Baltimore AFRO September 13

Volume 117 No. 5

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SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 - SEPTEMBER 19, 2008

‘The Family That Preys’: The AFRO Talks With Tyler Perry About New Film B3

Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel Grand B1

Deadline for Voter Registration - Oct. 14

B11 For more information, visit elections.state.md.us

Countdown to November

By Zenitha Prince Washington Bureau Chief With the pageantry of the Democratic and Republican conventions behind them and Election Day less than two months away, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain are ramping up their strategies for the final sprint to the White House.

Already, McCain’s first tactical move, the choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, seems to have paid off—despite assessments that the decision was a cynical appeal to women still smarting from

Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton’s loss in the primaries.

According to a recent compendium of national polls on Realclearpolitics.com, McCain has edged out Obama 48.3 to 45.4 percent after trailing him since the primaries. That lead, however, still falls with the margin of error.

“People are excited about this ticket…this is a ticket that will govern Washington,” said McCain campaign adviser Rick Davis on “Fox News Sunday” last weekend.

According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Monday, Palin’s biggest draw has been to White women who seem to identify with her “hockey

By Sean Yoes AFRO Staff Writer Although the cloud of an investigation by the state prosecutor’s office has lingered over the head of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon for more than two years, the weight of a possible indictment has not crippled her leadership.

“I have the privilege of being the longest-serving locally elected public official in the state—and I’ve never worked with a mayor who gets it more,” said Fifth District Baltimore City Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector. “She has made such good decisions— she’s making things happen.”

Spector, who was appointed to the council in

Continued on A4

Officials Support Ujima Village Academy Top Middle School Gains Federal Funding

By Alan King AFRO Staff Writer When Darius Beckford started attending KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Ujima Village Academy (UVA) three years ago, he was a fifth grader who thought the school’s schedule was “overwhelming.”

Now as an eighth grader, he said it was all worth it.

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Bedford is among the 350 students who attend daily classes at Ujima Village for more than nine hours during the regular school year, one Saturday a month for threeand-a-half hours and three weeks in the summer for sixand-a-half hours of classes.

“I may not have made it without KIPP,” he said, “but with KIPP I have more opportunities and choices for better high schools and colleges.”

Beckford’s remarks came at a school assembly on Monday, when the academy was award-

State Grapples with Equality for Black Colleges

ed more than $243,000 in federal funds to help support the cost of the extended day, week and yearly programs which together cost more than $400,000 for staff compensation, supplies, food and transportation.

“We did this because this is truly a special place. We know that the money we give you will allow you to fulfill your commitments,” said Sen. Benjamin Cardin, who presented the check on behalf of the U.S. Department of Continued on A6

Photo by Hilarie Szczygiel

Sen. Benjamin Cardin introduces Cong. Elijah Cummings who sits on the Ujima Village Academy's board of directors.

Fire Damages Historic Edmondson Village Mall

“Across demographics when you talk to anybody, they are impressed with Sheila—whether they were for her or not.”

1977, added: “I would not want her to be harmed in any way—her appointments have been stellar from fire chief to chief of police.”

In February, Dixon tapped Minneapolis Fire Chief James Clack to take over a beleaguered Baltimore fire department haunted by the death of fire recruit Rachael Wilson on Feb. 9, 2007 and hounded by charges of racism within the department

By Sean Yoes AFRO Staff Writer More than 50 years after Brown v. Board of Education struck down school segregation in the United States, Maryland is still grappling with ways to make higher education “more equal” between Historically Black Institutions and Traditionally White Institutions.

A Historically Black Institution (HBI) Study Panel was assembled to assess the comparability of Historically Black Institutions and Traditionally White Institutions (TWI) of higher education in Maryland—in an effort to create “a more level playing field.” The panel delivered their preliminary findings this week to the Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education in Annapolis.

Continued on A8

‘Cloud’ Lingers, but Not Raining on Dixon’s Parade

Continued on A5 Photos by J. D. Howard

Diane Addison, owner of The Village Hair & Nail Salon II, looks on grimly at the pile of rubble – what remains of her damaged salon after an early morning fire on Monday burned down the west side of Edmondson Village Shopping Center. The 61-year-old shopping center is part of the Uplands redevelopment area.

Addison’s salon was one of three shops – including Ashley Stewart Woman and Edmondson Beauty & Gifts – that were engulfed in flames when city firefighters arrived and fought the blaze for more than three hours. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Addison learned about the fire after customers called her stylists. She was two weeks shy of celebrating the 24-year anniversary of her hair salon.

Islam Leader W. D. Mohammed Dies

By Dorothy Rowley AFRO Staff Writer Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, who succeeded his father as leader of the Nation of Islam but abandoned its Black separatist ideology, died Tuesday. He was 74.

As a young child, Mohammed had questioned his father’s separatist ideology surrounding the Black Muslim community in America. In doing so, he eventually succeeded as an adult — who’d had lifelong interest in Islam – in divert-

ing thousands of the late Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad’s followers to mainstream Islam.

“Obviously, it’s a great loss for the entire Muslim community,” said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Michigan. “He was encouraging his followers to accept the best of their humanity and to extend the moral and ethical values of Islam to the general American public.”

Formerly known as Wallace D. Mohammed, Continued on A4

Copyright © 2008 by the Afro-American Company

Courtesy Photo

Mayor Sheila Dixon

A2

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

In The News

duct his weekly television program and community rally last Saturday morning.

GOP Rep Stands By ‘Uppity’ Obama Quip Ignoring calls for him to “He stands by that characapologize, a Republican conterization and thinks it accugressman is standing by his rately describes the depiction of Barack and Democratic nominee,” said Michelle Obama as Brian Robinson, “uppity,” a throwback Westmoreland's to White segregationists spokesman. “He was and slaveholders who unaware that the word tried to dehumanize and had racial overtones and beat the dignity out of he had absolutely no African Americans. intention of using a Courtesy word that can be conSpeaking to Photo sidered offensive.” reporters Sept. 4, Republican Lynn The Obama camCong. Lynn Westmoreland of Westmoreland paign had no immeGeorgia described diate response. But (R-Ga.) the Obamas as Jane Kidd, head of members of an “elitist the Georgia Democratic Party, class...that thinks that they're called on Westmoreland to uppity,'' according to The Hill apologize, saying he “should newspaper. be ashamed of himself.”

Later, in a statement, Westmoreland is one of the Westmoreland –– who was most conservative members born in 1950 and raised in the of Congress. He has drawn segregated South –– said he criticism from civil rights didn't know that “uppity” was advocates on numerous commonly used as a derogaissues, including his oppository term for Blacks seeking tion to renewing the 1965 equal treatment. Instead, he Voting Rights Act. He also referred to the dictionary defi- was one of only two House nition of the word as describmembers last year to oppose ing someone who is haughty, giving the Justice Department snobbish or has inflated selfmore money to crack esteem. unsolved civil rights killings.

AP Photo

The Rev. David Kennedy stands outside The Redneck Shop in Laurens County, S.C.

Black Church Claims Redneck Shop Building The Redneck Shop, a controversial South Carolina store and so-called museum known for selling confederate flags, Klan memorabilia and other symbols of White supremacy, is at the center of an ownership dispute.

Dateline Carolina and the Associated Press report that Rev. David Kennedy, civil rights leader and pastor of a Black church in Laurens County, claims his church owns the building that houses The Redneck Shop and filed a lawsuit Sept. 2 to siut it down.

“Racism is fresh and alive and on the rise and the KKK’s Redneck Shop revealed this,” Kennedy told Dateline Carolina.

Court records reportedly show that Kennedy’s church, New Beginnings Missionary Baptist, does own the building as a result of a complicated 1997 property transfer by

a disgruntled Klansman.

But Nick Chappel also lays claim to the infamous shop.

“I have a clear deed to this property…and there’s nothing he can do about that,” said Chappel.

Meanwhile, a clause in the deed apparently entitles John Howard, a former KKK grand dragon, the right to use the building for the rest of his life and he is operating The Redneck Shop.

The lawsuit seeks to establish Kennedy's church as the legal owner of the property.

The Redneck Shop has been the target of protests and attacks since it began operating in an old movie theater in 1996. Inside the store, hooded Klan robes hang on the same rack as racist T-shirts, along with pictures of burning crosses and men, women and children in Klan clothing.

Black Caucus Chair OK With Son’s Guilty Plea Cong. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and mother of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, said she supports her son’s Sept. 4 decision to resign as Courtesy Photo mayor and Cong. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick plead guilty to felony charges.

“While my heart is heavy,” she said in a statement, “I support Mayor Kilpatrick’s decision to do what he believes is best for his family, our family, and the citizens of Detroit.”

The Associated Press noted the congresswoman narrowly won a three-way primary in August in a campaign that centered on the city hall scandal.

She received 39 percent of the vote after her two challengers split the vote, ensuring her victory. Cheeks Kilpatrick campaigned on her record in Congress, where she serves on the House Appropriations Committee, and lengthy political career in state politics.

Political analyst Ronald Walters said he did not see the scandal tarnishing her because she was not implicated in the case.

“She’s going to be in a pretty good place in two years. By that time this will be old news,” he said.

Kilpatrick, 63, is heavily favored to win another term in November because her Detroit

Northwestern Memorial Jesse Jackson OK after Hospital in Chicago last Hospitalization Thursday.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. “He had a little food resumed his regular activipoisoning and it set him ties last Saturday, one day back,” she said in a teleafter being released from phone interview with the a hospital where he was AFRO. admitted with stomach “We didn’t know problems. what was going on.

Jacqueline Jackson, the Now that he civil rights leader’s wife, knows, he’s much said her husband better.” contracted food poiAfro-American Newspaper/J. Oliver So much better soning while registerthat Jackson was ing voters in Georgia Rev. Jesse expected to conand was admitted to Jackson Sr.

district is overwhelmingly Democratic.

‘Stupid’ Racial Display is Removed A Black doll strapped by wire to a homemade cross at a rental home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, has been removed after complaints from neighbors.

The Omaha World-Herald said Mike Limmer, who rents the home to his granddaughter, took the doll down. The granddaughter, Dorothy Richards, said her boyfriend hung the doll and that the display wasn’t meant as a racist statement.

Limmer called it “stupidity” for being put up in the first place.

Police, who were called several times by complaining neighbors, removed the display once at Richards’ request, but it was later put back up.

Authorities couldn’t demand that it be taken down because civil liberties advocates said the display was covered by constitutional rights to free speech.

Study: Targeted Marketing Promotes Black Obesity Targeted marketing of highcalorie foods and beverages exposes Black consumers to more unhealthy messages around eating and limits their access to healthy foods, compared to Whites, according to research published in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

QSR, a restaurant news magazine, said the study is the first to take a comprehensive view of food marketing strategies aimed at African Americans.

“It’s hard to make healthy choices when all the signals and supports in your environment tell you to do just the opposite,” says the study’s lead author, Sonya A. Grier, Ph.D., a former Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.

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September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

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Stop Voter Fraud, Enforce Voting Rights, Says Cardin Senator’s Judiciary Committee holds hearings

By James Wright AFRO Staff Writer Like most African Americans, Keisha Anderson was ecstatic about the opportunity to vote for the man she thought could become the first Black person to occupy the Oval Office in the White House. The Chesterfield, Va., resident looked forward to voting for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president in the Democratic Party’s Super Tuesday Primary on Feb. 12.

What Anderson, a special education teacher believes she got that day was a lesson in the peculiarities of voting in America, particularly when it comes to precincts in Black and minority communities.

She had to visit her voting poll twice that day because of long lines and insufficient ballots.

When she did get the chance to vote just before 6 p.m. that day, she was handed a piece of computer paper – her ballot, she was told. So she wrote down the name “Barack Obama” and left, believing — as she was certain others did — her vote would be counted.

It was not.

She learned later that ballots had arrived 45 minutes after she had left her precinct. And, thus, her vote on the “computer paper ballot” was null and void and would not to be counted.

Anderson’s testimony about her voting troubles took place Sept. 9 before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee chaired by Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.). Cardin convened the hearing because of his concern that citizens were being denied the right to vote and his desire to learn what plans the U.S. Department of Justice has to prevent voter fraud and other voting irregularities.

“Less than 60 days out from Election Day, I am concerned about

how prepared the Justice Department truly is to ensure that every eligible vote is counted, and to make sure that no eligible voters are denied the right to fully and fairly participate in elections,” he said. “I want to ask the Justice Department if they have the tools necessary to combat deceptive practices in the upcoming election. If so, they must enforce the law.

“If not, they must help us enact legislation to provide the tools they need.”

Cardin voiced concerns about methods that were being used to deceive voters, particularly in minority communities. Examples of some of the methods included: being told that the two major political parties voted on different days; that voters were required to have their child support and parking tickets paid up; and that robotic phone calls were designed to limit voter participation on Election Day. Cardin said he had witnessed for himself efforts to confuse Black voters in Baltimore and Prince George’s County in the 2006 election when Republican operatives hired lowincome people from Philadelphia to hand out literature depicting Robert Ehrlich and Michael Steele as being supported by Black Democratic leaders.

Cardin is a co-sponsor of an Obama bill, “The Prevention of Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation in Federal Elections of 2007” that access criminal penalties to parties that practice voter fraud. The bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Judiciary Committee and awaits a date on the Senate floor.

At the hearing, Justice Department officials said they are prepared to meet whatever challenges await them – and voters - on Nov. 4.

Acting Assistant Attorney General

Democrats Post Big Gains in Voter Registration

By Julie Pace and Stephen Ohlemacher Associated Press Writers CLAIRTON, Pa. (AP) — Five days a week, Linda Graham trolls tattered neighborhoods of this once thriving steel city outside Pittsburgh for unregistered voters she can sign up as Democrats — one of thousands of unknown volunteers whose work outside the limelight has already altered the basic arithmetic of the November election.

The epic nomination battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton helped put millions more Democrats on the voter rolls while Republican registration declined. Now Graham, 45, has taken three months of unpaid leave from her job at Pittsburgh’s Central Blood Bank in the hope of adding to those gains before the presidential vote.

She’s encouraged by the response here. “They’re all feeling the crunch” of lost jobs and a sagging economy, Graham said. “But people are feeling empowered. They’re feeling like, you know what, I hold a little bit of power in this.”

To counter this effort, the

Republicans are counting on a formidable, high-tech get-outthe-vote operation that has helped them win the past two presidential elections.

Since the last federal election in 2006, volunteers like Graham combined with the enthusiasm generated by the Obama-Clinton struggle to add more than 2 million Democrats to voter rolls in the 28 states that register voters according to party affiliation. The Republicans have lost nearly 344,000 voters in the same states.

The Democrats hope their voter registration efforts can boost Obama to victory in competitive states like Pennsylvania, Nevada and Florida and perhaps even give him a shot at winning traditional Republican states like Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

Both Obama and his Republican rival, John McCain, are fighting for independent swing voters, and many of the new Democrats had been unaffiliated voters.

The number of unaffiliated voters dropped by nearly 900,000 since 2006. Many joined the Democratic Party to

of the Civil Rights Division Grace Chung Becker reminded the committee that elections are a state function.

Nevertheless, she said, her staff will be vigilant about enforcing voter laws.

“These exciting developments present challenges to states — which have the primary responsibility for administering elections — and the Justice Department is doing its part in actively training federal personnel, reaching out to state and local governments and dozens of civil rights organizations, and continuing its enforcement of federal voting laws in this election season,” Becker said.

She pointed out that during the 2008 election cycle, there were 364 federal observers and 148 Justice personnel to monitor 47 elections in 43 jurisdictions in 17 states. On Nov.4, she said that hundreds of federal employees will be deployed to watch out for voter fraud.

Becker assured Cardin “we have the tools that we need to enforce the law.”

Barry Sabin, the deputy assistant attorney general of the Justice’s Criminal Division, said election crimes will be vigorously prosecuted.

He said that through the department’s Ballot Access and Voting Integrity program begun in 2002, about 200 individuals have been charged with election crimes, over 170 have been convicted with 185 matters and cases pending.

“These criminal cases have ranged from far-reaching prosecution initiatives involving voter bribery in Eastern Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia and East St. Louis, Ill.,” Sabin said. “By prosecuting election offenders, we want to enhance the integrity of future elections.”

Glenda Daniels, an assistant professor of law at the University of Baltimore’s School of Law, said that if the Justice Department is serious

Photo by J. Wright

Glenda Daniels, assistant professor at the University of Baltimore Law School, testified on Capitol Hill at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on voter fraud. about ensuring fair elections on Nov. 4, there are steps that need to be taken. She recommended that the department: • Send letters to all states about voting rights violations and the consequences of unlawful activity.

• Meet with advocacy groups to coordinate election coverage.

• List where coverage will take place one week before the election instead of the current few days before.

• Focus more on voter access than voter fraud.

“These steps will go a long way in fighting illegal voter tactics and restoring the government as being on the side of the citizen with regards to voting,” Daniels said.

Wade Henderson, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, said he believes a plan needs to be in place to prevent previous voting irregularities.

“We saw real problems in both the 2000 and 2004 elections,” Henderson

said. “We need an action plan from this administration and Justice that will ensure voters in November have the protections that all Americans deserve and that the law provides.”

Keisha Anderson said she is not expecting any problems with her Virginia precinct in November, but knows what to do if there are any.

“I am not just going to do what the people tell me if there are long lines and paper ballots,” she said. “I will make some calls to stop whatever is not right.”

Cardin reminded Justice officials and other participants at the hearing that how smoothly and fairly this election proceeds will say a lot about the United States.

“I hope Justice understands the serious obligation it has to fully enforce and carry out the law to protect all voters, as this Congress, the nation and the world will be closely watching this historic election,” he said.

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A4

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

Countdown to November Continued from A1

mom� persona. Sixty-seven percent view her favorably—a figure that increases to 80 percent among White women with children at home—and 58 percent say her selection makes them more confident in McCain’s decision-making, according to the poll. White women have moved from 5042 percent in Obama’s favor before the conventions to 5341 percent for McCain now, a 20-point shift.

Since Palin’s national debut in St. Paul, Minn., last week, the Obama campaign has dispatched leading Democratic women, including Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and California Sen. Barbara Boxer, who have drawn sharp contrasts between Obama’s and Palin’s positions on abortion, global warming and other issues.

And Obama, himself, has made minor jabs, like when he responded to a McCain ad claiming Palin rejected the “Bridge to Nowhere,� an infamous pork barrel project fostered by Sen. Ted Stevens (RAlaska), though reports show she rejected it only after Congress had already killed it. “You can’t just make stuff up. You can’t just re-create yourself,� Obama is quoted as saying by The Chicago Tribune. “The American people aren’t stupid. What they are looking for is somebody who’s been consistently calling for change.�

But Sen. Clinton, who many expected to be the lead attacker of Palin, has largely avoided taking on the GOP’s vice presidential candidate directly.

Beyond an amendment to a previous jab — “No way, no how, no McCain, no Palin� — Clinton focused mostly on policy issues at a campaign stop Monday in the battleground

state of Florida. “Don’t hold your breath.

It’s not going to happen,� said former Clinton campaign adviser Howard Wolfson about a potential “cat fight� between the two women in a Sept. 7 blog post on The New Republic’s Web site. “Some might enjoy the spectacle, but don’t expect Hillary Clinton to play along.� He explained, “It’s not in Hillary Clinton’s

Davis, Sen. McCain’s chief strategist, said that although issues will play “a major role� for undecided voters, ultimately, the election will be decided by personalities. “This election is not about issues,� Davis said. “This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates.�

And what the campaign wants people to take away is

Axelrod said. And, McCain’s policies on bread-and-butter issues, such as taxes, health care, trade, energy and Social Security mirror President Bush’s. “The real issue in this race is who’s going to bring the change the country needs. John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time,� said Axelrod.

The Obama campaign will

Americans. “[McCain] says we’ve made great economic progress under George Bush [even as] middleclass families in this country have lost $2,000 of income.

Unemployment is at a 5-year high. Home values are dropping and the housing industry itself is teetering on the brink,�

Axelrod said. “We can’t afford four more years of that kind of progress.�

“The Democratic strategy, so far, has been to redirect the attention to McCain.� interest, and it’s certainly not in the interest of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party.�

Because Palin is a relative unknown and the fear of a backlash among women voters, the Obama camp’s approach has been tentative. “She came in late in the game and no one really knows,� Obama chief strategist David Axelrod told Fox News’ Chris Wallace Sunday. “She hasn’t sat down with you or any interviewer to answer any substantive questions. All she’s done is read a couple of speeches.�

The Democratic strategy, so far, has been to redirect the attention to McCain. “This ultimately isn’t a race between us and Sarah Palin,�

Axelrod said. “It’s a race between Barack Obama and John McCain. They’re the candidates for president.�

The Republican candidate’s campaign has tried to make the election into a battle between personalities, painting McCain as an experienced legislator and war veteran who puts “country first,� and Obama as an inexperienced, celebrityhound with a messiah complex.

In an interview with The Washington Post last week,

the idea of McCain as a reformer, an idea that more people seem to be buying into, according to the ABC/Post poll.

On the issue of trust to bring needed change to Washington – a major plank of the Obama platform—the Illinois senator leads 51-39 percent now, a slip from his 59-27 percent margin in June.

The fact that Palin is the first woman chosen to share a major Republican ticket and her supposed record as a maverick during her days as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and as governor of the state—a reputation which is still in question—reinforces McCain’s image as a change-maker, Davis said. “She is exactly what we needed to really focus the public’s attention on the brand of John McCain, the maverick, the independent, the guy who’s been railing against corruption and ethics abuses in Washington, the guy who wants to reform government,� the campaign adviser said.

However, a closer examination of McCain‘s record disproves his claim to change, the Obama campaign has noted.

The choice of Palin, itself, was mere pandering to the conservative base of the party,

also push—and will likely benefit from—a belief among voters that McCain—who could not remember how many houses he owns—is less able to identify with their problems.

According to the ABC/Post poll, Obama has a 12-point lead among voters on the perception that he best understands the concerns of average

Curtis Gans, political analyst and director of the Center for Study of the American Electorate at American University, says a refocusing of the campaign on issues and not personality will win the day. “At this point, McCain with a weak hand is doing better than Obama with a strong hand,� he said. “But, I think

ultimately the issues will do more to change this campaign than the slickness of the McCain campaign.�

And Palin will hurt the McCain campaign more than she helps if attention is placed on the issues, he added. “It seems relatively clear that on the one hand her views are outside the American mainstream—teaching creationism, not making exceptions for rape and incest in the determination of abortion, believing in abstinence-only sex education—and on the other hand she has no qualifications to be president, which is a reflection on McCain’s judgment,� Gans said. “She has provided enthusiasm for the religious rightwing which was lukewarm for Sen. McCain,� he added, “[But] ultimately, that will turn away the sensible, moderate base of Americans.�

Islam Leader W. D. Mohammed Dies Continued from A1 he became the Supreme Minister of the Chicago-based Nation of Islam upon his father’s death in February 1975.

