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Monday, January 25, 2010

Singles Open to Interracial Relationships Because of President Obama: Poll

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As the Country marks President Obama’s first year in office, and the 24th celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the face of race relations has altered drastically. Crediting President Obama’s election, 54% said that race relations improved significantly since he took office, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center. With an African American holding the highest position of power in the United States, how has that affected interracial relationships? Leading online dating websites Date.com (www.date.com), Matchmaker.com (www.matchmaker.com), and Amor.com (www.amor.com), polled its members in December 2009 to see how they felt about interracial relationships.

The majority of single men and women, 69% of males and 75% of females, are more open to having an interracial relationship because President Obama is African American. Additionally, singles felt that the perception of an interracial couple has changed drastically, both helped by President Obama as well as other high profile celebrity couples such a Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry, Seal and Heidi Klum, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, and Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery. 80% of women versus 61.6% of men felt that people were no longer prejudiced against interracial couples.

In a new nationwide survey of thousands of single men, we asked: President Barack Obama has rewritten the history of race relations in this Country, but does it also extend towards interracial couples? Are you more open to having an interracial relationship now that Obama is President?

Follows are the complete results:

Yes: 69%

We also asked: Do you think it’s easier to be in an interracial relationship because Barack Obama is our President?

Follows are the complete results:

Yes, I think people are much more open-minded now than ever before: 61.6%

No, interracial couples will always face prejudice, regardless of the race of our President: 38.4%

In a new nationwide survey of thousands of single women we asked: President Barack Obama has rewritten the history of race relations in this Country, but does it also extend towards interracial couples? Are you more open to having an interracial relationship now that Obama is President?

Yes: 75%

We also asked: Do you think it’s easier to be in an interracial relationship because Barack Obama is our President?

Follows are the complete results:

Yes, I think people are much more open-minded now than ever before: 80.0%

No, interracial couples will always face prejudice, regardless of the race of our President: 20.0%

Pictured: Marci and Chris Johnson, an interracial couple August 7, 2007 in Jena, Louisiana. They are the parents of a 19 month old son and complain of repeated incidents of prejudice in their interactions with the town since getting together. Marci and Chris were married recently. Over the last year there has been an undercurrent of racial tension in the town which has led to outbreaks of violence between white and black students. The tension escelated after an incident under a tree favoured by white students. When a black student attempted to sit under the tree the next day 3 nooses were found hanging from the branches. In the latest outbreak of violence 6 black students attacked a white student who denies provoking them. The 6 black students are now known as the Jena 6 and are currently awaiting trial for attempted murder in a hotly disputed case. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images).
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Steve Harvey to Host 'Family Feud'

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Comedian to succeed John O'Hurley on Debmar-Mercury-distributed game show in fall 2010

Steve Harvey will be the new host of Debmar-Mercury's Family Feud when it begins its 12th season this fall.

"With his talent, authenticity and innate ability to connect with audiences from all walks of life, Steve exemplifies the spirit and appeal of Family Feud," said Fremantle President Cecile Frot-Coutaz in a statement. Fremantle produces the long-running Family Feud, while Debmar-Mercury distributes the show.

Harvey, one of "The Original Kings of Comedy," is perhaps best known to audiences from his time starring in The Steve Harvey Show, which aired on The WB from 1996 to 2002. Harvey also hosts The Steve Harvey Morning Show, a nationally syndicated radio program that is heard daily by more than seven million listeners in more than 64 markets nationwide.

Harvey also is a best-selling author, having published his first book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man one year ago. The book is derived from his radio show's popular "Strawberry Letter" segment, in which Harvey doles out relationship advice.

Harvey replaces John O'Hurley, who began his run on the daily game show in 2006.

"The time has come to try something new, and while I have prized my time on Family Feud, I've decided to set a course for new adventures," said O'Hurley in a statement. "This includes immediately heading into rehearsals for the U.S. touring show of Chicago, launching my new company Energy-Inc. which focuses on renewable energy solutions, debuting an original golf apparel line in the J. Peterman catalog, and visiting our troops overseas."

During his time on Family Feud, O'Hurley also appeared in Spamalot in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and played Billy Flynn in the Broadway and national touring productions of Chicago. Prior to Family Feud, he was perhaps best known as Seinfeld's Mr. Peterman, Elaine's eccentric boss. He's also a scratch golfer, a classically-trained vocalist and a best-selling author.

O'Hurley replaced Richard Karn, who had hosted the show since 2002. Richard Dawson was the show's original host, emceeing it twice: first from 1976-85 and then again from 1994-95.


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Michelle Obama talks to mayors about her initiative to combat childhood obesity

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Better eating habits, improved nutrition and a more physically fit America do not have to come with a high price tag and all are imperative to this country's economy, its future productivity and the well-being of the next generation of children. That was the message first lady Michelle Obama delivered Wednesday afternoon to the U.S. Conference of Mayors at the Capital Hilton.

For more than 20 minutes, Obama highlighted the stark statistics related to childhood obesity: One in three children in this country is either overweight or obese. One-third of all children today will eventually suffer from diabetes. And a recent study found that obesity could be an even greater threat to the nation's health than smoking.

But all is not lost, Obama assured her audience -- an overflow crowd of some 200 mayors and their staff that greeted her entry with a standing ovation and a lone "whoof whoof" of approval. Help is coming in the form of a major initiative, Obama promised, as she beat the drumroll for the unveiling, in early February, of a wide-ranging program to combat childhood obesity. It will combine the resources of the federal government with the local efforts of mayors, the knowledge gathered by foundations and the tireless foot soldiers from nonprofit organizations.
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"The idea here is very simple: to put in place commonsense, innovative solutions that empower families and communities to make healthy decisions for their kids," she said. Her initiative will focus on improved school lunches, more physical activity, increased availability of healthy food in all communities and more nutrition education for both kids and their parents.

And the mayors, she said, are key to making it all work. They can measure the impact of an overweight workforce on a community's economy; they understand the burdens an unhealthy population puts on neighborhood health centers; they witness kids laboring to walk, to run, to play.

"You see people's struggles up close and personal. And what you see on the ground is often the first indicator of what's happening on a national level," Obama said. "Many of you are already seeing some of the costs and consequences."

"One mayor told us that obesity can even impact economic development and job creation because CEOs and entrepreneurs worried about high employee health-care costs are sometimes reluctant to set up shop in areas with high obesity rates," Obama said in her speech.

The seeds for Obama's administration-wide initiative were planted -- literally -- in spring 2009 with the White House Kitchen Garden. "We didn't want to have a garden just to have a garden," said Jocelyn Frye, the first lady's domestic policy adviser, in an interview a few moments before Obama's speech. "It was a vehicle for talking about children's health."

In the fall, the first lady began to focus her concerns and hone her message, meeting with the Domestic Policy Council, headed by Melody Barnes, and key members of the president's Cabinet to discuss the best ways to chip away at the childhood obesity epidemic. "She knows full well that it's not a problem to be solved by government saying, 'Do this,' " Frye said. Obama also understands that "this is not a problem that can be solved in a vacuum." It requires input from the government and from everyday folks alike.

In her speech, and in a meeting with a few dozen mayors beforehand, the first lady highlighted best practices -- the often simple, and inexpensive, ideas that mayors have initiated in their own communities that have been successful and that have not stretched already strained budgets. One mayor in Texas gave students pedometers at the end of the school year so they could count their steps over summer vacation; another in Bowling Green, Ky., put the city's bike paths and trail maps online to make them more readily accessible; the mayor of Minneapolis brought farmers' markets to underserved neighborhoods; and the mayor of Oklahoma City challenged citizens to lose a million pounds and personally shed 40 pounds to set an example.

The problem of childhood obesity can be solved, she insisted to an audience that sat quietly during her speech, with only occasional chuckles when she empathized with the never-ending duties of City Hall. "We don't need to wait for some new invention or discovery to make this happen. This doesn't require fancy tools or technologies. We have everything we need right now," Obama said. "The only question is whether we have the will."



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Buying Power of African American Consumers Approaching $1 Trillion in 2010

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With a population of 40 million and buying power approaching $1 trillion in 2010, African Americans are a key segment in an economy that increasingly depends upon the needs and preferences of multicultural consumers, according to “The African American Market in the U.S., 8th Edition” by leading market research publisher Packaged Facts.

“With such financial clout, marketing efforts to reach out to African Americans are likely to increase,” says Don Montuori, publisher of Packaged Facts. “Major consumer products marketers have begun to align their strategies with the multicultural majority emerging in the U.S. and some have even indicated that multicultural consumers have become their core focus as they strategize and set their sights on the next ten years.”

The African American population is smaller than the U.S. Hispanic market, but the disposable personal income of both African American and Latino consumers is projected to trend comparably over the next five years, with each experiencing cumulative growth of at least 28% from 2009-2014. Packaged Facts estimates that the buying power of black consumers in the U.S. will increase to $1.2 trillion by the end of the forecast period.

The African American consumer population has been hit especially hard by the recent recession, with unemployment rates for blacks exceeding that of any other major population group. Nevertheless, several sources cited in the report indicate that the sense of empowerment created by the election of Barack Obama has spurred blacks to adopt a more optimistic vision of the future than that held by other Americans. This includes greater optimism regarding their own personal finances and a general proclivity to agree that they are less likely to hold off making big-ticket purchases such as automobiles in the near future.

“The African American Market in the U.S., 8th Edition” focuses on how African American consumers are responding to the challenges of today’s economy as they shop in department stores, supermarkets, drug stores and other retail outlets as well as online and from catalogs. The report analyzes the forces shaping the purchase decisions of African American shoppers and sheds light on key areas such as how black consumers decide where to shop and what influences them while they are shopping. In addition, the report pays particular attention to the attitudes and behavior of affluent African American shoppers. Primary data on African American consumer behavior are drawn from the Summer 2009 Experian Simmons National Consumer Study (NCS).
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Procter & Gamble Announces Clement-Holmes Elected Senior Vice President – Global Diversity

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The Procter & Gamble Company today announced the appointment of Linda Clement-Holmes, 47, as senior vice president – global diversity and global business services, effective February 1, 2010.

Clement-Holmes, a 27-year P&G veteran, will maintain her existing global business services responsibilities and will take on new responsibilities as global diversity leader for the Company. In her new capacity as global diversity leader, she will report to Bob McDonald, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer and to Moheet Nagrath, global human resources officer. For her global business services responsibilities she will continue to report to Filippo Passerini, president – global business services and chief information officer.

“This appointment is a clear sign of the Company’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said McDonald. ”Linda brings a track record of high performance, high standards and collaborative leadership to P&G’s efforts to ensure our employees reflect the diversity of consumers we serve.”

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers, Tide, Always, Whisper, Pantene, Mach3, Bounty, Dawn, Gain, Pringles, Charmin, Downy, Lenor, Iams, Crest, Oral-B, Duracell, Olay, Head & Shoulders, Wella, Gillette, Braun and Fusion. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide.

Pictured: Linda Clement-Holmes, senior vice president & global diversity and global business services, P&G. (PRNewsFoto/Procter & Gamble).
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Re-recording of ‘We are the World’ planned to raise money for Haiti

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Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie will re-record We Are the World with some of world's top recording artists next month to raise money for Haiti, Billboard.com reports.

The single will be recorded in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, following the Grammy Awards weekend, and will also mark the 25th anniversary of the original recording.

