LAWT-02-10-2011

W E E K E N D E R

L.A. Watts Times Vol. XXX, No. 1218

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FEATURE STORY

Thursday, February 10, 2011

| PAGES 10-11

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

HOROSCOPES A

RIES ~ You are too kind this week and it’s a wonderful thing. By doing things for others without thought of a reward, you’re racking up beneficial vibrations for your future! Take personal pleasure in what you do for others this week.

AURUS ~ Change your routine this week. Even a minor change in the way you approach your week will enable you to feel happier and more adventurous. Try something new, and you’ll be happy with the outcome.

EMINI ~ Create a map in your mind to chart a course through unfamiliar waters. You’ll be as happy as you make up your mind to be. Because you are so wise, you’ll be at peace with all outcomes.

ANCER ~ It’s a good week to reflect on your personal network of friends and co-workers. You are surrounded by supportive vibrations, and you’ll be counting your blessings by the end of this busy week!

EO ~ Find a way to love the work you do this week. Use your creativity and wonderful sense of humor and you’ll be finished with chores early enough to relax.

Use your energy wisely.

IRGO ~ You have wonderful ideas about interior decorating. Be ready to accept a great opportunity at work. Money doesn’t matter this week. Don’t make finances more important than they need to be.

IBRA ~ Keep all your ducks in a row this week. No mixing work with fun or

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Inside this Edition

FEB. 10 - 16 business with pleasure. Save your affection for the home front and stay focused on the work in front of you on the job. Things are working out perfectly.

CORPIO ~ Why not take each perfect moment as it comes? You are struggling to find a solution that time can and will provide. Perform your tasks cheerfully this week and let the future take care of itself.

Give yourself the opportunity to enjoy each now moment AGITTARIUS ~ Your anxiety about an important issue can now be seen as needless. You don’t have to worry! Have faith that things are working out perfectly and they will! This week especially consider all options before you make decisions.

APRICORN ~ You can be discreet and cut down on some of the envious comments you are attracting. Or you can continue to flaunt it since you’ve got it.

Your choice this week! Watch for a pleasant change in a romantic partner’s attitude.

QUARIUS ~ Take advantage of bursts of energy all week. Body and mind are in sync. Don’t take things too personally this week, you might get your feelings hurt. If you do, night time is a great time to make-up. Make the call.

ISCES ~ Lucky! Your natural ability to shine is magnified this week. You’ll be garnering positive attention on a project you recently completed. Bask in the glow of public admiration! Be daring you’ll find much support for the things you want to do.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Obama to call for $53B for high-speed rail

BY JULIE PACE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is calling for a sixyear, $53 billion spending plan for high-speed rail, as he seeks to use infrastructure spending to jumpstart job creation.

An initial $8 billion in spending will be part of the budget plan Obama is set to release Monday. If Congress approves the plan, the money would go toward developing or improving trains that travel up to 250 mph, and connecting existing rail lines to new projects. The White House wouldn’t say where the money for the rest of the program would come from, though it’s likely Obama would seek funding in future budgets or transportation bills.

Obama’s push for high-speed rail spending is part of his broad goal of creating jobs in the shortterm and increasing American competitiveness for the future through new funding for infrastructure, education and innovation. During last month’s State of the Union address, Obama said he wanted to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail within 25 years.

At the same time he’s calling for new spending on sectors like high-speed rail in the upcoming budget, Obama also has pledged to cut overall spending as he seeks to bring down the nation’s mounting deficit. The White House has said environmental programs for the Great Lakes, and block grants for community service and community development are among the programs that will face cuts.

But it’s unlikely the cuts

Obama proposes in the budget will be enough to appease the GOP. Republicans now controlling the House have promised to slash domestic agencies’ budgets by nearly 20 percent for the coming year.

The White House has said cuts must be cautious, arguing that drastic reductions in spending could cause the still-fragile economic recovery to stall. Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday the administration wouldn’t compromise when it comes to spending on the infrastructure, education and innovation programs Obama is touting.

“We cannot compromise. The rest of the world is not compromising,” Biden said in Philadelphia at an event announcing the high-speed rail initiative.

Obama’s call for increased spending on high-speed rail projects is nothing new. He’s long seen the sector as an area of opportunity for creating jobs and improving the nation's transportation system. His administration awarded $10 billion in federal grants for high-speed rail projects last year, including $2.3 billion for California to begin work on an 800-mile-long, high-speed rail line tying Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles and San Diego; and $1.25 billion to Florida to build a rail line connecting Tampa on the West Coast with Orlando in the middle of the state, eventually going south to Miami.

Obama also laid out a plan last summer to invest $50 billion in high-speed rail, as well as highways, bridges, transit and airports, adding it to the first year of a sixyear transportation bill. Congress didn’t act on the proposal before adjourning last year, but Transporta-

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tion Secretary Ray LaHood said he’s confident lawmakers will take up the measure again and deliver a bill to Obama by August.

Thus far, Obama’s plans to increase spending on high-speed rail have received a chilly a reception from Republicans. House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., urged the administration Tuesday to focus its spending on the crowded Northeast rail corridor, and not “squander limited taxpayer dollars on marginal projects.”

Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, the second-ranking House Republican, urged the administration to involve the business community in its highspeed rail plans.

“I’m not in favor of additional monies that we don’t have, to be spent on those projects, and would certainly look for ways to leverage the private sector to get it involved,” Cantor said.

The White House said the sixyear rail plan would include strong “Buy America” requirements that attract private sector investment in developing and operating passenger lines, and would ultimately create tens of thousands of jobs in the U.S. Associated Press Writers Joan Lowy and Alan Fram contributed to this report.

w w w . l a w a t t s t i m e s . c o m

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama addresses the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, 2011.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Janice Hahn announces run for Congress

BY DANNY J. BAKEWELL JR. SPECIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Just 24 hours after Congresswoman Jane Harman announced she was retiring, Councilwoman Janice Hahn announced she was running to represent the 36th Congressional District and took time out to talk to the Los Angeles Sentinel about why she wants to go to Washington and what she is determined to bring back to Los Angeles.

The call came early Monday morning from longtime friend and Congresswoman Harman letting her know that she will be stepping down from her seat in Congress to serve as President and CEO at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The congresswoman has been a strong voice for improving the nation’s security and has worked hard for the people of her district (36th District).

Councilwoman Janice Hahn has been a Los Angeles City Councilwoman for 10 years representing one of the most economical-

ly and socially diverse districts in all of Los Angeles. With San Pedro on the south, the 10th district has one of the biggest economic engines in all of the city, while Watts on the north end of the 10th district has continued to struggle to overcome some of the slowest job growth and least amount of economic resources in the city. Over the years, Janice Hahn has been able to bridge these two worlds like few other politicians have. She is the daughter of longtime supervisor and community icon Kenneth Hahn, who was a strong advocate for racial harmony and probably best known for being the only politician who greeted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his visit to Los Angeles after the Watts Rebellion.

When asked why she is running for Congress, Hahn joyfully replied, “I am running for Congress because this is a great opportunity for me to bring my 10 years of local political experience to Washington, D.C., to help resolve so many of the issues which challenge our city and our

nation at this time.” Hahn also stated, “With the resignation of Congresswoman Jane Harman, I am running for an open seat, which Jane encouraged me to run for.” Harman and Hahn are longtime friends and it has been reported that Hahn was even a guest of Harman’s at the President’s recent State of the Union address in Washington. While Harman has not officially endorsed anyone at this point, most insiders believe it is only a matter of time before the congresswoman puts her name and substantial political support behind Janice Hahn for Congress.

Hahn says bringing jobs to the Los Angeles local economy will be her main focus if or when she is elected to Congress. The Port of Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport are the two of the biggest employers and revenue generators in all of Los Angeles and they are both part of the 36th Congressional District which Hahn is running for. “I have overseen both of these operations as a member of

AP Photo by Reed Saxon

Los Angeles City Councilwoman and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Janice Hahn, left, greets Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., at the California Democratic Convention in Los Angeles April 17, 2010. the Los Angeles City Council and these two economic engines will be a large part of my focus if I am elected. Through the port and the airport, we can bring clean green jobs and new businesses to Los Angeles, which is something our communities so desperately need,” stated Hahn.

Hahn also talked about the fact

that she has a long history of working with several of the AfricanAmerican communities of current congresswomen.

“I know Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Laura Richardson and Congresswoman Karen Bass very well,” she said. “I consider them friends and I See HAHN, page 17

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Mayor Villaraigosa and United Way kick off 2011 earned income tax credit program (Press Release, City of L.A.) — With tax season kicking into high gear, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles launched the 2011 Greater Los Angeles Earned Income Tax (EITC) Credit Campaign to encourage qualifying Angelenos to file for the EITC. The launch took place at one of the highest-performing FamilySource Centers in the city — the Watts Labor Community Action Committee in South Los Angeles. The campaign is committed to helping working families save money by providing free income tax preparation and access to tax credits.

Trained, certified volunteers prepare income taxes at no charge to families throughout Los Angeles County. This service is provided at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Centers located in the 21 FamilySource Centers in the City of Los Angeles.

“No hard-working family should ever lose the chance to get ahead — especially when resources exist and assistance is available,” Villaraigosa said during the press conference. “We want to ensure that all qualifying households reap the benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit and take advantage of the free tax assistance services being provided.”

The EITC program was created by Congress in 1975 to ease the tax burden on certain working families, offset a portion of their living expenses, and provide an incentive to work. It has since become one of the largest anti-poverty programs for working families, bringing an estimated $1.5 billion in refunds to low-income families and the local economy in Los Angeles County.

During the 2010 tax season, volunteers provided free tax preparation services to nearly 39,500 households, helping them claim over $36.8 million in total tax refunds and save approximately $6 million in tax preparation fees. $13.5 million of the total refunds were through the EITC. During this upcoming filing season, qualifying individuals and families can reclaim up to $5,666 on their tax returns.

“EITC is a vastly underutilized benefit, with up to 20 percent of eligible taxpayers leaving $250 million in credits left on the table. At the same time, costs for basic needs like housing and food is on the rise,” said Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

For more information on the Earned Income Tax Credit, go to www.greaterlaeitc.org.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Egyptian opposition defiant over VP’s warning

BY MAGGIE MICHAEL ASSOCIATED PRESS CAIRO — Egypt’s protesters were defiant Wednesday after a warning from Vice President Omar Suleiman that if protesters don’t enter negotiations, a “coup” could take place causing greater chaos, raising alarm of crackdown.

Organizers of the mass demonstrations, now in their 16th day, sought to widen their uprising.

Suleiman’s sharply worded warning deepened protesters’ suspicions of his U.S.-backed efforts to put together negotiations with the opposition over reforms. The protesters insist they will only enter dialogue after President Hosni Mubarak steps down, fearing the regime will manipulate talks and conduct only superficial changes without bringing real democracy.

Suleiman, a military man who was intelligence chief before being elevated to vice president amid the crisis, has repeatedly said Egypt is not ready for democracy. “The culture of democracy is still far away,” Suleiman said in a meeting Tuesday night with newspaper editors.

The vice president also appeared to be pushing ahead with a reform process even without dialogue. He said a panel of top judges and legal experts would recommend amendments to the constitution by the end of the month, which would then be put to a referendum. But the panel is dominated by Mubarak loy-

alists, and previous referendums on amendments drawn up by the regime have been marred by vote rigging to push them through.

Protest organizers have called for new “protest of millions” for Friday — their term for dramatically enlarged rallies — but this time they would be held in multiple parts of Cairo instead of only in central Tahrir Square, said Khaled Abdel-Hamid, one of the youth organizers. He also said protesters were calling for labor strikes, trying to draw powerful labor unions into support for their cause.

Abdel-Hamid dismissed Suleiman’s warnings. “We are striking and we will protest and we will not negotiate until Mubarak steps down. Whoever wants to threaten us, then let them do so,” he said.

A previous “protest of millions” last week drew at least a quarter-million people to Tahrir — their biggest yet, along with crowds of tens of thousands in other cities. A Tahrir rally on Tuesday rivalled that one in size, fueled by a renewed enthusiasm after the release of Wael Ghonim, a Google marketing manager who helped spark the unprecedented protest movement.

Around 2,000 protesters waved huge flags outside the parliament several blocks from Tahrir on Wednesday, where they moved a day earlier in the movement’s first expansion out of the square. They chanted slogans demanding the dissolving of the legislature, where almost all the seats are held by the

AP Photo by Ben Curtis

People demonstrate in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. A coalition of opposition groups called for a million people to take to Cairo’s streets Tuesday to ratchet up pressure for President Hosni Mubarak to leave. ruling party.

Thousands of protesters chanting “we are not leaving until he leaves” camped overnight in Tahrir Square in

tents made with plastic tarps and bed covers to protect them from chilly weather, sprawling out into sidestreets.

Many have been sleeping underneath the

tanks of soldiers surrounding the square to prevent the vehicles from moving or trying to clear the area for traffic.

See EGYPT, page 9

Unified Grocers gratefully recognizes the contributions of black Americans to the development of this country.

Black history is an essential American story.

The struggle for freedom and equality has always been propelled by a belief that the arc of history bends toward equality and that we have the power to bend it. We have seen that an act as simple as riding on a bus or walking with a sign can influence the course of a nation.

One of the most important lessons of the black American story is that we each have the potential, some would say the responsibility, to bring change for the better.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011 Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver raises his arms during the “Return to Titletown� celebration Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Lambeau Field in GreenBay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in NFL football’s Super Bowl XLV on Sunday.

AP Photo by Mike Roemer

Packers say goodbye to fans after Super season

BY COLIN FLY AP SPORTS WRITER COLIN FLY GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers took one last chance to say goodbye to their fans and each other.

Tuesday was a final day to publicly celebrate their Super Bowl-winning season, and the Packers did it in style in front of more than 56,000 fans who paid $5 to spend a final hour with their team for the first time in 36 days.

AP Photo by Mike Roemer

Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson waves during the “Return to Titletown� celebration Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Packers say goodbye to fans after Super season the Vince Lombardi trophy.

The last time the Packers were at Lambeau Field, they beat division rival Chicago in a must-win game that propelled them to a championship run, ending with the return of the Lombardi Trophy to Titletown after 14 years with a 31-25 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday.

In the locker room, almost everything was cleared out except for a threedeep line where players claimed their game-worn Super Bowl jerseys and Super Bowl locker nameplates before heading off. “It’s a great feeling, I’m going to cherish that moment for the rest of my life,� said safety Nick Collins, who returned an interception for a touchdown against the Steelers. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride, up and down, but our fans stuck behind us and we were able to bring the trophy back where it belonged — Titletown.�

The trophy took a victory lap and will be placed with the other NFL championships the franchise has won going back to 1929. “It was a wonderful experience,� general manager Ted Thompson said. “It took everybody to win this thing and it’s just remarkable what these young men did.�

The players who lingered included several with uncertain futures in the franchise that’s been built with depth in the draft by Thompson.

Whenever free agency begins, Green Bay will have questions. “It’s where my journey began and hopefully it’ll be where it ends, but I told them I do understand that there’s a

See PACKERS, page 18

AP Photo by Mike Roemer

With other members of the team following behind him, Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he walks around the stadiumand celebrates with fans during the “Return to Titletown� celebration Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in NFL football’s Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, Feb. 6.

Pros and cons of Carmelo being a Laker There are arguments to be made for bringing Carmelo Anthony to L.A. and leaving him in Denver. Should the Lakers pull the trigger?

BY MICHAEL BROWN, SENTINEL SPORTS WRITER How would Carmelo Anthony look in purple and gold?

That question was once just a fantasy topic for NBA nerds who post on message boards, but not anymore, since it was confirmed by league sources to an ESPN reporter that preliminary talks between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets have taken place.

ESPN Magazine reporter Chris Broussard said Tuesday that Andrew Bynum would be “the main part of the package that the Lakers� send to Denver in exchange for Anthony. He also said that a straight-up deal in a Bynum-for-Anthony swap “does work financially under the collective bargaining agreement.�

Broussard added that Denver has no interest in Ron Artest.

These preliminary talks follow a couple tumultuous weeks in Lakerland.

First, two weeks back, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak hinted at a possible deal after L.A. got thumped by Boston.

Magic Johnson followed a few days later saying the Lakers needed to make a deal if the current roster didn’t improve. Then, reports surfaced recently that Artest wanted to be traded — but he shot down the rumors.

Former Lakers General Manager Jerry West went as far as saying he thought many of the Lakers players were “getting long in the tooth.�

After the Lakers defeated Memphis Monday, improving to 36-16, one would think L.A. was lottery-bound judging by all of the negative talk.

The criticism and trade talk is warranted, however, especially after L.A. lost at home to San Antonio last Thursday on a tip-in. Aside from Kobe Bryant, the Lakers look lethargic and ineffective at times.

The idea of this team “flipping a switch� and instantly sharing the basketball again, defending, and the role players being effective role players looks suspect at this point. Fans are especially frustrated because the Lakers are not only losing to contenders such as Boston, San Antonio and Miami — but they’re not competitive.

I thought Kupchak’s announcement of possibly making a trade was all bluster. But he clearly wasn’t bluffing and thinks this team may need to be shaken up.

Photo by Jeff Lewis

Kobe Bryant (left) and Carmelo Anthony could be an unstoppable force if they were teamed together, or the issue of not enough balls to go around could tear the Lakers apart. We might find out what could happen in the near future.

Is Anthony the answer? That’s the question Kupchak will have to wrestle with. Over the next several days, the Lakers will play Boston, New York, Orlando and Charlotte on the road.

How the Lakers fare on this road trip may make Kupchak’s decision easier if they are not competitive, particularly at Boston.

Kupchak likely wouldn’t be able to stand-pat with this roster for much longer if the Celtics toy with them again, and San Antonio continues to widen the gap with L.A. in the fight for home advantage in the West.

Before Kupchak decides to pull the trigger on this deal, there are several pros and cons he would need to consider.

On the pro side, the Lakers’ recent struggles generating transition points and scoring overall could improve. At times, Bynum and Pau Gasol don’t look comfortable on the floor together. Since they’re both seven footers, their post games suffer when the offense is galloping up and down the floor.

Anthony is a natural wing player who’s effective from 20 feet and in, and he could complement Bryant on the perimeter. If Bynum is traded, Gasol would be free to roam the paint, drawing the double, and then dishing to Bryant, Anthony or Lamar Odom for open jumpers and slashes to the basket.

Another positive component to this deal, depending on where you stand with Bynum, would be trading the young center while he still has value. Bynum, who missed a game last week because of an injury, hasn’t proven that he can play more than 50 games a season.

It’s a hard idea that Kupchak has to consider, but if the Lakers organization feels that Bynum is injury-prone and his potential will never fully be realized, they must make the deal.

Denver can afford to roll the dice and wait for Bynum to become a dominant center. As I’ve been saying for weeks, the Nuggets are not in a position

where they hold leverage. Gambling on Bynum could yield a much higher

See CARMELO, page 19

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Randy Weston: A jazz griot, a treasure

BY JOY CHILDS SENTINEL CONCTRIBUTING WRITER When Randy Weston’s magnificent 6’7” frame — clad in purple African attire from head to toe and wearing dark shades — first came into view on the small stage of the Lenart Auditorium of the Fowler Museum at UCLA this past weekend, his very presence suggested African royalty.

And from the moment he sat down on the piano bench — i.e., before his

two-set solo piano concert; the questionand-answer with fellow jazz pianist Mike Melvoin; and a book signing at the post-concert reception — his “highness” essentially conducted a master class on the history of jazz and the history of Africa, which are also his stories.

After his introduction by the Friends of Jazz at UCLA, the 84-yearold Weston launched into his thesis, first proclaiming that “Africa is the richest place on earth ... The music swings because the continent swings!”

Photo by Joy Childs

Randy Weston

Then he wove story after story about his earliest days in Brooklyn (by the way, his New York accent is still discernable); his travels, residences and performances in nearly 18 African countries; and his resettlement in Brooklyn in the last several years with his Senegalese wife of 10 years, Fatou.

In 1967, Weston went on a trip to Africa with a U.S. cultural delegation and fell so in love with Morocco that he decided to settle there. Of those halcyon days, Weston said: “So when I went to Africa, I was like a little baby ... People say, ‘What are you talking about?’ You hear this music, they are totally in tune with nature.