During Elijah Muhammad’s 45-year reign, in which he taught his followers that White people were devils, he promoted self-sufficiency and Black supremacy.

However, his son’s rise to command represented a dramatic shift in the organization’s history. For starters, in an effort to reform NOI’s doctrines and organization and mover toward orthodox Islam, Mohammed began emphasizing a message of racial tolerance. That led to integrating NOI with the American Muslim community,

Seeking Companies to Finance, Redevelop and Operate Two of the Nation’s Most Patronized Travel Plazas

Courtesy Photo

Imam Warith Deen Mohammed American society and the global Islamic community.

At one point, the religion ventured so far as to beef up its campaign to attract more middle-class and professional Blacks. Later, following a pilgrimage to Mecca, in an effort to get his followers to better

understand Islam, Mohammed also began encouraging them to study Arabic.

Overall, the changes created both praise and concern.

In addition to authoring books on Islamic teachings, Mohammed founded the Mosque Cares organization and indulged in an imported clothing business. He also promoted education and supported convicts after their release from prison.

In offering his condolences this week, he said the Nation was mourning the loss of a brother. The two reconciled about eight years ago, although Mohammed remained a critic of many of NOI’s leaders.

Said Farrakhan, “We thank Allah for him and his great contribution to the ongoing work of the Prophet Muhammad Abdullah, and his work of helping to create a better understanding and image of Islam in America and throughout the world.�

Each year: s MILLION VEHICLES INCLUDING BUSES s MILLION GALLONS OF FUEL SOLD s MILLION IN FOOD AND BEVERAGE SOLD

Become part of this landmark project!

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is soliciting Letters of Interest for the financing and redevelopment of the Maryland House and Chesapeake House, two major travel plazas along I-95 in Maryland.

Redevelopment may include all activities required to design, build, operate, maintain and finance the sites, facilities and operations.

Revolutionize operation and delivery of services Our vision for redeveloping the I-95 travel plazas emphasizes marquee hospitality, superior customer service and exemplary facilities. The MDTA is seeking a Prime Contractor and team members to revolutionize the operation and delivery of services at both plazas by combining the convenience and technology of today with the superior customer service of yesterday.

Attend an Informa Meeting on Octobteional r8 Potential prime op erators and contra ctors‌ s 2ECEIVE DETAILED INF ORMATION ON THE PRO JECT THE procurement proces s and the schedule. s /PPORTUNITY TO NETW ORK WITH PROSPECTIVE subcontractors and local firms.

7EDNESDAY /CT s A M NOON "7) 4HURGOOD -ARSH ALL !IRPORT -ARRIOTT 7 .URSERY 2O AD "ALTIMORE -$

0LEASE 2360 BY /CT

TO -S 4ERRY .ISWONGER

#HIEF 0ROCUREMENT /FlCER tniswonger@mdta.s tate.md.us

s 3ERVICE 0LAZA /PERATORS s /IL &UEL %NERGY #OMPANIES s #ONCESSIONAIRES AND &OOD 3ERVICE #OMPANIES s #OMMERCIAL ,ENDERS AND )NVESTMENT "ANKING s %NGINEERS AND !RCHITECTS s "RANDED &OOD AND "EVERAGE #ONCEPTS s #ONSTRUCTION &IRMS s !SSET -ANAGEMENT s "UILDING -AINTENANCE s $EVELOPMENT AND #OMMERCIAL 2EAL %STATE %NTITIES s -INORITY $ISADVANTAGED 6ETERAN AND 7OMEN /WNED "USINESS )NTERESTS

1970 Became a journeyman.

1997 Retirement lunch.

2006 Diagnosed with cancer.

Looking for dynamic and diverse teams To meet the wide variety of services required under this contract and the standard of excellence requested by the Authority, it is anticipated that multi-disciplined teams comprised of many business interests will need to be formed, including:

1967 First day at the steel plant.

Interested parties should send a Letter of Interest

by Nov. 5, 2008. Please include the company name, address, contact person with office and cell numbers, e-mail address and primary interest (i.e., prime operator or sub-contractor). All inquiries should be addressed to: 4ERRY % .ISWONGER Chief Procurement Officer Maryland Transportation Authority 303 Authority Drive "ALTIMORE -$

tniswonger@mdta.state.md.us Or fill out a Letter of Interest online.

Go to www.mdtransportationauthority.com and click on “Travel Plaza Redevelopment.�

SO WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

A5

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Takeover

Nonprofits Wary of Bailout

By Zenitha Prince Washington Bureau Chief Even as the government takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac this week has boosted confidence on Wall Street and global markets, local housing nonprofits are wary about what the move will mean for them and the consumers they serve.

“Part of the problem is that we have not heard anything about what the plan is for Freddie and Fannie,” said Joe Cox, a Maryland ACORN organizer.

Although the government-sponsored entities (GSEs) are under conservatorship with the Federal Housing Finance Agency now and their chief executives replaced with government-appointed heads, Cox said he is concerned about an eventual push for privatization.

“Privatizing will be a further step in the wrong direction in terms of

making loans available to lowerincome people versus putting money on Wall Street,” he said. “Our lowincome to moderate-income members are not as profitable as rich borrowers.”

Fannie and Freddie have long undergirded the ability of low- and moderate-income consumers to purchase homes and have generally played an outsized role in the housing market.

The two own or guarantee more than half of the $12 trillion mortgage market.

As such, their failure would have a devastating impact on the lives of most Americans, said Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr. in a statement.

“Let me make clear what today’s actions mean for Americans and their families: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are so large and so interwoven in our financial system that a failure of either of them would cause great

turmoil in our financial markets here at home and around the globe,” he said.

“This turmoil would directly and negatively impact household wealth: from family budgets, to home values, to savings for college and retirement,” he added. “A failure would affect the ability of Americans to get home loans, auto loans and other consumer credit and business finance. And a failure would be harmful to economic growth and job creation. That is why we have taken these actions.”

During the foreclosure crisis in the past months, the GSEs have played an important role in injecting liquidity into the mortgage market, officials said, while juggling its mission and sound decision-making. It’s an act that finally collapsed under the pressures of a foundering economy.

“Given recent market conditions, the balance has been lost,” said FHFA Director James Lockhart in a

‘Cloud’ Lingers, but Not Raining

statement. “Unfortunately, as house prices, earnings and capital have continued to deteriorate, their ability to fulfill their mission has deteriorated. In particular, the capacity of their capital to absorb further losses while supporting new business activity is in doubt.”

Those same market conditions are also wreaking havoc in the lives of ordinary Americans and exacerbating the foreclosure crisis.

Last month, the unemployment rate rose to 6.1 percent, the highest it’s been in about five years, the Labor Department said recently.

Maryland’s unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in July, the most recent figure, while Washington, D.C.’s rose to 6.7 percent.

As a result, mortgage delinquency has extended beyond people with “exotic” or subprime loans to those with prime loans.

“You definitely see the effect in Baltimore. The situation is people

cannot sell or re-finance their loans because they don’t have equity anymore or if they have equity people aren’t buying so whatever situation people are in now, they’re trapped,” Cox said.

While the District does not have a significant foreclosure problem, Maryland has seen a relative explosion of foreclosures driven by lax credit underwriting.

That trend began around late 2006 as more people defaulted on “subprime” loans meant for people with bad credit, pushing Maryland up among the ranks of states having delinquent mortgages from 44th to 20 th place.

In the second quarter of this year, 30 percent of subprime mortgages or 35,000 Maryland homeowners, were delinquent or in the receivership process.

And, more than 36,000 prime Continued on A6

Asbestos Cancer - Mesothelioma

Continued from A1 for decades. Clack brought with him a reputation for aggressively pursuing diversity.

“He (Clack) is not a part of that good ole’ boy system like it is in a lot of departments across the nation,” Charles Rucker, president of the Minneapolis African American Professional Firefighters Association, said when Clack was selected in March.

Last October, Dixon hired from within the Baltimore City Police Department when she chose Frederick Bealefeld III to replace Leonard Hamm as police commissioner. Despite political pressure to select former Washington, D.C. police chief Charles Ramsey, the mayor selected Bealefeld—a fourth generation cop who joined the force out of high school as a police cadet in 1981—and has presided over a 30 percent decrease in Baltimore homicides this year.

At the end of August, Baltimore—usually one of the most violent cities in the nation—was at 145 homicides, compared to 206 at the same time last year.

“Across demographics when you talk to anybody, they are impressed with Sheila—whether they were for her or not,” said Spector.

“I just hope and pray that she’ll be able to fight for the citizens of Baltimore as she has been,” she added.

But Dixon hasn’t just excelled in the selection of individuals for high profile positions and the reduction of city homicides. Some of her city council colleagues say she has established an administration focused on providing more efficient and responsive city services for Baltimore residents.

“It’s the ABCs that she’s done—things that haven’t been done well in 20 years,” said Second District Councilman Nicholas D’Adamo, Jr. D’Adamo, who represents a district that spans a large swath of Northeast Baltimore as well as areas in Canton, invoked the name of legendary former Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaeffer when describing Dixon’s work ethic and focus on essential city services such as street repair, sewer maintenance and trash pick-up.

“She’s not a showboat type of mayor—she’s not that type of politician,” D’Adamo explained. “If she wasn’t doing a good job I would say it—you have to give her credit,” he added. “I don’t know how she deals with the stress.”

The current investigation of Dixon by the state—which included a dramatic early morning raid of her home in June—stretches back to her days as city council president.

That investigation followed a federal investigation of the council’s financial dealings by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

That investigation concluded after two years in March 2005 without filing charges against any member of the city council. Earlier in the summer, an affidavit by the state prosecutor that was made public revealed details of Dixon’s private life, including a “personal relationship” with prominent Baltimore developer Ron Lipscomb —that she acknowledged—and her spending habits.

The imagery of state troopers and investigators entering Dixon’s Southwest Baltimore home while her two children were sleeping still doesn’t sit well with some city residents.

“To come and do something like that—she has a family—I know it had to be hard on her children being in school,” said Elaine Lee, founder and president of Young Educated Sisters (YES), a mentoring organization for girls.

“I just thought it was unfair how they handled it. I think it is a cloud over her accomplishments because people only see that (the raid) they don’t know the whole story,” added Lee. “Of course it’s clouding the positive because

people feed off of the negative.”

For several weeks there have been muted grumblings within Baltimore’s inner political circles that suggest the state’s investigation will end soon with an indictment. But there are those connected to the investigation who believe the status of the state’s case against the mayor is still unclear.

“The prosecutor’s office isn’t telling me anything,” said Baltimore attorney A. Dwight Petit who represents two people who testified before a grand jury during the Dixon investigation: Anthony McCarthy, her former chief of staff, and Ronald Hayes, a city employee and longtime Dixon friend.

“I’ve talked to them two or three times—they’ve been very, very mum—I’m totally in the dark,” added Petit.

D’Adamo said, “A lot of people are behind her—people are starting to believe in what she’s doing. Half of these people didn’t believe in her and now they believe—they tell me at the community meetings—and that says a lot to me,” he added. “In the end I hope the results (of the investigation) are good for her and for the city.”

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A6

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

Officials Support Ujima Village Academy Continued from A1 Education. “The least we can do is show you how much we appreciate that by allowing you to have the opportunities of this great academy.”

Since opening its doors in 2002, the Baltimore KIPP UVA – one of 66 KIPP schools nationally – has gained a reputation as one of Maryland’s top-performing middle schools.

In 2006, according to the school’s website, the eighth graders, collectively, earned more than $1 million in scholarships to private collegepreparatory high schools. That same year, the eighth graders scored 100 percent on the math and third-highest scores in Baltimore for reading on the Maryland School Assessment.

With no entrance requirements or selection criteria, the incoming fifth graders are chosen through a lottery of all students in its zone in Northwest Baltimore who want to attend KIPP Ujima

extracurricular activities that include dance, art and ceramic, mentoring and chess clubs, plus coaching classes that offer students additional educational assistance with their core classes.

Beckford, who was failing his classes his first year at KIPP, contributed his turnaround to teachers making their cell phone numbers available to students, like him, who needed homework help outside of the classroom.

“If I got a B+, they would encourage me to get an A+.

They allowed no exceptions or excuses,” Beckford said.

“Part of the reason we’ve been so successful is because our students are learning in a safe and positive environment,” said Shawn Toler, principal of the academy that serves the Park Heights neighborhood and nearby communities in Northwest Baltimore.

Another success story is Joshua Woods, who said he was frustrated during his first years at KIPP when he started getting home from school at 6:30 p.m., which left him two hours for homework and dinner before going to bed.

Realizing that there was no time for him to get in trouble,

the seventh grader said the school’s “strict” structure is just what the kids of Park Heights need.

“Let me start with the shirts that have to be tucked in 247,” Woods said, “the halls that have to be silent and the class[es that are] like heaven if you dream of heaven as 27 silent students on task and looking good in their uniforms.”

Cong. Elijah Cummings commended the students for making the sacrifice to get a good education.

“I want to thank you all for choosing to be great. We know that you are reaching to be all that God meant for you to be,” said Cummings, who serves as one of the academy’s directors. “I’ve often said that our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see.”

Looking out at the students, Cummings added: “You, you beautiful young men and women, are our future.”

ones to suffer.

“We know there will be a backlash but that backlash should be directed not at lowincome people, who often didn’t understand the terms they were getting or were just getting terrible loans,” he said.

“The worse thing that can happen is they learn the wrong lessons from this situation and just cut off low and middleincome people because they’re easy to scapegoat.”

Maudine Cooper, presi-

dent/CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League, said also she hopes non-profits like hers, who get resources from the GSEs to provide homeownership and foreclosure counseling, aren’t shafted.

“I hope that in the quest for balancing budgets and looking at spreadsheets, non-profits aren’t overlooked,” she said.

Foreclosure counseling, especially, requires significant resources, given the complex

nature of these loans, which are often sold from one vendor to another over the years.

“We are very conscious of the fact that this will have a serious impact on our budget next year,” Cooper said. “If Fannie Mae does not fund us we’ll have to cut back or look for other sources. We may have to reassign employees to a different project or hand them a pink slip. It’s as fundamental as that.”

Photo by Hilarie Szczygiel

Sen. Benjamin Cardin, academy principal Shawn Toler and Cong. Elijah Cummings pose with students at KIPP Ujima Village Academy.

Village Academy. Most students enter the school performing well below their academic grade level.

The school website states: “In spite of the correlation some people make between

race and class on the one hand, 99% of its students are African-American, and 86% qualify for free or reducedprice lunch.”

The federal funds will go toward the academy’s

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Takeover Continued from A5 loans—4.3 percent of the total—were delinquent or in foreclosure in the three-month period ending in June, according to a recently released survey by the Mortgages Bankers Association. That’s up from 19,000 a year earlier.

“For the last couple of years we’ve seen a pretty diverse group of people coming in here,” Cox said. “We’re used to serving low-income people but now we’re seeing people from all walks of life,

all backgrounds, all income levels, mortgage brokers who’ve been fooled by their own product…it’s cutting across every line.”

And unfortunately, said Ken Rosen, chairman of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at UC Berkeley, the Fannie/Freddie rescue will not make money available for the everyday Joes on the brink of foreclosure, even as it promises hefty severance packages for the

departing chief executives and, possibly, shareholders, from taxpayer dollars.

“It’s a positive, but it’s a small positive,” Rosen told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s a confidence booster in the financial market, not really directly aimed at the housing problem.”

Cox said he fears that even as regulators work to tighten Freddie’s and Fannie’s loan standards, low- and middleincome people will be the

B A LT I M O R E C I T Y P U B L I C S C H O OLS

l a t n e m e l p p u S Educational Services DO THE HOMEWORK

on ! an d ma ke a n ed uc at ed de ci si

ESC UEL AS PÚB LICA S DE LA CIU DAD DE BALTIM ORE

Servicios Educativos s o i r a t n e m e l p u S H A G A L A T A RcisiEóAn!

¡y to m e la m ej or de

To learn more, please come to the Supplemental Educational Services Provider Fair:

Para más datos, venga a la Feria de Proveedores de Servicios Educativos Suplementarios el

Saturday September 20, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

sábado 20 de sept. de 2008 de 10:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m.

Harford Heights Intermediate 1919 N. Broadway St., 21213

en Harford Heights Intermediate 1919 N. Broadway St., 21213

This option is brought to you by Baltimore City Public Schools.

A l s o v i s i t o u r we b s i t e a t www.baltimorecityschools.org or call the City Schools Title I Office at 410-396-8937.

Esta opción se la ofrece el Sistema de Escuelas Públicas de la Ciudad de Baltimore.

También visite nuestro sitio Web: www.baltimorecityschools.org o llame a la Oficina de Título I de las Escuelas de la Ciudad al 410-396-8937.

September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

A7

Baltimore NAACP Urges Residents to Prepare for Emergencies

By Alan King AFRO Staff Writer With the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks and recent hurricane threats, community leaders see a timely opportunity to remind Baltimore residents of the importance of having an emergency plan ahead of time.

Putting together a kit of necessary items, communicating quickly with family members and replenishing nonperishable supplies is essential, said Marvin L. ‘Doc’ Cheatham, president of the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP. To assist residents, the NAACP recently taped an Emergency Preparedness meeting with the Maryland State Department of Human Resources and the Baltimore Office for Emergency Preparedness; the taping was aired on Channel 75.

Residents are encouraged to pick up additional information and resources at the Baltimore chapter headquarters located at 8 West 26th Street. Cheatham said the documents inform residents, particularly those with health challenges, to make sure they have written down their prescriptions and the required doses.

The Baltimore Office for Emergency Management – which coordinates all the city agencies including the police, fire and health departments – advises every household to have a “preparedness kit” consisting of sufficient water, food and blankets. Along with a flashlight and portable radio, the office also said the kit should include other supplies to last for two to four days.

Having experienced an emergency situation in his own family, Cheatham said he knows the importance of using text messages as a way of communicating when phone lines are down.

He recounted the story of his nephew who was a student at Virginia Tech University during the mass on-campus slaying of several students.

His nephew, who was on lockdown with other students until the gunman was caught, was able to text message his sister at a college in New York.

Emergency Preparedness Kit •Sufficient water, food and blankets •Flashlight •Portable radio •Communication tools (e.g., cell phones) •Other supplies to last for 2 to 4 days Source: Baltimore Office for Emergency Management

“That was how we were able to find out he was OK. He couldn’t get out of the building,” Cheatham said.

About his group’s emergency

preparedness meeting, he added: “We encouraged folks to use text messaging.”

The Office of Emergency Management is open to con-

ducting free CPR classes and providing training on a heartreviving machine.

Cheatham said, “Communities can also put

together teams that can be trained to respond to emergencies” and be identified to answer emergency questions their community may have.

For additional information, contact the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response at (443) 984-2622

This weekend at Macy’s There are three ways to take advantage of

the savings!

25%-80% off

storewide including collections you’d never expect to see on sale!

Take an extra † 10%-15% off when you use your savings pass. †Exclusions apply; see pass.

ALLDAY SAVINGS PASS

EXTRA 15% OFF

†

A SELECTION OF REGULAR, SALE & CLEARANCE PURCHASES STOREWIDE INCLUDING SHOES FOR HER 10% OFF† A SELECTION OF HOME ITEMS, COATS, SUITS, INTIMATES, DRESSES; SHOES & SPORTCOATS FOR HIM VALID THROUGH 9/14/08.

CANNOT BE USED ON SPECIALS

†Excludes: specials, jewelry, Everyday Values (edv), super buys; bridge & designer intimate apparel, shoes, handbags & sportswear; cashmere, cosmetics/fragrances, watches, premium tops & bottoms for him (D 567/571), swim for her, electrics, electronics, furniture, mattresses, rugs/floor coverings, sterling flatware; Holiday Lane Dept., trim, cards & wrap; regular-priced china, crystal & silver. Also excludes: All-Clad, American Rag, Baccarat, Barbara Barry, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Burton, Calvin Klein, Coach, DKNY, Dooney & Bourke, Ed Hardy, Emporio Armani, Ghurka, Henckels, Hugo Boss, Impulse, INC, Joseph Abboud, Juicy, kate spade, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Lalique, Lladro, Levi’s/Dockers, Louis Vuitton, Lucky, Material London, Michael Kors, Natori, Nautica, The North Face, Oval Room , Perry Ellis, Polo/Ralph Lauren, St. John, T. Tahari, Tasso Elba, Thomas Pink, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, 28 Shop, Ugg, Vera Wang, Waterford, Wüsthof (designer exclusions don't apply to outerwear depts.); previous purchases, special orders, services, gift registry kiosks, gift cards, macys. com, macys weddingchannel.com, payment on credit accounts, bridal salons, FAO Schwarz, J&R Express, maternity, Signoria Firenze, Stride Rite, Ticketmaster, Vision Express, wigs, restaurants, alcoholic beverages, wine. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Macy’s employees not eligible.

EXTRA SAVINGS % APPLIED TO REDUCED PRICES. MCE

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certificates get one for every‡ $100 you spend!

There’s no limit to how many certificates you can get!

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‡HOW IT WORKS: Bring your receipts from 9/12-9/14 to the Redemption Desk at any Macy’s before end-of-day 9/14/08. You’ll get your free $20 Savings Certificates right on the spot – one for every $100 in qualifying purchases. Qualifying purchases must total $100 prior to taxes and delivery fees. Savings Certificates cannot be earned in furniture, mattresses, rugs, gift cards, furs, wine, Stride Rite, bridal, maternity, wigs, Ticketmaster, J&R Express, services, prior purchases, payments to your Macy’s account, fees, phone orders or macys.com & macyweddingchannel.com purchases. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Macy’s employees not eligible. Savings Certificates valid 9/15-10/13/08. Exclusive of tax and delivery; other restrictions apply; details in store. YOUR MACY’S CERTIFICATE MAY BE USED TOWARD any Macy’s merchandise except specials, Everyday Values (edv), super buys; bridge & designer shoes, handbags & sportswear; cosmetics, fragrances, watches, electrics, electronics, furniture, mattresses, rugs. Also excludes: All-Clad, Baccarat, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Emporio Armani, Ghurka, Henckels, Impulse, Juicy, kate spade, Lacoste, Lalique, Louis Vuitton, Oval Room, Polo/Ralph Lauren, St. John, Tempur-Pedic, Thomas Pink, Tommy Bahama, 28 Shop, Wacoal, Waterford, Wüsthof. Not valid on: previous purchases, special orders, services, gift registry kiosks, gift cards, macys.com, macys weddingchannel.com, payment on credit accounts; alcoholic beverages, bridal salons, FAO Schwarz, J&R Express, maternity, Signoria Firenze, Stride Rite, Ticketmaster, Vision Express, wigs, restaurants, wine. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Macy’s employees not eligible. Certificate applies to entire purchase; any return of purchase will reduce your savings proportionally. Purchase must be $50 or more exclusive of tax & delivery fees. Only 1 certificate may be used per purchase of $50 or more.

SALE PRICES IN EFFECT THROUGH 9/14/08. For store locations & hours, log on to macys.com

A8

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

State Grapples with Equality for Black Colleges Continued from A1 “I don’t know of another state that has had the courage to take the initiative—you might not realize that but, from my perch it’s a very, very significant thing,” said Dave Spence, chairman of the HBI Study Panel.

The panel has studied seven Maryland institutions of higher education: Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Towson University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Salisbury State University and University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Their overall charge is, “the development of an analytical process and a series of strategic steps that will enable the HBI’s to develop the capacity to compete at all levels with other public institutions of higher education in Maryland,” said

Spence during his deliberative opening statement as he read from the panel’s report.

Spence, who has been president of the Southern Regional Education Board since 2005, serves on the panel with five others — William DeLauder, president emeritus of Delaware State University; Dr. Franklyn Jenifer, president emeritus of the University of Texas at Dallas; James Rosser, former president of California State University, Los Angeles; and Judith Winston, former general counsel, U.S. Department of Education under President Bill Clinton.

Dennis Jones, president of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems and Patrick Callan, president of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education did not

attend this week’s meeting in Annapolis.

The panel presented a daunting task for Maryland in making HBIs more competitive with TWIs. According to the panel, HBI SAT scores are 200 to 250 points lower than at TWIs. A higher percentage of HBI students are low-income, HBI graduation rates are 20-30 points lower than TWIs and HBI second-year retention rates are lower.

“HBIs have a dual mission that’s very different from TWIs,” Spence said. “They serve—disproportionately serve—a disproportionately high percentage of students who are less prepared in reading, writing and math and are from lower-income families,” he added.

“In terms of results, out-

Ousted Detroit Mayor Vows Comeback Gets 4 Months in Jail “Sometimes standing strong means stepping down.”

By Dorothy Rowley AFRO Staff Writer

Ousted Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick vowed to make a comeback following his forced resignation surrounding a sex and perjury scandal. In a plea deal, Kilpatrick will serve four months in jail and pay back $1 million to the city – legal fees resulting from $8.4 million the city paid to settle whistleblower lawsuits.

Still defiant after offering guilty pleas in the case that destabilized Detroit’s City Hall politics for seven months, Kilpatrick said city officials and Michigan’s governor should work as hard continuing the city’s accomplishments as they worked to boot him out of office.

“Sometimes standing strong means stepping down,” Kilpatrick said, adding that his ouster has actually “set me up for a comeback.”

He added that the city is in much better shape than he found it seven years ago.

“We, in Detroit, have done some amazing things together,” said the 38-year-old mayor who was given 14 days to vacate his post.

Kilpatrick, the son of Michigan Cong. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, is the youngest person to ever be elected mayor in Detroit. As a result of his convictions, he will be ineligible to run for public office for five years.

In March, Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty, were charged with perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice after the Detroit Free Press published the text messages revealing Kilpatrick’s romantic dalliances with Beatty.

Courtesy Photo Although Detroit residents appeared to have Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick mixed emotions over his innocence, it was Kilpatrick’s steadfast refusal to relinquish his post as mayor that eventually catapulted the country’s 11th largest city into a state of political chaos. & However, the mayor’s problems reportedly began back in INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO A 2002, following a rumored wild party that took place at SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING the city-owned Manoogian Mansion, where Kilpatrick and his family lived.

Reports swirled around the death of a 27-year-old selfacclaimed exotic dancer named Continued on A9

comes for HBIs to be fully competitive with TWIs – they need to have outcomes—graduation rates—approaching those of TWIs—having those skills upon entering college is the single greatest indicator of successful graduates.”

But given the current state of public schools in America, which disproportionately serve Black, Hispanic and poor students, the goal of comparability between HBIs and TWIs seems like a distant destination.

“Our goal is for students to be prepared for college after high school,” Dr. James Rosser said. “And we’re not there and we won’t be there for a few years,” he added. According to the panel, 70 percent of students overall in the U.S. are not ready for college.

Rosser went further, “There’s a difference between graduating from High School and being ready for college. In California, if you are at an eighth grade reading level you can graduate and that’s not acceptable,” he said.

Several Maryland college educators who attended the meeting acknowledge the chal-

lenges they face educating students who aren’t prepared for college, yet they still seem optimistic.

“That’s a more long-term goal—preparing high school students for college—however, we’re pleased with the overall recommendations of the study panel,” said Dr. Reginald Avery, president of Coppin State University. “Obviously, the capacity issue is very important to us—we’ve been saying that as HBCU presidents all along,” he added.

“We believe we can really enhance the graduation rates— on the other hand, we have been saying we need resources—we need to build our capacities to get to that point. But now the state has to step in and make sure we have the appropriate capacities to do the things that they charge us with.”

But Garland Williamson, a member of the commission and chairman of the board of trustees of Baltimore City Community College wanted to make it clear that Black students can compete with any students given equitable

resources.

“There are some people in the state that believe the reason why some African-American students have such a difficult time in college is because of their ability and capacity, and that is not the case. The reason is that they’re not prepared— and I wanted to make sure that in this report that they clearly state that,” Williamson said.

“Given the opportunity and given the resources, minority students do as well and in some instances better than other students in the state and that’s really what this is about,” Williamson added.

“I’m really not concerned about the commission stepping up to the plate and—if you will—doing the right thing,” Williamson said. “But I am less optimistic about whether or not the state will implement the recommendations—I’m guardedly optimistic there—you have to give our leaders of the state legislature credit,” he added.

“They did bring this forward—no other state has done this—so, that’s a step in the right direction.”

Big Gains in Voter Registration Continued from A3 take part in the primaries and caucuses, and now they will now be targeted by an aggressive get-out-the-vote campaign.

“We feel that our supporters are more enthusiastic than we’ve seen in previous cycles,” said Jon Carson, Obama’s national field director.

The Obama campaign is taking the lead among the party organizations and labor unions that traditionally work on voter registration efforts.

Because party organizations and unions, like the Service Employees International Union to which Graham belongs, can raise unrestricted amounts of money, presidential campaigns typically rely on them to handle the bulk of voter registration drives, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said in an interview.

“This is the first campaign I’ve seen where the voter registration is done by the campaign,” Dean said.

The Republicans are relying on a more traditional voter registration model, with the Republican National Committee leading the effort among state parties.

“We hope that the hard work we’ve done in the past will provide us with a strategic advantage,” said Mike DuHaime, McCain’s political director. “We will have the most technologically advanced ground operation ever.”

DuHaime said the RNC is working with the state parties to register voters in every battleground state. He said there is extra emphasis on the fastgrowing ones, including Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Florida and North Carolina.

He said the GOP’s comprehensive voter database helps it track voters moving into competitive states.

“If you ever voted in a Republican primary and move without registering, we pick it up,” DuHaime said.

Nationwide, there are about 42 million registered Democrats and about 31 million Republicans, according to statistics compiled by The Associated Press.

The Democrats have posted big gains in many competitive states, including Nevada, New Hampshire, Iowa, Colorado and Florida. They have also been targeting historically Republican southern states.

Since 2006, the Democrats have added 167,000 voters in North Carolina while the Republicans have added 36,000. The Democrats’ biggest voter registration goal is in Georgia, where the Obama campaign hopes to register 500,000 voters before the election, said Dean, who has spent the past month traveling the country on a voter registration bus tour.

“The Obama folks are seri-

ous about Georgia,” Dean said.

Georgia has added 337,000 voters since 2006, but the state does not identify them by party affiliation.

In Pennsylvania, the Democrats have added 375,000 voters since 2006 while the Republicans have lost 117,000.

America Votes, an umbrella organization, coordinates voter registration efforts for more than 40 groups in Pennsylvania, including unions, the NAACP and the Sierra Club.

On a recent weekday, two dozen volunteers canvas neighborhoods in five southwest Pennsylvania counties, targeting African Americans in their teens and twenties, who tend to vote at lower rates than older voters.

Graham, the SEIU member, works the neighborhoods of Clairton, where the steel industry’s decline has left more downtown storefronts boarded up than occupied.

Graham finds a potential voter at the first house she stops. Justin Webb, a father of two, is unregistered but tells Graham he has serious concerns about the economy.

“We need more jobs,” said Webb, 28. “If we had more jobs, we would have more opportunities to better ourselves.”

It takes Graham less than five minutes to register Webb as a Democrat.

Voter Registration Guidelines for Maryland

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As the historic Nov. 4 presidential election nears, voter registration has become a paramount focus for African Americans. Voter registration deadlines for the upcoming election are Oct. 14 in Maryland. All registration forms must be postmarked at least 21 days prior to the election in Maryland. For more information about registering to vote, visit the following Web sites:

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September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

A9

Black Group Struggles to Preserve African Heritage Ancestor’s Village represents a ‘cultural gem’

By Alan King AFRO Staff Writer Over the years, African Americans have searched for and discovered innumerable ways to reconnect to their African roots and heritage.

For Baba Zirikote and Edna Lawrence, two Baltimore residents, the Ancestor Village and Living Theater inside the Cambridge Building on South Pulaski Street have come to represent their way of preserving what they call “the true history of Africa.”

“We’re primarily here to offer something to the AfricanAmerican community that was basic to their ancestors,” Zirikote said.

With limited funding, however, the community activists are on their last leg fighting to save what they call “the best kept secret.”

The Village’s 10,800 square-feet of space encompass an indoor “sacred” garden, a ceremonial shrine and dance

studio.

After Zirikote acquired the space in 2002, one of its first events was a lecture series with African-American scholars.

Among them was African cultural expert Tony Browder, whose six books are used in school systems throughout the U.S., England, Ghana, Egypt, the Caribbean and Japan.

“Most museums you go to you look at things,” he said, “but this [the Ancestor’s Village] actually invited participants to come in and be a part of the experience.”

Browder, who’s made 41 visits to Egypt, said the space is a “taste” of Africa for “the 99 percent of African Americans” who’ve never visited the continent.

“This can serve as a means of stimulating interest in possible travel or at least cultivating a greater awareness and appreciation for African cultural elements within this country,” he said.

Recalling the lecture series,

Courtesy Photo

Bibi Fatimah, Nana Olufunmelayo, Dr. Akua N. Zenzele and guest at the welcoming ceremony for Ghanaian paramount chief Nana Kofi III.

Zirikote said, “It was refreshing because the people came in here and thought, ‘Wow! I never had a place like this.’ It’s true – they hadn’t.”

The Village recently welcomed Nana Okotor Kofi III, a paramount king of the Nkonya Region of Ghana.

“I’m happy that I’m here,” Nana Kofi said.

The event marked his first trip to the U.S. as he visits various branches of the Ausar Auset Society, an international Pan-African organization that preserves the spiritual teachings of traditional African culture.

Opening its space to the Baltimore study group – an off-shoot of the Ausar Auset in D.C. – illustrates the Village’s awareness of the foundation the ancestors provide for their spiritual growth, said Ur Aua Hehi Metu RaEnKamit, the paramount king of the Ausar Auset in D.C. and also Nana Kofi’s host.

“The ancestors are not something that is relegated to some pages in history,” he said.

Of the event, he added: “We’re very happy to be here in this space.”

Edna Lawrence said the space is a “cultural gem” that encompasses more than 300 African artifacts, and a 16-foot replica of the Olmec heads that she said was discovered in Mexico during the 1400s, proving that Africans roamed those areas before the slave trade.

Lawrence’s program, A Grandmother’s Pilgrimage which “reeducates” African Americans about their ancestors through oral storytelling, operates out of the Ancestor Village.

Through a partnership this

Courtesy Photo

Edna Lawrence of “A Grandmother’s Pilgrimage” welcomed Nana Okotor Kofi III, a paramount chief in the Nkonya Region of Ghana, at the Ancestor’s Village. The event marked Nana Kofi’s first visit to the United States. year with Project Trudge, a non-profit, the Living Theater now houses “Segullah,” a company that teaches dance classes to youth and has taught area churches how to facilitate dance classes for the community as a way of raising funds.

Additional funding would help Zirikote and Lawrence set up a free GED and home schooling programs for children of various cultures.

Bibi Fatimah, who’s known Zirikote since the ‘70s, said she would like to see art come out of that space.

“I want to see jazz – all kinds of music – come out of here,” said Fatimah, who for more than 40 years has performed her narrative on the “evolution” of the AfricanAmerican experience from African drums, to spirituals and ragtime, to Dixieland and swing, to jazz and bebop.

Along with handling the

Ousted Detroit Mayor Vows Comeback Continued from A8 Tamara Greene who was found shot to death inside her car in April 2003. Rumors had it that she had danced at the mansion party and was killed to keep from talking to police. A month later, Detroit Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown was allegedly fired by Kilpatrick for conducting unauthorized investigations.

In addition to the perjury and obstruction of justice charges, Kilpatrick’s latest troubles had also involved a trip to Canada he made in July without notifying authorities.

A judge ruled the trip was in violation of his bond related to the perjury case. Kilpatrick was jailed for one day in August then ordered back to court over a visit to his sister, who was considered a witness in Kilpatrick’s assault case involving two officers. He was cleared of those charges.

Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, Baltimore branch NAACP

president, said he was saddened by the chain of events that led to Kilpatrick’s downfall.

“Here you have this bright, intelligent, young AfricanAmerican leader who quickly reached a pinnacle of success and was admired by people all across the country,” said Cheatham. “It’s discouraging.

You can’t do wrong [and lie about it],” he said. “But I’m hoping that other young Blacks won’t lose the faith and vision that they can bring to this country as leaders.”

Cheatham added that he believes Kilpatrick lacked mentorship in his quick ascension to the top.

As for Kilpatrick weathering this controversy to make a comeback, some experts — noting that former President Bill Clinton survived a sex scandal and Marion Barry was re-elected mayor of the District of Columbia following a drug

conviction and then went on to become a City Councilman — say it is possible.

According to recently published comments by Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor, Kilpatrick’s situation may be different from Barry’s because Barry was able to argue entrapment by federal officials. In addition, he never ran for national office. Because he was already in his second and final term as president, Clinton wasn’t eligible for re-election.

“The people of Detroit may want to continue their relationship with Mayor Kilpatrick, but it’s doubtful that any national constituency would even want to start a relationship with him,” Turley said.

“In D.C. we have had pretty good experience giving our mayor a second chance, so it would be hard for me not to say Kilpatrick wouldn’t deserve a comeback,” said Jeff

entertainment programs, she will also teach sign language as a part of the home school curriculum.

Calling for more community participation, Fatimah said, “We do need people that do have money to come in and [help] build it up.” For those without financial means, she added: “Whatever gift you have; if you feel you can contribute or help [the Village] grow, come on and give up [that talent].”

Additional funding would also help A Grandmother’s Pilgrimage run their summer programs for youths.

Last summer, the youth went on a field trip to “see how it feels to own your own stuff,” Lawrence said.

With her children, nieces and nephews self-employed, she noted that the 4600 corridor of York Road to Cold Spring Lane East are lined with successful Black-owned businesses, what she calls a sign of

entrepreneurship opportunities for young people.

But paying out-of-pocket to continue these types of activities, Lawrence said, is wearing thin.

The funding received from Family League of Baltimore City, the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families (GOCYF) and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Lawrence said, cannot be used for the Ancestor’s Village.

Instead, those funds are only allocated for her after-school program and “original mobile educational presentations” (oral storytelling).

About the task of raising funds for the Village and Living Theater, Lawrence said, “I’m going to succeed. It’s just a rough road to get there.”

For more information about the Ancestor’s Village and Living Theater, contact Edna Lawrence at (443) 683-4696.

Smith, executive director of the nonprofit D.C .Voice which advocates public policy surrounding education issues in the District.

“Mayors bounce back from more damaging scenarios than Kilpatrick’s.”

Smith said while he didn’t know what kind of mentoring, if any, Kilpatrick had as a young politician, his problem appeared to hinge more on poor judgment.

Kilpatrick will be formally sentenced on Oct. 28. City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. will succeed Kilpatrick until a special election is held to replace the fallen mayor.

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A10

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

Opinion Honoring Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad Leader Maryland played an important role in our nation’s early history – from the American Revolution to the Civil War, and beyond. One of the most important Marylanders to shape our nation’s history was Harriet Ross Tubman, Benjamin L. Cardin an African-American woman who was a leader of the anti-slavery resistance network known as the Underground Railroad.

I am committed to honoring the life of this outstanding woman and I have introduced legislation to establish two parks, one in Maryland and one in New York, to honor her legacy.

In Maryland, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park will trace her early life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she was born and later escaped from slavery to become a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in New York will be located in Auburn and will focus on her later years when she was active in the suffrage movement and in providing for the welfare of aged African Americans.

Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County, Md., where she spent nearly 30 years as a slave. She escaped slavery in 1849, but returned for more than 10 years to Dorchester and Caroline counties where she led hundreds of African Americans to freedom. Known as “Moses” by African-American and white abolitionists, she reportedly never lost a “passenger” on the Underground Railroad.

Harriet Tubman was a true American patriot for whom liberty and freedom were not just concepts. She lived those principles and shared that freedom with hundreds of others. These two parks will make it possible for Marylanders and the entire nation to trace her life’s work and remember all that she accomplished.

In Maryland, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park would include historically important landscapes in Dorchester, Caroline and Talbot counties that are evocative of the life of Harriet Tubman. The

Maryland properties include about 2,200 acres in Caroline County that comprise the Poplar Neck plantation that Tubman escaped from in 1849. The 725 acres of viewshed across the Choptank River in Talbot County would also be included in the park. In Dorchester County, the parcels would not be contiguous but would include about 2,775 acres. All of them are included within the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge boundaries or abut that resource land. The National Park Service would not own any of these lands.

In New York, the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park would include important historical structures in Auburn, N.Y. They include Tubman’s home, the Home for the Aged that she

“…I have introduced legislation to establish two parks, one in Maryland and one in New York, to honor her legacy.”

Congress Must Help Children in Foster Care Before it leaves Washington, D.C. at the end of September, Congress has a unique opportunity to help children in foster care by enacting important innovative legislation.

The Fostering Connections to Success Act (H.R. 6307), already passed by the House, Marian Wright and its counterpart proposal Edelman under consideration in the Senate, will help ensure better outcomes for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children. Together, the proposals will promote important improvements in supports for children and youths in foster care, including new opportunities to live with permanent families through adoption and relative guardianship as well as assistance for older youth transitioning out of foster care.

It’s important that Congress act on these proposals before it adjourns because there are too many children who don’t have a safe, permanent family where they can grow up with a sense of well-being.

Every 36 seconds, a child is abused or neglected— 2,400 a day.

Nearly 40 percent of these children receive no services from the child welfare system after their case has been investigated. In any given year, about 800,000 children are in foster care, and they remain in care on average for two years. Half are separated from at least one of their siblings. About 127,000 children are waiting for adoptive families.

The House and Senate measures provide important improvements by promoting permanent families for many children in foster care. The proposals offer federal financial support to states to provide subsidized guardianship payments for children leaving foster care to live permanently with grandparents or other relative guardians when they can’t return home or be adopted. The proposals also contain provisions designed to keep siblings together in foster care.

Proposals from both houses require that relatives be notified when children enter foster care to increase the opportunities for them to come forward as caregivers when children must be removed from their parents. Kinship Navigator Programs are included in the proposals to help connect children living with relatives to program supports and financial assistance for which they are eligible.

Incentives are given to states to find adoptive families for children in foster care, especially for older youths and those with disabilities or other special needs. In addition, for the first time many American Indian and Alaska Native children will gain protections and direct federal assistance through the federal foster care and adoption assistance pro-

grams for which hundreds of thousands of other children are already eligible.

Much needed provisions would help about 26,000 teenagers who are aging out of foster care each year without permanent families.

They face poverty, homelessness, limited educational opportunities and lack health and mental health care. Under these proposals, youths who turn 18 in foster care without permanent families could remain in care and increase their opportunities for success as they transition to adulthood. Without this help, many of these youths are at risk of slipping into the pipeline to prison, ending up in a jail cell instead of a home.

The House and Senate proposals are particularly valuable for minority children and families who face continuing disparities in foster care largely because of racial bias, poverty and challenges in accessing support services.

According to a General Accountability Office (GAO) report, Black children are overrepresented in foster care in all 50 states—by more than four times their representation in the general population in some states. Disparities exist, too, for American Indian and Latino children in some states. A significantly greater proportion of Black children enter and remain in foster care longer than children of other races and ethnicities and, once placed, the disproportionality of Black children grows at each decision point in the child welfare process.

Although multiple studies have found that children of all races and ethnicities are equally likely to suffer abuse or neglect, minority children are more frequently reported as victims of abuse and neglect.

Once reported, Black families are more often investigated. Black infants and toddlers are more likely than other children to be removed from their homes following accusations of abuse or neglect and are only half as likely to receive services.

Some studies have found that once removed from their parents, minority children spend more time in foster care, making them vulnerable to the undertow of the prison pipeline.

Taken together, the Fostering Connections to Success Act and its counterpart Senate proposal are an important step in the right direction. They both have strong bipartisan support and are fully funded.

There is no excuse for Congress not to act. Passing this legislation would be an important win for Congress and for hundreds of thousands of children and youths in foster care across the country.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund and its Action Council. For more information, go to http://www.childrensdefense.org/.

established, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church and the Fort Hill Cemetery where she is buried.

The bill authorizes $11 million in grants for the Maryland section. Funds can be used for the construction of the Harriet Tubman State Park Visitors Center and for easements or acquisition of properties inside or adjacent to the Historical Park boundaries.

In New York, the bill authorizes $7.5 million in grants for the preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of the Auburn properties.

Finally, the bill also authorizes a new grants program. Under the program, the National Park Service would award competitive grants to historically Black colleges and universities, predominately Black institutions and minority serving institutions for research into the life of Harriet Tubman and the African-American experience during the years that coincide with the life of Harriet Tubman.

U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin is a member of the Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works, Budget and Small Business committees. His web site is: cardin.senate.gov

Letter to the Editor Democrats Don’t Play to Win After watching the Republican National Party and listening to Sarah Palin’s speech, I’ve concluded that Democrats do not “play to win.”

The McCain-Palin ticket is ridiculous on many counts; it was also ridiculous when George Bush was running—both times! But they won! I’m tired of Republicans winning with downright losers!

I know that I’m jumping the gun, but Obama has practically given the 2008 election to the Republicans and I’m upset about it!

