NEW ALZHEIMER’S STUDY SEEKS TO FIND EARLIEST CLUES TO DISEASE PROGRESSION

Researchers are working on ways to protect people from Alzheimer’s disease, a problem particularly devastating to African Americans.

(BlackNews.com) — African Americans have significantly higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and will continue to live with this reality unless new prevention strategies are discovered. A study funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) may help provide some answers. This two-year, $24 million study – the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Grand Opportunity (ADNI GO) – focuses for the first time on people experiencing the very earliest complaints of memory problems that affect their daily activities. ADNI GO expands on the groundbreaking Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and will continue efforts to identify biomarkers that can help build a greater understanding of the progression of AD.

According to the 2010 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report, African Americans are about two times as likely as their white counterparts to develop Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Although there appears to be no known genetic reason for these differences, complicating health conditions that disproportionately affect African Americans, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can increase the risk of developing AD. The ADNI GO study is looking to involve people from the black community to ensure that the research will benefit all races and ethnicities.

“Despite their increased risk, African Americans are less likely than whites to receive a diagnosis,” said Dr. Thomas Obisesan, a principal investigator at Howard University, one of the ADNI GO study sites. “As the number of African American afflicted with this devastating disease continues to rise, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that our work accurately reflects this population.”

Maya Angelou, the eminent poet, author, educator and historian, is lending her support to the national ADNI GO campaign. Dr. Angelou, a professor at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, is working with their researchers to encourage African Americans and their families to take part in the study and ensure that communities of color are appropriately represented. For more information about the study and to learn how to participate at one of the 50 research sites across the U.S., contact the NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center: (800) 438-4380 or www.adcs.org/Studies/ImagineADNI.aspx or follow Alzheimer’s Disease Research on Facebook.

Some “Inspired Connections” will be made wihen some of the most dynamic women in the ministry discuss intriguing storylines from the TNT hit drama series HawthoRNe, starring Jada Pinkett Smith.

“Inspired Connections”, starting June 22nd through August 27th, is a social media campaign, returning to StreamingFaith.com with the second season of Hawthorne. The campaign features a panel of six (6) of the top, most visible female faith influencers in the country; Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Pastor Paula White, 1st Lady Dee Jobe, Co-Pastor Susie Owens, Pastor Lisa Young and 1st Lady Bridget Hilliard. The program will launch simultaneously with the season premiere of HawthoRNe. The ground-breaking medical drama returns to TNT on June 22 at 9/8c.Viewers can log onto StreamingFaith.com/HawthoRNe to hear and see the panelists’ points-of-view. Every Wednesday and Thursday during the ten week season, there will also be live chats with the panel members to discuss their inspirational viewpoints of each storyline and how they apply to everyday life. Episodic video reflections from the various panel members will available online until August 27th.

Inspired Connections (Season Two), consists of Inspirational Messages & Live Chats from the “Inspired Connections” panel, Wednesday & Thursday (8:00PM – 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time) at www.streamingfaith.com/HawthoRNe.

Panelists are:

LADY BRIDGET HILLIARD (along with her husband Dr. I.V Hilliard) is the co-founder of the dynamic New Light Christian Center Church (”One Church, Multiple locations”) in North, South and East Houston; Beaumont and Austin, Texas. Their passion to take God’s Word to a hurting and lost generation has resulted in a current church membership of over 28,000 and counting.

DEE JOBE is Mark’s wife and long term partner in ministry. Dee grew up in Chicago and became a believer at an early age. Dee has a dynamic ministry in worship, coaching pastor’s wives and overseeing multiple ministries. Dee and Mark met and married in their early 20’s after three years of dating. Dee has a contagious laugh, a deep concern for children and a love for God that is quickly evident.

BISHOP VASHTI MURPHY MCKENZIE serves as the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her historic election in the year 2000 represents the first time in the over 200-year history of the A.M.E. Church, in which a woman had obtained the level of Episcopal office. Later in 2004, she again made history by becoming the first woman to become the Titular Head of the denomination, as the president of the Council of Bishops. She served her one year term that made her the highest-ranking woman in the predominately Black Methodist denomination.

