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The idea of allowing flexible handcuffs to be used on out-of-control students has struck a firestorm of controversy. So much so that the Milwaukee School Board held a hearing Tuesday night to discuss the venture.
The handcuff policy has sparked much debate, with many school officials saying it would help safety workers in school deal with increased violence, while many community leaders say it would make things worse.
After an out-pouring of concern by community leaders and parents, with a vote of 5-4, the board decided to repeal the decision to allow plastic handcuffs to be used in schools.
Since the decision was repealed, Board President Peter Blewett must appoint a task force on safety and violence to report back to the board in July and for a permanent board committee on safety to be created.
A Day Without Latinos
More than 80,000--more than last year’s record turn-out--marched for comprehensive immigration reform in Milwaukee as part of "A Day Without Latinos": May 1 Regional March and Boycott.
This number is based on calculations by march coordinators on the route, and discussions with reporters, police officers, which means that Tuesday’s march broke last year’s record for the largest March in Wisconsin state history. The Voces de la Frontera stated that the massive turnout on a workday was a clear statement to Congress and President Bush that the immigrant community will not be intimidated and driven back into the shadows. It is also a clear sign that momentum continues to grow for fair legalization this year.
Mother and Son Dance
Milwaukee Recreation will host the Third Annual Mother and Son Dance in the cafeteria of North Division Community Center, 1011 West Center Street, on Saturday, May 5 from, 6-8 p.m. The night will include dancing, games, food, prizes and a live DJ.
"The Mother and Son Dance provides an opportunity for women and their sons to dress up and enjoy a nice evening together," says MPS Recreation Supervisor Cedric Banks. "This event is a perfect way for sons to strengthen their relationships with their mothers."
The cost per couple will be $20 for city of Milwaukee residents and $30 for non-residents. Mothers and sons of all ages are welcome to attend. For more information, call 414-475-8811.
Milwaukee Recreation is a department of Milwaukee Public Schools established in 1911 to provide the entire community with affordable and enriching recreational activitiesCheap Tricks: Money-saving strategies you can use today.
Cheap Tricks: Money-saving strategies you can use today
by Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb.com
Looking for ways to get financially fit? There are all kinds of tricks of the trade that save money on children’s clothes, vacations and credit cards. You just need to be open to creative solutions.
BlackAmericaWeb.com put together some tips to help you save money without going through extraordinary measures:
Credit Cards
This area gives most people the biggest trouble. It doesn’t take long to get in deep, but it takes a while to dig out. Here are a few ways to get rid of the credit card blues, recommended in books by financial gurus and authors Tony Bland and Lynnette Khalfani and in a report by TV consumer reporter Liz Crenshaw.
1. Pay more than the minimum due and pay ahead of the due date. If you can pay more than the minimum you can cut into the principal of the debt, which means the interest will be calculated on a smaller base each month. Since interest is compounded daily, the earlier the payment, the sooner you cut into building interest.
2. Put it on paper. Al Green and Ann Nesby are not the only ones who need to see it on paper. Write out what you owe and to whom. Once you visualize the debt, you are more inclined to work at knocking it down or out.
3. Don’t charge what you can’t see. Don’t charge items that will be gone by the time the bill comes. Gasoline, hosiery, trips to fast food places with the kids. You want to be able to have something to show for your spending. When possible, avoid charging things that will be gone in a day or two.
4. Cut spending and apply the savings to your debt. Take lunch to work; take mass transit instead of driving to work and paying for parking; go out with your buddies less often after work. The money you save from curbing those activities may help you increase the payment on a bill or leave extra money for other expenses that pop up.
5. Watch where you spend. Look at where you’ve been spending your money and be more deliberate. You don’t need your ATM or credit cards every time you head out the door. Just by not carrying temptation with you, you can avoid unnecessary spending and your credit balances won’t keep growing.
Children’s Clothes
Some of us remember being teased because we didn’t have the latest duds. Some of us believe not only that clothes make the man, but they make the children and the parents, too. But kids grow fast and spending a lot of money on things that will last them a season at best isn’t reasonable-–and there aren’t always siblings to get the hand-me-downs. But your kids can be dap without breaking the bank.
1. Try discount Web sites. Sites like MagicKidsUSA.com sell discounted, name-brand children’s and infant clothing, including FuBu, Gap, Adidas and Tommy Hilfiger, at 50 to 70 percent below retail. The clothes are not seconds and are packaged in mint condition, according to Saida Watson, a sales rep for the site. Watson told BlackAmericaWeb.com the firm buys dealer and retailer closeouts and passes the savings on to the consumer. Some stores even buy in bulk from the site and get discounts that they pass on to buyers.
2. Think E-Bay. Got a pile of clothes to unload that baby girl wore only once or twice before she outgrew them? Sell them on E-Bay. With the money you earn, you can buy clothes to replace the ones she has outgrown.
3. Trade with friends. If you have friends or relatives or know moms at your children’s daycare or school who have children older or younger than yours, trade clothes. You can pass on perfectly usable garments to someone who can wear them and get some for your children in exchange.
4. Don’t be afraid of thrift stores. Thrift shops are often a good source of donated clothing that are in good to excellent shape, especially stores in or near affluent neighborhoods. Make an outing of it. Ride around and scout out stores to get a sense of which shops have the best stuff. Sometimes you can find jeans for teenagers for as low as $7, if you know where to look.
5. Use department store coupons and hit the clearance table. Some department stores provide coupons in newspaper advertisements or mail coupons to store card customers. Read the fine print carefully. You may find that not only does the coupon give you 25 percent off, but if you use the store card to make the purchase, you can get an extra discount, as much as 15 percent sometimes. Some stores also give customers points for using the card that can be used for future savings. Just remember to pay the bill when it comes in so you don’t end up with the credit card blues.
Vacations
1. Be flexible. If you can travel on short notice, you can take advantage of super cheap cruises and weekend excursions that are not fully booked. Get on the e-mail list for specials with airlines, hotel chains and cruise lines.
2. Get online. Some people turn finding inexpensive vacations into a hobby. Packages are available through such travel sites as Expedia and Travelocity, but with a little patience, you can find deals on your own by just visiting hotel and airline Web sites that are cheaper than going through the discount companies. This is especially good for night owls because some of the best deals come through between midnight and 3 a.m.
3. Stay out of hotels. Renting a house or condo with friends can often be substantially cheaper than staying in a hotel. Pooling resources for rent, rental cars and food to cook your own meals, often results in affordable vacations in resort areas or exotic locales. A party of six to-eight people renting a house that sleeps 10 can find reasonable accommodations without feeling overcrowded.
4. Travel in the off-season. Everyone wants to go somewhere warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It’s also the most expensive time of year to travel. Give the children an incentive. Keep the grades and homework up to date and, perhaps, you go to Disney World a week earlier before the crowds descend for spring break. You’ll have an easier time getting on all the rides, and it will be less expensive because you won’t be there during a peak period. Also, if you’re traveling somewhere that has significant religious ties, i.e. Egypt, Israel, etc., avoid traveling during major holidays such as Christmas or Easter. The price per person can go up as much as $1,000 for the trip.
5. Stay close to home. Consider day trips. Play tourist in your own city or places that are within a day’s drive or a short train/bus ride. And pack your own food. You’ll save a ton by not stopping at a restaurant for every meal.
MDClick Provides Better Health Information
(BlackNews.com)--Today, more than ever, people expect the ease and convenience of online communication in all areas of their daily lives, from banking to booking a vacation. In light of the impact, of Information Technology (IT) solutions on modern society, the medical industry has become responsive. Healthcare professionals are embracing online solutions on a large scale, as IT gains a firm foothold within the healthcare industry, ushering in a movement towards electronic medical recording through systems such as MDclick, an e-enabled online facility, offering medical data online services to patients and healthcare professionals, allowing them to access pertinent medical information globally, 24/7 via the Internet.
The MDclick system works by utilizing the ease of access offered by secure Internet technologies to provide comprehensive patient data. A physician enrolls a patient into the MDclick database, at which time a unique ID is generated by the system and assigned to the patient. Shortly after enrollment, the patient will receive a welcome letter containing two Emergency Cards to place in his or her wallet. Each card will contain the individual’s ID number and name, along with patient-specific data such as health conditions, medications, allergies, immunizations, emergency contacts, insurance provider, and an advanced directive. Patients and healthcare professionals can retrieve, edit, and update records. Access is restricted to the patient and authorized healthcare professionals only--no one else has access. A direct, 24/7 connection to a secure backend database allows for immediate and secure information query and retrieval--anytime, anyplace, and anywhere Internet access is available.
Consider MDclick a tool to fast track the treatment process--a valuable resource in times of emergency. To enable a speedy, accurate diagnosis, and to begin initial treatment, physicians and healthcare providers need to gather a full clinical perspective of patient needs. MDclick provides virtually instantaneous retrieval of essential, detailed, real-time information to physicians and healthcare professionals to most efficiently and rapidly facilitate the administration of treatment, giving the patient the best possible opportunity to make a full recovery, even if he or she is brought into the Emergency Room in a disoriented or an unconscious state.
