community Perspectives ...................................................................13 their advertising. POV reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. Congratulations Corner.....................................................................34 PUBLISHER: