Bay State Banner 12/06/2012

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Solutions needed to combat inequality in Boston schools ...pg. 2

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Senior volunteers go back to school

By Fran Cronin

As promised during the campaign, President Barack Obama invited former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to the White House. Last week, they dined on chili and grilled chicken salad and discussed America’s leadership in the world. (Photo courtesy of the White House)

OneUnited Bank receives U.S. Treasury service award Howard Manly The U.S. Treasury Department honored OneUnited Bank last week with its Bank Enterprise Award (BEA), the federal agency’s highest award for community service.

The BEA program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and provides an incentive to FDIC-insured banks to expand the availability of credit, investment capital and financial services in distressed urban and rural communities.

Accompanying the federal recognition was an award of $415,000, the maximum

amount for any recipient.

In all, the CDFI Fund awarded nearly $18 million dollars in BEA grants to 59 banks across the country, and these grants in turn helped spur loans and investments in distressed communities by more than $400 million over the previous year.

“This award underscores OneUnited’s commitment to lending in underserved communities during the current economic downturn,” said Kevin Cohee, chairman and CEO of OneUnited Bank. “In 2011, OneUnited Bank generated over 100 loans totaling $60 million with over 80 percent in low to moderate income communities, compared to only $4

million in 2009.”

This year’s award marks the 10th time OneUnited has received the honor. Awards are provided on an annual basis and eligible institutions must comply with the rigorous requirements of the program.

Cohee has paid more than lip service to the bank’s community lending policies. A few years ago, OneUnited opened a branch on Warren Street in Grove Hall.

The bank had provided the financing for the redevelopment of the Silva Building in which the branch is located.

“Opening the Grove Hall branch in a black-owned building represents an opportunity OneUnited, continued to page 3

sense of phonics; others may want a reading buddy or someone to snugA gaggle of 5- and 6-years olds gle up against when a story is being clomped down a flight of linoleum- read aloud. Sometimes, they just covered stairs on their way to their want someone to listen as they talk. school’s basement-level cafeteria.

“We’ve found kids love to read It was the Monday after Thanks- because of the relationship,” said giving weekend and the children Mary Gunn, GI’s executive director. were still energized from turkey, After all, Rose is retired, more late nights and few demands. It was grandmother than teacher, as are hard to tell if they were just coming the seven other GI senior volunin or on their way out: their knitted teers at Dudley Street. A total of hats, unzipped jackets and uneces- 132 students are evenly divided sary boots were askew. across the school’s four kinderBut there was no mistaking garten and two-first grade classes. their delight in seeing “Ms. Rose,” Two GI volunteers are assigned to smiling at them from the bottom each class. of the stairs. They waved, calling This school and neighborhood her name to get is also Rose’s her attention home. She grew as they contin- Some students do need up attending ued their giddy help making sense of local Roxbury march to lunch. public schools Ms. Rose, phonics; others may and now lives aka Charlotte want a reading buddy in Mission Hill, Rose, 77, would a two-bus ride agree she is or someone to snuggle from her home g r a y - h a i r e d up against when a to Shirley and seemingly Street in Roxgrandmotherly story is being read bury where the toward these aloud. Sometimes, they new in-district Dudley Street Dudley Street Neighborhood just want someone to charter school Charter School listen as they talk. is located. students, but Three days a she is also a week Rose takes tough and determined woman with this 30-minute bus ride, puts on a mission. her forest green GI-emblazoned For the past nine years, Ms. jacket, and volunteers as a one-toRose has been a Generations In- one tutor or in-class support with corporated classroom volunteer struggling young readers. She volworking with GI’s senior literacy unteers 15 hours each week. program to help young readers in Her experience and committhe greater Boston area. ment have also catapulted Rose to “You come [into a kinder- team leader of GI’s senior volungarten class] and some kids can’t teers in the school. GI follows the read. Next year they are. I just like “five-star” national core standards seeing how the kids progress,” for literacy training and Rose says Rose. mentors her fellow senior volunAs Rose’s almost decade-long teers as well as her young charges. stint as a GI tutor has taught her, Dudley Street opened its doors helping is not always about reading. this past September. It’s a new Volunteers, continued to page 19 Some students do need help making

A-List film focuses on White House butler Amy Saunders Weeks of research and dozens of phone calls led journalist Wil Haygood to the home of the perfect profile subject: an 89-year-old Washington resident with an unparalleled view of American history.

Eugene Allen worked for eight presidents in his 34 years at the White House, starting in 1952 as a dishwasher and retiring as maitre d’ in 1986.

During years of racial unrest in the United States, the black man — born

Whatʼs INSIDE

in the segregated South — served the decision-makers whose actions would change his life.

But to Haygood, the Washington Post reporter who arrived at his door in 2008, Allen modestly downplayed his experiences, suggesting that his life was nothing special — that all he had done was his job.

Hours into the interview, Allen’s wife, Helene, apparently decided that the reporter had earned her trust and deserved to know more.

“You can show him now,” she Butler, continued to page 18

The Cathedral High football team poses for a victory photo after defeating Madison Park 22-20 in overtime and winning the Div. 4A Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 1. (Patrick O’Connor photo)

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EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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2 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Solutions needed to combat inequality in Boston schools Kenneth J. Cooper

A N A LY S I S The Boston School Department has for two years focused on improving education in a “Circle of Promise,” an area in Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain and the South End where 11 of the city’s 12 underperforming schools are concentrated.

Also concentrated in those five square miles are high levels of asthma, residential foreclosures and homelessness, according to published statistics.

All three have been shown to hamper academic progress, James Jennings, a Tufts University professor, noted in a presentation at Northeastern University last week.

Children with asthma are absent from school more often, while a family losing housing through foreclosure and becoming homeless can cause students to start classes at one school but finish the year at another, which can be academically damaging.

Jennings suggested that the school committee consider these inequalities affecting students of color as its members decide on a new student assignment plan to create neighborhood schools, reduce transportation costs and simplify the choices facing parents.

Superintendent Carol John-

son said the school system alone cannot counter those inequalities but acknowledged their “compounding impact” as a consideration in drafting new zones for school attendance.

“What exists in many of our urban cities, not only Boston, is a complex web of inequality. And so because it is a complex web of inequality, it requires a response on multiple levels,” Johnson said.

“While the resources may have been distributed to the schools, if you have a really complex web of inequality, tapping into one element will not be a sufficient lever to change the course of the future.”

Johnson envisioned greater roles for advocacy groups, community organizations, libraries

five plans to produce more neighborhood schools. The plans have between zero and 23 attendance zones, compared with the current design’s three.

Mayor Thomas Menino has pressed for a return to neighborhood schools, without citing research that shows they produce better academic results. He has been responding to pressure from parents of white students, a 13 percent minority among the city’s 57,000 students. Despite the large number of recent immigrants of color, white voters remain the dominant political force in city elections.

Resistance has come from elected officials, community leaders and educators of color whose greatest fear is black and Hispanic

of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

White parents and parents of color appear to have divergent goals as school attendance boundaries are shifted. White parents want neighborhood schools, which they presume are of quality. Parents of color want access to quality schools — wherever they may be.

As it is now, academic researchers are studying the five draft plans in an effort to predict the school choices parents will make under each one. Those plans, however, lack a focus on the system’s major educational problem — the concentration of poor schools in the “Circle of Promise.” That also stands as the biggest political obstacle to a more neighborhoodbased and less busing-intensive way to get students to school.

Johnson said a new assignment plan will not completely address educational shortfalls in that area, such as attracting the best principals and teachers to underperforming schools to serve the system’s students with the greatest needs.

“The student assignment plan will answer some questions, but it will not answer others,” she said.

The plan might provide more answers if it reflects more boldness and creativity than the five on the table.

The open dialogue between Johnson and black community leaders was the last in a series of four sponsored by the Trotter Institute at UMass Boston. Last week’s session was hosted at the O’Bryant African-American Institute at Northeastern.

“What exists in many of our urban cities, not only Boston, is a complex web of inequality.

And so because it is a complex web of inequality, it requires a response on multiple levels.”

— Carol Johnson and YMCAs, but added: “It may be about busing some kids to some neighborhoods to get equality, but it’s also about making sure everything not get abandoned in our neighborhoods.”

School officials have drafted

students becoming trapped in underperforming schools.

“The purposes of busing kids today may not be the same reasons for busing kids” under the federal desegregation order of 1974, said Charles Desmond, chairman

Arts activist and journalist Nina LaNegra illustrates a point during a Ladies Tea and Book Discussion on Dec.1 at Hafun Café in Dudley Square. The discussion focused on the book “Good Self, Bad Self” by Judy Smith, who is the real-life Olivia Pope of ABC’s hit TV series “Scandal.” (Eric Esteves photo)

Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 3

OneUnited continued from page 1

for black people to support black-owned businesses and rechannel wealth back into our community,” Cohee said at the

time. “Our communities deserve access to quality financial products, not sub-prime gimmicks or predatory lending.”

OneUnited’s mission is to be the premier bank serving urban communities by promoting financial literacy and offering af-

fordable financial services.

Through mergers and acquisitions of struggling community banks in Miami and Los Angeles, Cohee has taken the old Boston Bank of Commerce and transformed it into the first black-owned national bank with

about $550 million in assets.

“We are honored by the recognition of our community development efforts as we continue to focus on generating more loans and promoting financial literacy in urban communities,” Cohee said.

Remain far from other’s wealth.

Neither go anywhere near it nor cast your eyes upon it.

Never let it creep into your meditation.

Regard women with respect and affection.

Never harm a woman.

Consider her the mother of the universe.

— Swami Muktananda

4 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Established 1965

Lincoln’s record endures Historians consider Abraham Lincoln to be one of the nation’s most outstanding presidents. During his administration the very union was challenged and the nation fought a bloody Civil War. The United States also had to decide whether or not it was going to tolerate slavery.

Older generations of African Americans revered Lincoln as the president who ended slavery. Consequently, wherever they could vote, blacks became loyal members of the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln. It was not until 1933 that the dynamic leadership of Franklin Delano Roosevelt inspired major defections of blacks to the Democrats.

Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865, less than three months after the 13th Amendment ending slavery everywhere in the U.S. was passed by the House on Jan. 31. Blacks’ loyalty to Lincoln survived for 65 years after his death despite Jim Crow, lynching and racial oppression. However, with the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s, blacks became more critical of Lincoln’s attitudes that were deemed to be racist, despite his leadership to end slavery.

From the perspective of 2012 America, it is impossible to understand with clarity the mindset of those in Lincoln’s era. However, the new film “Lincoln” recreates the ambience of that time.

One of the most shocking scenes in the film was the absolute outrage in the House of Representatives to the suggestion that women might be permitted to vote. Female suffrage did not occur for 55 years from then until passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

If the mothers, wives and daughters of those in power are excluded from the democratic process, there was certainly no immediate plan for the participation of blacks. Nonetheless, it was still considered to be morally reprehensible for one human being to own another. Great Britain had acknowledged this tenet of civilized conduct by passing the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. This undoubtedly influenced many Americans.

When Lincoln first came to the presidency in 1861, the Southern states were already considering withdrawal from the union. In February, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas ratified the Confederate Constitution and seceded. The original seven states were later joined by Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina. The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, S.C. on April 12.

Lincoln had hoped to avert warfare by assuring the Confederate states that local customs would be preserved by states’ rights. In his first Inaugural Address on March 4, 1861, Lincoln said, “I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution … has passed Congress to the effect that the federal government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the states, including that of persons held to service. I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.”

Lincoln was a native of Illinois, a state that had abolished slavery by its constitution in 1818. Nonetheless, as a politician it was inadvisable for Lincoln to be branded as an abolitionist. With limited personal contact with slavery it was easier for him to tolerate the practice until he came to Washington, where he developed an abhorrence for slavery.

By Sept. 22, 1862 he was quite ready to issue the Emancipation Proclamation that freed only those slaves living in the Confederacy as of Jan. 1, 1863.

With most blacks still in the South, the Emancipation Proclamation freed about 75 percent of the slaves. As efforts to end the war developed, Lincoln became concerned that his executive order based upon the constitutional war powers would not survive the armistice. He feared that lawsuits could revoke his executive order and reinstitute the legacy of slavery. Lincoln therefore pushed for adoption of the 13th Amendment that passed the Senate on April 8, 1864. With a forceful effort from the president it passed the House on Jan. 31, 1865.

The film “Lincoln” is essentially the story of that political battle.

Brother Lincoln has been depressed about the GOP since the election.

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LETTERSto the Editor GOP insanity Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) has requested that President Obama and the Democrats bring Obamacare to the negotiating table in the “fiscal cliff” debates.

I might be mistaken, but didn’t the U. S. Supreme Court uphold Obamacare (The Affordable Care Act) on June 28, 2012 by a 5-4 vote with Chief Justice John Roberts voting in support of it? What’s next? Will Congressman Boehner and his supporters demand a reconsideration of Roe vs. Wade, Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Let’s hope that this is mere political posturing for the cameras and nothing more.

no long-term comfort or luxury in gloating. This is no time for individual political opportunism. In a party topheavy with superstars, ego will have to be subordinated on the alter of party unity for the next four years and (most importantly) beyond 2016.

I see the need for the Obama Administration to stand pat with as little changing of the guard as possible. Superstars Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Deval Patrick should all be strongly encouraged to place party and country before personal political ambitions, and shore up the Obama mandate to be “Fired-Up, Ready to Go!” It is also a golden opportunity to effectively derail the budding superstar aspirations of Scott Brown, before he can springboard to a presidential run from the high-visibility opportunity

offered as a sitting governor or U.S. Senator from Massachusetts.

There is much talk of our country standing on the brink. The truth is that the brink is a crossroads rather than a precipice. Bold leadership and total team effort is capable of taking us to an international position of unequaled respect and prosperity.

As both parties gather their forces and reassess what role they each will play in leading this nation forward, bi-partisanship as never before could and should be the guiding principal and northern star for both. E Pluribus Unum is not just a phrase but a mandate for survival. My country, right or wrong, but still my country.

Jim Butler Falmouth

David Via email

All hands on deck In the aftermath of the national Republican political meltdown, in an effort to affix blame for failure to capture the presidency or control of the U. S. Senate, we are bound to see further implosion.

But the Democratic Party can take

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Contributing Writers

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Thursday, Thursday,January December 3, 2008 6 • BAY • BOSTON STATE BANNER • 5

ROVINGCamera

OPINION White guys still rule the GOP Earl Ofari Hutchinson House Speaker John Boehner didn’t bother to go through the pretense of recommending more women and minorities to chair House committees. All 19 of his chair picks were white men. The committee chairs determine what legislation gets heard or stonewalled in the House.

So Boehner’s naked move to ensure that white guys still rule in the House seemingly makes mockery of all the GOP’s big postelection talk about making women and minorities bigger players in the party.

A charitable defense of Boehner would be to say that he just doesn’t have the numbers to place more women and minorities in House leadership positions. One of their two African American members and one of their seven Hispanic members were defeated.

At the same time, they have six fewer women in the coming House session than in the last one.

But that’s too charitable. Boehner’s House leadership’s exclusive white male recommendations serve two purposes. It gives him a cozy, familiar and reliable House team that will fight hard to hold a firm line against President Obama and the Democrats’ legislative initiatives on health care, tax and regulatory reform, deBoehner’s naked move fense budget cuts and an array of spending hikes for domestic to ensure that white programs. guys still rule in the Boehner also has a firm eye House seemingly on what he and many in the makes mockery of all GOP — despite their talk — still see as who the party needs the GOP’s big postto draw in to win elections. It’s election talk about not Hispanics, blacks, youth, making women and gays, labor rank and filers or minorities bigger white middle-class professional women. The Democrats have a players in the party. firm lock on them and that’s not likely to change when the 2014 mid-term elections roll around.

The GOP’s base supporters are and will remain the ones who gave failed GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney nearly half the popular vote and that insured that Boehner and the GOP kept control of the House.

They are conservative blue-collar, rural, lower-income, noncollege degree white males, blended with upper-income and wealthy, conservative corporate and white male small business owners in the Midwest, the South and the border states.

Their numbers may be shrinking, but they are the voters that fueled victory for Nixon, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. They also provided the voter muscle for GOP governors and legions of state legislators who run the majority of states.

In a CNN 2004 presidential election voter profile, males made up slightly more than 40 percent of the American electorate, and of that percent, white males comprised 36 percent, or one in three American voters.

The percentages didn’t change much in 2008 and 2010 national elections as well as the 2012 presidential election. They consistently give on average 60 percent of their vote to whoever the GOP presidential candidate is. In the South and the heartland states, the percentage jumped to 70 percent for Reagan and George W. Bush.

GOP leaders aren’t just counting numbers. They also hear what millions of their conservative male backers say even in the wake of Romney’s flop.

That is that the GOP’s defeat was Romney’s defeat and did not in any way negate the message that vast numbers of Americans still think government is too big, intrusive and costly and that the traditional family, conservative religious beliefs, patriotism, a strong military, and a sliced-down government are still time-tested and noble values that must be fought for and preserved.

They are and will continue to push the GOP not to cave in to liberals, Hispanics and blacks and become a Democratic-lite party.

Boehner’s all-white male picks for House leadership posts add more reassurance that the GOP’s white male rule is firmly in place and will likely stay that way.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst.

The Banner welcomes your opinion.

Email Op-Ed submissions to: hmanly@bannerpub.com Letters must be signed. Names may be withheld upon request.

Why do you believe working class whites vote with the Republican Party?

Because Romney was white and they didn’t want to see a black man in office again. Racism is still kind of alive.

People vote with what they connect with. Democrats connect more with the poor; Republicans connect more with high power.

They see they’re losing control and want “their” country back, and of course you know what that means.

Gary Dixon

Dawnn Jaffier

Sharon Knight

Commonwealth Construction & Restoration Roxbury

Educator Brighton

Homeless Coordinator Dorchester

In my thinking, because they believe they are superior.

Not all do and things are changing. I know a lot of whites who voted for Obama too.

Because they see it as a way of preserving wealth.

J.J. King

James Worrell

Martin Kelly

Retired Fields Corner

Retail Brockton

Patient & Family Relations Jamaica Plain

INthe news Sonia Chang-Díaz State Senator Sonia ChangDíaz received the 2012 Walter G. Turner Award from the National Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA). Chang-Díaz and her Education Committee co-chair, Representative Alice Peisch (DWellesley), were selected for their work reforming the state’s system of education collaboratives.

Education collaboratives are entities that enable school districts to pool their resources to achieve shared goals, such as serving severe-need special education students or professional development for teachers.

State officials and the public called for immediate action last fall after investigations by the State Auditor and Inspector General uncovered a serious misuse of funding at the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative and other collaboratives around the state. The Education Committee held a series of oversight hearings on the financial abuses, and Chang-Díaz filed a collaboratives reform bill that

became the first piece of legislation passed by the Senate this year.

Chang-Díaz and Peisch were also selected for their contributions to the advancement of regional education programs in Massachusetts.

The award comes on the heels of another education award ChangDíaz received earlier this month, the Legislator of the Year award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.

6 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

COMMUNITYVoices

Bernanke: Communities are key to economic recovery Charlene Crowell In a recent speech before the Operation HOPE Global Financial Dignity Summit in Atlanta, Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, warned that the current housing recovery is leaving communities of color behind.

In his remarks, he acknowledged that racial discrimination in housing persists despite federal fair housing laws and the Community Reinvestment Act. “Two types of discrimination

He added, “I am reminded here that fair treatment in housing was a significant focus of Dr. King’s and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 — still one of the nation’s cornerstone laws to prohibit discrimination — was passed only a week after his assassination and stands among his legacies.”

Despite that historic legislation, from 2004 to 2012 African American homeownership fell more than double that for other racial groups, and the number of home purchase loans among Af-

research by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL). The report entitled “Collateral Damage: The Spillover Costs of Foreclosures” measures losses in property values suffered by families who live near foreclosed homes. CRL found that among the 10.9 million homes that went into foreclosure between 2007 and 2011, over half of the

“spillover” costs were borne by African American and Latino families — a loss amounting to approximately $1 trillion.

While Bernanke called for consumers to become more financially informed, CRL cautions that efforts to strengthen consumer education should never substitute for fair policies. There will always be gaps in financial literacy; but sound policies can help ensure better and more sustainable opportunities for families to build wealth.

Now, while the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) moves toward finalizing key mortgage reforms, CRL has publicly posed an important question: How

will these policies affect homeownership opportunities for lower-and middle-income families who bore the brunt of the recent crisis?

In coming months, CFPB regulatory actions can become an opportunity to correct the multiple ills wrought by lending abuses and lax financial regulation As Bernanke said, “Our recovery must be broadly felt to be complete, and families and communities that were already struggling before the crisis must be included in that recovery.”

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending.

“Our recovery must be broadly felt to be complete, and families and communities that were already struggling before the crisis must be included in that recovery.”

— Ben Bernanke continue to have particular significance to mortgage markets,” said Bernanke. “One is redlining, in which mortgage lenders discriminate against minority neighborhoods, and the other is pricing discrimination, in which lenders charge minorities higher loan prices than they would to comparable non-minority borrowers.”

rican Americans and Hispanics dropped more than 65 percent.

By comparison, lending to nonHispanic whites fell during these same years less than 50 percent.

Nationwide, the current homeownership rate stands at a 15year low.

Bernanke’s conclusions underscore recent independent housing

On Nov. 28, the Dorchester YMCA hosted a breakfast at Phillips Old Colony in recognition and support for their initiatives.

Pictured (L to R) are Rev. Harold Sparrow, Bill Moran, Tom Finneran, Kathy Townsend, executive director of the Dorchester YMCA, Bernie Sigh, Phil Strazzula and Bob White. (Tony Irving photo)

Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7

HEALTHY FAMILIES A SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL

Heart disease: Eliminate excuses to reduce your risks Brigham and Women’s Hospital cardiologist Eldrin F. Lewis, M.D., M.P.H., specializes in evaluating patients with heart failure. His goal, however, is to prevent patients from ever needing his expertise.

Knowing that high blood pressure (hypertension) is the biggest risk factor for heart failure, Dr. Lewis tells his patients that they’ll dramatically reduce their risk of developing heart disease if they follow a few simple guidelines. “Eliminate excuses from your vocabulary,” says Dr. Lewis.

What is high blood pressure and why is it important?

Hypertension occurs when blood flow force is too high and stretches the walls of the blood vessels. The ”top number” measures pressure when the heart beats, and the ”bottom number” measures pressure when the heart relaxes. An elevated level for either measure is cause for concern. Normal is 120/80 (or less), and elevated is 140/90 (or more). Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure or heart failure.

African American adults are more than 44 percent more likely to have hypertension than non-Hispanic whites. Some of this difference may be due to genetics, but obesity, inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, stress and salt intake are all modifiable risk factors for developing hypertension.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of their blood pressure levels. Since mild to moderate hypertension usually doesn’t come with any symptoms, you won’t know whether you have it unless you get your blood pressure checked. This lack of warning, combined with a failure to get regular check-ups, is why an estimated 30 percent of African Americans are unknowingly living with hypertension. And only half of all people with hypertension have it under control.

There’s no excuse for not knowing your blood pressure, says Dr. Lewis.

Everyone should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year, and thanks to President Obama’s new health care law — the Affordable Care Act — you can get your yearly physical for free. People at risk or who have already been diagnosed with hypertension, however, should check their blood pressure more frequently. This can be done at your doctor’s office or on your own.

Get active “Obesity is a normal response to an abnormal environment,” explains Dr. Lewis.

We now live in a world where it’s easy to be inactive. This is why you should be vigilant about incorporating exercise into your daily life. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Park a bit farther away and walk to

the store instead of searching for the closest parking spot.

Start small and then build more physical activity into your day. And be sure to do something you enjoy.

Whether it’s dancing, yoga, walking, biking, swimming or hiking, before you know it, you’ll reach the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

Exercise also is a great stress reducer, which is yet another factor in helping prevent heart disease. Aerobic exercise is great for strengthening the heart, but exercises such as tai chi and yoga are great for relaxing the body and mind. Approximately two and a half hours of exercise per week will reduce stress, blood pressure, and improve how you feel.

Know what you’re eating Dr. Lewis advises patients to “stay lower on the food chain.” Aim for foods that are in their natural state, like fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods, which are often high in salt, sugar and saturated fat. Look at the labels and search for low sodium options (e.g., frozen vegetables instead of canned foods).

You also should focus on reducing your calorie intake. By reducing your consumption by 500 calories a day, you’ll eliminate 3,500 calories a week — roughly the equivalent of one pound of body weight. This might seem like a daunting task, but

Brigham and Women’s Hospital cardiologist Eldrin Lewis, M.D., M.P.H., tells patients that one or more lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce their risk of developing heart disease.

if, for example, you replace a bagel and cream cheese (700 calories) with a serving of low-fat granola and yogurt (200 calories), you’ve already reached your goal.

Behavior modification Don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol heavily (if you drink), and don’t do drugs. Take your blood pressure medicines and do not stop them

without speaking with your doctor.

