Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 July 2002 — Page 30

FRIDAY, JULY 19,2002 ■ PAGE CIO

From the Desk of Jade NrMtta§Ti|M

Meditation specialist produces children's CD t Chitra Sukhu is introducing a new type of bedtime story for kids. Born in South America and raised in the U.S., the Indian actress initially planned to pursue an acting career, but now considers that her past life. Instead she’s found her higher purpose — working with children and creating a new generation of well balanced healthy and creative individuals with a sense of self. Sukhu produced a CD called “Guided Meditation For Children: Journey Into the Elements” and is committed to helping children create the world they want. “It’s part of my life, this meditation, so it comes to me naturally,” Sukhu says of her authority on the art of meditating. She adds that she began teaching the art to her own two children who found comfort, imagination, and joy in the exercise, so she decided to market it to others. “It’s a guided meditation CD for children and it consists of five meditations that correspond to the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Each meditation takes you into each element, at the same time taking you deeper within,” she describes. Furthermore, Sukhu says that the CD creates a time for children to be creative and build focus and concentration at the same time. “It helps with nightmares and hyperactivity,” she adds. “That’s very important now because of our schools diagnosing so many of our children with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorders). We don’t have anything for our children to learn to relax, so this helps with that.” Sukhu also says that another inspiration for the project was children’s reactions to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. “That made me want to do this right away,” she says. “There were so many things out there for adults. I know children were having nightmares, and I think adults didn’t know how to explain to children what was happening. With meditation, my children, who have been doing it since they were about 3 or 4, were able to deal with it.” The basis of meditation for children, Sukhu explains, is not to try to “clear” their minds, or make them necessarily “settle down.” In fact, Sukhu believes that being active is part of being a child and the meditation techniques aren’t to stifle their activity. She suggests children use the CD just before they go to sleep. “For the younger child it could be before nap time, but usually it’s before bedtime, like a bedtime story. They can just listen to the words and go on a journey,” says Sukhu. “It’s Ufce a fairy tale. It’s something they can relate to.” The CD features Sukhu and a

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Tracing our roots— African-American genealogy

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Assistant Editor "If we are ever going to be able to understand the ‘truth’ about our heritage, we must do our research and be the interpreters of our findings in the context of the historical racial events of the nation. ” — Coy D. Robbins, noted historian and family researcher. * * * * * Have you ever had the desire to discover where you came from? What your greatgrandmother’ s mother was like? Did you ever want to know exactly how your ancestors ended up where they did? More and more Blacks are finding out the answers to these questions through genealogy — the study of family histories. Although genealogy research can be a laborious task, the information obtained can provide a distinctive insight on what one’s ancestors went through as well as give the researcher an enhanced appreciation for the life they currently lead. So exactly how does one begin to search their familial lineage? According to Coy Robbins, who has been researching his family history for the last 25 years, the best way to begin your genealogical search is to collect oral history at home. “Begin with yourself and expand to include your siblings and your parents and grandparents,” says the author of three published books on genealogy. He continues, “basic vital statistic data are generally compiled for each family member: the date

References and contacts To help you in your search of your family, here are some valuable resources: • Indiana African American Genealogy Group, Charles Barker (317) 844-7022 • Indiana Historical Society (317)232-1882 • X-Press ions Bookstore, Donna Stokes-Lucas (317) 257-5448 • “Indiana Negro Registers 1852-1865” by Coy D. Robbins, Heritage Books Inc, 1994 • “Indiana African American Heritage,” edited by Wilma Gibbs; Indiana Historical Society. • Indiana African American Genealogy www.ai.org/icpr/ webfile/family/afam.html • Indiana Ethnic History www.ipfw.edu/ipfwhist/ indiana/ethnic.htm • Indiana Family History Centers www.everton.com/ usa/in.htm • Indiana Vital Records Information www.vitalrec.com/ in.html

and place of birth, date and place of marriage, and date and place of death.” Robbins feels that community libraries are good places to begin collecting information outside the family home. The Internet is also a good tool to use, as it provides valuable resources and has no time restraints. As an added incentive, Robbins suggests that new researchers find someone who is Sm GENEALOGY, Page C8

These pictures are family relatives of Frazier King. King (upper, right hand comer) is a member of the Indiana African-American Genealogy Group and has researched his family history for over five yeers, tracing records as far back as the 1820s.

Historical Society workshops

If you are interested in learning more about genealogy, consider participating in one of the Indiana Historical Society’s workshops. Participation in the programs, which are offered at locations around the state, costs a small fee. To find out more, visit

www.indianahistory.org: Here’s a listing of upcoming ge-

nealogy workshops:

Ind.

• Using Baptist Church Records in Genealogy, with an Emphasis

•Usingthe 1930Census Records, on 19th Century Indiana Baptists, Aug. 10, 10 a.m. - noon, Roanoke, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. - noon, Gosport,

Ind.

• Genealogy Research, Sept. 27 or 28,10 a.m. - 4 p.m.. Greenwood,

Ind.

• Little-Used Records for Genealogy Research, Nov. 16,10 a.m. - noon, Lawrenceburg, Ind.

Minority volunteers to be honored by Black Expo and United Way

Special to The Recorder United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) and Indiana Black Expo will recognize 10 outstanding volunteers at the 18th annual Minority Recognition Breakfast July 20, 8 a.m., at the Indiana Convention Center Sagamore Ballroom. The annual event recognizes dedicated volunteers who give their time and talent to support UWCI, its family of agencies and other nonprofits, in providing solutions to community needs. Outstanding volunteers and the categories in which they were selected are: Individual Service, Youth: Jasmine Stewart Individual Service, Young Adult: JaCole Ray Individual Service, Adult: Kathy Chen Individual Service, Senior: LiVian Baker Outstanding Mentor, Youth: Ann Sheryl Pai Outstanding Mentor, Young Adult: Darryl Barbee Outstanding Mentor, Adult: Ralph “Achebe” Turner Outstanding Mentor, Senior: Barbara Jean Cokman N Outstanding Baard Service: Elizabeth L. Brown Sarah Lewis Ufetfane Achievement Award: Yvonne Perkins Cheryle Wills, board member of the International United Way and a prominent Ohio business leader, will be keynote speaker at the breakfast. A community activist and volunteer. Wills was the first woman and the first African American to be elected president and

chief volunteer officer of a major local United Way, United Way of Greater Cleveland, Ohio. Co-sponsors of the breakfast are WTHR Channel 13, Financial Center, Walker Information, Fifth Third Bank and Golden Rule. Here is a brief look at each honoree: Individual Service, Youth Jasmine Stewart, 14, is honored for her service through the Leaders in Training program at the Arthur Jordan YMC A, where she has completed her counselors in training program. Stewart has also volunteered at the service desk, in the child watch program and as an assistant in the after-school program. Individual Service, Young Adult JaCole Ray, an 18-year-old student at Ben Davis Special Education Center, is honored for service at the Wayne Branch Library of the Indianapolis Marion County Public Libraries. She was cited for completing time consuming tasks such as shredding, stamping and marking date due cards, and assembling packets for promotions. The work has saved more than 75 hours of staff time. Individual Sarvlca, Adults Kathy Chen, executive director of the Asian American Alliance, is recognized as a leader in the international community of Indianapolis. In 1999, Chen helped establish the Asian American Alliance to promote and facilitate participation of Asian Americans in the 8m UNNORITY, Rags C8

Dung time By JIM BUNTIN Staff Writer If you’re in the Broad Ripple area and want an ■ unusual dining 9HH| experience that is ||||||||| truly apart from the run of the mill burger and fries type environment, try the Tin Star Restaurant at 1904 E.

62nd St.

Owner/warden,

Tony Bruno has

managed the

unique eatery for

20 yearr, offering everything

from fried mush-

rooms to giaift

tenderloin sandwiches as big as

your head. The

establishment has been a part of the Broad Ripple experience for about 40

years.

Expect to pay anywhere from $4 to around $8 for a

truly unforgettable meal. There are daily lunch specials available for those who wish to serve a short sentence during lunch. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays

and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. You can call ahead and place a pick-up order or dine in. Call 2571352 for more information. (photos/J. Buntin)