Black History Month: Carter G. Woodson – African American Writer And Historian Known As The “Father Of Black History”

Posted on February 16, 2014 by rboniniv

Woodson, Carter G. (1875–1950), historian, educator, and editor. Born in Virginia to former slaves, Carter G. One of the first African Americans to receive a doctorate from Harvard, Woodson dedicated his career to the field of African-American history and lobbied extensively to establish Black History Month as a nationwide institution.
Woodson was particularly concerned with social and economic history. His work built on a previous tradition of black historians such as William Wells Brown and George Washington Williams, who used history to illustrate the virtues and potential of African Americans, as individuals and as a race. In many cases he pioneered attention to the particular circumstances and contexts of African American history. His signficance for the study of African American culture and history, however, derives less from his own work and more from the institutional foundations and personal leadership he provided to the emerging discipline of black history. He mentored an entire generation of historians of African American culture, including Rayford W. Logan, Luther Porter Jackson, James Hugo Johnston, and others. His work, the journal he founded, and the scholarly activity he inspired all contributed to the cultural flowering of the Harlem Renaissance. The ongoing recovery of neglected aspects of African American history, literature, and culture owes much of its impetus to Woodson’s founding efforts.
In 1926, the first Negro History Week was established. Woodson described the event as one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by the Association. Expanded in 1976 to include an entire month, the national celebration is held each year during the month of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Today, school programs, exhibits, essays, and poetry contests are held during Black History Month to dramatize the achievements of blacks and to encourage black children in particular to develop pride in their history. As quoted by Lerone Bennett in Ebony, W.E.B. DuBois commented that Woodson literally made this country, which has only the slightest respect for people of color, recognize and celebrate each year, a week in which it studied the effect which the American Negro has upon life, thought, and action in the United States. I know of no one man who in a lifetime has, unaided, built up such a national celebration.

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One of the largest prizes in the lottery’s history, the Powerball jackpot rose to $400 million

Posted on February 16, 2014 by kelly casas

One of the largest prizes in the lottery’s history, the Powerball jackpot rose to $400 million

No jackpot winners in last night’s powerball drawing(Sunday February 16, 2014). The pot will now grow to an estimate four hundred million for Wednesday’s drawing.

The jackpot, which has been building since late last year, soared by about $70 million after there were no winning tickets sold to claim a $330 million prize in a drawing on Saturday. The new jackpot’s lump-sum payout would be $227.8 million.

The next drawing is Wednesday, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs the Powerball game. If someone hits the jackpot that night, they would become the first Powerball winner of 2014. The Christmas Day drawing was the most recent to feature a jackpot winner.

Over the past two years, Powerball prizes have nearly doubled in size after ticket prices rose to $2 from $1 and California, the nation’s most populous state, joined the game.

Powerball is played in 43 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Chances of winning the big prize, regardless of how many tickets a typical player buys, are one in 175 million, the lottery said.

In August, a Powerball jackpot worth $448 million was shared by three winning tickets held by a man in Ham Lake, Minn., a man in Monmouth Junction, N.J., and a group of 16 co-workers in Ocean County, N.J.

In the biggest haul, a single Powerball winner took home $590.5 million before taxes after purchasing a winning ticket in Florida in May 2013. The 84-year-old woman opted for a lump-sum payment of nearly $371 million.

Not every Powerball player is as lucky, however. Average jackpots are about $255 million, according to the Powerball website.

 

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Protests in Venezuela are Becoming Increasingly Alarming

Posted on February 15, 2014 by aspiringauthor

It seems that these days protests are a dime a dozen. There were the protests that spread all over the Middle East in 2010, the Occupy Movement in 2011, and as of late major protests in both Ukraine and Venezuela. All over the world youths wear Guy Fawkes masks that were popularized after the release of the movie “V for Vendetta.” It appears that many people have idealized anarchy. That said, this is no way an attempt to downplay the reasons why people are protesting, many of these causes are noble and ask for things that should be basic, such as human rights. The solution sounds simple: stop putting corrupt people in office, however that is much easier said than done. It’s basically human nature for people to become corrupt after a large amount of power is given to them. The responsibility is far too great and people are constantly looking out for themselves.

I think I become more and more disturbed with humanity after hearing the appalling things that these governments are doing to the people that they have vowed to protect. In Venezuela a few youths have been killed on the streets while they were exercising their basic right to assembly. The police and military are ordered to incite violence amongst the protesters so that leaders can go on television and try to justify their actions by saying “Hey, it’s not our faults. They were being violent and we had to take immediate action.”

While I research what has been going on in Venezuela the first few things I see are videos of people being brutally attacked and the very valid reasons for the protests. Since President Maduro’s election there has been a sharp decline in living standards and violent crime has continued to increase. People have a right to fight back when there is no one fighting for them.

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Mariah Carey Goes All Out On Valentine’s Day (Wears Candy Bra, Lounges in Balloon and Glitter-Filled Bathtub)

Posted on February 15, 2014 by joecool12

Mariah Carey decided to post pictures of herself laying in a glitter-filled bathtub wearing a candy bra. The whole idea of doing this picture setup was for her husband, the one and only Nick Cannon. Mariah Carey even posted the following statement, “My funny Valentine has arrived! # YourMine Eternal I love you @NickCannon.”

