LAWT-10-8-09

October 8, 2009

SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

Vol. XXX, No. 1148

Shock, Plans Emerge Following GSM Takeover

FIRST COLUMN

Chatmon Honored with Blues Marker in Hollandale

BY TERRI FERGUSON SMITH DELTA DEMOCRAT TIMES

HOLLANDALE, Miss. (AP) — It doesn’t seem to matter that bluesman Sam Chatmon was born in Bolton; he spent most of his life in Hollandale, which claims him as its own.

Most people attending the dedication last week of a Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Chatmon weren’t born yet when he moved to Hollandale in 1928, and though he died in 1983, there was the feeling that he was there

NATIVE SON — Sam Chatmon, Mississippi Blues artist, who was born in Bolton, was honored last week in Hollandale, the place where he grew up, with a Mississippi Blues Trail Marker. The markers help promote “authentic Mississippi blues music” for economic development.

and being lifted upon the shoulders of his people and carried through the town.

Blues fans, friends and family of Chatmon gathered to honor and remember the guitar-playing son of a former slave who made most of his living working on plantations but also earned money — and a measure of fame — playing the blues.

Notable songs by Chatmon include, “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” “God Don’t Like Ugly,” “Hollandale Blues,” “You Shall Be Free,” and “Sam’s Rag Cross Cut Saw Blues.”

Edgar Smith, a member of the Mississippi Blues Commission who was born in Hollandale, explained the purpose of the trail markers, which is to promote authentic Mississippi blues music and blues culture for purposes of economic development.

“The blues trail will be composed of over 100 markers and interpretive sites located throughout the state,” Smith said.

Chatmon’s marker is the 86th dedicated to date and its flip side tells the history of “Blue Front,” a row of blues clubs on Simmons Street in Hollandale where Chatmon and many other bluesmen performed.

See CHATMON, page 12

BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

African American community members expressed shock, disappointment and a hint of future plans following the news last week that Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co. was being taken over by the California Department of Insurance.

The state stepped in to take over the 84-year-old African American company to protect policyholders and “to prevent continuing financial deterioration,” Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said in a prepared statement Sept. 30.

“I just heard the news yesterday (Oct. 1). It caught me as a shock,” said Paul Hudson, president and chief executive officer of Broadway Federal Bank.

Hudson’s family, which cofounded the bank, has had close ties with some of the co-founders of Golden State for many years.

“I didn’t realize there was an issue,” Hudson said. “This is a great loss to the community.”

Deputy Insurance Commissioner Byron Tucker told the L.A. Watts Times that Golden State Mutual had been in somewhat of a free fall for some time, operating at a loss for the past five years.

In June, the company posted a capital surplus of $1.6 million, well below the $5 million minimum required by the state, he said.

According to state projections, Golden State was losing $200,000 a

Surrounded by Doctors, Obama Pitches Overhaul

BY CHARLES BABINGTON AP WRITER

WASHINGTON (AP) — On the cusp of a key legislative push, President Barack Obama on Oct. 5 filled the Rose Garden with doctors supportive of his health care overhaul, saying “nobody has more credibility with the American people on this issue than you do.”

Obama’s White House event gave him another chance to frame the debate on his terms as his top domestic priority enters its most critical phase.

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to approve its long-debated, intensely scrutinized bill this week. Then, Senate Democratic leaders will meld it with a more liberalleaning version passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The House also must combine differing versions of its own bills.

For a visual plug from some medical pros, the White House arranged for Obama to have some 150 doctors representing all 50 states arrayed in the

sunsplashed lawn area just outside the West Wing. To make sure no one watching at home or catching news footage later would miss the point, the physicians wore their white medical coats for the cameras.

“When you cut through all the noise and all the distractions that are out there, I think what’s most telling is that some of the people who are most supportive of reform are the very medical professionals who know the health care system best,” See OVERHAUL, page 3

AP Photo/SUSAN WALSH

DOCTORS WEIGH IN — President Barack Obama addresses doctors from across the country Oct. 5, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. With him, on stage, from left are, Dr. Mona Mangat of St. Petersburg, Fla., Dr. Hershey Garner of Fayetteville, Ark., Dr. Richard Evans of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, and Dr. Amanda McKinney of Beatrice, Neb.

SHOCKWAVE — Golden State Mutual Life Insurance, once one of the largest African American insurance firms in the country, was taken over by the state Department of Insurance last week. The company was reportedly in a “free fall” for several years.

month and expected to lose more than $600,000 by the end of this quarter, Tucker said.

“They were hemorrhaging money … and in danger of not paying claims to policyholders,” Tucker said. “They had no plan to rehabilitate the company. They had been selling off assets to increase the bottom line …We had taken numerous steps to help, but they continued to operate in a hazardous condition.”

Tucker said part of the reason for Golden State’s failure was that the company’s “marketing did not keep pace with the industry.”

Larkin Teasley, Golden State’s chairman and president, could not be reached for comment at presstime.

State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass expressed disappointment regarding Golden State’s takeover.

“It was very unfortunate that

the insurance commission had to come in to take over Golden State,” said Bass, whose grandfather worked for the company as a salesman.

“It is my hope that they will be able to straighten out their finances so that it can be an independent African American-owned entity in the near future.”

Bass told the L.A. Watts Times that she had arranged for the various entities involved to come together with the insurance commissioner on Oct. 2 to begin talks about restoring the insurance company to community control.

Shannon Murphy, a spokesperson for Bass, told the newspaper on Oct. 6 that issues are still being sifted through, and more follow-up action will take place with the situation.

See GSM TAKEOVER, page 8

NEWS IN BRIEF THE SOUTHLAND Department of Water and Power Chief Resigns (AP) — The head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has stepped down to become a senior adviser to former President Bill Clinton’s initiative on cliDavid Nahai mate change, the mayor’s office said Oct. 2.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa thanked David Nahai for his years of service with the nation’s largest municipal utility, saying in a statement that he helped reduce water consumption to record levels and put Los Angeles on the path to be coal free by 2020.

Nahai’s resignation came amid mounting concern over the failing water main system overseen by the DWP, which provides water and electricity to some 3.8 million residents and businesses.

There have been more than 35 major water main blowouts in the city’s water system since last month, causing flooding of streets, homes and cars.

The DWP did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The Clinton Climate Initiative did not respond to an e-mail seeking details about Nahai’s appointment.

FBI Investigates Burbank Police (AP) — The FBI says it is investigating allegations of civil rights violations involving misconduct by Burbank police officers.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller confirmed the investigation, but said it is not related to civil lawsuits filed by several officers who allege a pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation. She would not comment on specifics of the investigation or say how long it would last.

In July, Christopher Lee Dunn sued the department, arguing that he was subjected to years of racial taunts and discouraged from joining the department’s narcotics unit because he was not white. The lawsuit alleges he was targeted by management before eventually being run out of the department.

Six other officers have also sued.

Burbank Mayor Gary Bric says he’s confident the investigations will be thorough.

See BRIEFS, page 7

www.LAWattsTimes.com

Page 2

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

OPINION EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

Chicago Beating Death Shocks White House — But Now What?

In the past year, more than 40 young persons have been murdered in Chicago, many within a stone’s throw of President Barack Obama’s home, the Guardian newspaper reported.

The victims were all African American, and outside of their grieving families and friends, a brief mention in the local press, and the pleas from a handful of local activists to do something about the carnage, their deaths drew barely a ripple of media and public attention.

A three-year study of murders in the city found that young black males in the most impoverished parts of the city were 30 times more likely to be murdered than young white males living in white areas.

It took the cell phone video of 16-year-old Derrion Albert being bludgeoned to death on a Chicago street to, momentarily at least, change that. Barack Obama will deplore the violence, Attorney

General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan will propose ramped-up spending on youth education and violence prevention programs, and anti-gang violence initiatives, and with much media fanfare there will be a roundup or two of alleged gang members.

But as in the past, the flashy, new initiatives — unveiled after much public anguish over a particular heinous killing — may again fizzle out due to lack of money, lack of political will to push them through, or lack of practicality. Increased dollars alone, Holder’s and Duncan’s inner-city treks, and moral finger wags will do little to stop the killing.

Many of the young men that tuck guns in their waistbands and shoot up their neighborhoods or beat to death an honors student feel that no one cares whether they live or die.

Their belief that their lives are devalued fosters disrespect for the law and forces them to internalize anger and

displace aggression onto others.

Many of them, mostly young black and Latino males, have become especially adept at acting out their frustrations at white society’s denial of their “manhood” by adopting an exaggerated “tough guy” role.

They swagger, boast, curse, fight and commit violent self-destructive acts.

The accessibility of drugs and guns, and the influence of misogynist, violent-laced rap songs also reinforce the deep feeling among many youth that life is cheap and easy to take, and there will be minimal consequences for their action as long as their victims are other young blacks or Latinos. And as long as the attackers regard their victims as weak, vulnerable, and easy pickings they will continue to kill and maim with impunity.

The other powerful ingredient in the deadly mix of youth violence is the drug plague.

See HUTCHINSON, page 14

LETTER TO THE EDITOR This letter to the editor is in response to a Sept. 24 article, titled “New Life Coming to Old Crenshaw Ford Site.”

Dear Editor, While I am thrilled that the community is getting a new grocery store, I don’t know if I’m thrilled with the prospect of it being Fresh & Easy. Fresh & Easy is owned by Tesco. Tesco is the WalMart of the United Kingdom.

They are non-union. They are nonunion from the floor up.

For example in Danville, Calif., Fresh & Easy hired a non-union construction company to do renovations on the new store in the area.

This non-union construction company paid their workers considerably less than the union shops in the area.

The anti-union stance with Fresh & Easy doesn’t stop there.

Fresh & Easy pays its grocery employees considerably less than at union shop grocery stores. Ralphs is union.

Union grocery stores pay 30 percent more than non-union grocery shops. Union workers also get extra pay on holidays and generous overtime.

Fresh & Easy will be up the

street from Ralphs, and while it is great that we will have two grocery stores within two miles of each other, I hope we can keep two grocery stores. I hope we can keep choice in the neighborhood.

Fresh & Easy has a history that is similar to that of WalMart. It moves in, it provides low prices, and then drives everyone else around it out of business.

I don’t know if driving a union house like Ralphs out of business is such a wonderful thing. And let us hope they make sure that people from the community who are union can get a piece of the construction work when they build the new Fresh & Easy.

We have to tell them what we want and let them know that our community isn’t easy.

Browne Molyneux, Los Angeles The L.A. Watts Times encourages submissions of letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit or refuse to print all letters.

Authors must include names, city of residence, e-mail address and telephone number.

Inglewood Police Woes — It’s a Question of Leadership

BY KOKAYI KWA JITAHIDI

Earlier this year, Inglewood was named an All-American City.

While some may scoff at the controversy-plagued city winning such a distinction, I fully embrace it.

Like America, the City of Inglewood is at a critical juncture in its history.

In particular, the city of more than 120,000 residents is currently confronted with the question about what type of police department it will have from this point forward.

After the most recent rash of police shootings, which resulted in several unarmed individuals losing their lives in the last year, it has become resoundingly clear that Inglewood needs a significant change in police policies and practices. The situation has been further complicated by the Inglewood City Council’s refusal to release findings from an Office of Independent Review (OIR) report concerning its police department — findings that probably aren’t favorable.

However, in every significant political moment, there needs to be one or more decision-makers who act in a courageous and just manner to create the change that is needed.

Inglewood also needs a courageous and just decision-maker to arise. Its residents demand and deserve people who will not back down to reactionary forces within law enforcement, who don’t prioritize protecting abusive police officers over community safety, trust and integrity.