Republicans do not fight a fair fight…this is an over-statement of the obvious! Look at some of their winners: George Bush Sr., George Bush Jr, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and John McCain. Stellar losers!!

In August 2008, Obama held the winning political ticket—hands down—with Hillary Clinton! It’s too late to recover this one; but he had it anyway. Again, Democrats do not

play to win. Politics is a game; and games are about winning!!! This is where you put away your bickering, prejudices, likes and dislikes about individuals. This is where you say, “Who can win?” Then you get out there and win!

Every four years we hold elections and Democrats bring forth great candidates with great ideas, etc., and then these great candidates select the wrong people, and we already know the end of this story.

We haven’t even touched Obama’s or McCain’s real goals. Definitively, what do either of them plan to do about these issues: war in Afghanistan, war in Iraq, energy, healthcare, immigration, taxes and the economic health of America (e.g., housing, education and oil prices)?

Bottom-line: Politics is still about winning and Democrats should show it. The rest is history!

Joan C. Willis Washington, D.C.

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A11

Opinion An Educated Decision 2008: The Right to Organize Commentary

ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS AFRO File Photo

While the Republicans were busy last week in St. Paul making speeches, Julie Blaha and thousands of other working women were hitting the streets.

Across America, Ms. Blaha and other union volunteers were reaching out to educate fellow union members about all that is at stake in our national elections this year. Our next president and Congress will make critical decisions on foreign policy, our economy and our access to a good education and quality health care.

“This decision is far too important to make without talking to people I really trust,” she observed. “I trust my neighbors. I want to know what they think and I want to share with them what I think.”

Julie Blaha’s message of constructive, progressive change struck a very personal chord for me. For more than 50 years, the struggles that working families must overcome in order to survive and prosper have been central to my life.

Before my parents had a union to stand by them, they were forced to work in the fields for 15 cents an hour. Then, seeking a better life, they married and moved to Baltimore, where Dad was able to obtain a union job at Davison Chemical in Curtis Bay. The Chemical Workers’ Union helped my parents buy their home – and the union negotiated the medical and prescription plans that protect my mother’s health to this day.

“Time-and-a-half” overtime pay gave our family the extra money that allowed us to take a trip to visit relatives each year. As a teenager, I was able to join the union at Bethlehem Steel, where I earned money for college by sweeping the machine shop floor.

For Americans in general, and African-American families in particular, our labor unions have stood shoulder to shoulder with our churches in the ongoing struggle for civil and human

rights. Last March, the Center for Economic and Policy Research confirmed that unionized African Americans continue to make more money and have better benefits than their non-union counterparts.

Four decades after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while helping Memphis garbage workers in their fight for fair pay, unionized African-American

is slowly getting out of reach.

In a national Peter Hart survey in 2007, 10 percent of those interviewed acknowledged they are “falling behind” and fully onehalf reported they are making “just enough to get by.”

As my friend and colleague, Cong. George Miller (Ca., 07), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, declared last year, “. . . the middle class has

lives. That is why – as that 2007 Peter Hart polling revealed – a majority of all workers (53 percent) would join a union if they could.

It also is why I joined Chairman Miller last year as an original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007 [H.R. 800]. We pushed reform in our law because of compelling testimony that many

“Many companies have resorted to threats, intimidation, firings and other illegal activity…to crush union organizing.” workers earn, on average, 12 percent more than their non-union peers – and they are far more likely to have employer-backed health insurance benefits and pension plans.

Those facts are central to the change we Americans need.

Indeed, for millions of working families, union membership continues to be one of the central elements of any plan to expand economic equality in this country.

The American strategy for success has always been a simple one: work hard and achieve a better life. For too many Americans today, however, this opportunity

been squeezed.”

Corporate America has been on the attack in recent years demanding more work for less pay and shipping jobs abroad – while raising prices to whatever the market will bear.

This squeeze has progressed with the connivance and, at times, the active assistance of the Bush administration and its congressional allies -- the most anti-labor alliance in my lifetime.

Collective bargaining for fair wages, better working conditions, healthcare benefits and pension security has allowed tens of millions of Americans to build better

companies have resorted to threats, intimidation, firings and other illegal activity in their determination to crush union organizing.

Our legislation, when it is finally enacted into law, will allow the majority of employees at any workplace to choose union representation by the simple act of signing an authorization card – and will significantly strengthen the legal protections that workers receive when they are trying to organize for better working conditions and pay.

The importance of this reform legislation illustrates why our

choice for president is so important this year.

We were able to pass H.R. 800 in the House of Representatives.

Tragically, however, those who are opposed to giving working families the “free choice” to organize – for higher pay, better working conditions, health care and other benefits — have blocked our legislation in the Senate.

They are using the same delaying “filibuster” tactics that slowed down the progress toward civil rights in the 1960s.

The official Senate record reveals that Sen. Barack Obama is a strong supporter of Employee Free Choice.

On June 26, 2007, however, Sen. John McCain voted “NAY.” America’s working families deserve to know about this distinction between Senators Obama and McCain as we prepare to cast our own votes on Election Day 2008. Like Julie Blaha, we, too, must make an educated choice.

Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

Protesting Car Insurance Rate Fawning Corporate Media Serve Reduction is Ridiculous As Sidekick to John McCain Commentary

Commentary

GEORGE E. CURRY AFRO File Photo

Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey, noting that Sen. John McCain supported George W. Bush 90 percent of the time in the last session of Congress, got it right when he told delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver: “That’s not a maverick, that’s a sidekick.”

Unfortunately, the corporate media – translation: White-owned media – has decided to become an unabashed sidekick to Bush’s sidekick. Fawning journalists have abandoned their supposedly “objective” roles and are portraying McCain as a maverick when, in fact, he is anything but that.

The selection of Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate has fueled even more of this nonsense. A column in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle, for example, was headlined: “GOP resurging as party of mavericks.” A day after McCain announced his VP pick, a Washington Post headline proclaimed: “With Pick, McCain Reclaims His Maverick Image.” On “Meet the Press,” Andrea Mitchell declared that McCain “has returned to the original John McCain, the maverick.”

NBC host Chris Matthews accurately stated, “The press loves McCain. We’re his base.” As Peter Hart observes in an article in “Extra!,” the publication of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), “A candidate could only get away with such an elaborate and long-running con with the media as willing accomplices.”

Hart credits CBS’s “60 Minutes” with elevating the myth that McCain is a maverick. In 1997, it ran a segment titled, “The Maverick from Arizona.” Even crusty newscaster Mike Wallace

told the Washington Post, “I’m thinking I may quit my job if he gets the nomination.”

Bob Schieffer, another CBS broadcaster, called McCain “the most famous maverick of the last half of the 20th century.” Not to be outdone, Time magazine characterized McCain as “a

as president, saying the ‘bill is dead as it is written’ and that ‘the lesson is they want the border secured first.’ The ‘they’ he’s speaking of would seem to be the right-wing of the party, whom McCain had angered by resisting such ‘security first’ demands for many months.”

It’s interesting how the

“McCain ends up getting a free ride even when he contradicts himself.” free-ranging, fence-jumping, kick-the-coral maverick.”

The problem with such unceasing cheerleading – in addition to destroying any semblance of fairness – is that such bias carries over into analyzing the candidate’s record. Consequently, McCain ends up getting a free ride even when he contradicts himself.

Peter Hart of FAIR noted, “For a more typical politician, McCain’s myriad flipflops would be a serious liability. But McCain mostly manages to get along just fine. Next to his turnabout on Jerry Falwell, McCain’s highest-profile reversal might be on Bush’s tax cuts.

McCain bucked the White House by voting against both the 2001 and 2003 packages, pointing out that they were tilted in favor of the wealthy.

In the 2008 campaign, McCain is running in support of extending the very same tax cuts. McCain’s campaign talking point now is that he opposed the cuts because they were not accompanied by spending cuts, a boldly disingenuous argument that is rarely challenged by the press corps. (The Associated Press was one notable exception—1/31/08.)”

Hart continued, “McCain has even managed a flip-flop on one of his signature issues—immigration policy.

Though he was cheered by some pundits for co-sponsoring legislation with liberal Sen. Edward Kennedy (DMass.), McCain would eventually distance himself from that bill. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” (1/27/08), he tried to avoid answering a direct question about whether he would sign his very own bill

corporate media tries to cover for McCain when he can’t cover for himself.

Consider the following account from FAIR: “… McCain was asked— aboard the Straight Talk Express, no less—an extraordinarily straightforward question: ‘Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?’ “McCain responded by saying, ‘You’ve stumped me.’ When the questioner offered some help (‘I mean, I think you’d probably agree it probably does help stop it?’), McCain still wasn’t able to offer a response: I’m not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it in the past. I have to find out what my position was.

Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception—I’m sure I’m opposed to government spending on it, I’m sure I support the president’s policies on it.

“McCain would go on to plead with an aide to ‘get me [Sen. Tom] Coburn’s thing’ to figure out his position.

New York Times reporter Adam Nagourney wrote on the paper’s website (3/16/07) ‘that this went on for a few more moments until a reporter from the Chicago Tribune broke in and asked Mr. McCain about the weight of a pig that he saw at the Iowa State Fair last year.’”

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of ‘Emerge’ magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com.

CATHERINE E. PUGH After the 2008 General Assembly, where the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) sought to provide monthly payments for its subscribers, it should be clear that reducing their rates poses no threat to the private automobile insurance industry.

Arguments were made by some private carriers, who own premium finance companies, that if MAIF wanted to provide some relief for its rate payers it should return some of its surplus to them by reducing their rates.

So imagine my surprise — after flying in on a red-eye from the Democratic Convention and catching a train to Baltimore from Philadelphia – to find private carriers, along with premium finance companies, protesting a rate reduction for MAIF at a hearing that I attended to testi-

fy on behalf of rate payers.

It is clear to those of us in the Maryland General Assembly that reducing MAIF’s rates won’t throw it into insolvency.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Let me quickly cite some facts.

MAIF was founded in 1972 to ensure that all Maryland drivers are insured. The only way you can end up in MAIF – it is the insurer of last resort with the highest rates because of the risk it takes — is to be turned down

MAIF is required to exit you from their company as your driving record improves.

I want to repeat what I said at the hearing: we are creating a great problem for Marylanders who have to turn to MAIF. There are those who get insurance only to receive their tags and drop it immediately because they can’t afford it. There are others who just take their chances and drive without any automobile insurance. That is evident in Baltimore where resi-

“MAIF should be allowed to reduce its insurance rates and reduce them even lower in Baltimore City.” by at least two private automobile insurance carriers. MAIF does not and cannot compete with the private automobile carriers. MAIF presently insures about 2 percent of Maryland drivers. Private insurers estimate that the reduction will provide insurance for approximately .8 percent of the market, less than another 1 percent.

You end up in MAIF if you have a bad driving record, are a first-time driver, or have no driving record at all. But you can get out of MAIF. In fact,

dents, whether in MAIF or not, pay 198 percent more for automobile insurance, according to an ABELL Foundation report.

MAIF should be allowed to reduce its insurance rates and reduce them even lower in Baltimore City. With rising energy, food and the general increase in the cost of living, protesting a rate reduction for MAIF borders on plain old ridiculous.

State Sen. Catherine E. Pugh represents District 40, Baltimore City.

Will Democrats Blow Another Election?

Commentary

A. PETER BAILEY After closely monitoring presidential campaigns since 1968, I am now convinced that, although the Democrats are usually masterful in the congressional politics arena, they are just slightly above amateurs when it comes to presidential politics.

In campaign after campaign, except the two handled and won

by Bill Clinton, the Democrats have lost to Republicans who are not exactly rocket scientists.

Their problems begin with the scheduling of their national convention. For some inexplicable reason, the Democrats always hold their convention first, thus providing the Republicans with

the advantage of closely monitoring the Democratic convention and then adjusting their convention accordingly. The 2008 convention provides a classic example of why convening last is a plus.

I am convinced that after watching how upset many White women were, Sen. John McCain was inspired to choose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his potential vice president.

If the Republicans had convened first, it is a great possibility that he would have chosen someone else, probably a man.

Instead, he seized the opportunity to select a White woman who has been a mayor and a governor, is a mother of five children, one with special needs, another a 17-year-old pregnant teenager, and still another off to combat in Iraq. Her selection is practically all everyone has been talking about for two weeks.

Palin now has a similar position to the one held by Sen. Barack Obama in his primary campaign against Sen. Hillary Clinton. Accusations of racism were hurled at any White person

who opposed Obama, not by the candidate himself but by numerous campaign operatives and supporters. Now Palin’s operatives and supporters are poised to hurl charges of “sexism” at anyone who opposes her right-wing ideological positions.

Many Black people have given Obama a blank check to do whatever is necessary to win; many White people are probably going to give Palin a similar blank check because they want to see a White woman as vice president rather than a Black man as president.

Having no faith in the intelligence of the American electorate, I have been saying that if the Democrats nominated Clinton or Obama as their 2008 presidential candidate, they were basically conceding the election to the Republicans. My position that the Democrats are about to blow another election has not changed.

A. Peter Bailey is a former associate editor of 'Ebony' magazine and co-authored Seventh Child: A Family Memoir of Malcolm X.

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The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

Health Married to the Wolf: Living with Lupus hurt, which is totaling defeating the purpose,” she continued with a laugh. “I’m supposed to be defeating them, but I could not hit someone without hurting [myself].”

After a series of tests, Ayira’s doctor determined that her extreme fatigue and sore joints were symptoms of systemic lupus, a more severe form of the disease that can affect any organ, according to the LFA. A very active person who defined herself by her athleticism, Ayira kept training and competing in martial arts.

“For years I kept trying to do it at the same level that I had done it before because I was in denial that my life was going to have to change,” she said. “Even when I felt my fatigue getting worse, my joint pain getting worse, it wasn’t until I ran the 10 miles [that I stopped].”

Ayira did not immediately connect her joint pain to lupus. An orthopedic doctor, who was not aware that Ayira had lupus, treated her condition as an athletic injury.

Ayira, who is trained in kenpo, ju-jitsu and tai kwan do, has no regrets about her active lifestyle or that 10mile run, which may not have caused, but in due course, resulted in a life-changing lupus flare.

“As all of my doctors stated,” she said, “had I not really been in good condition, my flares might have been worse.

“So, I definitely think

always found in martial arts,” she continued.

Besides yoga, lupus medication has also helped Ayira cope.

“I went off of lupus medication and I lasted for almost a year,” she said. “By the end, I was begging my doctor to please put me back on meds again because I could see a real change in my life. I didn't have the quality of life that I have on meds.”

Ayira’s day-to-day life includes running her 16-year business, Core Concepts, a nonprofit consulting firm that provides workshops and trainings, skill development, technical assistance, organizational and program development and fundraising services to grassroots groups.

When she isn’t providing nonprofit advice, Ayira is sharing her poetry at Baltimore-area open mic venues. She often shares a piece entitled “My Marriage to the Wolf,” an earnest account of her daily struggles with lupus, the Latin word for wolf.

“I am glad that I have a forum like poetry that I can bring issues to life for people like the issue of living with lupus,” she said, “so that people can get to know what it is and that people can live good lives with it as long as they take care of themselves.”

Nowadays, Ayira’s sparing partner is lupus.

“Some days lupus wins,” she confessed, “but as long as

A. Adar Ayira

Training for an upcoming biathlon, marital artist A. Adar Ayira ran 10 miles one morning some three years ago. She soon felt very tired, but who wouldn’t after running 10 miles, right?

“By that afternoon, I was walking with a cane,” Ayira recalled. “By that evening, I couldn’t walk at all. It took about a year before I stopped walking with a cane. This was my first lupus flare and I didn’t know it was a lupus flare.”

Lupus is a chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body, typically the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. There is no cure.

There is no known cause.

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that Ayira is one of 1.5 to 2 million Americans living with lupus, a disease common in women of color.

More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women, and the disease is more common in Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and African Americans than in Caucasians, according to the LFA. Ayira, was diagnosed with the disease March 13, 1999.

“I found out the day before my birthday that I had lupus,” she said. “I went to my doctor complaining about fatigue when I was in the ring sparing. When I hit someone or kicked someone, I would

being active helps,” she added, “even though it hurts to work out physically and sometimes the fatigue is overwhelming. Just doing something everyday at the very least boosts my spirits.”

No longer physically able to compete, Ayira channels her athletic energy with daily workouts in the gym and

yoga classes at Charm City Yoga in Baltimore’s Fells Point area.

“These days I define myself as an aging athlete,” she said with a laugh. “I feel so grateful that I’m able to get in a gym, walk without a cane, do yoga.

“Yoga continues the mind, body, spirit connection that I

most days I’m the one winning then I’m alright. I didn’t give up fighting. The battle that I’m in is much bigger than anything that ever happened in the ring.”

That fight will continue Sept. 13 as Ayira participates in the Lupus Foundation of America’s fundraiser and awareness event, Walk for Lupus Now Baltimore 2008, which starts 9 a.m. at Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Family Center at Stadium Place, located at 900 East 33rd St. Ayira and her team of family and friends, Ayira Alliance, will walk in Saturday’s event. And, they have already raised more than $600 for the LFA. “In the African-American community, this isn’t an illness that a lot of us have familiarity with,” said Ayira, “and when you think about the fact that it disproportionally affects us, we should know more about it and be a lot more supportive for those organizations that are actually doing research to make it easier to live with and maybe even find a cure for it.”

To donate to team Ayira Alliance, go to www.walkforlupusnowmd.kintera.org, under “Get involved,” click “Donate to a walker,” type in “A. Adar” under first name and/or “Ayira” under last name.

To listen to “My Marriage to the Wolf,” go to www.myspace. com/ayiraspokenword.

Macy's Presents the 3rd Annual

UNISUN GOSPEL CONCERT September 27 at the Lyric Opera House A spiritual night of music featuring performances from 5 local choirs:

• Ark Church • El Shaddai Temple • Bethel AME • Greater Paradise Christian Center • Southern Baptist Church with National Recording Artist

Donald Lawrence

and special guest

Jason Nelson

All seats $20.

Available at the Lyric Box office, by phone at 410-547-SEAT or online at ticketmaster.com

Visit: www.baltimoresun.com/gospelconcert or call 410-332-6640 for more info.

Sponsored by:

Check out The Baltimore Sun’s newest blog

Gospelrama

www.baltimoresun.com/gospelrama

September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

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The happy couple, Ronald and Yvonne Harris, celebrated 50 years of love.

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small crowd of well wishers, composed of family, friends, former students and church members of New Shiloh Baptist Church, were on hand to share in the great celebration of 50 years of marriage for Yvonne and Ronald Harris.

A retired supervisor of Bethlehem Steel, Ron Harris is an avid tennis player and instructor, who has won many awards and trophies. His students and friends shared many memorable experiences.

Dr. Yvonne Harris, retired teacher and administrator in the Baltimore City and Baltimore County public school system had many friends, relatives, and former students share in her memorable years.

Their 50th anniversary theme, “A Lovetime Affair to Remember,” included music by Ollie and Sensuous Journey and a champagne toast to the couple.

Dr. Grace Campbell and Lisa Harris were the coordinators for the lavish affair. Catering was done by Richmond’s Caterers.

Delores McCaskill, left, Charles McCaskill, (Columbus, Ohio), Leslie Morrison, Freddie Morrison, Statesville, N.C.

Rosie Lee Small, 95, is pictured with grandchildren Dawn Fitzpatrick and J. Sherrod Fitzpatrick.

Out of town cousins are LaVetta Goldsborough, George Goldsborough and Gracie Bailey, Chester, Va. Angela Nicholas, left, Dr. Ella White Campbell and Charles Campbell Friend Doris Roseborough, left, Rev. Dr. Harold A. Carter Jr., pastor, New Shiloh Baptist Church, Rev. Monique Carter, goddaughter of bride

The father of the groom is James Beckett

Tyrone Harris, Doris Harris, Joyce Holmes and Ben Holmes

The couple’s children are Ronnie Harris, left, Lisa Harris, Tonie Harris, Rodney Harris

The Hon. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, president, Baltimore City Council.

T

he 757-room Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel, located on West Pratt Street, opened to a fanfare with the Frederick Douglass High School Marching Band and confetti as onlookers, city officials and employees gathered for a day of celebration.

The first guest, Julia Ruth Stevens, daughter of the famous Babe Ruth, who now lives in Conway, N.H., stayed for the weekend. She was in town to make an appearance at the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who was mayor when the hotel was first proposed, told the crowd that “if we were going to compete, [with other cities] we had to build a convention center hotel.

More than 400 employees were hired to handle the anticipated booking of rooms in the hotel with room rates varying from $209 to $299 a night. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the guests enjoyed light fare and music while others toured the beautiful facility.

The Honorable Sheila Dixon, Mayor of Baltimore The Hon. Martin O’Malley, Gov. of Maryland

Julia Ruth Stevens, daughter of Babe Ruth, accepts a plaque from Mayor Dixon depicting her famous father which will be displayed in the hotel.

M. J. “Jay” Brodie, president, Baltimore Development Corporation

Joan Pratt, City Solicitor, presents a proclamation to Linda Norman, general manager of The Hilton Hotel Baltimore.

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The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

By Rosa Pryor

BALTIMORE HAS TALENT

NADINE LEPARD, a well known blues singer and her all-star band featuring Dawoud Said on keyboards and Jimmy Taylor on drums will be performing at the Caton Castle Sept. 12, 7-11 p.m.

Hello everyone! There’s is a lot going on. Mostly good stuff. I know many of you did not know that my “Boo-Boo” and me love ourselves some blues. Matter of fact, I prefer blues over jazz. I am kind of close to the Baltimore Blues Society and we enjoy traveling to check out some of the blues festivals. When we’re not traveling to other parts of the country, we stay right here in

Maryland to enjoy some downhome blues.

One of our favorite blues artists is Charles “Big Daddy” Stallings and another one is Nadine Rae. She is a dynamite blues singer with a lot of heart and soul. She captivates the audiences with her soulful vocal deliveries and her energetic stage presence that ignites an electrifyin, fun-filled atmosphere.

Nadine performs with a multitude of talented and award-winning musicians, which means only you’ll get your money’s worth. I truly enjoy her performances and you will too.

Check her out Sept. 12; 7 p.m. at the Caton Castle located 20 S. Caton Ave. See you there!

For more information, call 410566-7086.

On Sunday Sept. 14, “A Musical Tribute to Jimmy McGriff” will be held at the Arch Social Club, 2426 Pennsylvania Ave., featuring Arnold Sterling, Vance James, Brian Kooker, Marshall Keys, Herm Hopkins and Greg Hatza. You don’t want to miss this one. For more information, call 410-987-4371.

The Irish Festival, a celebra-

through years of tireless work in the community and programs as a state delegate; that she cares about the citizens of Maryland.

