Feb 15, 2009

Sunday's Best


SOUTH DALLAS, Texas - Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6. After feeding the soul with the bread of heaven, one often finds a imposing desire to feed the body as well. What better way to bless oneself than to sit down in front of some delicious homestyle southern cooking!! The family and I recently had the pleasure of enjoying the delectable taste sensations of Mr. Archie's Homestyle Cooking in Sunny South Dallas.

This was my first time to throw down on this fine southern soul food but rest assured it surely will not be the last. Terrance and his delightful staff deliver prompt and personable service with true homestyle goodness. They have a big selection to choose that is sure to satisfy every palate. From their world famous chicken tetrazini, to baked chicken, smothered pork chops, mash potatoes, greens, and cabbages the list goes on and on.


Their bountiful plates of plenty are enough to loosen the suspenders and belt loops of the patrons young and old. Reggie Jr. and Undray Jr. both pigged out on deep fried catfish, macaroni and cheese, dirty rice and cornbread muffins.



I had a double meat fried pork chop plate with cabbage and macaroni and cheese and cornbread muffins. Mmm mmm good!!
Tanya had their awesomely robust chicken tetrazini and a double helping of their sweet yams. I didn't get a chance to capture essence of her plate because she devoured it before I could snap a shot. All in all the food was seasoned to perfection and finger licking good. Leaving all with full waistlines and shining, smiling faces.

Feb 12, 2009

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY NAACP!!!

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or NAACP turns 100 years old today. In honor and recognition of their tireless efforts to improve the racial relations in America and the world, I want to personally say, "Thank you!" to all of the brave men and women that marched and toiled in the fight for freedom and justice for people of color.

Doctors, lawyers, police officers, firefighters, preachers, teachers, and all the like paved the path for us and we proudly stand the shoulders of those great champions of justice and equality. The next generation, my generation are honored and awe-inspired by your achievements and social directives. Even in the age of Obama, we realize that the fight for equality is not over in America and the world but we stand are standing at the ready and fully committed to the struggle lies ahead of us. With memories of a time when the sourness of segregation and slavery permeated the fabric of American society, we will boldly carry the torch on into the next millennium!!!

Withdrawn by withdrawals....Sen. Judd Gregg withdraws name for Commerce Secretary!!


The web is a blaze as yet another Obama nominee withdraws from cabinet appointee back to the Senate. Today New Hampshire Republican Sen. Judd Gregg became the second Commerce Secretary nominee to get out of the kitchen for fear of the fire!!

"It has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the census there are irresolvable conflicts for me," Gregg said in a statement to be released by his office. "Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns." (washingtonpost.com)

What a crock of hoo-ey!! The sudden recoil by Sen. Gregg is nothing more than the Republican party scrambling to find ways to hurt the Obama Administration while defending home-court in the Senate. Had Gregg been appointed it would have meant another opening on the Senate floor that the GOP would have defend come November 2010. Some things change but Republicans stay the same!!!

Ex-con becomes honorary UTA coach!!


American essayist and psychologist Og Mandino famously said, "Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity." Finding the will to triumph in the face of adversity is something that we all encounter on our walk through life but, when a man is wrongfully convicted that experience alone can breakdown the spirit and diminish the desire to go forward. Last night, I saw a news story about a man who embodies the fullness of hope in the face of adversity. Patrick Walker was exonerated in July 2008 after serving 16 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Still putting the pieces of his life back together, Patrick is not burying his head in the sand or hiding from the experiences that have made him the man he is today. Check out the video I found this morning on DMN.

Feb 11, 2009

Stimulus passes Senate sealed with a Presidential kiss!!!


Yesterday our dear president further showed his benevolence and sincerity in Fort Meyers, Florida. He spoke to a group of American people who know full well the seriousness of the nations weak economy. Unemployment in the area is up to 10 percent, from 2.3 percent this time in 2006, and the area's foreclosure rate of 12 percent is the highest in the nation. (Huffingtonpost.com)

The now 838 billion dollar stimulus plan narrowly passed in the Senate yesterday by a vote of 61-37. The folks in attendance at the town hall where the president spoke, know full well the benefits of a stimulus package approval. When President Obama received the news that a revised form of his bill had passed the Senate, he announced the good news to the crowd which was thirsty for any good economic news after so much doom and gloom. President Obama then took open questions from the diverse crowd of woeful Floridians and was moved to action by the story of Henrietta Hughes. Her story like many in that state has become exasperatingly dire and she spoke from her heart about her desperate need for a home. She and her son lost there home last year when her son lost his job. Without any residence Ms. Hughes was not allowed to vote in the historic election of 2008. Silenced by the irresponsible business actions of corporate CEOs which created the country's poor economic situation she remained hopeful and prayed that Barack Obama would win the 2008 election. She was renewed by his presence yesterday and humbly implored him for immediate assistance.

"I have an urgent need, unemployment and homelessness, a very small vehicle for my family and I to live in," she said. "The housing authority has two years' waiting lists, and we need something more than the vehicle and the parks to go to. We need our own kitchen and our own bathroom. Please help."

Seizing the moment the gracious and caring president calmly left the stage and walked directly to Ms. Hughes' position in the stands and offered his attention. "We're gonna do everything we can to help you ... I'll have my staff talk to you after the town hall." he said and sealed the deal with a "Presidential kiss"

Wow..change, it just feels good doesn't it!!!

Jan 31, 2009

President Obama presses Congress for stimulus...RNC goes black...Serena wins 10th Grand Slam...Tomlin leads Pittsburgh into Superbowl XLIII

Black is beautiful. On the eve of Black History month it appears that every facet of American life is finally embracing the notion of black beauty, seriously. Just look around and you will find black people in this country living life out loud for a change. "Say it loud! I'm black and I'm proud!" Not since the 1960s and 1970s has the spirit of black nationalism and pride been so high.


President Obama presses Congress for stimulus...
The nation is celebration of the historic election and inauguration of the first African-American as president is fading as the economic climate in the country continues to worsen. President Obama's role is so important not only in modern black history but American history as well. In the face of two wars abroad, a deepening recession at home and a country still yearning for governmental change, he is doing his best to carefully walk through the valley of the shadows and not fear the evil. His $819 billion stimulus package narrowly passed through the House of Representatives earlier this week and without a single Republican vote even after he made good on his campaign promise to reach across party lines. He visited with the House Republicans earlier this week in hopes of garnering their support for his plan but to no avail. Mr. President I commend you for your efforts but I wasn't surprised that they didn't vote to invest in America. The Republican creed for some time concerning spending has been unless it is for defense the answer is "No." The bill now rests in the hand of the Senate before he will have a chance to sign it into law and get the country moving again. Hopefully, the members of the Senate will support an investment in a domestic cause that is not partisan and help us in a more positive direction.

RNC goes black!!
Not to be out done by the Democrats who successfully broke the nations' color barrier with the historic nomination of the first black candidate last year, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele as the new chairman yesterday. No disrespect to Mr. Steele who is a charismatic moderate conservative, his surprising election as chairman is drawing some criticism. But, these are very different times in America and black folk are stepping up to the plate and etching some mighty bold strokes on the pages of the new American history books. Steele's first is a sign that change has come to the GOP and they want you to think that whatever the left can do the right will try to do a little better. We will see. We will see. Congratulations Mr. Steele like President Obama you've got a lot of work ahead of you too!!


Serena wins 10th Grand Slam

Tennis sensation Serena Williams became the only the fourth woman ever to win 10 grand slam titles in the 41-year Open era today. Reports say she completely dismantled her Russian opponent Dinara Safin in just 59 minutes for the straight sets (6-0, 6-3) Austrailian Open victory. Serena has been proving the naysayers wrong on the court since her father Richard started both Serena and her champion sister Venus on their road to tennis glory on the tough streets of Compton. A jubliant Williams reflected on the significance of her accomplishment after the match. "I wanted to get to 10," Serena said of her milestone. "You never know what happens in life. I feel like, you know, opportunities sometimes don't present themselves twice." She is another shining chocolate example of the change that is sweeping the country and the world.



Tomlin leads Pittsburgh into Superbowl XLIII

The world will be watching tomorrow as second year head coaching phenom Mike Tomlin leads the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers into Superbowl XLIII against the Cinderella Arizona Cardinals. Understandably optimistic Tomilin and the Steelers boasts a top ranked tenacious defense that seeks to crush the glass slipper of the high flying Cardinals and win a record sixth Superbowl title. At only 35, Tomlin is making history as just the third black head coach to guide a team to the NFL championship game. They will face a formidable opponent in Capt'n Kurt Warner and the Cardinals high flying offense. Coach Tomlin and his staff must contain the passing game of the former Superbowl MVP because if he gets a rhythm the sky is the limit with those gazelle-like receivers Bouldin and Fitzgerald. The Steelers are hopeful they will be successful enough in their offensive and defensive efforts to hoist the Lombardi trophy helping Mike Tomlin ink another stroke on the new black American history page. To be black in America right now has to feel like the playing fields of life are finally leveling.

Jan 29, 2009

Wintery life on campus

I snapped these pictures this morning on the Richland College campus. They are a couple of the final wintery scenes of the frozen Texas tundra before it all melts away under the balmy Southern temperatures. We typically only get a day or so of the frosty stuff in between the sweltering days of Summer and Fall in North Texas so this was pretty special.





Jan 27, 2009

Longhorns outlast Bears 78-72 for 23rd straight time

WACO - Texas coach Rick Barnes has never lost to Baylor. Tonight the scrappy Bears (15-5) gave coach Barnes and the number 11th ranked Longhorns (15-4) a serious run for their money but fell short of the victory before a frenzied crowd at the Ferrell Center, 78-72. The loss marks the 23rd consecutive in the series for Baylor over the last 11 years against Barnes. The win also improves the Longhorns record to 4-1 in Big 12 conference play and 15-4 overall. Texas senior guard AJ. Abrams (3) led the team in scoring with 19 points. He also tied a Big 12 record with his 338th made 3-pointer early in the game. Unfortunately, he did not score another three in the game so he must share the record with Jeff Boschee who played at Kansas in the nineties for now.

An off shooting night from behind the arc by Tweety Carter, Curtis Jerrells and Henry Dugat of the Bears aided in the Longhorns win. The normally sensational Baylor guard trio were only 5-16 collectively from 3-point range. Still Baylor was only down four at 74-70, when Abrams foolishly fouled Carter behind the arc. With a chance to bring the game to within a basket before an eager home crowd Carter could not get any of his three free-throws to fall. Quincy Acy secured the rebound of his third miss and was fouled. He knocked down both of his free-throws bringing the Bears to within a bucket at 74-72 but they would get no closer. The Texas Longhorns did not fair much better at the charity stripe in the final seconds but managed to push enough freebies across the lip of the rim to secure the win. Dogus Balbay split his four attempts and Connor Atchley hit both of his to provide the final margin of victory. Texas next plays at home against the Kansas State Wildcats, Sat Jan 31st at 4pm.


Texas' Justin Mason, left, blocks the shot of Baylor's Curtis Jerrells, right, in the first half. (AP Photo/ Jerry Larson)