Unite News - Jan 2012

by Mia Jackson-Huskisson

The introduction of a new year seems like a great time to turn over a new leaf, kick bad habits and run toward a fresh start. Most people will take the time to create New Year’s Resolutions

Springfield, MO— Each year, area com-munity members join the NAACP in honoring the life of Dr. Mar-tin Luther

January 2012Volume 22/ Number 1

•A Monthly Publication of

Unite. of SouthwestMissouri, Inc

•www.unitenewsonline.org

January Unite Page 12

Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community

UNITE.Martin Luther King Day March and Celebration Jan 16

Highlighting the qualities of our Southwest MO Area

by Mia Jackson-HuskissonUnite Contributing Writer

On January 16, 2012, the Springfield Multicutural Fes-tival will fill Juanita K. Ham-mons Hall with a celebration of cultural diversity and commu-nity resources fit for the whole family. The 15th annual Multicul-tural Festival, hosted by Unite of Southwest Missouri, will be held at Juanita K. Hammons Hall from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. “We are offering a great way to celebrate the Martin Lu-ther King holiday,” said Unite Managing Editor and Multicul-

the many cultures that have contributed to our countries’

greatness.” Knox said. As with each festival, Knox said the multi-cultural event will have some new surprises for festival -goers. The festival is a collaboration of mu-sic, dance, and area resources. The festi-

val will feature dance styles including Irish and Latin American. “It’s a great opportunity to teach children about different cultures,” Knox said. Knox said last year’s festival hosted more than 1,800 visitors.

tural Festival Event Organizer Samuel Knox. Knox said this year’s festival will host more than 50 exhibitors. The exhibitors range from craft vendors to employment op-portunities. “From the lively folk dancing and musical performances to the colorful regalia worn by the variety of international cultures represented, visitors of all ages enjoy themselves year after year. Our goal is to highlight the qualities of our Southwest Missouri area while promoting

Plan To Attend The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday

Activities Monday, January 16, 2012

Rewrite Your Life Story In 2012

Continued on page 11

At 80, Elaine Graham Estes is still a tiny giant of a woman

See Story On Page 2


Presented by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc | For more information, please visit www.unitenewsonline.org

Estes is one of the honorees in the newly dedicatedWorld Food Prizes head-quarters.

Samuel Knox


Dr. Terarai Trent

Elaine Estes

January Unite Page 2 January Unite Page 11

by George FreemanUnite Guest Writer

It seems delightfully ironic somehow, that one of the hon-orees in the newly dedicatedWorld Food Prizes headquar-ters is Elaine Graham Estes, is the same young woman knownto generations of Springfield afi-cionados as the iconic likeness featured on each bottle ofGraham’s Barbecue Sauce. The World Food Prize is located in the majestic former Des Moines Public Library,where the same Elaine Graham Estes worked for 35 years and was director for nearly twodecades. It is regarded as the foremost organization in the world honoring the achieve-ments of men and women by improving the quality, quan-tity or availability of food, and carries a $250,000 cash prize awarded annually to two laure-ates. For some, Graham Estes remains hard to keep up with, having recently returned from atrip to Antarctica at the age of 80. And yet she prefers to travel back and forth between DesMoines and Springfield on a bus that once would not have seated her. That is a trip ofanother kind. This tiny giant of a woman whose bust is displayed for all to admire might still bepersuaded to prepare a bottle of original Graham’s Barbecue elixir. She recently polishedoff a plate of ribs at lunch in Crosstown Barbecue while modestly revealing stories of the men she met in her young life, including Lionel Hampton, Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neill(to name but a few), who stayed at her parents’ Graham’s Motel near Graham’s Rib Stationbecause visiting black men and women were not welcome to stay elsewhere, no matter theirdegree of national acclaim. Today, Graham Estes is as filled with the same gracious

goodness and gumption thatmust have made her hard to keep up with when she en-tered Drake University in Des Moines at the age of 16 on a $50 scholarship, housed in a dormitory that had never host-ed a young black woman. But that was just the first of many frontiers in education, govern-ment and culture so many now take for granted. Indulge yourself, if you are near a computer, by entering her name into a search engine. You will learn that Graham Estes earned a bachelor’s de-gree in business administrationat Drake University and a Mas-ters of Library Science at the University of Illinois; that shewent to work at the Des Moines Public Library; and served on the board of directors of theIowa Society for the Preserva-tion of Historic Landmarks for more than 25 years; that shecurrently serves on the board of the Terrace Hill Society, and was the group’s president from1993–96; that she served as Questers president for sev-eral years and also works with Proteus, the Iowa Antique Association, the Des Moines Art Center, the Henry Wallace House Foundation and Friends of Libraries, USA. She is still an active member of the Des Moines Rotary Club and visits

frequently at local Rotary clubs. In 1953, the year of her col-lege graduation, she married John Estes, Jr., a star athlete who played football for the University Of Iowa until a life-threatening spinal cord injury. He owned Estes Funeral Home for many years. He was a found-ing coach of Little League sothat he could give back to young people. In the tumultuous 1960s, the Estes plowed a memorable path through the political soilof progressive Iowa’s awaken-ing like few couples before or after them. Though noteworthy,the served quietly, through leadership at their respective universities; Estes was electedboard president of Simpson College and later granted lifetime status. He died in 2010 at age 82; her mother died four months later at 105. Here is a woman who endured and overcame and persevered and rose to the pin-nacle of her profession, witness-ing court-ordered integration a year after she graduated from Lincoln High School (now a part of Ozarks Technical Col-lege). She is amazing.

About the World Food Prize: The two World Food Prize laureates for 2011 were John Agyekum Kufuor, former

president of Ghana, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former president of Brazil. If this award is new to you, on the world stage of agricul-tural development it is akin thethe Nobel prizes, created by two small-town Iowans – Nor-man Borlaug and John Ruan.Borlaug’s pioneering research to produce higher yielding strains of wheat ushered in theGreene Revolution, averting the death from starvation for more than a billion people. Forhis work, Borlaug was awarded the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. The Atlantic Monthly declaredthat he “saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived.” He also received otherinternational honors, including the Presidential Medal of Free-dom and the CongressionalGold Medal, one of only six people in the world so honored. (The others: Martin LutherKing Jr. Mother Teresa, Aung San Suu Kyi; Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela.) John Ruan was one of Iowa’s most successful business men, and name familiar in theMidwest for The Ruan Compa-nies who believed strongly that Iowa should be seen as theagricultural capital of the world. His $10 million endowment of the World Food Prize in1990 replaced the original spon-sor. The World Food Prize Coun-cil of Advisers have included U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carterand George H.W. Bush; former President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines; formerPresident Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique; and former Presi-dent Olesgun Obasanjo ofNigeria.

George Freeman is editor of GREENE Magazine and former editorial page editor of the Springfield News-Leader. He is known to posses a bottle of Graham’s Barbecue Sauce, but also fre-quents Crosstown Barbecue on frequent occasions.


Elaine Graham Estes standing beside her sculpture.

you dream of going? Connect with people who are moving in a positive direction. Great novels have a point of conflict that characters must struggle to overcome. In your life, what is your struggle? What steps can you take to overcome personal obstacles? Create a plan to overcome your conflict. Are there people or groups you can connect with to assist you with the process? There is no conflict that can’t be overcome with hard work and persever-ance. First- rate novels end with an unexpected but exhilarating conclusions. Regardless of how your story began you can

have a positive and rewarding outcome. Small consistent effort can change the whole course of your life. Use each day of 2012 to move toward your personal goals and remember there’s no time like the present. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Have a prosperous 2012.

continued from page 1MLK Celebration

King, Jr. with a march and cel-ebratory events. The march will start at the Mediacom Ice Park to Clara Thompson Hall (Drury Uni-versity) at 9:30 am on Monday, January 16, 2012. The NAACP Springfield branch is proud to announce exciting news in regards to this year’s celebration. The NAACP, an organization dedi-cated to equality and justice for all human beings will welcome the highly acclaimed, world-

renowned inspirational guest speaker, Dr. Tererai Trent. Dr. Trent grew up in rural Zimba-bwe and was denied an educa-tion because she was a girl. Despite all odds and numerous challenges, Dr. Trent went on to obtain her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. She is currently a senior consultant at Tinogona Consulting, which focuses on In-ternational Program and Policy Evaluation. Dr. Trent has been on the Oprah Winfrey show twice and Ms. Winfrey chose Tererai as her all-time favorite guest in the 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey.

but few of the new resolutions will be kept through the end of January. “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportu-nity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day,” said motivational author Edith L. Pierce. Millions of people pledge to lose weight, pay off debts, save money, stop smoking or in-crease their earnings. Creating resolutions are much easier than keeping them. As time passes our commit-ment to our resolutions decrease and before we know it we have repeated our past failures. How can 2012 really be dif-ferent? What would happen if we vowed to rewrite the parts of their life’s story that aren’t satisfactory instead of making temporary promises and/or resolutions? The truth is, any day is a great day to make a positive change. Permanent change begins with reflection upon the past. What has gone right or

wrong for you in 2011? What was your 2011 story? Do you need to update your story to a new edition? In other words, is there destructive behavior in your life that needs to go out with the evening trash? Do you overspend, overeat, or excuse other negative actions? In most instances, it is impossible to read a large novel in one evening. Similarly, bad habits don’t just disappear because the calendar displays a new year. The longer habits have been with us, the harder it is for them to fall off of us. Re-placing old and negative behav-ior with new positive behavior is a process. If you fail in your attempt toward new change, get up and restart. The old adage says an elephant is eaten one bite at a time. Who are the main char-acters within your life’s story? In other words, are you sur-rounded by people who add to or subtract from your life? Make this the year to excuse people with negative influence from your life and make room for positive influences. Are there people who could mentor you toward your dreams? Are there persons who have walked where

continued from page 1Rewrite Life Story

continued from column belowRewrite Life Story

continued from page 1Festival

The festival is free and open to the public. For more informa-tion and a schedule of events please visit: unitenewsonline.org. or to see photos search for Springfield Multicultural Festi-val on Facebook.

Carrington 309 - Glass Hall 103417-836-5636CareerCenter@MissouriState.educareercenter.missouristate.edu

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About Employers:

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4

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Community News

Lead your children to victory...by Gwen Marshall

Health News

Creating Your Family Fire Escape Planby The American Red Cross

Lifestyle & Entertainment NewsMovie Review— Joyful Noise & Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocols

Food Review—Famous Dave’sby Lyle Foster

The Unite. publication is a monthly newspaper published by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. Distribution of Unite. is by free circulation at various locations. However, request for home delivery by mail may be directed to Unite. P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, Missouri 65801 and accompanied by $25. for one year’s postage and handling. Those wishing to make a contribution or become a monthly sponsor should direct corre-spondence to the same address. Readers comments and ques-tions are welcomed. The opinions expressed in these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc. “The Unite Publication in accept-ing advertising in this publication, makes no independent investigation concerning the services of products advertised and neither endorses nor recommends the same and assumes no liability therefore.” For further information, you can contact us at (417) 864-7444. Email: [email protected]

PublisherUnite. of Southwest

Missouri, Inc.

Managing EditorSamuel G. Knox

Contributing WritersLyle Foster

Mia Jackson-HuskissonKathleen O'Dell

Catherine Thomas

PhotographySpringfield NewsLeader

David Huskisson

DistributionBradley Knox

VolunteersTyra Knox

Kerri McGrewAngelor Wilkes

Volume 22, Number 1


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IN THIS ISSUE UNITE.

by Kathleen O’Dell ,Springfield-Greene CountyLibrary District

It’s not that we don’t love the traditional paperbacks and hard-back books that fill our shelves, but librarians are a helpful lot. So they’ve been eager to help patrons adopt new ways to enjoy books and movies on e-readers. We think it’s an important service that the Library can and should provide. As the sale of e-readers has soared nationwide, the checkouts of the Library’s e-books and other e-media jumped 90 percent from November 2010 to November 2011. The hard numbers: Reflecting our growing collection of e-media and the popularity of e-readers, our e-checkouts went from 784 in November 2008 to 2,283 in No-vember 2010 to 4,337 last month. That’s why the Library has stepped up e-reader training ses-sions for early 2012. If the holi-days brought an e-reader to your home and you’d like some general tips and hands-on help on down-loading the Library’s e-collection, drop by one of these free sessions. Registration is not required.• 10 a.m. Jan. 7, Library Center meeting room B• 2 p.m. Jan. 7, Willard Branch Library• Noon Jan. 10, Brentwood Branch• 6 p.m. Jan. 10, Library Center meeting room A• 7 p.m. Jan. 23, Library Station Frisco Room• 3 p.m. Jan. 25, Midtown Carne-gie Branch upstairs meeting room• 7 p.m. Jan. 30, Brentwood Branch• 3 p.m. Feb. 4, Strafford Branch

The City of Springfield offers a variety of municipal career opportunities for individuals interested in public service. Job opportunities are updated each Friday and can be accessed through a number of mediums: Web: http://www.springfieldmo.gov/jobs; or Phone: Jobs Hotline at 417-864-1606; or TV: CityView on Medicacom Cable Digital Channel 80; or In Person: visiting our offices at 840 Boonville, Room 324, Springfield, MO 65802. The City is fully committed to a policy of hiring without regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, or disability. The City is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer.

City Employment Link

1322 S. Campbell • (417) 865-8943

Individual/Couples/FamilyCounseling

Sliding-fee scale

March Unite Page 6

By Ron Ponds, Social Security District Manager

Have you been wondering when the best time is to retire? If you have, then we have an audio pod-cast just for you. Social Security’s new podcast, “Deciding When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits,” is available for you to listen to now at HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov/podcasts" www.socialsecurity.gov/podcasts. In this discussion, Social Security will tell you some of the things you need to con-sider before making one of the most important decisions in your life. Social Security’s Deputy Commissioner for Communications, Jim Courtney

and Jason Fichtner, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of the agency, explore the factors to be considered when you think

about when to retire. “There is no one ‘best age’ for everyone,” explains Fichtner in the pod-cast. “Ultimately, it’s a personal choice that people have to make based on their individ-ual circumstances.”

The podcast encourages lis-teners to use Social Security’s online Retirement Estimator, which you can find online at HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator" www.socialsecurity.gov/estima-tor. The Retirement Estimator can help you “try on” different retirement scenarios, playing with such variables as when

you’d like to retire and how much you expect to earn in future working years. So stop wondering when the best time is for you to retire. Your first step to figuring out the answer to that question is to visit HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov/podcasts" www.socialsecurity.gov/pod-casts and to listen to “Deciding When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.” Then, you’ll want to sub-scribe to the ongoing series, or bookmark the web address and check back for additional pod-casts. To learn more about Social Security, visit the website at HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov" www.socialsecurity.gov.

New Podcast Discuss When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits

Ronald Ponds

and dreams just because "the time isn't good"... you can still make 2009 the year you uncover

a whole new you for the better! Even in tough times, you get to decide how to respond to certain conditions, opportuni-ties, and outcomes--both good and bad. Life will always be a series of choices and

YOU get to decide on what will move you closer to your goals, or farther away from them. External forces will always be part of the equation, even dur-ing the good times when the

world is thriving. When people ask me about the single most important ingre-dient to success, I always share the same response: realizing what's making you achieve suc-cess, and then realizing what is stifling your success. Sometimes recognizing the things that are NOT working in your life can be painful, yet VERY powerful to shaping the life you want. Don't try to rationalize them, make excuses for them, or hide them. This is when it's even more critical to take personal inventory and evict those

Will Your Life Work the Way You Want It To In 2009?by Jack CanfieldCo-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul Series

As I mentioned earlier, 2009 may bring greater uncer-tainty and more unset-tling economic news than recent years, but these circumstances should compel us to take a deep breath, and pause to think about our lives. When things happen in the world that seem so far beyond our individual control, it can feel unsettling. Don't give up on your goals

February Unite Page 7

WEALTHNetexcuses, rationalizations, and hidden habits that don't serve you. These things will keep you from the life you want to be living. Let me give you some examples. Ask yourself if you relate to any of these questions: Do you want to be active, fit, and strong? Then you have to stop making excuses about your weight, diet choices, and lack of exercise. Do you want to be in a loving relationship based on friendship and respect? Then you have to stop rationalizing why you and your partner are not communi-cating well. Do you want to embrace Monday mornings and feel excited about going to work every day? Then you have to stop hiding your true passions and go after whatever it is you really want to be doing day in and day out. Do you want to lose the debt forever? Then you have to stop ignoring your spending habits and get real about a creating budget that will pull you out of debt and allow you to reach financial freedom. Do you want to feel more connected to the people in your life, such as your children, friends, and colleagues? Then you have to stop complaining about your poor relationships and figure out why you don't feel as connected as you'd like to be. These things can be painful to look at because the truth is that you have to do something about them in order to make it work in your life. You'll have to say no to the second helping of dinner and

the dessert to follow and go through the awkward stage of getting into shape... You'll have to confront your partner about the areas that need work... You'll have to get past fears about changing your job or pro-fessional path... You'll have to cut back on your spending and be frugal... You'll have to take a good hard look at your personal relationships and perhaps con-sider your own shortfalls and weaknesses in communicating your needs and concerns. Plain and simple, you will have to do something uncom-fortable. Successful people don't waste time in denial (or com-plain or make excuses for that matter). They face situations like a warrior. They look for the warning signs, they find out why things aren't working, and they go about fixing them- even when fixing requires problem solving, hard work, risk, and a level of uncertainty. It's okay to identify a prob-lem even though you haven't a clue about how to go about solv-ing it right away. If you need help organiz-ing those "things" in your life, try using the following list of categories. I recommend reflect-ing on each of the 7 areas and ask yourself, what's not working here in each one and then brain-storm 3 potential solutions.1.) Financial Goals, 2.) Career/Business Goals, 3.) Free Time/Family Time, 4.) Health/Appearance Goals, 5.) Relationship Goals, 6.) Personal Growth 7.) Making a Difference. Remember, by facing what is not working, you can only improve your life!

A Directory of free or low cost BusinessAssistanceSpringfield Area Chamber of Commercewww.spfldchamber.com417.862.5567

Small Business Administration (SBA)www.sba.gov417.864.7670

Small Business Development Center www.sbdc.smsu.edu417.836.5685

Will Your Life Work...continued from page 6

continued on page 7

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Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems celebrates Women's History MonthThe Mission of TVBS is to be a world-class manufacturer of

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Springfield, MO—Power Of Acts Apostolic Church is currently meeting at La Quinta Inn, 2535 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO in the hotel Meeting Room.

Fades Barber ShopSpecializing in Fades and

other popular styles.

812 S. Glenstone AveCall to schedule an

appointment or come by.Walk-ins are welcome.

(417)832-8242

Good News, Great Music & Warm People

2101 W. Chestnut Expwy.Springfield, MO 65802(417)865-4338www.deliverancetemple.org

Everyone is Welcome!Sunday Morning Worship 10:15 a.m.Youth Ministry: Ages 12-17Kingdom Kids: Ages 4-11 & Nursery Available

If you want to experience something new —the before and after look

of true beauty, come to: Trena’s Exquisite

Hair SalonMonday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

1553 N. National Ave.Call: (417) 862-1106

Louise's Hair Boutique & Sisters

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m. -7:30 p.m.1874 N. Glenstone Ave

(417) 831-0275

Mykel Boyd, New Stylist

Praise & Worship starts at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday morning withPastor & Evangelist Daniel & Jeanetta Smith. For more information call (417) 414-3258. E-Reader Training

Free At The Library

Springfield, MO—Over 3,500 years ago, Rome was no more than a soggy marsh and the Acropolis was just an empty rock, but Egypt was on the brink of its greatest age - the New Kingdom. There was an explosion of creativity, wealth and power in Egypt that would make it the envy of the world. After defeating the Hyksos invaders, successive Pharaohs expanded and maintained their Empire through both force and diploma-cy. In the process, they won Egypt vast amounts of gold, influence and respect. They included; Ahmose, Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis III, Amen-hotep III, Akenhaten, Tutankha-men and Ramesses III. Behind the power of the Egyp-tian empire lay a vast wealth of natural resources. Chief among

these was the river Nile, the free-way of the ancient world, whose floodplains also provided huge

expanses of fertile farming ground that kept Egypt self-suf-ficient and usually famine-free. Along the banks of the Nile, the humble papyrus plant was used to create a bureau-cratic efficiency and

cultural sophistica-tion previously un-

known to mankind. This three part special tells the story of the Egyptian empire from its beginning in 1560 BC to its col-lapse in 1080 BC through inter-views with scholars and dramatic recreations:• The Warrior Pharaohs at 7 p.m. January 3 on OzarksPublic Television (OPT)• Pharaohs of the Sun at 8 p.m. January 3 on OPT• The Last Great Pharaoh at 7 p.m. January 10 on OPT

Subscribe To The Unite

Publication

Call: (417) 864-7444Only $25. per year

Power Of Acts, Apostolic Church Invites The Community To Come Fellowship

View The Three Part Series of Egypt’s Golden Empire On PBS Starting Jan 3

Tutankhmen Deathmask

continued on page 4

January Unite Page 9January Unite Page 4

by Gwen MarshallOffice of Cultural Diversity, SPS

I am sure that many dads are making plans for the NFL's 46th annu-al Super Bowl, which is scheduled to take place on February 5, 2012. Some of these dads will take on the vocation of arm chair coach and lead their team to a triumphant victory. I would like to invite all of you arm chair coaches to participate in another game that will lead your children to victory by learning to read. Educators have discovered

that if a child can’t read fluently by the end of third grade, they may not become a strong reader.

