March 14, 2012

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

Arthur Peter Dilbert III

MARCH 14, 2012

Power to the Parents!

David Paul

Two Young Local Actors Join The Cast Of Geva’s A Raisin In The Sun David Paul Eve Makes Theatrical Debut

Rochester, N.Y. – Geva Theatre Center is delighted to announce that two local young actors have been cast to share the role of Travis in the theatre’s production of A Raisin in the Sun is on stage now in the Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage through March 25.

The character of Travis is the son of Walter Lee Younger, Jr. and his wife Ruth. Arthur Peter Dilbert III and David Paul Eve will share the role of the youngest member of the Younger family.

Arthur Peter Dilbert III is the son of Sharon L. Murrell Dilbert and Arthur Dilbert, Jr. He is a student at Northwood Elementary School where he plays the trumpet and sings in the chorus. He is a member of the dance ministry, drama ministry and choir at the Abundant Life Faith Center where is father is the pastor. He has appeared in theatre and dance productions at Abundant Life Faith Center, Downstairs Cabaret, Akwaaba, Hilton Theatrical Summer Camp and Miracles Dance Center.

David Paul Eve makes his theatrical debut in A Raisin in the Sun. He is the son of Pamela D. Rutland and Arthur O. Eve, Jr., and the grandson of former New York State Assemblyman and former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Arthur O. Eve. David was born in Buffalo NY and lived here until the age of 6. The last school he last attended in Buffalo was the Olmstead school. He moved, with his mother to Rochester in 2008, where she became a principle at the Wilson Commencement H. S. of Rochester. David Eve is an honors student at World of Inquiry School, #58 where he is a member of the A Cappella group and a school safety patrol. He studies Karate at the ARIKATA Studio and holds an advance orange belt. David likes to write and compose songs as well as short stories. When time allows, he is a ball boy for the Buffalo State Men’s Basketball Team, The Bengals, where his father is an assistant coach.

Mr. Dilbert and Mr. Eve join the cast of A Raisin in the Sun which includes Brian D. Coats (Bobo), Jessica Frances Dukes (Beneatha Younger), Perri Gaffney (Mrs. Johnson), Daphne Gaines (Ruth Younger), Keith Gallagher (Karl Linder), Broadway veteran Lynda Gravátt (Lena Younger), Tyrien Obahnjoko (Joseph Asagai/George Murchison) and Bowman Wright (Walter Lee Younger, Jr.). A Raisin in the Sun is directed by Robert O’Hara.

For tickets call (585)232-4382 or go to www.gevatheatre.org

YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST

ABC will hold an Essay Contest opened to all Monroe County Youth who are senior students. The question for the 500 to 700 word essay: “What do you believe are some of the issues related to race that persist in your community?” Deadline for submission is Friday, March 30, 2012 at 5 p.m. Submissions should be sent to: dsmith@abcinfo.org First Prize is a note-book computer and a $500 scholarship!

GROW IT, TRY IT, LIKE IT! DAY CAMP FOR KIDS

Rochester, NY – Calling all kids to a FUN and EXCITING Day Camp Experience Join us at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester, NY for the 2012 GROW IT, TRY IT, LIKE IT! Day Campfor ages 8-11. Sessions willbe held April 12, June 28 and July 10. Cost: $25 (Bring a bag lunch. 2 snacks will be provided.) Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. 585-641-1000 x257 or www.mycce.org/monroe

Rochester, N.Y. – A local parents group is lobbying for a state law that would give Rochester parents an unprecedented amount of power.

The “parent trigger” bill would give parents the ability to force dramatic change on a given school. If parents collected enough signatures, they could fire a principal and cut the teaching staff in half, close a school or turn it in a charter school.

“It gives parents the authority and that negotiation tool that parents will need because right now we don’t have a voice when it comes to this district,” said Ernest Flagler, a leader with Rochester Parents United.

Over the weekend, Flagler met with parents in Buffalo who also support the measure. Flagler says local representatives, including Assemblyman David Gantt, already support the bill, which would only apply to Buffalo and Rochester.

Opponents of the bill say parents are ill-equipped to take over a school, adding elected school boards are a better way through which parents can address their concerns.

Rochester School Board

President Malik Evans is reserving judgement.

The State of Blacks in Rochester

The Rochester Black Political Caucus Presents “The State of African Americans in Rochester”Saturday, April 28, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at Nazareth College 4245 East Avenue-Otto A. Shultz Community Cente E-mail: rochblackpolcaucus@gmail.comWillie Joe Lightfoot Monroe County Legislator Assistant Minority Leader 408 County Office Bldg. 39 W. Main Street Rochester, NY 14614 585-753-1940 office.

Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

Officer LaShay D. Harris One of Six Finalists for the Debra J. Mayberry Inspiration Award The Alzheimer’s Association hosted its Celebration of Women and successful Aging, on March 1.The Debra J. Mayberry Inspiration Award honors a woman in the Rochester/Fingerlakes region who has made significant contributions to women’s health and overall quality of life.LaShay D. Harris, of Rochester, NY and Public Information Officer of Rural/Metro Medical Services, Rochester, NY is among the 6 finalist who were nominated for the inspiration award.

She has served Rural/Metro and the City of Rochester Community as a paramedic and educator for more than 18 years.

LaShay has served as an advocate for health and wellness initiatives by providing CPR education and blood pressure clinics in and around the Rochester community.

The luncheon was held at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 125 E. Main Street, Rochester, NY.

ChallengerCN.com

• MARCH 14, 2012 Challenger Community News •

Arthur Reappointed to Fiscal Stability Authority

39TH ANNUAL DRILL-ARAMA IS SET: The 39th Annual Drill-A-Rama will take place on Saturday, March 17 at Kleinhans Music Hall.

The doors will open at 12 noon. The competition begins at 1:00 p.m.. Tickets can be purchased at Doris Records 716-883-2410. This event is sponsored by N.I.C.Y.O. and Drill Teams United of Buffalo and Western New York.

Absentee Voting Extended Hours The Erie County Board of Elections announced that their office would be open for absentee voting for the 145th Assembly District Special Election from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM each working day up until and including March 19th. In addition, the office will be open for absentee voting: *Thursday, March 15th until 7:00 PM *Saturday, March 17th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM The last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot is Monday, March 19th.

Please be advised, the 145th Assembly District Special Election pertains only to those registered voters who are enrolled in 145th Assembly District, which includes: parts of the Fillmore and Lovejoy Wards, all of the South Ward, all of the 3rd and 4th Wards and 2nd Ward 5th District in Lackawanna, all of the Towns of Orchard Park and West Seneca.

Any questions, please call the Absentee Department at 858-7819.

George K. Arthur has been reappointed as a Director of the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. The Authority was created by the State in 2003 as a mechanism to supervise the fiscal affairs of the City of Buffalo and certain covered organizations, and to assist these organizations in obtaining fiscal stability through its various powers.

Former Council President Arthur also serves as Secretary to the Board. Frank Mesiah of the NAACP sits on the board, as does Mayor Brown as an ex-officio member.

Columnist To Present Lecture On The Black Irish Columnist Eva M. Doyle will present a lecture on the history of the Black Irish on Sunday, March 18 from 3:005:00 p.m. at the Merriweather library located at 1324 Jefferson avenue. This is a special lecture for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The following questions will be answered during the lecture: Who were the Black Irish men and women? Where did they live? How did the Irish get from Ireland to Jamaica and Barbados ?

What is the significance of St. Patrick’s Day in Black History ? This lecture is part of the 33 series of lectures that Mrs. Doyle will be doing throughout the year. This program is free and open to the public.

For more information you can call 847-6010 or 533-9547.

Dorie Miller Monthy Membership Meeting The correct date for the monthly membership meeting for the Dorie Miller Hunting and Fishing Club is March 20, at 6 pm at the Merriweather Library at Jefferson and Utica. Club information or interests follow up can be made by calling, the Langston Hughes Institute, 716 – 844 – 8831.

Black Families in Buffalo, Across the Nation, Greatly Overrepresented Among U.S. Homeless Report highlights the barriers to stable housing and well being experienced by homeless and low-income Black families.

In 2010, one out of every 141 Black family members stayed in a homeless shelter, a rate seven times higher than members of White families, according to “Intergenerational Disparities Experienced

by Homeless Black Families,” a report released last week by the Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness.

In Buffalo, from 2005-09 (the most recent data available) Black families were overrepresented in shelters by 50.5%, relative to their share of the population “The unfortunate fact is that Black families in the United States are much more likely to experience poverty than their white counterparts, and are overwhelmingly represented in homeless shelters throughout the country,” said ICPH President and CEO Ralph da Costa Nunez. “This report raises the question of how family homelessness has moved beyond simply a poverty issue and become a racial one.”

In 2010, nearly one-quarter (23.3%) of Black families lived in poverty, three times the rate of White families (7.1%). Black persons in families make up 12.1% of the U.S. family population, but represented 38.8% of sheltered persons in families in 2010. In comparison, 65.8% of persons in families in the general population are White, while white family members only occupied 28.6% of family shelter beds in 2010.

And the stark overrepresentation of Black families in homeless shelters was seen throughout the country. For example, in New York City and St. Louis in 2009 twice as many Black families were found in shelters (55.9% and 95%, respectively) compared to their share of the general city population

VOTE!

THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS UNDER ATTACK!

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Peoples-Stokes leads civil rights and community leaders to rally for voters’ rights

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ssemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes hosted a rally last Friday in Niagara Square in an effort to make the city and its residents aware of the very real and frightening issue of voter suppression now taking place in this country to keep minorities and others from casting their ballots.

A number of civil rights leaders and supporters stood in freezing temperatures as speaker a f t e r speaker expressed serious concern over a movement to literally turn the Peoples-Stokes c l o c k back on voters’ rights. Unlike the widespread media coverage of official state brutality against African-American citizens demonstrating for equal rights 47 years ago, the new repression appears to be a lesser issue on the national networks. Instead of tear gas and Billy clubs, the weapons of choice today are loose allegations of voter fraud.

Nearly 21 states across the nation have passed voter suppression laws. Eight States, (AL, KS, MS, RI, SC, TN, TX and WT) have passed new restrictive photo ID laws.

Three states (AL, KS and TX) passed laws requiring proof of citizenship as a prerequisite to voting. Two states (FL, TX) have made it more difficult for groups like the League of Women Voters to register voters. Five states (FL, GA, OH, TN and WV) have passed legislation that would eliminate or shorten the period of early voting. In addition, we could see new suppression laws passed in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Virginia and Pennsylvania before the 2012 elections.

The Buffalo rally was held in support of the National Action Network’s re-enactment of the

infamous “Bloody Sunday” march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, when 600 people were attacked by state troopers in full riot gear.

The marchers were protesting a brutal murder and the denial of their constitutional right to vote. When they were stopped at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. This action and a series of other events led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1965.

“Nothing much has changed in 47 years,” declared Ellicott District Council member Darius Pridgen. “But the power is still in the people and when people vote they can change the action of government.”

He said it was important to remember those who fought and died so that we could have the privilege to go the polls. We cannot afford to go to sleep and think that things are ok,” he cautioned. “We must continue to press on and move forward.”

Assemblywoman PeoplesStokes observed that today “there are no dogs, nobody being beaten...we are free, but we’ve got to take advantage of it.

Civil Rights veteran Frank Mesiah said that efforts to disenfranchise voters today is more sophisticated.

“The strategy now is to cut down the numbers so you can’t win,” which is why, he said, it is so important to get people registered to vote.

“Every vote must count. We need to come together to make sure we have enough people going to the voting booth this presidential election.”

“No Vote! No Voice” declared Grace Tate, speaking on behalf of the Buffalo Urban League. She said that the national Urban League is conducting a major voter registration and get out the vote drive in light of the voter suppression issue. The local chapter, celebrating its 85th year, is also registering residents to vote . Call 250-2400. Giving examples of voter suppression she said that 82,0000 voters

From the Top: Frank Mesiah, Grace Tate and Demone Smith.

Not pictured from cover photo is Rev. Pridgen.

are impacted by these types of voter suppression initiatives.

NYS Senator Timothy Kennedy declared that voter suppression was not good for the city, Western New York, New York State “and quite frankly not good for America.” He said he’s seen attempts to suppress the minority vote across the state, and that one of the prime examples was the Republican gerrymandering of the 68th senate district.

“Democracy fails to exist if our voices are suppressed,” he said.

We’re here as a call to action,” said Masten Councilmember Demone Smith, “for people to pay attention to what is going on...suppressing Continued Page 13

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NATIONAL NEWS

Growing Support for Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients

It may be even harder for many Americans to get welfare as 23 states have, or are considering, enforcing stricter laws that would require welfare recipients to take drug tests.

If the states considering it pass this mandate, officials will force people who they “reasonably” believe are using illegal drugs to take drug tests before receiving their benefits. Some states are already enforcing the mandate in different capacities.

For example, a Florida law requires drug tests for all welfare applicants, while Arizona and Missouri are only testing people based on the suspicions of welfare authorities.

The issue has come up in the Republican presidential campaign, with Mitt Romney calling it an “excellent idea.”

Driving the measures is a perception that people on public assistance are misusing the money and that cutting off their benefits would save money for tight state budgets — even as statistics have largely proved both notions untrue.

Massacre in Kandahar: US soldier guns down Afghan civilians, including 9 children Witness: barking dog also shot dead by gunman

In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, a US soldier stationed at a base in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province allegedly launched a single-handed gun attack on nearby Afghan villagers. He is said to have broken into homes in two villages, Alkozai and Najeeban, both located about 500m (yds) from the base in Panjwai district. By the end of the attack, 16 people, nine of them children, were dead and five wounded. Some of the bodies had been set on fire. The unidentified soldier, believed to be a staff sergeant, later returned to his base, where he was put under arrest [and gets probation - the typical punishment for USociopaths who commit war crimes. But if you download a file on said massacre, you’re in solitary confinement for life. ‘They hate us for our freedoms?’ No, they hate us for our war crimes.--LRP]

Did You Know...

*Iran is largest Middle Eastern population center for Jews outside of Israel. In Iran here are an estimated 25,000 Jews remaining in the country, making it the largest Middle Eastern population center for the religion outside of Israel. *There are between 100,000 and 200,000 Iranian Jews and their descendants in Israel.

MARCH 14, 2012

“Slaves Obey Your Master” Racist Billboard Sparks Outrage A billboard designed to criticize the Bible instead offended a lot of Black folks in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. The sign was vandalized overnight, and the president of one of the groups that funded it issued an apology. On Wednesday morning, a Harrisburg Symphony billboard replaced the controversial atheist sign. Lamar Advertising officials said they had to replace the original billboard because of the vandalism.

NAACP Takes Voter ID Issue to UN The NAACP went international in its battle against new restrictive voting laws approved by some states by traveling to Switzerland recently and appearing before the United Nations Human Rights Council.

NAACP officials were scheduled to go before the council in Geneva and argue that the new laws – some of which require government-approved photo ID or proof of citizenship to register or vote – violate human rights and civil

ATTENTION ROOFERS: The chemicals found in coal tar and coal tar products are powerful causes of cancer.

Workers who tended roofer’s kettles or carried buckets of hot coal tar pitch for application on roofing surfaces are also at risk for developing cancer due to their exposure to coal tar pitch.

Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

rights because they are deliberate attempts to suppress the vote of minorities and others.

By appearing before the U.N., the NAACP is going back to its past. The organization looked to the international body in the 1940s and 1950s for help in fighting discrimination and lynching of blacks in the United States.

“It was in 1947 that W.E.B. Dubois delivered his speech and appealed to the world at the U.N.,” NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous said in conference call with reporters Thursday. “Now, like then, the principal concern is voting rights. The past year, more states in this country have passed more laws pushing more voters out of the ballot box than any point since Jim Crow.”

Joseph Kony 2012: Growing Outrage in Uganda Over Film There is growing outrage in Uganda over a viral internet film viewed by more than 32 million people in four days that suggests Africa’s longest-running conflict is still raging in the country’s north.

The 30-minute video, Kony2012, was produced by three American videographers campaigning for greater efforts to capture Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

But Kony and his diminishing troops, many of them kidnapped child soldiers, fled northern Uganda six years ago and are now spread across the jungles of neighbouring countries.

“What that video says is totally wrong, and it can cause us more problems than help us,” said Dr Beatrice Mpora, director of Kairos, a community health organisation in Gulu, a town that was once the centre of the rebels’ activities.

“There has not been a single soul from the LRA here since 2006. Now we have peace, people are back in their homes, they are planting their fields, they are starting their businesses. That is what people should help us with.”

Joseph Kony, a former church altarboy, has spread terror through eastern and central Africa for almost three decades, as he has pursued an aimless war that has killed thousands of people and at one point forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

Ugandan journalist Angelo Izama calls Kony 2012 a “misrepresentation,” noting that the film’s “portrayal of [Kony’s] alleged crimes in Northern Uganda are from a bygone era,” and that the problems facing the country in 2012 are AIDS, Hepatitis, prostitution and unemployment, none of which would be alleviated by a U.S. military invasion on the pretext of hunting a man who is not even in the country.

“At the end of the day the Kony2012 campaign will not make Joseph Kony more famous but it will make Invisible Children famous,” writes Izama. “It will also make many, including P.Diddy, feel like they have contributed some good to his capture- assuming Kony is even alive. For many in the conflict prevention community including those who worry about the militarization of it in Central Africa this campaign is just another nightmare that will end soon. Hopefully.”

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MARCH 14, 2012

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HEALTH MATTERS

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HIV Infection Rate For African-American Women Five EAT TO LIVE The Danger of Toxic Chemicals in Your Food and the Times Higher Than Average In Some U.S. Cities Importance of Reading the Ingredient List! Part II In some “hot spot” U.S. cit- for HIV screenings, substance

NOTICE TO CONTRACTOR CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed proposals will be received by the City Engineer or his designee of Niagara Falls, New York, at his office located at 745 Main Street, Room 303, in said City not later than 2:00 P.M., on April 3, 2012, at which time they will be publicly opened and read for the following project: Reconstruction of Buffalo Avenue (NYS Route 384) Veterans Drive to 63rd Street Contract No. RP-175 P.I.N. 5460.28 in the City of Niagara Falls, N.Y. Each bidder must include with his bid, a certified check or bid bond, payable to the order of the City of Niagara Falls, in the amount of not less than FIVE (5) PERCENT of the price bid, subject to the conditions in the Instructions to Bidders.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a performance bond and labor and material payment bond, in form and substance, and with sureties approved by the City Corporation Counsel, in the amount of not less than ONE HUNDRED (100) PERCENTUM of the total amount of the accepted proposal.

