HOUSTON [Sept. 17, 2015] – Houston Community College (HCC) is committed to doing its part for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 22. HCC has teamed up with Neighborhood Centers Inc. to provide Harris County residents an easy and efficient way to register to vote.
A deputy voter registrar will be on hand at the West Loop Campus on September 22 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 4 to 7 p.m. to assist in the registration process. West Loop Campus SGA volunteers will work alongside Neighborhood Centers, Inc. employees. The help is free and open to public with hours designed to fit work schedules.
Harris County residents over the age of 18 will need to bring a valid Texas driver’s license or a Texas personal ID number. Individuals will also need to know the last four digits of their social security numbers.
For more information about HCC and its involvement in the community, visit hccs.edu. Media is welcome on the West Loop Campus premises, 5601 W. Loop South, Houston, TX 77081, for live shot opportunities or stories related to this event. Contact Kristi Powers, Community Outreach Coordinator at 713.718.7768.
Student Mark Elliot gets the message out for early voting.
About HCC
HCC is one of the country’s largest single-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities for 113,000 students annually. HCC is composed of 12 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. To learn more go to www.hccs.edu.
TSU, Coach Mike Davis gives his famous bull-horn victory call.
The No. 1 ranked Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Texas Southern University (TSU) men’s basketball team declared victory against the Southern University Tigers on March 14, at the Toyota Center for the SWAC Men’s Championship Title beating the Southern Tigers 62-58
TSU actually had the SWAC championship title in its pocket the night in the 90-77 semifinal win over Prairie View A&M.The Southern Tigers were actually playing in a barred phase due to poor academic performance.In February, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) banned all Southern University athletic programs from postseason play because of poor grades.
For the record if Southern would have beat TSU, in the SWAC Championship game, the Southern Tigers would have not advanced to the NCAA.The Saturday win for the TSU Tigers just made their automatic SWAC bid to the NCAA bid just that sweeter.
This is the second consecutive year for the TSU Tigers (22-12, 16-2 SWAC) to step into the NCAA March Madness.They will go up against the powerful Arizona Wildcats.The Wildcats are second seeded (31-3).The action will take place in Portland, Ore in the second round of the NCAA West Region.
TSU should not be taken lightly.In regular season, the Tigers had some surprising wins against Michigan State (74-61) and Kansas State (58-56).Plus the Tigers’ not-so- secret weapons, the self-assured coach, Mike Davis who is ready for any opportunity and challenged.
He told a local CBS sports radio show that the big non-conference wins gave his guys a sense of pride. “I told the guys they have to play against really good basketball teams so they can understand the process. When we played Michigan State and won, Kansas State and Mexico State, our guys realized you can win basketball games without having a lot of great talent,” said Davis.
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will swing into action on Tuesday, March 10 at the Houston Toyota Center with both Texas Southern University (TSU) men’s and women’s teams holding the top bracket spots.
Texas Southern University senior, Madarious Gibbs 3# will play his last game as a TSU Tiger in the 2015 SWAC championship.
The Texas Southern men won 11 of their last 12 games to finish 16-12 in league. Overall they landed 19-12. TSU will face the winner of Alcorn State (5-25, 4-14 SWAC) and Grambling State (2-16, 0-18 SWAC) in the last quarterfinal game of the day on Wednesday, March 11, at 8:30p.m.
Alabama State University (18-9), 14-4 SWAC) defeated Jackson State University (11-20, 9-9 SWAC) to secure the No.2 seed. The will take on No. 7 seed Mississippi Valley State University (6-25, 5-13 SWAC) Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
On Thursday, No. 3 Southern University (16-16, 15-5 SWAC) will face No. 6 Alabama A&M (9-19, 8-10 SWAC) at 2:30 p.m. Then No. 4 Prairie View A&M University (14-17, 12-6 SWAC) against No. 5 Jackson State University in the final quarter matchup at 8:30 p.m.
After finishing the season tied, The TSU Lady Tigers (19-10, 16-2 SWAC) split the regular season title with Southern (18-10, 16-2 SWAC), and edged past in the tiebreaker for the No.1 seed. TSU lost only one game after a 15-game win streak heading into the tournament.