In fourth grade the sub-ject matter gets harder and poor reading skills will cause the student greater difficulty in maintaining academic successes. Reading does not come naturally. You

have to learn it. Dads or perhaps I should say “coaches,” this is where you are needed. Every minute you spend teaching your child the fun-damentals of reading you are ensuring their continued suc-cess. The whole process of

teaching someone to read can be complex. Yet, you can help by reading to your child every day, whether it’s a book, a street sign, or closed captions on a television screen. You can help even more by using these five skills, recom-mended by The National Insti-tute for Literacy: (1) Spoken Words: Before your child ever sees a word on the page, he or she will hear thou-sands and thousands of words. (2) Written Words: The leap from talking to reading hap-pens when a child starts to see how written letters stand for the sounds of speech. It’s like learn-ing a code. (3) Word Power: The more words a person knows, the bet-ter they can read and speak. Try learning three new words a day with your child. It’s powerful! (4) Reading Smoothly and Easily: Reading those favorite books over and over again while you listen can help your child smooth out all the “bumps in the road.” Teachers call this ability to read accurately and quickly

“fluency.” (5) Knowing What It All Means: There is no point to reading if it doesn’t help us understand something. Ask questions. It’s a great way to know whether your young reader really under-stands what they are reading. Here are some ways you can coach your child with spoken words? Play with sounds in all parts of words. Rhyming is also important. Teach them to listen for rhyming words in songs, raps and poems. Spend some time playing a game, for example, who can be the first to come up with three words that rhyme with “cool?” You will be amazed at the results of teaching language sounds or “phonemic aware-ness” to increase their reading skills. We’ll discuss the second skill, written words, more in the next issue of Unite. Until then, keep up the good work, Coach!

“The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” – Mary McLeod Bethune

CommunitySection

January Message from the SPS Office of Cultural Diversitycontinued from page 8Mission: Impossible

organization's name. Mission Impossible is so far considered to be the only holiday hit...well the numbers speak for them-selves...approaching $300 mil-lion in sales on the worldwide stage. And Mr. Cruise is consid-ered to be a worldwide star as is the Mission Impossible fran-chise. Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Regg are the other leads and members of the team. I wouldn't quite call the acting predictable but it is definitely not Academy level but it holds your interest. This installment has a certain degree

of humor that didn't quite work for me but you may like it. This is definitely a big screen film and not your 42" at home espe-cially when watching the world's tallest building. I am a sucker for the special effects and the cool gadgets etc but the parking garage scene in the end gets to be just a bit overdone. It works because it is Mission Impossible and we all like a good spy movie and a crazy car that we leave saying why couldn't Santa have put that under my tree? Yet, if you are like me and have to do the family holiday movie or catch one of the last blockbust-ers for the year...then definitely check it out. 90 out of 100!!!!...Go!!!

Gwen Marshall

Important Dates

January 12, 2012 End of Second Quarter, End of First Semester

January 13, 2012 Professional Learning/Work Day (Students Out All Day)

January 16, 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School System Closed)

January 17, 2012 Third Quarter Begins

Are You ReallyCommitted To Diversity? If you are committed to employing a

diverse workforce or contracting with local

minority suppliers, try advertising your

message in the Unite Publication.

This tells the community you value new

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ing different perspectives and experiences to

maximize your company's potential. For more

information call (417)864-7444 or email:

[email protected]

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matching 401K, discounted services, tuition assistance and more.

Apply online at www.careers.mediacomcc.com for immediate consideration.Pre-employment drug screen and background check required.

MEDIACOM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

continued on page 10

continued from page 8Famous Dave's

Landing so it seemed like only a matter or time before one came here and a few weeks ago it opened. The growing chain is known for its Bar-B-Q ribs and hickory smoked meats and it is going to be interesting to see how yet another bar-b-q house does in our town that already has its fair share of bar-b-q and want to be bar-b-q restaurants. We are known for eating in Stown and I guess some folks want to see if we want to eat some more. The ambiance for me is not a lot to comment on.....it is located in a converted car dealership which is a good thing in terms of utilizing a vacant space but the country scattered look is not me necessarily...I get what they are trying to do but the memo-rbilia look just never appealed to me. The staff are plentiful and friendly and very helpful which is very typical of new restaurant openings... Everyone asks have you ever been to a Famous Dave's before to which I answer yes. And then I suppose to still be friendly they ask how was your last experience and I

answer truthfully ... Not a very good one. But that is another story and with a new year a new leaf!!!!One thing I do like about Fa-mous Dave's...(oh did I mention in a past life I met him etc...but that is also another story...nice guy!) are all of the sauce choices from hot to sweet to spicy to cowboy ketchup. I do a stupid kind of thing....I rotate my sauces so I get to try them all....lol.....And then I go looking for my prilosec...lol. I like all their sauces but am somewhat special to the sweet sauce. Their baked beans and corn on the cob are also well prepared. Between my guest and I we had the wings...yes chicken wings.....rib tips...beef brisket and ribs. Hmmm...I didn't say we ate it all just ate some of it. The brisket was very flavorful and tender...I give it a thumbs up. I got the wings plain so I could taste the real flavor and they were well prepared...they were not overcooked or dry...I ate some with sauce and some plain and they were pretty good either way......thumbs up. I like my ribs wet and full of meat and to my surprise they fit the bill. I still am partial to the places with the big drum in

the back yard with the smoke wafting in the air but I noticed without my planning to that I was licking my fingers and had to make myself stop. I could not handle a full slab but my bones were full of meat and with or without sauce the flavor was plentiful and not overbearing. I like them. I usually have mixed sentiments on rib tips...because at a lot of places there seems to be more tip than rib,.. I won't mislead you I am not a big ribtip fan these days but my guest indicated she liked them and so I will defer to that. I didn't have any complaints and I was too full for desert but unfortunately I had devoured their cornbread which was somewhat sweet which I really like anyhow so I was reading full on the fill-o-me-

ter. But I can attest to the pecan pie for desert...off the chain....they have a great recipe for that and heated with or without the ice cream it is great. When I first settled into my table at Fa-mous Dave's it was more empty than full...two hours later there was a line and all the seats in the waiting area were occupied so I think they have a chance to get a little piece of the Springfield Bar-B-Q dollar and if my experience is indicative of what meals will be like here in terms of flavor and consistency they deserve it. So if you still have room after all of your holiday eating and there is space in your new year's diet for an occasional treat you might want to be part of the welcom-ing committee to Springfield. Catering and take-out are also available. They are open every day for lunch and dinner. Slap your pappy scale...4 forks!!!!

Famous Dave'scontinued from column below

continued from page 3Library

• 7 p.m. Feb. 4, Library Center auditorium• 3 p.m. Feb. 8, Republic Branch

Shopping for an e-reader that’s right for you? You’ll find useful tips in the article, “Choosing an E-reader,” on the Library website, thelibrary.org, written by Library Center computer/periodicals as-sistant Trint Williams. If you’d like a copy emailed to you directly, drop a line to the email below – we’re happy to help!


Movie Review—Joyful Noise & Mission: Impossible

continued on page 9

Missouri State University is currently recruiting diverse staff and faculty to add to

the growing University system.

www.missouristate.edu/jobsVacancy recording: 417-836-4683

Successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse student and community populations.

Distinctive Mission, Remarkable Education

Affordable Choice, Unbeatable Value

Memorable Experiences, Lifetime Success

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

by Lyle FosterUnite Contributing Writer

I want to first thank all of you for your kind words and support in 2011 and extend sincere wishes for a great new year for all of you!!!Well, these two titles are about as far apart as you can get ...almost, Blessed New Year!!! I would like to first extend an invitation to all who would like to jump for joy in January to try to attend the opening weekend of Joyful Noise scheduled to be released on January 13. There is a grow-ing buzz already about the upcoming flick starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. Both of these ladies are powerhouses in their respective genres so teaming them together can only result in double power!!! Plus I don't know about you but usu-ally about this time in January we are getting a little tired of the cold and sometimes snow or ice and we need a good warm-up. Seriously it would be fun to get a group of folks together and attend and make a joyful noise together...anyone feeling it? The movie is writ-ten and directed by Todd Graff and the basic plot is the story of folks trying to keep a tight knit gospel choir together after the death of the choir director (which was Dolly's husband in the movie). Queen Latifah's character has been assigned to lead the choir and Dolly has a vested interest so you can

already see the plot thickening. If you add a gospel choir com-petition and some love interests and catfights ....well then you have Joyful Noise!...Well, to be

fair we know it's hard to keep the choir together when no one has passed away so it's easy to guess some of the plot twists. But there are some amazing vocals, great choreography and just some good old! And Queen Latifah...well she is the queen

and a multi-talented sister who can work it on a lot of different fronts. The pairing of these two great actresses and some good old hand clapping foot stomp-ing music should shake off the January doldrums. There are a couple of more surprises but we don't want to tell it all .....go........! Even if you are not a gospel fan it will make you move....look for it on January 13! Mission: Impossible- Ghost ProtocolI have seen most of the holiday films and it was somewhat slim pickings. There was not too much that really stood out and

a few films seemed like show it and they will come except in most cases they didn't come. Hollywood is in fact report-ing a 10% drop in revenue for its productions. One of the few to buck that trend is the most recent installment in the Mission Impossible series. Tom Cruise who is now 49 years old has come a long way from when he was jumping on the couch with Oprah as this is now a Tom Cruise pro-duction. I didn't real-ize it but it has been 5 years since the last film and this is the fourth installment. I saw it twice...once as an Imax showing which was pretty cool. Now for the old timers Mission Impossible used to be a TV series and it was considered

Lyle Foster

LifeStyle&EntertainmentNews


I can't help but notice how much the Springfield retail and restau-rant scene seems to be heating up and there are several more eating spots open for business that will help to make the new

year even better! I also couldn't help but notice despite the econ-omy there is growth in our fair town. Famous Dave's is located on south Campbell just south of the James River Freeway. When you sit in the parking lot you immediately notice that what used to be a big field across the

Food Review—Famous Dave’s

somewhat groundbreaking at the time and that was back in the day. The movie version is full of cool locations and amazing special effects...great gadgets and gorgeous women which make for ...well a great spy movie. The locations in this

installment are great...Budapest...Dubai and India! Of course, one of the scenes that makes the movie comes from one of these locations and reportedly Mr. Cruise did all of his stunts with special assistance but nonetheless did them. The scenery is way cool...now

the plot I had to watch twice to make sure that I understood all of the subtleties. It is simplest to say the special team that did in fact accept their assign-ment had to work to clear the

street now contains a new Sam's warehouse and a spanking new Academy sports store. To the south is a new strip center that Einstein Bagels is in.....wow..Springpatch...our big town is growing. There was already a Famous Dave's at Branson

continued on page 9

proud to present a short video that highlights Springfield youth who participated in storytell-ing workshop that was held in November 2011 at the Midtown Carnegie Library." Local sponsors of the 2012 African American Read-In are the Missouri State University Libraries, Drury University, Springfield-Greene County Library District, Springfield Public Schools, the Springfield chapter of the NAACP, Storytell-ers of the Ozarks, and Peoples Etiquette.Contact: Martha LoveTelephone: (417) 616-0580

SPRINGFIELD, MO.—“Tales of Wonder,” a celebration of African and African-American folktales, featuring local sto-rytellers, will be presented on Monday, February 6, 2012, from 7:00pm-8:30pm, at the Diversity Center on the campus of Drury University. The program is part of Springfield’s African Ameri-can Read-In. Local storytelling favorite Gwen Marshall will join other community members to tell Afri-can tribal and African-American folktales. There will be a telling of an original tale called “Hair Story,” written by Peoples Eti-quette. The “Tales of Wonder” choir will perform.