She is extending an invitation for you to join her at Morning Star Baptist Church of Christ, 1063 W. Fayette St. The reception will be at 6:30-9:30 p.m. The chairman is Bill Wiley and the cochairmen are Gertrude Hack and Aline V. Kirk Watson.

CARLOS JOHNSON, renowned saxophonist, performed at Thelma O. Scott’s 80th birthday recently. He is also the headliner for the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund’s 17th Annual Black & Gold formal Ball on Oct. 25 at the Forum Caterers. tion of the Irish community is set for Sept. 12, 6-9 p.m. and Sept.

13, 12 noon to 10 p.m. at Canton Waterfront Park.

Friends of Delegate Ruth M. Kirk will be holding a fundraiser on Sept. 18. It is called, “An Evening with Delegate Ruth M. Kirk.” Delegate Kirk has proven

Don’t forget our local playwright Ursula Battle who will debut her new stage-play “DisChord in the Choir” for four shows scheduled for Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 21 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

There will be appearances by Grandma Gee, Miss Maybelle, Brenda O, Travis Winky, WCAO Heaven 600’s Doretha Harvey, and the 1 Accord Gospel Quartet, just to name a few. For more information, call 410-262-4809.

The Elks of Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. will converge in Baltimore on Sept. 13, 1:30 at Monumental Lodge #3 at 1528 Madison St.

Now,saving energy really pays.

In reference to the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund, Inc. Scholarships and Awards 17th Anniversary Black & Gold Ball, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Forum Caterers, I’m pleased to report that we are SOLD OUT! For anyone who is interested, I have a waiting list just in case. This year we are giving five children scholarships and we are honoring Eleanor Janey, DJ’s Olivia “Libby” Harris, Marvin “Marvelous Marvin” Stepney, Sandra “Coffee” HulinRawlings, Reginald “Reggie K” Kelly and Charlie “Big Daddy” Stallings. The entertainers this year are Carlos Johnson and his Zone 1 Band and The RYZE Band. The master and mistress of ceremonies are Randy and Tanya Dennis, and our host is James Hamlin.

The children who are the ben-

THELMA O. SCOTT celebrated her 80th birthday at the Forum on Aug. 23. All six of her surviving siblings were there to wish her well in addition to approximately 100 family members, former co-workers, neighbors and friends. The lavish afternoon event was sponsored by her daughter, Dr. Cascelia Burgess. In addition to the tributes, citations, the scrumptious meal and a delectable birthday cake, guests were treated to the sounds of Margaree LongLee & Carlos Johnson & his Zone One Band.

MICHAEL WHITE & True Praise will be performing for the “Halleluiah Praise & Worship Concert” presented by Mount Pleasant AME. Men’s Ministry on Sept. 13, 6 p.m. at Mount Pleasant A.M.E., 235 Tollgate Road in Owings Mills, Md. There will be a lot of foot stomping, handclapping and soul shaking. Also on the program are J&B Gospel Ensemble, Mount Pleasant Dance Ministry, a gospel comedian, poets and musicians. For more information, call the church at 410-356-7130. eficiaries of our music scholarship fund say “thank you” for already making our 17th Annual Black & Gold Ball a success. If interested in putting an AD in this year’s souvenir journal please call, 410-802-8632 or e-mail me at rosapryor@aol.com CORRECTIONS: The photos and captions from last week’s Sept. 5, column were corrected in last week’s paper and online. I apologize about any errors.

Rambling Rose has to leave you now. If you need me, please contact me at 410-833-9474 or 410-802-8632 or you can e-mail me at rosapryor@aol.com.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS. I’LL SEE YOU AT THE NEWSSTAND.

Imagine the day when celebrating another year won’t seem so miraculous. Imagine life without breast cancer.

CYN T H IA , BG E SMA RT E N E RGY SAV E RS P RO G RA M SM

Help us find the cure that will make tomorrow breast cancer-free.

A new energy-saving smart thermostat can save you $100-$200 or more in your first year.

BGE introduces PeakRewardsSM, a new way to reduce your energy bill while you conserve electricity. If you have central air conditioning or an electric heat pump, here’s what you’ll get: L L L L

A new Honeywell programmable thermostat or an outdoor air conditioner switch professionally installed at your home.

Please join us for the

A monthly credit on your BGE bill every June through September, totaling $50–$100 each summer you’re in the program.

Komen Maryland Race for the Cure

A matching bonus of $50–$100 in your first year, just for enrolling.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Year-round energy efficiency—and up to 15% in energy cost savings—when you choose the new smart thermostat.

When you enroll, you agree to help ease high electricity demand by allowing BGE to “cycle” your air conditioning on and off from time to time, typically during the summer months when electricity demand is at its peak. If you change your mind, you can withdraw from the program at any time, and the new thermostat or switch is yours to keep.

PeakRewardsSM is just one more way BGE’s Smart Energy Savers ProgramSM is helping you manage your energy usage and save on energy costs, while helping the environment.

To learn more:

1-888-309-PEAK(7325) BGESmartEnergy.com/PeakRewards

Hunt Valley, MD Activities start at 6:00 am

Register at www.komenmd.org or call 410.433.RACE (7223) LOCAL PRESENTING SPONSORS

September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

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‘The Family That Preys’

The AFRO Talks With Tyler Perry About New Film

By Kristin Gray AFRO News Editor Dressed casually in a salmon-pink dress shirt, jeans and a fitted New York Yankees cap, Tyler Perry exuded brother-next-door charm on his recent trip to Baltimore.

He flashed the same toothy smile seen on his frequent visits to the “Oprah Winfrey Show” and laughed enthusiastically at his own blithe jokes despite the grueling promotional tour for his

upcoming film The Family that Preys.

Perry first drilled through the barriers of America’s collective consciousness with a pistol in hand and a razorsharp tongue as Madea, a physically and emotionally-overbearing matriarch. Since then, he says his career has skyrocketed to unfathomable heights with successes on stage, TV and in films such as 2007’s Daddy’s Little Girls starring Gabrielle Union and Why Did I Get Married with Janet Jackson.

When asked if he’d ever been floored by the extent of his own

Tyler Perry says The Family That Preys was born out of his experiences in the Black community and a feeling that he was being "preyed" upon by people clamoring for their own celebrity.

accomplishments, Perry says he’s still reeling from the fruits of his stardom each day, even the smallest perks.

“Everyday I look and say, ‘This is miraculous. Yeah, it’s pretty darn good.’ I have an air conditioner in my house that I don’t have to shake in the window anymore… It’s the little things I get so much pleasure in.”

Perry hopes to maintain his cinematic momentum with The Family That Preys, but says he took a daring creative risk with the film, which differs in theme and tone from his previous works.

Gone are the floppy grey wigs, flowery dresses and razor-sharp humor that mark a Madea production. The Family That Preys is far more dark.

Hollywood all-stars Alfre Woodard and Cathy Bates star with Sanaa Lathan and District-native Taraji P. Henson in the production.

Bates and Woodard play two women who, from an outsiders glance, lead fulfilling lives. But slowly, their families begin to beleaguer, belittle and “prey” on each other in a series of deceitful and damaging affairs.

The release was born out of Perry’s own experiences within the Black community, and a disconcerting feeling that he was being “preyed” upon by people clamoring for their own celebrity and fame.

Book Review

Beacon on the Hill

By Deborah Sims-Wood Special to the AFRO Recently, the American Medical Association proclaimed their past wrongdoings of racism toward AfricanAmerican physicians. Perhaps the AMA was inspired to apologize after reading the eloquently written novel Beacon on the Hill by Linda Kenney Miller. In this breathtaking account of her grandfather’s story from the son of ex-slaves to the personal physician to Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, Kenney Miller has brilliantly pieced together a unique fictional biography from a treasure trove of private letters, journals, articles and photos saved by distinguished and accomplished scholar Dr. John A. Kenney.

Beacon on the Hill starts with a blaze of fury as Dr. Kenney and his young family flee Tuskegee, Ala., after a warning from a sympathetic White friend that the feared KKK is on the way to torch his

only home they’ve known is burned to the ground, John decides to send his family to his in-laws in Boston, promising to follow once he finds a new town to rebuild his medical practice. With no home to return to, John finds refuge in his hospital on the Tuskegee Institute campus, confident that he is safe and secure from the pursuing Klan.

As memories of his past flood his thoughts, John is reminded of the difficult and arduous journey of the medical path that led him to that moment.

Kenney Miller deftly guides the reader through the many rough patches, highlights and achievements of this profound and pre-eminent doctor. She teases and begs us to learn more about his dedication and dream to further the Black race. We find out that despite numerous obstacles, Dr. Kenney builds the first hospital for African Americans in Newark, N.J. We know that he is an original and vital member of the National Medical Association/NMA as well as editor and contributor of their publication.

And, most importantly we are taught that it is Dr. John Kenney’s indomitable “selfsacrificing spirit of selfhelp, moral improvement and basic Christian values that inspires us to pursue our dreams with commitment and perseverance.

“Kenney Miller deftly guides the reader through the many rough patches, highlights and achievements of this profound and pre-eminent doctor. She teases and begs us to learn more about his dedication and dream to further the Black race.” house. While John with his wife Freida and their four children watch in disbelief as the

Alfre Woodard and Cathy Bates are costars in Tyler Perry’s new film The Family That Preys, opening this weekend in theaters nationwide.

“I had been going through this thing with Black people.

They were showing me all this love and all these hi-fives walking down the street, then I raised my head above water and everybody else started knowing me. I got all this hate, these haters and this foolishness,” he said.

“All these people were preying on me at the time. It’s like you’ve got all these people trying to get something from you and I started writing the script after I heard this song by Leann Womack, ‘I

Hope You Dance’… Basically, what it boils down to is, no matter what, I hope you dance — whatever life brings you just enjoy it. So that’s where this movie comes from and the characters were born out of that.”

The Louisiana native says he hopes to create characters with universal appeal and struggles that bring light to the fears and desires of everyday moviegoers in the release.

With the film’s Sept. 12 release date inching closer, only audiences can decide if

The Family That Preys will be met with the same commercial aplomb as Perry’s previous efforts.

However, the actor/director says he has learned to accept the condescending quips from bloggers and non-recognition from the mainstream media with the continued support of his most unflinching fans.

“I still have my amazing core,” he says. “The millions of Black people who really support and get it and applaud me and pray for me and lift me up.”

Entertainment Calendar Sept. 11

heaven600.com.

Elmo’s Green Thumb 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore. 7 p.m. Runs through Sept. 14.

Sesame Street’s Elmo performs with friends in a child-friendly production featuring music, dance and more.$13-$25. For more information, additional show times and tickets: 410-347-2010 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Sept. 14

Sept. 12 Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Vagabond Theatre, 806 S. Broadway St., Baltimore. 8 p.m. Runs through Sept. 28. August Wilson’s award-winning Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom comes to Baltimore. Stars Valerie Lewis, Natalie Tucker, Chevee Crafton and Jerome Banks-Bey. $15, $2 discount for students and seniors. For more information and tickets: 410563-9135 or visit vagabondplayers.org.

Sept. 13 Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes Creative Alliance at The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. 8 p.m.

Baltimore-based pianist Lafayette Gilchrist performs his unique brand of jazz at his CD-release concert. For more information and tickets: 410276-1651 or visit creativeallianceatthepatterson.org.

Gospel Jazz Cruise Light Street Pavilion, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, 12-2 p.m.

Heaven 600’s Herb Spencer and Yvonne Morton head the cruise aboard the Spirit of Baltimore.

Includes lunch and performance from saxophonist Mel Holder.

For more information and reservations: 410-7273133 or visit Lafayette Gilchrist

Faculty Recital Towson University, Center for the Arts Recital Hall, Ossler and Cross Campus Dr., Towson. 3 p.m. Pianist Christopher Dillion presents a piano recital featuring Two Preludes and Fugues by J.S. Bach and Sonata in A Minor, K. 310 by W.A. Mozart. $13, $7 for seniors, $5 for students. For more information: 410-7042787 or visit towson.edu/artscalendar.

Sept. 16 Fashion Show Fundraiser Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St., Baltimore. 11 a.m., 2 p.m. The Baltimore School for the Arts hosts a fashion show honoring Ruth Shaw’s 30 years of fashion in Baltimore. All proceeds benefit the BSA’s Nutcracker Ballet production. $150. For more information and tickets: 410-625-0403 or visit bsfa.org.

Sept. 19 Dischord in the Choir Coppin State University’s James Weldon Johnson Auditorium, 2500 W. North Ave., Baltimore. 7: 30 p.m.

Ursula V. Battle’s production Dischord in the Choir tells the comedic story of a choir gone awry after the death of the choir director. $20-$50. For more information and tickets: info@dischordinthechoir.com or visit dischordinthechoir.com.

Up Close and Personal Tour 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Ave., Baltimore. 8 p.m. Rappers 50 Cent, Plies, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Lil’ Boosie take the stage. $27-$102. For more information and tickets: baltimorearena.com or visit tickemaster.com.

B4

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

Bargain Buy

‘Tupac Shakur Legacy’

By Sherna Johnson AFRO Intern In Tupac Shakur Legacy, award-winning writer Jamal Joseph shares the story of one of the most phenomenal and controversial late-rappers of all time. A chronicle from a friend and fan, the biography is one untold by the mainstream media.

Each of the 14 chapters began with lines from Shakur’s free-verse-style poetry, serving as a prelude. Each section also “features removable reproductions of handwritten lyrics, notebook pages, and other personal memorabilia.” Not just great visuals, these enclosures give readers insight on Shakur’s personal life. At some points in the book, the numerous photos and their placement relative to the text interrupt word flow, and the captions were sometimes unclear. However, Joseph does a thorough job at highlighting Shakur’s family, their political ties and their struggles—all factors that contributed to Shakur’s fame.

The first five chapters are devoted to aspects of Shakur’s domestic life. There’s “Black

Woman,” an ode to his mother and Black Panther 21 member Afeni Shakur; “Family Tree,” an insight to his educational and political upbringing in New York City; “Can U See the Pride in the Panther” deals with his family’s voyage to Baltimore for a “better life,” “Where there is a Will” elaborates on Baltimore life and the struggles his single mother had raising two kids and “What is it that I search for,” which reveals the hard truth of his mother’s addiction to crack cocaine.

Joseph is an engaging writer. Yet, his inability to approach this work objectively pierced through his crafty, conversational writing. As stated in the “About the Author” section, Joseph was also a Panther 21. Afeni adopted him as a “little brother” and he “was close to Tupac his whole life.”

Unlike a writer and more like the little brother and surrogate uncle he is, he avoided details about Afeni’s drug addiction and its harmful effects on her family, made excuses for Tupac’s arrogant behavior and defended Tupac’s brash public outbursts. Joseph

Sept. 13 will mark 12 years since Tupac Shakur’s death. Tupac Shakur Legacy commemorates the late rapper's life and celebrates his memory with photographs, memoirs and a 60minute interview CD. The book retails at $44.99. And if the book isn’t enough, the included 60minute interview CD may do the trick. The book retails at $44.99, but is offered at various clearance prices on amazon.com and for $4.99 at select Borders bookstores. attempts to paint a rejuvenated image of Tupac so badly, he was afraid to acknowledge that the rapper, who perhaps was not a bad person, did in fact do bad things.

Still, Joseph managed to tell Tupac’s life story from poor childhood to superstardom, from imprisonment to freedom, from murder to legacy, as if the rapper would’ve told it himself.

Rating: 3 Afros

w w w.afro.com

Join us for a family fun day!

Enjoy a 5K Walk or Run Kids Corner* Ravens What Moves U Fitness Zone Gatorade Jr. Training Camp* AstraZeneca Artery Explorer* Celebrate Life Style Change Awards Take the Pledge and Learn From Me: Health – Nutrition – Fitness It's not too late to sign up!

Call 410-637-4566 *Baltimore Heart Walk only

HOWARD COUNTY HEART WALK

BALTIMORE HEART WALK

Saturday, October 11, 2008 Activities begin at 9:30AM Centennial Park, Ellicott City, MD www.startgreaterbaltimoremd.org

Saturday, October 25, 2008 Activities begin at 9:30AM Federal Hill Park, Baltimore Inner Harbor www.startgreaterbaltimoremd.org

Chaired by Mike Croxson, Ascend One Corp.

Chaired by John McCormick, McCormick & Company, Inc.

PRESENTED NATIONALLY BY

Starts Friday, September 12th At Theatres Everywhere!

No Passes Accepted

September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

B5

Obituaries Bruce G. Holmes, 60 Machinist, Kop Flex

Bruce Holmes died at his Baltimore home on He found friends wherever he roamed and could get a laugh out of anyone.

Sept. 9, following a long battle with Throughout his working life, emphysema.

Bruce found a passion and sense His life began May 31, 1948 in of pride in factory work. He Baltimore, Md., as the second often bragged about how well son of Bartanese Holmes and he could work with machines.

Irene Brickhouse. Bruce He recently was recognized received his education for 20 years of service with through the Baltimore City KopFlex as a machinist.

Public School System, Prior to that, he worked for where he attended Carver 10 years at Koppers.

Vocational-Technical High Outside of work, Bruce School and earned his GED. enjoyed the presence of Bruce later joined the U.S. family and friends. He Army, where he served in loved sports, a good meal Vietnam and was eventually and telling funny stories and granted an honorable disjokes. Bruce is survived by charge. On Jan. 3, 1977 he his wife, Rita Holmes; his son married Rita Decatur.

Kittrell Decatur; daughters Together they loved and raised Oprah Holmes Moore and the three children they shared Monica Holmes, son-in-law between them. A daughter they Ammanuel Moore; four grandchilhad together, another daughter from dren Megan Mcswain, Bruce’s previous relationKayla Moore, Karah Moore ship and a son from his BRUCE G. HOLMES and Kameryn Moore and wife’s previous relationship. one brother; Ron Holmes. He is further surBruce was the younger of two sons. As the vived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and little brother, Bruce had a playful personality many friends. and kept that characteristic well into adulthood.

Free service Obituaries are printed in the paper for free by the AFRO-American Newspapers.

Send funeral program and picture to: Obituaries Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper, 2519 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. 21218 or fax to 1-877-570-9297

Charles F. Whitten, Sickle Cell Disease Pioneer, Dies at 86 Dr. Charles F. Whitten, a trailblazer in medical education and pioneering specialist in sickle cell disease research, died Aug. 14 at his home in Detroit from complications of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells.

He was 86.

Born Feb. 2, 1922 in Wilmington, Del., Whitten graduated from Howard High School and received a bachelor of science degree in zoology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942. He completed his medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. An enthusiastic student, Whitten completed one year of advanced study in pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine and a two-year residency in pediDr. Charles atrics at The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

Whitten later joined Wayne State School of Medicine in 1957 and was the chief of pediatrics at Detroit Receiving Hospital, making him the first African-American physician to head a department in a Detroit hospital. At Wayne State University, Whitten served 16 years as associate dean for curricular affairs and 10 years as dean for special programs. He also organized Wayne State’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and served as director for the program, which garnered more than $17 million in awards from the National Institute of Health, until 1992. He also authored more than 100 medical journal articles and seven book chapters during his tenure.

Troubled by the marginal

number of Black physicians, Whitten initiated an innovative post-baccalaureate program targeting Black medical students in 1969. Thirty years after its inception, the initiative became a model for academic institutions across the nation.

Whitten is also recognized as founder of the Sickle Cell Detection and Information Center and the Baltimorebased Sickle Cell Disease Association of America in 1971. He went on to shatter color barriers in the corporate world as well, serving as the first Black board member at the Gerber Corporation, the National Bank of Detroit and the Comprehensive Health Service.

Whitten is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eloise Culmer F. Whitten White; brothers Benjamin Whitten and Tobias E. Whitten; sister Alice Adams; daughters Lisa Whitten and Wanda Shurney; and many grandchildren, nephews, nieces and friends.

Whitten’s funeral took place Sept. 6 at Wayne State University in Detroit.

U`OP O 1]YS

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African American History Historic Bus Tour

Health & Wellness Screenings Sponsored by: Walmart including: Blood pressure check, dental, podiatry, diabetic and glaucoma vision tests, hearing tests, osteoporosis, prostate screening, children’s health screening, weights and blood pressures for children and cardiovascular screening.

Children’s Champion Zone has activities and games to promote healthy self esteem.

Local Artists includes: New Town Elementary School Dancers, Catonsville High School Hip Hop Dancers, Milford Mill Academy Gospel Chorale, Boys Choir of Powhattan, Flair Modeling Studio, Studio-A Dance Company, Rev. Anthony Brown, The Calvary Crusaders, Men of Faith, Shadina, The Potentials, Voices, Final Touch, and The Spindal’s.

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Come out and enjoy : Free admission, free parking, lots of arts, crafts, food and informational booths.

12th Annual Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival September 20, 2008

10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.

Towson Courts Plaza

Featuring: Jazzartist - Marcus Johnson, Hip-Hop Pioneer, Chubb Rock and the GOGO man himself

Chuck Brown

Co-Sponsored by: The Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival, Inc. and the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs 400 Washington Avenue, Old Courthouse #122 Towson, MD 21204 INFORMATION CALL: 410 887-5557

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B6

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

NEW SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH 2100 North Monroe Street Harold A. Carter Way Baltimore, Maryland 21217 (410) 523-5306 www.newshilohbaptist.org

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SUNDAYS 8:30 & 11:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.

HOLY BAPTISM Fourth Sundays, 8:00 A.M.

MID-WEEK BIBLE TEACHING Wednesdays, 7:00 P.M.

HOLY COMMUNION Fourth Sundays, 6:00 P.M.

Dr. Harold A. Carter and Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr., Pastor “A Church Determined To Live With Christ”

CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2005 East Chase Street, Baltimore, Md. 21213

Church: 410-732-5600 • Fax: 410-732-4920 • Email: BaltoCUMN@aol.com

Sunday Worship Church School for all Ages: 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship: 11:00 a.m.

2nd Monday of each month 7:00 p.m.: Intercessory Prayer Time Tuesday Pastor’s Bible Study: 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Men’s Bible Study: 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Bread of Life Soup Kitchen: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. LaReesa Choir Rehearsals: 7:00 p.m.

Smith-Horn Pastor Thursday Orchestra Rehearsal: 7:00 p.m.

Saturday Call for type and time for Dance Ministry & Children’s Ministry You andyour yourfamily family are are invited invited to to hear hearBible Biblepreaching preaching Youand

Central Central Church Church of of Christ Christ

4301 Woodbridge Road, Baltimore, MD 21229 4301 Woodbridge Road, Baltimore, MD 21229 Clinton Miles, Jr., Minister Enroll in our Order of Service Order of Service FREE Bible Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Correspondence a.m.

