Challenger Community News :: February 17, 2010

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good news

SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 / Vol. 46 No. 38

WNY Black Film Fest Page 9 He’s Back! Page 3 Sheehan Open House Page 3 Njozi Returns Page 8 50c

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

A Black Tie For Black History

Six outstanding citizens – L. Nathan Hare, Jennifer Parker, Maurice Garner, Ruth Bryant, Kenneth Ivy and Tracy Jordan-Cardwell – will be honored at the 3rd annual “A Black Tie for Black History” Extravaganza on Friday, February 26 from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Stillwater, 483 Delaware Avenue.

“We want to stress that this affair is a fundraiser for Juneteenth,” said founder and organizer Marnetta Malcolm. “ Our goal is to bring awareness to the financial challenges facing this great festival each year. Since its inception the Black Tie for Black Continued Page 11 History has always been – and will always be – a fundraiser for Juneteenth first.”

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The Honorable Elijah Muhammad

Rihanna Rocks...

Challenger columnist George Radney and photographer Jerome Davis were able to get up close and personal during Rihanna’s four-song set at the Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash before a record crowd of 15,000 in South Beach (Miami). Watch for George’s update on the “Snoop Bowl” and more exciting photos from Jerome next week PHOTO JEROME DAVIS

80 Years in North America

Nation of Islam Marks 80th Year at 2010 Saviour’s Day. This year’s message is titled, “The Time and What Must Be Done.” Page 4

SPEAK OUT!

Let The Challenger and WNY know what is on your mind. Send your e-mails to: editor@thechallengernews.com Page 3

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 164

The Challenger

INSIDE ROCHESTER

Shadows Of The Lynching Tree Debuts This Weekend Rochester filmmaker Carvin Eison will debut his documentary Shadows Of The Lynching Tree on Friday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m., at The Little Theatre, East Avenue. The film also will be shown Saturday, February 20 with two shows at noon and 9, through Wednesday, February 24. Check show times at The Little Theatre. Tickets are $5.

Eison who debuted his last film, July 64 in Rochester a few years ago, explains this five-year project came to him by Langston Hughes poem and James Baldwin's Going To Meet Mister Charlie. "African-American people came up North to escape the marginalized living conditions in the South and lynching was MARSHA large part of that.

JONES aThat's how black populations began to flourish and grow in cities like Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Detroit, and Gary, Indiana," adds the videographer for Garth Fagan Dance.

The 60-minute documentary contains nearly 100 years of images of lynchings, an interview with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr about whether there will ever be a Black President, and a message from our 44th President Barack Obama. According to Eison, it is still a subject that our nation tends not to discuss.

Eison and his staff traveled down to Waco, Texas, a city that has a scandalous past when it comes to race relations especially lynchings. A 17-year-old boy Jessie Washington was accused of murdering and raping a 50-year-old white woman. A crowd of 15,000 people came to watch his death by lynching. Baldwin's story is believed to be based off of this event.

"People closed their shops and brought their children and took pleasure in watching the torture and killing of black people. Lynching was so deeply embedded in THIS culture. There are so many layers to lynching: the shooting, killing, burning, and the disfiguring of black bodies. This was Waco's first horror."

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sent an undercovered member in to investigate this incident.

Now, 90 years later the City of Waco is trying to decide what to do to set this incident right: issue an apology or let sleeping dogs lie.

"People don't want to think or deal with this," he continues. "We have suppressed or swept the whole lynching part of our history under a rug.

We have always had racial issues in our county...we still do. It really explains all the problems our President (Barack Obama) is having. All that is connected."

"Documentary filmmaking is about telling the truth. I had to stay in the right direction for this film. It will be understood. It touches a great nerve deep within this culture. This film was very emotional for me.

"There is a deep strain within American history with our government. It's a government that's always hated Black people. Having a Black President is a 'perfect storm' for so many people. Anytime a Black person steps out of line in this country, there is a price to pay. What price will President Obama pay?"

Needless to say, Eison encountered difficulties trying to find funding for this project; he didn't let that stop him. He eventually got funding from the Sundance Film Festival, Paul Robeson Foundation, but the majority of the funding came from Germany. "Because of their torrid past and history, they were very interested in exploring race issues, exploring them and learning how to better address it for a true social and profound change."

After the Rochester screenings are done, the Assistant Professor of Communication at SUNY Brockport hopes to tackle a new film project: The Thomas Jefferson-Sally Hemming story.

Friday night's event features a discussion after the film with Eison. For more information, contact Eison at 395-5767.

Around Town: *African American Educational Awareness Film Fest Series: Saturday, Feb. 20, 1-4 p.m., at WXXI; admission free and open to the public; QA session; for more info call (585) 258-0278 or email sfigueroa@wxxi. org

Rochester Board of Education *Tuesday, February 16: Policy Committee Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Commissioner Jose Cruz chairs the Policy Committee, which also includes Commissioners Melisza Campos and Willa Powell. *Thursday, February 18:Finance Committee Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Commissioner Willa Powell chairs the Committee,Thursday, February 25.

Board of Education Black History Month Observance: Reception (5:00-5:30 p.m.) and Program (5:30-6:30 p.m.)

*19th Ward Community Association Candlelight Potluck Dinner, Sat. Feb. 27, 216 Thurston Rd.; (585)328-6571 for info. Or email 19thward@19wca.org *Open House Southwest YMCA, 597 Thurston Rd., Friday, Feb. 19, 6-8 p .m. (585) 244-0830 ext 318 *Exodus to Jazz: The Jeremy Pelt Quintet, Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside (Genesee Ballroom), 120 E. Main St., 4 p.m.; $25 reserved; $20 general, $10 students at all Wegmans, TicketWeb.com, and at door; (585)733-7685 or email Exodustojazz@aol.com *Black Heritage Gospel Concert: Featuring Akoma and Voices of Thunder. Presented by City of Rochester Black Heritage Committee. Feb. 20, 6 p.m. Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St. Free. (585) 428-9587 or www.blackheritagerochester.org. *February 25: Haiti Relief Benefit Concert, German House, 6 p.m. to midnight * Black Heritage Book Club will be held Sunday, February 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., St. John Fisher College’s Haffey Hall, 690 East Avenue. *Black Heritage Gala on Saturday, February 27, at 6 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom, 125 East Main Street. Tickets are $40.For more *Black History Month food tasting Friday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m., in the City Atrium, 30 Church Street.

No More

“I’m Bored!”

AWAR D

Congratulations to Healthy Hero Debra Ross for her creation of a free weekly e-newsletter, devoted to informing parents about local activities that are fun, affordable, enriching and creative.

Ross has created an invaluable resource for anyone responsible for keeping kids busy in an age-appropriate manner.

KidsOutAndAbout.com covers activities, ideas and articles on everything from healthy eating to health tips and includes virtual tours of area playgrounds.

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THE

Greater Rochester Health Foundation recognizes individuals/groups who have gone above and beyond their normal duties to impact children’s nutrition and/or physical activity. Healthy Heroes are awarded $250 to be donated to the organization of their choice. The award is open to all residents of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties.

To nominate a Healthy Hero visit

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

The Challenger

Are a B r i e fs Services Set for George A. “Buddy” Davis Jr. Services will be held for George A. “Buddy” Davis Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 18. The wake will be held at 10 AM, followed by the at 12 noon, at St. Luke AME Zion Church, 314 East Ferry Street.

Joann Workman Funeral Services Announced

Funeral services for Joann Workman, wife of t he late Dan Workman, will be held at St. Martin DePorres Church. The wake will be held on Friday, Feb. 19 from 6-9 p.m. and again on Saturday Feb. 20 at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral.

2010 Positive Image Youth Award Nominations Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Positive Image Youth Awards which celebrates the achievements and contributions of Western New York youth in fifth thru twelfth grades in the areas of academics, athletics, community service, performing arts, and perseverance. The annual awards celebration luncheon held at the Hearthstone Manor is sponsored by the The Lutheran Church of Our Savior. Call 885-1108 for information and nomination form.

Coalition of Black Trade Unionists to Hold Annual Awards Dinner On Saturday, February 27, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists will hold their annual awards dinner, at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center to begin at 5:00 p.m. Pastor Darius Pridgen of True Bethel Baptist Church will deliver the keynote address.

This year’s awardees include: Michael Hoffert who will receive the Isaac Myers Labor Award; Dr. James Lewis who will receive the CBTU Community Service Award and Gladys Daughty who will receive the Barbara Smith CBTU Chapter Award.

“It is very important that we highlight and celebrate the good these individuals have done for the labor community and the entire Western New York community,” says Sylvia Thomas, President of the Buffalo Chapter of CBTU. “To let them know the work they do is appreciated” said Thomas.

Maurice Brown, Political Organizer for 1199 SEW United Healthcare Workers East will serve as the Master of Ceremony for the evening.

Daughters of Creative Sound will perform through out the evening.

For tickets, please contact Stacey Pettigrew at 830-0982.

NAACP Releases Congressional Civil Appliance Rebate for Residents Rights Report Card Between now and Feb. 21 resiThe NAACP recently released its annual Congressional Legislative Report Card, an evaluation of the voting records of Congressional members on NAACP agenda issues.

The NAACP has graded the U.S. Congress on the “bread and butter” civil rights agenda since 1914. The report card provides a non-partisan assessment of the first session f the 11th Congress, and is designed to provide NAACP members with insight into the general voting patterns of congressional representatives and state delegations.

The grades given to the congressional members from our area are: *Brian Higgins, 27th District, A, 96% *Louise Slaughter, 28th District, B, 84% *Chris Lee, 26th District, F, 28% *Eric Massa, 29th District, B, 84% *Charles Schumer, Senator, A, 100% *Hillary Clinton resigned on January 21, 2009 and Kristen Gillibrand was sworn in on January 27, 2009.

Frank B. Mesiah is president of the local branch.

dents will have an opportunity to save money on appliance purchases by receiving rebates between $50 and $550 for qualifying Energy Star items including refrigerators, freezers, washers and dishwasher purchases. New York was awarded $18.7 million from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Recovery Act to provide the cash rebates to New York residents who purchase high-efficieny appliances.

For more information contact the office of Congressman Brian Higgins at 852-3501.

Black History at The Temple On Sunday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. Good Shepherd Temple, 425 Goodyear Ave. in Buffalo, will host a Black History program celebrated through song and dance.

On Saturday the church will host a spiritual empowerment luncheon featuring Missionary Ollie Mixon, Ph.D. Both events will be held at t he church. Pastors are Elzie and Janice Fisher. For more information call 896-4969.

Give PEACE a Chance...

African Cultural Center Celebrates Black History Month With Free Movie Screening, Audience Talkback The Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center continues its celebration of Black History Month 2010 with a free screening of the 1934 movie Imitation of Life (1934) on Wednesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. at 350 Masten Avenue.

On Sunday, February 28, Paulette Harris and Ibn Shabazz, who are codirecting Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, will host an audience talkback entitled “Peola, Pecola, and Precious” immediately following the 4 p.m. performance. Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye will run through March 7 at the Paul Robeson Theatre. General admission is $23.50, $19.50 for seniors and students with I.D., and $13.50 for children ages 3 through 12.

Group rates are available. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

New Primary Care Outpatient Clinic Opens at Sheehan Sheehan Health Network, located at 425 Michigan Avenue, will celebrate the new renovations and opening of the Family Care Clinic on Friday, February, 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. The open house will include guided tours of the new Family Care Clinic; free seasonal and HINI flu shots; healthy food demonstrations; prizes and refreshments.

-A Focus on the PatientThe voices of many were heard, resulting in the development of the patient-centered medical home concept; a model of care in which each patient has an ongoing relationship with a primary physician, who leads a team of medical staff focused on preventative and personalized care to keep patients healthier. Sheehan Health Network is the second hospital based patient-centered medical home in New York State. The new Primary Care Clinic has a modern look and comfortable feel, where the focus is on providing patients with access to quality medical care at one location.

The Family Care Clinic provides primary medical care services for the entire family - from newborn to elderly care. Other services includes: OB/ GYN, Diagnostic Services (Mammograms, Ultrasound and CT Scans), Family Dental Clinic, in addition to Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation services, Outpatient Chemical Dependency Counseling Program, C.A. R.E Clinic (Center for Clinical Addiction Research and Education), Inpatient Detoxification Program, and Rehabilitation.

For more information or to make an appointment please call 716-8482202. Visit Sheehan’s website at www.sheehanhn.com. Medicaid and All Insurance Plans Accepted.

Judge McLeod

McLeod Announces Candidacy for County Court

Buffalo City Court Judge James A. W. McLeod has officially announced his candidacy for the vacancy which now exists in the Erie County Criminal Court.

In the kickoff to his campaign, McLeod states, “It is my sincere belief that my ten years of experience on the City Court bench, where I have handled over thirty thousand (30,000) criminal and civil matters, as well as my service during this same period as an Acting Erie County Criminal Court Judge, makes me the most qualified person for this important court, and my goal would be to insure fairness to all, and to create an atmosphere where those who appear will feel that he/she is receiving justice.”

First elected to the City Court in 1998, McLeod was re-elected to the Court in 2009 with the endorsement of both the Democratic and Republican Parties. In his role as a Jurist, Judge McLeod has been “Image and Identity” will be touted as committed to fairness, on exhibit at the ArtSpace Galbut tough on criminal issues such lery (www.artspacebuffalo.org) at as illegal drugs, illegal guns, as 1216 Main Street through March 7, well as petty crimes.

2010.

Judge McLeod’s career includes The eclectic showing was curated his having served as Confidential

by ArtSpace resident Erika Aminata Law Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Mitchell as part of a Black History Samuel L. Green, Chief Attorney for Month celebration, and features art the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo’s by three local African American artPublic Defender’s Office, service ists and a University at Buffalo MFA as Second Assistant Erie County student.

Attorney, as well as Administra“Without creativity there is no tive Law Judge in the Erie County purpose. I use my creative gifts for Family Court. the sole purpose of creating Umoja “I believe that the County Court, [unity] among artists in Buffalo and where some of the most serious abroad,” said Mitchell, a dancer/cho- PHOTO: “Spirit of a King”; clay and driftwood criminal matters are resolved, reographer and owner of Aminata sculpture by Gerald Lillard. requires a Jurist who has had hands Creations, a special event business. on experience to handle these matUpbeat and celebratory, the “Image and Identity” exhibit includes mixed ters. My record demonstrates that media collage and assemblage by featured artist Jessica Thorpe; oversize I have the knowledge and skills to black and white oil portraits of the rap group Bone, Thugs and Harmony be an effective Jurist in this import

by Michael Biondo; oil and acrylic paintings and digital media images by Court.”

James Cooper III; and clay and wood sculpture by Gerald Lilliard.

Along with his legal career, Judge Cooper earned his BFA in illustration from Freedonia State College in McLeod has been very active in the 1993 and formerly taught art enrichment classes through Albright-Knox Art Western New York community. He Gallery. He now teaches a class in Basic Computers in the Buffalo Public has served as Treasurer of the Erie School Adult Education Program curriculum.

County Bar Association, President “If you get rid of your arts programs you get rid of the education for of the Erie County Bar Foundation, creative thinking and problem solving,” Cooper said.

Board member of both Kaleida and Thorpe and Lilliard are both self-taught artists. Lilliard designs home Great Lakes Health Boards, Bufaccessories and has a patent pending for a “Bathroom Comfort Station” falo Urban League, Irish Classical that will soon be on the market.

Theatre, Phoenix Frontier, and the “The slogan starving artist seems to bee accepted even from the artists’ Community Action Information themselves. It’s time to change that. Art inspires and brings life to the Center. world. We need more support and opportunities for Black artists so we As a graduate of Fredonia State can give our kids the inspiration and enthusiasm they need to create and College, and the University at Bufnot destroy their lives,” Lilliard said. falo School of Law, currently residArtsSpace Gallery hours are Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. ing in North Buffalo, he is the father “Image and Identity” may also be viewed during the week by appointment

Artspace “Image And Identity” Black History Month Show Runs Through March 7

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The Challenger

Thousands flee Somalia fighting Thousands of people have fled Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, since

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP/ BY “AFRIKAN GEORGE”

Nation of Islam marks 80 years in North America at Saviours’ Day 2010

BY ASHAHED M. MUHAMMAD

CHICAGO (FinalCall.com) - With America in the grips of the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression, Black youth crime and violence at high levels, and a political reality rife with contradictions, guidance from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the implementation of programming and solutions to serve the needs of Black people are needed now more than ever.

This year's Saviours' Day convention marks the 80th year of the Nation of Islam's existence in North America. Each year, to commemorate the birth of its founder Master W. Fard Muhammad, members from around the world make the journey to Chicago, Illinois during the last week of February for a weekend of fellowship, networking, information dissemination and spiritual renewal.

“On Saviours' Day, we come together to celebrate the birth of a man who taught a man, who taught another man, who is now teaching an entire people,” said Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, assistant to the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan during a Feb. 7 message delivered from the Nation's headquarters, Mosque Maryam, and viewed via webcast nationwide.

The Nation of Islam “has survived the conspiracies and plots not only by the United States government but also an agreement by (foreign) nations to destroy the Nation of Islam in the West. I feel so absolutely proud and honored to be alive in this day,” he added.

Also during Saviours' Day, some of the best academic minds, entertain-

ers and activists come together for strategizing, organizing and mobilization.

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's Saviours' Day messages are always timely as he marvelously deals with current events, spiritual realities, prophecies and solutions to the problems plaguing the Black community. This year's message, titled “The Time and What Must Be Done,” is scheduled to be delivered to the world from the ultra-modern United Center just west of downtown Chicago on February 28.

With the recent major earthquake in Haiti which decimated its capitol of Port-au-Prince and killed over 200,000, along with the second major blizzard and wave of brutally cold temperatures blasting the East Coast and Southeastern portion of the United States and many other areas that typically experience heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures, the importance of disaster preparedness is needed. Major challenges lie ahead for Black America in 2010 and all of the workshops will cover aspects of ministries of the Millions More Movement.

Radio spots have begun nationwide, ticket sales have been brisk, hotels are quickly filling up. Dr. Aminah Beverly McCloud, a professor of Islamic Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University and the Director of the Islamic World Studies Program, said the Nation of Islam's impact on America cannot be ignored.

“The Nation of Islam has been the most powerful and significant movement in this country by Black people ever,” said Dr. McCloud. “It

Wednesday, the UN refugee agency has said.

“Since the beginning of February, over 8,000 people have left the city to escape the fighting,” spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said.

For months now, fighting has been an almost daily occurrence in Mogadishu.Some 24 people have been killed and another 40 injured since Wednesday, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Ms Fleming warned of the difficulties posed by working in a war zone: “As with other humanitarian actors, our own access is affected by conflict.”Despite reports of violent clashes between government troops and the Islamist group al-Shabab, the UN Special Representative for Somalia congratulated the transitional government on its work over the past 12 months and urged it to continue its efforts to restore peace and stability to the country.

AKA Sorority Lawsuit Dismissed in D.C. Court

Hon. Elijah Muhammad

is important that the face of Islam in America be an indigenous face,” said Dr. McCloud also adding that Black people who are followers of Islam have to have the spirit to work together to improve the conditions within the Black community.

“The Hon. Elijah Muhammad set an economic plan into motion.

Many have lost the sense of sacrifice,” said Dr. McCloud. “The Hon. Elijah Muhammad was the only one during that time who had the idea of building a community.”

Dr. McCloud also said it is important for many of the younger members of the Nation of Islam to be taught the history. She gave the example that many youth might not even know that the late former Mayor of Chicago Richard J. Daley declared an “Elijah Muhammad Day” in 1974.

“The young people have allowed themselves to be co-opted by Twitter, FaceBook and MySpace. They have confused information with knowledge,” she said.

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A D.C. Superior Court judge on February 1 dismissed a lawsuit filed by eight members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, or AKA, the nation’s oldest Black sorority. The eight members alleged that the organization’s president, Barbara McKinzie, misappropriated millions of dollars of the sorority’s money. They claimed McKinzie was also improperly awarded a $375,000 stipend and used the organization’s credit card to purchase personal items for herself and friends.However, Judge Natalia M. Combs Greene did not accept those allegations and claimed the lawsuit was based on “hyperbolic allegations.”

“This case is largely about several disgruntled AKA members disillusioned with what they see as an increasingly opaque, authoritarian and self-serving leadership in their organization,” Combs Greene wrote in her order of dismissal. “The question remains, however, whether such behavior warrants judicial intervention.”

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FEBRUARY 17, 2010

The Challenger

HEALTH MATTERS

Five Local Human Services Organizations Unite for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day NY AIDS Family Services, the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA), GROUP Ministries, Inc., the MOCHA Center and the AIDS Network of Western New York recently came together to increase education, testing, treatment and community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This year’s National Black HIV Awareness Day event, entitled “GUSTO” was held at EM Tea Coffee Cup located at 80 Oakgrove Avenue. GUSTO included performances that featured spoken work, song and African drumming. The event proved an afternoon of entertainment, personal reflection and a safe space to engage in dialogue that seeks to produce new strategies to reduce new infection and increase utilization of care and treatment services amongst Blacks at risk for and living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, GUSTO provided opportunities to learn how o impact this growing epidemic and get vital information about the various services and programming available throughout Buffalo.

“HIV is a complex public health issue that requires attention. The strategies that have been used have yielded minimal results. Therefore, we need to collectively develop multiple and integrated approaches that will target at-risk persons who are unaware of their HIV status and those who have been diagnosed and not yet linked to care/treatment,” explained Damon Humes, Executive Director of MOCHA. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, held February 7, is a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative targeted at Blacks in the United States. From an educational perspective, the focus is to get Blacks educated on the basics of HIV/AIDS in their local communities. Testing is at the core of this initiative and organizers are hopeful that Blacks will mark February 7 of every year as their annual or bi-annual day to get tested for HIV. Testing at GUSTO was provided by ECMC. An additional focus was to highlight the need for Blacks to get involved in community and organization leadership. The focus was also on those living with HIV or those persons newly testing positive for the virus. Getting them connected to treatment and care services becomes paramount.

Andrea M. Boyd, Community Organizer at Group Ministries stated, “The HIV/AIDS provider community has traditionally operated individually.

GUSTO showcased a new-found collaborative operational style among multiple AIDS-service organizations, with specialized and targeted constituencies including, faith-based, racial and sexual minorities.”

All five organizations remain committed to eradicating HIV /AIDS from Buffalo and plan to have this year’s event serve as a national model for collaboration to tackle difficult pubic health issues on grassroots level.

GUSTO was a free event.

2010 Health Forecast: Year of the Tiger W

By Dr. Maoshing Ni -

elcome to the year of the Tiger! In Chinese astrology the tiger is one of the most dynamic and powerful signs.

Its nature is unpredictable, courageous, and explosive. Therefore, the year of the Tiger is usually associated with big changes and social disorder; 2010 is likely to be a turbulent year—on both a global and a personal level. However, those who gain an understanding of it through this article and their own spiritual awareness can cultivate the flexibility to adapt to changes and keep a steady hand on the keel through these rough waters. When you meet the challenges head on and get proactive about your health, you will be all the stronger for it by year’s end.

Prediction for your health In the Chinese calendar 2010 is represented by the elements metal and wood. The elemental interaction is symbolized by an ax (metal) cutting down a tree (wood).

The metal element corresponds to the lungs, colon, skin and the immune system. This means that this year, you may be much more prone to developing sinus allergies, infections, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, colitis, irritable bowl syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, rashes, compromised immunity or autoimmune inflammatory conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and eczema.

The wood element correlates to the liver, gall bladder, and the nervous system, which means this year may be marked with increased stress and tension, depression, anxiety, gallstones, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Now that you know the future possibilities for this year, you can make some changes to sidestep potential issues affecting your immune, respi-

ratory, digestive, and nervous system conditions.

1. Eat right for 2010. The foundation of Chinese medicine is that you can avoid illness by eating foods that possess healing properties.

For this year, I would suggest increasing your intake of the following foods: daikon radishes, turnips, beets, Asian pears, persimmons, papayas, pineapples, cherries, grapes, blueberries, almonds, pine nuts, and flax seeds.

Keep your liver healthy by eating lots of green leafy vegetables, especially collard greens, Swiss chard, kale, dandelion greens, and mustard greens. Also: barley grass, seaweed— anything high in chlorophyll. Artichokes are a powerful liver protector, due to their silymarin content.

Also, eat herbs and spices that cleanse and perk up your immune system: dill, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, peppermint, turmeric, basil, coriander, fennel, anise, cardamom, ginger, and parsley.

Avoid: dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, wheat, deep fried and fatty foods, processed and refined foods, excessive red meat, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and potatoes.

2. Exercise tips for Year of the Tiger. Overall, consistent and regular exercise will help you to strengthen your respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

I especially recommend learning and practicing mind-body exercises like tai chi or qigong, an all-in-one workout. These gentle, but powerful exercises engage deep breathing to strengthen your lungs with the added benefit of lowering your stress hormones—effectively reducing stress and tension.

Take walks and get out in nature to refresh your lungs.

Practice stretching, yoga, or tai chi: being physically flexible can promote the same trait in your per-

sonality.

3. Protect your health with herbal and nutritional supplements.

For this year, I plan on taking herbal formulas that contain Chinese herbs supportive to the health of my organ functions, such as astragalus, magnolia, chrysanthemum, Chinese peony, and others. I will take Perpetual Shield to boost my immune system, Internal Cleanse that will assist my liver in detoxification, and exquisite skin to keep my colon clean, thereby keeping my skin clear.

Round out your nutritional program by maintaining a regular intake of fish oil, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. You may even try my family’s own whole food liquid multi-vitamin supplement, which will nourish and strengthen your organ systems.

4. Cleanse your body Undertake cleansing and detoxification programs at the start and throughout the year to support your liver and peak body functions. You can find a whole detoxification regime in one of my earlier Yahoo blogs, the 5-Step Detox to Revitalize You. 5. Develop patience Finally, cultivate patience, kindness, and peace so that your interactions with others can promote harmony and love. Some ways to do this are to make daily lists of all the things in your life that you are grateful for, volunteer your help to others in need, and practice stress-release techniques that bring you peace.

You can ride the tiger triumphantly towards your goals so that you can manifest balance, wellness and fulfillment in 2010.

A new look, feel and delivery of medical care.

Sheehan Health Network Your patient-centered medical home.

THE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO A GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION Friday, February 19, 2010; 3:00 - 6:00 pm 425 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14203

• Prizes • Refreshments • Free Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Shots • Guided Tours of the New Family Care Clinic

A variety of primary and specialty care services at one location. Call our Family Care Clinic at 716-848-2202 for an appointment. Medicaid and all insurance plans accepted.

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Page 5

Home Going Celebration Held for Rev. Richard Stewart: He Worked to Feed The Needy

R

ev. Richard Stewart, a quiet warrior who spent much of his life feeding hungry folks, from homeless men, women and children to working poor, died on February 2.

The Home Going Celebration of Rev. Stewart was held on Friday, February 5 at Durham Memorial AME Zion Church, which he pastured since 1990.

The Rev. George C. Woodruff is the current pastor.

Born in Buffalo on January 19, 1940, he attended Lafayette High School. It was after graduation from high school that he accepted his call to the ministry and preached his trial sermon. He entered Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina

in the fall of 1958. In 1960, while president of the college chapter of the NAACP, Rev. Steward was instrumental in leading demonstrations against segregation in Salisbury and was the first of 17 arrested for demonstrating in front of the Capital Theater in Salisbury. He graduated from Livingstone College in 1963 with the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Upon graduation he entered Hood Theological Seminary.

He began his pastoral career while a student at Hood Theological Seminar and upon graduation was assigned to various churches in North Carolina, Houston , Texas and Detroit before being assigned to Durham AME Zion in Buffalo in 1990.

In July of 2009, after 51 years of ministry, he retired from the active ministry of the AME Zion Church.

A life member of the NAACP and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, he was the recipient of numerous commendations, citations, and awards including the

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award, which s the highest award given by the State of New York. Most recently he was honored by the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY during their awards luncheon on January 21 where he was citied for his dedication to feeding the hungry and homeless.

Rev. Steward leaves to mourn two sons; the Rev. Dr. Reginald Broadnax and the Rev. Vincent Frosh; a niece, Gale Buchann, great-niece Saisha Winston and numerous cousins, friends and colleagues.

May his caring and compassionate soul rest forever in the Eternal

Five Mo’ Tenors

Under the direction of ServantConsulting Pastor Frank Raines III, the Deacons of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church will host the Five Mo Tenors concert on Saturday, February 20 starting at 3 p.m. at the Church, 55 Grape Street. Donation is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For information and tickets call 855-3928.

Addiction Conquerors Prison Ministry Conference

Addiction Conquerors Inc. will host “Breaking Chains 2010,” a prison ministry conference for Christian leaders and workers interested in helping people incarcerated or in recovery on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at All Nations House of Prayer, 104 West Ferry St. A free will offering will be given. Free lunch is provided. To RSVP contact Pastor Pat Lavery at 886-2957 or Pastor David Feeney at (716) 472-4795.

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Your GED is the “Pathway” to a better career and life. To help you reach that goal, the Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division has teamed up with Bryant & Stratton College to offer the “Pathways to Success” program, which provides all the educational tools and support you need to succeed. And it’s ABSOLUTELY FREE!

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Page 6

� Start any time (enrollment is year round) � Learn at your own pace and take your GED exam only when you’re ready � Be part of a friendly, caring college community � Learn from dedicated Buffalo Public School teachers � Get one-to-one tutoring in the College’s Skills Assistance Center � Have full access to computer labs and the college library � Receive transportation assistance to and from campus � Use your GED to go to college, or work with our Career Advisors to find a better job Pathways classes are held at Bryant & Stratton College’s convenient downtown campus, 465 Main Street, 4th Floor.

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Terrence Amir McKelvey, CRPS®, CRPC®, CSNA Financial Advisor (716) 849-2007 http://fa.ml.com/terrence.mckelvey

money sense Keep Your Retirement Savings On Track

By Vince Grogan of Merrill Lynch

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S) and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, member Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. © 2010 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

BUS_CARD

4” x 2” January 2010

Come and Celebrate the Release of the Rise Up CD on Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 7pm Special rehearsal for Rise Up Choir on Monday, February 22, 2010 @ 6 pm True Bethel Baptist Church 907 East Ferry St

T

he financial meltdown has dealt some of its sharpest punches to many individuals’ retirement plans. Despite what we believe to be a temporary derailment, four strategies can help get your retirement savings goals back on track.

Take stock of your situation. The first step to developing an effective recovery plan is to gather information on all your assets. Build a holistic view of how your funds have withstood the market thus far and determine whether your total asset base is allocated effectively for your particular plan.

Consolidate accounts. The process of gathering and reviewing all your assets may reveal just how many “savings buckets” you have to manage. Allocating assets and managing risk can be logistically more difficult when you’re managing multiple pools of scattered assets.

You may be able to make fewer accounts work harder for you, and you could find it easier to respond to shifting markets.

For example, if you have multiple retirement accounts from previous employers, consider rolling them over into your current plan or a rollover IRA. Be sure to work with your tax advisor to help assess whether a rollover makes sense for you.

Emphasize income. Consider what portion of your assets should be dedicated to providing an income stream. Bonds, Treasuries and CDs can all create income, especially if you stagger maturity dates. Annuities and dividend-paying stocks are choices to consider as well. And don’t forget, a paycheck is another form of regular income. Remaining in the workforce—even if part time—can reduce the pressure on your investments to produce income and give you more time to save.

Re-evaluate your risk exposure.

With retirements projected to last for 20 years or more, every retirementfocused portfolio needs a long-term growth component, and that usually comes from stocks. While it’s important to avoid taking imprudent risks in an effort to play catch-up, hiding in a heavy cash position for the long term can have you coming up short when it’s time to depend on your savings. Work with your advisor to adjust your asset allocations regularly.

Neither Merrill Lynch nor its Financial Advisors provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Clientsshould review any planned financial transactions or arrangements that may have tax, accountingor legal implications with their personal professional advisors.

John “Jay” Shepherd Jr., Decorated Army Sergeant July 7, 1979-December 10, 2009 John “Jay” Shepherd Jr., 30 of Buffalo a highly decorated Army Sergeant who served in Iraq and Afghanistan was killed in a car accident December 10 while stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Sgt. Shepherd was driving his BMW when he lost control of the vehicle bounced off a guardrail and was hit by another car, according to his father, John Sr. “Jay was truly a hero,” John Sr. said of his son “he was my only son to have been in both wars, and then die in a car accident is just so tragic.”

Jay Shepherd was born and raised in Buffalo, attended Follow Through Elementary School and graduated in 1997 from Riverside High School.

He worked for United Parcel Service, and Iron Mountain Document Management Company in Buffalo before entering the military in 2004.

“He loved the Army,” his father said.

“He was making a career of it.”

Sgt. Shepherd completed his basic John “Jay” Shepherd Jr. training at Fort Leonard Wood Mo. Before being sent to Fort Polk La. for additional training before being deployed to Afghanistan on his first tour of 13 months and a second tour in Iraq of nine months. Jay worked his way up to the rank of Sergeant and military police unit team leader.

During the past five years, he was awarded numerous medals for his service in Afghanistan and Iraq, including three Army commendation medals, the Army Achievement Medal the Meritorious Unit Commendation and Humanitarian Service Medal. Other awards included the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal as well as the NATO, Medal and Combat Action badge.

He also completed several training courses while in the Army, including Continued Page 12

Vince Grogan is Director of Marketing with the Retirement Group at Merrill Lynch

Tuesdays 12 NOON - 1 P.M. FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Page 7

The Challenger

ON STAGE

*Snopp Dogg, 7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21, The Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. Tickets $40 a box office & Tickets.com

*MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY, Starring Tyler Perry, HSBC Arena, Tuesday, April 27, 730 pm; Tickets on sale now at HSBC Arena Box office; all tickets.com locations including Tops Markets, Doris Records or charge by phone @ 1-888-223-6000. *Chi Lites, March 5, 8 p.m.; Tickets

*COMEDY: Mike Epps with spe- start at $30; Seneca Niagara Casino cial guest Bruce Bruce & Friends, & Hotel; Tickets on sale at box office Friday, Feb. 19, Shea’s Performing and all Ticketmaster locations; TickArts Center, tickets at Shea’s Box etmaster.com Office, Doris Records, ticketmaser. *The Temptations, 8:30 p.m.April com 15, Avalon Theatre, Niagara FallsOpen Mic & Jam Session every view Casino, Niagara Falls, Ontario Friday and Saturday New Musi- (Canada), tickets $25 and up; box cian’s Big “6” Club, 600 East North office, Ticketmaster 888-8368118. @ Fox; 896-6660. *An Evening with Chrisette *Ashanti, Friday, Feb. 26, 9 p.m., Michele, Thursday, Feb. 18, The Tickets $55 on line at www.ticketTralf, 8 p.m. $30 presale/$33 day of master.ca; Fallsview Casino Resort, Niagara Falls, Canada; www.fallsshow all Ticketmaster locations. viewcasinoresort.com. *Buffalo Blues Festival 2010, *Buffalo Blues Festival 2010, Bobby Bland, Clarence Carter, Bobby Bland, Clarence Carter, Marvn Sease, Bobby Rush, Floyd Marvn Sease, Bobby Rush, Floyd Taylor, Blackfoot, Shirley Brown, Taylor, Blackfoot, Shirley Brown, Saturday, March 20, Shea’s; tickets Saturday, March 20, Shea’s; tick- at Shea’s Box Office, Doris Records, ets at Shea’s Box Office, Doris Ticketmaster outlets.

Records, Ticketmaster outlets.

The Njozi Chorus

“Ancestral Links – Love and Other Revolutionary Mumblings” Over eighty years ago Mrs. Emma J. Tindley-Horner joined her husband as they moved to Buffalo, NY. He became the preacher of a local church while she brought with her a wealth of musical knowledge and history.

She gained that knowledge of music from her father, famed hymnal writer Dr. Charles Albert Tindley. Dr. Tindley, known in many circles as the “grandfather of gospel music,” wrote such standards as By and By, When the Morning Comes, Leave It There, Stand By Me and the original version of the Civil Rights Anthem, We Shall Overcome. Singers from Elvis Pressley to Ben E. King to Oleta Adams have covered his music. Mrs. Tindley-Horner and her niece Mrs. Lauretta M. Anderson also proved to be accomplished songwriters and arrangers.

On Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, 8 p.m. at Theater Loft (Home of Ujima Theatre Co.), 545 Elmwood Ave. Njozi Promotions presents “Ancestral Links – Love and Other Revolutionary Mumblings,” a theatrical production presenting the songs of Mrs. Emma J. Tindley-Horner and the poetry of Ntare Ali Gault.

Through music (Negro Spiritiulas), poetry, dance and drumming Ancestral Links treks the journey of Africans from the shores of the motherland to joining the Father in “Rockin’ Jerusalem.”

This production marks the official return of The Njozi Poets from an extended hiatus. The Njozi Chorus is directed by Haile Nkrumah Gault, with Robin Hibbert and Erica Mitchell choreographing the dance sequences. Ras Jomo provides the drumming for these very powerful shows. Admission is $20 and tickets are available at Doris Records, 286 East Ferry Street.

Page 8

It’s Happening at Buffalo East *Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye on stage February 12- March 7, Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center at 350 Masten Avenue. Tickets on sale now at the PRT box office and online at www.africancultural. org. General admission is $23.50, $19.50 for seniors and students with I.D., and $13.50 for children ages 3 through 12. Group rates available. Curtain time is 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. For reservations and more information call 716-884-2013 or email prtaacc@yahoo.com *Pattie LaBelle, Friday, March 5, 9 p.m., tickets $45 online at www. ticketmaster.ca; Fallsview Casino Resort, Niagara Falls, Canada, www. fallsviewcasinoresort.com *Exodus to Jazz: The Jeremy Pelt Quintet, Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside (Genesee Ballroom), 120 E. Main St., Rochester, 4 p.m.; $25 reserved; $20 general, $10 students at all Wegmans, TicketWeb.com, and at door; (585)733-7685 or email Exodustojazz@aol.com *Thursday Night Comedy: The New Golden Nugget, 2046 Fillmore Ave. 8 p.m.; tickets $15.

The following events will be taking place at Buffalo East, 1412-10 Main St. (nearr E. Utica). Call 713-9340 for more information. *Feb. 14 - Open mic titled “Love and Change” hosted by Verneice Turner at 3pm, followed by Gospel Open Mic at 5pm, hosted by Carole Milhouse, with keyboardist, Kiko and drummer, Brother Chris. Admission: Goodwill donations *Feb. 19 to 21 - “Doug’s Place” part of BE “Theater Bites Series” featuring Alemdaedae and Harold L. White with C. J. Tyes. 6:30 pm.

Admission: Goodwill donations *Feb 21- “Harriet Tubman Speaks” a 15 min. presentation by actress Catherine Y. Robinson 5:30 pm.

Admission: Goodwill donations.

(Majority of the donations goes to the artists performing.)

EXHIBIT *Permanent Exhibit at the Langston Hughes Institute, 35 High Street, includes “Black Woman as Warrior” exterior murals by renowned artist William Cooper and “The Whole Story.” For more information call 881-3266 *Readings at the Screening Room, Northtown Business Center, 1313 Sheridan (Bailey entrance); $2; 7139340 for info.

Every Sunday @ 9 pm

WBFO 88.7 FM

King of Diamonds Jewelry Store Moves to Delaware and Hertel Area Check out the King of Diamond’s new location at 2303 Delaware Avenue near Hertel and right next to Burger King in the former M & T bank building. With more square footage now they can offer a larger variety to their customers. Serving Western New York for over 28 years, the King of Diamonds jewelry story was forced to leave the Statler Towers when developers fell short on the funding to revitalize the building. It was a bittersweet moment. Having been in the Statler for over 28 years, it was like a home to them for so long. Yet the new store renovations were exiting to see take shape.

There is still work to be done, but they are in full operation and open for business. The hours of operation are the same – Monday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm. The phone number is 856-4471. Layaway is available with no additional fee. Any item can be put in layaway for only $10 down per item no matter what the cost and items can be kept in layaway for as long as needed with monthly payments of at least $10.

The special sale at the King of Diamonds is half price on the second item of equal or lesser value. The King of Diamonds buys gold even if it is broken or just unwanted.

There is plenty of free parking at the new location. Come and visit the new King of Diamonds store and its grand beauty. New items are in stock. Become a fan of King of Diamonds on facebook.

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

The Challenger

WNY Black Film Festival To Feature Award Winning Short Films

O

n Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 28, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Buffalo Alumnae Chapter, and Masten District Councilmember Demone Smith will host the 8th Annual WNY Black Film Festival at the Market Arcade Film and Arts Centre. Tickets are $5 per show and can be purchased in advance at the Market Arcade Film and Arts Centre. The Buffalo Bills and Time Warner Communications are sponsors of the event.

The two-week end film festival will open on February 20 at 6 p.m. with a grand red carpet reception, the screening of three short films and a post screening discussion with the producers. The short films

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

include: The Night We Died is a dramatic short film that takes you on a journey to see one man’s answer to life’s most compelling question. The film has been nominated for Best Texas Film for the 2010 Texas Black Film Festival. The writer and co-executive producer of the film is John Gary Long, a resident of East Amherst who has worked in corporate America for 15 years and holds an engineering degree from Ohio State University and an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.

In 2009, he co-founded Fear Not Productions with longtime friend and UNC MBA classmate, actor Martin Ezelle.

“I am thrilled to show the film in Buffalo,” stated Long. “Although my journey to film has taken a unique route, I am inspired by the need to write and bring to film stories that lift, inspire and motivate people.”

Lifted is an emotional film that portrays life’s journey of dreams, failure, perseverance and courage.

It is written and directed by Massachusetts resident, Randall Dottin.

Randal, a 1994 graduate of Dartmouth College and MFA graduate from Columbia University Film School has a growing list of award winning films. Randall’s second short, Lifted, has earned many honors including: Best Short and Best Overall Film at the 2008 Texas Black Film Festival, Best Short at the San Francisco Black Film Festival and Best Short at the 2007 Roxbury Film Festival.

(Mis) Leading Man is a film about the exciting but sometime destructive consequences of being a celebrity.

(Mis) Leading Man, is an exploration of what happens to a common man caught inside of the media fishbowl as a result of getting everything that he could ever dream of.

Morocco Omari is the writer and director of (Mis) Leading Man. A Chicago native, Morocco’ s acting film credits include: Half Past Dead 2, Kubuku Rides, Andre Royo’s Big Scene, Momentum, Hope, Damaged Goods, A Song For Jade and Shakedown. His Television credits include: The Beast, Prison Break, Injustice, N.C.I.S., Judging Amy, 24, Crossing Jordan, Frasier, Angel, The District as well as recurring roles on the CBS series Joan of Arcadia, the ABC series Dragnet and the CW’s Girlfriends.

“We are excited about the lineup of the award winning films and talented producers that will attend the festival this year “, states Jayme Smith, the film festival’s chairperson and co -founder. “The sorority’s mission has always been to feature films that the entire family will enjoy while reflecting on the underlying issues that affect all of us.”

The festival will conclude on Sunday, February 28 at 3 pm showcasing four short films and the winners of the Film Festival’s Essay Contest for High School Students. Area high school students were invited to write essays focused on the theme “a choice you made that changed your life for the better.”

The featured films include: Cuts– Michael Taylor, Jr. strikes out in a baseball game, and must now prove his manhood to his father by pursuing a girl from school.

Choices– Preparing to end her

unplanned pregnancy, 17-year-old Angela looks back at the choices in her life that have brought her to this point. “Choices” is a revealing look at today’s high-school teenagers and the challenging decisions they face.

The Effect - The film reflects on the effect parents have on their kids.

The Hands – the story of the love between a father and daughter that can’t last in its original pure state The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Buffalo Alumnae Chapter in collaboration with Masten District Councilmember Demone Smith, introduced the Western New York Black Film Festival in 2002 with a goal to educate the public on vital issues affecting the African American community and support the efforts of independent filmmakers in their quest to tell much needed stories.

John Long

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Page 9

The Challenger

New Black Panther Party Organize To Feed The Hungry

By Leroy Baylor

I

f you didn’t live during the civil rights period you wouldn’t know that the Black Panthers’ great impact was their breakfast program for children which earned them lasting respect and support among the grassroots; and, when members of the New Black Panther Party counseled with original Panthers, and El Barrio’s Young Lords, they were told that the most successful component of their respective programs was feeding the poor.

Out of their current feed the hungry efforts The New Black Panther Party has formed a coalition with 13 other organizations with like missions and the umbrella group is named the People’s Survival Program. This coalition sets up tents to feed and clothe the hungry on Fridays with Harlem targeted for the second Friday in the month.

“Our combined feeding program is non-political and allows us to share manpower and resources,” states Shaka Shakur, the chairperson Shaka Shakur of New York’s New Black Panther Party chapter. “Egos don’t get in the way when you’re feeding the hungry and our collective message to the people is ‘WUCUSU’, meaning ‘wake up, clean up, stand up.”

The People’s Survival Program has picked one of the neediest areas in Harlem, Lexington Avenue between 124th street and 125th street. Aside from being in East Harlem where thousands of families rely on food kitchens and food pantries, it’s a congregation point for men traveling between the Ward’s Island homeless shelters that house nearly 800 residents. As the food tent is erected neighborhood people offer assistance while others form a line in the 26 degree cold last month.

There is no pushing or shoving, only smiles, as the volunteers fill paper plates with baked chicken, rice, salad, spaghetti and turkey sausage. The wheelchair bound are first and folks with children next. “Feeding our people gives you an intimate contact with the needy,” says Sister Pat one of the Panther volunteers. “This goes beyond talk, this is real work feeding our people a home cooked meal. I’m thankful for the training I received as IN THE DAY: Panthers in Baltian MGT in the Nation of Islam where BACK more feed the children. you learn security and how to prepare nutritious food for the masses.”

The internet is filled with reports and articles on New York City hunger such as “New York City Hunger: Catastrophe Avoided for Now”; “The Big Apple is Hungry”; “New York City Hunger: A Year in Recession 2009”.

The statistics in these sources state that 397,000 of the city’s children rely on soup kitchens, 3.3 million people have trouble paying for food, at least 1.6 million New Yorkers receive food stamps, donations from foundations and businesses have declined while the city’s hungry is estimated to be 4 million. The unspoken message in these articles and reports point to New York City as an indicator of how bad the rest of the nation’s poor might be faring if this is indeed the true picture of hunger in the richest city in the nation.

“Imam Jamil Al-Amin has clear words of wisdom for activists, and that is a hungry man’s revolution is food and a naked man’s revolution is clothing,” Mr. Shakur said. “And, our national leader, Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz, directed us to study the Mission Statement of the Million Man March and the ministries concept of the Millions More Movement to guide us in our successful coalition building.”

History has a strange way of repeating itself and the New Black Panther Party and the rest of the coalition appear to be repeating the history of Minister Adam Clayton Powell Senior who spearheaded a church network to feed the hungry decades ago during the Depression while using his pulpit to teach that the “nearness to God comes only through compassion for people.”

BLACK FACTS President Lincoln’s Warning: On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln, in a” preliminary Emancipation Proclamation,” warned the South that he would free the enslaved Africans in all states in rebellion on January 1, 1863.

“Our history did not begin in chains. It will not end in chains.”

Page 10

-19Throw away holiness and wisdom, And people will be a hundred times happier.

Throw away morality and justice, And people will do the right thing.

Throw away industry and profit, And these won’t be any thieves.

If these three aren’t enough, Just stay at the center of the circle And let all things take their course.

EDITORIAL

U.S. Coming Apart at the Seams?

By Cynthia McKinney

T

he most recent official report on employment states that 85,000 U.S. jobs were lost in the month of December. Everything I have read indicates that things are going to get a lot worse in the United States before they get better.

Already, the United States has slipped to 7th in the world’s best places to live, behind France, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, and New Zealand. The U.S. place in the world will slip more than that in the future if the brakes are not put on current trends.

The United States is rapidly becoming a country even more divided: Over 31% of Puerto Ricans live in poverty, making them the poorest ethnic group in the U.S. Meanwhile the war on Latinos continues with police harassment, racial profiling, and deportations of the undocumented--for driving, if you can believe that.

Approximately 166 legal cases winding their way through U.S. courts target Palestinians in the United States who were trying to help Palestine, and they are being prosecuted with new laws that would have been unthinkable a generation ago—like the Secret Evidence Act. My sister, Lynne Stewart, an activist lawyer of conscience, sits in a U.S. prison right now because she dared to represent a Muslim cleric who ran afoul of the U.S. What a message that sends to other lawyers committed to the notion that everyone at least deserves a fair trial.

According to United for a Fair Economy, whose work I adore, Black unemployment is now at 14.7 percent compared to 8.7 % for whites. And in 2007, for every dollar of white wealth, a black family had just one dime.

“U.S. schools today are more segregated than in the 1950s.”

From the sub-prime banking scam alone, because of mortgage foreclosures, Blacks and Latinos are currently experiencing the greatest loss of wealth in recent U.S. history because 53% of blacks and 47% of Latinos were saddled with sub-prime mortgages, as compared to only 26% of whites. The greedy banking class were in a feeding frenzy, feeding on black and brown hopes to become a part of the American Dream.

According to a recent study, U.S. schools today are more segregated than in the 1950s. In our most diverse state, California, one-half of black and Asian students attend segregated schools, as do one fourth of Latino and Native American students.

And, young black girls are experiencing unwanted sterilizations and other complications because of forced vaccinations with an experimental drug in these schools.

In 1954, the Supreme Court found that segregation inherently meant “unequal.”

Correspondingly, schools in lowincome areas are highly unequal with not even the slightest remediation of the root societal causes that strongly affect student performance.

(To be continued)

SPEAK OUT

Miss America’s Buffalo Family Ties Dear Editor: Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron, a 22-year-old from Fredericks, Va., was recently crowned Miss America 2010 in Las Vegas in a pageant that featured 53 contestants.

Caressa, in a swimsuit, yellow evening gown and singing as her talent (“Listen” from “Dream Girls”), encouraged kids to get away from too much TV and video games, set standards, and get outside and exercise.

A broadcast journalism student at Virginia University, she wants to become an anchor.

What most may not know is that she has family ties living in Buffalo: first cousins Sheila and Mario Hubbard and an aunt, Hazel Grimes, who attends Greater Refute Temple where Bishop Robert L. Sanders s pastor.

Congratulations Caressa!

-Hazel Grimes

Thirty Pieces of Silver....

Dear Editor: Thirty pieces of silver. Today that’s equivalent to $12,254 and change.

That’s more than the $10,000 salary bump Barbara Miller-Williams received when she betrayed our community and sided with the Chris Collins faction of the Erie County Legislature. You know, the same people who were endorsed by the Obama hating Tea Party people. Now she’s Chairperson of the Legislature. You would expect she’d have some influence with her new friend, the County Executive. I don’t think so. He’s axing county financed daycare to some of her most needy constituents.

I guess your new power and new friends don’t amount to too much, at least for the people you represent. Do they? Oh, I forgot. It’s worth ten grand which is worth less than 30 pieces of silver. Pitiful.

-Edward Johnson

One For The Babies..

Dear Editor: As a writer occasionally I get ask to give voice to some groups concerns.

And over the years I have stated the concerns of a few, but last week a group of young women of all races confronted me with something, I found odd, but true. If a group that is in power wishes to remain there they must protect their interest by first controlling the women of the powerless group. Through them they control their children and all will be well in the land of the dead.

Well, after listening to these women, who made it clear to me that they had had enough, and they wanted me to tell their side of the story, so here it is.

After two hundred years of not having the right to vote, living though the Willie Lynch law, fighting against Eugenics Laws, over coming Jim Crow Laws, spousal abuse, and lastly the right for a fair wage. They have decided that no one will ever deny their children a chance for a good life by taking away the first five years of their lives. You see the first five years in any child life are the most important. They learn to speak, how to act in social situation, how to think how to share, and care for others.

But most importantly they learn that they have worth, and that builds self-esteem.

College professor, politicians, preacher, or pro athletes, you see some women had to make a way somehow for that person to become the big shot that they are now.

So here is the solution, every Church, House of Faith, and Fraternal organizations must come together and reach out, show the world truly how we love one another. And save the future of the babies.

-James Reid The Meaning of The above image/logo, part of the Challenger flag, corresponds to one of the 81 chapters in Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. This particular tetragram corresponds to number 27, defined as “The Skillful Exchange of Information.” (From R.L Wing’s book, The Tao of Power.)

“What is planted cannot be uprooted.What is well embraced cannot slip away.”

I CHING

Published by Challenger Communityy News Corporation P.O. Box 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 Phone: 716.464.3738 Email: advertising@thechallengernews.com

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“We wish to plead our own cause. too long have others spoken for us.”

-John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal, 1827 America’s First Black Newspaper

We respectfully submit that the opinions expressed on the editorial pages of this newspaper are not necessairly those of Challenger Community News Corporation or its advertisers.

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

The Challenger

EDITORIAL

Fire! Millions More Movement Pursues Unfair Do The Right Thing”: Allow Federal Government In To Hiring in Buffalo Fire Department (Part II)

W

hen last we met, were discussing the plight of many individuals who had taken the civil service exam in hopes of joining the Buffalo fire Department. We explored the testimonies of Sean Humphrey and Jason Prophet, who alleged that they (among others), had been overlooked in favor of candidates who scored far below them, and were ultimately disqualified altogether for reasons that were not justified.

The Millions More Movement continues in our support of these brothers as they seek a resolution, and we want to report now on the larger issue of protracted unfair hiring in this department for decades.

On Thursday, January 28th, we were joined by Mayor Byron Brown, City Attorney Adam Perry, and Commissioner of Human Resources Karla Thomas for a conversation on the matter. It was a substantive conversation, where the officials stayed for quite some time, hashing out what has happened, and more importantly, what can happen from here.

Sis. Sabirah It is a fact that the Buffalo Fire Department has discrimiMuhammad nated in hiring to such an extent that the Justice Department has held it under Consent Decree for nearly 40 years. Mayor Brown’s contention, though, is that he can only be held responsible for the department’s current practices. He assured the Millions More Movement early on that he takes the issue of discrimination very seriously, and that the current process is nondiscriminatory. Attorney Adam Perry echoed this assertion. He said that “the body of evidence indicates that rules are being applied fairly.” In fact, “White firefighters are saying in other cities that Black candidates are being favored.” Mr. Perry was at a loss, though, to explain why the number of Black applicants and subsequent hires did not at least double, after the department limited the applicant pool to city residents, where our numbers are greatly represented. He stated that this move was made in order to “reduce adverse impact,” but said that “It’s difficult for us to determine what is the cause for the lack of a potentially doubling of Black applicants in the pool.”

What about the Justice Department’s determination that the test being given to department candidates is inherently biased? Mr. Perry responded that “just because they say it, doesn’t mean it’s accurate. The city has been hiring under applicant flow, regardless of the test that was used.

They haven’t been able to tell us where the unbiased test is. They have told us that their ultimate goal is to have the court continue (supervision) for another 16 years.”

That, at least, is comforting. Something seems amiss, as indicated by the next topic raised by Millions More Movement Co-Chair, Samuel Radford.

“It’s come to our attention that some people were returned to the list after a legal challenge. But not everyone can afford an attorney, and if people got back on the list with an attorney, then they should have been able to get back on without one.”

Still, Mayor Brown assured the group that substantial efforts were taken to get word out to the community to increase the numbers of Blacks who took the exam, and that regardless of racial or religious background, he tries to make sure that all candidates receive the same treatment. He did acknowledge the strong feelings that exist regarding past discriminatory practices, however.

Human Resources Commissioner Karla Thomas fielded questions pertaining to her role in the selection process. She confirmed the significant discretionary authority held by the commissioner, saying that while there is a committee of people who participate, “the final decision rests with me.”

She said that at her discretion, individual circumstances are examined.

Leniency might be shown to someonlations would present a concern.

Every single application is scrutinized. When individuals have issues, if they ask for a hearing, they know what they can bring (for proof of residency) that will be acceptable. They can come back after a hearing with proof of residency.” When asked to explain the infamous “Rule 11,” the enigmatic, recurring basis for disqualifying so many, Ms. Thomas explained that: “Candidates can be removed from a civil service list, or have their application denied for reasons of moral turpitude, behaviors unbecoming a Fire fighter, an undesirable driving record, or for the inability to confirm residency 90 days prior to application.”

At the close of an intense dialogue, the group developed an action plan that will change the picture going forward significantly. It includes a much more active role for the Millions More Movement and any other community organization with the ability to get the word out about employment opportunities. It includes having future advertisements purged of the statement that candidates must be EMT (emergency medical technician) certified, a requirement that was rescinded long ago. There’s no telling how many applicants were turned away from applying because of that statement on advertising. It’s possible for our youth who are ensnared legally to have a judge reconsider an ACD (adjournment in contemplation of dismissal) for the honorable purpose of applying to the fire department. Concerned members of the community can advise young applicants on being prepared to prove residency with documentation that they might not have considered conventional, but are legal and acceptable nonetheless. These and other action plans are part of the cooperative effort that has begun.

When asked to summarize his thoughts on the conversation, Millions More Movement Co-Chair Samuel Radford offered: “I was encouraged.

It was a first conversation, and I’m hoping that it’s the first of many. I felt that the Mayor was forthright and accommodating where he could be, and where he couldn’t be, he was very honest. I think that’s the most that you can ask for in that kind of a situation. Most importantly, he stated an intention and desire to get better outcomes in the future. He didn’t defend things that are not working, and this was our ultimate concern. At the end of the process, we’re looking to address the underlying issues that caused FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Erie County Holding Center had another inmate, who was recently arrested, commit suicide at the holding center. I don’t have all the details regarding this latest suicide that happened Saturday, February, 13 but this is the 5th one since 2007. From 2003 to 2007, Erie County Holding Center recorded only one suicide.

What is going on in that place? I know what is not going on, and that is allowing the federal government to investigate complaints of inmates Betty Jean abuse and other GRANT concerns. The Collins administration is now paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to high- priced, out of town lawyers to find a way to not allow the federal people into the jails. What are we hiding and why won’t we let the investigators in to do their job?

Erie County is either in compliance with the federal mandates or we are not. We will not know the real answer unless we allow them to shed light on the whole situation.

It has also been reported that the rate of Erie County inmates successfully committing suicides is five times the national average.

Maybe, we do have something to hide. Maybe, that is the reason for the county cover up regarding this issue. As a duly elected representative of some of the families who have relatives incarcerated in the holding center, I am concerned that I and other legislators, who asked to gain access to the holding center to gauge the conditions, have been denied that request. If the county has nothing to hide, then let the federal officials and the county legislators in.

There is a group of determined individuals who have been demonstrating in front of the holding center for almost a year. They started last summer and the cold and snow of this Buffalo’s winter have not deterred them from meeting every Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m. on Delaware Ave. side of the holding center.

I know they would appreciate the support if a few of us would join them. Ms. Karima Amin, founder of the advocacy group, Prisoners are People, Too; is one of the organizers of the protest rally. I have been admonished by some in county government to not talk about this issue because I am a part of county government and thusly, might be an unwilling party to any lawsuits filed by the public and state or federal government. I am not going to allow that threat, real or imagined, keep me from speaking up about this situation. I was elected to represent and to be a voice for those people who put their trust in me. I have to stand up for them and tell the county government loud and clear, “Do the right thing: let the Federal Government in!”

(Betty Jean Grant is the 7th District, Erie County Legislator

2010 Black History Month Events Honor Our Past

Thursday February 18

*THOMPSON HOSTS BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION: NYS Senator Antoine M. Thompson will host a celebration in honor of Black History Month on Thursday, February 18 at the Doris Jones Family Resource Center at 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls from 7 to 8:30 P.M. The event consists of an evening of music, poetry, storytelling and more.

February 21 *Celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Eye On History column. It will include a tribute to the late scholar and historian, Dr. Asa Hilliard with a film called “Return to the Source.” 2 - 4 p.m. at the Merriweather library.Free and open to the public. For more information call Eva Doyle at 847-6010 or send an email message to ewriter52@ aol.com.

February 26 *8th Annual Conference on African and African American History and Diversity, McKinley High School.

February 27 *8th Annual Conference on African and African American History and Diversity, McKinley High School February 28 *AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN: Kenneth and Sharon Holley with the cooperation of Tradition Keepers:Black Storytellers of Western New York and the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Branch Library will host a community African American Read-In on Sunday, February 28 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Branch Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue. The community is invited to attend the Read-In at the MerriweatherLibrary and to bring a passage to read or share written by an African American author. Maximum reading/speaking time is 3 minutes. If you are interested in participating, contact Sharon or Kenneth Holley at 886-1399 or send e-mail to jordanholley@aol. com. Or contact Mrs. Bush at the Merriweather Library at 883-4418.

The program is free and open to the all.

BLACK TIE FOR BLACK HISTORY continued from page 1

T h e a f f a i r, hosted by Ms. Malcolm and Thomas Beauford, will feature light food, and entertainment

by DJ Papa Trini, DJ Big Poppa, and the All Star Band featuring Rodney (Left to right front): Jennifer Parker, Ruth Bryant, L. Nathan Hare.

Applyby, Wade (rear): Maurice Garner, Tracy Jordan-Cardwell and Kenneth Ivy. a n d Ke n n y Hawkins and Carl Johnson.“It’s gong to be a great night,” continued Marnetta, marketing consultant for AM 1400 and events and promotions planner. “We’re really trying to get people to come out and support Juneteenth, because they need us and we need them.”

Presented by AM 1400 and The Stillwater, LPCiminelli is the lead sponsor along with the Continental School of Beauty, God City Apartments, HSBC African Heritage Committee, LaRussa Fashions, On The Rox Liquors and R.W. Productions.

“I’d really like to acknowledge Bill Goodhue, the owner of The Stillwater, for his consistent commitment and support of this annual event,” added Ms. Malcolm.

“He’s always there and he does it with a smile.”

Tickets are $20 and are available at Doris Records. Call 883-2310 for more information.

EVERY MONTH IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH! Imhotep, the “Father of Medicine” Page 11

The Challenger

Get Your G.E.D. from Home!

SGT. SHEPHARD

The Buffalo Public School’s Adult Learning Center currently has a Distance Learning Program available at the Matt Urban Center, located at 1081 Broadway. This program will allow students to complete work at home in preparation for their G.E.D. exam. You must be at least 21 years of age, and not presently enrolled in a G.E.D. class. If interested, please see Mr. Peter Evald in Room 202 at the Matt Urban Center, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon to sign up for the Distance Learning Program.

continued from page 7

the Combat Life Savers and Warrior Leaders courses.

He was recently continuing his training in Germany while getting ready to redeploy to Afghanistan in the spring.

“He was shot at several times and got badges for that,” his father said.

But beyond that, he said his son didn’t The University at Buffalo-Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) will discuss his role as a military police provide free tax preparation services to taxpayer’s with an annual income officer. below $49,000. Free tax preparation services are available at EOC, 465 John Sr. also said them military Washington Street, Downtown Buffalo, Monday through Thursday from has not yet given him a full report 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; additional hours are available by appointment. on the accident that killed his son.

Participants are required to bring: Proof of Identification, a Social Security Sgt. Shepherd’s body was returned Card for the taxpayer and each dependent; Date of Birth for each depen- to Buffalo on December 24 and was dent, W-2 and 1099 forms; last year’s federal and state tax returns; bank met by a processional of police from routing and account numbers, if direct deposit is desired. local departments.

For more information contact Mr. Luke, at EOC, 849-6727, ext.197.

In addition to his father, Sgt. Shepherd is survived by his wife, Alexandria, son Brian, his mother Kelley Parrett, his grandmother Cheryl ParIf you are separated, divorced, widowed, a single parent or spouse rett, a sister Dana Shepherd of New has lost hours or has diminished income, call Everywoman Opportunity York City and a stepsister Tiffiny Center, Inc., 837-2260. Classes start Feb. 23, 24 and 25 on self esteem, Holder of North Carolina. Sgt. Shepstress management, identifying your abilities and skills, resumes and job herd was also the grandson of the late search strategies in an organized manner. 59212 fuel cip y3 print ad 2 / Buffalo Challenger / Elvin 8 x 9 /Shepherd. gray Jazz saxophonist

EOC Offers Free Tax Preparation Services

Job Hunting?

PUBLIC NOTICE

bids Board of Education Buffalo, New York Division of Purchase 716-816-3585 **Sealed proposals will be received in Room 816 City Hall On: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. local time for BID # 09-10-068 BID to PROVIDE & INSTALL RESINOUS FLOORING FOR SCHOOL #38 Specifications and bid forms are available in Room 816 City Hall; and on website www.buffaloschools.org/PurchaseDept.cfm Jennifer LoTempio Purchasing Agent

advertising@thechallengenews.com

It’s called the Conservation Incentive Program.

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (“BMHA”) has made available its 2011 Comprehensive Grant Program budget. Interested parties may review the budget at the Resident Services offices located at 476 Louisiana St., Buffalo, NY, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The budget will be available for review until April 1, 2010. Written comments should be sent to the attention of Dawn E. Sanders, Executive Director, BMHA, 300 Perry St., Buffalo, NY 14204. The deadline for submitting comments is April 5, 2010.

A public hearing will be held at the BMHA Administrative Offices, 300 Perry St., Buffalo, NY on April 1, 2010 at 10:00 AM.

bids Invitation to Bid - NFTA Procurement

Bid 3971 Auctioneer Services, 3/9/10 Bid 3982 Aviation Consultant, 3/10/10 Bid 3978 Pest Mgmt Services, 3/10/10 See www.nfta.com to download bid documents.

INVITATION TO BID The NFTA is soliciting construction bids for Project No. 11BL1005, BNIA – AFSS Bidding Systems Installation, Bid No. E-453, on March 3, 2010. www.nftaengineering.com

Here’s the incentive.

Scrufari Construction Co.

Seeking M/WBE subcontractors to quote General Construction Work at Ralph Wilson Stadium 2010, bid date February 25, 2010. EEO Employer. 282-1225

Save up to $400 when you replace old heating appliances with qualifying energy-efficient models.

Rebates are available for the following items, providing they were installed on or after December 1, 2009.

Appliance

Minimum Required Efficiency

Your Rebate

90% AFUE* 90% AFUE

$300 $400

85% AFUE 81% AFUE Energy Star®-rated

$400 $200 $25

N/A

$300

Space Heating Hot Air Furnace Hot Air Furnace w/ ECM** Hot Water Boiler Steam Boiler Programmable Thermostat†

Water Heating Indirect Water Heater

* AFUE – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency is the most widely used measure of a furnace’s heating efficiency. It measures the amount of heat actually delivered to a house compared to the amount of fuel that must supply the furnace. ** Electronically Commutated Motor. † In conjunction with a furnace or boiler replacement only.

Board of Education Buffalo, New York Division of Purchase 716-816-3585 **Sealed proposals will be received in Room 816 City Hall On: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. local time for BID # 09-10-067 BID for LAPTOP BATTERIES & COMPUTER PARTS for SERVICE CENTER & ADULT LEARNING CENTER Specifications and bid forms are available in Room 816 City Hall; and on website www.buffaloschools.org/PurchaseDept.cfm

Rebates for residential and small, non-residential customers in National Fuel’s western New York service area are still available through National Fuel’s Conservation Incentive Program (CIP).

Our residential program offers rebates to those customers who replace specified appliances with new, energy-efficient models. When you combine these rebates with the fuel savings realized by using more efficient equipment, you’d be amazed at how quickly these new appliances can pay for themselves.

Rebates for Non-Residential Customers If you’re a small, non-residential National Fuel customer using less than 12,000 Mcf (thousand cubic feet) of natural gas per year, rebates are available just for upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment. Choose from one of the following rebate options: 1. Fixed (Pre-Qualified) Rebate – Fixed rebates available on pre-qualified equipment.

Visit www.NationalFuelForThought.com for qualifying equipment and rebates.

2. Customized (Performance-Based) Rebate – Rebates are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the results of an energy-use analysis. Customized rebates can be as much as 50 percent of the incremental equipment and installation costs, up to $25,000.

Call 1-866-697-3732 or visit www.NYSERDA.org to get started.

Jennifer LoTempio Purchasing Agent

CIP Savings Card

Board of Education Buffalo, New York Division of Purchase 716-816-3585 **Sealed proposals will be received in Room 816 City Hall On: Monday, February 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. local time for BID # 09-10-066 BID for SCIENCE SUPPLIES Specifications and bid forms are available in Room 816 City Hall; and on website www.buffaloschools.org/PurchaseDept.cfm

Our free CIP Savings Card can also help you save when you purchase energy-efficient products and services. Simply present the card to our participating Energy Partners to receive discounts on qualified energy-related items and services. Visit our Web site to print your own Savings Card and a list of the participating retailers.

For more information and to download a CIP rebate application, visit www.NationalFuelForThought.com or call 1-800-365-3234.

The CIP Years One and Two rebates are still available provided qualifying equipment was installed between November 1, 2007, and November 30, 2009. The current CIP Year Three rebates are available provided qualifying equipment is installed on or after December 1, 2009.

Jennifer LoTempio Purchasing Agent

Page 12

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2/10/10 2:56 PM

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

The Challenger

CLASSIFIED

employment Board of Education Buffalo, New York HELP WANTED The Buffalo Public Schools is seeking a Fire Inspector/ Code Enforcement Officer. Resumes are being sought for individuals certified to perform Public School Fire Safety Reports per applicable sections of 8NYCRR155 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (NYSUFPBC). Submissions must include proof of completed in-service requirements pursuant to Title 19 Part 434.5 (a) (2). Relevant performance of inspections and related work experience should be included. Please send resumes by Wednesday, February 24, 2010 to: Mr. Robert Rua Buffalo Public Schools Division of Plant Services and School Planning Room 406 City Hall Buffalo, New York 14202 All questions to Robert Rua at 816-3673

BIDS Board of Education Buffalo, New York Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following projects will be received at the office of the Board of Education – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14202.

On TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010 AT 1:00 P.M. Proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud: ADA ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS SCHOOL #12 CENTRAL PROCESSING CENTER 33 ASH STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14204 The instructions to bidders, bid forms, drawings and specifications may be examined and copies thereof may be obtained at the above listed office.

The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. A $100 deposit will be required for each project. If the bidding documents are returned in good condition, and returned at least 30 calendar days from the date of bid opening, deposits will be returned by mail. If the documents are not returned in good condition or after such date, all deposits shall be forfeited. Any questions regarding this project, please refer to: MEL L. ALSTON, AIA (716) 816-3748 EDWARD J. LINDSAY, JR. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

Board of Education Buffalo, New York Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following projects will be received at the office of the Board of Education – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14202.

On TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. Proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud: Project 10-04 PAINTING AND RELATED WORK

P.S. 74 HAMLIN PARK

126 DONALDSON ROAD

BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14208 The instructions to bidders, bid forms, drawings and specifications may be examined and copies thereof may be obtained at the above listed office.

The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. A $100 deposit will be required for each project. If the bidding documents are returned in good condition, and returned at least 30 calendar days from the date of bid opening, deposits will be returned by mail. If the documents are not returned in good condition or after such date, all deposits shall be forfeited. Any questions regarding this project, please refer to:

BRIAN SWARTZ

                                                                   

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

  Bookkeeper    Resident  Council Corporation is seeking a The Kenfield-Langfield qualified individual for the position of Bookkeeper, part-time 15-20   hours per week to oversee the proper management of the corporation’s  records.  financial Duties will include recording financial transactions, managing accounts payable and receivable, creating financial statements   and managing payroll.

Candidates must have: 1) At minimum an Associate’s degree in bookkeeping or accounting and experience as working as a Bookkeeper for a not-for-profit corporation.

2) A valid New York State driver’s license.

3) A working knowledge of Microsoft office suite programs and accounting software such as QuickBooks.

4) Experience in administering grants would be helpful but not required.

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Kenfield-Langfield Resident Council, 170 Oakmont, Buffalo, NY 14215 by February 26, 2010.

Site Coordinator

The Kenfield-Langfield Resident Council Corporation is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Site Coordinator to supervise staff and activities at the Martha Mitchell Community Center. Duties will include developing programs and activities for youths, adults and senior citizens; overseeing room rental, payroll, purchasing, and general maintenance of the community center.

Candidates must have: 1) A Bachelor’s degree, plus two years experience as an administrator with a community center or similar organization.

2) A valid New York State driver’s license.

3) A working knowledge of Microsoft office suite programs and accounting software such as QuickBooks.

4) Experience in writing and/or administering grants would be helpful Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Kenfield-Langfield Resident Council, 170 Oakmont, Buffalo, NY 14215 by February 26, 2010.     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

(716) 816-3659

EDWARD J. LINDSAY, JR. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Advertising date: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

            

Nutritionists

F/T Nutritionists needed for high volume WIC office in Niagara & Erie Counties. Conducts nutrition risk assessments, determines program eligibility & provides nutrition counseling to participants. Identifies & refers high-risk participants. Registered Dietitian or Masters in Nutrition or Public Health with a concentration in Nutrition. Bachelor’s in Nutrition, Registered Nurse, Health related field or Home Economics with an emphasis on nutrition & one year’s WIC experience.

Interested & qualified candidates may forward resume & cover letter with Job # 201013 to: Catholic Charities, 741 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, Attn: HR. EOE/M/F

Secretary - Posting #409 We are seeking a highly committed and experienced professional to assist in the coordination and preparation of training materials and other correspondence for the NYS-Public Health Insurance Training Institute.

The position will include performing data and text manipulation from various sources to format and produce and revise complicated documents.

The successful candidate must also proof mechanically and manually all documents for which he or she is responsible, and photocopy, collate, and organize training materials. This employment opportunity offers an excellent benefit package and is grant-supported through the Research Foundation of SUNY/ Center for Development of Human Services out of Buffalo State College.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply at www.bsc-cdhs. org “employment”tab. Deadline for submission of cover letter and resume is March 5, 2010.

University Heights Community Development Association/ Gloria J. Parks Community Center Needs Assessment The University Heights Community Development Association and Gloria J. Parks Community Center is beginning a needs assessment to learn about and determine how the organization can best serve its members and the residents of this community. The assessment will be designed and conducted by Canisius College students of Dr. Pat Christian’s Community and Diversity Senior Capstone class as a project.

Students will be contacting stakeholders and program participants to administer surveys and form focus groups. Areas to be covered are youth, seniors and housing.

If you are contacted, we appreciate your cooperation and participation in this community endeavor. If you would like to be contacted to help in this process, and have a voice in future programs at Gloria J.Parks, please contact Director of Human Service, 832-1010, ext. 226.

advertising pays advertising@thechallenernews.

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Page 13

SUN 2/7

NUMBERS

WIN 4

MON 2/8

MID-373 EVE-624

TUES 2/9

MID-386 EVE-688

WED 2/10

TAKE 5 LOTTO HOT TIPS

MID-846 EVE-060

EVE-9127

EVE-5984

EVE-1931

MID-152 EVE-201

EVE-3645

2-10-25-30-32 8-12-13-23-28 7-8-14-20- 28 4-6-19-22-31

SAT 2/13

FRI 2/12

MID-893 EVE-280

648-202

900-123

285-917-406-084-430-067-743-219-894-104269-101-704-242-715-964-683-165-728-178641-218-344-909-753-302-422-934-396-017914-042-706-868-253-983-832-242-436-817 BUFFALO BETTY Aquarius-236-438-943-318 * Pisces-404-107-105-429 Aries-469-418-165-538 *Taurus-566-206-359-528 Gemini-146-328-516-419 *Cancer-569-304-123-829 Leo-678-517-046-435 *Virgo-569-506-257-539 * Libra-139-719-059-427 * Scorpio-102-408-213-439 Sagittarius-428-324-859-839*Capricorn-105-607-327-549

THE NUMBER BOOK

202-000 615-514

MID- 734 EVE- 971

S lick W illie is B ack ! ! ! !

670- 298527- 133202- 769- 729- 000315- 220- 684- 519 LUCKIE DUCKIE

648*123*104 980-422-809

322-522-412-432-421-423

THE VAULT WIN-4

1947 *1927 1928 *4973 3333* 3474

Bee’s Best Pics!

731-395-307-870-475-782-701-594 MA RUTH SPEAKS THE TRUTH!

300-000-666-648-711-910-816-123 grandma’s pics 235-409-776-123-509-776

EVE-0305

2-11-25-27-36 3-4-19-24-25 2-13-20-25-29

189-666

782-333

MIDDAY

386-ZR (bx) 648-Ma Ruth, Willie, Hot Tips ( bx) 734-ZR, Feb Vibes (BX) *394-Quick$$ (Straight)*

629-038-570-416

189-444-886

891-145-549-096-326-437-228252-202-333

EVE-7069

27-45-46-52-53-55#18 Extra#58

514-874

CHALLENGER HITS

981-989-970-990-080-800 390-196-102-581-752-319408-378-352-126

FEBRUARY VIBRATIONS

EVE- 7541

13-31-38-42-43-46#1 Extra #9

ZAKIYYAH’S RUNDOWN

Page 14

THURS 2/11

MID-0428 M ID- 5950 MID- 6830 MID-9799 MID- 6377 MID- 1370 MID-0187

MID-875 EVE-056

NEW YORK NUMBERS

quick money $$$$ 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550-525 583-269-508

EVENING 688-Quick $$ (bx) 201-Lucky Ducky (bx) 971-Libra (*bx)

On-Going Events WEEKLY MEETINGS

*Stop The Violence Coalition Meeting: 5:30 p.m. 742 Delaware Ave. 882-7882.

Fridays. *Buffalo Local Action Committee Meeting (BLAC): 6:30 p.m. Pratt Willert Center, 422 Pratt St. Thursdays *TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): 6 p.m.; Edward Saunders Community Center, 2777 Bailey Ave.; 834-6095. Mondays *African Consciousness Workshop: 6-8 p.m.; Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue. Mondays *The Israel of God Bible Study Class: 6 p.m.; 372 Feugeron Ave.; 897-2270.

Wednesdays *Health and Healing Circles: 3:30-5 p.m.; CAO, 70 Harvard Pl.; 903-3290, Wednesdays *Moot Senior Center “Best Breakfast in Town”: 9-10:30 a.m. 292 High St., Wednesdays *Men and Women Support Groups: 5:30-7 p.m.; 1333 Jefferson Avenue; hosted

by Group Ministries, Inc. Thursdays *Alcoholics Anonymous First Step Group: 8-9 p.m.; Memorial Medical Center Auditorium, 621 10th St. Niagara Falls. Fridays *Narcotics Anonymous: 5-7 p.m.; Memorial Medical Center Auditorium, 621 10t St. Sundays *Senior Bridge Club/Poker Club: 1-4 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021.

ENTERTAINMENT

*The Café at Masten & Eaton Presents “Friday Evening Jazz”: 8 p.m.; 230 Masten Avenue; 883-2311. Fridays *Swinging Sundays: 8:00 p.m.-12 p.m.; Colored Musicians Club, 145 Broadway; 855-9383. *“Classic Soul Mixer”: 7-10 p.m.; Pandora’s Restaurant & Bar, 2261 Fillmore Ave. Fridays. *Dinner & Live Jazz at Hot Stuff Southern Cafe, 829 Main St., Niagara Falls; featuring Diana M. Reeves Fridays 6-9 p.m. and “Gumbo, Grits & Gospel on Sundays 2-6 p.m.; (716)282-7883.

DINNERS

*Muhammad Study Group Lunches & Dinners: 579 Jefferson Ave. (corner of Jefferson & Frost); $10; 436-1460. Saturdays. *St. John’s Lodge #16 Free and Accepted Masons Charity Fish Dinner Fundraiser: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 17 Kingsley Street; $7; 885-5009 or 200-9129. Fridays

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Balloom Steppin’ West Coast Swing Classes Ballroom Steppin’, West Coast Swing and hot new line dance will be taught February 20, 27 and March 6 at CRUCIAL Center, Moselle and Urban. Call (716) 2009702 for more information.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19

Fundraiser For Haiti: The Tralf, 622 Main Street,6 – 10 p.m. FEATURING Men in White Choir, D Mott & Sonny Camp, Brother Perry, The Chapel at CrossPoint, Delivered, Marshall Badger, Souls of Solomon, Allstar Band, Sons of Thunder, Evangelistic Temple Community Choir, Paragon, Favor, Kathy Bowman, Rosetta Swain, Reba Bush & Devine Favor, Brothers in Christ and more. Sponsored by The Tralf, Elder Jerry & Lady Vivian Snell, Sheila Brown & WUFO Radio, Greater Joy Baptist Church, American Red Cross, WMNY Radio, Wade Hawkins, and Solomon’s Temple Christian Ministry.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20

Niagara Falls Chapter of The Links: Chat n’ Chew with a Hattitude, noon to 3 p.m., Henry E. Wrobel Towers, 800 Niagara Ave., Niagara Falls; wear your favorite hat and share your story.

HINI Flu Shot Clinic: Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 621 10th St.; $15 or $20 without co-pay; 278-4413 for appointment.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 22 Just Buffalo Book Discussion: “Reading Lolita In Tehran” By Azar Nafisi, 7 P.M., Betty’s Restaurant, 370 Virginia St.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 WNY Black Film Festival: Market Arcade Film And Arts Center, 6 p.m. with a Red Carpet reception. Downtown Buffalo, Tickets $5.

The Collective Mix and Meet Friend Raiser: 6-8 p.m., The Muse in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave., RSVP 362.0230

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27 Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Awards Banquet: 5 p.m., Buffalo/Niagara Convention Center, Donation $50; keynote speaker Pastor Darius Pridgen; 830-0989.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28 WNY Black Film Festival: Market Arcade Film And Arts Center, 3 p.m. Downtown Buffalo, Tickets $5

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS

PROTEST! Erie County Prisoner’s Rights Coalition urges the community to join them Wednesday, Feb. 17 in rallying against the gross mismanagement of the County’s prison systems, which has led to yet another tragic suicide in the Holding Center. The protest, will take place at 5 p.m. in front of the Erie County Holding Center, Delaware and Church.

give peae a chance...

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23 H.E.A.P. Outreach Site: Kensington Bailey Neighborhood Housing Service, 995 Kensington Ave., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; call Legislator Betty Jean Grant at 894-0914 or 536-7323.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24 AIDS Community Services Handbag Happy Hour: 6-9 p.m. Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Rd; Tickets $50; 380-8565.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 Sisterhood MLK Dream Alive Awards: 6 p.m., at Niagara Falls Housing Authority Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building, 3001 Ninth Street, Niagara Falls, NY; Free and open to the public.

BLACK TIE FOR BLACK HISTORY EXTRAVAGANZA: The Stillwater, 483 Delaware Avenue, 7-11 p.m.; Donation $20 to benefit The Juneteenth Inc. Tickets at Doris Records; 883-2410.

On-Going Events DANCE

Dance Lessons with Smooth Steppers: Urban Line Dance, smooth style Ballroom, Steppin’ and Swing; CRUCIAL Center, 230 Moselle St., Saturdays at noon; Tuesdays at 6 p.m. $3; 633-7813. *Line Dancing With Pearl Harris: 6-7 p.m. Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt St. donation $2. Wednesdays *Community Dance and African Drumming Classes: African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Avenue, 3 p.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; $15 monthly; visit www.africancultural.org more information *Line Dancing Lessons, First Shiloh Baptist Church, 15 Pine St., 6:30 p.m. Fridays.

847-6555. Free. *Line Dance Lessons: 10 a.m.-Noon; Martha Mitchell Center, 175 Oakmont St.; 444-2046 or 833-1038, Tuesdays Wednesdays *Line Dance by George Patterson: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 896-7021, Mondays & Thursdays. *June-Teenth Afrikan Family Time Drum Dance and Song: 6-8:30 p.m.; GatewayLongview Family Resource Center, 347 Ferry Street. Fridays * Argentine Tango Every Monday with Travis Widrick 7 - 10 p.m. 1st hour beginners lesson,The Gallery @ Chow Chocolat, 731 Main St. *Salsa Night Every Wednesday with Calvin and Fanny 7 - 10 p.m .1st hour beginners lesson The Gallery @ Chow Chocolat 731 Main St. *Latin Night 1st/3rd Friday with Chun Poh, Salsa, Merengue, ChaCha, Bachata 8 p.m.- midnight, Chow Chocolat 731 Main St.

POETRY

*Open Mic Poetry: 6:30-9 p.m.; EM Tea Coffee Cup Café, 80 Oakgrove St.

YOUTH

*Girl Scouts of America: 5-8 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 8967021. Wednesdays

EXERCISE

*Senior Fitness Class: 9:45-10:45 a.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021; Wednesdays *Exercise for Health: 9:30-10:30; Edward A. Saunders Center, 2777 Bailey Avenue; 332-4381 Thursdays *Open Gym: 5-8 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021. Fridays *Tae-Kwan-do: 6-8 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021.

Mondays & Fridays *Senior Fitness Class: 9:45-10:30 a.m.: Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021. Mondays

RADIO/TV PROGRAMMING

*Sen. Antoine Thompson Radio Show, Thursdays 1-2 p.m.; WUFO Radio 1080AM. *Pro-Ject Access To A-Free-Ka Radio Show: 3-6 p.m. 1080 AM WUFO; hosted

by Ras Jomo; call in 837-111,, Mondays. *Khametic Ascendants Buffalo: 9 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. (nite); Buffalo Channel 20 Video showings; live speakers. Wednesdays *My Time To Be Blessed! Channel 20, Cable TV, Evangelist Gloria Caver-Robinson Gill; Mondays and Fridays 2 to 2:28 p.m. Sundays. *Umoja Presents: 10:30 p.m.; Channel 20. *Jazz Favorites: 9-10 p.m. WBFO Radio 88.7 AM with host/producer Macy Favor and guest. *What’s Happening Buffalo and WNY: 8:30 a.m. MYTV Buffalo; host Esther Smothers.Sundays. *WHLD 1270 AM Real Distinguished Speakers Series: 3-4 p.m.; hosted by Marc L. Fuller, with guest speaker. Saturdays. *Affordable Homes Presents “Mo’ Money “Mo’ Money: 8-8:30 p.m.; WHLD 1270 AM Radio Ministry. Saturdays.

FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Advice to The Lovelorn

By Eve

Dear Eve: My boyfriend is a wonderful guy – but whenever I visit him, and a call comes through, he takes the phone to another room to talk. He says we have a monogamous relationship, yet I feel uncomfortable there. What should I say or do?

-Signed, Bewildered Dear Bewildered: I understand your discomfort. Say nothing. Do nothing. How long has it been since you prayed? If you haven’t – start now. A tree is known by its fruit. Read your Bible. This passage should give you comfort and a better understanding: Matthew 12:33-37 Dear Eve: I am a married man. Yet there were times when I have been attracted to another man. I love my wife. I haven’t told her anything about this…and… to my knowledge, she doesn’t have a clue. I don’t want to give up either one of them…yet I have been told that it is considered a form of cheating on my wife. I disagree. What to you say?

Both of them have called me a “Tiger.”

Signed, Tiger Dear Mr. Tiger: My heart goes out to your poor unsuspecting wife. Cheating is cheating. It doesn’t matter whether it is with a man or another woman, it’s still referred to as “cheating.”

Would you want your wife to do that to you? What do I say? I say: Read Your Bible: Leviticus 18:22 as well as Matthew 19 4-6.

Need advice about your love life? Ask Eve. Write: “Lovelorn,” c/o The Challenger Community News, P.O. Box 474, Buffalo, NY 14209.

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Start Early!

Start Strong!

You can still switch your Medicare Advantage plan†, and start getting the RedShirt Treatment.

SM

KING CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL Celebrating a decade of education excellence!

2000

2010

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www.kccs.org (716) 891-7912 938 Genesee St, Buffalo, NY 14211 FEBRUARY 17, 2010

Our Medicare Information Centers* are still open.

From now through March 31, you can still switch your Medicare Advantage plan† to Independent Health. Just stop by one of Independent Health’s conveniently located Medicare Information Centers* to receive one-on-one assistance. We offer a variety of plans,†† including Medicare Advantage plans with and without prescription drug coverage (HMO, PPO and PFFS plans).

We offer sales seminars* in your neighborhood. Call us for locations and times.

Information Center Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CHEEKTOWAGA/DEPEW

ORCHARD PARK

TONAWANDA

Valu Plaza (Across from Wegmans) 620 Dick Rd. at George Urban Blvd.

Depew, NY 14043

Tops Plaza (Near Tim Hortons) 3223 Southwestern Blvd.

Orchard Park, NY 14127

Youngmann Plaza (BJ’s Wholesale Plaza) 746 Young St. Tonawanda, NY 14150

Sales seminars* every Friday in January at 10:00 a.m.

Visit a Medicare Information Center* or enroll over the phone.† Call (716) 635-4900 or 1-800-958-4405.

TDD users call 1-888-357-9167.

Monday - Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or visit www.redshirttreatment.com

You Deserve the RedShirt Treatment.

RedShirt Treatment. ®

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Independent Health is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. *A sales representative will be present to assist with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings, please call (716) 635-4900 or 1-800-958-4405. TDD users call 1-888-357-9167. †Limitations may apply; during this period, you cannot add or drop your prescription drug coverage. ††Benefits vary by plan. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, but not a comprehensive description of available benefits. Additional information about benefits is available to assist you in making a decision about your coverage. This is an advertisement; for more information, contact the plan.

H3362_H3344_H9519_C1606_1 FU ©2010 Independent Health Association, Inc.

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