Because they visit with Mother Nature.

When they go to make an instrument, they cut down a tree and they say a certain prayer to that tree because the spirit of that tree is in the instrument. And for me, without question, music is the highest form of Mother Nature ... because only music could bring us together like this from different parts of the world, different genders ...”

It was in Morocco that Weston became one of a handful of proponents of Gnawa (pronounced NAH-wah) music, eventually collaborating with Gnawa musicians, most notably on a two-CD recording from the early ’90s.

In introducing his first piece of the evening, Weston explained that these people practice healing rituals, healing diseases by the use of colors: “This is a piece I heard in Morocco by the Gnawa people. They were taken as slaves and they had to walk the Sahara desert. And just like our ancestors in this country, they created spiritual music.

And they create music according to colors. Every human being has a color, every human being has a note, so when you become sick, they play certain rhythms based upon your color and your note to bring you back in tune ’cause they say when you’re sick, it means you’re out of tune with Mother Nature.

So I’m going to play for you a song, an African spiritual, based on the color blue. This is ‘Blue Moses.’ ” It’s a piece that has become a jazz standard largely because of its emphasis on bluesy tonic notes and fifths. This time out, Weston slipped and slid through a variety of modes and moods, ever adding notes and chords on top of each other.

Weston’s second song featured a potpourri of his influences — especially Duke Ellington, but also Thelonious Monk and Art Tatum. Sometimes he played the melody in its original beauteous form but often than not, he shot through the melody so quickly that it was barely recognizable. All the pieces of all the songs, however, still worked together and were played trippingly off his fingertips.

Until last year, Weston had not performed in Los Angeles since 1966.

Thankfully, with the recent publication of “African Rhythms: The Autobiography of Randy Weston” and the release of the “Randy Weston and His African Rhythms Sextet: The Storyteller” CD, the appreciative jazz musicians in the audience who came out

Undisputed queen of comedy serves up Sommore laughs

BY GREGORY DALE SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER In the world of comedy, there’s only room for one queen, and comedian Sommore has undoubtedly claimed the throne. After busting onto the scene in 1995 as the first female host of BET’s “Comic View,” the Trenton, N.J., native’s career quickly ascended as she became one of the premier faces of Black female comedy.

Sommore Following her role alongside Ice Cube in the slapstick urban comedy “Friday After Next,” she went on to appear in a string of other films including “Soul Plane,” “Something New” and “Family Reunion.” She’s also appeared in many television shows such as “The Parkers,” “Wild N’ Out” and “Celebrity Fit Club.”

Now, the hilarious “tell it like it is” queen is gearing up for her headlined “Royal Comedy Tour,” which also stars comedians D.L. Hughley, Bruce Bruce, Don “D.C.” Curry, Damon Williams and TuRae. The AFRO recently spoke to Sommore about her career and what fans can expect at this royal tour of laughs.

AFRO: You’ve been in this business for over 15 years. How does it feel to have had such a lengthy career in comedy?

Sommore: It’s actually closer to 20 years, but yes it feels great. In the business world, when you’re doing something that makes you money for five years, it’s considered a success. So, to be making a living off of comedy for 20 years — I’m just grateful. I attribute it mostly to my fans because they respect my work. They appreciate it and support it.

AFRO: What are some challenges that you’ve faced in the past while in this business?

Sommore: It’s just like any other career; you have your ups and your downs. I wouldn’t say there are a whole lot of challenges, but it’s a male-dominated business. I’ve faced sexism and racism at different points, but [overall] I think I’m judged differently than a lot of other guys. I think if I said a joke and I know it’s funny and a guy said the same thing, people would [laugh at the guy], but coming from a girl, people would be like, ‘Oh, that’s dirty.’

People just judge women differently, but I’m used to that now.

AFRO: You have quite a line up for the ‘Royal Comedy Tour.’ Why did you decide to bring these specific comedians on board?

Sommore: I wanted to do a tour that had all headliners. It’s a show with a magnitude of the “Kings and Queens of Comedy.” That’s why we’re calling it the “Royal Comedy Tour.” We’ve been selling out all over the country. We did 30 cities last year and we’re doing 30 cities this year. I’m just excited.

AFRO: What new surprises can attendees expect at this year’s show?

Sommore: The bottom line is the world is ever-changing. So, of course the material is going to be different from last year. We have so much more to talk about. We got to talk about why these dead fish are just rolling up everywhere, why these birds are falling out the sky and why everybody is just walking around like they don’t see it. [Laughs].

AFRO: Do you have anything else in the works that fans can look out for?

Sommore: Right now, I’m getting ready to shoot my second one-woman special. The last one, The Queen Stands Alone, did very well. It aired on Comedy Central and we’re selling the DVDs right now. I’m about to shoot [the new] special this May and we’re taping it in Miami. It’s going to be titled, All Dressed Up and No Place to Go. I’m really excited about it. to see him (including Phil Ranelin (trombone) and Harold Land, Jr. (piano) won’t let that happen again.

When asked for their thoughts about Weston, flutist James Newton remarked: “I would say that he is a true living treasure! And this [concert] is a mandate for artists to continue to push themselves and move forward. He has all of the tradition, but he’s still moving forward and he’s playing things that are newer and fresher than a lot of people that are three times younger than him.

Can I get an amen?”

Los Angeles Sentinel: And Eric Reed, what is your reaction?

Eric Reed (piano): I was just so blown away by how much power he played with at 85 years old. That blew my mind! ... Like James was saying before, you can’t really move forward until you recognize that you have not arrived. And I would imagine even people like Art Tatum, Duke Ellington would have said the same thing — as great as they were, they always recognized there’s still a whole bunch more out there. We haven’t gone beyond Tatum yet. Not yet. I know I haven’t!

Few have. In the meantime, there’s an 84-year-old giant of a griot not to be missed the next time he’s in L.A.

www.lawattstimes.com 9

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Black Eyed Peas underwhelm Super Bowl halftime

BY NEKESA MUMBI MOODY AP MUSIC WRITER On second thought, maybe Usher should have been the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show.

The superstar had only a brief cameo in the showcase, but his tightly choreographed moves and acrobatics marked the brief exhilarating moment of a surprisingly stale medley from the normally frenetic headliners, the Black Eyed Peas.

The Super Bowl performance was arguably the biggest stage yet for the quirky quartet, whose fusion of pop, dance and hip-hop have made them global superstars. But in the massive Cowboys Arena, the group appeared to be as stiff as frontman will.i.am’s plastic hair hat.

It started out with a wow factor: will.i.am, Taboo, Fergie and apl.de.ap descended from atop the stadium, outfits glittering, bedazzled outfits, singing (with the help of auto-tune) the party anthem “I Gotta Feeling” with hundreds of dancers grooving in step on the field.

But the Peas didn’t match the energy of the song; they seemed tentative, and tense. It didn’t help that Fergie’s mic didn’t kick in until she was midway through her first verse.

If the explanation for the Peas’ flatness was nerves, those nerves never settled, as they plodded through such songs as “Pump It” and “Boom Boom Pow.” Technically, they were fine — Fergie’s voice soared, the raps were performed right. They didn’t excite.

EGYPT

Continued from page 6 Others started to flow into Tahrir on Wednesday morning, some welcomed with sweets by those who spent the night. The demonstrations have paralyzed the area around the square, defying the government’s efforts to restore a sense of normalcy as the uprising enters its third week.

Egypt’s most famous tourist attraction, the Pyramids of Giza, reopened to tourists on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of foreigners have fled Egypt amid the chaos, raising concerns about the economic impact of the protests.

Separate, small protests have begun to erupt in many places in recent days from people apparently unrelated to the Tahrir-centered movement, but taking the moment to press their own personal complains. In the Suez Canal city of Port Said, about 300 slum residents set fire to some parts of the governorate building and several motorcycles, protesting the failure of the governor to build proper housing for them. Police did not interfere, and the protesters set up tents in the city’s central Martyrs Square similar to Tahrir.

In Cairo, dozens of state museum workers demanding higher wages staged a protest in front of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, crowing around antiquities chief Zahi Hawass when he came to talk to them. Protesters said they wanted higher salaries and more funding for their sector, which they said former Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni had reduced. “He took our money,” said Suha Al Nabil, a museum employee.

Suleiman’s comments Tuesday

Even former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash seemed bored as he joined Fergie for a short snippet of “Sweet Child O’Mine,” an unnecessary cameo that failed to add any sizzle to the set.

So it fell to Usher to breathe some life into the halftime show, and he didn’t disappoint as he appeared in all white with a flank of dancers.

Although Usher seemed to dance more of his No. 1 hit “OMG” with will.i.am than sing it, his syncopated moves and flips provided the energy jolt that the Peas lacked.

Even after Usher left, the Peas seemed a little more alive. They went back in their catalog and performed early hit “Where Is The Love,” which segued to their latest “The Time (Dirty Bit),” an odd, dance reworking of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the movie “Dirty Dancing.”

They ended as they began, reprising “I Gotta Feeling.”

The choice of the Black Eyed Peas was intended to bring some youthful vigor back to the halftime show after the NFL — feeling burned by the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” of Janet Jackson with the aid of Justin Timberlake in 2004 — chose a string of safe, near-geriatric icons for the halftime for the next six years, ending on a low note with a muchmaligned concert by The Who last year.

The Black Eyed Peas brought the youth, but little else.

“I Gotta Feeling” the NFL will be looking to try and find a better balance in time for Indianapolis next year.

night were a blunt, impatient warning for the protests’ youth organizers to enter talks and drop their insistence on Mubarak’s ouster. He rejected any immediate departure for Mubarak — who says he will serve out the rest of his term until September elections — or any “end to the regime.”

“We can’t bear this for a long time,” he said of the Tahrir protests.

“There must be an end to this crisis as soon as possible.” Speaking to the editors of state and independent newspapers Tuesday night, he said the regime wants to resolve the crisis through dialogue, adding, “We don’t want to deal with Egyptian society with police tools.”

He warned of chaos if the situation continued, speaking of “the dark bats of the night emerging to terrorize the people.”

If dialogue is not successful, he said, the alternative is “that a coup happens, which would mean uncalculated and hasty steps, including lots of irrationalities.”

