NDG Staff | North Dallas Gazette

Registration is under way for 2012 Summer Camps in Richardson

May 1, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

Registration is underway for Richardson’s Summer Camp Program, which provides children ages 5 to 15 fun indoor and outdoor activities.

Each series of camps includes eight separate weeklong sessions, beginning June 11 and ending Aug. 3. The cost ranges from $85 to $130 per week, depending upon the camp.

For nearly 40 years, the Richardson’s summer camps have grown into an award-winning program that offers a variety of activities for children ages 5 to 15. Activities in each of the four camps offered vary by age range and include field trips, outdoor activities, time at the pool, crafts, active games and much more.

Click the link below for information about summer camps and to register for the program:

http://www.corcamps.com/.

Filed Under: Community Spotlight, Health, Latest News

Have you received your new voter ID card?

April 30, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

Despite the contentious fight earlier this year to keep Texas from passing and implementing the new “Voter ID Card” laws there is possible confusion for local voters.

It is important to understand the disputed law has not been implemented and ha no impact on the May 29 primary elections in Texas. The U.S. Department of Justice is still currently reviewing the legality of these proposed Voter ID laws. If a voter has remained a resident in the county and not moved since they last registered to vote, the voter is still registered to vote.

Due to the litigation around congressional redistricting & the voter id laws new voter certificates were mailed April 25.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson issued a statement, “I strongly believe that the right to vote is one of our most precious rights in America. I have fought to protect those rights from being infringed upon for all people. My office has received a lot of inquires from residents about the status of the new voting laws and their own personal voting status. Dallas County has developed a website and hotline for any citizen to call to get the details on their voter registration status. Go to the following website (www.dalcoelections.org/) or call the Dallas County Elections Office at 214-637-7937.”

Filed Under: Community Spotlight, Latest News Tagged With: election 2012, voter's rights

Federal college loan interest rates set to double on July 1

April 30, 2012 By NDG Staff 2 Comments

US House passes one-year extension, President promises a veto
By Charlene Crowell

With federal college loan interest rates set to double on July 1, a flurry of activity has begun. While Members of Congress and college students called for lawmakers to permanently cap current interest rates, a related bill offering a one-year extension was fast tracked to a floor vote in just two days. On April 27, the Interest Rate Reduction Act sponsored by Illinois’ Rep. Julie Biggert, passed the lower chamber on a 215-195 vote. The vote came despite a White House vow to veto the limited measure if it reaches the President’s desk.

In the meantime, an estimated 7 million college students from middle and low-income families are still wondering what will happen if no legislative compromise is found. Even without an interest rate increase, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau already found student debt to be more than $1 trillion, higher than even the debt incurred from credit cards.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, freezing loan interest for just one year would cost the federal budget $6 billion. A companion bill to that sponsored by Rep. Biggert would strip $6 billion from monies set aside for health care reform’s Prevention and Public Health Fund to cover the cost of the one-year extension.

The real issue for students, parents, and Washington decision-makers is whether today’s Congress will once again provide bipartisan support to contain the rising cost of higher education lending. In 2007, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act became possible through significant support across party lines. A majority of lawmakers agreed to cut the cost of college loan interest from 6.8 percent to its current 3.4 percent.

Early this year, legislation was introduced by Sen. Jack Reed (RI) and Rep. Joe Courtney (CT) to permanently set the loan interest rates at 3.4 percent. Substantial numbers of co-sponsors also signed on: 15 in the Senate and 127 in the House. Yet neither of these bills received a hearing, normally the first step towards a floor vote. With House passage of a one-year interest rate extension, these two bills are in a legislative no-man’s land, students have been handed a 12-month reprieve on costs; and no one can say with certainty when or if a permanent solution will be found.

“The prospect of raising student loan rates is like nails on a chalkboard”, said New York Senator Charles Schumer. “College tuition has skyrocketed at universities and colleges across the country, placing a huge burden on middle class families.”