The event is free and open to the public. Call (417) 616-0580 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. The national African Ameri-can Read-In coincides with Black History Month in February and is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (http://www.ncte.org/action/aari). Grace Jackson-Brown, MSU Assistant Professor of Library Science and Co-Chairperson of the AARI, commented, "In 2012, the Springfield AARI is celebrat-ing the African American oral tradition of storytelling. During its finale program on Febru-ary 6th the AARI committee is

African American Read-In Group Presents “Tales of Wonder - A Celebration of African and African-American Storytelling”

SPRINGFIELD, MO.— The NAACP MLK Committee is pleased to reveal the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. poster! The winning design was created by Rachel Todd and Frank Albenesius of MSU’s Department of Art and Design. Both Rachel and Todd were recognized and given an MSU

Bookstore Gift Certificate at the NAACP General Meeting on Saturday, December 17 at 1:30pm (at the Mid-Town Carn-egie Library). Look for a display at the Park Central Library in January and the Sky Gallery (Springfield-Branson airport) in February.

The 2012 NAACP MLK Poster Winning Design Is Revealed

Join the NAACP Springfield, Missouri to commemorate the life and vision of

Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.

Monday, January 16, 20129:30 March and 10:00 Celebration

Keynote Speaker Dr. Tererai Trent

Call to ActionGwen Marshall and Lyle Foster

9:30 am Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway10:00 am Clara Thompson Hall, 900 North Benton Avenue

www.naacpspringfieldmo.orgwww.facebook.com/naacpspringfieldmo417.873.6386

Illustration: Rachel Todd · Design: Frank Albenesius


Edited news release from American Red Cross

Home fires are the most common disaster that the Red Cross responds to and also the most preventable. In just the last 23 days of December, the Greater Ozarks Chapter serv-ing 29 counties, has responded to 41 fires, assisting 119 people of which 45 have been children under the age of 18. Families need to take a few simple pre-cautions to avoid tragedies, such as having working smoke alarms on every level of their homes and having family fire escape plans in place to help get everyone out of the house safely. The American Red Cross recommends the following when creating your family escape plan:• Identify two ways to escape from every room in the home.• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.• Select a safe location away from the home where your fam-ily can meet after escaping.• Consider purchasing and stor-ing escape ladders for rooms above ground level and make sure to learn how to use them.• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out.• If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke.• Before escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second escape route.• If smoke, heat or flames block both of your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Place a rolled towel underneath the door. Signal for help by waving a brightly colored cloth

or shining a flashlight at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire depart-ment and let them know your exact location inside the home.• Once you've escaped, stay out.Keeping warm during winter is important, please be sure that you are safe when using space heaters and fire places.

Creating Your Family Fire Escape Plan


Health & MentalFitness

Qunci Williams, Success CoachSassy Sistah NetworkLife skill mentoring for womenin [email protected]

Calvin L. Allen, Exec. DirectorSpringfield Community Center- Family Achievement AcademyCorner of Sherman Ave/Division StSpringfield, MO 65803417-866-4359

Cheryl Clay, PresidentSpringfield Branch N.A.A.C.P. P.O. Box 8983Springfield, MO 65801(417) 873-6386Meetings are every third Saturday of the month from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Flora (Pat) Looney, PresidentOur Night OutSocial & Charitable Org.417-866-2387

James Pike, PresidentSpringfield Reunion ClubOrganizes the Annual Park Day/Reunion Weekend1447 N. HamptonSpringfield, MO 65802417-869-0183Meeting every first Monday

Samuel G. KnoxUnite of SWMO, Inc.Publishes the Unite Publication; presenters of the Annual MultiCultural Festival 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy.Springfield, MO 65802Phone: [email protected]

Shelia Burton, PresidentLincoln Memorial CemeteryBoard, Inc.P.O. Box 9282Springfield, MO 65801417-877-0668

Mark A. DixonBartley-Decatur Neighborhood Center918 E. CalhounSpringfield, MO 65802417-719-4300www.bartley-decatur.org

Duke WinkfieldAmerican Legion PostNorvel Stafford1339 E. Division StSpringfield, MO 65803417-862-9123

Alana Lyles, PresidentLadies Civic LeagueProvides scholarships for youthP. O. Box 8296Springfield, MO 65801

Patricia Burton, PresidentLeisurette’sLadies Social & Charitable Org.1520 E. BerkeleySpringfield, MO 65804417-886-1387

Robert Looney, Ozarks Golf Club, IncSpfld. Community Center618 N. BentonSpringfield, MO 65806

Sidney Needem, Sec.,Sherman Avenue ProjectCommittee, Inc. Housing Org.1228 N. ShermanSpringfield, MO 65802417-865-1203

W.M. Herman Burkett, Jr.Prince Hall MasonsTruth Lodge #151P.O. Box 8063Springfield, MO 65801417-890-5180

Wesley PrattThe GatheringA community action groupFor more information call 417-987-7809

African American CommunityOrganizations Directory

Remember that over this holi-day weekend our Volunteers will be on call 24/7. Disaster takes no Holiday, and neither does the Red Cross. Be Safe and Happy Holidays!

For additional information regarding the Red Cross response to house fires please contact Nigel Holderby.

continued on page 7

A Directory of local and regional healthresourcesAIDS Federal hotline; 24 hours a day, everyday, including holidays.1-800-590-AIDS (2437) Local office: 417-881-1900

Alzheimer’s Disease1-800-272-3900

American Stroke AssociationLearn more about strokes by calling1-888-4-STROKE

Cancer Resource Network1-800-227-2345

Diabetes HotlineDivision of Cox Medical Center North 417-269-3737

Medicare InformationMedicare Information Hotline1-800-494-7355

Mental Health Crisis HotlineCounseling needs & crisis intervention1-800-494-7355

National Parkinson FoundationEducation, announcements, links to related sites1-800-327-4545www.parkinson.org

OTC Dental Hygiene ClinicProvides low cost dental care for adults and children; performed by students under the supervi-sion of faculty and local dentists. Cleanings, X-rays and exams For adults $50. for children $35.Call 417-447-8835 to make appt.

DHSS/ Office Of Minority HealthThe mission is to eliminate health disparities through assertive lead-ership, advocacy support, and visible interaction with minority communities in Missouri.The Southwest Alliance meet-ing is held every other month on the last Tuesday at 12:00 p.m.in Springfield at the Deliverance Temple Campus 2101 W. ChestnutExpwy. Call: 1-800-877-3180

The statistics are widely published. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than one half (54.3 per-cent) of Americans are obese, with black women comprising the most overweight segment of the U.S. population, followed by Hispanic women. The statistics indicate that 78 percent of us are overweight - that's nearly four out of five black women - and 54 percent of us are obese. African-American women are suffering from obesity at an alarmingly disproportionate rate compared to women of other races. There are a variety of reasons that black women gain more weight than other women. In my new book, Lose Weight With-out Dieting or Working Out!, I dedicate an entire chapter on all the reasons black women gain weight and provide solutions that meet our unique needs. Never before has there been a weight loss book that focuses on the unique reasons that black women gain weight and provides solutions for sistas who want to lose weight permanently! In this article, I want to provide you with 3 reasons why black wom-

en gain more weight than other women to get you started.

Black Woman Have a Slower Metabolism Genetically, African-American women tend to have a slower metabolism, according to re-search published in the Ameri-can Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A University of Pennsylvania Medical Center study found that black women have "a biologi-cal disadvantage" that makes it more difficult to lose weight. Researchers have found that even at rest, overweight black women burn nearly 100 fewer calories daily compared to their overweight white peers. While this news may seem like gloom and doom for black women who want to lose weight, know that it is a challenge that can be overcome. In my new book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!, there is a chap-ter dedicated to the 12 ways to speed up your metabolism so you can lose weight effortlessly.

Black Women Are More Prone to Insulin Resistance,

Which Causes Excess Fat Storage in the Body Black women, even if their weight is normal, may be at increased risk for insulin re-sistance, a condition linked to increased fat storage in the body, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure, according to research by Wake Forest Uni-versity School of Medicine. In-sulin resistance means the body can't effectively use the hormone insulin to process glucose, forcing the pancreas to produce more in-sulin, and elevated insulin levels lead to excess fat stor-age in the body. Almost half of lean black women had insulin resis-tance, which was double the rate in both Hispanic and Cauca-sian women. The researchers looked at how obesity relates to insulin resistance in Black, Caucasian, and Hispanic women as a part of the Insulin Resistance Ath-erosclerosis Study (IRAS). The research suggested that race, in addition to obesity, is an impor-tant contributor to the develop-ment of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. This means that black women, even when lean, have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance, which leads to excess fat storage in the body if not properly treated.

Many Black Women Are Prone to Emotional Eating Many black women have had to become heads of households, hold down multiple jobs, and raise kids alone. Eating may become a way to deal with the stress and disappointments of life. But unfortunately, weight gain leads to chronic illness.

Mortality rates for black wom-en are higher than that for any other racial/ethnic group in nearly every major cause of death, including heart dis-ease, lung cancer, and breast cancer. We are the lifegivers, the caregivers, and think it is our job to take care of every-one but ourselves. However, self-love demands that we take care of ourselves first, so we can give to others from our

abundance. We must become accountable to ourselves. Self-love is es-sential to survival. There is no suc-cessful, authentic relationship with others without self-love. We can-not nurture others from a dry well. It is not selfish or self-indulgent. We have to take

care of our needs first so we can give to others from our abundance. You will have to love yourself and love your body. Whether you feel fat or overweight, you have to love your body now, uncondition-ally. If you can't love your body now, then you can't truly love yourself unconditionally. If you can't love your body because you don't like the way it looks, then know that the reasons you became overweight were not all your fault. But once you get new knowledge about healthy eating, it's time to forgive yourself and others so you can let go of your old body and move toward your slim-mer, healthier body. To my sistas, it's time to lose weight and save your life; you've got a lot of living left to do!

JJ Smith (www.jjsmithonline.com) is the author of "Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!"

continued from page 6

Why Black Women Gain More Weight Than Other Women

If you are a part of a Springfield African American Community Organization, we want to hear from you. Please send the name of your organization, address, phone number and a contact person to Unite., P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, MO 65801


Edited news release from American Red Cross

Home fires are the most common disaster that the Red Cross responds to and also the most preventable. In just the last 23 days of December, the Greater Ozarks Chapter serv-ing 29 counties, has responded to 41 fires, assisting 119 people of which 45 have been children under the age of 18. Families need to take a few simple pre-cautions to avoid tragedies, such as having working smoke alarms on every level of their homes and having family fire escape plans in place to help get everyone out of the house safely. The American Red Cross recommends the following when creating your family escape plan:• Identify two ways to escape from every room in the home.• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.• Select a safe location away from the home where your fam-ily can meet after escaping.• Consider purchasing and stor-ing escape ladders for rooms above ground level and make sure to learn how to use them.• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out.• If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke.• Before escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second escape route.• If smoke, heat or flames block both of your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Place a rolled towel underneath the door. Signal for help by waving a brightly colored cloth

or shining a flashlight at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire depart-ment and let them know your exact location inside the home.• Once you've escaped, stay out.Keeping warm during winter is important, please be sure that you are safe when using space heaters and fire places.

