Coca-Cola to buy Vitaminwater maker

Coca-Cola to buy Glaceau for $4.1 billion -
Buyout of Vitaminwater maker to boost earnings in first full year
By William Spain & Sarah Turner
MarketWatch

The blue-chip bottler - The Coca-Cola Company will acquire the full range of privately held Energy Brands' products, including Vitaminwater, Smartwater, Fruitwater and Vitaminenergy.

The deal is expected to add to Coca-Cola's earnings per share in the first full year following completion, while nipping 1 cent to 2 cents off this year's profit. The deal has been approved by the boards of both companies but is still subject to regulatory review.

"Glaceau has built a great business with high-quality growth, as well as a strong pipeline of innovative products and brands," Coca-Cola Chairman and Chief Executive Neville Isdell said in a statement.

The acquisition will provide Coca-Cola with a strong foundation from which to develop "active-lifestyle beverages," the company said, adding that the Glaceau deal's likely to bring "immediate, high-quality growth."

As sales of carbonated soft drinks have sagged, the Atlanta-based beverage behemoth has been trying hard to develop or acquire water, tea and juices as well as energy- and sports-drink brands. See: Coca-Cola to buy Glaceau for $4.1 billion

Soul Vegetarian East - Chicago South Side

Religion, food choices go hand in hand at restaurant
By Lisa Donovan
Chicago Sun Times

When asked about the philosophy behind the no-meat, no-dairy menu at Soul Vegetarian East restaurant on the South Side, the waiter reached back to a story at the very beginning of time.

Or, at least, the beginning of biblical time.

He pointed to the the Old Testament, Genesis 1:29, which offers "God also said: 'See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food."

For the African Hebrew Israelites, which operate the Park Manor eatery at 205 E. 75th, this was a call to veganism.

The movement, whose members believe they are among a lost sect of ancient Israelites, began in Chicago in the 1960s and today has more than 10,000 members in the United States.

For diners, there's no doubt that God has had a hand in the tangy collard greens, the gritty yet moist cornbread paired with the lentil soup, and the Down-South Barbecue Twist Sandwich, $6.
(The twist is that it's not brisket or chicken but a soy protein shaped into an imperfect cutlet, baked and bathed in a sweet barbecue sauce.)

Proprietors of the 25-year-old restaurant, catering to the take-out crowd as well as the power suits, say it was an examination of their own diet, including traditional African-American soul food, that led them to today's menu.

"We were conspiring against ourselves, with the heavy carbohydrates, heavy salt. What was soul food, actually was killing us physically," says Prince Asiel Ben-Israel, the restaurant's owner and international ambassador for the Black Hebrews.

The "Genesis diet," as wife Yohanna Israel calls it, is heavy on fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains that fuel body and soul. See: Religion, food choices go hand in hand at restaurant

Gas prices in US hits all time high

Prices are expected to hit $4.00 per gallon
ABC News

Gas prices nationwide have hit an all-time high. And if you think they're going to go even higher, you're not alone!

The majority of Americans (79-percent) believe the price at the pump could hit 4-dollars a gallon this year. That's according to a poll out today, which also shows 28-percent of people think it could reach 5-dollars a gallon!

The Lundberg Survey says the national average is at $3.07 for regular... a record. And now, a prominent congressman is asking for an investigation into the gasoline market, and the unexpected drops in supplies. See: Gas prices set new records at the pump - Oil & Energy - MSNBC.com ... & 6abc.com: Gas Prices Hit All-Time High

Brothers Get Ready!!!!!!!!

Yah Khai!!! The 2007 Brotherhood Conference is coming soon. For more info please contact Ahtur Yatsiliel at ahtur@yahoo.com or Ahk Keymah at keymah777@aol.com .

American Optimism at New Low, Poll Finds

Only 25 percent of those surveyed say things in the U.S. are going in the right direction
By ALAN FRAM
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - It is gloomy out there. Men and women, whites and minorities - all are feeling a war-weary pessimism about the United States seldom shared by so many people.

Only 25 percent of those surveyed say things in the U.S. are going in the right direction, according to an AP-Ipsos poll this month. That is about the lowest level of satisfaction detected since the survey started in December 2003.

Rarely have longer-running polls found such a rate since the even gloomier days of 1992, ahead of the first President Bush 's re-election loss to Democrat Bill Clinton.

The current glumness is widely blamed on public discontent with the war in Iraq and with President George W. Bush.

Women and minorities are less content than men and whites, which has been true for years. But all four groups are at or near record lows for the AP-Ipsos poll, and at unusually low levels for older surveys as well. See: Americans' Optimism Drops to a New Low

The Messenger Journeys to Dimona, Israel

By Amy Green
Boxingscene.com

Anthony "The Mesenger" Thompson has prepared for his June 9 fight with Yuri Foreman with time in the gym, sparring, running the miles, punishing the body, thinking with a fighter’s mind to focus on his undefeated opponent. Thompson also had two weeks in Floyd Mayweather’s training camp for Oscar De La Hoya, valuable time in which he gained knowledge and skill from the pound for pound king.

"I thank Team Mayweather." Thompson said. " When my granddaddy taught me "wisdom is power," he never lied. Floyd Mayweather touched me more by talking to me that he did with his hands. And what he told me was "we don’t get tired. Black people got a lot of talent but we ain’t never in condition. And that’s all I had to hear. When I came back I’ve been training like a monster ever since."

Pushing himself physically, and also mentally, getting his mind around facing his undefeated opponent. For Thompson, boxing is made up of three, even four components: physical, mental, spiritual and emotional. Now he’s going the extra mile to face Foreman. Several thousand miles to Dimona, Israel, the land of his heritage for spiritual and emotional training that will further define his career.

Team Thompson will be hosted by spiritual leader Ben Ammi who has welcomed such celebrities as Stevie Wonder into his fold. During the week in Dimona, Thompson’s focus will be to "train me on the inside. I got a tremendous team with my brother Tyonn, Nasi Yabok and my sparring partners Demetrius Hopkins and Rasheem Brown, and this is the best camp Team Thompson has ever had, but I’m gonna go away for one week to get myself together. Eat right, sleep right, pray, and ask for forgiveness for all my sins I’ve committed against my Creator. Dwell amongst my people for a week." When I come back, that next Sunday, starting back Monday it will be back to hard work." See: The Messenger Journeys to Dimona, Israel

Jerry Falwell dies at 73

Moral Majority leader Falwell dies - Evangelical pastor was found in his university office
MSNBC News Service

LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Rev. Jerry Falwell — founder of the Moral Majority and the face of the religious right in the 1980s — died Tuesday after being found unconscious in his office, a Liberty University executive said.

Ron Godwin, Liberty's executive vice president, said Falwell, 73, had been found unresponsive around 10:45 a.m. and was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital.

Godwin said he was not sure what caused the collapse, but noted that Falwell had “a history of heart challenges.” See: JERRY FALWELL DEAD AT 73

Rising youth crime in US

Justice Department to spend nearly $50 million to fight gangs and guns
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Increasing violence among teenagers and other youths appears to have contributed to a nationwide crime spike, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

Gangs and gun violence are partly to blame for the rise in crime that is on pace to increase for the second straight year, says Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in a prepared speech.

In response, the Justice Department is pledging to spend nearly $50 million this year to combat gangs and guns, and will push Congress to enact new laws to let the federal government better investigate and prosecute violent crime. See: U.S. reports rising youth crime

KNN - Is throwing more money at the problem really the answer? Let's hear from you!!!

Report: U.S. health care expensive, inefficient

America ranks last among six countries on key measures, group finds
Reuters News Service

WASHINGTON - Americans get the poorest health care and yet pay the most compared to five other rich countries, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Germany, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada all provide better care for less money, the Commonwealth Fund report found.

“The U.S. health care system ranks last compared with five other nations on measures of quality, access, efficiency, equity, and outcomes,” the non-profit group, which studies health care issues, said in a statement. See: Report: U.S. health care inefficient

Rap music sales decline

Violence, demeaning lyrics give industry negative image -The hip-hop and rap industries are losing fans and sales. Sales dropped 20 percent nationwide from 2005 to 2006
By Mark Dent
Kansa.com

Television has taken on an MTV, BET image the last few weeks. Rapper Cam’ron told everyone to stop snitching on “60 Minutes.” Common said all women were princesses on “Oprah.” Snoop Dogg’s explanation of how rapper’s usage of words differs from Don Imus’ played on several network news programs.

Their goal: to restore hip-hop’s image in the wake of recent criticism stemming from Don Imus’ now infamous words about the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

But they may be too late.

Long before Imus uttered his “nappy-headed ho” comment, rap, the music part of hip-hop culture, was in a downward spiral. After about 30 years of growth, rap sales nationwide decreased 21 percent from 2005 to 2006. Sales of other kinds of music in the same time frame only went down 6 percent. Those numbers, from the Recording Industry Association of America, include compact disc and digital sales.

Lawrence rap, which is usually grouped together with Kansas City as one scene because of the cities’ close proximity and large number of venues in Lawrence, has also been affected. Sales have plummeted about 70 percent at one Lawrence music store since 2005 and crowds have decreased where rap artists play.

“The last few years have been terrible for rap,” said Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, co-founder and CEO of AllHipHop.com, a leading rap Web site. See: http://www.kansan.com/stories/2007/may/10/rap/?news

Firefighters battle US blazes coast to coast

MSN News

US firefighters have battled huge blazes, including one that burned homes and forced residents and visitors on Santa Catalina Island to flee the resort off the southern California coast.

Dozens of fire engines arrived through the night aboard giant military hovercraft from the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton. The high-speed hovercraft can carry 60 tons over land or water and are often used by the military on humanitarian missions.

The blaze broke out on Thursday afternoon on the island more than 20 miles off the coast.
Flames threatened the city limits of Avalon, where hundreds of people lined up at the harbour to board ferries back to the mainland. Many covered their faces with towels and bandanas as ashes fell.

A few homes burned but firefighters were protecting other properties late into the night, Avalon Fire Chief Steven Hoefs said. About 1,200 homes were under voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders.

In Georgia, a second wildfire in Okefenokee Swamp has burned more than 100,000 acres, rivalling in just five days the vast record-setting fire that has scorched south-east Georgia for more than three weeks, firefighters said.

The rapidly growing fire, fed by fast-burning swamp grasses, was ignited ON Saturday by a lightning strike in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Georgia and Florida have been battling wildfires for weeks, with nearly 300 square miles charred as a drought has left the land tinder-dry.

Smoke-filled air created a burning smell and a dusting of ashes that coated cars and buildings through much of Florida and south-eastern Georgia. The haze over Florida forced the closure of several highways.

Health officials warned the elderly, small children and people with breathing problems to stay indoors, although some areas were not as smoky. No one has died in the fires and just one firefighter had minor injuries.

The New Soul Vegetarian Cookbook

From
Communicators Press Books

At last, the very best recipes culled from the kitchens of the award-winning Soul Vegetarian restaurant chain. Good eating has married good health in this collection of fresh and exciting main dishes, entrees, appetizers and desserts that highlight the very best of healthy, delicious and easy to prepare, vegetarian cuisine. The step-by-step instructions are exact, and easy-to-follow, with an accompanying guide for weights and measures, and a handy list of natural supplements and vitamins.

To place your order click on: Communicators Press Online: The New Soul Vegetarian Cookbook

Yahweh Ben Yahweh dies at 71

BY AMY DRISCOLL
adriscoll@MiamiHerald.com

Yahweh Ben Yahweh, who founded a Liberty City temple in Florida that transformed the neighborhood in the 1980s, is dead at 71.

Yahweh Ben Yahweh, died Monday in Miami. Yahweh, 71, died of prostate cancer in his sleep, his lawyers said.

KNN - Yahweh Ben Yahweh has no affiliation with the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem.

L.A. fire forces evacuation of homes, landmarks

A sad night for Los Angeles
MSNBC News Service

LOS ANGELES - Firefighters made progress early Wednesday against a wildfire blazing over Dante’s View in the brush-covered hills behind the city’s iconic Griffith Observatory. Animals at the nearby Los Angeles Zoo were moved indoors, and dozens of homes were evacuated.

The 600-acre blaze in sprawling Griffith Park was just one firefighters were battling across the nation. A wildfire in northern Minnesota has already destroyed 40 homes and buildings, and brush fires in Georgia and northern Florida have charred more than 200 square miles.

Overnight, five helicopters flew dangerous water-dropping missions in Los Angeles, helping fire crews get the blaze about 40 percent contained. Griffith Park is a mix of wilderness, cultural sites, horse and hiking trails and recreational facilities set on more than 4,000 acres in the hills between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. SEE: Progress made in L.A. fire

Too many babies are teeny couch potatoes

Study finds 90 percent of kids under age 2 watch TV and DVDs
Reuters News Service

About 90 percent of U.S. children under age 2 and as many as 40 percent of infants under three months are regular watchers of television, DVDs and videos, researchers said on Monday.

They said the number of young kids watching TV is much greater than expected.

A second study suggested excessive TV viewing can lead to attention and learning problems down the road.

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that children in the United States watch about four hours of television every day. They recommend that children under age 2 should not watch any and older children should watch no more than 2 hours a day of quality programming.

In a separate survey of 1,051 parents published in the journal Pediatrics, 75 percent of children aged 0 to 6 were found to watch TV every day, often in their own bedrooms.

A second study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that teens who watch three to four hours of television a day are more likely to have attention or learning problems and are less likely to get a college degree.

“Even watching more than an hour of TV per day had some adverse consequences, but three hours was much worse than one hour, and two was worse than one,” Jeffrey Johnson of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute said in a telephone interview. See: Too many babies are TV watchers

Softball: Dimona steals win from Tigers

By JPOST.COM STAFF

A straight steal of home gave Dimona a 2-1 win over the Tigers in an Israel Softball Association game last week.

On Monday, Yigahl Ben Israel took off for home plate on a throw back to Tigers pitcher Goose Gillett to break the 1-1 deadlock in a scintillating pitching duel between Gillett and Yarone Ben Israel (12 strikeouts, four hits allowed).

The Fountain of Youth Series

Improving Lifestyle - Nutrition
By Physician Bilgah B.Israel

Physician Bilgah B. Israel is a nutritionist and live (raw) food cuisine expert. She has been a vegan more than half her life. Born in the U.S. Dr. Bilgah completed her secondary education in Ghana, West Africa. Always being intrigued with the laws of nature encouraged her to major in science and study traditional healing in Ghana. After studying in W.A, Dr.Bilgah moved to southern Israel where she currently resides with her family.

Dr. Bilgah has degrees in Nutrition, Reflexology, Reiki and Spinal Adjustments. She maintains a live (raw) food diet for herself and family and lives in a community of people whose lifestyle has virtually wiped out many illnesses identified with western people today.

Many Sixty year olds, in the community, look thirty. This defies the myth that you are physically stronger at twenty-five than sixty-five. The community of Dimona (in southern) Israel is truly a testimony that disease is unnatural and regenerative health and longevity is attainable. Dr.Bilgah has come to share with the world her expertise on how to slow aging, attain regenerative health, and receive extreme longevity.

Click Here to See Articles 1-9: article1

Who minds the child?

Power to the Parents? Advertising convinces both parents and children that commodities positively define the self
From WhoMindsTheChild.org

The family has been identified as being instrumental in teaching children aspects of consumption, such as price-quality relationships, learning to save money and comparison shopping. Historically, advertisements to children were directed through their mothers, as women became the key targets in the early stages of the modern consumer society due to their purchasing power in the family. Corporate advertising used the role of mother as a propaganda strategy to develop a culture of consumption with young children as the targets.

Children now crave an image -- popularity and belonging amongst their peers -- that becomes increasingly difficult for parents to challenge. Parent-child conflict over purchasing contributions adds significantly to familial strife.

Corporations have not only succeeded in convincing children of the need for specific objects of pleasure in the form of toys and food, they have done an equally convincing job with their parents. Advertising convinces both parents and children that commodities positively define the self.

Many parents have also been deluded into thinking the new generation of children, who can manage computers and identify a mouse as a piece of computer hardware before they know a mouse is also an animal, are somehow smarter, more sophisticated and better informed. What is overlooked is exposure to corporate control and influence is still prominent.

For more info see: Who Minds the Child? - Parents

America's Finest

Detroit police sergeant told drivers to perform or be ticketed
Associated Press

DETROIT - A police sergeant is accused of pulling couples over with his cruiser and forcing them to engage in sex acts while he watched, threatening them with penalties if they refused.

Detroit Sgt. Roosevelt Tidwell, 39, pleaded not guilty Thursday and has been suspended from his job with pay. A 21-year-old Detroit woman told investigators that she and a male friend were driving through Chandler Park early Feb. 7 when a Detroit police officer pulled them over.

The officer took their identification and got in the back seat of her car, then told the male friend to perform a sex act on the woman, according to court records. He threatened them with a $500 ticket if they didn’t, according to court records.

The woman said the officer also fondled her breast and forced her to fondle him. The officer then told her to get out of the car and demanded her cell phone number. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18340889/?GT1=9246

Cleveland Cavs advance to 2nd round of NBA playoffs

It's sweeps week in the NBA. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers got in on the act
Associated Press

The Cavaliers completed a playoff sweep for the first time in franchise history Monday night, beating the Washington Wizards 97-90 with yet another unconvincing performance, doing just enough to beat a depleted team that nearly emptied its bench in the first half.

LeBron James labored through an 8-for-22 shooting night, but he made 14 of 17 free throws to finish with 31 points for the Cavaliers. He also had 11 rebounds and seven assists, including back-to-back assists to Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the decisive final minute.

Ilgauskas finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds, and he and Larry Hughes (19 points) scored 18 of Cleveland's final 20 points.

The Cavaliers became the third Eastern Conference team in three days to finish a first-round sweep. Detroit dismissed Orlando on Saturday, and Chicago ended defending champion Miami's season on Sunday. See: LeBron, Cavs sweep into second round