Many college students agree. In recent days, several college and university newspapers have reported on this looming issue, some taking an editorial stand on what it means to today’s collegiate.

At West Virginia University the student publication, Daily Athenaeum said in an editorial, “Students are already struggling to keep up with rising tuition and living expenses and, if anything, the government should be working to make college more accessible to high school graduates.”
Similar expressions were echoed in an editorial by The Minnesota Daily, the University of Minnesota student newspaper. “Student debt throughout the U.S. has compelled recent graduates to put off choices such as home-buying, marriage and childbearing. One in four young Americans have moved back in with parents after having lived elsewhere. The delay of such choices has an impact on the overall economy causing some to call student debt a new ‘bubble’.”

A new analysis by academicians with two universities – Northeastern and Drexel and the DC-based Economic Policy Institute found that last year over half of bachelor’s degree graduates under the age of 25 were either unemployed or under-employed. This disastrous economic measure was felt by 1.5 million graduates. Further, just last month the nation’s student debt surpassed $1 trillion and continues to climb.

For African-Americans, the rising cost of higher education poses a unique predicament. In 2010, according to BlackDemographics.com, black college students numbered 3.8 million. While this figure represented a 2 million increase since 1993, the number of black college graduates with a bachelor’s degree increased just one percentage point since 2000 and is still 10 percentage points lower than the number of graduates for the entire country.

These statistics suggest that while many black students enroll in colleges and universities, those who actually graduate are far fewer in number. Further, if students leave higher education without a degree, the deferral on student loan payments end – contributing to a financial challenge of paying back those loans without the higher incomes derived with a college degree.

As Senator Reed has said, “Making college more affordable is key to unlocking America’s economic competitiveness. Business leaders know it is vital for young Americans to get an education beyond high school. If today’s students cannot afford college, businesses will not have the workers with the education and training they need to keep our economy competitive and dynamic far into the future.”

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

Filed Under: Education, Lead Story, National, Op Ed

Knowing what you want — just a plain cup of coffee, please!

April 29, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

By Rev. James L Snyder

Through the years, I have discovered two important facets of husbandship that has stood me in good stead for many years: a vigorous nod of the head and a rhapsodic “Yes, dear.” Flowers don’t hurt either.

When our recent visit in Ohio concluded, we headed for the airport. I do not mind traveling, but my least favorite mode is the airplane. The reason being, of course, is the airport itself.

In my opinion, someone devised the modern airport to intimidate the average traveler. Arriving at the airport, we immediately headed for the ticket counter where we received our boarding passes. Then we surrendered our luggage to the personnel behind the counter, not knowing if we would ever see that same luggage again in our lifetime.

Someday I hope to visit all the places my luggage has seen.

Next, we made our way through the security booth.

As you know, they do not permit metal through this gate. If a passenger passes through and a buzzer goes off, he is summoned back for guards to examine his personal effects to detect the offensive object. I went through about 17 times. Not until I got down to my underwear did the security personnel determine there must be a defect in the radar detection equipment. (I plan to file my briefs in a Florida court this week.)

Finally, we left the security area and I started feeling a little more confident until we came to a big sign over the entryway. My wife and I found little comfort in the words written: Terminal Entrance. Contrary to their “friendly” little sign, I did, in fact have plans of returning.

Our flight plan called for a two‑hour stopover before arriving at our final destination. Nothing quite compares to spending a free hour or two at an airport. Did I say “free?” Allow me to recount that opinion.

There is absolutely nothing free at an airport. I cannot prove it, but I am sure they have figured out a way to charge for the air we breathe.

For instance, a 15‑cent cup of coffee can cost in the neighborhood of $17.95. I don’t even like visiting that neighborhood. If I lived there, I would move.

However, being the good natured, charming individual that I am, it does not take much to make me happy. All I need to allay any stress is a simple cup of coffee. Have you ever noticed how things seem to go a lot easier with a steaming jolt of java?

With a full hour to spare at the airport, my wife and I looked for something to occupy our time. Then I espied the perfect diversion. With a mischievous twinkle in my left eye, I looked at my wife and said, “Let’s get a cup of coffee and relax a while.”

One thing I can always count on my wife, she knows a good thing when she hears it. Unfortunately, she does not hear it too often from my lips. Walking over to the coffee shop and, being the man, I approached the counter to place our order. “I would like two regular coffees,” I said with anticipation to the young woman behind the counter. The thing that makes a man a man is that he always knows what he wants. It is that confidence that separates the men from the boys.

The young woman looked at me, snapped her chewing gum several times and said in a monotone, “Marvelous, you want espresso or cappuccino?”

“No, Miss,” I replied as cool and sophisticated as any gentleman you will ever meet. “No, Miss. We just want two plain coffees.”

She looked at me as only a waitress behind a counter can and rattled off names I have never heard before. As best I could understand, they were flavors or kinds of espresso coffee.

Finally, when she took a breath I jumped in and said with all the confidence I could muster without compromising my good nature, “No, Miss. I don’t want any espresso, just a regular cup of coffee.”

“Exactly,” she said with a falsetto smile. “Most people enjoy our cappuccinos. What kind of cappuccino would you like.” Then she rattled off an endless list of cappuccino flavors, most I had never heard of before.

About this time, the caffeine deficiency began seeping into my attitude. I think that somewhere in our constitution is the right to order regular coffee at a price that does not compromise the mortgage on my home.

“Young lady,” I said as calmly as possible under the circumstances, “listen to me very carefully. I want coffee. Not espresso. Not cappuccino. Just two cups of plain, regular, good old American coffee.”

“Oh,” she said in a burst of enlightenment. “You want coffee. Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”

There is no satisfaction more fulfilling than finally getting through and arriving at a common understanding.

“Now,” she said in a confidential tone, “what flavor coffee do you want? Columbian, French Vanilla, Cinnamon, Chocolate Mint, Swiss Mocha . . .”

There is only one place I know where I can get exactly what I need. Jesus put it this way; “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13‑14 KJV).

If you need anything from the Lord, just ask.

The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

Filed Under: Latest News, Op Ed

Director responds to Trayvon Martin shooting by creating the “Unhood Your Mind” PSA

April 29, 2012 By NDG Staff 1 Comment

“I’m the proud father of two Black boys and the senseless killing of Trayvon Martin pisses me the hell off,” said director Mark Ridley. “I had to find a way to use that anger and make a difference.” He did. Ridley recently shot the Martin shooting inspired PSA titled “Unhood Your Mind.”

Ridley (left) and Forsythe work to edit "Unhood Your Mind" PSA. (RLC Photo)

“Mark’s made a powerful statement with the creation of a PSA made in the style of a music video,” said producer Jerry Boyd of Jerry Boyd Films. Ridley approached his producer with a concept and Boyd quickly moved into action putting the project together. “Once Mark gets an idea into his head, it won’t be long before he’s ready to shoot,” Boyd said. “He doesn’t let any grass grow under his feet.”

Ridley is now in post production with editor Darrin Forsythe. “Mark and I will pull several all-nighters before the PSA is completed,” said Forsythe. “What Mark wants will require at least 30 hours of old-fashioned, hard work. I appreciate the opportunity to work side by side with a force of natural like him.” The “Unhood Your Mind” PSA will be introduced to the world in about three weeks.

Filed Under: Latest News, National Tagged With: Travyon Martin

Sen. Royce West hosting public hearing

April 28, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

The Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations (IGR), chaired by State Senator Royce West (D – Dallas), will hold a public hearing on this Thursday. The purpose of this hearing will be to focus on the committee’s interim charges related to the housing market and homeownership.

Sen. Royce West

Senator West said that, “Although the State of Texas has weathered the recent housing recession better than other states, we still have far too many families who have come face-to-face face with the possibility of foreclosure and the prospect of becoming homeless. As Chair of the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee, I have always sought ways to protect families from these dire consequences and looked for new and innovative ideas to ensure a balance between home costs and economic development. In moving out of the recession, we must explore mechanisms to re-ignite a housing market where there is a sizable inventory of pre-existing homes. This presents even more competition for builders in a newly-defined, lending environment when it comes to finding qualified buyers.”

The hearing will examine issues such as the impact of local government regulations on the affordability of homes and the housing market; ways to improve the coordination of government resources to increase homeownership opportunities and the utilization of affordable housing tools such as land banks and land trusts. Testimony will also address the availability of affordable housing for special needs populations and how it can be enhanced via co-location with social services and mass transit. Senate IGR is also charged with finding ways to better identify runaway youth and the homeless, including developing methods to maximize existing resources that will better serve these populations.

“As Senate IGR continues its deliberations through the public hearing process, I will continue to focus on sustaining a robust housing market within our state, while maintaining the cost of homeownership at levels that are affordable for persons of all incomes. Building safe, quality housing and the goal of homeownership are ideals that should remain within the reach of every desiring Texan,” said Senator West.

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 3 at 10 a.m. at the campus of the University of North Texas at Dallas located at 7300 University Hills Blvd. in Dallas.

Filed Under: Community Spotlight, Latest News

African American and Korean community leaders try to build hope

April 26, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

By Ivy N. McQuain
NDG Contributing Writer

The truest crime in America, or any nation, is not a crime of murder. Not a crime of theft. Not even a crime of accusations. The greatest crime the people of a governing body can inflict on themselves and others is the crime of hatred. Hatred is the foundation, and oftentimes the cause of all other crimes. Hatred is an infestation and spreads if not dealt with immediately. And mayhem ensues when an individual or group mix hatred with prejudice.

For the families of Marcus Phillips, 26, and Thomas Pak, a Korean immigrant and owner of Diamond Shamrock Kwik Stop on Martin Luther King Boulevard, hatred and prejudice collided. Phillips, an African American male who have been in and out of jail for several crimes entered the Diamond Shamrock with the intention of robbing the store. Unfortunately, Phillips was shot and killed as he fled with the store’s cash register by Pak’s employee.

While Pak claims he is not a racist and is just following the American dream, his attitude towards the customers that the Diamond Shamrock serves, who are predominantly African American, lead others to think otherwise. There have been numerous complaints about the overpricing of food and beverage items in his store as well as a substantial blow to the pocket for his gas prices.

Pak’s perceived distain for his African American customers was not exposed until December 2011 when a local Nation of Islam leader, Jeffrey Muhammad, attempted to patronize the store. The recap of the events of what transpired differs from both parties. Muhammad stated that Pak immediately began yelling racial slurs when he challenged a $10 debit card purchase requirement. Muhammad’s retelling of the story, which led to a large South Dallas protest, started by the Nation of Islam, to shut Pak’s and other racist business owners down in the community, has painted Pak as a racist who yelled racial slurs including demanding Muhammad return to Africa. Pak’s story is one of a personal disagreement he feels should not have been retold to the media. He does admit he demanded a $10 debit card minimum purchase in an effort to get Muhammad to leave his store. Pak also accused Muhammad of returning racial slurs at him.

Today the protest is still ongoing and Muhammad is still demanding justice, an end to hatred and prejudice towards the people who have made foreign business owners successful. Pak’s only desire is to end the feuding and start a path to recovery. In response, Korean community leaders are working to repair and strengthen race relations between African Americans and Koreans.

Rev. L. Smith addressing the Black pastors and Korean leaders about the Cultural exchange event.

