NBCI launches innovative environmental policy initiative, honors Damu Smith’s Legacy  

 Washington, DC – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans dedicated to the eradication of racial disparities around the world is urging all religious communities to join together in the promotion of peace. Our Black leadership partners – 66,000 churches nationwide – are called upon to use the full force of our combined 100,000 churches to draw attention to the problem of global warming, which the Black church has accepted for over 20 years. Consequently, the NBCI is crafting a long term environmental policy to offer strategic direction to our members and church congregants. By June 2012, we plan to offer written guidelines on creating green and energy efficient worship buildings.

The Rev. Anthony Evans, President of NBCI says: “There are two major reasons that we have launched a formal environmental justice initiative. Firstly, God is calling upon the Black church to use its vast power to get out front on these issues. Secondly, we are driven by the life and legacy of Damu Smith, who spent his life preaching and teaching about environmental justice. Damu was not only an activist but an ordained minister who taught that we need to make sure not to forget that we need to sustain God’s immaculate creation.”

The Black church believes that it is imperative that it is in the forefront in implementing environmental policy in the faith community and in offering its perspective on environmental policy both domestically and globally. The mission of this initiative is for the NBCI to utilize its enormous moral authority and influence to support policies and programs to educate our congregants on the importance of the environment as it relates to their faith and to preserve the environment for all future generations.

We plan to work with the Group of Ten environmental organization to bring about this reality. We also are committed to combatting environmental racism and creating sustainable environments throughout our faith-based communities across the country. When there are issues salient to the Black church, we will work with others. When there are affinity issues of like-mindedness, we will work with them on an issue by issue basis.

We are here on earth not to exploit and destroy God’s creation but to be stewards of the environmental bounty that we have been given. As we see it, to live in harmony with nature is to live in harmony with God. For climate change skeptics, to acknowledge the harm that we have been doing to the environment as dramatically evidenced by heat waves, powerful hurricanes, and massive floods is to be confronted with the imperative of changing how we relate to one another through our engagement with the environment. The NBCI Environment Initiative is a gateway to fighting for many issues that are of moral, political and economic significance to our members and the nation as whole while deploying the power of over 15.7 million people.

During this time of economic crisis, many churches are searching for ways to save money by reducing skyrocketing energy costs. For example, Washington, DC’s Florida Avenue Baptist Church, a 500 member congregation that is a sister church of the NBCI, had 44 solar panels installed in March 2011. This $60,000 investment has already reduced its $3,000 monthly electricity bill by $450 (15%) with additional adjustments planned that could enable solar to produce 25% of its electricity. This is also a means of creating green jobs in an African American community where the unemployment rate is 17%.

The quest for economic justice has long been at the core of the NBCI. The problems of environmental degradation, global warming and climate change highlight the fact that increasingly the American economy only serves a small segment of the American populace while the majority are left to deal with the environmental and economic consequences of decisions made by a tiny corporate elite. We need to democratize this economy so that it serves everyone which in essence is what sustainability truly entails.

The hurricane that swept away New Orleans was not solely a natural disaster. The incredible strength of Hurricane Katrina, and the myriad other hurricanes since, was a consequence of the man-made warming of the air by the introduction of heat and energy producing fossil fuels into the atmosphere. The erosion of the wetlands and other coastal resources that could have acted as a natural barrier to mitigate the flooding was the direct result of unrestrained commercial development along the Gulf. Likewise, skyrocketing cancer rates, particularly within the Black community, are the result of the dumping of toxic chemicals into the environment and the deleterious impact that that has on the food, water, and air that we ingest.

Economic justice goes hand in hand with environmental justice especially given the deleterious impact of environmental racism upon the Black community. It is for that reason that NBCI is a part of the National Black Environmental Justice Network which is a national preventive health and environmental/economic justice network with affiliates in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Its mission is to enable African Americans to secure environmental and economic justice, health equity, political, power, and civil rights and human rights by mobilizing for (1) safe and healthy communities; (2) sustainable development, climate justice, and clean production; (3) civil rights and equal protection laws and policies; and (4) international human rights protection. The NBCI shares that mission and will be working to realize its aims.

