Blogging Black Miami

Saying Good-bye to Michael Jackson

Wow. Today is the day of the homegoing service of Michael Jackson. He was the King of Pop so they say. Or perhaps he was the king of many other great things.

Who is to say how, why or when we should depart from this earth; it is more important to live a full life in between. I don't know what little girl didn't think Michael was the cutest little thing when they made their debut on the Ed Sullivan show. They broke so many barriers as a group and Michael broke even more as an individual.

As I matured, Michael seemed sad at times. Much like truly gifted people, there is a loneliness and heaviness that is converted to beauty and shared with the rest of us through their creations. Michael's passion and compassion was not something many people will ever truly understand only benefit from. Rather than trying to understand Michael, the Jackson 5 or the Jackson Family and what may have transpired in their private lives, I choose to just be Blessed by him and them.

In his child-like manner, Michael taught us, even if it was briefly for some of us, to love one another. I know that may seem corny but it's true and it's what we need right now.

Michael Jackson changed the world for the better and for a bright shining moment we are one. Thank you, Michael.

 

Miami Children's Initiative Community Meetings Scheduled

GET INVOLVED! Everyone is welcome!    The development of the Miami Children's Initiative Community Strategic Plan began in March 2009, and continues under the direction of the Miami-Dade County Commission. Pursuant to Florida Statute 409.147, the community must develop a community strategic plan. This is an opportunity for the entire community to come together and design a Children's Initiative that sets the standard for the state.  All interested persons are welcome to attend community meetings and participate in the development of the plan. Liberty City residents are especially welcome and encouraged to attend.   Planning Team Workgroup meetings scheduled for the coming week are as follows:   July 6, 2009 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Parent and Guardian Support Workgroup Jessie Trice Center 5361 NW 22nd Ave. CONTACT: Thamara Labrousse Thamara@strategicpartners-fl.com 305-778-3852.    July 8, 2009 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Education of Children and Youth Carrie Meek Center 1350 NW 50th Street CONTACT: Jean Logan jean@strategicpartners-fl.com 305-343-2492   July 10, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Elder Affairs Hadley Park 1300 NW 50th Street CONTACT: Alexandria Douglas-Bartolone alex@strategicpartners-fl.com 561-512-0264   July 13, 2009 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Youth Support NFL YET Center 7090 NW 22nd Avenue CONTACT: Andrea Stephenson andrea@strategicpartners-fl.com 561-386-4222

July's Financial Tip: How is your credit?

 by Lisa Rogers Cherry  

You should review your credit report at least twice a year to be sure that it's accurate and to check for identity fraud. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com for one free report per year.

 

Lisa Rogers-Cherry is the author of Lifting the Burdens of Debt:  A Helpful Guide to Getting Your Debts Paid and Your Life Back on Track (2005; $14.95).  If you have a question or would like more information about the book go to www.redpenpress.com, e-mail her at Lisa@redpenpress.com, or write Lisa Rogers-Cherry, Red Pen Press, P.O. Box 1196, Dania Beach, FL 33004.

Interesting Op-Ed from the Miami Herald on Pay to Play

End pay to play

OUR OPINION: Commissioners' cozy relationship with lobbyists, consultants breaks public trust

Related Content

• 1999 Miami-Dade grand jury report about restoring fiscal trust and public confidence to the county's process of contract-letting

Some of the unsavory inner workings of how things get done in Miami and Miami-Dade County were detailed in a closed corruption probe of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones and a prosecutor's report with accusations of kickbacks to former Miami-Dade Commissioner Barbara Carey-Shuler.

They point to a need for reforms, but changing laws is only a partial solution. The real need is to change business as usual, which was one of the conclusions of a 1999 Miami-Dade Grand Jury report on the county's contract process. (Go to MiamiHerald.com/Opinion for the report.)

A decade later, too little has changed. And it won't until voters send a strong message to incumbents and elect people willing to cut the symbiotic cord between commissioners and lobbyists. It means citizens must come forward and expose corruption rather than go along to get along. [More]

Miami Gardens on MSNBC Nightly News [VIDEO]

The City of Miami Gardens and Mayor Shirley Gibson got major props via international coverage on MSNBC. The City has made us proud and someone else noticed.

This is a perfect example of what happens when people collectively buy into the possibility of self-governance. Inspite of the conventional wisdom against cityhood, the people of Miami Gardens stepped up and much to be proud of.

It's time for some other areas to incorporate or be swallowed up by a surrounding municipality.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

JEBA Media Events

Our Children Need a Family Environment...

The Children's Trust Miami Heart Gallery - Museum-Quality Exhibition featuring Children available for adoption open through July 13, 2009 at the Freedom Tower, Biscayne Blvd. Downtown, Miami...Anyone interested in learning more about adopting a foster child should call The Children's Trust Helpline at 211 or visit www.miamiheartgallery.org

The Children's Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.

 

SAVE THE DATE..."From the Soul of a Woman" Vacation Retreat August 7 & 8, 2009 at the Diplomat Country Club Resort in Hollywood Beach, Florida.  "Where Healing Begins"   Dealing with Domestic Violent Issues...Making away out of noway...Learning from the  very best...Valorie N. Parker. Author.  For additional information and to register, email JEBAmedia@yahoo.com or call 305-835-0321.

 

Join the JEBA Group Train to  the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, October 27-November 1st to witness the Broadway 'hit" Color Purple....Limited group tickets available.  Call JEBA at 305-835-0321 or email; JEBAmedia@yahoo.com...Visit us at www.jebapresents.com

 

www.urbantheaterfestival.com -

Urban Theater Festival Coming August 2010 - Schedule TBA

 

Bishop Isaiah Williams, Jr. passes

Condolences to Dr. Gloria Williams and the rest of the Jesus People Ministries family on the passing of their leader, Bishop Isaiah Williams, Jr. Please keep them lifted in prayer. 

Click photo below for larger version.

 

Explore History and Culture: African Diaspora Culinary Delights

Thursday, July 16
6:30 pm

Historical Museum of Southern Florida
101 West Flagler Street Downtown Miami

Come and taste dishes from different parts of the African Diaspora including the Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, and the American South. Listen as cooks, chefs and food critics discuss their culinary heritage and how living in Miami has influenced their cooking.

Presenters
Liliane Nérette Louis, Haitian traditional foods;
Dinkinish O’Connor, Jamaican traditional foods;
Brenda L. Jackson, American soul food.

Discounted parking at Cultural Plaza garage, 50 NW 2nd Avenue.

Free and open to the public.

 

Career opportunities from The Children's Trust

Infant/Toddler teachers
Our Little Ones has positions open for Infant/Toddler teachers. CDA and/or 45 DCF hours required. An A.A. in Early Childhood preferred. Email resumes to littleones@bellsouth.net or fax to (305) 758-7145.


Program Specialists for Substance Prevention Program
Drug Free Youth In Town, an accredited school-based substance prevention program, has openings for three program specialists to conduct prevention education in youth clubs in middle and high schools. B.A. in education, psychology, social work or related fields or A.A. plus two years of experience with youth is required. Salary is $30K and candidate must have reliable transportation. Some heavy lifting involved and some nights/weekends work. Direct queries and email resumes to Ardlisse@dfyit.org and also Click here to visit DFYIT Web site. 

 

Infant/Toddler Teacher

The Cherry Blossom Learning Center has a position for an infant/toddler teacher. CDA Certified and/or 45 hours required. An A.A. in Early Childhood preferred. Direct queries to director@cherryblossommiami.com


Pre-K Teachers
The Palabra de Fe Christian Academy seeks full-time teachers. Minimum requirements include CDA and the ability to speak fluent English. Please email resumes to pdfacademy@hotmail.com or fax to (305) 698-2642.

 

Miami Dade College’s School for Advanced Studies Named Among Nation’s Best in Newsweek Magazine’s Top High Schools List

Miami, June 12, 2009 – The only full-time dual enrollment public high school in Miami-Dade County is enjoying top billing this week thanks to prominent recognition in Newsweek magazine’s recently released list of the nation’s top public high schools in 2009. Miami Dade College’s (MDC) School for Advanced Studies (SAS), ranked 15th among public high schools nationwide, making it the highest ranked school in Miami-Dade County to receive the distinction of appearing on the list. 

MISS FLORIDA PAGEANT HAS NEW TITLE SPONSOR AND STATEWIDE TELECAST

June 25, 2009

MISS FLORIDA PAGEANT HAS NEW TITLE SPONSOR AND STATEWIDE TELECAST   The 2009 MetroPCS Miss Florida Pageant will air on MY33 at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. The pageant will be hosted by Lissette Gonzalez and Chris Meyers. Gonzalez, a former Miss Florida and once the second runner-up in the Miss America competition, is currently a weather anchor at WFOR/CBS4 in Miami. Meyers is a Fox Sports television personality, radio talk show host headquartered in Los Angeles and a native of Miami.    The winner of the Miss Florida Pageant will go on to compete in the Miss America Competition.  The pageant will be seen over a statewide telecast network with the addition of MetroPCS-the cellular provider-as the new title sponsor.    The largest number of young women in the past decade, 46, will be competing for the title. The event usually is a sold-out affair, and this year's live telecast is expected to elevate ticket sales.  Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, or online.

CBS4'S NEIGHBORS 4 NEIGHBORS LAUNCHES EFFORT TO REPLENISH SOUTH FLORIDA FOOD BANKS

June 29, 2009

***CORRECTION***   CBS4'S NEIGHBORS 4 NEIGHBORS LAUNCHES EFFORT  TO REPLENISH SOUTH FLORIDA FOOD BANKS CBS4's Neighbors 4 Neighbors will team up with Chick-fil-A restaurants throughout South Florida to sponsor "Food 4 South Florida," from Wednesday, July 1- Friday, July 31. The drive aims to replenish shrinking food banks for families facing financial hardship. Because the economy is also making it harder for pet owners, Neighbors will also accept pet food donations and arrange distribution for the community's furry friends.   Chick-fil-A will participate by having nine of its locations serve as drop-off points: Dadeland Mall (Food Court), Doral FSU, The Fountains of Miramar, Pembroke Lakes Mall, Sawgrass Square, Westfield Broward (Broward Mall), Lauderhill, Coral Square Mall, and Coral Springs.  Neighbors is currently looking for local companies that would be willing to host food drives with their employees as part of the over-all efforts. Community groups, individuals, and businesses who participate, will be paired with a food bank closest to them. To sign up, simply go to cbs4.com/neighbors.   About Neighbors 4 Neighbors: Neighbors 4 Neighbors is a non-profit organization originally founded as Neighbors Helping Neighbors in 1992 to support victims of Hurricane Andrew under the auspices of WFOR-TV/CBS4 (then WCIX-TV).  Underwritten by the Herbert Hoover Foundation, Neighbors has continued to expand its work to assist with a variety of needs throughout South Florida, but the mission of Neighbors remains true to its original objective: to connect those in need with those willing to help. Through the continued support of CBS4 and its sister station, WBFS, MY33 providing on-air announcements and news coverage, Neighbors has amassed some impressive accomplishments.  To date the organization's phone bank has logged more than 3.5 million calls from viewers in need of help or wanting to help and raised more than $7 million in donations of funds, goods and services which have gone directly to individuals in need.