Black Friday can’t be far away. I can tell because Halloween is over and Christmas decorations are going up already in stores and malls. I know the stores are anxious for our dollars but give us a break.

I consider myself a Black Friday warrior. I watch the commercials, read the ads and map out my morning. This year I’m thinking about sleeping in. There isn’t a thing that I need. But you know it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.

If you decide to go here are a few tips. Make a list of what you want to purchase and where you will find it. Go to the store that opens earliest first. Some of the best bargains are unadvertised. If you’re buying gifts for others, stay within your budget. Try not to get caught up in the madness of the morning.

Have you watched the Food Network? Maybe you have tuned in to YouTube or possibly late one night you caught the story of Jeff Henderson on television. Henderson is now better known as Chef Jeff instead of his street moniker “Hard Head.”

On Oct. 28, at the Doubletree Hotel, One Bigelow Square, more than 150 gathered for Amachi: A Recipe for Discovery.

EXECUTING THE RECIPE—Chef Jeff creates Crispy Crab Cakes with Amachi Pittsburgh mentees. (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

Amachi Pittsburgh is an organization dedicated to helping children in Allegheny County with incarcerated parents. Since 2003, Amachi Pittsburgh has been dedicated to helping ­Allegheny County’s children fulfill their God-given purpose. Through a unique partnership of secular and faith-based organizations, Amachi works to mentor young minds, ensuring that all children are rightfully recognized as children of promise.

Some solid support from the Mon Valley Initiative’s Housing Counseling Program and five years of effort helped create another homeowner in Swissvale this past October.

“We just kept sticking to the plan and everything came together for us,” said Clarence E. Nesbit Sr., an Army veteran and new owner of a home on Woodstock Avenue. “I’m proof that if you want a house, you just have to keep working to get it.”

PROUD NEW HOMEOWNERS—Sharon Nesbit and Clarence Nesbit Sr. show a picture of the new home they bought on Woodstock Avenue in Swissvale. The couple was aided in their purchase by housing counseling they received through the Mon Valley Initiative.

Nesbit began his journey from renter to homeowner in October 2005 when he and his wife, Sharon, met with Mike Mauer, MVI’s NeighborWorks Certified Housing Counselor. As he has done with scores of other clients during the last six years, Mauer provided guidance and information about mortgage lending to help develop a workable action plan with the couple. By following the plan, the Nesbits became mortgage-ready and bought their home.

NOV. 17—Solid Rock COGIC, 1400 Buena Vista St., North Side, will host a Holy Ghost Revival at 7 p.m. The revival will run through Nov. 19 featuring Prophet Tyrone Steals. The theme is “I Want to Know Him.” For more information, call 412-682-1026 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .