Today, Bobby Roquemore writes a story in the Dallas Morning News titled Texas Southern finds refuge, generosity in Dallas.  She tells of the TSU football teams travels caused by Hurricane Ike, which included a 40-29 win in Sacremento followed by a stay at Love Field Radisson Hotel.  The team has been practicing at Lancaster High School. The Red Cross and Texas Southern Alumni have helped out with toilentries and supplies while Russell Athletics pitched in with some shoes.  But Roquemore reports that the rest of us have a chance to contribute as well. TSU coach Johnnie Cole says that the team would appreciate donations to help cover costs associated with meals for this weekends contest with Texas College in the Rose City Classic in Tyler.  He estimates the costs to be $7 per person. Donations can be dropped off at the Raddison Hotel, 1241 W. Mockinbird Lane, in the lobby until Saturday Morning.  Dallas South let's help out the Tigers in their time of need. Texas Southern will return to Dallas to play Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the Cotton Bowl on November 29th.

Here's a column I wrote for the Dallas Morning News as it appears in Thursday Morning's edition.  It wasn't long after I graduated from college and started a sales career in North Texas that I began to tell my friends that I wanted to live within Dallas' city limits. Most felt that my intentions were good but unrealistic: "Married people with college degrees don't move to Dallas," I would hear. "They get as far away as they can." When I expressed a desire to move to Oak Cliff, they treated me as if I planned to leave the country.   Also at DMN READ MORE about the Editorial Department's project, Bridging Dallas' North-South Gap Sophia Dembling: Oak Cliff needs real, sustainable business My wife and I purchased our first home in Grand Prairie, but my desire to move to Dallas never dissipated. I followed Dallas County politics, identified with the city's challenges, and traveled ...

I'm still learning my camera, so these pictures didn't turn out like I wanted.  You live and you learn right?  Anyway, I think you can get the picture (no pun intended). href="http://www.ritzpix.com/net/Albums/ListImages.aspx?a=4EF1F41E8715F0A7410F7D3F9103772BA18546D061BF9258B63C050077DB6DA0">

This category took me back, way back.  First I thought I'd share a song from the first cassette tape that I ever bought.  That's right, it's the Mary Jane Girls.  I knew they were birthed by Rick James, but I didn't know where the "Mary Jane" really came from. Then there's En Vogue.  What can you say?  Beauty and pipes.  Too bad they couldn't get along and messed up a good thing.  Like most cats my age, I could never really pick between Terry and Dawn. HAPPY OSF!!!  Check out these other participants. - Electronic Village - Fresh And Fab - Danielle - Kim - Ms Grapevine -Quick -Marcus LANGFORD - Cassandra - Kevin - iriegal -Mahogany -Hagar's Daughter - Lisa C -Chocl8t - DP - Dallassouth - John - CC Groovy - Kreative Talk -Marvalus One ...

As anyone who has visited the site more than twice knows, I am a proud member of Friendship-West Baptist Church.  On yesterday, the New York Post reported that Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III's former executive assistant -Elizabeth (Liz) Payne- was involved in a "steamy sexual affair" with Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. I spoke with Liz only briefly during her short stint at Friendship-West, so I did not know her on a personal level.  I have no inside knowledge or scoop to provide on the subject. There are a few things I find interesting about this story: According to LinkedIn, Ms. Payne began working at Friendship-West in January of 2008. The Post reports her husband "learned of the affair in late February." Pastor Wright came to national consciousness in March. Pastor Wright made his first public appearance at Friendship-West in April.  This was also his first appearance at Friendship-West in 2008. Also in April, Payne "organized a series of Texas public appearances by Wright."  This would not be out of the ordinary of someone in her position at our church. Fellow churchgoers supposedly ""found out about the affair in the spring." The question is when did Liz meet Dr. Wright?  The Post says "She refused to reveal when the adulterous affair started ...

Washington, D.C. – (September 2, 2008)  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson will host a training seminar for Dallas-area small business owners on Friday, September 19.  Dan Sturdivant, Assistant to the Director of Outreach at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will join Congresswoman Johnson for two sessions to present information about the Department of Homeland Security’s federal procurement process.  Jim Berish, the North Texas Small Business Development Center Network’s Technology Assistance Director, will run the third and final session, focusing on services available from the Small Business Development Center. In May, Congresswoman Johnson hosted a similar training seminar with the U.S. General Service Administration.  Representatives from more than 130 small businesses attended that event. What:   Small Business Training Seminar, hosted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Date:   September 19, 2008 Time:   Opening Reception and Introductions, 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM U.S. Department of Homeland Security Opportunities Seminar: Finding Homeland Security Contracting Opportunities, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM North Texas Small Business Development Center Network session, 11:00 AM – 12:00 NOON Location:       Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development Hoblitzelle Auditorium (Room 1530) 1402 Corinth St. Dallas, TX 75215

From Monday morning (5:45 local) interview at the Pepsi Center.

Folks in the Dallas TV market be sure to check the NBC 5 six o’clock broadcast.  I’ve been told that they will be running a story about Dallas South’s trip to Denver covering the DNC convention tonight.  Let me know what you think about Ken Kalthoff’s report since I’m out of pocket. The picture on this post makes me laugh. I think I owe this screen capture to Francis.

If you looked in Saturday's paper, you would have seen a little bitty story in Sports Day titled DISD investigation clears South Oak Cliff.  According to The Dallas Morning News,  allegations of improper grade changing for the school's Class 4A state championships in the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons were unfounded. What did Channel 8, or Brett Shipp, or Dale Hansen have to say about the findings?  Not a thing.  Back in May, Shipp launched another sweeps week attack on former South Oak Cliff and current NBA player Darrell Arthur. Could Mr. Shipp's unfounded story have caused Mr. Arthur to slide in the June BA draft?  It's hard to say. I spoke with Coach James Mays, II last night about the findings.  He was thankful for the support he has received from the community during the ordeal.  Because of the type of man he is, Coach Mays had nothing negative to say about WFAA or Shipp.  But during our conversation I think I said enough for he and I both. I guess Coach Mays and SOC are safe at least until November's television sweeps week. Note: DISD forfeited South Oak Cliff's state titles from the 2005-06 season. The ...