Don Cornelius the creator of the TV Series “Soul Train” celebrated three decades of great music, dancers and entertainers. He created a platform for gifted and black talent from r&b, disco, rap and pop music.

Some of his guest have included Gladys Knight & the Pips, Al Green, Graham Central Station, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Run DMC, Snoop Dogg, Grand Master Flash & the Furious 5, Parliament Funkadelics and the Godfather of Soul James Brown. He welcomed blue eyed soul entertainers on the show as Teena Marie, Elton John, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Hall & Oates, Gino Vannelli and the Average White Band.

The “Soul Train” television series paved the way for other great shows like Video Soul, Yo MTV Raps and 106 & Park.

Watch this video and enjoy the late James Brown performing a medley of hits on Soooooul Train in 1973, the hippest trip in America.

“As always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soooooul” R.I.P Don Cornelius

BREAKING NEWS: Producer, Journalist and creator of the TV Series “Soul Train” is dead. According to published reports, Don Cornelius, 75, died from an apparent gun shot wound to the head. California police arrived to Cornelius’ home at 12685 Mulholland Drive shortly before 4 a.m. One person was found wounded at the home. That person was Don Cornelius.

Donald Cortez “Don” Cornelius hailed from Chicago and was the creator and television host of the “Soul Train” fame.  Cornelius was best known for his famous deep and smooth voice.  He is also best known for his famous catch phrase that he used to close the show, “”I’m Don Cornelius and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace, and soul!”  

Before Cornelius was a television host, he was a journalist inspired by the Civil Rights Movement.  In the late 1960s the television industry did not recognize soul music.  Cornelius was influential in introducing African American musicians to a larger audience from their appearances on the Soul Train. Some of his guest featured on the show was Gladys Knight and the Pips, Lou Rawls, the Jacksons/Jackson 5, Teena Marie, Rick James, Aretha Franklin and David Bowie. In 2008, Cornelius sold the rights to “Soul Train” to MadVision Entertainment.

The Soul Train Music Awards was inspired by the 1970′s TV series which brought soul, disco, r&b, classic and rap to the forefront. Top winners at the awards ceremony have been Anita Baker, Ron Isley, Rihanna, Eminem and Trey Songz

Saturday mornings was breakfast, a bike ride and then Soul Train on ABC.  “As always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul”

BREAKING NEWS: Real Estate Mogul Donald “the Don” Trump has endorsed Mitt Romney for president and not Newt Gingrich. Trump says Romney is a good man and is the right person to challenge President Barack Obama for the White House.

Mitt Romney won the Florida primary and is now in the lead.   According to the Florida Department of State, Mitt Romney has 46% of the vote. Newt Gingrich follows close behind with 32% of the vote. Rick Santorum and Ron Paul take the rest of the vote with 12% and 7%.

Not only did Mitt Romney win Florida’s primary, but he also won all 50 of the Florida convention delegates. Mitt Romney continues to show improvement when it comes to the voters.  51% of women voters supported Mitt Romney, compared to the 29% of women that supported Newt Gingrich.

With Florida’s primary behind them, The GOP now set their focus on Nevada. The Nevada caucus will take place this Saturday, February 4, 2012.  The race heats up with only 46 more states to go. Who will win the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida this August?

Stay tuned for more updates on the  Nevada caucus this Saturday.

The balance of power has been decided in Virginia General Assembly and the power goes to the Republicans.

  The new state Senate will include 20 seats for Republicans and 20 seats for Democrats, but Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, who presides over the senate, will break any tie vote. The GOP also controls the House of Delegates.

Virginia General Assembly is in session through March.

Governor Bob McDonnell is confident and said the Republican wins in Virginia are a “repudiation” of President Obama’s policies. The Republicans picked up six seats in the House of Delegates, giving the GOP the highest number of seats in the state House ever.  According to Governor McDonnell, the Republican wins in the General Assembly gives the party momentum heading into the presidential election for 2012.

The GOP presidential primary in Virginia is Tuesday, March 6, 2012. The local primaries minus the presidential primaries will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. The General Election is Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Learn about the General Assembly here: http://legis.virginia.gov/1_home/cit_welcome.html

House of Delegate Member Contacts here: http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView

Senate Member Contacts here: http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm

Register to vote, check your voter status, poll location and district here: www.sbe.virginia.gov

Start the process of getting your rights restored if convicted of a felony here: www.commonwealth.virginia.gov

What is the role of Virginia government? State Law, Court Opinion and US Code: http://law.onecle.com/virginia/

From the desk of Governor Bob McDonnell: www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaLibrary/galleries.cfm

You are now connected to Virginia’s government, please utilize these links.  Miss Community

Valerie B. Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama and she has an office in the westwing of the White House. We discussed her role as Senior Advisor and her meetings with the commander-in-chief.

During our interview Jarrett said President Obama has a steadfast committment and focus, with an emphasis on moving our country forward. President Obama must get permission from Congress to re-organize government and make it simpler, easier and smarter.

Listen in on my interview with Senior Advisor Valerie B. Jarrett as she discusses her meetings in the White House with President Barack Obama.

Who is in need of a blessing? If it is you then what are you willing to give up for the blessing? Are you willing to give up time when it is not convenient for you? If shopping today, will you purchase an extra gift for someone else not expecting anything in return? Are you willing to serve at a soup kitchen on your day off?

Giving up some of you for someone else results in abundant blessings…. Tried it! Tested it! It is True!

This is my “Clo-ism” and I’m sticking to it

The Virginia Senate will vote to eliminate the prohibition for purchases of one handgun over a 30-day period. Read the bill in its entirety (sb323)http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+SB323

Legislators from across the Commonwealth of Virginia have converged on Virginia’s General Assembly for the next three months. Lawmakers will introduce bills that will need votes from both the Senate and House of Delegates.

At issue, the state’s proposed budget by Governor Bob McDonnell for FY-13 through FY-14; Virginia’s Retirement System, Education cuts vs increases; Health insurance benefits affordability; unemployment benefits extensions; economic development and restorative justice, to name a few.

What are the chief responsibilities of the Virginia General Assembly? To represent citizens in the formulation of public policy, enact laws of the Commonwealth, approve the budget, levy taxes, elect judges and confirm appointments by the Governor.

The General Assembly is in session. You can track bills that your senator and delegate are introducing at http://lis.virginia.gov

The General Assembly affects you and your lifestyle.  Stay connected….Miss Community

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If you were convicted of a felony and would like to start the process of getting your rights restored get information here.  Please obtain copies of your sentencing orders and proof that you have paid all fines and restitution -then start the process.  For more information,  go to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website at www.commonwealth.virginia.gov and/or www.sbe.virginia.gov, fill out the application, print it,  and mail it to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.

The next Rollin’ Rally stop is Thursday, February 9, 2012 at New Generations Church 1515 Chamberlayne Avenue in Richmond, Virginia 23222. The time is 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Register to vote, check your voter status or start the process of getting your rights restored if convicted of a felony.  To date, Governor Bob McDonnell has granted rights to over 2,500 felons in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Please don’t wait start the process now.

The guest speaker at the Rollin’ Rally Community Speaks Stop is Garry Ellis, Voter Registration Coordinator with the State Board of Elections. Bring your questions to the rally because we have answers.

The Virginia General Assembly is in session through March. Learn all about the Virginia General Assembly at http://legis.virginia.gov/1_home/cit_welcome.html

  The GOP presidential primary in Virginia is Tuesday, March 6, 2012. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

 The Rolling for Freedom Project (R4F) has kicked off the voter registration and restoration of rights season. The project will come to you to assist in filling out applications for voter registration or the restoration of rights process.

R4F will make stops at area businesses, churches, parking lots, gasoline stations and more to assist you. Keep it here for all Rollin’ Rally stops.

“It was situation and now it’s time for restoration”   Miss Community Clooovia

The Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® awarded the VSU Student Health Center a second $50,000 grant to continue funding its PEAM (prevention, education, access, and mammograms) breast cancer awareness and prevention program to the VSU campus community and the greater Petersburg community.  The grant funding period begins February 1, 2012 and ends January 31, 2013.

The first grant awarded in 2011 enabled 87 women in the greater Petersburg community to receive mammograms at no cost.  Many of the women, some 50 and older, had never had the test done even though members of their immediate family were diagnosed or even died from breast cancer.  The VSU Student Health Center also provided breast educational services to over 1,000 persons in the greater Petersburg community, through churches, community centers, sorority/fraternity meetings and health fairs.  The Center also participated in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® held in Richmond last May and designed a breast cancer homecoming float which included 100 male walkers during VSU’s annual homecoming parade.

“We will do our part in the greater Petersburg community to eradicate this dreadful disease that has constantly destroyed and disrupted numerous lives. Our goal is a life without breast cancer,” stated Dr. Rebecca B. Griffin, Director, VSU Student Health Center.

The Center’s nursing staff, project coordinator as well as female college students, who are called peer educators, are trained to provide outreach to various groups in order to reach the targeted population of women of color residents in the greater Petersburg area, who are over 40 years old or those under 40, who have a family history of breast cancer making them high risk.  Women who require additional treatment will be referred to Bon Secours Richmond Health System’s “Every Woman’s Life Program” and Southside Regional Medical Center’s (Petersburg, VA) program for uninsured women. 

On January 24, 2012, The Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® awarded $587,944 in local grants to several organizations, including Centra-Southside Community Hospital, Central Virginia Health Services, Inc., the Fan Free Clinic, the Halifax Regional Health System, and VCU Massey Cancer Center just to name a few.  The event, sponsored by Dominion Resources Services, Inc., was held at Dominion’s Innsbrook Technical Center in Glen Allen, Virginia, with a special welcome from The Honorable Dr. William A. Hazel, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

For additional information and to receive a referral for a mammogram, please contact Dr. Rebecca Branch-Griffin, Director or Mrs. Tanya Satterwhite, Nurse Practitioner at 804-524-5711.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. For nearly 30 years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has worked to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world through ground-breaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 50 countries with a special focus on low-resource and developing nations. For more information, please visit komen.org or komencentralva.org.

The one hangun purchase a month was introduced and voted into law by Governor L. Douglas Wilder in 1993. Virginia House republicans say the law is outdated and argue that technology has been upgraded to better detect those convicted of felony convictions and other criminal activity when trying to purchase guns.

The heated debate: House republicans felt the Wilder Handgun Law was outdated and should have been put on mute. The republicans say with advance technology and working with the Virginia State Police and the Federal Government they will keep guns out of criminals hands. On the hand, house democrats felt that passing this legislation would once again make Virginia the ‘gun capital’. Virginia was known as the state where there was no limits on purchasing handguns and people would travel up and down the east coast to purchase them.

The Virginia House of Delegates voted 66-32 to pass the legislation that eliminates prohibition on purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period.

Introduced by: L. Scott Lingamfelter

Read House Bill 940 in its entirety  http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB940+pdf