Bible School Sunday Bible 9:00 School Course 10:30 10:30 a.m. a.m. Morning Worship Morning p.m. Evening Call Worship 6:00 Worship “Sundays at 410-945-2080 6:00 p.m.

Central Make a Tuesday Evening 10:00Worship a.m. Bible Study Difference”

7:30 a.m. Training Classes

10:00 a.m.

Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Bible Study 7:30 a.m.

Training Enroll inClasses our FREE Bible

Tuesday

1923 Ashland Avenue ~ Baltimore, Maryland 21205 (410) 732-7020 (church) - (410) 732-2551(fax)

www.johnwesleyamez.org

Sunday Morning Worship Service and Children’s Church 11am

Correspondence Course

Wednesday 7 :30 p.m.

Humphrey Foutz Call Study 410-945-2080 Bible Minister The Central Church of Christ is having an induction ceremony ” take place for a new minister, WILLIE RUPERT JR. which will on Sunday, September 14th at 2 p.m.

All are welcome to come and rejoice with us for this occasion.

We are located at 4301 Woodridge Road, Baltimore Md 21229.

For more information call 410-945-2080

1990 Anthony is born.

1994 Anthony tests positive for elevated lead levels.

1998 Anthony has difficulty learning.

Worship Service

Bishop Warren M. Brown, Guest Preacher

Presiding Prelate Mid-Atlantic II Episcopal Area AME Zion Church

Region-wide Prayer Meeting for Baltimore City First Bilingual Christian Church

Rev. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, Pastor

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 2701 WEST BALTIMORE STREET (ELDER CONWAY GREEN WAY) BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21223 PHONE: 410-945-1885 • FAX: 410-945-0205 WEBSITE: www.cccogod.org • EMAIL:cccogod@hotmail.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 AUXILIARY MINISTRY DAY

8:45 A.M. Christian Education Ministry (All Ages) 10:00 A.M. Worship Celebration: Dr. Melvin C. Green, Teach/Preaching 2:00 P.M. Radio Broadcast Ministry - WWIN Spirit 1400 AM 4:00 P.M. Auxiliary Ministry Worship: The Ministries of the Morning Star Baptist Church of Catonsville will worship with us.

Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam, Senior Pastor & Preacher

Join us in our Kingdom Bible Study Ministry each Thursday - 12:00 Noon & 6:30 P.M.

Dr. Melvin C. Green, D.Min, Senior Pastor

The Star of Bethlehem Spiritual Temple (Church of Christ, Inc.)

1301 W. Fayette Street - at Franklin Square•Corner of Carey & Fayette Streets Baltimore, Maryland 21223 (410) 383-1508 • FAX (410) 383-9577 • (410) 727-6477

“THE CHURCH OF LOVE, FAITH AND OPPORTUNITY” YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US IN OUR DEMONSTRATION OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH

Sunday, September 14, 2008 Church School....................................9:30 AM Morning Worship...............................11:00 AM The Word For Living ........................................

Pastor Green or Bishop Hamilton Music ................. Bishop William E. Hamilton Bishop William E. Choral Ensemble Hamilton, Minister of Music .... Dr. Laytee Mitchell Senior Pastor Percussionist .... Bro. William Fortune Dr. Richard E. Green Pastor

FAITH TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN BAPTIST CHURCH 1626 DRUID HILL AVENUE • BALTIMORE, MD 21217 Rev. Robert J. Thompson, Pastor • (410) 728-7375- Church

S U N D A Y WOR S H I P SE R V I C E

2007

SO WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

Support Our Advertisers

FALL REVIVAL

SENIOR BISHOP DR. JOHN R. BRYANT, Revivalist “The Church That Cares About You”

MOUNT PISGAH

CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH WHERE ORDINARY FOLK ARE TRULY BLESSED IN AN EXTRA ORDINARY WAY

1032-34 North Fulton Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21217

C.I.R.C.L.E.-Christians In Recovery Changing Life Eternally Every 4th Friday 7:00 P.M. Dance Ministry Friday 7:30 P.M.

“Christians Committed to Spiritual Growth in Jesus Christ”

9:45 A.M. Sunday Church School 11:00 A.M. Worship Hour 4:00 P.M. Evening Worship Service

D r . William E .

John son, Jr., Pastor

Monday, Sept. 15th thur Friday, Sept. 19th 7:00 PM

Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Morning Worship 11:00 A.M. Pastor’s Bible Study I Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Pastor’s Bible Study II Saturday 10:00 A.M. Senior Citizen Empowerment Hour Thursday 11:00 A.M.

Dr. Melvin C. Green, Senior Pastor • Bishop Conway Green, Founder-Aeta Memoria

Ar

D r. Alfr ed C .D. Vau gh n, Senior Pastor

Church: 410-728-6828/6611 • Pastor’s Office 410-728-3493 • Fax 410-462-6442

WEDNESDAY MIDWEEK SERVICE Prayer and Bible Study Explosion 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

“A CHURCH STANDING FIRM ON FAITH OF GOD’S HOLY WORD”

Charles Carroll White,

Baltimore Native and Car Salesman

On August 24, 2008 Charles White died in Las Vegas NV after a brief illness.

Service were held September 3, 2008 at the Valley Funeral Home in Las Vegas.

A celebration and memorial tribute to Charlie’s life will be held on September 27, 2008 at the Five Mile House and Restaurant at 5302 Reisterstown Road from 2-6 pm.

All are Welcome

Utley, Helen Marjorie Doctor confirms Anthony suffers from lead poisoning.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2008

HOMECOMING DAY

WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US IN WORSHIP

Moved In.

Stricker and Presstman Streets at Sharon Baptist Way Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Office: 410-669-6667 • Fax: 410-383-8721 E-mail: sharonbap@aol.com

9:00 AM SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL 10:00 AM MORNING WORSHIP and HOLY COMMUNION DR. A.C.D. VAUGHN, Preaching

Need a Ride!!! Just Call (410) 265-1024 We Will Pick You Up for Worship

1988

Sharon Baptist Church

Sun Sept 14th • 11am Pastor Toni’s 6th Pastoral Anniversary

Mon Sept 15th • 7:00pm

EARLY MORNING PRAYER 6:00 A.M. Daily

Radioto Listen “The Bible Broadcast Study Hour” will continue Spirit 1400 WWIN in memory of theThursdays late Bro. PM and 12:30 Humphrey Saturdays Foutz 1:00 PM

John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church

Helen Marjorie Utley, beloved daughter of the late James and Mittie Ford of Baltimore, Maryland, peacefully entered eternal life at the age of 83 on Sunday, August 3, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Helen was a resident of Baltimore for most of her life. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School and retired from the Social Security Administration after 23 years of service. She enjoyed sewing and traveling and read three newspapers everyday.

In 2006, she relocated to Milwaukee where she was cared for by her sister and niece. She will be remembered for her peaceful, joyous spirit, her gracious heart and her sense of humor.

Helen was the devoted wife of the late Robert Utley of Baltimore and the cherished sister of Gloria Gilmer of Milwaukee. She is also survived by nephew Jay Gilmer, niece Jill Gilmer, goddaughter Marjorie Duvall and a host of relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by one sister, Evelyn Ford.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Morgan Interfaith Center at Morgan State University, 4307 Hillen Road, Baltimore, MD 21239, (410) 254-7166. Memorials in Helen’s name may be made to the Morgan Interfaith Center.

Ministerial Staff Rev. Joanne S. Jackson Rev. Foyce Mackey Rev. Patrick L. Leverette Rev. Darryl Dennis Rev. Beverly Gaither, PastorJames Madlock, Local Preacher Helton/Glen Burnie Mission Exhorter Clara Roberts Rev. Dale Dennis, II Exhorter Tonya Levy Rev. Tiffany Mackey Dr. H. Patricia Jones, Presiding Elder Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Ph.D., Presiding Prelate

REV. LYNWOOD HUDSON LEVERETTE, SR. PASTOR M.A., M.TH., M.R.ED., D.D. REV. PATRICIA A. DEGRAFENREID ASSISTANT PASTOR

CAMPFIELD AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH “ Where the Kingdom of God is Advancing” 7140 Walnut Avenue • Pikesville, Maryland 21208 410-484-1845 Roland N. Patterson Jr., Pastor Date: September 8, 2008 The Campfield African Methodist Episcopal Church will hold its sixth annual “ Back to Business” Revival on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 thru Friday, September 19, 2008. The revival will be held at Mt. Pleasant AME located at 235 Tollgate Rd. in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Praise and Worship will begin at 7:00 pm. The Back to Business Revival is destined to encourage all segments of the population to refocus their attention and priorities on the Lord; and His business in the church, the workplace, and the world at large, as the summer has ended. The Revivalist is the Reverend Harold Carter Sr. of New Shiloh Baptist Church.

YYY The Nathan Carter School of Music

An Evening with Songs Presents

FEATURING

Audrey Adams

Soprano

Flute

Erika Holley

Dr. Gloria Thompson

Issachah Savage

Tenor

Organ

DR. AUDREY MCCALLUM Accompanist

WILLIAM SYDNOR Accompanist

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 6:00 P.M. FREE WILL OFFERING

New Shiloh Baptist Church 2100 North Monroe Street – Harold A. Carter Way Baltimore, Maryland 21217

Alethia B. Starke, Executive Director Denise Nowlin, Chairperson “A Church Determined To Live With Christ” Dr. Harold A Carter and Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr., Pastor

afro.com

Your History • Your Community • Your News

September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

B7

Bears Are Impressive Despite Loss to Towson

Ravens Silence Critics in Season Debut

By Perry Green AFRO Sports Writer

By Perry Green AFRO Sports Writer

The Morgan State Bears showed signs of a potentially explosive offense and a ferocious defensive-unit to match last Saturday evening.

Despite dripping their season opener, 21-16, to cross-town rival Towson University, the Bears showcased a well-balanced team with playmakers on both offense and defense.

Unlike past years, Morgan held a comfortable 16-7 lead against Towson at halftime.

Bears quarterback Carlton Jackson consistently

made plays to put his team in position to score points.

The transfer from Akron University completed sixof-nine passes for 36 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and finished the game 11-for-16 for 102 yards. He also rushed for 46 yards on nine carries.

But Jackson was just one part of Morgan’s three-headed attack on offense. The playmaker on the receiving end of many of Jackson’s passes was Robert Surratt.

Surratt led the game with eight catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.

So far, it appears as if Surratt and Jackson will be hooking up for several

Tim Lacy

ANOTHER

Viewpoint

Suspicious Mind I reported here how much I enjoyed the Olympic Games from start to finish. However, I didn’t dare open a can of worms by bringing up a subject that all sports fans have had their fill of. Recent reports have caused me to rethink my position and weigh in on a subject that I think will be overdone in the news in the near future.

When Usain Bolt won the 100-meter and the 200-meter races, my first thought was, “This guy is driving a V8.” My next thought was, “Uh-oh, this looked a little too easy.”

When you look at the replay, you can see the stress and effort reflected on the faces of the other athletes and Bolt looks as if he is on cruise control.

Bolt’s easy victories conjured up memories of athletes who attempted to beat the system with a little help from the medicine cabinet. In 1988, Ben Johnson crushed Carl Lewis at the Seoul Korea Games. Before he had a chance to get used to the shine of his gold medal, his drug test came back positive for the banned steroid Stanozolol.

Johnson protested, but the evidence was indisputable and he was stripped of his medal and sent home to Canada in disgrace. He was forced to give up his other medals and his 9.79 world record was stricken from the books.

After serving a two-year suspension, Johnson returned to track and field. In 1992 in Barcelona, he failed miserably and the following year he was tested positive again. The result of this test found him banned from the sport for life.

I am sure all of us are old enough to remember Florence Griffith Joyner. She was the darling of the Seoul Games and came away with two gold medals. There were some rumors of her steroid use, but she never tested dirty.

The allegations never died down and Flo Jo retired from track and field. This raised a red flag for me, because I wondered why someone would retire at the top of their game. The steroid issue started bouncing around in my brain. If she didn’t participate, she couldn’t be tested and everything would eventually go away.

The rumors were quieted after her retirement, but with her untimely death at the age of 38, the rumors resurfaced.

I can remember the old days of the Oakland Raiders and their smash mouth defense led by Howie Long and Lyle Alzado. Alzado retired and took a shot at the silver screen. He was a bit player in a few movies, but he missed the spotlight that shines on the football field.

He self-admittedly took steroids to help him bulk up for another shot at the NFL, but this admission came after he contracted cancer from the use of the drugs. They eventually took his life.

Fast forward to the present.

The darling of track and field was Marion Jones. The spotlight of suspicion was turned on and off Jones numerous times during her career. Any athlete who excels automatically falls under suspicion, but Jones managed to dodge the bullet.

Her marriage to C. J. Hunter, who was caught using performance enhancing drugs, caused the spotlight to be focused on her again.

Again tests came up negative. She left Hunter and teamed up with Tim Montgomery. The world thought this was a good choice until Montgomery tested dirty.

However, no matter how many tests she had to endure, she came away clean. There was a little hiccup after one of the tests, but things turned out to her satisfaction.

Then came the news that she was broke. She was selling off assets, including her mother’s home, and people started to wonder what happened to her money. She had endorsements and she was getting $85,000 appearance fees at meets.

This question was never answered to my satisfaction, but the real bomb exploded when she voluntarily admitted to the use of the steroid, “The Clear.” As a result of this admission, she was treated to a little vacation at the expense of the tax payers.

If you are asking what this has to do with Bolt, it is simple. Two of the Jamaican sprinters were tested positive for performance enhancing substances. This revelation made me refer to the age- old axiom, “Where there is smoke, there is fire.”

I can’t say that Bolt may be using a little pharmaceutical help, but “The Clear” can’t be detected by tinkling in a bottle. What you read here is the babbling of an old dude with a suspicious mind.

Photo courtesy of MSU Sports Information

MSU tailback Devan James rushed for a career high 178 yards on 33 rushes against Towson last Saturday.

touchdowns before the season ends.

But perhaps the most effective offensive weapon for Morgan is junior tailback Devan James.

The Pompano Beach, Fla. native rushed for a career high 178 yards on 33 carries Saturday, 138 of them coming in the first half.

The Bears’ offense played well throughout the first half, but it was their defensive unit that allowed them to gain an early lead.

Morgan defensive ends Clarence McPherson and Lonnie Harvey pressured Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer early on, causing the Tigers’ all-time leading passer to throw a costly interception into the hands of cornerback Gary Albury.

When the Bears weren’t blitzing Schaefer, they were stuffing the run, limiting Towson to just 32 total rushing yards.

MSU linebacker Jarrell Guyton led the team with nine tackles and one sack.

McPherson recorded five tackles and one sack.

Unfortunately for Morgan, Towson made a few adjustments on offense at halftime, which allowed Schaefer to roll out of the pocket and buy more time for his receivers to get open down the field.

Schaefer was able to find a new rhythm and help his team retake the lead late in the game. Schaefer finished 18-for-25 for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite the effective adjustments made by Towson in the second half, the Bears still had numerous opportunities to put the game away, including a fourth quarter drive that ended just inches away from a touchdown.

Morgan had a chance to punch in a touchdown on fourth and goal, but James was called inches short of a score after a diving attempt at the end zone.

“I tried to get in the end zone,” James told the media. “But it just came out different than I thought.”

Morgan (0-1) will now aim their balanced attack at North Carolina Central (0-2) this Saturday as they play their first home game of the season at Hughes Stadium.

The game will also be in celebration of Prince Hall Day. Tickets for the game are now on sale and can be purchased at the Morgan State Ticket Office located at room 107V inside the Hill Field House, or by calling the ticket manager at 443885- 3830.

The Baltimore Ravens opened their season last Sunday with an impressive 17-10 victory over division rival Cincinnati Bengals.

What was perhaps more surprising than their unpredicted win was their strong play in areas most football critics believed to be weaknesses for the Ravens.

Throughout the entire offseason, football analysts claimed the Ravens’ offensive line would struggle to protect the quarterback this season.

Yet Baltimore’s front lineman pushed the Bengals defense all over the field, allowing the Ravens to rush for a total of 229 yards on the day. Ravens rookie tailback Ray Rice played efficiently with 22 carries for 64 yards, but it was backup tailback/fullback Le’Ron McClain who excited fans the most with a career high 86 yards on 19 carries.

The Ravens’ success at blocking and running the ball also contradicted what critics deemed a weakness for the team.

With veteran quarterback Kyle Boller sidelined for the season and potential starter Troy Smith ill with a tonsil infection, the Ravens were forced to start rookie quarterback Joe Flacco.

Many analysts believed it was too early to play the inexperienced Flacco, claiming the speed of the game would be too fast for him this early in his career.

However, the 18th overall pick in the 2008 draft managed the game well in his NFL debut, committing no turnovers and taking no sacks in the game.

He showed he had the poise and smarts to be a bigtime quarterback, as he made proper adjustments throughout the game to help his team win.

On one play in the second half, he read the defense and audibled to a quarterback keeper that allowed him to run 38 yards up the sidelines for the touchdown that secured the win for the Ravens.

His efforts earned him

Photo by John Moore

Ravens center Jason Brown (below) led a full attack by the offensive line, allowing Baltimore to rush for 229 yards against the Bengals defense. praise from the crowd, as “Let’s go Flacco,” chants rang throughout M&T Bank Stadium late in the game.

“I kind of thought I heard it, but I wasn’t really sure. I thought, ‘Why would they be doing that?’” said Flacco with a big smile. “Hey, if I can keep them on my side like that, it will be a good time.”

Flacco and a young, strong offensive line may be a sign of a new found confidence on offense, but the Ravens also showed they can still rely on their defense to win games.

The Ravens shut down any assumptions that the Bengal’s high-powered offense would put up several points against Baltimore’s aging defense.

With 10-of-11 starters healthy and available to play, the Ravens held Bengal’s Pro Bowl quarterback Carson

Palmer to 94 yards passing, one interception, and didn’t give up any points to Cincinnati offense.

Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis credits their success to a healthy defensive-unit.

“When you start having injuries, you lose your chemistry,” Lewis told the media.

“But when you have as many starters as we had coming back …when you have that many people sacrifice, it’s just beautiful to see how our defense plays like that.”

The Ravens will now travel to Texas to take on the Houston Texans on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. Visit afro.com over the weekend for updates on the Ravens vs. Texans game.

There’s a possibility that Hurricane Ike could force the game to be postponed to a later date.

Baltimore City High School Football Alert!

By Perry Green AFRO Sports Writer High school football returned to action in Baltimore City last week with an array of blow-out victories and tight-score matchups for your youth entertainment.

Digital Harbor quarterback Gary Brannon led his team to a 42-6 lopsided win over Southwestern High School. Brannon hooked up with one of his receiving targets on a 43-yard touchdown pass and also ran in a 4-yard quarterback keeper for a score.

Meanwhile, Milford Mill barely escaped with an 1817 victory against Sparrows Point.

Quarterback Kevin Fulton, who won the high school quarterback challenge during halftime at the Baltimore Ravens vs.

Cincinnati Bengals game last Sunday, threw a 27-

yard touchdown pass to seal the win for Milford Mill.

Other scores around the city: Gwynn Park 33,

Dunbar 32; Mervo 14, Du Bois 6; Lake Clifton 16, Lewis 0; Chesapeake 26, Towson 22.

Photo by John Moore

NBA star Carmelo Anthony served as an honorary captain for the Baltimore Ravens as they opened their season against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. Anthony sported his Olympic gold medal won in the Beijing Olympic Games with the U.S. basketball team.

“I never thought I would be the one throwing the coin toss out here,” Anthony said. “It’s just an honor for me, being from Baltimore, being here as the honorary captain of the Ravens…you can’t ask for much better than that.”

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The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008

CAREER CORNER MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE HEALTH SERVICES COST REVIEW COMMISSION HEALTH SERVICES RATE ANALYST II (Special Appointment) LOCATION

Health Services Cost Review Commission 4160 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215

NATURE OF WORK: The Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) Baltimore, Maryland is seeking a rate analyst to perform complex hospital rate analysis and rate setting activities. Duties include the implementation of the HSCRC Charge Per Case (“CPC) rate setting methodology for large, complex hospitals; evaluation and analysis of monthly unit rate and CPC compliance for large multi faceted Maryland hospitals; development and implementation of highly technical changes and modifications to the CPC to incorporate Commission approved policy changes; evaluation and refinements in the implementation of the HSCRC Total Patient Revenue System; review and analysis of partial rate applications and assisting in the review of Full Rate Applications filed with or initiated by the Commission.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, hospital administration or health care administration form an accredited college or university.

Three years of experience reviewing, analyzing , or implementing rates hospitals charge for medical services and auditing or reviewing hospital records for compliance with established rates and a thorough understanding of the Commission’s function and purpose in the delivery of health care in Maryland hospitals is preferred. Possession of a master’s degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

The successful candidate must possess good computer skills, particularly spreadsheets. Other programming skills are desired by not required. The successful candidate must also demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate and interact with staff, hospital officials, consultants and other health care officials.

SALARY:$43,725 - $69,699 per annum (Grade 17) BENEFITS: Full benefits/leave package HOW TO APPLY: Submit resume by no later than September 15, 2008 for fullest consideration to: Mr. Mark Townend, Chief of Recruitment Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 201 W. Preston Street, 1st floor Baltimore, Maryland 21201 An Equal Opportunity Employer

To advertise in the AFRO, call

410-554-8200

CONTRACTUAL LEGAL SECRETARY Office of Attorney General seeking applicants for Contractual Legal Secretary in its Consumer Protection Division´s Home Builder Registration Unit.

Responsibilities: process registration applications; prepare/type correspondence/legal memoranda/ briefs; create/maintain litigation/subject matter files; maintain information on databases; respond to phone & e-mail inquiries from sales representatives & consumers & generally assist w/ secretarial administration of Unit. Ideal candidate will have graduated from an accredited hs or have possession of a hs equivalency certificate & one yr exp as legal secretary to include keyboarding legal briefs/pleadings/ affidavits/ subpoenas/other legal documents; maintaining case files/ schedules/logs & verifying legal citations/references. Add´l secretarial or other clerical exp may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for req´d education. Shall have knowledge of Word Perfect or comparable word processing skills; database exp; telephone exp & organizational skills. Legal secretarial exp preferred. Submit resumes w/ cover letters to: Charlotte M. Hughes, Fair Practices Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202 by September 24, 2008. EOE.

Janitorial: FT/PT positions at commercial and residential locations are available through out the region. Zone Cleaners, Floor Tech and Site Supervisors are needed.

Salaries range from $7.00 to $12.00 per hour depending on location. Contact 301-731-5330 for employment line and to set interview. ISS Facility Services is an Affirmative Action Employer and promotes a diverse work place.

