Mountain Getaway October 2010! A First for AULYP

One of the great benefits of the Atlanta Urban League Young Professionals (AULYP) is its social and cultural enrichment opportunities.
In October, members trekked to the north Georgia mountains for a fun and relaxing getaway at Tanglewood Cabins in Helen, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River.

A top tourist destination, Helen is known for its pristine, natural beauty and members enjoyed hiking Anna Ruby Falls, cooking out, shopping, go-karts, a haunted house, ghost tour and Oktoberfest.

“On a scale from 1 to 10, the fun factor was a 12!” said Ciji Tatum, chairwoman of AULYP’s Social and Cultural committee.

The trip was the first such getaway hosted by the AULYP and was organized by the Social and Cultural committee.

The $150 cost of the three-day trip included lodging, ground transportation, three meals and beverages.

The goal was to provide members an opportunity to trade-in their wingtips and heels for sneakers for a weekend and to fellowship with other AULYP members and potential members in a relaxed setting outside of the traditional networking and professional environment.

Organizers hope to continue an annual getaway in the future.

- Marcus E. Howard

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Balance - November 2010 General Body Meeting

During our General Body Meeting Monday, Rob Hughes of Generator Development Group, provided information on balancing the spritual and professional life. Additionally, we received first hand information from Aaron Wright of Leap Association on time management. Mr. Wright instructed us to allocate time for our personal development, as it is a necessity and provided a checklist for personal values. Held at AGL Resources, the meeting proved beneficial to our young professional audience.

Members also voted for their 2011 Officers/Executive Board following the speaker presentations for the night. The results were announced at the meeting. Here they are below! Congratulations to everyone! You have a great and busy year ahead.

President - Travis Townsend; Vice President - Ciji Tatum; Secretary - Keshawn Ridgel; Treasurer - Cherie Greene; Chapter Liaison - Courtney Gay; Parliamentarian - Arnett Mumford; Community Service Chair - Angie Ross; Membership Chair - Mechelle Brown; Personal & Professional Development Chair - John Miller; Political Awareness Chair - Vacant; Public Relations Chair - Vincent Scatliffe; Social/Cultural Chair - Angela Crocker Read more ...

AULYP - Empowering Our Community

Economic empowerment has been the central mission of the National Urban League since its founding 100 years ago by a group of concerned black and whites, to help black migrants from the South adjust to life in urban cities in the North.

Today, the need for the organization is as great as ever - given current economic conditions.

The U.S. unemployment rate is nearly 10 percent and experts predict unemployment will remain elevated for years to come. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in five American children lives in poverty. On top of that, the gap between rich and poor in the country continues to grow. The richest one percent of households own 33.8 percent of America’s private wealth.

Such statistics are troubling and even discouraging.

However, there is always hope. A favorite quote is: “If you aren’t willing to lose, you will never win.” It means that in order to win, one must first be a player in the game.

Through promoting education, job training, wellness, community service, and engagement in public policy, the Urban League’s goal is to help members of our community actively take control of their economic future.

The Atlanta Urban League Young Professionals (AULYP) provides an outlet for young professionals in metro Atlanta to make a difference.

The volunteer organization has a variety of committees to join, whose members work to bring about change through social and community programs. In addition, AULYP provides a number of social and networking opportunities with other young professionals.

Be the change that’s needed. Visit http://www.aulyp.net/ to get involved.

- Marcus E. Howard

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President's Pick of the Month - The Sound Table

I tried a couple of new places this month looking for something new, fresh, and exciting. Of all the places I tried, the only place that stood out was The Sound Table. From beginning to end it was the best dinner experience I have had in a while, and after you read this blog you will know why.

Formerly Over Da Edge, The Sound Table opened a month ago to rave reviews. Jeff Myers, the owner of Top Flr, partnered with DJ Karl Injex and Darren Carr to create a place that combines the three things they love most: music, quality cocktails and fantastic food. When I visited The Sound Table for the first time I was able to meet Karl Injex and talk about his vision for the restaurant. I was impressed with his passion for what he was doing and his laid-back cool demeanor. The second thing that impressed me was that one of my favorite mixologists, Navarro Carr (formerly of Beleza), was behind the bar. When I saw Navarro I knew that these guys were serious about their cocktails because you don’t find Navarro at your average bar.

The modern wooden furniture is a nice backdrop for the eclectic music that is different each night. The owners choose a variety of DJs during the week to display their love of good sounds. The two-story building includes an upstairs restaurant for the serious foodies and a downstairs bar for eating and drinking. So now let’s get to my favorite part … THE FOOD!

When I first looked at the menu I was intrigued by so many of the selections that it was hard to decide. My two friends and I decided to create a tapas like situation and order a few things and just taste everything. Here’s what we ordered: Peruvian Ceviche, Oaxacan Hangar Steak, Belgian Style Frites and the Chinese Ribs. I have to be honest- I don’t know what I loved most! The made to order ceviche is served deconstructed on the plate and has a fresh, sweet, citrus taste that I’m still dreaming about today. Then there are the ribs … the ribs … the ribs!! Although I am not a huge fan of pork ribs, I tried them after my friends insisted. So glad I did. These ribs melt in your mouth! I’m not going to go on and on and about them, I’m just going to say this. Five minutes after tasting the first rib, my friends and I placed an order for seconds. Need I say more??

The Sound Table represents what every good lounge should have: fabulous drinks, insanely good food, sounds to massage the ear and a cool unpretentious atmosphere. So check it out with friends or make it your first date spot, because this is one place you don’t want to miss!

The Sound Table
483 Edgewood Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30305

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Experience Atlanta Streets Alive, Sunday, May 23

Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, the Centers for Disease Control, and other partners present Atlanta Streets Alive, a car-free, family-friendly festival in downtown Atlanta Sunday, May 23 from 1:00-6:00 p.m.

The event will close to vehicular traffic a mile of Edgewood Avenue west of Boulevard to Woodruff Park, while opening that section of Edgewood to recreational use.

“Come experience downtown like you’ve never experienced it before!” said Hall. “No cars. Just people. You, your friends, and family--and strollers, hula hoops, tango lessons, break-dancing, people-watching, bike riding.” Modeled after “Car-Free Sunday” events around the world, this vendor-free festival encourages participants to get active, eat at Edgewood restaurants and cafes along the route, and enjoy the city.

Although participants can join in the fun at any point along the route, there will be a short kick-off ceremony at 1:00 p.m. at Woodruff Park. The park will be home to a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will host a bike station where people can rest their bikes, get their helmet fit checked, watch kids participate in a bike rodeo, or just learn more about bicycle issues and opportunities in Atlanta.

For information about the route, a roster of program activities, and event partners, visit www.atlantastreetsalive.com

For additional information or questions, contact Councilman Hall’s office at (404) 330-6038 / khall@atlantaga.gov Day-of-event media contact: (404) 406-5296 Read more ...

Haiti: Four Months after Catastrophe

Four months following the devastating earthquake that claimed numerous lives, Haiti is still in need. Forgotten by some, many Haitians still living in the Port au Prince area are going through the rebuilding of their city and remain hopeful. Read bits of CNN reporter Moni Basu's online article, "Four months after 'the catastrophe,' Haitians still in emergency mode". View the entire article and video here http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/05/11/haiti.then.now/index.html?iref=allsearch


Four months on, the tragedy of the massive January 12 earthquake is fresh.

Relief operations thwarted widespread hunger here and so far, there have been no reports of killer disease outbreaks. But Port-au-Prince is very much running in emergency mode. Still.

No humanitarian worker will argue with that sad fact.
Despite the efforts and good intentions of a host of foreigners and a government that got a wake-up call, progress has been timidly slow.

The future has a different meaning now for Haitians such as Edline Pierre, who worries not about where to enroll her three daughters in school but how to get them up off the floor fast enough when the rains start falling.

Haitians, who have lived through political turmoil, extreme violence and grinding poverty, will tell you the earthquake was the worst experience of their lives.

Whether a new city can rise from the rubble of Port-au-Prince remains in question, though Haitians are hopeful something good must come out of an event this tragic. They have to be.

They have nothing left but hope. And faith.

That's why if you peek down lanes on a steamy afternoon, you'll see a gathering of people under a tent, their arms stretched skyward, their eyes closed. And you'll hear the Lord's Prayer.


You'll hear it, too, every Sunday morning, before the sun gets hot, at Notre Dame, the main cathedral in Port-au-Prince. The building is shattered, but not the congregation's faith. They still come to the place where, every week, they are re-energized by their belief in Christ.


Several Haitians said they feared the world's goodwill would quickly fade now that the throngs of media have left and the spotlight has turned elsewhere. Edna Dunrod was one of them.


She worried she was forgotten, lying on a smelly mattress under three tattered bed sheets that serve as a roof in the Champs de Mars tent city. Last month, she gave birth to Marvins, asleep in a plastic tub under a foldable umbrella.


Life with a newborn in this congested camp, she said, was unbearable.


"I want to go somewhere else," she said. But where, she worried. And who would help her reclaim her life? Read more ...

President's Pick of the Month - Food for Life Supreme

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine called me raving about this restaurant, Food for Life Supreme and said that I had to try it. So I decided to check it out.

As soon as I entered the restaurant, I noticed the bright décor and welcoming attitude of the staff. The menu at Food for Life Supreme includes breakfast, lunch and dinner items prepared with organic ingredients that are made to be healthy. This restaurant definitely proves that you don’t have to compromise taste for healthy eating. The wings were superb, the vegetables were wonderful and the fried fish was so good I don’t want to talk about it! Other menu items that caught my eye were the salmon bacon, the carrot fries, the homemade wheat bread and the alkaline water. After enjoying my lunch, I wanted to know how I had missed this little gem in the West End community, so I did a little research.

Here’s what I found … Food for Life Supreme is a part of an educational system started by a group of concerned parents and community members in Kansas City. This group wanted a real life component in the learning process for their kids. They created a school that allowed their students to learn how to run a restaurant in an actual restaurant. Students attend the school in Kansas City and are allowed to choose one of the 10 Food for Life Restaurants to work in around the country. Everyone on staff is either a volunteer or a full time student. So this explains why my waiter looked so young. There is also something special about the Atlanta restaurant- all of the décor from the floor to the ceiling was designed and created by students of the university. How cool is that??

Food for Life Supreme has been serving healthy food in the West End for the past five years and I can’t believe I’ve missed it all this time. If you’re looking for a place to “be seen” or “mix and mingle”, this is not where you want to go. But if you’re looking for great tasting, healthy food in a casual atmosphere, you should check it out because it’s definitely on my faves list!

Food for Life Supreme
880 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
http://www.foodforlifesupreme.com/
404-880-9759

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