MDclick is equally valuable during regular visits to the physician’s office. Many people see multiple doctors and specialists throughout their lives. Upon each initial visit to another physician, the patient must fill out lengthy health surveys, detailing medical history, allergies, etc. The responses to these surveys are always subject to the patient’s ability to remember an entire medical past and accurately report it. With MDclick, the possibility of forgetting crucial information is eradicated. Physicians can utilize the MDclick system to keep each other up-to-date on their patients’ medical status, ensuring the most accurate treatment possible. Information can be compiled, stored, and recalled at any time, eliminating the possibility of potentially dangerous reporting omissions. Medical errors are reduced through physician verified data integrity, which is a characteristic unique to MDclick, amongst all other electronic medical recording systems.
Catering to the individual is a key feature of MDclick. A main focus in the creation of the system was user-friendliness through intelligent and thoughtful design. According to President Jasper Chaffin, to be a member, "It is not even necessary for patients to have a computer." MDclick creates secure, private, easy access to an individual’s medical history, providing a useful tool to keep medical records and pertinent information neatly and conveniently in order. That said, perhaps one of the most attractive features of the MDclick system is its capacity to provide its members with constant security and peace of mind.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company promotes Bozeman to VP of Powertrain Operations
Executive retains General Manager Title
Dave Bozeman
Harley-Davidson Motor Company recently announced that Dave Bozeman, 38, has been named vice president and general manager, Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations, located on Capitol Drive in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Advanced Manufacturing Engineering.
In his new role, Bozeman’s responsibilities have expanded to include manufacturing process and product development innovation while continuing to oversee the production of transmissions and engines for Harley-Davidson Sportster and Buell motorcycle models.
"Dave has been instrumental to the Motor Company," said Jim McCaslin, president and chief operating officer, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "He brings a broad range of skills and experience to his work, and I look forward to his continued contributions within the organization."
Since joining Harley-Davidson as a manufacturing engineer in 1992, Bozeman held multiple positions within the company including General Manager Powertrain Operations, Capitol Drive, Product Plant Manager, Technical Manager and Quality Director.
Bozeman received a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Mechanical Design from Bradley University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Currently, he serves on the Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering Advisory Board for Bradley University and is the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Next Door Foundation.
An avid motorcyclist, Bozeman rides a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide motorcycle, along with his wife, Dawn, on her VRSCB V-Rod motorcycle. The couple has four children and lives in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
New career guide helps Black women get ready for the real world
BlackNews.com--A new book, "Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman’s Guide to Life After College," has been published for Black women making the often challenging transition from college to the professional workforce. More than 80,000 Black women graduate from U.S. colleges each year.
Written by Chaz Kyser, a journalism instructor at Langston University, the book will help young Black women have a better chance of success upon entering the workforce. The information presented in the book is based on Kyser’s experiences, those of other college graduates, the insight of employers, and tons of research.
Readers will get schooled on everything from applying and interviewing for jobs, succeeding in a new position, choosing where to live, handling conflicts with co-workers, managing their boss, networking effectively, budgeting, negotiating their salary, and coping with job loss. But what sets this book apart from others on the market is that it’s specifically written for Black women and covers topics that most career-related books ignore.
"One of the problems with the average career guide is that it doesn’t discuss sensitive topics or issues pertinent to people of color," Kyser said. "My book gives informative, inspirational and candid advice on how to succeed in corporate America, handle racial and sex discrimination in the workplace, build a positive image, and free oneself from self-doubt and the fear of failure. Most career guides just stick to the basics of how to find and keep a job. Black women--all college graduates actually--need to be armed with more information than that."
The book also features essays from successful Black women on a variety of topics and a detailed resource guide. Embracing the "Real World" has been praised by college presidents, career experts, students, working professionals, other authors, and the proud parents of young Black women.
Dr. Belinda C. Anderson, president of Virginia Union University, hailed the career guide as a "book that should be on every woman’s bookshelf." Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, president of Langston University, has described the book as "interesting, well written, and packed with practical information for anyone entering the job market."
Kyser, 28, is also a freelance editor and writer. Her career columns for recent graduates have been published in numerous newspapers and Web sites. She received a Master of Science degree in publishing from Pace University in New York, and bachelor’s degrees in print journalism and sociology from Texas State University-San Marcos.
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