All proposals must be made on blank forms, which together with other requirements, may be obtained in the Office of the City Engineer.

Contractor is required to complete the Insurance Information Form, Performance and Payment Bond Information Form, and other documentation specified in the Instructions to Bidders, when submitting a proposal.

The City Administrator reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive all informalities.

Copies of the set of bid documents, drawings, and specifications may be obtained from the Office of the City Engineer upon deposit of $50.00 (CHECK ONLY) for each set.

The deposit is not refundable to non-bidders unless they are returned prior to the bid date and time. Bidders requesting a refund must return all plans and specifications, in good condition, within forty-five (45) days after the bid date.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at CITY HALL at 2:00 P.M., on March 22, 2012.

Jeffrey Skurka, P.E. City Engineer

ies, the HIV infection rate for African-American women is five times higher than the national rate — close to the rate in some African countries.

Researchers who conducted the study expected the rate to be higher in these urban areas, but after one year, 0.24 percent of the women in the study tested positive for HIV. That’s five times higher than the Centers for Disease Control’s previous estimate for African-American women.

And the rate for AfricanAmerican women surprised researchers in a field that focuses more on African-American and gay men. The study showed that the annual rate of infection was 24 per 10,000 African-American women in six cities: Baltimore; Atlanta; Newark, New Jersey; New York City; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and Washington, D.C. Nationally, AfricanAmerican women’s rate is 5 per 10,000. In the Congo, it is 28 per 10,000.

“This disease is alive and well in this country,” said Dr. Carlos Del Rio, principal investigator for the Atlanta area of the study. “But this epidemic is the face of the forgotten people.” And the cities highlighted by the 2009 study, which included 88 percent African-American women and 12 percent Latina women, have high poverty rates.

“Along with the results, a lot of other statistics came out of this study,” said Dr. Sally Hodder, lead author of the study and professor of medicine at New Jersey Medical School in Newark. “Slightly more than 40 percent of the women did not know the HIV status of their last sexual partner. And more than 40 percent of our participants had an annual household income of $10,000 or less.”

And out of all the women enrolled, after a one-year follow-up, 10 had died of reasons unrelated to HIV. “This just goes to show that women don’t just have HIV risk to worry about in these areas of the country,” Del Rio said. “I’ve had women look at me and say, ‘OK, I’m at high risk for HIV, but I’m also at high risk of getting shot.’”

Del Rio pointed out that other factors such as poverty, food insecurity, and substance abuse also increase the HIV risk. Rather than only offering information about AIDS, he said these cities also need better access to medical care

abuse treatment, education, and job availability to lower the risk.

Dr. Patrick Chaulk, Baltimore’s assistant commissioner for HIV and STD services in the Health Department, said the city is targeting all highrisk groups in its plan to cut the HIV infection rate by 25 percent by 2015.

Senior Fitness Classes

9. Artificial Color: Any dyes at all, stay away from. They are simply chemical poisons.

10.Palm Oil: A deadly oil that is incredibly cheap to manufacture and causes all types of physical problems.

11.Dextrose, Sucrose, Fructose: These are in fact, chemically made sweeteners. Stay away.

12.Sucrulose-Splenda: One of the newest man-made chemical sweeteners. Very deadly, poisonous and makes you fat. Check out www.thetruthaboutsplenda.com 13.Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour, and Enriched Bleached White Flour: Stripped down white flour or bleached wheat flour has virtually no fiber, has been totally depleted of all nutritional value and produced in a highly chemical environment.

The safest flour you want to see in the ingredients is organic wheat flour or organic other types of grain flour, such as rye, millet.

14. Soy Protein Isolate: A common ingredient in protein shakes and protein or food bars. Stay away from this. In the processing of soy protein isolate, hexane is often used, which is a petroleum solvent similar to gasoline. These chemicals or residues of these chemicals, remain in the food but they are never listed on th

Senior Fitness Classes with instructor James Houze are being held at the *Edward Saunders Center from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays (no class March 29) (weight training, toning, full body workout, Faith Fights Diabetes Workshop good eating tips). *Delavan-Grider Center, A free “Faith Fights Diabe9:30-10:10 a.m. Mondays and tes Workshop” is being held Wednesdays (floor workout, at the New Testament Revival walking, toning, weight train- Cathedral, 987 Kensington ing).

Ave. at 5:30 p.m. on Mon*Friends of the Elderly Cen- days. Call 885-5298 to register, 10:30-11:10 a.m. Mon- ter. Sponsored by the Institute days and Wednesdays (floor for Leadership, Inc. workout, walking, toning, 14533 GFN Challenger_Layout 1 3/2/12 9:11 AM Page 1 weight training).

Powerful tools for Caregivers A “Powerful tools for Caregivers” Workshop is being held at the New Testament Revival Cathedral, 987 Kensington Ave. every Saturday now thru April 21 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sponsored by Erie County Senior Services. To register call 858-2177.

You’re Invited to a FREE Community Event!

A healthy neighborhood starts with a healthy family, and a healthy family starts here!

Please join us:

This event will include:

Thursday, March 22 6 – 7:30 p.m.

• Free health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose.

Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building 3001 9th St. Niagara Falls, NY 14305

• Free farmer’s market.

• Free fitness and nutrition classes.

• Fun activities for kids.

Bring a new friend and receive a free gift!

For more information, call the Independent Health Foundation at (716) 635-4959.

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FAITH BASED

Women’s Day at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior

Women’s Day will be celebrated during worship service at The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 26 Brunswick Blvd. on Sunday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. “The Power of Wise Women Builders” is the theme for the service of scripture, testimony, song and movement. Witness to the power of God and how God’s goodness has changed lives, testimonies will be shared

by Pastor Barbara Campbell, Honorable Rose H. Sconiers, Dr. Emmekenla Nylander, Legislator Betty Jean Grant, Mrs. Johnnie Mayo and Mrs. Bonni Jackson. Rev. Robert Spilman is Pastor. ALL ARE WELCOME! Prayer is the key of the morning and the bolt on the door at night.

“I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my song.” (Isaiah 12:2 TLB)

“The One Arm Bandit” to Preach Revival at Zion Missionary Baptist Rev. Mack McCollum, “the One Arm Bandit,” Pastor-New Home Baptist Church, Chicago, Ill, will preach a revival for three power packed nights Tuesday March 20- Thursday March 22 at 7:00 pm Nightly at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 179 E. Ferry St. @Purdy St. For more information call 716-886-1362 or email:zionmbc@verizon.net

Follow Him Ministries

Follow Him Ministries presents, ‘Door to the Throne Room,’ a story of God’s redeeming love told through song and dance, Saturday April 28 from 5:30- 7:30pm at The Ephesus Fellowship Hall, 80 Durham Ave.The doors will open at 4:45pm. There is a $7 donation at the door. ‘Reaching out to the youth in our communities!’ For more information email: Harris Gretchen@ ymail.com Growing Support for Drug Testing of Welfare Recipients

MARCH 14 , 2012 Challenger Community News •

New Hope Baptist of Niagara Falls to Celebrate 75th Church Anniversary

The New Hope Baptist Church of Niagara Falls, NY located at 1122 Buffalo Avenue will celebrate their 75th Church Anniversary on Sunday, March 18th. The speaker for the 10:15 a.m. worship service will be Rev. Lawrence Hargrave of Asbury United Methodist Church, Rochester, NY and at 3:30 p.m., Rev. Dr. James Blackburn, Jr., Pastor of Greater Hope Baptist Church, Buffalo, NY will be the speaker. Reverend Harvey L. Kelley, Pastor and Deacon Charles E. Martin, Anniversary Chairman.

For additional information, contact the church at 282-8118.

Worship This Week!

ChallengerCN.com

• MARCH 14, 2012 Challenger Community News •

Masjid Darus-Salaam has New Leadership The Imams Council of Greater Western New York is pleased to announce that Masjid Darus Salaam has elected Imam Jawaad Salahudeen as its Amir following the death of Shaykh Haamid ‘Abd al-Azeem who passed from this life in December.

Shaykh Haamid had been the leader of the Masjid since its

inception in the mid 1980’s.

He also served as a Chaplain for the New York State Department of Correctional Services from which he retired in 1996. The Shaykh also operated a market and delicatessen, Haamid’s Suq on Fillmore Avenue in the 1980’s. May Allah bless him and reward him with the highest rewards in the Hereafter.

Masjid Darus Salaam functions as the primary Masjid on Buffalo’s East side. It is open on a daily basis for the five daily prayers in congregation which is the most important function of a Masjid. It also offers educational, cultural and recreational programs for men, women and children on a regular basis. Salaatul Jumu’a is held every Friday afternoon at 1:15 pm. The Masjid is conveniently located across from Martin Luther King Park at 75 East Parade St in Buffalo with ample parking and easy access to public transportation.

