Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / March 26, 1998, edition 1 / Page 9
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
9A STRICTLY BUSINESS/ The Charlotte Post Thursday, March 26,1998 Hoop dreams come tme for ‘Trotters Continued from page 8A going to fail, too. Tm not sur prised about the bet.” The USBL, which was created in 1985, adopted the rrwtto “League of Opportunity.” The league allows college players to showcase their talents for the .NBA, CBA, IBA arul interrui- ^tipiud clubs around the world. Ifs season runs from May 1 — the etui of a player’s college ^career — until the end of June — right before the NBA draft .find the start of rookie arul free “agent camps. All games are 'played under NBA rules. But it 'also gives players the freedom to leave whenever they wish. “Players are under contract, but its not sealed in blood,” said Cougars general nwmager Tom Phelps. “If a player gets an offer from the NBA or over seas, we release him with our -blessing. Our job is to get them a job to the next level and some good public relations for us in the process. “We have a player named Tyrone Hopkins who played for us last year. Tyrone got a call to play in the Philippines, went for about a month, didn’t like it for whatever reason and asked to come back and play for us. Hds an excellent player ami its just a matter of time before the NBA calls hinu” Players sign a 10-week con tract for approximately $350 per week. An added attraction of the league is its territorial rights. Clubs recruit as many home grown products as possi ble. Last season’s Cougars ros ter included N.C. State’s Lorenzo Charles, Nate Higgs of Elizabeth City State University, Bernard Heard of St. Augustine’s College and UNC-Pembroke’s Leon Morgan. With last year’s success, the Cougars staff knows the pres sure is on. And who better to lead the pack than one of the most famous ball players ever? After his career with the Globetrotters ended in 1992, Sanders, a Johnson C. Smith University graduate, spent the next five years traveling the country as a motivational speaker. The former Wake County player of the year was the head basketball coach at Bonner Academy last year. Sanders says the team can’t help but succeed. ‘To have an owner who has played the game is very impor tant,” he said. “When Clyde puts his input in, he knows whats going on. Our president, Rodney Brown, was a point guard at Canisius. Ifs a mar riage of like minds, a spiritual organization.” And others have taken note. “We get calls from other teams? players wanting to come here,” Sanders added. “Not because we're the best fran chise, but because we treat our players right. Wdre four, we pay on time. And as former players, we know how it feels. We’ve been there, done that. Everybody wants to play for the Cougars.” Unfortunately, everybody caiit. The rosier is limited to 10 players because, as Phelps put it, “Players are here to play, not sit on the bench.” For those who want a chance at the brass ring, the first of two fiee-agent camps will be held April 11 at 9 a.m. at Southeast Raleigh High School. A second tryout dale is set for April 18 at a site yet to be determined. And while no one knows who will be left standing at the sea son opener on May 1, one thing is for certairu There will be no more office pools. “In the beginning, you’re going to have to become a total servant to the community,” Austin said. “I call it the worm syndrome. You have to get humiliated, walked on and totally crushed. ..But the one who serves the most gains the rewards.” Where Chan^Jed Philosophies Lead To Changed Behavior" Creative Interchange • Diversity Facilitating • Motivational Speaking • Self-esteem Building for Youth & Adults • Wellness • African, African American^^V"* History Lectures - • Hites of Passage Training Ahmad Daniels, M.Ed Educator & Facilitator 1321 Enderly Road • Charlotte, NC 28208 • (704) 393-5474 Reduce your debt load on credit purchases Save on basics Continued from page 8A than men for a range of produels and services. And it's rurtjust the dollarortivo difforence on a dry- cleaning NIL Car dealers report that they rrutke as tmich as thir ty-seven percent higher profit on purchases by womeru Of course, every car seller islookingtortutke the rtundmum profit, but prepa ration can help protect you foom -being overcharged. ' No matter what your gender, yotfUprdbablyenduppayingless if the salesperson realizes you're fomiliarwiththecarandhavea firm price in rrtind. So check the sticker price and the estimerted dealer’s cost. Then start negotia tions at about $300 above the dealer’s cost. If the best offer you heetr seems too high, say that you plem to shcp arouruL A dealer who wants the sale will drcp the price. So stand firm on your price. Clothing and health care Hcweyou ever noticed thatsim- iletr garments cost more if they're found in the women's depart- rrrerrt than if they're in the men's department? It's true, even on simple items like running shorts or T-shirts. Fcr unisex clothing like these items, women can save rrurney by stepping across the aisle into the rrten's section. For strictly women's items, like dresses or suits, shop around for the best price, then ask the store clerk to match the lowest price you fouruL YoifU often get the price reduction, especially in large rrudls where two large department stores compete. So Exemptions for tax preparation Continued from page 8A spouse. However, you may c(aim an exemption for a dependent who is rurt required to file a return, but files one solely to claim a refund of tax jwithheld. Phase-out rules You lose all or part of the $2,650 exemption is your adjusted gross income exceeds the thresholds set for 1997. For single taxpayers, the deductible '^r personal exemptions is pftased out when AGI is between $121,200 and $243,700. Taxpayers who are married filingjointly withAGIs fretween $181,800 and $304,300 also will be subject to the exerrqrtion phase-out. The threshold amounts are adjust ed annucdly. ,^.,Tax strategies ^ If your contribution to anoth er persons support is closely pacing that persoris own sup port spending, a sirrqrle shift in who pays for what can help tip the support scales in your favor. You may be able to secure the dgperulerwy exemption by spending a little extra or by suggesting that the person save some of his or her nu>ney or give it away in the form of gifts. Money that a dependent saves, pr gives away, does not count toward self-support. ^Sometimes a group of people, Sfich as the adult children of a parent,join together to provide support. If these irulividuals together provide more than ftalfthe person’s support, they can file a Multiple Support Agreement. Then, any one indi vidual who provides rrwre than 10 percent of the person’s sup port may take an exerrqrtion for the person. The individual involved may agree to give the personal exerrqrtion to the per son who would benefit the nurst, or may alternate years for claiming the exerrqrtion. In the case of divorced or sep arated parents, generally, the parent who has custody is allowed to claim the child as a deperulent. However, if the non custodial parent is in a higher bracket and wouldbenefit more from the exerrqrtion, and two parents agree, the custodial parent may transfer the exerrqrtion in writing. CPAs remind you that you must list the Social Security number of each deperulent you BUSINESS BRIEFS The Charlotte Mecklenburg Development Corporation is seek ing input in their strategic Planning process for future devel opment in Charlotte's business corridors. Representatives from the Chamber of Connnerce will pre sent a forum for Northwest Charlotte residents and business ownerSf April2, banning at 6 pjTu in Friendship Missionary Baptist Church's Enrichment Center. The Northwest Community Every Eight Weeks North America's Top Speakers And Business AuthoriUes Are Coming To Chailotte ■IN RERSONIa TOPICS Relationship Selling ■ Time Management ' Financial Success Stbategies • Effective Leadership ■CustomerService ■ NegotiatingTechnioues jtA tk T. Falcon Napier GarvCoxe Charles Brennan Brian Tract THE IHEMBERSHIP INCLUDES THE TOllOWINC. ■ Admission To All Sessions ■ Dtstounfs On Books, Topes And Videos ■ Quoiteily Hewsletler ■ Spouses Receive SOX Oistounf * One Yeor Poid Subscriplion To EnIrepieneur Mogotin ■ One Hour of hois d'oeuvrestc Nsfwoilciiig With (omplimsntary es loch Month At The Charlotte Convention Center All Events To Be Held From 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Call Now For More Information And Become A Peak Performers Network Member Advanced Reservations Necessary... Seating Is Limited... First Come, First Served Peak Performers NETWORK ADVANCED REGISTRATIONS NECESSARY Register Today... BDD.279.2222 cHic ClutrloUf (T’bscri’cr speak up! This applies to health care prices, Ux). Studies show that women undergo more lab tests, get more prescriptions and have more repeat office visits than meru So always inquire about the need for a test or medicatioru Your best overall strategy: be assertive! CHARLES ROSS is host of the nadormlly syndicaied ra^ pro gram, ^Your Personal Finance,** and author of Your CommonSense Guide to Personal Financial Planning. T. Michael Todd ATTORNEY atlawtjL^ Auto Accidents Personal Injury Industrial Accidents General LmcATiON Head/Spinal Injury Workers Compensation Wills • DWI/Traffic Criminal • Real Estate Social Security (704)343-9700 FREE CONSULTATON • EVENING & SATURDAY APPOlHTMEinS 301 S. McDowell Street, Suite 130 WAKE FOREST V E R S I T Y claim. This rule includes par ents and other adults you claim as dependents, as well as chil dren. Development Corporation and the Northwest Enterprise Center are sponsoring the meeting. Widdnson Boulevard is the first development project for the CMDC and meeting are bang held to ensure that residents ctnd business owners can review and comment on the initiadve's pre liminary recommendations for future plans in other business cor ridors. For infbrrrmtion, call 378-1269. It’s Strictly Business The Charlotte Post high lights and profiles the African American business community with concise articles that get to the heart of commerce. From the boardroom to mom-and-pop shops, The Post is a leader in business news from an African American perspec tive. For $30 a year, you can keep up, too. Call us at 376-0496 or (888) 376-POST to subscribe. Babcock Graduate School of Management STARTING HERE n i ll I n g IS POSSIBLE OTith our nationally recognized MBA programs designed for experienced professionals and executives, how far you can go is up to you. Charlotte MBA Program in SouthPark Open House Wednesday, April 1 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (Formal remarks begin at 6:00 p.m.) Saturday, April 25 10:00 a.m. -12 noon (Formal remarks begin at 10:30 a.m.) One Morrocroft Centre 6805 Morrison Blvd. Information on our weekend executive program will also be presented. A Wake Forest Charlotte MBA For more information about Wike Forest's MBA Programs, contact us at 704.365.1717,888.925.3622 or zoiow.mba.ivfu.edu ARE YOU YIELDING The Most Competitive Return? Review Your Current Benefit Package, Tax Changes & Whats Available In Todays Market Place. EXECUTIVE BENFFTTS PROFTT.ES A1 Grier, C.L.U. Chartered Financial Consultant RcgisteredWepresentative Estate Planning Mutual Funds KELPS IRA’s, SEP’s, & PENSIONS Government Bond Funds Health Insurance Programs Tax-Deferred Investments Municipal Bonds Al Grier and Associates 6100 Fair view Road, Suite 200 • Charlotte, N.C. 28210 Equitable Life A.ssurance Co. New York, New York (704)556-9988 Equico Securities New York, New York
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 26, 1998, edition 1
9
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75