MANAGEMENT SERVICE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Salary $68,692 - $110,297 ANNOUNCEMENT # 073402 Open until Filled This position is highly responsible for administrative work, overseeing the Agency´s Finance Office; Human Resources Office, Budget and Procurement Office, Contract Administration, and Office Services. This position serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority and is located at 120 E. Baltimore St, Balto, MD 21202. A comprehensive background check will be required to the successful candidate. Please make sure we receive your cover letter and resume with salary requirements. This position offers a generous employee health, retirement and leave benefits package. For full job description visit our website at www.sra.state.md.us.

CONTRACTUAL INVESTIGATOR Office of Attorney General seeking applicants for Contractual Investigator in its Consumer Protection Division´s Home Builder Registration Unit. Investigate violations of Maryland´s consumer protection laws, including laws concerning home builder sales representative registration & claims against guaranty fund. Work w/ Unit staff to obtain, compile & maintain evidence; interview & take statements from consumers, sales representatives, & other witnesses; find documentary evidence, including through electronic sources of data; review, analyze & report upon information or evidence uncovered or obtained during investigations; write investigative reports, affidavits, subpoenas & other documents & testify in enforcement proceedings. Ideal candidate will have bachelor´s degree in business admin, accounting, finance, criminal justice or a related field from an accredited college/university & 3 yrs exp performing investigative work in consumer protection, or similar relevant exp OR graduation from an accredited hs or possession of a hs equivalency certificate & 7 yrs exp performing investigative work in consumer protection, or similar relevant exp. Exp in databases & spreadsheets & interviewing exp preferred. Submit cover letter, resume & writing sample to: Charlotte M. Hughes, Fair Practices Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202 by September 24, 2008. EOE.

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The Office of the Attorney General is seeking applicants for an Assistant Attorney General with a concentration on real estate workouts to represent the Department of Housing & Community Development. The Department is the State´s housing and community development finance agency. The Department issues tax-exempt bonds to provide funding for affordable housing programs and makes loans and grants for neighborhood revitalization.

The ideal candidate will have three years legal experience with commercial and real estate transactions and admission to the Maryland Bar. Experience in representing businesses in commercial real estate transactions or loan workouts is required. Experience with mortgage insurance programs, government financing programs, bankruptcy, and federal housing law helpful.Interested persons should submit their resumes to: Anthony J. Mohan, Counsel, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Housing & Community Development, 100 Community Place, Room 2.300, Crownsville, MD 21032-2023 by close of business on Friday, September 26, 2008. EOE

Communications Associate The NAACP (Nat’l headquarters, Baltimore, MD) seeks a highly experienced Communications Associate to launch a comprehensive communications strategy to celebrate its upcoming Centennial. The Communications Associate will implement strategy to reach key audiences via a range of media including broadcast, online, print and e-marketing tools. In addition: • 4-5 years experience in public relations/communications and/or journalism.

• Excellent research, written and oral communications and organizational skills • Familiarity with internet databases and search engines • Basic knowledge of HTML/coding/website CMS • Skilled in PowerPoint, Photoshop, Illustrator or other helpful software.

• Interest in civil and human rights issues and ability to work independently and creatively.

Send resume to hresources@naacpnet.org or fax 410-580-5735.EEOE

Development Officer (Single Family Rehabilitation Inspector) needed for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. This is a permanent job with benefits. Please view all components of this challenging job by pointing to “About DHCD then clicking “Employment Opportunities” at www.mdhousing.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer COMPUTER OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPUTER USER SUPPORT SPECIALIST II ANNOUNCEMENT #08-0020-905

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) seeks a Computer User Support Specialist II. For more info. visit our website at www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/aboutmsde/jobs MSDE is a State agency that develops & administers education, library, & rehab programs, & is on the forefront of standards based reform of public education. Annual salary range: $32,091-$50,563

QUALIFICATIONS: Grad fr an accr H.S. or poss of a H.S.equiv. cert. 1 yr exp resp to Help Desk calls from users of Comp Syst. Exp w/comp, help dsk sftw, gen Office sftw + prov user supp over the phone is pref. Note: Exp oper comp equip for the purp of data ent, wd proc or maint info may sub on a yr for yr bas for the req ed.

To Apply: Reference position # 085522 Send/FAX (410-333-8950) E-mail resume to Apaterniti@msde.state.md.us Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Balto. MD. 21201. Applications/ resumes should be received by September 26, 2008.

AA/EOE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER (Vacancy # 2006115 ) Responsible for the development of project scope, cost estimates and schedule; serves as the College's liaison with contractors and consultants; manages project team and guides projects through internal and external review process to completion; maintains project records and prepares documentation to support changes in scope.

Requires: HS or equiv. & 7 yrs. exp. in commercial building and construction industry with broad project mgmt exp. ranging from tenant fit-outs to $12 million. Exp. with computerized proj. mgmt scheduling software and as owners rep. preferred. Knowledge of procurement and administration of public sector building construction also preferred. Hiring Range: $54,008-$67,510.

Position will remain open until filled. Instructions on how to apply can be found at www.ccbcmdjobs.com <http://www.ccbcmdjobs.com>.

Office of Attorney General seeking applicants for Contractual Administrative Officer for its Consumer Protection Division´s Home Builder Registration Unit. Will assist in mgmt of statewide registration program, including oversight of sales representative compliance & claims against guaranty fund. Responsibilities: day-to-day mgmt of caseload/database, review of registration applications, respond to sales representative/consumer inquiries & oversee investigations. Ideal candidate will have bachelor´s degree from accredited four-year college/university & 3 yrs exp in administrative/professional work.

May substitute graduate education for req´d general exp at rate of one yr of education to one yr of exp, for up to 2 yrs of req´d general exp. May substitute add´l exp as defined above for req´d education at rate of one yr of exp to one yr of education, for up to 4 yrs of req´d education. Must have strong communication/analytical/computer/organizational skills. Knowledge of investigative techniques & exp in new home construction industry preferred, not req´d. Submit cover letter, resume & writing sample to: Charlotte M. Hughes, Fair Practices Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General, 200 Saint Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202 by September 24, 2008. EOE.

Motor Vehicle Administration Customer Agent I Salary Range: $25,539 $25,239 - $39,287 Closing Date: September 22, 2008 (no postmarks or faxed copies accepted) Location: Statewide Please visit our website at www.marylandmva.com to learn more about this position and how to apply. EOE.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Assistant Director, Inspections & Permits Bio-Medical Equipment Repair Specialist Deputy Sheriff I, Lateral Entry Detention Officer Electrical Technician I, II, III Emergency Services Technician Engineer I Engineer II Engineer III Facility Superintendent Instrumentation Technician I, II, III & Senior Maintenance Worker I Management Assistant I Mechanical Technician I, II, Senior Mechanic Office Support Assistant II Office Support Specialist Pension Analyst, Deadline to apply: 9/17/08 Trainer Police Communications Operator I/II Police Officer, Entry Level Police Officer Lateral Entry and Comparative Compliance Programer Specialist I Utilities Emergency Response Technician Secretary III Water/Wastewater System Technician I Zoning Inspector Visit our website at www.aacounty.org for additional information and to apply on-line. You may use the Internet at any Anne Arundel County library, or visit our office at 2660 Riva Road in Annapolis. Deadline to apply MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2008.

AEO/DF/SFE

afro.com

Your History • Your Community • Your News

SUBSCRIBE T ODAY!!!

CONTRACTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS NAACP (Nat’l headquarters in Baltimore, MD) is seeking a Director of Communications to implement internal and external communications, marketing, media, and on-line strategies, plans, and programs in line with the organization’s strategic goals and priorities. The range of tasks is varied and work takes place in a fast-paced, supportive and collaborative environment.

• This position requires a BA and 7+ years of diversified accomplishments in strategic, comprehensive marketing program planning and implementation.

• A visible track record of people and project management skills coupled with a broad range of communications and media relations management skills are a must.

• Candidate should have interest in civil and human rights issues and experience building, leading and training collaborative teams and supervising public relations campaigns.

• Think creatively and strategically while managing a number of projects simultaneously.

• Candidate should possess a commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams.

• Strong oral and written communications skills are a must.

Send resume to hresources@naaacpnet.org or fax 410-580-5735. EEOE

September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

THE BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS’ CLASSIFIED SECTION IS THE PERFECT VEHICLE TO THOSE PEOPLE IN THE MARKET TO BUY, RENT, SELL, SEEK EMPLOYMENT AND MUCH MUCH MORE! TO ADVERTISE IN THE BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS, DEADLINES ARE: CLASSIFIED DISPLAY FRIDAY -- 2 PM Preceding Tuesday

RATES: FRIDAY ONLY -- $26.54 Per Column Inch -- CONTRACT RATES AVAILABLE --

APT/RENT Apt. for rent in private home. Seniors Welcome. 2nd Fl. No Pets. Utilities included in Rent. Pimlico Section.

Tele: 410-466-5355

REAL ESTATE Windsor Mill/ Randallstown AFFORDABLE CUSTOM HOMES Priced from $330,000 At MAYFIELD WOODS Select from 30 House Plans. Min. Down, Low Monthly Costs. Our Close-in Location lets your Fuel Savings buy more house.

We can Build some plans on your lot from $180,000 For Info.

Call - 410-879-4242 Email SR9889@AOL.COM, or Read: CustomHomeSimplified. com

MISC.

S.W. Use of bath only. Quiet, no company.

410-800-7845 AD NETWORK Ad Network Classifieds are published in 65 newspapers.

25 words $175 (For more than 25 words there is an additional charge of $7 per word.)

Call (410) 554-8200 All ads must be prepaid

ANNOUNCEMENTS DIVORCE without Children $95.00. DIVORCE with Children $95.00. With FREE name change documents (wife only) and marital settlement agreement. Fast, easy and professional. Call 1-888789-0198.

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES DC BIG FLEA - Huge Antique & Collectible Event! Shop for Bargains One Stop Shopping! 1100 Booths! September 20-21, Admission $8. Saturday 96; Sunday 11-5. Dulles Expo-Chantilly, VA 703378-0910.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT 4 bd. 2 ba. Home Buy for only $205/mo! More 1-5 bd. Foreclosures from $199/mo! Never Rent Again! For Listings 800-585-3617 ext. T297

AUTOMOBILE DONATION DONATE YOUR VEHICLE - RECEIVE FREE VACATION VOUCHER. UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info. FREE Towing, Tax deductible, NonRunners Accepted, 1-888468-5964.

AD NETWORK

SAMPLE

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CLASSIFIED

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410-554-8200

Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

results

1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words

AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words). Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: AFRO-AMERICAN CO., 2519 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.

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AUTOMOBILE DONATION

LAND FOR SALE

City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases

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DONATE VEHICLE: Receive $1000 GROCERY COUPONS, Your Choice.

NOAH'S ARC, NO KILL Animal Shelters. Advanced Veterinary Treatments. Free Towing, IRS TAX DEDUCTION. Nonrunners 1-866-912-GIVE.

must sell! All prices reduced. Lg Water Access $49,900. Direct Waterfront $199,900. Over 1 mile of dockable shoreline, underground utilities. Call 888838-9030.

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Criminal *Computers, Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121 www.CenturaOnline.com

Grow Your Business.

Advertise in 120 newspapers across Maryland, Delaware, and DC, reach over 2.3 Million households for only $495. For more information contact this Newspaper or call 410-721-4000, ext. 15 or visit our website: www.mddcpress.com

GENERAL MERCHANIDSE ABSOLUTELY NO COST TO YOU!! ALL BRAND NEW WHEELCHAIRS, HOSPITAL BEDS AND SCOOTERS IMMEDIATE DELIVERY CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-998-4111 TO QUALIFY

MISC.

MOUNTAIN PROPERTY MOUNTAIN LOG CABIN & 20+ ACRES - $149,900 SaleSaturday 9/13 Beautifully wooded mountain setting with spectacular new 1800' log cabin kit.

Enjoy private access to Potomac River & C&O Canal. Close to town.

Perfect for vacation/retirement. SAVE $10,000 Guaranteed! Ask how to pay NO closing costs. Low rate financing. Call now 1800-888-1262

HELP WANTED Need a career???? Become a Nationally Certified Heating/AC Tech.

3.5wk Nationally Accredited program. Get EPA/ OSHA/NCCER Certified.

Local Job Placement.

Financing Available 1-877-994-9904

REAL ESTATE Move or Retire to Delaware and discover the value of manufactured housing. Gated community with homes from low 100's Brochure Available.

Toll- Free 1-866-629-0770 www.coolbranch.com

Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore, will be received until, but not later than 11:00 a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 • CRAFCO SUPERSHOT 125 DIESEL WITH COMPRESSOR B50000717 • O.E.M. REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR EXMARK LAWN MOWERS B50000723 • PROVIDE ROUTINE INSPECTIONS AND TREATMENTS TO PREVENT PEST ACTIVITY FOR VARIOUS BUILDINGS OF CITY OF BALTIMORE B50000741 OCTOBER 1, 2008 • PANASONIC TOUGHBOOKS MOBILES B50000575 • SUPPLY AND DELIVER FALL TREES B50000702 • NEW HOLLAND CONSTRUCTION AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT O.E.M. PARTS AND REPAIR SERVICE B50000725 • PROVIDE POLICE DUTY BELTS AND ACCESSORIES B50000729 • PROVIDE LABOR AND SERVICE TO RETROFIT TWO EXISTING DRY-TYPE TRANSFORMERS WITH 2 NEW OIL-FILLED 2500 KVA TRANSFORMERS AT PATAPSCO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT B50000734 OCTOBER 8, 2008 • LCD DISPLAY SYSTEMS B50000677 OCTOBER 15, 2008 • IBM MANAGED OFFSITE HIGH AVAILABILITY AND DISASTER RECOVERY SERVICES B50000566 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitybuy.org Baltimore City Public School

HELP WANTEDTRUCK DRIVER Driver - $5K Sign-on Bonus for Experienced Teams: Dry Van & Temp Control. Solo Lanes also available. O/Os & CDL-A Grads welcome. Call Convenant: (866) 6842519. EOE.

HOMES FOR RENT HUD AFFORDABLE HOMES! 4bd 2ba home only $301/mo! 3bd 1ba home only $199/mo! (5% down, 20 yrs @ 8%) For 800-628-5983 Listings xT432 A 4 bd. 2 ba. Home only $294/mo!

More 1-4 bedrooms from $199/mo!

Great Deals! Never Rent Again! (4% dn, 30 yrs @ 8%). Call for Listings 800585-3617 ext. T296

HOMES FOR SALE FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION - ALL DC, MD, VA 450+ Homes Must Be Sold! Free Brochure 800681-0364 USHomeAuction.com

LAND FOR SALE LAKE ANNA, VA Steal My Lakefront Land! Owner

TAX SERVICES IRS TAX DEBT KEEPING YOU AWAKE? Local CPA firm resolves all Federal and State tax problems for individuals and businesses. US Tax Resolutions, P.A. 877-477-1108.

VACATION RENTALS OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate.

1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com.

After Labor Day Savings! Deep Creek Lake, MD - Long & Foster Resort Rentals Rent three nights and get the fourth night free! Lakefront, lake access & mountaintop homes, condos & townhomes.

Pet friendly.

800.336.7303 www.DeepCreekResort. com

WATERFRONT PROPERTIES FREE DVD & list of coastal NC land bargains.

List updated weekly. Call now 1-800-732-6601 x 2241

To place an ad Call 410-554-8200

LEGAL NOTICES City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore, will be received until, but not later than 11:00 a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: OCTOBER 1, 2008 • PERSONAL CARE/HOMEMAKER SERVICES FOR APPROXIMATELY 65 CLIENTS B50000747 • BALTIMORE CITIZENS PLANNING SURVEY B50000748 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitybuy.org

INVITATION FOR BIDS: BCS-09018 Provide Infrared Testing Services at Various Baltimore City Public Schools.

The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners is inviting interested companies to submit bids to: Provide Infrared Testing Services at Various City Schools (City Schools).

In order to participate, interested prospective bidders not registered with K12Buy.com are required to do so by following the “Instructions to Register with K12Buy.com” hyperlink at https://www.k12Buy.com. In addition solicitation documents can be obtained from Gardens Reprographic, Inc., 419 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-539-2763 or http://www.gardensrepro.com.

The solicitation BCS-09018 will be available for review on website: https://www.k12Buy.com http://www.gardensrepro.com beginning Friday, September 12, 2008.

The Bid Due Date is Thursday, November 14, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. local time. No bids will be accepted after that time.

If you have questions related to this solicitation, please contact the Buyer.

HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT BIDS INVITED HARFORD COUNTY BID NO. 08-240 LAUREL VALLEY STREAM RESTORATION Sealed bids will be received in the Harford County Department of Procurement until 1:00 pm on October 8, 2008 and will be publicly opened at 1:30 pm on the same date in the Second Floor Conference Room, 220 South Main Street, Bel Air, Maryland. Bids received after 1:00 pm will be returned unopened.

This project involves the restoration of an unnamed tributary to Bynum Run, west of Laurel Bush Road and between Boxthorn Road and Parallel Path. The contract involves regrading and restoring approximately 1065 linear feet of the existing stream channel.

Restoration techniques include installation of grade control structures, channel relocation, structural bank stabilization, vegetative bank stabilization, and stormdrain outfall repair. In addition, the contract includes construction of a pedestrian/bike path and revegetation of all disturbed areas.

A Pre-Bid meeting will be held on September 17, 2008 at 10:00 am in the DPW Conference Room at 212 Bond Street, 3rd Floor, Bel Air, Maryland. Attendance is NOT mandatory, but is strongly advised.

In order to qualify to bid on this project, the Contractor MUST have completed Harford County’s Contractor Pre-Qualification Application and be pre-qualified in Area B (Grading) and Area G-2 (Landscaping-Site). All pre-

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INSERTION DATE:_____________ LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

qualification applications are due in to the Department of Procurement ten (10) working days prior to bid opening date. Contractors must have received a Certificate of PreQualification prior to bid opening.

The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency have established “fair share” goals and objectives for participation with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

Additional information regarding this project may be obtained from IFB 08-240 at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/procurement/ BidBoard.cfm.

warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 15th day of September, 2008 and redeem the subject property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff title to the property, free and clear of all encumbrances.

True Copy Test Frank M. Conaway, Clerk Wanda K. Heard JUDGE, CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY 8-29, 9-5, 9-12

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the property in the City of Baltimore, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: 105 West 29th Street, Baltimore, Maryland Ward 12, Section 03, Block 3649, Lot 022 Lot Size 20-3 x 90-1 The Complaint states, among other things, that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

It is thereupon this 14th day of July, 2008 by the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in The Afro a American Newspaper, newspaper of general circulation in the City of Baltimore once a week for three (3) successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 12th day of September, 2008 and redeem the subject property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff title to the property, free and clear of all encumbrances.

True Copy Test Frank M. Conaway, Clerk Wanda K. Heard JUDGE, CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY 8-29, 9-5, 9-12

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY Case No. 24-C-07 — 001121/FR CYPRESS PROPERTIES, INC. c/o Allen C Tochterman, Esquire 11411 Cedar Lane Kingsville, Maryland 21087 Plaintiff v.

TYRONE W. BOICE ALLYSONS WORLD, INCORPORATED EMPIRE INVESTMENTS, LTD. Unknown Tenants of the Subject Property The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, Maryland, And all Persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property listed below; Their respective heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right title and interest Defendants FIRST AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the property in the City of Baltimore, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: Ward 20, Section 09, Block 0696, Lot 057 Known As: 509 South Bentalou Street, Baltimore, Maryland Lot Size 13-9 x 72 The Complaint states, among other things, that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

It is thereupon this 15th day of July, 2008 by the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in THE AFRO AMERICAN, a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Baltimore once a week for three (3) successive weeks, warning all persons interested in the property to appear in this Court by the 15th day of September, 2008 and redeem the subject property and answer the Complaint or thereafter a final judgment will be entered foreclosing all rights of redemption in the property, and vesting in the Plaintiff title to the property, free and clear of all encumbrances.

True Copy Test Frank M. Conaway, Clerk Wanda K. Heard JUDGE, CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY 8-29, 9-5, 9-12 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY Case No. 24-C-06 — 00008251/FR CYPRESS PROPERTIES, INCORPORATED c/o Allen C Tochterman, Esquire Kingsville, Maryland 21087 Plaintiff v.

SALLIE WEBB THE STATE OF MARYLAND Tenants of the Subject Property The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, Maryland, And all Persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property listed below; Their respective heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right title and interest Defendants AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this proceeding is to secure the foreclosure of all rights of redemption in the property in the City of Baltimore, sold by the Collector of Taxes for the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland to the Plaintiff in this proceeding: 1912 West North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland Ward 15, Section 16, Block 3207, Lot 007 Lot Size 13-10 x 80 The Complaint states, among other things, that the amount necessary for redemption has not been paid.

It is thereupon this 16th day of July, 2008 by the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, ORDERED, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this order in The Afro American, a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Baltimore once a week for three (3) successive weeks,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY Case No. 24-C-06 — 00008236/FR CYPRESS PROPERTIES, INCORPORATED c/o Allen C Tochterman, Esquire Kingsville, Maryland 21087 Plaintiff v.

HANSEATIC COMMERCIAL CORPORATION TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND And all Persons having or claiming to have an interest in the property listed below; Their respective heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right title and interest Defendants AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION

Strictly Personal Pen Pals Woman: It may be time to treat yourself to the gift of humanitarian friendship. I’m a 60-year-old sincere African American, praying for affinity, pictures, and an avenue openly of communication. Write to me.

Jerry Owens, #40696-048, U.S.P., Post Office Box 24550, Tucson, Arizona 85734-4550.

—— Positive, intelligent Black male, 51, Virgo, seeks correspondence for friendship. Females only, write to Michael W. Owens, #149344, Powhatan Correctional Center, State Farm, VA 23160.

—— 32-year-old Scorpion, positive thinking, love living life, seeking a single lady, 25-45 for mature conversation, friendship building and companionship. I will respond promptly. Mr. Deon D. Coates, USPFCCC#1, #05900-007, Post Office Box 1033, Coleman, Florida 33521.

Lonesome Hearts Single African American male, 55, homebody, outdoor type, many interests and experiences. Marriage-minded wishing to meet nondrinking females, nationwide ages 18-35, interested in relocating, who have never married or started a family. For more, write to CC18.

Lonesome Hearts - Pen Pals To have a notice published in the Strictly Personal Section, write the message you want printed in the space below. Enclose ten dollars ($10.00), check or money order for 25 words. NO CASH PLEASE. Additional words will cost 50 cents each.

To answer a Lonesome Heart notice, enclose a check or money order for $2.00 for each letter you wish to have forwarded. NO CASH PLEASE. Be sure to include the box number of the person you wish to contact.

