Caregiving and Depression

Caregiving and Depression

Could the sadness, loneliness or anger you feel today be a warning sign of depression? It’s possible. It is not unusual for caregivers to develop mild or more serious depression as a result of the constant demands they face in providing care. Caregiving does not cause depression, nor will everyone who provides care experience the negative feelings that go with depression. But in an effort to provide the best possible care for a family member or friend, caregivers often sacrifice their own physical and emotional needs and the emotional and physical experiences involved with providing care can strain even the most capable person. The resulting feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness, isolation, exhaustion—and then guilt for having these feelings—can exact a heavy toll. Everyone has negative feelings that come and go over time, but when these feelings become more intense and leave caregivers totally drained of energy, crying frequently or easily angered by their loved one or other people, it may well be a warning sign of depression. Concerns about depression arise when the sadness and crying don’t go away or when those negative feelings are unrelenting. Unfortunately, feelings of depression are often seen as a sign of weakness rather than a sign that something is out of balance. Comments such as “snap out of it” or “it’s all in your head” are not helpful, and reflect a belief that mental health concerns are not real. Ignoring or denying your feelings will not make them go away. Early attention to symptoms of depression through exercise, a healthy diet, positive support of family and friends, or consultation with a trained health or mental health professional may help to prevent the development of a more serious depression over time. Symptoms of Depression People experience depression in different ways. Some may feel a general low-level sadness for months, while others suffer a more sudden and intense negative change in their outlook. The type and degree of symptoms vary by individual and can change over time. Consider these common symptoms of depression. Have you experienced any of the following for longer than two weeks? A change in eating habits resulting in unwanted weight gain or loss A change in sleep patterns—too much sleep or not enough Feeling tired all the time A loss of interest in people and/or activities that once brought you pleasure Becoming easily agitated or angered Feeling that nothing you do is good enough Thoughts of death or suicide, or attempting suicide Ongoing physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain. Special Caregiver Concerns What do lack of sleep, dementia and whether you are male or female have in common? Each can contribute in its own way to a caregiver’s increased risk for depression. Dementia and Care Researchers have found that a person who provides care for someone with dementia is twice as likely to suffer from depression as a person providing care for someone without dementia. The more severe the case of dementia such as that caused by Alzheimer’s disease, the more likely the caregiver is to experience depression. It is critical for caregivers, especially in these situations, to receive consistent and dependable support. Caring for a person with dementia can be all consuming. It is different from other types of caregiving. Not only do caregivers spend significantly more hours per week providing care, they report more employment problems, personal stress, mental and physical health problems, less time to do the things they enjoy, less time to spend with other family members, and more family conflict than nondementia caregivers. As stressful as the deterioration of a loved one’s mental and physical abilities may be for the caregiver, dealing with dementia-related behavior is an even bigger contributor to developing symptoms of depression. Dementia-related symptoms such as wandering, agitation, hoarding and embarrassing conduct makes every day challenging and makes it harder for a caregiver to get rest or assistance in providing care. Women experience depression at a higher rate than men. Women, primarily wives and daughters, provide the majority of caregiving. In the United States, approximately 12 million women experience clinical depression each year, at approximately twice the rate of men. A National Mental Health Association survey on the public’s attitude and beliefs about clinical depression found that more than one-half of women surveyed still believe it is "normal" for a woman to be depressed during menopause. The study also found that many women do not seek treatment for depression because they are embarrassed or in denial about being depressed. In fact, 41% of women surveyed cited embarrassment or shame as barriers to treatment. Men who are caregivers deal with depression differently. Men are less likely to admit to depression and doctors are less likely to diagnose depression in men. Men will more often “self treat” their depressive symptoms of anger, irritability or powerlessness with alcohol or overwork. Although male caregivers tend to be more willing than female caregivers to hire outside help for assistance with home care duties, they tend to have fewer friends to confide in or positive activities outside the home. The assumption that depressive symptoms are a sign of weakness can make it especially difficult for men to seek help. Lack of sleep contributes to depression. While sleep needs vary, most people need eight hours a day. Loss of sleep as a result of caring for a loved one can lead to serious depression. The important thing to remember is that even though you may not be able to get your loved one to rest throughout the night, you can arrange to get much needed sleep. Hiring a respite worker to be with your loved one while you take a nap or finding a care center or scheduling a stay over with another family member for a few nights are ways to keep your caregiving commitment while getting the sleep you need. Depression can persist after placement in a care facility. Making the decision to move a loved one to a care center is very stressful. While many caregivers are finally able to catch up on much needed rest, loneliness, guilt and monitoring the care a loved one receives in this new location can add new stress. Many caregivers feel depressed at the time of placement and some continue to feel depressed for a long time after. People assume that once caregiving is over, the stress from providing hands-on care will go away. Yet, researchers found that even three years after the death of a spouse with dementia, some former caregivers continued to experience depression and loneliness. In an effort to return their life to normal, former caregivers may need to seek out help for depression as well. What to Do If You Think You Have Depression Depression deserves to be treated with the same attention afforded any other illness, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If you feel uncomfortable using the term depression, tell the professional that you are “feeling blue” or “feeling down.” The professional will get the message. The important thing is to seek help. Those with chronic illnesses also may suffer from depression. If you suspect this is the case with your loved one, look for an opportunity to share your concern with him or her. If they are reluctant to talk about it with you, encourage a trusted friend to talk with them or consider leaving a message for their doctor regarding your concern prior to their next appointment. How is Depression Treated? The first step to getting the best treatment for depression is to meet with a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. At the same time, schedule a physical exam with your doctor. Certain medications, as well as some medical conditions such as viral infection, can cause the same symptoms as depression, and can be evaluated by your physician during an exam. The exam should include lab tests and an interview that tests for mental status to determine if speech, memory or thought patterns have been affected. Although it’s not unusual for a physician to prescribe antidepressant medication, medication alone may not be the most effective treatment for depression. The guidance of a mental health professional throughout your treatment is strongly recommended. The therapist or counselor will listen to your concerns, screen you for symptoms of depression and assist you in setting up an appropriate course of treatment. One way to find a professional is to ask a friend for the name of someone they know and trust. You may also find someone by asking your minister or rabbi, your doctor, or, if you are employed, you may check your employer’s health insurance provider list or EAP program. In addition, national organizations can provide contact information for mental health professionals in your community. (See “Finding a Professional in your Area” in this fact sheet.) It is important to trust and feel comfortable with the professional you see. It is not uncommon to request a free introductory phone or in-person meeting to help determine if the professional is the right match for your particular needs and style. It is appropriate to clarify what the cost will be, how much your insurance will pay and how many scheduled sessions you should expect to have with the mental health therapist. Any treatment should be evaluated regularly to ensure that it continues to contribute towards your improved health and growth. Questions to Expect in a Mental Health Exam for Depression Tell me why you think you may be experiencing depression. When did you first notice these symptoms? How long have you experienced them? How do they affect you? Are there things you don’t or can’t do anymore? Have you ever experienced these feelings before? If you have, did you receive treatment? What type? How often do you use alcohol or drugs (both prescription and nonprescription) to help during the week? Have you had any thoughts about death or considered suicide? Do you have any family members who have experienced depression? If so, did they