Learn more To learn more about heart disease risks and how to lower them, visit www.brighamandwomens. org/heartrisks. For an appointment with a cardiovascular specialist, call the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Cardiovascular Center at (857) 307-4000.

8 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

HEALTHY FAMILIES Congestive heart failure in women

A SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL

Hear that rhythmic thump?

Every beat of your heart pumps blood to cells throughout the body, delivering oxygen from the air you breathe and nutrients from the foods you eat.

Congestive heart failure prevents the heart from filling with enough blood, or pumping blood forcefully enough, to meet the needs of the body. This lifethreatening health problem affects roughly 2.7 million American women. In right-sided heart failure, not enough blood gets pumped through the lungs to pick up oxygen. In left-sided heart fail-

ure, not enough oxygen-rich blood gets pumped to the rest of the body. Some women have both.

Struggling to do its job, the heart enlarges, says the American Heart Association. More muscle cells develop and the heart beats faster, too. Blood vessels throughout the body narrow, raising blood pressure to help compensate for power loss. The body shunts blood away from less essential organs to ensure that the brain and heart get sufficient supplies. Eventually, these strategies stop working as heart failure worsens.

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“Often, there’s more than one culprit,” explained Dr. Jan Cook, medical director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Untreated or poorly treated high blood pressure, a problem for nearly 40 percent of African American women, is the number one problem, according to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. Overweight and obesity, inactivity and high blood cholesterol — health issues affecting roughly 80 percent, 55 percent and 50 per-

cent of African American women, respectively — raise odds for developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart attacks, another path to heart failure.

Does heart failure differ in women?

Generally, women develop heart failure later than men and live longer with it. Among women, high blood pressure and heart valve diseases are more likely than CAD to be underlying causes of heart failure. However, CAD is such a powerful risk factor that women who have it are much more likely to go on to develop heart failure than women who have only high blood pressure. Ankle swelling, breathlessness and curtailed ability to be active seem to affect women more often than men.

How is heart failure treated?

Experts recommend lifestyle changes, such as an exercise proHeart failure, continued to page 9

For more health news, visit us online at behealthy.baystatebanner.com

Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 9

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Heart failure

A heart-healthy diet

continued from page 8

gram prescribed by your doctor, plus medicines aimed at easing symptoms and preventing worsening heart failure, if possible.

Such as diuretics remove excess fluid build-up and sodium from the body, thus lowering blood pressure. Other drugs called betablockers and ACE-inhibitors ease the heart’s workload in different ways. Medical devices to help the heart pump or surgery, such as coronary artery bypass, are sometimes needed, as well.

Go low on sodium (salt): • Cut back. Shake on half the salt. Slowly cut back further.

• Hide the salt. Boost flavor with spices or herb mixes. Try a squeeze of lemon or lime, or sprinkle on vinegar or hot pepper.

• Check “Nutrition Facts” labels when shopping. Canned goods often are high in sodium.

So are many store-bought breads. And even foods labeled “low sodium” may have more than you think.

Which lifestyle changes help prevent or ease heart failure?

Healthy habits can help prevent conditions that lead to heart failure or worsen it. Try tackling one change at a time. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts members can use online tools at www.mybluehealth.ma.com to set practical goals, create action plans and connect with experts.

• Quit tobacco. That cuts your risk for CAD in half in one year. Get a step-by-step guide to quitting from Smokefree.gov (or 1-800-QUITNOW).

• Exercise regularly. Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, normal blood sugar and normal blood pressure.

• Eat heart-healthy foods (see

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• Go low naturally. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low sodium. Frozen is as healthy as fresh.

Select only canned produce in water with no added salt.

• Eat less fast food, prepared food and processed foods. Limit brined or cured foods, such as olives, pickles, ham and bacon. All are hidden salt sources.

• Choose healthy snacks, such as carrot or celery sticks, fruit slices or unsalted airpopped popcorn.

page 7). This helps lower high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

• Lose excess weight. This lightens the load on your heart and lowers risk for diabetes.

Other heart-healthy tips include:

• Keep blood pressure in a healthy range (below 140/90 mmHg).

• Choose whole grains (whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal, cornmeal, popcorn and more) instead of refined grains (white flour, white rice) for more fiber and healthful nutrients.

• Be sure to take medicine if prescribed.

First published in Be Healthy. For more information please visit http:// behealthy.baystatebanner.com.

• Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products.

• Eat lean protein (beans, tofu, fish, poultry and lean cuts of meat).

Heart disease is America’s #1 killer.

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• Nibble heart-healthy nuts and seeds.

• Use small amounts of heart-healthy oils (olive, corn, canola, safflower), limit saturated fats (butter, palm oil) and avoid trans fats (also called partially hydrogenated oil).

• Limit sweets.

10 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Acclaimed drama ‘The Wire’ still connecting at Harvard

Wire,” and is taught by Professor Charles Ogletree. On Monday, Ogletree moderated a panel of the show’s cast members including Sonja Sohn (Kima Greggs), Jamie Hector (Marlo Stanfield), Gbenga Akinnagbe (Chris Partlow) and Chad Coleman (Cutty Wise) along with some of the people who inspired characters on the show to speak about the impact of the series.

That impact can also be seen in

Harvard Law students think about their careers as lawyers. They want to do more about service for the public than making money for themselves, so it’s been a big victory.”

Ogletree, who credited Reverend Eugene Rivers for opening his eyes to the show’s power, is hopeful that the course will spark a new wave in public service.

“A lot of students say ‘I want to be something else,’” he said. “I can be a lawyer for a mayor, superinten-

“This course has changed the way that Harvard Law students think about their careers as lawyers.

They want to do more about service for the public than making money for themselves, so it’s been a big victory.”

— Professor Charles Ogletree

Cast members from the popular TV drama series “The Wire” visited Professor Charles Ogletree Jr.’s class “Race and Justice: The Wire” at Harvard University on Dec. 3. Pictured are (back row, L to R) Professor Charles Ogletree, Chad Coleman and Gbenga Akinnagbe; (second row, L to R) Jamie Hector, Denise Francine Andrews, Larry D. Andrews and Blaize Connelly Duggan; (front row) Professor Ron Sullivan. (Tony Irving photo) G. Valentino Ball In its five seasons, HBO’s hourlong drama “The Wire” attracted critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fan base for its stark portrayal of

the complexities of inner-city Baltimore. But since the show left the airwaves in 2008, it has continued in a new light. Harvard University — along with other higher learning institutions such as UC Berke-

ley, John Hopkins, Syracuse, Brown and Duke — are using the series as a backdrop for courses that examine the issues covered on the show.

At Harvard Law, the class is called “Race and Justice: The

the lives of the actors themselves.

Sohn spoke of being inspired to start the nonprofit ReWired For Change, an organization that works with at-risk kids in the Baltimore area. Others in the cast detailed how the series underscored the need for work in the community and pushed them to action.

According to Ogletree, the course is so popular that some students have to be turned away. It has also motivated students to seek out less conventional career paths.

“The good thing about it is that more students are pursuing law careers in the public interest law than working for corporations and businesses,” he said. “In my sense, this course has changed the way that

dent of schools, superintendent of corrections. I hope that the same thing that we saw in the ‘60s with the conviction of public service is now coming back to places like Harvard Law School in the 21st century.”

Hector, who starred as Marlo Stansfield on the series, wasn’t shocked about “The Wire” being the basis for a course.

“I was excited, but I wasn’t surprised,” he said. “When I met Tree (Professor Charles Ogletree) and Reverend Rivers, these men are really dedicated to social issues in the community … Being that it’s Harvard, that kind of says ‘wow.’ Because when they speak, people listen.”

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NEWSBriefs Partners donates $1M to Boston Public Schools Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced last week that Partners HealthCare is committing $1 million to the Boston Public Health Commission for a collaborative effort with the Boston Public Schools to implement a social and emotional learning curriculum for 7,000 students in 23 Boston public elementary and K-8 schools.

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published in the journal Child Development.

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“Every day we look for innovative ideas and strategies that we can use to support our students,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson. “Social and emotional learning is critically important to our students so they can learn strategies that will help them manage their feelings and cultivate healthy relationships.”

On Nov. 29, Gov. Deval Patrick met with the 15 community college board chairs in the Governor’s Council Chambers at the State House. The 15 newly-appointed chairs will partner with the administration to create a more integrated, effective community college system responsive to both local and statewide employer needs. (Photo courtesy of Eric Haynes/Governor’s Office)

12 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 13

14 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Tick Toks!