They will take on the winner of the Alabama A&M (6-23, 5-13 SWAC) and Mississippi Valley (4-25, 2-16 SWAC) on Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. As the No. 2 seed, Southern faces No. 7 Grambling (10-19, 7-11 SWAC) at noon.
Day two of the women’s tournament pits No. 3 Jackson State (13-16, 10-8 SWAC) vs. No. 6 Alcorn State (10-17, 9-9 SWAC) in the first header at noon on Thursday. In the second game, No. 4 Alabama State (14-14, 10-8 SWAC) takes on No. 5 Prairie View (13-17, 10-8 SWAC) at 6p.m.
The 2015 SWAC tournament will open Tuesday, March 10, with a doubleheader, beginning with the No. 8 Alabama A&M women against Mississippi Valley at 6 p.m. and ending with the No. 8 Alcorn State men taking on no. 9 Grambling State.
The semifinal game will take place on Friday, March 13 at noon and 6 p.m. with the championship broadcasting live on ESPN3 at 2 p.m.
Basketball trailblazer, Earl “Bigcat” Lloyd the first African American ever to play in the NBA (National Basketball Association) passed away on Thursday at the age 86. Lloyd made his debut in 1950 for the Washington Capitals.During the same year three other black players were drafted by the NBA but Lloyd was the first one to make it to the court.
NBA’s first African American player Earl Lloyd played for nine seasons passed away February 26 at age 89.
Known for his defense, Lloyd was selected in the ninth-round of the 1950 draft. He played for nine seasons in the NBA. His first game was on October 31, 1950 against the Rochester Royals.He only had a seven game stretch with the Washington Capitals before the team folded in January of 1951.
He was picked up by the Syracuse Nationals (currently the Philadelphia 76ers) where he spent six seasons.Lloyd went on to play two seasons with the Detroit Pistons in 1958-60 before he retired.He also coached the Pistons in 1971-72 season where he was 22-55 and the first nine games in the 1972-73 season.
Lloyd helped the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA Championship Title.In 2002, he was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Lloyd said he encountered virtually no racist treatment from his teammates and opponents during his time in the NBA.However the spectators were not so tolerant.In a posting on the National Basketball Association website Lloyd solution to dealing with racist audiences was to play harder and ignored them.
“Fans would yell stuff like, ‘Go back to Africa.’And I’m telling you, you would often hear the N-word. “My philosophy was if they weren’t calling you names, you weren’t doing anything. You made sure they were calling you names, because you were hurting them,” said Lloyd.
The three other African Americans to play in the same season were Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel Clifton and Hank Dezonie.
Patriots’ defensive end, Malcolm Butler and the 2015 Chevy Super Bowl truck that MVP Tom Brady intends to hand over to him.
The New England Patriots’ defense end Malcolm Butler said that he had a vision that he would do something big in the Super Bowl, and he did.It happened during the last play of the game.The score was 28-24 with the Patriots leading.The Seahawks were in possession of the ball at 2nd-and-goal at the 1-yard line.They even had two-timeouts, with 1:38 left in the final quarter of the game.
Then something strange happened, that prophecy that Butler had.It came to fruition.
With the opportunity to win the game and become back-to- back Super Bowl champions, Seattle’s quarterback Russell Wilson dropped-back and threw the ball into the end zone for the winning scored.
He thought, instead Butler jumped in front of intended wide receiver Ricardo Lockett and grabbed the ball and it was all over for the Seahawks.
The phenomenal game sealing interception by Patriots’ Malcolm Butler to seal Super Bowl XLIX win.
This phenomenal play sealed the win for the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
Many considered the Seahawks’ decision to throw the ball in that position strange instead of just running it, especially with the two time-outs.Well it just goes to show you visions can be credible.
After the game when asked about the incredible play by an on-field reporter, Butler tried to tell the reporter about the vision but she didn’t fully comprehend what he was saying.
“I knew, I would do something big in this game, I had a vision,” said Butler as he pointed up to the sky.
The reported looked dumbfounded and skirted around his response and attempted to go into another question about the big play in hopes of getting a different response from Butler.
He politely responded, “You wouldn’t understand.”
The following day on Good Morning America (GMA), he went into detail about the revelation with host, Robin Roberts.
“The vision that I had about me doing something big in the game was even confirmed by my mom,” Butler told Roberts.
“I really believed it was when I called an Uber driver for my mom.My mom called me and said the guy (Uber driver) spoke nice of me.”
Butler Continued, “The driver felt I was going to do something fantastic in the game.So I just prayed on it and I just went out and played as hard as I could, and it turned out great,”
Even though Butler didn’t received the MVP award, its recipient Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady said he intends to give Butler the 2015 red Chevrolet truck, the prize that came along with the MVP award.“A guy like Malcolm who makes that type of instinctive play, that’s one of his strong suits.It came off as a great play.Someone had to make it.It happen to Malcolm,” said Brady.
Super Bowl XLIX, MVP the incomparable, New England quarterback Tom Brady.
“I would love to give him that truck,” Brady said. “I would love to do that.I’m going to figure out how to make that work.”
Butler was undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft.On May 19, he was signed by the Patriots.In his rookie season, Butler appeared in 11 games one-start, recording 15 tackles and three defensive passes.
He made his first start at defensive back against Miami on December 14, 2014 finishing with two tackles.
Now in 2015, he is known as that guy who made the phenomenal play in Super Bowl XLIX via his special vision and hard work.
Selma’s movie composer, Jason Moran playing it up on his favorite instrument.
If you have seen the critically acclaimed movie, Selma, then you know that the sound track is equally compelling as the film.The arranger of the powerful sound track is composer jazz pianist and native Houstonian Jason Moran.The songs “Bloody Sunday”, “Final Speech” and “Cager Lee” are actually performed by the musical prodigy.
Growing up, Moran’s parents cultivated his musical and artistic talents by enrolling him into various top-notched musical training programs such as the renowned Yelena Kurinets Suzuki Music School where he received classical piano training and the Houston Symphony Young Artist Competition where he showcased his tuneful melodic talent.His artistic gifts broaden even farther into the arts from spending time in museums and galleries.
Now Moran is back in Houston in conjunction with Da Camera of Houston and The Menil Museum where you can see him pay homage to visual artist fellow Texans Robert Rauschenber and his “Holed Up” project. Rauschenber has had a major influence on Moran’s work.This event will be held at the Menil Museum on February 5th.
In the meantime, Moran is schedule to appear and perform at several events around town starting tonight. The schedule of events is listed below:
Saturday, January 31, 7:00 PM, Eldorado Ballroom: Listening Party with Jason Moran playing and discussing his favorite recordings, co-hosted by Tierney Malone, Homecoming Residency Host Committee member and host of KPFT’s Houston Jazz Spotlight. 2310 Elgin St. Free
Monday, February 2, 9am to Noon Special edition of KPFT’s Houston Jazz Spotlight, featuring an interview with Jason Moran and an extensive selection of his music. Hosted by Tierney Malone. KPFT radio HD-3. kpft.org.
Thursday February 5, 7:00 PM at The Menil Collection:Artists Talk with Jason Moran, Robert Pruitt and Sarah Rothenberg. The creators of “Holed Up” discuss their creative process. Free
Saturday, February 7, 8:00 PM, Cullen Theater, Wortham Center:Tickets required
Who would have ever though that the Seattle Seahawks would go into overtime against the Green Back Packers to win the NFC Championship after they were down by 16 points to quarterback, Aaron Rogers and company? What excitement and the biggest comeback ever in a conference title game. The final overtime score was 28-22. Seattle won the Super Bowl last year and are now headed to Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX. It has been 10 years since a defending champion has had a back-to-back Super Bowl appearance
Super Bowl defending quarterback, Russell Wilson on his way back to Super Bowl XLIX to face the Patriots.
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Rogers summed up the defeat with these words, “This is one of the one’s that’s going to stick with you because of the way it ended. Every loss in the playoffs is difficult. This one, being just a few minutes from going to the Super Bowl, obviously is a little more difficult, he said.
The AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts was a blowout and didn’t generate an ounce of excitement as in the NFC big game. The Patriots hammered the Colts beating them 45-7. Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes and running back LeGarrette Blount ran for three more touchdowns and Patriots kicker, Stephen Gostkowski topped it off with a field goal to advance to the Super Bowl.
New England’s quarterback Tom Brady gearing up for Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, in Arizona
This will be New England’s 8th Super Bowl Appearance in franchise history and 6th with Brady and Coach Bill Bellichick.
It should be a rousing game Super Bowl match-up between the Seattle Seahawks with the best defense in the league and Brady and Bellichick’s Patriots who has the most impressive offense in the league.
One thing for sure though, Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, AZ on February 1st will have many folks watching the footballs to make sure their air pressure PSI (Pressure for Square) is in NFL compliance.
After the blow-out between the Patriots and Colts, it was brought to the attention of the NFL that 11 of 12 footballs used on offense were found to be underinflated by two pounds per square inch.
According to Fox Sports, the league was already planning to inspect the balls at halftime. Earlier reports had claimed that Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson notice something was not right about a ball he intercepted from Brady.
This what a dozen deflated footballs look like.
Five days later after the Patriots victory and allegations of Brady knowingly played with deflated balls in the NFC championship game, a press conference was held for Bellichick and Brady to address the matter.
When asked by one reporter if he was a cheater, Brady replied, “I don’t think so.” Brady went on to say that he feels like, he has always played within the rules. And that he would never do anything to break the rules. “I believe in fair play, and I respect the league,” Brady said.
Coach Bellichick backed him up and said, “We have followed every rule to the letter and we welcome the league’s investigation in this matter. A couple of days later, when asked Seattle’s Russell Wilson about the issue, he said, “deflating has nothing to do with us.”
One thing for sure, in Super Bowl XLIX, all eyes will be on every football to make sure they are in NFL compliance.
Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson reflecting on his history making moment of one of only the 10th man in NFL history to make 1000 or more receptions.
Texans quarterback Case Keenum fresh off of an NFL practicing squad gets his team ready for victory.
The now (8-7) Texans led by quarterback Case Keenum, shut the Baltimore Ravens down game day Sunday, December 21, beating them 25 to 13 at NRG Stadium with impressive performances from kicker Randy Bullock, running back Arian Foster, JJ Watt and the defense, and a history making day for wide receiver Andre Johnson.
After being summons by the Texans earlier this week straight off of the St. Louis Practice Squad, Keenum was eager and performed well against Ravens seasoned quarterback Joe Flacco. Keenum threw for 185 yards with one interception. Flacco threw for 195 yards with three interceptions and two touchdowns
Bullock made up for missed touchdown opportunities by the Texans. He put up 18 points of field goals from the 20, 25, 30, 33, 35 and 39. The six for six field goals were a franchise-record.
Texans kicker, Randy Bullock making franchise history with six for six field goals.
The Texans only touchdown in the game came by way of Foster. It was a brilliant play. With only seconds left in the half, Foster ran to the right, drew in the Ravens’ defense and threw a five-yard halfback pass to tight end, C.J. Fiedorowicz in the end zone for the score. Foster had 95 yards rushing including a 43 yard run.
The leading candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Number 99, Watt did his thing again as he does on every game day. Watt led the Texans with eight tackles. Watt tackled Flacco to stop a two-point conversion attempt after a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The fans went wild after the play, when Watt gave his signature finger “no-no” wave.
Keenum all smiles after his 2014 quarterback debut with the Texans
Texans fans cheered when Johnson reached the groundbreaking mark of 1,000 receptions. He went in today’ game with 996 receptions. He had six receptions for 65 yards. He is only the 10th player in NFL history to make this achievement of 1000 or more receptions.
“It puts you in an elite group. I never thought I would be in this situation,” said Johnson after the game. “You can say everything you want when you first come in the league about how good you want to be but you have to go out there and play and put the numbers up and things like that.”
Johnson continued, “It was just so special to do it here because we have fans that have been riding with us for a long time. I’ve been here to experience a lot of things that have went on with this organization. It was just fun to do it here.”
Today’s win keeps the Texans playoff hopes alive. There are several things that need to happen in Week 16 for this to happen. The Cleveland Browns must beat the Indianapolis Colts, the Kansas City Chiefs must beat the San Diego Chargers.
And the Texans must beat the Jacksonville Jaguars who they will host next week in the season’s final game at NRG Stadium.
This is all possible, because who will have thought that Keenum would be the starting quarterback for the Texans after he was release by them during the practice squad.
It was a fine day at the Texans NRG Stadium, roof open for the second time this season and the weather above was picture perfect and the field below was picture perfect as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a franchise-record six touchdowns sending the Tennessee Titans back home with a (2-10) record.
Texans’ fan flaunts her JJ Watt poster in a message to the Titans at NRG Stadium.
All Photos by C. Allen Media
Fitzpatrick’s performance proved that his two-game benching was a time of deep reflection, and if chance arose for him to be at the helm again, he would show them, and he did.This time around he was accurate, decisive and confident.
Texans’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in touchdown position.
He used his playing ground wisely and threw 9 receptions for 238 yards. Two of Fitzpatrick’s touchdown passes went into the hands of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.This was also a fine day for Hopkins as he racked up a career high of 238 yards.
The scoring action, actually started early with a Fitzpatrick eight-yard hit to tightend Ryan Griffin on the opening drive.Running back Arian Foster, back in play after a groin injury, showed the crowd that all is well, when he went in for a seven-yard touchdown pass, Texans leading 14-0.
The Texans’ lead expanded with a 37-yard field goal by kicker Randy Bullock with 3:25 remaining on the clock, 17-0.
A fine day at NRG Stadium with roof opened.
Then with only 38 seconds left before the half-time break, Fitzpatrick hit Hopkins with that first 58-yard scoring play to put Houston up 24-0.
Texans’ fans out in solidarity at Texans & Titans game art NRG Stadium
Early in the third quarter, Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger connected with wider receiver, Kendall Wright to put the Titans on the board, 24-7.
That would be Mattenberger’s last touchdown reception of the game.A few plays later, he was taken down by a JJ Watt tackle.Back-up Jake Locker had to be called-in to lead the Titans.
The Titans next score of the game came when cornerback Jason McCourty stole the ball from Texans wide receiver, Andre Johnson and ran for a 62-yard touchdown, narrowing the lead 24-14.
The scoreboard widen again, late in the third quarter 31-14, when Hopkins made his second touchdown.Johnson made up from the earlier striped ball, and reached up for a Fitzpatrick pass in the end zone, widening the lead 38-14.
Texans’ wide receiver, Andre Johnson putting his name on an end zone TD.
In the fourth quarter, Watt found himself on the receiving end of a 1-yard touchdown, his fifth of the season, making the score, 45-14.
Titans’ wide receiver, Nat Washington managed to catch a 25-yard reception touchdown from Locker late in the fourth.The final score 45-21 with a Texans’ win.
In the post-game press conference, Fitzpatrick said, “I didn’t now know if I’d ever have a chance to play again.It’s an eye-opener for me not to take it for granted.”
Fitzpatrick started for nine games, than was bench for two games for Ryan Mallett, who is out for the season, after he suffered a chest injury last week.
With all eyes around the football nation on Watt’s outstanding season and his five touchdowns, Watt humbly stated, “I don’t think, I could have imagined scoring one touchdown anywhere.Five right now is very cool,” he said.
Popular Texans’ player #99 JJ Watt, the man who shines in any gridiron position.
The Texans are still in the playoff contention at (6-6), and have a chance to be the wildcard in their division.They will play the (2-10) Jacksonville Jaguars on December 7, at Ever Bank Field in Jacksonville.
Nine whites and three blacks that made-up the Ferguson grand jury in the shooting of teen Michael Brown by officer Darren Wilson has decided today, November 24, there is not enough proof to indict the office in the murder of the 18-year-old.
Ferguson protestors hold up signs for justice for Michael Brown.
Wilson, who is white, shot Brown multiple times in broad daylight on August 9, around noon as he and his friend, Dorian Johnson was walking down the street in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. The town was rocked by the killing of the unarmed teen and protest broke out in the immediate aftermath of the shooting that led to some vandalisms and arrests.
The decision was announced by St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch.He said the grand jury decided that not probable cause existed to indict the officer on any of the five possible charges (first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or no charges) and no bill on all five accounts.
Both eyewitness testimony and physical evidence pointed to Brown being the aggressor including the presence of the teenager’s DNA and fingerprints in the officer’s vehicle and on his gun.Brown’s bloody body rested in the streets approximately five hours after his death.Than was taken away by officials.
Image of teen, Michael Brown who was fatally shot by police officer Darren Wilson
McCulloch said that several eyewitnesses gave statements that were inconsistent with other statements they were made and also conflicting with physical evidence.
President Obama spoke after the announcement calling for a peaceful response to the decision both by the citizens of Ferguson and the officers calling for them to show restraint.
“First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law.And we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury’s to make.There are Americans who agree with it, and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry.It’s an understandable reaction.But I join Michael’s parents in asking anyone who protests this decisions to do so peacefully,” he said.
“I appeal to the law enforcement officials in Ferguson and the region to show care and restraint in managing peaceful protests that may occur.They have a tough job to do to maintain public safety and hold accountable those who break the law.”
The President also echoed the words of Michael Brown’s father.“Let me repeat Michael’s father’s words: “Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer.No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son’s death to be in vain. I want it to lead t incredible change, positive change, change that makes the St. Louis region better for everyone.”
The President concluded, “Michael Brown’s parents have lost more than anyone.We should be honoring their wishes,” he said.
In a statement released after officer Wilson’s no bill verdict, the Brown family said, “we are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions.”
Prosecutor McCulloch detailed the account of the officer and teen’s encounter.He said that during the incident, Wilson angled his vehicle to block the path of Brown and his friend.Two shots were fired while Wilson was still in his police car.Brown’s blood was found inside the vehicle. McCulloch said, referencing witnesses, that some kind of “tussling” or “tug of war” took place.
He added that Brown ran and Wilson went after him.McCullough said 10 shots were fired after the teen ran.And that Brown was hit seven or eight times.
In an internal affairs interview after the shooting, officer Wilson said Brown started the encounter by leaning into the squad car’s driver’s side door while he was still inside.Then the dispute turned physical.The officer said he tried to get his mace but was unable to reach it so he “drew his firearm and Brown managed to grab it,” he said.
Ferguson police officer who Darren Wilson, who grand jury cleared of killing teenager, Michael Brown.
“I was guaranteed he was going to shoot me.He had completely overpowered me while I was sitting in the car,” the officer said.
The grand jury had reached a decision in the early afternoon but officials didn’t release it to the public until 8:00 PM eastern standard time.McCulloch said the six hour delay in publicly announcing the grand jury decision in conjunctionwith his press conference was necessary to help curtail any melee that could occur and also to havethe necessary patrol in place.
Several days before the anticipated grand jury decision came, Missouri’s Governor Jay Nixon called up the National Guard to come to Ferguson to come and help with policing and public safety.
Hours after the grand jury’ decision to free Wilson of any charges, there were reports of gun shots in the air by some of the protestor along with looting as well as several building burnings.
According to authorities, police made 29 arrests and at least 150 gunshots were heard and that the police didn’t fire at anyone.
Upset protestors take to the streets of Ferguson after grand jury no-bill decision.
The Associated Press reported a Walgreens was seen in flames and people were seen entering stores.And that a Little Caesar’s and a storage unite were among the builds that burned.
Federal authorities are still investigating officer Wilson which could bring civil rights charges.
