Jazz event is a highlight for Black History Month

Jazz is popular music that originated among black people in New Orleans in the late 19th century. It’s a mix of blues, folk, march and ragtime, and it helps define the black experience in America. This year, for the second time, Jazz On The Green, a Black History Month program, will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church in Coconut Grove. The Feb. 10 presentation will again benefit The United Negro College Fund.

During a 10 a.m. church service, three educators will be recognized for their community service: Leona Cooper Baker, a retired teacher who works quietly and diligently to preserve and promote the historically black West Grove; Chester Fair, a college administrator who is active in the local and national Pan Hellenic Council, and who travels from Richmond Heights to Miami Gardens promoting youth programs; and retired school administrator Dorothy Wallace, who helps provide young women a second chance in life. The D.M. Wallace COPE Center-South, a Miami-Dade County Public School Academy of Health Science & Medicine, is named in her honor.

At 11:30 a.m., the jazz set begins. Featured artists include local favorites the Jesse Jones Jr. Quintet, vocalist Brenda Alford, musicians from the FIU Jazz Quartet, and Plymouth Congregational Church.

The public is invited to attend and donations to the United Negro College Fund are encouraged.

Why Black History Month?

Black History Month began in February as Negro History Week. The idea for the week was conceived by Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson. He founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History later renamed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

The week selected contains the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). The first event was held in 1926. Fifty years later, in 1976, during the nation’s bicentennial celebration, Negro History Week was expanded to the entire month of February. Then-President Gerald R. Ford encouraged all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Every president since then has dedicated February as Black History Month. The 2013 proclamation is online.

Programs nationwide celebrate national figures who made sacrifices in order to help advance society and recognize local figures working in the community to help improve life for future generations. Locally, Plymouth Church’s Black History is one of many program that carries out President Ford’s request.

At Plymouth, the activities of the event’s chair, Henry Givens, and co-chair Leatrice Taylor Damus are noteworthy. Both are active members of Plymouth Congregational Church, supporters of the United Negro College Fund, and each is recognized in a variety of community organizations for their outstanding leadership.

Committee chair Henry Givens, a native Miamian “born down south in Princeton,” is a Miami-Dade County Capital Inventory Specialist. He is Vice President of the Bahamas Education, Culture and Science Foundation, past chair of the Miami-Dade Community Relations Board and the first black person to chair the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce.

Co-chair Leatrice Taylor Damus, was born in River Rouge, Michigan outside of Detroit. One of American Airlines’ first black stewardesses, she and her husband moved to Miami in 1972.

She is a member of the Young Patronesses of the Opera, The Links Inc., Opera America, American Red Cross Ball Committee, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens Gala Committee and the advisory committee for the University of Miami’s Friends of the Young Musicians’ Camp. Affiliated with Girl Scouts since childhood, in 2012 she received a signature award at the 100 anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America luncheon.

With their skills, the committee was able to have this event underwritten again by members of the Plymouth Church congregation and corporate sponsors. The goal is to help black college students continue their education. The public is encouraged to participate by making checks payable to The United Negro College Fund and sending them to Plymouth Congregational Church, 3400 Devon Road, Coconut Grove, FL 33133.

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State of Union to focus on economy

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will focus his State of the Union address on boosting job creation and economic growth at a time of high unemployment, underscoring the degree to which the economy could threaten his ability to pursue second-term priorities such as gun control, immigration policy and climate change.

Obama also may use Tuesday's prime-time address before a joint session of Congress to announce the next steps for concluding the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Obama's State of the Union marks his second high-profile speech to the nation in about three weeks, after his inaugural address Jan. 21 that opened his second term. White House aides see the two speeches as complementary, with Tuesday's address aimed at providing specifics to back up some of the Inauguration Day's lofty liberal rhetoric.

The president previewed the address during a meeting Thursday with House Democrats and said he would speak "about making sure that we're focused on job creation here in the United States of America." Obama said he would try to accomplish that by calling for improvements in education, boosting clean energy production, and reducing the deficit in ways that don't burden the middle class, the poor or the elderly.

While those priorities may be cheered by some Democrats, they're certain to be met with skepticism or outright opposition from many congressional Republicans, especially in the GOP-controlled House. The parties are at odds over ways to reduce the deficit. Republicans favor spending cuts; Obama prefers a combination of spending cuts and increasing tax revenue.

The president said he would address taxes and looming across-the-board budget cuts, known as the sequester, in the speech. The White House and Congress have pushed back the automatic cuts once, and Obama wants to do it again in order to create an opening for a larger deficit reduction deal.

"I am prepared, eager and anxious to do a big deal, a big package that ends this governance by crisis where every two weeks or every two months or every six months we are threatening this hard-won recovery," he said last week.

The economy has rebounded significantly from the depths of the recession and has taken a back seat for Obama since he won re-election in November. He's instead focused on campaigns to overhaul the nation's patchwork immigration laws and enact stricter gun control measures following the massacre of 20 schoolchildren in Newtown, Conn., in December.

The president also raised expectations for action this year on climate change after devoting a significant amount of time to the issue in his address at the inauguration.

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Hedge funds deserve a (close) look

When constructing a new house, you need to begin with a solid foundation. Otherwise, your home will always be a bit shaky and prone to collapse in a storm. That same principle applies when you start investing. Rather than taking a random approach – like buying a "hot" stock or keeping your money "safe" in a low-earning savings account – you need to start with a solid foundation. In the investing world, that means developing an investment plan and perhaps an investment policy – two basic tools that can help you build a solid financial "home."

First, let's look at an investment plan, which is often prepared with the help of a financial advisor. The plan typically has three basic elements: your goals, your risk tolerance and your desired return.

Usually, your financial goals will be closely aligned with your personal objectives in life. Perhaps you want to have $2 million in assets to support a comfortable retirement. Or you might be aiming to save $150,000 for a bigger house for a growing family or $100,000 to put your son or daughter through college. If you already have accumulated a large nest egg, you might focus on how best to pass your investments on to your children or grandchildren.

Having a clear goal in life – and in your investment plan – may be one of the essentials in building wealth. Rather than spending every dollar from your paycheck, you can start putting away some of that incoming money to prepare for the future.

Next, you should consider both your tolerance for risk and your desired return on your investments. Some people are willing to make higher-risk investments, while others prefer to sleep soundly at night knowing their investments are comparatively more secure. After all, assets like stocks and commodities are usually more volatile than bonds or other fixed income instruments, and rise or fall more steeply from day to day.

However, many of the more volatile assets can also generate higher returns over the long term. That's an important consideration because inflation can reduce the purchasing power of the dollars you stash away in money market accounts or other low-earning securities.

That's why a solid investment plan usually incorporates a diversified mix of assets, including stocks, bonds, cash-like securities, and possibly real estate, commodities, hedge funds and managed futures. Building a diverse portfolio reduces the risks associated with putting all your eggs in one basket

with the potential to generate positive returns over the years and keep you moving steadily toward your goals.

Now, let's look at your investment policy. This is a written statement designed to guide both you and your financial advisor when making financial decisions. It can help you balance investment issues related to risk and reward, perhaps ruling out certain assets as "too risky."

At the same time, developing an investment policy helps you reality-test your financial goals and current savings and investment plans. For example, you might be overly optimistic and expect a 12 percent annual return on your portfolio. Or you might be overly pessimistic, not realizing how your investments will grow with even a 5 percent annual return.

An investment policy can also clarify the roles of your financial advisors, as well as your own decisions. In that regard, it can help you avoid making investment mistakes based on emotions like fear or greed. In other words, it helps you maintain a disciplined steady course toward your goals, regardless of market ups and downs.

Finally, the investment plan and policy can provide tangible evidence of your financial progress. Your advisor can send you quarterly and annual statements(as well as discuss in person)that clearly show whether your portfolio has grown or declined, and where the changes occurred. This is information you need to know in order to make good decisions about your financial future.

So, consider your financial plan and policy as a road map. You may not yet be close to your goals, but at least you know you're on the right path!

•  Benefit amount. This is the maximum payment you would receive from the policy, such as $100,000, $500,000 or $1 million. Since five years of care in a nursing home or memory disorders unit could easily total $500,000 or more, a larger benefit amount is usually preferable, provided you can afford the premiums.

•  Benefit period. This is the maximum number of years that the coverage remains in effect. That might be five years, 10 years or the rest of your life.

•  Elimination period. Like a deductible amount in a life insurance policy, the elimination period specifies how long you would pay the cost of care before the policy kicks in. Typically periods are 30, 60 or 90 days.

Andrew Menachem, CIMA, CWS is a wealth advisor at the Menachem Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Miami and Aventura and teaches at the University of Miami.

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Miami-Dade woman apologizes to judge for flipping the bird

After apologizing Friday for flipping the bird to a judge earlier this week, 18-year-old Penelope Soto saw her $10,000 bond and remaining jail sentence vacated.

But Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeffrey Rosinek also ordered Soto to attend drug addiction counseling.

Soto had appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat earlier this week on a Xanax possession charge. During the hearing, Soto had giggled and stroked her hair when questioned by the judge.

After the judge initially setting her bond at $5,000 and saying “bye-bye” to Soto, she replied with a laugh and an “adios.”

Irritated, he reset her bond at $10,000.

To that, Soto offered up the rude gesture and an expletive.

That time, Rodriguez-Chomat issued a 30-day sentence for contempt of court.

Soto wasn’t laughing Friday when she apologized to the judge.

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House of Lies Exclusive Clip Lisa Edelstein First Look

Lisa Edelstein became one of the most adored actors on television after spending seven years playing Dr. Cuddy on House. But for her latest small screen endeavor, Edelstein is trading one "House" for another as she guest stars on Showtime's sensational House of Lies, beginning February 17 -- and ETonline has your exclusive first look at her in action!

RELATED - 12 Actors You Didn't Know Were on The West Wing

On Lies, Edelstein plays Brynn, a smart and sexy political consultant whom comes up against The Pod. And as you can see from our first look video, Marty instantly takes a shine to the bold and brash brunette.

RELATED - Kristen Bell & Don Cheadle Talk House of Lies

But how brave will Marty be with his heart? Watch House of Lies every Sunday at 10 p.m. to find out!

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Jesse Jackson Jr. signs plea deal, may face jail time: report

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has signed a plea deal regarding the inappropriate use of official funds, according to a Fox News report.

Details of the deal are unclear, but the network says the deal also pertains to a "social acquaintance" of the former Illinois Democratic congressman.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the deal -- at least one being considered earlier in the week -- includes "significant jail time."

Jackson resigned last November shortly after being reelected to the House. The son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson Sr. had been treated for bipolar disorder, but also has been the subject of an ongoing federal investigation over campaign funds.

AP

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2011 file photo, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., D-Ill., is seen during the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington. A spokesman at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota said Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, Jackson has left the clinic, where he was being treated for bipolar disorder for the second time since taking a leave of absence in June. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

The Sun-Times reported that the probe has split into two separate investigations, with one into Jackson's wife Sandi. Sandi recently resigned as a Chicago city alderman.

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Sign up for Feb. 21 Miami Herald Small Business Forum

Prepare your best pitch for the Miami Herald’s Small Business Forum, Feb. 21 at the south campus of our sponsor, Florida International University.

In addition to how-to panels and inspirational stories from successful entrepreneurs, our annual small business forum will include interactive opportunities with experts to learn about financing options and polish your personal and business brands.

During our finance panel, audience volunteers will be invited to explain their financing needs to the group. During our box-lunch session, they will be invited to pitch their business or personal brand to our coaches.

Those who prefer just to listen will be treated to a keynote address by Alberto Perlman, co-founder of the global fitness craze Zumba. Panels include success stories from the local entrepreneurs who founded Sedano’s, Jennifer’s Homemade and ReStockIt.com; finance tips from experts in small business loans, venture capital, angel investments and traditional bank loans; and insiders in the burgeoning South Florida tech start-up scene.

Plus, it’s a real bargain. $25 includes the half-day seminar, continental breakfast and a box lunch.

Register here.

Program

8 a.m.

Registration and continental breakfast, provided by Bill Hansen Catering

8:30 a.m. Welcome

Host: David Suarez, president and CEO, Interactive Training Solutions, LLC

•  Jerry Haar, PhD, associate dean & director, FIU Eugenio Pino and Family Global

Entrepreneurship Center

•  Alice Horn, executive director, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE South Florida)

•  Jane Wooldridge, Business editor, The Miami Herald

Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge Overview:

•  Nancy Dahlberg, Business Plan Challenge coordinator, The Miami Herald

8:45 a.m. Session I – Success Stories

Moderator: Jerry Haar, PhD, associate dean & director, FIU Eugenio Pino and Family Global

Entrepreneurship Center

Speakers:

•  Jennifer Behar, founder, Jennifer’s Homemade

•  Matt Kuttler, co-president of ReStockIt.com

•  Javier Herrán, chief marketing officer, Sedano’s Supermarkets

10 a.m. Session II – All about Tech

Moderator: Jane Wooldridge, Business editor, The Miami Herald

Speakers

•  Susan Amat, founder, Launch Pad Tech

•  Nancy Borkowski, executive director, Health Management Programs, Chapman Graduate School of

Business, Florida International University

•  Mark Slaughter, CEO, Cohealo.com

•  Chris Fleck, vice president of mobility solutions at Citrix and a director of the South Florida Tech Alliance

11:15 a.m. Keynote

Speaker: Alberto Perlman, CEO and co-founder of Zumba® Fitness

Introduction: Jane Wooldridge, business editor, The Miami Herald

11:45 a.m. Session III – Show me the money: Financing your small business

An interactive session featuring audience volunteers who will be invited to make a short investment pitch before a panel, including experts in microlending, SBA loans, traditional bank loans, venture capital and angel investing. Audience volunteers should come prepared with a two-minute presentation that includes details about current backing, how much money they are seeking and a brief synosis of ow that money would be used.

Moderator: Melissa Krinzman, founder and managing director, Venture Architects

Panelists:

•  Marjorie Weber, chairman, SCORE of Miami-Dade

•  Cornell Crews, Jr., program director, Partners for Self Employment

•  Darius G. Nevin, co-founder, G3 Capital Partners, a mid-market and early-stage investment company

•  Boris Hirmas Said, chairman of the board, Tres Mares S.A. (Santiago, Chile) and entrepreneur in

residence at the Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center

1 p.m. Lunch session - Polish your Pitch, Brighten Your Personal Brand

An interactive session featuring audience volunteers who will be invited to make short pitches about their businesses and themselves. Audience volunteers should come prepared with a two-minute presentation.

Coaches: Melissa Krinzman of Venture Architects and Michelle Villalobos of Mivista Consulting

advise audience volunteers on how to best pitch themselves and their products.

Box lunch provided by Bill Hansen Catering

All speakers confirmed unless otherwise noted. Agenda is subject to change without notice .

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Murder charge dropped in Miami Gardens self-defense case

Prosecutors on Thursday dropped a murder charge against a man who claimed self-defense in fatally shooting an armed teen during a June 2010 brawl in Miami Gardens.

Travis Cooper, 28, had been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Gregory Gant, 16.

The men were part of two groups of fighting men. Cooper claimed Gant pistol-whipped a friend of his, then “pointed the gun in his direction.”

Cooper, a security guard who had a concealed weapons permit, shot and killed Gant. He later called police.

“It’s a relief. They charged me with second-degree murder for no reason,” Cooper said Thursday, flanked by lawyers Andrew Rier and Jonathan Jordan.

Prosecutors decided they could not defend a request for immunity filed under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, which gave judges greater leeway to throw out criminal cases.

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Heidi Klum Fashion Week amfAR Kickoff Party

Fashion Week kicked off Wednesday night in New York at a black-tie gala in support of amfAR's efforts to end the AIDS epidemic, and ET was there! Watch the highlights as the stars share their fashion enthusiasm and remember where they were one year ago when Whitney Houston unexpectedly passed away before the Grammys…

Pics: Who Wore What

Held at Cipriani Wall Street, the event honored the Chairman of the Board of amfAR, designer Kenneth Cole, legendary performer and amfAR Ambassador Janet Jackson, and supermodel Heidi Klum. The night also featured performances by CeeLo Green, Santigold and others.

Video: Heidi Klum Dances of Leno's Desk

Since 1998, the amfAR New York Gala has become one of New York City's most successful and high-profile AIDS benefits and has raised nearly $13 million to date for essential AIDS research, prevention, and education. For more on amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, go to www.amfar.org.

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Lawmaker: Subway deaths a 'wake-up call'

A lawmaker says a spate of recent deaths on New York City subway tracks should be "a wake-up call to our transit system."

City Council Transportation Committee Chairman James Vacca made the remark at a hearing Thursday on safety in the nation's busiest subway network.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority runs the subways that carry 5 million riders on an average weekday. Officials say they're working toward testing barriers on platform edges and technology that sounds alarms when someone or something is on the tracks.

The subway drivers' union has suggested lower speed limits for trains entering stations. The MTA says that would lengthen commutes and make platforms more crowded.

Fifty-five people died last year after falling, jumping or being pushed onto the tracks. Two recent pushing deaths have drawn attention.

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