December 14, 2011

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

Youth Summit Hopes to Bridge the Gap Between Neighborhood and Law Enforcement ROCHESTER — The distance between the police force and the youth of the community can often be far greater than necessary. Threshold and the Rochester Police Department are working to bridge this gap with “Youth Summit.” This important event will take place on December 15 at the Franklin High School auditorium at 950 Norton Street, from 4 to 7 p.m. All are welcome to engage and participate in this extraordinary event. “Youth Summit” is an unprecedented youth-facilitated event featuring a youth-led drama skit presentation which highlights some concerns of the community and preconceived notions about the police force. The event will also include youth-facilitated small group discussions following the performance. Chief Sheppard will be present for a brief keynote address, as well as a question-and-answer session. The event will strengthen the cohesiveness of the community by providing a platform for community members to address the city’s most important service members with any concerns or questions they may have. Threshold Center for Alternative Youth Services, Inc. (Threshold) has uniquely met the needs of 12-25 year olds in Rochester for thirty-five years. Through one organization and at one site, young adults access primary health care, family planning services, counseling, substance abuse prevention, and work force development services. Services are provided in a confidential, culturally sensitive manner. With a staff of 22 and an annual operating budget of $1.9 million, Threshold meets important needs in the community.

Urban League Kicks Off Annual Membership Campaign The Urban League of Rochester will kicked-off its 21st Annual Membership Campaign with a Community-Wide Worship Service last Sunday at Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 549 Clarissa Street. The goal of the campaign, which will conclude in mid-March, is to raise $75,000. The host pastor for the service was Reverend Doctor Kenneth Q. James. Pastors from various churches will also participated in this great celebration.

HOLIDAY PARTY & TOY DRIVE: Pictured above are Photos from the Brown & Hutchinson 10th annual

Holiday Party and Toy Drive held recently at the Bausch and Lomb Winter Garden. Over 2,500 toys were given by guests thoughout the years. Toys are distributed through New Life Fellowship Church in Rochester, NY Brown & Hutchinson Law firm which is now the largest Black law in firm in all of New York State. The Jimmie Highsmith Experience performed throughout the night. Hats off to Brown & Hutchinson!

Garth Fagan Celebrates 40 Years!

MARSHA

JONES

I took the family to see Garth Fagan Dance and we weren’t disappointed. Though the members of the troupe have changed and expanded. It felt like a great trip down Memory Lane seeing dance staples and dancers Stephen Humphrey and PJ Pennewell, and getting a quick peek of what the future could look like. I liked what I saw... dancewise. Nicolette DePass is fierce and a few others are wicked. The Saturday night show should have been sold out and I can’t figure out why Rochesterians don’t get what a gem we have in our own backyard. Everyone else around the world knows it and we’ll catch up eventually. All I have to say is the troupe looked never was better.

Rochester Association of Black Journalists Announces New Officers Congratulations to the organization’s new officers: Gary McLendon – President Kevin Hicks – Vice President-Print Joanne Gordon – Vice President-Broadcast LaShay Harris – Treasurer Rhonda Austin – Secretary Dolores Orman – Parliamentarian Got a story idea? E-mail me defdefyingmj@yahoo.com Page 2

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DECEMBER 14, 2011


A rea Bri efs

Save The Children! Harlem Children’s Zone Founder Geoffrey Canada, an extraordinary visionary and innovator, brings his message of hope for our children during Tayra Batts “One, Two, Three Nigger” CAO’s First Education Summit.

Exposed: BUILD to present Award of Courage to Kenmore East Player

T Councilmember Pridgen Calls for State Investigation of Towne Gardens Apartment Complex The Common Council recently approved a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen, requesting that the New York State Attorney General and the Department of Housing and Urban Development conduct an investigation into the complaints of the residents regarding the deplorable housing conditions and the unacceptable management of the apartment complex. The resolution also requests the City of Buffalo Water Board to institute legal action on behalf of city water ratepayers for Towne Gardens LLP’s unpaid utility water bills which are currently in excess of $780,000. In addition, Towne Gardens LLP currently owes one contractor approximately $117,000 for repair work performed at the complex. The council resolution also requests of the state Attorney General, that a Rent Receiver be installed to conduct the business of the Towne gardens Apartment Complex in order to insure the health and safety of its residents. The Council maintains that these actions are needed to ensure that residents are treated fairly and that housing deficiencies are corrected.

HEAP Outreach A Heating Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Outreach will be held Thursday, December 15,2011 @ the Lafayette Perbsyterian Church, 875 Elmwood Ave., @ Lafayette Ave in Buffalo from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.. General HEAP applicants do not need a final notice on their gas or primary heating source bill. Applications will be processed on a 'first come- first serve' basis.Applicants need to bring proof of income, number in household, proof of address and current gas or heating bill. The applicants also need to qualify under the household income guidelines. For more information or to see if you qualify, please call Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant's district office @ 894-0914. Applicants also need to be reminded that 'emergency' HEAP can not be applied for until January, 2012. Emergency HEAP for an individual's electricity or gas bill does require a final or disconnection notice.

“Block by Block Home Improvement Program Meeting Ellicott District Community Development, Inc. will host a informational meeting for the City of buffalo’s “Block by Block” Home Improvement Program on Tuesday, December 20, at 5:30.pm., 644 William Street. This event is open to resident owners on Northampton and Eaton Streets (between Jefferson & Masten Avenue). Program requirements and the application process will be discussed. For additional information, visit us on the web at edcd.org, email us at ellicottcdc644@aol.com or by calling 856-3262. Office hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Hamlin Park Association Celebrates 40 Years The Distinguished Gentlemen of the Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers’ Association are hosting this year’s 40th Anniversary Winter Ball on Saturday, December 17 at the Economou Dining Hall, Canisius College Winter Student Center on Hughes Avenue. The Association proudly celebrates 45 years of community advocacy for the preservation and conservation of Hamlin Park. All are invited to celebrate this milestone as part of Buffalo’s rich African American history and tradition. The proceeds of this winter event will go to benefit the students at the Hamlin Park School # 74 and the Charles T. Perkins Scholarship Fund. Hamlin Park Partnership Awards shall be presented to community members who have made significant contributions to the Association. There will be food, friends and fabulous music to help us bring in the holidays. Each ticket includes a complimentary beverage. Tickets are available at a cost of $20 each in advance and $25 at the door. DECEMBER 14, 2011

he Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. Education Task Force will present its first Education Summit entitled, the “Power of Education - Children First” on Friday, December 16 from 11am – 2pm at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo with one of the country’s foremost visionaries and community builders, the dynamic Geoffrey Canada of the Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc. as keynote speaker. Canada, a world-renowned education reformer, in his 20-plus years with Harlem Children’s Zone, Inc., has become nationally recognized for his pioneering work helping children and families in Harlem and as a passionate advocate for education reform. Since 1990, Mr. Canada has been the President and Chief Executive Officer for Harlem Children’s Zone, which The New York Times Magazine called “one of the most ambitious social experiments of our time.” In October 2005, Mr. Canada was named one of “ America ‘s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report. In 1997, the agency launched the Harlem Children’s Zone Project, which targets a specific geographic area in Central Harlem with a comprehensive range of services. The Zone Project today covers 100 blocks and aims to serve over 10,000 children by 2011. The New York Times Magazine said the Zone Project “combines educational, social and medical services. It starts at birth and follows children to college. It meshes those services into an interlocking web, and then it

Mr. Canada

drops that web over an entire neighborhood...The objective is to create a safety net woven so tightly that children in the neighborhood just can’t slip through.” The work of Mr. Canada and Harlem Children’s Zone has become a national model and has been the subject of many profiles in the media. Their work has been featured on “60 Minutes,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Nightline,” “CBS This Morning,” “The Charlie Rose SP oint,” as well in articles in The New York Times, The New York Daily News, USA Today and Newsday. Geoffrey Canada can be seen prominently featured in the Davis Guggenheim 2010 documentary, Waiting for Superman. More recently, he was named to Time Magazine’s “Time 100” list of the world’s most-influential people. Individual tickets to the luncheon

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, The BUILD Award of Courage will be presented to 15-year-old Tayra Batts for standing up for what is right, in the face of blatant racism. “ We would like to do it over the PA system but if we are not allowed to, we will still present it to her and honor her,” said BUILD President Charley Fisher. “We will also have a show of force at the game. Which takes place at 5:30 at Kenmore East. “One, two, three nigger!” this was the chant the Kenmore East High School girls varsity basketball team recited in private allegedly after the coach left the locker room and before the girls entered the court. But that all changed when Tyra, the only African-American student in the Kenmore East High School girls varsity basketball team, shocked and disturbed by the use of the language argued with the White players to stop the chant before an opening game with Sweet Home High school on Friday, December 2. Tyra said, ‘You’re not allowed to say that word because I don’t like that word,’” she later remembered when interviewed. She said, the Whites responded, ‘You know we’re not racist, Tyra. It’s just a word, not a label.’ “I was Continued Page 12

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Community Remembers Curtis Drake

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urtis Drake, A successful businessman in the Buffalo Community and owner of Broadway Taxi, died last week (December 8) after a brief stay at ECMC, where he was a temporary patient. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 14 at 11 a.m. at Elim Christian Fellowship, 70 Chalmers Ave. where funeral services will follow at 12 noon. Born in Plum Branch, South Carolina on March 30, 1944, Curtis came to Buffalo approximately 45 years ago. He worked several jobs including employment at the Chevy plant . For a while he worked both at the plant and drove cabs for Fillmore Cab Company before branching out on his own in 1977 and starting Broadway Cab. A hardworking entrepreneur, in addition to Broadway Taxi, he was also owner of United Memorial Funeral Home on Bailey Avenue and involved with several other business enterprises locally. He was the recipient of the Black Businessman of the Year Award from the 1490 Black Achievers organization. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of nearly 50 years (46 ½) Shirley L. Drake; sons Curtis Allan Drake, Brian E. Drake, Daniel P. Drake and Gregory M. Drake; grand children Brian Singleton, Adrian Drake and Darius Drake; sister Ophelia Drake of Queens, NY and brother Thomas (Audrey) Drake; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Thomas T. Edwards, 995 Genesee St, was in charge of the funeral service. The wake was held there on Tuesday. Entombment at Crucifixion Mausoleum, Mt. Calvary Cemetery Cheektowaga, N.Y. Curtis Drake’s life will be remembered tremendously by the many people he touched throughout the area. Curtis was 67 years old. “The community has wonderful,” said Mrs. Drake. “The outpouring of good and concern has been beautiful. It is comforting and humbling to know that the community is behind us 110%....really showing their love. Our family will be forever grateful. It is a fine tribute to Curtis.” Page 3

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NEWS UPDATE

DR Congo Election: Joseph Kabila Re-elected President Joseph Kabila has won the Democratic Republic of Congo's election, provisional results show. He obtained 49% of the vote against 32% for veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, the election commission chief said. Mr Tshisekedi, 78, has rejected the results and declared himself president, raising fears of violent protests. And President Kabila , 40, has rejected claims that he won elections through widespread rigging. The Carter Center observer group said the results "lack credibility", while the Catholic archbishop of Kinshasa said they did not reflect "the truth." Mr. Kabila denied this but admitted that "mistakes" had been made, reports the Reuters news agency. At least four people were killed in weekend protests against the official results . At a news conference in the capital, Kinshasa, Mr Kabila denied that the results lacked legitimacy.

Woman Kills Self And Shoots Kids After Being Denied Welfare LAREDO, Texas — A mother who had been denied welfare benefits killed herself and shot her two children after a seven-hour standoff at a government social services office, police said. The children, a 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, were in critical condition last Tuesday, a Laredo police investigator said.

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Gingrich fuels more Mideast conflict: Palestinians

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian leaders said on Saturday U.S. Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich had invited more conflict in the Middle East by calling the Palestinians an “invented” people who want to destroy Israel. Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, described his comments in an interview as “despicable.” Hanan Ashrawi, another top official, said Gingrich’s “very racist comments” showed he was “incapable of holding public office.” “This is the lowest point of thinking anyone can reach,” Erekat, a close advisor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, told Reuters. Such comments served only to “increase the cycle of violence,” he added. “What is the cause of violence, war in this region? Denial, denying people their religion, their existence, and now he is denying our existence,” said Erekat, for years a leading figure in peace talks aimed at the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. In an interview on Friday with the Jewish Channel, Gingrich predictably sided with Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians, who are seeking a state of their own on land occupied by Israel in a 1967 war. But the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives departed from official U.S. policy that respects the Palestinians as a people deserving of their own state based on negotiations with Israel. “Remember, there was no Palestine as a state. It was part of the Ottoman Empire” until the early 20th century, said Gingrich, who has risen to the top of Republican polls with voting to start early next year to pick a nominee to challenge Democratic President Barack Obama in the November 2012 election. N O “ C O N T R I B U T I O N TO PEACE” “I think that we’ve had an invented Palestinian people who are in fact

NAACP Calls Kansas Tea Party Group’s Depiction of Skunk as New Presidential Symbol Racist HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A tea party group in Kansas says its depiction of President Barack Obama as a skunk is satire, not racism as the leader of a civil rights group alleges. Hutchinson-based Patriot Freedom Alliance says on its website that like the president, the skunk is “half black, half white, and almost everything it does stinks.” The Hutchinson reports local NAACP president Darrell Pope sees no humor in the depiction, which he calls a blatant statement of racism.

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Gingrich Arabs, and who were historically part of the Arab community. And they had a chance to go many places, and for a variety of political reasons we have sustained this war against Israel now since the 1940s, and it’s tragic,” he said. There are around 11 million Palestinians around the world, Palestinian officials say. They include refugees and their descendants who left or were forced to flee their homes during the 1948 war that led to the creation of Israel. More than 4 million of them live in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The 1948 war erupted after Arab states rejected a U.N. plan that would have divided British mandate-ruled Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. Gingrich along with other Republican candidates are seeking to attract Jewish support by vowing to bolster U.S. ties with Israel if elected. He said both the Hamas militant group, which controls the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian Authority, which receives financial backing from the United States, represent “an enormous desire to destroy Israel.” While Hamas remains committed to armed “resistance” and will not recognize Israel, the Palestinian Authority based in Ramallah states that only peaceful means can deliver Palestinian statehood and its security forces cooperate with Israel. Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Executive Committee, said Gingrich’s remarks harked back to days when the Palestinians’ existence as a people was denied by Israelis such as Golda Meir, prime minister from 1969 to 1974. “It is certainly regressive,” she said. “This is certainly an invitation to further conflict rather than any contribution to peace.” “This proves that in the hysterical atmosphere of American elections, people lose all touch with reality and make not just irresponsible and dangerous statements, but also very racist comments that betray not just their own ignorance but an unforgivable bias,” she said. Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said the Gingrich remarks “were grave comments that represented an incitement for ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians.” DECEMBER 14, 2011


Home Foreclosure & Tax Assessment Workshop Set By Legislator Betty Jean Grant

In this year's City of Buffalo Home Foreclosure Auction, many low income and struggling families lost their homes and/or investment properties due to the non-payment of property taxes. The situation would have been much worse if City Court Judge Thomas Franczyk had not stepped in and worked with the Western New York Law Center and removed those houses that were scheduled to be sold due to non-payment of User Fees. In an earlier decision, houses that were to be sold at the auction for non-payment of water bills, were removed from the 'selling block' by city officials. It would be also be fair to say that a large number of the foreclosed houses that were lost by their previous owners were probably over-assessed, especially if they were located in an area or on a street that had a lot of houses that were either abandoned or had a slew of housing code violations. These houses, if the owners had not ever challenged the amount the city assess to these houses, might be seriously overvalued. I had a similiar case a few years back when my own house was reassessed for $10,000 more than it was assessed in the previous year. Since I had done no improvement to the house and since most of the other houses on the street had fallen into states of disrepair, I successfully challenged the new assesment. My assessment returned to the level and the amount I had been paying all along. The last day for homeowners to challenge their city property assessment (unless the city grants an extension; and in several previous cases, they have) is December 31, 2011. All paperwork must be filed by this time. One can check a copy of their property tax bill to find out the assessed value of their home. If the homeowner believes that their house is over-assessed, they can file a 'challenge' to their assessment. To assist the homeowners, the We Are Women Warriors Community and Family Empowerment Group has invited Tax and Real Estate Attorney Mike Hughes to update the community about how to go about doing the assessment challenge, as well as keeping their homes off of next year's city of Buffalo Tax Foreclosure List. The time to learn how to save your home is right now, not after the house is on the foreclosure list and you have to pay the back taxes as well as the $450 late penalty fees. The Tax Assessment Challenge and Home Foreclosure workshop will be held Wednesday, December 21 at the Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave. from 6-7:45 p.m. The workshop is free and the general public, especially homeowners, are invited to attend this meeting to find out how they can save their homes from foreclosure and also lower their tax assessment. The Commissioner and staff of the city of Buffalo Tax Assessment Office have been invited to attend to assist the homeowners in filling the proper paperwork for the tax assessment challenge. Please bring you tax bill and other pertinent information with you so that you can complete your assessment challenge application at the workshop. For additional information, please call Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant @ 894-0914 or 536-7323. ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will receive sealed bids for BMHA Job #11-15CF Repairs and Improvements at Mullen Manor. The Prebid Conference will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM, local time with all potential bidders assembled at the Capital Improvements & Development Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204; the project walk-through may be held/scheduled after the meeting. Sealed bids will be received until 2:00 P.M. local time, on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the Capital Improvements Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14201. Bids received after the stated time will not be accepted. Bids will be opened and publicly read aloud immediately after specified closing time. All bid forms must be filled out and returned. Sets of contract documents may only be obtained at the Capital Improvements Office at 320 Perry Street, with a deposit of $100 per set. Only certified company checks, bank checks or money orders made payable to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will be accepted. This deposit is refundable upon return of complete sets of documents within 14 calendar days after the bid opening. Failure to comply with this time limit will constitute forfeiture of the deposit. The BMHA reserved the right to reject any bid, which fails to conform to the essential items, required by the contract documents and to reject any and/or all bids submitted. Dated: December 5, 2011 DECEMBER 14, 2011

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Holiday Extravaganza

Drive In To Bethlehem!

The Greater Refuge Temple Families Helping Families Ministry will sponsor a Holiday Extravaganza on Sat., December 17th from 10 am to 2 pm at 943 Jefferson Avenue. Come join us for an afternoon of fun, shopping and fellowship for the whole family. There will be give-aways, vendors, door prizes, holiday crafts and baked goods. All are welcome. FREE. . Bishop Robert L. Sanders, Senior Pastor

True Bethel Baptist Church and the Rev. Darius Pridgen presents “ A Child Is Born” on Tuesday, December 21 from 7-9 p.m. Come celebrate the real meaning of Christmas in a “old fashion” but modern way by driving in to see and hear the Christmas story in the comfort of your own car. “ In these failing economic times it is important to remind people of the real meaning of this holiday season, in order to give hope we bring to Buffalo the story of a baby that was born to bring hope to the entire world”, says Rev. Darius Pridgen, Senior Servant True Bethel Baptist Church. ADMISSION IS FREE!

New Hope Church Anniversary Kick Off The New Hope Baptist, 1122 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, is proud to announce the “kick off” of the 2012 year long 75th Church Anniversary celebration on Sunday, December 18 during the 10:15 a.m. worship service. A special program will be held in the fellowship hall following the worship service. Rev. Harvey L. Kelley, Pastor For additional information contact the church at (716) 297-4358.

Prayer Conference The First Annual Prayer Conference presents “Praying Without Ceasing,” will be held Friday Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Saturday Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. at Cold Spring Church COGIC Jesus, 107 Verplank Street corner of Woodlawn featuring Evangelist Paulette Chatmon. Prophetess Theresa McLaurin is conference host. All are welcome.

To advertise call Ms. Jones @ (716) 881-1051 or email:

Live in Concert

John Alexander Garner III and Taleesha Janine Scott will perform live in a benefit concert at Elim Christian Fellowship, on Sunday, December 18 at 6 p.m. at 709 Chalmers Street . Suggested donation $10.

Installation Service The King Solomon’s church family is happy to announce the Installation Service of our newly elected Pastor Rev. Ronald Benning on Saturday, December 17 at the True Bethel Church, 907 E. Ferry Street at 5 p.m. Pastor Hamid Motley of the House of Mercy Evangelical Ministries will be officiating. Rev. Darius Pridgen, Bishop Robert L. Livingston and Pastor Kenneth Winifield will conduct the installation service.

Pre-Christmas Musical The third annual Pre-Christmas Musical Celebration will be held at the Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church 475 Berkshire Ave. on Sunday, Dec 18 at 4 p.m. The Nazareth Choir, the True Vine Choir, the True Vine Choir, the Brothers, and the Hunley Singers will be the featured groups . Everyone is invited. Rev. Gentre L. Garmon is the pastor of Nazareth Baptist Church.

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DECEMBER 14, 2011


Bethel Tabernacle Women to Host Holiday Bazaar If you’re still looking for those special unique Christmas gifts for family and friends, come and shop Saturday, December 17 at Bethel Tabernacle 668 Clinton Street, 11am-4 pm. You’ll find jewelry, clothing, hats, baked goods, cosmetics, professional photos for the whole family, art, candles, hand crafted items, gift baskets, gourmet coffees and teas, men’s ties, and more!. Bring a friend and experience a truly enjoyable shopping experience!

Calvary CME Third Free Christmas Giveaway On Sunday, December 18 beginning at noon the Calvary CME Church Missionary Society at 1007 Ellicott Street will open their fellowship hall to 100 Families in need living in the City of Buffalo with a Free Christmas Giveaway of food, new clothing, shoes, winter boots, bedding and gifts of toys for the children. The people of the community joined us in making a difference in someone else’s life. Those Families that join us in our 10:30 a.m. worship service will be given a coupon with a number to enter the early FREE Christmas Giveaway at noon. Families will select only three gifts and one toy per child present. Also the family will be given one bag of food. Those interested and for more information, contact Nellie B. King, President of Missionary Society at 951-0438. Rev Dr Wayne Allen Williams is the Pastor.

Buffalo United Front Forges Ahead With Prayer and Planning

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hen it was announced a few months ago that there had been a 38% reduction in the number of homicides in the City of Buffalo, members of the Buffalo United Front were thankful – to God. Having been in the forefront of making sure that Pastor Darius Pridgen’s “Enough is Enough” Prayer Vigils continued throughout the summer, they experienced first hand the impact prayer had on the spirit and psyche of all involved – especially the young. “In spite of what people may claim and the credit they may take for the reduction, we truly believe that prayer is what changed things, and to God be the glory,” stressed Buffalo United Front President George Johnson. The Front and its host of affiliate organizations are currently preparing to resume the prayer vigils and plan to kick off the 2012 effort at the annual Martin Luther King Celebration at Kleinhans Music Hall on January 15. “By then we hope to have at least 10 churches in place to host the prayer for one hour, 6-7 pm. Monday thru Friday.” Continued Johnson. Pastors who want to get involved, he said, can contact Bishop Gerald Drayton, pastor of The New Testament Revival Cathedral at 715-0011. “It is necessary for us to continue the prayer because it is effective,” he reiterated. “We’re calling upon as many men as possible to come out with us, especially young men.” One of the features of the next series of vigils will be a Youth and College Night led by young people every Friday, he pointed out. Lamone Gibson, a 21-year-old Canisius College senior, serves as the Youth Coordinator for the Buffalo United Front, and is credited with getting young people involved; bringing with them a youth perspective to the issues, which is critical to finding solutions that work. He is also studying to become a

minister under Rev. Richard Stenhouse, pastor of Bethel AME and President of the Buffalo Jeremiah Partnership, a collaboration of churches focused on community-building. “We keep praying because prayer changes things,” he said echoing Johnson. “I have a saying that prayer should be your steering wheel, not your spare tire.” “It’s very necessary for young people to see other young people being active and doing positive things,” said Gibson. -Beyond The VigilsThe Buffalo United Front is focused on moving in a proactive way as opposed to being reactive to the violence and homicides. And while the prayer vigils are a critical component of their efforts to save our young people, the Front also sponsors a number of activities such as fishing trips, bowling, and a mentoring group. Over the Thanksgiving holidays they gave away 20 turkeys to area churches and helped serve dinners to the homeless. This summer they gave out over 300 Bibles and 1,000 Bread of Life books during their street campaign. Their annual Fundraiser Father’s Day Fish Fry, which will be held on June 15 of next year, will feature Rev.

Stenhouse and Bishop Troy Bronner, Senior Pastor of Elim Christian Fellowship, as guest speakers. Pastor Roderick Hennings of Zion Dominion Global Ministries and Dr. James A. Lewis III of Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church Inc. will serve as MC’s. The event annually recognizes men who are taking ownership for their families. “We don’t receive funding from any dedicated source,” explained Johnson. A 501-3-C Not-For-Profit entity, the Buffalo United Front primarily seeks to partner with foundations, corporations, businesses and community organizations so that the help is on-going, as opposed to one-time donations. “For example, we need a van and a bus to transport the kids,” said Johnson. The fundraiser follows their highly successful Family Fishing Day at Broderick Park at the foot of Ferry Street. Next year a historical component will be added, focusing on the parks significance and connection to the Underground Railroad. The development of young people’s minds is not complete unless they know their history, and thus, know themselves, he said. The community is urged to get involved with the efforts of the Buf falo United Front by calling George

Mr. Johnson(left) and Mr.Gibson (right)

Johnson at 818-3410 or email jackmanjohnson@aol.com Interested youth can contact Lemone Gipson directly by calling 507-6441 or email lamonegibson@gmail.com For additional information Like Us on Face Book at Buffalo United Front Inc. “We are asking the community to support us in our efforts monetarily and prayerfully,” Johnson concluded. “Taking ownership is what its all about.”

Juanita P. Smith

Services Held for Juanita P. Smith Funeral services were held for well known Buffalonian Juanita P. Smith (nee Jones) at Elim Christian Fellowship Church on November 12. Ms. Smith died suddenly at her North Buffalo home on November 8. The family would like to express their sincere thanks for all condolences extended during their time of sorrow. DECEMBER 14, 2011

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Profile Denzel Williams Message to the Youth: Just Listen

entertaiment ON STAGE

By Zakiyyah Wilbert

D Dr. Amin

Luncheon to Celebrate Success of Dr. Amin A “Celebrating Success” luncheon buffet for Takiyah Nur Amin will be held on Saturday, December 17 from noon to 4 pm at the Hearthstone Manor, 333 Dick Road. This has been a banner year for the former Buffalo resident and daughter of Karima Amin. Takiyah, who holds a PhD in Dance from Temple University, currently teaches at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Congratulations Dr. Amin!

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enzel Williams, one of Buffalo’s own, had an awesome opportunity in working along side one of the hottest music video directors Taj Stansberry. Stansberry is most famous for his work with Young Jezzy, Big Sean and Chris Brown, Ludaris, Keyshia Cole, Ne-yo, Usher and many others. “Taj Stansberry my mentor is amazing.,” says Denzel. “Once I saw his work I noticed how Stansberry captured each emotion and feeling while still displaying a story on each video. Each day working I learn something new even when he is not directly talking to me. I study his ways and his love for what he does. Just the little things in life make art.” One may wonder how 19 year-old Denzel stumbled on such an experience and what decisions he made in order to pursue his goals. Denzel Williams did not wake up one morning knowing exactly what direction to take. Trial and error was his best friend. Before his passion for directing Denzel traveled down the rode of Krumping, a form of dance which most of his inspiration came. He was then known as “J Rook” He explains: The name J Rook was a personality and when dancing he saw the power and impact he had on his peers. Denzel then learned he could take his personality and talent even farther and actually influence others in positive ways. Although he loves to dance he was more passionate about the positive impact. These ways kept him out of trouble, and allowed him to established good associations, learn from his wrong doings and expanded his future. “Dancing is one thing I know I can do,” he continues. “ But I wanted to see what else I could do. Krumping made me grow. The brotherhood and lifestyle taught me how to stand out and walk to my own beat and that’s what I follow now.” This mentality followed Denzel to high school especially when transferring to Performing Arts where he soon figured out what he was most passionate about. A proud graduate of Buffalo Performing Arts where he majored in communication, it was there he discovered that he had a true zeal

Denzel Williams

for directing and using his camera for good. Education is the answer! Denzel feels that we all have different ways of learning. But we must not give up on high school because of it. High school trains your mind for the real world. We must take what we learn from high school and apply it to the world we live in. It is also important that while we attend our classes we focus on ourselves and not others. You should not get discouraged if you see others doing better. If you work hard you will succeed. There is absolutely no one who has not worked hard and failed. Denzel continues to say that in his senior year he was stressed out but continued to work. With that being said do not give up! After completing high school he attended the Arts Institute of New York City. He eventually transferred to the LA Film School where he connected with others that wanted what he wanted and that was to direct and create art thru the camera lens. When Denzel arrived in LA he knew his journey would not be complete if he did not intern with Taj Stansberry. So he went on his next mission and tried every way possible to get the chance to work along side Stansberry. “I sent tons of emails however, they were never answered,” he recalled. “But I never gave up. I called the office and talked to his assistant. Finally I had the chance to do a photo shoot at Taj Stansberry’s house. There he watched me work and taught me many techniques but most importantly he taught me to direct while capturing

*Christmas at the Tralf, featuring Anita, Joey Diggs, Jonathan Reed and Kevin Hall, Friday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m., The Tralf, 622 Main St, downtown; tickets $20 presale; $25 day of show; $55 VIP; available at Walmart, Doris Records, The Tralf Box Office or by calling 939-7230 or 697-1530. *Jazz At The Elmwood Lounge, 522 Elmwood At Utica, 882-5881 Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, 6pm To 8pm (www.Theelmwoodlounge.Com) Featuring Susan Peters, Vocals; Alfie Alessandro, Vocals And Guitar; Mark R. Harris, Bass; Sherrie Morris, Keyboard; No Admission Fee. *Company A will present a reading of TELLIN’ TALES, by April A. Jones @ Buffalo East on Sun., Dec 18 @ 6PM. TELLIN’ TALES is a collection of four cultural folktales that have been adapted for stage to illuminate our common humanity. Admission Free. Event suitable for ALL ages! 604-3677 *Wu-Tang Clan, 8 p.m., Mon. Dec. 26, Town Ballroom, 681 Main St., 8523900, tickets $45, box office, Tickets. com *St. Martin De Porres New Year’s Eve Gala, Saturday, December 31, 7p.m. – 1:30 a.m., Fairdale Banquet Center, 672 Wehrle Drive; featuring Old School B-Boys; DJ David Allen; tickets $50 includes buffet dinner, free drinks; tickets available at Brooks Central Park Cleaners, St. Martin De Porres Church Office 555 Northampton St. or call Godfather Promotions at 602-8150. On Stage Listings are Free. Write: The Challenger, On Stage, PO Box 474,, Bflo., NY 14208; or email:

editor@thechallengernews.com

Continued Page 10

CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053

DECEMBER 14, 2011


IT HAPPENED

Boyd’s Blues: Amazing! TaNisha Fordham

Cultural Center Launches New Playwrights Reading Series The African American Cultural Center launched its new Playwrights Reading Series last Saturday with Artie Award winner Ibn Shabazz, and will continue the series at the 350 Masten Location this Saturday, December 17 at 6 p.m. at which time TaNisha Fordham will read her play Sex’d, “... an examination of sexing - the good, the bad and the potentially life threatening.” Producer / director / actor / writer Fordham is a former Miss Historically Black College and Miss North Carolina A & T State, who is currently starring in the stage play "Sight: Man's Transformation from Darkness to Light, and a film entitled Slammer. She also recently launched Act Up, an acting troupe form teens ages 13 to 19, as a project of her not for profit organization Enlightened Visions, Inc and has appeared on stage at the National Black Theatre Festival. "Sex'd uses comedy, drama, suspense and action to take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster about the reality and affects of our sexual nature, in an attempt to shed light on the power of our individual sexual beliefs," Fordham said. The general audience donation for the new AACC Playwrights Reading Series is $10. Writers interested in reading their scripts should contact Paulette D. Harris at (716) 884-2013, ext. 11 or call 716-884-2013,

Boyd Lee Dunlop, at 85 years young, celebrated the release of his debut CD, “Boyd’s Blues” during an historic celebration/performance last Saturday in Hallwalls. An underground jazz legend in Buffalo for 40 years, Boyd, a pianist and organist, was accompanied by renowned musicians Sabu Adeyola on bass and Virgil Day on drums. He rendered an amazing evening of fresh, dynamic, soulful music. Our beloved Brother Boyd, who lives in the Delaware Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (where he was discovered by photographer Brendan Bannon wrestling music from a dilapidated piano), has been hailed as the greatest jazz musician every to stay in Buffalo. He taught his younger brother Frankie Dunlop how to play drums. Frankie went on to play with such jazz greats as Charles Mingus and became known as the greatest touring drummer ever to play with the legendary Thelonious Monk. Boyd Lee Dunlop went to work in the steel mills and rail yards of Buffalo, occasionally playing piano at local night clubs... “living on the edge between fame and obscurity, dealing with racism to make a buck... but mostly to make music.” At long last, he has earned the recognition and respect he deserves. “People don’t understand,” he said in a recent New York Times interview. Life is what you make it...never knock it.” Long live the legend. Long live Boyd Lee Dunlop!

Healing Hands....

Healing Hands presented "The Journey” last weekend at Ujima Theatre. This spectacular show featured live African drumming of Ras Jomo Akono, Jamil Adewale Kasmumu and Cechon Stepp. Three members of the Njozi Poets were in the show, Erika Gault, Brandon Williamson and Ntare Ali Gault. The show also included original music by Rishon Odell Northington, singing by Yvette Hicks and a full compliment of performances by the West African Drum & Dance Ensemble with Anisha Hassan. If you missed this s how be sure to catch the next one. An awesome display of local talen! DECEMBER 14, 2011

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SPEAK OUT! BlackAgenda Report by Margaret Kimberley

Buffalo’s Best Not Good Enough?

T

Dear editor: I would like to post my opinion regarding the Buffalo's Best competition. I was an audience member and was appalled at the final decision in the show. I believe it was disrespectful and a slap in the face to our Buffalo talent to award the grand prize to someone that resides outside the City of Buffalo. I thought the idea behind the show, was to showcase the talent we have here locally.. It made me feel that they didn't think Buffalo's talent was good enough to represent our city in the competition. All the contestants were powerful, well accomplished singers, including the winner, but it should never have been open to non-residents. I sent a letter to the radio station that hosted the event, expressing my disappointment and concern regarding what I felt was the misrepresentation of our city and its artists, but I feel people who were unable to attend the event, should know how our city's people were treated. Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion and concerns. Candyce Brown

Black America at the Bottom he nation’s economic news is grim indeed, and is the grimmest of all for black Americans. Recently released census data shows that while the median yearly income in this country is $50,000, it is only $32,000 for black people, the lowest of any other racial group in the country. Hispanics had a median income of $37,000, whites $49,000 and Asians $64,000. Simply put, black Americans are at the absolute bottom of the economic heap in a county still teetering from the effects of a seemingly endless recession. The term recession is something of a misnomer because it does not adequately describe the worldwide crises endemic to capitalism. As western nations take their citizens on a dizzying race to the bottom with various austerity measures, the fate of people already on the bottom grows more precarious by the day. It is not coincidental that the dismal economic prospects for black people has occurred at the same moment that black politics limps along on life support. Black politics traditionally affirmed a right, indeed an obligation, to speak directly to the needs and aspirations of the masses of people. It has been substituted with feelings of vicarious joy when a black person reaches a high office. Enter Barack Obama, the beneficiary of both black loyalty and a system which he assessed astutely as being ready for the right black man to come along. He fills the duel roles perfectly, giving good feelings about his presence in the White House but this presence is a result of promising to do nothing that the 1% would find inconvenient. Sadly, the bloom is not yet off of the Obama rose, with a continuation of bizarre poll results indicating that the group doing the worst has the greatest degree of optimism. But the income and other indicators don’t lie and don’t change because most black people still love the president who looks like them but who goes out of his way to ignore them and their needs. While phony government figures claim that employment numbers are improving, more than 46 million Americans are now receiving food stamps, a record. As the leaders of European countries struggle to keep the crises of Greece, Italy and Spain from spinning out of control, it is tempting to anticipate the post capitalist world. The thought experiment is interesting, but one thing is clear. When the dust eventually settles, black people will be at the bottom of a destroyed system. If Barack Obama is re-elected, it is likely that black support for him will also continue, and the downward spiral will continue too. What is the future of a group always living on the cusp of disaster when a huge disaster takes place? No one can predict if the world economy will collapse Armageddon-like, or whether it too will limp along, under performing and slowly putting millions of people in ever more dire conditions. It is difficult to imagine a worse scenario, but imagine it we must. The Obama phenomenon has silenced a people who were once the most likely to speak out against inequality and injustice. The death of movement politics has made black people the perfect victims of the descent of their nation’s and the world’s economies. Barack Obama’s role in exacerbating the crisis goes unnoticed while tangential characters are given needless attention. Every hateful statement from the mouth of Newt Gingrich is dissected and railed against but Gingrich has not been in power in this country for a long time. He played no role in the bank bailout and he did not declare that Social Security would be placed on the budget cutting table. Obama did those things and put an already suffering group further and further behind. There has been a ray of hope lately provided by the Occupy Wall Street movement. The group condemned for a lack of focus has focused on neighborhoods with high housing foreclosure rates and acted to put people back into their houses. The Occupy Our Homes actions are doing what movements have always done, forcing the powerful to respond to popular demands. Black Americans do not have to continue acting like sheep going to the slaughterhouse. They can remember their history of bold action. They do not have to continue being last on the income list, and the political list. If movement politics can be resurrected the group at the bottom now does not have to stay there. There is hope for a different future, if people are unafraid to remember how great changes came about in the past. Margaret Kimberley’s Freedom Rider column appears weekly in BAR, and is widely reprinted elsewhere. She maintains a frequently updated blog as well as at http://freedomrider.blogspot.com. Ms. Kimberley lives in New York City, and can be reached via e-Mail at Margaret.Kimberley(at)BlackAgandaReport. com

Are You Registered to VOTE?

Page 10

MESSAGE TO YOUTH continue

the moment. From that point on Denzel continued to show Taj that he was hungry. He went to every photo shoot and offered his assistance; eventually confronting him and saying he wanted to be under his wing. Finally, Taj Stansberry agreed and soon Denzel was his intern. While learning from his intern Denzel was able to use what he was being taught and apply it to his own work. He often did free videos for upcoming artist in order to get his name out there and network with others. He has done work for the model Tenaya Henry also photo shoots with the actor Les Brandt and photos of Teyana Taylor that he explains all were amazing. He is most proud of his portrait photos of Taj and a few other directors. Now Denzel Williams is signed with The Popular Kid “TPK” which is a Taj Stansberry. Denzel has also collaborated with Immaculate Images and Keith “Bruh Bruh” Williams himself. Together they do the best photography and are known throughout all of Western New York. Lesson Learned: This is not just an article informing Western New York about Denzel’s achievements ,but a Message to the Youth. Let’s learn from his example and channel our talent in order to achieve greatness. Some of us may not be the best basketball player; maybe we are better at math. Think of the things you are great at. We are all here for a purpose; now make your purpose known!

NFTA Votes “No” to Bus Fare Increase On Thursday, December at around 8:30 a.m., the commissioners and staff of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) were joined a small contingency of community leaders and elected officials who were determined to let the NFTA know that their proposal to bridge their budget gap on the backs of students and the working poor was not going to go unchallenged in our community. This small but very vocal group led by Erie County Legislators Betty Jean Grant and Tim Hogues, and B.U.I.L.D. of Buffalo President Charley Fisher made it their business to be at the downtown bus terminal when the commissioners got ready to discuss their business. After the meeting started and it became clear that the chairman of the board was not going to allow the group to speak, written notes began being circulated among the members. When Chairman Sloma stated publicly that we were not going to be allowed to speak at that particular meeting, this writer wrote him a note stating, "Mr. Sloma, I find it troubling that you will not allow this group to speak now because a little over two years ago, a group similiar to this one, led by Rev. Darius Pridgen and yours truly, was allowed to speak before the board of commissioners." After the note was delivered, the group that also included Samuel A. Herbert, Russell Smith, Abubukar BETTY JEAN Jackson,Janice Wells, 'Big' Bob McRae, Terrence Gidney and GRANT several others, got up and left the room. Before we reached the elevator, we were met in the hallway by Chairman Sloma himself, who informed us that we would be allowed to speak at a later meeting scheduled for Monday,December19. I truly believe our presence and our passion was felt because before I reached my downtown legislative office, I received a call from Kim Minkel, Executive Director of NFTA, informing me that a vote was taken after we left and that the decision not to seek a bus fare hike was passed with no opposition. Although I will be hard pressed to prove it, I believe our small but powerful group encouraged at least four or five of those commissioners, who had gone on record of supporting a rate hike, to rethink their decision. I want to take this time to publicly thank Charley H. Fisher and his B.U.I.L.D. of Buffalo organization for stepping up to the plate for, even though all of the members arrived at NFTA by private cars and trucks, they still had a need to be there for those individuals who rely on public transportation each and every day. The public hearings to discuss how the NFTA Commisssioners will fill in their budget gap, going forward, will be held the early months of 2012. I am asking ( no, I am begging) those who actually ride the trains and buses to please attend these hearings to help us fight for you.

Lets take each lesson we learn whether it’s from school or a loved one and apply it to whatever situation. With a positive and determined attitude we could achieve greatness. Yes, our schools could use better books and more computers but the lack of resources did not stop determined slaves from learning. We cannot just

point all fingers at the schools. There are libraries and labs we could go to just to further out learning. We have to think outside our neighborhoods because honestly many want to see minorities fail. It is up to us to prove them all wrong and show them a better side. It is our responsibility to be the leaders of our generation!

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.)

“The truth, always the truth--at all costs”

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

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DECEMBER 14, 2011


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“Living The Dream”: King Celebration Set The “Concerned Citizens Following The Dream” Committee presents the Martin Luther King Celebration program on Sunday January 15, 2012, 5:45pm at Kleinhans Music Hall, Symphony Circle. The theme is “Fulfilling The Dream”. Bishop T. Anthony Bronnor of Elim Christian Fellowship Church will be the keynote speaker. Again this year pioneers and trailblazers in our community will be honored with an MLK Award. Several public school students will be recognized with a MLK Jr. certificate for volunteer services. Musical tributes will be rendered by the Philharmonic Chorus, the African Cultural Center dancers, Hutch-Tech High School Band, Jennifer Suerez, B.A.D. (Blessed Annointed Daughters) praise dance ministry, and many more. The admission is free, and is sponsored in part by Wegmans Foods, M&T Bank, Amigone Funeral Home, Seiu Education Project, the Challenger community News and Lombardo Funeral Home. Bessie Patterson is the chairperson.

Muhammad School of Music to Host 8th Annual Recital: Muhammad School of Music will host the 8th Annual Classical Stars Recital Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 at 2 p.m. Both recital performances will take place at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Avenue (on the Buffalo State College Campus). This year’s recital will feature solo, duo, and small ensemble performances by the students and faculty of Muhammad School of Music. Advance purchase tickets are $10 General Admission, and $5 for children (12 years old and under); at the door purchase tickets are $12 General Admission and $8 for Children. Tickets can be purchased by phone, online, or by visiting Muhammad School of Music, 617 Main Street, Suite 105, Buffalo, New York 14203; (716) 8815088 or (716) 570-5064; Email: info@muhammadschoolofmusic.net or visit www.muhammadschoolofmusic.net.The school will also be enrolling students for its New 2012 Session, which begins on January 9. Muhammad School of Music is pleased to announce its’ newest program, KINDERMUSIK - music and movement classes for babies and children.

I want to keep my family

warm this winter.

And safe too. King’s words live in Palestinian city By Dorothy M. Zellner* As a veteran of the 1960s civil rights movement,

I hope this year’s Martin Luther King on Day will Important information carbon monoxide be more than the usual constant repetition of his and natural gas safety from “I have a dream” speech. This has flattened theNational Fuel.

very essence of the movement, which was the vastness and the vibrancy of hundreds of thousandsyour of “ordinary” and the signs. Protect family. people who wouldn’tKnow couldn’t stand for any more indignities and Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless Ifany you, or anyone in your household, more insults. and potentially dangerous gas produced experience these symptoms, immediately know because I was inkerosene, Georgia, Virginiaopen and windows and doors to ventilate your whenI fuel (heating oil, propane, Mississippi a staffer of the Student Nonviolent charcoal, gasoline,as wood or natural gas) home, then move outside and call 9-1-1 Coordinating Committee; I spent two years in fire department. is burned without enough air for complete or the combustion. Atlanta.If inhaled in large quantities for • Dizziness • Overall paleness a prolonged timemovement period, carbon monoxide This great of African-American civilians • Coughing • Nausea can cause unconsciousness, brain damage and their white allies lacked an army or air force, • Irregular • Cherry red lips and even death. yet we imprinted our freedom demands on the breathing and ears national consciousness for the following decades • Headache • Fatigue and presumably, for decades to come. There are other movements of civil society in Take steps to minimize every continent of the world. The one I have seen Detect natural gas leaks. thewith risks of carbon my own eyes is the movement of Palestinians Natural gas is colorless and odorless. monoxide poisoning. • Have your chimney, appliances and heating equipment inspected and tested by a qualified professional every year. • Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home. Do not rely on carbon monoxide detectors as a substitute for maintaining appliances, heating equipment or chimneys. If you do choose to install a carbon monoxide detector, use it as an additional preventive measure.* • Clear snow and ice from exhaust vents and intake air vents for gas appliances to prevent carbon monoxide from accumulating in your home. • Never use a gas oven or stovetop for heating your home. • Install ventless heaters according to manufacturer specifications, never use them as a primary heat source. • Never run a gasoline-powered engine (such as a gasoline generator or an automobile) in an enclosed space. • Never use a portable charcoal or propane grill indoors.

National Fuel adds an odorant that produces a distinctive “gas smell” so that leaks are easier to detect. If you detect a faint gas smell, check to see if you have a pilot light out or a burner that is not completely turned off, and then open windows and doors to ventilate. If you find a pilot light out, do not attempt to relight it without ventilating the area first. If you smell a strong gas odor, or are unable to detect the cause of the odor:

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nationalfuelgas.com DECEMBER 14, 2011

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12/7/11 4:49 PM


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AUTOMOTIVE

Automotive Battery & Tire 3218 Bailey Ave. * (816) 838-0263 First Klass Muffler & Brake Inc. 779 Genesee St. * (716) 362-0450

BANKS

Citizens Bank NA * 414 Main St. Chiquita Rodgers * 855-2532

Key Bank/South Campus Terrence A. McKelvey, CFP* 3586 Main St. * 871-4260 BARBER SHOPS

Klassic Kuts 1471 Kensington * (716) 836-3260 Master Touch 1283 E. Delavan*570-7234/846-5956 Precision Cutz 87 Cleveland Dr. * (716) 603-1477 The Barbershop 2516 Bailey * (716) 464-SHOP

EATERIES AJ Jamaican Kitchen 209 Massachusetts Ave. * 886-9555 Full of Flavor 883 Jefferson * (716) 553-7050 Loretta’s Soulful Dining 479 Genesee * (716) 381-9308 Matties Restaurant 1412 Fillmore * (716) 597-0755 Mr. Bones 893 Jefferson * (716) 464-6794

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Ann Rhod’s Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave.*(716) 838-5633

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Boost Mobile 1286 E. Delavan *(716) 551-0304

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West African Int. Market & Take Out 3125 Bailey * (716) 507-2329

Jones Hardwood Flooring Alton Jones* (716) 903-5320

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INCOME TAX SERVICE

FINANCIAL ADVISOR Albert C. Erni, CRPC Merrill Lynch * 716-849-2009

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outnumbered.” None of her White teammates took her side and told her “it’s a tradition; they do it every year,” Tyra said in a News story. The situation came to the public’s attention when Batts was suspended for fighting with one of the other girls about the use of the slur, stating that it was wrong. piece of sh*t.” “It was a buildup of anger and frustration at being singled out of the whole team,” she said. The team was hit with several disclipinary actions.

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Nadia’s Taste of Soul 69 Allen St. * (716) 884-0482

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L. Sessum Income Tax Service 1650 Fillmore * 716) 894-4904

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Able Insurance Jeff Moore/Broker 1798 Main St. * 883-5212 Geico 1330 Niagara Falls Blvd. (716) 832-3253 Hopkins Insurance 1193 Jefferson * (716)-886-8880

LIQUORS & WINES Bellamy’s Liquor Store 405 E. Ferry * (716) 884-4066 Ideal Liquor 1341 E. Delavan * (716) 893-0967 One Mo Shot Liquors 2612 Bailey * (716) 464-3299

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Robin Gibson, Consultant 444-6773*www.ardysslife.com/robin

PHOTOGRAPHY

Princess Photography *563-0994

Computer Help Desk Associate

Buffalo State College seeks applicants for a Computer Help Desk Associate to provide support and successful problem resolution for computer hardware, client application software and enterprise systems to students, faculty and staff in person, on phone, via e-mail or other communication technologies. Log and track support requests in Service Desk system. Supervise and/or assist manager in supervision of student employees and scheduling of service calls. Appointment subject to budgetary status. Required Qualifications: Four-year degree. One or more years in a technical customer service or computing help desk environment performing troubleshooting and user training/consulting. Strong customer service and computer problem solving skills. Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills. Ability to work well in a customer-centric team environment. Strong knowledge of Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, Microsoft Office for Windows and Mac OS X, internet browser applications and e-mail client applications. Familiarity with user, group and computer management in an Active Directory environment. Experience supporting client hardware running Windows and Mac OS X in an enterprise environment. Minimum six (6) months experience with CA ServiceDesk or other enterprise help desk management software. Preferred Qualifications: Four-year degree in Computer Information Systems or related field. Experience supporting information technology in a higher education environment. Experience supporting SunGard Banner and Blackboard Learn ANGEL Edition. Experience installing software on Windows and Mac OS X in an enterprise environment. Demonstrated interest in learning about new and emerging technologies. Basic knowledge of local area networking and TCP/IP. Deadline for applications is December 20, 2011. We encourage qualified applicants to apply for this job posting online at https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

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PROPERTY INSPECTOR Majadi Enterprises Inc. PO b/ox 603 * 316-7776

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

883 Jefferson * (716) 883-7770 Page 12

CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053 Buffalo Challenger

Size: Issue: D/L:

2 (4”) x 6” 11/30 11/23

DECEMBER 14, 2011


Employment

B IDS Scrufari Construction Co.

seeking M/WBE subcontractors to quote Niagara County Community College Hospital & Tourism Center. Bid Date: December 21, 2011 EEO Empoyer 288-1225

EAST SIDE APARTMENTS AVAILABLE *Two and Three Bedroom Apartments starting at $395 plus security. Apartments Section 8 Ready. Call 836-8686.

Church is in need of a temporary part time janitor. Interested persons please call 883-0821, 688-7177 or 896-5144.

NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid 4153 - No. 6 Rail Road Switch 200’ Radius Tongue Switch And Mate For Girder Rail Download Bids from www.nfta. com

Secretary

Kids Capital Daycare is now hiring

*Teachers w/an Ass. Degree or CDA req. *Teacher Asst., H./S. diploma req. Contact Ms. Jones at 716-833-5215

Facilities Engineering Project Coordinator Buffalo State College seeks applicants for a Facilities Engineering Project Coordinator to assist in implementing the College's capital plan for construction and renovation of buildings and site utilities. Provide administration and oversight of contract responsibilities of outside engineering, construction and other professional service firms, with a focus on mechanical, plumbing and fire protection systems. Salary is $65K to $80K commensurate with experience. Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering; minimum of six (6) years successful experience in design of building mechanical systems; professional experience performing technical review of mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection design and construction documents for large building renovation projects; and experience monitoring the work performed by contractors and administering construction phase activities including review and approval of change orders and pay applications. Preferred Qualifications: Professional Engineer (P.E. License); LEED registration or experience in design of high performance "Green" building systems; experience in multi-building campus or institutional facilities management; technical knowledge and experience in underground site utilities including steam, water and sewer systems; experience in construction cost estimating. Deadline for applications is December 30, 2011. We encourage qualified applicants to apply for this job posting online at https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

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

Buffalo Challenger bidS Size: 2 (4”) x 5” ADVERTISEMENT FOR QUOTATION Issue: 11/30 D/L: 11/23Housing Authority is seeking bids for Quotation The Buffalo Municipal for the following$190.00 vehicles for procurement. Price:

(Two) 2012 Tandem Axle Refuse Packer Chassis (Two) 2012 Single Axle Chassis with Dump and Plow Equipment The qualified vendors are to contact Charles Spallino Building Superintendent (BMHA) for specifications on both vehicles by contacting 836-4954 ext. 213 or at cspallino@bmha.ci.buffalo.ny.us for a copy of Request for Quotation. The Submittal deadline is deadline is close of business on December 28, 2011

TO ADVERTISE CALL EMAIL

Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:

advertising@thechallengernews.com

Full-time Secretary to provide clerical assistance to the Assistant Department Director and Aging Services Supervisors in managing the multiple program functions. Utilize a positive customer service approach in providing reception duties including but not limited to: answering phones/taking messages, front desk attendance to greet and log in/out consumers/visitors. Maintains performance data in the agency designated Case Management information system and generates time sensitive reports and billings required by regulators, funding sources and the agency. Assist in the preparation of financial reports and program budgets. Candidate must possess an Associate degree in related field and a minimum of three years experience in a similar position, proficient in Microsoft Office, and good interpersonal/communication skills. Independent judgment/decision making in prioritizing work assignments and customer service oriented. Catholic Charities offers the following compensation package: ▪Medical, dental and vision ▪Paid sick time, personal, vacation and holidays ▪Summer flex time hours Interested, qualified candidates may forward resume cover letter with Job # 201141 to:

Catholic Charities

741 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, Attn: Human Resources. EOE/M/F

advertising@thechallengernews.com

Apartment Manager: PT. 20-24 hrs./ wk. New East side community. Job includes sales, computer, people skills and general office work. You will certify residents, lease apartments & collect rents. Must be organized, cheerful and reliable! Apartment industry experience a plus! EOE. Send resume/references to HR, 215 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14204 or fax to 854-2981. Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:

Assistant Controller

Catholic Charities is seeking a fulltime Assistant Controller to perform specific analytical and/or financial functions including financial reporting, analysis, month-end close activities, year-end audit engagement, and completion of tasks consistent with department objectives. Provide guidance in resolving complex accounting matters and financial transactions, and appropriate maintenance of records. Ensure that all accounting and financial reporting practices are in accordance with GAAP. Manage the accounting for capital assets and maintenance of the asset management system. Perform account analyses of select balance sheet accounts. Develop and maintain internal financial controls such as routine account analyses and reconciliations to ensure accuracy of financial information. Assist with month-end procedures and prepare monthly financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Prepare monthly financial reports for Senior Management. Assist internal customers by providing procedural/ financial information and guidance. Oversight of annual 1099 preparation and relating IRS filing. Assist Controller with the coordination of the annual financial audits with external auditors in accordance with GAAP.

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, CPA or MBA preferred. Eight to ten years of prior accounting experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller or Chief Accountant. Prior Not-forBuffalo Challenger (weekly ­ publ Profit experiences a plus. Experience with Sage MIP software desirable. Issue: Wednesday publication;­ De EOE/M/F.

Size:

1 col. (2)x 2.5”

REVENUE ACCOUNTANT

Interested & qualified Price: $47.50 candidates may forward resume & cover letter with Job #201143 to:

Full-time, available January 2012. Qualified applicants may apply at: www.brockportrecruit.org or to Office of Human Resources Allen Administration Bldg. The College at Brockport 350 New Campus Drive Brockport, NY 14420 EOE/AA

741 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209. Attn: Human Resources

Student Accounts & Accounting

Catholic Charities

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE.

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Page 13

HISPANIC OUTLOOK ­ biwe Issue:

Next issue is January


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CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053

DECEMBER 14, 2011


MIDDAY

CALENDAR OF Wednesday December 14

Saturday December 17

Board of Education Meeting: 5:30 p.m., 801 City Hall.

Muhammad School of Music 8th Annual recital: 2 p.m., Burchfield Penny Art Center, 1300 Elmwood; $10 admission, $5 children 12 and under; $121 & $8 @ door; 881-5088/5705064.

Public Meeting: Board of Westminster Community Charter School, 3 p.m., M&T Bank, One M&T Plaza 19th Floor.

Thursday December 15 Community Outreach Forum: 530 , true Bethel Baptist church, 907 E. Ferry; topic True Bethel Townhomes building plans. Friday December 161st Annual Burning Books winter Open House: 6-9 pm., 420 Connecticut St. Saturday December 17 “Celebrating Success Luncheon” for Takiyah Amin: noon – 4 p.m., Hearthstone Manor, 333 Dick Road. Hamlin Park Winter Ball: Canisius College Student Center, Hughes Avenue;; $20 advance, $25 @ door; 650-8093.

Boys Basketball AAU Tryouts Western New York’s elite AAU Boys Basketball program will host tryouts for the 2012 AAU season on Sunday, December 18 at the Jewish Community Center, 2640 North Forest Road. Tryouts for grades 3,4 and 5 will be held at 3:30 and for grades 6,7 and 8 at 4:30. Each age group will have its own team. Arrive 15 minutes early. For more information contact Coach Terrance at 563-9077. www. leaguelineup.com/warriorsng

DECEMBER 14, 2011

EVENTS

African American Cultural center Playwrights Reading series: 6 p.m., 350 Masten Abe.; 884-2013 (see pg. 9) FATHERS Toys for Joy Giveaway: Bob Lanier center, 155 Lang Ave., 11 am – 4 pm. “The Bestest,, Specialist Christmas Ever” Book Signing, Reading and activities: 1-6 p.m. with author Prisilla Y. Hill, Locust Street Art Classes Inc.

EDUCATION SUMMIT

continued are $40, or $400 for a special reserved table of 8, and proceeds benefit the CAO Education Task Force Scholarship Fund that assists low-income, college-bound students throughout Erie County . Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, and to reserve your tickets or table, call the Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. at (716) 881-5150 ext. 4399. The event

is sponsored by BMHA-Choice Neighborhood, Community Health Center of Buffalo, Erie County Department of Social Services, Hogdson Russ LLP, Buffalo ReformED, Elim Christian Fellowship, Bryant & Stratton, JPS Solutions, Nora Eberl, WBLK-FM 93.7, The Challenger Community News and the Adam’s Mark Hotel .

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

Sunday December 18 Muhammad School of Music 8th Annual recital: 2 p.m., Burchfield Penny Art Center, 1300 Elmwood; $10 admission, $5 children 12 and under; $121 & $8 @ door; 881-5088/5705064.Wednesday December 21 Khametic Ascendants: 9 a.m. & 12:30 (after midnight), every Wednesday, Public Access Channel 20; itstheone999@gmail.com

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CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053

DECEMBER 14, 2011


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