EVANGELIST SUSIE OWENS serves alongside her husband in ministry as the Co- Pastor of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church, a progressive, inner-city church with an adult membership of more than 7,000. In her spare time, she enjoys the theatre reading and spending time with her two children, Alfred Thomas and Kristel Moneek and grandchildren – Nathan, Darian, Nicholas, and William.

PASTOR PAULA WHITE is a Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Preacher, Author, Humanitarian, Philanthropist, Teacher, TV Personality and Mother. Her story is one of tragedy and triumph, poverty and prosperity. She has been called a Phoenix, having risen up from the ashes of tumultuous early years to dedicate her life to pulling others out of their circumstances so that they can focus in on Gods unique plan of destiny for their lives. Today, Paula White is an inspiration to millions around the world who seek Gods love. She hosts an international television program, spearheads humanitarian efforts worldwide, all while travelling the world fulfilling her mission and call to Transform Lives, Heal Hearts and Win Souls.

LISA YOUNG is the wife of Senior Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church. In addition to joining Ed on stage for special weekend messages, she helps direct many of the creative and organizational aspects of Fellowship Church and its affiliated members. She has written a cookbook “Body for God”, which offers simple, down-home recipes that are healthy, filled with flavour and easy to prepare any culinary expert. She enjoys cooking, nutrition, fitness and spending time with Ed and their four children.

 Free for anyone using an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch                                                                                                                                   

CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Republican Party is going “mobile” with the launch of a new iPhone app. Designed to work on iPhones, iPads or the iPod Touch, users can stay in touch with “iGOP” updates wherever they are.

“This is a valuable addition to our many options for reaching supporters and extending the Party’s brand to new voters,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady. “We really wanted to reach out to the growing number of iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users.”

The new application called “WeAreIllinois” can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes store at http://itunes.apple.com/app/weareillinois/id376362162?mt=8 or tinyurl.com/iGOPapp. You can also search for the app from your iPhone using the words “Illinois Republican.” 

  Users can get important news updates, instant alerts, see the latest posts on Twitter and Facebook, volunteer and even make a contribution. There are also links to candidate profiles and to each county GOP organization across the state.

“Our supporters can check out the latest “TheBlagoFiles” updates and learn what’s happening on the campaign trail,” Brady said. “It’s truly a great way to stay connected. If you have an iPhone, you need this app.” 

The new iGOP app is free, and was developed in partnership with Edward Marshall, www.PlanetBomba.com. Among the additional campaign tools provided by the new app, voters can see an event calendar, take surveys, submit comments, send an email, look up their polling place and local candidates, and get contact information for state and national party resources.

Rev. Martin Santellano, pastor of New Hope Apostolic Ministry, today (June 17) will end his 32 day hunger strike and hand over the mantle to well- known Chicago Pastor Father Jose Padre Landaverde of Our Lady of Guadalupe Anglican Mission, 3442 W. 26^{th Street}   

Santellano, during a press conference and prayer vigil today (June 17) at the Federal Plaza, 230 S. Dearborn, at 10:30 a.m., will announce an end to his 32 day Hunger Strike which began on May 17^{th .}

^{According to a press release, “Pastor Santellano’s body has weakened and he is responding to pleas from his family and congregation to stop before he further risks endangering his health.”}

^{Father Padre Jose Landaverde will continue the hunger strike. “The message is simple. President Obama must implement an immediate moratorium on raids, deportations, separation of families, the use of racial profiling through 287g, and secure communities act programs, and Arizona type laws such as 1070, until just immigration reform legislation is adopted and implemented,” said Father Jose Padre Landaverde.”}

^{Although they represent different denominations, Pastor Santellano, and Padre Landaverde both pastor Latino congregations.}                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Negative influences and negative thinking bring on negative results.

                                                                                                  – Juanita Bratcher, in the book,

                                                                                                   ”Straight-Up True Blue:

                                                                                                    My Two-Cents Worth”

Building the Dream one dollar at a time

Chicago, IL –  (BlackNews.com) — Construction has been delayed several times over the past few years on what will someday be a historical Mecca for many Americans. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project, located in Washington, DC, was slated for completion in April 2008, but due to flagging donations the memorial’s completion has been tentatively scheduled to commence in Spring of 2011. The completion can only occur through continued financial support from private and public donors.

“It is unfortunate that the original construction milestone was passed, as the scheduled opening date of April 4, 2008, was the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Junior’s death,” said Nye Hurst, advocate and supporter of African American historical preservation. “However, there is an opportunity for the general public to get involved and show their support in the project through individual donations. One time donations come in all denominations, and individuals that donate five dollars or more online will receive a blue ‘Build the Dream’ wristband to show their support.”

Many Fortune 500 companies have donated generously toward the establishment of the memorial, which is a great honor and recognition of the well respected Nobel Peace Prize winner and historical figure. To date, the Foundation has raised $108 of the $120 million needed to complete the memorial. A goal of Hurst’s is to assist the Foundation in garnering the public’s donations by Juneteenth, (June 19), which is the African American celebration of the day when the final slaves were notified they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.

“I have dedicated two weeks of my time to visit in the Chicago area and discuss the urgency of completing the fundraising arm of this project as soon as possible. I chose Chicago specifically because it was the inspiration for the next phase of Martin Luther King’s campaign – Poor People’s Campaign – for socio-economic equality, before his life was tragically cut short,” said Hurst.

Those interested in donating to the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Memorial Construction project can do so by visiting the Memorial’s website, www.mlkmemorial.org, or by mailing donations directly to the foundation:

Washington, DC Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation
401 F Street, NW, Ste. 334, Washington, DC, 20001

The Memorial is under construction on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and will feature a three-story sculpture of Dr. King, granite wall spanning over 2,300 cubic ft. inscribed with excerpts of his speeches, and hundreds of cherry and elm trees. Recently, an interactive webcam was installed at the Memorial to allow viewers to monitor the construction live. To view the webcam, visit www.MLKMemorial.org/earthcam.
About Nye Hurst
Nye has been involved in a variety of community affairs for over 20 years and is currently finishing his first book which details current issues in the African-American race. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Park University, served twelve years in the United States Air Force, and is a member of Mensa. His primary objective in assisting the Memorial Foundation is to help African Americans find another leader who provides hope and leadership to help lift the less fortunate members in society out of their despair. It is his wish that an endeavor of this sort can bring the same unity and purpose back to the African-American race that existed in the 1960s.

 In continuing effort to fight local level corruption in “Operation Cookie Jar” 

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in a joint investigation with the City of Chicago’s Office of the Inspector General has charged a supervisor in the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection with stealing evidence confiscated by city inspectors and selling the merchandise for profit.

Abd Ayesh, 32, employed by the city as a supervisor of Tax and License Compliance was charged with the Class 2 felony offense of Theft of Government Property and the Class 3 felony offense of Official Misconduct. If convicted, Ayesh faces up to seven years in prison.

According to prosecutors, Ayesh was responsible for storing items confiscated by city investigators prior to them being inventoried in a secured location. A revenue inspector for the city told investigators that he assisted Ayesh steal numerous cigarette cartons which the city had confiscated. Many of these cartons had been confiscated because they did not have the required tax stamps. After taking the cigarettes, the parties sold them for profit.

Investigators allege that Ayesh would remove confiscated cigarette cartons from the evidence area, put them in a plastic bag and then place the bag in his office. The revenue inspector would then pick up the bag with the cigarette cartons and drive them to south side convenience stores, where he would meet Ayesh or one of his relatives and exchange the confiscated cigarettes for money.

According to prosecutors, the revenue investigator agreed to assist investigators in this case. Recorded conversations obtained during the investigation revealed that in April 2010, Ayesh again stole numerous cigarette cartons from a city office where confiscated items were being stored. He then met with the revenue investigator and had the cigarettes delivered to a south

side convenience store operated by Ayesh’s brother. The cigarettes were valued at over $2000.

“This is a blatant example of an employee abusing his position for his own financial gain,” said Alvarez. “My office takes these cases seriously and will continue to work with other law enforcement agencies to root out corruption on the local level.”

Alvarez thanked the City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General for their assistance in the investigation. Ayesh appeared in court today and Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan set bail at $25,000D. The next court date for this case is July 9, 2010.

The public is reminded that criminal charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.