Toks Olagundoye talks about her life, career and work on ‘The Neighbors’

Kam Williams Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Toks Olagundoye was raised in her native country as well as Switzerland and England. The exotic NigerianNorwegian beauty moved to the United States to attend Smith College, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

After jumpstarting her career in New York, the actress relocated to Los Angeles and soon landed roles on such TV series as “NCIS,” “Prime Suspect,” “Switched at Birth,” “CSI: NY,” “Law & Order” and “Ugly Betty,” to name a few. She now stars in ABC’s new hit comedy “The Neighbors” playing “Jackie

Joyner-Kersee,” an alien from the planet Zabvron who has taken on human form to live in a gated community in New Jersey.

Toks’ character is married to the community’s Supreme Leader and serves as the Zabvronian equivalent of the First Lady. “Jackie” is baffled

by Earth’s strange customs but is more open than her stubborn husband, who refuses to adapt.

In addition to acting, Toks enjoys writing and producing films for the web and is the founder of Unlimited Ceiling, for which she’s created web series like “Callbacks” and “AlphaSeries.” In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, horseback riding, Pilates, archery and going to the gun range.

Toks’ secret talent is imitating accents from around the world.

What interested you in “The Neighbors?”

Well, honestly, I love being an actor and a job is a job, and I’m always happy to have a job. So, initially, I would say: employment. But I am also a sci-fi lover and have been itching to be on a sitcom forever. So, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to audition and I really went for it.

Tell me a little about the show’s wacky premise.

Sure. A community of aliens set up a colony of sorts on Earth in a New Jersey golfing community,

taking on the guise of human form, and they do their best to fit in and not attract attention. Of course, they fail spectacularly. One of the alien couples in the community gets tired of waiting around to hear from their home planet and they vacate their house, leaving it open for a nice, human Jersey family of five to purchase and move into. Let the hysterical comedy of errors ensue.

How would you describe your character, Jackie?

Quirky, cute, loving, kind, curious, proper, diligent, patient, inquisitive, genuine, lovely, tall, greenblooded… Okay, now I’m just throwing words at you. I shall cease

and desist.

So, you play an alien queen who’s impersonating U.S. Olympian Jackie JoynerKersee. Which is more challenging, playing an alien or impersonating Jackie?

Well, neither, because neither is the case. Jackie is the wife of the Zabvrobian supreme commander, so she is more of a matriarch than a queen. And the aliens are not impersonating the athletes they have named themselves after. They have taken on these names in the hope of Toks continued to page 16

Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15

Public Enemy, Hip Hop Gods reign supreme at Royale concert Icons bring music with a message to Hub tour stop

The Hip Hop Gods tour featuring Public Enemy (pictured above) rocked a crowd of several hundred strong in Boston on Sunday.

Lauren Carter You could say the all-stars aligned.

Sunday night at Royale, a diverse array of classic hip hop rulers staged a show that lasted more than four hours, mixing wisdom with entertainment and touching on everything from the Illuminati to the ills of commercial hip hop. Boston rap veterans Akrobatik and Edo

G shared the stage with national legends. College professors in the crowd mingled with their students.

And the only thing hanging from a rapper’s neck was a lanyard.

It was the Hip Hop Gods tour featuring headliner Public Enemy, with frontman Chuck D acting as emcee, host and hip hop professor. Between sets he chatted with artists, reminisced about early ’90s tours and schooled fans on all things

hip hop, from Boston’s relevance in the rap scene to the meaning of the phrase “word is bond.”

“This is more than a concert,” he said. “It’s a movement.”

If typical rap shows are studies in misguided thuggery, Sunday’s spectacle was a reminder that the true tenets of hip hop – knowledge, wisdom, authenticity, skill and innovation — are alive and well. Rappers kept the energy high but never

delivered empty verses, acting as teachers sent to uplift rather than fake gangstas sent to make it rain.

Trio Son of Bazerk delivered an animated opening set and sent one of many shoutouts to the late, great Boston-born emcee Guru. Dinco D of Leaders of the New School got calories burning with his verse from “Scenario” and Schoolly D — jacket open, no shirt on — delivered hardhitting rhymes with a decidedly sexual edge. Brother J of X Clan had “no time for booty rap” as he focused on dropping knowledge and calling for unity, peace and justice.

Boston icon Akrobatik appeared on stage at Chuck D’s request and unleashed a rhyme that took aim at skinny jeans, corporate pimps, fantasies sold for profit and other evidence of hip hop’s downfall.

Monie Love reminded the audience that female rappers can remain relevant while fully clothed. Paying homage to females in hip hop, she celebrated femcees including Queen Latifah, Lil Kim and SaltN-Pepa, invited Boston ‘brother’ Edo G on stage and spat slick verses from “Buddy,” “It’s A Shame” and “Monie In The Middle” that proved her mic skills haven’t slipped.

A set from Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers was among the night’s highlights, as he dropped blistering a cappella verses between pushing albums and t-shirts. In a 20-minute span, he managed to touch on Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records, the Illuminati, slavery, white supremacy, inner-city murder rates and failing public schools, eclipsing what the average rapper covers in

an entire career.

But of course, the night’s peak was the hour-long set from Public Enemy. For anyone who doesn’t count Lil Wayne as their personal hero, and maybe for some who do, it all felt epic. There was the giant banner with the in-your-face logo. The securitydance brigade S1W (Security of the First World) who alternately stood watch and engaged in their unique mix of dance and military drill. The thunderous and politically-charged music that changed the face of hip hop.

Chuck D bellowed over DJ Lord and a live band on tracks including “Welcome to the Terrordome,” “Bring the Noise,” “Can’t Truss It” and the set-closer “Fight The Power.” Quintessential hype man and sidekick Flavor Flav appeared in a mink coat, later pulled his signature giant clock from under his shirt and took center stage for “911 Is a Joke.”

Flav is obviously the quirky counterpoint to the hard rhyming Chuck D. But don’t let the clocks and reality TV stints fool you; under that viking hat there’s a revolutionary hiding. Flav closed with a sermon against racism and separatism, reminding the audience that peace and togetherness create power.

And with that, the show officially ended and fans bum-rushed the stage for autographs.

In one sense the concert felt like a throwback to the past, but it was also a vision of the future — the beginning of a movement dedicated to revitalizing hip hop and taking back the power and control that is rightly due to the gods.

16 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Toks

things I think are imperative are focus, determination and hard work.

Are you ever afraid?

continued from page 14

becoming a part of the elite. In their minds, choosing the names of accomplished sports figures will help them fit in and excel. They don’t realize it actually makes them all stick out like a box of sore thumbs. Yes, I realize that is not an official adage.

Hey, it is now!

Come early for dinner on this evening and get a seat, because it is always crowded! Charlie will get started around 7pm with his repertoire of activist and social justice music through the ages.(Dinner from 6pm).

Saturday December 8th, 5:30 - 7pm Reception for Haitian PeaceQuilts Exhibit: Haiti Cherie Join us for return of Haiti PeaceQuilts to Haley House Bakery Cafe. These rich and beautiful quilts are handmade by women’s quilting collectives in Haiti. A perfect holiday show!

Join us for Brunch on Sundays from 10am — 4pm

Coming to Art is Life itself: 12/6

FULANI HAYNES JAZZ COLLABORATIVE + OPEN MIC

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What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Carbs. Sad but true.

What was the last book you read?

Does the show have a message?

Friday December 7th, 7pm Annual Holiday Concert with Charlie King

Constantly, but it’s a big driving force in my life. I’m more likely to try and tackle a fear than let it control me.

In my humble opinion, as a foreigner, it does. And the message is this: The only way to come to a full acceptance and understanding of yourself is to embrace your own culture, quirks and differences while learning about those around you and exploring, incorporating and embracing their cultures, differences, quirks, etcetera … One should be open to new things and, above all, tolerance and understanding are essential for growth and happiness …

We are all different and that’s okay.

That’s not incredibly poetic, but it’s the message at its essence.

You’re half-Nigerian and half-Norwegian. Which do you identify with more?

Oh, I identify with them both very strongly. I identify myself as a Nigerian because that is where I was born and raised and where my family still lives. And, in my mind, that is the definition of where someone is from. But I was raised by a very Norwegian mother and spent a ton of time there every year until I was about 14 and am closest to my Norwegian relatives.

So, it is very difficult to choose.

You studied theater at Smith prior to embarking on your professional career. Do you recommend that route to other aspiring actresses?

