The Soul of San Diego Magazine

1The Soul of San Diego Magazine | www.thesoulofsandiegomag.com

The Real ChristmasStory

Preacherman“on the for real side”

Gospel Spotlight:EvangelTaste of Southern CuisineMagnolias Restaurant

December 2005 $2.99

thesoulofsandiegomag.com

2 The Soul of San Diego Magazine / The Magazine for & About the People

It is with great pleasure that wepresent The Soul of San DiegoMagazine. Our radio broadcastblesses our community 24 hoursa day on 1040 AM KURS, and TheSoul of San Diego Magazine will

help us to spread the Gospel of JesusChrist.We encourage you to read, enjoy andshare this new magazine with family andfriends.

Respectfully,

Dr. Timothy J. WintersCEO/PresidentWinLar & Associates

Greetings from Dr. Winters

Experiencethe Word, the Music, the Spirit

with the only 24-hour gospel radio stationin Southern California.

Broadcasting live from America’s Finest City!

Listen to us online atwww.thesoulofsandiego.com and

enjoy soulful sounds around the clock!

Bringing you thebest in Gospel Music!

WinLar & Associates 296 H Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Office: (619) 426-564Fax: (619) 409-4180

Fred Hammond Debbie Winans

This publication would not be possible

if it had not been for the love, prayers, and

support of a whole lot of people. We thank

WinLar Associates (Dr. Timothy Winters

and Rev. Larry Thompson) for their vision for

The Soul of San Diego Gospel Music on 1040

AM KURS. We extend a sincere apprecia-

tion to our spouses Julie Thomas and David

Turner for allowing us the time away from

home and family to make this dream come

true.

We dedicate this inaugural issue of

The Soul of San Diego Magazine to our

children Joshlyn, Jeremiah, Julian and

Whitney. And in loving memory of Jason.

The Inspire Group

DEDICATION


M

Mission Statement

To help spread the Gospel message bypublishing the most respectedcommunity-based Christian bimonthlymagazine.

To provide our readers with insights,information and inspiration.

To provide our customers withprofessional service.

What is The Soul of San Diego?

The Inspire Group

The Soul of San DiegoMagazine

Contact:The Inspire GroupP.O. Box 153061

San Diego, CA 92195(619) 867-4087

[email protected]

Advertising:(619) 840-1653

[email protected]

any of us already know that The Soul of San Diego is the only 24-hour

Gospel Radio Station in Southern California:1040 AM KURS. But what

exactly is The Soul of San Diego? What is the essence – the spirit – the

vital life force that gives our city and community the unique title:

“America’s Finest City”?

Our magazine will answer that question and many others. We will

provide you with answers and encourage you to ask questions.

We will help you see the hidden nature of our city. We want to share

knowledge from local experts. We want to stimulate your mind and emo-

tions to the point where you feel compelled to take action to improve your

life.

We invite you to take this journey and consider all that God has given our

community.

The Soul of San Diego Magazine is one of a kind. And we hope you

will read and enjoy it. Support us and find out why we are the magazine

“for and about the people”.

The Soul of San Diego MagazinePublisher & Editor

Brian A. ThomasP. Lynne Turner

Sales DirectorJohn Samuel

Graphic DesignerTerri Fowler

Article EditorTara Jones

Information System ManagerJake Turner

PhotographersBobby Carney

Bill GernForney Johnson

Contributing WritersCharles Bennafield

Tim CarrKristin Currin

Janice Groves-ToddDonayle Henderson

Clovis HonoréTheresa LamerDarrow PerkinsYvonette PowellDiane ShannonYvonne SmithJulie Thomas

Distribution & CirculationInterns

Photograph by Brian Thomas

The Inspire GroupPresident

Rev. Brian A. Thomas

Vice PresidentP. Lynne Turner

THE SOUL OF SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE is published bi-monthly by The Inspire Group, P.O. Box 153061,San Diego, CA USA, Telephone (619) 867-4087. All contents copyright 2005 by The Soul of San DiegoMagazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction of contents is prohibited without prior written permission fromthe publisher. Advertisement herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement by this magazine. Weattempt to verify all information which appears herein. However, we are not able to guarantee that allinformation herein is fact. Re-verification before taking action is highly suggested. We reserve the right torefuse any advertisement for any reason. For advertising policies, rates and more details, visit our web site.


FEATURESThe Real Christmas Story 10Dr. Darrow Perkins

The Man Behind theMicrophone 16An interview with Larry “Preacherman”Thompson.

Cuss Me Outand Cut My Hair 20Nikki G. Bannister shares her personal story.

Taking Care of Our Own 21Dr. Rodney Hood discussesSan Diego’s response to Katrina.

CITY DINING:Restaurant Review 22Magnolias Restaurant - Southern Dining forthe whole family.

SAN DIEGO BUSINESS:Diamond Business ImprovementDistrict 23

EDUCATION:Survival Tips for School 28

Why We Don’t ReadSeven solutions to make readinga more popular activity.

AROUND TOWN:Calendar of Events 30

INSPIRATION:Rosa Parks Tribute 5Rosa Sat Down to Make a Stand.

The Modern Day Prayer Room 6Prayer on a Mountain

HEALTHY LIVING/FITNESS:Childhood Obesity 8Your child’s health may be at-risk.

Help Your Child Have AHealthier New Year 9Healthy habits followed early.

ContentsLarry “Preacherman” Thompson and Joann his (Bride-by-his-side)


HOLIDAYS:Three Dads 11No Santa allowed in this house!

Soul Food GoneGourmet 12Smart cooking with Shirley Smartt

Holiday Budgeting andPlanning Tips 14

12 Healthy Tips 15

GOSPEL SCENE:Artist Spotlight 19Evangel

On-Air Talent 18

“The Soul of SanDiego Gospel Radiois the essence of thecity.” Page 16


Rosa Parks Sat Down toMake A Stand

Nearly Fifty years ago after much despairA protest was made against what was unfairSome claim she sat because of tired feetBut she stood tall by refusing to give up her seat.

For 381 days a mobilization begunA people unified until victory was won.Because she sat some freedoms began to ringAnd the world came to know Dr. Martin Luther King

Her place in history will long be securedBut few really understand all she enduredHer actions weren’t driven by hopes of fameShe had no idea that this would cause her name

To be known world wide and ignite so many sparksSo for her life of courage we salute Mrs. Rosa Parks.When she sat down she really stood tallAnd this one decision has changed us all

In the winter of her life, she gently passed awayLord raise up others like her who’ll stand tall this dayWe need yielded vessels empowered by You in this hourMen and women, who understand and know of Your power.

Let us cherish her legacy but never ever get it wrongFor Mrs. Parks understood that in her weakness You are so strongWe place our trust Lord, in You, and place no confidence in man.Raise others like Rosa Parks who will sit down to make a stand

President George W. Bush signed legislation on Friday, December 2, 2005 to havea statue of Rosa Parks erected in the U.S. Capitol.

By Pastor Charles Bennafield

Pastor Bennafield serves at the Cornerstone Community Church,Stone Mountain, Georgia


Modern Day Prayer RoomINSPIRATION

By Kristin Currin

continued on page 27

Cowels Mountain hikers trail

“The Lord quickens me on the top ofthat mountain just like he quickenedJesus in the Garden of Gethsemanewhen he said thy will be done.”

“But like I said before, the Lordministers to me in my climb – everystep is a lesson.”

t used to be the bedroom closet where Big Ma wouldgo to speak to Jesus and hear the voice of the Lord.

But in an age where we hustle from our air-conditioned homes to bustle around in our air conditionedcars – rushing through daily errands in this high tech age,only to hit the Lord’s Day and sit cooped up in an air-conditioned church with everything we got to do once weget out of here on our minds; all the while we expect Godto fix what we need him to fix when we need him to . . . Ifind unmatched therapy in my modern-day prayer closet:mountain.

I know, it sounds archaic and weird when we talkabout an internet and nuclear weapons age, but I’mserious. There’s something about packing up my frustra-tions and anxieties and pounding them out on a climb upthe tallest mountain in San Diego.I feel closer to Jesus than any revelation He ever laid outfor me when I briskly walk up the hillside through terrainI imagine looks much like the Mount of Olives and thegarden of Gethsemane. Don’t tune me out–I’m no out-doors freak-I’m just like you. The sight of bugs and dampweather send me in the opposite direction. But on a cool,crisp morning or just when the sun’s headed west and isbright, but no longer hot, I can release my burdens on themountain and hear more clearly from the Lord than anyother place I have ever been.

There, a message, a ministry is in literally everystep I take. You’ll find all types of people on the mountain,yet everyone with the same goal – to get something fromthe climb.

There are your soccer moms who huddle in pairsand kick out their frustrations with their daily routines, -your single guys and gals who saunter along or try to showoff with spurts of athleticism in their mountain man ormountain chic meets-The-Gap outfits (they’re looking tomeet somebody apparently). You’ve got your seniorsmaking their way up with all the best gear: mountainshoes, walking staffs or mountain climbing spears. Theyseem wistful and simultaneously eager to get to the top;though the world tries to tell them they’re long over thehill. There are parents with their kids, trying to show them

a morsel of life and adventure that they’ve never seen:something for them to chew on and tell their friends atschool. Then there are folks like me: we don’t have theproper gear or “style” but are quick, consistent, serious,and have a look on our faces that is miles away – some-where not on that mountain or on the busy life that awaitsus below.