“I mean a coup of the regime against itself, or a military coup or an absence of the system. Some force, whether its the army or police or the intelligence agency or the Brotherhood or the youth themselves could carry out ‘creative chaos’ to end the regime and take power,” he said.

In one concession made in the interview, Suleiman said Mubarak was willing to have international supervision of September elections, a longtime demand by reformers that officials have long rejected.

Some protesters warned that Suleiman was hinting at imposing mar-

The Black Eyed Peas featuring Fergie, left, apl.de.ap., will.i.am, and Taboo, right, and apl.de.ap perform during halftime of NFL football Super Bowl XLV Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas.

AP Photo by Dave Martin

tial law — which would be a dramatic escalation.

Abdul-Rahman Samir, a spokesman for a coalition of the five main youth groups behind the protests in Tahrir Square, said Suleiman was creating “a disastrous scenario.”

“He is threatening to impose martial law, which means everybody in the square will be smashed,” Samir said.

“But what would he do with the rest of 70 million Egyptians who will follow us afterward.”

Associated Press writers Hadeel al-Shalchi, Hamza Hendawi, Paul Schemm, Maggie Hyde and Maamoun Youssef contributed to this report.

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L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER

Black firefighters have gone through physical flames and the fires of discrimination. The Watts Times looks back at their contributions, struggles and accomplishments.

fighter in Los Angeles in 1888. Citing the census, the museum reports that Haskins was listed as an employed fireman for the city.

Blacks were sent to Hose Company No. 2 and 4, according to the museum, and these two were combined in 1912 and moved to Fire Station No. 30 on Central Avenue in 1924.

Segregated for decades, Fire Station No. 30 now has a new, improved function nowadays: It’s the African American Firefighter Museum, and it houses the history of Black firefighters in Los Angeles.

A VIRTUAL SHRINE Inside the museum is a virtual shrine to these firefighters: There are hundreds of photos from the 1920s to the present, such as the black-and-white

By Joy Childs picture of Station No. 30’s Black firemen, circa Contributing Writer 1925. They’re standing in formation with their gear at their new station at 1401 S. Central Ave. Angelenos are seeing a historic era unfold beThere’s an exhibit of the women fire chiefs that fore them. spotlights Rosemary Roberts Cloud, of East Point, That’s because the county’s board of superviGa., reportedly the nation’s first African-American sors on Feb. 8 selected Daryl Osby to be the Los female fire chief.

Angeles County Fire Department’s first Black fire There are the L.A. Men of Fire chief.

2008 and 2009 calendars. And And then there’s Millage Peaks, there’s also an African-American who was appointed to the Los Angefirefighting doll that is dedicated to les Fire Department’s top position in Black firefighters in general and to 2009, and is reportedly the city’s secthose who served at Los Angeles Fire ond Black fire chief.

Department station 94 in particular.

They’re among just a portion of The museum is attended to by African Americans in the county and Brent Burton, the museum’s presicity fire departments. dent; Kwame Cooper, the city fire As of 2010, there were 221 Afdepartment’s battalion chief and rican Americans, or 7.4 percent, in museum vice president; and a group the county’s firefighting force out of of dedicated volunteers headed by 2,967 uniform ranks, according to Akosua Hobert. county figures.

Burton is a 25-year veteran and a captain at the A WITNESS OF DISCRIMINATION Of the civilian and sworn firefighters in the county’s fire department.

Ninety-two-year-old Arnett City of L.A., there were 404 Blacks, or nearly 10.5 What he likes most about being a firefighter, he Hartsfield, who worked for the L.A. percent, out of 3,862, as of October 2010. The said, are the challenges: from getting into a burnFire Department, is a true walking figures are from the city’s fire department. ing home as quickly as possible to save a life to encyclopedia of the history of AfricanTwo African Americans selected to be at the cutting people out of their vehicles with the jaws American firefighters in the city. helm of Los Angeles’ two major fire departments: of life.

The nonagenarian has many stories This means that those departments have come a There’s another kind of challenge of firefighters who have long way from the days that Black firefighters were for Burton: getting African Americans come and gone — and segregated and occupied only two fire stations on “to know about the museum and (to) overcome obstacles.

Central Avenue. come and visit and learn about the In a recent interview at But the road from only two fire stations to in100-year history of African-American the museum, Hartsfield says tegration to two Black fire chiefs has not been a firefighters in Los Angeles ... to learn he gets “too much credit. I apstraight line; rather, it’s been long and winding about fire preparedness, safety, disaspreciate it, but I wanna share it and, for some, painful. ter preparedness, first aid.” with the men that earned it with He loves speaking to neighborme ... There’s not a single Black THE EARLY DAYS hood groups, home owners associafireman in L.A. city that’s still livThe Los Angeles Fire Department was estabtions and block clubs — and taking ing that came on before me. lished in 1886. young people on tours, as he recently “Better than that, there are According to the African American Firefighter did, acting as a tour guide to the Carmore than 60 Black firemen who Museum, Sam Haskins became the first Black fireson Christian School students. came on after me who are dead already, and I’m still here.”

Despite all he’s witnessed, Hartsfield decided THE STENTORIANS long ago to “change (his) voice and look at (his) If one looks up the word “stentorian” in Webblessings.” ster’s II dictionary, the definition that person would When Hartsfield was asked about the most find is “very loud.” glaring, most painful act of discrimination that he But, since 1954, to firefighters in Los Angesuffered as a firefighter (he retired in 1961), his les, the Stentorians have been the firefighters who cheerful laughing stopped and he recalled a litany have raised their voices in the struggles against of events from his generation. segregation and racial discrimination.

Pointing to a photo of someone named Ernest It is likely that, because of them, Paul Orduna Roberts, Hartsfield said, “I think he suffered the became the first Black firefighter to break up longworst ... Right over here on Hill Street, engine standing segregation in the city’s fire department number 10 ... the White firefighters took his pilin 1957; with his hiring, he helped integrate the low and told him to put human filth in it ... and department. he laid his head in it. He said to me, ‘Rookie, they

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next day Chief Richardson came to our station were harassing me so hard I was so anxious to get and told us we were supersensitive.” to bed ...’ ” When talking to Hartsfield, one’s mind could Hartsfield said that with his new outlook, he immediately fast forward to a noteworthy race can still find a silver lining in that dark cloud. discrimination lawsuit against the City of Los An“His widow’s still drawing a pension,” he geles in recent history. said, “and, in addition to that, I went to his Racial tensions flared several years ago durson’s retirement, after 30 years of service as ing news coverage following an incident in the ranking inspector ... So though Ernie, like which White firefighters put dog food in Tennie me, never got a promotion in this departPierce’s food. ment, his legacy’s still living on.”

The African-American firefighter contended He continued: “During one fire … most that the 2004 incident was because of racial disof the White firefighters referred to me as crimination. Others maintained that the White the ‘damn nigger firefighter’ ... I’ve lived firefighter’s actions — which took place at a stalong enough to see that same departtion in Westchester — was a prank. ment in 2007 honor me with a lifetime A lawsuit was filed, and the city reportedly achievement award.” settled it for roughly $1.4 million in 2007.

Another incident he recalled was It’s been a long road to the top for the two Afthat of a Black female firefighter. rican-American men at the helm of Los Angeles’ “Her mouthwash was low. She two major fire departments — and it’s possible came in the next day (and) it was that both of them could attest to the hurdles they full.” he contended. “She was smart had to jump over to reach the top. enough to give it a smell test first. It FIRST But for the family of firefighters they lead, was full of urine. She ended up getincluding the African-American firefighters, the ting a very handsome settlement.” future could burn brighter.

Hartsfield also recalled a time when there was a brush fire.

“Another (African-American) firefighter and I walked up to the chief, and we heard them talking and someone asked, ‘Where’s the (African-American) captain?’

“The chief said, ‘He’s down at the bottom of the hill with his niggers.’ And we were shocked, and the other Black firefighter went off on him ... The

Thursday, February 10, 2011

AP PHOTO/DAMIAN DOVARGANES

HERMAN WILLIAMS, JR. AFRICAN AMERICAN FIRE CHIEF OF A MAJOR

U.S. CITY

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

EVENT 2-11-11 MEETING (BLACK WOMEN FOR WELLNESS) — Billed as a meeting that will include discussion about the reopening of Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital, Black Women for Wellness’ Sisters@Eight meeting will take place Feb. 11. People who are not members of the organization must pay $10 to attend, but members can attend for free. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Barbara Morrison Center, 4305 Degnan Blvd., suite 101. RSVP, more information: (323) 290-5955, denise@bwwla.com.

2-12-11 VALENTINE’S DANCE (NAEJA) — The National Association for Equal Justice in America’s second annual Valentine’s Dance will take place Feb. 12, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., at 303 E. Palmer Ave., Compton. The entrance fee is a $20 donation. No tickets will be sold at the door. Refreshments will be served. More information: (310) 608-5878.

BLACK DANCE (SQUIRES PUBLIC RELATIONS) — The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble, in honor of Black History Month, is producing a two-hour multimedia dance performance entitled “The History of Black Dance in

Central Avenue Dance Ensemble

LISTINGS

America.” Directed by choreographer, dancer and band leader Chester Whitmore, the show will be a retrospective of African- and African-Americaninspired social dances that have been popularly danced in the United States from the 1800s to today. The performance will take place Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m., at the Crozier Visual and Performing Arts Theater, 124 N. Grevillea Ave., Inglewood. General admission is $20, preferred seating is $25, and VIP seating is $100. Seniors and students can get in for $15. Tickets may be purchased online at www.historyofblackdance.org or at the door. Proceeds will benefit The Crozier Middle School “Gents” Character building program. Donations to support this program are also being accepted through the nonprofit Performing Arts for Life and Education Foundation Inc. (P.A.L.E.F.), and can be made through PayPal at www.historyofblackdance.org.

CREATE KEEPSAKES (CAAM/LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS) — On Feb. 12, at 2 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to create their own Victorian keepsakes with artist Cola at the California African American Museum (CAAM). At the event, they can personalize picture frames or memory boxes reminiscent of the Victorian period. This event is free and open to the public. The museum is at 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. RSVP: (213) 744-7432.

DRUMARAMA 2 (AC BILBREW LIBRARY) — Drumarama 2, a group of African and African-American musicians, will perform with their unique gourd instruments during a musical program at AC Bilbrew Library on Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. They are known for growing the calabash plant in Watts, and making their own instruments from this gourd-producing plant. They also use instruments made from recycled materials.

