Joseph C. High of Owens Corning Joseph C. High of Owens Corning

Volume 11, No. 3 November 15, 2006In This IssueCongrats to BushA Truth EditorialPage 2My ViewJack FordPage 2RINO LossPage 3Theological Prof at UTPage 4ASSETS Dance GalaPage 5Interfaith Mass ChoirPage 6The Business SectionCover StoryJoseph C. HighPage 7Photography by LuckPage 9Bill HarrisPage 10Alvin Jones HonoredPage 11Minister Interviews Dre PPage 12BlackMarketPlacePage 13Joseph C. Highof Owens CorningClassifiedPage 14“A Great Day to Be a Democrat”Page 16“I saw it as a challenge. I had never helped a companythrough bankruptcy and back into the public equity market.It has been a very exciting process.”

Page 2This Strikes Us …A Sojourner’s Truth EditorialThe Sojourner’s Truth November 15, 2006Some thoughts on last week’s election results here and around the nation: One really disappointing outcome was the failure of the statewide African-American candidates to do well in Ohio. You had to expect Blackwell to lose, but the marginof the loss was pretty emphatic. And the Barbara Sykes’ loss was certainly unexpected.Sykes had much more experience in her resume than did her opponent but ended up beingthe only Democratic cabinet defeat. She lost even though polls had shown her to be aheadjust as they had shown Marc Dann trailing Republican Betty Montgomery. Dann won hisrace. Why were likely voters telling pollsters they would vote for Sykes and then reversingtheir positions once they got into the booth? It was really heartening to see the voters not get too confused about the smokingissues. The R.J. Reynolds-backed Issue 4 was handily defeated as Issue 5 – the strong ban– won easily. Some local bar owners are skeptical of the effect on their businesses, but inour opinion, smoking bans are going to continue around the nation. This one puts Toledorestaurateurs and bar owners on a level playing field with their suburban counterparts. Andas the first state in the middle of the country to adopt a strong ban, Ohio will set the tonefor others in the region. Congrats to both Joe McNamara and Ben Konop for running energetic campaignschock full of ideas for creating jobs and for upgrading the lifestyles of Toledoans, especiallyyoung Toledoans. McNamara was an unendorsed Democratic candidate and Konop ranhis campaign without any help from the Democratic Party – which was undoubtedly to hisadvantage. Kudos likewise to Anita Lopez, a veritable pit bull on the campaign trail. She beatan entrenched Republican office-holder and managed to upgrade her political profileconsiderably. Lopez, McNamara and Konop present a formidable trio of young, brightpolitical talent on the local scene. We can expect, or at least hope for, bigger things fromall three of them. What ever happened to the Lucas County Democratic Party? They totallyscrewed up the City Council race for the at-large seat largely because of their vindictiveattitude towards the remnants of the “A” team. They have now established a solid patternof ineptitude with recent botched campaigns for Santiago and Taylor Balderas. They are,of course, claiming victories in the Konop and Lopez races, but the best thing they did forthose two candidates was to sit on the sidelines and watch a couple of real candidates inaction. The local Democratic Party also earned no high marks from statewide candidates,which will not bode well for this area in general during the years of the Stricklandadministration. The Montana Democratic Party – who knew there was such a thing? –outperformed its Lucas County counterpart. Lots of folks are dismayed by the victory in Michigan of the affirmative action ban.We will be writing more on that issue in a couple of weeks but for right now we are not overlyconcerned. Institutions that place a value on diversity will find a way to do so even whenthe law places obstacles in their path. Some years ago, the State of Texas passed a ban onaffirmative action and Rice University managed to adapt to the new realities and continuetheir efforts to have a diversified student body. Kudos to President Bush on his gracious acceptance of the Democratic victories.In the aftermath of the sweep of both houses of Congress, Bush said all the right thingsabout working with the opposition. Putting aside our usual cynicism, we are cheered bythe prospect of comity and cooperation in the nation’s capital. Getting rid of Rumsfeld wascertainly a step in the right direction. We loved Rumsfeld’s parting shot that the Iraqdebacle he helped to create was so complex that it was beyond the understanding of mostAmericans. We think most Americans understood that the history and complexities of theMiddle East are most certainly beyond Rumsfeld’s comprehension – if his performance isany indication. And we applaud the Democrats in Congress as well for saying that they want towork with the opposition and are willing to reach across the aisle. But before we get toocarried away by the strains of Kumbaya emanating from Congressional offices, we aresobered by the fact that the 2008 race for the presidency is on. About 10 percent of theSenate will be running for the highest office in the land and, interestingly, the two early frontrunners – Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican John McCain – have often exhibitedthe desire and ability to work with members of the other party. How long can we expect thatto continue?Get a Quote/Grab a Mealcome toVince M. Davis Insurance712 Sherman StreetToledo, Ohio 43608Free Fish and Fry at Captain D’swhen you get a quote on Auto, Fire, Life or HealthPhone: 419.244.2904Fax: 419.244.4105Community CalendarNovember 16• League of Women Voters Public Town Hall: “Now that they’re elected, can we keepthem accountable?” Reception at 5 pm; discussion at 6 pm; Wyndham Hotel: 419-215-9367November 18• All That Jazz: Toledo Chapter of The Links, Inc. presents 17 th Biennial Emerald Ball;The Hilton Hotel; 8 pm to 1 am; Attire – Formal• Calvary Baptist Church Women’s Ministry: Cancer Awareness program; 11 am;Speaker Ruby Franklin• “Poetry and Partying:” Presented by Alternative Directions Counseling & WellnessCenter; MarSyl’s Restaurant; 8 pm to midnight; Featuring some of the hottest spokenwordartists of NYC: 419-490-5122 or 419-471-0094• Amazon Lodge No. 4: 17 th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast at Warren AME;9:30 am to Noon: 419-276-0223• Church of the Living God: Thanksgiving dinner; 11 am to 2 pm: 419-242-3839 or 419-242-9475• Fall Community Church Fellowship: United Missionary Baptist Church; Sponsored byWomen’s Ministry; Cobbler Contest and Spiritual Talent Hour; 11 am to 1 pm: 419-242-1455November 19• Collingwood Arts Center Jazz Concert Series: Gene Parker and Nate Gurley; Show at6 pm; Pre-show reception at 5 pm: 419-244-2787• 49 th Annual Ebony Fashion Fair: “Stylishly Hot;” Hosted by AKA Sorority, Inc; Benefitfor scholarship and community service; 5 pm; Stranahan Theatre: 419-385-8376• Grace Temple COGIC: 5 th Annual Men’s Day Celebration; Guest speaker Walter Jordanof Mansfield: 419-242-9321• True Vine MBC: Women’s Day; “No Matter What Our Past, Faithful Women Walking,Working and Living for God;” First Lady Jeanette Barnes – 10:45 service speaker; FirstLady Marketa Mack of Cornerstone Metro, Detroit – 4 p.m. guest speaker: 419-539-9104November 23Thanksgiving Day!!• Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission: Thanksgiving morning breakfast; 7:30 to 9:30 pm: 419-241-6579November 25• Toledo Gospel Rescue Mission: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner; 5 pm: 419-241-6579December 2• Start After-Prom 8 th Annual Holiday Craft Show: Start HS; 10 am to 4 pm: 419-344-0466December 16• Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit: Featuring Toledo’s Ramona Collins; 9:30 pm;With Bobby Jones, Glen Oliver, Bobby Welch and Donald Byrd and the Blackbirds• Greater Harvest MBC: Choir Director and Musicians’ Musical; “Let Everything thatHas Breath Praise the Lord;” 6 pm: 419-474-3811The Sojourner’s TruthToledo’s Truthful African-AmericanOwned and Operated NewspaperKevin McQueenFletcher WordBecky McQueenAlan AbramsGeneva J. ChapmanTamir A. ShawArtisha LawsonAshlee AustinJack FordCarol ChehadeMichael J. HayesJennifer RetholtzAida MaxsamPamela AndersonKathy SweenyPublisherPublisher and EditorBusiness ManagerReporterReporterReporterReporterReporterPolitical ColumnistColumnistEntertainment CriticLayout Designer/WebmasterSales RepresentativeSales RepresentativeAd CreationA Certified MBE, 2006The Sojourner’s Truth, 616 1/2 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604Phone 419-243-0007 • Fax 419-255-7700thetruthreporter@buckeye-access.comwww.thetruthtoledo.com

November 15, 2006My ViewBy Jack FordThe Truth’s Political ColumnistThe COSI levy, one of thelosers on election night,might have won if ego hadnot reared its ugly head.The week before the election,I offered to appear jointlywith Mayor Carty Finkbeinerto support the COSI levy. Ithought that a Finkbeiner-Ford press conference wouldgenerate a good turnout ofpress people and gin up a fewmore votes for COSI.The word came back thatCity Hall was not interestedeven though the levy backersthought it would help.COSI lost by less than 1,600votes. That was really ashame. Now COSI is askingthe city and the county for$400,000 in order to survive.Uncontrolled ego is alwaysbad in politics.The question I raised lastweek on why no voter registrationeffort was undertakenlooms even larger given thatboth black Democrats, BarbaraSykes and Ben Espy,could have won but for thelack of an additional 100,000voters. A strong voter registrationprogram in Ohio cangarner 200,000 to 250,000 newThe Sojourner’s Truth Page 3voters easily. Sixty percentwill turn out of 200,000 newlyregistered voters and that getsyou more than the additional100,000.The question of vote totalswas raised recentlyaround the old issue of gerrymandering.Gerrymanderingis the name given to oddshapedlegislative districtscarved out by political operativesfor the purpose of securingpreferred status ornumerical superiority in legislativecaucuses. This processof shaping districts forpolitical purposes is as old asthe history of the UnitedStates. It goes back to 1804when a Massachusetts assemblyman,Elbridge Gerry,who was a signer of the Declarationof Independence andthe Articles of Confederation,re-drew a district’sboundaries in order to placehis party in a controlling positionin Massachusettsstate politics. Gerry wroughthis scheme by shaping a districtthat ended up lookinglike a salamander. A punditdubbed the odd-looking districta “gerrymander” in mockhonor of its creator.This Thursday, Nov. 16,the local League of WomenVoters will host a forum at theWyndham Hotel to discussthe issue of redistricting. TheLeague has repeatedly calledfor moving this process ofdesignating legislative lineboundaries from the politicalarena into the non-partisanarena with an independentcommission calling the shots.Now, with Ted Stricklandas governor and JenniferBrunner as Secretary of State,the Dems are in position tocontrol the drawing of thelines in 2001, assuming thatboth Strickland and Brunnerwin in 2010.The five-member commission,which consists of thegovernor, auditor, secretaryof state and a legislator fromeach party, will redraw districtlines after the censuscount of 2010.The League of WomenVoters will look for supportfrom Strickland and Brunnerto march down the non-partisanaisle and support anindependent commission. Ihope the League does notHE NEEDSYOUR VOTE!We’re talking about your favorite“BEST-DRESSED MAN.”The votes are pouring in, dozenshave been nominated and time is runningshort. So if you know someone who youthink deserves to be on the Toledo BestDressed Men list, give us a call at 419-243-0007 or email us atthetruthreporter@buckeye-access.comand name your winner.Nominees:Micheal Alexander, Lee Allen, Elder Rance Allen,Eddie Armstrong, Michael Ashford, Clifton Beasley,Rev. Cedric Brock, Jarvis Brown, Tony Burks, JohnChapman, Quillie Myron Colbert, Bruce Cook, Ron“Crawdaddy” Crawford, Rev. Robert Culp, EfremGraham, Khary Hanible, Marcus Henderson,Roosevelt Hunter, Michael Johnson, Larry Jones,Herman Lightner III, Edwin Mabrey, Ronnie McBride,Odis McGee, Johnny Mickler, Richard Mitchell,Rev. Donald Perryman, Joe Phelps, Shawn Reid,Derrick Roberts, Rev. John Roberts, George Snelling,Larry Sykes, Willie TuckerWith a little help from our friends and sponsors – such as Jack’s Men’sWear, Glass City Black Brothers United, The House of Day and NTS/AmericanBusiness, we are going to announce the winners on November 22, just beforethe holiday shopping season startshold its breath for too long.Partisan politics is too stronga pull for the party in powerduring a census year. Noteto Judge Brunner: don’tscrew up in 2007, 2008 or2009 because the GOP will bekeeping count.And, to auditor-electMary Taylor, I would countup everything between nowand 2009 because the Demswill be looking to knock youout.Now is the time to consignthe legacy of ElbridgeGerry to the dustpan of historyand stop the shenanigansof political district“salamandering” which frustratesthe will of the votersbut keeps political partybosses happy.Of course, I was delightedwith the outcome of the voteon issues four and five. In 20years or so, we shall see thousandsof Ohioans healthyand enjoying their familieswho would otherwise bedead or in the throes of lungcancer. That alone is justificationfor the vote.As to the matter of beingBy Jan ScotlandGuest ColumnistA good friend of mineintroduced me to a term thatI had not heard beforeR.I.N.O. (pronouncedrhino)Republicansinnameonly. This is appropriate fordescribing how the Republicanslost so badly in Ohio.First of all, we have BobTaft who during eight yearsin office raised taxes andspending by the billions.Add to this his willing accomplicesin a Republicancontrolledlegislature andyou have the very essenceof the RINO movement thatstarted the demise of Republicancontrol.Taxes and spending extendto the very core ofRepublican philosophy.The blatant disregard forthis philosophy burned inthe hearts of Republicansas they went to the polls.How long did our electedofficials think that theycould campaign at home oncontrolling spending andvote in Columbus for somethingtotally opposite?How long did they thinkthat party loyalists wouldhold their noses and voteRepublican because thealternative might be worse?We have a two-party systembecause there is a distinctdifference in philosophy.When elected officialsbecome representatives ofColumbus instead of representingtheir constituents,it’s time to send them home.Add to this the specter ofcorruption that seems toaccompany absolutepower, and the Democraticland slide was on.Despite what many maythink, Taft’s indiscretionsalong with the much publicizedTom Noe trial werenot major contributors toRepublican losses. However,when added to what Ihave already detailed, corruptioncounts for a few nailsin the coffin.Conservative voters recognizethe convenient timingof the Noe trial along withdeaf ears and blind eyes affordedthe Democrats who lostbig bucks in questionableOhio investments. I also findit hard to believe that Republicanswere significantly affectedby Taft’s misdemeanors.RINO’s may want to hidebehind these excuses but Ihope they know better.A similar diversion thatmay comfort RINO’s wouldbe the excuse that PresidentBush’s approval rating wasthe cause. But I would submitthat RINO’s on a national levelwere more significant in localdefeats than the impact of thewar in Iraq. RINO’s in Washingtonincreased the feelingof betrayal and fueled the fireto throw the bums out.The biggest and most unfortunatecasualty in the selfdestruction of the Ohio GOPwas Ken Blackwell. Blackwellwas not a part of the Taft-ledpolicies of the last eight years.Blackwell was labeled a maverickby the party insiders forhaving the nerve to stick tohis basic party beliefs.In 2004 he led a successfuleffort to repeal the governor’ssales tax increase stating thathe’s “following through on aphilosophy of lower taxes andsmaller government.” Hepointed out that his Republicancolleagues in the legislaturehad forgotten these doctrines.In 2005 he supported aTABOR amendment. TABORstands for Taxpayer’s Bill ofRights, which would regulatethe spending of state government.Once again the governorand Republican-led legislaturewere at odds withBlackwell.On both of these issuesBlackwell gained prominenceamong conservatives butJack Forda little ahead of my time, so beit! That’s politics.Contact Jack Ford atjack@thetruthtoledo.comDemocrats Did Not Win,RINO’s Lost Controlmany RINO’s amongst usresponded by saying “he’snot a team player.” Theysaid this even after he spentyears playing the good soldierand agreeing not tochallenge previous governorGeorge Voinovich andcurrent governor Bob Taftin their primaries.Blackwell had served histime and was the obviouschoice to lead the Republicanticket. The state partyhowever did not see fit toclear the way for an uncontestedprimary. BobBennett, Ohio GOP chairman,had to know that ahighly-contested primarywould do significant damageto the eventual winner.Everything pointed to theparty unifying behindBlackwell and marching forwardwith one front. Insteadwhat happened is that theRINO’s got together and putup one of their own in JimPetro and forced Blackwellto spend a large portion ofhis resources to secure theRepublican nomination.This added to GOP woes bycrippling their ticket leader.The Petro supporters neverfully supported Blackwellafter he beat their man, andall was lost.I hope GOP leaders andoffice holders learn from thiselection. You cannot forgetthe people who supportyou. You cannot appeasethe people who despise you.You have to deliver on thepromises you make. Youhave “stand together or youwill fall separately.” Republicansneed to be what theypropose to be, or their basewill continue to turn theirbacks on them as they did in2006.Ed. Note: Jan Scotlandwas the co-chairman of theLucas County Blackwell forGovernor campaign

