Please Donate and Support Whats on Your Mind!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Teaneck mom sells apple cakes to avoid foreclosure

TEANECK, New Jersey (CNN) -- Actress Angela Logan has played many roles off-stage to earn a living. She's worked as a teacher, model and hairdresser and is studying to be a nurse.

Angela Logan samples a bite of her Mortgage Apple Cake as Bake Me A Wish! founder Josh Kaye looks on.

Angela Logan samples a bite of her Mortgage Apple Cake as Bake Me A Wish! founder Josh Kaye looks on.

But when she fell into foreclosure on her Teaneck, New Jersey, home, Logan turned to baking an apple cake her family had always loved.

"It was a flash of desperation," Logan said. "I thought, 'Wow. We could sell these cakes, they're so good.' "


Logan named her delicacy Mortgage Apple Cake and resolved to sell 100 in 10 days at $40 each to meet a mortgage payment, pay off bills and qualify for a federal program that could lower her monthly payments.

She advertised the cake to everyone she knew, including her classmates.

"The hardest part was saying, 'Can you buy my cakes, this is my problem,' because admitting to your friends that you're in foreclosure, and that you need their help, that's a hard thing to say," Logan said.

Two years ago, a contractor promised to renovate Logan's brick-and-stucco home. But instead, Logan says he took the money and did only a portion of the work -- leaving the entire second floor bare to the beams and plastic wrap still covering much of the exterior.

Logan's financial squeeze tightened when one of the actress' talent agencies shut down without paying her for commercial work.

The 55-year-old divorced mother of three fell far behind on her mortgage and other debt payments, leading her to seek help from Consumer Credit Counseling of New Jersey. Counselor Pamela Glass brainstormed with Logan to envision potential extra sources of income.

"We put our heads together to make extra money," Glass said. "I said, 'Take a look at what you can do.' She said, 'I bake once in a while'. I said, 'Well, maybe you can do some baking.' "

When Logan asked, neighbors, fellow church congregants and classmates responded. Soon she was baking night and day, two cakes at a time. Al Hamdi, general manager of the Hilton in nearby Hasbrouck Heights, heard of Logan's plan and offered the hotel's four giant ovens, letting her accelerate production.

"She was going to do something out of the box to save her home and her family. That was the inspiring part for us," Hamdi said.

Logan figures she's baked about 200 cakes -- double her goal. And since qualifying for the federal Make Home Affordable program, her monthly mortgage payment is dropping by nearly 20 percent

Other Americans in a financial bind can also find creative answers to their cash crunch, Logan said.

"Find your talent. Find something you can do that will help," she said.

Many hobbies have the potential to generate extra cash: teaching a skill like playing an instrument or speaking a foreign language; home repairs for those who are handy; even dog-walking or pet-sitting for animal lovers.

Haskell Educator Starts 59th Year Of Teaching

HASKELL, OK -- 59 years at one job is inspiring, but 59 years teaching math and science to middle school students is impressive.


That's the case for Sylvester Franklin, whose career started shortly after World War II came to an end. The only place he has ever taught is in Haskell, in Muskogee County.

A bustling hallway marks the start of a new school year in Haskell.

"Well I'm so glad you all are here this morning," said Sylvester Franklin.

"Make sure you're ready for class, that's the main thing."

Franklin is starting his 59th year as a school teacher in Haskell. This year it's math to sixth graders.

"Mainly I stayed here all those years because I didn't have any particular reason to leave," said Franklin.

Now 84-years-old, Mr. Franklin started teaching shortly after fighting in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.

He spent 16 years at Haskell's all-black school before desegregation.

Since 1967, he has taught thousands of Haskell students the ins and outs of math and science.

These days Mr. Franklin only teaches a few hours a day, but it's time he loves and time he hopes to never give up.

"As long as I feel good, I have nothing else that I aspire to do except to be with young people and teach," said Franklin.

Mr. Franklin also teaches the GED classes, helping adults get their high school diploma.

If nearly six decades on the job isn't impressive, Mr. Franklin has only missed two days of classes in that entire time.

Absolutely incredible, that one man can continue doing the same job for that many years. I have not been able to work consistently at a job over 3 years. The one thing that stands out about this man is he loved what he was doing and I believe that if you choose a job for what you love doing instead of what you want to get out of the job no stretch of time is impossible for you to continue working at one place.

Friday, August 7, 2009

The Price of success


The ultimate prize of success comes in many sizes shapes and colors. After some thought and deep discussion, I realized that my use of words maybe misleading, so first let me define sizes shapes and colors the way I see it.

The size of success is not necessarily a dollar and cents value, but it what a person has set as his ultimate goal.

The shapes of success is quite unique in a sense, for some it is becoming a doctor or lawyer, to others its becoming a actor or sports superstar. Then again it may be a man or woman who wants to have a family.

Color can be defined in success, simply in how you see or whom you see. My ideal of a successful person is a well rounded individual.

What one person has defined as his success may not even scratch the surface of another. Sometimes the toll of what you have to pay the Piper in terms of gaining that glory, in the long run breaks you down. For all that you dedicated for the ultimate achievement is it really worth the pain that your Family and friends should have to suffer for you efforts.

The ramification of a blinded effort to reach the pinnacle point of achievement sometimes come to one sad conclusion, loneliness!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The woman that made a difference


I suppose that living a life in isolation will let you miss out on somethings in life. I was never a child that was showered with affection. So how would I know I was lacking on something that I never received? My life was changed by woman who shared themselves with me. Let me be clear when I say this, it had nothing to do with sex! Ever woman has a special quality that caters to one mans needs. So after hundreds of woman that have been in and out of my life only a distinct few can I remember their names. Few have had the ability to make an impact, but the woman that did etched their names in my heart. For all their passion and emotion that they gave to me, few even know the level of the depth that I cared for them. You see I am not a man that says how much I appreciate, but a man that shows it. So many times they expected me to say or do things a certain way, but how could I know that special way when I only knew my way. This is a tribute to the woman that made a difference in my life Sharon, Negale, Angela, Wendy, TsiTsi and Sandy.

Sharon was my first and she open the door to a flood gate of mixed emotions. I never knew what love was until she opened my eyes. I never knew what pain was until she broke my heart. Sharon was the very first girl to get all of my emotions and it has been something that I have not been able to do sense. Her young innocence jaded me and made me a made me a very callus man who was not willing to share his feelings again.

Negale was simply a fascination that needed to be satisfied. Although she did not stay long her impression has remained with me in every sense! Negale gave me unconditional affection that touched me deep in my soul. When I wanted to be stand-off-sh she refused to let me exhibit that behavior. She was the first woman that held me close to her heart, something that I never received even from my mother. I never knew how important a simple embrace could feel.

Angela was a the first woman that looked at me for me and was willing to take me as I was. She could see that I was a diamond in the ruff. She gave me hope, motivation and support. She understood that with me she had to give a little to get a lot.

Wendy was all that I could ever ask for in a woman she had beauty, ability to communicate and incredible skills. She did something to me that pushed me over the edge, she opened my eyes to the concept of a relationship. She gave me empathy, sympathy and a truck load of compassion. She unlocked something in me that was hidden deep in my vault.

Tsitsi had the most profound effect on my life. You see, she gave me an opportunity to find my direction. Tsitsi Was the person that asked "what do you want from your life". She was the person who made me smell that, coffee. I embarked on a mission and not only went to school but I graduated with a degree. I found myself evolving from one level to the next! She showered me with love an affection and because of her I have embraced my transformation and evolved to different level of success.

Sandy where do I begin, first off she is a woman that not only has compassion understanding and wisdom, she has me. Sandy level of communication has pushed me to new levels. I find myself going to my attic and finding vaults of pain that I had hidden away; That I am now opening and understanding myself even more. She has given me a depth and a increase wealth of knowledge that I am thankful for.

So this is and my tribute to some of the most incredible woman in my world because they found a way to touch the untouchable, ME!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Should you tell her he's cheating?

The first time I met my now-close friend Gina, she was rhapsodizing about her awesome boyfriend, Eugene. After a few minutes, I realized I'd already met him. But he wasn't the sweetheart she was describing.
Some people keep their lips zipped about cheating they've seen because they don't want to get involved.

Some people keep their lips zipped about cheating they've seen because they don't want to get involved.

I was familiar with Eugene because the weekend before, he had propositioned me in a particularly crude manner. I realized I had two choices: tell her what kind of loathsome dirt bag she was dating, or keep my mouth shut in the hopes that she'd someday figure it out on her own.

I went with Option A. I told Gina that she could do much better than that jerk and blurted out the whole tacky tale. She was understandably upset, but appreciated my candor. I was lucky -- she dumped him, but kept me as a friend.

I barely knew Gina when I spilled my guts -- if she'd been a close friend I would've been on the phone as soon as it happened. But not everyone agrees you should tattle on a wayward partner. My buddy Erin didn't find out until years later that her husband had been hitting on her close friend, Susan. And that was only after another mutual friend spilled the beans, long after Erin and her husband had split up. The Frisky: Two opinions on outing a cheater

Most of the people I spoke with said they were reluctant to tell because they felt it was none of their business. I asked my good pal Debra if she would let me know if she saw my boyfriend making out with some other broad.

"No way," she said firmly. "That's between you, your man, and the tramp." Debra! Bad friend! The Frisky: Sometimes you've got to mind your own business.



I have been fortunate in one sense that I have never had to tell a friend that I knew of his spouse cheating. Although I think that it really depends on the situation, and how did I catch her. Personally its not my business, so it can go one of two ways either the friend is rational and understands where you are coming from... Or he can be a complete idiot and accuse you of wanting her and wants to terminate their friendship with you. So many variable can control this situation and unless you are willing to see it burn in flames you should never strike a match and spread the news.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Boston Cop Suspended for Racist Gates Rant

A Boston police officer and National Guard commander has been suspended from the force and stripped of his Army command after admitting that he called Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. a "jungle monkey" in an email.

Boston Cop Suspended for Racist Gates Rant
Justin Barrett, left 36, a two-year BPD veteran could be fired as early as this week, Boston Police... Expand
(AP Photos)

Justin Barrett, 36, a two-year BPD veteran, could be fired as early as this week, Boston Police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said.

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis held a news conference today to denounce the language in Barrett's email, calling it "venomous rhetoric" and "inflammatory." The commissioner said such behavior "will not be tolerated."

Davis said he has begun a termination hearing that could last a week to 10 days. The commissioner also said he regretted the comments made about Gates.

"I personally reached out to him to apologize for this offense," the commissioner said.

Davis' news conference included religious and black leaders who also condemned Barrett's comments and tried to soothe racial feelings. The also warned that such prejudice must be eliminated from the ranks of police.

"Everybody knows one flat tire will stop a car," said the Rev. Don Mohammed.

I am pleased in Zero Tolerance that the Boston police force is using... This can of behavior should not ever be tolerated period. I am a little caught off guard in who leaked the email??? I wonder if it was one of his so called friends who was laughing with him one minute and as soon as he turned his back, well you know the rest.

Like with Rodney King if it was not for the video tape he would have been sentenced for resisting arrest. So the email is his smoking gone and because of it he has to go.

Infant Cut from Womb in Murder Found Alive

(AP) A baby girl who was cut from her mother's womb has been found alive and two people were arrested in the woman's killing, police said.

The girl, whose mother's body was found Monday in a closet at her Worcester apartment, appeared to be in "fairly good health" at a New Hampshire hospital, Worcester Police Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst said late Wednesday.

Julie Corey, 35, and a male companion were arrested in Plymouth, New Hampshire, where police found them with the child. Friends had told police they were suspicious of Corey's claims she had given birth.

Corey was charged as a fugitive from justice. She was in custody and could not be reached for comment late Wednesday. Police did not know whether she had a lawyer.

The baby's mother, Darlene Haynes, was eight months pregnant. Haynes' body was found by her landlord, William Thompson, who said a "horrifying smell" led him to her apartment, where he found her body wrapped in bedding in a closet. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Police said the 23-year-old had apparently been dead for several days, and that she hadn't contacted family or friends since Thursday. It was not until an autopsy Tuesday that authorities discovered the fetus was missing.

What is the world coming to that a woman was killed so another woman could steal her baby? Thousands of children with out a mother; just needing to be adopted, and this idiot goes out and commit this crime. The ideal that it was okay to take a life to get a life, is ludicrous. This lady has done a unthinkable crime and the death penalty should come quick.
I can not imagine that scene with the body laying on the floor while she pulled the baby from her stomach. The only question that I must continue to ask is why??? Have we become so jaded in our world that our crimes are getting more heinous?
I have no compassion for a cold hearted killers and she deserves to die like the lady she killed...

Stars That Died

Today we lost

News flash