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  TwiliteZone.com—Whatever happened to gasohol, the ethanol-gasoline mixtures touted as the American answer to fossil fuel shortages by corn producers, food processors and some lawmakers? David Pimentel, the Cornell U. professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who chaired a U.S. Department of Energy panel that investigated the energetic, economics and environmental aspects of ethanol production several years ago, concluded that it wasn’t a viable option. The study revealed that the average car, traveling 10,000 miles a year, would need about 852 gallons of the corn-based fuel. This would take 11 acres to grow enough corn to fuel one car. The same amount of cropland required to feed seven Americans.

LostInSpace—Adequate space has been found to offer a Memoriam to the family and love ones of Terrence Lionel Smith, whose relative short but very productive life was celebrated on Jan. 9, 2004 at Forest Lawn BC, 8101 Wileyvale @ Weaver Rd., with Rev. R. Bell officiating. Rev. Larry Powell, Lynn Stroman and Shareria Harris honored Terrance with song and prayer, which was followed my expressions by family and friends. Darcy Smith, Eric Horn, Damon Hall, Glen Ashley. Rodney White, Marquis Simon, Antonio Nunn and Anthony Haynes were active pallbearers. Steven McCoppy, Anthony Medina, Eddie Harris, Reginald Jones, Brandon Smith and George Thomas were honorary pallbearers for Smith, who was born on Dec. 13, 1979 to the proud mother Sharon F. Richard and Darcy Smith.

Terrence grew up to be a wonderful son, brother, father and friend. He was the type of person that made everybody laugh and was always the life of the party, and naturally he was outspoken. He attended M. B. Smiley where he displayed his talent in football, basketball, and track. Terrence gave his life to Christ at an early age. He was baptized at Forest Lawn Missionary Baptist Church. Terrence was on the road to having a successful career and his passion for life was driving trucks. He was a proud worker of NFl National Freight. Also, Terrence had a love for riding motorcycles. Terrence leaves behind his mother Sharon Richard, stepfather George A. Richard, who Terrence idolized as his father; his two brothers, Darcy and Brandon Smith; his baby sister Ulrica Smith.

He leaves his handsome son Terrence Smith Jr. and his beautiful daughter Terre’ Anne Linaii' Smith; nieces Raven Smith whom he was a brother and a uncle to, Kleshay Taylor, Alexis Smith, and his only nephew Dai’vion Harris; his grandmother on his mother's side, Henrietta Bailey and Gladys Smith on his father's side; his grandfather David Smith; also on his father's side, his aunt Jackie McCoppy and his cousin Kaelin McCoppy, his step-aunts Delia and Geneva Woods on his stepfather's side, his uncles Steve McCoppy, Reginald Jones on his mother's side. Also on his father's side, he leaves his aunts Gwendolyn Hines, Drusilla Smith, who is in the service in Germany; Darlene Smith and Belinda Smith and his uncle Clinton; his best friends Donnie Sanders and Glen Ashley and many other relatives and friends.

His death was not tragic, if no one benefits from his walk-that is the tragedy. Terrence will be missed dearly, but not forgotten….Due to a production error, a portion of a tribute to Eva Hampton was Lost In Space, thus we’ll play it again: Some guys have all of the luck. Not only did Kashmere Garden high School grad, Rodney Hampton, have a full ride at Georgia University, but also was a high draft pick in the NFL, where he became a great running back for the New York Giants. However, his greatest luck was having a great mother, who raised five kids on her own. We salute Eva Hampton, a well known northeast Houston area beautician and faithful member of Solid Rock Baptist Church, 6302 Tidwell, where you will certainly be told-- by her pastor, Rev. Ross Cullen-- that she is, indeed, a very solid rock herself. Bless you Eva. If you want the photos that Bud Johnson took of you, call him at (281) 847-9929, forthwith.

GoodNeighbor—A Good Neighbor tribute and Memoriam is due Hazel Shaw Richard, whose long and wonderful life was celebrated on Jan. 30, 2004, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness Kashmere Congregation, 4205 Hirsch Road, with Bro, Ennis Walker, officiating. Bro. Abe Rice rendered songs during the service and Joe Cooper, Carl Kennedy, Steve Cooper. Clarence Amboree, Jr., Eric Ruben and Derwin Anthony were active pallbearers. Anderson Shaw, Jason Watley, Dennis, Alvin, Reginald, Carlton III and Carlton Richard, Jr. were honorary pallbearers for Hazel, who was the first of eleven children born to the union of George and Alex Shaw on Nov. 4, 1931 and completed her formal education in Bayou Current and Melville, Louisiana.

On Nov. 22, 1947 she married Carlton Richard Sr. To this union eight children were born. Hazel was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She dedicated her life to Jehovah and was a faithful servant for many years. She led a very rich full and rewarding life, both physically and spiritually. She was loved and admired by all who knew her. She departed this life on Jan. 27, 2004. She was preceded in death by her husband Carlton Richard Sr., her mother and father Georgia and, Alex Shaw, two sisters Olivia and Dorothy, two brothers Alex and Terry, one son Abram Richard, and one grandson Toney Haskett. Cherishing her memory are two daughters Linda Richard Haskett and Shelia Richard Portier.

She is also survived by five sons Carlton Jr. (Debra), Dennis (Jacquie), Alvin, Reginald (Melinda), and Rodney Richard; fifteen grandchildren LaShawn, LaTarsha, Theresa, Carlton III, Carmen, Demetria, April, Ashley, Shavaun, Jason, Gwendolyn, Reginald Jr., Brandee (Brian), Jalen and Jakaila; seventeen great-grandchildren; two sisters Ruby Amboree (Clarence) and Thelma Anthony (McDonald); four brothers Wilson Shaw (Carol), Joseph Shaw (Judy); Anderson Shaw (Marie), and Arthur Lee Shaw (Donna); one uncle Anderson Taylor "Uncle Bubba"; one brother-in-law Ernest Ruben; two sisters-in-law Queen Esther Shaw and Ollie Shaw and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Well-done Good Neighbor Hazel Shaw Richard.

M’StoneInDaHood—Although slowed by age and health problems, Robert Powell, a world traveler and living historian is still able to do his thing during Black History Month, even if he sometimes needs a little help to get around the schools in the ‘hood where he has long delighted students with his historical displays and data. The old Buffalo Soldier, who hails from the Golden Triangle (Port Arthur, TX), also becomes a valuable resource for churches, or other organization in need of well-researched history during our month. Powell, a retired Merchant Seaman, who also served in World War II, has circumvented the world several times and visited most American cities and never met a history lover he didn’t like.

The verbose historian resides at Pleasant Hill Village, 3815 Lyons @ Pannell, where he keep a treasure of artifacts and historical material on every subject imaginable, including sports and entertainment. Thank you Trooper Powell…. Kudos to Velencia Johnson, who finished her junior year at Austin College, in Sherman, Texas, with a sterling performance…. Velencia, who set several scoring records at Houston’s Chinquapin Preparatory School, scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in a 72-64 loss to Hardin Simmons University in the finals of the American Southwest Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament. Although Velencia was disheartened about the loss, her outstanding performance landed her on the All-Tournament Team.

Velencia, the daughter of Harris County social workers Victor and Marian Thomas Johnson, learned basketball from her uncle and Godfather, Gaylord Davis. “She was awesome,” gushed her aunt and Godmother, Rachel Thomas Davis. “It was just like those Wheatley games when the scores changed back and forth until time ran out.” For sure, Rachel certainly is an expert on Wheatley basketball, insofar as she was a cheerleader at Wheatley when her husband played on those great State Championship teams that also featured Eddie Owens. She also cheered for him at TSU where he was an All-American guard on Coach Robert Moreland’s National Championship team…. Rev. George Nelson, Jr., the son of the late great radio personality, Bro. George Nelson, pastors an outstanding ministry at Grace Fellowship Church, 1603 Church Street in Brenham, Texas. The church will celebrate it’s 8th anniversary on March 14, 2004 at 3:30 p.m. Pastor Bill Lindsey will be the featured speaker. For info and directions call (979) 830-7224.