Obama's White House florist gives tips on holiday wreathmaking

Dowling (seated) with (l to r) Jazmin Perez, Destini X Shakur, and Bianca George

"Wreath Magic" with the former White House florist, Laura Dowling, was held in Building 1 of AmericasMart yesterday afternoon as part of a Creative Workshop series for members. 

Dowling was the chief White House floral designer from 2009 - 2015. Before her service at the Obama White House, Dowling was senior manager of strategic communications at The Nature Conservancy. Dowling has a Master's Degree in public administration. She studied French floral art in Paris and also studied floristry in Germany. As creative director for flowers and decor at the White House, she managed thousands of official and private events, including the iconic White House Christmas.

Dowling said you can use almost anything to make a wreath as long as you have layers and imagination. (pictured here in front of wreath using marshmallows)

"Christmas at the White House was a year long planning process," Dowling said when I asked her about how culture and colors were interjected into floral designs while the first African American family lived there.

"Mrs. Obama selected the theme... she loved holiday planning. It was important to her that each member of the family was represented, even their dogs! Designing for her involved personal aesthetics coupled with traditional White House expectations. There were Kwanzaa as well as Hanukkah decorations," Dowling said. 

The Obama White House was about hope and change, and Dowling dealt with floral diplomacy. According to Dowling's bio, she believes that "flowers can be more than just decorative objects, conveying important diplomatic messages, cultural meaning and symbolic metaphor."

Since Michelle Obama had her own White House garden, many organic elements were used in decorations. Also, Dowling repurposed and recycled items from the White House warehouse and collected soda and beer cans to use in decorations, since aluminum is a wonderful material to use, she said. Mrs. Obama's major Christmas theme was "Simple Gifts".

First Ladies add their own flair to White House decorations amidst all male portraits of Presidents.

Every First Lady puts her stamp on the White House, Dowling said. First Lady Caroline Harrison in the late 1800's was the first to decorate with Christmas trees lit with electric lights, and simple wreaths were placed in White House windows. 

In 1964, garlands on the portico added simplicity and synergy. Nancy Reagan used popcorn and tinsel in the Executive Mansion Christmas Tree. The Clinton's wreaths were too heavy and created a flower emergency. 

Donna Murray was one of three lucky participants who won a door prize - a wreath made from purple cabbages, petite potatoes, and orchids.

Dowling said thousands of people apply to be volunteers each year to decorate the White House. Those who are selected know how to use color, layers, and a variety of elements, including bulbs, vegetables, fruits, preservatives, water tubes, flowers, branches, feathers, pods, fur, ribbon, acorns, snowflakes, heather, berries, coxcombs, leaves, and peppers.

Tangerines, leaves, and orchids make a beautiful wreath.

A very memorable time for Dowling included a volunteer losing her diamond ring amidst hundreds of decorations which was found after a Secret Service man utilized a metal detector. Another memorable event was her designing a floral arrangement with hot peppers without gloves which resulted in her hands burning for 10 hours.

Dowling's book, Wreaths: with How-to Tutorials, was introduced at the AmericasMart event. To watch her TEDx talk, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcUzE7t_3o8

As voting day nears, watch this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zLQLUpNGsc
and
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=black+nationalism+youtube&view=detail&mid=39D08E4911DEB43EA6EC39D08E4911DEB43EA6EC&FORM=VIRE

Coffee with a Cop national day celebrated Wednesday...

Wednesday, October 3rd is National Coffee With a Cop Day! Police precincts across the US will host events to bring police officers in engaging/trust building social hour with community members.

Refreshments and coffee will be served. Call your local precinct to see how you can participate.

Thought for today...

World institutions must control untruths, like Catholic Archbishop Vigano

The road to truth is not straight. (Outside car window in Hawaii)

OPINION:
There's something dangerous and ungodly about controlling truth. I for one think our biblical interpretation of the knowledge of good and evil is corrupted and that the Universe revolves on truth. 

It's always better to be truthful, upfront, and trustworthy although it's not easy sometimes. But there is a benefit, although sometimes short-lived, from telling the truth and unmasking untruth. It is very important to not abuse authority by abusing the truth.

Two personal experiences bring this to mind.

After talking to a businessman about a racial incident at his home and how I would like to interview him about it, he told me, "We have to control the message."  That meant controlling the truth!

I also talked to a policeman about departments not reporting the truth about police misconduct before it was reported by media. He informed me that it's important for military and law enforcement to keep "secrets" because it helps in fighting crime.

It all boils down to trust. If you can't trust your husband, your parents, your neighbor, you doctor, your Congressman, your president, your pope or priest, fair dealing becomes an ideal and not reality. 

And a circle of lies starts with one lie.

I had the opportunity to read testimony of Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano which gives a blueprint on how world institutions should handle truth. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4786599-Testimony-by-Archbishop-Carlo-Maria-Vigan%C3%B2.html

If we could apply what he said to all institutions, the world would be a better place.

The American College of Financial Services names George Nichols, III pres./ceo

The Board of Trustees of The American College of Financial Services has named George Nichols III president and chief executive officer, beginning November 1, 2018. Mr. Nichols comes to The College after a 17-year career with New York Life, most recently serving as executive vice president in charge of the Office of Governmental Affairs, which encompasses all state, federal and international legislative, regulatory and public policy issues at the company. 

Mr. Nichols' extensive career serving the financial services profession, both in the public and private sectors, makes him uniquely qualified to lead the country's largest accredited, non-profit educator dedicated to the financial services profession. 

"George is one of the nation's most highly regarded and influential leaders in our industry," said James Meehan, Chair of the Board of Trustees at The American College. "His entire career in the profession has been dedicated to advancing financial services for the benefit of society."  

Mr. Nichols joined New York Life in 2001 and during his first five years held a variety of principal roles including special assistant to the chairman supporting strategic initiatives related to international marketing and regulatory policy; senior vice president in the Agency Group; and head of New York Life Direct, the company's Tampa-based direct sales unit. He joined the Office of Governmental Affairs in 2006, assumed its leadership in 2007, and was subsequently named to the company's Executive Management Committee.  In 2017, Mr. Nichols also developed an executive leadership institute for the top leaders of the company.

"New York Life is an institution known for living its core values and doing business the right way, qualities I embedded into my career there and which I intend to carry into this next phase of my journey," said Mr. Nichols. "The commitment of The College to fostering the industry's highest ideals of professionalism, trust and service is one that I am honored to continue. I welcome the opportunity to share my leadership, values and dedication for the benefit of future generations of financial professionals, to help them fulfill their calling and further their pursuit of lifelong learning." 

"In welcoming George to The College, we look forward to his leadership and expertise as we continue on a path of success in leading financial services education," said Meehan. "We have a shared vision to help professionals and companies reach their full potential through relevant learning opportunities that raise expectations and standards, build sustainable advantages for our clients, and influence the industry and the general public for the common good." 

Prior to joining New York Life, Mr. Nichols was the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Insurance, where he regulated the state's $10 billion insurance industry and was recognized for his expertise in health insurance reform and financial services integration. Before that, he was the executive director of the Kentucky Health Policy Board, vice president of marketing for Athena of North America, executive director of product development of Southeastern Group, Inc. (dba Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky), executive officer of Central State Hospital in Louisville, and executive assistant to the commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. 

He was Kentucky's first African-American insurance commissioner (1995), the first African-American president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (1999), and the first African-American elected to New York Life's Executive Management Committee (2006). 

Mr. Nichols has been named twice to the list of "Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America," (2018 and 2012) by Savoy, the leading African-American business and lifestyle magazine. Mr. Nichols received an M.A. degree from the University of Louisville, a B.A. degree from Western Kentucky University, and an A.A. degree from Alice Lloyd College. He and his wife, Cynthia Jean, have three adult children: Courtney, Jessica and George IV.  

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE

The American College of Financial Services was founded in 1927 and is the nation's largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated one in five financial advisors across the United States and offers two master's degrees in management and financial services and prestigious financial planning designations such as the Retirement Income Certified Professional^® (RICP^®), Chartered Life Underwriter^® (CLU^®), Chartered Financial Consultant^® (ChFC^®), Wealth Management Certified Professional^®(WMCP^®) and education leading to the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP^®) certification. The College's faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders of the financial services profession.  For more information, visit TheAmericanCollege.edu. http://TheAmericanCollege.edu

NACA plans mortgage event in Atlanta Sept. 13-17

NACA

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA
WWW.NACA.COM

Here's how you can be approved for a home mortgage loan the same day if you have all your paperwork in order.

The NACA "Achieve the Dream" event tour hits Atlanta beginning Thursday, September 13 through Monday September 17th. This one-stop homeownership event provides on-site pre-approval for NACA’s Best in America Mortgage (no down payment, no closing costs at a below market fixed rate). The event takes place at AmericasMart, Building 2, 4th Floor, 230 Ted Turner Dr. NW, Atlanta from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day.

"Achieve the Dream" events have already demonstrated extraordinary success with thousands of pre-approvals. While no appointment is necessary and walk-ins are welcome, go to www.naca.com or call 425-602-6222 for more information. 

Full Documentation is Required. Make Your Best Efforts to Bring the Below Documents Not Already Submitted:
• Identification (photo ID)
• Paystubs (most recent 30-days)
• W-2s (2017 & 2016)
• Tax Returns (most recent two years)
• Bank Statements all accounts (most recent 90 days)
• Credit Card statements for all open accounts (most recent statement)
• Self-Employed – 12 months of bank statements
• Other documents and information on your Action Plan or identified in your workbook

Faith and Community Forum to be held by Cobb County, Ga. police

Leaders and staff from institutions of faith and all community members are invited to attend the Cobb County Police Department's 5th Faith and Community Forum. It will be held Monday, Sept. 10 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  at the Cobb County Public Safety Training Center, 2109 Valor Drive, Marietta, Ga.

Community safety will be the focus as participants discuss crime and gangs, provide safety tips, and share how all can work together to respond. Participants should come prepared to ask questions, give input, and facilitate discussion. 

Police Chief Mike Register has been hosting these forums in order to develop results-oriented relationships with the community, have candid discussions, partner to find solutions to issues and needs, and be a catalyst for improvement.

Please R.S.V.P. to Darcy Sibilsky at darcy.sibilsky@cobbcounty.org by Wednesday, Sept. 5.

Alice Johnson celebrates 85th birthday

The 85th birthday celebration was held for Alice Johnson Saturday, August 4 at 4:00 p.m. in Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church's Social Hall in Greenville, S.C.

Donna and Sherman Johnson came from New Jersey, and Thomasena and Kurk Johnson came from Metro Atlanta to help celebrate their aunt's birthday.

Ms. Johnson, who grew up in Greenville but lived many years in California, was treated to food, music, gifts and kind words given by 15 speakers. Mrs. Johnson retired several years ago from  Woolworths, described by Wikipedia as "the most successful American and international five-and-dime business, setting trends and creating the modern retail model that stores follow worldwide today."

"You guys roasted me real good," said Ms. Johnson after the ceremony.

Sister Hattie Massey celebrated with Alice Johnson

Attributes that Ms. Johnson possesses, according to her contemporaries, are grace, wisdom, beauty, kindness, service, love, and strength.

As far as her age, her nephew, Kurk Johnson, said all time is relative. Quoting Einstein, he said, "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once."

Poem for Alice

by Viola Williams

What makes a woman beautiful? 
The way she inspires with her kindness,

the way she encourages dreams into reality, 
the way she carries herself as she moves through the world changing lives and hearts with her love.

Hope you know what a beautiful woman you truly are.

Pothole damage claim repayments questionable

Tire sidewall damages cannot be repaired, but some wheel rims can be after a hard pothole hit. The government seldom pays claims, though.

Citizens who file damage claims to their property from hitting potholes have a process to go through to recoup money they pay to have cars/tires/rims fixed, but is it just a waste of time appealing to a city or state for redress?

According to a local Atlanta attorney, ATL311claim requests implemented in 2014 are just a formality that could leave complainants frustrated. She says that government agencies have wide "discretion" to fix potholes and high priced lawyers who can make sure governments do not pay for damages despite attempts by citizens.  She said that she was not aware of any payments in Georgia to compensate citizens for pothole damages to cars.

Researching how to sue a state or municipality is time consuming. It's at the pleasure of the Atlanta City Council to fix potholes on local streets, and if they don't know one exists, they can't be held liable. Right?

So why was the process set up under Ga. Code Ann. § 36-33-5? Probably to alert the city that there is a problem, after the fact. This way, citizens are providing a voluntary, free service that the city is using to fix potholes which can be very hazardous on city streets. And if a claimant's damages are below their insurance deductible amount, there's no use in filing a comprehensive claim. Three claims, and you're out of insurance.

So what should you do? Avoid traveling down city streets after a bad winter, because you just could hit a pothole. Trying to swerve and avoid it could be worse. You could run into someone else. And traveling back to take pictures of the pothole could also be dangerous.

I asked the following questions to Antoinette Govan, Sr. communications office in Mayor's office of Communications:

1. How many pothole claims per year since 2014 have been made when Atl311 was implemented? Are claims documented by street? Which street has had most claims?

2. Of claims made, how many were paid? What was the average amount paid? How were these claims successfully resolved?

3. If not paid, what were the reasons why not paid?

4. Is the city depending on citizens to report these claims in order to have potholes repaired? How does the City council and mayor use discretionary powers to decide which potholes to repair? Are repairs made by city employees or contractors?

5. How are pothole markings and repairs documented by written report or photos?

6. What causes potholes? Bad weather, snow removal, improper drainage?

Here are her responses:

“To the best of our knowledge, there is no mechanism to track responses for your first three questions. (Therefore, a Freedom of Information request would be futile.) Pothole repair is not solely dependent upon citizen reports, but we do encourage residents to report these types of issues to our ATL311 customer service call center via phone (404-546-0311) or website (www.atl311.com)

Potholes are repaired once a service request has been made; therefore, they are recorded digitally. Potholes are formed when a small road defect where the asphalt top and base layers have failed and eroded away due to traffic volume and weather."

In England, it was reported in 2012 This is Money Reporter, "One in eight motorists have suffered damage to their cars from neglected roads and potholes in the past two years, with millions of pounds being paid out in compensation by cash-strapped councils, research has found."

In another large U.S. city, Indianapolis, it was reported by Fox59 news that in 2017, a driver’s chances of reimbursement was nine percent. "So far in 2018, chances have shot down again. With 129 people claims filed, 38 are still awaiting a final decision. Eighty claims have already been denied and only one person has gotten money back. Just one person. 

"The OCC data shows that driver received $203.83. FOX59 asked what factor or factors is behind most of the denials. The OCC hasn’t responded at the time of this publication. However, we have reported before that DPW records must show a complaint was filed about the pothole before you hit it in order to be reimbursed. So far in 2018, chances have shot down again. With 129 people claims filed, 38 are still awaiting a final decision. Eighty claims have already been denied and only one person has gotten money back. 

"Just one person. The OCC data shows that driver received $203.83. FOX59 asked what factor or factors is behind most of the denials... we have reported before that DPW records must show a complaint was filed about the pothole before you hit it in order to be reimbursed."

In my opinion, the claims process should be more citizen friendly,  data of payments should be compiled and reported, and some percentage of claims should be paid. 

Regardless of the likelihood of repayment, attorneys still encourage citizens to file a complaint before six months from damage incident expires.

Georgia gubernatorial politics heats up

Conservative Republican Brian Kemp will face off against Progressive Democrat Stacey Abrams in November to lead state politics in Georgia. 

Kemp won 69% of the primary vote against Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle last night. Kemp, who branded himself as a gun wheeling, truck driving, round up illegals, no nonsense, protective father of three White daughters pushed all the campaign hot buttons, including standing up during the national anthem at football games. He was heavily endorsed by President Trump and the NRA. Kemp is presently Georgia's Secretary of State.

Abrams is said to be raking in political contributions from outside the state. Endorsed by Hillary Clinton, she is a Black lawyer, author, and businesswoman who was the House Minority Leader in the Georgia General Assembly representing the 89th House District. She is the first Black female major party gubernatorial nominee in the U.S.

Duerson-Bennett-Miller family celebrates 60th reunion; reminder of historical ties to future events

"Like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one."

Probably the best fount of knowledge and wisdom is beheld at the annual family reunion. It speaks to royal lineage - of who one's great, great, great, great, great grandparents were and what they did to survive. 

Descendants of Cassius Duerson: Dr. Betty Griffin, Kurk and Tomi Johnson, Jewell and Freddie Brown

The family reunion bids descendants to keep on keeping on!

Yes, a family reunion is a powerful thing that should be respected and revered.

One such event occurred July 20 - 22 in Richmond, Ky. during inclement weather. Activities included meet and greet, memorial service, banquet, auction, historical skit, and angel and scholarship giveaways.

A prayer service and Time of Reflection was held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Kirksville, Ky.

Here are three things I learned.

Without their approval, some slaves took on the last name of their masters. 

Some present day descendants of slaves are still trying to figure out their family history and connections to others.

Some Black people have a deep yearning to decipher the past and rise to the glorious future their ancestors gifted them.

Members of the Cassius Duerson branch

Tomi Johnson (c) poses with family DJ Megan Larue and another newly-met relative. 

Their 61st reunion will be held in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, contact Mary Adderton at jerryadderton@gmail.com.

9400 still without power in Central Kentucky

Kentucky Utilities/Old Dominion Power is reporting several thousand residential customers are still without electricity due to a storm with gusting winds which passed through Central Kentucky five days ago.

At the height of the outages, 113,000 people were without power as well as several local businesses and gas stations. Power is estimated to be restored by tomorrow.

Trees came down on power lines, and branches turned into projectiles which pierced through roofs. 

Tree roots were exposed. 

Service vehicles were hooked to street light terminals. 

People who had generators worked hard to get them started.


WKYT is warning customers to check with the BBB before hiring anyone to clear away debris or perform services.

 

Even though damages look bad, one is reminded of the 1.2 million people in Puerto Rico who were ravaged by Hurricane Maria almost one year ago. These weather events are predicted to persist due in part to global warming.

©2018 Copyrighted photos by Kurk and Tomi Johnson

Building relationships keys to business success and community policing

Off. Jegg, Dep. Melton, Kathryn Ruff, Janice Overbeck, Off. Pharr, and Maj. Batterton pose after discussing concerns over coffee with citizens.

Coffee with a Cop convened this morning at the Keller Williams Real Estate Agency on Roswell Road in Marietta and was deemed a success by organizers. Approximately 15 people were in attendance.

Topics which were informally discussed with officers included  "ignorance of the law being no excuse", drug trafficking, local immigrants being deported and leaving children behind, code enforcement and animal control, experience of cops in peace and war, history of cops before joining law enforcement, mental health, self-defense, public intoxication, and "discretionary" law enforcement. 

"I feel that it was important to have Coffee with a Cop in our office because it's a great national program which connects cops in the community with civilians that want to ask questions," said Janice Overbeck. "We had great success today." Overbeck, who opened her office 18 months ago, said it's a "Win Win" for everybody. "The more exposure, the more people we can help with our business."

"Events like this are very important and great because we can meet informally with citizens that we serve on a daily basis," said Precinct 4 Commander B. S. Batterton. "It gives us an opportunity to interact, share information, as well as build relationships which go a long way into the future."

Overbeck plans to host another Coffee with a Cop event soon. For more information, contact Kathryn Ruff at 678-929-7761. 

Keller Williams location off Roswell Rd., site of Coffee with a Cop

Communities over Cages convening in Atlanta

Stay Woke: Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black coming to Atlanta

Coffee with a Cop happening in Cobb County

On Wednesday, July 18 from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., Keller Williams will host a Coffee with a Cop at their 2249 Roswell Road location.

According to Kathryn Ruff, marketing and events coordinator for Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team, the event is part of a national program which allows local citizens and police to meet in an informal setting to discuss community issues and concerns.

Coffee and breakfast will be served at the event. For more information, contact Ms. Ruff at 678-929-7761 orkathryn.ruff@janiceoverbeck.com.