The song, co-written by Richie and Michael Jackson, and co-produced by Jones, in 1985, raised money for Africa and led to the Live Aid charity concert. The long and diverse list of more than 40 singers included Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, Waylon Jennings, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson and Bruce Springsteen.

See a video of the original recording session click here.


This time, Usher, Natalie Cole and John Legend have been invited to take part in a "supergroup" recording. Billboard says the 2010 roster may also include Wyclef Jean, Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake among others.


Pictured: Grammy award winning musicians Quincy Jones (L) and Lionel Richie (R) pose together in Beverly Hills, CA, 16 June 1998 following the announcement by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences that the 41st Annual Grammy Awards will be held in Los Angeles next year at the Shrine Auditorium. The Grammys are the music recording industry’s highest honors and are awarded annually. AFP PHOTO Mike NELSON/mn (Photo credit should read MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
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Saturday, January 23, 2010

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Friday, January 22, 2010

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Wholesale gasoline falls under $2, first time in 2010

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Wholesale gasoline prices fell this afternoon, with the NYMEX contract reaching $1.9975/gal, marking the first time in 2010 that prices have been under $2. It's been nearly a month since prices have been under $2, the last time in the days before Christmas.

This will be welcome news to U.S. and Canadian motorists, who've seen national averages climb to levels not seen since October 2008 in recent weeks. The U.S. Average peaked on January 14 at $2.758/gallon while prices in Canada peaked the same day at 102.138c/L. Prices in Canada had not reached that level since November 2009.

Meanwhile, oil is trading closer to $75 a barrel, a far cry from it's peak on January 7 when it hit $83/barrel. If you noticed, it took one week for gasoline prices to hit their peak, taking some time for the price increases to show up at the pump.

Much of today's losses are due to the significant gains in gasoline inventories last week, as reported today by the U.S. Department of Energy. While gasoline inventories gained 3.9 million barrels, it is more shocking to see that inputs to oil refineries dropped to levels not seen since Hurricane Ike ravaged the Gulf. (READ MORE!)

However, oil, distillate, and propane inventories all fell, with oil posting the smallest loss. Analysts polled by Bloomberg largely expected gasoline to post a modest 1.75 million barrel gain, so the 3.9 million barrel gain was quite surprising. Gasoline stockpiles now stand 12 million barrels above their year ago levels, a healthy start for 2010.

Another important factor- overall oil demand- shows that sluggish demand is still a key factor. Demand for last week was down nearly 2% over the same period last year, showing that the economy is still rather slow to recover. The big picture showed overall demand under 19 million barrels per day. That pales against when the economy was consuming more than 20 million barrels of oil per day in 2008.

The largest gain in gasoline stocks was seen in the Midwest, with a whopping 2.5 million barrel gain. Such a large gain may lead Midwest prices lower than the rest of the country as supply outpaces demand. Total inventories in the Midwest total 54.5 million barrels, the highest level seen in January since 2007.

Oil and other product imports are also much under where they were last year. The same week in 2009 saw imports at 11 million barrels per day, while they currently sit just above 9 million barrels. The picture seems to demonstrate what a hit demand has taken over the last year- showing incredible weakness in the oil industry.
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Gas Buddy : A good week for consumers

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What a good week for consumers. Oil prices that began the week at $78.44 are currently at $74.97. Wholesale gasoline prices began the week at $2.06 are down to $1.97, a drop of nearly two cents per day.

The DOE report released was good, showed a build in gasoline inventories, demand that was low, and that there is plenty of spare capacity. The U.S. national average has turned the corner and begun to drop, and will continue to do so until next week. Prices in Canada can be expected to copy the slide I expect in the U.S. average, so if you can hold off on filling up for a few days, I would suggest doing that.

The U.S. dollar gained strength this week, starting off near $1.44 USD/EUR and currently trading at $1.4175 USD/EUR. The dollar has gained strength against other currencies as well, putting downward pressure on oil as prices become slightly more expensive in other areas of the world.



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