Instruments and a mural will be exhibited during the program. The event is free, and is being co-sponsored by the Black Resource Center.

More information: (310) 538-3350, Photo by Nate Johnson ext. 5.

02/11 - 03/11

happening these months

2-13-11 GOSPEL EVENT (MILES AHEAD ENTERTAINMENT) — “It Started With a Dream” — a pre-awards ceremony, concert and service honoring this

VICTORIA BURNETT (CAAM/LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS) — On Feb. 13 at 2 p.m., teacher and performer Victoria Burnett will aim to bring to life the story of the founding of the first African-American township in California. The event will take place at the California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. The event is free and open to the public. More information: (213) 7442024, www.caamuseum.org.

2-17-11

Kirk Whalum

year’s gospel Grammy nominees — will take place Feb. 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Angelus Temple, 1100 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles.

It will feature live performances by Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Lalah Hathaway, Kirk Whalum and several others. The event is free and open to the public. The performances will be streamed live at dreamcenterlive.com, inviting the world to view the event for $4.99 (proceeds will benefit the center’s Project Hope). More information: (626) 3982028, dreamcenterlive.com.

TOUR (A NOISE WITHIN) — A tour will be given of A Noise Within’s new construction site Feb. 13, 4 to 5 p.m.

The classical repertory theater company’s “Hard Hat Sunday” tours will allow participants to see the site of its 33,000square-foot facility. The tours will take place at 3360 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Reservations, more information: (818) 265-7959, www.anoisewithin.org.

PAINT IT FORWARD (POETESS MEDIA) — Mothers of NBA players will be honored at the “Art That Saves Lives! Sports Art Exhibition & Charity Auction” on Feb. 17, 6 to 9 p.m., at the California African American Museum.

Proceeds will benefit various youth and community-based programs. Art That Saves Lives! and She Cares will pay tribute to the moms for their sacrifice, commitment and leader-

PIF girls painting

ship in the lives of some of the greatest NBA players. The museum is at 600 State Drive, Los Angeles. More event, sponsorship information: Carl Washington/UMCA Sports, (323) 9348622, carlw@umcasports.com, www.facebook.com/pages/Paintitforward.

“HUMMINGBIRD WARRIOR” (FROM LIBBY HUEBNER) — A 45minute oratorio called “The Hummingbird Warrior Oratorio,” based on an exploration of the Aztec culture and the creation legend of Huitzilopotchli, the Hummingbird Warrior — will take place Feb. 17, 7 p.m. The performance is free to the public. The event will take place at Central Los Angeles High School #9, the school from which students composed the music and lyrics for “The Photo by John Berry Arch itects

www.lawattstimes.com 13

Thursday, February 10, 2011 Hummingbird Warrior.” The event will take place at the high school’s main theater. In conjunction with the oratorio’s world premiere, the L.A. Master Chorale Chamber Singers will perform. The school is in downtown Los Angeles at 450 N. Grand Ave. Campus parking is free (enter on Cesar Chavez Avenue).

Information: (213) 217-8600.

each and may be purchased by calling the box office at (310) 330-0178.

People can also buy tickets at www.barbaramorrison.com.

AFRICAN HARP MUSIC (WILLOWBROOK COUNTY LIBRARY) — To celebrate Black History Month, a classical African harp music program will take place Feb. 19, 1 p.m., at the Willowbrook Library, 11838 Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles. Asha Baba, a storyteller and musician, will introduce the news and views of the Africa of yesterday and today through story and music.

The event is free and open to the public.

More information: (323) 564-5698.

UNFINISHED BATTLE (FREEDOM SOCIALIST PARTY) — A discussion about the “Unfinished Battle for Quality Public Schools” will take place Feb. 20, 2 p.m., at Solidarity Hall, 2170 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. Education proponents will highlight the role of freed slaves in winning free, integrated public schools for the first time in U.S. history during the post-Civil War reconstruction era. A southernstyle dinner, with a vegetarian option, will be served at 4:30 p.m. for a $10 donation, and there is a sliding scale for those who have a low income, as well as the unemployed. Information: (323) 732-6416, fspla@earthlink.net, www.socialism.com.

2-20-11

2-26-11

TRIBUTE (STEVE MOYER PR) — The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center will present “A Tribute To Billie Holiday,” in celebration of Black History Month, starring jazz pianist and vocalist Corky Hale, Billie Holiday’s pianist, as well as performances by jazz vocalists Barbara Morrison and Tricia Tahara.

Karl Vincent will be featured on bass.

The event will

BOOK SIGNING, DISCUSSION (AC BILBREW LIBRARY) — A book signing and discussion featuring Francella Henderson, author of “Hidden Secrets About Black History, Vol. 1,” will take place Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.?The program is free and open to the public.?AC Bilbrew Library is at 150 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles. More information: (310) 538-3350, option 5.

2-19-11

3-4-11 SPAMALOT (CITY OF CERRITOS) — The Tony winner for Best Musical, “Spamalot,” will be at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) from March 4 to 6. The March 4 show will take place at 8 p.m., while the one on the 5th takes place at 2 and 8 p.m. The March 6 event will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $28 to $67 and are available at the CCPA ticket office and www.cerritoscenter.com.

People interested in attending can also call (562) 467-8818.

This show contains strong language and adult themes and is recommended for mature audiences only. More information: (562) 467-8818, www.cerriPhoto by Tony Maddox toscenter.com. The center is at 12700 Center Court Drive, Barbara Morrison Cerritos. More information: (562) take place Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. and include 467-8818. some video footage of Hale being interONGOING viewed by a television crew about working with Holiday. The performance will “WENCH” (SANTA MONICA be at the Barbara Morrison Performing PUBLIC LIBRARY) — Santa Arts Center in Leimert Park, 4305 Monica Citywide Reads, a communiDegnan Blvd., suite 101. Tickets are $25 ty reading program that invites every-

one in Santa Monica to read and discuss the same novel in book discussions and special events held throughout the city, will take place Feb. 14 to March 12. This year, Citywide Reads celebrates its ninth anniversary with the featured book “Wench” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.

“Wench” was borne out of the author’s musings on why, when presented with the possibility of becoming free, some slaves would run, while others would choose to stay with their masters. “Wench” was recently nominated for Best Novel and Best First Novel at the NAACP Image Awards, and debuted at No. 16 on The New York Times’ Trade Paperback Best Sellers chart.

Citywide Reads will have several public discussions led by a facilitator, including one on Feb. 16, 7 p.m., at Montana Branch, 1704 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; and another on Feb. 19, 12:30 p.m., at First AME Church, 1823 Michigan Ave. The Citywide Reads blog, www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com, contains up-to-date and in-depth information about the book, author, and special events, and provides community members an opportunity

to respond to the book and programs, and to start a dialogue with others.

More information: (310) 458-8600, www.smpl.org/cwr, www.santamonicacitywidereads. blogspot.com.

FREE LECTURES — Lectures by Dr. Maulana Karenga will be given at the African American Cultural Center throughout February, from 3 to 5 p.m., in light of Black History Month. The lectures include: “The Holocaust of African Enslavement” on Feb. 13; “The Reaffirmation of our Africanness and Social Justice Tradition in the Sixties” on Feb. 20; and “Current Times and Challenges” on Feb. 27.

The center is at 3018 W. 48th St., Los Angeles. Information, registration: (323) 299-6124.

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

Fax to: (323) 299-3896, e-mail us at lawattsnus@aol.com or mail to: L.A. Watts Times, 3800 Crenshaw Blvd., L.A., CA 90008.

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

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Repealing the health care We should leave no community behind law would be costly for African Americans

BY CONGRESSMAN JAMES E. CLYBURN (SC-06) ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

BY SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS Recently, President Obama outlined his vision for how the United States can win the future through investments and reforms that will give every family and business the chance to thrive. Effectively implementing the Affordable Care Act is a vital part of this effort.

But some in Congress want to refight the political battles of the past two years and repeal the law along with all the new consumer protections and benefits that go with it. That would be a major setback for the AfricanAmerican community.

Up to 1 in 5 African Americans lack health insurance, one of the highest rates for any group. This, more than any other demographic or economic barrier, negatively impacts the quality of healthcare received by African Americans.

The Affordable Care Act gives African Americans more freedom to get the care they need by extending overage to 32 million previous uninsured Americans.

There are also new protections for the nearly half of all African Americans have a disability or chronic disease, making them vulnerable to discrimination by insurance companies. Under the law, insurers may not turn away children with pre-existing conditions, a protection that will extend to all individuals with pre-existing conditions starting in 2014. Repeal would put millions of African Americans with health conditions right back at the mercy of their insurance companies.

The law is also helping African Americans get care by bringing more doctors and nurses to chronically underserved communities.

Repeal would take away these investments, including billions of dollars for Community Health Centers, a quarter of whose patients are African American, and new funds for training and placing thousands of new primary care providers in the neighborhoods where they are needed most.

And the law invests in national

Black Facts Feb. 11, 1976 Clifford Alexander Jr. is confirmed as the first AfricanAmerican secretary of the Army. He will hold the position until the end of President Jimmy Carter’s term.

Source: blackfacts.com

Kathleen Sebelius and the community level solutions for problems such as obesity that disproportionately affect African Americans, especially children.

Repealing the law would rob our children of these future solutions.

With the Affordable Care Act, we are also taking a major step toward making sure our economy is growing and working for all Americans, including African Americans.

The law is giving America’s businesses more freedom from everincreasing health insurance costs.

For example, over the last nine months, nearly four million small businesses have been notified that they may be eligible for a tax cut to help them offer coverage to their employees.

If repeal were to succeed, health insurance costs would rise for businesses across America, including many of the estimated 70,000 small businesses owned by African Americans, leaving them to choose between cutting benefits, dropping coverage and layoffs.

African Americans across the country are also benefiting from the new Patient’s Bill of Rights, which is giving families freedom from many of the worst abuses of the insurance industry.

A year ago, insurers could cancel your coverage when you got sick just because you made a mistake on your application. Under the new Patient’s Bill of Rights, this practice has been banned, along with other harmful policies like lifetime dollar

limits, which often meant your benefits disappeared when you needed them most. Repeal would make these abuses fair game again, leaving an estimated 12 million African Americans with private insurance at the mercy of their insurance companies.

Along with these new protections, African Americans are getting some relief from skyrocketing premiums. New resources are helping states strengthen their oversight of insurance companies and new rules limit the amount of your premium dollars that insurers may spend on marketing and CEO bonuses. Repeal would roll back these reforms, making it easier for insurers to hike your rate by 20 or 30 percent or more.

And repeal would also make it harder for millions of African Americans to get the preventive care and screenings they need. The AfricanAmerican community suffers from the highest cancer mortality rate in the country. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, those in new plans now have access to recommended preventive screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, for free — but not if the law is repealed.

There are new benefits for seniors too. Since the law was enacted, more than three million seniors have received a $250 check to help them afford their medications once they hit the “donut hole” gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage.

This year, seniors in the donut hole are receiving a 50 percent discount on all of their covered name brand prescription drugs, the next step toward closing the donut hole.

The estimated four million AfricanAmerican seniors enrolled in Medicare are also enjoying other new benefits like critical preventive services, such as mammograms and flu shots, at no additional cost.

Repeal would take these benefits away, leading more seniors to skip medications, cancer screenings, and other life-saving care.

In African-American communities, the Affordable Care Act is already giving people the freedom to make their own health care choices, helping families get care, helping businesses compete, and putting Medicare on a better path for the future.

Undoing this progress now would be a terrible mistake.

Kathleen Sebelius is Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

In my home state of South Carolina, Orangeburg County is home to a 5,400-foot runway airport, two Class A railroads, two interstate highways, eight U.S. highways, two universities, a technical college, 67 miles of shoreline along the state’s largest lake and more than 90,000 citizens.

Orangeburg seems to have all that is necessary to be a strong and vibrant economic engine. The County, however, has a median income of $32,694 and is consistently ranked among the nation’s 10 poorest counties with a population greater than 65,000, ranking eighth based on 2008 data.

When I was elected to Congress, I was told that in spite of the infrastructure enumerated above, Orangeburg and other counties along the I-26/I-95 corridor would always be drags on the state’s economy unless we solved their most pressing challenge: access to clean, safe, drinkable water. I immediately went to work to solve this problem. Today, because of good cooperation and planning by local officials and targeted congressional expenditures, in the Orangeburg County town of Santee located on I-95, we have a state-ofthe-art water plant with reaches into four surrounding counties. We have great hope that we can begin to turn the economic conditions around in these historically depressed communities, but further assistance is needed.

In the United States, there are 474 counties where 20 percent or more of the population has been living below the poverty line for the last 30 years. The counties are as diverse as our great nation; Appalachian communities in Kentucky and North Carolina, Native American communities in South Dakota and Alaska, Latino communities in Arizona and New Mexico and African American communities in Mississippi and South Carolina. They lack access to quality schools, affordable quality health care and adequate job opportunities.

This is not a partisan issue. In 2009, these counties were represented by 43 Democrats and 84 Republicans in the Congress. Democrats represented 149 of them, with a total population of 8.8 million; Republicans 311, with a total population of 8.3 million; and 14, with a total population of 5. 3 million, were split between Republicans and Democrats. I represented seven such counties.

When we drafted the Recovery Act, I fought to ensure that no communities were left behind. We all know that President Roosevelt’s “New Deal,” which was credited with ending the Great Depression, was not a good deal for many of these persistent poverty counties. At my urging, the Recovery Act included a provision that directed at least 10 percent of Rural Development investments to communities where 20 percent or more of the population had lived below the poverty line for the last 30 years.

James E. Clyburn I understand that my 10-20-30 amendment in the Recovery Act was responsible for funding 4,655 projects totaling nearly $1.7 billion in persistent poverty counties. I can speak of two counties in my district that benefitted from this program. Construction began last year on 51 miles of water lines to the Brittons Neck, Centenary and Gresham communities of Marion County, South Carolina. These communities had tried for decades to replace their contaminated wells with a water system, but could not afford the matching funds required by traditional federal programs. Through the 10-20-30 program, the Marco Rural Water Company received a $5.8 million grant and a $2 million loan to provide clean, potable water to these communities for the first time.

In Orangeburg County, three similar water projects are being funded through the 10-20-30 program.

One of those is a $5.6 million investment to bring potable water to a Global Logistics Triangle on I-95 at U.S. 301 that will soon be home to a Jafza logistics, industrial and distribution park. That public investment is leveraging an estimated $600-$700 million in private investments that may ultimately create up to 10,000 new jobs in this persistent poverty county. That is an investment in innovation and creativity that will yield significant dividends in the near future and hopefully lift Orangeburg County out of its quagmire as one of the ten poorest counties in the nation.

I am urging Congress to include the 10-20-30 approach in future funding proposals, and expand it to all federal agencies. It doesn’t require additional funding — only the stipulation that at least ten percent of any agency’s appropriated programmatic funds be invested in 10-20-30 communities.

We have been so heavily focused on easing the national unemployment rate that we have not given adequate attention to communities that are suffering from chronic distress and Depression-era levels of joblessness.

They must be included in our efforts to get the entire nation on the right track. If we provide them the engines they have been lacking, these communities can join the rest of America to compete and “win the future.”

www.lawattstimes.com 15

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Trumpet Awards salute achievement (Left to right) Walter Williams, of The O’Jays, Trumpet Awards founder Xernona Clayton, and the O’Jays’ Eric Nolan Grant and Eddie LeVert

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Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. with Trumpet Awards honoree Paula Madison Photos courtesy of The Trumpet Awards Foundation

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actor Boris Kodjoe, his wife Nicole Ari Parker, and TV celebrity Niecy Nash.

A top entertainment lineup included Eric Benet, who turned out the evening: Angela Brown, Richard Smallwood, James Ingram, Donnie McClurkin and several others.

The group SILK sounded just like the O’Jays and performed their numerous hits like “Family Reunion,” “Let Me Make Love To You,” and “Don’t Let Money Change You,” as well as “Cry, Cry, Cry Together,” and “We Were Made For Each Other.”

Trumpet awardees Al Sharpton and Judge Greg Mathis were candid about those who paved the way for the young to enjoy the Trumpet Awards occasion.

Blvd.

BY PORTIA A. SCOTT SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE ATLANTA DAILY WORLD The 2011 Trumpet Award highlighted many celebrities and icons as it made its 19th debut at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center last week before a full audience of well-dressed mostly African-Americans.

The event also marked an array of top entertainers and hosts that led to it being one of the best to date.

Founded through the vision of Xernona Clayton, the evening moved through a live taping that will be aired in April, thanks to the humor and jokes

by Atlanta’s own comedian, Jonathan Slocumb.

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16

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

BY DELAITRE J. HOLLINGER SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE CAPITAL OUTLOOK It was an especially festive night at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose

Center and Teaching Gymnasium, as the legendary poet laureate, actress, director, civil rights activist and humanitarian, Dr. Maya Angelou, paid a special visit to the campus of Florida A&M University (FAMU). Angelou visited

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Legendary poet Maya Angelou speaks at the Historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem, Ore., on Thursday, June 3, 2010.

the university as the second component of the four-part Lyceum Series, hosted by the university and chaired by Cynthia Hughes Harris, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Angelou is perhaps best known for her 1970 book, “I know why the caged bird sings” and for her emotive poem “I Rise.”

University President James Ammons sent his regrets, as he was unable to attend the event due to a family emergency. On behalf of Ammons at the conclusion of the event, Harris presented Angelou with FAMU’s Meritorious Achievement Award — the highest award one can receive from the university.

“I have always had thoughts of what it would be like to be a part of a truly momentous event,” said Harris.

“We are all in-fact here for this occasion. Dr. Angelou has had the privilege of having worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. I would like to extend thanks to the Board of Trustees and most especially, I want to thank our students. We present to you ‘An evening with Maya Angelou at Florida A&M University.’ ” For nearly 2 hours, Angelou gave a spirit-wrenching, spine-chilling, laughter-oriented and riveted performance to the nearly 3,000 person audience.

Acknowledging that she had written songs for award-winning artists such as country music star Martina McBride and soul singer Robert Flack, the 82year-old Emmy-nominated actress sang through a number of her eminent poems, as well as those of noted writers Paul Laurence Dunbar, Nikki Giovanni, and James Baldwin. They included “Crippled Willie” (in memory of her uncle), “Miss Rosey,” “Negro love song,” “The health food dinner,” “Why did you leave me,” “Jump back honey” and “Since you went away.”

Angelou, a dazzling author, who has engaged international audiences in the multicultural arts for more than five decades, spoke passionately of the first African slaves who were brought to what was yet to be America on ships in 1619. She promised that when she travels to Washington, D.C. in February to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a civilian, she will be doing so “on behalf of the many Africans who were enslaved from 1619 to 1865. She added she would accept the award “for every Muslim, Christian and every Jew, and I will be receiving it from the hands of a Black president,” a statement which received thunderous applause. Nevertheless, she spent the majority of the religious and socially conscious evening urging the community to befriend librarians and to take advantage of the dusty sections in local and state libraries, which focus on African-American poetry and literature.

“We have mistreated librarians,” said Angelou. “They have studied as carefully (and as) diligently as a heart surgeon or computer analyst. I would like for you, most importantly, to know a librarian. Tell them ‘Ms. Angelou suggested I speak to you about AfricanAmerican poetry.’ When she gets over her shock (adding that it is an underserved topic), she will search throughout the state to satisfy your request.”

James N. Holzer

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Maya Angelou: Famed poet offers challenge to community

www.lawattstimes.com 17

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A special invitation Inglewood: There’s

BY ELDER TERRENCE K. BROWN, YOUTH MINISTER GREATER AMBASSADOR CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST I can remember, as a child growing up in the local church, one of the mothers of the church would extend a special invitation in the form of a song entitled “Come to Jesus” after the minister concluded the morning sermon.

The soothing words of hope and inspiration began to fill the room, like a sweet aroma: Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus just Now, He will Save You, He will Save You, He Will Save You, just now, only Trust Him, only Trust Him, only trust Him, just now …

This song reminded me of what Jesus declared in the Scripture: “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28, NIV) What a glorious invitation!

Jesus extended this invitation to all humanity. The word “all,” identified in the text, implies everyone, not to certain individuals having a particular social or economic status.

Sweet rest is available to all that come to Jesus! Rest for the weary. Rest for the brokenhearted, rest for the wounded, rest for those in distress, rest for the confused, and rest for the downtrodden. Rest for those who are burdened down with the trials of life.

On several occasions in the Scriptures, Jesus reiterates to his followers His earthly mission objective: “The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!” (Luke 4:18, NIV) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

(Luke 19:10, NIV) Yes, I know we are living in troubled times. Families are losing homes, unemployment is on the rise, health care issues are more abundant.

However, you do not, have to

no place like home Juresha Maples grew up in Inglewood, went to college in Florida and is now serving as the IUSD example of how home-grown talent is the best talent to be invested in.

BY DANNY J. BAKEWELL JR. SPECIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Terrence K. Brown live a life of fear, failure, and regret!

The apostle Peter further encourages the church to, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7, NIV) Webster’s definition of “cast” means to cause to move by throwing. So in essence the Bible is instructing you to throw your cares, your worries, fears and frustrations to God. He is well equipped to handle your heartaches and problems.

He will give you peace in exchange for pain, happiness in exchange for heartache, godly favor in exchange for failure. Tenderness in exchange for torment. Direction in exchange for confusion.

I repeat: You don’t have to live a life of failure and frustration.

Instead, you can enjoy a life of peace, joy and victorious living. As a young Christian, I fondly remember the seasoned saints encouraging me with these words, “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!”

So what are you waiting for?

Are you ready for victorious living?

Are you ready to receive the rest that Jesus, promised to those that would come to Him in willful submission and obedience?

The response to that loving invitation is simple; it’s not difficult. Just open your heart with faith and honest contrition and He will give you rest.

HAHN

Continued from page 4 have worked with each of them individually and collectively on important community and political issues like reducing gang violence and bringing jobs to the community for our young people. If we don’t provide our young people decent jobs and opportunities what are we providing them?”

Hahn is also excited about the possibility of working with President Barack Obama. “Like millions of other who were in attendance in Washington, D.C., for the President’s inauguration, I couldn’t help but be excited and motivated about the promise of this nation,” she said. “When the President was

speaking about rebuilding our education system, providing clean energy and building new infrastructure, I said to myself, that is Los Angeles, ‘That is our focus as well.’ ” With Congresswoman Harman stepping down in early March, there is not a lot of time to get a campaign up and running. And the with all of the wrangling going on in Washington between the Democrats and Republicans, President Obama could be looking to ensure that this critical seat remains democratic.

Hahn believes she has the experience, vision and support needed to keep the seat democratic and the support to make the seat hers.

On a sunny Tuesday morning in Inglewood, just after 7 a.m., Juresha Maples is walking through her neighborhood. An elderly African-American man, stops her and tells her how proud he is of her, to which she politely and delightfully says, “Thank You.” For Maples, the 29-year-old engineer and alumna of Florida A&M University (FAMU) is not just walking through her neighborhood or getting in her morning workout; she is commuting to work.

Maples is the project engineer for Turner-Bakewell, the construction management team, overseeing the construction of La Tijera K-8 School at the corner of Fairview and La Cienega boulevards in Inglewood. She lives only a few blocks away from the job site and the fact that this born-and-raised Inglewood resident gets to walk to work is the type of community construction, community hiring and community reinvestment the Inglewood Unified School District (ISUD) envisioned, when they approved the construction of this multimillion-dollar project through Measure K. Bond Funds in November of 2009. “When we started this project we emphasized to the contractor, the construction manager,

w w w . l a w a t t s t i m e s . c o m

the IUSD Administrative staff and everyPhoto by Malcolm Ali one else associated with this Juresha Maples, project engineer project that, we as a board, have an expectation that Inglewood residents will benefit not only when this state of the art school is opened, but that Inglewood residents will benefit from the $23 million investment that IUSD put into building this new school during construction and long before the doors ever open.” said Arnold Butler, president of the Inglewood Unified School Board.

Maples is a living testimony to the vision of IUSD. She graduated from Parent Elementary School, she attended Culver City Jr. High and Hamilton High School, and then went on to receive an engineering degree from FAMU. Right before graduation in 2004, Maples attended a conference in Texas for The National Society of Black Engineers where she met with and interviewed with national construction giant Turner Construction. Originally, she told them she was seeking a position in Dallas, Washington, D.C., or Atlanta. But, two weeks later, after meeting with then Regional Vice See INGLEWOOD, page 19

18

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Trustee Sale No. CA09002014-10-1 . Title Order No. 4636453 Loan No. 100167433 APN 6047-010-026 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED May 18, 2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On February 18, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL Inc.dba Trustee Corps, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on May 26, 2005, as Instrument No. 05 1231349 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: ROBERT T WILLIAMS, AND NORMA HUNT-ALLEN, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor, in favor of AMERICA`S WHOLESALE LENDER as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 8912 SOUTH BUDLONG AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90044 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $248,958.89 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: January 27, 2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09002014-10-1 . 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Regarding the property that is the subject of this notice of sale, the "mortgage loan servicer" as defined in Civil Code s 2923.53(k)(3) declares that it has obtained from the Commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Civil Code section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date this notice of sale is recorded or the time frame for giving a notice of sale specified in Civil Code Section 2923.52 subdivision (a) does not apply to this notice of sale pursuant to Civil Code Sections 2923.52. Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #8905 2011-01-27 2011-02-03 2011-02-10 Trustee Sale No. CA09002121-10-1 . Title Order No. 4649620 Loan No. 3015949906 APN 5036-004-018 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED May 13, 2008. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On February 18, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL Inc.dba Trustee Corps, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on May 27, 2008, as Instrument No. 20080924366 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: OSCAR A. MAZARIEGO, A SINGLE MAN, as Trustor, in favor of WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1411 ROLAND CURTIS PLACE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90062 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein.

Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $354,247.30 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: January 27, 2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09002121-10-1 . 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Regarding the property that is the subject of this notice of sale, the "mortgage loan servicer" as defined in Civil Code s 2923.53(k)(3) declares that it has obtained from the Commissioner a

Thursday, February 10, 2011 final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Civil Code section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date this notice of sale is recorded or the time frame for giving a notice of sale specified in Civil Code Section 2923.52 subdivision (a) does not apply to this notice of sale pursuant to Civil Code Sections 2923.52. Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #8913 2011-01-27 2011-02-03 2011-02-10 Trustee Sale # CA0924205-3 Loan# 1010281762 Order # G853750 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 07/30/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 02/18/2011 at 01:00PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 08/01/2007 as Document No. 20071814979 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, HUMBERTO ARCINIEGA AN UNMARRIED MAN, as Trustor, INDYMAC BANK, F.S.B., A FEDERALLY CHARTERED SAVINGS BANK, as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 5005-010-022 AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 5421 AND 5423 CIMARRON STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90062 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $595,847.36 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1.

Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 Does X Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 01/27/2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC., DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: CLARISA GASTELUM, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714)786-5351, (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 RPRequests@trusteecorps.com Ad #9249 2011-01-27 2011-02-03 2011-02-10 Trustee Sale # CA0951502-3 Loan# 502216497 Order # 55007896 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 07/31/2009. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 02/18/2011 at 01:00PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 08/06/2008 as Document No. 20081407463 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, ANTHONY LARAY MITCHELL, A SINGLE MAN, as Trustor, FLAGSTAR BANK, FSB, as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state).

AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 5015-021-004 AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 5133 CIMARRON ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90062-2142 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $320,737.09 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section

2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 Does X Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 01/27/2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC., DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: CLARISA GASTELUM, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714)786-5351, (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 RPRequests@trusteecorps.com Ad #9299 2011-01-27 2011-02-03 2011-02-10 Trustee Sale # CA0956023-1 Loan# 1010304523 Order # 090646981 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 07/18/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 02/25/2011 at 01:00PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 07/26/2007 as Document No. 20071765323 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, ROSALBAALVAREZ, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, as Trustor, J & R LENDING, INC., as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state).

AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 5016-034-008 LOT 8 IN BLOCK 4 OF TRACT NO. 401, IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 15 PAGE(S) 106 AND 107 OF MAPS, IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF SAID COUNTY. THE LATEST TAX ROLL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR SHOWS THE SITUS ADDRESS OF SAID LAND AS 1515 W. 51st STREET, LOS ANGELES,CA The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1515-1517 W 51ST ST & 5040-5042 DENKER AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90062 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $573,651.51 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.

The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell.

The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 Does X Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 02/03/2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC., DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: CLARISA GASTELUM, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714)786-5351, (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 RPRequests@trusteecorps.com Ad #9541 2011-02-03 2011-02-10 2011-02-17 Trustee Sale No. CA7000045-09-1 . Title Order No. 090809074CA-GTI Loan No. 1010710331 APN 5186-007-003 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED November 20, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On March 4, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on November 30, 2007, as Instrument No. 20072632247 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: JOSE ALVARO DE JESUS A SINGLE MAN, as Trustor, in favor of INDYMAC BANK, F.S.B., A FEDERALLY CHARTERED SAVINGS BANK as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 441 S BERNAL AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90063 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $431,729.71 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale.

Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association,

savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.

DATE: February 10, 2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA7000045-09-1 . 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Regarding the property that is the subject of this notice of sale, the "mortgage loan servicer" as defined in Civil Code s 2923.53(k)(3) declares that it has obtained from the Commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Civil Code section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date this notice of sale is recorded or the time frame for giving a notice of sale specified in Civil Code Section 2923.52 subdivision (a) does not apply to this notice of sale pursuant to Civil Code Sections 2923.52. Clarisa Gastelum, Authorized Signature TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #9774 2011-02-10 2011-02-17 2011-02-24

PACKERS

Continued from page 7 business side involved,” said defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who is unsigned headed into next season. “I had wanted a little security, something earlier before the season started, but we weren’t able to get that. So, you understand it’s the business part of it. If I don’t end up back here, there’ll be no hard feelings.”

Linebacker Nick Barnett has two years left on his contract, but the former first-round pick who spent most of the season on injured reserve may be too pricey to bring back after the emergence of several quality backups.

