LAWT 05-31-2012

W E E K E N D E R

Vol. XXX, No. 1286

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, May 31, 2012

L.A. Watts Times

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

RIES ~ Feather the nest. Stock up on stuff for the long haul. Cement relationships. A friend needs your support.

Enjoy giving it. You will receive good news about a pal. Soul Affirmation: Cheerfully handling what comes at me is the test of who I am.

AURUS ~ Be cautious and conservative with money. You are extremely witty this week. Allow others to enjoy your good humor. Your leadership skills are very high, and others will follow. Soul Affirmation: Luck is my best friend this week.

EMINI ~ This is a good time for you to seek agreement on a plan that involves a relative. Take the time to remind your lover how much you care. Get a little sentimental if you have to. Don’t be too critical of that softer side of your personality. Soul Affirmation: Self-confidence is the key to my success this week.

ANCER ~ You’ve made your point.

Now wait. Wait for the feedback about the impact it had on the people around you.

Be careful of those who don’t celebrate with you. They feel the impact and are resisting the positive effects. Soul Affirmation: Before goodness can come I must expect goodness.

EO ~ Be sharp! All of your needs will be met in indirect ways. Gifts will come from unexpected sources. They will be carefully packaged to go unnoticed.

Unwrap everything and look inside. There will be empty boxes, but there will also be a prize in an unanticipated situation. Soul Affirmation: I look for the good in all that comes to me this week.

IRGO ~ Push. Now is a good time to push. Your energy is higher than ever. Someone might get offended, but you can’t please everyone. Hire a pro for something that you planned to do yourself, especially if a expertise is involved.

Soul Affirmation: Success is mine because I feel successful.

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IBRA ~ Review your “to do” list again.

You may need to slow down to discover something that you didn’t realize while you were in the flow of events. Your lover is going to be a little difficult to understand.

Back off if an argument arises. You’re probably the one who is too busy. Forgiving yourself is often harder than getting someone else to forgive you. Soul Affirmation: Two hats fit well on my big head.

CORPIO ~Make a special effort to spend all week with your lover, husband or wife. Your sense of the importance of relationships is keen and this is a good time to strengthen your passionate partnership. Take your lover to a party. Devote attention. Soul Affirmation: Change is my middle name.

AGITTARIUS ~ The flock will come to you for direction. Give it gracefully.

Know that your insights will help a lot if you deliver them in the right way. If you are a mother, guidance will be the best gift you can give others this week. Soul Affirmation: Knowing I can do it is the biggest preparation for getting it done.

APRICORN ~ Most people don’t know how often dreams and reality blend into that practical consciousness of yours. Knowledge comes from a dream you’ve had lately. This week is a good week to get started making that dream a reality. Soul Affirmation: My spirit gives me limitless possibilities.

QUARIUS ~ Cooperation is key this week in your relationship with your partner. Even if you know you’re right, let your partner have his or her way in the early going.

Your staying power will give you influence or control in the late rounds. Soul Affirmation: I let go and let the spirit run my life this week.

ISCES ~ At home, projects flourish as family cooperates. They do love you and they are tired of being difficult.

However, time spent by yourself leads to important insights. It’s a favorable time for research and study. Soul Affirmation: I let my luck work for me.

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L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER Published Weekly – Updates 3800 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008 Administration – Sales – Graphics – Editorial 323.299.3800 - office 323.291.6804 - fax Beverly Cook – Publisher, Managing Editor 1976 – 1993 Charles Cook – Publisher 1976 – 1998 Melanie Polk – Publisher 1998 – 2010

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WWW.LAWATTSTIMES.COM Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. ............Executive Publisher & Executive Editor Brenda Marsh Mitchell ..................................Executive Vice President Tracey Mitchell ......................................................................Controller Brandon I. Brooks ..................................................Co-Managing Editor Yussuf J. Simmonds ..............................................Co-Managing Editor Joy Childs ....................................................................Assistant Editor Bernard Lloyd ....................................................Director of Advertising Benjamin Samuels ....................................................Graphic Designer Chris Martin ..........................................................Production Designer EMAIL: wattsweekender@yahoo.com Circulation ..................................................................................50,000 The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the L.A. Watts Times.

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7th Annual Brittiana ‘Smile for Life’ 5K Run/Walk

BY ASHLEY NASH LAWT INTERN

MOMBASA SQUARE ANSWERS FROM 5-10-12

A

May 31 - June 6

The annual Brittiana’s ‘Smile for Life’ 5K Run/Walk will be taking place on Saturday, June 2 at Kenneth Hahn Park from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This will be the seventh year of the BCI (Brittiana Cares International) walk and the fifth year since her passing.

According to a video posted on the Brittiana 5K Smile for Life website, Brittiana Reneé Henderson was born on September 1, 1993. The ‘Smile for Life’ portion included in the name of her organization was inspired by her loving nature and reputation for being ‘all smiles’. With her amazing talents, ranging from acting and dancing to poetry and excelling in school, Brittiana was destined for a bright future. However, her diagnosis of Osteogenic Sarcoma (bone cancer) would combat that destiny. It was through chemotherapy, a knee replacement, and painful procedures that Brittiana persevered and encouraged other children battling cancer.

She was then inspired and with the help of parents developed the organization that hosts the annual run/walk every year, Brittiana Cares International.

Dedicated “to embracing children diagnosed with cancer through the power of love,” as stated in the description, Brittiana brought smiles to the faces of many affected children. In congruence with the hope she provided, she and her family would be notified that her cancer went into remission following the completion of her chemotherapy treatments.

Yet, it wouldn’t be long before the cancer returned, but this time it was Leukemia that initiated a faith-breaking attempt.

While it was declared that her chances of survival were slim to none, Brittiana

Brittiana yearned for quality of life and decided upon no chemo treatments for this duration. Nonetheless, with the support of family and the hospital, Brittiana engaged in holistic regiments.

At this time, Brittiana assisted in planning the first annual “Brittiana ‘Smile for Life’ 5K run/walk” through her organization; in efforts to raise funds for those children facing cancer treatment as well. With cancer serving as the number one disease killing 46 of America's children a day, according to the BCI webpage, Brittiana Cares International combats these realities by fulfilling their mission of increasing awareness and creating smiles for all children fighting against cancer. Brittiana passed on January 31, 2007. Her organization continues to bring joy to children enduring similar circumstances.

Featured on her webpage was the inspirational quote, “Every life has a purpose and Every Child deserves the opportunity to smile.” For more information on how to assist and/or donate visit http://bcirunwalk.com.

Calif. Assembly rejects bankruptcy process change SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The state Assembly has rejected legislation seeking to change the mediation process for California cities on the verge of declaring bankruptcy.

The attempt comes just months after lawmakers approved the system now being used by Mammoth Lakes and Stockton.

Lawmakers rejected AB1692 on a 32-28 vote Tuesday, but it could come up for another vote later this week.

Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski

POLL RESULTS

HOROSCOPES

says neutral evaluators need more financial information about the cities they are working with. Republicans said the Fremont Democrat’s bill would undermine public policy they only just approved.

The public employee unions that sought Wieckowski’s 2011 legislation establishing mediation now want to change it.

Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, a Santa Clara Republican, says the Legislature should instead seek feedback from cities about how the new process is working.

Are you afraid of being tested for sexually transmitted disease?

91.7%

No

8.3%

Yes

Visit www.lasentinel.net to vote for Weekender polls.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

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Person Of The Week | Lance M. Filer Dr. Betty Price releases new book Lance M. Filer received the news that every aspiring lawyer yearns to learn... “Congratulations the Committee of Bar Examiners wishes to inform you that you have successfully passed the California Bar Examination!” Attorney Filer is a third-generation lawyer from the Filer family — his late grandfather, Maxcy D. Filer (attorney at law with private law practice), uncle, Judge Kelvin D. Filer (LA Superior Court Judge in Compton), uncle, Attorney Anthony S. Filer (Supervising Attorney with Community Legal services), aunt, Della Thompson-Bell (Deputy City attorney for the City of Torrance).

Lance Filer is the son of Duane and Janice Filer who now reside in Carson. He attended Millikan High School in Long Beach and was a standout varsity basketball player making the All-League Moore Team his senior year. He graduated from California State Poly University at Pomona in 2004 with a Bachelors of Science in EBusiness. Lance was always very active in student government and community service during his collegiate years. He holds several leadership positions with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Of course, Lance’s grandfather encouraged him to consider going to law school and he did, matriculating at Thomas

Lance M. Filer M. Cooley Law School .The new attorney is now deciding on his career path in the legal arena and

the one thing he knows for sure is that he wants to be a litigator and wants to be in the courtroom!!!

Dr. Betty Price

On Wednesday, May 30, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Betty Price of the Crenshaw Christian Center ministry on the topic of her new book “Warning to Ministers, Their Wives and Mistresses: Avoid the Road to Destruction.” When asked what inspired her to write the book, Dr. Price revealed that she received several letters in the past from the wives of ministers as well as their mistresses, inquiring how to deal with and/or get out of their current situations. After years of speaking with and counseling these women, Dr. Price states that she felt the book would best answer their questions. Included are scriptures, encouraging words and witnessed testimonies that warn all parties involved of this adulterous lifestyle and how the end never turns out as good as the present may make them feel. In regards to the manipulative actions of the ministers in these cases, Dr. Price asks, “Don’t they realize that God knows and sees everything?”

Stressed within the text is the concept that the participants don’t have to live under those circumstances. Dr. Price confirms that the title of the book along with its contents are sufficient in warning all readers, while also providing them with the methods through which those involved can receive help. A letter from one of the women she first consoled was evidence that

these predicaments still take place and that there is definitely a way out. Dr. Betty Price continues to speak to women, helping them to recognize who they are in Christ.

Also she assists the women in realizing that if they trust in God, they won’t have to fall victim to those ministers taking advantage of the members of the congregation...that overcoming all of this is, in fact, possible.

The Crenshaw Christian Center webpage reports that “her love and concern for others” contributed to the development of programs within their ministry such as “Women Who Care” and “Women’s Fellowship,” a women’s support group and a women’s network addressing the battles of women today. In regards to her ministry, passion and inspiration, Dr. Betty Price ends with “I just want to try to help people especially women more than anything. I’ve lived my life 78 years now and I’ve come a long way. I want to help them so that they can change while they’re young because people get into it before they realize it. So, I just want to encourage them and say stop that lifestyle...I know I can’t save everybody, but I can still help some.” Dr. Betty Price continues to minister to women, serving as a positive role model as well as uplifting voice within her church and surrounding communities. The book signing, a Sentinel Book Club presentation will also be held at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Saturday, June 9.

metro.net/expo

Watch for trains on Metro Expo Line tracks.

The Metro Expo Line, the newest addition to Metro Rail service, is now open.

Please remember to: > Obey all tra;c signals and warning devices. > Be alert at all times. Watch for a “TRAIN” signal. > Always push the button and wait for a “WALK” signal before entering the crosswalk. Never jaywalk across the tracks. > Never sit or stand on tracks. > Do not go around lowered gates. > Never make a left turn on a red arrow.

This tra;c rule will be enforced by cameras at intersections. > Right turns are allowed while an Expo Line train is passing through, but may be restricted at certain intersections.

For more safety tips, visit metro.net/ridesafely.

12-0889jl ©2011 lacmta

BY ASHLEY NASH LAWT INTERN

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Face-chewing victim face surgery, Jamaica seeks heritage long status for sunken port Jamaica, archaeologists seek world heritage recovery status for remains of submerged port city

BY JENNIFER KAY | ASSOCIATED PRESS MIAMI (AP) — A homeless man whose face was mostly chewed off in a bizarre, vicious attack faces a bigger threat from infection than from the injuries themselves, according to experts on facial reconstruction. He will require months of treatment to rebuild his features and be permanently disfigured.

Though gruesome, such severe facial injuries are generally not life threatening. The most serious risk to Ronald Poppo as he remained hospitalized Wednesday were germs that may have been introduced by the bites of the naked man who attacked him.

One of the 65-year-old's eyes was also gouged out.

“The human mouth is basically filthy,” said Dr. Seth Thaller, the chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

It’s not clear why Poppo was attacked Saturday afternoon by 31year-old Rudy Eugene alongside a busy highway. Police have released few details about the attack, but surveillance video from a nearby building shows Eugene pulling Poppo from the

AP Photo/Miami-Dade Police Dept.

This combo made with undated photos made available by the Miami-Dade Police Dept. shows Rudy Eugene, 31, left, who police shot and killed as he ate the face of Ronald Poppo, 65, right, during a horrific attack in the shadow of the Miami Herald's headquarters on Saturday, May 26, 2012. Poppo was in critical condition Tuesday, with only his goatee intact on his face, the newspaper reported.

AP Photo/David McFadden

shade, stripping and pummeling him before appearing to hunch over and then lie on top of him.

A witness described Eugene ripping at Poppo’s face with his mouth and growling at a Miami police officer who ordered him to get off the homeless man. The officer shot and killed Eugene.

Eugene’s younger brother said that he was a sweet person who didn’t

drink much or use hard drugs.

“I wish they didn’t kill him so he could tell us exactly what happened.

This is very uncharacteristic of him,” said the brother, who asked for anonymity to protect his family from harassment.

Police union officials representing the officer said the scene on the MacArthur Causeway was one of the See FACE-CHEWING, page 15

A collection of clay and ceramic pipes collected by underwater archaeologists from the remains of the submerged Jamaican city of Port Royal, is shown to the media during a press conference in Port Royal, Jamaica, Tuesday, May 29, 2012. A team of international archaeologists said Tuesday that they’ll ask the United Nations’ cultural agency to bestow world heritage status on Port Royal, the mostly submerged remains of a historic Jamaican port known as the “wickedest city on Earth” more than three centuries ago.

BY DAVID MCFADDEN | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS KINGSTON, Jamaica —Archaeologists said Tuesday that they'll ask the United Nations’ cultural agency to bestow world heritage status on Port Royal, the mostly submerged remains of a historic Jamaican port known as the “wickedest city on Earth” more than three centuries ago.

Receiving the designation from UNESCO would place Port Royal in the company of global marvels such as Cambodia’s Angkor temple complex and India’s Taj Mahal.

The sunken 17th century city was once a bustling place where buccaneers including Henry Morgan docked in search of rum, women and boat repairs.

In recent days, international consultants have conducted painstaking surveys to mark the old city’s land and sea boundaries to apply for the world heritage designation by June 2014, said Dorrick Gray, a technical director with the Jamaican National Heritage Trust, a government agency responsible for preserving and developing the island’s cultural spots.

Port Royal was the main city of the British colony of Jamaica in the 17th century until an earthquake and tsunami submerged two-thirds of the settlement in 1692. It boasted a well-to-do population of roughly 7,000 at the time, and was comparable to Boston during the same period.

After the quake, the remainder of the town served as a British royal navy base for two centuries, even as it was periodically ravaged by fires and hurricanes.

In his sprawling book “Caribbean,” American author James Michener described Port Royal as having “no restraints of any kind, and the soldiers stationed in the fort seemed as undisciplined as the pirates who roared ashore to take over the place night after night.

They were of all breeds, all with nefarious occupations.”

Now, it’s a depressed fishing village at the tip of a spit of land near

Kingston’s airport. It has little to attract visitors except some restaurants offering seafood and a few dilapidated historic buildings. The sunken, algae-covered remnants of the city are in murky waters in an archaeological preserve closed to divers without a permit.

But in recent decades, underwater excavations have turned up artifacts including cannonballs, wine glasses, ornate pipes, pewter plates and ceramic plates dredged from the muck just offshore. The partial skeleton of a child was found in 1998.

At a Tuesday press conference, experts said it’s among the top British archaeological sites in the Western Hemisphere and should be protected for future generations.

“There is outstanding potential here. Submerged towns like this just do not exist anywhere else in the Americas,” said Robert Grenier, a Canadian underwater archaeologist who has worked closely with UNESCO. He believes the Jamaican site has a strong chance of getting on the world heritage list.

Texas A&M University nautical archaeologist Donny Hamilton said the consulting team has completed the fieldwork for the world heritage assessment and is working on a management plan. He said Port Royal could become a sustainable attraction for tourists but first “there’s got to be something above the ground that people are going to want to come and see.”

Jamaican officials and businessmen have announced various strategies to renovate the ramshackle town over the years, including plans for modern cruise liners and a Disney-style theme park featuring actors dressed as pirates.

Some area businessmen have grown exasperated with the slow pace of development.

“Somebody has to act with a certain measure of dispatch,” said Marvin D. Goodman, an architect with offices in Kingston, across the bay from Port Royal.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

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3 arrested in kidnap of LA-area pair, kidnap of 1 PICO RIVERA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say they have arrested three men and are seeking a fourth who kidnapped a Los Angeles County couple and tortured the man for days.

Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker said Tuesday that the couple from Pico Rivera was kidnapped May 13.

Parker says the man was held for five days in a garage while the woman was released with orders to bring back

$6,000 to free him. He says the man was subjected to constant death threats, had his fingers smashed with a handgun, his ear cut and an obscene word burned into his stomach with a knife.

The man escaped when he was taken out of the garage and his kidnappers tried to put him into a vehicle.

Authorities subsequently arrested three reputed members of the “Rivera 13” gang.

Calif. death row inmate found hanging in cell SAN QUENTIN, Calif. (AP) — California prison officials say a death row inmate convicted of killing a 13year-old boy has committed suicide.

The state Department of Corrections says 68-year-old James Lee Crummel was pronounced dead Sunday after being found hanging in his cell at San Quentin State Prison.

Crummel had been on death row since being convicted in 2004 of kidnapping, molesting and killing James Wilfred Trotter. The boy disappeared on his way to school in Orange

County in 1979.

Prosecutors said Crummel lived on the same Costa Mesa street where Trotter’s family lived.

The boy’s body wasn’t found until 1990, when Crummel told police he’d found a skull while hiking in the Cleveland National Forest in Riverside County. The body wasn't identified until 1996.

Crummel's attorney said at his sentencing that her client couldn't express regret for a crime he did not commit.

FAMU documents: Hazing what it took to be accepted

BY MIKE SCHNEIDER | ASSOCIATED PRESS ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — New documents released in the case of a Florida A&M drum major who died after being beaten by fellow band members show that being ritually hazed was what it took to be accepted into the inner circle of the Marching 100's percussionist section.

The affidavits for arrest warrants released Wednesday by the State Attorney’s Office in Orlando say that it was common knowledge band members were required to go through hazing in order to earn the respect of other percussionists.

Eleven band members have been charged with felony hazing for Robert Champion’s death in November. Two others face misdemeanor charges.

Champion had opposed hazing. But he was also vying to be the band's top leader, and friends say he volunteered to be hazed in order to win respect from others.

AP Photo/David Goldman

Pam Champion, right, and Robert Champion, Sr., left, hold a photo of their son, Robert, a Florida A&M University drum major who died in a hazing incident, as they are photographed in their attorney’s office following a press conference Wednesday, May 23, 2012, in Atlanta. The Florida A&M drum major who died after being hazed on a bus was known for his opposition to hazing but agreed to go through a brutal initiation ritual because it was seen as an honor, according to interviews with band mates released Wednesday. Champion's parents said at a news conference Wednesday that they are having a hard time believing that their son volunteered to be hazed.

one dollar fits all

Now that McDonald’s has any size soft drink, bottled water or sweet tea for only one buck, you can afford to work up any size thirst. So go on, talk on the phone…look out the window…read this paper. No matter how you work up a thirst, one dollar fits all sizes at Mickey D’s. ®

1

$

ANY SIZE

SOFT DRINK

At participating McDonald's. Excludes McCafé beverages, orange juice and coffee. A la carte only. Does not apply to bottles. ©2012 The Coca-Cola Company. "Coca-Cola" is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company. ©2012 McDonald’s.

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

AP Photo/SABC via AP video

This video image taken from SABC television shows South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela as he receiving a torch to celebrate the African National Congress’ centenary from ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete, unseen, in Mandela’s home village Qunu in rural eastern South Africa Wednesday May 30, 2012. Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress brought its centenary celebrations to his home village in rural eastern South Africa.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress brought its centenary celebrations to his home village in rural eastern South Africa Wednesday.

State television released images of a delegation led by the governing party’s national chairperson, Baleka Mbete, visiting the anti-apartheid icon’s Qunu home with a barrelsized replica of the torch lit during the party's 100th anniversary cele-

brations earlier this year. Mandela, surrounded by grandchildren and his wife, spoke briefly as he sat in an armchair, telling Mbete he was happy to see her.

Mbete joked that she wasn’t sure what was warming her more, being near Mandela or being near the lit torch. She added that he should enjoy his retirement, but “we want you to know that we miss you all the time.”

South Africa’s Mandela celebrates party’s 100th Mandela, who makes few public appearances, arrived in Qunu on Tuesday from Johannesburg, where he also has a home. Next month is his 94th birthday, and he often celebrates birthdays in the village where he grew up.

In February, Mandela was hospitalized in Johannesburg for a test to determine the cause of an undisclosed stomach ailment.

The Nobel peace laureate spent 27 years in prison for fighting racist rule. He became South Africa's first black president in 1994 and served one five-year term.

Sentinel Book Signing Event: Rev. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray & Judge Mablean Ephriam The Rev. Murray and Judge Ephriam will be signing their new books next weekend at the Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Plaza.

BY ASHLEY NASH SENTINEL INTERN On Saturday, June 9, the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will be hosting the book signing of Reverend ‘Chip’ Murray’s “Twice Tested By Fire” and Judge Mablean Ephriam’s “Life Lessons: 52 Tools for Weekly Living.”

While the books may differ in format

The Rev. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray

Judge Mablean Ephriam and subject matter, both works feature the advice and testimony of influential, community leaders that have witnessed the commonly-faced battles in life.

From the toils of our environments to the relationships in our circles, Reverend Murray and Judge Mablean discuss familiar dilemmas from which we can all benefit.

“Twice Tested by Fire” includes the background (born in South Florida), education and life story of the honorable, Reverend Cecil Murray as well as its parallel with the Civil Rights Movement, his participation in the Air force and pastoral history. In “Life Lessons: 52 Tools for Weekly Living,” Judge Mablean Ephriam discusses the daily tools necessary to develop various relationships ranging from parent-child to husband-wife. According to their synopsis, if you’re a person with relationships or in the slightest need of guidance, both books are definitely worth reading.

When asked what inspired Reverend Murray to write his book, he mentioned that Executive Director and Professor of (the Center of) Religion at the University of Southern California, Donald Miller asked that he write an autobiography, providing the same service and mentorship as displayed amongst his church congregation.

Along the same line, Reverend ‘Chip’ Murray stated, “The very subject ‘Twice Tested by Fire’ would examine two pivotal points in my life...that would apply to others.” The explosion

of his two-seater Air force jet in 1966 at the Oxnard Airport Space defined his deliverance coupled with the 1992 riots that contributed to his passionate testament. In regards to what Reverend Murray would like for his readers to gather from his work, he mentioned that revelation, along with opportunity are ever-widening. “We are the ones who create the evolution and if within ourselves we can see a tomorrow that tomorrow will come to be.”

In conjunction with his 27 years as F.A.M.E.’s pastor as well as his autobiography, Reverend Murray also undertakes the community necessities of job training, business loans, re-entry programs, gang prevention and intervention via the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, ascertaining that the foundation and experiences associated are based upon leaders within the faith-based community.

These stimulating efforts are shared between Reverend Murray and Judge Mablean, portrayed in her “Life Lessons: 52 Tools for Weekly Living.”

However, it is through her adjudicative outreach that she achieves these accomplishments. Judge Mablean stated that it was her work as a judge on the television show, “Divorce Court”as well as being a lawyer in the city of Los Angeles (dealing with relationship issues) that inspired her decision to write her book. She declares, “My readers should receive tools for weekly living, to help them have better relationships, learn how to treat and love one another, how to become a better and stronger person in all relationships.”

In alignment with her prolific piece, Judge Ephriam is also the president of the Mablean Ephriam Foundation which she defined as a non-profit organization strengthening families, building better communities through targeting fathers, mentoring students, recognizing graduates, resolving and See BOOK SIGNING, page 14

Thursday, May 31, 2012

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Odd politics, presidential tradition: Bush is back

BY BEN FELLER | ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS? Let me assist you.

There is NO Fee until we win.

Jacquelyn Brown, Disability Appeals Rep.

(323) 756-3755

bulletin board

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed legislation that renews the charter of the Export-Import Bank for three years and increases the bank’s lending cap to $140 billion from the current $100 billion. The bank is the government’s vehicle for promoting U.S. export sales.

Obama says the move will help thousands of businesses sell their products and services overseas and help them create jobs at home.

The president says the independent federal agency is a key factor toward reaching his goal of doubling exports over five years.

Lawmakers passed the legislation earlier this month amid resistance from conservatives who argued that the bank distorts the market. The bank had support from numerous business groups.

Last year it provided about $32 billion in loans, loan guarantees and credit financing, helping support 290,000 jobs.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File

In this Jan. 16, 2010 file photo, former President George W. Bush listens as President Barack Obama speaks in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington. President Barack Obama frequently blames President George W. Bush for America’s shaky economy, high unemployment and foreign policy woes. But he’s sure to change his tune on Thursday when Bush comes back to the White House in a rare limelight moment, The man who led the country for eight tumultuous years will have his portrait hung and Obama will be there applauding.

card

Obama signs bill reauthorizing Export-Import Bank

tion year, the Obama-bashing-Bush'srecord sets a backdrop.

“This president is looking for someone to blame,” Romney said while campaigning in Colorado this week. “Of course, he started off by blaming George Bush, and that worked for a while but, you know, after three and a half years that wears kind of thin.”

The White House points out that Obama praises Bush sometimes, too, as he did in March over Bush’s willingness to take on immigration.

The visit is layered with political story lines.

Bush’s brother Jeb is a potential vice presidential candidate to Romney.

Bush’s father has developed a kinship of sorts with Obama. And then there is Bush himself, who has endorsed Romney but is still viewed by many in his party as politically toxic.

More than any president in recent memory, Bush has not just intentionally faded from the public spotlight but all but disappeared from it.

“George W. Bush has been remarkably, and even strangely silent, even once you respect his sentiment that he did not want to get in Barack Obama’s way,” said Jillson. “I think part of that is just giving himself time to recover from what had to be an astoundingly difficult close to his presidency.”

The politically impassioned issues of that time have faded. The Iraq war is over. The financial sector has stabilized after a devastating crash in late 2008. But the nation is still feeling the cost of the enormous recession, which is Obama's problem now.

Bush was last at the White House in January 2010. That was to join Obama and Bill Clinton in support of Haiti humanitarian relief.

Aides to both Obama and Bush are downplaying the Thursday reunion as a time of politics. Bush spokesman Freddy Ford said the former president and first lady are grateful to the Obama and looking forward to catching up with faces from their past, including staff at the Executive Mansion.

“I think there is a community here with very few members that transcends political and policy differences,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. He made that comment in the same briefing Wednesday in which he reminded everyone that Obama inherited a huge budget deficit (from Bush.)

Jenna Bush Hager, one of the George W. Bush’s daughters, said she was invited for the ceremony and that the day will include a private lunch for the Bushes with the Obamas. She told “Fox & Friends” the day will be a chance to “celebrate his work, ‘cause he worked pretty hard so I think he deserves at least a painting.”

As to where it will go, she said: “Probably in the very back somewhere. I’m just kidding.”

The painting will actually hang prominently in the formal entrance hall to the White House, the Grand Foyer.

business

WASHINGTON (AP) — This is a little awkward.

President Barack Obama can’t seem to stop bad-mouthing the record of former President George W. Bush.

But on Thursday, Obama is going to welcome his predecessor and proudly preside as Bush’s image and legacy are enshrined at the White House forever.

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will join Bush and his wife, Laura, as their official portraits are unveiled. The incumbent is keeping up a presidential tradition typically defined by cheer and graciousness, but not without some uneasiness.

Hardly a day goes by without Obama or his aides talking about the mess they inherited — meaning, from Bush.

It was just one week ago that Obama, revving up campaign donors, turned Bush into a punch line. Obama depicted Republican rival Mitt Romney as a peddler of bad economic ideas, helping the rich at the expense of the middle class, and then added to laughs: “That was tried, remember?

The last guy did all this.”

Now the last guy is coming back.

So, too, will his father, former President George H.W. Bush and the former first lady Barbara Bush. The Obamas will hold forth in the ornate East Room as George and Laura Bush are honored for their service before an invited audience of Bush friends and former staff members.

It will be a rare limelight moment for Bush, who has not been back in more than two years.

Obama and Bush have a cordial and respectful relationship, but they are not close. Both are political veterans who are able to separate political tactics from what they see as an overarching community among people who have served in the Oval Office, according to people close to them.

Only 44 men in history, and five men alive, have held the job.

“President Bush has been around politics a long time. He's been around how presidents deal with each other for a long time,” said Tony Fratto, one of his former spokesmen at the White House. “He has an understanding for separating the necessities of political rhetoric from the job itself.”

Bush showed that all through 2008, when Obama assailed his record on war and the economy en route to the White House. It was hard to remember at times that Obama was running not against Bush, who was finishing the last year of a tumultuous eight-year term, but rather Arizona Sen. John McCain.

When it was done, Bush welcomed Obama to the White House with grace and demanded that his team ensure a smooth transition.

History has marked this moment before, with grudges put aside.

When Bill Clinton came back for his portrait unveiling, Bush lauded him for “the forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president.”

Never mind that Bush had run for the presidency to “restore honor and dignity” after Clinton’s sex scandal.

And when Clinton welcomed back George H.W. Bush, whom he had defeated, he said to him and his wife: “Welcome home. We’re glad to have you here.”

“I would be surprised if there’s very much tension” this time around, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University who has long followed Bush’s career.

Obama has enlisted Bush’s help on earthquake relief for Haiti, and the two stood together in New York City last year in marking the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on America. They have also spoken at least three times at signature moments over the last three years, including the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Still, in the midst of a tight elec-

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

F E AT U R E

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER

Dynamic, insightful, courageous, and committed all describe the Right Reverend Hamel Hartford Brookins, a legendary preacher-activist who rose from humble beginnings to the highest ecclesiastical level in the worldwide African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Bishop Brookins passed in Los Angeles on May 22, at the age of 86, leaving an enduring legacy of service and dedication to God and community. In response to his death, condolences and reflections flowed from renowned clergy, elected officials, civic leaders and longtime friends.

“Bishop Brookins was an outstanding, stellar, spiritual leader who led the A.M.E. Church in fulfilling the ideals of our founder, Richard Allen - self-help and able to lift people from various circumstances. He was a true friend and I learned so much from him,” said Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Sr., presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church.

A celebration of Bishop Brookins’ life takes place on Friday, June 1, at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles, an edifice he built more than 40 years ago. Hundreds of people are expected to fill the sanctuary to pay respects to his wife, the Rev. Rosalynn Kyle Brookins; sons, SirWellington and Steven Brookins; daughter, the Rev. Francine Brookins; and countless relatives and friends.

Throughout his adulthood, Bishop Brookins made distinctive impressions upon his surrounding environment. From the 1950s to the 2000s, his name appeared in media around the world applauding his ministry, attacking his activism, saluting his achievements or questioning his motives.

But according to the Rev. Dr. Melvin V. Wade, pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Los Angeles, Bishop Brookins’ actions were always dictated by his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Yes, Bishop Brookins was for the rights of the least and the left out. However, I knew Bishop Brookins when he was pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Wichita, Kansas. My father made it clear to me that Bishop Brookins was an outstanding proclaimer of the Christian Gospel.”

1950s

Making Waves in Wichita

The bishop came to Wichita after earning both B.A. and Bachelor of Divinity degrees from Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary as well as completing graduate courses at the University of Kansas.

Assigned to St. Paul in 1954, he stirred the congregation with his powerful preaching and drew public attention leading efforts to implement desegregation in the schools as dictated by the Brown vs. Board of

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, May 31, 2012

My father made it clear to me that Bishop Brookins was an outstanding proclaimer of the Christian Gospel. ~ Rev. Dr. Melvin V. Wade

Education decision. Also, Bishop Brookins was elected president of the Wichita Interracial Ministerial Alliance, a 200-member organization.

“H.H. was convinced that the church could not just do business between its four walls on Sunday morning, and therefore he was always involved in ministry to the wider community. He would often say, ‘You can’t lead from behind’,” said retired A.M.E. Bishop Vinton R. Anderson.

Preaching, Building, Marching

1960s

Bishop Brookins became pastor of the historic First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles a year earlier and the membership eventually grew to 3500 under his leadership. Devoting much energy to his flock and ministerial duties, he also established free summer camp for more than 2,000 youth.

With civil rights protests at its height, Bishop Brookins joined the fight for justice and is credited for organizing Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to Los Angeles early in the decade. He also marched with Dr. King in the southern U.S. and mentored a young Rev. Jesse Jackson.

“Bishop Brookins was one of those pivotal forces for social justice and empowerment in L.A. history. He was my mentor. I appreciate him very much and miss him very much already,” said the Rev. Jackson.

Most significant during the 60s was Brookins’ construction of ‘a million-dollar, mega church.’ Initially aiming to rebuild on the church’s location at 8th and Towne Streets, Bishop Brookins encountered financial and congregational resistance to his plan.

Undaunted, Brookins declared to members, “I don’t know now how we’re gonna do it, but I’m telling you, we’re gonna do it.”

Once he secured new land, he recruited Black architect Paul R. Williams to assist. They hired a contractor and the edifice was completed in three years. In 1968, Bishop Brookins paraded the congregation, with actor Tony Curtis as grand marshal, from the old church to the new edifice where FAME stands today.

1970s

Elevated in Ministry and Politics

At the 1972 General Conference of the A.M.E.

Church, Brookins was elected and consecrated as the 91st Bishop of the denomination. His new assignment encompassed five central African countries, including Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe.

During Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence, Bishop Brookins united with the Black Freedom Fighters in opposing the white minority regime.

Speaking engagements took him around the country preaching ‘freedom.’

After one such gathering attracted 15,000, the government decided to escort him out of the country.

“I didn’t sleep at all that night; I kept on all my clothes. At 6 o’clock the next morning, I was ready,” recalled the bishop.

“In a time when leadership was required to face the extenuating circumstances facing people of color, H. H. Brookins championed the rights of those who were the victims of a system of discrimination, racial profiling and segregation before it was popular to do so, when one would be viewed as a rabble rouser,” noted the Rev. Dr. William S. Epps, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

In 1981, he was invited back to attend the installation/inauguration of the new President Robert Mugabe of the independent nation of Zimbabwe.

Another highlight of this era was Bishop Brookins’ critical leadership in electing Tom Bradley as mayor of Los Angeles.

“Tom Bradley probably would have not been mayor were it not for H.H. Brookins,” remarked Bishop Kirkland, who credited Bishop Brookins with bringing him to L.A. “He used to laugh and tell me he brought me from Greenwood to Hollywood. In 1977, Bishop Brookins appointed me as the first pastor of the church he founded, Brookins Community A.M.E. in South Los Angeles.”

That same year, Bishop Brookins selected the Rev. Dr. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray to pastor First A.M.E. Church, an incredible individual who made a lasting mark on the church and community.

1980s and 90s

Growing Legacy of Service

The next 20 years in the life of Brookins were highlighted by significant efforts to further aid the less fortunate. He developed pubic-private partnerships to

transform several church-owned, debt-ridden properties into affordable housing units in Los Angeles.

In the 1990s, he was assigned to church’s Second Episcopal District where he appointed the Rev. Vashti McKenzie to Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church, a courageous move considering that few woman headed major churches in any denomination.

“This bishop took a chance on a young woman preacher,” she said at the time. It was a visionary move as well because she went on to become the first women elected to the episcopacy in 2000.

Bishop Brookins was a prominent player in major events in the 90s such as delivering ‘The Prayer of Atonement’ during the Million Man March in 1995.

In addition, he was instrumental in establishing a formal economic development program in the A.M.C. Church to provide reduced-rate loans to Black entrepreneurs and churches, student scholarships and emergency funds to those in need.

By now, the actions and influence of Bishop Brookins had reached an international level as evidenced in 1996 when Ebony Magazine named him the 15th most powerful Black Man in America.

2000s

Winding Down

In his later years, Bishop Brookins slowed down physically, but never mentally. Despite limited mobility, he regularly attended worship services, preached to congregations on a frequent basis, and lent his name and advice to those seeking higher public office.

Thousands of people gathered in the Beverly Hilton in 2002 to salute Bishop Brookins accomplishments. Among the celebrants was former President Bill Clinton who befriended the Bishop while serving as governor of Arkansas.

A few years later, Councilman Bernard Parks joined with the City of Los Angeles to designate the intersection in front of Brookins Community A.M.E. as Bishop Hamel Hartford Square. The Bishop was hand to cut the ribbon and enjoy accolades from U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and more.

Upon learning of his passing, Congresswoman Waters said, “Bishop Brookins was a dear friend, who provided extraordinary leadership in the church, Los Angeles community and the United States We will never forget him … his legacy will continue to influence many potential leaders of our society.”

Yussuf Simmonds, Sentinel Managing Editor, contributed to this story.

9

10

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Terrell Dennis Rodman Owens sentenced in child support case again without team

BY AMY TAXIN | ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Jonathan Moore

NFL Wide Receiver Terrell Owens prepares to workout before a practice session at Calabasas High School in Calabasas, Calif. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ALLEN, Texas - Terrell Owens has been released by the Allen Wranglers and lost his ownership stake in the Indoor Football League team.

The team says Owens didn’t plan to play in two upcoming road

games with possible playoff implications. The six-time Pro Bowl receiver also was a no-show for a scheduled appearance at a local children's hospital with other players and coaches.

Wranglers owner Jon Frankel said in a statement Tuesday that the team couldn’t keep a player

like Owens when fans were noticing and commenting about a “lack of effort both on and off the field.”

The 38-year-old Owens didn’t get any NFL offers to play last season after surgery on his left knee.

He had 35 catches for 420 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing eight of Allen’s 11 games.

Jordan tells Ewing he won’t be Bobcats head coach CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins says the team will hire a new head coach within the next couple of weeks, but it won’t be Patrick Ewing.

Higgins said owner Michael Jordan had informed Ewing that the team plans to hire someone other than him to replace Paul Silas.

Exactly who that is remains to be seen.

Higgins says, “Patrick has a lot of great qualities as a coach and he will one day be a head coach.”

The Bobcats have interviewed eight candidates for the job and plan to talk with more in the next week or so. A shortlist of candidates will then meet with Jordan face-to-face before a final decision is made.

AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File

In this March 6, 2012, file photo, Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing laughs during a shoot around before an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Bobcats in Charlotte, N.C. Two people familiar with the situation say the Charloote Bobcats will interview Ewing on Thursday, May 17, 2012, in Charlotte for their vacant head coaching position.

ORANGE, Calif. (AP) — Former NBA star Dennis Rodman might soon find himself working with at-risk teens or cleaning up streets.

The flamboyant former player known for his rebounding skills and wild, off-court behavior was sentenced Tuesday to 104 hours of community service after being found guilty last year of four counts of contempt for failing to pay child support.

The ruling also placed Rodman, 51, on three years of informal probation on the condition he AP Photo/Nick Ut keep up his child and spousal support Dennis Rodman arrives at family court in Orange Calif., on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The flamboyant former NBA payments.

It was the latest player is expected to be sentenced for contempt in a longdevelopment in a running divorce case in Orange County. Rodman was series of legal dis- found guilty of four counts of contempt for failing to pay putes that began in child support for his two children.

2004, when Rodman's wife at the time filed for and support of their children, ages 10 and 11. divorce.

Michelle Rodman declined comOrange County Superior Court Commissioner Barry Michaelson ment after Tuesday's hearing. Her attorurged Rodman — who wore a black ney, Jack Kayajanian, said he was button down shirt and jeans to the fam- pleased with the ruling and an award of ily court hearing — to put his basket- $32,500 in attorney's fees.

Outstanding disputes over child ball skills to good use in his service.

"My suggestion is to use your tal- support and additional contempt ents as a motivator, as a fine, fine ath- charges will be addressed at a hearing lete and as a fine person to assist others on June 22.

Willis said Rodman owes far less in need," Michaelson said.

Rodman still faces additional con- money in back child support than tempt charges and is accused of owing claimed by attorneys for his ex-wife.

Court documents filed earlier this back child support in an amount that attorneys for Michelle Rodman, his ex- year indicated that Rodman was broke.

His tax return from 2010 shows he wife, say exceeds $800,000.

The towering Rodman, who sports earned roughly $150,000, but his finanface jewelry, said he would do whatev- cial manager Peggy King said he owes er community service was required significant back taxes.

She also said Rodman's alcoholism near his home in Florida, possibly has tarnished his image and made it difworking with children.

"It's all about the kids," Rodman ficult for him to obtain corporate said of the ex-couple's two children, endorsements and other work.

On Tuesday, Rodman said he was after the hearing. "It does suck the fact doing fine financially and playing in that it had to come to this."

Rodman was found guilty by a basketball games in Europe and Asia, judge of the four counts of contempt though he wasn't raking in the money involving child support owed in 2009 he once did as a professional player.

"I'm making enough to keep everyand 2010.

Rodman's attorney Linnea Willis one satisfied," he said.

Rodman was a bad-boy star of the said the four charges stemmed from a period of time when he was expected Detroit Pistons and won three NBA to pay $50,000 a month in child sup- championships with the Chicago Bulls. port. That amount has since been He lived in Orange County before reduced to $4,500 for child and moving to Florida. He was inducted spousal support. Rodman is now cur- into the NBA Hall of Fame last year.

Rodman dated Madonna, was marrent on those obligations, she said.

Rodman, also known for his ried briefly to Carmen Electra, and sometimes Technicolor hair, married gave loud parties that led to frequent in 2003. For years, he and his former run-ins with the law when he lived in wife have been feuding over custody Newport Beach.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

11

Police: Williams was driving too fast MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — Boxer Paul Williams was driving his modified sport motorcycle too fast for conditions when he crashed into an embankment, police said Tuesday.

Williams was paralyzed and has no movement from the waist down after Sunday’s crash in Marietta, northwest of Atlanta, his manager George Peterson said.

The 30-year-old athlete severed his spinal cord after falling on his back and head when he was thrown from his motorcycle, Peterson said.

Williams was driving at a high rate of speed which was too fast for conditions, Marietta police said in a statement Tuesday.

Police say he could not negotiate a curve, and the bike slammed into the embankment.

Williams, a fighter known as “The Punisher,” is from Aiken, S.C. He was in metro Atlanta to attend his AP Photo/Eric Jamison, File brother's wedding.

He was scheduled In this April 11, 2009, file photo, Paul Williams to fight Saul “Canelo” looks on during his middleweight boxing match Alvarez on Sept. 15 in against Winky Wright at The Mandalay Bay Resort Las Vegas but that & Casino in Las Vegas. Williams’ trainer George event has been can- Peterson told The Associated Press on Monday, celed, Peterson said.

May 28, 2012, that the boxer has been paralyzed Williams is among from the waist down after being involved in a the most versatile and motorcycle crash on Sunday in the Atlanta suburbs. unusual athletes in boxing, making him a highly undesirable impressive three weight classes against opponent for the world’s best fighters much shorter foes, even comfortably during his lengthy, successful career. making the 147-pound welterweight He has competed effectively in an limit despite his lanky 6-foot-2 frame.

Judge dismisses NFL retiree lawsuit vs. union

BY DAVE CAMPBELL | ASSOCIATED PRESS MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A lawsuit filed against the NFL Players Association by retirees was dismissed Tuesday by a federal judge, who said she’s “empathetic to their concerns” but ruled they had no legal right to hundreds of millions of dollars in additional post-career benefits they claimed they lost during lockout talks last year.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson issued her order from St. Paul, Minn.

Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Carl Eller, a former Minnesota Vikings star, was the lead plaintiff in the complaint that

argued current players and their attorneys had no right to bargain with NFL owners about retiree benefits because they weren’t legally a union last summer.

Michael Hausfeld, the lead lawyer for the retired players, said his group plans to appeal Nelson’s decision to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

In an interview from his office in Washington, Hausfeld called Nelson’s findings “elucidating and disappointing overall.” There were several dozen ex-players, many of them Hall of Famers, on the lawsuit who felt they were cheated by the current players. They estimated between $300 million and $500 See NFL RETIREE LAWSUIT, page 15

USA’s Venus Williams returns the ball to Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska during their second round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Wednesday, May 30, 2012.

AP Photo/Michel Spingler

Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris

BY HOWARD FENDRICH | ASSOCIATED PRESS PARIS (AP) — Used to be that Venus Williams was the one who was highly ranked, the one considered a title contender, the one who would dominate foes so thoroughly that matches would be tidily wrapped up in an hour.

Now 31, and figuring out from day to day how to handle an illness that saps her strength, Williams was on the wrong end of a lopsided 60minute defeat in the second round of the French Open on Wednesday.

Looking glum and lacking the verve that carried her to seven Grand Slam titles, Williams barely put up any resistance and lost 6-2, 63 to No. 3-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland at Roland Garros. Coming a day after her younger sister Serena was stunned in the first round by 111th-ranked Virginie Razzano of France, the early exit marked the first time in 43 major tournaments with both in the field that neither Williams got to the third round.

“I felt like I played,” Williams

said after making a hard-to-fathom 33 unforced errors, 27 more than Radwanska. “That pretty much sums it up.”

This one was not exactly an outof-nowhere upset, considering that Williams is ranked 53rd now, never has been as good on clay as on other surfaces, lost to Radwanska 6-4, 6-1 two months ago, and is learning how to be a professional athlete with Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain.

Still, the meek way Williams departed was striking, considering that she has been ranked No. 1, has appeared in 14 major finals to Radwanska's zero, and from 200810 won 10 of the 11 sets the two played against each other.

“I don’t know if I ever asked myself, ‘Why me?’ I mean, obviously it’s frustrating at times. I don’t know if there’s anything mental more I can do at this point, but there’s a lot of stages to go through with this kind of thing,” said Williams, whose fastest-in-thegame serve was broken five times Wednesday. “There’s a lot of people

who have it a lot worse than I do.

I'm still playing a professional sport, so I have to be very positive. And I’m going to have ups and downs. I haven’t gotten to the ‘Why me?’ yet.

I hope I never get to the ‘Why me?’

I’m not allowed to feel sorry for myself.”

It’s hard to know, however, how much energy she’ll have from one day to the next.

Whenever the alarm goes off, Williams starts to find out what the next 24 hours will be like.

“Every morning is different.

Some mornings, I don’t feel great, then it’s a better day than I thought it was going to be. I can’t automatically be discouraged. When I wake up, I just have to see how it goes.

Sometimes I get a second wind,” she explained. “It’s just so hard to know.”

Williams revealed her diagnosis in late August at the U.S. Open, when she withdrew before her second-round match. She skipped the Australian Open in January, before returning to the tour in March in a bid to earn a berth on the U.S See VENUS WILLIAMS, page 15

Video game simulation predicts Los Angeles win in six games over Devils BY | ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWARK, N.J. - EA Sports predicts the Los Angeles Kings will defeat the New Jersey Devils in six games to win the Stanley Cup. That’s the word from the NHL 12 simulation engine, the video game developer said.

In the simulation, Kings goalie Jonathan Quick continued his stellar post-season play. The 26-year-old

records a shutout and does not allow more than two goals in a game against the Devils en route to collecting the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The simulation has Los Angeles winning Game 1 by a 4-2 score before losing the next two 2-0 and 2-1. The Kings close it out with 2-0, 3-2 and 3-1 wins.

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty scores the winning goal in the final game.

The EA hockey game is developed in Burnaby, B.C.

12

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Jackson shows off new curves in the French Rivera

Wanda Sykes is laughing at life

spokesperson for NutriSystem in December and credits the diet company for helping her lose weight, though she’s keeping quiet about the exact number she’s lost.

“You know I think it’s great that all the girls, or as many as possible, can stand up and try to help as many people as possible. That’s really what it’s about. It’s not about competing with each other, not for me,” said

BY NICOLE EVATT | ASSOCIATED PRESS CAP D’ANTIBES, France (AP) — Janet Jackson may have joined the ranks of diet plan celebrity spokeswomen Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey, but she insists there’s absolutely no competition among the slimmeddown singers.

The 46-year-old became a

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Janet Jackson arrives for the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS benefit at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, during the 65th Cannes film festival, in Cap d’Antibes, southern France, Thursday, May 24, 2012.

Wanda Sykes arrives at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s “An Evening with Women” held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 19, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Ca.

Jackson in a plunging neckline Pucci gown at amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS gala Thursday in Cap D’Antibes, France.

“I took off all that extra stuff I really didn’t need and I feel really good,” she said.

Carrey became the spokesperson for Jenny Craig after dropping 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) with their plan and a toned Hudson is seen singing the praises of Weightwatchers in the company’s commercials.

But it wasn’t all glitz and glam for Jackson, who traveled the south of France to co-share the annual amfAR charity event. The recent loss of industry legends Donna Summer and Robin Gibb still weighed heavily on her mind.

“They’ve brought so much joy to this world,” said Jackson on the red carpet. “I remember being 11-yearsold, going to New York and I was visiting Mike (Jackson), he was working on ‘The Wiz’ and I was on hiatus from shooting the show ‘Good Times’ and we would always listen to ‘How Deep is your Love’, that was the song of my trip, he and I. So it was such incredible memories of them.”

Gibb, a founding member of the Bee Gees, died May 20 following a battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. Disco icon Summer died May 17 of lung cancer.

Right now Jackson is busy working on new music, which she says is still in the “beginning stages.”

“Everything I’ve done, it’s always been different here or there, from one album to the next, a mixture of stuff.

So we’ll see,” she said.

BY JO-CAROLYN GOODE SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE HOUSTON STYLE MAGAZINE The usual outspoken, controversial comedian Wanda Sykes has been a lot quieter. She has been not so opinionated on the issues and not so vocal in the public eye. What gives? Her twin daughters. Sykes is becoming a family woman, happily spending her time catching up on the happenings on Sesame Street versus being glue to contributors on CNN. “I use to be really political and knew everything that was going on with the world. Well that has all changed now that I have kids, “ laughs Sykes. It is enough to make her just stop and laugh at life.

Talking about her children makes Sykes smile and be in awe at the same time. Its ridiculous how much my life has changed now that I have kids,” said Sykes, who admits now she almost needs permission to use her own house because the kids have taken over. “I am enjoying life. I am happy and all,” said Sykes. “But it is hard.” Speaking about what she calls the secret society of parenting, Sykes said other parents don’t tell everything there is to know about parenting. “It is hard but its good.” It is good enough that she can keep laughing at it.

Another thing that Sykes had to learn to laugh at was breast cancer. In early 2011, when Sykes went in to have breast reduction surgery, the cancer was discovered. She had a very serious form of cancer known as Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. Sykes made a very difficult decision by having a double mastectomy. A decision she does not regret. According to Sykes it was either taking the chance that the

breast cancer might come back again, which was likely since she had a family history of it, or remove the occurrence of breast cancer altogether. She chose the later for her family. She wanted to be around to watch her girls grow up. Today after the turmoil of the healing process, Sykes is able to find the humor in cancer and has a bit about it in her current comedy tour.

Never one to be idle, Sykes is preparing for the release of Ice Age: Continental Drift this summer. She is the voice of Granny, Sid’s grandmother who really can’t see or hear. Sykes says, “ I think Granny has selective hearing.” Granny goes along for the ride with Manny and the gang unbeknown to them as she is accidently stowed away. The guys’ misfortune makes for a hilariously funny time for movie watchers. The film opens this summer on July 13.

After every film wrap up or television show tapping Sykes says she finds herself running back to the stage. “That where it all started for me and where everything makes sense.” The power to make people laugh is gift that Sykes is grateful to have. “Its wonderful to look out and see people double over in laugher with tears. There’s no feeling like it,” expressed Sykes. It is that feeling that lets her know stand up comedy is what she is suppose to do.

It is a given that comedy is truly Sykes’ calling. Look for her somewhere in America with her comedy tour that she is currently on the road with. Then head to the box office to catch her in Ice Age: Continental Drift this summer. Finally, see her in the soon to be out independent film “The Hot Flashes.” Keep up with Wanda Sykes at www.wandasykes.com.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

13

Radio legend Hal Jackson has died SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE NEW YORK CARIB NEWS

AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file

In this Feb. 23, 2012 file photo, actress Viola Davis arrives at the 5th annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Davis urged graduating seniors at the high school in the struggling Rhode Island city where she grew up to treasure “hard times and joyous moments.”

Davis spoke to Central Falls High School seniors, members of student government and student actors Thursday, Mat 24, 2012. She is a 1983 graduate of the school and has continued to support education in Central Falls.

Viola Davis addresses struggling alma mater

BY ERIKA NIEDOWSKI | ASSOCIATED PRESS CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (AP) — Viola Davis on Thursday addressed graduating seniors at the high school in the struggling Rhode Island city where she grew up, urging them to treasure “hard times and joyous moments” and telling them that the “privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”

The Oscar-nominated actress from the film “The Help” spoke to Central Falls High School’s class of 2012, student actors and members of student government and other alumni nearly 30 years after receiving her own diploma there. She was also inducted into the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

A member of the class of 1983, Davis has continued to support the 1.3square-mile city of 19,000 just north of Providence.

Central Falls has found itself the subject of national headlines over its floundering finances — a state receiver filed for bankruptcy on its behalf last year — and for the mass firing in 2010 of all the high school’s teachers. They were later rehired.

“Central Falls makes up in heart what it lacks in size,” Davis told students on a stage where she once acted.

“Make your mark — whatever it is — you have it in you.”

Davis was the Rhode Island favorite for best actress in this year’s Academy Awards for her performance as a black maid in “The Help,” but she lost out to Meryl Streep.

Streep later made $10,000 donations in Davis’ name to a charter school Davis has supported and to the Upward Bound scholarship fund that the actress established with her sister.

Davis donated $1,000 each last year to the Central Falls library — which had temporarily closed because

of finances — and the charter. In accepting a Screen Actors Guild award in January she told students there to “dream big and dream fierce.”

The high school principal, Joshua Laplante, called Davis a treasured graduate and said she has overcome adversity but remembers where she came from with a “genuine sense of pride.”

Davis was born on her grandmother’s farm in South Carolina in 1965, the second youngest of six children of a factory worker and homemaker mother and a horse trainer father. The family moved to Central Falls when she was a few months old.

Davis recounted a time in third grade when a classmate kept calling her “the N-word,” prompting her to try to best him in some way. He was known as the fastest boy in Central Falls, so she challenged him to a race.

She worried as recess approached — her shoes were a size and a half too small and had holes — and she wondered how she’d be able to run fast.

“I did what any self-respecting girl would have done: I took my shoes off,” she said.

The race was a tie. But she said Thursday she was telling the story as a kind of lesson to students.

“You gotta be in the race, no matter what,” she said. “Win or lose.”

“I know the road ahead of you,” she added. “I know all the obstacles that are placed in your path, living in Central Falls. That’s nothing compared to what you’re going to face in life.”

Davis graduated in 1988 from Rhode Island College, where she studied theater.

“It’s really an honor to have her here,” said Julissa Flores, a 15-year-old member of the high school’s student government. “She’s a role model to us, to go further and actually succeed in life.”

Hal Jackson, African-American trailblazer in the world of radio broadcast, has died from at the age of 96.

Born on November 3, 1915, Jackson grew up in Washington, D.C., and studied at Howard University in Washington. He first broke onto the airwaves by broadcasting Howard’s home baseball games and local American Negro Baseball League games on WOOK in Washington, becoming the first African-American radio sports announcer.

Adding to his impressive lists of famous firsts, Jackson became the first African-American host at WINX in Washington, hosting the nightly interview program The Bronze Review in 1939. He eventually moved on to hosting the jazz and blues program, The House That Jack Built, on WOOK. By the 1940s, Jackson was hosting four different daily programs for four different Washington-area radio stations.

In 1971 Jackson co-founded the Inner City Broadcasting Corporation (ICBC), which acquired WLIB-AM, the first African-American owned and operated station in New York.

His trailblazing streak was honored in 1995 when he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, the first

AP Photo/Gina Gayle, File

In this Nov. 3, 2004 file photo, Harold “Hal” Jackson and wife Debi share a moment before celebrating Jackson’s 65 years of broadcasting at a benefit for the Youth Development Foundation, at the Rainbow Room in New York. Jackson, who was the first African-American voice on network radio, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012. He was in his late 90s.

African-American to hold the honor.

In the final years of his life, he served on the Board of Directors at Inner City Broadcasting and hosted the musical program Sunday Classics.

Additionally, Jackson was cele-

brated for his charitable works. For 39 years he served as executive producer and host of his Talented Teens International competition, which highlights “the intelligence, creativity and talents of young minority women.

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Trips more valuable Why we must have a new markets tax credit program than Disneyland

BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA COLUMNIST

BY ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE DAVIS

When you leave the United States, you’ll often find “cultural tourism,” or the opportunity to enjoy a culture and also purchase trinkets or more substantial items in markets around the world. In Ghana, we look for kente cloth, statues, and masks.

In other African countries, the offerings are often similar, but Zimbabwe is known for its marvelous and distinctive Shona sculpture. South African offers Ndebele dolls, among other items. And so it goes.

During my recent trip to Peru, I had the opportunity to buy genuine baby alpaca scarves, shawls, and even a coat. We also had an example of cultural tourism, perhaps at its worst, when we went to a village off the Amazon River and were allowed to go into a family’s home to “see how they live.” Was their poverty exaggerated? It’s not clear that it was. But behind one closed door was a television set that contrasted sharply with the simple life our guards said people lived. Our visit to a classroom, too, was lovely and charming, except that the children had been clearly prepped for us. I suppose there is no harm in the show and tell, but in some ways it raised a myriad of questions, and offered few answers.

The cultural tourism in Peru got me to thinking about what we offer in the United States. With the building of the King Monument in Washington, D.C., along with the city’s many other attractions, including the Frederick Douglass Museum, the Museum of African Art, the Native American Museum, Howard University, the new Howard Theatre, and so much more, Washington ought to be a prime location for African American cultural tourism. Never mind that chocolate city has turned neopolitan, it’s not yet chocolate chip, and the presence of African American culture is strong There are African American heritage and history museums all around the country, museums that did not exist half a century ago. They all are important and stunning enough to visit, including the Birmingham Museum of Civil Rights, the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, N.C., the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, the California African American Museum in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis at the Lorraine Hotel, where Dr. King was shot. There are other historic sites and points of interest, including the King Center in Atlanta, where both Dr. King and Coretta Scott King are encrypted.

Apart from the museums, all of these cities offer rich opportunities to explore African American history, and to provide children with both context and education.

I was motivated to write this column when a friend shared that she plans to take her two grandchildren to Disney World in Florida this summer. I have no inherent objection to Disney World, or at least none that I will go

California continues to struggle through the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, with unemployment hovering at 11 percent. The mortgage foreclosure rate, while it has fluctuated since January, has not improved significantly over the prevailing rate at this time last year. Home sales are increasing while the sale prices are falling. In my district in Los Angeles, unemployment continues to be a major problem, and long-term unemployment has grown to the point that it saps the strength and economic vitality of the community.

But South Los Angeles is not unique. Many parts of the state are plagued with similar problems in today’s economy. But what are we doing about it in Sacramento?

Anticipated revenues for this year have not materialized, and the Governor’s May Revise told us that our budget deficit has increased by $6.5 billion since January – for a total of over $15 billion.

Against the backdrop of this harsh budget reality, the question remains, what are we doing to foster long-term economic development and job creation, which we need now more than ever? Even in this time of draconian budgets and yet deeper cuts, we cannot afford to neglect the need to devote state resources to creating jobs and stimulating long-term economic growth – particularly when there is a federal program to help us with those goals.

There are many things we can and should be doing in California to facilitate job creation and assist small business, which historically has been the engine igniting an economic recovery.

One such thing is to launch a new tax credit program with a proven record of economic development and job creation in other states. Wait a minute, you say. Tax credits? Aren’t they just revenue give-aways? We don’t have money for that. Well, it is a hard question of priorities, and we desperately need to create jobs in California if we are ever to climb out of this recession.

The federal New Markets Tax Credit program has a proven track record – it will not be a revenue give-away because other states have implemented

Julianne Malveaux into in this space. However, young people are often exposed to amusement parks and far less frequently exposed to our history. And with the cultural wars raging, too few public schools (and even colleges) are offering adequate information about AfricanAmerican history, culture, and heritage. Thus, a young White boy felt okay about a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King that included wearing blackface. What was he thinking? What were his parents thinking? Their actions were a result of cultural ignorance, and a lack of knowledge about history.

Similarly, young African Americans show a singular lack of knowledge when they bandy the “n“ word about.

Sure, some say they do it to remove the historical stigma of a word that has been used to denigrate our people.

However, from my perspective, it offers ignorant Whites, who relish use of the racial slur anyway, to question why African American people can use the word while White people can’t.

Cultural tourism in the United States can’t erase all of the ignorance out there, but knowledge is power and our young people, if not all Americans, can certainly benefit from cultural sites in the United States. In any case, from my perspective, you’d learn a lot more than you would from a trip to Disneyland.

Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.

BOOK SIGNING Continued from page 6 preventing domestic violence. The foundation not only provides scholarships to high school and continuing college students, but to nursing students as well, all in loving memory of her mother Mable Ephriam. In addition, amongst the many other scholarships and admirable aspects of the foundation, a Haiti Relief Fund remains open for donations. Across the border of the foundation’s website are the terms, “Stronger Families + Educated Minds + Economic Power + Better Communities.” It is through her judicial background that Judge Mablean has and continues to accomplish these goals.

With our current economy, the

works of influential community leaders such as Judge Mablean Ephriam and Reverend Cecil “Chip” Murray are most necessary. In congruence, Reverend Murray stated, “This is the most challenging time in the history of our nation and it is the most opportunistic time for those who are dreamers and the best way to make our dreams come true is to wake up and to look up, to grow up and to lift up.”

In this way, Reverend Cecil L. ‘Chip’ Murray’s “Twice Tested By Fire” and Judge Mablean Ephriam’s “Life Lessons: 52 Tools for Weekly Living” are increasing and bettering the opportunities of our community.

Assemblyman Mike Davis this program, and can point to concrete gains resulting in job creation and revenue generation. For example, the State of Missouri has generated $38.7 million in new state and local revenues resulting from its New Markets Tax Credit investments, and has created or retained nearly 6,000 jobs.

The last budget enacted by the State of California included a planned revenue loss to fund $400 million in hiring tax credits for employers. As it turned out, of the $400 million allocated, employers applied for and received only $50 million in tax credits by the close of the fiscal year. The fund was undersubscribed because that particular tax credit was not large enough to induce employers to alter their hiring behavior. So $350 million went to waste in that it was intended to be issued as tax credits, but laid dormant and unused all year. It created no jobs, stimulated no economic development.

Discussions immediately began in Sacramento about a potentially better use for that $350 million for the upcoming 2012-13 Budget. My proposal is to use a large portion of that money ($200 million) for a program that will leverage still more federal money in tax credits, and inject those funds into small businesses throughout the state to stimulate job creation. This represents a diversion of those funds for a very similar purpose, but this time plugging into on a federal program with a proven track record.

For the past 11 years, New Markets Tax Credit has assisted state efforts at local economic development, including job creation, by providing matching funds for small businesses, schools, and business-related real estate ventures. At least nine states that have established state matching programs and have seen remarkable results in returns on their initial investment. They have on average, successfully leveraged $13.00 in federal monies for every dollar in state revenue allocated to fund the tax credit program, all of which they were able to invest locally to help the state economy. That’s right – a return on investment of 13 to 1.

New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was established under President Clinton

in 2000 after Congress enacted it with bi-partisan support, backed by leaders in both parties: George Bush, Ted Kennedy, and Jack Kemp. It has been renewed by every administration since, including that of President Barack Obama.

Again, NMTC is a proven model of economic development, local job creation and expansion of the local tax base – things California desperately needs.

To this end, I have introduced AB 2037 to establish a state New Markets Tax Credit program. The bill’s goal of harnessing $200 million to create jobs in low-income areas is ambitious, particularly in an atmosphere of yet another round of painful budget cuts that have hurt interests dear to Democrats – most notably, public education and child care. There are many competing ideas about other uses for these funds. But none will so directly address California’s economic plight, or promise such a significant return on investment, as New Markets Tax Credit. With an unemployment rate of almost 12 percent, heading into a fifth year of recession, we cannot afford to pass up any opportunity for job creation. Choosing the alternative of directing funds to this or that group in a compassionate but ultimately futile attempt to partially restore recent budget cuts will be like placing a drop of water on a hot skillet: both will evaporate without effect.

Here’s how it would work: AB 2037 would authorize a tax credit valued at 39 percent of a taxpayer’s qualified equity investment in a community development entity (CDE), starting in 2013 and ending in 2019 (these terms are defined according to federal guidelines). It allows the tax credit to be applied against the investor’s personal and/or corporate tax liability. The credit is spread over seven (7) years: 5 percent annually for the first three years, and 6 percent annually for the following four years.

I am proud to say this bill has bipartisan support, as it is jointly authored by my Democratic colleague, Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, as well as leading Republican Assemblymembers Paul Cook and Cameron Smyth.

Decisions on what investors are awarded the tax credit will be made according to federal guidelines issued by the Treasury Department. Locally, the program will be administered by the Tax Credit Allocation Committee within the State Treasurer’s Office. Records would be subject to federal audits for compliance.

Businesses continually clamor that California constitutes a hostile climate for them, that our tendency to tax and regulate, our workers compensation laws and extensive environmental regulations, has caused many of them to leave, and those that remain to consider leaving. We in government must take affirmative steps to provide support for small businesses if we are serious about job creation and using the tools at our disposal to chart an end to this recession.

Working with my colleagues in a bi-partisan fashion, I have put forward a plan that works.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

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FACE-CHEWING Continued from page 4 goriest they had ever seen.

“He had his face eaten down to his goatee. The forehead was just bone. No nose, no mouth,” said Sgt. Armando Aguilar, president of the Miami Fraternal Order of Police.

Poppo has been in critical condition in recent days, but police didn’t give an update on his condition Wednesday.

Thaller, who is not treating Poppo, and other plastic surgeons said the rebuilding of Poppo's face would happen in stages after doctors try to keep his wounds clean, salvage viable tissue and determine a plan for skin grafts. Protecting his remaining eye and maintaining an airway are priorities.

To keep the wounds clean, doctors use grafts of the patient’s skin, cadaver skin or synthetic skin to cover the exposed bone or cartilage, said Dr. Blane Shatkin, a plastic surgeon and director of the wound healing center at Memorial Hospital Pembroke in South Florida. The coverage would act like a dressing, protecting the wound as it heals.

Poppo’s lifestyle and health before the attack could determine how doctors proceed and whether they eventually consider a facial transplant, plastic surgeons said. Poppo had been homeless for more than 30 years, previously survived a gunshot wound and faced multiple charges of public intoxication, among other arrests.

“You would not just take this guy to the OR for a face transplant — you really have to go in a staged fashion.

You save what you can and use what you have available first, don't burn any bridges and move forward slowly,” Shatkin said. “And you have to see what he wants.”

Psychological care is important to the recovery, and patients need to participate in the decision-making process, said Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, a surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He performed a facial transplant on a Connecticut woman who was mauled by a friend's pet chimpanzee in 2009.

“I think the patient has to be able to cope with the injury and the trauma and needs to figure out what has happened. It often takes them weeks to understand what has happened,” Pomahac said.

The will to live is as important for Poppo’s survival as medical technology, said Ara Chekmayan, spokesman for Pomahac's patient, Charla Nash.

Nash lost her nose, lips eyelids and hands.

The chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, Ron Book, said the last time Poppo sought help from the agency finding someplace to sleep was in 2004. However, on Thursday the Jungle Island zoo on the MacArthur Causeway called for an outreach team to deal with Poppo, who had been living on the roof of the attraction’s parking garage.

Poppo was belligerent and aggressive, but he was not arrested, Book said.

The nearly 18-minute attack

15

GOVERNMENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for IFB PS116430101, Replace Gateway Building Cooling Towers per specifications on file at the LACMTA Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor).

All bids must be received on or before Wednesday, July 23, 2012 , 2:00 P.M., Pacific Timeat the address listed above, sent to the attention of Jean Davis, Contract Administrator.Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened. A Pre-Bid conference will be held on June 20, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in the Gateway Plaza Conference Room, on the 3rd Floor located at the address above.

You may obtain a copy of the IFB, or further information, by faxing Jean Davis at (213) 922-1005. The IFB documents will be available by May 31, 2012.

5/31/12 CNS-2321238# WATTS TIMES

Saturday in the shadow of The Miami Herald headquarters was captured by the building’s security cameras.

The newspaper posted the uncensored video online late Tuesday.

In the Herald video (http://hrld.us/N9GlGB), a naked Eugene walks west on the sidewalk alongside an off-ramp of the causeway. A bicyclist speeds past Eugene just as he turns to something in the shade, in an area obscured by the tops of palm trees.

After a couple minutes, Eugene rolls Poppo’s body into the sun and begins stripping off his pants and pummeling him. Later, the footage shows Eugene pull Poppo farther up the sidewalk. Though the view is partially obstructed by the mass transit rail above, Eugene appears to hunch over and lie on top of Poppo.

The footage shows a bicyclist slowly pedaling past the men about halfway through the attack, followed by a car slowly driving on the shoulder of the ramp. Cars regularly pass by the scene from the beginning of the attack, but their view was likely obstructed by a waist-high concrete barrier.

Two more bicyclists cross the scene before a police car drives the wrong way up the ramp nearly 18 minutes into the attack.

An officer gets out of the car and appears to do a double-take at the scene before pulling out his gun. He fatally shot Eugene, apparently within a minute of arriving, but the shooting is obscured from view by the tracks.

Miami police have not released 911 calls. The Miami-Dade County medical examiner declined to discuss Eugene’s autopsy. It could be weeks before the results of toxicology tests are available.

Eugene left his girlfriend in Fort Lauderdale around 5 a.m. Saturday, then stopped at a friend’s in North Miami. He said he was on his way to Urban Beach Week, a series of outdoor concerts and parties on Miami Beach, according to his brother. No one knows what led to him walking naked on the causeway.

“Where’s the car, where are his clothes? We don’t know where his stuff is,” the brother said. “How did he get there naked in the middle of the daytime and nobody saw him?”

Eugene had a job detailing cars at a dealership and had been arrested a handful of times on marijuana-related charges, his brother said.

“I don’t understand any of this,” the brother said. “I know my brother, and anybody else who knows him knows he was a genuinely sweet person.”

Qualified “A”, licensed Contractors are invited to submit sealed bids by 2:05 PM, July 5, 2012 to the BurbankGlendale-Pasadena Airport Authority for Project Number E11-23, AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING BUILDING EXTERIOR - FLOOR. The Work in general consists of, but is not limited to, demolition of existing concrete floor (while protecting existing structural tension rods), relocation and/or undergrounding of utilities, installation of clarifier unit and tie-in to existing sewer at the Bob Hope Airport Fire Station. Plans and specifications can be obtained directly from the Bob Hope Airport Web site at www.bobhopeairport.com under Business Opportunities. All bidders shall register with the Airport Engineering Department either via web site or in person. Bids submitted by firms who have not registered with Airport Engineering will be considered non-responsive. Call Bobbi Greenspahn at (818) 565-1305 for more information. A pre-bid conference will be conducted on June 20, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. at the Bob Hope Airport Engineering Office, 2800 Clybourn, Burbank, California, 91505. Located at the corner of Sherman Way and Clybourn.

VENUS WILLIAMS Continued from page 11 Olympic team. Spots are awarded based on rankings — the top 56 get in automatically, with a maximum of four per country, so Williams should be OK. “This tournament, for me, was all about getting to the Olympics, as I have said a couple million times,” she said. “If that happens for me, and I think the chances are good, then I come out a victor. So that’s why I was here.”

At changeovers, Williams would slink to the sideline, then sit on her green bench with hands clasped, staring straight ahead, expressionless and motionless.

She was far more animated afterward, laughing often while discussing her condition and graciously complimenting the play of Radwanska, a 23-year-old who is coming into her own this season.

“Of course, when I saw the draw, I wasn’t very happy, because Venus as a second-round opponent, it’s not easy,” Radwanska said.

“Maybe she just had a bad day here.”

While never advancing past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam tournament, Radwanska has shown signs of being ready for a major breakthrough, with three lesser titles and a tour-high 38 victories in 2012. Of her seven losses, six were against No. 1-ranked Victoria Azarenka.

On an easy day for the topseeded players, Azarenka breezed into the third round with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Dinah Pfizenmaier of Germany 6-1, 6-1, while the No. 1 man, Novak Djokovic, extended his Grand Slam winning streak to 23 matches by beating Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia 6-0, 6-4, 6-4.

“Being No. 1 is a difficult job, because everybody want to catch you, everybody want to move you from the spot,” said Azarenka, pushed to three sets in the first

round. “Nothing is going to come easy just because you’re No. 1.”

For years, Roger Federer managed to make things look easy at the top. Now No. 3, he went through a bit of a glitch and dropped a set Wednesday before earning his record-breaking 234th Grand Slam match victory, 6-3, 62, 6-7 (6), 6-3 against 92nd-ranked Adrian Ungur of Romania.

“I have been around for so long that, even though I expect myself to win, I can still manage to do that,” said Federer, on course for a semifinal showdown with Djokovic. “Whereas in the begin-

ning, when you think you’re good but you’re maybe not that good yet, you get many more surprise losses.”

Before rain cut play short in the evening, all 10 seeded men whose matches ended won, including No. 9 Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, who acknowledged his bandaged left knee is a “constant bother.”

Four seeded women lost, including No. 8 Marion Bartoli of France, the runner-up to Williams in the 2007 Wimbledon final, when the American was near the height of her powers.

NFL RETIREE LAWSUIT Continued from page 11 million in additional benefits they were promised in the early stages of collective bargaining agreement talks and didn’t get when the labor dispute was settled last summer.

They contended they were pushed out of negotiations to streamline the mediation process despite a court order for their inclusion. Those labor talks led to the new CBA between the owners and players and saved the 2011 season.

The lawsuit named NFLPA boss DeMaurice Smith, New England quarterback Tom Brady and former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Brady and Vrabel were plaintiffs on the antitrust lawsuit filed by the current players against the NFL in March before the lockout.

The union’s response to the complaint was filed under seal, and the NFLPA has declined to comment on the case.

“The decision says it is clear that the active players took advantage of the retirees’ situations to benefit themselves, and that’s just a classical incident or consequence

of the fact that they held all the marbles,” Hausfeld said. “That’s a sad commentary on the functioning of the union, and it’s an even sadder commentary on the richest pro sport in the country.”

Nelson wrote that she accepted the factual allegations by the Eller class as true but disagreed that the current players acted illegally. She ruled that since the active players were negotiating their own contract with the league, they had no obligation to take “a smaller share of the pie for themselves” in order to give the retirees a bigger slice.

The former players claimed the current players owed them a “fiduciary duty,” but Nelson denied the legal existence of such a relationship.

“And there can be no dispute that a better package of benefits was in fact obtained for the retired players in the 2011 CBA as compared to those in the former CBA. No jury could reasonably find that the active players did not do better by the retired players in the 2011 CBA,” Nelson wrote.

16

Thursday, May 31, 2012

5-6 / 2012

e v e n t LISTINGS

L.A. Watts Times Calendar, Compiled by Brandon I. Brooks, Co-Managing Editor

14th Annual Rose Variety Arts Show: The Rose Breast Cancer Society will host its 14th Annual Rose Variety Arts Show.

WHERE: In the ambiance of the Virginia Robinson Gardens estate in Beverly Hills.

WHEN: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Arches of roses as far as the eye can see will serve as the backdrop for the 3rd Wave Band trio whose sounds will greet the honorees and guests. Docent tours and a raffle will conclude the event. For information call 310274-1130, 323-930-0028 or email therosebcs@sbcglobal.net.

Southern California area. The Walk gets supports from area churches, community groups, supporters, donors and corporations including this year’s presenting sponsor Southern California Edison. WHERE: Exposition Park at the corner of Menlo Avenue and North Coliseum Drive behind the Natural History Museum. WHEN: Registration begins from 7:00a.m. 8:00a.m.; the walk will begin at 8:30am with post-walk festivities from 10:00a.m. 12:00p.m. For more information about the 30th annual UNCF Los Angeles Walk for Education or to register online, go to http://give.uncf.org/LAWalk.

Phil Ranelin and The Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble: This is a very special perform-

7th Annual Brittiana “ Smile for Life” 5k run/walk: Join BrittiCares International and

5-31

ance to kick-off National African American Music Appreciation Month (June) as proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2009; to also celebrate UNESCO’s milestone proclamation, initiated by UNESCO goodwill ambassador, Herbie Hancock, designating April 30th each year as International Jazz Day throughout the world; and to celebrate Phil Ranelin's gemini birthday bash! Elected Officials from the City of Los Angeles, the State of California, the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate will honor Phil Ranelin for his community service and international projects, and UNESCO’s International Jazz Day milestone proclamation! WHEN: 7p.m. – 11p.m.

WHERE: LAX Jazz Club, located in the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles International Airport Hotel at 5985 West Century Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90045. There is no cover charge and parking is validated. A modest $15 Food & Beverage minimum is required. For Jazz Hotline reservations, please call Crowne Plaza International Airport Hotel, 310-258-1333.

6-1 Active Arts® at the Music Center Presents DANCE DOWNTOWN: Get ready for the beauty, passion, drama and excitement that is the Argentine Tango! The Music Center Plaza will be alive with the sights and sounds of Argentina, featuring a live band with a bandoneón player and many dance instructors on hand to partner with and coach during lessons. Tango never looked so fun and easy to do! Celebrate the sheer joy of dancing at these FREE evenings that bring together live bands, DJs and you! Spotlight Café, Pinot Grill and ‘Tinas Tacos will be open serving up delicious food and drinks. Make it a night out and join in on Downtown’s only open air dance floor. Every experience level is welcome! WHEN: 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Music Center is located at 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. Parking is available in the Music Center garage for $9 (evenings and weekends). Remember the event is FREE! Featuring a live band and several dance instructors!

6-2 30th Annual UNCF Los Angeles Walk for Education: UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) will have its 30th annual Walk for Education. This annual 5K UNCF Los Angeles Walk for Education helps raise critical funds to support UNCF’s 38 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and 60,000 nationally and over 4000 students from the

Pittsburgh Steelers’, Chris Carter, at the 7th Annual Brittiana ‘Smile for Life” 5k run/walk. WHERE: The timed, chip-race will

Procurement, Technical Assistance Center. For more information or to RSVP, contact the office of Senator Price at 213-745-6656 or Senator.Price@senate.ca.gov.

6-3 Second Baptist Church Presents “ Remembering Mahalia” : The Drama Ministry at the Second Baptist Church proudly presents, “Remembering Mahalia” a narrative concert/production that pays homage to gospel great Mahalia Jackson and her life as an faith-oriented activist. WHERE: Second Baptist Church, 2412 Griffith Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90011. WHEN: 3:00p.m. It features performances by Vickilynn Reynolds Broadway/TV/film actress, Niketa Calome (Nala from Disney’s “Lion King” and currently appearing in The Color Purple); Juanita Jennings, actress (“Meet the Browns”) and many more. Also featured are the Second Baptist Church’s young adult and Mass Choir.

Admission is free, donations are accepted. Seating is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, contact 323.639-0778 or www.mahaliasworld.eventbrite.com Come have a holy-ghost experience!

Century Celebration of Young Black Scholars:

take place on the beautiful lake and trails of Kenneth Hahn Park, in Los Angeles.

WHEN: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The family funfilled event will include NFL players, live performances, celebrity appearances, comedy, games, sports, raffles and a kid’s corner. Special activities include a football kick and toss off with players from the NFL. Registration is at www.bcirunwalk.com. Join in on the race against childhood cancer and enjoy a day of family activities. Registration fees for the competition race or fun run, ages 4-17 are $15 and adults $25. Teams are encouraged to join the run/walk. All team participants must raise a minimum of $100 per member and must have 10 or more people on their team. Early registration is encouraged at www.bcirunwalk.com. Vendor booths available, for more information call (323) 292-8527.

The 26th Senate District Small Business “ Prep for Primes” Forum: Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. Chair, California Senate Select Committee on Procurement Presents the Curren D. 26th Senate Price, Jr District Small “Prep for Primes” Forum.

WHEN: 10a.m. – 1p.m.

WHERE: West Los Angeles College, Fine Arts Complex9000 Overland Ave., Culver City. WHY: Discover what financial resources and technical assistance are available to grow your business; find out what procurement opportunities are available at federal, state, and local government agencies; learn the benefits of certification as well as what it takes to get certified to do business with federal, state, and local agencies. Participants include representative from US Small Business Administration, US Department of Transportation, California High Speed Rail Authority, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Small Business Development Center, LA County Ofc. of Small Business

The executive board and members of the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc. will proudly commemorate 26 years of the historic Young Black Scholars (YBS) Program at the 26th Annual Young Black Scholars Celebration of Achievement. WHAT: The theme, “Embrace the Excellence Within.” WHERE: The event will be held at Loyola Marymount University (1 LMU Drive,

Los Angeles) in the Hilton CenterPlaza and includes an informal reception (business attire). WHEN: 1p.m. – 2p.m., with the official ceremony at 2:15PM. 100 Black Men of Los Angeles and YBS invite all Southern California students in grades 8 through 12 and their parents to attend. For more information, please call (323) 294-7444 or visit youngblackscholars.com.

6-6 Summer Job Fair: The People For Community Improvement (PCI ) is hosting a Summer Job Fair. WHEN: 11:00a.m. 3:00pm. This Event is FREE to LA County Residents seeking Full or Part Time employment. The Job Fair is also designed to attract Students seeking summer employment.

There will be Free Workshops on Interviewing Skills and Resume Writing prior to the Job Fair at the PCI Center.

Opportunities to participate in "On Site" interviews during the Job Fair and Free Parking will be available. WHERE: The PCI Center is located at 13008 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90061. For more information, call (323) 3033339.

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