l i s a l a p e e r y . c o m

Staying true to campaign proposals, newly elected US Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said Ohio's economy will benefit from rewriting trade policies and creating a "Silicon Valley" of alternative energy using the state's resources and promoting healthcare and biotech companies. This only caught my eye because during the election season, Brown ran a campaign against big business; now he wants Ohio's big business to help turn around the economics of the state. Brown addressed the City Club of Cleveland today.  Read the full article and listen to the speech and/or Q&A session.

Cleveland.com asked readers who the most influential Clevelander of all time has been.

John D. Rockefeller 37.6% - Founder & chairman, Standard Oil Co.
Carl Stokes 21.4% - First African American mayor of a major American city; news anchor, UN ambassador
Moses Cleaveland 12.0% - The city of Cleveland was named after this surveyor
Oris and Mantis Van Sweringen 11.1% - Developers of Shaker Heights, Ohio
Tom L. Johnson 8.5% - 35th mayor of Cleveland
George W. Crile 6.0% - Founded Cleveland Clinic
Frank Lausche 1.7% - 47th Mayor of Cleveland
Jeptha Wade 0.9% - Telegraph industry pioneer
Adella Prentiss Hughes 0.9% - Musical Arts Association & Cleveland Symphony Orchestra founder.

See full results here.

They don't need no stinking increase. It appears a few groups of workers have been left out of the wage increase Ohioans voted for in November. Ohio lawmakers apparently believe it is the intent to leave farm, home healthcare and amusement park workers out of the hike from $5.15 to $6.85. The farmers equal 5,000 workers. Democratic Governor Ted Strickland believes the exclusions undermine the intent of voters who passed the minimum wage increase. Both Strickland and farm labor groups are challenging the exclusion.

In 2002, I learned of the Lost Boys of Sudan. These were children who were run out of their homes by warriors, the Janjaweed militia sponsored by the Sudanese government in the city of Khartoum.

They walked from refugee camp to refugee camp, having to flee every time the soldiers came to where they were. Many found ways to leave the country, fleeing to Chad and surrounding countries, and coming to the Americas and Europe. As I researched the Lost Boys, I learned more about the war that has been raging for two decades in Sudan. I saw the pictures of Sudanese people so starved they appear as bones covered in skin. I started this blog to educate all about the atrocity that is Sudan. It seems only fitting that the inspiring topic be the front page, and musings on the rest of the world secondary. Consider this description, found on wikipedia.com, under History of Sudan:

"The civil war has displaced more than 4 million southerners. Some fled into southern cities, such as Juba; others trekked as far north as Khartoum and even into Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, and other neighboring countries. These people were unable to grow food or earn money to feed themselves, and malnutrition and starvation became widespread. The lack of investment in the south resulted as well in what international humanitarian organizations call a “lost generation” who lack educational opportunities, access to basic health care services, and little prospects for productive employment in the small and weak economies of the south or the north."

Check back for weekly updates on current events in Sudan.

Jazz bells ring in 2007 at the Bop Stop (when did that re-open)? Enjoy a buffet, split champagne and music with Dan Murphy, Piano, Ron Busch, Vibes, Chris Mees, Bass and Val Kent, Drums.

Location:

• The Bop Stop
• 2920 Detroit Ave
• Cleveland,OH 44113
• Ph: 216-771-6551
•  $45 Single, $85 couple

Start healthy  at Tommy's New Year's Pancake Breakfast in Cleveland Heights. The staff has the day off, but friends of Heights Arts will wait tables and clean dishes. Tommy will cook pancakes and breakfast dishes for the all you can eat Heights Arts benefit, and donates all proceeds to the organization. To add to the festivities, bring an unwanted (yet appreciated) holiday gift for the raffle.

• • Jan. 1, 2007 10am-2pm
  • Tommy's
  • 1824 Coventry Road
  • Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
  • Ph. 216-321-7757
  • Adults $7, children under 12 $5 for all you can eat and drink

This Imani event a true celebration for Cleveland cafe. Deuteronomy 8:3 Cafe Books and Music celebrates it's sixth year with faith on this seventh day of Kwanzaa, Imani. Welcome the New Year with this Kwanzaa celebration featuring candle lighting ceremony and good company. Deuteronomy opened it's doors on the day of Imani 2002.

"It's a glorious time ... to come together to reflect upon the faith that has brought us thus far in our journeys, and to celebrate in knowing that same faith will carry us through a new year," said the cafe's owner, Mittie Imani Jordan.

Schedule:

• 4pm Doors open at for food and fellowship,
• 6pm Kwanzaa candle-lighting ceremony.

Location:

• Medical Associates Building Ground Fl.
• 1464 East 105th Street
• Cleveland, Ohio 44106
• Ph: 216-376-9695.

"Imani (Faith) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle."  -The Founder's Message 2000

The Official Kwanzaa Web Site

Well, if you plan on a quiet night in, don't count on seeing the Kill Bill movie series, Clerks I & II, or drinking non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice. It must be this year's trend because those products have suddenly disappeared from the store shelves. However, there will never be a shortage of Mo'nique's Phat Girlz or Queen Latifah's Beauty Queen. I know I'll be taking calls for Tarot card readings  on Dec. 31 from 10pm-1:30am, should you want to know what the future holds for 2007, or at least the first half. However you celebrate, be safe & have fun.

Happy New Year!!!