Even though the pictures posted of Mariah have been called racy, and promiscuous, I do not feel that these pictures are way out there. It does not show any graphic nudity, but at the most mild cleavage. Overall, Carey is a celebrity and after a few days this Valentine’s Day scenario will fizzle away as with other cases involving celebrities.

Nick Cannon’s surprise was also a way to promote Carey’s new single “Your Mine (Eternal).” Mariah Carey also made sure to use Sweethearts candy because this was the particular candy used in the song’s promo image.

Once again, these pictures Mariah Carey posted are being used as a business strategy to help promote a new song that was recently released. People should consider realizing that celebrities have a certain entertainer’s quota, meaning they have to advertise their image that will attract audience members even more to them.

Carey is known for having sex appeal, and uses this asset to her advantage. Posting pictures of herself will be enjoyable to men and woman, in other words anyone that likes Mariah Carey from listening to and knowing a few tracks of hers to die hard fans.

To end on a note, I think the Mariah Carey pictures were done tastefully and creative. I cannot wait for next Valentine’s Day.

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U.S. Men’s Hockey Flourishes in Sochi

Posted on February 14, 2014 by marissanclark

The Olympics are currently in full swing in Sochi, Russia and the United States is first in medal count, but only fourth in number of gold medals. Quite possibly one of the best sports of the winter games is hockey. Games have started up this week and there are several large powerhouse countries standing in the way of the gold medal.

With players from the National Hockey League (NHL) representing each country, there will be no easy wins for any team involved this year. Russia, Canada, Czech Republic, Sweden and United States are all filled to the brim with all star athletes from the NHL. Alexander Ovechkin is the leader of the Russians and his is easily one of the NHL best players.

The United States started off the winter games with an impressive 7-1 victory of Slovakia. They will be playing Russia on the 15th. If they can beat Russia, then I believe the only competition will be Canada in hopefully the finals of Group A and B. This game will have the home steam Russia on their heels up against the U.S. The Russians will fill the stands and it will be a completely new territory for the American players.

Jonathon Quick is starting goalie for the U.S team. He is the starting goalie for the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. He is just one of the many american born stars on this team. If he can continue to hold teams to one goal then the finals will be in sight.

These games are exactly what hockey as a sport and as a business needs. National publicity and a sense of patriotism for the home team even if you aren’t normally a fan of the sport.

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The Stars Align!!! 2014 All-Star Weekend Underway In New Orleans!!!!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by jmandel

The rosters have been set, the events planned, and the fans ready to go. It is officially PARTY TIME in New Orleans!!!! The 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend has finally arrived and the excitement and anticipation couldn’t be higher!!! Fans, players, legends, and celebrities from all across the country converge on the crescent city in this annual celebration of basketball.

On Valentine’s Day, the excitement gets going quickly with the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Taking place at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 2x MVP Kevin Hart will look to take home his third trophy as he headlines a mix of NBA legends, WNBA players, TV anchors, and movie stars in the fun filled kick starter to All-Star Weekend. Later that night, all eyes shift to the future of the NBA in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge. Portland’s Damian Lillard and Orlando’s Victor Oladipo lead the league’s brightest young stars in an action packed conclusion to day 1 in New Orleans.

 

On Saturday Night, stars come out all around in NBA All-Star Saturday Night. That day features a plethora of events such as the Foot Locker 3-Point Shootout, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Hair Shooting Stars, and the show stopping capper the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest! On Sunday, the stars come out for the 63rd annual NBA All-Star Game. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony battle it out in the star studded showcase of the world’s greatest athletes.

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Cigarette warning labels now to be added on soda products…

Posted on February 14, 2014 by chelsiesloan

Earlier this week California lawmakers began to propose adding health warning labels on soda products. This bill would make California the first state to put warning labels that you see on cigarette packs but now on soda products. In order to reduce the rate of obesity, California has decided to add warning labels on all sugary drinks in order to let consumers know the risk of drinking these products.

They want warning labels on the front of cans and bottles of any kind of sugar drinks that have added sugar and 75 or more calories of sugar per 12 ounces. The label would read: “STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.”

At fast food restaurants their self-serve soda dispensers will have the label on the dispenser. In  movie theaters or businesses where the dispenser is the label will be placed. In dinning restaurants, the label might be on the menus.

Senator Bill Monning said “As with tobacco and alcohol warnings, this legislation will give Californians vital information they need to make healthier choices.” The choice of soda labels is also being supported by the California Medical Association.

The bill so far has one opposer CalBev, the state arm of the American Beverage Association. They said “The proposal unfairly singles out one type of product for regulation.” “CalBev opposes the bill because obesity is a complex condition that can’t be boiled down to one specific product or ingredient,” said Jessica Borek, a CalBev spokeswoman. “We agree that obesity is a serious and complex issue,” CalBev said in a statement.

