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| Michael Jackson Was My Idol  an editorial by Kalvin Ellison I have always been a Michael Jackson fan. I've been a fan ever since The Jacksons released the single "Shake Your Body Down To The Ground". Even with the Off The Wall album, Michael Jackson had charisma about him. But when I watched the Motown 25 special in 1983, Michael Jackson truly became my idol. It was his look as well as his sound and movement that captivated me. For two years after the Motown 25 special, Michael Jackson was my god. As I grew older, I later learned that men shouldn't be worshipped that way. Back in the early 1980's, I tried my hardest to look and be like Michael Jackson.  pictured to the left: Kalvin Ellison sporting his Michael Jackson look in 1986. It was when I watched Michael Jackson perform Billie Jean on the Motown 25 special, that I wanted to be a music recording artist.. Since the death of Michael Jackson, it will be hard to picture what the world will be like without Michael Jackson.
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|  Michael Jackson Dies The world's most famous person, Michael Jackson, has died. He was 50. Michael suffered a cardiac arrest early afternoon on June 25, 2009 at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. Michael Jackson made his debut on the professional music scene in 1968 as a member of The Jackson 5. He then began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Jackson's 1982 album Thriller remains the world's best-selling album of all time, and four of his other solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995). On March 25, 1983, he performed live on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special, both with The Jackson 5 and on his own singing "Billie Jean". It was Jackson's Motown 25 "Billie Jean" performance that catapulted Michael Jackson to mega superstar status. Jackson's Motown 25 "Billie Jean" performance was the second greatest television musical performance. James Brown's Tammi Show performance was the greatest television performance. Michael Jackson's fame got bigger than the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Michael Jackson's fame was global. Unlike Elvis Presley and the Beatles, Jackson's fame transcended racial lines and age lines. Old men were purchasing Michael Jackson's records back in the 1980's.  The vintage Michael Jackson sound occurs on Jackson's "Off The Wall" and "Thriller" albums. Instead of Jackson being the "King of Pop", Jackson was more like the "King of Disco". The disco records "Off The Wall" and "Thriller" were released during the tail end of the disco era. Michael Jackson enjoyed his greatest success during the "Off The Wall" and "Thriller" era. His vocal style influenced many R&B artists. Michael Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged. In 2005, Jackson was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse allegations and several other charges. Michael Jackson leaves behind a legacy of great entertainment. Michael Jackson was love.
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| Profiles of Excellence: Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968), was an American minister, activist and leader in the African-American civil rights movement. His main legacy was to secure progress on civil rights in the United States and he is frequently referenced as a human rights icon today. King is recognized as a martyr by two Christian churches. A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. King's efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. There, he raised public consciousness of the civil rights movement and established himself as one of the greatest orators in U.S. history. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and opposing the Vietnam War, both from a religious perspective. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. national holiday in 1986. To put it quite simply, Martin Luther King, Jr. should've been named "Man of the 20th Century". Video of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech: Video of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Last Speech: | | |
|  Aris Staples Visitation for Aris Lamar Staples, 33, of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Kankakee, will be from 10 a.m. Saturday until the 11 a.m. services at the Second Baptist Church in Kankakee. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory. He died April 15, 2009 at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa. Lax Mortuary, Kankakee, is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Staples was employed by Humana Healthcare. He was born Jan. 27, 1976, in Kankakee, the son of Judith Staples and Rickey Love. He was a 1994 graduate of Grace Baptist Academy and attended Kankakee Community College and the University of Phoenix. He was a member of Second Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir. He enjoyed music, church and traveling. Surviving are his mother of Kankakee; one brother, Tomele Staples of Kankakee; three sisters, Alisha King, Leah Love and Charnai Love, all of Kankakee; maternal grandmother, Lorraine Staples of Kankakee; paternal grandparents, D.C. and Ora Love of Kankakee; and several other relatives and friends. Deceased are his father, grandfather, Charles Staples; and an uncle, Michael Staples. | | |
| James Metcalf  METCALF, Mr. James age 80 of Dayton departed this life Thursday, April 2, 2009 at Kettering Memorial Hospital. He was a native of Bexter, AL and had resided in Dayton 65 years. A member and Deacon of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Metcalf enjoyed church along with fishing, traveling and helping others. He was a former employee of Liberal Market, Vice President of UFCW and Masonic Temple, Equity Lodge # 121. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and two brothers. Survivors include his wife, Earline Metcalf; children, Jimmie (Sheila) Metcalf, Pauline Dickerson and Linda Branham; four sisters, Eula Henry, Clara Oglesby, Lillie (Junior) Ellison and Tillie; 11 grandchildren, Shirvonne, Shekila (Ivan), Shemika, Tiana, Calvin, Michael, Antone, Marquita, Joniecia, Aleaha; seven great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Ivan, Calise, A'niya, Darnell, Aikes and Jayden; dear friends, Mary, Rev. & Mrs. Heulet Arnold, Deacon & Mrs. John Henry and Mr. Otha Treadwell. A host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be, 11:00 A.M, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 2067 N. Gettysburg Ave., Rev. Tommy Byrd Pastor, Rev. Morris A. Goggins officiating. Interment West Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 10-11:00 AM at the church. Services Respectfully Rendered by H. H. Roberts.
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