The National Black Environmental Justice Network was led by the late activist Damu Smith until his death in 2006. Mr. Smith worked with poor, predominantly African American communities in Louisiana to speak out against chemical industry pollution and government support of these industries. As he noted: “You want to know why I’m so passionate about my work? I’ve just seen so much suffering around the world….And you know, if it takes the last breath out of my body, I’m going to use my mouth to speak on behalf of those who are voiceless, and use my mind to provide whatever wisdom and experience I have to train young people and train others to be more effective about how we can organize and stop these problems.” The Black church is taking up Damu Smith’s vision and will work to make it a reality.

About NBCI

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is a coalition of 800 African American and Latino churches working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment. NBCI’s mission is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members, congregants, churches and the public. NBCI offers faith-based, out-of-the box and cutting edge solutions to stubborn economic and social issues. NBCI’s programs are governed by credible statistical analysis, science based strategies and techniques, and methods that work. Visit our website at www.naltblackchurch.com.

Colleges accepting students on the spot

Diamond Bar, CA (BlackNews.com) — The Black College Expo will return once again to DC/Maryland for a eighth year. The expo will take place on Saturday, November 12th, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Reckord Armory, with an after-show from 3-5 p.m. The mission this year is to provide on-the-spot resources to help students and their families realize their dream of going to college and becoming successful students.

One of the main seminar topics is “The Parent University”, where parents will learn how to get funding for a college education via financial aid. BCE and The Scholarship Academy have been responsible for close to 3 million dollars in scholarships to students. Students will meet with various colleges, including 30+ historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). 11th and 12th grade students will have the opportunity to get accepted on the spot and get scholarships too.

The Black College Expo and its non-profit arm, National College Resources Foundation (NCRF), is a full service student and parent outreach program geared towards underrepresented youth and their families to curtail the high school drop out rate (currently at 30.1% nationally, according to EPE Research Center 2008) and to increase the college graduation rate among underrepresented and underserved groups. The organization provides services which connect students directly to colleges; scholarships; offers tutorial support; assisting student athletes secure athletic scholarships; and connect students to internship and career opportunities.

“Our goal is to do all we can to make college a reality for more of our youth and guide them toward positive career choices,” says founder, Theresa Price.

Black College Expo collaborates with Reversing Realities, EGOS, College is Cool, and Black Male Agenda to create a “infotainment” atmosphere to engage students with education and entertainment. KFC Colonel Scholars will be hand to share information about their collaboration with Black College Expo and the 1.5 million scholarship program.

The Black College Expo, visits five to seven cities annually including Los Angeles, Oakland, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and Washington, D.C/Maryland. Now in its eleventh year, BCE has helped to increase college enrollment tremendously, in some cases by as much as 50% at some HBCUs, according to college recruiters. NCR Foundation/Black College Expo has helped over 250,000 get into college.

National sponsors for the 2011 BCE include: KFC, Internal Revenue Service, Edison International, Black Enterprise, Upscale Magazine, Union Bank, CVS/pharmacy, US Bank, Wells Fargo and Sempra Energy.

For additional information about the BCE, tickets, scholarship program, or exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, contact their corporate offices at: (877) 427-4100 or visit their website at www.thecollegeexpo.org

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against a Chicago plumbing company and its owners for violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act for accepting payment for water main services from a south suburban senior citizen living on a fixed income and then failing to perform any of the promised repairs, according to the Office of State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Named in the lawsuit, which was filed yesterday, are Samuel Pugh and Gerald F. Grogan, the owner/operators of Aaron’s Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration, Inc. with offices at 9200 S. Ashland in Chicago.  The lawsuit alleges the company failed to commence plumbing work and failed to refund $2,500 to the victim after receiving a written demand by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants extensively advertised their business in print, online directories and on “YouTube”. Their advertising claimed that they were licensed and bonded but the ads displayed a license number that was not issued to the defendants. 

Grogan had previously been hired by the victim to repair her water line. She could only afford for Grogan to make partial repairs when she originally hired him as she is a retired widow living on a fixed income. In December of 2010, the water line sprung another leak, causing water to seep up into the middle of her front lawn. When she contacted Grogan for repairs he told her that his partner, Pugh, had changed company policy so that he could accept only cash payments.  With Grogan following her, the victim drove to her bank, where and obtained a $2,500 cash advance on her credit card.

After taking the payment, Grogan never started the work as promised. At first he repeatedly claimed that the person he needed to see at the Markham Building Department for the permits was not in the office. He continued ignoring the victim’s repeated calls for service or for a refund eventually forcing her to hire another plumbing company to repair her water line.

The defendants are alleged to have violated numerous consumer protection laws by repeatedly failing to disclose the consumer’s rights to cancel the contract, failing to provide a “Know Your

Consumer Rights” home repair pamphlet to the customer with an acknowledgement form for her signature, and operating a home repair business under a name other than their registered corporate name.

The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction against the defendants from engaging in fraudulent and unlawful business practices in Illinois, a revocation of their plumbing licenses, a refund for the customer and civil penalties of up to $50,000.

Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez would like to remind consumers to be on guard against unscrupulous contractors. Before hiring a contractor, request local references, verify that the contractor is properly licensed, and check the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org for a reliability report.

Cook County residents who have home repair fraud complaints are urged to call the Consumer Fraud Unit of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, at the Consumer Fraud Hotline: (312) 603-8700.  The Consumer Fraud Unit may be able to help you recover your losses and prevent other members of the public from falling victim to the same scheme. 

Fifteen high schoolers from across the state chosen to represent student interests

Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the selection of 15 high school students from across the state to serve on the Student Advisory Council (SAC), which brings student concerns to the attention of ISBE. This year’s SAC members are meeting for the first time Oct. 18-19 in Springfield.

“These outstanding students will represent their peers by providing an essential perspective on education,” said State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico. “We are honored to work with these young leaders as we continue our mission to provide every child in Illinois the tools to succeed in college and careers.’’

The Student Advisory Council represents a diverse group of students from across Illinois who have demonstrated a strong work ethic, the ability to think creatively and work well in groups. Eligibility for the Student Advisory Council, which was established in 1975, is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors attending a public high school in Illinois.

The SAC members represent student concerns and can provide thoughts on ISBE’s existing and proposed programs, policies and regulations. The student members also choose a special project to research and present before the Board at the end of the school year.

For the 2011-12 schoolyear, five students are returning to the Student Advisory Council, and 10 new students were selected through a competitive application and review process. A formal introduction of this year’s members will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at a State Board of Education committee meeting.
 The 10 new members of the Student Advisory Council are:

Emily Chesser, senior, Williamsville High School in Williamsville: At WHS, Emily has been active in band, Youth and Government, STAND tutoring, basketball and cross country. As a National Honor Society member, she is vice president and has volunteered for a variety of events, including the Williamsville Teen Food and Gift Drive. In addition, Emily represented WHS at the 2011 Menard Electric Student Leadership Conference at Northwestern University, played French horn for the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony and for the Springfield Muni and is a member of the Springfield Triathlon Team. She also has participated in service projects on the Galapagos Islands, in the Amazon Rain Forest in Ecuador and the Dain Tree Rain Forest in Australia.  Emily is the 18-year-old daughter of Tom and Bette Chesser of Sherman. 

Austin Evans, senior, Lovington High School in Lovington: Austin has served as student council vice president and president, as class president twice, Spanish Club president twice and as National Honor Society treasurer. Other groups and organizations that Austin participates in are the Eco-Meet Team, the Rube Goldberg Physics Team, Scholastic Bowl and the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team. In addition, Austin volunteers at Lovington Public Library, teaching community members about computers and other electronic devices. He plans on entering college as a pre-medicine major. Austin is the 17-year-old son of Jadon and RoseMary Evans of Lovington.

Kristin Ishmael, junior, Litchfield High School in Litchfield: Kristin is involved with numerous extracurricular activities, including the Rembrandt Society, chorus, the drama club and Scholastic Bowl. She currently is president of the student council, class president and secretary of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). After graduating high school, she hopes to attend the University of Notre Dame to major in pre-medicine and eventually become a surgeon. Kristin is the 16-year-old daughter of Tim and Binky Ishmael.

Aaron Jackson, senior, Grayslake Central High School in Grayslake: Aaron is a member of the debate team, basketball team, tennis team, National Honor Society, the school’s literacy magazine (Inkblots), Brothers and Sisters United and student government. He has been nominated for class president for four years and was a first-place speaker at last year’s ICDA State Debate Invitational at Northern Illinois University. Aaron also participated in the 2009 People to People Leadership Summit at Harvard University and the 2011 Illinois Boys State Summit at Eastern Illinois University. He has also volunteered in his community through youth tennis camps, debate workshops and has helped organize events such as the Race Against Racism 5K run. Aaron plans to major in political science with an education minor. He is the 17-year-old son of Eric Jackson and Cheryl Hudson-Jackson of Grayslake.

Cameron Jodlowski, junior, Olympia High School in Stanford: Cameron, 17, is a member of the student council, Science Club, Junior Class Board and the Olympia FFA chapter at Olympia High School. He is also president of 4-H Club, a member of the Logan County 4-H federation and is active in Boy Scouts. In his free time, Cameron enjoys working with his dairy goats, which have been recognized at a national level, and working at a veterinary clinic. He plans to study animal science in college. Cameron is the son of Ed and Colleen Jodlowski of Atlanta, Ill.

Paige Logan, junior, Altamont High School in Altamont: Paige is a member of student council and the IL 4-H Youth Leadership Team, speaking for IL 4-H and the Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassadors. Paige took a stand against bullying in schools by writing a $10,000 grant to teach youth leadership skills in her community. She now speaks about her experience with bullying and cyberbullying to raise awareness. She also received an invitation to speak at the National Bullying Summit in Washington, D.C., and was selected to serve on The Great American NO BULL Challenge, an anti-bullying project. Paige is the 16-year-old daughter of Mike and Patti Logan of Altamont.

Neshal Patel, senior, Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville: Neshal was elected to be the lieutenant governor of Midwest Junior State of America, overlooking the work of more than 100 chapters and 1,000 members. He is also his school’s Model U.N. president, a varsity member on Science Olympiad and a member of the Math Team and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering. In addition, Neshal has been involved in several different political campaigns, is a student representative on the Naperville City Council and is a regional director for Illinois High School Democrats. After graduation, he hopes to major in political science with the goal of becoming a lawyer. Neshal is the 17-year-old son of Nipul and Binjan Patel of Naperville. 

Sarah Reising-Rechner, senior, Athens Senior High School in Athens: Sarah is involved in many school and extracurricular activities, including FFA, National Honor Society, Leadership Committee and the Illinois High School Rodeo Association. Last year in High School Rodeo, she placed eighth in the state. Sarah also volunteers for church and community events. She plans to further her education in the field of agriculture. Sarah is the 17-year-old daughter of Pamela and Craig Rechner.

Andrew Van Treeck, senior, Batavia Senior High School in Batavia: Andrew is serving his second year of his term as student ambassador to the  Batavia School Board. He is also an athlete, playing basketball and baseball his freshman and sophomore years and earning a varsity letter as a triple jumper on the track team his junior year. In addition, he is a member of National Honor Society and Political Debate Club. Outside of school, Andrew tutors students, provides pitching lessons and teaches piano. He also performs piano at local venues, teaching himself famous piano tunes in his free time. Andrew plans to study economics and political science in college. He is the 17-year-old son of Michael and Pamela Van Treeck.

Jolie-Grace Wareham, junior, Glenbard East High School in Lombard: Jolie-Grace is a bassist in the orchestra, jazz band, jazz strings ensemble and string quintet at Glenbard East High. She is also a member of her school’s Mock Trial team, student council, the Principal’s Advisory Council, and New Beginnings, a club to aid transfer students. Outside of school, Jolie-Grace participates in her church’s youth group, serves on her town’s Economic and Community Development Committee and teaches string bass. In addition, Jolie-Grace is a member of The Peace Alliance and has done work with the Department of Peace Act. She hopes to have careers in both politics and the music industry. Jolie-Grace is the 16-year-old daughter of Jim and Karen Wareham.

The five returning members of the Student Advisory Council are:

Abhinav Brahmamdam, senior, Springfield High School in Springfield:

As a senior at Springfield High School, Abhinav is involved in various school activities. He played basketball, football and plans on playing tennis this year. He represents his school as an officer on student council and is vice president of the Class of 2012. He is also a member of Spanish Club, Junior Statesmen of America, the National Honor Society and many other school clubs. In addition, Abhinav volunteers for a variety of non-profit and charitable organizations. He plans on majoring in business administration and pre-medicine with the goal of becoming a hospital administrator. Abhinav is the 17-year-old son of Krishna and Lakshmi Brahmamdam of Springfield.

Myles Gearon, senior, Walter Payton College Preparatory High School in Chicago: Myles is a senior this fall at Walter Payton College Prep, where he participates in band, the swim team and volleyball. He is also working on founding a branch of the Secular Student Alliance and volunteers as a tutor in his school’s math department and in the Open Books literacy program. Myles, who enjoys playing cello and piano in his free time, plans to major in engineering. He is the 18-year-old son of Pamela and Kyle Gearon of Chicago.

Maisie Mahoney, senior, Oregon High School in Oregon: At Oregon High School, Maisie participates in volleyball, basketball and track, in which she has competed at the state finals for three years. She is also on the Superintendent Student Advisory Council, participates in school and community plays, and has been a member of the Rockford Youth Symphony Orchestra for the past four years as a violinist. In addition, Maisie also spends time volunteering in her community. She plans to study engineering or psychology in college. Maisie, 17, is the daughter of Oregon Community Unit School District 220 Superintendent Tom Mahoney and his wife, Angela, of Oregon.

Erin Martell, senior, Maine South High School in Park Ridge: Erin participates in volleyball and soccer at Maine South High School. She is also a an editor of her school newspaper, a member of the National Honor Society and was a finalist in an international writing contest. In addition, she serves on her school’s advisory council, is a club soccer player and has been a captain for all her school teams. After graduation, she plans on majoring in public policy. Erin, 18, is the daughter of John and Maryellen Martell of Park Ridge.

Conor Reilley, junior, Belvidere North High School in Belvidere: Conor, 17, is on the football, baseball, Scholastic Bowl, Science Olympiad and improvisational acting teams at BNHS. He is also the president of the student council, an editor on the school newspaper and a member of the Science National Honor Society and the Thespian Honor Society. Conor enjoys playing the piano and reading in his spare time. He is the son of Shawn and Kerry Reilley of Belvidere.

Goodman Theatre hosts Delgado for a year-long residency to develop her new play Para Mis Madres

Chicago, IL – Goodman Theatre announced that it will host Chicago-based actress Sandra Delgado this season as a 2011 Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellow, awarded by The William & Eva Fox Foundation and Theatre Communications Group (TCG). As a recipient of the Foundation’s $15,000 fellowship, Delgado will embark on a year of international training and study in support of her new work, para mis Madres. As host theater, the Goodman arranges training and study for Delgado with other theaters in the United States and abroad, and provides rehearsal space and dramaturgical support as she creates and develops para mis Madres.

“I am honored and thrilled to receive this fellowship from the Fox Foundation and Theatre Communications Group, and to deepen my relationship with the Goodman—a theater that has been supportive of my work for many years,” said Sandra Delgado. “This extraordinary program will provide me the opportunity to learn new theater-making techniques, broaden my artistic palette and provide an essential international perspective on my work.”

During the next year Delgado will immerse herself in an intense study of actor-generated and interview-based theater making techniques to create an original show, para mis Madres. She will observe the work of The Civilians and Tectonic Theatre Project in the US and Marta Carrasco in Spain. Delgado will also train in physical theater with Philadelphia’s Pig Iron and New York’s SITI Company, and travel to Colombia to conduct interviews for para mis Madres. She will appear as Cecilia in Chicago Boys by Kathleen Tolan (October 27 – November 6, as part of Goodman Theatre’s New Stages Amplified series), and Abby in A Christmas Carol (November 18 – December 31). Tickets are available at GoodmanTheatre.org.

“It’s thrilling to watch Sandra develop as an actress, at the Goodman, Collaboraction and other theaters in Chicago,” said Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls. “She is an actor of extraordinary skill who has accumulated an impressive body of work in a short amount of time. I’m happy to lend the support of the Goodman to further her artistic development.”

Delgado’s work at the Goodman includes the world premiere of El Nogalar by Tanya Saracho. Her original work, para Carmen, was part of the Goodman’s 2010 Latino Theatre Festival. Other credits include El Grito del Bronx (a coproduction with Collaboraction and Teatro Vista), Massacre (Sing to Your Children) (a co-production with Teatro Vista), Mariela in the Desert, Electricidad, Zoot Suit and A Christmas Carol. Her Teatro Vista credits include Dreamlandia; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and Two Sisters and a Piano (co-production with Apple Tree Theatre). Additional Chicago credits include The House on Mango Street, Sonia Flew, Words on Fire and Whispering City—Chicago Ghost Stories at Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Anna in the Tropics at Victory Gardens Theater; Summertime at Lookingglass Theatre Company; Undone at About Face Theatre; and Guinea Pig Solo, Refuge and Casanova with Collaboraction. Delgado’s off-Broadway credits include points of departure at INTAR Theatre, and regionally, she has appeared in Ground and Wit at Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Winter’s Tale at Missouri Repertory Theatre. Her television credits include Law & Order: SVU on NBC and the pilot Powers on FX. She is a founding member of Collaboraction, an ensemble member and former Associate Artistic Director of Teatro Vista and a TCG Young Leader of Color.

“The Fox Foundation is extremely appreciative of its long-term collaboration with TCG—created to further develop actors that have a serious commitment to theatre,” said Robert P. Warren, President of the Fox Foundation. “This fellowship has been successful in advancing the careers of actors by providing meaningful opportunities for them to enhance their craft.” The fellowship is designed to support actors’ professional and artistic development, to enrich relationships between actors and not-for-profit theaters and to ensure continued professional commitment to live theater. Funded by the Fox Foundation and administered by TCG, the fellowship is one of only a few programs of its kind for actors in the country. Delgado—alongside Maria Dizzia (hosted by Yale Repertory Theatre) and Miriam Silverman (hosted The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC)—receives the Foundation’s “Extraordinary Potential” fellowship, awarded to early- to mid-career actors, who have demonstrated a commitment to continued training; each receive $15,000, with up to an additional $10,000 to relieve student loans. Peter Howard (hosted by Cornerstone Theater Company) and John Douglas Thompson (hosted y Theatre for a New Audience) receive the $25,000 “Distinguished Achievement” fellowship. The host theaters also receive $7,500 in support of the residencies.

 (A Message from the Better Business Bureau)

Chicago, IL – The cool autumn weather has arrived and, for many people, now is the ideal time to have their furnace serviced or upgraded before the busy winter season starts. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns the public to be cautious about misleading heating contractors who may use scare tactics to convince homeowners to buy a new furnace or authorize expensive, but unneeded, repairs to their existing heating system.

Some heating contractors may make unsolicited phone calls offering inexpensive, even free, cleaning services only to show up with inadequate equipment and recommendations for expensive and unnecessary upgrades.  

In the last 12 months, the BBB received 376 complaints against businesses in the heating and air conditioning industry.

“At this time of year we see increased advertising from heating contractors offering everything from duct cleaning to furnace inspections,” says Steve J. Bernas, BBB president & CEO. “While many furnace companies are reputable, competent and fair, there are fraudulent and unethical companies that may try to frighten consumers into unnecessary installations or repairs.”

Fraudulent contractors soliciting door-to-door may attempt to frighten consumers into purchasing a new heating system with warnings that their current system was leaking dangerous gases that could explode or poison those inside the house.

Before you choose a heating contractor, consider the following:

Start with the BBB. Find helpful referrals and information on companies by visiting the company’s Business Review at www.bbb.org 

Get three estimates for the work. All bids should be in writing and should provide a full description of the services to be provided and the materials to be used. Request a free quote at www.bbb.org from BBB Accredited Businesses at any time, seven days a week.

Compare more than just cost. Check the size and rated efficiency of the equipment each contractor recommends. Ask each contractor how they arrived at recommending a particular sized system. Check the warranty offered and make certain you understand it.

Hire heating contractors who: 

• Are or employ certified gas fitters;
• Are bonded and insured for liability and property damage;
• Can provide you a copy of the gas permit authorizing the company to work on your    heating system;
• Offer warranties that cover equipment, materials and labor;
• Offer maintenance and service after installation and after warranties have expired;
• Provide customer references.

For more information about hiring a heating contractor you can trust, visit www.bbb.org

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Jacqueline Stiff, M.D., MSPH, UnitedHealthcare vice president, Health Care Strategies

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — When it comes to breast cancer, spreading the word means spreading the cure so talk with your loved ones this month about the importance of breast cancer screenings and the risk factors associated with the disease.

Despite progress in the fight against the disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year more than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that about one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives.

The chance of breast cancer increases with age. A woman in her 70s is twice as likely to have breast cancer than a woman in her 40s. But incidence numbers tell only half of the story.

Equally important are rates of survival. Due in part to public awareness campaigns, more women are beating breast cancer by taking charge of their own breast health. According to the American Cancer Society, about 67 percent of women aged 40 and older in the United States had a mammogram in the past two years, compared to only 29 percent in 1987. Today, the five-year survival rate of women who are diagnosed early is more than 90 percent, and the primary reason is early detection.

Risk Factors

Although no one knows yet how to prevent breast cancer, certain risk factors have been linked to the disease. They include:

* Age: the chance of getting breast cancer increases as a woman gets older
* Family History: having a mother, sister or daughter who has had breast cancer
* Long-term usage of hormones (HRT); oral contraceptive agents
* Longer time menstruating: women who started menstruating before age 12 or continued after age 55 are at greater risk
* Having no children or had their first child after age 30
* Personal history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer
* Lack of breast feeding
* Genetic conditions (e.g., BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes), but this only applies to about 1 percent of women with breast cancer

Screening is Key

Screening is key for early detection. Different organizations have different recommendations for screening, so women should talk to their doctors about their risk to determine the right age to begin breast cancer screenings. “High-risk” women may need mammograms at an earlier age or more often than “average-risk” women.

Mammograms are not foolproof. They can be normal when breast cancer is present, so women should see their doctor right away if they find any change in their breasts, such as a lump or nipple discharge that is not breast milk.

In addition to screening, it is a good idea to incorporate a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of breast cancer. This includes limiting alcohol, controlling weight by eating less fat and more fruits, whole grains and vegetables, and exercising.

African-American Women at Risk

Screening is important for all women, especially for African Americans. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African-American women with an estimated 27,000 new cases this year.

Although at lower risk of actually developing breast cancer than Caucasian women, African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer. The American Cancer Society states that part of the reason is that African-American women have faster-growing tumors so the cancer spreads more quickly, which makes screening tests even more important. Hispanic, Asian and Native-American women have a lower risk of getting and dying from breast cancer.

Spread the Word

Recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good reminder for everyone to create awareness about the importance of breast cancer screenings and for women to talk with their doctors about breast health. By spreading the word, you can help efforts to reduce the number of diagnoses and deaths from breast cancer.

More information can be found at www.cdc.gov and www.cancer.org. Breast cancer information is also available on UnitedHealthcare’s Generations of Wellness website, www.uhcgenerations.com.