Back to school time is almost here….and parents feel free to start doing cartwheels:-)….as President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan( a guest this week on the TJMS) are among some high-powered speakers addressing the National Urban Leage and bringing some big news about 19 finalists in the administration’ s Race To The Top…where the state of North Carolina is in the running as one of those finalists…yeah!! This initiative, among others, is part of the administration’s plan to reform public education in America in lieu of the very ineffective No Child Left Behind program under President Bush.

As a parent, teacher or retired teacher what can we as families and communities do to not only continue to encourage our kids about the importance of a good education but one that’s on equal footing so ALL children have an opportunity to receive a quality education!

THE PARTY IS OVER FOR LINDSAY LOHAN….that’s what the current headlines are reading in newspapers, blogs, and websites across the country, and now the word is she will spend ONLY about 2 weeks in jail. Now had it been an ordinary ‘joe’ like myself or perhaps even YOU…there would be no hesitation at the ‘full extent’ of the law to serve the same original 90-day sentence as Lindsay. So this particular blog today has me wondering why do celeberties seem to continue to get special treatment or only serve 1/2 or even 1/3 of an initial sentence while everyone else has plenty of jail ‘time’ to seriously think about the crime(s) we’ve committed? Does anyone else think there are two different systems of justice?!?!?!

As this isn’t Lindsay’s only offense or run-in with the law…she’s been free on bail since missing a court hearing in May 2007 for a drug and alcohol case..on probation since August 2007 after pleading guilty to misdemenor drug charges and no contest to 3 driving-related charges, not to mention missing 7 classes since last December after her probation was extended for a year to give here more time to complete the class.

Now is it just me or Lindsay just doesn’t seem to GET IT! To many get-out-of jail free cards translates to not taken her actions seriously, and perhaps foolishly believing that because of who she is, the system will just let her ’slide’ by just one more time…if she keeps this type of attitude and way of thinking up, I’m afraid Lindsay just may RUN OUT OF TIME and be added to the list of celeberties who have died too young while on a collision course with life….

The choices that we make in life, for better or for worse, are decisions that generally alone affect the individual that makes them….HOWEVER…LeBron James’ decision to leave his hometown of Cleveland for a chance to win a (NBA) ring with Miami either left a bitter taste or fans elated in his choice of picking a new city and new team! Making a major choice or decision never will please ANY or ALL parties/persons involved, and giving the very public decision that LeBron made is one that he likely made alone(at least in terms of the announcement) and will have to live with primarily on his own…like it or hate it the choices or decisions we ALL make will likely be the ones we will have to live with, along with the outcome of the circumstances!!

An unknown author once wrote….’one day your life will flash before your eyes. make sure its worth watching.’ Indeed as 2010 alone seems to be flying by at the blink of an eye- are you watching the world or is the world REALLY watching you?! Living life to its fullest has never been more prevelant, but is it full of the everyday blessings- that despite the struggles we ALL confront on a daily basis, you still give thanks- or you’ve decided to ’stay mad at the world’ because you feel that you’ve been singled out because ‘bad things’ seem to keep coming your way!

I like to say..there are NO bad days..some days just provide a BETTER outlook than others, as everyday of course won’t be perfect…but YOUR life continues to have a story to tell..it’s just up to you as to whether it can have a happy ending…here’s to more of those HAPPY endings than not!!

As a another holiday weekend is upon us, so is the celebration of liberty for these United States of America! But in addition to the fireworks, parades, barbecues, concerts, sporting events, and perhaps a political speech or two, what freedoms are the most precious and valuable that carry you through the toughest of times, yet continue to make you proud to be called an ‘American!’

In addition to bringing in the summer season..June is the month we celebrate by paying tribute to the rich musical history and honor the many traditions African-American musicians, singers, and composers have made to the culture of our nation and to the world. Did you know that former President Jimmy Carter decreed on June 7, 1979 as the month to celebrate black music?! and other Presidents have followed including George W. Bush who issused a proclamation in June of 2005 (www.usgovinfo.about.com)  ****type in the search engine black music month proclamation**** 

Who are some of your favorite artists/favorite songs for the month that recognizes the powerful, moving, and soulful music that speaks to EVERY heart, lifting us in times of sorrow and helping us celebrate in times of joy!!

Father’s Day…June 20th…is a day honoring fathers and celebrating paternal bonds, fatherhood, and the influence of fathers in society in general. It’s celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in 55 countries! The first observance  is believed to have occurred in June, 1910 after a parishoner, while listening to a sermon that honored Mothers, felt the same should be done for Fathers who deserved recognition. It took several years thereafter to make the holiday official, even with support from the YWCA, YMCA, and churches. The day even ran the risk of disappearing all together from the calender…as many people saw Father’s Day as simply filling the calendar with mindless promotions!  Dang fathers, you just can’t catch a break can ya?!?

Well here in 2010, celebrating the men making a difference in hour homes, churches, businesses, and communites, has never been more needed or crucial in a society where we hear ‘too’ many stories of ‘dead beat dads or just trifling men in general. Please take a moment to recognize those men who deserve to be honored…I’ll start it a ‘Happy Father’s Day’ to my dad…the ’step’ has long since been removed… Freddie and one of my ‘favorite’ uncles Walt and Royce, Sr.,.love you guys:) and to fathers everywhere from 97.1 QMG!

Enjoy the Midday Cafe with Shilynne..it’s up next on QMG!!

We’re in the thick of the summer season and whether families are planning vacations near home or far away, or just finding the nearest swimming pool to ‘cool’ down during the heat of the season..the concept of summer vacation has been criticized by some because (some) students supposedly forget large amounts of information learned in the past year. On the flip side, supporters believe children need the 2-3 months off to relax and take a break from the heavy loads of schoolwork, homework, and the strees of peer pressure, bullying, and more!

The original concept of summer vacation was given as a time for kids to work on family farms for spring planting….my how times have changed! Where is YOUR stance on summer vacation? Whatever you and your child/children plan to do…be safe and of course spend it with your QMG family on the radio!!!!

Many of our children may already be thinking about a nice, long and hot summer vacation, but parents the upcoming 2010-2011 school year may end up missing an important part of the ’safety’ you always hope is in place when your ‘babies’ head to school each morning, and that’s the school crossing guards.  Just in Guilford County alone, the 2010-2011 budget proposed by the City Manager would eliminate all city funding for the school crossing guards, and that money funds a total of some 34 crossing guard positions, 28 of which are currently filled.

Another area of ‘cut backs’ is the slow disappearance of the ‘arts’, as many programs such as band/music, art, theater/drama is all but gone of greatly minimized from our schools….personally robbing our children of the potential to expand their analytical/creative (little) minds! The schools maybe making the ‘cuts’ for the sake of saving a city budget…but please continue to help/inspire your children to make the ‘grade’ to becoming the productive and creative individuals you already know them to be!