Page 4By Geneva J. Chapman,Sojourner’s Truth ReporterSurprised at how cold it isalready in Ohio, the Rev. Dr.Traci C. West visited Toledoas a guest lecturer of theWomen’s and Gender StudiesDepartment of The Universityof Toledo, Friday,December 1, 2006.Part of the department’slecture series on women andreligion, West’s lecture centeredon issues related toChristianity. Previous lectureshave been given by anexpert on Native Americanspirituality, a professor ofphilosophy and Jewish Studiesand a Buddhist priestess.The last lecture in the serieswill be on women and Islam.West is an Associate Professorof Ethics and African-American Studies at DrewUniversity TheologicalSchool in Madison, New Jersey.She is editor of Our FamilyValues: Same-Sex Marriageand Religion, which ispart of a three-volume series,Defending Same-Sex Marriage;and the author ofWounds of the Spirit: BlackWomen, Violence, and ResistanceEthics and DisruptiveChristian Ethics: WhereRacism and Women’s LivesMatter.In the ‘preface’ of the lastpiece, West states that herbook “focuses on topics thata lot of people don’t like todiscuss, like racism and thesexual violation of women….Too often I hear commentsabout these topics along thelines of, ‘You people reallyneed to get over it already!’Or in academia, this sentimentmight be expressed moresubtly as, ‘In post modernity,haven’t we actually movedbeyond such simplistic discursiveframeworks?’ I refuseto ‘get over it’ because theidea that we’ve ‘moved beyond’our society’s need forconcretely identifying theseconcerns is a costly lie.”Women’s and GenderStudies Department Chairman,Jamie Barlowe, Ph.D.,echoed West’s words in herintroduction of the ordainedelder in the New York AnnualConference of the UnitedMethodist Church.“The Department ofWomen’s and Gender Studiesalso refuses to ‘get overit’ and thus to deny the historyof the individualstruggles and collective resistancesof women who wereliterally tormented, sometimeto death, by violence andoppression, some of it in thename of Christianity, whichwas certainly the case duringthe hundreds of years of slaveryin this country and inother Western nations,” saidThe Sojourner’s Truth November 15, 2006Theological Professor Speaks in Women and ReligionLecture Series at UTDIXIEBarlowe.“We are pleased to haveDr. West here because shenot only faces and exposesracism and violence againstwomen, but also because she‘argues for a liberative, transformativemethod of Christiansocial ethics’ that focuseson the material, lived realitiesof women and other groupswho are socially, economically,politically and legallydisadvantaged by racism,sexism, heterosexism andother forms of discrimination,oppression and violence.“We are pleased to have Dr.West for a number of reasons.She is an advocate forsocial change in the church,in the community and in theuniversity.”West’s brief lecture titled,“Christian Public Ethics:When Racism and Women’sLives Matter,” focused on“method.” West said shewants more attention paid to“marginalized, silencedwomen.”After encouraging the studentsand members of thecommunity who attended thelecture to interrupt her whennecessary, West proceeded.“What I want to talk about isboth theory and concretesocial practice,” she said,adding that she would endeavorto illustrate howtheory influences concretesocial practices.“When it comes to moralityin public life, we are accustomedto the method beingpre-determined for us,” shesaid. “It’s already been chosenby whoever wrote thenewspaper headline, whoeverwrote the politicalspeech, whoever created theTV drama. We may disagreewith the content, but we acceptwhat it has to offer.”West says this acceptancedeadens our spiritualcapacity and advised her listenersto seek a thought processthat is more liberating.“The social problem of thesexual assault and violationof women is where my focusis,” said West, after her briefdiscourse on method, thendelved into a topic that’s almostbecome taboo in the‘diverse climate’ of 21st CenturyAmerica.“How are assumptionsabout race used to inform asocial ethic?” she asked. “Theuniversalities and the particularitiesinform each other.They shape the meaning ofour common concept of justice.”West used racism as anexample of a particular; a majorfeature of which is denial ofrace. “Racism can get in theway of how we think, how weconceptualize,” said West.She said this filters our thinkingand “may lead to us to bedismissive.”She said often a “universal,neutral language” issought rather than dealingwith the particular issue ofracism. “It’s the relationshipbetween particular moral concernsand universal moralprinciples that we muststudy,” said West.She said the particularmission in Christianity is theministry of Jesus, which isthe basis for Liberative ChristianEthics. In LiberativeChristian Ethics, it is essentialto hold to universal principleslike justice, while linkingthem to the particular.“I am not calling for aChristian social order,” Westreassured her audience.“There is a shameful historyof Christians imposing theirbeliefs on Muslims and Jews.Sometimes I hear liberal Christianssay, ‘We have basicallythe same values.’”While denouncing thispaternalistic and patronizingview, West admits, “there areuniversal principles that areshaped by particular realities,”but is concerned thatcertain beliefs are held to beuniversal when they are actuallythe fundamentalist beliefsof a specific group orgroups.“We hear leaders like ourPresident George W. Bushmake a statement regardingmarriage that it is betweenand a man and a woman, andhis position on same sex marriageis stated as a universalmoral position,” said West.5880 N. DetroitMonth to Month Leasing419-476-8674WE ARE A FULLSERVICEBUSINESSAutoLeasingToledooledo, OH“It is an assertion of heterosexualmarriage as a universalgood. This is contrary towhat actually happens in actualincidents of women inheterosexual marriages whoare brutalized and sometimeskilled by their husbands.”West said that often thosekilled have an Order of Protection.She contended thata moral definition of marriageis needed that accounts forhow marriages are actuallylived and concluded her lecture“specifically about themoral concerns about rapeand same sex marriage.”During Q&A after her lecture,West brought up severalinteresting points. “Wehave a serious ‘femicide’ culturalproblem,” she saidwhen asked about the recentrash of mass killings ofgirls in the U.S. and Canada.“What is it in our culturethat’s nurturing this?” Westpointed out, however, thatthese deaths are far lesscommon than violence inintimate relationships. Thispoint was proven by a dis-turbing statistic offered inthe discussion: in 2005, allof the women murdered inToledo were killed by husbandsor boyfriends.“Focusing on the sexualorientation of marriage is notthe issue we need to look at,”West pointed out, adding thatperhaps gays should be carefulin modeling heterosexual‘marriage’.“We don’t want [them] toreproduce the heterosexualway that nurtures domesticviolence.”“I’m concerned about narratives,”said CarmenGillespie, Ph.D., “that createthe ideas of marriage that arecontrary to reality. How canwe combat that extraordinarynarrative force?” Addressingthe question posed by a fellowacademician, West saidshe was so excited to havehad the chance to address aserious women’s studies programin which to present theoreticalideas.“The problem is we are sosleep in the theory part,” shesaid. “One issue is the malaise– and it’s not because wedon’t talk about morality.”Another UT faculty member,Pat Murphy, read a compellingpiece that stated, inessence, that the only wayher heterosexual sister couldaccept her as a lesbian is ifshe is in a relationship thatlegitimizes her sexual orientationin some way as ‘mainstream’and not ‘alternative’or aberrant.

November 15, 2006By Artisha S. LawsonSojourner’s Truth ReporterMembers of the communitygathered at the historicCivic Center Promenade, indowntown Toledo, to enjoya dance competition hostedby ASSETS Toledo.The Friday, November 10event, simply named “DancingUnder the Stars,” featuredseveral ASSETS graduatesand various local dancerswho competed for a trophy.“Well actually, Moria Evans,my administrative assistant,came up with the idea,” explainedOlivia Holden, executivedirector of ASSETS Toledo.“She decided that weshould try something differ-The Sojourner’s Truth Page 5ASSETS Toledo Brings the StarsTogether for a Dance Competitionent, because we always heldbanquets in the past.”Channel 13 news reporterLissa Guyton served as thevibrant mistress of ceremonyand continued her praise ofthe dancers in the event. “Iam so proud of all the dancers,they make it look easierthat what it really is.”Detroit Toledo SalsaDance Company opened thedance portion of the eventwith two featured routines,one included their salsa classand the second was a romanticduet by the co-directorsRaymond and JessicaJemerson. Twelve-year oldClifford Jelinger and Tatum BiresTatum Bires and her partner,11-old Clifford Jelinger ofAlfredo’s Dance Studio,opened the dance competitionwith a festive swing routine,while the audiencecheered them on.The second competitorswere neophyte tango dancersMonica Eastway and herpartner Andre’ LeBlanc. “Ourmain goal for tonight is tohave fun, raise money andmake the community moreaware of ASSETS Toledo.The entire event includescurrent students and recentgraduates of ASSETS Toledo,”said Holden.Included with theevening’s entertainmentwere current ASSETS Toledostudents Shanda Gordon,Katrina Barnhill and DaleBarnhill. Gordon inspired theaudience through her foursolo selections that resultedin a standing ovation. WhileMs. Barnhill reached the audiencethrough two heartfeltsaxophone selections, andMr. Barnhill kept the audiences’toes tapping by servingas the event DJ.Mr. Barnhill, a recentgraduate of ASSETS Toledo,said that he gained inspirationfrom the program.“Mostly, I took away the inspirationto start my ownbusiness. I know what I cando, I want to produce all kindsof music. It seemed like thingsjust started to come togetheras soon as I graduated. I alreadyhave several great talentslined up, and I’m lookingforward to reaching my goal.”Dance competition judges,David Saygers, the artisticdirector of Toledo School ofthe Arts; Terry Wagner, aninstructor at Alfredo’s DanceStudio; Sandra Rivers, aformer Alfredo’s student andrecent ASSETS Toledograduate Kelly Norwood decidedthat the pre-teen dancersfrom Alfredo’s were thefirst-place winners of thecompetition.Following the competition,the dance floor wasopened to all to dance thenight away.ASSETS Toledo is a nonprofitorganization servingsmall business owners withself-employment training andsupport. It has served Toledoproudly for several years. Forfurther information on the servicesprovided by ASSETSToledo visit their websitewww.assetstoledo.com or callProject ABCOpens Arts-BasedPre-SchoolProject ABC is opening anew arts-based pre-schoolin January of 2007. ProjectABC is a child care licensedliteracy and arts program thatis dedicated to the idea thatyoung children thrive whenthey have early experiencesin the arts.Project ABC began in 2002due to a generous grant fromthe Kellogg Foundation. Forthe past four years ProjectABC has worked with hundredsof children throughoutthe greater Toledo areabringing to them literacy andarts programming in order toKatrina Barnhill419.381.2721. The staff andstudents of ASSETS Toledoare looking forward to their21st commencement ceremonyon December 7.help them get ready for a successfultransition to kindergarten.Our kindergarten readinessprogram is for childrenages 3 to 5 offered Mondaythrough Friday from 11:30 to6pm. Prices are $4 per hourper child.Project ABC has createdan Arts Resource Manualthat is now available for $15.There are numerous uniquelesson plans that have beencreated by teaching artiststhrough a charitable donationby The Kellogg Foundation.

Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business SectionJoseph C. High: Building a Company’s Strength ThroughDeveloping Personal SkillsBy Alan AbramsSojourner’s Truth ReporterThe Pink Panther hasbounced back and landedsquarely on its feet.As the mascot of ToledobasedOwens Corning, a Fortune500 company for morethan a half-century, the PinkPanther has become the globallyrecognized symbol forthe company’s PINK FIBER-GLASS home insulation andother innovations in glassfiber technology.On Thursday, Nov. 16, the20,000 worldwide employeesof Owens-Corning – includingsome 1,100 at thecompany’s downtown Toledoworld headquarters – willget a little surprise from thePink Panther. That is unlessthey read about it here firstEach employee will receive100 shares of Owens Corningstock as a reward and in recognitionand gratitude fortheir loyalty during the morethan six years the companyspent in bankruptcy beforeemerging Oct. 31.“We want our employeesto see themselves as theowners of the company,”says Joseph C. High, seniorvice president, human resourcesof Owens Corning,and the only African-Americanamong the company’s 12senior leaders who overseeall aspects of the global enterprise.High spoke with TheSojourner’s Truth from hisoffice in the spectacularMaumee Riverwaterfront structure designedin 1996 by Cesar Pelli,arguably the world’s greatestliving architect.“I had never worked for acompany in bankruptcy,”explains High, who joined thecompany in Jan. 2004. “I didmy due diligence. I met withCEO David Brown. And I sawit as a challenge. I had neverhelped a company throughbankruptcy and back into thepublic equity market. It hasbeen a very exciting process.”That’s no surprise forHigh, who sees himself as anindividual who leads changeand takes it to the next level.As vice president, humanresources, High’s responsibilitiesalso include communityrelations and communications.He sets policy forthe company which operatesin 26 different countries andmore than 300 locations. Thecompany reports its annualrevenues at $6.3 billion.“I was a walking time bomb.”“My responsibilities includecompensation and benefits,staffing, employee relations,employee developmentand training, communicationsin all languages, employeesafety and securityand community relations,which locally includes theannual Jamie Farr OwensCorning Classic,” explainsHigh.He was born in Wake Forest,North Carolina, where hismother Clarene still lives. Hisfather, J.C. High, is deceased.High earned his bachelorof science degree in businessadministration at the Universityof North Carolina atChapel Hill, and his master ofscience degree in administrationfrom Central MichiganUniversity in Mt. Pleasant.“During high school, oneIt was 22 years ago. I was playing handball and had a funny sensationon my left side. I sat out and watched for awhile. Eventually, I felt atingling in my left arm. I didn’t think it was a heart problem becauseI’d always led a very active life. But I wanted to be sure, so the nextday I called my family doctor.I went to have an EKG performed, which came out fine. My doctorwasn’t convinced my heart was okay, so he referred me to St. V’s tohave a stress test. That was the test I flunked . . . badly. I had a cardiaccatheterization and it showed three bad blockages. I was scheduled foropen heart surgery immediately.I am now 83 years old. I still snow ski, I walk five days a week and Iwork part time. You expect to live a long time, but why jeopardize itby doing bad things? I watch my weight and eat properly. I’m havingfun and enjoying my great-grandkids!of the part-time jobs I heldwas washing dishes and busingtables for the local HolidayInn. I would often set upparties for big groups. That’swhen I said to myself, oneday I’ll be at the other side ofthis table,” remembers High.“That was a critical momentfor me. That was whenI realized you had to set yourobjectives of what you wantto do with your career. So Ientered the University ofNorth Carolina and majoredin business,” he adds.Coincidentally, that wasalso a critical moment for thecivil rights movement. “Inthe South, we integratedduring 1971, my senior year.Up until 1968, when it wasdeclared unconstitutional,we had the so-called freedomof choice act in NorthCarolina. Reflecting upon it,I did a lot of work in helpingintegrate the university.When I first enrolled, itwasn’t very fashionable forAfrican-American studentsto go to the University ofNorth Carolina,” High recalls.After he graduated fromcollege, High’s first job inmanufacturing was as a firstline supervisor. That exposedhim to the role of a humanresources department in developinginterpersonal skills.Working for Union Carbideat a site which manufacturedbatteries gave High an unprecedentedopportunity tolearn a business from thebottom up.He prepared for his role ashuman resources director ofOwens Corning through a“collection of value-addedexperiences. I have worked inplants, subsidiaries, jointventures, corporate headquartersand global industries,”says High.Before joining OwensCorning, High served as vicepresident of the energy giantConocoPhillips, where, froma human resources perspective,he says he played a keyrole in the merger of the two(Continued on Page 8)Share your story on theSt. V’s Web site atmercyweb.orgBob, open-heart surgery survivor©2006 Mercy Health PartnersCharleston House(Nu-Tu-U)An upscale consignment shop4055 Monroe St. Toledo, OH 43606Full Line Of PlusSizes Availableall sizes, name brand shoes, fashion hats,jewelry. An exclusive Paris Boutique.Open 10 am - 4 pm - Tues - Sat.419-472-4648

Page 8The Sojourner’s Truth November 15, 2006• Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section •Terri Ellis Promoted atFifth Third BankSpecial to The TruthTerri Ellis has been promotedto Financial CenterOfficer, according to RobertW. LaClair, presidentand chief executive officer,Fifth Third Bank(Northwestern Ohio).As Financial Center Officer,Ellis will continueto manage Fifth Third’sLagrange Banking Center,3028 Lagrange Street. Sheis responsible for managingthe daily operations ofthe office, customer retentionand developing newrelationships for the Bank.(Continued from Page 6)oil companies. He alsoserved as a vice president atRockwell Automation andCummins Engine Company.High is a member of theprestigious Executive LeadershipCouncil, the nationalorganization of senior levelAfrican-Americans in largecorporations. Through hismembership in the ELC, hehelps mentor lower and midlevelAfrican-Americans inlarge corporations, where henow sees more African-Americans playing key leadershiproles in human resources.“Working in human resourcesis part of my existence.I’m a businessman first,ALL YOU CAN EAT!!$9.95We serve to please, and are pleased to serve!2633 West Bancroft AvToledo, Ohio 43607One Block East of UT EntrancePhone: 419-531-8327Visit website: www.MarSyls.comMARSYL'S SOUL FOODRESTAURANTGREAT SOUL FOOD 7 DAYS A WEEK!!FeaturingMarSyl’s Soul Food BuffetThurs, Fri & SundayHot Water CornbreadMashed PotatoesFried WhitingMacaroni and CheeseHomemade Collard GreensFried ChickenSweet Candied YamsBlack Eyed PeasBaked Chicken and DressingMaple’s Famous Pound CakeFountain Drinks Included w/ this Coupon OnlySave $1.89Coupon expires 11/30/06Two buffet meals per couponEllis joined Fifth Third Bankin 2005 and has over 5 yearsof banking experience and20 years of business to businesssales experience.She attends Lourdes Collegeand resides in SpringfieldTownship. In the community,she is a member ofthe Neighborhood HousingLoan Committee, NorthwestOhio Black Chamber of Commerce,Greater Toledo UrbanLeague and Fifth Third’sMinority Leadership Counciland Senior Diversity Team.She also serves as commu-Joseph C. Highand nobody in the world lovesHR like I do,” says High.“We all know the clicheused by many companies whosay ‘people are our greatestasset,’ to which I would addthe word ‘maybe.’ I do believethat people, our mostimportant asset, doesn’t showup on our balance sheet. Butpeople could also be yourgreatest liability. That happensif you allow people tomake decisions that are unethical,and that puts the entireenterprise at risk,” cautionsHigh.He has been married to hiswife, the former KathleenCullins, for 28 years. A professionalsocial worker, the“And much more!”nity Relations Director ofGrace Temple Church ofGod in Christ and Chairmanfor the Faith BasedCommittee of the UnitedWay African American Initiative.Ellis resides inSpringfield Township.couple met at Chapel Hill.She is originally from HighPoint, North Carolina.They are the parents ofone son, Joseph Coleman, 15,who lives at home, and twodaughters, Kourtney andKristin, both in their twenties.One is at Duke; the otheris a graduate student at theUniversity of Pennsylvania.High is an active memberof the First Church of Godwhere Pastor Robert Culpofficiates.Sit down and enjoy a comfortable diningexperience while we cater to your everyneed.Menu Specials 7 Days a WeekFall SpecialDeep fried whole chicken wingsRegularly $1.25 Now 50¢Hot & BBQ AvaialbleMinimum order 10 wings Menu subject to changeToledo Women’s Club ofThe NANBPWC, Inc.Welcomes New MembersSpecial to The TruthThe Toledo Club of TheNational Association of NegroBusiness and ProfessionalWomen’s Clubs, Inc.welcomed five new membersto its organization. The newmembers inducted were:Brenda Price, YolandaDurden, Stacey Turner, LillieWatkins and Jacqueline Harris-Dennis.There was also one reclaimedmember, LorraineBartley.The induction ceremonywas held on November 7,2006 at the Girl Scouts Headquarterson CollingwoodBlvd. Each new member wasgiven a yellow tea rose, theofficial flower of the nationalorganization and given a sisterlywelcome by all ToledoClub members present.The evening included adelicious dinner cateredby Chef Les. The menuconsisted of fried chicken,macaroni and cheese, greenbeans, sweet potatoes,hot rolls, tossed salad andBack Row (l. to r.): Donnetta Carter, membership director;Clara Brank, president; Wanda Terrell, vice president; LeolaHaynes, second vice president for youth activities; BarbaraTucker, vice governor; Mary Dawson, financial secretary;Carrie Jackson, chaplainFront Row: Brenda Price, Yolanda Durden and Stacy Turnerassorted cakes.The mission of the NationalAssociation of NegroBusiness and ProfessionalWomen’s Clubs, Inc. is asfollows: To promote and protectthe interests of AfricanAmerican business and professionalwomen; to serve asa bridge for young peopleseeking to enter business andthe professions; to improvethe quality of life in the localand global communities; andto foster good fellowship.Donnetta Carter is themembership chairman andClara Brank is the club president.Upcoming events sponsoredby the Toledo Clubare: Women’s History MonthProgram, Vocal Arts Competitionfor Emerging Artists,Founders’ Day and theAnnual Debutante Cotillion.

November 15, 2006The Sojourner’s Truth Page 9• Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section •Photography Came by Chance to Local BusinesswomanSojourner’s Truth StaffPreparation and planningare absolutely the keys to successin the business world.You need the proper businessplan, the right training in operatinga business, enoughcapital to see you through thedifficult times … except onthose rare occasions whenbeing in the right place at theright time with the right conceptjust sort of happens andsheer luck trumps properplanning.Just for the record, however,don’t try this one athome.Sheila Mosby, a photographerand the owner andoperator of the successfulRevelations Photography Studioon Robinwood in the OldWest End, started taking picturesabout 18 years ago duringan argument with her husband.“Whenever we got into anargument, I would go shopping… just to blow offsteam,” recalls Mosby of anincident that would changeher life. “At that time, I didn’thave a camera and I hadwanted to take a photo of myson. So after one argument, Iwent to a shop and told thepeople to give me the mostexpensive camera with all thefittings they could.”Mosby’s reach on that particularoccasion exceeded hergrasp by more than the lengthof a well-placed zoom lens.“Unfortunately, when I gothome, I didn’t know how towork it, so I had to go back forthem to show me,” she says.Shortly after learning howto turn the camera on and off,Moseby attended the weddingof a niece and, to her amazement,her photographs of theevent turned out better thanthose of the professional photographerwho had been hired.A career born of anger waslaunched even as her marriagewould eventually expire.Years later, Mosby is ensconcedin her Old West Endhome office running RevelationsStudio. She does portraits,events and functions,school pictures. Business isbustling enough that her son,David Bethany, who is now21, has started working forher as a part-time assistant.What makes Mosbyunique is that she has remainedentirely self-taught,both in her craft of photographyand in the business skillsshe has assimilated over theyears.Those skills have servedher well in the photographybusiness but she has also developed,over the past fewyears, another successful enterprise– Revelations DayCare.A number of years ago,Mosby did a little baby sittingto help out a friend. One childunder her care turned into fiveeven though she felt that herfacilities were not, at that time,stocked to care for such anumber. Over time shedropped her baby-sitting responsibilities.But luck, good luck, intervenedagain. Several yearsago, Mosby, after having soldmost of her household goodsin preparation for a move toanother city, changed hermind about leaving her hometownof Toledo. When shehad to re-stock her home, shedecided to make it kidfriendlyand … another enterprisewas underway.These days, Mosby hasfour employees helping herwith her day care and preschoolbusiness and 16youngsters under her care.And the photographer andday care operator has a fewmore ideas up her sleeve butthis time she is planning to bemore than merely the recipientof good fortune. Mosbywould like to develop a completewedding, one-stop shopfacility where a couple canfind every element of suc-The Hand that Rocks the Cradle by Sheila Mosbycessful wedding planning.She also mentions that realestate and the restaurant businessare several ventures shewould like to take a stab at inthe future.For the here and now,however, she has her daysare full enough … in the studio,in the day care centerand around town at a widerange of events.Learn Your University offers a selection of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs witha variety of options for attending class, making it convenient for traditional and adult students.Discover than $60 million and a variety of collaborative opportunities for faculty, students and the community.Engage Your University is a resource for university-quality health care and wellness education, artsand athletics, an active alumni association, and community and business partnerships.Begin to shape your future now. Call 1.800.5TOLEDO to explore the many opportunitiesour great university has to offer.UTShape your future

Page 10The Sojourner’s Truth November 15, 2006• Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section • Business Section •Caring For Elderly Loved Ones From AfarBy Bill HarrisGuest ColumnistThere was a time whenfamily members – grandparents,parents and childrenalike – lived in close proximityto each other, often in thesame house. But that was thenand this is now. And now,it’s becoming increasinglycommon for family membersto live in different parts ofthe country. That trend is fastcolliding with care-giving forthe elderly.According to the MetLifeMature Market Institute’sSince You Care guide, thereare some 34 million Americansproviding care to olderfamily members. And 15percent of these caregivers,or 5.1 million, live one ormore hours from the personfor whom they are providingcare.According to MetLife,these “long-distancecaregivers,” in many instances,are caring for a parentor other older relativeand are also employed andhave dependent children oftheir own. Because of this,they are often referred to asthe sandwich generation. “Insome circumstances, due toactual physical distance and/or other constraints, the longdistancecaregiver may beunable to provide the direct,everyday, hands on care, butis responsible for arrangingfor paid care and coordinatingthe services that are provided.”And that’s no easy task.In many cases, long-distancecaregivers must often jugglethe demands of two households.Often, they have torely on reports from othersabout daily events. Just asoften, they have to arrangeand then rearrange workschedules, business trips anddoctors’ appointments. Inshort, the task can be difficult,stressful, and time consuming,according to AARP.But there are a number ofsteps you can take to makethe task more manageable.Gather information andassess the need. Adult childrenshould determine withtheir parents (and other familymembers) what help isneeded. In some cases, adultchildren should consider hiringa professional geriatriccare manager who can assessa family member’s needsand who, if need be, can provideongoing case management.Geriatric care mangersare often familiar with theservices that are available toaging parents. Finding a professionalgeriatric care manageris easy enough, say experts.The National Associationof Professional GeriatricCare Managers has a Website that provides links toassociation members, manyof whom are former nursesor social workers(www.findacaremanager.org).A professional geriatric caremanager might charge $100to $500 for an assessmentand $60 to $90 an hour foron-going care. If you choosethis option, work with geriatricmanagers who are licensedor certified by thestates in which they workand be sure to conduct a fullbackground check beforeyou hire. Many states andmunicipalities typically havebenefits and resources thatcan be used by qualifyingindividuals to help cover thecosts of some of these services.Another resource, theEldercare Locator(800.677.1116) can tell youwhich local agencies provideservices and will refer you tothe area agency on aging inyour parents’ community.Be prepared. Before acrisis occurs, caregivers andolder family members shouldcomplete and distributewidely a “caregiver emergencyinformation” kit. Thatkit should contain all necessarymedical, financial, andlegal information, includingdoctors, medications, insuranceinformation, assets, andSocial Security numbers,wills, living wills, durablepowers of attorney and healthcare proxies. Adult childrenshould ask their parents tocomplete privacy releaseforms, HIPAA compliant,and keep copies on file withtheir parent’s doctor’s office.That way, the parent’s doctorcan discuss an older familymember’s health. MetLifehas a caregiver booklet thatcan be downloaded from itsWeb site, www.maturemarketinstitute.com. AARPalso has useful long-distancecare-giving resources at itsWeb site, www.aarp.org.Caregivers might also considerusing a personal medicalalert emergency responsesystem.Develop an informalnetwork. Experts say adultchildren should establish aninformal support networkcomposed of family, neighbors,friends, clergy, and otherswho might help. Adultchildren, when visiting theirparents or older family members,should introduce themselvesto neighbors andfriends and keep their phonenumbers and addresseshandy. If an adult child can’treach a parent, calling thatinformal network can providepeace of mind. Plus, theymay also be able to help withsome needed tasks.Visit as often as you can.Long-distance caregiversshould visit their older familymembers every few months tocheck for signs of trouble –which might include changesin personal hygiene, old foodin the refrigerator and choresnot done. Long-distancecaregivers should note, however,that such care can beexpensive. According toMetLife, caregivers spend anaverage of $193 per month onout-of-pocket purchases andservices for the care recipientand another $199 per monthin traveling and long-distancephone expenses.It might make sense toconsult your financial plannerearly-on, to ensure thatyour loved ones are properlycared for in the future.Bill HarrisThis column is producedby the Financial PlanningAssociation, the membershiporganization for the financialplanning community, and isprovided by Bill Harris, FinancialAdvisor and a localmember of the FPA. Bill Harrisis a financial advisor withInformative Financial Servicesof Toledo, Ohio. Securitiesand advisory services offeredthrough Mutual ServiceCorporation, member NASD/SIPC. Informative FinancialServices is not affiliated withMutual Service Corporation.For seminars and speakingengagements, Bill can bereached at 419-885-8384.Captain D’s SeafoodRestaurant2060 W. Laskey Toledo, OH 43613419.473.0227 fax: 419.292.0227CATERINGWe Can Cater For As Low As $4.59/Person-or-Conduct A Children’s Birthday Party for$2.29/Child On SiteAll your favorite tastes tes are e hereat t Captain D’sFood for Thought:WHEREVER YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY IS WHERE YOUCREATE A JOB. IF YOU ARE BLACK AND THE BUSINESSES ARERUN BY PEOPLE WHO AREN’T, THEN THOSE PEOPLE COME ANDTAKE WEALTH TO THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE.-Tony Brown2550 Nebraska Avenue - Toledo, Ohio 43607Phone: 419.534.2550 - Fax: 419.534.2570www.houseofday.comPathy DavisCateringFor more details call 419.473.0227 ask for Pathy, PJ, or Marcus

November 15, 2006©2006 Hospice of Northwest OhioHospice helpedour familyreach afinal goal.HOSPICEOF NORTHWEST OHIOThe Sojourner’s Truth Page 11Bethlehem Baptist Church Honors Minister of MusicAlvin Jones For “Faithfulness”By Geneva J. Chapman,Sojourner’s Truth Reporter“Great is Thy Faithfulness”could very well describethe service ofBethlehem Baptist Church’sMinister of Music AlvinJones. In appreciation for hisyears of service, Bethlehemhonored the church’s devotedminister of music, Sunday,October 29, 2006.A marquee of Toledo’stop gospel talent gave musicaltribute to Jones and thehighest praise to the Lord ina program that rivaled anybroadcast of BET’s “BobbyJones Show” while the marqueein front of the churchwas emboldened with Jones’name, announcing thecelebratory event.Escorted in by his sister,Tammy, Jones traded hisusual seat at the organ forone in the front pew. Longtime friend, Kim Hueston,welcomed everyone to thecelebration, evoking thename and spirit of deceasedformer Bethlehem pastor,Rev. Blanton, when intendingto acknowledge presentpastor, Rev. Derek A.Arnold. “You can tell I’mnervous,” she said. “I wantedto say something funny. Iguess that was it.”The humor continuedthroughout the program, onlyupstaged by some of the bestgospel music in Toledo.Kellie Williamson’s ‘Historyof Big Al’ listed all of themusical heavyweights’ manynames.“Alvin Jones, senior – Imean, junior,” she said, herselfa little nervous. “Alsoknown as ‘Tank,’ ‘BigCheesy’ and ‘CheesyWeesy,’ was born to Helenand Alvin Jones, Sr, March12, 1968, on a Monday afternoonin the middle of a snowstorm.” Williamson saidJones was once called ‘RoadRunner’ by his maternalgrandfather because he ranon his tippy-toes.She listed his variousachievements at Waite HighSchool, singing in talentshows and performing thenational anthem at schoolevents. “His love of musicdeveloped at the age of four,”said Williamson.Jones’ musical affiliationshave included the ImaniProject and the UT GospelChoir. “I’ve known Big Al,since I moved here when Iwas seven and I ain’t neverseen him run fast,” said longtimefriend and emcee forthe program, Robert Blanton,marveling that anyone wouldnickname his friend ‘RoadRunner.’Blanton said Jonescouldn’t move away fromhome to go to college aftergraduation because he wouldhave missed his mother’s legendarygood cooking. Movingfrom place of honor toplace of service, Jones sat atthe organ to accompanyBethlehem’s choir, whichwas first on the program.The choir was followedby Molly Williams, whogave a testimony about beinghealed. Then ArtJohnson, another musicianplayed and sang “Jesus Is theCenter of My Joy,” after givinghis own tribute to Jones.“The brother came to meabout 12 years ago and said,‘I want piano lessons,’” saidJohnson. “I don’t know why,because he can PLAY.”Charles Chandler, ministerHaving my dadat graduationmade my wishcome true, too.SMof music at Union GroveBaptist Church, said he hadseveral invitations for Sunday,October 29, but had tocome to Bethlehem, becausehe and Jones “go way back.”“It’s very hard to findfaithful musicians,” he said.“Bethlehem, you have oneof the best musicians here.”Accompanied by his 16-year-old son on the organ,Chandler played a spiritedsaxophone. “This has beena long time coming,” saidTabernacle Baptist Churchmusician Matt Brown. “Hedeserves it.” Brown sang a‘jazzy’ version of “HeLooked Beyond My Fault”that he and Jones arrangedsome years ago.“I was in the buffet restaurantlast week and hecaught me with a chickenwing in my hand and askedif I’d come and do a song,”said Fred Hogue before hebrought the audience to theirfeet singing “I Can’t Complain.”“This is Cheesy Weesy’slittle sister,” said Blanton,introducing Carolyn Jones-Knighthen. “Big, youngersister,” said Jones-Knighton, an internationalrecording artist, who receiveda standing ovationafter singing, a cappella, asong by one of Jones’ favoriteartists.Following a hauntinglybeautiful saxophone solo byC. J. Manning, a youthpraise dance group fromBethlehem performed, gettingJones up on his feet tothe amusement of his friendsand family. But it was theThird Baptist young malechorus that got nearly everybodyup on their feet witha quartet version of “He’llWork It On Out.”Pressed into service oncemore, Jones accompaniedDoug Coley as he sang “NoOne So Worthy” in his beautiful,high tenor voice, endingthe first half of the program.Following the offering,Willie Cook got everyone upon their feet to “dance likeDavid danced” as he sang“When the Spirit of the LordComes Upon My Heart,” accompaniedby his sister. Thebrother and sister duo got thesecond half of the programstarted in high spirit, theirbeautifully blended voiceslifting up everyone’s heart asheat descended on thecrowded sanctuary like aheavy blanket, sending manypeople scurrying in search ofthose innocuous ‘churchfans.’Brown returned with hisniece and Darius Coleman tosing “Enlarge My Territory.”After some beautiful harmonizingby the trio, youngColeman elicited shouts ofpraise when the Holy Spiritovertook him and he let loosewith shouts of praise and someof his legendary runs.“We’re going to go back alittle bit,” said CynthiaOverton, “to traditional gospel.”Backgrounded by herchoir, she sang a foot-stomping,hand-clapping, old-timegospel that had those thatweren’t fanning themselvesin the hot sanctuary – and afew that were – on their feetclapping and rocking.A group of young peoplefrom Solomon’s Temple sangjust as the sanctuary started tocool off as day turned to“My husband, Willie, found out nothing more could be done for his cancer. He still had onelast goal: to see our daughter, Joya, graduate from nursing school – which was nearlya year away.“Hospice of Northwest Ohio provided care for Willie, right in our home. I believe theirexpertise helped him live to see the graduation, and made a lot more good days possible forhim along the way.”Laura, Willie’s Wife“Whenever we had questions, Hospice explained every answer. They knew what to provideeven before we knew what to ask for. And the staff connected on a personal level, too. Mydad’s nurse was like part of our family.“Hospice made all the arrangements to get dad to my graduation, including the wheelchairand portable oxygen. Having dad see me cross that stage meant the world to me. Now thatI’m an RN, I know great care when I see it. My dad had the best.”Joya, Willie’s DaughterHospice can help make the end of life meaningful and fulfilling.To learn more, ask for our FREE brochure series, “Hospice Answers.”Call 419-661-4001 or visit hospicenwo.org.Answers for Living the Last Months of Life SMBethlehem Baptist Church’s Minister of Music Alvin Jonesevening. The fall night airlowered the temperaturewhile the service continuedto hit up in Bethlehem.Filling in for Rev. WillCollier, Ella Picket gave amoving testimony and renderedan old favorite, “GodSpecializes.” The chorus wassung by the audience as theywave in witness to the words.“I didn’t know what ablessing he would be in mylife,” said Helen Jones, asshe talked about her son,Alvin. “He’s a very lovingman. He loves people. Heloves his friends.” Jones’mother talked about his generosityto her during financiallydifficult times, as wellas his service to his churchand his God.“You were called by Godto do His work and His service,”she said, as she endedher tribute to her beloved son.Following an invitation todiscipleship by PastorArnold, tributes in gift presentationswere made byLaVater Ross-Tarrant. Thefirst was a bouquet of flowersfrom Chosen Generationon Behalf of Our Nation, ayouth group fromBethlehem. Jones-Knightenpresented a gift from the family.“I know he likes presents,”she said, giving herbrother a check, “but Alvinlikes money – he shops like awoman!” Long-time friendWillie “Q” was overcomewith emotion as he gave apresentation to his daughter’sgodfather.“Thirty years!’ he said.“I’ve known this man 30years!”“Ya’ll best friends ‘causeya’ll both cry babies!” yelledanother long-time friend,Robert Lewis, from the backof the church, bringing somelevity to the emotionallywrought exchange.“Even though we wereterrors in the church,” saidBlanton as he gave his presentation,“Alvin has remainedthe same.” Blantonadded that it was he and RobertLewis that caused all thetrouble because “Alvin andWillie couldn’t catch us –that’s why it was us!”Giving a more sombertribute, Pastor Arnoldpointed out that Jones’ serviceto his church is not motivatedby money. “I agreewith your mother,” he said.“You do have an anointing.”Arnold said “pound forpound, I cannot think of anotherminister of music inthe City of Toledo or theState of Ohio that can touchyou.”“You are a phenomenalbeing and I thank you,” saidJoyce Lewis, Servant Leaderof the Choir. “I just want tothank everybody for everythingthey’ve done,” saidJones in response to the outpouringof love.Turning the tables, Jonespresented long-time friendand fellow musician, Darnell,with a gift. Refreshmentsprepared by Jones’ mother,Helen Jones, were served inthe Life Center after the Program.Contact GenevaChapman at geneva@-thetruthtoledo.com

November 15, 2006The Sojourner’s Truth Page 15OSU VS MICHIGANTAILGATE COUNTDOWN!KICK OFF TO SAVINGSSTARTS THURSDAY®12 PackPepsi or 7•UP Products12 oz Cans or Pepsi 6 Pack24 oz Btls or 7•UP 6 Pack .5 liter Btls, All Varieties1 99Limit 3 total with $20 Additional Food Purchase ExcludingAlcohol, Tobacco Products, Fuel and PrescriptionsJohnsonvilleBratsOriginalParty PackSold frozen in a3 lb Pkg for 5.971 99 Jumbo King Crab5 99Legs & ClawslbFrozen, Sold in a 10 lb case for 59.90lbWITHSmaller Pkg 7.99 lb WITHAll VarietiesBud LightKroger24 PackShrimpBudweiser, Bud Select,Miller Lite, MGD, CoorsTraysor Coors Light 12 oz CansFrozen with Cocktail Sauce(Excludes In-Store Made)15 99 off*Available in MostStores at this RetailHomestyleChickenTenders25 ct10 00WITHTyson FullyCooked BreadedChickenDrummies100 ct20.00WITH40 ct10.00WITH33 %*Kroger Plus Shopper’s CardPrice Reflects 33% off Savings.100 ctPIZZAAngelino’s All Varietiesor One Topping DonatosTake and Bake6 00LIMIT 6Availablein selectstores20 ct40 ct 30 ct25 ct15 ctAvailablein moststoresBuy More,Save More!Save 5.00 On EachAdditional Party Platter,24.99 or Higher24 99WITHKroger cares about your privacy! Please view our current privacy policy at kroger.com or visit the customer service desk.Buy 2 Platters, Save . . . . . . 5.00Buy 3 Platters, Save . . . . . . 10.00Buy 4 Platters, Save . . . . . . 15.00Buy More, Save More...Prices and Items Good at All Greater Toledo Area and Northwest OhioExcept Defiance Kroger Stores November 16 thru Movember 19, 2006.Some Items may require a deposit.Visit our Website at www.Kroger.com orcall Customer Service at 1-800-KROGERSADVERTISED ITEM POLICY: WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES.Each of these advertised items is required to be available for sale. If we do run out of anadvertised item, we will offer you your choice of a comparable item, when available, reflectingthe same savings, or a raincheck which will entitle you to purchase the advertised itemat the advertised price within 30 days. Only one vendor coupon will be acceptedper item. Copyright 2006. The Kroger Company. No sales to dealers.

Page 16The Sojourner’s Truth November 15, 2006“A Great Day to Be A Democrat”State Representative Edna Brown, CongresswomanMarcy Kaptur, and Toledo Board of Education MemberRobert TorresLucas County Commissioners Tina Skeldon Wozniakand Pete Gerken welcome newcomer Ben KonopMatt SzollosiAnita Lopez greets supporters