Old School Friday: Songs that people would be surprised I know

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Shawn Williams

I have to say it’s been the last few years that I’ve discovered Steely Dan and have to give credit to Mike Rhyner who has “extolled the greatness” of the group for years. Finally I took him up on the challenge of checking out their music and I’m all in.

Here are are my two entries:

Steely Dan’s “Home At Last”

“Black Cow”

Most hip hoppers know “Black Cow” as a sample from Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz “Deja Vu (Uptown Baby).

Happy Old School Friday!!! Check out these other OSF participants.

38 minutes to understanding why their healthcare is better than ours

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Shawn Williams

I don’t often get to listen to Terry Gross’ Fresh Air on NPR these days, but fortunately on Monday I had a chance listen to Terry’s guest T.R.Reid, author of the book The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Healthcare.

Mr. Reid is a journalist who has worked on three continent and has had an up close look at healthcare across the world. Mr. Reid starts the interview explaining how the term “socialized medicine” was created by a PR firm in the 1940′s. He can a really interesting quote after that.

The amazing thing is it’s still a powerful argument. I don’t know that anybody can define socialize medicine, but nobody seems to like it, except, Terry, when Americans get government-run medicine, they really like it.

The VA, the Native American Health Service and Medicare are the three most popular health care systems in America, all run by government.

Another great quote from the interview , “All over the world, people say that. If you complain about health care, they say ‘well, you want to move to America? You think that’s better?’”

This conversation (as most are with Terry) is fascinating. Reid easily breaks down the myths associated with foreign healthcare, and how America is behind all other “rich democracies” when it comes to health. Listen to the audio above or check out the transcript of Reid and Gross’ discussion for easy compare/contrast.

Southern Dallas Left in the Dark on Main Post Office decision

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Shawn Williams

From DallasSouthNews.org

Last night I moderated a Town Hall meeting hosted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson at Dallas City Hall regarding an Area Mail Processing (AMP) Feasibility Study conducted by the United States Post Office. AMP Studies are taking place all across the country.

Tim Vierling, Dallas Sr. Plant Manager, gave a presentation, and then took questions from the audience as well as myself. Also involved in the conversation were Mayor Tom Leppert and State Senator Royce West.

Senator West had some very pointed comments for Mr. Vierling and the Post Office, including the fact that his office had contacted USPS about this matter at least twice without a response. He also referenced a previous AMP study done either late ‘06 or early ‘07.

This latest AMP study apparently concludes that the Post Office will save $9.2 million annually by consolidating mail processing operations in Dallas with those at the North Texas facility located in Coppell. I say apparently because no one outside of the Postal Service has seen this study. Most of the savings will come from eliminating 117 jobs.

The first document on the USPS website regarding the AMP is a brief dated March 24, 2009 which says the following regarding the study:

If the feasibility study supports the business case for consolidation, we will hold a public meeting to allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback. We will address these questions or concerns at the public meeting. The public’s input will be considered in any final determination.

By June 17, 2009, the Post Office had seen enough information to determine that consolidation was necessary. A public meeting was called for July 1st at Mountain View College and the following highlights of the study we have not seen were released in a brief.

1.   Business Case:

Proposed annual savings in the AMP feasibility study is approximately $9.2 million.

2.   Postal Employees:

Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 117 positions is projected. All reassignments will be made in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.

3.   Local Customer Considerations:

Services that are currently available from the Dallas facility will continue to be available to customers.

•   Collection box pick-up times will not change as a result of the AMP.
•   Retail services will remain the same.
•   Business mail acceptance will remain the same.
•   A local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail.
•   Delivery of mail to residences and businesses will not change as a result of the AMP.

4.   Commercial Mailers:

•   Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive applicable postage discounts.
•   Mailers who drop ship mailings will continue to deposit them at the Dallas facility.

So a public meeting was called, but the public wasn’t aware. Mr. Vierling siad that the post office’s position was that they had done everything necessary to publicize the meeting, including sending notices to media outlets and government officials. He then admitted that Senator West’s office was left off that list and was not contacted.

I can say that Dallas South was not contacted about this public meeting either. The organization that has access to every home, business, and place of worship in America couldn’t drop a half sheet announcement in the mailbox? That doesn’t make sense.

A recap of the July 1 meeting on the Postal Service Website says that 267 people were in attendance including a staffer from Congresswoman Johnson’s office Channel 33 KDAF. It also lists the number of questions and comments from the meeting by category which lists “Lack of Public Input” as the most frequent topic.