But I’m not mad at them – they can all go and gettheirs – ‘cause I am going to get mine on that mountaintop!They can have their expert equipment and cool shoes. Mybald tennis shoes have no traction whatsoever. But I don’tmind. So instead of taking the normal path that is worn inand has gravel, I have to take the road less traveled; thepath within the path that is rockier and has more dips andinconsistencies. I guess the slight competitive naturewithin me enjoys the harder climb. It’s like our lives hereas African Americans; we may start the climb without thebest of the best equipment, but what we don’t have forcesus to work harder and faster than the rest. While others onthe mountain can dilly dally along with all of their “toolsand toys”, I don’t have to stop for anybody as I blur pastthem. While they’re talking, I’m sweating and pumping. Ican speak only for myself, but I enjoy whipping past folkswho were a distant silhouette just minutes before. It’sbecause I work smarter, not harder that I can beat them.

I


No matter the trials that I must faceI’ll learn to trust you as I run this raceNo matter the hardships that I must endureI’ll cling to Your word for I know it’s sureWhen trouble all around me constantly ringsI’ll trust in the comfort that Your presence bringsNo matter the tests that I must go thruLord even through the storm I will praise You

When my world seems like it is falling apartI pray Lord that You’ll show me where to startFor it is Your will that I desire always to doEmpower me Lord to patiently press on throughThrough times of struggle, character is being formedLord I’m clinging to Your hand as I go through this stormNo matter the tests that I must go thruLord even through the storm I will praise YouWhen friends turned their backs and walked out on me

Father, I stretch my hands straight up to theeYou never forsook me nor ever left me aloneThat’s why I hasten right now to Your throneHelp me share the gospel with those who have not heardFor now I’ve learned to lean and depend on Your WordNo matter the tests that I must go thruLord even through the storm I will praise You

Nothing else matters more in life now to meThan to deny myself and bring glory to TheeI’ve come to recognize just how blessed I’ve beenFor Jesus’ blood has washed away all of my sinDangers, fires, and floods - they still linger aroundThank You, Lord, for taking me up to higher groundNo matter the tests that I must go thruLord even through the storm I will praise You

Pastor Bennafield serves at the Cornerstone Community Church,Stone Mountain, Georgia

By Pastor Charles W. Bennafield

EVEN THROUGH THE STORM I WILLPRAISE YOU

WHEN By Yvonne Smith

When I was blind

You made me see

When I was weary

You comforted me

When I walked in darkness

You gave me light

When I wanted to let go

You held on tight

When I stumbled and fell

You picked me up

When I was thirsty

You filled my cup

When I was sick

My body you healed

When I was hungry

With you I never missed a meal

When I thought I walked alone

You were by my side

When I had no friend to talk to

In you I could always confide

When I was weak

You made me strong

When I could walk no more

You carried me along

When I hurt

You share my pain

When I thought I would go mad

You kept me sane

When I cried

You wiped away my tears

When I was afraid

You took away my fears

When I sinned

Your love you never denied

When I asked,

“How much do you love me?”

YOU STRETCHED OUT YOUR

ARMS AND DIED!

MATTHEW 25:35-36 KJV


In California as well as other parts of the nation,obesity in children is quickly becoming a growingepidemic. The health conse-quences of obesity can be verydevastating and can often lead topremature death. This epidemic isespecially prevalent in lowerincome communities as well as incommunities of color. These communities tend to haveless access to healthy foods and are not made aware ofthe need for living a lifestyle that includes fitness andgood nutrition as a regular part of their daily lives. According to statistics, children between the agesof 6 to 11 are more at risk of obesity than most others,and the numbers are increasing rapidly. In California,one in 3 children is considered obese or overweightand even more are considered unfit along with being

Helpful suggestions by The Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention to remember and practice thiscold and flu season:

In the workplace and at school:• Avoid close contact• Stay home when you are sick• Cover your mouth and nose when cough-

ing or sneezing• Clean your hands (soap and water or

antibacterial soap)• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

By Diane Shannon

hildhood Obesityhildhood Obesity

overweight. These children are at greater risk forserious health problems such as diabetes, high bloodpressure and, depression, among other health issues.The issue of being overweight in childhood will morethan likely be carried into adulthood if we don’t takesteps of intervention and prevention now. With proper exercise and eating habits, it is pos-sible for us to reduce the risk of obesity in children aswell as adults. We as adults need to set the examplefor our children and educate them on the need forproper exercise and eating, which will lead to

healthier lifestyles and possiblylonger life. Changing these statisticsand decreasing the rate of obesity inAmerica will take the involvementof entire communities. Let’s all worktogether to make a difference in the

lives of our children and others by changing the waywe think, the way we live, the way we survive. Wecan make a difference together!

For more information on fitness, nutrition and lifestyle,contact Diane Shannon, Certified Fitness and NutritionTrainer and Lifestyle Consultant (619) 262-9622 [email protected].

Tips for the Flu Season

If you have questions or comments for this column, send email [email protected], or mail them to MY HEALTH, The Soul of SanDiego Magazine, P.O. Box 153061, San Diego, CA 92195. Answers toall questions are checked with a physician. This information is notintended as a substitute for individual, professional medical treatment.Because of the volume of mail received, we cannot give personalreplies.

You can prevent the flu by vaccination each Fall, butgood health behaviors and antiviral medication are otherways you can protect yourself and your family against theflu.

Live Fit! Eat Well! Live Long!


ealthy habits formed early inlife are likely to follow into

adulthood. Help your child developthese habits by creating a list ofhealthy resolutions for the new year.The following tips from the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics can be used asa guide.

Prevent violence by setting goodexamples. Hitting, slapping andspanking teacheschildren that it is acceptable to hit otherpeople to solve problems. Nonphysicalforms of discipline, such as time-outs,work better in the long run. Rememberthat words can hurt too.

Help your child live in a healthyenvironment. Indoor air pollution fromtobacco increases ear infections, chestinfections, and even Sudden InfantDeath Syndrome. If you smoke,consider quitting. Remember, the mostimportant predictor of whether yourchildren will grow up to be smokers iswhether you smoke. Make your homea smoke-free zone. Make sure yourchild is current on recommendedimmunizations.

HELP YOUR CHILD HAVE A HEALTHIER NEW YEARHEALTHY LIVING

Read to your child everyday. Start bythe age of 6 months. Reading tochildren shows them the importance ofcommunication and motivates them tobecome readers. It also provides acontext to discuss issues and learnwhat is on your child’s mind.

Pay attention to nutrition. Nutritionmakes a big difference in how kidsgrow, develop and learn. Good nutri-tion is a matter of balance. Providefoods from several food groups ateach meal.Emphasize foods that are lessprocessed, such as whole-grainbreads and cereals and fresh fruitsand vegetables. Review your child’sdiet with your pediatrician for sugges-tions.

Do a “childproofing” survey of yourhome. A child’s-eye view home surveyshould systematically go from room toroom, removing all the “booby traps”that await the curious toddler orpreschooler. Think of poisons, smallobjects, sharp edges, knives andfirearms, and places to fall.

Monitor your child’s “media”.Monitor what your children see andhear on television, in movies and inmusic. Children are affected by whatthey see and hear, particularly inthese times of violent images. Talkto your children about “content”. Ifyou feel that a movie or TV programis inappropriate, redirect your childto more suitable programming.

Help kids understand tobacco,alcohol and the media. Help yourteenager understand the truth aboutthe dangers of using alcohol andtobacco products. Help direct yourchild toward TV shows and moviesthat do not glamorize the use of

tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

Become more involved in yourchild’s school and your child’seducation. Visit your child’s school.Become active in school-basedparent organizations. Volunteer inthe classroom or for special projects.Be available to help with homework.If your child’s education is important toyou, it will be important to him.

Make your children feel loved andimportant. Kids develop a sense ofself-worth early in life. Listen to whatyour children have to say and assurethem that they are loved and safe.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics;www.aap.org

H


T he Rea l Chr i s tmas S tor y

Dr. Darrow Perkins, Jr., PastorMesa View Baptist Church, San Diego, CA

very year, the day after Thanksgiving marks the official beginning of the Christ-mas shopping season. I’ve found that stores begin putting out their Christmas

merchandise earlier and earlier each year. It’s amazing to me how Christmasdecorations are being made available as early as Labor Day. And by the timeHalloween comes around, it’s everywhere! People are setting up their schedulesas to when they will do their shopping and anticipate long lines, bad attitudes andshort tempers. The day after Thanksgiving is becoming a “day of death” as peopleare being trampled and stampeded over, just to get to the newest toys, gadgets, anditems on sale. Christmas is not a “day of death”, but rather the celebration of thehuman birth of the true giver of life. It marks the official beginning of the humanrepresentation of the Omnipotent, Faithful, and Just One, known to us as Jesus,the Christ.

Luke, the physician, is our writer and makes us aware of the humble beginningsof our Lord’s earthly journey. Knowing that his actions as a physician meant thedifference between life and death, he uses the same approach in cataloguing thelife and events of our Savior, down to the minutest detail. In his gospel, Lukeshows Christ as the “Son of Man”, one who comes to share in the plight of manand sympathize with his situation (his sinful state). In chapter 1, we find theaccount of Zacharius and Elizabeth, parents to the forerunner known as John theBaptist. God does not work by coincidence and there’s a significance to theirnames. The name “Zacharius” means “God Remembers” and the name “Eliza-

Luke 2:6-14© 2005 By Dr. Darrow Perkins, Jr.

beth” means “His Promise”. When you put the meaning of those names together,you get “God Remembers His Promise.” Isn’t it good to know that when Godmakes a promise: (1) He remembers it; and (2) He’s able to keep it! As the storygoes, Zacharius, being a priest, is visited by the angel Gabriel in the temple and istold some things concerning the birth of his child. Zacharius was an older manand had doubts concerning how it would all come to pass. Gabriel told him so thathe would believe, he would not be able to speak until the child was born and thetime of naming him was at hand. At that moment, his ability to speak was takenaway and when the child was born, they asked him what his name would be and atthat moment, his throat opened up and he said, “John.” This is just one of theevents leading up to the birth of Christ. I’d like to present a few things in referenceto The Real Christmas Story that give us a better understanding of the significanceof the season. First, The Prophecy. God doesn’t do anything by chance, coincidence, or hap-penstance. Everything is done decently and in order based on the perfect will anddirection of God. It was no coincidence that the story of the coming Messiah wastold many years ago. The Prophet Isaiah has made it clear for our understandingthe things concerning the coming of the Messiah. Written some 700 years beforethe actual birth of Christ, he makes the statement that the Messiah is coming. InIsaiah 7:14 (KJV) we are told “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call him nameImmanuel”. This birth would be something special and unique, taking place like


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o Santa Claus allowed in thishouse. Three dads have taken a standby not teaching a lie when it comesto the true meaning of Christmas. It’s important to Brian, Rollandand Tony, three African Americanfathers who are raising their childrenin San Diego. According to Rolland,“it’s important that our children hearand learn the true meaning of Christ-

mas from a very young age.” These are Christian fathers. Eachwas raised here in San Diego,Rolland graduated from Helix HighSchool, while Brian and Tony bothgraduated from Morse High School.Each has been married for twentyyears or more. Soon after their firstchildren were born, the fathersagreed that they needed some familytraditions. “Family traditions aregood things especially when theyinvolve children and holidays,” saysTony. Christmas proved to be the bestopportunity to start a tradition andteach valuable lessons to theirchildren. They saw an opportunity toteach their children and felt it wastheir obligation to promote the truereason for the season - celebratingthe birth of Jesus Christ. But a family tradition wouldaccomplish so much more. It wouldhelp build up children with a proper

and healthy understanding of whoJesus Christ is. And why Christmasseason is so special in the first place. The tradition centers on good friendsgathering their families together acouple of nights before Christmas.Good food is served (soul-food

actually). Christmasdecorations are allaround the house. Atree is trimmed toperfection andstockings are hung bythe fireplace. Christ-mas music is playedin the background andthe smell of a goodmeal lingers in the air.The kids play all overthe house and peek in

at the gifts under the Christmas tree. At a specific time, the fathers callthe families together near the tree.They decide that a story should betold. Not a folktale like “’Twas theNight Before Christmas”. Not a madeup story at all. But the fathers decidethat the best story to be told is theoriginal and true Christmas story - thestory about the birth of our Savior,Jesus Christ. Every year for the past 20 years, the

fathers will open up a Bible and eachof them read from the Gospel of LukeChapter 2:1-14. Each man would reada few verses then hand the Bible overto the next; he would read and then thenext man. Tony, Rolland, and Brian havealways understood the lasting impres-sions their collective voices wouldhave on their children. - Men of Godreading to their families. - Men ofGod stepping up and being real fathers– real men. The tradition has been so effectivethat the older children 18-21 years old,now tell the story to the youngerchildren ages 8 – 14. Granted thefirstborns have updated the story withboth hip-hop and improvisations (a-laThe Cosby Show) but the Gospel

message is stillshared. When asked,don’t you worrythat your kidsspoil the fun forother childrenwho still believein Santa Claus.The father’sreply: “there isnothing to worryabout, our chil-dren know thetruth and are morethan glad to share

the truth with their friends and anyonewho asks.” One important footnote to thisChristmas tradition - after sharing thetrue meaning of Christmas, an expla-nation is given about why gifts areexchanged – symbolizing the gift Godgave us in His Son Jesus Christ. Thenand only then are the children allowedto open one gift that night.

By Brian Thomas

Three Dads and a Christmas TraditionN

Photograph by Julie Thomas


Soul Food Gone Gourmet

COCONUT CHICKEN

4 skinless chicken breast 1 sm. onion, chopped1 tsp. salt 2 c. coconut milk1 tsp. white pepper 1 c. chicken stock4 T. flour, all-purpose 1/4 c. toasted coconut, for garnish4 T. vegetable oil

FRIED BEEF RIBS3 to 4 Ibs. beef ribs 1 tsp. thyme2 T. seasoned salt 1 tsp. rosemary1 tsp. black pepper 48 oz. vegetable oil1 T. garlic powder

Combine seasoned salt, pepper, garlic, thyme and rosemary. Rub all sides ofrib with seasonings. Place in an airtight container. Refrigerate several hoursor overnight. Heat oil until hot in a deep fryer or large skillet. Use awood handle spoon to test heat of oil. Pat ribs dry with paper towels, ifneeded, before slowly dropping into hot oil. Cook ribs 10 to 15 minutesor until fork tender. Rest on paper towels or until ready to serve.

FRUIT AND NUT STUFFIN

4 T. vegetable oil1 Lg. sweet onion, chopped3 celery stalks, chopped20 oz. chicken stock (2 cans)½ c. butter, melted2 T. ground sage1 T. poultry seasoning1 tsp. salt1 tsp. black pepper1 box stuffin mix6 slices white toast, cubed (small)2 Lg. pears (green) cored and chopped2 Lg. green apples, firm, cored andchopped1 c. walnuts, toasted and chopped coarse

Combine in a sauce pan, oil, onionsand celery. Cook on medium oneminute. Add stock, butter, sage,poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. In alarge bowl, add stuffin mix, toast,pears, apples and nuts. Pour in veg-etable and stock mixture, Stir enoughto combine. Pour into a greasedcasserole or baking dish. Cook in a350° oven 15 to 20 minutes or untillight brown. Serves 6 to 8.

Sprinkle all sides of chicken with salt, pepper and flour. Shake off excessflour. In a skillet with oil, heat to medium-high. Cook 2 minutes per side.Pour off grease, except about 2 tablespoons. Add onions, cook until trans-lucent, 1 or 2 minutes. Return chicken to skillet. Add coconut milk andstock. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until fork tender. Garnish each servingwith toasted coconut. Makes 4 servings.

RECIPES

Shirley Smartt


· Instant potatoes are a good stew thickener.

· Three large stalks of celery, chopped and added to about two cups ofbeans (navy, brown, pinto, etc.), will make them easier to digest.

· When cooking vegetables that grow above ground, the rule of thumb is toboil them without a cover.

· A lump of sugar added to water when cooking greens helps veg-etables retain their fresh color.

· Never soak vegetables after slicing; they will lose much of theirnutritional value.

· Fresh vegetables require little seasoning or cooking. If the vegetable isold, dress it up with sauces or seasoning.

GREEN STUFFED PORK

6 pork steaks10 oz. chopped greens(turnips or mustards), squeeze½ c. green onions (tops and bottoms), sliced1 T. garlic, chopped1 T. mint, fresh chopped¾ seasoned bread crumbs

1 egg½ tsp. salt½ tsp. black pepper½ tsp. nutmegVegetable oil sprayToothpicks1 c. Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven 350°. Pound steaks thin. Cover with damp paper towel and set aside. Combine greens, onions,garlic, mint, crumbs, ¾ c. Parmesan cheese, egg salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix well. Lay out each steak. Dividestuffing equally, placing on bottom end, roll upward to top end. Use toothpicks to hold ends and slide together.Spray baking dish with vegetable spray. Place steak rolls in dish. Lightly spray each with oil and sprinkleremaining Parmesan cheese on rolls. Bake in center of oven 20 to 30 minutes or until done.

CORN BREAD PUDDING

12 bread slices, potato (cut off crust)4 c. milk4 lg. eggs2 c. granulated sugar1 T. cinnamon

1 T. allspice1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper1 tsp. nutmeg fresh grated15-oz. can creamed corn3/4 c. butter, melted

Cut each slice of bread into six squares. Pile in a large bowl. In a different bowl, combine milk, eggs, sugar,cinnamon, allspice, pepper and nutmeg. Beat until well mixed, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir together corn and butter. Add tolarge bowl with bread and milk egg mixture. Stir to mix well. Pour into a buttered 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Bake ina 350° oven 45 minutes or until brown. Serves 8 to 10.

COOKING TIPS

Order Shirley’s cookbookSoul Food Gone Gourmet by

visiting her website atwww.smartcooking.com


he day after Thanksgiving is the most anticipatedshopping day of the year – the beginning of the holidayshopping season. It’s also a time when poor financialplanning can lead to overspending and deeper debt.

“When you don’t plan, spending for gift-giving canbecome a burden,” says Suzanne Boas, president ofConsumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) Atlanta.“Now is the time to compare your income and savingsto your credit card debt, living expenses and otherfinancial obligations. This assessment should help youdetermine the number of gifts you can afford to giveand the total amount you can afford to spend.” With consumer spending at its lowest point in nine

years, CCCS Atlanta offers three tips to help holidayshoppers spend wisely: draft a spending plan in No-vember, stay the course in December and breatheeasier in January.

Draft a Plan in November

• Develop your holiday budget: determine what finan-cial expenses you’ll have in November and December.Decide whom you’ll shop for and the number of giftsyou’ll need to buy. Don’t give more gifts than you canafford.

• Boost your holiday spending account: ask aboutways to make overtime pay at work. Look for sea-sonal, part-time employment and consider using partof any holiday bonus to offset expenses. Find ways tocut your energy and utility bills, like turning off thelights and television whenever possible.

.

BUDGETING AND PLANNINGHOLIDHOLIDHOLIDHOLIDHOLIDAAAAAY FEAY FEAY FEAY FEAY FEATURETURETURETURETURE

Stay the Course in December

• Avoid last minute shopping: shopping under stresscan lead to more spending. You might buy what’seasiest, which may not be most economical.• Shop smart and look for deals: look for sales,discounts, coupons in newspapers and deals on-line.Ask about markdowns after the holidays. It may beworth buying gifts after Dec. 25.• Track your expenses: tally your receipts from creditcard, check and cash purchases. Don’t spend moremoney than you’ve set aside.

Breathe Easier in January

• Maintain financial planning momentum: if you’vekept to your budget, you’ll start the year with less debtstress. Don’t stop your financial planning after theholidays. Plan for the year. Balance your householdbudget and you could have even more money to fuelyour holiday spending in (2006).

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H

1. Plan ahead. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, highcholesterol or any other chronic disease, you should talk withyour doctor about what to do if you don’t feel well. Forexample, should you adjust your medications? Do moreexercise? Avoid exercise? Remember that it is better to be safethan sorry, and it is better to visit the doctor at his or her officethan visiting the emergency room of the nearest hospital.2. Know your numbers. If you have diabetes or high bloodpressure, checkyour numbers often,even more oftenthan you normallydo. Monitoringgives you aninvaluable feedbackthat will influencethe choices youmake. For example,if you go out to eatknowing that youhave high bloodglucose, you wouldbe more likely tochoose your meal wisely. You will always be empow-ered by the information you get to make smart choices.The same goes for the scale. If you find out that yougained 3 pounds, you will be more careful with yourdiet and exercise.3. Keep up the exercise. Continue your regular exer-cise program over the holidays and, if possible, do more. Tryworking out early in the morning and stay as active as possibleduring the day. Exercise will help you control blood glucoselevels, blood pressure, raise your good cholesterol, burncalories and reduce your stress levels. Also, plan non-eatingevents. Take your friends or family shopping, skating ordancing. You’ll have fun in a healthy way.4. Keep it small. Eat small portions of food and use a smallplate. Try to serve in your plate no more that what could fit inyour hand, preferably vegetables and lean protein like meat,chicken, turkey or fish. Try to eat more fish and skinlesspoultry instead of red meat and remember to drink your 8glasses of water a day. Also try to stay away from alcoholbecause it increases your appetite.5. Eat slowly. Savor each bite, enjoying the taste of the food.Remember that it takes at least 20 minutes for your brain todetect that you are satisfying your hunger, so you will eat less

oliday gatherings revolve around family, friends and traditional holiday food. But you don’t need to stay out of the game to stayhealthy. Enjoy those delicious holiday meals, but learn to make smart choices to avoid unwanted pounds, high glucose readings, highblood pressure or a raise in your cholesterol levels. Follow these 12 tips to make this one a healthy and happy holiday season.

By Nina Nazor

if you do it slowly.6. Watch out for sodium. Avoid adding too much salt to yourcooking. Use aromatic herbs, garlic and onion and stay awayfrom the salt shaker at the table. Also, cut down on foodscontaining a lot of sodium such as canned soups, lunch meatsand other processed foods.7. Provide for yourself. Offer to bring your favorite healthylow carb dishes to holiday parties. Your host might appreciate

it, and you’ll have a healthy option handy. If you arehome, try to prepare and freeze several quick, healthymeals or have some healthy frozen meals available.8. Stay away from the buffet table. Sit as far as possiblefrom the food and avoid seconds. Always fill half of yourplate with fresh veggies and go for the leanest meats. Ifyou can’t help having dessert, try a small portion of your

favorite dish or opt forfresh fruit.9. Avoid fast and un-healthy food. Nowadays,most fast food joints havehealthy meals. If you arein a rush away from home,choose to go for the saladwith grilled chicken andlow calorie dressingsinstead of the fried foods,and always carry a lowcarb bar for an emergencymeal replacement (if you

have diabetes remember to carry some glucose source for alow sugar episode too).10. Don’t go to a party on an empty stomach. Beforeattending any event, eat a snack or light meal. Foods high inprotein, like chicken or cottage cheese, as well as a spoonful ofnuts like pecans, peanuts or almonds, will help you satisfyyour appetite and you will eat less later on. If you are the host,fill your table with flavorful vegetable dishes and prepare low-fat and low-carb versions of your favorite family holidayfoods.11. Get rid of edible gifts. Most of us get chocolates, candyand other delicacies loaded with carbs and fat. The best adviceI can give you is to share them. Bring them to parties or givethem away to your friends.12. Take care of your kids. Don’t let them eat whatever theywant during this time. Cut down on sodas and candy andpromote fun activities to keep them active.

12 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HOLIDAYHEALTH/FITNESS


The Man Behind the MicrophoneBy P. Lynne Turner


PreachermanEver wondered what a person lookslike when you hear them over theradio?

Well, it is always a mystery to meuntil you can put a name with aface. I had the pleasure to sit downwith “The Man behind the Micro-phone” a few days ago. You canhear him over the radio and theinternet every Monday throughFriday and early Sunday morning

sunrise from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on1040 AM KURS the Soul of SanDiego.

Friends, this is the“Preacherman”, born Larry MiltonThompson, Jr. Preacherman is thedriving force behind the on-airtalent and the general manager atTSSD. On a daily basis, you canlook forward to words of encour-agement, and a down-home senseof humor. Nevertheless, there ismore to know about Preachermanand “that’s on the for-real side”, aphrase incidentally coined. Hiscolorful expressions stand out fromothers on any given day when youhear him say “Forney riding shot-gun” or “Joann, my bride, by myside.” These phrases have caughton by droves by audience listeners!

Following are a few questionsasked of Preacherman during ourinterview.

P. Lynne Turner: Who is Larry“Preacherman” Thompson?

Preacherman: I am a man living adream of a boy. A servant of Godand mankind. A dreamer – chosen,called and destined by my faith inGod.

P. Lynne Turner: How did you getstarted in radio?

Preacherman: on the for-realside”, when I was a kid, I wouldtake two aluminum pie pans and acoca cola bottle. I would put onepie pan on the right and one on theleft, and the coke bottle in themiddle. The coke bottle was mymicrophone and the pie pans weremy turntables (LOL). For me,obviously, it was not a real start,but it was a fantasy start. Prior tothe launching of TSSD, the SalemRadio Network, an on-air-talent forRadio Stations KPRZ and KCBQ,employed me. I am from Missis-sippi, so in the state of Mississippi,my first experience in radio came

with a Country and Western radiostation WJXN. I would work onSaturdays from 10 until midnight tofill in when the regular air talentwas not available. My educationstarted at San Diego City College,Columbia School of Broadcasting,and the rest has been reading booksabout radio broadcasting.P. Lynne Turner: When you say“The Soul of San Diego” (TSSD),what does it mean to you?

Preacherman: To me, TSSD is theessence of the city. I am talkingabout the spirit of the city that isexemplified in the mood of thepeople, and the vibe of the city thatis reflected by the vibe of thepeople. TSSD is literally about thespiritual being of this city, thespiritual atmosphere, the climate,the energy, the mood of the city.How the city responds in a crisisand our level of response to eachother.

P. Lynne Turner: What has beenone of your most memorablemoments on-air with TSSD?

Preacherman: Well that is a verydifficult question. Each day I am


on the air, I take with me memo-rable moments. Probably one ofthe most emotional moments waswhen I was in the spirit of encour-aging our listening audience and acaller responded to my expressions.They told me that I was not speak-ing out of a need to encourage thecommunity, but was speaking out aneed to be encouraged. In otherwords, I was trying to be an en-couragement and at the same time,I needed encouragement.

