Insider News Dec. 1 edition

INWWisconsinVolume 1 No. 20 DECEMBER 1-15, 2011

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Yolanda James, New OwnerNew Location: 3001 Douglas Ave.

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Govenor WalkerSigns “Maddie’s Bill”in Racine

Govenor Scott Walker signed abill at a press conference at theSixteenth Street CommunityOriented Policing House, 1900 16thSt. on Wednesday, November 23,2011. This bill makes all schoolemployees mandatory reporters ofchild abuse and neglect.

"Maddie's Bill" came as a resultof a reported sexual assault last win-ter of a special needs child, who isenrolled at Olympia BrownElementary. The reported attacks,which took place at the school,involved inappropriate touchingwhich was allegedly seen by educa-tional assistants but not reported.

Jennifer Pichelman, the motherof the abused, attended the pressconference and thanked law makersfor the bill. According to the RacineJournal Times, she said, "Putting thisbill into law today will protect our

In order to help small-business start-ups and development, the City of Racineand several other organizations have part-nered to introduce the new Launch Boxinitiative.

“Launch Box is an effort to put infor-mation that entrepreneurs would need inone central location,” said Mayor JohnDickert and others during a press confer-ence at Racine City Hall, 730Washington Ave.

Right: George Stinson, president/CEOof GCA Company and Mayor Dickertsign pledges to work to improve the busi-ness climate for small and emerging busi-nesses.

phones available at:

TWINSFOOD MARTRacine, WI1812 16th St.262.632.6342

The Insider News Wisconsin, December 1-15, 2011


Former Secretary of State CondoleezzaRice said that America has come a longway in confronting racial inequality - butthat America will never be "race blind,"and that race and poverty in America is"still a terrible witch's brew."

Rice, appearing in Sunday's specialThanksgiving edition of "Face theNation," reflected on how growing up inBirmingham, Ala., during segregation"shaped me fundamentally."

"My family had to persevere underthose circumstances to educate all of us,and to insist that we might not be able tocontrol our circumstances but we couldcontrol our response," Rice told CBS'Bob Schieffer.

Since those days, Rice argued, a lot ofthings have changed.

"We have a black president. We've hadtwo black secretaries of state. We haveblack CEOs. Obviously, AfricanAmericans are pushing way into territo-ries that, probably, my grandparentswould never have thought possible," shesaid.

Still, she argued that even though

America has "gotten to a place [where]race is not the limiting factor that it oncewas," she said that "we're never going toerase race as a factor in American life."

"It is a birth defect with which thiscountry was born out of slavery; we'renever really going to be race blind," shesaid.

She pointed to the confluence of raceand poverty as a particularly troublingconstraint for overcoming inequality, andwondered if that problem isn't becomingeven more exacerbated in recent years.

"I think it goes back to whether or notrace and class - that is, race and poverty -is not becoming even more of a con-straint," she said. "Because with the fail-ing public schools, I worry that the waythat my grandparents got out of poverty,the way that my parents became educat-ed, is just not going to be there for awhole bunch of kids. And I do think thatrace and poverty is still a terrible witch'sbrew."

Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson,also appearing on the show, recalled howgrowing up in New Orleans during segre-

attended the press conference and thanked law makers for the bill. According to theRacine Journal Times, she said, "Putting this bill into law today will protect our pre-cious children. It's a win for parents, children, and the state of Wisconsin.”

Pichelman’s daughter has a rare form of epilepsy and is unable to talk. Therefore,this legislation was especially important to her. Because of this incident, Pichelmanstarted a crusade to protect not only her own daughter but also other children. She tes-tified in Madison before lawmakers about her personal story. Therefore it is no sur-prise that she stated at the press conference, "As I stand before you today, I am hervoice. This is for you Maddie,” reports the Racine Journal Times.

Racine County District Attorney Michael Nieskes said that the penalty for notreporting is six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines, depending on the severity.

The law goes into effect the day after publication, which may not be more than 10days from the signing.

gation gave him a heightened sensitivityto inequality in America.

"You really do have an antenna forrace," he said. "I remembered a sign onthe merry-go-round that said, 'WhitesOnly.' I was six years old, and so I'dnever focused on what that meant. And,boom, it kicked me right there, 'Oh myGod, that's what that sign means.' And Ikept insisting we not go there. Even in[New Orleans'] Audubon Park then, they

had closed the swimming pool because ithad been ordered integrated. And we leda group of young kids and forced them toreopen the swimming pool."

"I think we have some common expe-riences with segregation," Rice toldIsaacson, laughing. "I didn't learn toswim until I was 25," because ofBirmingham's segregated pools.

S.C. Johnson A Family Company bringsFormer Secretary of State to Racine

Sex abuse from page 1

Pastor Frank James and Myron Tuckerwere among about 200 individuals whowere guests at a presentation made byformer Secretary of State CondoleezzaRice. Secretary Rice, a political scienceprofessor at Stanford University, recentlyembarked upon a nation wide tour pro-moting her new book “No High Honor.”The book is about her tenure as nationalsecurity adviser and secretary of State inthe George W. Bush administration .Each guest was given a book after herlecture.

Photos by Yolanda James


DATE: November 16, 2011 TO: Classified AD ATTN: Customer Care FROM: Goodwill Industries, Inc. Please place the following ad for us:

OUTREACH ASSISTANT Seeking a candidate for a part-time position as an Outreach Assistant located at the Kenosha County Aging & Disability Resource Center. This position encourages and promotes the involvement of minority elders in aging services, volunteer activities and issues of concern to older persons, incorporating health promotion strategies where possible. Strong interpersonal and written communication skills are essential with high professional standards and a positive attitude. High School Diploma or equivalent is required, Bachelors Degree is preferred. Knowledge and experience with group facilitation, health or social service programs for the elderly and/or minority populations helpful. Knowledge of community resources and proficiency of Microsoft Word, Publisher and Excel preferred. Experience in event planning and resource fairs helpful. Please apply online no later than Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at www.goodwillsew.com and attach your resume and cover letter into the application or after completing application online send resume and cover letter to:

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. used Thanksgiving Day to draw attention to the plight ofveterans living in poverty.

The smell of turkey was heavy in the air at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Thursday.About 300 veterans gathered there to eat Thanksgiving dinner.

Rev. Jackson, the organization's president, says veterans face higher rates of unem-ployment and homelessness.

"They need a guaranteed job, given the risk they've taken and the injuries they'vesuffered," Rev. Jackson says. "They need nutrition, transportation and a place to stay.That's so basic for an American veteran."

Jackson says there's growing poverty and hunger in the U.S. He's calling for arevived War on Poverty, like the one instituted under President Johnson. He wants torehire teachers and police, and bump up spending on education, nutrition and Medicareat the same time some of these programs are likely facing big cuts in Congress.

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertsonhas been set straight on Thanksgivingcomfort food.

"The 700 Club" founder showed a clipof Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday.Robertson's host, Kristi Watts, asked whatdish the former secretary of state had to

have on Thanksgiving. Rice replied maca-roni and cheese.

Watts reacted enthusiastically, adding"Sister, that is my dish..."

Appearing perplexed, Robertson askedWatts, who is black, of the women'sshared enthusiasm for mac 'n' cheese, "Is

that a black thing?"Watts replied "It is a black thing Pat.

...The world needs to get on board." Thetwo laughed about it.

The exchange was posted on TheHuffington Post and other blogs.

Robertson has a record of making

provocative statements. He said Haiti wascursed one day after a devastating earth-quake and that divorcing a spouse withAlzheimer's disease is justifiable.

Robertson: Is mac 'n' cheese 'a black thing


The Insider News Wisconsin is a community based newspaper published inRacine, Wisconsin. The newspaper covers a variety of events that highlightlifestyles in the African-American comunities in Southeastern Wisconsin. TheInsider News Wisconsin is a free publication, printed on the 1st and 15th ofeach month and is distributed in over 100 locations. All inquiries about adver-tisement or news should be made five to seven days before the 1st and 15th

of each month.

Yolanda James, President/CEOAneillo Lindsey - Account RepresentativeJared Edwards - Account RepresentativeC-Moe Vision Photography - Photographer

3001 Douglas, Avenue • Racine, Wisconsin(262).681.2345

Visit our website: www.insiderwisconsin.com

RIC wants to helpyou save your home

With so many homeowners facing foreclosure in today’s economy, the RacineInterfaith Coalition wants to provide struggling families with information that couldhelp them stay in their homes.

RIC will host a free Foreclosure Prevention and Assistance Event from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at Christ Church United Methodist, 5109 Washington Ave.

At the event, those who need help avoiding foreclosure or those in foreclosure nowwill be able to meet one-on-one with counselors and lenders.

Certified counselors will provide information, help you create a budget, explain theterms of your agreement and meet with you and your lender. Lenders will be able todetermine and discuss your eligibility for foreclosure prevention options that may keepyou in your home.

Walk-ins are welcome beginning at 10 a.m.If you plan to attend, please bring copies of the following documents: a recent mort-

gage statement; one month proof of income (this can be a pay stub, income award let-ters, etc.); copies of monthly expenses/bills; a hardship letter explaining why you aredelinquent or my become delinquent; three months of bank statements; and your 2009and 2010 tax returns.

Originals of these documents will not be accepted. For more information on the foreclosure prevention event, please call the RIC office

at (262) 635-9532, or contact us via email at [email protected]

Embattled presidential candidate Herman Cain told staffers Tuesday that he'sreassessing his campaign a day after an Atlanta businesswoman alleged a 13-yearextramarital affair with the Republican.

Cain has fiercely denied the affair as well as several other accusations of inappropri-ate sexual behavior that have surfaced over the past month and he has repeatedlyvowed to stay in the race. He told senior staff in a mid-morning conference call lastingroughly 10 minutes that all public events will go forward this week but he will reviewthe campaign's strategy over the next several days.

One participant on the call, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of theprivate nature of the conversation, said that as part of that assessment, Cain's campaignis examining the impact of the newest allegations. This person described the tone aspositive but also said there was some uncertainty coming from Cain.

"He said obviously it's taken an emotional toll on his family, but he's moving aheadwith the campaign," said Steve Grubbs, Cain's Iowa campaign chairman. "He said thatthey will be reassessing the campaign."

Grubbs added: "He said this lady was a friend, someone he thought was a friend,that he was trying to help out financially and had been a friend for some period oftime. But that nothing inappropriate occurred."

Cain Reassessing His Campaign


GMC, America’s fastest rising channel for uplifting music and family entertainment,will present the premiere of its first original gospel zplay series “She’s Still Not OurSister,” a four episode series, exclusively on GMC at 7 and 8 p.m. ET on Saturday,December 10 with episodes 1 and 2 and conclude with episodes 3 and 4 at the sametimes on Saturday, December 17.

“She’s Still Not Our Sister” features an ensemble cast including Kellita Smith (“TheBernie Mac Show”), Drew Sidora (“The Game”), Azur De (Somebody Help Me 2),Christian Keyes (Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail and Diary of a Mad Black Woman),Clifton Powell (Ray), Jazsmin Lewis (“Meet the Browns”), Jackee Harry (“Sister,Sister,” “Everybody Hates Chris”), Tony Grant and the award-winning Gospel groupTrin-i-tee 57.

In this four-part sequel to GMC’s hit gospel play production “She's Not Our Sister,”the saga of the Walker sisters continues as they learn that the millions they receivedafter their father's death cannot buy happiness. Instead, the four women discover theyhave inherited an entirely new set of challenges, including career setbacks, romanticdisappointments, charming gold-diggers and self-destructive tendencies.

“As our first gospel play series, ‘She's Still Not Our Sister’ marks an exciting mile-stone for GMC,” said Leslie Chesloff, executive vice president of programming,GMC. “’She’s Not Our Sister,’ which premiered in June, was wildly popular withviewers. We are thrilled to present a four-part series that allows our audience to contin-ue the journey with these compelling characters as they encounter new romances,unexpected challenges and startling revelations.”

After reconciling with their long-lost half-sister Allison (Jazsmin Lewis) followingthe death of their estranged father, Vivian (Kellita Smith), Cynthia (Drew Sidora) andDeniece Walker (Azur De) find their lives have become even more complicated. WhenAllison develops a serious gambling addiction, the sisters try to find a way to help herwhile each of them deal with their own challenges. Cynthia faces commitment issuesas her wedding to long-time boyfriend D'Andre (Christian Keyes) approaches. Denieceencounters a major setback in her search for a career. Vivian confronts her lonelinessas she looks for meaning beyond her 50-hour work week. Rev. Beckley (CliftonPowell) serves as the spiritual guide to the Walker sisters. Aunt Connie (Jackee Harry)is their well intentioned mother surrogate who keeps everyone on their toes.

As the close-knit sisters seek their own paths to happiness, they begin to wonder ifthose paths will lead them in the same direction or eventually split them apart.

Kellita Smith, Christian Keyes, Jackee Harry and Trini-i-tee 57Star in the Series

“SHE’S STILL NOTOUR SISTER”

Mary Mary fans will soon get the chance to see how members of the successfulgospel duo balance it all, thanks to a new reality series set to premiere on AMCNetwork's WE tv.

Tentatively titled "Mary Mary," the hour-long series will show how sisters Erica andTina Campbell manage their careers and families.

The sisters' husbands also come along for the ride. Viewers will see how Erica andher husband Warryn prepare for the birth of their third child and how Tina and hus-band Teddy raise a blended family of four. On top of it all, the sisters also have to dealwith the drama of their large extended family and their parents.

The new show is part of the network's strategy to launch a third night of program-ming dedicated to an urban audience.

"`Mary Mary’ is a great fit for WE tv. The series speaks to our programming strate-gy of producing stories that feature every kind of family and all kinds of drama," KimMartin, the network's president and general manager, said in a statement. "Erica andTina are modern women balancing careers and family and doing it in the spotlight.Their issues are the same as so many women today, and this show will capture theentertaining ups and downs of life that they face on a daily basis."

The show will debut March 29 with the first of eight episodes on WE tv.Earlier this month, the network launched season two of the Tony Braxton reality

show "Braxton Family Values." According to a WE tv news release, the show rankednumber one among basic cable top telecasts for women 18-34. Additionally, the seriesranked as the number one show among African-American viewers during primetimefor all key women and adult groups.

New Reality Series Featuring Gospel Duo Mary Mary Coming


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BY: Allena G. Berry

Mike Haney, General Manager ofLarsen’s Bakery, is here to answer “yes.”

Five years ago, the team at Larsen’sBakery, located at 3311 Washington Avein Racine, was approached with a chal-lenge: produce a vegan donut. The prac-tice of veganism eliminates all animal by-products from consumption; that meansthe bakers at Larsen’s would have to crafta donut free of eggs, dairy products, andother components that come from an ani-mal. This was no small task.

However, the baking team came outvictorious, creating a delicious donut thatjust happens to be good for you. Or, atleast, a better alternative than one mightfind in similar products around town.

The customers at Larsen’s seem toappreciate the change. “There is atremendous audience out there that havechildren with allergies,” Haney notes, dis-pelling the stereotype the vegan food isonly for good snobs, often called “food-ies.” “This has been a real savior to them.To be able to come in and [get bakedgoods] that still have the same taste andflavor of yester-year and [they] don’t

have to worry about an egg, nut, or milkallergy.”

In fact, these vegan donuts taste sogood that all of the yeast-raised donuts atLarsen’s are vegan. “Not one of our cus-tomers has said anything about theswitch,” Haney says with pride. “Theydon’t even know their eating a healthydonut.”

“The only way they wouldn’t bevegan,” Haney concedes, “Is if someoneasked, ‘Hey, can I put some whippedcream on that?’ But even our BavarianCream is vegan.”

Larsen’s Bakery is working on expand-ing their vegan menu, which currently isstocked at local Whole Foods Markets.Their vegan treats also have a sizeableonline following through specialty retail-ers on the Internet.

This attentiveness to the changing cus-tomer market is something that has beena corner stone of the Larsen’s Bakery phi-losophy. After purchasing the bakeryfrom Eirner Larsen in 1969, ErnieHutchinson – and his descendants thathave kept the bakery in the Hutchinsonfamily – made sure to stay abreast of theneeds of their West Racine community.

Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church

“A God Glorifying, ChristCentered, Spirit-Filled

Church”

Rev. Keith EvansPastor

Sunday School • 9:00 AMSunday Worship Service • 10:45 AM

Bible Study (Wed.) • 6:00 PMWord of Life (Youth Program) (Thur..) • 6:30 PM

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ChurchRacine, Wisconsin

Pastors Willie & Patri cia Scott

262-631-01969:00am - Sunday School

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at Gilmore Middle School

Midweek service Tuesday at 6:30pm

at other location: call for more information

631-0196

PO Box085576 • Racine, WI 53408

Sunday School 9:15 AMSunday Worship Service

7:45 AM & 10:40 AM

Wednesday Prayer &

Bible Class11:00 AM and 6:00 PM Dinner - 5:30 PM

ST. PAUL MISSIONARYBAPTIST CHURCH

1120 Grand Ave.Racine, Wis.

262-632-1467www.stpmbc.org

Bishop Lawrence L.

KIRBYSenior Pastor

262.635.1994

email:[email protected]

Rev. Buddy VinsonSenior Pastor

306-5th Street, Racine, WI

Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church

Sunday School - 9:30 AMSunday Worship 10:30 AM

Prayer Service - (Wed.) 5:00 PMBible Class & Prayer (Wed.) - 6:00 PM

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Can a donut ever be healthy?

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Sunday School - 8:45 a.m.Sunday Worship Service - 10:00 a.m.

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825 21st Street • RacineSunday School Worship Service 9:00 a.m.Mid Morning Worship Service 10:30 a.m.Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study 12:00 noonWednesday Dinner 5:30-6:30

p.m.Wednesday Evening Bible Study 6:30 p.m.Saturday Morning Prayer 8:00 a.m.

Rev. Willie Riley, Senior Pastor262.633.4421

Pastor Tommie Knuckles

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Tabernacle

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1201 Center Street

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Come Worship with us at:

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Joseph L. Thomas, PastorSunday School - 9:00 a.m.

- Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m.Tuesday Prayer Service - 6:00 p.m.

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New Brighter Day Baptist Church1225 25th Ave., Kenosha, WI

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Melvin HargovePastor

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Haney can speak fondly to his memories of growing up in and around the Larsen’sBakery. “My parent’s wedding cake was actually made here at Larsen’s,” Haneyrecalls.

In his role as General Manager, a position he has held for the past four years, Haneyis sure to keep the customers at the forefront of decision-making in the bakery. Thisincludes adding innovative menu options, including freshly made Cheesecake Pops,Kransekake (a traditional Danish wedding cake made with almond paste), as well ascakes-by-the-slice.

Haney believes that one shouldn’t “wait for someone’s birthday” to enjoy a slice ofbirthday cake, so the bakery offers cakes and pies by the slice. This gives customersthe taste of a $30-plus cake for a fraction of the cost of $2.50. “It’s what the customerwants,” Haney cites as his rationale for offering cake slices.

Recently, the bakery has decided to open its doors on Sunday mornings from 7:00am to 12:00 pm. These additional hours have made for less-than-traditional ordersfrom the bakery. “We’ve actually had churches that have run out of communion breadon Sundays come in and get their bread from us,” Haney explains.

Regardless of your reason for needing to come into Larsen’s bakery on a Sunday,Haney suggests that you do: “If you need hard rolls for your hot ham & cheese afterchurch, don’t hesitate to come in.” And, of course, everything sold on Sundays is stillmade fresh that morning. The “fresh-freaks” at Larsen’s wouldn’t have it any otherway.

“Fresh bakery and fair prices,” Haney offers as a motto for the long-standing stapleof West Racine.

Perhaps he should include “home of the healthy donut,” too.

The Rev. Dr. Tony Larsen, right, leads a Racine Interfaith Coalition PrayerVigil on Wednesday, November 23, in the 1400 block of Dr. Martin Luther KingDrive.Above, a young lady lights a candle at the location where Adrian D. Jacksonwas fatally shot early last Sunday morning. Jackson, 23, of Racine, a father of a 3-year-old daughter, was found fatallyshot on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Jackson was found at 2:25 a.m. lay-ing on the roadway suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Racine FireDepartment Paramedics responded to the scene but Jackson was pronounceddead.Racine Uncovered, a local blog, reported that Aaron T. Stephens, an 18 yearold from Mount Pleasant, was developed as a suspect in this homicide andwas arrested the next day by authorities in Milwaukee. He was transported tothe Racine Police Department and has been arrested for First DegreeIntentional Homicide. Formal charges are anticipated from the Racine CountyDistrict Attorney’s Office.

Vigil held to remember Jackson

Larsen’s Bakery from page 11


All photos by C-MoeVision/Craig Morris

Calling All Men 2011 Conference held at Abundant Life

Internationally know singer and lecturer, Bishop Hezekiah Walker,was the keynote speaker at Abundant Life Christian Center’s 2011Men’s Conference which was held November 18th throughNovember 20th. The conference also featured an appearance byJ. Hines and Redeemed.The event covered topics such as The Unstoppable Men,Men…Why God, Men Overcoming Habits and Addictions, MenWho Know Money, Fathering For The Future Now, and Man’sSecret: The Mentor.Pastor Elliott Cohen served as host of the conference.

It may be hard to find the silver limingin the economic downturn, but the reces-sion has given me at least one importantgift: It has cured me of my shameful habitof overspending at Christmas.

For years, I've vowed to cut back andspend less -- and in each of those years, Ifailed utterly. Despite my modest, careful-ly constructed list of presents, I wouldinvariably fall prey to a last-minute shop-ping frenzy, fueled by the sudden fear thatmy children were going to find my giftsmeager or lacking. Haunted by an imageof their disappointed faces on Christmasmorning, I would forget my firm resolu-tions and find myself randomly snatchingup every train set, stuffed animal or fairyprincess wand that caght my eye.

Christmas morning would arrive and Iwould watch in dismay as my two daugh-

ters grew exhausted and overwroughtwhile plowing through this veritablemountain of gifts. First came the over-weight stockings, bulging with small toys,chocolates and fancy hair clips – alreadymore than enough. Then it was on to theenormous stack of brightly wrappedboxes that threatened to dwarf theChristmas tree, each one filled with adoll, game, book or scarf. The day wouldend with a trip to Grandma's, wherethey'd get a second round of presentsfrom various aunts and uncles, pushingtheir already overabundant present haulinto the realm of the completely obscene.

My husband, who would rather darnhis old socks than go shopping, sufferedthrough this yearly excess in disapprovingsilence. At least until the long, tense daywas over and the two of us were alone,

hauling armfuls of discarded wrappingpaper out to the recycling bin. He'd looksadly around our living room, which nowresembled an upended FAO Schwartz,and say, "Um, honey, you do realize ourover-consuming culture is destroying theearth?"

How Overspending Can Kill theChristmas Spirit

I did realize it, and the knowledgenever failed to squeeze the Christmas joyright out of me. Even worse, I knew thatin my misguided attempt to provide mychildren with the kind of magicalChristmas experience I remembered frommy own childhood, I was teaching themall the wrong lessons: that more is, well,more, and that they should want -- andeven expect – this kind of wanton excess.

But then another year would pass and,despite my good intentions, I would do itall over again. And like the hangover thatfollows too many cups of eggnog or athird helping of pecan pie, the recoverytook much longer than the initial revelry.My profligate spending was followed bymonths of struggle to pay off credit cards,along with months of the guilt over myloss of control.

Then came the economic freefall of2008. Our family had already scaled backour expenses after my husband left a cor-porate job for an environmental nonprofitand, while I had just sold a book, theadvance was modest and I wasn't expect-ing much, if anything, in the way of roy-alties. But we had equity in our house,our investments were doing well, and wefelt pretty comfortable.

Then the stock market plummeted, thehousing market tanked and, like so manyAmericans, our comfort turned into panicas we watched our savings evaporate intothin air. Two months into the crisis, with

Christmas looming, I set out with myusual good intentions, my carefullyplanned list of presents, and... this time, Isucceeded.

Christmas Magic Without the Buyer'sRemorse

Gone were the wild last-minuteimpulses, the feelings of nostalgia thatmade me confuse the creation ofChristmas magic with the smothering ofmy children with things. With all that wehad lost and all the uncertainty ahead, thiswas no time to rack up bills that I mightor might not be able to pay off and it wasthis awareness -- call it fear -- that keptme firmly on the straight and narrow. Ifan item wasn't on my list, I didn't evenconsider it.

Best of all, when Christmas came andmy kids opened their small pile of care-fully chosen gifts, no one complained orlooked disappointed. On the contrary, Ithink they were relieved. For the firsttime in years, the day had none of thatfeverish, slightly sick feeling that comesfrom over-consumption of anything,whether it's presents or eggnog.

We were all more relaxed and moreable to enjoy our gifts -- and each other --and I could tell my husband was relieved.2009 was a redo and this year will be thesame. It turns out that the "magic ofChristmas" does not rely on excess afterall, which is a lesson to remember if theeconomy ever recovers.

Zoe Fitzgerald CarterZoe FitzGeraldCarter is a former journalist who haswritten for numerous publications, includ-ing New York magazine, The New YorkObserver, and Premiere. She is the authorof the memoir Imperfect Endings. Readher blog on Red Room.

Overspending: A Tale of Christmas Past


The Human Capital Development Corp., Inc.; First Choice Pre-ApprenticeshipProgram held a graduation and contractor recognition event at Infusinos’s Banquet Hallon November 17th. The program is a training center in Racine/Kenosha and otherSoutheast Wisconsin Counties in developing individual careers in the construction,

road building, and building trades. Back left to right: Erika Peterson, Carl Thompson,Darnell Mason, Emmanuel Beachem, Ola Baiyew (Executive Director), RobertPeterson, & Melvin Kramer. Front left to right: Michelle Kohel, Eric Rogers, andTykia Norris.


Worship Service for December 25, 2011 andJanuary 1, 2012 will be at 10:00am (SundaySchool and 8:00am service is cancelled). NoWatch Night Service. The food pantry will beclosed on December 26, 2011.

Insider News Dec. 1 edition

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