Imam Salahudeen has appointed a six person Majlis Shura (consultative body) to handle various aspects of Masjid and community affairs.

Together under his leadership, they will manage Masjid and community affairs.

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Beverly’s Full House

Buffalo’s Own Former Supermodel Gets Reality Show on Oprah’s TV Network

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new show featuring former supermodel (Buffalo’s own) Beverly Johnson is coming to Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network March 31 at 10 p.m. The channel has picked up “Beverly’s Full House,” a reality series that follows Johnson as she adjusts to her daughter, plus-size model Anansa; her ex-NFL player son-in-law David, and -Their newborn baby, Ava, moving into her home in Palm Springs.

OWN describes the season in a press release: “Throughout the season, Beverly tries with varying degrees of success to bond with her daughter and son-in-law. Despite sometimes overstepping her boundaries and at times having her intentions misunderstood, she loves her family and is determined to right past wrongs. Along the way, viewers will witness the drama, good times and bad times as Beverly’s traditional/non-traditional family comes together, bound by love, and learns to make it all work.”

Beverly Johnson, who attended Bennett High School in Buffalo, was the first Black model to appear in Vogue magazine in 1974.

She was attending college on scholarship (pre-law) when she began her modeling career at the age of 17 (1971); her friends encouraged Johnson give it a shot. Turns out it was the right move-in 1974, Beverly Johnson revolutionized modeling when she became the first AfricanAmerican woman to grace the cover of Vogue magazine.

This achievement meant so much to Beverly because for her, Vogue is “the bible of the fashion industry.” Oprah remembers Beverly’s cover as a “major deal” for African Americans. “It meant possibility. It meant movement. It meant hope,” Oprah says.

Funny thing was, when Beverly shot the cover, she says she didn’t realize she was making history. “Not until the press started calling,” Beverly says. “It was such a huge responsibility for a 22 or whatever-I-was-year-old woman. I just wanted to be a model.”

Being a young “it” girl had its dangers too. When Beverly was starting out, she says she had issues with body image.

At one point, this 5’9’’ model weighed just 103 pounds.

“Everybody kept saying how

fabulous I looked and how chiseled to the bone and gorgeous [I was],” Beverly says.

Beverly’s mother set her straight about her weight. “It wasn’t until my mom dragged me out of the bathtub and took me in front of this three-way mirror that she had in her room that I went, ‘Oh,’” Beverly says. “My bones were sticking out in the back.”

At 25, Beverly says she also suffered from a midlife crisis and worried that her career would soon come to an end.

“At that time, the careers were five, six years, and you were in and out, and that was scary— not knowing what you were going to do after this,” she says. But, Beverly pushed past her fears and became stronger.

“I always feel like it was one of my things that made me grow up and made me try to start developing other parts of myself,” she says.

Now she’s a fierce 59, but Beverly worries she may have spent too much time focusing on her modeling career.

“Early on as a model, I really was just concentrating on this physical appearance and a lot of other things got stunted,” she says. “Mentally. Spiritually. Emotionally. ... I think

Beverly Johnson

that I made a concerted effort to try to catch up.” Today, Beverly’s working on starting a business and exercising the aspects of her personality she put on hold for a while.

It’s also Beverly’s mission to be a voice for domestic violence survivors. “I am a victim of domestic violence,” she says. “I just think we’ve become so desensitized towards women being beaten and abused and murdered that everybody just thinks it’s okay, and it’s not.”

BIDS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will receive sealed bids for BMHA Job #12-05 FIRE RESTORATION AT 49 MARY B TALBERT (Douglass Towers Associates).

The Prebid Conference will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM, local time, with all potential bidders assembled at the Capital Improvements & Development Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204; the project walkthrough may be held/scheduled after the meeting.

Sealed bids will be received until 10:30AM, local time, on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Capital Improvements Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204. 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 reserves 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: March 9, 2012

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ENTERTAINMENT

ʻDark Girlsʼ 2012 Multi-City Film Dates Announced

Sabu Adeyola, Evolution Headline March 23 Friday Night Jook Joint

A NIGHT OF POETRY AND DANCE: A Women's History Month event, "A Night of Poetry & Dance" featuring Janate "Solar" Ingram (pictured above), lyricist and special guest Atiya N'ima in a Modern Dance Solar Tribute to Nina Simone, will be held Saturday, March 17 from 6-10 p.m at Artspace Gallery, 1219 Main St. Catering by Kafe’ InterNational.

There are several open mic slots and men are encouraged to sign up. To reserve a mic slot or for vendor information call 948-3583. The event is hosted by Aminata Creations.

Sabu (Adeyola) and Evolution headline the next Friday Night Jook Joint at the African American Cultural Center, March 23, 2012 from 9 p.m. to midnight at 350 Masten Avenue.

The Friday Night Jook Joint is a live music event series held monthly from September to May. The fundraising initiative was launched in 2009 to support the annual Pine Grill Jazz Reunion.

The 22nd annual Pine Grill Jazz Reunion – two weekends of free jazz concerts in Martin Luther King Jr. Park – is scheduled for Sunday, August 5 and Sunday, August 12, 2012.

Bassist Sabu Adeyola is a Buffalo native with a cool, smooth sound and international career international sound that spans four decades. He is noted for his collaborations with pianist Ahmad Jamal, and has performed with Sabu Randy Weston, Leon Thomas and Abby Lincoln, among many other jazz icons.

On the FNJJ stage with Sabu on March 23 will be: George Caldwell on keyboard; Darryl Watson on drums, and vocalist Whitney Marchelle will perform with Sabu at the March 23 FNJJ. Caldwell recently performed with the Count Basie Orchestra and is the musical director of “Ella,” currently touring New York City and abroad Darryl Washington has toured extensively and performed with Buster Williams, Gene Hammons, Richard Groove Holmes, among other jazz artists. He is the brother of the late Grover Washington Jr. The vocal style of Whitney Marcelle has often been compared to that of Betty Carter. Marcelle is also a composer, arranger and pianist who has appeared on the stages of the AACC Pine Gill Jazz Reunion.

The Evolution band was founded in 2006 by its keyboard player Gregory Leech.

Evolution band members are all born and raised in Western New York. In addition to Leech, they include: vocalists Doc Watson and Delane Chavers; Hugh Arthur on drums, Daryl Brown on saxophone, Reggie Dumas on guitar and Walter Watkins on bass.

(Albany, NY) “Dark Girls” Directors/Producers D. Channsin Berry and Bill Duke (Dark Girls, LLC) have announced new March 2012 dates for nationwide tour of the film.

Record ticket sales in Oakland & Atlanta in November 2011 and NYC & DC in January have fueled the demand for additional dates.

The screening will take place at the Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $23.50 and includes Q&A following the show with directors/ producers Berry and Duke. VIP tickets are $43.50 tickets and include a reception. Tickets for children (12 years and under) are $13.

Documentary Directors/Producers Bill Duke (Duke Media) and D. Channsin Berry (Urban Winter Entertainment) have focused their cameras on an American cultural bias that also runs deep in cultures around the world. The film features poignant, unfiltered, and penetrating interviews with Black women of the darkest hues for their emotional exposés. Two years in the making, “Dark Girls” pulls back a cultural curtain to reveal that the deep-seated biases and hatreds of racism – within and outside of the Black American culture – remain bitterly entrenched.

Featuring Viola Davis. For more information about the film visit, www.officialdarkgirlsmovie.com.

MARCH 14, 2012

Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

on stage *Pure Ink Poetry Slam, Wednesday March 14, MERGE, 439 Delaware Ave.. 9 p.m. (monthly every second Wednesday @ MERGE); poets who want to perform arrive at 8:30 p.m. **New Edition, Rochester Blue Cross Arena, April 29; tickets @ Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster. com, or charge by phone at 1-800745-3000.

Evolution

Donation for the Friday Night Jook Joint is $15 at the door; refreshments are available for a small additional cost For more information about the AACC Friday Night Jook Joint, Cultural Arts Passport or other AACC programs: CALL 716-884-2013 CLICK www.africanculural.org COM E BY 350 Masten Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209 CONTACT africanculural350@ gmail.com The African American Cultural Center is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit multipurpose cultural arts performance and education agency founded in 1958.

Seeking Jazz Musicians

The Family Resource Center, 347 E. Ferry St. is looking for musicians to play in jazz ensemble. Call Bilal Abdullah at 783-314 for more information.

*An Intimate Evening with Joseph Wooten, Wed. March 14 at Canvas@1206, located at 1206 Hertel Ave., 8:30-11:30 p.m., $5 admission, (716) 939-2725. *Anchor Bar, each Friday night @ 9PM The Jazz Example; Darryl Washington on drums; Greg Piontek on bass; Doug (Trigger) Gaston on Piano, Band Leader Bilal Abdullah on Tenor Sax; and vocalist Lady Lita, *Kenny Woo Entertainment presents a Pre Mothers Day Concert staring Juanita Duncan, The Kenny Woo Band featuring Big Mike Porter & Eric Dapp Gooden doing a tribute to Whitney Houston, Sat. May 5 @ 7 pm.... @ The Tralf tickets $25 in advance, Tralf Box Office, Mandellas Market & Doris Records.

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MARCH 14, 2012

on stage

*HELD OVER! Ujima Theatre’ FOR COLORED GIRLS Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Was Enuf by Ntozake Shange, HAS BEEN HELD OVER and is running now thru March 18 at TheatreLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave. Thurs., Fri., Sat. @ 8pm • Sun. @ 6pm • $25 general • $20 seniors • $15 students Reservations call Box Office 883-0380 • Group rates call 883-4232 ujimacoinc@mac. com • www.ujimatheatre.org Starring: Shanntina Moore, Kunjane Lyons-Latimer, Fredrica Germany, Dayatra Hassan, Aitina Fareed, Zoë Scruggs, Saron Ephraim, & India Moss.A breakthrough portrayal of Black women’s experiences in America, the story combines music, poetry and dance to celebrate their unique culture while painting a poignant portrait of their terrible struggles.

AROUND TOWN/MARNETTA MALCOLM Friday, March 23rd….6:30 pm….Get your Praise On! “PRAISE PARTY” being brought to you by the Collaborative efforts of WUFO & Soul 2 Sloe Ministries….True Bethel Baptist Church- 907 East Ferry ….partial proceeds to benefit colorectal cancer awareness and research & Shannon Smith following a tragic loss of limbs!! “ITS ALL ABOUT GOD!” Call Sheila Brown @ 834 1080 or Pat Ragin @ 845-7000 for vendor and more information!!

Saturday, March 24th ….The Gods of Hip Hop Tour…featuring Public Enemy , EPMD, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, Black Sheep….tickets at Doris Records & Shea’s box office…Friday, March 30th …Marnie Gras 2012 - My birthday party…presented by OTB this year’s theme.. “Birthday, Betting & Bling”....celebrating with my friend, Thomas Beauford….Ladies ….come out your favorite hat( ladies wear hats at horse races)....learn how to bet and win…raffles and beautiful Park Lane jewelry….More next week…

East High Class ‘72 Class Reunion East High Class of ’72 Reunion Presents “When Old School Was New!” from August 10th through 12th. There were a lot of interesting things that happened in 1972.

The hit records were Let’s Stay Together by Al Green, I’ll Take You There by The Staple Singers and Me and Mrs. Jones

by Billy Paul. Richard Nixon was President. NASA conducted its final mission to the moon. Vietnam was finally deemed a failure by the government and the Watergate burglary occurred.

Meanwhile, not only did East High School change its colors from grey and blue to black and gold, and the mascot name from the Orientals, to the Panthers. The Delphonics also performed live at East High School!

Now, after 40 years, the Class of ’72 will have its first reunion and you should be there! So save the date! August 10th through 12th.

*Godfather Promotions presents the Legendary Sugarfoot and His Ohio Payers Saturday April 7 for two shows @ 7 and 10:30 p.m. at The Tralf; tickets $37 in advance, $42 day of show & available at Brooks Central Park Cleaners

FREE MONTH OF SERVICE WITH NEW ACTIVATION*

*Price for new activations. Price of phone, activation fee and first month of service due at time of activation. See store for details.

Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

Shawn Barron: A Driving Force Behind Diggy Simmons and Others

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here’s no doubt education played an important role in Shawn Barron’s success. He further credits the pursuit of higher education as a key factor to his humility. Shawn stated, “You never know who you may speak to that will be your next boss or someone in a powerful position. So I humble myself by working hard and being persistent, this way my work ethic could never be an obstacle.”

This attitude led Shawn on an amazing Zakiyyah journey. Today he works for Atlantic ReWilbert cords as an A&R. Certainly the journey was not easy. He began as a student in Buffalo, attending Cardinal O’ Hara High School.

Shawn continued his education at Senton Hall College in Atlanta, Georgia. What eventually led him in the direction of music? During his last semester in college a friend mentioned that he had a passion for rapping and wanted him to be his manager.

Shawn took this notion seriously and began trying to find interns so he could further his managing skills. He found himself working with Universal Records in new media and Artists and Repertoire (A&R). Although many days he would go get coffee for others or worked in the mail room, he was afforded opportunities to learn the ins and outs of the business he began to love.

An A&R has several responsibilities including talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of a recording artist. Shawn often found himself making up beats and helping artists with any music related questions or understandings they needed to know. When getting into an A&R position, he says there are “lots of obstacles in the music game, many people involved, and politics are shady at times so one must stay focused to achieve what they want and is no walk in the park however, but you need to stay driven if you want to win.”

When asking Shawn Barron about the importance of networking when working in the music industry he replied by saying, “[its] most definately important in the music industry along with having great people skills. Because some people you speak to may be famous but regardless of their status they are still individuals and like to be treated as such.”

Goals Goals Goals. Nothing could have been achieved without setting business goals. Shawn started out first working in the mail room with aspirations to one day work as an A&R. Then he moved up as a digital A&R and before long he set goals for working with different artists on various projects. In December of 2009 his goal was to sign Diggy Simmions to Atlantic Records. Another goal of his was to get the song “Unusual” by Trey Songz and Drake on the Hot Top 100 Billboard while working on Diggy’s album. Soon these goals were accomplished through hard work and persistence.

Shawn is now the driving force behind Diggy Simmons! Not only that, but he is helping artists such as T.I., Trey Songz, and Plies on their upcoming albums. He’s even working with new artists Alley Boy from Atlanta and Brianna, a female rapper from Miami.

Shawn Barron is an inspiration to young people everywhere and encourages them to find their passion by any means. “Do not settle for a ‘9 to 5’ if that is not what you want to do,” he advises. “ Follow your dreams and do what it is you want to do. With hard work and dedication nothing is impossible or unreachable.”

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MARCH 14 , 2012 Challenger Community News •

BLACK FACT: DID YOU KNOW...The Rock of Gibraltar, the symbol of spirituality, is name after a Negro ex-slave. It is a corruption of “Gebel-Tarik” or “The Moutain of Tarik.” Tarik, who was a Moor, captured the Rock which was then called Calpe, in 711 AD. Later he counquered Southern Spain. Tarik’s countrymen thereafter ruled Spain for 700 years. -J.A. Rogers

What the Attendance Clause Means for Buffalo’s Students Dear Editor:

Seventy-Seven

There is a lot at riding on whether or not the State Education Department approves Buffalo’s teacher evaluation agreement. This year, $9.3 million is at stake in School Improvement Grants for 6 persistently low achieving (PLA) schools. Next year, up to $40 million is at stake in grants for up to 13 PLA schools. Additionally, Buffalo could lose out on its share of the state aid increase, which is expected to be about $32 million.

Humanity grows more and more intelligent, yet there is clearly more trouble and less happiness daily.

How can this be so?

It is because intelligence is not the same thing as wisdom.

Approval for Buffalo’s teacher evaluation agreement is stalled, and will likely not come to pass because of a disagreement over whether to base a teacher’s evaluation on student growth of all students, even those with poor attendance. The point at issue is whether to evaluate a teacher based on all students in the class, even those with chronic absenteeism, defined by the Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF) as absent for 20% or more of the year. The BTF argues that student attendance is outside of their control, and that teachers must not be held accountable for issues outside of their control. The State Education department has taken a position that they will not approve any agreement that excludes a subset of students from being counted in a teacher’s evaluation. This leaves Buffalo at a stalemate; without an amended agreement, the district will lose critical opportunities to improve our lowest achieving schools, and to create a stronger, more effective teacher evaluation system.

The teachers’ concerns are not unreasonable, but neither are the concerns of the State Education Department. The department will not support the clause because it skirts accountability for an entire group of students, protecting adults at the expense of high-needs students. It erases an entire group of students based on an arbitrary cutoff of 20%. The difference between a child who misses school 20% of the time and 19% of the time is a matter of days. According to this cutoff, one student counts, and the other does not. If these high needs students do not count towards a teacher’s evaluation, then there is no incentive to encourage these students to attend and to succeed in school. The evaluation system is designed to improve instruction, and boost student achievement; a policy that discounts high needs students works against this goal by refusing responsibility for a group of students.

It is absolutely the responsibility of an educator to make class engaging, and encourage and support attendance. There are, however, extenuating situations that are beyond a teacher’s control, and students whose challenges may be beyond a teacher’s reach. Because of this reality, we need an evaluation tool that doesn’t ignore accountability for these high needs students, but factors them in a way that is fair to the teacher. This can be done by weighting students towards a teachers evaluation score in proportion to the number of days they are in attendance. For example, a student in class for 180/180 days would get double the weight towards a teacher’s student growth score as a student who was there 90/180 days. What works about this proposal is teachers have the same incentives to teach to each student present in class each day; it also means a teacher whose students are chronically absent in a way they can’t control won’t be penalized.

If state union and education leaders were able to come to an agreement over teacher evaluation regulations just one month ago, what is preventing our local leaders from doing the same?

Buffalo is the only district in the state that is still considering this attendance clause. It is imperative that the district and union Continued Page 11

Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 “We wish to plead our own cause.

Too long have others spoken for us.”

- John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal.

1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper

Online at ChallengerCN.com

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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.

When a society misuses partial intelligence and ignores holistic wisdom, its people forget the benefits of a plain and natural life.

Seduced by their desires, emotions and egos, they become slaves to bodily demands, to luxuries, to power and unbalanced religion and psychological excuses.