P. Lynne Turner: In your opinion,what will the radio station KURS1040 AM look and sound like infive years?

Preacherman: Five years fromnow, I believe that the TSSD willhave grown to a position of na-tional influence and recognition. Ibelieve that TSSD is destined forimpact here in San Diego. Mypersonal goal here is to have thenumber one Gospel Radio Stationin the nation. What will it soundlike? Five years from now TSSDwill sound just like it does now.The only difference is the maturityin the sound, the on-air talent, andprogramming.

P. LynneTurner: Whoare your favor-ite gospelartists?

Preacherman:Oooooooo,well if I toldyou that myfavorite artist isnot gospel, Ihope I’m notmisinterpreted.

However, to be honest with you, Ido not have a favorite nor prefer-ence one gospel artist above theother because gospel music isconstantly changing. But there area few that immediately come tomind, not as artists but the lyrics byYolanda Adams “Day by Day”speaks to my existence. About amonth ago, it was Shadrach “IPromise”. An old-time favoriteAnita Baker’s lyrics “Giving Youthe Best I Got” says what I try todemonstrate on the radio. Theseparticular artists have ministered tomy spirit in my time of need. Infact, there’s not enough time toshare all the artists I enjoy”!

P. Lynne Turner: What would youlike to tell us about your businesspartner Dr. Winters?

Preacherman: This is anotherdifficult question to answer and itis difficult only because no wordscan express what Dr. Wintersmeans me. Let me break it down . .. he is truly a man of God. I havegreat admiration and respect forhim. I am a better man because ofDr. Winters. He is like a fatherfigure, but not my father figure, ifyou know what I mean. Dr. Win-

ters has the favor of God on hisside. He has made his commit-ment to God and has establishedhis mission to preach anuncompromised gospel, and “that’son the for-real side.” When hespeaks about generosity, he exhib-its it and takes it to another level.When he teaches about giving toGod first, he demonstrates it. It isno surprise to me, why his congre-gation regards him so high.

P. Lynne Turner: What role hasyour family played in your minis-try/work?

Preacherman: Joann, “my brideby my side” plays a significant rolein my ministry. She is my help andsupport. My family has alwayssupported my ministry and workfor the Lord. God has truly beengood to my family.

P. Lynne Turner: Who or whatinspires the Preacherman?

Preacherman: When peoplerespond to the gift . . . I do what Ido because of Jesus Christ. Inspite of me, He remains faithful!Through all my adversities, chal-lenges, victories, peaks and val-leys, I still do it for Jesus. Positivepeople making a difference bytheir contributions to the cityinspire me. I am inspired as I seeevidence that our community iscoming together to make a differ-ence in our city.

Friends, this is the “Preacherman”closing with these words as hepierced his eyes with such serious-ness; “I want to be remembered asthe greatest gospel music DJ everlived, and that’s on the for-realside.”


1. Looking For You - Kirk Franklin

2. Day By Day - Yolanda Adams

3. Yes - Shekinah Glory

4. Work It Out - Dr. Charles G. Hayes & Warriors

5. I Know The Truth - Shirley Ceasar fea. Tonex

6. Moments of Worship - Eddie Baltrip

7. Yesterday - Mary Mary

8. I’m Still Here - Mississippi Mass Choir

9. Changes - William Murphy

10. You Don’t Know (Remix) - “KiKi” Sheard

4195 National Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

(619) 262-2711

For all your hair care needscall on our staff:

Richard White, OwnerL.T., Barbara, Tina, Jonie, Lena & Don

[email protected]

Where the stars go!

But seek ye the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and ll thesethings shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

Hall of Fame CoiffeuresKURS 1040 AMTop Ten

Donell Pleasant Andrea BooneAlesia Rhodes

Shaunte Garrett

On Air Talent

Janet Bryant Danny Hebreard

Walter Ko

Larry Thompson

Dr. Timothy Winters


The Christian music industry is on fire with hot musicand amazing artists; adding fuel to the flame is the powerfuland dynamic Gospel recording artist Evangel & The Minis-ters Of Reconciliation (M.O.R.). With their signature soundand style, Evangel & M.O.R. effortlessly pull listeners intotheir music with rich vocals, lush lyrics, and energizing full-bodied rhythms. Evangel & M.O.R. have been in the Christian musicindustry for over 10 years. Their current CD project,“Stages Of The Walk”, is an exhilarating breath of fresh airthat rejuvenates the soul with its mix of old school funk, R &B, rap, and hint of smooth jazz. Born in Riverside, California, but raised in San Diego,Evangel grew up listening to wonderful music. At age 6 shebegan taking music lessons and by the time she was 12, shewas steadily developing her writing talents. Starting off inthe music scene in 1990, as a hip hop rap artist, Evangelgained valuable experience and developed her musical skills

immensely. In 1995, she landed a recorddeal with a small record label and that

was only the beginning. While under that label, Evangelreleased her debut project entitled“Spiritually Minded” and continuedto develop her sound as an artist.Feeling limited in her artisticexpression with the label, Evangel

decided to form her very ownband naming them “TheMinisters Of Reconcilia-tion” (M.O.R.). In 2000,Evangel & M.O.R.signed a multi-albumdeal withM.A.N.D.A.T.E.Records, Inc., whichallowed them to write

and produce a greatportion of their new

release “Stages OfThe Walk”.

Perhaps what is most fascinating about Evangel is herremarkable kindness. She commits her time on countlessoccasions to organizations that are dedicated to helpingothers, freely offers her music to raise money for charity, andperforms at fairs, colleges, jails, and churches. She is readilyavailable to assist those that need help and uses theopportunity to minister effectively through her music. The success of Evangel & M.O.R. has greatly beenattributed to the fact that they are a live band and haveshared the stage with many top Christian recording artists.The goals of Evangel & M.O.R. are to always keep theirsongs and music “Christ-centered” with the Bible’steachings, keeping it clear and uncomplicated. Ultimately,Evangel would like to develop a music ministry with a truereputation for being one of the most effective in musicalevangelism and outreach worldwide, while using themedium of music to win the “lost” to Christ Jesus and the“backsliders” back to active Christian fellowship. Evangel & M.O.R. are dedicated to spreading the Wordof God through Christian music and take pleasure in beingable to offer the world a positive alternative to negativesecular music. After years of hard work and manytransitions, Evangel still maintains her devotion tocreating positive and inspirational Christian music andenjoys being able to minister through her music. Throughher growing number of supporters, it is clear that she hasmade an impression on the music industry and earned aplace in the hearts of her listeners.

Artist SPOTLIGHT

By: Amber Ward


Cuss Me Out and Cut My HairBy Nikki G. Bannister, Special to Black College Wire and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine

told them to cuss me out. Not that I condonecursing or profanity, but since Hurricane Katrinareared her ugliness in Louisiana on Aug. 29, that’show I helped the evacuees. I invited them to do whatvery few people have had the opportunity to do, rightin my face. About a week after Katrina, I visited shelters inthree Louisiana parishes, or counties, with a delegationof about 50 people representing the office of LouisianaGov. Kathleen Blanco. The delegation, led by JohnnyAnderson, her assistant chief of staff, included offi-cials from the state department of health and the Boardof Regents, and city and parish officials from the NewOrleans area. Also joining the tour were a few pastors,and representatives of some ofour state’s elected officials. When we walked into ourfirst stop, SouthernUniversity’s F.G. ClarkActivity Center, which hadbeen converted into a re-gional shelter for stormvictims, many of us reachedout and immediately startedtalking with the evacuees. We began hugging them and shaking hands andeven playing basketball with them. But then, some inthe delegation walked down the aisles of the hundredsof army cots and only waved to the evacuees — as iftheywere going to catch a disease. It’s not as thoughwe were in the scene from “Gone With the Wind”,when Scarlett O’Hara went through the church wheresoldiers were dying; but that’s how some of the del-egation acted. Some behaved as if they didn’t want to touch theevacuees. Mind you, some of these very folks werefrom New Orleans. They just waved to the displacedresidents at the Minidome as if to say, “I’m here andthat’s enough.” I was embarrassed and ashamed even to walk withsome of these people. I also got upset because some in the delegationwere wearing jeans or other casual clothes, and tennisshoes or even flip-flops, while som including pastors

A student journalist touring a devastated New Orleans observes what’s wrong and right with the “official” responses, and finds herown answer to the question, “What can I do?” Posted Oct. 10, 2005

CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

SPECIAL FEATURE

— were wearing Rolex watches and gator boots. Talkabout a socioeconomic slap in the face. That’s when I decided to go against the norm andtry the unconventional. During our next stop at theBaton Rouge River Center, which housed the mostevacuees, a young man named Will was complainingto Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., about the livingconditions and his treatment. After he vented, I asked him if he would mind“cussing me out.” He looked at me as if I was crazy. But I explainedthat I saw his frustration, and though TV cameras wereon him, I saw he had a lot more he wanted to say. Now, anybody who knows me can tell you that atany other time, my personality would not even allowthis type of thing to happen so liberally. But this wasdifferent.

He asked if I were serious and I told him I was. Ialso warned him that I might retaliate verbally, be-cause I too had a lot to get off my chest. And that’s when he unleashed a verbal fury likenone other. Some of the adjectives he used to describehis situation I’d never heard in my life. His positionson FEMA, the Red Cross, New Orleans Mayor RayNagin and President Bush could not have aired on C-SPAN. HBO would have censored him. The way hecursed should have been on pay-per-view. But after Ireceived the tongue-lashing, which lasted a good threeminutes, he smiled and then laughed so hard he cried. Then I knew I had achieved my purpose. During the lashing, a small crowd formed to seewhy this man was cursing a young woman so badly. After I explained, more came up and relieved

I

BEFORE

I also warned him that Imight retaliate verbally,because I too had a lotto get off my chest.


Taking Care Of Our OwnBy Tim Carr

As Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf States,we were horrified for our loved ones and the people ofthe region. There probably wasn’t a person alive whodidn’t say “what can I do to help those poor people?” Dr.Rodney Hood was no different. He too watched in horroras people’s lives were being torn apart and washed away.They were people who looked like him for the most part,African Americans wading through the contaminatedwater with only the clothes on their backs. Their homesgone, no food for themselves or their babies, and notsure what the future would hold for them. “I don’t know how you could sit and watch what washappening and not do anything about it,” said Dr Hood.But he was here in sunny San Diego thousands of milesaway from the disaster. Dr Hood’s daughter, who is alsoa doctor in Atlanta, called him saying she too wanted todo something about what was going on down in the gulf.So they looked into going there to help out in NewOrleans or Houston. But authorities told them they hadspecially trained teams at the scenes and they didn’tneed their help. Dr. Hood notes that most people who want to helpwould prefer to use their skills to assist the victims, hisskill is medicine. He then started talking with otherphysicians in the area, getting a first hand account of thedevastation. Dr. Hood, realizing that many of those victims werebeing brought to San Diego, put together a network ofprivate medical agencies and services, including Para-dise Valley Hospital, physical therapy clinics, laborato-ries, pharmacies and doctors to aid those coming to San

Photographs by Forney Johnson

Diego for help. He treated several of the evacueeshimself. In fact he is still treating some of them today. Dr. Hood humbly says “I think that what I did was not alot more than other folks did.” He has long been a strongadvocate and supporter of the African American commu-nity. Dr. Hood says, “We as African Americans need toshow that we are up front about giving to our own beforeasking for help. We are willing and able to take care ofour own.” Dr. Hood says this disaster brought to light thepoverty issue in America and more people of color are inpoverty. Dr. Hood says, “African Americans in this countryshould not sit around and expect things to change due tothis disaster because he believes they won’t. And he saysblacks need to keep this issue in the public eye; doing sowill help produce solutions to the problems poor blackAmericans face”. However Dr. Hood says, “I was

pleased to see how America responded.” And you canbet there are a lot of people who are very pleased to seehow Dr. Rodney Hood responded can community andthis disaster was hurting a large segment of that commu-nity, particularly the poor.


Restaurant ReviewMagnolia Restaurant

Offering the county’s most authentic southern cuisine wrapped in an atmosphere ofsouthern sophistication and hospitality. Serving an upscale menu of traditional southernfavorites and Cajun and Creole-style seafood selections, Magnolias is the only restau-rant of its kind in the southeastern San Diego area. Catfish with yellow cut corn and collard greens, gumbo, golden fried chickenwith macaroni and cheese and jambalaya, are just a few of the authenticsouthern traditional dishes available at Magnolia’s Restaurant located at 342Euclid Avenue Suite 403, just south of the trolley stop in the Market Creek PlazaShopping Center. We did not mention dessert – because we had to leave a littlesomething for your imagination. Magnolias décor is warm and inviting from the moment you open the door. Itfeatures café style seating with a touch of New Orleans. A secluded outsidepatio is the perfect spot to experience the evening concert series and a romanticdinner for two. This family owned and operated business opened a year ago and has had itsshare of start up difficulties. In their first year, Bessie and Charles Johnson have successfully brought the down-home tasteof Louisiana to San Diego. They have worked on training issues, customer requests, refining restaurant style southerncooking and focusing in on authentic Cajun and Creole flavors. Magnolias consider their staff as part of the family. It takes a special kind of person to work within a family atmosphere,but it is also very rewarding. One of the valued staff has worked with Bessie and Charles for more than 15 years. Whenasked about favorite customer dishes, “Mom” (Bessie’s nickname) says, “They are all favorites. But our most requesteddish is our liver and onions. Who would have believed something as simple as liver and onionsw o u l d be a favorite?”

The Johnson’s have been married for 38 years. Being in the presence ofsuch spiritual and gifted people is a treat in itself. They thank God first fortheir staying power and love for each other. After so many years beingmarried and working in the restaurant business, Charles Johnson remindsus, “when something goes awry I go back and remember that my wifeand I were friends first”.

Stop in and have a bite to eat at this wonderful family restaurant andremember what traditional southern cooking is all about.

Southern Cooking with Flair By Theresa Lamer

CITY DINING

Magnolias Restaurant342 Euclid Avenue Suite 403San Diego, CA 92114Phone: 619-262-6005

Hours of Operation:Tuesday - Saturday, open at 11a.m.Sunday, open at 12p.m.Monday, Closed

Owners: Charles & Bessie Johnson


The Diamond BusinessImprovement District(DBID) is a non-profitbusiness resource thatprovides small businesswith information aboutbusiness services thatcontribute to the economicviability in SE San Diego,CA. Established in 1996,the DBID’s mission is toenhance business successthrough education,leadership development &

resources, with the primary objective of igniting businesspotential through education.

According to Cordell Thomas, ExecutiveDirector of The Diamond Business ImprovementDistrict, “One of the initiatives of the Diamond BID isto assist future business owners accomplish specificobjectives that support the potential for success through

THE DIAMOND DISTRICTSAN DIEGO BUSINESS

an innovative incubator program”.The DBID currently has 4 “incubates” who are

housed at the Diamond Business Improvement Office.These future successful business owners bring innovativeideas and business concepts to us. We, in return, providean office location, use of receptionist, business telephoneand fax, and mailbox to help establish their businesspresence. Additionally, we provide prospective businessowners with access to helpful business resourcesincluding: the Service Core of Retired Executives(SCORE), the Southeastern Economic DevelopmentCorporation (SEDC), The City of San Diego SmallBusiness Office, and other local community resourcesthat take the time to share success concepts and advice.These and many other community resources help us to :- Reduce the rate of business failure in our community.- Educate and increase the awareness of servicesand resources.- Heighten business responsiveness through researchstatistics.



Begin your college education today and save money.

Complete up to three years of course work through our ExtensionProgram before entering the residential college program.

l Qualified staffl Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) curriculuml Portfolio Assessmentl Supervision and Counseling with a Portfolio Advisorl Education by Appointment

Christian J

Christian J

Christian J

Christian J

Christian Junior C

olleunior C

olleunior C

olleunior C

olleunior C

ollegg gggee eee

- Emphasize good ethics in the business environment.

Some additional resources available to those in theIncubation Program include:• Instruction in business finance software (QuickBooks)• General business finance and accounting workshops• Marketing & branding assistance• Listing in our Diamond Business Magazine• Assistance with business plan development through community resources.

The Diamond Business Improvement District’s Business IncubatorProgram has demonstrated its effectiveness through expansion and growth.Currently six future business owners are waiting to get started with theIncubator Program. We intend to further develop our business startup modelso others can benefit. If you are interested in learning more about this program, contact theDBID office at 1.877.DBID.580 or email us at [email protected]. Welook forward to hearing from you, as we continue to support the District inits pursuit of business success.

Booker T. Crenshaw Christian College and Schools Ministries Inc.

Christian Junior College

3134 Franklin Avenue,San Diego, CA 92113

(619) 235-0771Dr. Booker T. Crenshaw, Sr. D. Min. D.P.C. Ph. D. J.D. Founder,

President CEO Portfolio Advisor

BTCCCSM Inc. is anaffiliate member ofNational UniversityContinuing EducationAssociation NUCEA andThe American Council onEducation

“Bringing the College to the Studentrather than the Student to the College”

Diamond Business continued from page 23

The road less traveled, the moredifficult paths within the paths area facade. Because while I sweatjust a fourth of a mile up already, Iget to the top in 30 minutes – amountain more than 1,500 feetabove sea level . . . a mile and halfup! But like I said before, the Lordministers to me in my climb –every step is a lesson.

One day, I got caught up. Iwas “mobbing” up the mountain,and I started to get tired. I saw agirl in the distance and I got anidea. Isn’t that how the devil getsus? When we just “get an idea?”So— what had happened was. .. Ithought, you know what, ‘I’mgonna beat her’. I took my eyes offmy time with the Lord and gotcompetitive, instead of contempla-

Modern Day Prayer continued from page 6



Cuss Me Out continued from page 19

themselves of their frustration, painand hopelessness. The great thing was I didn’teven have to curse anybody back. Since the storm hit, I had beenthinking ofways to help,apart fromoffering theconventionalassistance. Ihad alreadygathered myclosest friends,and we pooledour resourcesto donatediapers,feminine hygiene products andother items. We even opened ourhomes to some of the evacuees. Ihad just moved into my house amonth earlier, and the evacueeswere using my Jacuzzi before Icould. But I didn’t mind. It was the day after Katrina hitthat really got to me. I was volun-teering in a shelter and saw a ladypatting her head (you ladies knowwhat the pat means — an itchyscalp). She had on makeup, but herhair was a mess. At the time, my hair was on myshoulders. So I asked her, and a fewother ladies, if they had hair prod-ucts. They said no. I told thewoman that I would bring her some

things the following day. I don’t know what got into me.Perhaps I was “PMS-ing” orlistening to “We Are the World,”but after I finished walking andtalking with some of the otherevacuees, I went to my hair salonand told my beautician to cut offmy hair. Remember in Terry McMillan’sWaiting to Exhale when Bernadineasked Gloria to cut off her hair,because she wanted to declare herindependence from her husband,who liked it long? Well, I didn’thave to curse my stylist to do it, butI did have to do some heavy coer-cion.

The next day atthe shelter, I gaveaway all my curlingirons (including theMarcels), my oiltreatments, rollers,setting lotions,pomades, Wrap-N-Taps, everything. Ifit made your hairlook good, I had it.And I gave it away. One lady who

took one of my big-barreled curlingirons said she was going to whipmy you-know-what, because she

AFTER

could guess that I had a nice lengthof hair before my cut. “But God isgoing to bless you,” she said. Not that I don’t need blessingsright now, because Lord knows Ido. But I didn’t cut my hair or giveaway my beauty supplies thinkingabout the return on the blessings. I did it because you never knowwhen the tides will turn. I never could have predictedthat the worst natural disasterwould be in my backyard. I could have been an evacuee ifthat storm had turned just a fewdegrees northwest. Please believe me when I sayevacuees don’t need photo ops.They don’t need community lead-ers rushing to help one or twofamilies or making pit stops toshelters just to say hello. They need you, their neighborsand friends. Don’t ask the evacuees howthey are doing. That’s rhetoric. Youcan see how they are doing. And itain’t grand. Ask them if they want a hug.Ask them if you can still borrowsome sugar. Ask them if they wantto cry or even if they want a curlingiron. Better yet, you can simply askthem to curse you out.

Nikki G. Bannister is a senior at Southern University-Baton Rouge and editor-in-chief of TheSouthern Digest. This is part of a special series appearing in THE BLACK COLLEGIANMagazine’s October 2005 super issue through a collaboration by Black College WireBlackCollegeWire.org) and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN (Blackcollegian.com), now celebrating its35th publishing year. It may be reprinted intact with this credit included.

Remember inTerry McMillan’sWaiting to Exhalewhen Bernadineasked Gloria tocut off her hair,


no other birth ever. When God beginsto do something, He goes all out to makeit happen! The word “virgin” here isfrom a Hebrew word “ha-almah” whichmeans the virgin – the only one that everwas or ever will be a mother in this way.“Almah” itself means a lass; damsel;maid; virgin and more to the point, anunmarried young woman. This is keyto our understanding because the Mes-siah had to come from a pure bloodline;God was showing the world the magni-tude of His majesty and power by bring-ing the Messiah to this world in a man-ner that no man could take credit forwhat God was doing!

Second, The Person. In Isaiah 7:14,we also note what his name shall becalled…Immanuel. This word, trans-lated from the original Hebrew means“God with Us!”Isn’t it good toknow that Godis with usthrough thethick and thethin? Not only

would He sendthe Messiah,He would Bethe Messiah in the person of JesusChrist. Not only is He sending a savior,He IS the savior! But also note whatIsaiah said in chapter 9:6 (KJV); “Forunto us a child is born, a son is given:and the government shall be upon hisshoulder; and his name shall be calledWonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,The everlasting Father, The Prince ofPeace.” Each of these names carries sig-nificance in their own right:

· Wonderful – from the Hebrewpeleh which means miracle; amarvelous thing; wonderful.

· Counsellor – from the Hebrewya’ats which means to advise;to consult; to deliberate. Thename expresses the idea that Heis the Supreme Counsellor – theone who is qualified to givecounsel and advice to all createdbeings.

· The Mighty God – from the He-brew Gibbor which means pow-erful; mighty; strong; cham-pion; chief, and El, Almighty,the Strong One.

· The Everlasting Father – mean-ing the Father of eternity; thePlanner of the ages and Fatherof all time.

· The Prince of Peace – meaningthe Peaceful Prince. He shallpromote and increase His gov-ernment and peace withoutwars.

Third, The Place. When the time ofHis birth was to take place, the parentsof Jesus were out of place. A decreefrom Caesar Augustus was sent out thatall should be taxed. At the time of thisdecree, the parents were in Galilee and

had to travelto Judea,unto the Cityof Davidc a l l e dBethlehem,as it was theplace inwhich KingDavid wasborn. The

heir to the throne of David was born inthe City of David. God used Caesar totax the people at this time to get Josephand Mary to Bethlehem for the birth ofChrist. In order for Jesus to be the true Mes-siah, He had to fulfill the propheciesconcerning the Messiah. The ProphetMicah, who wrote his prophetic booksomewhere between 772-722 BC, shareswith us in 5:2 (KJV) “But thou,Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou belittle among the thousands of Judah,yet out of thee shall he come forth untome that is to be ruler in Israel; whosegoings forth have been from of old,from everlasting.”

Finally, The Proof. Now that theChrist is born, the angel begins to sharethe good news with shepherds in thefields. Shepherds would seldom be

found praising and worshipping God; asa result, they were looked upon as any-thing but worshippers. They were de-spised because they were unable to at-tend services and to keep the ceremo-nial laws of washing and cleansing. ThePreachers Outline and Study Biblestates, “What a beautiful foretaste of thesalvation to come: God gave the firstmessage of His Son to common Shep-herds, those looked upon as sinners.”The angel’s message was that the Christwas born and can be found in a manger,wrapped in swaddling clothes. Whenthey got there, they worshipped Him asthey recognized Him as the Savior!! The Real Christmas Story is not theshopping that takes place, but the Sav-ior getting in place. The Real Christmas Story is not thebuying of gifts, but the birth of the Great-est Gift. The Real Christmas Story is notfighting in lines in the stores, but rather“peace on earth, good will towardsmen.” The Real Christmas Story is notabout Santa Claus, but rather the onewho was born and died for the cause,Jesus Christ. The Real Christmas Story is notabout going to bed early, but rather go-ing to the cross for the sins of the world. The Real Christmas Story is notabout waking up to presents, but ratherwaking up to the reality that Jesus is thePresent. The Real Christmas Story!!!

Real Christmas continued from page10

(619) 264-0715

The Real ChristmasStory is not the buyingof gifts, but the birth ofthe Greatest Gift.


tive... oh, I’m only talkin’ to myselfhere? Ok, alright well anyways, Istart setting my sights on beating thisgirl and I was so focused on passingher up that once I did, I startedcheesin’ and slowing down a bit, andright when she was on my heels Itried to speed up and I walkedstraight into a dead end! The Lordspoke to me at that moment and said:‘Now there is an awe-some view ofall of San Diego as you go up thismountain, but you’re so focused onbeating someone else-you missed mymagnificent scenery!’ [I had the facelike a mug!] I was so humbled. Thatwas the whole reason for making thehike – to get some fresh air, and Iruined it by my own foolish ambition– and he showed me my ways rightthere on that mountain.

I try to go at least once aweek. I feel like if I’ve succeeded atnothing else this week, at least Iclimbed a mountain. Most of the

time, I jam all the way up with somesuper upbeat tunes.

But when I really need to bein the spirit, I fast from the musicand go along with just my heartbeatand breath to keep me in-step. WhenI get to the top, I go straight to thesign that says Cowles Mountain andtouch it. It’s kinda like the tapeacross the finish line for me.

I must admit, when I climb,I’m pretty gangsta. I hustle, pushmyself, and take the hardest pathwithin the path. I am always trying toget the BEST workout. If I have tojump from right to left and rightagain to get the hardest spots or toget up faster, I do it.

I find that in my few days aweek conquering the mountain, mycalves have shaped up and my abshave tightened. That’s another thing Ilearned: the smart climber uses theirabs to pull them through, not their legsand back. The Lord actually gave me arevelation concerning that lesson on

the mountain when I was reading afinancial book. It said most Americansthink working harder is how youachieve financial success-like usingyour legs and back-it just wears youdown. But the rich work smarter-forclimbing purposes that would be likeusing your abs. Don’t you love itwhen the Lord ministers to you, thengives confirmation through anothervessel?! The climb also helps me nowwith my confidence with decision–making concerning my career. Sofamily, I encourage you, don’t besatisfied with getting your workout oncooped up in a gym somewhere.. orcontent with Sunday mornings andWednesday night services only. Welive in a county that is 20-some oddminutes away from the coast, themountains and the desert. Use thesefree and God-given resources toexercise your body and your spirit.

Modern Day Prayer continued from page 6


Americans just don’t read litera-ture. That fact has been proven bystudies conducted by the NationalEndowment for the Arts. But thequestion I always want to ask is,“Why don’t we read?” Are theresolutions that we can come up with toreverse the problem and makereading literature a more popularactivity? Here are a few reasons I’ve heardpeople use to explain why theyhaven’t picked up a good book inmonths (or even years).

Not Enough TimeSolutions: Take a book with you everywhere.Take advantage of those precious moments that are often wasted:Standing in lineSitting in the waiting room at an appointmentWaiting for a passenger (child, friend, or significant other) to joinyou in a vehicleOther Ideas: Go SHORT!If you don’t have enough time to finish a long novel, read a shortbook instead.Or read a poem, a story, or some other bit of literature.It’s all about feeding your mind—even if it’s only one bite at a time. Not Enough MoneySolutions: There are always ways to find books to read. It justtakes some creative thinking sometimes to come up with ways tofind books! Not Enough ExperienceSolutions: The only way to learn what to read is by readingeverything you can get your hands on. You’ll gradually learn whatyou enjoy reading, and you’ll start to make connections betweenbooks.If you don’t know where to start, or you find yourself stuck regard-ing what to read somewhere along the way, ask a librarian, abookseller, a friend, or a teacher.Find someone who enjoys reading books, and find out what he orshe likes to read.Another fun way to introduce yourself to literature is by joining abook club. The book selections are usually chosen by the group.The discussions may bring you to a better understanding ofliterature. Too TiredSolutions: If you’re engrossed in a good book that you enjoy, youmay find it difficult to fall asleep.You may also find enjoyment in reading a good book while you’redrinking a cup of coffee or tea. The caffeine may help to keep youawake, while you enjoy your reading.Another idea: You could also try reading at times when you’re nottired.Read on your lunch hour, or in the morning when you first get up.Or, find a few minutes here or there to sit down with your book.One other point: the experience of falling asleep while reading abook is not a horrible one. You can have the most marvelousdreams as you fall asleep with a good book. The Multimedia ExperienceSolutions: If you’d really rather be watching the television or amovie, you may enjoy reading the book upon which the movie was

School Survival Tips Here are some more things that can help put you aheadin school:

• The old saying “breakfast is the most importantmeal of the day” is never more true than when you’re goingto school. Students are more alert and perform better inclass if they eat a good breakfast.

• Get enough sleep. Studies show that teens needat least 8 1/2 hours of sleep each night to feel rested. Sleepdeprivation can lead students to fall asleep in class (embar-rassing if you’re caught!) and can also make it hard toconcentrate. It can be more productive to get the sleep youneed than it is to stay up late cramming: a recent studyfound that people who got adequate sleep before a math testwere nearly three times more likely to figure out the problemthan those who stayed up all night.

• Do more at school and you’ll have less to do athome. Take advantage of those times during the school daywhen you’re not in class: review notes, go to the library orcomputer lab, get a head start on your homework, orresearch that big term paper. You’ll be thankful later whileyou’re at the mall or a concert and other people in class arestuck at home cramming!

• One of the best ways to make friends and learnyour way around is by joining school clubs, sports teams, andactivities. Even if you can’t kick a 30-yard field goal or sing asolo, getting involved in other ways - going to a school play,helping with a bake sale, or cheering your friends on at aswim meet - can help you feel like a part of things.

School is a time to make friends and try new things, butit’s also a place to learn skills like organization and decision–making that will come in handy for the rest of your life.

Do you enjoy reading about Sherlock Holmes? Have you readMark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Jack London’s“Call of the Wild,” or Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonder-land” ? Too HardSolutions: Reading isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to behard.Don’t pick up the huge books; if you know that you’ll never havethe time nor the energy to finish them.We read books for many reasons, but you don’t have to feel thatit’s an academic experience (if you don’t want it to be).You can pick up a book and have an unforgettable experience:laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of your seat. A book doesn’t have tobe difficult to be a great read! Read about “Treasure Island.” Jointhe adventures of “Robinson Crusoe” or “Gulliver’s Travels.” It’s Not a HabitSolutions: Make it a habit. Make a point of reading literature on aregular basis.It may not seem like much, but it doesn’t take much to get into thehabit of reading.Even if you don’t enjoy reading books for yourself, why not read astory to your child?Share a poem or a short story with a friend. It’s not difficult to make books and literature a part of your life.

By Esther Lombardi

EDUCATION WHY WE DON’T READ


What The Men Are ReadingCOVER 2 COVER

Local Authors of Note:

Dr. George D. McKinney

Dr. Timothy J. Winters

St. Stephens Cathedral

Bayview Baptist Church

All feature books can be found at the following local bookstores:

Bayview Christian Cultural Bookstore6134 Benson Ave, San Diego, CA 92114 (619) 262-8384

St. Stephens Bookstore5825 Imperial Avenue San Diego, CA 92114 (619) 262-2671

Deeper Life Bookstore4079 54th Street, San Diego CA, 92105 (619) 229-2740

Sparkles Christian Books and Bible Bookstore

3115 Altadena Ave, San Diego, CA 92105 (619) 584-5463

Tender WarriorStu Weber

The Power of a PrayingHusbandStormie OMartian

Bringing Up BoysDr. James Dobson

Letters to the Editor,The Inspire Group

To be considered for publication, letters mustbear the name and address of the sender andbecause of limited space should not be un-duly long. Letters may be edited to meetspace, clarity or style requirements

IMPORTANT!IF YOU ARE MOVING SOON,

Please advise The Inspire Group at least fiveweeks before you move. Send old and newaddresses to expedite the change. You manyremove the address label from your magazineand enclose it with your new address.

Change of address should be sent to

The Inspire Group,P.O. Box 153061

San Diego, CA [email protected]

(for customer service)

The Soul of San Diego MagazineBook Recommendations

P.O. Box 153061San Diego, CA 92195

[email protected]

What The Women Are ReadingComing In February 2006

Please send your top 5 book recommendations to:


2005 CALENDARNow through Jan. 4, 2006Holiday of Lights at Del Mar racetrack infield Sunday throughThursday from 5:30-10pm and Friday & Saturday from 5:30-11pm. Forticket information call 858-793-5555.

Now through Dec. 17th Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.;Sunday performances through December 18Common Ground Theatre presents the Christmas Musical production,“Black Nativity” held at the Horton Plaza Lyceum Theatre, DowntownSan Diego.

December 172005 Holiday Jazz and Blues FestivalDowntown San Diego’s East Village, Seventh & Market Street GaslampQuarters. Gate opens at 11:00am, closes at Midnight.Info: www.holidayjazzandblues.com.htm. Donations benefit thenonprofit Black Historical Society of San Diego.

December 17-30Holiday Block Party at Lego land. For iInformation call ( 760) 918-LEGO or visit www.legoland.com.

December 18The Gospel Messiah...”The Greatest Gift”at 7:30 p.m. at Copley Symphony Hall, 7th & B Street, Downtown SanDiego. Purchase Tickets online: www.sandiegosymphony.org. Tickets:$15 -$58. For information contact, Rose Buchanan [email protected].

Now through December 18“Black Nativity” Common Ground Theatre presention withmusic and lyrics by Langston Hughes and Jobe Huntley onThursdays – Saturdays 8pm; Sundays 2:30 & 7pm at theLyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza, Downtown San Diego.

December 20Poetic Works will host an OpenMic at Hot Monkey Love, 8 to

AROUND TOWN

10 p.m., 5950 El Cajon, San Diego.Donations will go to theComMonUnity Poetry Project.

December 29Holiday Bowl Parade - Starts from Star of India to SeaportVillage, Downtown San Diego, Info:(619) 283-5808 orwww.pacificlifeholidaybowl.com. Sponsored by the Port of San Diego BayParade of Lights.

December 29Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade starting at North Harbor Drivein front of the County Administration building. Grandstand tickets are $15. Festivities include 5K run/walk beginning at 9:50 a.m. Runners andwalkers will take off along the parade route, concluding the trek at TunaHarbor Park. A family festival follows the parade from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.at the Broadway Pier, San Diego, CA.

2006 CALENDARJanuary 1611th Annual Memorial Breakfast celebrating the late ReverendDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16, 2006 at the MartinLuther King, Jr. Community Center located at Bayview BaptistChurch, 6134 Benson Avenue, San Diego. Sponsored byThe United African American Ministerial Action Council’s (UAAMAC).Tickets are $35 per person and $350 per table of ten.

FaithFaithFaithFaithFaithBy Janice E. Groves-Todd

In spite of what we’re facing todayRejoice and look up for a better wayTurmoil all around us and rumors of warLiving beneath our privilegeStruggling and poorWe need a word from God to see us throughWe must exercise our faith by what we doFaith without works is deadWe serve a living God insteadIt was Faith that caused Peter to step out of the boatIt was the Lord that allowed his feet to floatAs he walked on water without any fearHe knew that Jesus Christ was nearThe Hebrew boys didn’t burn in the fireBecause they knew the devil was a liarThey did not bow down to the circumstancesThey stood on the word of God without taking any chancesIt was Faith that caused Gideon to moveFaith with nothing more to proveFaith that we cannot seeThe same faith that lives in you and meNo cross, no cross, no crownLook up to Jesus don’t look downYou can fake it until you make itYou cannot fool GodHe knows who is perpetrating a fraudSo come clean and give your life over tonightand you can walk by faith and not by sight.


UAAMACAd

ANUARY 16, 2006J

AVE THE DATE. . .s


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The Soul of San Diego Magazine