Join the Effort to Mentor and Educate Black Children; 70 Cities Join National Black Male Achievement Mentoring Effort; Pray The Devil Back To Hell

Freedom is not free!!! Progress is priceless!!! The Black Star Project needs your support to continue our work.  Dear Friend of Progress,  This has been a tough year of fundraising for The Black Star Project.  Some of it is our fault.  We have to do a much better job of managing our membership and development efforts. Additionally, we must do a better job of communicating our work to our current members.  Even so, we have a fundraising goal for current membership drive of $50,000 by January 31, 2012. All of the funds raised will go toward supporting our Saturday University (free school) and our programs that support Black men and boys. These initiatives need your support as a community of concerned citizens so that we will continue this important work.   In Chicago this week, a Toys for Tots program announced that someone had embezzled $25,000 from the agency and that some children would not get toys for Christmas.  Immediately, multiple $25,000 donations were received by the agency and now they have received easily over $100,000.    At The Black Star Project, no one has embezzled money and we have sound fiscal practices, we just need money to educate Black children, and other children, and to mentor Black boys.      If you value our efforts to educate Black children, mentor Black boys, reduce violence in communities, rebuild strong families, will you become a member today?  At The Black Star Project, the more we have, the more we do.     You can make a one-time contribution/investment online or you can set up monthly contributions.    Or you may send contributions/investments to:   The Black Star Project, Suite 2B 3509 South King Drive Chicago, Illinois For each $100 contribution/investment, we will send you an Educate or Die T-Shirt For each $200 contribution/investment, we will send you 1) a copy of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, 2) a copy of a DVD of Professor Alexander speaking in Chicago and 3) an Educate or Die T-Shirt.     Please call 773.285.9600 for more information.  There are many organizations in your city that are doing similarly important work as the work that we do at The Black Star Project.  You should find them and support them. No one organization is going to solve the issues of our nation, our cities or our communities.  We, organizations of change and progress, need your help and we all need to work together.    Thank you.  Happy Holidays!   Sincerely,    Phillip Jackson  Executive Director The Black Star Project     The Black Male Achievement Mentoring Initiative wants 100 cities in America to mentor 100 young Black boys and men during the month of January 2012.  Will your city join this effort? Join the Black Male Achievement Movement  during January and February 2012, as we mentor tens of thousands of Black boys and young men across America.    The only way you can get this.... ....is with this!!!   To become one of the the Servant Leaders in your city planning and directing this effort, please call 773.285.9600. We will provide you with an organizing kit that will help you step-by-step to create, manage or support an outstanding mentoring program in your city.  We will also provide technical assistance and ongoing support. Schools, faith-based organizations, fraternities, Masonic organizations, veterans associations, community-based organizations, affinity organizations, military service personnel, social service agencies, companies and corporations will participate in this effort. Most mentoring events will occur on January 31, 2012.  Please see cities that are expected to participate as of December 19, 2011:    Albany, New York Atlanta Georgia Baltimore, Maryland Baton Rouge, Louisiana Blandensburg, Maryland Boston, Massachusetts Buffalo, New York Chicago, Illinois Chicago, Illinois - South Suburbs Cincinnati, Ohio Colorado Springs, Colorado Dallas, Texas Danbury, Connecticut Danville, Illinois Delray Beach, Florida Detroit, Michigan Denver, Colorado Durham, North Carolina East Chicago, Indiana Englewood, Colorado Flint, Michigan Gary, Indiana Gilbert, Arizona Harvey, Illinois Hillside, Illinois Houston, Texas Irvington, New Jersey Jackson, Mississippi Kansas City, Missouri Kenesaw, Georgia Lexington, Kentucky Lithonia, Michigan Los Angeles, California Louisville, Kentucky Macon, Georgia Manassas, Virginia Matteson, Illinois Milwaukee, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota Nashville, Tennessee New York City, New York - Manhattan New York City, New York - The Bronx New York City, New York - Brooklyn New York City, New York - Queens New York City, New York - Long Island New York City, New York - Harlem Newark, New Jersey Oakland, California Oak Park, Illinois Omaha, Nebraska Peoria, Illinois  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Phoenix, Arizona Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Richmond, Virginia Riverdale, Illinois San Bernardino, California Santan Valley, AZ Seattle, Washington Shelbyville, Indiana  Southaven, Mississippi St. Louis, Missouri St. Paul, Minnesota Tampa, Florida Toledo, Ohio Tshwane, Botswana University Park, Illinois Washington, D.C. Waukegan, Illinois White Plains, New York     This event was inspired by the life and life principles of Muhammad Ali (Rumble Young Man Rumble!).  The Black Male Achievement Movement was born in Louisville, Kentucky in September 2011.  Guidance, support and encouragement for this movement is provided by Open Society Foundations' Campaign for Black Male Achievement.  The National CARES Mentoring Movement and Mentoring U.S.A have signed on as national supporters.  For more information, please call 773.285.9600. Pray the Devil Back To Hell!!! Help end the war of youth violence that is killing thousands of our children in the streets of America.  If the women of Liberia can end violence by praying and acting, so can we.  Join the women of Chicago as they pray the devil of violence in Chicago back to hell.  Join us for the film -- Pray The Devil Back to Hell! on Monday, December 26, 2011 Film: 6:30 pm  Discussion and Prayer: 7:30 pm at  The Black Star Project 3509 South King Drive, Suite 2B Chicago, Illinois $5.00 for members - $10:00 for non-members.  Space is limited. You must RSVP and arrive at least 10 minutes before film time to be guaranteed your seat. All seats will be sold starting 10 minutes before film time. Please call 773.285.9600 to RSVP your seat.   Being sick and tire of being sick and tired is not enough!  You must pray and you must act. On Monday, December 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2011, the women of Chicago will gather to see the powerful movement and documentary of women that brought peace to war torn Liberia, Pray the Devil Back to Hell.  And the women of Chicago will work to pray the devil of violence and despair that is in Chicago back to Hell! Join them. Women across America can join this movement to Pray the Devil (of violence) Back to Hell in your city or town by calling 773.285.9600. Click Here to view a trailer of the documentary.  Those who have attended previous showings of this documentary will be admitted free.

CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News

CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News:

President Obama signed a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut Friday, according to a senior administration official.

Both chambers of Congress earlier Friday passed an amended version of the extension, handing Democrats a hard-fought victory on an issue -- taxes -- that has historically been won by their Republican counterparts.

The measure cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives by unanimous consent, a procedural move allowing the measure to pass even though most members of Congress are now home for the holidays.

The $33 billion measure also includes a two-month extension of emergency federal unemployment benefits and the so-called "doc fix," a delay in scheduled pay cuts to Medicare physicians.

House and Senate members will resume negotiations on a year-long extension of the tax cut -- along with a lengthier unemployment benefits extension and doc fix -- when Congress reconvenes in January.

Political analysts believe the showdown over the payroll holiday extension has eroded Republican strength on the party's core issue of lower taxes. While GOP leaders first questioned the merit of the tax holiday and then complained that a short-term extension would be more trouble than it's worth, Obama used the standoff to portray the Republicans as defenders of the rich with a callous attitude toward the burdens of the middle class.

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Friday, December 23, 2011

Busy day ahead on Chicago-area roads | VIDEO If you plan on driving Friday, expect lots of company. Chicago-area roadways will be packed with people traveling for the holidays. Macy's, Toys R Us open 24 hours | VIDEO Retailers are in full gear for holiday shopping Friday. While many are staying open all the time, one is apologizing to some customers. 4 injured in Loop rollover crash Four people were hurt early Friday when an SUV and a taxicab collided at the intersection of Clark and Randolph in downtown Chicago. Cops: Naperville school custodian exposed himself Naperville police have charged a school custodian for allegedly exposing himself to a teacher. Chicago relents: G8 protesters can use Daley Plaza Chicago officials now say protesters can use Daley Plaza during the G8 and NATO summits next spring. Chicago man dies after sparring in Wash. Police are investigating the death of a Chicago man after a sparring match in Vancouver, Wash. MORE STORIES Strange News Frankfort family sets Guinness record for Pokemon Santa would feel right at home in Peoria, IL? First girl in 5 generations born to Ind. family Nun famous for kissing Elvis prays for miracle 'Big blue' Lincoln Park sculpture likely to stick around | VIDEO Consumer Macy's, Toys R Us open 24 hours | VIDEO Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers Under $25 | VIDEO BBB: Online penny auctions can pick your pockets | VIDEO Battle for 2nd in 'burger wars' heating up Record level of store returns expected Healthbeat France recommends removal of risky breast implants How to avoid packing on holiday pounds | VIDEO Senator wants FDA review of caffeine inhaler Discovery could lead to better artificial metal hip | VIDEO Study: Sassy teens less prone to peer pressure MOST POPULAR Son of ex-Bears quarterback dies of heroin overdose Hit-and-run victim's family meets Good Samaritan 4 injured in Loop rollover crash First girl in 5 generations born to Ind. family Cops: Naperville school custodian exposed himself All Most Popular

Advertisement TODAY'S WEATHER OUTLOOK 36°F 25°F Intervals of clouds and sunshine Hour-by-Hour | 7 Day Forecast | Radar & Satellite TONIGHT ON ABC Lottery Results Your Daily Horoscope Santa would feel right at home in Peoria, IL? He needs cookies and milk, department stores to make his appearances and post offices to handle all the letters from children. Santa Claus still flying high in new poll Bohemian fare in Westmont ABC7's Hungry Hound takes us on an edible tour of the Czech Republic with a stop in the western suburbs. More from ABC7's Hungry Hound

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Boehner Surrenders On Payroll Tax

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Big Story, By Joe Conason Ten Pertinent Questions For Ron Paul (That He Won't Answer) Before Ron Paul walked out of an interview with CNN's Gloria Borger on Wednesday, he snapped that she should "take the answers I give" on the bigoted, conspiracy-mongering articles that used to appear in newsletters he published. At the very least, however, the renewed attention to his newsletters offers a window into Paul's past as well as a chance for him to clear the record. He may not appreciate that opportunity, but the political press and debate moderators should keep inquiring until he replies fully and candidly. READ MORE

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Economy The Worst Economic Ideas of 2011 I was at an Occupy Wall Street demonstration this weekend and many clergy addressed the group. One nun told the crowd it was Christmas season and that it was time for something new to be born in America. It was a nice thought, and I hope that the "something new" is good sense, because it has been a year in which some of the worst economic ideas ever have gained support and are being applied around the world. So here's my list of the 10 worst economic ideas of 2011: READ MORE

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Capitol Hill Boehner Surrenders, Agreeing To Payroll Tax Holiday For all his problems with the economy, President Barack Obama is getting unexpected help from a Republican Party that suddenly seems incapable of capitalizing on its advantages. On Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner bowed to relentless criticism from conservative bloggers and Republican Senators, clearing a path for an immediate two-month renewal of the payroll tax break, while Congressional negotiators work on a longer-term measure. READ MORE

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Video Of The Day Trump Thinks 'The Blacks' Would Propel Him To Victory Over Obama Reality TV star Donald Trump is continuing to hint at a third party presidential bid, telling Fox News' Greta van Susteren that he could defeat President Obama in a hypothetical match-up -- by winning African-American voters away from the nation's first black president. READ MORE

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Quiz Time Are You Mainstream Enough To Spend Christmas Break With Ron Paul? Attention college students: If you want to join Ron Paul on the ground in Iowa or New Hampshire, you'll have to pass a final exam. Unlike other candidates, Paul's campaign requires young applicants for a special volunteer program to fill out a questionnaire asking whether they support the legalization of marijuana or believe that Al-Qaeda is responsible for the September 11th attacks. READ MORE

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Lump Of Coal Congressman Apologizes To Michelle Obama For "Big Butt" Comment Wisconsin Rep. James Sensenbrenner is sorry for saying that the First Lady has a "big butt." The worst part of it? The portly Republican uttered the comments in church. READ MORE

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Friday's Daily Brief

Friday, December 23, 2011 Boehner Caves: House Passes Payroll Tax Extension TECHNOLOGY Salman Khan: Let's Use Video To Reinvent Education POLITICS Ad For Paul Newsletter Warned Of 'Race War' TECHNOLOGY AT&T Gets FCC Blessing On Big Purchase (No, Not T-Mobile) WORLD 4 Convicted In Beating Death Of Woman In 'Exorcism' Ritual GREEN Oil Rig Sinking Leaves Over 50 Missing, Sparks Doubt Over Russia's Arctic Plans BLOG POSTS Marlo Thomas: Christmas Round-Up: What's Your Favorite Christmas Tradition? Here's what my merry Christmas contingent had to say about their favorite memories. Enjoy! Valerie Jarrett: After DADT Repeal, What Change Looks Like It's been exactly one year since President Obama signed the law repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and we are reminded that when we work together, we have the power to change our country for the better. David Frum: Hanukkah: Some Miracle Who doesn't love Hanukkah? Presents and fried potatoes, all conveniently timed to mitigate for Jewish children the pain that Santa does not love them. And yet have you considered what a weird holiday it is? Devon Corneal: All I Need For Christmas... I've been so focused on teaching my kids lessons, I've failed to learn them myself. I need to help them learn to be happy (which is not the same as being overindulged). I can't do any of that with my credit card. Curtis Roosevelt: What I Want From Candidate Obama: Action, Not Promises Why rely on the commitments of someone who received our wholehearted support in the election of 2008 and then tabled them upon moving into White House? Our support for 2012 should not require blind faith.

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