“It’s going to be hard to deny my hunger that I’m going to show coming into training camp next year, but we’ll see what happens,” Barnett said. “You guys are more worried because you’re looking for a story — who’s going to be here, who’s not going to be here. I’d love to finish my career as a Packer, I’ve got two years on my contract so that’s what I plan on doing.”

Just when anyone might start training camp so that Green Bay can begin its title defense is unknown.

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the day March 3, and barring an agreement before then, owners can lock out the players. If some of the Steelers sounded pessimistic about a deal getting done in time, most of the Packers believed it would happen sooner than later.

“We have a lot of guys working for something bigger than just the individuals. So, we’re going to get something worked out. I’m hopeful for that. As players, we’re hopeful for that,” kicker Mason Crosby said. “We hope to be playing because ultimately that’s what we love to do and want to do.”

It’s certain, too, that Packers’ fans will wait patiently for their team to return to the NFL’s smallest market.

“You’re clearly an energy force for our football team,” coach Mike McCarthy told the fans.

And after a few brief comments from the Packers’ other top players, Aaron Rodgers took over — just as he did all season in performances that elevated him among the NFL’s elite.

Rodgers, the Super Bowl MVP, has had a whirlwind 48 hours that included a trip to Disney World on Monday morning and an appearance on “The Late Show” with David Letterman that night. He sounded tired and hoarse in the frigid weather, but he had offered his fans one more thing before he left — his “title belt.”

“I just want you to know, for the next year you guys can steal my belt celebration because we’re the champions of the world. Put that on whenever you want,” Rodgers said with a huge smile. “It’s been a great journey.”

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20110020225 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice, 3500 W. Manchester Blvd., #309, Inglewood, CA 90305, County of Los Angeles Registered owner(s): Kol Harrell, 3500 W. Manchester Blvd., #309, Inglewood, CA 90305 Kayl Harrell, 3500 W. Manchester Blvd., #309, Inglewood, CA 90305 This business is conducted by a General Partnership The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on NA I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

S/ Kol Harrell, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on January 5, 2011 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

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

Original 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17/11 CNS-2033453# WATTS TIMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20110112095 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. Youth Builder Enterprises, 2. Y.B. Enterprises, 4242 Fairway Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043, County of Los Angeles Registered owner(s): Phillip A. Downing, 4242 Fairway Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 1/20/11 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

S/ Phillip A. Downing, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on January 20, 2011 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

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

New Filings 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17/11 CNS-2031194# WATTS TIMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20101887693 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. California Kween, 2. CA Kween, 3. LA Kween, 3881 S. Norton Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90008, County of Los Angeles Registered owner(s): Kai Weathers, 3881 S. Norton Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90008 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

S/ Kai Weathers This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on December 21, 2010 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

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

Original 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10/11 CNS-2029564# WATTS TIMES

To place a classified ad call (323) 299-3800

www.lawattstimes.com 19

Thursday, February 10, 2011

CLASSIFIEDS STATEWIDE

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Metro will receive proposals for PS11643055 - Herman Miller/Geiger Space Planning/Installation Services and Furniture per specifications on file at the LACMTA Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (12th Floor).

All proposals must be received on or before February 28, 2011, 2:00 p.m.

Pacific Time at the address listed above, sent to the attention of Jean Davis.

Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened.

You may obtain a copy of the RFP, or further information, by faxing Jean Davis at (213) 922-1005.

TRUMPET AWARDS Continued from page 15

Mathis, who received the Humanitarian Award, said he would stop talking about his incarcerated past when “the men incarcerated today can change their hearts and minds” and be free.

Both honorees acknowledged the celebration of our achievements and thanked Xernona Clayton for her vision and the Trumpet Awards Foundation board of directors for choosing them.

Other honorees included Dr. Andrew Keith and Dr. Kevin Churchwell for medicine; Richard Roundtree for arts; Alfred C. Liggins III, son of radio and TV magnet Cathy Hughes, for media; and several others.

The Rev. Al Sharpton received the Trumpet Award for civil rights.

Jonathan Slocumb, the Christian comic, with the assistance of Delta Air Lines’ Scarlet Pressley-Brown, emceed

CARMELO

Continued from page 7 return as opposed to receiving a bunch of draft picks from the Knicks and Nets.

Letting Anthony walk after this year and receiving nothing when Denver could have dealt for Bynum would be irresponsible. This is a nobrainer for Denver.

There are risks however for the Lakers. If Kupchak makes the deal, there’s no guarantee that Anthony would mesh this season with Bryant and Gasol. Everyone knows No. 24 is the No. 1 option, but who would be No. 2?

Anthony has also never played in a very structured offense in Denver.

How would he adapt his game to coach Phil Jackson’s Triangle Offense?

The Triangle is legendary for taking a minimum two seasons before players gain a real understanding of it.

Part of the reason the Lakers are defending back-to-back world titles is because of the size of their frontline.

Trading for Anthony would lessen that advantage unless the Lakers could somehow convince Denver to include Nene in the deal.

Nene, who is a physical six-footten forward and center, would play well off Gasol because he doesn’t need the ball and he can run the floor. Nene’s also in the final year of his contract and likely won’t re-sign in Denver.

There’s also no guarantee that Anthony would re-sign with the Lakers.

It’s no secret; part of the reason Anthony wants out of small market Denver and yearns to play for New York is due his wife, “LaLa” Vasquez, a former MTV veejay who wants to further her entertainment career.

LaLa and Anthony are both native New Yorkers and the bright lights of Madison Avenue may prove too allur-

the High Tea with High Heels affair, held in Atlanta, a fundraiser for the Trumpet Awards Foundation’s scholarship initiative.

The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame was open to the public the day before the awards ceremony at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. It was followed by the unveiling of the footprints at the Martin Luther King Jr. national historic site.

Honorees whose footprints were placed into the granite Walk of Fame included Arthur Blank, James Brown, the Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley, Bahamian Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Leon Hall, Bishop Barbara L. King, Mayor Carl Stokes, Congressman Louis Stokes and Henry “Hank” Thomas.

The Trumpet Awards will air on Sunday, April 24, on TV One.

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ing for the couple to resist. But I don’t think that would be a problem with the Lakers. Here, Anthony would be able to showcase his talents in the second largest market in the country, with Hollywood in the backdrop.

If Lamar and Khloe can close deals on a reality show and a new unisex fragrance, what would stop LaLa and ‘Melo from doing the same?

But the ultimate question Kupchak would have to ask himself would be “when Bryant is no longer our best player and main attraction, who would better carry the torch: Bynum or Anthony?”

This potential deal looks enticing, but I wouldn’t pull the trigger. The pros and cons are pretty even, and there’s no doubt this Lakers squad needs a wakeup call. Maybe speculation about this deal could serve a purpose and convey to the current roster that their recent play won’t cut it. Dealing for Anthony would be a knee-jerk move by my estimates and would signal that Lakers management is panicking.

I’m not saying this roster should remain intact as is, but bringing in another 25-point-plus scorer would likely disrupt the Lakers’ balance.

Anthony’s a dynamic offensive player — but he’s never committed himself to the defensive end of the floor.

Along with porous defense, the Lakers’ biggest problem, which is containing opposing point guards, wouldn’t be helped by this deal.

The Lakers problem isn’t lack of talent. From one through seven, they still have the best team in the league and the best starting lineup, along with the game’s No. 1 clutch player.

If L.A. fails to three-peat, it won’t be because they didn’t make this deal.

Apathy and lack of execution will be the culprits.

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INGLEWOOD

Continued from page 17 President Beverly Harris and Senior Vice President Hilton O. Smith, Maples was encouraged to seek a position with the Los Angeles office.

And after a few more interviews she said she realized God’s plan was for her to return home to Southern California.

When the school board hired Turner-Bakewell to provide construction management on this project, the team wasted no time in seeking out qualified local residents to be involved in this project. “Ms. Maples is but a small demonstration of the kind of effort and commitment we have to the community in providing quality jobs to the local residents of Inglewood and every city we work in.

Hiring local, qualified African Americans and other local residents, no matter what their ethnicity, on projects like this one, is what we do.

We believe it’s good for the company and good for the community. What could be better than that!” stated Danny J. Bakewell Sr., chairman of The Bakewell Company.

At La Tijera what exactly is Maples responsible for? She is directly responsible for maintaining all of the State of California documents, correspondence and approvals for the project. She serves as the liaison between the architect, the contractor, IUSD and the state. Her primary focus is to ensure that the project stays on time and within budget. “At the end of the day, I am here to make sure that the state sign-off process goes smoothly and the district gets all of its funding as quickly as possible, because we keep immaculate records,” said Maples.

Since joining Turner almost seven years ago, Maples has worked on a variety of different projects in

MAYA ANGELOU Continued from page 16

Angelou also urged students to “become a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”

“There are several young people saying ‘I’ll never finish college, I’ll never finish from a university, I won’t finish high school,’ ” Angelou exclaimed. “People saying: ‘I’ll never get there.’ (Yet) all the while, there has been FAMU saying here is a light. I am going to help you be a rainbow in the clouds.”

Angelou, in conclusion, stressed the importance of knowing your origins.

“You need to know how you’re here; you are not here by accident,” she said. “You didn’t come like grass, you came like trees … you have roots. No human being can be greater than another human being. When you can, give.

When you learn, teach. Thank you and I hope you are as sweet to your last two guests, as you’ve been to me.”

different cities, including the UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital in Westwood, the UCLA Medical Facility in Santa Monica, Adventist Hospital in Simi Valley, Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Dendreon Corp’s cancer treatment facility in Seal Beach, and now, La Tijera Middle School in Inglewood.

“It is truly a blessing to work so close to home. In this industry you can be assigned to a project almost anywhere and I have been on projects where my commute is over 65 miles one way, so to be able to walk to work is great,” said Maples.

When asked about how she enjoys working in her community, she points out that her brother actually attended La Tijera Middle School and that she went to Parent Elementary, which is just a few blocks away. So to be able to work, and give back to a city and community that you love, is a wonderful feeling. “I don’t know anyone else who lives in their own community and can walk to work; it’s rare that you get to work in your own community, but I think it’s the way it was actually designed to be. I wish others could do it and I am certainly thankful for the opportunity,” stated Maples. Through Juresha Maples, the school board’s vision of building a better school system with and through the people who live in Inglewood certainly is an example of home-grown talent at work.

20

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Thursday, February 10, 2011