Building a bridge towards unity
Make no mistake about it, African Americans and Koreans share a similar history of bondage and disparity that almost mimic each other. For Koreans, Japan was a cruel ruler that held them to captivity and slavery for years. Koreans were made to feel less than human and oftentimes faced cruel and harsh treatments from Japan.

The plight of African Americans is commonly known and continues to be a story in households across the nation. Slavery was and continues, for both groups, to be an issue that plagues families and legacies. So why the fierce tension between two groups with such paralleled histories? Unfortunately, in Dallas the disparity that both African Americans and Koreans feel towards each other have garnered fear, tension and even hatred towards the other. And add to that violence and a melting pot full of stereotypes, bitterness and an inability to identify a way to create community and cultural unity is always cooking.

Fortunately, Korean community leaders have reached across the imaginary color line in hopes of eliminating the issues that have kept these two groups bickering. The proverbial peace offering to include and expose African Americans to Korean culture is being planned during the annual Korean Cultural Day on Sunday, May 27 at the Irving Convention Center. The hopes of organizers on both parts are to build stronger relationships between the two communities. The African American community leaders in Irving and Dallas have agreed to begin the journey towards peace, understanding and open communications.

“We want to expose Koreans and African Americans to the fact that both groups are groups that have been oppressed by others through slavery,” said Rev. L. Smith. “Our stories are so parallel that we need to have an understanding a coalition between the two groups.”

Smith is one of the many African American organizers for the unity attempt. Other organizers include Brenda Cotton, Jackie Wymbly and Peter Johnson of The Peter Johnson Foundation for Nonviolence. The hopes by all persons involved, including Muslim leaders who initiated the community wide protest, is to establish communication, understanding and education about the past to build a strong present and future. Activities have yet to be finalized but the message African American leaders want people to take away from the event is that African Americans and Koreans need to build cooperation, tolerance and a coalitions. A connection of the communities is needed so that no more racism, hatred and prejudice will continue to infect these communities.

Anthony Bond, one of the organizers shared his thoughts, “We want this event to resonate and bring harmony for all people. This event is a free event and it provides attendees the opportunity to learn more about the African American and Korean communities.”

Smith shares what he believes to be the problem between African Americans and Koreans is the lack of understanding the two groups have about each other. “We work and own businesses right next to each other yet we don’t take the time to get to know each other,” shared Smith. “It’s time to correct this so we don’t feel exploited any longer.”

As the North Dallas Gazette prepared this article community leaders from both sides were still in the planning phase of the event to discuss how to better include African Americans in the Korean Cultural Day and how to spread enlighten and educate all attendees and races on the importance of unity.

Charles Ko, President of Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber of Commerce stated, “Resonance and Harmony, a cultural exchange event between Greater Dallas African American and Korean American Communities, is significant in many ways. This is first of hopefully many more events that will bring the two communities together to foster better understanding and greater economic cooperation. Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism through it’s office in LA has commited more than 25 performers to share the best of traditional and modern Korean perfromanc art. In addtion, through the generosity of City of Irving, Metro PCS, Law Offices of Domingo Garcia, Mr Bill Bueck of the Las Colinas Group, The Greater Irving Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and many others. Both communities are able to present this event. Various civic and business leaders from African American Community are workng closely with the Greater Dallas Korean American to ensure full participation.”

Filed Under: Community Spotlight, Lead Story, National

Improved unemployment rate results in less unemployment benefits for Texans

April 26, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

Lower Unemployment Rate Results in 13-Week Reduction to State’s Extended Unemployment Benefits

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) have announced that due to the state’s improving unemployment rate, Texas is no longer eligible for federally funded Extended Benefits (EB). EB paid up to an additional 13 weeks of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 7.0 percent.

“March marked the seventh consecutive month of unemployment rate decreases in our state, which has remained below the national unemployment rate for 63 months. These are encouraging signs for job seekers and businesses owners seeking to set up shop in Texas,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken. “TWC can assist those seeking workforce services through our 28 local workforce boards.”

Texas was notified by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that the state’s three-month average total unemployment rate fell below the mandated level to qualify, resulting in Texas no longer being eligible to pay EB. DOL has informed TWC that May 12, 2012 is the last payable week of EB. The total maximum weeks of UI benefits now available to qualifying individuals in Texas is 73 weeks, down from the previously available 86 weeks. TWC estimates that approximately 32,000 claimants may be affected by this change and will notify all claimants by mail.

TWC can still pay federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) at the Tier I-III levels through December 29, 2012 to qualifying claimants.

For more information and to update contact information, claimants may visit TWC online at ui.texasworkforce.org or contact a UI Tele-Center toll free at 800-939-6631. Reemployment services are available through local Workforce Solutions Offices statewide, or job seekers may visit www.WorkInTexas.com to register and search for job postings.

Filed Under: Business, Community Spotlight, Lead Story Tagged With: unemployment

Paul Quinn wins top honors at annual HBCU awards

April 24, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

College celebrates the win of 2012 Student Government Association and Male College President of the Year

Paul Quinn College claimed top honors at the annual HBCU Digest and the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy Awards held in Bowie, Maryland, last weekend. Paul Quinn, which was the reigning 2011 HBCU of the Year going into Friday’s ceremony, can now lay claim to the 2012 awards of HBCU Male College President of the Year and Student Government Association of the Year.

The earning of the awards comes after a rousing year that forged a new path in servant leadership in the city of Dallas. PQC President Michael J. Sorrell and student leader Dexter Evans, who attended the awards ceremony, led the Quinnite Nation on a continued quest to better the landscape and level the playing field for all citizens of Dallas. The year began with trumping a proposal to turn a neighboring landfill into the largest garbage dump in the southwest and is ending with a fight for justice against castle law injustices that affect the nation as seen in the Trayvon Martin tragedy. These recent awards speak to the culture and ethos of the Quinnite Nation, a call to choose the harder right over the easier wrong, and has awakened a spirit of unity and community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

“I am so proud of our students,” President Sorrell said. “Their win as HBCU SGA of the year confirms that there is a national audience for the students of Paul Quinn College and our institutional mission of servant leadership.

“Personally, I am humbled by my selection as the male HBCU president of the year. It represents the payoff of five years of collective hard work and faith, by my staff and our students, in the belief that we can become one of America’s great small colleges.”

The good news doesn’t stop at these awards. The Quinnite Nation is coming off of the heels of the most successful College fundraiser to date in “A Community Cooks,” held the day before the awards were announced. The College will also host the entire Dallas Symphony Orchestra by kicking off the 2012 DSO Community Concerts series on May 23. For more information on events at Paul Quinn College visit www.pqc.edu.

Filed Under: Community Calendar, Education, Latest News Tagged With: HBCU, Michael Sorrell, Paul Quinn

Business and Finance Expo on April 28

April 22, 2012 By NDG Staff No Comments

Johnson Chapel Community Church, located at 1400 N. Hampton Road, Desoto Texas 75115, is hosting the 2012 Business and Finance Expo on April 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is for entrepreneurs, job seekers, business owners, and anyone who would like to start their own business or enhance their career. The expo will include: a job fair, career resources, networking opportunities, free credit checks, resume makeovers, a “Clothes Closet” with business attire, workshops on managing your credit, grant writing, wills & estate planning, and funding a small business. The job fair will take place from 10a-12p. There is no charge for this event and it is open to the public.

Participants will experience a vibrant setting while networking and enjoying a day of Information, Education, and Motivation. The expo will consist of educational and practical seminars that include topics such as: entrepreneurship, funding a small business, grant writing, preparing for the future, and career professionals will be on-site to provide assistance for resume writing. Attendees will walk away with strategies, tips and the resources they need to be successful in business and in managing their financial affairs.

Filed Under: Business, Community Spotlight, Latest News