November 2013

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November 2013 POV_November_1_2013_POV_Novemberber_1_2013.qxd 10/17/2013 1:32 PM Page 1 P OINT OF V IEW www.afampointofview.com Our Community News Magazine november 1, 2013 Celebrating “YES,” WE’RE SUPPORTING 1100Years 2003 - 2013 OUR CHILDREN! 688 Boston Road DENISE M. …BABY’S GIFT HURST “A baby is unable to use a fork and RECEIVES spoon, so allow her tiny fingers to dis- cover her food. Simply put foods that POWERFUL will not be choking hazards in front of SUPPORT! her and let her go at it. Food will end up on her clothes and face, and in her hair Endorsing her but be assured she will eat some too. School Enjoy your explorer.” Committee By Dr. Anika C. Thrower – 10 At Large THE SECOND CIVIL WAR AND Re-Election are THE REPUBLICAN PARTY L to R: “It is not Obamacare. It is the re-fighting Springfield of the Civil War. I obviously cannot call Mayor Domenic the opponents of Obamacare supporters of slavery; but it is clear that their politi- Sarno; State cal and philosophical roots are with the Representative slaveholding southern-based Benjamin Swan; Democratic party of the Civil War era.” State By Dr. Fred McKinney – 23 Representative AN HISTORICAL MOMENT Cheryl Coakley- FOR (NEW HAVEN) MAYORAL Rivera and CANDIDATE TONI HARPER Democratic City “During several debates held before the Committee Chair primary, Toni Harp’s opponents too E. Henry Twiggs often spoke of her in various demeaning ways rather than addressing the issues facing residents living in many of the FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK undesirable inner city neighbor- hoods….” MY SON, JUSTIN HURST, By Arlene Davis-Rudd – 23 THAT LOVE THAT WILL NOT FOR CITY COUNCIL LET US GO OF VIEW F r eder ick A . Hur st By Frederick A. Hurst MY POINT “His mother sat silently for a long time. (Reprinted from August 1, 2011) Michael could see that she was thinking struggled with how to balance my heartfelt obligation as hard as she could, trying to remember. to my son, Attorney Justin Jackson Hurst, who is run- Finally, she looked up at Michael and she said, “I don’t know who you are. And I Ining for an at-large seat on the Springfield City don’t know your name. But I know that Council, and my professional obligation to journalistic you love me.” neutrality. It is fair to say that the father in me lost the By Rev. James G. Munroe, Dean – 26 struggle and the idea of trying to strike a balance went out HOME the window. I enthusiastically, unabashedly, and with sub- stantial parental bias, endorse Justin Hurst for City When I am home, Councilor At-Large. I am tent revival on Wednesday nights I am brass offering plates with the Let me make it clear at the outset. This is not a for- crushed velvet lining mal Point of View endorsement. Our normal policy is to I am amazing grace and the taste of fried endorse a slate of candidates after the September primary, chicken which we still intend to do. But for those who might have I am red koolaid and switches picked worried that Justin Hurst has an edge with Point of View, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno endorses for lickins I felt it only fair to disclose that he does. Justin Hurst for City Council At Large By Crystal Senter-Brown – 28 continues to page 24 (See additional endorsements on page 25) POV_November_1_2013_POV_Novemberber_1_2013.qxd 10/17/2013 1:32 PM Page 2 african american point of view page two november 1, 2013 Make Time for Your Mammogram. We Can Help! We know that it’s hard to fit appointments into your already busy schedule. That’s why the Baystate Breast & Wellness Center offers a range of appointment times six days a week, including Saturday mornings, for screening mammograms. To make it even easier for you to schedule this important appointment, we are also offering evening hours from 4:30-7:30 pm for select dates: Monday, November 4 Wednesday, November 20 Monday, December 2 Baystate Breast & Wellness Center 100 Wason Avenue, 3rd Floor, Springfield Right off Route 91, with free, convenient parking. Your insurance will be billed, and you are responsible for any co-payments. Space is limited. Call 413-794-8899 to schedule your appointment today! baystatehealth.org/breastcenter CS136281 POV_November_1_2013_POV_Novemberber_1_2013.qxd 10/17/2013 1:32 PM Page 3 african american point of view page three november 1, 2013 COVER AN AFRICAN AMERICAN POINT OF VIEW DENISE M. HURST RECEIVES POWERFUL SUPPORT! AN AFRICAN AMERICAN Point of View MY SON, JUSTIN HURST, FOR CITY COUNCIL CON 688 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119 CON Phone: (413) 796-1500 l Fax: (413) 796-6100 BUSINESS & FINANCE E-mail: [email protected] l Website: www.afampointofview.com Business & Workforce Development......................................................8 Point of View is a monthly news journal with an African American orientation. Financial “Cents”........................................................................................9 It is distributed free to select locations in Hampden and Hampshire counties and Financially Yours ........................................................................................8 in Connecticut. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the newspaper reflect the opinions of the contributors and do not constitute an endorsement by CLASSIFIED..............................................................................................32 POV and are subject to editing. POV assumes no responsibility for photos, arti- COMMUNITY cles, letters, press releases or unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing Call to the Cause.........................................................................................13 and publishing of material are based on space availability and the discretion of Community Focus ......................................................................................16, 20-21 the publisher and editor. Distribution locations are listed on our web site. POV Community Focus-CT ...............................................................................22 assumes no financial responsibility for failure to publish an advertisement, Community Information...........................................................................16-17 incorrect placement or typographical errors in its publication. Advertisers are Congratulations Corner.............................................................................34 solely responsible for the content of their advertising and claims and offers con- Events...........................................................................................................33 tained within their advertising. POV reserves the right to refuse advertising for Leadership Pioneer Valley.........................................................................14 any reason. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written EDITORIAL TENTS permission. TENTS PUBLISHER: Frederick A. Hurst EDITOR: Marjorie J. Hurst AF-AM Newsbits.......................................................................................4 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: THIS ISSUE Connecticut Bits .........................................................................................23 Black Sports International Melvin Wm. Bell, Editor Leadership Pioneer Valley Lora Wondolowski From the Publisher’s Desk (Continues from Cover)............................24 Business & Workforce Dev. Larry Martin Life’s Challenges Dr. Sweets S. Wilson Letters to the Publisher .............................................................................24 Call to the Cause Kirk Smith Mama’s Boyz Jerry Craft EDUCATION Children’s Book Corner Terri Schlichenmeyer Parents & Community Patricia Spradley Community Focus Early Education & Care ............................................................................7 Mable Lene Sharif Pen & Ink Brenda’s Child E’siah Johnson & Education & Hope.....................................................................................6 Juanita Torrence-Thompson Rayna Ford Education Bits.............................................................................................5 Crystal Senter-Brown Community Information Rebecca Liudzius Reading to Succeed Sally Fuller Parents & Community Engagement .......................................................6 CT Political Happenings Arlene Davis-Rudd Reading to Succeed ....................................................................................7 Early Education & Care Nicole Blais Religious Point of View Dr. Brett Snowden, Editor Education & Hope Gianna Allentuck Rev. James G. Munroe FEATURE Financial “Cents” Walter D. Woodgett The Urban Cook Rhonda Jones Baystate Academy Public Charter School ..............................................20 Financially Yours Samuel N. Wilson, Jr. Thresholds Between Us Simbrit V. Paskins Veritas Prep Charter School .....................................................................21 Food & Fashion Rhonda Jones Kudos to District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni ................................26 Health Matters Doris Harris, Editor PRODUCTION Monifé Marshall Artistic/Multimedia Dir. Marie Zanazanian FOOD AND FASHION Dr. Anika Thrower Distribution Manager Miguel King The Urban Cook .......................................................................................30 Dr. Andrew Balder, Julie Marketing Director Marjorie J. Hurst HEALTH Skogsbergh Pimentel & Photographer Edward Cohen Jessica McMillin Website Designer Marie Zanazanian Health Matters..........................................................................................9-12 LIVING LOCATE OUR ADVERTISERS Life’s Challenges.........................................................................................29
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