Then the reign of calamity and confusion begins.

Nonetheless, superior people can awaken during times of turmoil to lead others out of the mire.

But how can the one liberate the many?

By first liberating his own being.

He does this not by elevating himself, but by lowering himself.

He lowers himself to that which is simple, modest, true; integrating it into himself, he becomes a master of simplicity, modesty, truth.

Completely emancipated from his former false life, he discovers his original pure nature, which is the pure nature of the universe.

Freely and spontaneously releasing his divine energy, he constantly transcends complicated situations and draws everything around him back into an integral oneness.

Because he is a living divinity, when he act, the universe acts.

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MARCH 14, 2012

Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

God Versus Satan School Daze : Seeking Solutions to Buffalo’s Education Crisis Farrakhan delivers straight truth about America’s divisions, racial hostility and her dreadful destiny. Exposes plots targeting Mr. Obama, America, the world and the Nation—and why evil doers cannot triumph.

Part 2

The Minister said he did not wish to be on the opposite side of President Barack Obama, however, he took issue with Mr. Obama’s words on Jan. 24 during his State of the Union address when he said: “America is back, and anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has wanted doesn’t know what they are talking about.”

“I want to say to my dear brother, that what you are saying is that you and your administration have the power to make God’s prophets liars. It is not that we alone are saying that America is in decline, the prophets of God have said it, prophesied of it, and the world is now seeing it,” he said.

For President Obama to act as though this is not happening is delusion and prevents him from telling the truth to the American people to unite them in an effort to solve the problems of the nation, said the Minister.

America is not only in a decline, said the Minister, but in a “great and steady fall from which she does not seem to have the ability to stop” with only a very small window of opportunity to save herself from God’s wrath.

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad warned Black people and America of what was to come decades ago, the Minister said.

America’s debt is over $15 trillion and with other obligations such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the debt really falls between $70 and $80 trillion. In fact, the debt could be higher than all the land, resources, structures, industries, and all they produce. Federal and state governments are selling buildings and lands to private owners while bridges, toll roads and sea ports are being sold off. In addition, 2011 was the costliest year in history in terms of weather related disasters. Europe has experienced record-breaking cold and enormous amounts of snow, and there was even been snow reported in parts of Northern Africa.

“But you have not seen anything yet,” said the Minister. “This year, it will be worse. God is not going to let up on America or the world.”

A deadly political atmosphere Minister Farrakhan then switched to the political environment within America. He told those gathered it has deteriorated like the weather, and methodically showed examples in which influential people in the political arena are hurling insults at President Obama and his family. This “avalanche of hatred” is creating a dangerous climate for President Obama and the members of his family, and could lead to a situation in which he could be assassinated.

“Not just by the birthers and right wing zealots, but those in high places—people with great influence—have spoken against him in a manner that has never been accorded to even the worst of America’s White presidents.”

President Obama has been called “a racist, an anti-Semite, a socialist, a communist, a foreigner, an alien and a terrorist.”

There have also been caricatures depicting the president as a witch doctor, Adolph Hitler and in Jerusalem, there was a poster showing him with an Arab kaffiyeh on his head calling him an “anti-Semitic Jew hater.”

Minister Farrakhan showed several examples of such comments, by GOP Republican candidates Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, millionaire Donald Trump, leading Jewish congressional representative Eric Cantor (R-Va.), prominent Jewish congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R- Fla.) and Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). He also referenced two new books dealing with those behind the disgraceful attacks on Mr. Obama and his family, “The Obama Hate Machine” and “The New Hate.”

The crowd responded and moaned when the Minister read the text of the reprehensible e-mail sent by Republican Kansas Speaker of the State House Mike O’Neal in which he invoked portions of Psalm 109:8, which says in part, “Let his days be few; and let another take his office” and “May his children be orphans and his wife a widow.”

To be Continued

There was a great turn out on Monday, March 12, in the City Hall Council Chambers, where parents had called for a forum on the alarming state of affairs in Buffalo’s Public Schools. Councilman Demone Smith co-chaired the gathering, as he continues to provide exemplary leadership in his role as Chair of the Council’s Education Committee.

The most recent development has the Buffalo Sabirah TeachMuhammad ers Federation standing in the way of tens of millions of dollars in Federal grant money, because accepting it would tie them to measurable outcomes. In the past two years prior, the teachers caused Buffalo’s schools to lose millions of dollars because they refused to move staff and administrators to other buildings.

This year, their complaint is that they don’t want their teaching performance to be evaluated when it comes to students who are not in the classroom 80% of the time.

District Parent Coordinating Council President Samuel Radford has responded with actual facts: in at least four of the low performing schools, teachers are absent as often as the students are!

In a welcome turn of events, recorded comments

by Governor Andrew Cuomo summed up in plain terms the nature of the debacle facing the schools. “Education is big business in the state of New York,” he said; “a $20 billion business. Superintendents, teachers, school bus aides, maintenance workers, and bus drivers all have lobbyists. The only ones who don’t have lobbyists working for them are the children!”

He vowed that he would lobby for students, saying that “education has become more about business interests than about the academic interest of students, and because of that there is a national movement all across the country.

He noted that an evaluation system is necessary in order to measures what’s happening in the classroom. He

even committed to increasing his own educational budget by 4% next year, but only if an evaluation system is in place. Then, he emphasized the obvious: “The bureaucracy will not reform itself. It’s a 20 billion dollar industry, so if people don’t demand change, it won’t change.”

There was an impressive line up of speakers who had come to offer ideas and solutions to move from the stalemate and onto a better system overall. Not the least of these was the esteemed Charlie Fisher, who came forward to offer the legendary BUILD Academy as a shining example of educational success.

He touted an institution with no suspensions, no expulsions, the first breakfast program, the first bus and teacher aides, a strong male presence in the school, and “massive parental involvement.” Interestingly, he noted that the rendering of the school to a mere shadow of its former strength was the result of repeated aggression through constant law suits brought by the Teachers Union. Mr. Fisher took great care to acknowledge everyone’s contributions to the process, but had no patience for the current state of affairs, given the history he’d just recounted. “We went through this already,” he said.

Sam Magavern, Co-Director of the Partnership for the Public Good brought some very sobering statistics that proved the indisputable correlation between poverty and poor educational outcomes.

He wanted to debunk the myth that poverty and inequality are caused by bad schools, in fact, the reverse is true. The root causes of poor academic outcomes, he said, are poverty and inequality – discrimination in business, predatory business practices, and lack of quality housing and child care. He recited a list of impoverished inner city locales with graduation rates that mirrored that blight. He closed by saying that if we are going to be advocates for quality education, we’ve got to be advocates for economic and racial equality.

Stirring presentations were given by Bryon McIntyre, DPCC 1st Vice President, Jessica Bauer Walker, DPCC 2nd Vice President, on asset mapping and parent training, Stephon Wright, the 18 year-old

high school senior who is seeking a seat on the Board of Education, Dr. Wendy Mistretta of the multilingual education committee, Lynn Bass of Tapestry Charter school, Helene Kramer of United Partners for Public Education, Janique Curry, former Buffalo School Board member, and Hannya Boulos, of Buffalo ReformED. Rev. Darius Pridgen, who is also our Ellicott District Council member, noted that he had seen more passion for an SPCA issue than he had for the plight of our children.

In a moving summation on the apathy being shown by the Teachers Union, he said: “They don’t have kids in poor areas in Buffalo. They don’t know how it feels to watch our kids lie in caskets week after week. I’m looking at people walking around my church with “Rest in Peace” tshirts; and children who miss school because they’re going to funerals.”

DPCC President Samuel Radford came forward to close the gathering, giving those who want to help a list of assignments. We can support the student rally that our children will be holding at 4pm on Wednesday, March 14th at City Hall, and then join them in the Board of Education meeting on the 8th floor, where Stephon Wright will be sworn in as our first student representative. We can attend the Parent Engagement Conference at True Bethel on Saturday, March 24th, from 9am – 2pm. We can call the Buffalo Teachers Federation, and ask them to do right by our children at 881-5400, and we can write to the State Education Department. Mr. Radford suggested that we ask State officials to join the Teachers Union in a closed door session, with a commitment not to emerge until they’ve come to an agreement. He reminded the body that there is a missing piece in this conversation – one that is also missing in our schools – our need to call on the Creator. He asked us to

11

pray for our children and our community.

In closing, his tone was both hopeful and ominous.

He declared that we have asked the Teachers Union not to deny our children available resources, and tonight, we’re asking them one more time, before we anything extreme or radical. He also noted that this is a City of Buffalo issue, but those who are harming our children don’t live in the city of Buffalo, and are making their decisions from the outside looking in.

Finally, Mr. Radford recounted the words of an elderly woman, who once explained to him the difference between war and peace. When sons are burying their fathers, she said, you know it’s peace time. But when fathers are burying their sons, you know you’re at war.

“There is an undeclared war on our community,” he said… ”and we are not going to continue to be the victims of an undeclared war. We will fight back.”

ATTENDANCE CLAUSE continued

compromise. What is at stake goes far beyond the $70 million dollars in state and federal aid: it is teacher’s jobs, and children’s futures. Our students cannot afford another missed opportunity, especially when 1 in 3 Buffalo Schools is labeled as persistently lowachieving.