I found out about the AMP Study on July 10th like most people who have expressed concerns in the days sense, receiving an email which contained a statement from Larry Walker, President of the Local American Postal Workers Union. That’s when the public actually became involved and started to understand that the Post Office was not closing, though major changes were slated for Dallas Main.

It is clear after Monday’s town hall that the public in general and Southern Dallas specifically were not made aware of this “proposed” change. According to reports, most of the 267 people present at the July 1st meeting at Mountain View were postal workers.

The decision seems to be already made and while there have been meetings held there is no exchange of ideas. On Monday Mr. Vierling gave us the post office’s position, but never acknowledged the most pressing concern, which was what happens with the 117 employees who would be affected by this move.

One thing I learned about from Monday’s meeting was the concept of “stand by” rooms. Apparently post office employees are asked to go into these “stand by” rooms whenever there is not enough work for them to do.

Questions from the audience suggested that postal workers are being paid to read magazines and do crossword puzzle in these rooms while others on the floor are being paid overtime. Another question suggested that managers are asked not to use the workers in these rooms for performance or disciplinary reasons. Mr. Vierling said that this is not the case.

Congresswoman Johnson is scheduled to meet with Mr. Vierling on Wednesday to tour the facilities for herself and understand why the North Texas (Coppell) facility was selected over Dallas. Hopefully she will get more answers, but one thing is clear: residents were not properly informed about this process and have not had a chance to properly give their input.

District Attorney Craig Watkins Responds to Dallas Morning News Editorial

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Shawn Williams

The following is a response from District Attorney Craig Watkins regarding the Dallas Morning News Editorial “Watkins Needs to Investigate the Constables.”

By Craig Watkins – Dallas County District Attorney

In (Monday’s) editorial, “Watkins needs to investigate the constables,” the Dallas Morning News failed to print my actual comment and instead chose to write an editorial that would leave readers with the false impression that I am not doing my job. When asked last week by the Dallas Morning News whether the district attorney’s office was investigating two Dallas County constables (Precincts 1 and 5), my response was the same response we always give when complaints are made against elected officials and other public servants. I would neither confirm nor deny whether we are investigating this issue.

To accuse me of “sitting on the sidelines” and suggest that I would allow alleged criminal activity to go unnoticed is disingenuous. Just because I am not vetting my cases with the media and the court of public opinion, which I will never do, is hardly a reason to jump to the conclusion that I am not doing my job.

There is a reason why the district attorney’s office has prosecutorial independence. There is a reason why we do not comment on potential public integrity issues. My job as the criminal district attorney for Dallas County is to seek truth and justice, not to feed the insatiable appetite of those who have political agendas.

Yes, I do owe it to taxpayers to get to the truth, and the citizens of Dallas County can rest assured that I take my job very seriously and that I do it with the utmost integrity and sincerity. If a crime has been committed, we will follow the law and do our jobs. However, under no circumstances should anyone expect the district attorney to discuss the particulars of any potential investigation or case.

Craig Watkins
Dallas County Criminal District Attorney

A random idea for newspapers

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Shawn Williams

It seems like newspaper folks are open to any and all ideas these days, so I’d like to throw something I’ve been thinking about in the mix. That is if the hope is a future with some version of the print product.

Why not have an organization like the Dallas Morning News partner with area colleges and universities to offer the paper at a MUCH reduced rate? The newspaper and school could get together and negotiate a price that would allow them to deliver the print product at the door of every dorm room like you see with the USA Today and other papers at hotels.

Ideally the newspaper fee could fit into tuition somewhere, but I know that’s a dicey propositions. Again, this is if there is a will on behalf of newspapers to sustain their print offerings. If that’s the hope, it’s imperative to bring new readers aboard who may subscribe in some form or fashion down the line.

There’s something about the need to develop a habit of readers receiving information in this manor. Whenever folks from older generations are asked what they like about newspapers, the story goes something like “I just like to walk out into the driveway, open the paper, sit down with a cup of coffee and thumb through section by section.” There’s no real business model for that, and it’s a foreign concept for most of today’s youth.

I’ve been thinking about this for a few days, but it became more evident after I bought a 3 dollar Sunday paper on yesterday. This morning as the family sat at breakfast preparing for the first day of school, I saw yesterday’s paper still on the table.

I thought that maybe if I blinked my eyes and nodded my head, the paper would have new info when I picked it up. No such luck. Those pancakes and sausage would have tasted a little bit better if accompanied by a fresh paper on the side.

Without a younger readership, there’s no long term hope for growing the print readership. Just a thought.

Alert/Update: U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson to hold townhall on Dallas postal operations Monday moderated by Shawn P.

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Shawn Williams

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson will hold a townhall meeting on Monday August 24th regarding the Dallas Main Post Office and Distribution Center. A few weeks ago we reacted here to rumors that the Dallas Main Post Office was closing.

While rumors of the Post Office’s demise were a bit exaggerated, the reality of moving a bulk of the center’s operations away from Dallas Main is serious. A study by the U.S. Postal Service recommended the transfer of mail processing operations from the Dallas Main Post Office to Coppell, TX.

Those scheduled to speak at the meeting include:

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert

The Honorable Royce West

Mr. Tim Vierling, Senior Plant Manager Dallas Post Officee

Congresswoman Johnson and her staff requested that I serve as moderator of the meeting that is sure to bring questions and concerns from residents, union members, government officials and the like. The meeting will be held at Dallas City Hall – City Council Chambers and begin at 6:00 p.m.

What: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Townhall on Postal Operations

Date: Monday, August 24, 2009

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Dallas City Hall, City Council Chambers
Room 6 E North, 1500 Marilla Dr., Dallas, TX 75201

Old School Friday: Prom Song or School Dance

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Shawn Williams

The theme is prom song or school dance song, but I’m going to deviate a little. I’m going with the Prom or School Dance “After Party” song. These songs were a bit much for a school sponsored function, but were bumping at “The Razz” or “Ebony’s” into the wee hours.

R. Kelly “Slow Dance”

This was back when R. was still rolling with Public Announcement, and when kids still slow danced. The little scene before the song starts was prototypical early 90′s: the hair, dress, that was our day.

Spice 1 – 187 proof

The song did have a violent undercurrent, but it was really creative, a mystery wrapped inside an enigma. It introduced me to brands of liquor that I’d never heard of.

Spice 1 – 187 Proof (Official Music Video) – For more funny movies, click here

Happy OSF!!!!

- AJ – BklynQueen’86 – Bria – CC Groovy – Chocl8t – Cooper – Shawn – Danielle Vyas – Dee – DP – Fresh and Fab – Hagar’s Daughters – Invisible Woman – John – Keith – Kevin – Kim – LaKeisha – LaShonda – Lil Creole Pimp – Lisa C – Mahogany – Malcolm – Marcus – Martin – MarvalusOne – Mike – Mrs. Grapevine – MsLadyDeborah – Pjazzypar – Pop Art Diva – Quick – Regina – Revvy Rev – Shae-Shae – Sharon – SJP – Staci – Tami – Tha Connoisseur – Thembi – Vérité Parlant – Villager – Vivrant Thang – Wheneva Whateva – Zenobia -

KRNB/K104/KKDA mourns the loss of Nate Quick

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Shawn Williams

Press Release

The Service Broadcasting Corporation (KRNB/K104/KKDA) family is mourning the loss of a dear colleague and family member…Nathaniel “Nate” Quick. Nate succumbed to liver cancer after a brief illness Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at Parkland Hospital. He was surrounded by his family, colleagues and friends. Services are pending.

Nate was a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University, getting his radio start at WCLK 91.9 at a 24-hour campus radio station at CAU in Atlanta and then went on to do mornings in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he met and was mentored by the radio legend, Skip Murphy.

Nate joined the K104 family in June 2003…as the midday drive on-air personality. He hit the ground running….wanting to meet everybody and do everything having to do with his listening audience. Nate, later, joined the sister station, KRNB (105.7) where he took that same winning personality to entertain the listeners. He was especially in tune with the less fortunate, in particular, the homeless. Nate could identify with what it was like to live in your car…because he had experienced it in his life. It was always top of mind with him to make sure he was helping someone in need.

The most common words you would hear when someone described Nate Quick was that he would give you the shirt off of his back…and many times he did just that. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to say to anyone and everyone….a true jewel!

Nate Quick………Rest in Peace! You will be missed!

GREEN.PERIOD:The Search for a Greener Southern Dallas

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Shawn Williams

From Dallas South News by Michael Counter

Read the entire post by clicking here.

The recession is still beating on many of our doors, and unfortunately, for some of us, the recession crossed our threshold, invited himself in, and is squatting in our lives in spite of Washington, D.C., telling us that it’s over. In a time when the President is granting us “cash for clunkers,” the notion of going green sounds like a bit of a luxury not to be afforded by today’s Southern Dallas citizen.

However, Saturday, August 15th, was a testament to the contrary. The Marcus Graham Project’s Summer Boot Camp launched GREEN.PERIOD, the culmination of their hard work, determination, and creativity that celebrates “innovation and urban renewal,” two concepts that elicit the expectations of many in this new age of Hope and Change. For Southern Dallas men & women, these expectations come with strings attached: why and how can Southern Dallas be organic and fly?

GREEN.PERIOD and its client Broccoli City — a Los Angeles-based organic lifestyle brand that promotes positive thinking and living — treated the public to free food, free beverages, and free green education on last Saturday afternoon. Now, I must admit that when I heard that Broccoli City was based in Los Angeles, it did not seem far-fetched that the company is associated with the organic lifestyle.

After all, that’s what they do out there in Cali with their botox and solar-powered cars. I was not alone in assuming that an organic lifestyle was only for the upper-class, simply another reason for the elite to appear more exclusive. One visitor mentioned,”[the organic lifestyle] is nice, but this is not for me.” We both laughed, but I, too, wanted to see the face of Southern Dallas and how area citizens could go green.

Green-savvy vendors and eco-friendly programs lined the entrance way of Southside on Lamar offering samples of how their products and programs aid surrounding communities in going green. PROforma, a eco-friendly promotions company, offered an affordable solution to businesses who wish to market their products and goods in a sustainable manor.

But, still, in this economic climate, most business owners are cautious when changing their production and promotion plans. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I traveled along the entrance way, meeting with energy companies and food service businesses who proposed green tools to save money and save the environment.

Again, great concepts but no one had yet told me how Southern Dallas citizens could participate. By this time I was down to the last two vendor’s tables and had accepted that my search for a greener Southern Dallas did not, and could not, exist.

Michael & members of Project 7

“Would you like to try some organic gum?” I heard as I passed the Project 7 vendor’s table. The gum was free, so I stopped and listened to their spill. They mentioned that more than “50% of their annual profits go to the 7 most critical areas of need in the world,” and told me how simple it is to make a difference. “Who knew giving back was so easy?” echoed from the front page of their pamphlet. The Southlake based organization had temporarily subsided my doubt of ever finding avenues for a greener Southern Dallas.

Michael Counter and Seidah Williams

I moved to the final table where Seidah Williams was engrossed in a conversation with another visitor. Amid the beige and charcoal greys of the the various vendor’s tables and products, the red, black, and green of Ms. Williams braided locks were refreshing. Her petite frame was topped off with a warm smile, and I’d later find that her small stature was not a reflection of her knowledge. She was a wealth of organic and holistic information.

As a representative of The People’s Lunch Counter (PLC), a non-profit organization who provides health education and the how-to’s of incorporating health food service programs for low income communities, Seidah Williams could not have been more different from the Project 7 table. Both aid in eradicating what ails the Dallas/Fort Worth community: hunger, homelessness, and HIV/AIDS.

But, Ms. Williams’ organization is an example of a fledgling community program promoting an organic lifestyle on a budget. She went on to explain that her organization hosts a “Black August” course in the Southside on Lamar building on each Monday and Wednesday from 5pm-7pm each week in August, educating the surrounding communities on the remarkable happenings in the African Diaspora’s history that occurred in the month of August. Williams had fully restored my hope that Southern Dallas could be green and that I should keep looking for the possibility and maybe the solution.

Michael speaks with Marcus Graham Project Coordinator Lincoln Stephens

Michael (R) speaks with Marcus Graham Project Coordinator Lincoln Stephens (L)

Lincoln C. Stephens, founder of The Marcus Graham Project, had a video camera in one-hand and was ushering me into Loft 111. Prince’s Purple Rain played across flat screen televisions and Mary J. Blige called me “Sweet Thang” through the speakers as I made my way deeper into the loft. Brightly-colored Broccoli City stickers and posters told me to “Go Green” and if the freshly seasoned hamburgers and hors d’oeuvres were my key to doing so, I was game.

Michael L. Counter, Jr. is a Dallas South News intern. He attends Midwestern State University and is completing his Bachelor’s degree in English with a focus in media studies.

Dallas South News Open House August 27th

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Shawn Williams

On Thursday, Dallas South News will hold an Open House event here in the DSN Newsroom located at the Southside on Lamar in the historic Sears Building. It will be a great opportunity to meet the Dallas South News staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and DSN volunteers.

The open house will take place Thursday August 27th from 6-8 PM. We encourage members of the community to attend to find out more about the newest member of the local media and the unique way that we plan to cover Southern Dallas.

Please RSVP by email to info@dallassouthnews.org

What: Dallas South News Open House

Where: DSN Newsroom @ Southside on Lamar

1409 S. Lamar Dallas 75215

When: Thursday August 27th 6-8 PM