“We agree that obesity is a serious and complex issue,” CalBev said in a statement. “However, it is misleading to suggest that soft drink consumption is uniquely responsible for weight gain. In fact, only four percent of calories in the average American diet are derived directly from soda.”

Americans, on average, drink more than 45 gallons of sugary beverages a year, according to Dr. Ashby Wolfe of the California Medical Association. Drinking just one soda a day increases an adult’s likelihood of being overweight by 27% and a child’s by 55%, according to a World Health Organization-commissioned study published last year in the British Medical Journal.

So far the bill is said to be effective on July 1, 2015. Monning said “I hope that it would become a model for the rest of the country.”



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Syracuse and Miami Beat the Buzzer

Posted on February 13, 2014 by arlen spitalnik

On February 12, 2014, 2 Basketball games ended with supreme, buzzer beating shots as both the Syracuse Orangemen and the Miami Heat won their respective match-ups.  The question is, which highlight was more impressive?

At the Petersen Events Center, the visiting No. 1 Syracuse Orangemen were trailing the No. 25 Pittsburgh Panthers 56-55 with 4.4 seconds left in regulation. The Orangemen’s 23-0 record was in serious danger; Panther fans were fired-up to see their team take down the nation’s top squad on their home court.  However, as the buzzer sounded, Syracuse’s Freshman Point Guard, Tyler Ennis, silenced the arena when he drained a 3-pointer from 35 feet away.  With this “miracle” of a shot, the Orangemen improved to 24-0 while the Panthers dropped to 20-4.

Later that night, the Miami Heat found themselves in a similar situation; the Heat were down 108-110 to the Golden State Warriors with about 6 seconds to go.  As time ticked down, and the crowd began to cheer, LeBron James stole the game as he made a deep 3 to take the lead.  The Heat escaped Oracle Arena with a big win on their final game before the All-Star break.

On this night of clutch, buzzer-beating 3-pointers, both LeBron James and Tyler Ennis put on quite a show for the highlight reel.  The Orangemen’s win, however, meant a little more than that of the reigning NBA champions that night.  According to ESPN, Ennis’ 35-foot shot not only sealed the record for the longest win streak in school history, but it also put an end to Pitt’s stretch of 10 wins over Top 5 opponents.  With those achievements reached, Tyler Ennis definitely takes the cake for the highlight of the night.

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MLB: Derek Jeter says he will retire after 2014 season

Posted on February 12, 2014 by christie jauch

The one thing I will always remember about Derek Jeter is his will to win. The short stopper out of New Jersey is a five-time World Series champion and is considered the greatest shortstop. Some of his accomplishments include winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1996 along with winning the 1996 World Series. Jeter is the Yankees all-time leader in hits, bats, games played, and stolen bases. One moment that Derek Jeter will never forget is reaching his 3000th career hit. On July 9th, 20111, the Yankees faced the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. On the third inning, Derek Jeter was sitting at 2,999 career hits. Jeter hit a home run over the left field wall after the ball was pitched to him. It was announced by the Major League Baseball broadcasters that day that Jeter became the 28th player in Major League Baseball to reach that number, and he received a standing ovation from the crowd and from his teammates.

Derek Jeter will be turning 40 on June 26th, and in my opinion, Derek has nothing else to prove to the world. His stats and the goals that he’s accomplished has said it all. Although he suffered a lot of injuries in the 2013 season which included an ankle injury, he’s always showed his passion for the game of baseball and always wanted to help his team even if he played though minor injuries. Since this will be Jeter’s last season, I expect not only him, but his teammates to start the 2014 season off strong and finish the season with a good record so that Derek can leave Major League Baseball with something else to remember. I wish the New York Yankees and Derek Jeter a successful 2014 season and I hope he finishes his career off on a strong note.

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Orange County Deputy was Killed on Duty Tuesday Morning

Posted on February 11, 2014 by the one and only

Orange county deputy found dead while on duty. He was shot and killed in early Tuesday morning while he was investigating something that happened. The deputy was 34 years old and was working on cars that had break-ins in Westminister Abbey Boulevard, and around South Apopka, Conroy Windermere. What investigators are saying is that, the deputy has spotted a man and a woman in a car and they started to fire at him, they hit him and flee. After that incident happened, they contacted the fire department and notified them of the location of the shooting where they went quickly to where the deputy was and transported the deputy to the Orlando Regional Medical Center and after hours of trying to save his life, the deputy lost his life.

 

The deputy was a married man as well as a father to three children. They haven’t released his name at this time, but they are asking for everyone to please pray for his family at this time.  They also said that the deputy was wearing a bulletproof vest while he was working and was shot while wearing it. There have been a lot of burglaries around the neighborhoods and they even posted a billboard stating to please lock your cars because they continue to break-in to cars stealing valuables. This is really scary to know that there are people out there that are willing to kill a deputy that is trying to protect our town. It makes me wonder how many bad people cross my path on a daily basis. That deputy did not deserve to die while working to help others. Everyone should pray for him and his family at this moment.

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