Edward (Eddie) Nelson, 70, is known as one of the most fit 70 year old males in the world.  The most frequently asked question to Nelson is “How do you do it?”  For Eddie, the answer seems easy because of his personal goals in life which is:  “reflecting a healthy lifestyle for the human body.”  This is what he states in his book, “Old School Workout.”

            Edward Nelson was born in Washington, D. C. and now resides in Jacksonville, Florida.  He feels that he received his gift for having a positive mind and being physically fit from God.  He states that we all have gifts, and it is up to us to discover our own.

  Eddie’s passion for being fit started as a child with playing stickball, handball, table tennis, track, and of course while on the playground.  During the 1950’s he enjoyed spending time at the famous Uptown Gym in Harlem, New York where he was able to watch some great prize fighters such as Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis and Archie Moore.  He became more active at the age of 64 while working out at the World Gym and being observed by two men, who he later learned were NFL players, Donovan Darius and Brian Dawkins, who were astonished at his ability. 

  Mr. Nelson starts his day at 2 a.m. with his first work out.  He is a morning manager at the World Gym in Jacksonville.  His routine is to work out three times a day, Monday through Friday.  He retires to his bed each day at 6 or 7 p.m. and generally rest on the weekends.  Besides his gym workouts, Nelson also does public speaking and appearances.  One of his most recent trips was to Los Angeles, California with Mike Torchia, Head of Shaping Up America.  His biggest thrill was leaving Jacksonville, where Interstate 10 begins, and enjoying the beaches in Los Angeles, where Interstate 10 ends.  His greatest honor while there was the reception given to him by the Mayor and other honorable citizens of the city.

  Nelson actively competes each year in the Jacksonville Senior Olympic Games for the Javelin, Hammer, and Discus.  He holds the world record for doing the most wide-arm pull-ups with a 45 pound plate tied to his waist, which is in Ripley’s Believe it or Not.  He has received many honors, awards, and medals. In fact, he has appeared twice in Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

  When asked about his diet, he stated that he does not believe in diets unless prescribed by a healthcare professional.  He does believe that one should eat in moderation.  He states that everyone can’t make it to the gym everyday or have access to workout equipment.  Therefore, he has created a book which he  calls, “Old School Workout.” The book provides tips on how to exercise in an uncomplicated manner, and can be used by people of every age – from the very young to the very matured.

  Eddie has more fantastic advice in his book which can be found at Barnes and Nobles, Books A Million and from him directly.

  At 70, his main goal in life is to never stop working or working out and even has a modeling contract with an agency in Miami and a writing agreement with The Florida and Georgia Star newspapers.

  To live long and healthy, Eddie’s advice is to listen to your body, find the exercises that give you results, eat in moderation, and treat your body to proper rest.  He is thankful that his spouse, Deborah, daughter, Jackie Bell, grand children and great grand children, all understands.  He said his family provides him his biggest inspiration, support and encouragement.  And Eddie, you have definitely inspired this writer.

  You may reach Eddie Nelson at:  eddieoldschool@yahoo.com or at (904) 349-5288.

  Another concern is race in the State of Florida since only 16 percent of the general population is black.  Yet, almost half of Florida’s prison population is black and 84 percent of juveniles sentenced to life for offenses that did not include murder, are black.

    Shimeek Gridine, 15 was sentenced on the last day of April, 2010 to 70 years in prison, with no chance of parole, even though the Supreme Court determined this week that juveniles can no longer receive a life sentence if they are not accused of murder, without the chance for parole.   Such a sentence, according to the Supreme Court, is unconstitutional.  But Gridine’s case is different.  The Jacksonville judge did not give him a life sentence; he gave him 70 years, which is the longest term to date, in the state, for a youth who has committed a crime in which no one was killed.  At 15 years of age, he will be 85 years old when he is released.  He is not eligible for parole as the state does not allow parole.  He can apply for parole after serving 85% of his sentence, which means he will serve 59 and a half years before he can seek parole, which will make him 74 years of age.

  These youth are placed in a juvenile facility until they reach the age of 18.  At that age, they will be placed with other adults.

  So, what is the reason for a re-entry program for these youth? There is none.  Even though they may regret what they did as children, only those who come under the new Supreme Court’s decision will have the opportunity to prove they can serve and be a part of the community without a problem, and that is not a guarantee. 

  When talking with the attorney for Gridine, he stated that he is seeking a method,  information and materials to give the 15 year old a chance, including help from political personnel and the community since the Supreme Court’s decision did not include him.  The longest term given a youth prior to Gridine, was 40 years, and that too was in Florida.  Gridine’s family is out of money.  How will they be able to seek him a ‘chance.’?

  Terrance Graham, now 23, was implicated in armed robberies when he was 16 and 17 and has been locked up in Florida since.  Gridine did not have a history of crime as his only offense prior to this one was for petty theft.

  No one wants to see crime continue but everyone deserves a chance to change.

Shimeek Gridine, 15 years old

 

 Boy 15, Receives 70 Years for Attempted Murder

By:  Clara McLaughlin

Jacksonville, FL. – Shimeek Daquiel Gridine is now 15 years of age.  On Friday, May 15, 2009, he walked into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office with his grandparents to give himself up for shooting Dana Battles behind a restaurant on Main Street.  Battles received a non-life threatening injury and was released from the hospital on the day of the shooting and attempted robbery.

  Shimeek, who was 14 at the time, and a 12-year-old friend, said they had found a small shot gun nearby, lying underneath a car after leaving the barber shop.  They saw Mr. Battles, according to Battles’ brother, taking out the garbage at the restaurant they thought was owned by him and said, “Give it up.”  Both boys are of small statue.  Mr. Battles is not.  So, according to Battles, Shimeek, standing between 6 and 10 feet away from the victim, shot him and quickly ran away.  However, we were told last year that the boys attempted to struggle with Battles and the gun went off.  When Shimeek turned himself in, he was charged with first degree attempted murder, attempted armed robbery and aggravated battery.  Because of the State Attorney’s new policy which is based on intent, at his first hearing before Juvenile Judge Linda McCallum, Shimeek was ordered held without bond until his arraignment.  At the arraignment, he was charged as an adult, again, because of his intent.  The 12-year-old was charged as a juvenile even though Shimeek claims the robbery was the 12 year olds idea.

  Shimeek’s family said he was basically a good boy who had suffered much during the past year.  He lost two family members about two weeks before his situation with Battles.   His mother lost her job and they moved to Jacksonville to live with his grandparents. According to the family, he had one previous incident with the law which was a petty theft charge.  His family said he had ‘good’ grades in school and they were willing to work with him to get him through his trying times.  From May 28, 2009 to the hearing on April 30, 2010, Shimeek’s family had given their all in trying to get him charged as a juvenile rather than as an adult.  They were comfortable that as a juvenile, he would receive the opportunity to get counseling, continue his education and receive job training after serving a reasonable amount of time for his mistake.  In fact, his attorney said that even other officers of the system felt that he would get a much lesser sentence with a maximum of 25 years since he pleaded guilty to armed robbery.  It was clear that he regretted his mistake, said his grandfather. 

  With an understanding and feeling that the judge would give Shimeek an opportunity to get his life on the right track, the youngster  went before Judge A.C. Soud, formerly of Family Court, without a jury.

  We were told by the family that the judge listened to the information provided as he witnessed that Shimeek had family members from as far away as New York and South Carolina there to support him.  The family members are very well spoken.

   After hearing the information from family, and seeing the support,  Judge Soud said, according to family, “Because you were known to be a good kid, because you have good grades and a good family that loves you, you knew better.  Therefore, for the first charge of Premeditated Attempted Murder, I sentence you to 70 years in prison.  On the second charge of Armed Robbery, I sentence you to 25 years. You will serve the sentences together.  The third charge of Aggravated Battery is being dropped.”  The judge then deducted the 300 plus days he had already served, leaving him around 69 years to finish his sentence.  The court was appalled.

  State Attorney Angela Corey said their policy is to focus on the perpetrator’s plan, not the outcome of the event.  When you pull a trigger that is pointed at someone’s head, you intend to kill.  It was fortunate for Mr. Battle that he did not die.  This crime affected two families.  She said.  She added that it is her wish that shooters would think of their love ones before shooting and perhaps carry a picture of the ones they love in their pockets to look at before pulling a trigger.

  Isaiah Rumlin, president of the Jacksonville NAACP said that they do not condone wrong doing but this is a very harsh sentence for a 15 year old and the NAACP will seek to have changes made.  He said if the judges are trying to send a message to our youth, using this young man as an example, is not the way.  Gridine’s attorney is seeking an appeal.

You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you, but helping other Americans… oh hell no.
BUT YOU ARE 100% MAD.  Is it because we have an African American president?
  The above was written by an unknown author and submitted to The Star by Mr. James Favor.  What is bothering many is that in spite of progress made during the past 14 months, there is an increase in black candidates in the GOP and some are a part of the tea party which appears to be promoting the growing violence.  The FBI this week, arrested two men who threaten two female politicians and it is said that 30 governors were sent letters with strong demands.  Michigan’s Stupak, a tea party target said Friday morning, that he will retire from Congress this year, even though he said he fought his whole career for health care reform and now that it has been achieved, he is leaving.
  CNN, the ‘real’ news channel is falling behind Fox News in ratings even though Fox won a law suit based on the argument that it is not a requirement to tell the truth when reporting the news since it is not a law, just a policy of the Federal Communications Commission.
  The question now is, if improvement continues through the Obama administration will the masses continue to be ‘mad’?
Is it the masses that are mad or just the over  $250,000 income level tea party members – pushing the madness?  Don’t believe the hype, you are not losing your American freedom – such statements are made just to ‘make you mad.’

President Obama photo by FMPowell

“Hoo…..” my girlfriend sighed, fanning herself in an animated fashion while the rest of my lunch companions laughed empathetically at her playful exasperation. The male equivalent of Halle’ Berry, President Number 44 had just wrapped another eloquent and profound speech. We of course, eschewed the ratings of opinion polls because as far as we were concerned even one year after the inauguration, we couldn’t have made a more sound decision with our votes. As intelligent educated females we had viewed our candidate as the ideal person to fill the highest political office in America. As women, our imaginations had viewed him as the ideal man….in every way. For those of us who go through life trying to piece together a man with such endearing qualities as those publicly and privately displayed by our leader, it is all at once inspiring to know that they do exist but disheartening to realize we just don’t know where to look. What did Michelle do to have garnered such a wonderful blessing? Furthermore, how can the rest of us be expected to remain sensible about a man whose testosterone we can smell right through the television? My girlfriend’s “Hoo” was quite understandable, but in a jungle where Tiger’s can become Cheetahs overnight we must be mindful not to become poachers. Maybe her wistful sigh should be coined the acronym of restraint for “Hands Off Obama!”
  During the presidential campaign many of us had secretly crossed fingers that no untoward woman would suddenly emerge from some dark sideline to discredit his immaculacy. For the most part he appears and we believe he is far too honorable to commit any act that would demean himself, his beautiful family, or the United States, but eight years is a long time. Too often the people we subconsciously put on pedestals betray our trust and it diminishes our spirit, from Priests and Presidents to Tigers and every level between. In Washington there have been many examples of this type of elevation and disappointment. Clinton/ Lewinski is still one of the most popular, yet her story is just one of many young interns. Often powerful officials will target the new girls (or guys) but this also frequently works in reverse with some new comers believing a sexual collaboration will catapult their career. Or, in some instances general admiration for a powerful man slips into an unexpected crush, and crushes as we know move in and renovate without invitation, occupying most of the brain and leaving only a tiny room available for clarity where the curtains are closed most days…. except, maybe Tuesdays.
  It was this type of cloudy crush that confused another friend of mine who was living in Atlanta some years ago. She began parking her car outside Evander Holyfied’s home after she decided; she was going to marry him, no matter what! After several days of getting dressed to the nines only to end up sitting in her car for hours she finally gave up on the idea to scale his security fence. Then after a few more months she gave up on him. More recently another friend felt she had been given divine information that she was supposed to be the wife of a famous and prominent pastor who just happened to already be married. She was certain that if she could just get him to notice her that he would leave his wife. She sent numerous cards and letters to his office head quarters that went without response. This prompted her to begin following him to speaking engagements across the country. She continued in this vein for over a year, securing front row seats at each venue until she was finally distracted by the male confidant she had used as a sounding board and ended up marrying him. I found this particular situation interesting because she herself was a pastor and well versed in scripture, yet she had become a poacher, pursuing her prey selfishly without regard for God, or the prey’s marriage vows. Suddenly a smart, wonderful, compassionate woman was being lead by a baser nature that was completely apathetic to the facts that she would hurt his wife, her sister in God, or that his children would be devastated, or that his position as a leader and role model for his followers could be destroyed.
Most of us are able to maintain our infatuations within the good sense boundaries of old fashioned admiration, but for others infatuation literally morphs itself into the confusion of an obsessive fixation and bends us to its’ will. Together, in good fun, my friends and I say our “Female Only” things about President Obama and believe we have good sense, but I have no doubt that any of us, single, married or barely breathing wouldn’t swoon if we imagined he glanced at us the right way, hence the concern. And, what about those women who have close access to him day after day? Exactly how does one exempt herself from the poaching impulse when presented with such a magnificent creature? How is it possible to survive the bedazzling Alpha Male testosterone tsunami whenever 44 enters a room? …Prayer? Prayer!
  There are those private rules and boundaries that we impose upon ourselves whether it be from a religious perspective or a simple understanding of right and wrong. Once we have decided our personal values most of us fight to create and maintain our private integrity, yet if we are honest most of us can agree that it is hardly ever easy. Morals are encouraged to fade more each day. We find ourselves captivated and thrilled by Jerry and Maury and overwhelmed by reality TV shows that exploit and glorify human dysfunction. Some of us have become slaves to a mouse who promises to deliver every type of sexual depravity so we sit there and pet him for hours. Meanwhile the morality of the world is being held together by an invisible, visible web whose obscure lines are stretched so thin that it is selfishly crossed time and time again without any consideration for morality and the laws of the jungle become perplexing and obsolete. Hunters, prey, victims, poachers all assuming the other’s role. It’s hard to know where danger waits. 
  Today as I petted my own mouse I was horribly dismayed to happen upon a cleverly disguised site intended specifically for the President. My stomach rigorously threatened to return the lunch I was enjoying as soon as the page opened. Hundreds of nude women of every race age and figure were displayed in the most explicitly lewd photographs imaginable complete with full contact information and what they would do to and for him. This was just one incident and one site but with this many poachers waiting for the dawn how can any type of animal survive? Sadly, females have been given a bad reputation since “Eve,” and it’s true that many apples have been bitten without our encouragement, but it can’t be denied that we are perpetuating our own myth with this behavior. I’m certain that this will not be the only site or the only way an attempt to distract and dishonor him will be made so to all my sisters I say, please, for the good of a Nation let’s try and make it through these eight years! Don’t go to DC when the hormones kick in if you don’t have to! When he gives a speech and the scent of MAN wafts from the set just fan it away and say “Hoo!,” because in a world that is becoming so overwhelmingly gray the only thing that seems to be in plain Black and White is our President! Let’s keep it that way.

Yvette Evans
evetevan@yahoo.com

Pastors and community leaders from Jacksonville, Brunswick and surrounding areas, held a press conference on black men murdering black men around the U.S., led by Pastor Ken Adkins of Jordan Grove Baptist, Brunswick.

 
Sheriff Rutherford, in a talk show conversation with Florida Star’s publisher, advised crime in Jacksonville dropped about 20% below what occurred in 2008.  And even though he did not have the statistics for black on black murders, specifically among black men, it was reported on PBS that the   black murder rate, of black men killing black men increased.  There were 111 homicides in 2009 in Jacksonville and 144 in 2008.  Police shootings in Jacksonville decreased in 2009 from 28 in 2008 to 15 in 2009. 
  The pastors joined hands in one of the highest crime areas of Jacksonville to announce their joint effort to bring healing, peace, safety and more importantly a drop in crime to many of the neighborhoods where their churches  are located.  In Jacksonville and Brunswick, the churches are getting together.