LAWT-01-06-2011

W E E K E N D E R

L.A. Watts Times Vol. XXX, No. 1213

FEATURE STORY

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

HOROSCOPES

JAN. 6 - 12

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RIES ~ Your leadership skills are shining this week, so get out there and glimmer with good vibrations. Others are looking to you for guidance and as a path to follow. Let your journey through the week provide a good model.

AURUS ~ You are brilliant this week as you gather materials and resources together for an important project. There’s a good probability for wonderful news late in the afternoon. Ride the vibes and be gentle with your own feelings.

EMINI ~ A date or meeting that is unexpectedly cancelled may make someone very unhappy. Recognize that all things work for good, and that a better solution is being provided in the space between what you think you want and what you are getting.

ANCER ~ Serenity is yours as you realize you can get what you need.

It’s coming and you deserve it! Take a few quiet moments this week to listen to your inner voice. It will give you a powerful hint about what activities you should be pursuing right now.

EO ~ In all of the hustle and bustle of the week this week, take some time to observe the Now. There’s a great deal to be thankful for! A great idea could come to you when you are out with friends.

IRGO ~ Relax the grip you have on your attitudes this week, and just go with the flow. Ease up in full knowledge that goodness is being perfectly fulfilled.

Let go of any feelings of insecurity or loss

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and bless the perfect moment.

IBRA ~ Exhilaration is high and your mental abilities are amazing. Use your intuition to brainstorm your way to a highly creative idea that could change the way you make your living.

CORPIO ~ What you say and what you do are in harmony this week. The importance of your idea(s) comes through very clearly to others. They can see that you walk what you talk. Communicate your ideas through your values.

AGITTARIUS ~ If you feel as if the vibes this week are mixed at best, make up your mind to only receive the positive ones. Tune the transmitter in your soul to life and give your spiritual a workout. You are in charge of who you are.

APRICORN ~ A benefit arrives, and there’s good reason to celebrate.

Claim your blessing and do the happy dance! Loving, supportive friends surround you, and family members are well behaved. Enjoy!

QUARIUS ~ Look forward to some pleasant news. There is every possibility for a renewed love affair or a refreshing new romantic interest. Free yourself from the past and make a fresh start.

ISCES ~ Your money instincts are itchy! Go ahead and scratch, because you’ve got the golden touch this week.

Promise yourself that you’ll take at least one small step toward your dreams each day this week. You go!

Inside this Edition

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Comics

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

California swears in first female attorney general SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Democrat Kamala Harris was sworn in as attorney general on Monday, becoming the first woman and first minority to hold California’s top law enforcement office.

She told hundreds of supporters that she will be an innovator who will be smart on crime as well as tough on crime.

“Being smart on crime is about doing more preventing and less reacting,” she said, promising to target chronic truancy and the underlying causes of criminal behavior as she did during two terms as San Francisco district attorney.

She pledged to send prosecutors on the road to work with county district attorneys to fight environmental crimes. She said she will join with the federal government and attorneys general from other border states in a regional approach to combatting transnational gangs that cross into Mexico.

She said she will work to reform an overcrowded, costly prison system in which seven of 10 parolees are quickly sent back behind bars. A good starting place is

with female inmates, she said, because 60 percent are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes and two-thirds are mothers who have an extra incentive to turn their lives around.

About 10,000 of California’s 163,000 adult inmates are women.

“For many offenders, prison amounts to attending crime college,” Harris said in a 28-minute speech that ran longer than that delivered by new Gov. Jerry Brown earlier in the day. “Most nonviolent offenders are learning the wrong lesson.”

California should come down hard on violent offenders while finding alternative punishments for those who commit property and other crimes, she said. However, she also said the state should increase penalties for those who engage in high-tech crimes including spammers and financial predators, making sentences just as severe as for those who burglarize homes.

Harris promised to fight for the civil rights of every Californian, which includes allowing gays and lesbians to marry. She, like Brown, has said she will not intervene in a court battle over California's voter-

approved ban on gay marriages that later was thrown out by a federal judge. The case is now on appeal.

University of California, Los Angeles psychiatry professor David Farabee applauded Harris’ reform agenda, although he said the criminal justice system is tough to change. Farabee is the author of “Rethinking Rehabilitation: Why Can’t We Reform Our Criminals?”

“The promising aspect of this is she’s at least acknowledging there’s a need for change and innovation,” he said. “How easy that is, is a different question.”

State lawmakers have generally opposed anything that could be interpreted as softening criminal sentences. They and voters have enacted tougher sentencing laws in recent years, sending more people to prison yet failing to raise the revenue to pay for the additional incarceration costs. That has led to an even larger drain on the state budget.

Farabee said Harris’ views may have more general support outside Sacramento.

“I think we overuse incarceration of nonviolent offenders. I think

Texan declared innocent after 30 years in prison minutes after a Dallas judge overturned his conviction.

Nationally, only two others exonerated DALLAS — A Texas man declared by DNA evidence spent more time in prison, innocent Tuesday after 30 years in prison according to the Innocence Project, a New had at least two chances to make parole and York legal center that specializes in wrongbe set free — if only he would admit he was ful conviction cases and represented Dupree. a sex offender. But Cornelius Dupree Jr. James Bain was wrongly imprisoned for 35 refused to do so, doggedly maintaining his years in Florida, and Lawrence McKinney innocence in a 1979 rape and robbery, in the spent more than 31 years in a Tennessee process serving more time for a crime he prison.

Dupree was sentenced to 75 years in didn't commit than any other Texas inmate prison in 1980 for the rape and robbery of a exonerated by DNA evidence.

“Whatever your truth is, you have to 26-year-old Dallas woman a year earlier. He stick with it,” Dupree, 51, said Tuesday, was released in July on mandatory supervision, and lived under house arrest until October.

About a week after his release, DNA test results came back proving his innocence in the sexual assault.

A day after his release, Dupree married his fiancee, Selma. The couple met two decades ago while he was in prison.

Looking fit and trim in a dark suit, Dupree stood through most of the short hearing, until state district Judge Don Adams told him, “You’re free to go.”

AP Photo by Mike Fuentes One of Dupree’s lawyers, Cornelius Dupree Jr., center, smiles while attorney Barry Innocence Project CoScheck, right, speaks in Dallas on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. Dupree Director Barry Scheck, served 30 years for rape and robbery before being exonerated by called it “a glorious day.”

See DUPREE, page 19 DNA evidence.

BY JEFF CARLTON ASSOCIATED PRESS

most people would prefer we have plenty of beds to incarcerate predatory offenders,” he said.

Harris, 46, is the daughter of a father from Jamaica and mother from India. She defeated Republican Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley in a tight race in November.

She waited four weeks to claim victory in a race decided by seven-tenths of a percentage point, or 70,000 of the roughly 10 million votes cast.

Her inauguration drew a diverse, standing-room only crowd that spilled from the courtyard of the California Museum for History, Women and The Arts into a neighboring auditorium. Onlookers crowded balconies and watched from windows as a traditional Indian

Kamala Harris dancer opened the ceremony and a gospel singer led a hand-clapping spiritual to close.

Phyllis Marshall of Sacramento attended law school with Harris and brought her 18-year-old daughter to witness what she called an historic event. She said Harris’ election shows people do not have to give up their convictions to be successful.

“You can do the right thing, and people will respond,” she said.

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Racism at CBS Television, Sony Entertainment and Bell Dramatic for 37 years Actress Victoria Rowell and other Black industry insiders are denied equal opportunity to some of America's most popular daytime dramas

BY BRANDON BROOKS AND SAM RICHARD Pioneering actress Victoria Rowell is not new to the acting world and she certainly is not new to the millions of fans of the daytime drama “The Young and The Restless.” The veteran actress was part of the cast as Drucilla Winters for more than 17 years. However, the millions of fans and corporate sponsors of the longtime No. 1 daytime drama may be surprised to discover that in her 17 years, and even worse, in the show’s 37 year history they have never had a single African-American writer, director or producer. Despite of the fact that African-American viewership for “The Young and The Restless” is estimated well over 35 percent and some have estimated it is as high as 45 percent, it has caused many in

the civil rights community to call for boycotts and demonstrations of the show and its advertisers.

Rowell told the Los Angeles Sentinel in an exclusive interview for all NNPA newspapers across the country that she has attended several meetings in an effort to help diversify daytime soap operas behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

Rowell believes that several examples of discrimination exist the most egregious being the lack of Black writers, directors or producers, for over 37 years.

The Sentinel contacted Jim Kennedy, executive vice president for Global Communications at Sony Pictures Entertainment, which coowns “The Young and the Restless,” along with the Bell family, regarding the lack of African-American participation behind the camera,

who stated, “With regard to ‘The Young and the Restless,’ we are proud of the fact that five African American actors play important roles on the program, and we are especially grateful for the diverse audience it has every day.”

“And in light of that, Sony Pictures has over the course of the past year undertaken an initiative designed to have us be more representative of the global audience we work to entertain.” While in the statement, which was sent via email Kennedy did talk about diversity, he did not address why “The Young and The Restless” has not hired a Black producer, director, writer or crew member in 37 years, which leads many industry insiders and civil rights leaders to believe that CBS has no interest in making real change without pressure.

For years, many industry lead-

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Photo by Tammie Arroyo

Victoria Rowell at the 39th NAACP Image Awards in 2008, where she received the award. ers, and community organizations including the NAACP, the Urban League and the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade have raised concern about what they say is a lack of diversity in front of, and behind the camera.

To demonstrate the lack of diversity on television and to help bring about change in the industry, the NAACP commissioned a report titled “Out of Focus — Out of Sync: Take 4.” The report pointed out that the number of African-Americans in regular roles and on air in a prime time scripted series — in the 20062007 season — were 20 African Americans on Fox, 19 on NBC, 17 on CBS and 15 on ABC. The report did not track African Americans on cable channels which in recent years have become a much larger part of the television viewing format. The figures, provided by the networks, are the latest numbers available.

“All four major broadcast networks have made important strides in increasing diversity,” the report stated, but it also added: “Progress has been slower in areas that arguably could have the greatest impact: writing and producing.

“White males have always dominated the entertainment industry and that continues to be largely the case. While African-American writers represent the largest share of minorities employed in television, they still only averaged about 5.2 percent of the total number of writ-

ers employed. That translates to 161 African-American writers out of 3,088 during the 2005-2006 television season, according to the Writers Guild of America.”

Other African Americans Weigh In Other African Americans and Black organizations are looking into the issue of diversity in daytime soap operas, including the National Urban League and NAACP. The Sentinel obtained two letters from Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, addressed to Howard Stringer, president and CEO of Sony Corp., and William Bell Jr., president of Bell Dramatic Serial Co. The letters, dated Sept. 23, contends: “Through a preliminary review we have learned that there are few African American actors, producers, directors and support personnel in the ‘Day time Soap Opera’ industry despite the fact that African Americans are a crucial significant portion of the loyal audience of viewers for ‘Daytime Soap Operas.’ The letters pointed out that this is unacceptable in 21st century America.”

Emma Young, head writer and associate producer for an online African-American soap opera, “The Proud and the Privileged,” said that she knows several actors who complain about having “no” African Americans behind the scenes.

See RACISM, page 6

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Republicans block child nutrition bill

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — House Republicans have temporarily blocked legislation to feed school meals to thousands more hungry children.

Republicans used a procedural maneuver Wednesday to try to amend the $4.5 billion bill, which would give more needy children the opportunity to eat free lunches at school and make those lunches healthier. First lady Michelle Obama has lobbied for the bill as part of her “Let’s Move” campaign to combat childhood obesity.

House Democrats said the GOP amendment, which would have required background checks for child care workers, was an effort to kill the bill and delayed a final vote on the legislation rather than vote on the amendment.

Because the nutrition bill is identical to legislation passed by the Senate in August, passage would send it to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature. If the bill were amended, it would be sent back to the Senate with little time left in the legislative session.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, DMd. said the House would hold separate votes

on Thursday on the amendment and the bill.

Republicans say the nutrition bill is too costly and an example of government overreach.

“It’s not about making our children healthy and active,” said Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. “We all want to see our children healthy and active. This is about spending and the role of government and the size of government — a debate about whether we’re listening to our constituents or not.”

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has also taken a swipe at the first lady’s campaign, bringing cookies to a speech at a Pennsylvania school last month and calling the campaign a “school cookie ban debate” and “nanny state run amok” on her Twitter feed.

The legislation would give the government the power to decide what kinds of foods could be sold and what ingredients may be limited in school lunch lines and vending machines.

The Agriculture Department would create the standards, which would likely keep popular foods like hamburgers and pizza in school cafeterias but make them healthier, using leaner meat or whole wheat crust, for example. Vending machines could be stocked with less candy and fewer high-calorie drinks.

AP Photo by Lynne Sladky

First lady Michelle Obama talks with students about as they taste fresh vegetables at Riverside Elementary School in Miami, Monday, Nov. 22, 2010. The first lady is promoting her “Let’s Move” initiative to reduce childhood obesity by highlighting the role schools and community partnerships can play in improving school nutrition.

The bill would provide money to serve more than 20 million additional after-school meals annually to children in all 50 states.

Many of those children now only receive after-school snacks. It would also increase the number of children eligible for school meals

programs by at least 115,000, using Medicaid and census data to identify them.

The legislation would increase the amount of money schools are reimbursed by 6 cents a meal, a priority for schools that say they don’t have the dollars to feed needy kids.

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

RACISM

Continued from page 4 Young added that it is important to have Black producers, writers and directors.

“It’s very important to show African Americans not only in a positive light, but in a true light,” Young said. Also someone might not do that if he or she is not Black, because they would be unfamiliar with African American life experiences and their experiences would come from stereotypes.

Darryl Manuel, producer and

director of “The Proud and the Privileged,” agrees, but thinks it is important to have diversity in all genres of entertainment.

“There’s just a wealth [of information] and a rich point of view that the general audience misses out on, by not having a true representation of that point of view,” he said. “I mean it’s only going to make those stories better; it’s only going to bring more to the pot, you know ... put more meat on the bones, into the

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stew, when you have this story that has an authentic and a rich story line.”

Davetta Sherwood, an African American who also played on “The Young and the Restless,” said at first she had a good experience being on the show.

But that eventually changed.

“The experiences that I had with the lack of diversity, the lack of acknowledgement of the Winters family, and just our ethnic background, was really disappointing," she said.

Sherwood said people on the show were strategic about choosing her. So, she thought they would treat her “carefully” on the set.

But “I felt disregarded at times; I felt unappreciated at times,” she said.

Sherwood said she confided with Rowell, telling her that she felt something was “a little off” on the show.

“And she shared with me some of the issues she had had in her ... years on the show."

Sherwood, echoing similar sentiments that Rowell had, said, “There has never been a Black ... crew or director or writer in the history of ‘The Young and the Restless.’ So that was really disappointing considering how successful and how profitable the show has been for CBS and the Bell family.”

Later she added: “Right now ... it's about speaking out and making people aware so that we can create a change right now. There’s no more time to wait. We don’t have 20 more years to revisit this conversation again. This is something that has to happen immediately.”

Dawn Stern, another African American who played on “The Young and the Restless,” also contends that the show had never hired a Black writer or producer.

“They could have had a Black writer; they did: Victoria Rowell was her name,” Stern said. “But they never gave her the credit for doing what she was doing, they never gave her the title, they never gave her the money.”

Ellen Holly, the first AfricanAmerican actress to integrate daytime soaps, played on “One Life to Live,” wrote a book “One Life: The Autobiography of an African American actress,” which included her negative experiences in the soap opera industry.

Holly said that she is concerned about what some young actors are going through.

They’ve read her book, she said.

And “they still come to me ... and to this day say to me, ‘The things that you went through ... you’re writing what’s happening to me right now.’ And that’s very upsetting to me.”

Pushing for Diversity Rowell said she has always been concerned and always wanted to find solutions to tell Blacks’ stories with integrity and to the best of her ability.

One instance in which Rowell sought to bring change took place

Victoria Rowell when she was told her character would be illiterate.

She requested the illiteracy story line be played out to its fullest extent and expedited so that — while it could be shown that adult illiteracy existed — the story line be moved along.

“Then I presented the classical ballet story line, proving that dance and arts belong to everyone no matter what the socio-economic bracket, no matter what the race,” Rowell said.

Her story line demanded more African-American cast members since her character would have to have parents, a sister, love interest and others on the show, she said.

More Blacks came on board.

Doing that was “quite unique,” but her efforts to do so, she believes, generated “push back.”

Rowell — who first came on the show in 1990 and continued on for several years afterward — was nominated for Emmys and won several NAACP Image awards for her work on “The Young and the Restless,” along with other Black actors on the show.

She contended, however, that although some of the AfricanAmerican actors on the show have won awards they appear on a small amount of the shows.

Rowell told the Sentinel that she's asking for “one thing” from all the tenure she has as an actress: to reinvest in African-American talent as writers, producers and directors in daytime drama, including the “The Young and the Restless.”

“What could possibly be impossible about that?” she asked.

CBS responded to some of Rowell's contentions: “We have

great respect for Victoria Rowell, but strongly disagree with her statements about diversity. CBS is very committed to diversity and inclusiveness throughout the company including Daytime, where we feature diverse talent in all programming.” But, again CBS did not address the 37 years of not hiring any African Americans as writers, directors or producers.

The company said that, through the CBS Diversity Institute and other outreach programs, CBS mentors aspiring writers and directors, and sponsors talent showcases, including an “unprecedented casting initiative specifically for daytime dramas.”

Letters and phone calls from Urban League President Marc Morial to William Bell Jr., president of Bell Dramatic Serial Co. and Sir Howard Stringer, chairman, President and CEO of Sony Corp. received the height of disrespect: they have not been responded to, nor has Bell Dramatic Serial responded to the Los Angeles Sentinel’s request for this story, which has many in the civil rights community furious. “If the Chairman of CBS would not respond to Urban League President Marc Morial for a meeting, what does that say about their commitment to inclusion and diversity? Maybe the racism starts at the top,” stated Danny J. Bakewell Sr., chairman of NNPA (Black Press of America).

“Meetings are great, but access and results are greater,” stated Rowell.

Sentinel interns Biko Poindexter-Hodge and Robert Gillard contributed to this report.

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

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The Wall Street Project Economic Summit will take place Jan. 11 to 14 in New York City, and it has been called a “plan for economic justice” by the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. “This is what we call the fourth stage of our struggle,” Jackson recently told the Los Angeles Sentinel as he talked about the event. “Stage one was to end legal slavery … Stage two was to end legal Jim Crow laws. Stage three was the right to vote. Stage four is access to capital, industry, technology…”

“We are free but not equal,” he said.

African Americans are in a different struggle — a struggle for equality, said Jackson, president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which is holding the event with the Citizen Education Fund.

Asked what economic justice practically looks like, Jackson said, “Economic justice looks like equality and parity and fair share.”

Leaders will convene to have a plan for what he calls economic justice.

“We’re losing businesses.

We’re number one in unemployment,” he later said, naming other problems in the Black community.

People are coming together to demand equality, as well as access to jobs, contracts and capital at city, state, federal and corporate levels, the civil rights leader said.

The 14th annual event, subtitled “A More Perfect Union: Time to Rebuild America,” will have several features, including a session about the U.S. housing crisis, a youth seminar with the Hip Hop Union, and the Small Business Institute.

The first day of the event will include the Economic Roundtable, where U.S. economist Dr. Max Wolf is scheduled to speak.

On Jan. 12, several people are expected to speak at the Economic Agenda Luncheon. That event will include a representative from the

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Rainbow PUSH Coalition Wall Street Project’s theme: ‘Economic Justice’; The coalition and the Citizenship Education Fund will hold an annual economic summit next week.

business

Emanuel Cleaver

Washington, D.C. — Congressional Black Caucus Chairman-Elect Emanuel Cleaver recently announced three emerging leaders to key positions within the CBC: executive director, policy director, and communications director.

Angela Rye, who currently serves as senior adviser and counsel to the House Committee on Homeland Security, has been named executive director and general counsel.

“It is important that we have strong, innovative, and thoughtful leadership which we have found in Angela Rye,” said Chairman-Elect Cleaver.

“Through her political, legal, and no-profit background, I believe the wealth of knowledge Angela brings to the table is immeasurable and exactly what the Congressional Black Caucus needs for the challenges and triumphs we will face during the 112th Congress. I am See CLEAVER, page 19

Rev. Jesse Jackson gears up for economic summit

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Hester SPORTS BEAT B B sets record with puntreturn average

Y RAD PYE JR.

AP Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast

Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) eludes a tackle by New England Patriots’ Matt Slater (18) on a punt-return in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Add this to the list of NFL records for Chicago’s Devin Hester — highest punt return average in a season.

The Bears’ speedy return specialist averaged 17.1 yards, the highest in league history among players with at least 30 returns. He also set the career record for combined kick return touchdowns last month with his 14th, returning to form after struggling the past few years while trying to adapt to a bigger role at wide receiver.

Hester has returned 33 punts for 564 yards and three TDs. His average topped the previous mark of 16.1 set by Jermaine Lewis of Baltimore in 2000.

Hester’s resurgence is a big reason the Bears (11-5) won the NFC North and made the playoffs for the first time in four years.

He had gone two seasons without returning a punt or kickoff for a touchdown after running back 11 to the end zone in his first two seasons.

That drought ended when he took a

punt 62 yards against Green Bay in late September.

Hester broke Brian Mitchell's record for combined kick return TDs with a 64-yard punt return against Minnesota on Dec. 20. That gave him 10 punt return touchdowns in his career, tying Eric Metcalf's record.

Not included in Hester’s 14 kick return TDs are a missed field goal that he ran back 108 yards, and the touchdown on the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl four years ago.

Vikings make Leslie Frazier their next head coach

BY DAVE CAMPBELL AP SPORTS WRITER EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Touting Leslie Frazier’s communication style, crisis management skills and credibility with players, the Minnesota Vikings decided to strip the interim tag from the former NFL cornerback and make him their head coach.

Frazier stressed a team-first mentality on Monday, and a belief that “it’s only a matter of time� before the championship-deprived franchise wins a Super Bowl.

He vowed a thorough examination of the roster, the staff and the scheme on both sides of the ball to get the Vikings back to the playoffs, following a dramatic 6-10 failure that came after an NFC runner-up finish the season before.

The Vikings started 3-7 before Frazier took over Nov. 22 for the fired Brad Childress. They went 3-3 under the 51-year-old longtime assistant coach the rest of the way. “I think we’ll be able to look back at these last six weeks and say, ‘You know what?’ That was the beginning of something special,�

Frazier said Monday, during his introductory news conference at Winter Park.

Mired in a mess of a season

that started with a Super Bowl-orbust goal, the Vikings saw Brett Favre get slammed to the turf and See VIKINGS, page 15

Notes, quotes and things picked up on the run from coast-to-coast and all the stops in between and beyond.

The New Orleans Saints and former USC Trojan Reggie Bush — the defending Super Bowl champions — will duel it out with former USC Trojan head coach Pete Carroll and the rest of the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 8.

Also on Jan. 8, the New York Jets will play against the Indianapolis Colts. And the Baltimore Ravens battle the Kansas Chiefs on Jan. 9.

On Jan. 15 and 16 the NFL divisional playAP Photo offs will get underway Former Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush in Atlanta and Chicago. answers questions before the Super Bowl in There are a handful Miami. of Black coaches in the Wake up, Lakers. The Heat, NFL playoffs: Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jim Caldwell Celtics and some other teams are of the Indianapolis Colts and taking the play away from you.

By the way, James and his Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears.

Who are the Black head coach- teammate Dwyane Wade were the es who will be on board in the NFL Eastern Conference’s co-NBA players of the month for December. in 2011?

And the beat ends.

Definitely set are Smith, TomBrad Pye Jr. can be reached at lin, Caldwell and the Minnesota Vikings’ Leslie Frazier. Also set is switchreel@aol.com.

Raheem Morris, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It seemed that the Cincinnati Bengals’ Marvin Lewis was on shaky ground, but it has been reported that he is staying with the team.

Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson criticized President Barack Obama for praising Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie for giving quarterback Michael Vick a second chance after his jail time, which he spent because of a gam -# +0 '!( '-#" bling ring and dogfighting. +$ #'*% '!( '-#" Carlson claims he’s a Christian.

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pastor of Brookins AME ComCLINIC munity Church in Los Angeles, preached on Sunday that God is a God of second chances.

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Will the Lakers get their act in gear before January 2011 is history?

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(323) 242-0500 Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the rest

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AP Photo by Jim Mone

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf, left, introduces new head football coach Leslie Frazier Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, in Eden Prairie, Minn. Frazier has served as the NFL team’s interim head coach since the firing of Brad Childress. He becomes the Vikings’ eighth head coach in the team’s 50-year history.

www.lawattstimes.com 9

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Wesley Snipes supporters demanding retrial

Billy Taylor — musician, jazz icon, dies SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS

BY GREGORY DALE SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS Following the federal imprisonment of actor Wesley Snipes on a threeyear sentence for failure to file income tax returns, a collection of celebrities, politicians, friends and supporters are demanding the actor receive a fair trial.

A group calling itself The Friends of Wesley Snipes is pushing a petition for the famous actor in order to bring awareness to perceived misconduct during his trial. Spearheading the movement is Snipes’ wife, Nicky, and a laundry list of celebrities and supporters including the Rev. Al Sharpton, Denzel Washington, and Judge Joe Brown, among thousands of other supporters.

According to CNN, Snipes reported to a Pennsylvania federal prison camp on Dec. 9, 2010, for not filing tax returns in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Though Snipes initially faced felony charges of tax fraud and conspiracy, those charges were later dropped and Snipes was charged with misdemeanor violations.

Prosecutors argued that Snipes had received $40 million since 1999, but had not completed tax returns and was involved in a tax resisters group.

The actor denied his involvement and said his failure to file was due to a mistake by his financial adviser.

The Friends of Snipes contend on their website that, in addition to Snipes unfairly receiving the maximum sen-

AP Photo by Phil Sandlin

Wesley Snipes gestures as he leaves federal court after he was sentenced to three years in prison for willful failure to file a tax return on April 24, 2008, at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Ocala, Fla. Snipes was acquitted in February of five counts including felony fraud and conspiracy charges. tence of three years in prison on misdemeanor charges, he was denied an appeal. Additionally, the group claims that two jurors from the Snipes trial sent out e-mails explaining that three other jurors presumed that Snipes was guilty before the trial began. In their e-mails, the two jurors claimed the remaining jurors, in rendering their verdict, never

Montel Williams cited after pipe found at airport

AP Photo by Chris Pizzello

In a June 27, 2010, photo Montel Williams arrives at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas. Wisconsin authorities say former talk show host and medical marijuana activist Montel Williams has been cited for possession of drug paraphernalia at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2010.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wisconsin authorities say former talk show host and medical marijuana activist Montel Williams has been cited for possession of drug paraphernalia at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee County sheriff’s office says the Transportation Security Administration found Williams had a pipe commonly used for marijuana as he passed through a security checkpoint Tuesday.

The sheriff’s office says Williams paid the $484 citation and was released to continue his travel.

Williams has said he uses marijuana to relieve chronic pain caused by multiple sclerosis that was diagnosed in 1999. The 54-year-old has said he became an activist pushing for medical marijuana laws after being stopped at a Detroit airport years ago for carrying drug paraphernalia.

Messages left Tuesday for his attorney, Nina Shaw, were not immediately returned.

believed that Snipes would be sent to jail, and felt they needed to come forward to show misconduct.

But Judge William Terrell Hodges, who issued Snipes’ sentence, declined to interview the jurors to confirm any misconduct and issue the actor a new trial.

Snipes’ lawyer, attorney Daniel Meachum, said a brief for Snipes’ appeal will be submitted and the petition is slated to be submitted to the Supreme Court in February.

“It’s not so much a case about Wesley Snipes, but it’s a case about the judicial process right now,” Meachum told the AFRO during a recent interview. “This case is about the everyday man. Wesley Snipes is actually just a vessel because there’s a bunch of people — Black and White — who have been incarcerated when they don’t necessarily need to be there, because the prosecution has not turned over all the discoveries (evidence) that they’re required to do. Wesley’s just one of many victims in this system.”

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Dr. Billy Taylor, an American Jazz icon, composer and educator, died in Manhattan on Dec. 28. He was 89.

The influential musician, who also promoted the genre as a broadcaster for National Public Radio and CBS Sunday Morning, died of heart failure, according to his daughter.

Taylor composed more than 350 songs during his six-decadelong recording career, including “I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to be Free,” a favorite during the civil rights era.

Taylor was also a celebrated instructor.

After earning a master’s degree and a doctorate in music education from the University of MassAP Photo by Gary He achusetts at Amherst, In this Nov. 5, 2007, file photo, musician Billy he served as a Duke Taylor arrives for the 2007 Library Lions Benefit Ellington Fellow at at New York Public Library. Taylor, a jazz pianist Yale University, ac- and composer who became one of the music form's cording to his official most ardent promoters through radio, television Web site. Also, his and the landmark Jazzmobile arts venture died Jazzmobile organiza- Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 in New York. He was 89. tion has hosted free concerts and workshops in New York’s inner-city neighborhoods since 1964.

The well-respected pianist was awarded 23 honorary doctoral degrees, two Peabody Awards, an Emmy, a Grammy and was elected into the Hall of Fame for the International Association for Jazz Education, among other honors.

“Those who knew him universally speak of his personal warmth, and of his missionary-like zeal for introducing jazz music to people,” NPR staff wrote in an article commemorating Taylor.

Taylor is survived by his wife, Theodora Taylor, and a daughter, Kim Taylor-Thompson.

“He enjoyed his life,” his wife told The Associated Press. “Music was his love.”

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FEATURE STORY He just loves to sing

By Sam Richard, Associate Editor If you saw Abraham McDonald roughly 20 years ago — when he was only about 13 years old — it’s possible you wouldn’t have guessed that he would be up-and-coming R&B singer.

McDonald didn’t always want to sing.

He resisted singing when his sister, Breeze, signed him up for a talent show when he was about 13. Although he didn’t want to participate, he eventually did.

McDonald, who was raised in Los Angeles, says something happened to him at that event that even inspires him to sing today: When he sang Stephanie Mills’ song “Home,” he felt like he was in another world. He felt like he was flying.

And when the African American sings these days, he says he wants to be happy.

After participating in and winning talent shows, McDonald found himself dormant: The 33-year-old was connected to the music industry but not pursuing his own a music career.

In 2009, McDonald hit a low in his life. He says he lost “everything,” including his job and money.

His sister encouraged him to be in another talent show. The incentive: he could win some money — something he needed.

Life began to improve for McDonald, though.

Through a series of circumstances, he won Oprah Winfrey’s Karaoke Challenge in 2009, earning $250,000. In 2010, he signed a contract with Island Def Jam Music Group.

He has also released a singled titled “Miracle.”

Now the singer has a simple reason for wanting to continue his career: “I’m singing ’cause I love singing,” he recently told the L.A. Watts Times.

Things are looking positive for McDonald in 2011: He is working on a book and plans to drop his album, “A Man With Two Hearts,” this Spring.

To find out more about McDonald visit www.mrabrahammcdonald. com and www.islanddefjam.com/artist/home.aspx?artistID=7419.

Reverend Fred Price, Jr.

By Yussuf J. Simmonds, Co-Managing Editor As pastor of one of the largest churches in the Southern California churches, the Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC), Frederick K. Price, Jr. took over the reins of the mega church from his father, Apostle Frederick K. Price, Sr. about three years ago. The elder Price has been delivering weekly diets of spiritual enrichment for the faithful for years; he had been – and still is though less regularly – a fixture on national television, ending his weekly sermon, “We walk by faith not by sight,” as his exit line that reflected his service to the community for over 50 years.

Now Price Jr. has taken over from the master, his father, the founder of the CCC. He was ordained in 2003 and has been an advocate for youthful activities within the community and in the religious community in general. As a young pastor, Price Jr. had a natural connection to the young generation. As a matter of fact, he was called the Hip-Hop pastor and he created a special Sunday service at CCC called the HipHop Sunday.

Often, Price Jr. would be dressed in a loose casual manner, one of his ways to identify and attract the young generation of church goers.

Tersit Asrat Tersit Asrat feels a call to share the Gospel

By Sam Richard, Associate Editor

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Tersit Asrat sold her home to pursue a goal she believed in: establishing Hosanna Broadcasting Network (HBN).

Asrat is the president and founder of the HBN, and Who she says is the CEO — God the Holy Spirit — gives a glimpse into how HBN got started.

In 1999, Asrat says she heard the Holy Spirit tell her to go into Christian radio. Although she resisted for a while, Asrat eventually said yes to God. It took several years to start up the network.

During part of that time, Asrat told the L.A. Watts Times that she

According to the church’s web page, the idea is to mesh hip-hop with faith and the service was called the blueprint.

As he hosts the “Ever-Increasing Faith Ministries” at the main sanctuary of the CCC called the Faithdome, which is located on the sprawling grounds of the former Pepperdine University campus, Price Jr. has inherited his father’s magnetism and is using his pastoral talents to reach the hip-hop generation.

In addition to conducting weekly services, there is a myriad of outreach services that CCC is involved in continuously including a school for young children, a school for those who want to enter the ministry and other community activities.

When he took over the reins, Price Jr. said, “Becoming Pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center is an honor of high esteem. To follow in the footsteps of my father, the Apostle of Faith, is a privilege and a challenge I look forward to taking on.” And he has, indeed.

Assemblyman Isadore Hall III

By Yussuf J. Simmonds, Co-Managing Editor In his first term in the state assembly, Assembly Isadore Hall, the freshman legislator became the assistant Majority Whip and then from there he went straight to assistant Speaker Pro Tem. He had gained the trust and the confidence of then Speaker Karen Bass who placed him on her leadership team. On his arrival in Sacramento, Bass made him a part of her team by immediately naming him the assistant Majority Whip.

As assistant Speaker Pro Tem, Hall was the third highest-ranking officer in the assembly, an achievement of distinction for his first term.

When he assumed the post, he said, “I am deeply honored by Speaker Bass’ appointment. As assistant Speaker Pro Tempore, I look forward to working with my colleagues in conducting the work of the assembly and serving the great people of California.”

Hall presided over the floor session of the assembly when the Speaker and the Speaker Pro Tem were absent, and he was also responsible for maintaining order in the legislature, ensuring that the work of the assembly was conducted in a fair and efficient manner. But even though Hall was new to the assembly, he was by no means, new to the working of governmental structures.

He had already distinguished himself as a councilman and school board member in Compton, before he was first elected to the 52nd Assembly District in November 2008. His district includes Compton, Paramount, Rancho Dominguez and South Los Angeles. And if his past is any indication of the future, Hall’s constituents can be assured that he will continue keeping in close contact with them and will be providing them with quality services. His connection to his constituents was demonstrated when he was sworn in as a new legislator in Sacramento – Hall invited busloads of his constituents to witness the event in the state capital. And for those who were not able to make the trip to Sacramento, he held a second swearing-in ceremony in the heart of his district in South Los Angeles so that the rest of his constituents, friends and families could be there.

Presently, Assemblyman Hall is the chairman of the Governmental Organization Committee and in 2010, he was named Assembly-member of the Year by the Apartment Association, California Southern Cities.

He is a rising mode and his political star is getting brighter and brighter.

A Isa sse do mb re lym Ha a ll I n II

knocked on megachurches’ doors to get support for the network. She wrote proposals and experienced what she says were a lot of challenges.

The Los Angeles-based Crenshaw Christian Center offered her some help.

In June 2007, HBN became a reality.

Now the network broadcasts to more than 10 million homes in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Europe, HBN’s website states.

Radio programs include pastors’ sermons and music.

The mission of HBN is mainly to preach the gospel (or good news) of Jesus Christ to people in underdeveloped nations.

Asrat also said she is called to take care of the poor and orphans.

She has an orphanage in Africa.

In the past three years, HBN has seen more growth and there is more to come. On Jan. 31, Asrat said, HBN will be on television in the United States.

“It was God’s doing,” said Asrat, who noted she didn’t go looking for the opportunity to have HBN on TV but it came to her.

Asrat said the TV programs will be able to reach a total of 9 million homes in the United States.

That’s not all, though.

In May, HBN plans to expand further in the United States, Asrat said, adding that the network’s reach will double.

HBN will have a host of different programs, which will include preaching, talk shows, a cooking show, music videos and health programs, she said.

The vision for HBN TV is to create a TV station that will give a choice to viewers, as well as clean, family-style programming that will bring humor and joy, she said.

It looks like Asrat’s work is paying off.

For more information on HBN, visit www.hosannabroadcasting. com/.

Abraham McDonald

Luins Williams The man behind the champagne

By Sam Richard, Associate Editor Luins Williams’ company’s champagne brand — Moreno BHLV — has experienced relatively quick success.

But the fast success is based on years of work Williams spent in another business venture: bottling water.

Williams started working in the water business in 1992.

Eventually he sold private-labeled bottled water and began to attract clients in corporate America, including Fortune 500 companies, as well as educational institutions such as Harvard and Howard universities.

Williams says he delivered his goods on time and that helped establish a good reputation for him.

He continued to get big-name customers such as Wal-Mart, and several hotels in Las Vegas, including hotels in the MGM Resorts International group of resort-casinos.

Williams did so well in the water business that he was approached about doing something else. And that’s how Moreno BHLV (which stands for “Moreno Beverly Hills, Las Vegas”) got started.

Williams is believed to be the first African American to own a blackowned company that produces champagne. He co-owns his business, Aqua Resource, with his wife.

Moreno BHLV’s champagne — which is called an “affordable luxury” — is doing well in stores, says Williams.

He says his company will have a more nationwide expansion of Moreno BHLV. That’s the plan for 2011 and 2012.

“You have to (have) a direction in order to set the course where that boat’s going to sail,” Williams said.

For more information about Moreno BHLV, visit www.plwc.net/.

Charisse Bremond Weaver

By Yussuf J. Simmonds, Co-Managing Editor

Serra High School, Athletics Department A hotbed of athletic talent

By Jason Lewis Contributing Sports Editor When it comes to local movers and shakers in sports, all you have to do is look at Serra High School for somebody who is doing something big.

But there are so many athletes who are excelling that pinpointing one would be taking away from a great program.

The football team has been in the news a lot lately. Winning 29 out of the last 30 games will do that. That i n -

cludes back-to-back Western Division championships and two trips to the State Bowl game, where they won it last season.

Last year, star wide receiver Robert Woods was named 2009 -10 California high school player of the year. Woods also was a standout on the track team, where he was a part of their state title winning 4x400 relay team, which set the state record, and he took second in the 400-meter dash (second fastest time in the nation) and third in the 200-meter dash.

When Woods left for the University of Southern California, where he was their leading receiver, receiver George Farmer took the staring role, as he dominated at the position. Farmer also is a standout on the track team, as he took second place in the state finals last year and he looks to win the title this year.

Farmer was not the only star receiver. Marqise Lee, who also helped Serra’s basketball team win a state title last season, was dominant as a wide receiver and defensive back on the football team. Farmer was also on that basketball team.

After winning state titles in both football and basketball, Serra almost won it in track. They missed the state title by only two points.

Serra also has a standout baseball player: Dominic Smith continues to climb up the ranks on the national scene. The baseball phenom recently became the first ever sophomore to make the Milwaukee Brewers scout team, which will be playing at USC on Wednesday nights.

Smith, who honed his skills with Top Prospects out of Ladera Heights, is on a lot of radars as the prospect, and is one of the top of the top players in the nation for his age.

Smith was named 1st team All League (Camino Real) last year as a freshman, when he batted .597 for the season.

Don’t forget about the girls. Last year, freshman Chimere Ezumah won the state title in track and field in the 400-meter dash. Ezumah helped Serra’s girl’s track team win a Division title.

Serra’s girl’s basketball team won the division title last year, and this year they are off to a 15-2 start.

Serra high school has become a hotbed of athletic talent, and it looks like they will be racking up titles for years to come.

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As the first female President and CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade, Charisse Bremond Weaver took over the work following the footsteps of her father, Walter Bremond, the founder; and Danny J. Bakewell Sr., the builder. After the 1965 Watts Revolt, a number of self help organizations were formed; the Brotherhood Crusade is one of the only ones that have survived to become the largest African American philanthropic institution in the country.

Furthermore, it has spawned many self-help styled organizations throughout the nation since.

In continuing in the tradition of self help, Bremond Weaver has taken the Brotherhood Crusade to another level. She has blended her

style of leadership and “quiet” activism to maintain the level of excellence and service that she inherited. Even though the core of the Brotherhood Crusade’s day-to-day work in the community is sometimes unnoticed, the consequences of the commitment to help others to help themselves can be felt in many areas that the Brotherhood Crusade works.

Many can identify with the high-profile community and fundraising activities that is put on and it is important to highlight one of the most high-profile event of the Brotherhood Crusade: the Bremond Bakewell Pioneer of African American Achievement Award.

Most recently under Bremond Weaver’s leadership, the Brotherhood Crusade honored Nancy Wilson. In words and in deeds, she was ideally suited to be honored. However, in outlining her thoughts about the dinner, Bremond Weaver stated, “Just five short years ago, when I assumed the presidency of this historic organization, I asked you to envision a South Los Angeles devoid of poverty associated challenges where every individual was given sufficient opportunity to succeed in school, at work and in life….”

During the last five years later, she has made definite strides in moving towards the goal that she had envisioned. And under the watchful eyes of her mother, Mrs. Bertha Bremond, a retired educator, and a board member of the Brotherhood Crusade, Bremond Weaver is continuing the tradition of self-help, dignity and respect – the watchwords of the Brotherhood Crusade.

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

EVENT

LISTINGS

01-06-11 FILM FEST (BWR PR) — The Palm Springs International Film Festival will take place from Jan. 6 to 17. Recently, a new program highlighting African cinema was announced. The “Cinema Safari: A Showcase Of African Cinema” will premiere 13 new films made in Africa or reflecting contemporary African stories and themes. The films include the road movie “Africa United,” “I Am Slave,” a drama about the modern-day slave trade, and more. The showcase reflects the upsurge of film production across the African continent and the concurrent emergence of new filmmaking talents throughout the region. For more information, call (760) 322-2930 or (800) 898-7256, or visit www.psfilmfest.org.

(COMPANY OF ANGELS) “FATIGUED” — Company of Angels, a nonprofit repertory theater, will premiere “Fatigued” — two plays, which illustrate how friends, families, neighborhoods and communities experience the emotional casualties of war. “Fatigued” opens Jan. 6 at Company of Angels at The Alexandria, 501 S. Spring St., third floor, in downtown Los Angeles. It is scheduled to end Jan. 23. Performances on Thursday through Saturday evenings are at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 7 p.m. There is no performance on Jan. 13, and there is an added matinee on Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. The general ticket price is $20. Tickets can be purchased at www.companyofangels.org. More information: (213) 489-3703, www.companyofangels.org.

FORUM — Charles Ogletree, a Harvard law professor, will talk about his book, “The Presumption of Guilt,” on Jan. 8, 8 to 10 a.m., at the Urban Issues Forum of Greater Los Angeles. The forum will take place at the FAME Renaissance Building, 1968 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles.

Ogletree’s discussion is expected to include the topics of the justice system and Black men. People who want to attend the free event have to RVSP. A free breakfast will also be provided. RVSP information: urbanissuesforum@aol.com, Arnetta Mack, (323) 789-6224.

Lawson Jr., pastor emeritus of Holman United Methodist Church and King’s mentor and friend, will give personal reflections about life with King. The concert is free. Information for the event and directions to the facility are available on the Forest Lawn website, www.ForestLawn.com, or can be obtained by calling (800) 204-3131, ext. 3471.

CELEBRATION (SBC) — On. Jan. 9, from 8 to 11 a.m., Second Baptist Church (SBC) will recognize its 85th year in its building at 24th Street and Griffith

California’s attorney general in January, will be honored with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award. RSVP, more information: (213) 744-2111.

01-17-11 MLK BREAKFAST (L.A. INTER ALUMNI COUNCIL) — The 22nd annual Martin Luther King Day Breakfast will be held Jan. 17 at The Proud Bird Restaurant in Los Angeles. Curtis Symonds, former executive vice president

01-09-11 CONCERT (THE SOUTHEAST SYMPHONY) — Celebrations of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday will begin Jan. 9, 5 p.m., at the Hollywood Hills site of Forest Lawn Memorial Parks, where The Southeast Symphony will present a concert featuring world premiere compositions specifically written in tribute to the slain leader. Charles Dickerson, the orchestra’s music director and conductor, has composed a major new work for the chorus and orchestra entitled “I Have a Dream,” which incorporates salient portions of the text from King’s landmark speech. And the premiere presentation of this music, especially written for this concert, will be the highlight. The orchestra and chorus will also perform the premiere presentation of

01-08-11 WORKSHOP — A free modelSoutheast Symphony ing and social graces workshop will take place at the Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library on Jan. 8, 2 to 3 p.m. People who plan to attend must make reservations. The workshop is for girls ages 13 to 17.

More information: (323) 750-7241.

TALENT SHOW — His Sheltering Arms, a substance abuse treatment facility, will have its Second Annual Talent Show on Jan. 8, 5 p.m., at 12204 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles. There will be comedy, singing, praise dancing and more, as well as dinner, which will be sold. Ticket donations: $10 for adults; $5 for recovery program participants. Children 12 and under can get in for free. Proceeds will go toward the programs at the facility. More information: (323) 755-6646.

01/11 - 02/11

happening these months

“Blessed Are the Merciful” with orchestra and chorus, a work originally composed

by Don Lee White, and “We Shall Overcome” in a new arrangement for chorus and orchestra by Dickerson. The concert will be in the Hall of Liberty. It is one in an annual series of events sponsored by Forest Lawn Memorial Parks to celebrate national holidays. Television news personality Beverly White will serve as mistress of ceremonies, and the Rev. James M.

Second Baptist Church

Avenue in Los Angeles. Eighty-five years ago there were two weeks of citywide, interdenominational services Jan. 3 to 17, 1926. On the concluding night, there was a formal dedicatory service with a sermon by Dr. Adam Clayton Powell Sr., of Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City.

The church will aim to replicate this event, with Pastor Calvin Butts of Abyssinian Baptist Church, who has accepted an invitation to be the church’s guest preacher Jan. 9. The church is at 2419 Griffith Ave., Los Angeles. More information: (213) 7480318.

01-14-11 MLK COMMEMORATION — The 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Commemoration will take place Jan. 14, 6 to 9 p.m. The event will take place at the California African American Museum — at 600 State Drive, Los Angeles — and will be presented by California Assemblymember Mike Davis.

Kamala Harris, who will become

of Black Entertainment Television and former chief operating officer for the Washington Mystics, will present the keynote address. The event is for Black college alumni. The Proud Bird is at 10022 Aviation Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets are $40 per person and $400 per table of 10.

Parking is free. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are still available. Ticket information: Luther Williams, (562) 424-3965; Abraham McCormick, (310) 670-3119.

02-04-11 DANCE THEATRE (CERRITOS) — An event with Anjani Dance Theatre will take place Feb. 4, 8 p.m., at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. The dance theatre is celebrated for its repertoire fusing flamenco, hip-hop, Bollywood, folk, modern dance and the Indian Kathak. The ensemble is led by Anjani Ambegaokar, who was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts for her achievements in Kathak dance. The ensemble features her daughter Amrapali, whom the Los Angeles Times described as “a joyous monument to multiculturalism.” More information: (562) 916-8501, www.cerritoscenter.com/tickets/seasonoverview.aspx.

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Thursday, January 6, 2011 02-08-11 LULA WASHINGTON DANCE THEATRE (PEPPERDINE) — The 10-member Lula Washington Dance Theatre, a Los Angeles-based repertoire dance ensemble that performs choreography by Lula Washington, will perform at Smothers Theatre on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. Tickets, priced at $40 for the public and $10 for full-time

and more. Early registration cost $20.

After Jan. 31, it cost $30. More information: Debbie Reid, (213) 386-6232.

ONGOING ALLENSWORTH EXHIBIT (CAAM) — “Allensworth: A Place. A People. A Story.” is a photography exhibition of 65 photographs representing 10 photographers who collaborated on a photo series documenting

Lula Washington Dance Theatre

Pepperdine students, are available now by calling (310) 506-4522. Lula Washington has focused on using dance to explore social and humanitarian issues, including aspects of African-American history and culture. The company’s repertoire includes the Little Rock Nine suite, which is a tribute to the students who integrated Little Rock Central High and will be presented at Pepperdine in celebration of Black History Month. The company is composed of young, athletic dancers, many of whom were groomed in Washington’s inner-city dance studio. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. Pepperdine University is at 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. More information: http://arts.pepperdine.edu/, www.lulawashington.org.

02-12-11 CONFERENCE (UTLA AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE) — The United Teachers of Los Angeles African American Education Committee will hold its 38th Annual community conference, “Establishing Partnerships within the African American Community,” Feb. 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the UTLA Building, 3303 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, second floor. There will be soul food, speakers, an open forum

Allensworth, the historic settlement as part of the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. The exhibition runs through Feb. 27, 2011. In 2008, the California African American Museum presented “Allensworth: 100 Years of the California Dream,” a historical overview of Allensworth through photographs and text. Information: Information: www.caamuseum.org.

“SWEET MAMA STRING BEAN” (FREMONT CENTRE THEATRE) — By popular demand, ValLimar Jansen and Frank Jansen have returned in their “two-person, one-woman show” about legendary performer Ethel Waters — star of radio, TV, Broadway and feature film — at the Fremont Centre Theatre. “Sweet Mama String Bean” has been extended through Jan. 2. Show times for the play are 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, and 3 p.m. on Jan. 2. Admission for the musical play cost $30. Students and seniors can pay $25 on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be a New Year’s Eve gala, which will include the show, a party with dinner, wine, live music from the Sweet Mama String Bean Combo and more.

The cost for that is $80.

The Fremont Centre Theatre is at 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena. There is free parking behind the theater. Reservations: (866) 811-4111. Online ticketing: www.fremontcentretheatre.com.

“HOW WE ROLL” (CAAM) — “How We Roll,” a California African American Museum-curated exhibition has been extended through March 20, 2011. This exhibit offers insight into the engagement and cultural influence of African Americans in the sports of skateboarding, surfing and roller skating. “How We Roll” celebrates personal stories, cheers on the radicals who changed and blended the sports, and the artistry and livelihoods that have grown out of these respective fields. The exhibit is a mixture of various mixed media installations, a large amount of historical memorabilia and artifacts, intertwined with historical facts, personal accomplishments, vintage and contemporary photos and videos. Information: www.caamuseum.org.

Photo by ATIBA JEFFERSON

The deadline for receipt of calendar listings is Friday, noon, at least two weeks prior to activity.

Fax to: (323) 299-3896, e-mail us at lawattsnus@aol.com or mail to: L.A. Watts Times, 3800 Crenshaw Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90008.

All calendar items are received from various senders and are subject to being edited.

14

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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Which Constitution?

BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA COLUMNIST The incoming speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner (ROH), seems to pride himself in his fealty to the U.S. Constitution, so much so that he plans to have the Constitution read from the floor of Congress before he takes office.

I am sure that Boehner thinks he is adhering to a sacred tradition in reading the Constitution, and I am curious to know which version of the Constitution will be read. Boehner, for example, could not dare read Article 1, section 2, of the original Constitution, which defines those bound for service as three-fifths of all other persons.

All these folks who so love the Constitution seem to ignore the fact that it had to be amended, by the 14th Amendment, to acknowledge to humanity and rights of at least 12 percent of our nation’s population. So before Congressman Boehner gets all weepy about the Constitution, he ought to be clear about the inequality its original version reflects.

That was a long time ago, I can hear someone saying. Yet, this notion that there is something sacrosanct about the words our nation’s founders committed to paper is offensive to those of us who were committed to paper, consigned to inequality by those pioneers who desperately wanted freedom for themselves but could not fathom the fact that others also wanted freedom.

We can’t turn the clock back, but there ought to be some sensitivity to the many ways our nation committed an original sin by annex-

Julianne Malveaux ing Indian land and then enslaving people of African descent. They were well aware of the wrongs, as they debated the fact that slavery was untenable in the long run.

They simply left it to others to fix.

The strange fruit of this inequality shows up in contemporary economic statistics. It shows up when we look at the wealth gap: How can people who were once someone else’s asset catch up by accumulating assets of their own?

It shows up with a systematic denial of access to capital for African Americans. And, it shows up in the unemployment rate differential that policymakers refuse to address.

Boehner and his crew would tout the Constitution as a pristine document; yet it is a document

replete with flaws. He is using the Constitution to suggest we ought to go back to our origins, but he is not likely to have every exploitative aspect of our origins revealed.

The Constitution is a living document that breathes because of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, which provide relief to the descendants of enslaved people. It breathes because of the 20th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. While we celebrate these upgrades in our nation’s original Constitution, we are also cognizant of the flaws in the original document.

Boehner and his cronies want to force legislators to tie each piece of legislation to the Constitution. Which one?

The one before amendments, that found so many people unequal, or the current Constitution? Will there be debate on which version of the Constitution should be relative to new laws?

Which, for example, is tolerant of immigration, and which is not?

Constitutional measures are rejected for one set of laws; are they to be rejected for other laws?

This Constitution-referencing is little more than travesty, an attempt by the Tea Party to carve their niche out and to blatantly reveal their failure to understand our nation’s history.

Those of us who are not enthralled by this constitutional mania must be forgiven for our own read on history, a read that more accurately reflects facts.

Those founding fathers (no mothers) that wrote the Constitution created a political document that jettisoned some people’s rights in favor of creating some unity among 13 diverse colonies.

They knew their pragmatism was a yoke left for future generations.

Even the most conservative founding fathers would not have agreed that the flawed Constitution ought always be our lodestar. They wrote a document they expected to be fluid enough to change.

The new house speaker, Boehner, would love to have a periodic blast from the past because he may not want to deal with a dynamic present and a fluid future.

I am sure, however, that he won’t have the nerve to read Article 1, Section 2, of the Constitution as it was originally written. To do so would only tip his cards.

Julianne Malveaux is the 15th president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C., and author of “Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts in Black Economic History.”

To Be Equal

Happy New Year!

“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” — Oprah Winfrey

Marc Morial

BY MARC H. MORIAL NNPA COLUMNIST At the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, 2011, Oprah Winfrey made history with the launching of her new television network, OWN. As the first African-American woman to launch a major television network, Oprah’s amazing ascension in the broadcast world is emblematic of the progress we have made in Black America and the hopes we all hold for an even brighter future. It is my fervent wish that in 2011 we will all push forward to realize our own dreams, especially those of us who have been struggling to find jobs.

The year 2010 brought us more than our share of challenges — from a horrific earthquake in Haiti to a devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We were riveted by the dramatic rescue of 33 men trapped for months in a Chilean mine. We were shocked by the Wikileaks massive dump of secret information. Young Americans continue to make the ultimate sacrifice in two major wars. We saw a dramatic shift in Congress with Republicans capturing control of the House and gaining seats in the Senate. And, we begin this New Year almost like we began the one before; with unemployment in many communities of color nearly double the national rate of 9.8 percent.

Double-digit unemployment rates have been a reality for urban communities — which also tend to be communities of color — since August 2008 for African Americans and February 2009 for Latinos. In fact, African-American unemploy-

ment has been at or near 10 percent since Dec. 2001. Last year, the African-American unemployment rate was on average 1.8 times higher than that of Whites. AfricanAmerican median household income was 62 percent of that earned

by White households and African Americans were more than three times as likely as Whites to live below the poverty line.

Without jobs, families are more likely to lack health insurance and access to affordable health care.

Their educational opportunities are also limited, and the possibility of achieving the dream of homeownership grows further out of reach.

President Obama has made repairing our struggling economy his No. 1 New Year’s resolution.

While recent data show our economy is on the rebound, he said, “Our most important task now is to keep that recovery going. As President that’s my commitment to you: to do everything I can to make sure our economy is growing, creating jobs, and strengthening our middle class.

That’s my resolution for the coming year.”

The National Urban League begins its second century resolved to help the President fulfill that promise.

With the 2012 election now in sight, this year gives the President, the Congress, and all of us one more chance to get it right.

Congratulations, Oprah. Here’s to success and happiness for everyone in the New Year.

Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

www.lawattstimes.com 15

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Martin Luther King Day of Service

the House, just weeks to introduce, debate, rally the votes and pass the Serve America Act — the most sweeping expansion of national service in a generation.

Like King, these visionary leaders understood that as a nation, we are strongest, we are more united,

and we are at our best when we do for others. Our own service work has taught us that doing for others is also a powerful way to do for yourself.

We both grew up at a time when leadership opportunities for African-American men, both in and out of government, were just begin-

ning to open up. Inspired by the sacrifices of King and others, we chose the path of public service. That path has taken us from volunteering in poor villages abroad and homeless shelters here at home to leading America’s service agencies at a time of great need for grassroots hope among communities worldwide.

Today, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Corps and CNCS are partnering to bring the rewards of service to more people and communities — especially to those who may not have had that chance before. It is our privilege to be inspired by the Americans who make a commitment to service opportunities that have led them to a better life and opened new doors of opportunity.

On this 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, with so many problems facing our nation, we say to all Americans, if you have not already made service a part of your daily lives, get started today.

And don’t just do it for one day.

Make it a lifetime commitment.

King changed the course of history armed only with the power of his ideals and grassroots citizen support. His life of service reminds us that the everyday acts of ordinary citizens make this country extraordinary.

Patrick A. Corvington is CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Aaron S. Williams is director of the Peace Corps.

“We took it very seriously and we took a lot of input on this, but clearly Leslie is the right man for the job,” team president Mark Wilf said.

“He listens and makes good decisions. We saw a lot of that through a lot of the adversity, especially the last few weeks.”

The Wilfs fired former coach Mike Tice minutes after his final game of the 2005 season. And just like the discipline-minded Childress was hired in part as a reaction to the boat party fiasco that took place under Tice, Frazier brings a warmer and more dynamic personality than his predecessor, who turned some fans and players off by coming across as rigid and aloof.

Childress had final word on the roster. His hasty, solo act of jettisoning troublesome wide receiver Randy Moss upset the Wilfs and also showed a hole in the hierarchy.

Front office titles will remain the same, and the Vikings won’t hire a traditional general manager. Frazier and vice president for player personnel Rick Spielman instead will share the authority over roster moves.

“It’s about communication, trust and working together. And we feel very confident that it’s the proper system,” lead owner Zygi Wilf said.

“I don’t feel that when they discuss things out and communicate and talk it out that there’ll ever be a situation where we would have to be the ones to be calling for a tiebreaker.”

Frazier said he has “a ton of respect” for Spielman. Their first collaborative task is obvious: find a quarterback, or two. Favre is finally retiring, and Frazier said he wouldn't ask the 41-year-old to reconsider again.

“I can’t think of any circumstance of where I would pick up the phone and say, ‘Brett, do you want to come back next season?’ ” Frazier said.

“We don’t want to be a team that's hovering around 4-12, 3-13.

You don’t want to be that. At the same time, you don’t want to bring in a stopgap guy and not develop a young quarterback for the future,” he added. “I think we all want a young quarterback that we can develop and build our franchise around. That

would be ideal, to find the next Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco.”

The defensive coordinator under Childress and a starting cornerback on Chicago’s 1985-86 championship team, Frazier drew positive reviews from the players for his steady approach.

“He’s always seemed like a head coach ever since he took over that role,” left tackle Bryant McKinnie said. “He knows how to talk to you, and he respects you.”

Childress hired Frazier to run the defense in 2007, after Mike Tomlin left to become Pittsburgh's coach, and later appointed him assistant head coach. Frazier, who has coached in the league since 1999, has interviewed for seven NFL head coaching vacancies over the past three years. This was the eighth.

“He played in the league, first of all,” running back Adrian Peterson said after Sunday’s season-ending loss at Detroit. “He has all of the respect from each and every man in this locker room. So when he talks, the ears will listen to what he has to say.”

BY PATRICK A. CORVINGTON AND AARON S. WILLIAMS Many may view the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. solely through the lens of civil rights. For the two of us, the centerpiece of his message is the power of service and volunteering to heal racial wounds and lead America into a new era of shared responsibility and equal opportunity.

Much of King’s service message can be summed up in one of his most famous sayings: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” For a quarter of a century, the nation has set aside a day to honor one of the great heroes of American history. In recent years, the holiday has been designated as a Day of Service — “a day on, not a day off” — to honor King’s fundamental commitment to engaging people of all races and walks of life in service to our nation and our world.

Nowhere is King’s persistent and urgent question more fully pursued and realized than in the two agencies we lead: the Peace Corps and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

About 50 years ago, then-Sen. John F. Kennedy posed King’s question to an audience of 5,000 students on the steps of the University of Michigan with a challenge that they serve people in need around the world.

The eager response of those willing students ignited one of the signature service movements of our times. Since 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have volunteered through the Peace Corps to fight poverty, disease, illiteracy and a host of other challenges in 139 countries around the world.

Kennedy’s vision of an army of domestic anti-poverty volunteers was realized in 1965 with the creation of VISTA. In 1993, millions more Americans were given the chance to serve with the creation of AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Each year, CNCS engages more than 5 million Americans in “getting things done” through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve programs.

Our service members, who represent all races, ages and walks of life, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with communities across the country — feeding the hungry, helping struggling students in our schools, responding to natural disasters, and serving in many other ways.

King understood that working together in common purpose was essential to building what he called “the beloved community.”

The desire of Americans to

Aaron S. Williams bridge divisions in order to lend a helping hand has always been bigger than politics.

In 2009, in a spirit of bipartisanship rarely seen these days in Washington, it took Sen. Orrin Hatch and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, working with leaders in

Patrick A. Corvington

VIKINGS

Continued from page 8 sprain his throwing shoulder on Dec. 5. Then the roof of their domed stadium collapsed a week later, they had back-to-back home games moved, and their scheduled Dec. 26 game at Philadelphia was pushed back two days by a snowstorm.

Frazier’s ability to keep his players relatively focused despite being out of postseason contention was a major factor in getting the fulltime job.

“I was standing up in front of them and talking to them about how we have to approach every situation and not always certain if they’re buying in,” Frazier said. “And then you go out and watch them perform, and you go, ‘Yeah, they’re buying in.

They’re listening.’ So for me, that was just another example of sticking with your message, believing in what you say, and if you’re honest, if you’re straightforward, people will follow.”

The Wilf family has stressed stability and acted swiftly over fiveplus years of ownership, and Frazier was selected in the same focused, confident manner.

16

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Preparation for the promise

BY THE REV. DR. KELVIN T. CALLOWAY SENIOR PASTOR, BETHEL AME CHURCH Deuteronomy 4:1-8 My grandfather, who only had a third-grade education, traveled the country relatively extensively with the Boy Scouts of America. As a child, I remember him sharing with me his experiences and encounters with people of all walks of life that he had met through scouting.

Scouting gave him the opportunity to meet so many people. I remember him sharing with me his experience of traveling to Washington, D.C., on the train from Mobile, Ala., to meet the President (Harry Truman, I believe) all through scouting. He was a proponent of the benefits and values of scouting. He served as scoutmaster of our church’s troop for many years. He championed the cause of scouting in our community and through his efforts touched a many of lives. I first met Billy Williams, and Tommy Agee, and Cleon Jones, and Hank Aaron and Willie McCovey through scouting. When the major league baseball season was over and they returned home, my grandfather would always invite them to the roundtable meeting to talk and encourage of us. For his selfless efforts, he was awarded scouting’s highest honor: the Silver Beaver Award. His love for scouting rubbed off on me. In my formative years, the benefits and values of scouting helped shape me. I took seriously its oath: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the scout law, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

I took seriously its motto to be prepared, so much so that I became one of the first Eagle Scouts in my troop. I worked to earn the merit

badges that met the Eagle requirements: swimming, lifesaving, cooking, hiking, camping, safety, first aid, and citizenship in the home, community and nation only to discover that these badges didn’t just prepare me to become an Eagle Scout; they prepared me for life.

They prepared me to fulfill God’s promises for my life.

The Rev. Dr. Kelvin T. Calloway The historian in the text shares with Israel this Mosaic exhortation of preparation as they stood on the verge of God’s promise. God had promised their ancestors a land flowing with milk and honey. For a long time their ancestors (because of a lack of preparation), meandered and wandered and never entered that Promised Land. They needed an exhortation. They needed some encouragement. They needed some inspiration. They had been through some stuff and they needed some motivation. They had been through 400 years of enslavement and the mentality of oppression and victimization had taken hold of them.

They had been freed from physical bondage yet; they had not been

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freed from mental bondage. They had been through some stuff and stuff can enslave you. Stuff can oppress you.

Stuff can dash your dreams.

Stuff can steal your joy. Stuff can destroy your hope. Stuff can make you tired of going through stuff.

Who among us have not had to go through some stuff? Trials and tribulations: stuff; wayward children and abuses spouses: stuff; sickness and death: stuff’ bad relationships and divorce: stuff. All of us have been through some stuff.

You don’t make it through this life without going through some stuff. They needed some inspiration because they had been through some stuff.

Moses not only gives them some inspiration, but he also gives them some information. Inspiration void of information is nothing but a pipe dream. In preparation for God’s Promised Land, they were to observe the statues and ordinances (v. 1).

They were to keep the commandments of God and not add or take anything away (v. 2). They were to shed their oppressive mentality and live as liberated people.

Liberated people don’t forget the One who liberated them.

Liberated people honor their ancestors who came before them.

Liberated people don’t steal from each other. They don’t kill each other. They don’t bear false witness against each other. They don’t covet each other’s property. Liberated people love the God that liberated them with their whole being and everybody else like they love themselves.

Liberated people live like promised people.

Moses told them to be prepared to live in the Promised Land like promised people; for promised people are prepared people. Preparation is the prerequisite for fulfillment of God’s promise. God’s promises are not unconditional. God’s promises are conditional. God promises to be our God, if we will be God’s people.

God promises to heal our land, if we humble ourselves and pray (2 Chron. 7:14). He promises to send blessings down, if we send praises up.

Because of their preparation, Moses said that others would see their diligence and discern that God was near them (vv. 6-8). When preparation meets opportunity, God’s purposes are fulfilled. When God’s purposes are fulfilled, God is glorified. When God is glorified, God’s presence is magnified. When God’s presence is magnified, we are edified. When we are edified, the creation is reconciled. When the creation is reconciled, all of heaven is glorified. God’s purposes are as near as the next breath we take and the next step we make.

Nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord; draw us nearer to Thy precious bleeding side. Amen!

Person of the Week:

Cable Industry Corporate Executive Curtis Symonds to Keynote Annual King Day Breakfast (L.A. Inter Alumni Council) — Curtis Symonds, former executive vice president of Black Entertainment Television and former chief operating officer for the Washington Mystics, will present the keynote address at the 22nd annual Martin Luther King Day Breakfast, hosted by the Los Angeles Inter Alumni Council (IAC) of UNCF-Los Angeles. The events will take place on the King Holiday, Monday, Jan. 17, at The Proud Bird in Los Angeles. As a graduate of Central State University and a former member of the board of directors, Symonds will be right at home among the crowd of almost 1,000 HBCU alumni who attend the breakfast every year.

Symonds has generated media coverage in recent months since he announced plans to launch HBCU Network, which will give HBCUs their own television network, anchored by college sports programming, courtesy of ESPN. The network will present live athletics, a nightly wrap-up show, with the rest of the programming featuring lifestyle content Curtis Symonds and “edutainment” programming, a combination of education and entertainment programming. ESPN has entered into a programming agreement with the HBCU Network as they own the rights to games from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the MidEastern Athletic Conference, the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

“I am delighted to be invited to speak at this breakfast to share my story with fellow HBCU alumni and to inspire others to support these magnificent institutions” said Symonds. “Central State has been a part of my life since I was a boy and gave me excellent preparation as a student and the confidence that I could compete at any level. I look forward to seeing many friends and colleagues that have supported me over the years.”

Dawn Sutherland, CFO and vice president for Xerox, will be presented with the Spirit Award, an award given by the IAC to individuals who embody the spirit of the late Lou Rawls, who dedicated his life to supporting HBCUs. Sutherland, also an HBCU graduate as an alum of Spelman College, will be recognized for her excellent leadership of the Xerox Black Employees Association and the support the group has given to community organizations over many years, as well the support she has personally given to many organizations.

The breakfast is sponsored by US Bank, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and American Airlines. The Proud Bird is at 10022 Aviation Blvd. near LAX. Tickets are $40 per person and $400 per table of 10.

Parking is free. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are still available.

For ticket information, please contact Luther Williams at (562) 424-3965 or Abraham McCormick at (310) 670-3119.

www.lawattstimes.com 17

Thursday, January 6, 2011 Trustee Sale No. CA09001744-10-1 . Title Order No. 100566998CA-LPI APN 6010-006-032 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED July 10, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On January 25, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL Inc.dba Trustee Corps, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on July 18, 2007, as Instrument No. 20071697089 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: RUBEN ALDANA ASINGLE MAN, as Trustor, in favor of INDYMAC BANK, F.S.B., A FEDERALLY CHARTERED SAVINGS BANK as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1167-1167 1 2 E 67TH ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90001 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $369,989.60 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale.

Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.

DATE: December 30, 2010 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09001744-10-1 . 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Regarding the property that is the subject of this notice of sale, the "mortgage loan servicer" as defined in Civil Code s 2923.53(k)(3) declares that it has obtained from the Commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Civil Code section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date this notice of sale is recorded or the time frame for giving a notice of sale specified in Civil Code Section 2923.52 subdivision (a) does not apply to this notice of sale pursuant to Civil Code Sections 2923.52. Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #8278 2010-12-30 2011-01-06 2011-01-13 Trustee Sale No. CA09001815-10-1 . Title Order No. 100578254CA-LPI APN 5143-029-129 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED February 1, 2008. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On January 24, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL Inc.dba Trustee Corps, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on February 15, 2008, as Instrument No. 20080277522 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: JOHANNA E GUNTHER, SINGLE, as Trustor, in favor of JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1100 WILSHIRE BLVD 2712, LOS ANGELES, CA 90017 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein.

Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $433,662.23 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: December 30, 2010 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09001815-10-1 .

17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED

FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #8377 2010-12-30 2011-01-06 2011-01-13 Trustee Sale No. CA09001608-10-1 . Title Order No. 55015788 APN 5309-017-033 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED November 2, 2004.

UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On January 26, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL Inc.dba Trustee Corps, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on November 17, 2004, as Instrument No. 04 2977269 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: JANNIE SUHSHYA WONG, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, as Trustor, in favor of CHASE MANHATTAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 5369, 5369 1/2 HUNTINGTON DR N, LOS ANGELES, CA 90032 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $274,137.77 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: December 30, 2010 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09001608-10-1 .

