Artist and entrepreneur Darrin Reasby discussed the impetus behind an upcoming town hall meeting during a news conference in the city hall rotunda. Reasby heads an organization called “The Firm,” a conglomeration of talented local people who encourage, educate and network with each other and help those businesses and consumers that want to be helped. The town hall meeting will be held at the Northtown Theatre on 76th and Good Hope Road, Thursday, February 25 at 7 p.m. (Photo by Harry Kemp)

Flash back to Motown!!!

Join AACT as they pay tribute to African American music legends! Fun music for the whole family on February 27 at 2 p.m. at 325 W. Walnut St. Tickets are $10 each in advance for all seats! Purchase tickets at Legacy Bank, 2102 W. Fond du Lac, Ave. At the door tickets are $15 each.

Speaker available to speak to local organizations

In celebration of Black History Month and National Marriage Week, thinkmarriage.org will present Theresa Okafor, who is available to speak to organizations in the Milwaukee and Green Bay areas during the week of Feb. 8 through February 13.

Okafor is CEOP of Life League of Africa, director of the Quality Assurance and Research Development Agency, and a member of the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage and has received several awards for her work with youth in Nigeria.

She is a passionate speaker with a desire to bring awareness of the necessity to preserve African heritage and values in a changing world that emphasizes individualism and global consumerism. If your organization is interested in hosting Okafor, contact Brenda at thinkmarriage.org or call 920-430-7300 for booking information.

Support Available for Expectant and New Parents

The Parenting Network announces a new education and support program for expectant parents and parents of infants under one year of age. Welcome, Baby! is a free, ten-week program led by professionally trained facilitators and features guest speakers such as an infant massage therapist.

“Welcome, Baby! is a happy blend of information, discussion, and play,” said Shelli Albertson, Project Coordinator. “Parents are encouraged to ask questions and share their own experiences with the group.”

The Welcome, Baby! program includes information on safe sleep practices, child development, and self-care for parents. Participants connect with other new parents and build knowledge and skills that will serve them throughout the baby’s childhood.

Welcome, Baby! is offered on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:00 a.m. beginning February 24 and continuing through April 28. The group will be held at The Parenting Network, 7516 West Burleigh Street, Milwaukee. A light breakfast is included for participants and onsite childcare is provided at no cost.

To register for Welcome, Baby! call the Parent Helpline at (414) 671-0566. For more information about The Parenting Network, please visit theparentingnetwork.org.

World’s celebration of cultural treasures return to Milwaukee

On February 27, the Urban Economic Development Association of Wisconsin (UEDA) will host its 3rd annual fundraising event, a celebration of culture and diversity, Carnival Milwaukee. The event will be held at the Peck Welcome Center in the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Consistent with carnival events held throughout the world during the months of February and March, Carnival Milwaukee will highlight the cultural treasures that represent the ethnic Mosaic that is Milwaukee.

Through this fundraising event, UEDA’s aim is to provide the greater Milwaukee community with the opportunity to celebrate our diversity with a night of entertainment and fun with the goal of creating meaningful cross-cultural interactions and a deeper appreciation and understanding of our diverse city.

Attendees will be dressed in costumes and ethnic attire with music, entertainment and food from around the world. The food will be provided by an array of ethnic restaurants from throughout the city for tasting.

The funds raised from this event will be used to support UEDA’s homeownership outreach and foreclosure intervention activities that address the current housing crisis facing Milwaukee.

Tickets for this exciting event are $35.00 and can be purchased online at www.udeawi.org or by calling 414-562-9904.

Brentwood Church of Christ to host Alzheimer’s group meeting February 5

Brentwood Church of Christ's bi-monthly African American Alzheimer's & Related Demetia Caregiver Support Group meeting will be held on February 5, 2010 from 6-7 pm at the church (6425 N. 60th Street).

The topic will be support services and cost options. The meeting is free and open to the entire community.

The group is a partnership with the Alzheimer's Association.

Representative Grigsby to hold town hall meeting on child care regulations

Eighteenth Assembly Sta-te Rep. Tamara Grigsby will hold a town hall meeting on child care regulations Saturday, Feb. 6 from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. in the auditorium of the MPS Administration building, 5225 W. Vliet St. Among the topics to be discussed will be the audit of the Wisconsin Shares program, the history of recent legislative changes to the Shares program and implementation efforts by the Department of Children and Families.

For more information, contact Rep. Grigsby at 1-888-534-0018.

Noted health advocate and educator Jestine McCord (seated center next to her son, Reggie Harris) was surrounded by friends and family during a recent surprise birthday party at Harris’ home. (Photo by Kemp)

Sixth annual relationship conference set for Valentine’s Day weekend

Ingrid Durr

CGO Ministries International is hosting their 6th Annual “Without Distraction” Relationship Conference. Valentines Day weekend February 12-14 at the Hospitality Inn and Suites 440 S. 27th street.

The weekends events included:

Friday 7pm Single topics * joys of being single * Dating with a purpose * How to choose a partner * Preparing for marriage, Before you say, “I do.”

•Saturday 10am Marriage Topics * Keeping the honey in moon, Communication Marriage and Ministry * Understanding Men and Woman differences * Maintain your marriage 6 p.m. dinner and dance.

• Sunday 2pm Special guest speaker and Relationship Dr. Etheridge Girardeau.

“Without Distraction” Relationship conference is designed with the adult in mind it’s a strengthen workshop that is meant to empower and remove all frustrations about building, minting and keeping a healthy relationship with God and your mate.

Even if you are single this workshop will clear fly your ideals, give foundation and guidance to finding the perfect mate. Plain and simple we could all use some guidance to maintain or build a long lasting relationship.

We will discuss all areas of a relationship from personal, business to finance . Start your Valentine’s Day weekend off right. By joining us, for this revitalizing conference.

Pastor and counselor Ingrid Durr has been in ministry for over 26 years.

She now calls Milwaukee home and is looking forward to meeting her new community.

Her congregation is based around a strong mentorship program allowing opportunity to flow throw the ages.

As an outreach Ministry’s developing youth and adult programs is vital. The mentorship program is the core to strong biblical education and purpose training.

Development is key to all ages these programs are designed to motivate meaning, understanding, history, culture and scriptural interpretation.

Services are currently held in our temporary home 4650 Parkway Ave, Milwaukee.

Tickets are $40 for inquires and sales please contact COG Ministries @ 414-628-4953 or 708-745-4393 Website: www.ingrid4u.com or Facebook.com/Ingrid Durr.