Not necessarily. It was right for me, but other people do better going on to grad school and others yet are naturally inclined and do just fine without any formal training at all. Everyone is different. The only

The final Hunger Games book, “The Mockingjay.” Seriously, Suzanne Collins, I need another one.

What was the last song you listened to?

I was just listening to Radiohead’s “Reckoner.”

What excites you?

Positivity.

What was the best business decision you ever made, and what was the worst?

Best: Moving to LA. Worst: Going into business with a friend.

When do you feel the most content?

When I take the time to look positively at my life, assess my accomplishments and truly allow myself to congratulate myself.

Who is the person who led you to become the person you are today?

My mother.

What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

Determination.

What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Be sure of what you want, focus, work hard, be ready to pick yourself up, do not take rejection personally, be as prepared as you can, always be learning and eliminate negative people from your life regardless of who they are.

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Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 17

18 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Butler

continued from page 1

told her husband, who then led Haygood into a locked basement, holding his arm as they walked down the steps and turned on the light. The two rooms were like a museum, full of presidential memorabilia: signed books, Christmas gifts, an oil painting by Dwight Eisenhower, photos of Allen smiling as he served them at their birthday parties.

“It was a treasure-trove,” Haygood recalled. “It brought tears to my eyes; it genuinely did.

“I turned to him, this frail, elderly man, and I said, ‘Mr. Allen, now, are you sure nobody has ever written a story about you?’”

Haygood proceeded to write the untold story of Allen, who was born on a Virginia plantation in 1919 and

died two years after casting his vote for America’s first black president.

“A Butler Well Served by This Election,” featured on the front page of the Post, was published the Friday after the election of Barack Obama.

The story has since become the basis for what looks to be one of next year’s most buzzed-about movies: “The Butler,” starring Oscar winner Forest Whitaker as the protagonist and Oprah Winfrey as his wife.

With Lee Daniels (“Precious”) directing, the cast includes a roster of Alist actors, including Robin Williams and Melissa Leo as the Eisenhowers, Alan Rickman and Jane Fonda as the Reagans, and Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lenny Kravitz as other butlers.

Behind it all is Haygood, a longtime journalist and author who grew up in Columbus and began his career at the city’s African American newspaper, the Call & Post. He later worked

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for the Boston Globe for many years before leaving to work at the Washington Post.

“I turned to him, this frail, elderly man, and I said, ‘Mr. Allen, now, are you sure nobody has ever written a story about you?’”

— Wil Haygood “The Butler,” for which he serves as an associate producer, marks a foray into Hollywood for the 58-year-old,

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who is also involved with three other film projects.

“It’s been, in many ways, a year of magic for me,” said Haygood, who often visits his mother and two sisters here.

A Washington Post reporter since 1991, Haygood was covering a campaign rally in North Carolina when he met young white women who tearfully said that, because they supported then-candidate Obama, their fathers had stopped speaking to them.

Confident that Obama would become president, Haygood began searching for a former White House employee who had worked there in the era of segregation — someone who probably couldn’t have imagined the outcome of the 2008 election.

“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would find a figure as unique as he happened to have been,” Haygood said.

Allen had previously been approached about telling his story and, although he took great pride in his job, adamantly refused to participate, said his only child, Charles.

Allen didn’t want to betray the trust of those who had treated him warmly: from the Fords, who sang to him because his birthday was the same as the president’s, to the Reagans, who invited Allen and his wife to be their guests at a state dinner.

But near the end of her life,

Cecil Gaines, is a composite character mostly based on Allen — and the white presidents they served.

“They were dealing with these issues that affected not only millions but these people who worked so unbelievably close with them,” said Strong, who won an Emmy this year for writing HBO’s Sarah Palin movie, “Game Change.”

“The Butler” was filmed in New Orleans during the summer, with Haygood serving as an on-set consultant. He was invited to Whitaker’s home and to lunch with Winfrey.

It likely won’t be the last time he visits a movie set: He has recently written two screenplays adapted from his biographies and a third based on a true story of a janitor who, in the 1950s, robbed a government building in Washington.

All three projects are moving forward, with the script for “Sweet Thunder: The Life and Times of Sugar Ray Robinson” in the hands of producers Strong and Rachael Horovitz, who produced the Oscar-nominated “Moneyball.”

Meanwhile, the rights to “In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr.” were purchased by singer Ne-Yo, who has long been interested in playing the Rat Pack entertainer.

The developments are gratifying for Haygood, a lifelong fan of the movies who, after graduating from Miami University in 1976, moved

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Journalist Wil Haygood Helene Allen began to express concern that her husband’s role would be forgotten.

Haygood approached the couple at the right time but also put them at ease, joining them to watch backto-back episodes of their favorite TV show, “The Price Is Right,” before asking the first question.

“Sometimes, it seems like it was preordained for him to come by,” said Charles Allen, 66, of Washington.

“It could have been anybody else, and Mom and Dad, in all likelihood, wouldn’t have talked to him.

“Wil just had the gift.”

The night before the election, Helene told her son that she felt at peace, knowing Gene’s story would finally be told. She died in her sleep, before getting the chance to vote.

On the day the story was published — resulting in hundreds of emails, phone calls from Hollywood producers and an invitation to Obama’s inauguration — Allen attended the funeral for his wife of 65 years.

Knowing the film would have been important to Helene, Allen continued to meet for additional interviews with Haygood and “The Butler” screenwriter Danny Strong before he died of renal failure in 2010.

Strong and director Daniels decided to set “The Butler” largely in the time of the Civil Rights Movement, exploring the relationship between the White House’s black employees — the film’s protagonist,

to New York with the thought of becoming an actor.

At the same time, he is on leave from the Post as he writes his sixth book, a biography of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall that he has researched for the past two years.

Strong calls Haygood multitalented, with his work translating just as well to the big screen as to the printed page.

“Wil has an amazing eye for character,” he said. “A great story, whether it’s a news story or a movie, is a universal thing.”

Haygood likes to compare his career to his time on the basketball team at Indianola Junior High School: Cut from the team in eighth grade, he still dressed for practice the next day, promising to work for a second chance.

Colleagues laughed at him when, in an early job as a copy editor, he vowed that he was going to write books. More recently, Denzel Washington read his script for the Sammy Davis Jr. film and, half-jokingly, bought him a Christmas gift: a computer program that could help correct his novice screenwriting mistakes.

All the while, Haygood’s confidence in his goals didn’t change.

“It’s been a lot of hard work,” he said. “But wow. With “The Butler” — it’s something else, isn’t it?”

Columbus Dispatch

Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 19

Volunteers continued from page 1

school for Boston and it’s also a new school for GI’s senior volunteer program.

As the largest affiliate with AARP’s Experience Corps, GI now manages 250 GI-AARP volunteers with a goal of 300 by the end of the year, said Katie Klister, GI’s director of volunteer management.

GI’s success is dependent on recruiting, training and retaining senior volunteers to its literacy program. Of equal importance is the recruitment of participating schools. Of the 65 elementary schools in Boston, GI volunteers in 10. In total, GI volunteers work in 13 elementary schools and four after-school programs in the greater Boston area.

To address what Gunn calls “slippage” — especially for

stipends to its senior volunteers.

A good tutoring program, however, is not free. Rose, like the other GI senior volunteers in the school, may not be paid for their time, but schools participating in GI’s literacy program do pay a sliding fee. For Boston schools, the fee is between $5000 and $10,000 a year. Revere, Gunn said, pays $25,000.

With singular dependence on the quality and enthusiasm of its volunteer corps, Gunn said, “We are as interested in our older adults as we are in our young children. We want to be the best place for seniors to serve.”

Along with dispensing stipends, GI has launched its “Act of Aging Initiative” to help its seniors make time to connect and socialize. Volunteers meet once a month to plan activities from knitting to bowling, or just to have a cup of coffee.

When Rose was asked about

GI volunteer Ruby Howard, 67, with two Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School first-graders, (L to R) Liyah Cacho and Iyanna Raymond. (Fran Cronin photo)

ESAC Sustainable Homeownership Center Offering community programs since 1965

“We are as interested in our older adults as we are in our young children. We want to be the best place for seniors to serve.”

— Marry Gunn young, at-risk students — during the summer months, GI launched its first summer program last year. Forty-five students attended a four-week program with a oneto-one tutoring ratio. Gunn said the goal is to include another school this summer and double the number of students in the program. Under development is a “Young Achievers Program” in Mattapan.

Of the GI-AARP partnership, Gunn said, “We’re part of a national program but still have our independence. That’s rare, and we’re proud of that participation.”

As a nonprofit, GI is not funded

by AARP but applies for the bulk of its funds through the federal grant programs that AARP sponsors.

GI’s budget this year is $2.7 million, a third of which is allocated as

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being a volunteer and GI’s senior outreach program, she said, “I’m always talking about how much I love the work.”

In 2009, after volunteering for her fourth year, GI presented Rose with its first John McCullough Service Award for her outstanding role as a reading coach at the JFK School in Jamaica Plain. Rose said she keeps the glass award “on the bookshelf where I can see it.”

An original member of the 1950‘s Doo Wop group The Tune Weavers, promoted by Dick Clark and inducted into the Doo Wop Hall of Fame in 2003, Rose still performs as a lead singer in shows up and down the east coast.

“She’s a busy woman with a busy life. We are lucky to have her,” said Gunn.

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20 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

NEWSBriefs Citizens Bank Foundation donates $250K in grants The Citizens Bank Foundation participated in the first-ever “Giving Tuesday” by announcing it will award more than $250,000 in grants to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations.

Styled after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, “Giving Tuesday” is a campaign that includes more than 1,400 organizations to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.

The Citizens Bank Foundation grants announced last week follow the bank’s donation last week of 100,000 meals to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

As part of its “Giving Tuesday” grants, the Citizens Bank Foundation awarded $25,000 to The Partnership, a group dedicated to developing professionals of color and increasing their representation in Boston area businesses and institutions.

The Partnership is celebrating its 25th year of operating with the region’s 50 leading organizations committed to attracting, retaining, and advancing top professionals of color.

Each year, the Partnership offers the Next Generation Executive Program, Fellows Program and Associates Program.

Another recipient is The Boston Main Streets Foundation. The long-standing city program received $50,000, which will help enable Main Streets organizations to operate in Boston’s small commercial districts.

The BMS Foundation funding allows the Main Streets organizations to provide much-needed economic development activities in commercial districts. These activities include physical improvements, design ser-

vices, and technical assistance.

The grants announced today will be distributed as follows: • $30,000 to the Paul Revere Memorial Association • $20,000 to Boston Children’s Chorus • $20,000 to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries •$20,000 to Neighborhood Housing Services of the South Shore • $15,000 to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center • $15,000 to the Boston Foundation •$10,000 to the Appalachian Mountain Club •$10,000 to the Community Resources for Justice • $10,000 to the Ellis Memorial & Eldredge House • $10,000 to MASSCAP •$10,000 to Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps • $10,000 to Somerville Community Corporation “During the busy holiday season, Citizens Bank recognizes the importance of giving back in any form that individuals and companies are able, from volunteering at a local soup kitchen to donating a warm coat to providing financial support to outstanding nonprofit organizations,” said Jerry Sargent, president of Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, Massachusetts. “In the spirit of ‘Giving Tuesday,’ Citizens Bank celebrates Massachusetts organizations working to meet the needs of our communities.”

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Religious Worship Guide

The First Church of Christ, Scientist Sunday Church Services & Sunday School

10 am and 5 pm (no evening service July & Aug.)

Wednesday Testimony Meetings 12 noon and 7:30 pm (2 pm online)

Sunday & Wednesday Live Services Online ChristianScience.com/OnAir

Near the corner of Huntington & Mass. Ave. Free Parking at all services.

T Hynes, Prudential, Symphony, or Mass. Ave.

For further information, call 617.450.3790 or visit www.ChristianScience.com

Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 21

LEGALS

LEGALS

INVITATION TO BID The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is seeking bids for the following: BID NO.

DESCRIPTION

DATE

TIME

OP-202

Roof Replacement at Bellevue 1 Water Storage Tank and New Neponset Pump Station

12/20/12

2:00 p.m.

12/21/12

10:30 a.m.

*WRA-3559 Purchase of Eleven (11) New Fire 12/21/12 Alarm Pumps Manufacturer: Aurora, ITT, Peerless (or Equal)

11:00 a.m.

*WRA-3558 Purchase of Annual Supply of Employee Clothing

11:30 a.m.

*WRA-3557 Purchase and Delivery of One (1) Dry Type Ventilation Transformer

12/21/12

Sealed bids will be received at the offices of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Charlestown Navy Yard, Document Distribution Office, 100 First Avenue, First Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02129, up to the time and date listed above at which time they will be publicly opened and read. *(indicates) Bid Documents available on the Comm-PASS Website (www. comm-pass.com).

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division

Citation on Petition for Formal Adjudication Estate of Dorothy Jean Scott-Higgins Date of Death: 04/10/2012

A petition has been filed by Clester Scott of Mattapan MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order of testacy and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. And also requesting that Clester Scott of Mattapan MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond.

You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on 12/23/2012. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return date, action may be taken without further notice to you.

The estate is being administered under formal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but recipients are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

Citation on Petition for Order of Complete Settlement of Estate

To all interested persons: A petition has been filed by David Cormier, Esquire of Burlington, MA requesting that an Order of Complete Settlement of the estate issue including to approve an accounting and other such relief as may be requested in the Petition. For the First and Final Account.

You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on 12/27/2012. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return date, action may be taken without further notice to you.

WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court.

Date: November 26, 2012 Sandra Giovannucci Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division

Docket No. SU12P2182EA

WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court.

Date: November 09, 2012 Sandra Giovannucci Register of Probate

To all interested persons:

Docket No. SU10P1394EA

Estate of Audrey Lee Williams Date of Death: 12/29/2009

LEGALS

BOXBOROUGH AFFORDABLE CONDOMINIUM LOTTERY SALE #1 The Town of Boxborough is accepting applications for the sale of a two-bedroom, lower level condominium located at 176 Swanson Road, unit 302. The unit has an updated kitchen, new windows and the septic system assessment has been paid. The unit will be sold by lottery for $96,822 to an eligible buyer. The eligibility criteria include not owning a home in the past three years, with the exception of households with one member age 55 or over and displaced homeowners. The annual household income shall not exceed specified income limits based on household size (e.g. $65,000 for a four-person household), and the household size shall not exceed four persons. An open house is scheduled for December 8th at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by an informational session at Town Hall, 29 Middle Rd. at 12:00 noon. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 21, 2012.

Information packet and applications are available at the Town Hall at 29 Middle Rd, the Sargent Memorial Library at 427 Massachusetts Ave, and on the town website at www.town.boxborough.ma.us.

A F F O R D A B L E O W N E R SH I P O P POR T U N I T Y

Welsch Woods 343R Bay Road, Easton, MA 7 Affordable condominium residences consisting of 7 duplex homes, 3-Bedroom/2.5 Bath units Units will be sold to eligible households by lottery Sales Price $193,000 Income Qualifications Number of Occupants

Maximum Annual Income

1

45,500

2

52,000

3

58,500

4

65,000

5

70,200

6

75,400

Informational Meeting Scheduled November 8, 2012 Lottery Scheduled January 7, 2013, 6:00 p.m.

Frothingham Hall 15 Barrows Street North Easton, MA 02356 Individuals and families from all communities are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be made available starting: October 22, 2012

Application deadline: December 21, 2012 Applications are available by calling: Ms. Alicia Toney (781) 318-5380 Or by writing or email to: Toney & Associates, Inc. 95 Washington Street, Suite 104-171 Canton, MA 02021 Attention: Ms. Alicia Toney toneyassociates@comcast.net

22 • Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER

Parker Hill Apartments The Style, Comfort and Convenience you Deserve!

Heat and Hot Water Always Included Modern Laundry Facilities Private Balconies / Some with City Views Plush wall to wall carpet Adjacent to New England Baptist Hospital Secured Entry, Elevator Convenience Private Parking Near Public Transportation and much more ...

1 bedroom $1058 – $1250 income must not exceed $41,100 Call Today for more details and to schedule a visit...

888-842-7945

WOLLASTON MANOR 91 Clay Street Quincy, MA 02170

Senior Living At It’s Best

A senior/disabled/ handicapped community 0 BR units = $1,027/mo 1 BR units = $1,101/mo All utilities included.

Call Sandy Miller, Property Manager

#888-691-4301 Program Restrictions Apply.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTAL OPPORTUNITY

Legacy Park Wakefield Apartments 101 Hopkins Street (off Summit Drive) Town of Wakefield Fifteen (15) One-Bedroom (1 BR) Garden Style Apartments (Rent = $1,218 Per Month) Thirteen (13) Two-Bedroom (2 BR) Garden Style Apartments (Rent = $1,462 Per Month Utilities (Electricity, Heat, and Water / Sewer) are Included in the Monthly Rent The Project Includes Two (2) Barrier Free Affordable Units – Including a One Bedroom (1BR) Unit and a Two Bedroom (2BR) Unit Those Requiring Barrier Free Units are Strongly Encouraged to Apply New Construction / On-Site Management and Maintenance Staff / Access to Route # 95 and MBTA Commuter Rail / In-Unit Laundry / Fitness Center / Library / Decks & Patios Residents who Qualify will be Selected by Lottery for the Opportunity to Rent Units In Order to Qualify, Total Household Income cannot Exceed the Maximum Annual Income Limits for the Household Sizes Shown Below One Person Household: $45,500 Two Person Household: $52,000 Three Person Household: $58,500

Four Person Household: $65,000 Five Person Household: $70,200 Six Person Household: $75,400

To Receive an Informational Packet and an Application: Contact Housing Resource Group, LLC at (781) 820-8797, or Visit the Lucius Bebee Memorial Library (345 Main St. Wakefield MA), or Visit the Wakefield Town Hall (1 Lafayette St. Wakefield MA)

Completed Applications must be Returned to: Housing Resource Group, LLC Four Raymond Street, Lexington, MA 02421 All Applications must be Postmarked by December 22, 2012

Informational Meetings Regarding this Project /Opportunity will be held at the Americal Civic Center 467 Main Street, Wakefield MA on Tuesday December 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM

A Joint Venture Development of: The Richmond Company, Inc. and The Federated Companies LLC MARKET RATE RENTAL UNITS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE PROJECT ON A FIRST COME BASIS INTEREST IN MARKET RATE UNITS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: 978-988-3900 – Ext. #12

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Thursday, December 6, 2012 • BAY STATE BANNER • 23

ASSOCIATED EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, INC.

BOXBOROUGH AFFORDABLE CONDOMINIUM LOTTERY SALE #2 The Town of Boxborough is accepting applications for the sale of a two-bedroom, first floor condominium located at 318 Codman Hill Road, unit 1E. The septic system assessment has been paid. The unit will be sold by lottery for $85,000 to an eligible buyer. The eligibility criteria include not owning a home in the past three years, with the exception of households with one member age 55 or over and displaced homeowners. The annual household income shall not exceed specified income limits based on household size (e.g. $65,000 for a four-person household), and the household size shall not exceed four persons. An open house is scheduled for December 8th at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by an informational session at Town Hall, 29 Middle Rd. at 12:00 noon. Applications are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 21, 2012.

Join Our Team of professional early education teachers. A minimum of 1 year experience working with young children in an educational setting is required. DEEC Teacher Certified with the interest in continuing studies in the field of Early Childhood Education. Strong interest and commitment to the education and wellbeing of young children is a plus. Desire to work in a community based setting.

High School Diploma/GED is required, DEEC certification desired, bilingual abilities a plus. Associated Early Care and Education has six locations in the metro Boston area. We currently have several full and part time openings.

• Teachers and Lead-Teachers for Preschool/ Infant and Toddler Classrooms

Information packet and applications are available at the Town Hall at 29 Middle Rd, the Sargent Memorial Library at 427 Massachusetts Ave, and on the town website at www.town.boxborough.ma.us.

Apply Online: www.AssociatedECE.org/careers Or send updated cover letter and resume to: Suzanne Steen, Recruiter at HR@AssociatedECE.org Or Fax to: 617-695-9590 An Equal Opportunity Employer

ALTA BRIGHAM SQUARE A F F O R D A B L E H O U S I N G L O T T E RY

ARLINGTON, MA WWW.S-E-B.COM/LOTTERY

Project Hope Job Openings

Director of Educational Services

17 New Affordable Apartments Studios @ $941/mo 1BRs @ $1,068/mo 2BRs @ $1,185/mo Rent does not include any utilities except water and sewer Alta Brigham Square is a 116 unit apartment building located onehalf block off of Massachusetts Avenue at Arlington Center. 17 of the units will be reserved for individuals and families who qualify for this affordable housing program.

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Qualifications:

Affordable apartments include designer finishes such as gorgeous plank flooring in kitchen and bath; granite countertops; stainless steel appliances; upgraded espresso-colored designer cabinetry; oversized kitchen islands; and tile surrounds in baths. Community amenities include a wellness center with cardio salon and an outdoor lounge with fire pits and community grills.

• B.A. in Education or related field (Masters’ preferred); • 5 yrs+ experience in adult education, preferably funded by DESE; • Experience with SMARTT system preferred; • Computer literate, including data entry; • Supervisory experience strongly preferred;

The Maximum Income Limits for Households are as follows: 1 Person — $45,500 3 Person — $58,500

Project Hope offers a variety of programs that support families so they can move up and out of poverty. We seek a part-time (80%) director for our Adult Educational Services department. The Director works collaboratively with the team to lead and coordinate all aspects of the division, including: staff supervision, program design and implementation, budget development and monitoring, grant writing and reporting, regulatory compliance and data gathering.

• Experience with workforce development a plus;

2 Person — $52,000 4 Person — $65,000

• Experience working with low-income families preferred.

A Public Info Session will be held on January 10th, 2013 at 6:00 pm in the Arlington Senior Center Mural Room (27 Maple Street, next to Town Hall).

Candidates should respond to: jgrogan@prohope.org

Completed Applications and Required Income Documentation must be received, not postmarked, by 2 pm on January 30th 2013.

The Lottery will be held on February 12th, 6 pm in the Arlington Senior Center Mural Room.

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For Lottery Information and Applications go to www.s-e-b.com/lottery or call (617) 782-6900 And Leave A Message. Applications and Information also available at the Robbins Library on 700 Mass Ave in Arlington (M-W 9-9, Thurs 1-9, Fri+Sat 9-5, Sun 2-5).

call (617) 261-4600

Community Resource Counselor (Boston Area Rape Crisis Center; Cambridge, MA) Provide direct client advocacy svcs to sexual assault survivors. Min. req’s: Master’s in Social Work +1 yr exp providing direct client advocacy svcs to trauma survivors. Will accept pre-Master’s exp.

Send resume: M. Gopnik, Mng Dir, BARCC, 99 Bishop Allen Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139.

Ref. CN14079.

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QUINCY HOUSING AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Quincy Housing Authority, Quincy, Massachusetts is seeking candidates for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director leads a staff of 64, administers 945 Section 8 vouchers, and a small number of vouchers for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Housing and Economic Development (“DHCD”). QHA owns and manages 651 units which are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and 909 units which are subsidized by DHCD. QHA leases a total of four facilities to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Mental Health and/or the Department of Mental Retardation as group homes for disabled clients.

A Bachelor’s degree is required and major coursework in public administration, business administration, or management is preferred. A minimum of eight years of management experience in public housing, non-profit affordable housing, or for-profit property management or closely related field is required. A Bachelor’s degree may be substituted for up to two years of experience. One year’s supervisory experience of a staff of ten or more is also required. Candidates must be bondable. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and abilities in key areas that include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) strategic leadership; (2) management efficiency and effectiveness; (3) business and finance acumen; (4) human resources management; (5) internal/external stakeholder relationships; (6) program integrity, knowledge, and compliance; (7) decision-making; (8) entrepreneurism; (9) written and verbal communication; (10) asset management; and (11) maintenance planning. The agency’s website also is being updated to include additional information on recruitment, the position description, agency strategic goals, and the agency profile (www.quincyha.com).

The salary will be in accordance with Massachusetts Housing and Community Development guidelines. Certification as a Public Housing Manager from a HUD approved organization is required, but may be substituted by certification as a property manager or similar classification by a nationally recognized housing or real estate organization, or by certification as a MPHA of a DHCD-approved Massachusetts Public Housing Administrator Certification Program. Candidates must also have achieved either the NAHRO Certified Management Executive designation or the PHADA Executive Director Education Program within two years. The successful candidate must have also achieved or commit to successfully achieving the designation of Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official as offered through the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General.

The application must include a one-page cover letter, a maximum of a two-page resume (including salary history), a one-page summary of leadership/management style, and a one-page listing of three professional references from sources such as board members, peers, or stakeholders. An email or hard copy version of the application must be received by January 4, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time at this address:

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Mr. Stan Quy, NCC, President/Principal, The Organizational Leadership Edge 147 Ginger Cove Road, Valley, NE 68064 SQuy@cox.net QHA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer