Support A Child International Joins the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations

KNN-St. Louis

Support A Child International, a U.S. based not-for-profit organization, dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of children and families, has recently been accepted as a member of the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations . The World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) is a global organization whose mission is to serve its member organizations, strengthen and encourage the non-governmental sector as a whole, increase public understanding of the non-governmental community, and provide the mechanism and support needed for NGOs to connect, partner, and multiply their contributions to solve humanity's basic problems. WANGO unites NGOs worldwide in the cause of advancing peace and global well being. WANGO helps to provide the mechanism and support needed for NGOs to connect, partner, share, inspire, and multiply their contributions to solve humanity’s basic problems.Initiated in 2000 by a handful of international NGOs and prominent visionaries, WANGO has quickly become one of the premier international bodies for non-governmental organizations that are committed to the ideals of universal peace, justice, and well being for all humanity.

Concerned with universal values shared across the barriers of politics, culture, religion, race and ethnicity, the founding organizations and individuals envisioned an organization that would enable NGOs to work in partnership across those barriers, thereby weaving a selfless social fabric essential to establishing a worldwide culture of peace. By optimizing resources and sharing vital information, WANGO provides a means for NGOs to become more effective in completing their vital tasks.With its global network of NGOs, as well as affiliates drawn from the ranks of governmental and intergovernmental bodies, business, and universities, WANGO has become an international leader in tackling issues of serious global concern.For more information on Support A Child International, contact them at sacint@aol.com.

Review: Soul Vegetarian Chicago

By Bob Condor-Chicago Tribune (Metromix.com)

Soul Vegetarian East joins two seemingly divergent cuisines. You expect soul food to taste good but maybe not be so good for you. You think vegetarian food tends to be good for you but it doesn't exactly taste good. You think wrong. Try Soul Vegetarian East. Soul Vegetarian East has been a fixture on the South Side and at area health fairs for 15 years. It is one of several restaurants run by the African Hebrew Israelite community.

The happy and healthful eating experience in a restaurant that serves the Chatham and Park Manor neighborhoods begins with a sizable basket of battered cauliflower ($3). The still-crunchy vegetables are lightly breaded without too much grease. This is followed swiftly by a thick, tomatoey vegetable soup ($2 small; $2.50 large). For now, we move on to a feast of salads, sandwiches and entrees. The green salad has romaine lettuce with sprouts, tomatoes, purple cabbage and cucumbers ($2.50 small, $3.50 large). It is enlivened by a nutty house "prince" dressing that uses fresh tahini made from sesame seeds. The carrot supreme salad ($2.50 for two scoops) is thankfully less sweet than most versions due to a hint of homemade soy mayonnaise. It goes nicely as a condiment for the green salad and other goodies on the table. Some of those goodies include two versions of grilled veggie burgers spiced with garlic, onions, paprika and seasoned salt: the sunburger ($3), made with ground sunflower seeds, and hand burger ($3) formed with lentils. Both sandwiches are dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard on a whole-wheat bun.

The BBQ twist sandwich ($3.50) is made with a soybean seitan in steaklike form that Soul Vegetarian East makes on the premises. The "meat," slathered in a tangy barbecue sauce, is satisfyingly crisp outside and tender inside. An interesting note: The BBQ twist is so named because the seitan has some peanut butter in it. There is a nightly dinner special ($8.50). Our evening's platter contains generous portions of barbecued tofu, greens, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables and pleasingly dense cornbread. You also get a choice of soup or salad. The tofu is firm and smoky, but the greens and macaroni are the stars. Garlicky greens are bursting with juices; the mac and cheese is al dente.

We fill out the meal with a vegetable stir-fry ($3). Soul Vegetarian East's version is above average with numerous fresh vegetables and brown rice. A bit of broth heightens the flavors. We can't resist the carob cake with tahini-nut icing ($2.25), enjoying a large and moist slice. Herbal teas, juices and sodas are available. Soul Vegetarian East asks that customers not bring alcoholic beverages. Service is quite friendly and prompt. You will feel at home. The restaurant seating and decor is comfortable if a bit drab. But it doesn't seem to stop the steady clientele or the frequent takeout orders, and shouldn't stop you.
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Soul Vegetarian East Restaurant205 E. 75th St.773-224-0104Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thur.;9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat,; 9a.m.-noon (brunch) and noon-8 p.m. (dinner) Sun. Credit cards: M, V-Other:Wheelchair accessible

Sugarless Week and Live Week to Commence

Akote Hodahvyah-KNN Chicago

In our pursuit of perfect health and Everlasting Life it has been decreed that four (4) times a year there will be a Sugarless Week and a Live Food Consumption Week. During Sugarless Week we will consume no sugar, honey, or other sweeteners that have not been approved by the Ministry of Divine Health. During Live Food Consumption Week we will consume the required live food diet.

Sugarless Week will commence on Yom Shee Shee (Friday) Sept. 1, 2006 (at sundown) and end on Motsai Shabbat (Saturday) Sept. 9, 2006 (at sundown). Live Food Week will commence on Motsi Shabbat (Saturday) Sept. 9, 2006 (at sundown) and end on Yom Shee Shee (Friday) Sept. 15, 2006 (at sundown).

Crime spree hits U.S. cities

Communities grapple with rise in violence
Summer crime wave hits Washington, Seattle, Indianapolis, other U.S. cities
MSNBC News

Police blotters in Seattle, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and other cities paint similarly violent pictures: After a decade of decline, violent crime is on the rise across the U.S. Assault and rape rose 2.5 percent between 2004 and 2005, according to the FBI’s latest report of national crime trends. Murder and robbery are up nearly 5 percent — the sharpest increase since 1991. Medium-sized cities of between 50,000 and 500,000 have been the bloodiest. The storm is battering Washington, a city that gained a reputation as the nation’s murder capital a decade ago. That was during the height of the crack epidemic, when predominately black neighborhoods like the one where Crowder lived became killing fields.

Now Washington is cowering under a new wave of late-night robberies and carjackings blamed mostly on youths armed with knives and guns. Last month in upscale Georgetown, assailants attacked a British man who had been volunteering for Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, slashing the man’s throat and attempting to rape his female companion. Last week, a 17-year-old girl was gunned down in southeast Washington. In her dying moments, she managed to save her infant godson by sliding him under a parked car. The attacks have incensed local officials, as well as those who have eulogized the dead. “Who would kill a man in a wheelchair?” asks Dr. Melvin G. Brown, the pastor who led Crowder’s funeral after he was killed July 8 near the apartment he shared with his mother in northwest Washington’s Shaw neighborhood. Crowder was shot seven times, his body found on the ground beside his wheelchair. Another man was critically wounded. There have been no arrests in the case. See: Crime spree hits U.S. cities

Floridians stock up on basics as Ernesto nears

Storm-wary (and weary) residents get prescriptions, food, gas
Associated Press

MIAMI - Florida residents rushed to fill their prescriptions and stood in long lines for gasoline, food and other supplies Monday as officials warned people not to wait for Tropical Storm Ernesto to become a hurricane again before taking precautions. Forecasters said Ernesto could grow back into a hurricane in the warm waters off Cuba and come ashore in South Florida as early as Tuesday night, exactly one year after Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast. It would be the first hurricane to hit the United States this year. See: Floridians stock up as Ernesto nears