17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Regarding the property that is the subject of this notice of sale, the "mortgage loan servicer" as defined in Civil Code s 2923.53(k)(3) declares that it has obtained from the Commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Civil Code section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date this notice of sale is recorded or the time frame for giving a notice of sale specified in Civil Code Section 2923.52 subdivision (a) does not apply to this notice of sale pursuant to Civil Code Sections 2923.52. Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #8406 2010-12-30 2011-01-06 2011-01-13 2011-01-20 Trustee Sale # CA0952036-2 Loan# 128237418 Order # 4214686 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 04/25/2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 02/03/2011 at 01:00PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 05/03/06 as Document No. 06 0969430 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, WON KYOUNG LEE, A SINGLE MAN, as Trustor, PMC BANCORP, as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 5163-020-152 AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 100 SOUTH ALAMEDA ST NO. 463, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $463,655.05 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the

date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 __ Does X Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 12/30/2010 MTC FINANCIAL INC., DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: ROBERT PADILLA, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714)786-5351, (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 RPRequests@trusteecorps.com Ad #8566 2010-12-30 2011-01-06 2011-01-13 Trustee Sale No. CA09001594-10-1 . Title Order No. 100531126CA-LPI Loan No. 1880212084 APN 6019-014-030 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED November 2, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On January 25, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL Inc.dba Trustee Corps, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on December 6, 2007, as Instrument No. 20072673749 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: MARTHA M MARTINEZ, A SINGLE WOMAN, as Trustor, in favor of M&T BANK as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1130 WEST 76TH STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90044 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein.

Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $426,684.81 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: December 30, 2010 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09001594-10-1 . 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Robert Padilla, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Regarding the property that is the subject of this notice of sale, the "mortgage loan servicer" as defined in Civil Code s 2923.53(k)(3) declares that it has obtained from the Commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Civil Code section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date this notice of sale is recorded or the time frame for giving a notice of sale specified in Civil Code Section 2923.52 subdivision (a) does not apply to this notice of sale pursuant to Civil Code Sections 2923.52. Robert Padilla, Authorized Signature TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #8587 2010-12-30 2011-01-06 2011-01-13

JACKSON

Continued from page 7 U.S. Department of Treasury, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and others.

Also on that day, attendees will have the opportunity to attend the “Financial Considerations In Professional Sports” session, where former New York Knick Charles Smith will moderate, and New York Jet Kris Jenkins is scheduled to be on the panel.

Jan. 13 will include a session titled “Community Partnerships with the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industries,” where “untapped opportunities for job creation within these industries” will be examined with a focus on the wellbeing and health of communities of color, Rainbow Push’s website states.

Other events will include “Business Opportunities in Africa: a Focus on the Diaspora and Foreign Investors,” as well as “Women and Wealth Sessions.”

Many other sessions are scheduled to take place at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, which is

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Metro will receive Statements of Interest and Qualifications for ["RFIQ No. PS2130-7700 for a Labor Compliance (Prevailing Wage) Monitoring Services Bench"] per specifications on file at the LACMTA Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (12th Floor).

All proposals must be received on or before 2pm Pacific Time on March 2, 2011at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Ms. Tommye Williams. Proposals received later than the above date and time may be rejected. A Pre-Proposal conference will be held on Friday, January 21st, 2011 at 10 am in Metro’s Board Room, located on the 3rd floor of Metro’s Headquarters Building located at the address above.

MBE/WBE/OBE SUBCONTRACT OPPORTUNITY NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR BIDS 28TH STREET APARTMENTS 1006 EAST 28TH STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90011 ALPHA CONSTRUCTION CO. INC. INVITES SUBCONTRACTOR’S FROM MBE/WBE/OBE FIRMS TO BID ON THE 28TH STREET APARTMENTS PROJECT. INTERESTED FIRMS MUST PROVIDE A COPY OF THEIR CURRENT M/W/OBE CERTIFICATION ISSUED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, MTA OR CALTRANS.THIS PROJECT IS A PREVAILING WAGE/LOCAL HIRING JOB. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING PLANS AND SPECS OR FOR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS CONTACT STEVE LOUDIN AT 818-779-3000 X224. BIDS MUST BE RECEIVED AT ALPHA CONSTRUCTION’S OFFICE LOCATED AT 14601 AETNA STREET, VAN NUYS, CA 91411, NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2011 AT 1:00 P.M. BIDS CAN BE FAXED TO 818.779.3003 ATTN: STEVE LOUDIN OR EMAILED TO sloudin@alphaconstruction.com THE FOLLOWING TRADES ARE SCHEDULED TO BID ON JANUARY 18, 2011: FINAL CLEANUP, SITE CONCRETE, ASPHALT PAVING, STRIPING & SIGNAGE, SITE ACCESSORIES, FURNISHINGS, ORNAMENTAL IRON, FENCES & GATES, HANDRAILS & RAILINGS, ROOFING, FIRESTOPPING, INSULATION, CABINETS & MILLWORK, COUNTERTOPS / SOLID SURFACE, DOORS, FRAMES & HARDWARE, GLASS & GLAZING, WINDOWSALUMINUM, DRYWALL & METAL FRAMING, CERAMIC TILE, ACOUSTICAL CEILINGS, FLOORING, PAINT, RESTROOM ACCESSORIES, WINDOW COVERINGS, APPLIANCES, FIRE SPRINKLER, PLUMBING, HVAC & ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL / LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEM BID DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH: SUB-HUB PLEASE CALL SERINA REYNOSO 818-779-3000 X249 FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DOWNLOAD PLANS ALPHA CONSTRUCTION CO. INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER THAT IS COMMITTED TO, AND ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION OF, MBE/WBE/OBE SUBCONTRACTORS/ SUPPLIERS ON THE 28TH STREET APARTMENTS PROJECT PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS MAY BE REQUIRED FOR THE FULL SUBCONTRACT AMOUNT

where the summit will occur.

“It’s like four days of economic activity,” Jackson said.

Jackson predicted that at least one thing will result from the summit: It’s what he says is “our share of stimulus contracts.”

According to Rainbow PUSH’s website, “We’ve come so far, but we still have so far to go.”

For more information on the event, visit http://rainbowpush.org/ pages/washington14th-landing.

People can also e-mail info@rainbowpush.org or call (773) 3733366.

Black Facts Jan. 6, 2003 Mamie Till Mobley, mother of lynched Emmett Till, dies at age 81. Her insistence that her son's casket remain open helped spur the Civil Rights Movement.

Source: blackfacts.com

18

www.lawattstimes.com CIVIL

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. BS129483 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Petition of: Daijon Vafhni Westby by Phillippa Shawn Brown for Change of Name TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Daijon Vafhni Westby by Phillippa Shawn Brown filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Daijon Vafhni Westby to Joel Henry Westby The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing: Date: January 28, 2011, Time: 9:00 a.m., Dept.: 1A, Room: 548 The address of the court is 110 Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Watts Time Date: December 8, 2010 Matthew C. St. George Commissioner of the Superior Court 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27/11 CNS-2020001# WATTS TIMES AMENDED ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. BS129011 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Petition of: Jerry Daniel Ureno-Bates for Change of Name TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Jerry Daniel Ureno-Bates filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Jerry Daniel Ureno-Bates to Sarah Nicole James The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Notice of Hearing: Date: January 21, 2011, Time: 9:00 a.m., Dept.: 1A, Room: 548 The address of the court is 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Watts Times Date: December 9, 2010 Matthew C. St. George

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20101740117 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Dyvine Inspirations, 5519 Avalon Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90011, County of Registered owner(s): Francelia L. James, 817 W. 58th Street, Los Angeles CA 90037 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/28/06 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

S/ Francelia L. James, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on November 30, 2010 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

New Filings 12/30, 1/6, 1/13, 1/20/11 CNS-2016398# WATTS TIMES

Black Facts Jan. 6, 1831 The World Anti-Slavery Convention opens in London.

Source: blackfacts.com

Thursday, January 6, 2011 NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICES IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Long Beach, California, acting by and through the City’s Board of Harbor Commissioners (“City”) will receive, before the Bid Deadline established below, sealed Bids for the following Work: GROUND IMPROVEMENT FOR NEW MAINTENANCE BUILDING AT 701/725 HARBOR PLAZA

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LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AS DESCRIBED IN SPECIFICATION NO. HD-S2412 Bid Deadline: Prior to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Bid packages will be time/date stamped on the 4th floor or in the Lobby and shall be submitted prior to 10 a.m.

Place for Submission of Bids: 1. By Delivery Any Calendar Day Before the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications/Program Management Office 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802

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2. By Delivery on the Same Calendar Day as the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building First Floor Lobby 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Bid Opening: As soon as practical after the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building 6th Floor Board Room 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Contract Documents Availability: Date/Time: Beginning Thursday, January 6, 2011 Monday –Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Pre-Bid Meeting: MANDATORY Date/Time: Thursday, January 20, 2011, 10am-11:30am.

Each bidder must attend the mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting and Site tour.

Pre-Bid Meeting: Harbor Department Location: Administration Building, 6th Floor, Board Room, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802.

Site Tour: Project site, 701/725 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802.

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Paul Wehrlen, Program Manager wehrlen@polb.com Contract Documents. Copies of Contract Documents in CD format may be obtained, at no cost, at the Plans and Specifications Office, 4th floor, Harbor Department Administration Building, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802 during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To arrange to receive a CD of the Contract Documents by courier at the expense of the Bidder, call (562) 590-4146. For information on this Project and other upcoming Port projects, you may view the Port website at http://www.polb.com/economics/contractors/out _for_bid.asp. Copies of all Port insurance endorsement forms, SBE/VSBE Program forms, Harbor Development Permit Applications and other Port forms are available at http://www.polb.com/economics/contractors/forms_permits/defa ult.asp.

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting. The engineering staff of the City’s Harbor department will conduct a pre-bid meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in the Board Room, 6th floor, of the Harbor Department Administration Building.

Following the pre-bid meeting a tour of the site will be conducted by the City. Attendance at the pre-bid meeting and at the site tour is mandatory. Note that attendance at the pre-bid meeting can be used to satisfy a portion of a Bidder’s good faith efforts to meet the SBE/VSBE participation goals listed below. EACH BIDDER MUST ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING AND SITE TOUR. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING AND SITE TOUR SHALL DISQUALIFY YOUR BID. Summary Description of the Work. The Work required by this Contract includes, but is not limited to, the following: Performance of Deep Dynamic Compaction (DDC), backfill and placement of compacted fill. Refer to SECTION 01100, SUMMARY OF WORK in the Technical Specifications for a more detailed description of the Work.

Contract Time and Liquidated Damages. The Work shall be completed within one-hundred twenty (120) calendar days as provided in Paragraph SC - 6.1 of the Special Conditions, from a date specified in a written “Notice to Proceed” issued by the City

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and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.1 of the General Conditions. FAILURE OF THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK WITHIN THE CONTRACT TIME AND OTHER MILESTONES WILL RESULT IN ASSESSMENT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNTS ESTABLISHED IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS. Contractor’s License. Each Bidder shall hold a current and valid Class “A” California Contractors License to bid this Project.

Contractor Performed Work. The Contractor shall perform, with its own employees, Contract Work amounting to at least 50% of the Contract Price, except that any designed “Specialty Items” may be performed by subcontract and the amount of any such “Specialty Items” so performed may be deducted from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees. “Specialty Items” will be identified by the City in the Schedule of Bid Items.

SBE/VSBE. This Project is subject to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) Small Business Enterprises (SBE)/Very Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program to encourage small business participation on construction contracts. Although an SBE/VSBE participation goal was not assigned to this contract, the Port strongly encourages all bidders to include such participation wherever possible, by utilizing small and very small business subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers. The Port also strongly encourages SBE/VSBE firms to respond to this solicitation as prime contractors.. The Port’s SBE Program staff is available to provide information on the program requirements, including SBE certification assistance. Please contact the SBE Office at (562) 499-3472 or sbeprogram@polb.com. You may also view the Port’s SBE program requirements at www.polb.com/sbe.

Prevailing Wage rates and Employment of Apprentices. This Project is a public work as defined in Labor Code section 1720.

The Contractor receiving award of the Contract and Subcontractors of any tier shall pay not less than the prevailing wage rates to all workers employed in execution of the Contract. The Director of Industrial Relations of the State of California has determined the general prevailing rates of wages in the locality in which the Work is to be performed. The rate schedules are available on the internet at http://www,dir.ca.gov/DIR/S&R/statistics_research.html .

Bidders are directed to Article 15 of the General Conditions for requirements concerning payment of prevailing wages, payroll records, hours of work and employment of apprentices.

Trade Names and Substitution of Equals. With the exception of any sole source determination that may be identified in this paragraph, Bidders wishing to obtain City’s authorization for substitution of equivalent material, product, or equipment, are required to submit a written request for an Or Equal Substitution using the form included in Appendix A together with data substantiating Bidder’s representation that the non-specified item is of equal quality to the item specified, thirty five (35) calendar days after Bid Opening. Authorization of a substitution is solely within the discretion of the City.

NOT USED. Bid Security, Signed Contract, Insurance and Bonds. Each Bid shall be accompanied by a satisfactory Bidder’s Bond or other acceptable Bid Security in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if Conditionally Awarded a Contract by the Board, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Contract is conditionally awarded to the Contractor by the City, execute and deliver such Contract to the Chief Harbor Engineer together with all required documents including insurance forms, a Payment Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and a Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. All Bonds shall be on forms provided by the City.

Conditional Award of Contract and Reservation of Rights.

The Board, acting through the Executive Director, reserves the right at any time before the execution of the Contract by the City, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informality or irregularity. The Conditional Award of the Contract, if any, will be to the responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive and responsible Bid. If the lowest responsive responsible Bidder fails to submit the required documents including insurance forms, bonds and signed Contract within thirty (30) calendar days after conditional award of Contract, the Board reserves the right to rescind the Conditional Award and Conditionally Award the Contract to the next lowest responsive and responsible Bidder.

Period of Bid Irrevocability. Bids shall remain open and valid and Bidder’s Bonds shall be guaranteed for ninety (90) calendar days after the Bid Deadline or until the Executive Director executes a Contract, whichever occurs first.

Substitution of Securities. Substitution of Securities for retainage is permitted in accordance with Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code.

Issued at Long Beach, California, this 9th day of August, 2010.

Richard D. Steinke Executive Director of the Harbor Department, City of Long Beach, California

www.lawattstimes.com 19

Thursday, January 6, 2011

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GOVERNMENT

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DUPREE

Continued from page 3 “It’s a joy to be free again,” Dupree said.

This latest wait was nothing for Dupree, who was up for parole as recently as 2004. He was set to be released and thought he was going home, until he learned he first would have to attend a sex offender treatment program.

Those in the program had to go through what is known as the “four R’s.” They are recognition, remorse, restitution and resolution, said Jim Shoemaker, who served two years with Dupree in the Boyd Unit south of Dallas.

“He couldn’t get past the first part,” said Shoemaker, who drove up from Houston to attend Dupree’s hearing.

Shoemaker said he spent years talking to Dupree in the prison recreation yard, and always believed his innocence.

“I got a lot of flak from the guys on the block,” Shoemaker said. “But I always believed him. He has a quiet, peaceful demeanor.”

Under Texas compensation laws for the wrongly imprisoned, Dupree is eligible for $80,000 for each year he was behind bars, plus a lifetime annuity. He could receive $2.4 million in a lump sum that is not subject to federal income tax.

The compensation law, the nation’s most generous, was passed in 2009 by the Texas Legislature after dozens of wrongly convicted men were released from prison.

Texas has freed 41 wrongly convicted inmates through DNA since 2001 — more than any other state.

Dallas County’s record of DNA exonerations — Dupree is No. 21 — is unmatched nationally because the county crime lab maintains biological evidence even decades after a conviction, leaving samples available to test. In addition, Watkins, the DA, has cooperated with innocence groups in reviewing hundreds of requests by inmates for DNA testing.

Watkins, the first black district attorney in Texas history, has also pointed to what he calls “a convictat-all-costs mentality” that he says permeated his office before he arrived in 2007.

At least a dozen other exonerated former inmates from the Dallas area who collectively served more than 100 years in prison upheld a local tradition by attending the hearing and welcoming the newest member of their unfortunate fraternity.

One of them, James Giles, presented Dupree with a $100 bill as a way to get his life restarted.

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At one point, Scheck pointed out that eyewitness misidentification — the most common cause of wrongful convictions — was the key factor that sent Dupree to prison. The attorney then asked how many of the others were wrongly imprisoned because an eyewitness mistakenly identified them. A dozen hands went in the air.

Not in attendance Tuesday was Dupree’s accused accomplice, Anthony Massingill, who was convicted in the same case and sentenced to life in prison on another sexual assault. The same DNA testing that cleared Dupree also cleared Massingill. He says he is innocent, but remains behind bars while authorities test DNA in the second case.

Dupree was 20 when he was arrested in December 1979 while walking to a party with Massingill.

Authorities said they matched the description of a different rape and robbery that had occurred the previous day.

Police presented their pictures in a photo array to the victim. She picked out Massingill and Dupree.

Her male companion, who also was robbed, did not pick out either man when showed the same photo lineup.

Dupree was convicted of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. According to court documents, the woman and her male companion stopped at a Dallas liquor store in November 1979 to buy cigarettes and use a payphone.

As they returned to their car, two men, at least one of whom was armed, forced their way into the vehicle and ordered them to drive.

They also demanded money from the two victims.

The men eventually ordered the car to the side of the road and forced the male driver out of the car. The woman attempted to flee but was pulled back inside.

The perpetrators drove the woman to a nearby park, where they raped her at gunpoint. They debated

killing her but eventually let her live, keeping her rabbit-fur coat and her driver’s license and warning her they would kill her if she reported the assault to police. The victim ran to the nearest highway and col-

lapsed unconscious by the side of the road, where she was discovered.

Dupree was convicted and spent the next three decades appealing. The Court of Criminal Appeals turned him down three times.

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CLEAVER

Continued from page 7 certain that Angela and our team will provide the necessary direction and support for our ambitious agenda” added the Chairman-Elect.

Under the leadership of Chairman Bennie G. Thompson for the Committee on Homeland Security, Angela is charged with developing the legislative and outreach strategy for the Committee with a focus on assisting disenfranchised, small minority owned businesses. Prior to her committee work, Angela worked for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) as the Coordinator of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs. In addition, Angela is a co-founder of IMPACT, a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to enhance knowledge of the political and legislative processes; foster civic engagement; and enhance economic empowerment opportunities for other emerging leaders of color, ages 21 to 40.

“It is an honor to work with Chairman-Elect Cleaver and the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 40th Anniversary of the Caucus,” Angela Rye explained. “I am eager to continue building on the legacy of those who have come before me and look forward to working for and with our outstanding Members of this great body.” Rye added.

Angela is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Young Lawyers Division for the National Bar Association.

E. Brandon Garrett has been named Policy Director and will be responsible for overseeing the legislative priorities and policy agenda

for the Congressional Black Caucus. Working closely with the Members and their staff, Brandon will ensure that the Caucus continues the work of ending disparities and continues to create opportunities for all Americans. Brandon Garrett is currently the Legislative Director for Congresswoman Marcia Fudge. Prior to serving as Legislative Director, Brandon served as Legislative Assistant and Policy Advisor to Congressman William Jefferson.

Stephanie L. Young has been named Communications Director.

Prior to joining the Congressional Black Caucus, Stephanie served as Press Secretary for Congressman Steve Cohen’s re-election campaign and Deputy Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In addition, Stephanie worked to register more than two million voters for the 2008 Presidential Election as the Communications Associate with Rock the Vote.

Black Facts Jan. 6, 1961 The “jail-in” movement starts in Rock Hill, S.C., when arrested students demand jail rather than fines.

Jan. 6, 1832 The New England Anti-Slavery Society is organized at African Baptist Church on Boston’s Beacon Hill.

Source: blackfacts.com

Photo: Andrew Macpherson

PUBLIC NOTICE CUSA CC, LLC dba Coach America is looking for sub bids from MBE/WBE/OBE qualified vendors for employee leasing, air conditioner and heating maintenance, janitorial supplies, bus repair/body work, bus engine and accessory parts, plumbing, and office supply for The City of LADOT Commuter Express, DASH Services and CityRide/Dial a Ride due January 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm. If you need information on obtaining bonds, lines of credit and/or insurance please contact Claudia Gamboa at 562663-6601 between 8:00 am and 5:00 p.m.

1/6/11 CNS-2017170# WATTS TIMES

“Be wary of out of area companies. Check with the local Better Business Bureau before you send any money for fees or services. Read and understand any contracts before you sign. Shop around for rates.”

My mother died of colon cancer when she was only 56.

Terrence Howard, actor/musician

Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer in the U.S., but it’s largely preventable.

If you’re 50 or older, please get screened.

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) www.cdc.gov/screenforlife

20

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Obama to increase engagement with Africa in 2011

BY JULIE PACE ASSOCIATED PRESS HONOLULU — President Barack Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests.

Expectations in Africa spiked after the election of an American president with a Kenyan father. But midway through his term, Obama’s agenda for Africa has taken a backseat to other foreign policy goals, such as winding down the Iraq war, fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan and resetting relations with Russia.

Obama aides believe those issues are now on more solid footing, allowing the president to expand his international agenda. He will focus in Africa on good governance and supporting nations with strong democratic institutions.

Obama delivered that message on his only trip to Africa since taking office, an overnight stop in Ghana in 2009, where he was mobbed by cheering crowds. In a blunt speech before the Ghanaian parliament, Obama said democracy is the key to Africa’s long-term development.

“That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long,” Obama said. “That is the change that can unlock Africa’s potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.”

The White House says Obama will travel to Africa again and the political calendar means the trip will almost certainly happen this year, before Obama has to spend more time on his reelection bid. No decision has been made on

which countries Obama will visit, but deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said stops will reflect positive democratic models.

The administration is monitoring more than 30 elections expected across Africa this year, including critical contests in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

“The U.S. is watching and we’re weighing in,” Rhodes said.

John Campbell, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, said the different elections give the Obama administration the opportunity to establish clear policies.

The administration “should be less willing to cut slack when those elections are less than free, fair and credible,” Campbell said.

The White House can send that message right now as it deals with the disputed election in Ivory Coast and an upcoming independence referendum in Sudan, which could split Africa’s largest country in two.

Rhodes said the president has invested significant “diplomatic capital” on Sudan, mentioning the referendum in nearly all of his conversations with the presidents of Russia and China, two countries which could wield influence over that Sudan's government.

When Obama stopped in at a White House meeting last month of his national security advisers and United Nations ambassadors, the first topic he broached was Sudan, not Iran or North Korea. And as lawmakers on Capitol Hill neared the December vote on a new nuclear treaty with Russia, Obama called southern Sudan leader Salva Kiir by telephone to offer support for the referendum.

AP Photo by Charles Dharapak

In this July 11, 2009, file photo, President Barack Obama addresses the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra, Ghana. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests.

White House officials believe the postelection standoff in Ivory Coast could be the model for Obama’s stepped-up engagement in Africa.

The president tried to call incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo twice last month, from Air Force One as Obama returned from Afghanistan and then a week later. Neither call reached Gbagbo; administration officials believe the Ivorian leader sought to avoid contact. So Obama wrote Gbagbo a letter, offering him an international role if he stopped clinging to power and stepped down.

But Obama also made clear that the longer Gbagbo holds on, and the more complicit he becomes in violence across the country, the more limited his options become, said a senior administration official. The official insisted on anonymity to speak about administration strategy.

Human rights groups have accused Gbagbo’s security forces of abducting and killing hundreds of political opponents. The

U.N. says it also has been barred entry from two suspected mass graves.

Rhodes said the White House understands that U.S. involvement in African politics can be viewed as meddling. But he said Obama can speak to African leaders with a unique level of candor, reflecting his personal connection to Africa and that his father and other family members have been affected by the corruption that plagues many countries there.

Officials also see increased political stability in Africa as good for long-term U.S. interests — a way to stem the growth of terrorism in east Africa and counterbalance China's growing presence on the continent.

The U.S. was caught off guard during the 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen when several African countries voted with China and not the U.S., the administration official said. The official said the administration must persuade African nations that their interests are better served by aligning with the U.S.

AP Photo by Haraz N. Ghanbari

In this July 11, 2009, file photo, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama visit the La General Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests.