THE AFRICAN AMERICAN NETWORK (TAAN)

by Laura Thompson I have really become interested in photography.  I believe I have an eye for candid shots and environmental shots.  I am amazed at quality of the photos that we can take with our phones and iPads.  I am also amazed that different people taking photos with a camera, phone or iPad, and taking pictures of the same object or person at the same event; how the photos can come out so drastically different.  I've been toying around with photography for a few years now and I am amazed at the quality of some of my photos. I believe I must have an eye for it because I have no training and have never really owned a high quality camera.  On December 4, 2014, my photography will be featured in an exhibit.   I have taken over 6,000 photos of children reading at our Read and Lead outings.  One hundred twenty five of the best photos will be featured and the exhibit will run for six weeks at the Carver Community Cultural Center.  The name of the exhibit is called Inner City

The Allstate Foundation Grants $1000 to Sistas in Business Inc. Allstate agency owner Melinda Jackson received an Agency Hands in the Community Award for her commitment to helping others. With this award came a $1000 grant from The Allstate Foundation for Sistas in Business Inc., where Jackson volunteers. Allstate agents and employees have a proud history of putting their good hands to work in supporting Texas communities, promoting volunteerism and providing financial resources to enable local organizations to help others. The Allstate Foundation awards more than $1 million every year to nonprofit organizations across the country in honor of dedicated Allstate agency owners who give back. To be eligible for nomination, Allstate agency owners must volunteer with, mentor or lead a nonprofit of their choice. About The Allstate Foundation Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The A

by Laura Thompson I like change.  But I sometimes do not like the process of change.  It takes a lot of courage to change they way we do things and to change what we do.  Changing how we do things and who we do things with imposes change on others and throws them off a little. We are called to change by our purposes in life.  And it doesn't come easy.  Often we resist change because we're afraid to go through the process. Many times, I've had ideas that I thought were just fantastic and thought everyone would embrace them...that they would be on board and they would be so happy about it just like me...only to find that in order for all these things to happen, they would have to change too...and so I often...we often...have to face our new ideas and changes alone...at least at the beginning. Ask many of the great men and women...who we think are different from us or have some magical formula that we don't have...ask them how change...and ideas...and stepping

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TAAN TV had an opportunity to speak with Tommy Calvert about the upcoming election in November 2014...He's ready to hit the ground running.  He has been serving all of his life for such a time like this.  November will be here before we know it.

by Laura Thompson I was on my way to the office yesterday...driving down Main Street towards Houston St. and I saw someone on a bike that looked familiar to me.  I passed her up, but was stopped by a red light.  Before the light turned green, I just happened to look through my rear view mirror and saw her zooming past me.  I thought to myself, "I just passed her a quarter of a mile back...she's flying on that bike".  Then before the light turned green, she zipped through the red light and as she ran the red light...the light suddenly turned green.  I just barely saw her, as the light turned green and I began to take off. I then started noticing signs that said that bikers can ride in full lanes.   This is downtown San Antonio and unless you're paying close attention you might not see the biker right away, much less the signs.  I am writing this blog, not because I am against bikers, but just to warn people who may not be used to bikers riding n mainstream traffi