receive treatment? What type? Have you experienced any serious loss, difficult relationships, financial problems or other recent changes in your life? Is there anything else you’d like to add to help me understand your situation better? Treatment Options Upon review of the physical and mental evaluation, a course of treatment will be recommended. Primary treatment options are psychotherapy (also referred to as mental health therapy) and antidepressant medication. These treatments are used alone or in combination with one another. (Electroconvulsive therapy or shock therapy is used for severe cases of depression and is recommended only when other approaches have not been effective.) The most frequent treatment for depressive symptoms that have progressed beyond the mild stage is antidepressant medication, which provides relatively quick symptom relief, in conjunction with ongoing psychotherapy, which offers new strategies for a more satisfying life. Following are the most common treatments used today: Psychotherapy Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy – The therapist will focus on identifying and changing persistent, self-defeating thinking and behaviors. The ultimate goal is to help caregivers recognize and enjoy positive events in their lives and learn practical skills to deal with the problems they are facing. Interpersonal Therapy – The therapist helps the caregiver self-evaluate problems in their communication, or lack of communication, with other people. The caregiver will come to better understand his or her own communication style and learn how to improve relationships with others. Psychodynamic Therapy – Although sometimes used to treat depression, this therapy is thought to be less effective than the other two therapies already mentioned. Its goal is to surface deeply held conflicted feelings to better experience and understand them. Medication and ECT Therapy Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (Examples: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil) – Medications that work by stabilizing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression. Fewer side effects than tricyclic medications. Tricyclics (Examples: Norpramin, Pamelor, Sinequan) – An earlier family of antidepressant drugs, tricyclics increase levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. May cause more side effects. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) (Examples: Nardil, Parnate) – These therapies are not often used today. MAOIs are drugs that increase the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are most often used when other medication isn’t effective or tolerated. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) – A brief pulse of electricity is delivered through electrodes on the scalp over a period of several days to produce changes in the brain function. ECT is used only for serious (possibly life-threatening) depression and when medication doesn’t work. If drug therapy is recommended, a certain amount of trial and error is necessary to find the right type and dosage of medication for each individual and it may take several weeks before effects are felt. Good communication between patient and doctor is important. Older adults should be especially careful to watch for medication side effects caused from too high a dosage or interactions with other medications. Complementary and Alternative Therapies St. John’s wort. One of the most studied alternative treatments for depressive symptoms is St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). It is an herb used extensively in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in Europe and is now undergoing studies in the United States. St. John's wort extract is sold “over the counter” in the U.S. as a nutritional supplement. It is promoted as a "natural” way to improve mood, and as a treatment for mild to moderate depression. Researchers are studying it for possibly having fewer and less severe side effects than antidepressant drugs. Yet, questions remain regarding whether St. John's wort really does what its promoters claim. For nonprescription drugs in the U.S. there are no established criteria for determining the amount of active ingredient a company puts in their product or what dose is right for a given person. The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning stating that St. John’s wort may affect the metabolic pathway used by many prescription drugs prescribed to treat a number of conditions, including heart disease, depression, and HIV infections. If you are taking St. John’s wort or considering its use, talk with your health care provider to ensure it will not interfere with any other treatment you are receiving. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Caregivers who feel “the blues” when confined indoors or in response to winter’s gray days may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also referred to as “winter depression.” As seasons change, there is a shift in our biological internal clocks or circadian rhythms, partly in response to the changes in sunlight patterns. This can cause our biological clocks to be out of sync with our daily schedules. People with SAD have a difficult time adjusting to the shortage of sunlight in the winter months. SAD symptoms are most pronounced in January and February, when the days are shortest. SAD is often misdiagnosed as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, infectious mononucleosis and other viral infections. Phototherapy, using specially designed bright fluorescent lights, has been shown to reverse SAD’s depressive symptoms. Experts believe that the light therapy works by altering the levels of certain brain chemicals, specifically melatonin. Antidepressant medication along with other treatments, including exercise, may be helpful as well. If you experience mild depressive symptoms seasonally, experiment with increasing the light in your surroundings, using lamps or other sources. If the symptoms are strong enough to impair your day-to-day functioning, seek out a mental health professional with expertise in treating SAD. Physical Exercise. Exercise has been found to reduce the effects of depression. Walking three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes has been linked to reducing or alleviating symptoms of depression. It is unknown whether physical activity prevents the onset of depression or just helps modify the effects. Arranging time for exercise is sometimes difficult for caregivers. It is often seen as a “value added” activity—something to do when everything else is done. You might consider adding it to your “to do” list, asking a friend to give you a “walk date” each week as a gift, or requesting that your doctor write a prescription for walking or joining an exercise class. All the research shows that for a healthier life, it makes good sense to make time for exercise. Paying for Treatment Private health insurance and Medicare will typically pay for some mental health care. It’s best to call the mental health professional directly to find out if they accept your insurance for payment. Health insurance providers will usually list mental health professionals in the same insurance material that lists health plan medical doctors. Medicare recipients will find the booklet titled, “Medicare and Your Mental Health Benefits” a helpful source of information. See the “Resources” section of this Fact Sheet to find out how to obtaina copy. The “covered services” of the insurance plan will specify mental health coverage for inpatient (hospital, treatment center) and outpatient (professional’s office) care, how many visits are paid for, and at what rate of reimbursement. Employed caregivers may also have access to an Employee Assistance Program, where licensed professionals (usually psychologists and social workers) are available for confidential sessions to discuss personal or professional problems. Caregivers without health insurance or who pay out of pocket for care will find that fees vary by professional, with psychiatrists charging at the higher end of the fee scale and psychologists and social workers offering their services at a more moderate rate. In some instances, a mental health center will apply a fee based on your ability to pay. In any case, find out what the fee is up front to avoid any misunderstandings later on. Strategies to Help Yourself Depressive disorders can make one feel exhausted, helpless and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and may not accurately reflect the situation. The National Institute of Mental Health offers the following recommendations for dealing with depression: Set realistic goals in light of the depression and assume a reasonable amount of responsibility. Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can as you can. Try to be with other people and to confide in someone; it is usually better than being alone and secretive. Participate in activities that may make you feel better, such as mild exercise, going to a movie or ballgame, or attending a religious, social or community event. Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Feeling better takes time. It is advisable to postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition—change jobs, get married or divorced—discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation. People rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day. Remember, positive thinking will replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression. The negative thinking will be reduced as your depression responds to treatment. Let your family and friends help you. Direct assistance in providing care for your loved one, such as respite care relief, as well as positive feedback from others, positive self-talk, and recreational activities are linked to lower levels of depression. Look for classes and support groups available through caregiver support organizations to help you learn or practice effective problem-solving and coping strategies needed for caregiving. For your health and the health of those around you, take some time to care for yourself.

NFL Pro Safety Sean Taylor Story

NFL Pro Safety Sean Taylor Story

Associated Press



Safety Sean Taylor 's violent death had left his team in tears and a league in mourning.

"This is a terrible, terrible tragedy," Snyder said.

Taylor died early Tuesday of a gunshot wound from an apparent intruder, a tragic end for a 24-year-old whose life was transformed by the birth of a daughter 18 months ago.

"We're going to miss him," Gibbs said. "I'm not talking about as a player. I'm talking about as a person."

Miami-Dade Police, meanwhile, turned their focus to an investigation of the murder.

Police had no description of a possible suspect and were investigating whether the shooting was connected to a break-in at Taylor's home eight days earlier, in which police said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.

"They're going to be looking at every angle," Miami-Dade Police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said. "They're going to be looking at every lead."

Authorities from Miami-Dade Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were in and out of Taylor's home throughout the day. Police were seen taking a computer from Taylor's home.

A spokesman in the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department told the Washington Post that Taylor underwent an autopsy Tuesday afternoon.

A day earlier, Taylor and his girlfriend were awakened by loud noises, according to family friend Richard Sharpstein, who learned the details from Taylor's girlfriend, Jackie Garcia. Taylor told Garcia to get under the covers while he grabbed a machete that he kept for protection underneath his bed, Sharpstein said, according to the Miami Herald. As Garcia cuddled with the couple's infant, someone broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said. Neither Taylor's daughter nor Taylor's girlfriend were injured in the attack.

The gunman fled immediately after firing.

''Nothing was stolen. They shot at him and fled,'' Sharpstein said, according to the Herald.

Garcia called 911 on her cellphone, Sharpstein told the newspaper. However, while the house phone lines were not working at the time, the lines had not been cut, as Sharpstein intimated on Monday.

The bullet damaged the femoral artery in Taylor's leg, causing significant blood loss. Taylor never regained consciousness, Sharpstein said, and the news that he had squeezed a nurse's hand late Monday only proved to give false hope.

"Maybe he was trying to say goodbye or something," Sharpstein said.

Gibbs said he did not know why Taylor returned to Miami during the weekend. Taylor was not required to accompany the team to Sunday's game at Tampa Bay because of a knee injury.

A stream of family and friends arrived throughout the day, including his father, Florida City police chief Pedro Taylor. Some embraced outside; most came and went without speaking to a horde of several dozen reporters.

"It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon," his father said in a statement on behalf of the family. "Many of his fans loved him because the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him."

Sean Taylor died Tuesday morning after his femoral artery was severed in a shooting early Monday morning.

Taylor's father also called for his son's killer to come forward.

"You know who you are," Pedro Taylor said, according to the Miami Herald. "If you did it, turn yourself in. Vengeance is not mine, it's God's. He holds that in his hands."

Several bouquets of flowers were left just outside the white wall surrounding the property. An untouched newspaper, with news of the attack, lay near the mailbox.

Back in Virginia, the Redskins struggled to cope and share their loss.

"I have never dealt with this," Gibbs said. "We're going one hour at a time here."

Gibbs said he planned to have the team practice as scheduled Wednesday, following a prayer service, in preparation for Sunday's home game against the Buffalo Bills. Snyder said the Redskins will honor Taylor by wearing a patch on their jerseys and the No. 21 on their helmets. The league is expected to decide Wednesday how the league will pay tributes to Taylor at this weekend's games.

There is little precedence on how to go forward, although several teams have dealt with tragedy in recent years. Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting on New Year's Day, the day after the season ended in a playoff loss. San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion died of a heart attack after a preseason game in September 2005. Minnesota Vikings tackle Korey Stringer died of heatstroke at a training camp practice in 2001. Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle was shot in the stomach by three armed robbers in southwest Miami in July 2005 and missed the following season.

Gibbs, Taylor's family and his teammates, past and present, did their best to describe a player very few got to know.

Taylor had a great smile and a menacing sneer. He was extremely talented - fast and powerful - and genuinely had a chance to become one of the best safeties ever to play in the NFL.

"What got cut short here was a career that was going to go to a lot of Pro Bowls and have a lot of fun," Gibbs said.

Taylor was having the best season of his career on the field and had stayed out of trouble off the field since the birth of his daughter, Jackie, in May 2006. He was becoming a leader, and his teammates had elected him to the players' committee that meets regularly with Gibbs.

"I saw a real maturing process," Gibbs said.

He wasn't the only one to notice changes in Taylor after his daughter's birth.

"He was kind of a wild child, like myself," said New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, who played with Taylor at the University of Miami and worked out with him in the offseason. "But life changed for Sean after he had his baby girl. Fatherhood really changed him. He grew up and matured."

Private and slow to trust anyone, Taylor rarely granted interviews. During his last known full-length interview, conducted with WTEM-AM in September, he spoke of the joy he felt when he made his daughter laugh, how he wanted to give her life experiences different from his own, and how he did not fear death.

"You can't be scared of death," he told the radio station. "When that time comes, it comes. ... You never see a person who has lived their life to the fullest. They sometimes feel sorry for like a child, maybe, that didn't get a chance to do some of the things they thought that child might have had a chance to do in life. I've been blessed. God's looked out for me, so, I'm happy."

Still, Taylor, drafted No. 5 overall by the Redskins in April 2004, got off to a rocky start in the NFL.

He had a drunken driving charge that was later dismissed. He skipped part of the NFL's mandatory rookie symposium. He fired two agents. He didn't like his contract. He refused to return Gibbs' calls during the offseason. And he was fined at least seven times for late hits, uniform violations and other on-field infractions.

In 2005, he was accused of pointing a gun during a fight over all-terrain vehicles near his Miami home, a legal battle that ended a year later when he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to probation.

Recently, Taylor indeed was starting to make his past seem irrelevant. The baby helped him gain perspective, and other changes were making him a better football player.

Early in his career, linebacker LaVar Arrington nicknamed Taylor "The Grim Reaper." Taylor could hit as hard as anyone in the NFL, but he often went for the big impact at the expense of playing basic football. He would take wrong angles and miss tackles. Even so, he was enough of a presence to make the Pro Bowl last season.

Philadelphia Eagles Story

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — A.J. Feeley will not get a chance to save Philadelphia's season and fill the role as the Eagles' next Jeff Garcia.

If Donovan McNabb is completely healthy, he's the Eagles quarterback.

End of debate.

Now all coach Andy Reid can do is hope McNabb is healthy enough to play this week against Seattle. While McNabb is making progress from thumb and ankle injuries that kept him out of Philadelphia's loss at New England, Reid said he wanted his quarterback at 100 percent before he plays again.

We'll see how he does," Reid said Monday. "We're trying to get him back to 100 percent before we stick him in the game."

The QB situation is eerily familiar for the Eagles. They were 5-6 last season and McNabb was out with a torn knee ligament. Garcia stepped in and led Philadelphia to five straight victories and one more in the postseason.

The Eagles are 5-6 again and probably need to win their final five to have any shot at making the playoffs. McNabb is sidelined, but the thumb and ankle injuries are nowhere near as severe as the ACL, and the plucky backup's play against the Patriots has some fans and columnists calling for Feeley to be the No. 1 QB.

"I understand how those things work," Reid said. "I think it's a pretty good situation to be in myself. If you have that many quarterbacks that people think can play, then that's a good thing."

Not if the situation becomes a distraction or a full-blown controversy.

If McNabb can't go against the Seahawks and Feeley wins with another efficient effort, then a true QB controversy is exactly what Reid will face.

Feeley led the Eagles to a pair of touchdowns after McNabb was knocked out of a 17-7 win over the Dolphins. Then he nearly led the Eagles to a stunning victory over the undefeated Patriots in perhaps Philadelphia's best-played game of the season.

Making his first start since December 2004 and the 14th of his career, Feeley completed 27 of 42 passes for 345 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the Patriots' 31-28 win on Sunday night.

Feeley's second pass attempt was intercepted by Asante Samuel and returned 40 yards for the first touchdown of the game. Feeley also threw another pick to Samuel late in the game, and an interception to James Sanders on the left sideline on a pass intended for Reggie Brown on the Eagles' final drive.

"I'm sure he'd want a couple of those back," Reid said. "For the most part, he got the ball out on time and did a nice job. I thought he had a good command of the huddle and he didn't let the crowd or anything affect his play."

McNabb worked out Monday morning and any decision about his availability would not be made until later in the week. McNabb was not ruled out against the Patriots until Saturday morning.

McNabb had started every game since returning ahead of schedule from the torn knee ligament. He hurt the thumb on his throwing hand early against Miami on Nov. 18 and left after injuring his ankle in the second quarter.

"I thought that before he was hurt with the ankle and the thumb, I thought he was making progress to get back to 100 percent of what he was before the knee injury," Reid said. "So, that aside, that's my 100 percent, where he was before he got hurt. Now you tack on two more things, as a coach you'd be foolish to stick somebody out there that has a bad thumb and a bad knee."

No matter how many public hits McNabb absorbed over the years, Reid has shown an unwavering loyalty to his franchise quarterback - with good reason. McNabb led the Eagles to four straight NFC title games and a trip to the Super Bowl, all while putting up some of the best numbers in franchise history.

"Donovan's had so many great games for us," Reid said. "He's one of the greatest quarterbacks in this team's history and will go down as one of the greats in the NFL."

The Super Bowl season, though, was three years ago and McNabb's play has been more mediocre than magnificent ever since 2005. He hasn't won more than five games in any of the last three seasons (though he can build on that total this year) and the toll of the knee injury, the sports hernia and other assorted physical ailments have robbed him of his ability to make dazzling plays.

The ordinary ones weren't so easy, either. Before McNabb was hurt against the Dolphins, he completed only three of 11 passes for 34 yards with two interceptions. His QB rating was a dismal 0.4.

There is a good reason why the Eagles surprised McNabb by drafting Kevin Kolb.

Still, there is no way Reid would ever yank McNabb's starting spot because of an injury or because a backup played a solid six quarters.

"I'm not sure one game here determines what's hot and what's not," Reid said.

The only part Reid has determined is that a healthy McNabb is owed at least one more shot to make the season right.

Girls' hoops Super 25: Long Beach Poly starts out in prime spot

Girls' hoops Super 25: Long Beach Poly starts out in prime spot

Last season's record in parentheses.

1. Long Beach Poly, California (36-1)

Starters returning: 2. Outlook: After finishing No. 2 last year in our Super 25 rankings, Long Beach Poly returns leading scorer Jasmine Dixon, a 6-0 forward who has signed with Rutgers, and starting G April Cook, who's headed to Washington State next year. Joining them are junior Kelli Thompson, sophomore twins Ashley and Brittany Wilson and sophomore Thaddesia Southall. The Jackrabbits add 6-3 junior C Monique Oliver (26.7 ppg, 13.5 rpg), who transferred from Cheyenne High in Las Vegas. Next: Dec. 6 vs. Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) at the Northwest Nike Shootout in Beaverton, Ore.

2. Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, Va. (29-1)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: Coach Mike Teasley has 12 of 13 players returning from last year. The team is led by senior F Mia Nickson, who averaged 13 points and 8.5 rebounds last season. She's heading to Boston College. Joining Nickson is 6-4 C Azania Stewart (12.5 ppg, 3 bpg, 5 rpg), who is headed to Florida. The other two starters are F Morgan Wrightson and G Kristin Coles. 6-1 G Josette Campbell is a key reserve from last year. Next: Dec. 1 against Holy Cross (Lynchburg) at the Holy Cross Tipoff.

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3. Cy-Fair, Houston (39-1)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: Cy-Fair made it to the state final last season and is loaded with sisters Chiney Ogwumike (11.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg), a 6-1 sophomore, and Stanford-bound 6-3 senior Nneka Ogwumike (19.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg), both forwards. The Bobcats also return starting guards Nicole Morris (5.6, 2.2 apg) and senior Mansa El (7.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.5 apg). Notable bench players are senior F Megan Majewski, junior F Rhian Rogan and junior G Harriet Lakind. Next: Nov. 27 at Taylor (Katy).

4. Murry Bergtraum, New York City (28-0)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: Last year's New York State AA champions return senior F Shakeya Leary (13 ppg, 12 rpg), senior G Krystal Parnell (8 ppg, 4 apg), junior G Shanee Williams (10 ppg, 3 apg) and sophomore G/F Doris Ortega (9 ppg, 7 rpg). Next: Nov. 30 vs. Lehman (New York).

5. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (31-2)

Starters returning: 3. Outlook: Two seniors anchor Gorman's attack — Texas-bound 6-4 F Ashley Gayle (11 ppg, 9 rpg, 5 bpg) and Oregon signee G Darriel Gaynor (15 ppg, 5 apg). 6-4 junior Dannielle Diamant will create matchup problems with her three-point shooting and speedy senior G Kiara Belen (10 ppg, 6 rpg) and sophomore PG Aaryn Ellenberg (13 ppg, 3 apg, 3 spg) also will contribute. Next: Nov. 23 at Whitney Young Tournament in Chicago.

6. Winter Haven, Fla. (29-3)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: The Blue Devils have three Division I signees back from a team that won the state's 5A title. Connecticut-bound 5-10 G Tiffany Hayes (18 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 apg) teams with Memphis signee Kiara Francisco (14 ppg, 10 rpg) and Morehead State signee Ashley Martin (8 ppg, 8 rpg). Next: Friday vs. Bishop Moore (Orlando) at Evans Thanksgiving Tournament.

7. Murrah, Jackson, Miss. (37-2)

Starters returning: 5. Outlook: The Lady Mustangs have almost everyone back from their 5A championship team. Leading the returning starters is LSU signee 6-1 F LaSondra Bennett (16.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 5.2 bpg). Junior G Tanecka Carey (17.8 ppg, 3.4 apg, 2.4 spg) was all-state and all-metro last season. Joining them are Brandi Simmons (10.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg), Janice Okeke (7 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and Sarah Crisler (9.2 ppg). Next: Nov. 27 vs. Callaway (Jackson).

8. Washington, South Bend, Ind. (28-1)

Starters returning: 2. Outlook: Won the state championship last year. The team is lead by Skylar Diggins and Emily Phillips. Diggins, a 5-9 junior, averaged 24.4 point, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rpg and 4.7 steals and set a record at the state finals with 17 rebounds. Phillips, a 5-4 senior who signed with Penn State, averaged 9.1 ppg, 2.7 steals and 5 assists. Next: Nov. 24 vs. Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne).

9. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (23-4)

Starters returning: 5. Outlook: With all five starters back and a deep bench, the Cougars are looking for a state title three-peat. Senior 6-1 F/C Tia McBride (13.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg) is headed to Georgetown and 5-11 F Channing Hillman (11.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg) is going to Texas-El Paso. Junior 6-2 F Kendall Hackne (11.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) is another key player, along with junior SG Gabby Smith (7.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg) and junior PG Ashley Fowler (5.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg). Next: Nov. 24 against Mt. DeChantel at Olentangy Liberty.

10. Iota, La. (43-0)

Starters returning: 5. Outlook: The Lady Dogs could have another undefeated season. The team averaged more than 74 ppg last year. Coach Stan Baggett's twin daughters have almost identical statistics in the team's backcourt — Ashlyn (18.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.8 apg and 4.5 steals) and Caitlyn (18.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.5 apg and 4.8 steals) have already signed with McNeese State. Also returning are 5-10 junior Candace LaCombe (11.6 ppg and 7.2 rpg), 5-8 junior Angel Simar (6.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and 5-5 junior Lindsey Miller (9.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.2 apg). Next: Nov. 27 at Northside (Lafayette).

11. Southridge, Beaverton, Ore. (25-4)

Starters returning: 3. Outlook: The three-time defending state champions return their top three players and scorers: 6-3 F Michelle Jenkins (14.9 ppg), a 6-3 senior who is heading to USC; 5-10 PG Alex Earl (12 ppg), who is headed to Arizona State and junior 5-7 F/G Kiara Tate, who averaged 13 points last season. Next: Nov. 30 at Lake Oswego.

12. Sacred Heart Cathedral, San Francisco (32-2)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: The team has won the state championship twice and is a threat for a three-peat. Seniors Jazmine Jackson (13 ppg, 8 rpg, 4 apg) and Lauren Bell (10 ppg, 6 rpg and 3 apg) are headed to Pepperdine. Juniors Tierra Rogers (12 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 assists) and Ki-Shawna Moore round out the key players. Next: Nov. 24 vs. Branson (Ross).

13. Ursuline Academy, Wilmington, Del. (21-5)

Starters returning: 5. Outlook: All starters are returning and there's depth on the bench. And one of the starters is the No. 1 senior in the country: 6-4 G Elena Delle Donne (28 ppg, 10 rpg and 4 apg) who is heading to Connecticut. G Kayla Miller (7 ppg, 3 apg and 2 steals) signed with George Washington. Joining them are seniors G Shannon O'Hanlon (8 ppg, 8 rpg and 3 assists) and Erin Edwards (5 ppg and 2 apg) who signed with the Naval Academy and junior Kelley Doogan (6 ppg and 3 rpg). Next: Dec. 8 against Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia).

14. St. Paul (Minn.) Central (32-0)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: Senior F Kiara Buford (12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) has been all-conference for the past three years and has signed with Minnesota. Senior C Georgie Jones, 6-2, (12.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg and 2.9 blocks) has been all-conference for the past two years. Joining them are junior G Theairra Taylor (11 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 2.8 steals) and senior C Megan Howard (10.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg) for the defending AAAA champion. Next: Friday vs. Totino-Grace (Fridley) at Hamline University.

15. Lexington Christian, Lexington Ky. (34-3)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: The Lady Eagles return all but one key player, Emily London, off a state championship team. Top returning players include G Anna Martin, a 5-9 junior all-state candidate who averaged 14.8 points last season, junior G Courtney Clifton (13 ppg), junior F Clara Mitchell (9.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg), sophomore G Sarah Beth Barnette (8.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and senior G Hilary Thornton (4.7 ppg). Joining them are freshmen F Kelli Rhinehart and G Rachel Cox. Next: Nov. 26 at Clark (Winchester).

16. Buffalo Grove, Ill. (34-2)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: Returning nine of their top 10 players including these three four-year starters: 5-10 senior G Maggie Mocchi, who averaged 13.6 ppg and 7.1 rebounds last season. Along with her twin Allison, they're both going to Northwestern next season. Allison, the team's top defender, averaged 10.3 ppg and 6.6 rebounds last season. G Ellen Ayoub (14.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg), a 6-0 senior, is headed to Loyola. She has 1,300 career points and 121 three-pointers. Next: Nov. 23 vs. Regina (Wilmette).

17. Olinda, Brea, Calif. (33-2)

Starters returning: 3. Outlook: Nucleus of a team that finished second for state's Division 2 title is back, led by sophomore 5-10 G Kelsey Harris (10.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg). Three-point shooter G Jonae Ervin (8.8 ppg, 2.5 spg) is also in the backcourt. Opens: Nov. 26 vs. Venice.

18. Regis Jesuit, Aurora, Colo. (26-2)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: The four returning starters include the team's leading scorer Mariah Williams (12.5 ppg and 5.1 apg), Diana Rolniak (10.5 ppg and 7.1 bpg), T'Keyah Shealy (10.2 ppg) and Megan Winters. New senior starter Kamile Nacikait is from Lithuania. Next: Nov. 30 at Grand Junction.

19. Hampton, Va. (30-2)

Starters returning: 3. Outlook: Transfer Debbie Smith from Charles City scored 508 points last season. Returning stars include 5-9 junior Tiffany Davis (19 ppg and 8 assists) who is a very good open-court player. Alyssa Bennett, 6-2 (16.5 ppg, 12 rpg) can probably play all five positions and is great on the perimeter. Joycelyn Davis is their best defensive stopper. The team returns six players from last year (when they won the AAA state championship). Next: Dec. 4 against Gloucester.

20. Webb School, Knoxville, Tenn. (29-4)

Starters returning: 4 Outlook: Returning starters from last year's state championship team include Tennessee signee Glory Johnson, a senior F/C who averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and two blocks last season, junior F/C Faith Dupree (10 ppg, 6 rpg and 1 block), junior G Jessica Goswitz who averaged 8 points and 4 assists last season and senior Jessica Walter (6 ppg). Next: Nov. 27 vs. Greenville.

21. Sequoyah, Tahlequah, Okla. (27-0)

Starters returning: 5. Outlook: The Lady Indians are aiming for a fourth straight state championship. Look for these players on the court this season: G Angel Goodrich (17.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 6.9 steals and 7.5 apg last season), Brea Brewer (9.3 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.3 spg and 2.2 apg), Cassie Moore (8.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 3.4 apg), Lorin Hammer (6.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Mariah Norwood (4.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg) at post. Next: Dec. 4 at Broken Arrow.

22. Wichita Heights, Wichita (24-1)

Starters returning: 2. Outlook: "My freshman class is the best I have had in my eight years here," says Coach Kip Pulliam. The Lady Falcon's two returning starters — seniors Jennifer Lane (12.4 ppg, 7.6 apg and 3.7 steals) and Amanda Orloske (11.6 ppg, 3 apg and 4 rebounds) — could lead junior transfers Nyisha Miles and Stephanie Glasper from Wichita East and talented freshmen like Mary Sims to a third straight state championship. Next: Nov. 30th vs. Wichita South.

23. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (18-5)

Starters returning: 4. Outlook: Six of last year's top seven players are back this season. Alex Bentley led the team with 18.3 points, 3.6 rebounds 3.4 assists and 3.3 steals last season. Other standout players include DeAirra Goss (12.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.3 apg and 2.3 steals), Vivian Holcomb (7.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Dee Dee Williams (6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.7 apg) and Jordan Huber (3.8 ppg). Demetria and Emily Huber are much improved from last season. Next: Nov. 23 at Brownsburg.

24. Germantown Academy, Ft. Washington, Pa. (26-3)

Starters returning: 3. Outlook: The team finished last season ranked first in the Philadelphia area. Returning this year are junior 5-10 G Jesse Carey (5 apg, 6 ppg), sophomore G Maggie Lucas who shot over 51% from the three-point line, senior 6-0 C Bri Cowden, sophomore F Tory Theirolf and freshman G Alexa Gallagher (who contributed last season as an 8th grader). Also returning G Laura Karbach, C Meredith Carber and G Jessica Erb. The team averaged 60 ppg and 19 steals a game last season. Next: Dec. 4 vs. Conwell Egan (Fairless Hills).

25. Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, Mich. (22-3)

Starters returning: 5. Outlook: Detroit Country Day has won six Class B state championships and have been runners-up twice since 1997. Leading off is 6-2 F Erica Solomon (15 ppg, 10 rpg) who has signed with Notre Dame. Top returning juniors are 5-8 G Sharena Taylor (12 ppg, 6 apg, 3 spg), 5-1 G Amber Moore (16 ppg, 8 rpg) and 5-9 F Faziah Steen (8 ppg, 4 rpg). Rounding out the starting five will be 6-6 sophomore C Madison Williams (10 ppg, 8 rpg, 6 blocks). Off the bench will be Emma Golen, Troy Hambric, Spencer Lane, Marisa Coury and Celeste Gilyard. Next: Nov. 28 vs. Detroit CMA.

Turkey Dinner held at the Wharton Center

Turkey Dinner held at the Wharton Center

Tradition was once again observed as the annual Turkey Dinner Giveaway was held at the Wharton Center located at 22nd & Cecil B. Moore. Lewis Harris Jr., C.E.O of the Wharton Centre was pleased at the turnout and was grateful for the opportunity to once again help those less fortunate this Thanksgiving day! The Turkey Dinners were generously donated and distributed by Congressional Candidate hopeful, Dr. Keith Leaphart. Dr. Leaphart is considering a run for Congress in the 1st District. Dr. Leaphart and his staff also gave away Turkeys in the 6000 block of Christian Street in West Philadelphia at the home of a supporter.

Good News:Area church gives away platters on Thanksgiving

(Left:.Joan Williams Right:Pastor Michael Brokenborough)

On Thanksgiving,Pastor Micheal Brokenborough and Joan Williams of Household of Faith Deliverence Worship Center in Ardmore,Pa gave out platters to the homeless at Love Park at 16th and JFK Blvd.

For more information About
Faith Deliverence Worship Center
visit: www.hfdwc.org.

Happy Thanksgiving from Stone and family

 Happy Thanksgiving from Stone and Family

  



Photo by Joel Perlish Photography

Above: Van Stone, Scoop USA Reporter, Philadelphia Chapel-Police Safety Officer; Baittank Stone, Scoop Reporter, Philadelphia Chapel-Police Safety Officer

Van Stone and Stone's spiritually better half, Baittank Stone, understand, as people of the press, that Thanksgiving Day is a day for family. Black Journalist and efforts of most recent heroes in the community go together like "Jasons lyric" the hit movie. They support all families. 

And they celebrate a happy Thanksgiving with readers. Have a safe holiday and a blessed weekend. Send in your holiday encouragement stories and photos to vspfoundation@yahoo.com if you would like to have your personal story posted at the Philadelphia Front Page News.

Nutter's leadership in Philly

Mayor-elect Michael Nutter.

Nutter's leadership in Philly

On his first day as mayor-elect, Michael Nutter called on the business community to hire ex-offenders as a way to break the cycle of violence that plagues Philadelphia.

"All of us -- the private sector and the public sector -- we have to change our mindset toward ex-offenders returning to society," he said during an exclusive interview with the Philadelphia Business Journal.

While a bank may not want to hire a felon to be a teller, he said there are jobs that have little to do with direct handling of finances that ex-offenders can qualify for, depending on their crimes. He cited maintenance, landscaping and food service as examples.

As he spoke amid the disarray of a sparsely populated campaign headquarters Wednesday morning, after having had only an hour of sleep, police officers were gathering for the funeral of Philadelphia Police Officer Chuck Cassidy.

HoopGurlz Hundred Texans Nneka Ogwumike, Destini Hughes, Brooklyn Pope,

HoopGurlz Hundred Texans Nneka Ogwumike, Destini Hughes, Brooklyn Pope,
Briana Gilbreath, Whitney Hand and Jasmine Malone all have signed out
of state.

Nneka Ogwumike's dramatic commitment to Stanford on Monday left Krystal Parnell of Brooklyn, N.Y., as the only uncommitted member of the HoopGurlz Hundred for 2008. It also posed a major question in Ogwumike's home state of Texas.

Why did all the top prospects leave?

As Kelsey Bone, the No. 1 ranked player in 2009, told HoopGurlz recently, "It's been said that the kids in Texas stay in Texas, but the last couple of classes, they've been leaving."

Bone, by the way, lives in the Houston area.

There does appear to have been a Texas two-step (play, then leave) taking place in the 2008 class. Six Texans ranked in the HoopGurlz Hundred - No. 6 Nneka Ogwumike of Cypress, No. 9 Brooklyn Pope of Dallas, No. 17 Destini Hughes of Fort Worth, No. 28 Briana Gilbreath of Katy, No. 38 Whitney Hand of Fort Worth and No. 72 Jasmine Malone of San Antonio - signed out of state. Only one top 100 Texan, No. 34 Adaora Elonu of Houston, stayed within the Lone Star State boundaries.

Nneka Ogwumike

Gail Goestenkors snapped up two HoopGurlz Hundred prospects for Texas, though both were from out of state, and Kim Mulkey, just three years removed from a national championship, was shut out at Baylor, as was Texas Tech's Kristy Curry.

Fans and the media are sounding the alarms. But the apparent T-exodus may be a one-year wonder. The top of the 2009 is dominated by Texans, starting with Bone, and already one of the elites, No. 2 Brittany Griner, has pledged in-state, to Mulkey at Baylor. So has 2010 wunderkind Odyssey Sims.

Last year, only two Texans in HoopGurlz Hundred - No. 11 Stefanie Gilbreath (USC) and No. 31 Karima Christmas (Duke) - signed out of state. No. 18 Sydney Colson (Texas A&M), No. 26 Rachel Rentschler (Texas), No. 40 Kathleen Nash (Texas) and No. 73 ReShundra Jackson (SMU) stayed home. The year before, Texas had two Top 10 prospects and both - No. 4 Brittainey Raven (Texas) and No. 9 Jordan Murphree (Texas Tech) - signed in-state.

Wither the class of 2008? Circumstances claimed some of the Texans, for sure. Sisters often can represent an unspoken package deal, accounting for Briana Gilbreath going to USC, where her older sister, Stefanie, signed the year before. It's difficult to pass up a Stanford education for an academic high-achiever such as Ogwumike. Hughes got caught up in the Van Chancellor vortex at LSU and wanted a chance to do something first that already had occurred at Baylor - winning a national title.

Some are suggesting a "Griner Effect" at Baylor, and the fact that the Bears seemed to be the runners-up for so many elite prospects (Ogwumike, Pope, Hughes, plus Jasmine Dixon and Nikki Speed of California) has been hard for many Texans to swallow. The fact that Griner is an 2009 may indeed create an illusion that Baylor success is in the future, but it's like more than her being a game-changing player suggests a team that will revolve around an inside attack. To wit, Dixon, Pope and Speed went to Rutgers, which will not have a feature post scorer during most of their time there, and should employ a more mobile attack that caters to their games.

Brittany Griner

Many expected Goestenkors to throw a fence around the state, but discounted her late recruiting start. As did her former assistant, Tia Jackson, now at Washington, Goestenkors continued recruiting many of the players she started wooing to Duke. In fact, for a while, Joanne P. McCallie seemed to be suffering a "Gail Effect" as several top prospects cooled off Duke after Goestenkors went to Texas. McCallie rebounded nicely with a class that looks like it will finish in the top five nationally.

Texas also seems to be one of the major battle grounds for club teams and sneaker interests. It seems too huge, geographically, to stage a state-wide elite team, though talk persists of a "super team" emerging with the likes of Bone and Griner, Sims and perhaps the younger Ogwumike, Chiney, uniting for Texas pride. That seems unlikely. The competitive landscape has allowed regionalized teams, such as West Coast Elite, to swoop in and pick off top recruits (Bone and the Gilbreath sisters).

Similar circumstances made 2007 a good year in Washington state ... to leave. Eight of 12 highly regarded Washington recruits signed out of state, including the top four nationally ranked prospects - Angie Bjorklund, Alex Montgomery, Regina Rogers and Christina Nzekwe. That class may have been once-in-a-lifetime good for Washington, but Texas, with its mother lode of athletes, is a permanent, major player in the girl's and women's games.

With several components in flux, it will be a roller coaster the next few years for Texans. While they will cheer that a favorite daughter such as Brittany Griner stays home, it may mourn the times if, say, the highly regarded younger Ogwumike joins her sister at Stanford. One thing about the Lone Star State will remain constant through it all: Its citizens will not remain quiet about whatever happens.

Churches Can Help 10,000 Philly To Find Jobs; Old Troubles For Delco Judges.

Churches Can Help 10,000 Philly To Find Jobs; Old Troubles For Delco Judges.
by Van Stone vspfoundation@yahoo.com (215) 747-8746

Churches are excused from income taxes. But in some cases they do pay an unrelated business income tax on exercises not substantially related to the church's religious, educational or charitable purposes. Churches do pay payroll, sales and, often, estate taxes. So, based on the fact that there are 10,000 Philly men new at helping to fight crime, drugs and violence from corner to corner giant churches can help them find jobs.

Technology also plays a large role in helping these giant churches vocalize with members and keep track of them. Many provide a transcript of the weekly sermons and an event program on the Web site as well as sell products, such as books and CDs. They also allow members to record prayers and donate online. Nearly all churches have Web sites. "Cell phones, email, intricate phone systems and the Internet all promote the way megachurches drive. Having funds for such things as building funds I am hoping that very soon new 10,000 Philly Safer City Funds with appear as the in thing for congregates to push at worship places. Resolutions can be made to transfer funds to such an account so those jobs can quickly be made for supporters of the anti-crime movement in Philly.

Helping churches help members and cities to change is a business in itself. There is even a publicly exchanged company whose sole mission is to help faith-based organizations get bigger for community safety. Some belief friendly groups work with 10,000 churches on everything from fundraising to event planning (it provides speakers and artists for events) to upgrading technology by helping sell new audio and visual equipment and sound systems. One way megachurches are successful as they are is because they use the technology of today and hire pastors and assistants that have a plan for youth services. We can help smaller churches become big using technology and insisting that they share their members with big church employment opportunity providers. Some of the big church employment opportunity providers can be churches that have both white-guy and black-guy leaders involved in bipartisan politics dealing with city legislation.

In other news: Evidence of deep-rooted problems at the Media Delaware County Courthouse is piling up again. Residents from Eastern Delaware County sections, such as Upper Darby, East Lansdowne, and Lansdowne PA, are scraping together supporters to as a special attorney general to look into coming down on Media Delaware County Courthouse Judges who are getting a lot of complaints about making rulings although important court testimony can’t seem to be found on hearing records. Many judgements are aimed at poor civilians where the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office can not assist these folks due to the judges have already ruled against the poor civilians by the time they seek help from the District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney Office representing Delaware County residents is in Western Delaware County, Media, PA.

Residents living in Eastern Delaware County are seeking state government to step into Custody cases, Domestic Relations cases, Support cases handled at Media Delaware County Courthouse, saying they have evidence of perjury, false statements and obstruction of justice by certain judges of the Delaware County Court.

Residents are looking for answers from special prosecutors who find that complaints made by poor folks called to appear at Delaware County Media Courthouse such as: judgements to be imprisoned at Delaware County Prison, unusual orders in the amount of support payments, termination of child custody rights, and denying receiving alimony payments, are extremely high against the same judges that dealt with their cases.

Brady, Rep Blackwell: Look Into Child Support Enforcement Sanctions

Brady, Rep Blackwell: Look Into Child Support Enforcement Sanctions
by Van Stone vspfoundation@yahoo.com (215) 747-8746

In Philadelphia City and any city in the state of Pennsylvania non-custodial parents are in deep trouble. A process that have long been added to Family Court-Domestic Relations Branch (Support Enforcement) in the Pennsylvania state to help the unification of child and parent is being abused by the family court system. What is this system? Networking For Jobs-Parent Referral Program. The program is suppose to help non-custodial parents that are out of work to find steady work once completing an employment training period of at least 6 months. The program is an excellent support piece to job ready skills where the non-custodial parent can gain free certification training in fields like public safety, office work, and paraprofessional staffing that require certain classes of drivers license. This program even provides free tokens to the participants as they go to and from Networking For Jobs weekly class. The issue is the non-custodial parent is forced to participate. Congressmen and State Reps are not happy with –forced.

What’s worse is as we all know well, no one, no matter what ones family status is, a parent or non-parent, looses their civil liberties in the state of PA to the family courts based on parent status. But loosing rights based on parent status is happening in family court anyhow. The state of Pennsylvania does not empower Judges, Hearing Officers, or Program Directors to punish based on lack of work, job training, or reporting to class. Yet, there seems to be a whole lot of threats, penalizing and imprisonment going on when the non-custodial parent intentionally chooses not to participate in the Networking For Jobs Program. Non-custodial parents want to find a job on their own free will. A right!

The program has an assigned Referring Officer and that’s a good thing. The Referring Officer is supposed to help the parent that is out of work and behind in child support payments prepare themselves for classes that without guarantee will set them up for long term seasonal jobs. Meanwhile, the child that needs money to come into the custodial parent’s hand from the non-custodial parent that is in Networking For Jobs class will not get a dime. Funding is provided by the state to pay a Referring Officer’s a salary, and tokens to a person that is out of work to get to class. But there is not one brown cent that goes to the kids who could use the cost of tokens and a Referring Officer’s pay each week. Did I mention that 100 S. Broad St. Land and Title Bldg-suit 1210 is the location where Networking For Jobs non-custodial parents is ordered to go? A loss of rights!

When you are a non-custodial parent family court orders you to read and sign the acknowledgment of appointment location, date, and time. And they must report promptly for the appointment and cooperate with the requirements of the Networking For Jobs Program. If they don’t go they will immediately become subject to the enforcement sanctions of Family Court that includes, but are not limited to, the sanctions for Contempt Of Court. In case you don’t know what Contempt of court means I’ll be glad (based on first hand experience) to help you out. It means the Judge will have you hand cuffed and put in county jail for as long as 30 days or up to much, much more. What’s wrong with this picture is that the Judge, the Referring Officer, the Trainers etc., all get money being involved in this program. And they don’t seem to care if kids are left home alone while a parent is in jail. Class is more important than a kid keep from abandonment. Remember lots of non-custodial parents have kids that are not involved in court custody issues. But many family court judges don’t seem to be interested in parents that care for kids without family court participation.

The child of the non-custodial parent gets zero when parent is jailed. And it cost the state to hold the kids parent in jail. Since support is about unification with parent and child I have to think about what state legislators would be best to speak with about this Enforcement Program. Two of the most responsible legislators in Pennsylvania, Congressman Bob Brady and State Rep. Thomas Blackwell come to mind. Both having a long history of solving child-welfare issues in the state of PA will make it very easy to chat with them and begin dialogue to fix child support enforcement sanctions. Brady and Rep Blackwell work well for the rights of civilians.

Philadelphia Police Clergy, Inspector. Be Visible, Support Cops!

Philadelphia Police Clergy, Inspector.
Be Visible, Support Cops!
by Van StoneBe Visible, Support Cops!
vsfoundation@yahoo.com

Philadelphia Police Clergy, Inspector Eddie Hodrick, Bishop for the South Philadelphia Police District Patrol Division, had some very encouraging words for about 75 South Philadelphians that attended the Community Meeting for Safety Concerns, at the Vare Recreation Center, 26th and Moore Street. He spoke, closing the meeting, after only earlier Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson spoke, briefly, with those who attended the meeting.

Philadelphia Town Watch hosted the meeting. And several Philadelphia Police personnel were there also, to answer questions, and give demonstration as to how they were going to stop the slaughter of people in Philly. “But some were murdered by adult gun violence, others died from drug overdose,” says Hodrick. Officer Eddie Hodrick is buzzing his thoughts, personally, about how Philadelphians will experience the largest and steadiest decline in killings, drugs in the neighborhood, and disorder. “The historical definition of Philadelphia is, the City of Brotherly Love,” says the Bishop in an exclusive writing for the SCOOP.

Recently, on the front page of Daily News, the definition was changed to, “Murder City.” There are many different organizations in the City. Many church groups, community groups, youth groups, etc., yes there are. But what is missing? Out of all the groups that are mentioned, how do we, the community, see them? How do we know that they exist? The true way to know is, to see them visible. Until the community gets involved in its own existence, there is no hope for the community.

“We need a vehicle that will help to set a platform and a training component for the community. It will help take back the village and provide a safe corridor for the neighborhood. Our seniors need to be able to sit on their own steps without fear and without having to ask a group of kids to allow them to sit peacefully on their own steps. It is time for us to stop hiding behind doors, windows, and buildings,” says Hodrick. I wish that the commissioner would be able to say that, -not only do I see Bishop Eddie Hodrick III out there, but I see others out there. We encourage you to get involved with the movement of peace. The movement is simple.

“Get up and come out. And together we can, and will, make a difference,” says Hodrick. Speaking to the audience before he left, the Police Commissioner did say, “There must be another Bishop around.” Inspector Hodrick provides free training and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages.

The most important weapons in the fight to save endangered communities and youth are Publicity and Education, and Visibility. By bringing the plight of endangered communities to more people, approval of a elite Chaplain policing and firefighter unit, and by understanding how these communities live, we can together, all help save them. If you’re interested in patrolling email chapelfirepolice@yahoo.com.

HoopGurlz: Leary To Stay In New York

HoopGurlz: Leary To Stay In New York

With Shakeya Leary's commitment to Syracuse, the Orange have had back-to-back classes where they have kept some of New York state's top players at home. They received a commitment earlier in the year from dynamic 6-foot-2 guard Tyler Ash and Leary provides a potential frontcourt star for years to come.

Both players are ranked in the HoopGurlz Hundred - Ash at 24 and Leary at 54 - and form a formidable case for a top 20 ranked recruiting class. Leary played for one of the country's top club travel teams, Exodus NYC. The program has been loaded with top prospects and this is the second year in a row Syracuse has plucked one of the programs best players. In the 2007 class they signed do-everything guard Erica Morrow who on top of talent brings the program great leadership. Morrow and Leary also attended the same high school, Murry Bergtraum, a perennial PSAL juggernaut.

Leary joined Morrow in 2007 on the All State First Team as selected by the New York State Sportswriters Association. She was also selected to the All Tournament team this summer of the End of the Oregon Trail tournament in Oregon City, Ore.

Leary brings size and athleticism to the front court for the Orange. She is 6-3 and has the ability to score on the block and in mid-range. When she focuses on punishing the opponent on the interior she is almost unstoppable at the high school level. She is also a stand out shot blocker and rebounder.

Coach Quentin Hillsman is building a core of talent heading into his second season as the Head Coach. The team was 3-13 last season in conference play and as this wealth of talent hits the hardwood the team will have the talent to start moving up the Big East standings. The season opens up for the Syracuse this weekend