All letters, queries and notices should be sent to: STRICTLY PERSONAL P.O. Box 1857, Baltimore, MD 21218

The Baltimore Afro-American, September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008 LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

CERTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION CITY OF BALTIMORE OFFICE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS PUBLIC NOTICE PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANT SERVICES PROJECT NO. 1101 – CONSTRUCTION CLAIMS REVIEW SERVICES The Baltimore City Office of Boards and Commissions has been requested by the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Water and Wastewater, to receive proposals to establish an On-Call Service Agreement with two consultants to evaluate and make recommendations regarding construction claims and designer liability.

The work will consist of analyzing construction claims and investigating design liability relating to multi-million dollar capital improvement projects. Work includes: establishing design and construction histories through review of project files, interviews with personnel familiar with the project and other available means; evaluating design methods and drawings to determine appropriateness for the project: reviewing all change orders to determine cause and liability; reviewing construction schedules to establish viability and liability for any time extension requests; assisting the Bureau with constructability review of upcoming projects; offering training to the Bureau in claims avoidance and recommending appropriate action to be taken by the City of Baltimore to resolve all matters of claims and liability issues.

The consultant teams shall have the capability to perform all services necessary to completely evaluate all claims and liability issues and shall issue a written report to the City stating their methods of investigation, finds and recommendations. The consultant shall be prepared to assist the City’s Law Department in litigation procedure, if required.

The selected firms must demonstrate and document ability in the following: A minimum five years experience in construction claims and design liability evaluation with Water and Wastewater projects.

Determination of project histories through review of project files and input from personnel familiar with the project.

Review of design documents and determination of adequacy for the intended project.

Analysis of change orders and their effect on the project.

Review and analysis of the construction schedule and delay impact analysis.

Litigation support, including visual development and expert testimony.

aids

for a project is responsible for verifying that all MBEs and WBEs to be utilized on the project are certified by the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office (MWBOO) prior to submitting the proposal. A directory of certified MBEs and WBEs is available from MWBOO. Since changes to the directory occur daily, firms submitting SF 255s should call MWBOO at (410) 396-4355 to verify certification, expiration dates and services that the MBE or WBE is certified to provide.

Non-Affiliation A firm submitting a proposal may not use an MBE or WBE to meet a contract goal if: 1. The firm has a financial interest in the MBE or WBE 2.The firm has an interest in the ownership or control of the MBE or WBE 3. The firm is significantly involved in the operation of the MBE or WBE (Article 5 subtitle 28-41).

A firm submitting as a prime consultant that fails to comply with the requirements of Article 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code when executing a contract is subject to the following penalties: suspension of a contract; withholding of funds; recision of contract based on material breach; disqualification as a consultant from eligibility to provide services to the City for a period not to exceed 2 years; and payment for damages incurred by the City.

A resume for each person listed as key personnel and/or specialist, including those from MBE and WBE must be shown on the page provided within the application.

Please be advised that for the purpose of reviewing price proposals and invoices, the City of Baltimore defines a principal of a firm as follows: A principal is any individual owning 5% or more of the outstanding stock of an entity, a partner of a partnership, a 5% or more shareholder of a sub-chapter ‘S’ Corporation, or an individual owner.

Out-of-State Corporations must identify their corporate resident agent within the application.

Firms will not be considered for a specific project if they apply as both a sub-consultant and prime consultant.

The applications for this Project (Form 255) cannot be supplemented with any additional information such as graphs, photographs, organization chart, etc. All such information should be incorporated into the appropriate pages. Applications should not be bound.

Applications should simply be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. Cover sheets should not be included. Inclusion and/or submittal of additional material may result in the applicant being disqualified from consideration for this project.

Recommendations of action to recover costs from liable parties and the success of those recommendations.

Failure to follow directions of this advertisement or the application may cause disqualification of the submittal.

The services will be for three years. The estimated fee is in the range of $1,500,000.The contact person for this project is Tom Pompa who can be reached at 410-396-1663.

Robert B. MacLeod Executive Secretary

Projects must comply with the 2006 edition of "The Specification for Materials, Highways, Bridges, Utilities and Incidental Structures". City personnel will utilize the City of Baltimore Guidelines for The Performance Evaluation of Design Consultants and Construction Contractors for this contract/project.

Firms intending to submit a proposal as a prime consultant for this project should submit a “Letter of Interest” to the Office of Boards and Commissions, Room 601, 417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 (FAX: 410625-4667). Since these letters are utilized to assist small, minority and women business enterprises in identifying potential teaming partners, the letters should be submitted within five (5) days of the date of the project’s advertisement. The letter should contain the name and the phone number of a contact person. Failure to submit a “Letter of Interest” will not disqualify a firm submitting a proposal for the project.

Each prime consultant applying for this Project will be required to complete and submit an original Federal Form 255, along with five (5) copies, to the Office of Boards and Commissions. The Federal Form 255 and the five copies must be submitted on or before 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on 10-7-08. Submittals may not be accepted after this deadline.

All architectural, engineering, and surveying firms listed in the specific proposal for the Project must be prequalified by the Office of Boards and Commissions for each applicable discipline at time of submittal for this Project.

It is the policy of the City of Baltimore to promote equal business opportunity in the City’s contracting process. Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code (2000 Edition) – Minority and Women’s Business Program, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Business Enterprise (WBE) Women’s participation goals apply to this contract.

The MBE goal is 27% The WBE goal is 9% Both the proposed Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise firms must be named and identified as an MBE or WBE within Item 6 of the Standard Form (SF) 255 in the spaces provided for identifying outside key consultants/associates anticipated for utilization for this project.

Any submittals that do not include the proper MBE/WBE (in some instances DBE) participation will be disapproved for further consideration for this project.

Verifying Certification Each firm submitting a SF 255 for consideration

CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for TR08053 REPAIRS FOR BRIDGE NO. BC 5101 RUSSELL STREET OVER OSTEND STREET be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. OCTOBER 15, 2008.

Board of Estimates employees will be stationed at the Security Unit Counter just inside the Holliday Street entrance to City Hall from 10:45 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. every Wednesday to receive Bids. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00.

A certified check of the bidder or a bank cashier’s check or a bank treasurer’s check drawn on a solvent clearing house bank, made payable to the Director of Finance or a bid bond executed on the form as provided in the Bid or Proposal for an amount which is not less than that determined by multiplying the total bid submitted by two percent (2%) will be required with each bid over $100,000.00. If the bid less than or equal to $100,000.00 no Bid Bond is required.

Bidders interested in utilizing the City’s SelfInsurance Program for payment and performance security for contracts not exceeding $100,000.00 may contact the Department of Finance, the Program Administrator, for eligibility requirements and premium costs. The Board of Estimates reserves the right to reject any and all Bids and/or to waive technical defects, if in its judgment, the interest of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore may so require. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prerequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at Room 634, Charles L. Benton Bldg. , 417 E. Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland 21202 . If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes.

The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is C03300 (Concrete Construction ) and C05100 (Structural Steel Erection).

Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $500,000.000 to $1,000,000.00.

A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 at 417 E. Fayette Street, Charles L. Benton Building, Room 733.

NOTE: THIS CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

LEGAL NOTICES Principal Items of work for this project are: Pneumatically Placed Mortar 100 C. F. Remove & Replace Bearings 32 Each Jacking Existing Stringer 32 Each Remove & Replace Compression Seals 1.040 L.F. Cleaning & Painting Lump Sum Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of the Baltimore City Code (2000-Edition)-Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Program, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise(WBE) participation goals apply to this contract.

The MBE goal is 21% The MBE Sub-goals: African American Hispanic American Asian American Native American APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor, Clerk Board of Estimates

The WBE goal is 5% % % % %

APPROVED: Alfred H. Foxx, Director Department of Transportation

CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for TR05009 SARATOGA STREET STREETSCAPING FROM EUTAW STREET TO SAINT PAUL STREET be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. OCTOBER 15, 2008.

Board of Estimates employees will be stationed at the Security Unit Counter just inside the Holliday Street entrance to City Hall from 10:45 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. every Wednesday to receive Bids. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00.

A certified check of the bidder or a bank cashier’s check or a bank treasurer’s check drawn on a solvent clearing house bank, made payable to the Director of Finance or a bid bond executed on the form as provided in the Bid or Proposal for an amount which is not less than that determined by multiplying the total bid submitted by two percent (2%) will be required with each bid over $100,000.00. If the bid less than or equal to $100,000.00 no Bid Bond is required.

Bidders interested in utilizing the City’s SelfInsurance Program for payment and performance security for contracts not exceeding $100,000.00 may contact the Department of Finance, the Program Administrator, for eligibility requirements and premium costs. The Board of Estimates reserves the right to reject any and all Bids and/or to waive technical defects, if in its judgment, the interest of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore may so require. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prerequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at Room 634, Charles L. Benton Bldg. , 417 E. Fayette St., Baltimore, Maryland 21202 . If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes.

The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is A02602 (Bituminous Concrete Paving) and D02620 (Curbs, Gutters & Sidewalks).

Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $2,000,000.00 to $3,000,000.00.

A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 at 417 E. Fayette Street, Charles L. Benton Building, Room 722.

NOTE: THIS CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. Principal Items of work for this project are: HMA Superpave 19mm for Base PG64-22 Level 2 219 Tons.

HMA Superpave 12.5mm for Surface PG64-22 Level 2 577 Tons.

Removal of Bituminous Paving Material 2” 4,904S. Y. 5 Inch Concrete Sidewalk 23,945 S.F. Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of the Baltimore City Code (2000-Edition)-Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Program, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise(WBE) participation goals apply to this contract.

The MBE goal is *% The WBE goal is 9% The MBE Sub-goals: African American 18% Hispanic American 4% Asian American 2% Native American 0% *The total of the sub-goals is the MBE contract goal for this project.

APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor, Clerk Board of Estimates

APPROVED: Alfred H. Foxx, Director Department of Transportation

CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

LEGAL NOTICES Bids. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. The bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon.

The proposed Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Friday, September 12, 2008 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $30.00.

A certified check of the bidder or a bank cashier’s check or a bank treasurer’s check drawn on a solvent clearing house bank, made payable to the Director of Finance or a bid bond executed on the form as provided in the Bid or Proposal for an amount which is not less than that determined by multiplying the total bid submitted by two percent will be required with each bid over $100,000.00. If the bid is less than or equal to $100,000.00 no Bid Bond is required.

Bidders interested in utilizing the City’s SelfInsurance Program for payment and performance security for contracts not exceeding $100,000.00 may contact the Department of Finance, the Program Administrator, for eligibility requirements and premium costs.

The Board of Estimates reserves the right to reject any and all Bids and/or to waive technical defects, if in its judgment, the interest of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore may so require.

All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested contractors should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at Room 634, Charles L. Benton Building, 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is G90041 The Cost Classification Range for this project will be from $500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00.

A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 2600 Madison Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217 on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. Principal Items of work for this project are: Installation of Playground Equipment, Earthwork & Site Preparation Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of the Baltimore City Code (2000 Edition)-Minority and Women’s Business Program, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) participation goals apply to this contract.

The MBE goal is 8% The WBE goal is 2% African American 0% Asian American 0% Hispanic American 0% 0% Native American

Got government-related questions?

CONTRACT NO. RP08821 APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates

APPROVED: David E. Scott Director of Public Works

Copyright Notice: All rights reserved re common-law copyright of trade-name/trademark, CHAMARKCO JULI HOU AMIN© as well as any and all derivatives and variations in the spelling of said tradename/trademark - Copyright 1989 by CHAMARKCO JULI HOU AMIN©. Said trade-name/trademark CHAMARKCO JULI HOU AMIN©, may neither be used, nor re-produced, neither in whole nor in part, nor in any manner whatsoever, without the prior, express, written consent and acknowledgement of CHAMARKCO JULI HOU AMIN© as signified by the red-ink signature of CHAMARKCO JULI HOU AMIN©.

UCC FINANCING STATEMENT NO. 002173788 WO #0001616826 ACK # 1000361996850875 ORIGINAL FILE NUMBER: 0000000181351102 CERTIFICATION OF DOCUMENT CUSTODIAN Peggy Magee, Clerk of the Circuit court for Prince George’s County, Authentication Section of the State of Maryland, Serial No. 222211 on August 8, 2008.

Copyright Notice: All rights reserved re common-law copyright of trade-name/trademark, HUSSAIN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL KABIR MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH© as well as any and all derivatives and variations in the spelling of said trade-name/trademark - Copyright 1995 by HUSSAIN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL KABIR MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH©. Said trade-name/trademark HUSSAIN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL KABIR MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH©, may neither be used, nor re-produced, neither in whole nor in part, nor in any manner whatsoever, without the prior, express, written consent and acknowledgement of HUSSAIN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL KABIR MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH© as signified by the red-ink signature of HUSSAIN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL KABIR MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH©. UCC FINANCING STATEMENT NO. 0002173788 WO # 0001616826 ACK # 1000361996850792 ORIGINAL FILE NUMBER: 0000000181351099 CERTIFICATION OF DOCUMENT CUSTODIAN Peggy Magee, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Authentication Section of the State of Maryland, Serial No. 222216 on August 8, 2008.

City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore, will be received until, but not later than 11:00 a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 • MECHANICAL DUCTILE PIPE B50000696 OCTOBER 1, 2008 • RIDING LITTER VACUUM B50000679 OCTOBER 8, 2008 • HEAVY DUTY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS B50000672 • TORO Z590D COMMERCIAL ZERO TURN MOWERS AND ATTACHMENTS B50000726 • JOHN DEERE TRACTORS AND LOADER ATTACHMENTS B50000731 OCTOBER 15, 2008 • ON-LINE TAX SALE AUCTION SERVICE B50000746 • SMALL PURCHASES PROCUREMENT CARD SERVICES B50000757 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitybuy.org

NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals for RP08821Baltimore Playlot Project FY’ 08 will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. Board of Estimates employees will be stationed at the Security Unit Counter just inside the Holliday Street entrance to City Hall from 10:45 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. every Wednesday to receive

You’d think at least one of them could tell you how to renew a passport.

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September 13, 2008 - September 19, 2008, The Baltimore Afro-American

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LEGAL NOTICES

IFB NUMBER: B-1545-08 / HAE-2209 The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC”) will issue an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”) for qualified and interested vendors to submit sealed bids to perform playground restoration at five (5) HABC developments.

BIDS WILL BE DUE no later than 2:00 p.m.

Eastern Time on Friday, October 10, 2008.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday, September 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., at the Charles L. Benton Building, 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 416, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202.

HABC has established a minimum goal of twenty percent (20%) of the total dollar amount of the proposed contract for Minority Business Enterprise (“MBE”) utilization, applicable to all minority and non-minority businesses proposing to provide the requested services as the prime contractor. No goal has been established for participation of Women-owned businesses (“WBEs”), however, HABC strongly encourages and affirmatively promotes the use of WBEs in all HABC contracts.

Responders shall also comply with all applicable requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, 12 U.S.C. Section 1701u.

The IFB may be obtained on or after Monday, September 22, 2008, at the following location: Housing Authority of Baltimore City Division of Fiscal Operations, Purchasing Department 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 414 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Attention: John Airey, Chief of Contracting Services Tel: (410) 396-3261 Fax: (410) 962-1586 Questions regarding the IFB should be directed in writing to the address and individual indicated above, and must include the reference: HABC IFB Number B-1545-08 / HAE-2209

Be in the know . . . Subscribe to the Baltimore AFRO American Call 410-554-8200

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY INVITATION FOR BIDS PLAYGROUND RESTORATION

“So I am for keeping the thing going while things are stirring; because if we wait ‘till it is still, it will take a great while to get it going again.” – Sojourner Truth, Equal Rights Convention, New York, 1867 ‘In That Great Getting Up Morning’ “Oh What a night” as hundreds of revelers watched history unfold at the Thursday night watch party hosted by Michael Miguel Stokes. The guests watched in anticipation, waiting for that moment. Tears fell unashamedly down our faces as we watched; eyes seeing but not believing what was unfolding before us. The video and then there he was standing on stage in “The Spotlight” needing no introduction. When Obama said the words most of us had waited 18 months to hear, “I accept the nomination,” mass pandemonium broke out. The TV cameras from ABC2 with everyone’s favorite reporter Terry Owens captured the moment. We were at City View restaurant, a perfect place for a huge gathering. The food is excellent and they have daily specials for lunch and dinner.

There are great crab cakes that can be fried or broiled, the catfish fingers melt in your mouth with just the right spices and crispness. Stop by for lunch or dinner, the staff is eager to serve. Everyone’s favorite barmaid Kim is there to please and yes, the Amstel is cold.

“Are you a registered voter?” is the question that is frequently being asked. Janet T. Jones, a member of the Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, sent this information to Living for the Weekend and to our youth encouraging them to make sure their parents are registered voters. The last day to register to vote so you can be a part of this historical

election is Oct.14. Years from now you don’t want to explain to your grandchildren, greatgrandchildren or great –greatgrandchildren that you had a chance to be a part of history.

Contact www.vote411.org for information concerning the voting process.

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” - Ernest Hemingway Looking for a place to have great food and the best mojitos? Go to Little Havana on Key Highway. Each night they have food and drink specials. We stopped on a Wednesday night and the special was a half pound of steamed shrimp for $6. I ordered the steamed shrimp, not expecting much for the price. I was shocked.

As our friend Lloyd Mitchner says, “upon my word” the shrimp were jumbo and delicious, the seasoning just spicy enough. The restaurant specializes in authentic Cuban dishes such as pulled pork sandwiches, Cuban meatloaf, stuffed chilies and puerco y manzanas (pork with apples and onions simmered in a coconut cream sauce). They also feature a variety of sandwiches and burgers served with sweet potato fries. The mojitos are delicious; ask Candy to make them for you.

The Sunday brunch features one brunch entree with unlimited mimosas, bloody marys, juice and coffee for $13.95. The atmosphere reminds you of Key West, Fla. Hang around and you just might catch a glimpse of Ernest Hemingway sipping a mojito.

Soul to Sole A Good Book in Woodlawn presents Sole Mates, a reflexology class for couples on Sept.20. OK Libby of Tequila Sunset, this is what

you’ve been waiting for.

Contact www.agoodbook.biz “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”- Groucho Marx Way to go Flacco. What a great way to start the football season–– surprise, surprise, surprise. What a surprise when No. 5 Flacco made a touchdown in Sunday’s opening game. The standingroom-only crowd at the Bay Café went absolutely wild. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon on the water’s edge watching the game and eating the complimentary buffet and raw oysters provided by Goose, the owner of Bay Café. Stop by and say hello to Goose and Jimmy, the bartender. On Sunday morning they also serve a breakfast buffet for a small price. The Bay Café is a great place to spend your Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. You get the picture, always something good happening on the water’s edge.

It was great seeing Charlie, the caterer at Pine Ridge Golf course, enjoying himself at Bay Café after the game. Also having fun was Marcie Flournoy, Dalton “DT” Tong, Fred Cager, Karen “Tookie” Brown and many more friends.

After the game we went outside to the “Jamaican me crazy party” for more fun and dancing on the beach. When you enter the Bay Café you feel that you are on Paradise Island, the atmosphere is “Electric.” The cabanas and sand with the Caribbean sounds drifting through the air “makes me feel like dancing” the night away. “On a Clear Day” our friend Captain Carver docks his boat at the marina near Bay Café so we all gathered there for more fun and drinks and watched the sunset as other boating friends sailed over on their yachts. I could not resist getting on board and “Crusin” the harbor at the last minute. What a way to end a perfect Sunday!

“If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple.

Know what you are doing.

Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.”- Will Rogers Congratulations to Sen. Lisa Gladden and Elizabeth Smith for a very successful barbecue held at the Ashburton home of Elizabeth Smith. The invitations called it an “Obama-Que” and encouraged guest to show their support for Obama by registering to vote or make an optional donation to the campaign. More than 100 guests enjoyed the live jazz band as they performed old jazz standards. The music was exceptional, drifting through the “Summer Breeze.” The food was great.

Chef Memphis, formerly of The Night of the Cooker, kept the grill going for burgers, hot dogs and sausages. The hot foods consisted of fried chicken, fried fish, rice pudding, salads, candied yams, fresh collard greens and more.

Guest enjoying the festivities included my friend and mentor Vanguard Political Organization President Herb Brown, Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, Sen. Cathy Pugh, Betty Clark, Del. Nathaniel Oaks, Mildred Harper,

Douglass Page, Asst. executive secretary, Board of Liquor License Commissioners, Granville Templeton Esq., Frank Coakley, Dan Henson, Darren Henson and Frank Bucci. The neighborhood was alive with neighbors relaxing on their porch enjoying the cool sounds. It was “un bel di” (one fine day).

“As a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”— Buddha The new Psalmist Baptist Church Fine Arts Ministry presents “The Sunday Suspects,” a play written and directed by Joi Thomas. The first show is Sept. 19, Your ticket will also include dinner.

For more information, go to www.newpsalmist.org.

Congratulations Joi on another fine production.

“That’s good news” Bishop Walter Thomas was back in the pulpit on Sunday after successfully recuperating from surgery. “Angels keep watching over me.” Praise the Lord saints!!!

‘If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.’— Louis Armstrong The Haven Lounge has an all-star jazz line up for the next three weeks. On Sept.12, The Peabody Jazz Quartet will be performing, Sept.19 The Alex Norris Quintet and Sept. 26 Project Natale. Stop by the Haven in Northwood and show Keith Covington that Baltimore loves “All that Jazz.”

“Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”- Jack Benny “ ‘Celebration time come on’ It’s your birthday. Happy Birthday Carlos Hutchins, Virginia Alexander, Judge Jacque Leeds, John McCargo, Barrington Branch and Carol Hilton. Virgos in the house!!!

Sept. 14, Carlos Hutchins is hosting Baltimore’s Best Virgo Birthday Bash at Sista’s Place on Liberty Road. Elliott Levine on keyboard with vocalist Tim Brooks will be performing at the party. “It Takes Two”––don’t do a double take when you see the owner’s twins Mary and Myra.

“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with the psaltery and harp.”Psalm 150:3 The Dr. Nathan Carter Foundation is sponsoring the “4th Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert: featuring The GIA Singers with conductor Dr. James Abbington on Sept.

27 in the Gilliam Concert Hall.

Many of Dr. Carter’s former students will also be a part of the concert. Proceeds from the concert will benefit The Nathan Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund. Alethia B. Starkes is the foundation chair and Marco K. Merrick is the concert chair.

For tickets, call 410-532-5306.

You don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear great music.

Grab your “Billie Jean” or your “Jimmy Mack,” get on board the “Love Train,” we’re going to “Rip it Up.” Whatever you do, you got to “Make it Funky” and “Get on the Good Foot.” “I’ll be seeing you in old familiar places.” “I’ll be there” at Valerie@afro.com.

— Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch

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