Creating Your Family Fire Escape Plan


Health & MentalFitness

Qunci Williams, Success CoachSassy Sistah NetworkLife skill mentoring for womenin [email protected]

Calvin L. Allen, Exec. DirectorSpringfield Community Center- Family Achievement AcademyCorner of Sherman Ave/Division StSpringfield, MO 65803417-866-4359

Cheryl Clay, PresidentSpringfield Branch N.A.A.C.P. P.O. Box 8983Springfield, MO 65801(417) 873-6386Meetings are every third Saturday of the month from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Flora (Pat) Looney, PresidentOur Night OutSocial & Charitable Org.417-866-2387

James Pike, PresidentSpringfield Reunion ClubOrganizes the Annual Park Day/Reunion Weekend1447 N. HamptonSpringfield, MO 65802417-869-0183Meeting every first Monday

Samuel G. KnoxUnite of SWMO, Inc.Publishes the Unite Publication; presenters of the Annual MultiCultural Festival 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy.Springfield, MO 65802Phone: [email protected]

Shelia Burton, PresidentLincoln Memorial CemeteryBoard, Inc.P.O. Box 9282Springfield, MO 65801417-877-0668

Mark A. DixonBartley-Decatur Neighborhood Center918 E. CalhounSpringfield, MO 65802417-719-4300www.bartley-decatur.org

Duke WinkfieldAmerican Legion PostNorvel Stafford1339 E. Division StSpringfield, MO 65803417-862-9123

Alana Lyles, PresidentLadies Civic LeagueProvides scholarships for youthP. O. Box 8296Springfield, MO 65801

Patricia Burton, PresidentLeisurette’sLadies Social & Charitable Org.1520 E. BerkeleySpringfield, MO 65804417-886-1387

Robert Looney, Ozarks Golf Club, IncSpfld. Community Center618 N. BentonSpringfield, MO 65806

Sidney Needem, Sec.,Sherman Avenue ProjectCommittee, Inc. Housing Org.1228 N. ShermanSpringfield, MO 65802417-865-1203

W.M. Herman Burkett, Jr.Prince Hall MasonsTruth Lodge #151P.O. Box 8063Springfield, MO 65801417-890-5180

Wesley PrattThe GatheringA community action groupFor more information call 417-987-7809

African American CommunityOrganizations Directory

Remember that over this holi-day weekend our Volunteers will be on call 24/7. Disaster takes no Holiday, and neither does the Red Cross. Be Safe and Happy Holidays!

For additional information regarding the Red Cross response to house fires please contact Nigel Holderby.

continued on page 7

A Directory of local and regional healthresourcesAIDS Federal hotline; 24 hours a day, everyday, including holidays.1-800-590-AIDS (2437) Local office: 417-881-1900

Alzheimer’s Disease1-800-272-3900

American Stroke AssociationLearn more about strokes by calling1-888-4-STROKE

Cancer Resource Network1-800-227-2345

Diabetes HotlineDivision of Cox Medical Center North 417-269-3737

Medicare InformationMedicare Information Hotline1-800-494-7355

Mental Health Crisis HotlineCounseling needs & crisis intervention1-800-494-7355

National Parkinson FoundationEducation, announcements, links to related sites1-800-327-4545www.parkinson.org

OTC Dental Hygiene ClinicProvides low cost dental care for adults and children; performed by students under the supervi-sion of faculty and local dentists. Cleanings, X-rays and exams For adults $50. for children $35.Call 417-447-8835 to make appt.

DHSS/ Office Of Minority HealthThe mission is to eliminate health disparities through assertive lead-ership, advocacy support, and visible interaction with minority communities in Missouri.The Southwest Alliance meet-ing is held every other month on the last Tuesday at 12:00 p.m.in Springfield at the Deliverance Temple Campus 2101 W. ChestnutExpwy. Call: 1-800-877-3180

The statistics are widely published. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than one half (54.3 per-cent) of Americans are obese, with black women comprising the most overweight segment of the U.S. population, followed by Hispanic women. The statistics indicate that 78 percent of us are overweight - that's nearly four out of five black women - and 54 percent of us are obese. African-American women are suffering from obesity at an alarmingly disproportionate rate compared to women of other races. There are a variety of reasons that black women gain more weight than other women. In my new book, Lose Weight With-out Dieting or Working Out!, I dedicate an entire chapter on all the reasons black women gain weight and provide solutions that meet our unique needs. Never before has there been a weight loss book that focuses on the unique reasons that black women gain weight and provides solutions for sistas who want to lose weight permanently! In this article, I want to provide you with 3 reasons why black wom-

en gain more weight than other women to get you started.

Black Woman Have a Slower Metabolism Genetically, African-American women tend to have a slower metabolism, according to re-search published in the Ameri-can Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A University of Pennsylvania Medical Center study found that black women have "a biologi-cal disadvantage" that makes it more difficult to lose weight. Researchers have found that even at rest, overweight black women burn nearly 100 fewer calories daily compared to their overweight white peers. While this news may seem like gloom and doom for black women who want to lose weight, know that it is a challenge that can be overcome. In my new book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!, there is a chap-ter dedicated to the 12 ways to speed up your metabolism so you can lose weight effortlessly.

Black Women Are More Prone to Insulin Resistance,

Which Causes Excess Fat Storage in the Body Black women, even if their weight is normal, may be at increased risk for insulin re-sistance, a condition linked to increased fat storage in the body, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure, according to research by Wake Forest Uni-versity School of Medicine. In-sulin resistance means the body can't effectively use the hormone insulin to process glucose, forcing the pancreas to produce more in-sulin, and elevated insulin levels lead to excess fat stor-age in the body. Almost half of lean black women had insulin resis-tance, which was double the rate in both Hispanic and Cauca-sian women. The researchers looked at how obesity relates to insulin resistance in Black, Caucasian, and Hispanic women as a part of the Insulin Resistance Ath-erosclerosis Study (IRAS). The research suggested that race, in addition to obesity, is an impor-tant contributor to the develop-ment of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. This means that black women, even when lean, have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance, which leads to excess fat storage in the body if not properly treated.

Many Black Women Are Prone to Emotional Eating Many black women have had to become heads of households, hold down multiple jobs, and raise kids alone. Eating may become a way to deal with the stress and disappointments of life. But unfortunately, weight gain leads to chronic illness.

Mortality rates for black wom-en are higher than that for any other racial/ethnic group in nearly every major cause of death, including heart dis-ease, lung cancer, and breast cancer. We are the lifegivers, the caregivers, and think it is our job to take care of every-one but ourselves. However, self-love demands that we take care of ourselves first, so we can give to others from our

abundance. We must become accountable to ourselves. Self-love is es-sential to survival. There is no suc-cessful, authentic relationship with others without self-love. We can-not nurture others from a dry well. It is not selfish or self-indulgent. We have to take

care of our needs first so we can give to others from our abundance. You will have to love yourself and love your body. Whether you feel fat or overweight, you have to love your body now, uncondition-ally. If you can't love your body now, then you can't truly love yourself unconditionally. If you can't love your body because you don't like the way it looks, then know that the reasons you became overweight were not all your fault. But once you get new knowledge about healthy eating, it's time to forgive yourself and others so you can let go of your old body and move toward your slim-mer, healthier body. To my sistas, it's time to lose weight and save your life; you've got a lot of living left to do!

JJ Smith (www.jjsmithonline.com) is the author of "Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out!"

continued from page 6

Why Black Women Gain More Weight Than Other Women

If you are a part of a Springfield African American Community Organization, we want to hear from you. Please send the name of your organization, address, phone number and a contact person to Unite., P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, MO 65801


Movie Review—Joyful Noise & Mission: Impossible

continued on page 9

Missouri State University is currently recruiting diverse staff and faculty to add to

the growing University system.

www.missouristate.edu/jobsVacancy recording: 417-836-4683

Successful candidates must be committed to working with diverse student and community populations.

Distinctive Mission, Remarkable Education

Affordable Choice, Unbeatable Value

Memorable Experiences, Lifetime Success

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution


I want to first thank all of you for your kind words and support in 2011 and extend sincere wishes for a great new year for all of you!!!Well, these two titles are about as far apart as you can get ...almost, Blessed New Year!!! I would like to first extend an invitation to all who would like to jump for joy in January to try to attend the opening weekend of Joyful Noise scheduled to be released on January 13. There is a grow-ing buzz already about the upcoming flick starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. Both of these ladies are powerhouses in their respective genres so teaming them together can only result in double power!!! Plus I don't know about you but usu-ally about this time in January we are getting a little tired of the cold and sometimes snow or ice and we need a good warm-up. Seriously it would be fun to get a group of folks together and attend and make a joyful noise together...anyone feeling it? The movie is writ-ten and directed by Todd Graff and the basic plot is the story of folks trying to keep a tight knit gospel choir together after the death of the choir director (which was Dolly's husband in the movie). Queen Latifah's character has been assigned to lead the choir and Dolly has a vested interest so you can

already see the plot thickening. If you add a gospel choir com-petition and some love interests and catfights ....well then you have Joyful Noise!...Well, to be

fair we know it's hard to keep the choir together when no one has passed away so it's easy to guess some of the plot twists. But there are some amazing vocals, great choreography and just some good old! And Queen Latifah...well she is the queen

and a multi-talented sister who can work it on a lot of different fronts. The pairing of these two great actresses and some good old hand clapping foot stomp-ing music should shake off the January doldrums. There are a couple of more surprises but we don't want to tell it all .....go........! Even if you are not a gospel fan it will make you move....look for it on January 13! Mission: Impossible- Ghost ProtocolI have seen most of the holiday films and it was somewhat slim pickings. There was not too much that really stood out and

a few films seemed like show it and they will come except in most cases they didn't come. Hollywood is in fact report-ing a 10% drop in revenue for its productions. One of the few to buck that trend is the most recent installment in the Mission Impossible series. Tom Cruise who is now 49 years old has come a long way from when he was jumping on the couch with Oprah as this is now a Tom Cruise pro-duction. I didn't real-ize it but it has been 5 years since the last film and this is the fourth installment. I saw it twice...once as an Imax showing which was pretty cool. Now for the old timers Mission Impossible used to be a TV series and it was considered

Lyle Foster

LifeStyle&EntertainmentNews


I can't help but notice how much the Springfield retail and restau-rant scene seems to be heating up and there are several more eating spots open for business that will help to make the new

year even better! I also couldn't help but notice despite the econ-omy there is growth in our fair town. Famous Dave's is located on south Campbell just south of the James River Freeway. When you sit in the parking lot you immediately notice that what used to be a big field across the

Food Review—Famous Dave’s

somewhat groundbreaking at the time and that was back in the day. The movie version is full of cool locations and amazing special effects...great gadgets and gorgeous women which make for ...well a great spy movie. The locations in this

installment are great...Budapest...Dubai and India! Of course, one of the scenes that makes the movie comes from one of these locations and reportedly Mr. Cruise did all of his stunts with special assistance but nonetheless did them. The scenery is way cool...now

the plot I had to watch twice to make sure that I understood all of the subtleties. It is simplest to say the special team that did in fact accept their assign-ment had to work to clear the

street now contains a new Sam's warehouse and a spanking new Academy sports store. To the south is a new strip center that Einstein Bagels is in.....wow..Springpatch...our big town is growing. There was already a Famous Dave's at Branson

continued on page 9

proud to present a short video that highlights Springfield youth who participated in storytell-ing workshop that was held in November 2011 at the Midtown Carnegie Library." Local sponsors of the 2012 African American Read-In are the Missouri State University Libraries, Drury University, Springfield-Greene County Library District, Springfield Public Schools, the Springfield chapter of the NAACP, Storytell-ers of the Ozarks, and Peoples Etiquette.Contact: Martha LoveTelephone: (417) 616-0580

SPRINGFIELD, MO.—“Tales of Wonder,” a celebration of African and African-American folktales, featuring local sto-rytellers, will be presented on Monday, February 6, 2012, from 7:00pm-8:30pm, at the Diversity Center on the campus of Drury University. The program is part of Springfield’s African Ameri-can Read-In. Local storytelling favorite Gwen Marshall will join other community members to tell Afri-can tribal and African-American folktales. There will be a telling of an original tale called “Hair Story,” written by Peoples Eti-quette. The “Tales of Wonder” choir will perform.

The event is free and open to the public. Call (417) 616-0580 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. The national African Ameri-can Read-In coincides with Black History Month in February and is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (http://www.ncte.org/action/aari). Grace Jackson-Brown, MSU Assistant Professor of Library Science and Co-Chairperson of the AARI, commented, "In 2012, the Springfield AARI is celebrat-ing the African American oral tradition of storytelling. During its finale program on Febru-ary 6th the AARI committee is

African American Read-In Group Presents “Tales of Wonder - A Celebration of African and African-American Storytelling”

SPRINGFIELD, MO.— The NAACP MLK Committee is pleased to reveal the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. poster! The winning design was created by Rachel Todd and Frank Albenesius of MSU’s Department of Art and Design. Both Rachel and Todd were recognized and given an MSU

Bookstore Gift Certificate at the NAACP General Meeting on Saturday, December 17 at 1:30pm (at the Mid-Town Carn-egie Library). Look for a display at the Park Central Library in January and the Sky Gallery (Springfield-Branson airport) in February.

The 2012 NAACP MLK Poster Winning Design Is Revealed

Join the NAACP Springfield, Missouri to commemorate the life and vision of

Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.

Monday, January 16, 20129:30 March and 10:00 Celebration

Keynote Speaker Dr. Tererai Trent

Call to ActionGwen Marshall and Lyle Foster

9:30 am Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway10:00 am Clara Thompson Hall, 900 North Benton Avenue

www.naacpspringfieldmo.orgwww.facebook.com/naacpspringfieldmo417.873.6386

Illustration: Rachel Todd · Design: Frank Albenesius


by Gwen MarshallOffice of Cultural Diversity, SPS

I am sure that many dads are making plans for the NFL's 46th annu-al Super Bowl, which is scheduled to take place on February 5, 2012. Some of these dads will take on the vocation of arm chair coach and lead their team to a triumphant victory. I would like to invite all of you arm chair coaches to participate in another game that will lead your children to victory by learning to read. Educators have discovered

that if a child can’t read fluently by the end of third grade, they may not become a strong reader.

In fourth grade the sub-ject matter gets harder and poor reading skills will cause the student greater difficulty in maintaining academic successes. Reading does not come naturally. You

have to learn it. Dads or perhaps I should say “coaches,” this is where you are needed. Every minute you spend teaching your child the fun-damentals of reading you are ensuring their continued suc-cess. The whole process of

teaching someone to read can be complex. Yet, you can help by reading to your child every day, whether it’s a book, a street sign, or closed captions on a television screen. You can help even more by using these five skills, recom-mended by The National Insti-tute for Literacy: (1) Spoken Words: Before your child ever sees a word on the page, he or she will hear thou-sands and thousands of words. (2) Written Words: The leap from talking to reading hap-pens when a child starts to see how written letters stand for the sounds of speech. It’s like learn-ing a code. (3) Word Power: The more words a person knows, the bet-ter they can read and speak. Try learning three new words a day with your child. It’s powerful! (4) Reading Smoothly and Easily: Reading those favorite books over and over again while you listen can help your child smooth out all the “bumps in the road.” Teachers call this ability to read accurately and quickly

“fluency.” (5) Knowing What It All Means: There is no point to reading if it doesn’t help us understand something. Ask questions. It’s a great way to know whether your young reader really under-stands what they are reading. Here are some ways you can coach your child with spoken words? Play with sounds in all parts of words. Rhyming is also important. Teach them to listen for rhyming words in songs, raps and poems. Spend some time playing a game, for example, who can be the first to come up with three words that rhyme with “cool?” You will be amazed at the results of teaching language sounds or “phonemic aware-ness” to increase their reading skills. We’ll discuss the second skill, written words, more in the next issue of Unite. Until then, keep up the good work, Coach!

“The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” – Mary McLeod Bethune

CommunitySection

January Message from the SPS Office of Cultural Diversitycontinued from page 8Mission: Impossible

organization's name. Mission Impossible is so far considered to be the only holiday hit...well the numbers speak for them-selves...approaching $300 mil-lion in sales on the worldwide stage. And Mr. Cruise is consid-ered to be a worldwide star as is the Mission Impossible fran-chise. Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Regg are the other leads and members of the team. I wouldn't quite call the acting predictable but it is definitely not Academy level but it holds your interest. This installment has a certain degree

of humor that didn't quite work for me but you may like it. This is definitely a big screen film and not your 42" at home espe-cially when watching the world's tallest building. I am a sucker for the special effects and the cool gadgets etc but the parking garage scene in the end gets to be just a bit overdone. It works because it is Mission Impossible and we all like a good spy movie and a crazy car that we leave saying why couldn't Santa have put that under my tree? Yet, if you are like me and have to do the family holiday movie or catch one of the last blockbust-ers for the year...then definitely check it out. 90 out of 100!!!!...Go!!!

Gwen Marshall

Important Dates

January 12, 2012 End of Second Quarter, End of First Semester

January 13, 2012 Professional Learning/Work Day (Students Out All Day)

January 16, 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School System Closed)

January 17, 2012 Third Quarter Begins

Are You ReallyCommitted To Diversity? If you are committed to employing a

diverse workforce or contracting with local

minority suppliers, try advertising your

message in the Unite Publication.

This tells the community you value new

talent. It also says you're serious about valu-

ing different perspectives and experiences to

maximize your company's potential. For more

information call (417)864-7444 or email:

[email protected]

It would be our pleasure to assist you!

Mediacom is a recognized leader in the telecommunications arena, offering cutting edge technologies to our communities. We offer services such as digital cable, high definition T.V., digital video recording, and high speed internet access. We continue

to grow through the acquisition of new customers while maintaining a solid customer base.

NOW HIRING• Installers (Joplin & Springfield) - install cable television and high speed internet within the Joplin, Springfield and surrounding areas. The successful applicant will possess a strong technical aptitude, adept customer service attitude, satisfactory driv-ing record, and enjoy working outdoors

• Direct Sales Representative (Springfield)- Sell Mediacom services in local neigh-borhoods and communities served by Mediacom as the Company's neighborhood marketing representative. Maintain minimum sales quotas as indicated by the Sales Supervisor/Manager following company guidelines. Candidates must have a High School Diploma or equivalent with depth of experience in mathematics, bookkeeping, and English. One year of sales experience preferred.

Mediacom offers a competitive wage in addition to a comprehensive benefit pack-age to include paid vacation/flex/holidays, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance,

matching 401K, discounted services, tuition assistance and more.

Apply online at www.careers.mediacomcc.com for immediate consideration.Pre-employment drug screen and background check required.

MEDIACOM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

continued on page 10

continued from page 8Famous Dave's

Landing so it seemed like only a matter or time before one came here and a few weeks ago it opened. The growing chain is known for its Bar-B-Q ribs and hickory smoked meats and it is going to be interesting to see how yet another bar-b-q house does in our town that already has its fair share of bar-b-q and want to be bar-b-q restaurants. We are known for eating in Stown and I guess some folks want to see if we want to eat some more. The ambiance for me is not a lot to comment on.....it is located in a converted car dealership which is a good thing in terms of utilizing a vacant space but the country scattered look is not me necessarily...I get what they are trying to do but the memo-rbilia look just never appealed to me. The staff are plentiful and friendly and very helpful which is very typical of new restaurant openings... Everyone asks have you ever been to a Famous Dave's before to which I answer yes. And then I suppose to still be friendly they ask how was your last experience and I

answer truthfully ... Not a very good one. But that is another story and with a new year a new leaf!!!!One thing I do like about Fa-mous Dave's...(oh did I mention in a past life I met him etc...but that is also another story...nice guy!) are all of the sauce choices from hot to sweet to spicy to cowboy ketchup. I do a stupid kind of thing....I rotate my sauces so I get to try them all....lol.....And then I go looking for my prilosec...lol. I like all their sauces but am somewhat special to the sweet sauce. Their baked beans and corn on the cob are also well prepared. Between my guest and I we had the wings...yes chicken wings.....rib tips...beef brisket and ribs. Hmmm...I didn't say we ate it all just ate some of it. The brisket was very flavorful and tender...I give it a thumbs up. I got the wings plain so I could taste the real flavor and they were well prepared...they were not overcooked or dry...I ate some with sauce and some plain and they were pretty good either way......thumbs up. I like my ribs wet and full of meat and to my surprise they fit the bill. I still am partial to the places with the big drum in

the back yard with the smoke wafting in the air but I noticed without my planning to that I was licking my fingers and had to make myself stop. I could not handle a full slab but my bones were full of meat and with or without sauce the flavor was plentiful and not overbearing. I like them. I usually have mixed sentiments on rib tips...because at a lot of places there seems to be more tip than rib,.. I won't mislead you I am not a big ribtip fan these days but my guest indicated she liked them and so I will defer to that. I didn't have any complaints and I was too full for desert but unfortunately I had devoured their cornbread which was somewhat sweet which I really like anyhow so I was reading full on the fill-o-me-

ter. But I can attest to the pecan pie for desert...off the chain....they have a great recipe for that and heated with or without the ice cream it is great. When I first settled into my table at Fa-mous Dave's it was more empty than full...two hours later there was a line and all the seats in the waiting area were occupied so I think they have a chance to get a little piece of the Springfield Bar-B-Q dollar and if my experience is indicative of what meals will be like here in terms of flavor and consistency they deserve it. So if you still have room after all of your holiday eating and there is space in your new year's diet for an occasional treat you might want to be part of the welcom-ing committee to Springfield. Catering and take-out are also available. They are open every day for lunch and dinner. Slap your pappy scale...4 forks!!!!

Famous Dave'scontinued from column below

continued from page 3Library

• 7 p.m. Feb. 4, Library Center auditorium• 3 p.m. Feb. 8, Republic Branch

Shopping for an e-reader that’s right for you? You’ll find useful tips in the article, “Choosing an E-reader,” on the Library website, thelibrary.org, written by Library Center computer/periodicals as-sistant Trint Williams. If you’d like a copy emailed to you directly, drop a line to the email below – we’re happy to help!


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Community News

Lead your children to victory...by Gwen Marshall

Health News

Creating Your Family Fire Escape Planby The American Red Cross

Lifestyle & Entertainment NewsMovie Review— Joyful Noise & Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocols

Food Review—Famous Dave’sby Lyle Foster

The Unite. publication is a monthly newspaper published by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. Distribution of Unite. is by free circulation at various locations. However, request for home delivery by mail may be directed to Unite. P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, Missouri 65801 and accompanied by $25. for one year’s postage and handling. Those wishing to make a contribution or become a monthly sponsor should direct corre-spondence to the same address. Readers comments and ques-tions are welcomed. The opinions expressed in these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc. “The Unite Publication in accept-ing advertising in this publication, makes no independent investigation concerning the services of products advertised and neither endorses nor recommends the same and assumes no liability therefore.” For further information, you can contact us at (417) 864-7444. Email: [email protected]

PublisherUnite. of Southwest

Missouri, Inc.

Managing EditorSamuel G. Knox

Contributing WritersLyle Foster

Mia Jackson-HuskissonKathleen O'Dell

Catherine Thomas

PhotographySpringfield NewsLeader

David Huskisson

DistributionBradley Knox

VolunteersTyra Knox

Kerri McGrewAngelor Wilkes

Volume 22, Number 1


Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc.

(417)886-9994 • Fax: (417) 886-9996 • 1947 E. Seminole • Springfield, MO 65804

The quality and care that you expectin 242 years of combined experience

W. Bruce HowellRobert J. LohmeyerDon R. Lohmeyer

Marquis D. Howell, JrHeather K. HowellAngela N. CollinsHarley R. Williams

Clint W. MeaseWinford R Laster

IN THIS ISSUE UNITE.

by Kathleen O’Dell ,Springfield-Greene CountyLibrary District

It’s not that we don’t love the traditional paperbacks and hard-back books that fill our shelves, but librarians are a helpful lot. So they’ve been eager to help patrons adopt new ways to enjoy books and movies on e-readers. We think it’s an important service that the Library can and should provide. As the sale of e-readers has soared nationwide, the checkouts of the Library’s e-books and other e-media jumped 90 percent from November 2010 to November 2011. The hard numbers: Reflecting our growing collection of e-media and the popularity of e-readers, our e-checkouts went from 784 in November 2008 to 2,283 in No-vember 2010 to 4,337 last month. That’s why the Library has stepped up e-reader training ses-sions for early 2012. If the holi-days brought an e-reader to your home and you’d like some general tips and hands-on help on down-loading the Library’s e-collection, drop by one of these free sessions. Registration is not required.• 10 a.m. Jan. 7, Library Center meeting room B• 2 p.m. Jan. 7, Willard Branch Library• Noon Jan. 10, Brentwood Branch• 6 p.m. Jan. 10, Library Center meeting room A• 7 p.m. Jan. 23, Library Station Frisco Room• 3 p.m. Jan. 25, Midtown Carne-gie Branch upstairs meeting room• 7 p.m. Jan. 30, Brentwood Branch• 3 p.m. Feb. 4, Strafford Branch

The City of Springfield offers a variety of municipal career opportunities for individuals interested in public service. Job opportunities are updated each Friday and can be accessed through a number of mediums: Web: http://www.springfieldmo.gov/jobs; or Phone: Jobs Hotline at 417-864-1606; or TV: CityView on Medicacom Cable Digital Channel 80; or In Person: visiting our offices at 840 Boonville, Room 324, Springfield, MO 65802. The City is fully committed to a policy of hiring without regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, or disability. The City is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer.

City Employment Link

1322 S. Campbell • (417) 865-8943

Individual/Couples/FamilyCounseling

Sliding-fee scale

March Unite Page 6

By Ron Ponds, Social Security District Manager

Have you been wondering when the best time is to retire? If you have, then we have an audio pod-cast just for you. Social Security’s new podcast, “Deciding When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits,” is available for you to listen to now at HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov/podcasts" www.socialsecurity.gov/podcasts. In this discussion, Social Security will tell you some of the things you need to con-sider before making one of the most important decisions in your life. Social Security’s Deputy Commissioner for Communications, Jim Courtney

and Jason Fichtner, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of the agency, explore the factors to be considered when you think

about when to retire. “There is no one ‘best age’ for everyone,” explains Fichtner in the pod-cast. “Ultimately, it’s a personal choice that people have to make based on their individ-ual circumstances.”

The podcast encourages lis-teners to use Social Security’s online Retirement Estimator, which you can find online at HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator" www.socialsecurity.gov/estima-tor. The Retirement Estimator can help you “try on” different retirement scenarios, playing with such variables as when

you’d like to retire and how much you expect to earn in future working years. So stop wondering when the best time is for you to retire. Your first step to figuring out the answer to that question is to visit HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov/podcasts" www.socialsecurity.gov/pod-casts and to listen to “Deciding When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.” Then, you’ll want to sub-scribe to the ongoing series, or bookmark the web address and check back for additional pod-casts. To learn more about Social Security, visit the website at HYPERLINK "http://www.socialsecurity.gov" www.socialsecurity.gov.

New Podcast Discuss When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits

Ronald Ponds

and dreams just because "the time isn't good"... you can still make 2009 the year you uncover

a whole new you for the better! Even in tough times, you get to decide how to respond to certain conditions, opportuni-ties, and outcomes--both good and bad. Life will always be a series of choices and

YOU get to decide on what will move you closer to your goals, or farther away from them. External forces will always be part of the equation, even dur-ing the good times when the

world is thriving. When people ask me about the single most important ingre-dient to success, I always share the same response: realizing what's making you achieve suc-cess, and then realizing what is stifling your success. Sometimes recognizing the things that are NOT working in your life can be painful, yet VERY powerful to shaping the life you want. Don't try to rationalize them, make excuses for them, or hide them. This is when it's even more critical to take personal inventory and evict those

Will Your Life Work the Way You Want It To In 2009?by Jack CanfieldCo-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul Series

As I mentioned earlier, 2009 may bring greater uncer-tainty and more unset-tling economic news than recent years, but these circumstances should compel us to take a deep breath, and pause to think about our lives. When things happen in the world that seem so far beyond our individual control, it can feel unsettling. Don't give up on your goals

February Unite Page 7

WEALTHNetexcuses, rationalizations, and hidden habits that don't serve you. These things will keep you from the life you want to be living. Let me give you some examples. Ask yourself if you relate to any of these questions: Do you want to be active, fit, and strong? Then you have to stop making excuses about your weight, diet choices, and lack of exercise. Do you want to be in a loving relationship based on friendship and respect? Then you have to stop rationalizing why you and your partner are not communi-cating well. Do you want to embrace Monday mornings and feel excited about going to work every day? Then you have to stop hiding your true passions and go after whatever it is you really want to be doing day in and day out. Do you want to lose the debt forever? Then you have to stop ignoring your spending habits and get real about a creating budget that will pull you out of debt and allow you to reach financial freedom. Do you want to feel more connected to the people in your life, such as your children, friends, and colleagues? Then you have to stop complaining about your poor relationships and figure out why you don't feel as connected as you'd like to be. These things can be painful to look at because the truth is that you have to do something about them in order to make it work in your life. You'll have to say no to the second helping of dinner and

the dessert to follow and go through the awkward stage of getting into shape... You'll have to confront your partner about the areas that need work... You'll have to get past fears about changing your job or pro-fessional path... You'll have to cut back on your spending and be frugal... You'll have to take a good hard look at your personal relationships and perhaps con-sider your own shortfalls and weaknesses in communicating your needs and concerns. Plain and simple, you will have to do something uncom-fortable. Successful people don't waste time in denial (or com-plain or make excuses for that matter). They face situations like a warrior. They look for the warning signs, they find out why things aren't working, and they go about fixing them- even when fixing requires problem solving, hard work, risk, and a level of uncertainty. It's okay to identify a prob-lem even though you haven't a clue about how to go about solv-ing it right away. If you need help organiz-ing those "things" in your life, try using the following list of categories. I recommend reflect-ing on each of the 7 areas and ask yourself, what's not working here in each one and then brain-storm 3 potential solutions.1.) Financial Goals, 2.) Career/Business Goals, 3.) Free Time/Family Time, 4.) Health/Appearance Goals, 5.) Relationship Goals, 6.) Personal Growth 7.) Making a Difference. Remember, by facing what is not working, you can only improve your life!

A Directory of free or low cost BusinessAssistanceSpringfield Area Chamber of Commercewww.spfldchamber.com417.862.5567

Small Business Administration (SBA)www.sba.gov417.864.7670

Small Business Development Center www.sbdc.smsu.edu417.836.5685

Will Your Life Work...continued from page 6

continued on page 7

4840 West Kearney Street P.O. Box 2877, 65801Springfield, Missouri USA 65803Tel 417-865-8715 Fax 417-865-2950www.tuthill.com

Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems celebrates Women's History MonthThe Mission of TVBS is to be a world-class manufacturer of

vacuum and blower solutions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rock's Dress Out & Fashion413 N. BoonvilleSpringfield, MO 65806417-866-9717

M + FG

...All of these brands and much much more.

Store Hours: 10am to 7pm Mon. - Fri.10am to 6pm Sat.Your One Stop Shop at Rock's Hip Hop

Jack Canfield

Gospel Explosion! Featuring: Justin ShawFriday, April 10, 2009 6:00 p.m. Ramada Oasis Convention Center2546 N. Glenstone Springfield, MOTicket $10. in Advance atBeauty Plus Barber & Salon

Sponsored by: Project Empty Jail CellHear Shaw's music at www.bitmunk.com

Open Enrollment Now!

Is your fouror five year old able to read?

How aboutadding orsubtraction?

Phone: (417) 823-3949/ home(417) 838 0319/ cellEmail: [email protected]

For more information contact:Arlene Smith, proprietor

417.864.7670

Springfield, MO—Power Of Acts Apostolic Church is currently meeting at La Quinta Inn, 2535 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO in the hotel Meeting Room.

Fades Barber ShopSpecializing in Fades and

other popular styles.

812 S. Glenstone AveCall to schedule an

appointment or come by.Walk-ins are welcome.

(417)832-8242

Good News, Great Music & Warm People

2101 W. Chestnut Expwy.Springfield, MO 65802(417)865-4338www.deliverancetemple.org

Everyone is Welcome!Sunday Morning Worship 10:15 a.m.Youth Ministry: Ages 12-17Kingdom Kids: Ages 4-11 & Nursery Available

If you want to experience something new —the before and after look

of true beauty, come to: Trena’s Exquisite

Hair SalonMonday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

1553 N. National Ave.Call: (417) 862-1106

Louise's Hair Boutique & Sisters

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m. -7:30 p.m.1874 N. Glenstone Ave

(417) 831-0275

Mykel Boyd, New Stylist

Praise & Worship starts at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday morning withPastor & Evangelist Daniel & Jeanetta Smith. For more information call (417) 414-3258. E-Reader Training

Free At The Library

Springfield, MO—Over 3,500 years ago, Rome was no more than a soggy marsh and the Acropolis was just an empty rock, but Egypt was on the brink of its greatest age - the New Kingdom. There was an explosion of creativity, wealth and power in Egypt that would make it the envy of the world. After defeating the Hyksos invaders, successive Pharaohs expanded and maintained their Empire through both force and diploma-cy. In the process, they won Egypt vast amounts of gold, influence and respect. They included; Ahmose, Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis III, Amen-hotep III, Akenhaten, Tutankha-men and Ramesses III. Behind the power of the Egyp-tian empire lay a vast wealth of natural resources. Chief among

these was the river Nile, the free-way of the ancient world, whose floodplains also provided huge

expanses of fertile farming ground that kept Egypt self-suf-ficient and usually famine-free. Along the banks of the Nile, the humble papyrus plant was used to create a bureau-cratic efficiency and

cultural sophistica-tion previously un-

known to mankind. This three part special tells the story of the Egyptian empire from its beginning in 1560 BC to its col-lapse in 1080 BC through inter-views with scholars and dramatic recreations:• The Warrior Pharaohs at 7 p.m. January 3 on OzarksPublic Television (OPT)• Pharaohs of the Sun at 8 p.m. January 3 on OPT• The Last Great Pharaoh at 7 p.m. January 10 on OPT

Subscribe To The Unite

Publication

Call: (417) 864-7444Only $25. per year

Power Of Acts, Apostolic Church Invites The Community To Come Fellowship

View The Three Part Series of Egypt’s Golden Empire On PBS Starting Jan 3

Tutankhmen Deathmask

continued on page 4

January Unite Page 2 January Unite Page 11

by George FreemanUnite Guest Writer

It seems delightfully ironic somehow, that one of the hon-orees in the newly dedicatedWorld Food Prizes headquar-ters is Elaine Graham Estes, is the same young woman knownto generations of Springfield afi-cionados as the iconic likeness featured on each bottle ofGraham’s Barbecue Sauce. The World Food Prize is located in the majestic former Des Moines Public Library,where the same Elaine Graham Estes worked for 35 years and was director for nearly twodecades. It is regarded as the foremost organization in the world honoring the achieve-ments of men and women by improving the quality, quan-tity or availability of food, and carries a $250,000 cash prize awarded annually to two laure-ates. For some, Graham Estes remains hard to keep up with, having recently returned from atrip to Antarctica at the age of 80. And yet she prefers to travel back and forth between DesMoines and Springfield on a bus that once would not have seated her. That is a trip ofanother kind. This tiny giant of a woman whose bust is displayed for all to admire might still bepersuaded to prepare a bottle of original Graham’s Barbecue elixir. She recently polishedoff a plate of ribs at lunch in Crosstown Barbecue while modestly revealing stories of the men she met in her young life, including Lionel Hampton, Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neill(to name but a few), who stayed at her parents’ Graham’s Motel near Graham’s Rib Stationbecause visiting black men and women were not welcome to stay elsewhere, no matter theirdegree of national acclaim. Today, Graham Estes is as filled with the same gracious

goodness and gumption thatmust have made her hard to keep up with when she en-tered Drake University in Des Moines at the age of 16 on a $50 scholarship, housed in a dormitory that had never host-ed a young black woman. But that was just the first of many frontiers in education, govern-ment and culture so many now take for granted. Indulge yourself, if you are near a computer, by entering her name into a search engine. You will learn that Graham Estes earned a bachelor’s de-gree in business administrationat Drake University and a Mas-ters of Library Science at the University of Illinois; that shewent to work at the Des Moines Public Library; and served on the board of directors of theIowa Society for the Preserva-tion of Historic Landmarks for more than 25 years; that shecurrently serves on the board of the Terrace Hill Society, and was the group’s president from1993–96; that she served as Questers president for sev-eral years and also works with Proteus, the Iowa Antique Association, the Des Moines Art Center, the Henry Wallace House Foundation and Friends of Libraries, USA. She is still an active member of the Des Moines Rotary Club and visits

frequently at local Rotary clubs. In 1953, the year of her col-lege graduation, she married John Estes, Jr., a star athlete who played football for the University Of Iowa until a life-threatening spinal cord injury. He owned Estes Funeral Home for many years. He was a found-ing coach of Little League sothat he could give back to young people. In the tumultuous 1960s, the Estes plowed a memorable path through the political soilof progressive Iowa’s awaken-ing like few couples before or after them. Though noteworthy,the served quietly, through leadership at their respective universities; Estes was electedboard president of Simpson College and later granted lifetime status. He died in 2010 at age 82; her mother died four months later at 105. Here is a woman who endured and overcame and persevered and rose to the pin-nacle of her profession, witness-ing court-ordered integration a year after she graduated from Lincoln High School (now a part of Ozarks Technical Col-lege). She is amazing.

About the World Food Prize: The two World Food Prize laureates for 2011 were John Agyekum Kufuor, former

president of Ghana, and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, former president of Brazil. If this award is new to you, on the world stage of agricul-tural development it is akin thethe Nobel prizes, created by two small-town Iowans – Nor-man Borlaug and John Ruan.Borlaug’s pioneering research to produce higher yielding strains of wheat ushered in theGreene Revolution, averting the death from starvation for more than a billion people. Forhis work, Borlaug was awarded the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. The Atlantic Monthly declaredthat he “saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived.” He also received otherinternational honors, including the Presidential Medal of Free-dom and the CongressionalGold Medal, one of only six people in the world so honored. (The others: Martin LutherKing Jr. Mother Teresa, Aung San Suu Kyi; Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela.) John Ruan was one of Iowa’s most successful business men, and name familiar in theMidwest for The Ruan Compa-nies who believed strongly that Iowa should be seen as theagricultural capital of the world. His $10 million endowment of the World Food Prize in1990 replaced the original spon-sor. The World Food Prize Coun-cil of Advisers have included U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carterand George H.W. Bush; former President Corazon Aquino of the Philippines; formerPresident Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique; and former Presi-dent Olesgun Obasanjo ofNigeria.

George Freeman is editor of GREENE Magazine and former editorial page editor of the Springfield News-Leader. He is known to posses a bottle of Graham’s Barbecue Sauce, but also fre-quents Crosstown Barbecue on frequent occasions.


Elaine Graham Estes standing beside her sculpture.

you dream of going? Connect with people who are moving in a positive direction. Great novels have a point of conflict that characters must struggle to overcome. In your life, what is your struggle? What steps can you take to overcome personal obstacles? Create a plan to overcome your conflict. Are there people or groups you can connect with to assist you with the process? There is no conflict that can’t be overcome with hard work and persever-ance. First- rate novels end with an unexpected but exhilarating conclusions. Regardless of how your story began you can

have a positive and rewarding outcome. Small consistent effort can change the whole course of your life. Use each day of 2012 to move toward your personal goals and remember there’s no time like the present. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Have a prosperous 2012.

continued from page 1MLK Celebration

King, Jr. with a march and cel-ebratory events. The march will start at the Mediacom Ice Park to Clara Thompson Hall (Drury Uni-versity) at 9:30 am on Monday, January 16, 2012. The NAACP Springfield branch is proud to announce exciting news in regards to this year’s celebration. The NAACP, an organization dedi-cated to equality and justice for all human beings will welcome the highly acclaimed, world-

renowned inspirational guest speaker, Dr. Tererai Trent. Dr. Trent grew up in rural Zimba-bwe and was denied an educa-tion because she was a girl. Despite all odds and numerous challenges, Dr. Trent went on to obtain her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. She is currently a senior consultant at Tinogona Consulting, which focuses on In-ternational Program and Policy Evaluation. Dr. Trent has been on the Oprah Winfrey show twice and Ms. Winfrey chose Tererai as her all-time favorite guest in the 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey.

but few of the new resolutions will be kept through the end of January. “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportu-nity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day,” said motivational author Edith L. Pierce. Millions of people pledge to lose weight, pay off debts, save money, stop smoking or in-crease their earnings. Creating resolutions are much easier than keeping them. As time passes our commit-ment to our resolutions decrease and before we know it we have repeated our past failures. How can 2012 really be dif-ferent? What would happen if we vowed to rewrite the parts of their life’s story that aren’t satisfactory instead of making temporary promises and/or resolutions? The truth is, any day is a great day to make a positive change. Permanent change begins with reflection upon the past. What has gone right or

wrong for you in 2011? What was your 2011 story? Do you need to update your story to a new edition? In other words, is there destructive behavior in your life that needs to go out with the evening trash? Do you overspend, overeat, or excuse other negative actions? In most instances, it is impossible to read a large novel in one evening. Similarly, bad habits don’t just disappear because the calendar displays a new year. The longer habits have been with us, the harder it is for them to fall off of us. Re-placing old and negative behav-ior with new positive behavior is a process. If you fail in your attempt toward new change, get up and restart. The old adage says an elephant is eaten one bite at a time. Who are the main char-acters within your life’s story? In other words, are you sur-rounded by people who add to or subtract from your life? Make this the year to excuse people with negative influence from your life and make room for positive influences. Are there people who could mentor you toward your dreams? Are there persons who have walked where

continued from page 1Rewrite Life Story

continued from column belowRewrite Life Story

continued from page 1Festival

The festival is free and open to the public. For more informa-tion and a schedule of events please visit: unitenewsonline.org. or to see photos search for Springfield Multicultural Festi-val on Facebook.

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by Mia Jackson-Huskisson

The introduction of a new year seems like a great time to turn over a new leaf, kick bad habits and run toward a fresh start. Most people will take the time to create New Year’s Resolutions

Springfield, MO— Each year, area com-munity members join the NAACP in honoring the life of Dr. Mar-tin Luther

January 2012Volume 22/ Number 1

•A Monthly Publication of

Unite. of SouthwestMissouri, Inc

•www.unitenewsonline.org


Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community

UNITE.Martin Luther King Day March and Celebration Jan 16

Highlighting the qualities of our Southwest MO Area

by Mia Jackson-HuskissonUnite Contributing Writer

On January 16, 2012, the Springfield Multicutural Fes-tival will fill Juanita K. Ham-mons Hall with a celebration of cultural diversity and commu-nity resources fit for the whole family. The 15th annual Multicul-tural Festival, hosted by Unite of Southwest Missouri, will be held at Juanita K. Hammons Hall from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. “We are offering a great way to celebrate the Martin Lu-ther King holiday,” said Unite Managing Editor and Multicul-

the many cultures that have contributed to our countries’

greatness.” Knox said. As with each festival, Knox said the multi-cultural event will have some new surprises for festival -goers. The festival is a collaboration of mu-sic, dance, and area resources. The festi-

val will feature dance styles including Irish and Latin American. “It’s a great opportunity to teach children about different cultures,” Knox said. Knox said last year’s festival hosted more than 1,800 visitors.

tural Festival Event Organizer Samuel Knox. Knox said this year’s festival will host more than 50 exhibitors. The exhibitors range from craft vendors to employment op-portunities. “From the lively folk dancing and musical performances to the colorful regalia worn by the variety of international cultures represented, visitors of all ages enjoy themselves year after year. Our goal is to highlight the qualities of our Southwest Missouri area while promoting

Plan To Attend The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday

Activities Monday, January 16, 2012

Rewrite Your Life Story In 2012



See Story On Page 2


Presented by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc | For more information, please visit www.unitenewsonline.org

Estes is one of the honorees in the newly dedicatedWorld Food Prizes head-quarters.

Samuel Knox


Dr. Terarai Trent

Elaine Estes

Unite News - Jan 2012

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elaine graham estes

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