Good morning! Today is officially the first day of fall, and the weatherman is calling for thunderstorms with highs in the upper 70s. Saturday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies and more thunderstorms with a high of 79°. Sunday, the weatherman says a possible morning shower or two with partly cloudy skies in the afternoon and a high around 80°. 

Here’s what’s brewing in the news:

Pass the peas like we used to do

There was once a time when American families sat down to eat dinner together at least five days a week. Now in the days of single parent homes, working moms, fast food, technology addictions and hectic schedules, more families are eating together two days or less each week.

According to a new report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia), the number of days each week that families spend breaking bread together at the dinner table have a direct correlation to teens engaging in risky behaviors.

Compared to teens that have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week), the study found those who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are:

• Almost four times likelier to use tobacco;
• More than twice as likely to use alcohol;
• Two-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana; and
• Almost four times likelier to say they expect to try drugs in the future.

“Simply put: frequent family dinners make a difference,” said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Founder and Chairman. “The magic that happens at family dinners isn’t the food on the table, but the conversations and family engagement around the table… Family dinner is an ideal time to strengthen the quality of family relationships.”

QUESTION: How many times a week does your family sit down together and have dinner together?

(The Importance of Family Dinners VII full report)
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How your dollars can spur black employment

President Barack Obama has caught a lot of flak from critics who say he has not done enough about the high rates of unemployment in the black community. Self-described entrepreneur and business development strategist Tre Baker says it may not take an act of Congress to improve employment rates in the community; increasing those numbers begins with responsible black consumers spending dollars with black owned businesses. (For a list of local black owned businesses or to advertise your business, be sure to check our Qcity Business Directory). http://www.qcitymetro.com/biz/QcityBiz In a post on his website Black Consumer 101, Baker points out that black-owned businesses are much more likely than other businesses to hire black employees. Among a list of more than a dozen ways to be a responsible black consumer, Baker writes that when doing business with a black-owned companies, don’t expect a discount. (Read more)
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Woman sets record for world’s largest afro

Aevin Dugas’ holds a Guinness World Record for her afro, which measures in at 4 feet, 4 inches around. In the following video clip, Dugas says there are instances when her hair can be problematic. For example, she says she can’t drive when her hair is picked out. Watch and discuss.

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