Inglewood’s current group of political leaders is an intelligent and highly skilled group. However, the question remains if Mayor Roosevelt Dorn and Councilmembers Danny Tabor, Judy Dunlap, Eloy Morales and Ralph Franklin have the courage to do what is right, which would be the following:

1. Increase the powers and responsibilities of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC).

Created in 2004 to provide civilian oversight, this commission was stripped of any significant power by the City Council and police union. The commission doesn’t even have the right to review cases of abuse or misconduct.

The CPOC must have the power to review cases, conduct independent investigations, and make disciplinary recommendations to truly represent the voice of Inglewood citizens.

2. Engage a large number of Inglewood residents around what they want from their police department.

One of the obvious next steps for the City of Inglewood is to engage its own residents about their thoughts and solutions to the issues facing their police department.

My organization, the Families for Community Safety Campaign, recently organized volunteers to collect over 200 surveys from Inglewood residents on the subject.

Our findings were profound but not surprising. For instance, the majority of residents surveyed do not think that Inglewood Police officers are held accountable for abusive behavior.

This information is important and should be prioritized by Inglewood’s leadership when crafting solutions. Furthermore, frequent surveying of residents should be an often-used tactic by the Inglewood City Council. If a volunteer group can do it, the City of Inglewood should be able to do so.

3. Conduct a comprehensive review of the police department in order to discover and change any

practices or policies that encourage abusive policing (i.e. cleaning house).

The department has had three chiefs in 10 years. Despite these changes, it is Kokayi Kwa clear that police Jitahidi abuse and misconduct continue to be tolerated, as evidenced by the actions — and in some cases, inaction — of both high-ranking and rank-and-file officers. The council, through Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks, must be creative and effective in establishing a humane and community-centered police department.

This must be done by improving/changing the department’s policies and procedures. Central to this effort must be thorough and consistent mandatory training for officers and management.

4. Make a public stand against the Police Bill of Rights and the district attorney’s consistent refusal to prosecute police officers who commit murder and/or misconduct.

We have constantly heard about how the California Police Bill of Rights and the district attorney’s office create the real barriers to ending police brutality. While it is true that police officers receive too much protection from state law and the DA’s office, the City of Inglewood can do a lot of good by instituting policy reforms and making a public stand against the Police Bill of Rights and the district attorney.

In response to recent media coverage of the council’s handling of the OIR report, its members are scrambling to “save face” and finally do something. However, unless the mayor and council provide real leadership on this issue and act with courage, any proposed

solutions will fail to make change.

Given the current idea of creating a task force — which would have no real power either — Inglewood’s political leaders continue to fail at the expense of the residents of their All-American City.

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi is a community organizer with the Families

for Community Safety Campaign, a grassroots effort to create a more just and peaceful society by holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. FCSC seeks to work with all sectors of the community, including political organizations, elected officials and residents in general. He can be reached daily at (714) 612-0366.

FOR THE RECORD In a Sept. 24 photo of the City of Compton’s Sixth Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down, Pierre Baker’s name was misspelled, and he was incorrectly identified as receiving a haircut from Howard Allen. In fact, Pierre Baker was the barber.

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October 8, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 3

BUSINESS BIZSHORTS Women in Action Awards to Take Place The Women in Action Awards will take place Oct. 8, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Target Terrace at the LA Live Entertainment Complex, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.

Awardees will include: • Penny Toler, vice president and general manager of the Los Angeles Sparks • Kerry Washington, actress • Sandy Banks, columnist for the L.A. Times • Jan Perry, L.A. city councilmember • Sheila E., songwriter and singer The purpose of the event is to honor women in various fields who have made contributed significant changes to their respective fields of work.

Tickets are $75. Information: eo.events@gmail.com.

Boot Camp for Contractors at L.A. Harbor College A free, one-day boot camp for contractors will take place Oct. 14, 5 to 9 p.m., in the Seahawk Center Lounge of L.A. Harbor College, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about upcoming project bids and how to bid and win contracts.

The bids will be for projects with the Los Angeles Community College District.

Information: Lucero Montanez, (818) 907-9977, lmontanez@vedc.org.

L.A.-Based Bank Strikes Deal in Discrimination Case (AP) — Federal prosecutors have announced a settlement with a Los Angeles-based bank that was sued along with two auto dealerships for allegedly charging nonAsian customers higher interest rates on car loans.

Under the agreement, Nara Bank will pay up to $410,000 to customers who were overcharged, according to a Department of Justice news release.

The bank will also invest at least $100,000 per year in consumer financial education efforts.

The deal, in the form of a partial consent decree, still must be approved by a judge.

The Justice Department says the case against the dealerships —

Union Mitsubishi and Han Kook Enterprises — has not been resolved.

Despite Recovery, Employers Are Not Ready to Hire WASHINGTON (AP) — The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent in September, the highest since June 1983, as employers cut far more jobs than expected.

The report shows that the worst recession since the 1930s is still inflicting widespread pain and underscores one of the biggest threats to the nascent economic recovery: that consumers, worried about job losses and stagnant wages, will restrain spending.

Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile, a surprise drop in factory orders extended the recent string of disappointing economic readings. The Commerce Department said factory orders fell 0.8 percent in August following a 1.4 percent gain in July.

Analysts had been expecting a 0.7 percent increase.

Sept. U.S. Auto Sales Fall Amid Clunkers Letdown DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto sales fell sharply in September, enduring a tough hangover from this summer’s buying spree driven by big discounts to consumers.

General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC posted the biggest slowdowns during the month, while Hyundai was the sole winner among big carmakers, reporting a 27 percent rise in sales from a year earlier.

The September slump for car and truck makers follows a heady summer. Automakers got a big lift in July and August from the government’s Cash for Clunkers program, which spurred sales of nearly 700,000 new vehicles.

The program’s big discounts lured in many customers who otherwise would have waited until later in the year to walk into dealerships.

Now automakers are starting to feel the effect. GM’s sales plunged 45 percent to 155,679 vehicles in September, compared with a year earlier. Chrysler sold only 62,197 vehicles last month, down 42 percent. Ford sales fell 5.1 percent.

Even As Layoffs Persist, Some Good Jobs Still Go Begging

BY CHRISTOPHER LEONARD AP BUSINESS WRITER

In a brutal job market, here’s a task that might sound easy: Fill jobs in nursing, engineering and energy research that pay $55,000 to $60,000, plus benefits.

Yet even with 15 million people hunting for work, even with the unemployment rate nearing 10 percent, some employers can’t find enough qualified people for goodpaying career jobs.

Ask Steve Jones, a hospital recruiter in Indianapolis who’s struggling to find qualified nurses, pharmacists and MRI technicians. Or Ed Baker, who’s looking to hire at a U.S. Energy Department research lab in Richland, Wash., for $60,000 each.

Economists say the main problem is a mismatch between available work and people qualified to do it.

Millions of jobs with attractive pay and benefits that once drew legions of workers to the auto industry, construction, Wall Street and other sectors are gone, probably for good.

And those who lost those jobs generally lack the right experience for new positions popping up in health care, energy and engineering.

Many of these specialized jobs were hard to fill even before the recession. But during downturns,

recruiters tend to become even choosier, less willing to take financial risks on untested workers.

The mismatch between job opening and job seeker is likely to persist even as the economy strengthens and begins to add jobs. It also will make it harder for the unemployment rate, now at 9.8 percent, to drop down to a healthier level. “Workers are going to have to find not just a new company, but a new industry,�' said Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director of Moody’s Economy.com. “A 50-yearold guy who has been screwing bolts into the side of a car panel is not going to be able to become a health care administrator overnight.�

It’s become especially hard to find accountants, health care workers, software sales representatives, actuaries, data analysts, physical therapists and electrical engineers, labor analysts say. And employers that demand highly specialized training — like biotech firms that need plant scientists or energy companies that need geotechnical engineers to build offshore platforms — struggle even more to fill jobs.

The trend has been intensified by the speed of the job market decline, Koropeckyj said. The nation has lost a net 7.6 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007.

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OVERHAUL Continued from page 1 said Obama, flanked by four doctors on stage for good measure.

But Sen. John Barrasso, RWyo., an orthopedic surgeon for 25 years, said many doctors, nurses and patients strongly oppose Obama’s proposals.

They are greatly alarmed at proposed cuts in Medicare, which is the main source of health care for many people in Wyoming and elsewhere, Barrasso said in an interview Oct. 5.

He said doctors and hospitals also want provisions to protect them against “abusive lawsuits� by people claiming malpractice.

Obama broke no ground in his comments. He outlined the tenets of his health reform plan: expanded and

affordable health coverage options for tens of millions of people, strengthened protections for those who already have insurance, and more time for health professionals to help patients with preventative and healing care.

Obama said the country has heard all sides of the debate over the last few months and the time to act is now. “I want to thank every single doctor who is here,� Obama said. “And I especially want to thank you for agreeing to fan out across the country and make the case about why this reform effort is so desperately needed. You are the people who know this system best. You are the experts.�

Yet it can take a year or more for a laid-off worker to gain the training and education to switch industries.

That means health care jobs are going unfilled even as laid-off workers in the auto, construction or financial services industries seek work. “So we have this army of the unemployed� without the necessary skills, Koropeckyj said.

Sitting in his office overlooking the Clarian Health complex, Jones leafed through some of the applications he’s received. One came from a hotel worker who listed his experience as, “Cleaning rooms; make beds, clean tubes, vacuum.� Another was from a fitness instructor whose past duties included signing up gym members.

Many of the jobless seem to be applying for any opening they see, Jones said. “You just don’t have the supply to fill those particular positions,� he said of the more than 200 “critical� jobs he needs to fill at Clarian, including nurses, pharmacists, MRI technicians and ultrasound technologists.

Contributing to the problem is that in a tough economy, employers take longer to assess applicants and make a hiring decision. By contrast, “in a healthier economy, you don’t wait around for the perfect person,� said Lawrence Katz, a professor of labor economics at Harvard.

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Page 4

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

COMMUNITY

WHAT’S GOING ON? Deadline for receipt of What’s Going On listings is Friday, 12 p.m., at least two weeks prior to activity.

Fax to: (213) 251-5720, e-mail us at lawattsnus@aol.com or mail to: L.A. Watts Times, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

YOGANAGA— “Breathe, Belief, Yoga” takes place on Saturdays, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Lotus on the Nile Wellness Center, 4307 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Melvin will be the instructor and there is a fee of $10 per class. Information: (323) 2956887, http://breathebeliefyoga.blog spot.com, www.lotusonthenile.com.

DIGITAL ELDER — The mission of this project is to train current and potential leaders of African descent to become media literate and technologically familiar to support inter-generational communication and global advancement — socially, economically and academically. This event will take place Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Oct. 18, 1 to 7 p.m., at the Los Angeles Urban League West Adams/Baldwin Hills WorkSource Center, 5681 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles. A $60 investment is requested and all meals and materials will be included. Attendance both days is necessary. Information: (323) 7082526, http://DigitalElder.org.

EXPERIENCE THE OCEAN — The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium provides a variety of exhibits and

activities for all ages to engage in education, recreation and research of Southern California’s marine life.

Some activities are free; fees are minimal for other activities. Volunteer opportunities are also available. The aquarium is at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro. Information: (310) 548-7562, www.cabrillomarine aquarium.org.

PET FOSTERING — The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s fostering program is in need of volunteers to assist with the care of pets of all ages. The next foster parent class will be held Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to noon, at South Bay Pet Adoption Center, 12910 Yukon Ave., Hawthorne. Information: (310) 6761149, ext. 222, www.spcala.com.

TASTE OF ENCINO — This 22nd annual celebration will be held Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in and around the Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., and Encino Park, 16953 Ventura Blvd., Encino.

In addition to folk, bluegrass, and other music styles, there will be a variety of ethnic and American foods, a rock-climbing wall, balloon slide, moon bounce, and more for kids, along with other features. Information: (818) 995-1690, (818) 7894711.

WHAT WOMEN NEED — Los Angeles Radical Women will hold a meeting Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m., on

“High Quality and On-Demand Healthcare: What Women Need!”

The discussion will be held at Solidarity Hall, 2170 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. A fall supper, with vegetarian option, will be served at 6:30 p.m. for an $8 donation.

Information: (323) 732-6416, radicalwomenla@earthlink.net, www.radicalwomen.org.

ANNIVERSARY — The Center for the Study of Political Graphics will celebrate its 20th anniversary Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m., at Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles.

There will be a buffet dinner, music

by Marcus L. Miller with the Freedom Jazz Movement and a silent auction of original art, and vintage and contemporary posters. Tickets can be purchased through the center’s Web site. Information: (323) 653-4662, cspg@politicalgraphics.org.

PUMPKIN PATCH — The Jump for Joi Children’s Foundation is sponsoring its 10th Annual Community Pumpkin Patch and Harvest Festival, beginning Oct. 17 and end-

Photo by IAN FOXX

NEW EQUALIZER — Former California State Assemblyman Jerome Horton was sworn in Oct. 5, at the California African American Museum, as the newest member of the state Board of Equalization. Horton was appointed to the board by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace Judy Chu, who won a seat in Congress. Pictured: Gov. Schwarzenegger, Yvonne Horton, Jerome Horton.

ing Oct. 31, at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles.

There will be workshops in mixed media paper dolls and quilting, and Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy will perform throughout the day on Oct. 31. Information: (323) 292-2256.

TALENT SHOW — California Assemblymember Mike Davis

is sponsoring the 48th District Talent Showcase in support of legislation to restore arts in the public schools. This event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Oct. 18, 4 to 6:30 p.m., in the Little Theater of Los Angeles Southwest College, 1600 W. Imperial Highway, Los Angeles.

Information: Steven Miller, (213) 744-2111.

Final Environmental Impact Report/ Finding of No Significant Impact Approved for Interstate 5 SR-14 to Parker Road Photo by IAN FOXX

ON A MISSION — The “5 Million Kids” campaign, a project of Operation Hope, seeks to re-brand education through its “Making Smart Cool and Sexy” campaign. The initiative seeks to keep 5 million children from dropping out of high school by reaching them through financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Pictured, left to right: Actors Tyrese Gibson and Robert Davi; Quincy Jones; Quincy Jones III; Operation Hope, executive Rod McGrew, Operation Hope founder John Bryant.

Initiative Aims to ‘Make Smart Sexy Again’

BY LAUREN FOSTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Justin Timberlake sings about bringing sexy back, but where was

✁

it in the first place?

According to the 5 Million Kids (5MK) Initiative sponsored

by Operation Hope, sexy was

Need A $ Bailout?

WHAT IS BEING PLANNED? The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 7 is proposing a project to widen the existing I-5 to include high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and truck climbing lanes. The proposed I-5 project extends from State Route 14 (SR-14) (PM R45.4) on the south, to Parker Road (PM R59.0) on the north, a distance of approximately 13.6 miles.

The proposed improvements include extending the existing HOV lanes on I-5 from SR-14 to Parker Road and adding truck climbing lanes between SR-14 interchange and Calgrove Boulevard (northbound) and Pico Canyon Road/Lyons Avenue (southbound). Alternative 2, the Reduced Median Alternative, has been selected as the Preferred Alternative.

WHY THIS AD? In conformity with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Caltrans has approved the Final Environmental Impact Report/Finding of No Significant Impact (FEIR/FONSI) for the I-5 HOV/Truck Lanes project.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE? The FEIR/FONSI which describes the project is now available to the public.

WHERE YOU COME IN You can look at or obtain the FEIR/FONSI at Caltrans District 7 Office, 100 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California, on weekdays during regular business hours. Also, you can review the report at: 1) City of Santa Clarita Community Development Department, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, CA; 2) Los Angeles County Library- Newhall Branch, 22704 West 9th Street, Newhall 3) Los Angeles County Library- Valencia Branch, 23743 West Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita 4) Los Angeles County Library- Canyon County Branch, 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita 5) Los Angeles County Library-Castaic Branch, 27971 Sloan Canyon Road, Castaic, and 6) At http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/resources/envdocs/ CONTACT/SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS For more information about this project, please contact the Caltrans District 7 Office of Public Affairs at (213) 897-3656. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Caltrans will provide documentation in alternate formats to individuals with disabilities.

Thank you for your interest!

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shacking up with high school dropout rates.

In an effort to combat this relationship, Operation Hope launched its 5MK initiative last week at Bret Harte Preparatory Middle School in South Los Angeles. Its major theme: Make smart sexy again.

The California Department of Education reports that the dropout rate for the 2007-08 school year was 20.1 percent.

As part of the initiative, organizers plan to provide children with financial literacy in hopes to curb dropout rates, not only in California, but across the nation.

Operation Hope, an organization big on financial literacy, has an initiative that is multifaceted, and aims to use financial literacy, positive role models, free enterprise and capitalism, among other things, to encourage youth to stay in school and become successful.

The five main objectives to the 5MK initiative the following: • Teach financial literacy to 5 million kids and their parents • Increase role models and grassroots leaders for youth • Help open starter savings accounts for youth See INITIATIVE, page 12

October 8, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 5

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MEETINGS, FORUMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Community Coalition Presents Gala Dinner The Community Coalition’s 10th annual gala dinner will take place Oct. 22, 7 p.m., with a silent auction at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

In an effort to inspire the community to hope and change, the theme will be “Bringing the Change Home.�

Gala honorees will be recognized for the impact they’ve had in furthering the cause of social justice. Honorees include: • La Opinión newspaper • Alberto Retana • Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance • Mervyn Dymally The organization will also observe and celebrate its own work. RSVP by Oct. 10.

Information: Wendy Killian, (323) 750-9087, ext. 256, wendy@ CoCoSouthLA.org, www.cocosouthla. org/events/galadinner.

conference at Los Angeles’ Union Station that it was time for U.S. rail networks to achieve speeds reached by systems in Europe and Asia.

Planners said the train would be able to travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco in two hours and 40 minutes, traveling at speeds of

more than 200 miles per hour.

California voters approved issuing $9.95 billion in bonds to fund high-speed rail construction in November.

The application filed Oct. 2 seeks more than half of an $8 billion pot of stimulus money set

aside for high-speed rail development across the country.

Schwarzenegger said California deserved such a large chunk because it is farther along in planning than other states and is ready to break ground in 2011, a year earlier than federal guidelines call for.

California High Speed Rail Authority officials said the train network would generate 600,000 construction-related jobs while it was being planned and built and that it would create another 450,000 permanent jobs during its operation.

L.A. Law: Anti-Graffiti Coding on New Buildings (AP) — Taggers in Los Angeles beware.

The City Council voted unanimously Sept. 29 to pass an ordinance requiring that all new buildings, including homes, must have anti-graffiti coating unless the owners promise to remove graffiti soon after it appears.

The law still needs signed approval from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and would take effect 30 days after.

Tony Perez, a spokesman for Councilman Ed Reyes, says the coating is a chemical type of gloss making it easier to wipe off graffiti.

It must cover walls and doors from the ground to at least nine feet.

Owners are exempt if they sign an agreement with the city’s Department of Building and Safety promising to remove tags within seven days of graffiti being applied, or within 72 hours of being notified by the department.

State Asks Feds or $4.7 Billion for Speedy Trains (AP) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger requested $4.7 billion in federal stimulus money Oct. 2 to help build an 800-mile bullet train system from San Diego to San Francisco.

The state’s application for the grant calls for some $5 billion in state, local and private matching funds to help pay for the $45 billion project.

Schwarzenegger told a news

Facts October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) program took place in October 1985 as a week-long event to fill the information void in public communication about breast cancer. The founding members distributed brochures, spoke to news reporters, and testified before a U.S. Congressional committee about the crucial need for widespread access to mammography.

Source: www.nbcam.org

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Page 6

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

COMMUNITY

Photo courtesy of Charles Drew University

SPECIAL HONOR — President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a former Angolan liberation fighter who led the country out of civil war and into peace and stability, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. Pictured, left to right: Photo of dos Santos; Angolan Ambassador to the United States, Josefina Pitra Diakte, who accepted the award on behalf of dos Santos; Charles Drew University Interim President Dr. Keith C. Norris.

October is

Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

A Conference on Domestic Violence and Abuse A serious public health issue Presented by The Men’s Group at Inglewood Center for Spiritual Living® (formerly Inglewood Church of Religious Science)

Saturday, October 17, 2009 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Inglewood Center for Spiritual Living®

FIRST LADIES — The L.A. Focus Newspaper’s 12th Annual First Ladies High Tea was held Oct. 3 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

California first lady Maria Shriver and Crenshaw Christian Center first lady Betty Price were honored for their contributions to the community.

Pictured, top: The Clara Ward Singers performing during the First Ladies High Tea; below: West Angeles Church of God in Christ first lady Mae Blake and Crenshaw Christian Center first lady Betty Price.

Photos by IAN FOXX / BILL JONES

525 North Market Street, Inglewood, CA 90302

Free Including Lunch!

Share your experiences with experts in the field and survivors of domestic violence.

Call (310) 674-9160 by October 12 for reservations

Please join Please join L.A. County Supervisor L.A. County Supervisor

On October 28, 2008, The Los On October 28,Board 2008,of The Los Angeles County Angeles County Board Supervisors adopted the of for a Supervisors the Baldwin Hillsadopted Community for a Baldwin Hills Community Standards District (CSD) Standards Districtnew (CSD) which established development standards which established newand on operating procedures for oil development standards and on and gas production in the operating procedures forarea. oil and gas production in the area.

However, issues remain regarding ability of the However,the issues remain ordinance to adequately regarding the ability of the address the to surrounding ordinance adequately community’s concerns related address the surrounding to “sights, sounds, smellsrelated and community’s concerns safety”.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 to “sights, sounds, smells and 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM safety”.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 On August 4, 2009, under West L.A. College 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Supervisor Mark RidleyFine Arts Theatre On August 4, 2009, underof West L.A. College Thomas’ urging, the Board 9000 Overland Avenue Supervisor directed Mark RidleyFine Arts Theatre Supervisors County Culver City, CA 90230 Thomas’ urging, the Board 9000 Overland Avenue staff to conduct a review of of Supervisors directed County the CSD and report back with Culver City, CA 90230 Town Hall parking is available in the South Parking Structure. staff to conduct a review of recommended modifications.

Please enter the campus from Overland Avenue on Freshman Drive the CSD and report back with andparking turn right onto Albert Drive.Parking Structure.

Town Hall is available in Vera the South recommended modifications.

Come share your ideas as Please enter the campus from Overland Avenue on Freshman Drive Town Hall is available the to South Parking For parking More Information and RSVP: the Baldwin Hills CSD and turn right ontoinAlbert Vera Drive. Structure.

Pleasehttp://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/BHCSD enter the campus from Overland Avenue on Freshman Drive Come share your ideas as Review gets underway! andMore turn right onto Albertand VeratoDrive.

For Information RSVP: the Baldwin Hills CSD http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/BHCSD Review gets underway!

MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS

Town Hall Meeting Town Hall Meeting

The Baldwin Hills The Baldwin Hills Community Standards Community DistrictStandards District

For More Information and to RSVP: http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/BHCSD

October 8, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 7

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Some mourners wore T-shirts with Derrion’s picture that read “We will always remember you.”

Continued from page 1

THE STATE

SCLC Narrows Finalists for New President to Two

BART Promising Changes in Police Department OAKLAND (AP) — Officials with the Bay Area Rapid Transit District are promising sweeping changes in how the district’s police department operates.

In a special meeting Oct. 1, BART’s board of directors said they would develop a plan to make changes in training, procedures and organization in the department.

The pledge comes after an audit was conducted in response to the New Year’s Day fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a white transit officer.

In that audit, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives said that BART officers needed more training and presence on trains and stations.

As part of the promised changes, BART officials say the transit system would set up a civilian board to look into complaints of police abuse or excessive force.

THE NATION Jackson, Farrakhan at Illinois Teen’s Funeral CHICAGO (AP) — The funeral of a Chicago teen who was beaten to death on his way home from school drew civil rights leader the

Derrion Albert

Rev. Jesse Jackson and Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan on Oct. 3, both calling for an end to youth violence.

Farrakhan said he came to the funeral because he was “deeply pained” by the death of 16-year-old honor roll student Derrion Albert.

The boy was walking to a bus stop after school when a group of teens attacked him during a street fight late last month.

Cell phone video footage shows Albert being kicked and hit with splintered railroad ties. Four teens are charged in his death.

Police, ministers and community leaders have been asking people to come forward with information about Albert’s killing.

Jackson demanded children and teens to be given safe passage to and from school.

As mourners filed into the church, video screens scrolled through pictures of Derrion as a baby and with his family, as well as photos of his academic awards.

ATLANTA (AP) — The civil rights group co-founded by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. narrowed the list of finalists for its next president Oct. 3 to his youngest daughter and an Arkansas judge.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s board of directors will consider the Rev. Bernice King and Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Wendell Griffen for the organization’s top spot.

One will succeed the Rev. Byron Clay, who has served as interim president since February, when Charles Steele resigned after five years in the position.

The SCLC will hold elections to select the next president Oct. 29 at

The Rev. Bernice King

Photos by MARTY COTWRIGHT

THE COTTON CLUB — Members of the Urban Arts Theatre West (UATW), in performance at the California African American Museum’s “Target Sunday” on Oct. 4. The event was billed as “Cotton Club West.” The members of Urban Arts Theatre West perform present professional theatre to celebrate African American culture and history.

the group’s Atlanta headquarters.

The two finalists were chosen from a list of five candidates.

If she is chosen, Bernice King would be the first woman to lead the SCLC. Its longest-serving president was the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who served from 1977 to 1997.

Bernice King, 46, is an internationally known motivational speaker and author. She is a minister at New Birth Missionary Church in Lithonia, Ga. Griffen, 57, was the first black attorney to work for a major Arkansas law firm. He is an ordained minister and former pastor who serves as coordinator of ministries at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Little Rock.

On the Net: Southern Christian Leadership Conference: http://sclcnational.org/.

Syracuse Field to be Named After Ernie Davis SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Syracuse University is naming the field in the Carrier Dome “Ernie Davis Legends Field.”

The university will make a formal dedication at halftime during Syracuse’s football game against West Virginia on Oct. 10. The tribute to the 1961 Heisman Trophy winner comes a year after the release of a movie about his life called “The Express.”

Davis, the first black player to win college football’s highest honor,

Ernie Davis

died of leukemia before playing a game in the NFL.

NAACP Wants Civilian Review in Rockford Shooting CHICAGO (AP) — The NAACP’s president is urging the northern Illinois city of Rockford to establish a civilian review board and offer grief counseling after police fatally shot an unarmed man inside a church-run daycare full of children.

Weeks after 23-year-old Mark Anthony Barmore was killed, the nation’s largest civil rights organization and local religious leaders are pressing for a thorough and credible investigation into the case that has sparked tension and racial unrest in the community of nearly 160,000.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People president and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous returned to Rockford on Oct. 3 for his second rally in the city about 90 miles northwest of Chicago.

See BRIEFS, page 14

Page 8

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

COMMUNITY GSM TAKEOVER Continued from page 1

STREET SCENES — The Inglewood Arts Market Street Festival took place on Oct. 3 on downtown Inglewood’s Market Street thoroughfare. The festival featured an International Food Court, a Classic Car Show, and entertainment from bands that played Blues, Jazz/R&B, and Latin Jazz.

Pictured, top: R&B artist Alana and her band entertaining the audience; below Craig Rawls, First Place winner of the festival’s Classic Car Show with his 1948 Chevy Pickup.

Photos by MARTY COTWRIGHT

Plastic hangers

Styrofoam cups

Plastic containers

Plastic grocery bags

All clean film plastic

City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works

Bureau of Sanitation

information? call (800) 773-2489

Styrofoam containers

Golden State made and built most of its reputation selling insurance door-to-door in the African American community.

The company was co-founded

by William Nickerson Jr., a Texas native who had moved to California in 1921. Chartered in July of 1925, the company offered a variety of services to the African American community, including health insurance and life endowments.

Over the years, Golden State grew to become one of the largest black-owned company’s in the country, expanding its operations to 12 states including Michigan, Illinois and North Carolina.

Some account holders of GSM over the years have included the 100 Black Men of America and First AME Church in Los Angeles.

The company once handled $4.3 billion worth of insurance, employed 196 salaried workers and owned the five-story main office headquarters in Los Angeles. It also owned an extensive African American art collection of paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings.

The company showed signs of trouble when it sold off its art collection in 2007.

“I had not heard any rumblings or anything,” said Earl “Skip” Cooper, president and CEO of the Black Business Association.

“I can still remember when … the (Golden State insurance) man would come to our house every Friday to get $5 to $10 for the policy. That was back in the ’50s.”

Cooper called the insurance company’s closure “sad” and a big loss for the African American business community.

“We are losing not only a major financial institution within the African American community but also a business icon,” Cooper said.

Cooper also said that during this current economic crisis, African Americans should support black-owned businesses.

“We have to support African American businesses and we have to go the extra step. Maybe you have to drive the extra mile or extra two miles, but I think it’s very important that we support African American businesses, African American financial institutions,” he said. “What we see is, (in) other ethnic groups, they take the extra step to support their own, and we have to be diligent to do the same.”

Policyholders are being urged by the state’s insurance department to continue paying premiums if they want their policies to remain in force.

Customers with questions can call the California Department of Insurance at (800) 927-4357.

THE BIG BLUE BIN! Some things are just better in blue Now you can put all clean plastic and styrofoam items marked 1 through 7 into the Blue Container along with the usual items such as brown paper bags, cans/metal, aluminum, steel and tin, carboard, unwanted mail, mixed and colored paper, glass bottles and containers, magazines, metal coat hangers, newspapers and office paper.

Recycle the New Blues

Styrofoam packing

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure access to its programs, services and activities.

October 8, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 9

ARTS & CULTURE HAL Honoree George Clinton

Actor Ernie Hudson

Florence LaRue of the 5th Dimension and honoree H.B. Barnum

The 20th Annual HAL (Heroes and Legends) Scholarship Awards dinner was held Sept. 27 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The HAL Scholarship Foundation was created by Motown songwriter Janie Bradford to aid “at risk” youth and to publicly recognize others who share her vision.

Byron Scott

Hip-hop artist and actress Eve at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the premiere of the film “Whip It.”

Quincy Jones HAL Honoree Wesley Snipes

“ HILARIOUS .”

- Vanity Fair

“FRESH, FUNNY AND ALTOGETHER FASCINATING.AUDIENCES WILL WIG OUT.” -Variety

“BAD” HAIR? — Chris Rock’s new film, “Good Hair,” takes a look at the ‘lengths’ black women go to in order to style their hair. Rock took on the subject after his young daughter innocently asked why didn’t she have ‘good hair’?

Comedian Chris Rock Discusses His ‘Good Hair’

BY DARLENE DONLOE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Chris Rock’s latest project is titled “Good Hair.”

In some parts of the black community, the title alone incites controversy, volatility and resentment.

Generations have had many a heated debate about the ‘good hair’ phenomenon. It’s clearly a sensitive subject.

Just what is good hair? And, if there is such a thing, then it stands to reason that ‘bad hair’ must also exist.

But, just what is bad hair?

When many black people think of ‘good hair,’ they think of silky, shiny, manageable, flowing, sleek, white-girl hair. If that’s true, then does it mean black hair, which is, all things being equal, kinky, nappy and coarse, considered ‘bad hair’?

Rock checks out that and more in this comedic look at the lengths (pun intended) black women go to to achieve what they perceive to be great hair.

He laughs when black men bemoan the fact that for years they’ve been unable to touch their black female lover’s hair. He bristles at the enormous amounts of time and the thousands of dollars black women spend on weaves, clip-ons, extensions and even the addictive ‘creamy crack,’ otherwise known as a permanent or a chemical relaxer. He’s in disbelief at the thought of putting hair in the layaway!

The relationship a black woman has with her hair is complex at best.

If it’s black, she wants it brown. If See ‘GOOD HAIR’, page 11

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS START FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 IN SELECT CITIES Check local listings for theatres and showtimes.

SIT BACK , RELAX AND FLAUNT YOUR STYLE!

Page 10

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

ARTS & CULTURE SHORT TAKES DVD • “Jada” is the story of a woman whose faith in God saves her family and herself during a tumultuous time. The film, which is scheduled to be released on DVD Oct. 13, stars Clifton Powell

(“Ray,” “The Gospel”), Rockmond Dunbar (“The Family That Preys”), and Siena Goines (“Passion”) as Jada. The film had its world premiere Aug. 9 on the Gospel Music Channel television network. The DVD costs $19.99. Information: www.melee.com.

DANCE • The Roy and Edna Disney/ Cal Arts Theater will present Gregory Maqoma and the Vuyani Dance Theatre in the West Coast premiere of “Beautiful Me.” As part of Maqoma’s debut North American tour, the performance

opens Oct. 21 and runs for a fournight engagement through Oct. 25.

Each night’s performance, which combines the influences of contemporary Kathak, Afro-fusion, and visual dance theater, begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are $20 to $25 for the general public and $16 to $20 for students. The theater is at 631 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles. Information: (213) 2372800, www.redcat.org.

THEATER • Sharon L. Graine, founder of the Playhouse Theatre Players will present “Sammy Davis Jr. And Friends.” This event will take place Oct. 9 and 10, 8 p.m., at the Playhouse Theatre Players, 600 Moulton Ave., Los Angeles. Tickets costs $15 and reservations are recommended. Information: (323) 2275410, www.kslgplayhousetheatre. com.

ANNIVERSARY • The Denise Roberts Breast

Cancer Foundation will present “The Cause, The Care, The Cure: The 10 Year Journey,” the organization’s 10th Anniversary Founder’s Day Gala. The event will take place Oct. 18, 2 to 5 p.m., in suites A160 and A260 of the Conga Room, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.

This event will be hosted by actress Wendy Raquel Robinson and the menu will be created by chef Wolfgang Puck. Tickets for this event are $150 and can be purchased by visiting http://shop.tdrbcf.org/.

Information: (888) 833-6473.

LECTURES • Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje, chair of the Department of Ethnomusicology at UCLA, will discuss the dynamics of urban life and music as it relates to San Francisco’s Fillmore District in a lecture entitled “The Beat Goes On.” The lecture will take place at the California African American Museum Oct. 11, 2 p.m. This event is free but parking costs $8. CAAM is in Exposition Park at 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. Information: (213) 744-7432, www.caamuseum. org.

• Zizwe Mtafuta-Ukweli, former organizer with the All African People’s Revolutionary Party and hip-hop artist KRS ONE’s project H.E.A.L. (Human Education Against Lies) will discuss and sign his latest book, “From Garvey to Nkrumah: Pan African Giants

Kwame Nkrumah

and Mass Agency.” The lecture will take place Oct. 17, 3 p.m., at Shades of Africa Bookstore, 1001 E. 4th St., Long Beach. An assistant professor at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Ukweli will discuss the contributions of Kwame Nkrumah and Marcus Garvey to Africa and Pan-African movements worldwide, as well as the future of Pan Africanism. Information: (562) 595-1192, pambeli@aol.com.

kids. The show will be hosted by Richard Montoya of Culture Clash.

Tickets are $35, $60 and $150 per person. For $500 per person, there will be a pre-show VIP reception which includes preferred seating, beverages and food, and more. For reservations, call (323) 461-3673 or visit www.kpfk.org or www. fordtheatres.org. To reserve a preshow VIP ticket, call the Ford box office at (323) 461-3673.

CD • Jamaican singer, songwriter and producer Carlene Davis made her VP Records debut with the CD “True Worship” on Oct. 6. Davis’ musical career spans 40 years, and

ART • Watts Art 24/7 is a series of 12 Solo Artists Exhibitions spotlighting the artwork of some of the most influential artists working in

California that come out of or work in Watts and surrounding communities. The featured artist for this exhibition is Michael Massenburg, and the opening reception will take place Oct. 17, 2 to 5 p.m. at the Cecil Fergerson Gallery, on the grounds of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, 10950 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles.

Information: (323) 563-5639, cecil fergersongallery@gmail.com, www.wlcac.org.

• Part of jazz culture is the art inspired by the music. The California African American Museum invites the public to create their own work of art with jazz as the muse and artist Milton Loupe as the guide. “Art to Jazz” will take place Oct. 17, 1 p.m., at the CAAM. This event is free and it is for participants ages 15 and up.

Interested persons may RSVP by calling (213) 744-2133. The CAAM is in Exposition Park at 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. Parking costs $8.

Information: www.caamuseum.org.

CONCERT • KPFK Pacifica Radio (90.7 FM) will celebrate its 50 years of broadcasting with the Peace Awards and a benefit concert to imagine the world that is possible through the peace actions of today. Ziggy Marley, four-time Grammy-winning reggae musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, will headline this benefit performance Oct. 9, 7 p.m., at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd.

East, Los Angeles. The concert will also feature Poncho Sanchez; Luciana Souza, Christian McBride, and the Intercultural L.A. Samba

she is also an ordained Christian minister with a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling from South Florida’s Trinity Theological Seminary.

“True Worship,” labeled as “gospel Reggae,” is a mix of reggae music and the gospel of Christ. Co-produced by Davis and her husband Tommy Cowan, the CD was recorded live at Kingston, Jamaica’s, legendary Tuff Gong studios. The album offers 13 songs of praise ranging from traditional hymns to original tunes penned by the couple. The CD costs $18.99. Information: www.vprecords.com.

AWARDS • The National Association of Minority Contractors will celebrate 10 years of addressing the needs and concerns of minority contractors in Los Angeles with its annual awards dinner Oct. 15, 6 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel, 6225 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles.

This event will honor minority contractors, corporate partners, and community and government officials for their contributions. More than 300 contractors and construction industry participants are expected to attend the dinner, with the proceeds being used to further the resources provided to and education of minority contractors, including construction industry related scholarships. Tickets for this event are $100 for members and $125 for non-members. Information: (323) 295-5484, scoleman@colemancon. com.

Facts October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” in October 1981 conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels. In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.

Source: the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, http://dvam.vawnet.org

October 8, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 11

ARTS & CULTURE

Blacks Featured on New Fall TV Shows

BY DARLENE DONLOE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The 2009 fall TV season is well underway with a few new faces cropping up on the networks and a handful on cable. However, the number of blacks appearing on new network television shows in prime time isn’t much.

A number of blacks have new shows on BET, TV One and Fox, but only one show boasts the only black cast comedy on network television. In this novice grouping there are some hits and misses.

Check them out for yourself. “Brothers� (Fox) stars retired NFL star Michael Strahan as Mike Trainor. Mike’s father, Rocky (played by Carl Weathers), is sick, and Trainor is asked to return home to visit him. Mike, who has lost all of his money, has a strained relationship with his paraplegic brother, Chill, played by Daryl “Chill�

Mitchell, much to the annoyance of their mother, Adele, played by acting veteran CCH Pounder. The show is the only black-cast comedy on network television and airs Fridays at 8/7c. “The Cleveland Show� (Fox) is a spin-off of Fox’s animated hit “Family Guy.� In the show Cleveland Brown falls head over heels for a former girlfriend from high school after moving back to his native town. The animated series is

‘GOOD HAIR’ Continued from page 9 it’s brown, she wants it light brown or even blond.

If it’s short, she wants it long. If it’s long, she wants it ‌ longer. If it’s curly or kinky, she wants it straight.

If it’s straight, she wants it ‌ straighter.

In the documentary, which opened nationwide Oct. 2, Rock visits scientific laboratories, beauty salons, barber shops, the popular Atlanta-based Bonner Bros. Hair Show and even India — to get to the root of the “good hair� marvel.

Indian hair is, apparently, the most popular hair used in weaves.

Rock also talks to celebrities such as Nia Long, Tracie Thoms, IceT, the Rev. Al Sharpton and others who candidly offer up their perspectives.

In an exclusive interview, Rock, who produced and co-wrote the documentary, reveals how it all began after his daughter, who was riding in the car with her white friend, asked, “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?�

LAWT: How did you deal with that question?

CR: Well, when she first said it, I didn’t panic. If I had overreacted at the moment, she would have had a complex about her hair. I was playing it off. I was like, ‘Hey, your hair is beautiful. You want to get some ice cream.’ If you make it a big deal, it’ll make it worse.

LAWT: If one of your daughters says, ‘Daddy I want a weave,’ are you coughing up the money?

CR: Depends on how old she is.

I’ll make her get a job for it. She’ll work it off.

LAWT: When you first decided to do this movie, what

voiced by Sanaa Lathan and Kevin Michael Richardson. It airs Sundays at 8:30/7:30c. “Monica: Still Standing�

(BET) — Grammy award-winning R&B singer Monica stars in this

reality show highlighting her struggles to balance her career with family life. She has come out with her fifth album, “Still Standing.� The show debuts Oct. 27 at 10 p.m. “The Wanda Sykes Show�

(Fox) — The stand-up comedian and actress (“The New Adventures of Old Christine�) tries her hand with a late night talk show. “The Mo’Nique Show� (BET) — The newly slimmed down Queen of Comedy comedienne and actress is the host of her own onehour nightly talk/variety show. Her guests will include A-list celebrities and musical guests. Rodney Perry is the resident DJ, with Big Jim and the Penthouse Players as was your intent?

CR: My initial intent on any thing is to be funny. If other things come out of it, hey, that’s great. I’m a comedian. My thinking is, ‘Do I have an idea that can sustain comedy for an hour and a half?’ LAWT: As a black man, what do you think about the lengths women go to with their hair?

CR: If that’s what they want to do, that’s what they want to do. I take what I can get. I got no opinion on it one way or the other. I pass no judgment in the movie or in life.

LAWT: What is the black man’s equivalent to creamy crack or weaves and extensions?

CR: I don’t know what the male equivalent is. I don’t know what that is. I’m sure there is something.

LAWT: You’ve said hair has never been a deterrent for black men.

CR: If you look at men’s magazines that only men buy, like Smooth and King, and all that stuff, in those magazines the women have all sorts of hair. The constant is the behind‌ That’s the constant. I never saw a black woman having a hard time getting a man because of her hair.

LAWT: When you spoke to black men, did they have a preference for weaves or natural hair?

CR: Most guys would rather have natural.

LAWT: It still seems like men in general lean more toward women with long hair.

CR: Long hair is more feminine than short hair. Only a woman can grow really long hair. It’s not commonplace for men to be able to grow long hair. I’ve never seen hair be the deal breaker with black guys. There’s no era in the history of time when men weren’t sleeping with women.

I’m talking biblical to today. There’s never been a style that men weren’t

the house band. The show airs nightly at 11 p.m. “First In� (BET) — Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson is the

host of this new original series. “First In� gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of Compton’s firefighters and paramedics. The show airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. “Pay it Off� (BET) — Actress and comedienne Kim Coles is the host of this new game show.

Contestants answer questions and can win money to erase their debts.

The show airs Fridays at 10 p.m.

attracted to. The birth rate has never gone done — never. Whether they are wearing hot pants or corsets, nothing has ever mattered.

LAWT: While shooting this, what was your biggest ‘Aha!’ moment?

CR: India was ‘Aha!’ The business aspect was. Also, that we (black people) weren’t making a lot of money off of it — beyond the shops.

That all the other revenue was not coming from black people. I didn’t know women spent so much money on this stuff. You know, laying away the weave, not paying your rent.

LAWT: In your research was there anything shocking?

CR: The money spent was big.

To find out it really was not good for relationships, the money spent. It’s like dating someone with a drug habit, almost.

LAWT: Was there anything you shot for the film that didn’t make the cut either because of time or it just didn’t fit?

CR: There were certain actresses ‌ that were doing shampoo commercials, literally looking in the camera and saying, ‘You can get hair like this with this product.’ But they’re doing to commercial with a weave so it’s kind of false advertising.

LAWT: Go ahead, name names.

CR: I’m not going to name names. We had it in there, but we thought, ‘That’s all people are going to talk about: (that) we outed somebody. You watch TV, you see hair commercials or shampoo commercials; look and just think about it. (In) most of these commercials, the black woman is wearing a weave telling you you can get hair like this.

LAWT: You mentioned it was hard to get financing for this film, even after your win at Sundance.

“Sherri� (Lifetime) — In this comedy, Sherri Shepherd (“The View�) stars as a single mom who re-enters the dating world after divorcing her husband. Taken from aspects of her actual life, Shepherd’s character works as a paralegal while she also tries to become a successful comedian and actress. Malcolm Jamal Warner stars as her ex-husband, who cheated on her. The show also stars Tammy Townsend, Kali Rocha, Elizabeth Regen and Kate Reinders. “Sherri� airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. “Washington Watch With Roland Martin� (TV One) — The very opinionated columnist, CNN

contributor and TV One political editor is the host of this new public affairs show. The show will feature prominent black policymakers. It airs weekly at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (ET). “Mario’s Green House� (TV One) — Viewers can see the lives

of Mario Van Peebles and his family, as they allow their home to undergo a big-time eco-renovation.

The show airs Sundays at 6 p.m.

(ET). “Lets Make A Deal� (CBS) — Wayne Brady hosts this one-hour remake of the classic game show previously helmed by Monty Hall.

The show airs weekdays at 1 p.m. “White Collar� (USA Network) — Diahann Carroll has a recurring role in this new series about the partnership between a con artist and an FBI agent. “Wake Up With Al� (Weather Channel) — Al Roker (“The Today Show�) now hosts a national morning show on the Weather Channel See FALL TV, page 12

What took it over the top for you?

CR: I was going to make it anyway. I had already started using my own money. Then HBO stepped in and said, ‘We’ll pay for it.’ It’s a real hard movie to sell to a white executive. ‘I want to make a movie about a black hair show.’ ‘Huh, a hair show?

What are you talking about?’ LAWT: What is the next thing you want to tackle?

CR: I don’t know yet. I won’t be doing a documentary next year.

“Good Hair� (HBO Films) is winner of the special jury prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and directed by Jeff Stilson.

The documentary is rated PG13 for some language including sex and drug references, and brief partial nudity. Running time: 95 minutes.

On the Donloe Scale, D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (OK) and E (exquisite), “Good Hair� gets an O (OK).

CRITIC’S PICK â€œâ€Śironically funny exchanges alternating with heart-wrenching moments.â€? —Les Spindle, Back Stage

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Page 12

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

HEALTH THE PULSE

Free Flu Shot Clinic to Take Place

Calif. to Get 350K Swine Flu Vaccines in First Round

More than 200 free flu shots will be administered Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Albertsons Sav-On, 3901 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles.

County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas is expected to show up.

He, along with Albertsons/Sav-On Pharmacy and 102.3 Radio-Free KJLH, are presenting the event.

Information: Tiffany Williams, (323) 469-8680, www.albertsonssavonpharmacies.com.

(AP) — About 350,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine will be sent to California in the first round of shipments from the federal government.

California Department of Public Health spokesman Ron Owens said the state is divvying up the first doses of the nasal spray vaccine among counties based on their populations.

Providers received initial doses the week of Oct. 5.

Another 200,000 doses of the injectable vaccine are expected to arrive the week of Oct. 12.

For the entire flu season, California may order as many as 4.5 million doses of the nasal spray vaccine and 18 million doses of the injectable vaccine.

In the first shipments of the nasal spray to Southern California, Los Angeles County is expecting 95,000 doses but about 280,000 doses of the vaccine are already on order.

CHATMON Continued from page 1 The strip included, according to Smith, a house of ill repute and a gambling hall. In the segregated South, Blue Front was also home to the Day and Night Cafe, known as the finest nightclub for blacks around, Smith said.

Libby Ray Watson was a music student of Chatmon’s and a friend.

“He was generous, he liked to tease people, play games,” Watson said. “He had a way of making you feel like you were the important one.

I’m proud to be here for him.”

Growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, Roy Schilling would often see Chatmon at his father’s grocery store. At that time the aging musician had a long white beard and always wore a cap.

“I just remember Sam coming in and every now and then, when he would come in, he would have a

Sickle Cell Blood Drive Slated A Sickle Cell Blood Drive for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles will take place Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 111 N. La Brea Ave., Inglewood.

The Childrens Hospital “Maxmobile” Blood Mobile will be parked in front of the campus on La Brea Avenue collecting blood donations. A donor waiting room will be available inside Springfield College School of Human Services with refreshments and information about its academic programs. bunch of kids with him and he would buy a paper sack full of candy for those kids, and one day I said, Sam, why are you buying all this candy?

He said, ‘Man, I’ve been to San Diego. I got money. I’m buying these kids some candy.’”

It was only later, Schilling said, that he learned of Chatmon’s contributions to blues.

“I didn’t know of the significance of Sam Chatmon until I got older and I listened to rock music,” Schilling said. “I heard these rock bands playing all of these tunes, and I started checking out where they came from and I’ll be damned if they didn’t come from Hollandale, some of them.”

Hank Burdine, a longtime friend of Chatmon’s, said the musician was a gentleman — and a gentle man.

“It has been written and it has been said that he gave dignity to the blues,” Burdine said. “There were many times we would gather around

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Donors are requested to schedule a one-hour appointment in advance by contacting the campus.

Walk-ins are also welcome.

Information: (310) 673-5607.

First 5 Offers Free Parenting Resource (First 5 LA) — First 5 LA is offering a parent helpline (1-888FIRST5-LA) to Los Angeles County’s expectant mothers, parents and caregivers of children 5 and younger.

With one phone call to the parent helpline, parents can obtain information on a range of human services including health, dental and prenatal care, family literacy programs, breastfeeding support classes, domestic violence prevention and mental health services.

The First 5 LA parent helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with trained community resources advisers referring callers to the services they need, and even helping them fill out the paperwork. The parent helpline is free and calls are confidential.

Operating out of the 211 L.A. his feet, like little kids, and listen to him sit with his guitar in his lap and philosophize.

“I never heard a harsh word come out of his mouth.

“He was a very old man at that time, and he had lived through some times in our history that were very harsh, but he never talked about them as harsh times,” he said. “He always found something nice to say about them.”

Luther Brown, a member of the Mississippi Blues Commission, who is with the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University, said he has been with the Blues Commission since the beginning, and because people who knew and cared about Chatmon were willing to tell their stories, the Oct. 2 event was one of the best marker unveilings he has attended.

State Sen. Buck Clarke, a Hollandale native, said the last time he saw Chatmon was in the Western Auto store one afternoon.

“He was in there playing his guitar and I stayed there probably two or three hours, just listening to him play,” Clarke said. “He was just an incredible talent.”

On the Web: www.msbluestrail. org.

County call center, the advisers aim to provide information in more than 140 languages to local resources.

Isadore Hall and Black Caucus to Present Diabetes, Obesity Summit California Assemblymember Isadore Hall is sponsoring the 52nd District “Health Summit on Diabetes and Obesity” Oct. 14., 9 a.m. to noon, at Progress Park, 15500 Downey Ave., Paramount.

Registration, which is required to attend this event, ends on Oct. 9.

Information: (323) 294-2700, www.clbcfoundation.org.

Annual Brain Tumor Walk Aims to Help With Research The National Brain Tumor Society is sponsoring its eighth annual Southern California walk and community day to support brain tumor research and patient services.

All ages welcome to form a team of family, friends, or co-workers and help make a difference in the fight against brain tumors.

This event will be held Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to noon, at Huntington Central Park, 6622 Lakeview Drive, Huntington Beach. This event is free for ages 5 and under; $15 for ages 6 to 17; $50 adult registration and on the day of the event.

The registration fee includes an event T-shirt, food and beverages, and full access to all event activities.

Information: (866) 455-3214, www.socalwalk.org.

Sisters at Eight Event to Discuss Flu Remedies Sisters @ Eight will hold a discussion Oct. 9 that will include advocacy, the prevention of flu and flu season remedies.

Sisters @ Eight is a gathering of African Americans who are health care professionals, grassroots leaders, community advocates and service providers.

This event will be held 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Community Build, 4305 S. Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. This event is free but RSVP is suggested.

Information: (323) 290-5955, bwwlosangeles@yahoo.com.

INITIATIVE Continued from page 4 • Secure $50 million in Earned Income Tax Credit for parents and teachers • Open 50,000 new bank accounts for the unbanked and under banked.

“There are some elected officials that aren’t here today,” John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation Hope, told several kids at the launch event.

He impressed upon the students that civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young, Quincy Jones, cochair of the initiative, and Quincy Jones III, digital chair, were among the many backing the initiative.

Other figures included David Brewer, former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent; the Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray, former pastor of First AME Church; Ramon Cortines, current LAUSD superintendent; Jack O’Connell, state superintendent of public instruction; actor Tyrese Gibson; and several others.

Union Bank and America’s Alliance are also supporters.

While spreading financial literacy seems on the surface as a

simple enough task, it is a big dream and “includes everyone: parents, teachers, kids, administrators, and the community,” said Principal Lester Davidson.

5MK plans to launch in 15 more cities, including Chicago and Atlanta.

Eighth-grade Algebra teacher James Hustace said he was concerned that his students may receive mixed messages.

“A couple kids make it out of the ’hood. Not many of them can be Tyreses. I am not doubting or wanting 5MK to be unsuccessful; I just don’t want them to be blindsided by the money and miss out on all the other information there is to be learned while at school.”

Jeffrey Johnson, celebrity ambassador for Operation Hope, told attendees that the true success of the initiative is “about whose hand it is in.”

“Will you use your hands to achieve or will you sit on them?” he said. “With all our hands together we can do more.”

FALL TV Continued from page 11

Testosterone Dose Response in Surgically Menopausal Women Principal Investigator: Matthew H. Ho, Ph.D., M.D. “Thank you for your interest in our research program. The purpose of this particular study is to find out the effects of testosterone, in women. Women who are post-menopause often have low testosterone levels in their blood. Some doctors recommend giving testosterone to women after menopause, but it is not clear whether this helps women health. This study may find out whether it is beneficial to replace testosterone in women who are post-menopause and therefore have low testosterone in their blood. This research study may also find out the most appropriate dose of testosterone that shows beneficial effects on women’s sex life, muscle and fat mass, physical function, and ability to solve some types of problems with the least amount of side effects.

“We will measure the effects of testosterone on fat and muscle size, muscle strength, sexual desire and activity, and higher functions of the brain. Approximately 140 women will take part in this study that is approved and funded by the National Institutes of Health. The protocol of this study has also been reviewed and approved by our Institutional Review Board.

“For this study, we are looking for women between the ages of 21 to 60, who are post-menopausal (either menopause occurred naturally with their ovaries intact or occurred surgically with their ovaries removed) and have had their uterus removed by surgery, and who do not have breast or uterine cancer. Do you meet these criteria?”

For information call (323) 357-3697 “If you are interested in obtaining more information about this study or taking part in this study, I can set up an appointment for you to come to our Clinical Study Center at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. During this visit, I will explain all the procedures in great detail, describe the risks and benefits involved, and answer any questions that you might have about this research study.”

with co-host Stephanie Abrams.

The show airs weekdays at 6 a.m.

Other black actors featured on new fall shows include Courtney Vance on “FlashForward” (ABC); LL Cool J on “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS); Derek Luke on “Trauma” (NBC); Amber Riley on “Glee” (Fox); Yvette Nicole Brown and Donald Glover on “Community” (NBC); and Jaime Lee Kirchner on “Mercy” (NBC).

Whoopi Goldberg is the executive producer of “Head Games” on the Science Channel. The show is the channel’s first game show. It airs Saturdays at 9 p.m.

HBO will air “By The People: The Election of Barack Obama,” a documentary about now-President Barack Obama’s history-making campaign to win the highest political office in America. The documentary airs Nov. 3 only on HBO.

October 8, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 13

EDUCATION High School Student Wins Compton Essay Contest The L.A. Watts Times congratulates Linard Thomas, a senior at Caesar Chavez High School who won the grand prize — a $5,000 college scholarship — in the City of Compton’s “History Comes Alive in Compton” essay contest.

Thomas beat more than 600 entries with his essay, “No More Excuses,” according to a press statement. His essay is featured in its entirety below.

The L.A. Watts Times also congratulates those who won $1,000 college scholarships in the honorable mention category. The other winners include: • Donnie King, junior, Centennial High School • Vincent Torres, senior, Dominguez High School • Francesca Katarina Zuckerman, senior, Compton High School.

Grand Prize Winning Essay:

No More Excuses

BY LINARD THOMAS

The United States has a glorious history. We are the most powerful and influential country in the world today. Our constitution is the oldest in the world. It is a blueprint for our democratic government, and spells out the laws which we live by.

People across the world risk their lives to seek out the opportunities that America has to offer.

For people to risk their life to be part of a country that provides freedom for all to have an equal opportunity says to me that we live in a great nation. People have the opportunity to thrive and pursue what makes them happy. Happiness is different for some. For me it is a blessing to enjoy the life I have and the family that brought me into this world. My family makes me happy as they continue to help support and provide a chance for me to make something more of myself.

It inspires me to do well in school, so that I too may support them the way they have supported me. With Barack Obama becoming President of the United States, everything has changed for the better.

President Obama has come from a single parent, is African American, and is now one of the most powerful men in the world. He has set the example for all of us. There are no more excuses not to make a better life and world for ourselves.

My life has not always been as good as I have made it sound. Like all, I have had my ups and downs.

Over time, I have worked hard to overcome those obstacles that have crossed my path. I have also made mistakes.

This is similar to the United States.

As great a country we live in, I understand that it has not always been perfect. Like me, the country is continually trying to grow into a more perfect state. The United States is tarnished with the ugly history of African slavery. In the mid-1800’s our country fought a brutal war, which led to the freedom of my ancestors.

Slavery ended under the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately, he was not able to witness and oversee the reconstruction of the Southern States, where the majority of Africans lived. Congress and the northern states passed several new amend-

ments to the constitution. One of which was the 14th amendment.

The 14th amendment did several things for the former slaves. It gave them the right to vote. It also, gave them citizenship, and equal protection under the laws of the United States constitution. In the south, there had even been several blacks who eventually where voted into congress. Although this seems as if the country had taken a turn for the better, as it turned out, Reconstruction was not implemented the way it had been drawn up.

Southern whites never really accepted the new laws that had been passed. They found ways to get around these new laws by establishing what is known today as Jim Crow Laws. These laws, implemented in the southern states, prevented the former slaves, and new citizens of African decent, from voting.

These laws required that the grandparents of citizens must have voted in order for anyone else in their family to vote. The problem with this is that the grandparents for these African Americans had been born into slavery, thus never having the chance to vote.

Other laws preventing African Americans to vote, included paying poll taxes, which required payment prior to voting, and taking reading and writing tests, although no education had ever been provided. The equal protection clause provided by the 14th amendment was off to a very rocky beginning.

Less than 40 years after the end of the civil war, a man named Homer Adolph Plessy boarded a train in New Orleans. He had purchased a first class ticket. Upon his boarding onto the train, he was approached by a white porter that advised he must move to the colored section of the train.

Although he had paid for the first class ticket, he was still required to sit in the colored section.

Eventually, Plessy sued the state of Louisiana, and this case made it all the way to the Supreme Court.

Unfortunately for African Americans, the court advised that the 14th amendment assured “absolute equality of the two races before the law, but it could not have been intended to abolish distinction based upon color or to enforce social equality” (1). This interpretation of the 14th amendment would set a precedent to last another 50 years. Separate but equal would be the law of the land, in particular, the southern states.

To think back at the conditions my forefathers had to endure does not make me feel good. Black schools where not equal. The black class rooms where shacks, that held two times as many students as it was built for. They did not have lockers, a cafeteria, a gymnasium or adequate bathrooms. School buses were hand me downs from the whites. Black schools did not offer as many courses. Teachers were not paid the same at a black school.

Yet, since they were being offered an education, the southern states considered this to be equal under the law of the 14th amendment.

Segregation was forced upon the blacks by the white majority.

Blacks had never been asked if they would like to be segregated. Ninty percent of the country was white and therefore blacks had no other choice but to accept this. Until a nine year

Linard Thomas

old Linda Brown and her family decided to take a stand. Linda Brown had a long journey every day. To get to school, she had to walk two miles to get to a bus stop. Prior to the bus stop she had to cross a busy train depot.

Once she completed the two mile walk, she had to wait for a bus to take her the last five miles. If the bus was on time, she had to wait another 30 minutes for the school to open. Her father, Oliver Brown had tried to check her into a school only 7 blocks away. Unfortunately they where denied, as this was a white only school. This lead to Brown v.

Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas.

The case drew the attention of the NAACP (The National Association of the Advancement of Colored People). This was a non profit organization that fought for the rights of and advancement of colored people.

Charles Houston led the fight. He brought along a bright lawyer who had studied law under him named Thurgood Marshall.

The strategy was to prove there was a built-in sense of superiority whites had put on the black community. Thurgood Marshall had experience and success fighting other cases before the Supreme Court. He had been a charitable man. Marshall had on many occasions lowered his fees, if not worked for free to defend those who needed him. His strategy for the case was to prove that blacks felt a sense of inferiority to the whites. He framed the argument around the “equal protection” provision of the 14th amendment. He felt the time had come for schools to become integrated.

Marshall had also stated that blacks had never agreed to segregation.

Chief Justice Earl Warren had been a judge in California, known for making tough, but just decisions. He had recently been appointed to the Supreme Court prior to hearing the Brown case. After hearing all the arguments, he felt it was important for the judges to come to a unanimous decision. In his statement he mentions how education is perhaps the most important part of a state and local government. With this ruling, came the end of segregation.

It has forever changed our country for the best. Having the ability to go to school with other races is an opportunity to learn and grow with them. This was not an easy road, as many states resisted the change. The federal government had to step in on many occasions, so that blacks could get the opportunity of an integrated education.

Perhaps the best example of desegregation is Jackie Robinson.

Although he broke the color line, he could attest to the fact that once he was allowed to play in the Major Leagues, life was not automatically better. In fact, he had to deal with an

NOTEBOOK Board President to Host Ribbon-Cutting for New Campus LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia will host a ribbon-cutting Oct. 10, 10 a.m., for the New Ambassador K-5 campus, 3201 W. Eighth St., Los Angeles.

There will be a reception after the program.

Information: Ethel FimbresLópez, (213) 893-6832, (800) 7041267.

Black Women Physicians Association to Hold Scholarship Benefit The Association of Black Women Physicians will hold its 28th annual Charity and Scholarship Benefit “Laughter Is the Best Medicine,” Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.

Information: (310) 364-1438, www.blackwomenphysicians.org.

LAUP to Hold Conference, Expo The Los Angeles Universal Preschool invites the public to attend its Universal Preschool Conference & Education Expo focusing on the impact and trends of preschool education.

This event will be held Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will also address issues such as preschool advocacy, quality, teaching and curriculum and will be held in the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.

Information: (213) 416-1390, www.laup.net.

Illinois College Was Underground RR Stop WHEATON, Ill. (AP) — An entry in a 120-year-old manuscript has confirmed what local historians long have believed: Wheaton College was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Officials said they knew the college was founded and led by abolitionists. But it was difficult to substantiate the claim that the school was directly involved with the network of stops and routes that aided escaping slaves.

“We never had the hard evidence that strict historians want to see,” said David Malone, the college’s head of archives and special even more hostile racial environment. Not only was he treated poorly in the cities where he traveled to play baseball, but within his own team.

In writing this essay, it has given me some mixed feelings. I have come to the conclusion that we, African Americans, are not taking advantage of our free education.

collections.

That changed earlier this year when Wheaton College history professor David Maas was doing research and found an entry in an 1889 book about the 39th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Veteran Infantry that refers to Wheaton College as “an Abolition school in an Abolition town.”

That one-page entry was written by Ezra Cook, a Wheaton College student. Cook writes about attending Wheaton College at the outbreak of the war in 1861. At the time, Cook notes that runaway slaves were “perfectly safe” in the “College building.”

Cook also went on to write that he, along with “hundreds of others,” had seen fugitive slaves before “they soon took a night train well-guarded to the next station on the U.G.R.R. (Underground Railroad).”

Malone said Cook’s statement is the first documented evidence that abolitionists at the college helped fugitive slaves.

Historically Black Ky. College Has White Queen FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — At a pep rally, students cheered as Miss Kentucky State University Elisabeth Martin stood out for more than her stint as emcee.

Nearly everyone watching from the bleachers was black, and Martin is white.

Standing near the gym’s midcourt, Martin seemed at ease in the limelight. She hugged the school president, and urged the crowd to cheer for athletes and dance performers.

For 79 years, Miss KSU was black. But that streak ended in the spring when Martin was elected at the historically black college in Kentucky’s capital city.

KSU President Mary Evans Sias said Martin won because of her character, not because of her race.

During her campaign, Martin reached out to the diverse student population, where the non-black student population is about 40 percent.

That high percentage is in part attributed to the smaller black population in Kentucky, compared with other Southern states.

“This was the year for change, so Elisabeth Martin is our change,” Mr. KSU Sean Nichols said, referring to Barack Obama’s election as the nation’s first black president.

With the election of Barack Obama, I feel there are no more excuses. Our country has come a long way since its origins. Change has been slow, but it has happened. It continues to happen. I look forward to being part of the positive changes in the future.

Linard Thomas can be reached at linard_thomas@yahoo.com.

Page 14

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

SPORTS BRAD PYE JR.

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

After clinching their second straight NL West crown, the Los Angeles Dodgers will play its second game of their best of three-outof-five playoff series with the St. Louis Cardinals Oct. 8 at Dodger Stadium. Meanwhile, the L.A. Angels host the Boston Red Sox Oct. 8 to 9 at the Big A, but these dates could change depending on the winner of the Twins-Detroit Tigers match. The Angelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; final three of the best of five with Boston are set for Beantown.

The Angels are the only MLB playoff team with a general manager of color. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tony Reagins.

Ex-Angel Garret Anderson ( 1 9 9 4 to 2 0 0 8 ) c o ll e c t e d t he 2,500th hit of his career as a member of the Atlanta Braves on Oct. 1.

Anderson is the 89th player in major league history to reach this plateau.

And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 34-14 Sept. 27, but Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; QB Michael Vick didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly set the world on fire during his debut with the team. He rushed one time for seven yards and was 0-2 in passing.

After the fourth week of NFL play, five of the six black coaches in the league came up winners. The only loser Oct. 4 was Raheem Morris of the winless (0-4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Indianapolis Colts rookie Coach Jim Caldwell is the only one of the six who is 4-0. Coach Mike Singletaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 49ers and Coach Marvin Lewisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cincinnati Bengals were 3-1, as of presstime. Coach Mike Tomlinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defending Super Bowl champions were 2-2 at the end of four games.

And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś The University of Southern California is still a Top 10 team as Joe McKnight (20 for 119 yards

John Lucas

Damian Williams

and one TD), Damian Williams (8 for 10 yards and a TD, including a 66-yard TD punt return) and freshman QB Matt Barkley (20 of 35 for 283 yards).

After the third week of play, the University of California at Los Angeles was the only undefeated team in the Pac-10. The week before Stanford hosted UCLA, the Cardinalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; big running back Toby Gerhart (6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;1â&#x20AC;? and 237 pounder) was averaging 129 yards per outing.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look now but Coach Randy Shannonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Miami Hurricanes could be bowl-bound after knocking off once beaten and No. 8 ranked Oklahoma, 21-20, in an

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upset. Javarris James rushed for 150 yards against Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 1 rush defense. Miami overcame a 10-0 deficit as its African American quarterback Jacory Harris passed for three TDs. And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś If Mike Dunleavy fails in his dual positions of head coach and general manager of the L.A. Clippers, he has just hired the man

in gang shootouts thus further fortify the conviction that inner-city streets are depraved war zones.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just drugs and hopelessness that drive young men, especially young black men, to kill. The huge state and federal cutbacks in job training and skills programs, the brutal competition for low- and semiskilled service and retail jobs from immigrants, and many employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; refusal to hire those with criminal records have sledgehammered black communities.

The unemployment rate of young black males is double â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and in some parts of the country â&#x20AC;&#x201D; triple that of white males. The high number of miserably failing inner-city public schools also fuels the unemployment crisis.

They have turned thousands of blacks into educational cripples.

These students are desperately unequipped to handle the rapidly evolving and demanding technical and professional skills in the public sector and the business world of the 21st century.

The educational meltdown has seeped into the colleges. According

who may replace him: the highly touted assistant John Lucas.

Lucas wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be the Clippersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first coach of color.

Men of color who filled this role include Alvin Gentry, Mac Calvin and the late Dennis Johnson.

And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś Oaks Christianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Malcolm Jones is rated as one of the top running backs in the Southland. In his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 33-13 victory over Venice High Oct. 2, Jones dashed off 211

BRIEFS Continued from page 7 On Aug. 24, the unarmed Barmore, who was black, was killed by two white police officers inside a daycare at Kingdom Authority International Ministries Church.

Authorities say there was struggle over a police gun, leading officers to use deadly force. But witnesses, including children, say Barmore surrendered. to an American Council of Education report, in the past decade Latino, Asian, and black female student enrollment has soared, while black male enrollment has plunged.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no magic formula to stop the violence. Federal and state officials must drastically increase funds for violence prevention and gang intervention programs. They must call on educators, health professionals, drug counselors and gang intervention activists to devise and provide the crucial resources for more programs to keep at-risk youth off the streets.

The Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Democrats must continue to challenge the Obama administration and corporations to do more to end discrimination and create more job and training opportunities for young blacks.

It took the shock and horror of Albertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s murder to shake up a president and a nation. The real test is when the shock passes, whether the White House will continue to do what needs to be done to prevent other Derrion Alberts from meeting the same fate.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His weekly radio show, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hutchinson Report,â&#x20AC;? can be heard in Los Angeles, Fridays on KTYM Radio 1460 AM and streamed live nationally on ktym.com.

Photo by PAT MUNSON

IN THE ZONE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The St. Andrews Recreation Center held a basketball clinic on Oct. 3 for boys and girls. The clinic, co-sponsored by the City of Los Angelesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Department of Parks and Recreation, is currently continuing on weeknights.

yards of his schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record-setting 329 yards and scored four TDs. Not too tacky.

And the beat ends.

Brad Pye Jr. can be reached at switchreel@aol.com.

Final Civil Case Settled in Jena 6 Matter

men who left Minnesota to fight in Somalia were â&#x20AC;&#x153;wrongedâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;robbed out of their life.â&#x20AC;?

JENA, La. (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The victim of a beating that stirred massive civil rights demonstrations in a small central Louisiana town has reached a settlement in the civil case against the LaSalle Parish School Board.

The settlement is the last matter expected in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jena Sixâ&#x20AC;? case in which six black students were charged with beating a white schoolmate.

School Board attorney Lottie Bash said Oct. 1 that the board and Justin Barker, the victim, had reached an undisclosed agreement.

Bash said the school board denied any liability in the case, but felt it was time to wrap up the incident.

The students were originally charged with attempted murder in the case, which sparked protests by civil rights leaders who said the harshness of the charge was because the defendants were black and Barker was white.

THE DIASPORA President of Somalia Condemns Terror Recruiting ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The president of Somalia said he condemns the recruiting of young men from Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Somali community for terrorist activity in his homeland, and he plans to work with the U.S. government to bring those who are still alive back home.

President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed spoke Oct. 4 through an interpreter in an interview with The Associated Press.

Ahmed was in Minnesota for three days to build support for his struggling government.

He said the up to 20 young

PUBLIC NOTICE SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NO.(Numero del Caso) BC409221 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (Aviso Acusado) ROBERTA MELL; AND DOES 1 to 20 YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (A Ud.le esta demandando) ANDREW LAZAR You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons is served on you to file a typewritten response at this court.

A letter or phone call will not protect you; your typewritten response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case.

If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case, and your wages, money and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney referral service or a legal aid office (listed in the phone book).

Despues de que le entreguen esta citacion judicial usted tien un plazo de 30 DIAS CALENDARIOS para presentar una respuesta escrita a maguina en esta corte.

Una carta o una llamada telefonica no le ofrecera proteccion; su respuesta escrita a maguina tiene que cumplir con las formalidades legales apropiadas si usted quiere que la corte escuche su caso.

Si usted no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso, y le pueden quitar su salario, su dinero y otras casasde su propiedad sin aviso adicional por parte de la corte.

Existen otros requisitos legales. Puede que usted quiera llamar a un abogado immediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de referencia de abogados o a una oficina de ayuda legal (vea el directorio telefonico).

The name and address of the court is: El nombre y direccion de la corte es) Los Angeles Superior Court 111 N. HILL STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney is: El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es) Donald Iwuchuka, SBN 181726 Law Offices of Don Iwuchuku 3540 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 917 Los Angeles, CA 90010 NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served 1. [x] as an individual defendant.

2. [ ] as the person sued under the fictitious name 3. [ ] on behalf of (specify): PUBLISH DATES: 10/8/09,10/15/09, 10/22/09, 10/29/09

October 8, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Page 15

CAREERS

Voith Hydro Inc. is seeking Sub-bids from qualified Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, and Other Business Enterprise vendors in the following areas: (1) Electrical Cabinet/Panel Manufacturing, (2) Electrical Contractors, (3) Software Engineering, (4) Job Training Program Services.

Project Name: Castaic Power Plant Control System Upgrade (RFP-273-10) Owner: City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Proposal due date and time: Friday, October 30, 2009, 02:00 p.m. P.T. For a copy of the plans and specifications and/or information on our policy concerning assistance to subcontractors in obtaining bonds, lines of credit, and/or insurance, please contact our office.

To inquire about sub opportunities, please contact us no later than October 15, 2009.

Voith Hydro Inc Contact: Christopher Barrios de León, Supplier Diversity Coordinator 760 East Berlin Road York, PA 17404 P: 323-722-2003 F: 323-722-0656 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091060191-REVISED The following person is doing business as: Domino LA Domino Los Angeles 11822 Gorham Ave. #9 Los Angeles, CA 90049 Amira F. Shaif 11822 Gorham Ave. #9 Los Angeles, CA 90049 This business is conducted by an individual.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Amira F. Shaif.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on July 14, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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).

First Filing: 9/17/09, 9/24/09, 10/1/09, 10/8/09 LAWT 378-REVISED

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091469841 The following person is doing business as: Colemine Studio 119 S. Hayworth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90048 Michael A. Coles 119 S. Hayworth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90048 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Michael A. Coles. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on September 28, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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).

First Filing: 10/1/09, 10/8/09, 10/15/09, 10/22/09 LAWT 387

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091469840 The following person is doing business as: Out Da Basement 119 S. Hayworth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90048 Da Funk Factory 119 S. Hayworth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90048 Michael A. Coles 119 S. Hayworth Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90048 Taurus R. Hamilton 3659 Motor Ave., Apt. 1A Los Angeles, CA 90031 This business is conducted by an Unincorporated Association other than a Partnership. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Michael A. Coles and Taurus R. Hamilton. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on September 28, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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).

First Filing: 10/1/09, 10/8/09, 10/15/09, 10/22/09 LAWT 388

Facts October 8, 1993 South African President F. W. de Klerk orders an army raid on an alleged terrorist group and five black youths are killed as controversy erupts because the Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize jointly to him and Nelson Mandela.

Source: The Associated Press

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF CLAUDETTE MACK Case No. BP116686 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of CLAUDETTE MACK. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MARCHELL MACK in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MARCHELL MACK be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on October 20, 2009 at 8:30 A.M. in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. Hill Street, Room 258, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

PETITIONER MARCHELL MACK 2015 N. Castlegate Ave. Compton, CA 90221 Phone#310-413-5744 9/24/09, 10/1/09, 10/8/09 LAWT386-PROBATE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091329332 The following person is doing business as: EventChalet 447 S. Robertson Bl., Ste. 102 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Event Chalet 447 S. Robertson Bl., Ste. 102 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Cheryl Dawson 447 S. Robertson Bl., Ste. 102 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Deelyn Woodson 447 S. Robertson Bl., Ste. 102 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Dellis Frank 447 S. Robertson Bl., Ste. 102 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 This business is conducted by a General Partnership. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Cheryl Dawson, Deelyn Woodson, and Dellis Frank.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on August 28, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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).

First Filing: 9/17/2009, 9/24/09, 10/1/09, 10/8/09 LAWT 385 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091518022 The following person is doing business as: Tasha’s Home Health Services 420 E. 131st St. Los Angeles, CA 90061 Veleka N. Gipson White 420 E. 131st St. Los Angeles, CA 90061 This business is conducted by a Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Veleka N. Gipson White.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on October 6 , 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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).

First Filing: 10/8/09, 10/15/09, 10/22/09, 10/29/09 LAWT 389

®

Seeking Sub-bids from qualified Minority Business Enterprise, Women Business Enterprise, and Other Business Enterprise vendors in the following areas: (1) Equipment/Trucking Supplier, (2) Promotional Merchandise Supplier, (3) Portable Toilet Equipment/Waste Disposal Services, (4) Uniform Supplier, (5) Temporary Fencing Supplier, (6)Crushed Ice/Water Supplier PROJECT NAME: Pershing Square Park "Downtown on Ice" Outdoor Winter Ice Skating Rink (RFP SCG 09-101) Owner: City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Proposal due date and time: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 3:00 p.m. P.T. For a copy of the plans and specifications and/or information on our policy concerning assistance to subcontractors in obtaining bonds, lines of credit, and/or insurance, please contact our office.

To inquire about sub opportunities, please contact us no later than October 12, 2009.

Willy Bietak Productions, Inc. Contact: Christopher Barrios de Leon, Supplier Diversity Coordinator 1404 Third Street Promenade, Suite 200 Santa Monica, CA 90401 P: 323-722-2003 F: 323-722-0656

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP #7523) 2009 CONTINUUM OF CARE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing assisted housing and supportive services through the Section 8 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs. Copy of the RFP may be obtained beginning October 5, 2009 at www.hacla.org/ps or call (213) 252-5405 or 252-1832.

Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 P.M., by October 23, 2009.

10/8, 10/15/09 CNS-1703632# WATTS TIMES

D B A’s a n d L e g a l N o t i c e s C a l l ( 2 1 3 ) 2 5 1 - 5 7 0 0

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Page 16

L.A. WATTS TIMES

October 8, 2009

Photos by David Perry/PHOTOVISIONS

JAMMIN’ FOR THE CHILDREN — The Jackie Robinson Foundation’s 4th annual “Jazz on the Grass” benefit concert took place Oct. 4 in Sherman Oaks. Proceeds from the benefit went to the foundation’s 36-year-old college scholarship, comprehensive mentoring and leadership development program.

Pictured, left: Sheila E, right: Locke High School alumna and jazz great Patrice Rushen.

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WE ARE NOT ATTORNEYS

™

HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?

Affordable Health Plan $19.95/month

Let me assist you.

There is NO Fee if we don’t win.

Jacquelyn Brown, Disability Representative

Call these numbers for more information: (818) 658-0020 • (310) 672-2328 (323) 900-9822 • (310) 213-4536

(323) 756-3755 Gourmet Coffee for the jazz art form since 1998 Howling Monk www.howlingmonk.com (310) 671-8551

NOW OPEN Mel’s Fish Shack

P.O. Box 1217, Inglewood, CA 90308

4525 West Jefferson Blvd.

THIS IS YOUR COFFEE

Jefferson Blvd. & Farmdale Ave. 5 blocks West of Mel’s Fish Market

Carry Out Only!

323-732-MELS (6357) or visit www.melsfishshack.com

FREE MONEY U.S. Government Grants To Buy Homes Call Joe (310) 674-8822

Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 11-9 Fri. & Sat. 11-10 Sunday 11-8