-Hannya Boulos Director Buffalo ReformED Hannya@BuffaloReformED. com

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ATTORNEYS James P. Davis 181 Franklin St. (716) 847-2606 Samuel P. Davis 534 Delaware Ave. #108 855-7611 Terrence D. McKelvey 181 Franklin St. (716) 847-2606 Home Office (716) 839-3905 Pratcher & Associates 1133 Kensington (716) 838-4612 Daria L. Pratcher 136 Broadway (716) 541-8574

AUTOMOTIVE Colslton Mobile Auto Repair 720 E. Ferry * 896-3910 First Klass Muffler & Brake 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

CAFE’S

EM Tea Coffee Cup * 884-1444 2nd Cup * 840-0048

CLOTHING Level’s Apparel & Footwear 1455 Kensington (716) 832-0284

CHILD CARE

MASTER TOUCH 1283 E. Delavan 570-7234 / 846-5956 PRECISION CUTZ 87 Cleveland Dr. 603-1477 THE BARBERSHOP 2516 Bailey (716) 464-SHOP

BEAUTY/IMAGE Hazel Harris (716) 573-5240

The Corner Store Deli & Grill 1733 Genesee * 895-2009 West African Int. Market & Take Out 3125 Bailey (716) 507-2329 Tomatoes 1393 Kensington (716) 835-3663

Home Away From Home 84 Courtland Ave. (716) 238-1455

HAIR SALONS

My Precious Angels 2946 Baley Ave. (716) 896-3800

COFFEE SHOPS

Althea / Hair to Go Natural 727 Main St. (716) 883-2000 Compositions Professional Hair 143 Kenmore Ave. (715) 995-3450

Golden Cup Coffee 883 Jefferson (716) 883-7770

Excellence Hair Design 59 Kenmore Ave. 835-2036

DELI / VARIETY STORES

Everything Beauty Salon & Spa 156 Elmwood Ave. 939-3355

Grant’s Variety Shop 1055 E. Ferry St. 893-0704

DJ’S DJ Kenny Kutz (716) 400-7358

DOG TRAINING Dogman Joe Dog Trainer 1963 Fillmore * 807-8163

EATERIES Loretta’s Soulful Dining 479 Genesee * (716) 3819308 Matties Restaurant 1412 Fillmore (716) 597-0755

elitesolutionspresents@gmail.com

Mr. Bones 893 Jefferson (716) 464-6794

DROP 3 SIZES

Nette’s Fried Chicken 3118 Main St. * 715-9592

Robin Gibson, Consultant (716) 444-6773 www.ardysslife.com/robin-

EATERIES

Debbie’s Little Scholars 484 Hickory St. (716)304-6820

BARBER SHOPS KLASSIC KUTS 1471 Kensington 836-3260

MARCH 14 , 2012 Challenger Community News •

Hair Changers 1787 Hertel Ave. (716) 602-6561 Hersha / Hair to Go Natural 727 Main St. (716) 563-1734 Lacy’s/Kymmy’s 179 Parkridge * 578-2880 Majestic Eloquence 20941/2 Eggert Rd. 308-4873 Miracle Tranition 2 3339 Genesee * 481-1321 Miss JacQuis ExQuizit Beauty 2250 Main St. (716) 833-2250 More Hair Care Clinic 72 Allen St. (716) 886-7960 Peaches & Keys Unisex 883 Jefferson * 603-6506 Promise Hair Studio 87 W. Cleveland Dr. (716) 835-0250

View the entire Business Directory online 24/7 at ChallengerCN.com

Serenity Hair Boutique 221 Jefferson Ave. (716) 812-0663 Studio U Hair Loft 894-8737

HAIR SUPPLY

MEDICAL Main Pediatrics 2800 Main St. (716) 837-0995 Rapha Family Medicine 2200 Main St. (716) 200-4122

Glamorous Beauty 1281 E. Delavan (716) 892-5821

PHONE SEVICE

Main Hair & Beauty Supply 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247

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

HEATING & COOLING

PHOTOGRAPHY

Zenner & Ritter 3404 Bailey * (716) 8332463

HOME IMPROVEMENT Franklins Interior / Exterior Concepts 105 Commonwealth (716) 235-8818 Jones Hardwood Flooring Alton Jones* (716) 9035320

INSURANCE Able Insurance Jeff Moore/Broker 1798 Main St. * 883-5212 Geico 1330 Niagara Falls Blvd.

(716) 832-3253

Princess Photography (716) 563-0994

REAL ESTATE Modeste Real Estate Josephine Latifa (716) 704-0685 Class A Real Estate Jeanette Lane (716) 846-5065

TAILORS F&S Tailors 2930 Genesee St. (716) 894-3742 F&S Tailors & Fashions (716) 894-3742 wwwfandsfashions.com Ann Rhod’s Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633

Hopkins Insurance 1193 Jefferson (716)-886-8880

TAX SERVICE

Joseph Burch Insurance 2317 Main St. 551-0006 / 510-4729

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

LIQUORS & WINES

TOWING

Bellamy’s Liquor Store 405 E. Ferry * (716) 8844066 One Mo Shot Liquors 2612 Bailey * (716) 4643299

Ron’s Towing & Recovery (716) 892-2282

WE BUY GOLD We Buy Gold 3124 Bailey * (716) 835-3332

ADD YOUR LISTING TODAY!

881-1051

advertising@thechallengernewscom

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MARCH 14 , 2012 Challenger Community News •

EMPLOYMENT Have basic computer skills and high speed internet?Want to be part of a team working on a multi million dollar project…

Part-time from home???

Call Charlene

APARTMENT FOR RENT Fillmore Ave. Modern studio apartment. Hardwood floors, appliances with laundry hook up. $375+Sec. dep. & ref.

892-0077.

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

716-510-3155

for appointment for online overview.

VOTER SUPRESSION continued

BID

Buffalo City School District Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the office of the Plant Services & School Planning – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14202. On MONDAY , MARCH 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM, proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for: PROJECT 11045 Elevator Reconstruction P.S. 304 – Hutchinson Tech High School, 256 South Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201 Bids will be accepted for the following two (2) prime contracts: 1. Electrical; 2. Mechanical, plumbing, fire protection. Beginning Friday, March 9, 2012, bidding document packages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at http:// www.avalonbuff-planroom.com , under “Public Jobs”, or ordered by phone at 716-995-7777.

Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. Direct all questions regarding this project to Trautman Associates, 716-883-4400.

Paul McDonnell, AIA Director of Facilities ADVERTISING DATE: 9, March, 2012

ADVERTISING PAYS!

BID NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid 4175 – 30KW 3 Phase Diesel Generator 4191 - Food, Beverage, and Concession Services Download Bids from www. nfta.com

the vote to keep people oppressed.”

He gave examples locally of polling place confusion during the last election. “Its time to stand and say ‘enough is enough” said Smith...do not let people infringe on your rights!”

Attorney Peter Reese called for much needed reform in Albany on the voter recount issue.

County Legislator Chair Betty Jean Grant told the story of a Tennessee woman who was not allowed to vote because she did not have a marriage license – despite having tons of other ID. And she cautioned voters, to “take everything with you to the polls” just in case. She also urged that voter registration efforts be intensified.

“We’ve got to make sure that the presidential election is not stolen,” she said. “Make every day a voter registration day.” (Call 894-0914).

A quarter of a million new Black voters registered in just six months after the lifting of barriers by the 1965 Voting Rights Act. A year later all but four of the 13 southern states had registered more than half of their Black voters, aided by federal examiners required under the Act. The law was reinforced and extended in 1970, 1975, and 1982. Clearly it is still much needed.

advertising pays.

advertising@ thechallengernews.com

Buff

Systems/Assessment Librarian

(Assistant/Senior Asst. Librarian Rank) Start date: July 1, 2012 • Salary: $40,000+ Responsibilities: • Manage, configure and maintain library’s integrated library system (Ex Libris’ Aleph 500) and web OPAC (AquaBrowser).

• Maintain working knowledge of technologies critical to design and delivery of library services.

• Investigate emerging technologies-communicate developments to library faculty, staff and students; implement appropriate Web 2.0+ technologies.

• Assist w/collaborative planning, analysis, and assessment of services. Identify and assess new technologies for use in the delivery of library services.

• Provide reference and instruction services including some evenings and weekends in rotation with other librarians; perform collection management duties as subject liaison.

Required Qualifications: • MLS from accredited program or equivalent at time of appointment.

• Relevant library experience, especially with an integrated library management system.

• Strong service orientation and commitment to library user needs.

• Experience using web development applications, (Dreamweaver, Flash, and/or scripting languages.

• Knowledge of relevant Web 2.0+ technologies and social networking tools.

• Work effectively and collegially with diverse population-faculty, students, staff.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development.

Preferred Qualifications: • Library instruction/other teaching experience • Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Experience with graphic design tools.

• Experience with learning management systems (e.g., ANGEL, Blackboard).

Application deadline: Open until filled.

For consideration, apply by April 2, 2012.

For complete information, and to submit an application, visit http://www.brockportrecruit.org.

The College at Brockport is an EO/AA Employer. Visit our website at www.brockport.edu

Mental Health Grant Guidelines Available The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation is now accepting inquires for its 2012 Mental Health Grant cycle. Organizations located in Erie or Niagara Counties in New York that focus on preventing or alleviating psychological disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults to age 26 and address one or more of the foundation’s funding priorities may be eligible for funds.

The deadline for inquires is March 28, 2012. Visit their website at www.thetowerfoundation.org for more information

Issue Dead Size: Price

Min

Issue Dead Size: Price

WEB

Chro ALA

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MARCH 14 , 2012 Challenger Community News •

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS

NUMBERS

SUN 3/4

MON 3/5

TUES 5/6

WED 3/7 THURS 3/8 FRI 3/9 SAT 3/10

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EVE-261 EVE-572 EVE- 484 EVE-807 EVE-553 EVE-518 EVE-444

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WIN 4

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LUCKIE DUCKIE

If you dream of your MOTHER Your number should be 562.

If you dream of MONEY PLAY 365; TRAMP 615; Rabbit 301; turkey 221 and preacher 330!

March Monthly Vibrations 874-254-594-890-347-123-

12-17-21-23-32 9-18-20-31-37

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Billy Bye Bye Sez:

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

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THE NUMBER BOOK 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 grandma’s March pixs

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CHALLENGER HITS

Midday

764- Number Book (bx) 659- Number Book (bx)

216 - Number Book (bx)

Evening

*444-Lucky Duckie (Straight) 518-Lucky Duckie (bx) 807-Number Book (bx) 527-Lucky Ducie (bx) 261-Lucky Duckie (bx)

Dance

*2nd Cup 36 Broadway St. 840-0048 7p.m. Wed. “Salsa night with Calvin and Fanny.” Beginner salsa lesson and social dance. salsacalvinfanny@hotmail. *African American Cultural Center 350 Masten Ave. 884-2013 3 p.m. Sat. 3 pm @5 p.m. Tues. Thurs. “Community Dance and Drumming Classes.” Visit www.africanamericancultural. org. *El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera 91 Allen St. 8849693.wwwfolkloric.org. Mon through Wed: “Dance Classes with Folkloric Productions Dance Co.” Includes meditation and yoga 912-8754. *First Shioh Baptist Church. 15 Pine St. 6:30 p.m. Fri. “Line dancing lessons.” 847-6555. Free. *Gateway Longview Family Resource Center. 347 E. Ferry St. 6 p.m. Tues. “ Dance lessons with the Smooth Steppers.”

Classes in urban Ballroom, Chicago Steppin’ and swing. 6337813. *Kenan Center 433 Locust St.; Level Breakdancing class. Also 7:30 p.m. Mon. Wed. “B-Girl class.” Beginners welcome. $10; $15; Also 6 p.m. Tues; 4 p.m. Thurs. Open practice.” $5. *Urban Line dance lessons each Monday at Pilgrim Baptist Church Hall (rear), 665 Michigan Avenue, 6-7 p.m. (parking available) *Urban Line dance lessons each Friday morning, 10:45-11:45 a.m., Friends of the Elderly, 118 East Utica Street, E. Wilson instructor.

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ChallengerCN.com Wednesday March 14

Wednesday March 14

Sunday March 18

Public Meeting Notice: Westminster Community Charter School Board, 3 p.m., M&T Ban Oe M&T Plaza, 19th Floor; 842-5342 for questions.

Lupus New Patient Orientation Meeting: 6:30-8 p.m., 3871 Harlem Rd. 835-7161.

Lecture on the History of the Black Irish: 3-5 p.m., Merriweather Library, Jefferson @ Utica; resented by Eva Doyle; 847-6010 or 533-9547 for info.

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

MARCH 14 , 2012 Challenger Community News •

Ad Size: 3.25”x5”

Small Business Workshop: “Survive and Thrive,” 8:30 a.m. – Noon, Buffalo State College Burchfield Penny Art Museum, fee $20; registration 8-8:30 a.m.+ Film Screening: Black Panther Party for Self Defense, 7 p.m., Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St. SEE YOU AT THE events!

Urban League Senior Services Are you 55 years or older?

Are you sitting at home alone?

Are you just tired of being tired?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, come from beyond the 4 walls of your home and join us daily for food, fun and fellowship at the Buffalo Urban League Multi Service Center, 86 Pine Street, (716) 847-8951.

Transportation is available to and from your home. Membership is free!

Daily schedule includes: transportation to the Center, breakfast, reading, current events, discussions, activities and hot lunches. A food pantry is also available. Supplemental food packages are distributed twice per month.

Thursday March 15 Taking It To The Streets Planning Meeting: 5 p.m., American Red Cross, 786 Delaware Rm. 4. 507-1931 Friday March 16 Golden Cup Documentary Series: “The Africans” by Basil Davidson, The Golden Cup, 883 Jefferson, 5-7 p.m., free.

883-7770 Saturday March 17 DRILL-A-RAMA: Kleinhans Music Hall, doors open noon; competition begins 1 p.m.

Tickets @ Doris Records 8832410.

2012 Business Rountable Results: Sponsored by Black Chamber of Commerce of WNY, Merriweather Library, Jefferson @ Utica College Readiness Program: 2-4 p.m., Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave., Presenter Terrence Mitchell Director/Founder of CREED College Readiness Program;544-7755 or more info.

School #53 Alumni Reunion: 3-6 p.m., Schiller Park Senior Center, 2087 Genesee.

“Celebrate You”: a free event in recognition of National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Day, 1-4 p.m., The Evergreen Conference Center, 119 W. Chippewa; hosted by Aliaza Latina.

Tuesday March 20 University District Block Club Coalition Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Relief Workshop: 6 p.m., UB Main St. Campus Allen Hall Room 100.

Color: BW

Pub: The Challenger

presents

Charles E. Sykes, PhD Executive Director, Indiana University (IU) African American Arts Institute and Institute Vocalists

“ The Motown Story – Lecture and Performance”

Wednesday March 21

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:30 p.m.

Public Meeting Regarding Broderick Park Master Plan:68 pm., The Belle Center, 104 Maryland St. (cor. Busti).

Freedom of Information Act Workshop: 7 p.m., Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St. Thursday March 22 Eva Doyle Eye on History: Contributions of Local African American Women, noon – 1 pm., Central Library downtown Buffalo

Regis South Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center Free and open to the public.

Seating is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, contact the ALANA Student Center at 716-888-2787.

Sponsors include the Canisius College Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, Fine Arts/Music Department, ALANA Student Center, ULLC and the Buffalo/ WNY Chapter of the IU Alumni Association.

“Life and Debt” Film Screening: presented by the Prison Abolition Reading Group, 7 p.m., Burning Books, 420433.1112_A8887_Sykes_Challenger_AD.indd SEE YOU AT1 Connecticut St. Friday March 23 Party With A Purpose Campaign Kickoff for Assemblywoman Crystal PeoplesStokes: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Loretta’s Soulful Dining, 479 Genesee St; donation $25, $50 & $100; 308-6856 for info or friendsofcrystalpeopoles@ gmail.com

THE events!

3/8/12 12:53 PM

BIDS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will receive sealed bids for BMHA Job#12-06-CF, Roof Replacement and Masonry Restoration at Kelly Gardens.

The Prebid Conference will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 2:00 PM, 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 10:00 AM, local time, on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Capital Improvements Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204. 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 reserves 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: March 9, 2012

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ChallengerCN.com

“ ...a thousand words”

STRIKE FORCE! The Strike Force Charity Ball – one of Buffalo’s best kept secrets - held a fabulously successful 20th year celebration February 25 at the Buffalo Convention Center. Founded by Hank Bell, Sr. to unite those who enjoyed bowling and socializing together, and to give donations to various charitable organizations, he and 25 others began the Strike Force Organization.

Mr. Bell currently serves as vice president. Grady Martin, Jr. is president. The elegantly dressed members of Strike Force above includes: (left to right seated) Elbert Blanks, MC; Grady Martin Jr., president; Mrs. Bonnie Russell (2012 Strike Force Charity is Buffalo City Mission presented

by Councilmember Russell); Hank Bell, Sr., vice president; City Court Judge Robert Russell, coMC. Standing left to right: Jim Golimowski, trustee; Glynn Bell, secretary; Don Josey, trustee; Essie Shanklin, assistant secretary; Denise Daniel, financial secretary; Jacquelin Mitchell, assistant treasurer; Ollie Motion, trustee; Mary Turner, a former secretary; and Alexander Jones, treasurer/secretary. PHOTO PRINCESS PHOTOGRAPHY

MARCH 14 , 2012 Challenger Community News •

41ST ANNUAL BLACK & PUERTO RICAN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE: Western New York’s leading construction firm, LPCiminelli, attended this year’s Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus in Albany and hosted a dinner at that included Assembly-woman Crystal Peoples-Stokes and George Eddie Stokes. Other attendees included Harold and Tracy Cardwell, Maurice Garner, Janique Curry, Tim Sanders, Adia Jordan, Marnetta Malcolm, Anthony and Angela Leavy, Ben and Marilyn Allison and others. The legislative conference offers opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses to network with key community political figures and organizations, and attend workshops and seminars on how to expand their business, while also learning about new executive laws (Article 15-A) that were put in place by Governor Cuomo for MWBE’s.

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