LAWT 2-11-2010

Vol. XXX, No. 1166

SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

February 11, 2010

FIRST COLUMN: BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEATURE

Cowboy Laments Blacks’ Lost Link to Rural Past

BY JOEY BUNCH THE DENVER POST

DENVER, Colo. (AP) — At the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, retired rodeo champ Abe Morris needs only a nod of his black cowboy hat and his broad smile to be welcomed into the chute area where professional bull riders gather before their rides.

“If I put on this cowboy hat and go down to the grocery store in my neighborhood, people would look at me like I’m joking,” said the rodeo announcer, author and one of the rare African American professional rodeo cowboys of his era — 1977 to 1994.

Morris said he thought back

then that by now, African Americans would fill rodeo lineups as black fans were exposed to the sport the way he, his cousins and friends had been while growing up in New Jersey.

They scrambled to ride bulls and broncs in the weekly rodeo near their homes, he said, the same way many in their generation waited turns to shoot hoops on innercity playgrounds.

But of the 47 riders during the Jan. 12 stock-show rodeo, only Jamon Turner of Denver is black.

When the West was won, African Americans were on the front lines, scholars say. One of See BLACK COWBOY, page 11

Photo by ED MILLER

COWBOYS & BLACK HISTORY — African American cowboys have long been a part of black history. The Associated Press reports that when the West was won, one of every three cowhands was black, according to Denver’s Black American West Museum.

BHM AT CAAM — Yvette Cason, the actress who starred in the hit “Dreamgirls,” performs during the California African American Museum’s Black History Month kickoff event Feb. 7. CAAM’s theme was “Celebrating Black History Month.” The museum will have several events throughout February. For more information, call (213) 744-7432 or visit www.caamuseum.org.

Photo by MARTY COTWRIGHT

Community Salutes Wounded Peacemaker

BY CHARLENE MUHAMMAD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Hundreds of people filled the Watts Labor Community Action Committee’s Phoenix Hall Feb. 5 for dining, entertainment and to raise money for a gang intervention worker who was shot and paralyzed while helping protect a youth in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Project.

“Even though I lost my legs temporarily, other people can walk for me, and I guide them through my knowledge and experience through movement and making a difference,” Calvin Hodges said. “I see a lot of change and I see a lot of positive movement as a result of my injury, and that means more to me than anything, that the movement is still alive.”

Hodges has spent the past 11 years helping others, whether with mentoring youth on the brink of vio-

Photo by CHARLENE MUHAMMAD

Calvin Hodges

lence or brokering peace between warring gang members. After he was injured in the line of duty on Oct. 30, 2009, the community came to his aid with a fundraising dinner.

“A Salute to Our Hero Calvin Hodges” was the brainchild of a host of gang intervention workers,

NEWS IN BRIEF THE SOUTHLAND

Still a Ways to Go for Test One Million AIDS Campaign

BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

The Black Aids Institute launched an initiative in 2008 to help get 1 million African Americans tested for HIV by 2010, but its “signature mobilization” campaign has fallen short of its goal so far, according to an institute official.

“I don’t have any actual numbers (on) where we stand at this point,” said Chris Bland, the institute’s mobilization manager who has overseen the program for several months.

After about two years, Bland said the organization is still trying to establish an infrastructure to track testing numbers.

“We’ve been really ramping it up over the last couple of months — getting that infrastructure, that system in place where we can go out and recruit the organizations, register the organizations, and then get their testing numbers,” he said.

In another interview, Bland later added that “some of the numbers are coming in.”

The institute’s partner organizations that help with getting people tested are still providing figures, so numbers haven’t been released, he said, adding the focus is on mobilizing and “not getting too caught up” with numbers.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day took place Feb. 7, and the Los Angeles-based institute is among many aiming to fight what has been called an epidemic in the African American community In 2007, blacks accounted for 51 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 34 states and accounted for 48 percent of the 551,932 persons (including children) living with HIV/AIDS, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Dr. Robert Janssen, CDC director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, has been quoted as saying, “we have rates of HIV/AIDS among blacks in American cities that are as high as in some countries in Africa.”

Numbers continue to come in regarding many blacks who don’t

know they’re HIV positive, so the institute wants to identify them, Bland said.

Described as the institute’s “signature mobilization” campaign, T1M brings the institute together with “the Screen Actor’s Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and leading black organizations and institutions” in a “call to action to engage all of black America, from individuals to institutions, in a community-wide effort to end the AIDS epidemic,” the institute’s Web site states.

“Part of this is recognizing that this is an ongoing campaign, so we’ve got this goal of reaching 1 million this year,” Bland said. “But it’s not like the campaign is going to be over. We will continue to have sort of a revolving door of trying to reach the number.”

Bland said another problem in reaching the goal is the stigma that still surrounds HIV/AIDS. “There just continues to be barriers around people getting tested; See HIV/AIDS, page 13

including Elder Michael Cummings (We Care Outreach Ministries); the Rev. Benny Owens (Detours the Mentoring Group); Andre Christen (Watch Visions Grow into a U-turn Foundation); and Vicky Lindsey (Project Cry No More).

“What this dinner means is that we can all come out together as a community and as one, as Watts being united, to sit here with our hero, Brother Calvin Hodges,” Cummings said. “When it was 2 o’clock in the morning, and the call came out, he was out there in the alley with the brothers with the AKs. He was promoting peace. He was stopping violence. He was doing his job. He never, never didn’t want to go. He always got up and he went.

See PEACEMAKER, page 14

California National Guard Gets First Woman Leader SACRAMENTO (AP) — The first black woman to head the National Guard in any state took charge Feb. 2 in California, commanding the nation’s largest Guard unit.

Brigadier General Mary Kight was sworn Brigadier General Mary Kight in by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a former Air Force base outside Sacramento. She is the first woman to lead the 21,000 members of the state’s Army and Air National Guard.

Speaking during a change-ofcommand ceremony at the California National Guard Mather Flight Facility, the Republican governor called Kight a pioneer for breaking gender and racial barriers during her long career.

She is the state’s 45th adjutant general, assuming command from General William Wade.

“I’m extremely proud,”

Kight told reporters after her swearing-in ceremony. “I also feel responsible, however, to those that look to me because I happen to be of female gender or African American.”

She has spent nearly 25 years with the California Guard after seven years in the Air Force.

City Councilman Says His ‘Proud Racist’ Quote Was Taken Out of Context SANTA CLARITA (AP) — A Southern California city councilman who called himself “a proud racist” at a recent rally against illegal immigration said he has no regrets over the remark.

Santa Clarita councilman Bob Kellar made the comment at a Jan. 16 rally in the largely white and conservative bedroom community north of Los Angeles, which has seen a large influx of Hispanic immigrants. His videotaped remarks were posted on YouTube and caused an uproar.

At the rally, Kellar recalled that Theodore Roosevelt once said the United States had room for only one flag and for one See BRIEFS, page 6

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Page 2

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

OPINION EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

Bailout Could Cost Taxpayers 30 Times More Than Reported In 2008 and 2009, 50 separate federal programs offered $23 trillion in loans, grants or asset guarantees to the financial sector. Huh! This item was buried in paragraph 11, of 12 paragraphs, in a joint statement that California Sen. Barbara Boxer and Virginia Sen. Jim Webb issued demanding taxing Troubled Asset Relief Program funds executives used to compensate themselves.

That’s more than 30 times the official $700 billion that Congress authorized to bail out the big banks and failed Wall Street financial houses.

The $700 billion figure was etched in financial stone. ThenPresident George W. Bush, President Obama, Congress, and the Wall Street and banking industry and every financial pundit cited the $700 billion payout as the maximum that taxpayers would be stuck with. Now almost as an afterthought, Webb and Boxer casually toss out the $23 trillion number.

Boxer and Webb made mention of it in a press statement to bolster their call for passage of the Taxpayer Fairness Act. This would levy a onetime 50 percent surtax on bonuses on amounts more than $400,000 in compensation and bonuses that the big banks and firms ladled out to their executives.

Don’t hold your breath on this one, though. Boxer, Webb and the Senate were unwilling to impose this tax on the obscene bonuses that the big bank executives paid each other

as a condition of getting the TARP money. The only thing that’s changed since then is that public fury at the nonstop record bonuses they pay each other has risen to fever pitch.

And even if there was a congressional epiphany and payment required, the big banks that got the taxpayer cash will argue — as they have every time a squawk is made about their obscene money — that they’ve paid the money back.

Boxer and Webb’s move smacks of yet another empty gesture by two senators feeling election heat to tap into popular rage at the bankers by appearing to be anti-Wall Street crusaders.

The outrage, though, should be over whether Boxer, Webb, the White House and Congress have come clean over how much the banks and financial houses dinged taxpayers for. One, two or three federal agencies involved in the fed giveaway is one thing, but 50 agencies is another.

The agencies that may have shoved more money to the banks and houses were known as early as April 2009. In testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, TARP’s Inspector General listed the agencies and the projected dollar amounts.

Among some were the: • Federal Reserve: $6.8 trillion.

•Treasury Non-TARP: $4.4 trillion.

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC): $2.3 trillion.

• U.S. Treasury: $7.4 trillion.

Several House representatives screamed loud then that the Treasury was silent or had stonewalled every effort made to find out exactly how much cash the Treasury actually doled out to banks and financial houses.

Nearly a year later, they still really don’t know.

The issue from the beginning has been transparency, or the lack of it, by the Treasury. Congress has failed to force the federal agencies to tell what they have spent, and how they spent it.

At the time of his congressional testimony last April, the TARP special inspector general, Neil Barofsky, had 35 criminal and civil investigations going regarding accounting and securities fraud, insider trading, mortgage service misconduct and other matters.

This wasn’t enough to trigger bells and whistles that the Treasury had grossly low-balled the figures on the bailout.

Boxer and Webb had ample opportunity to demand and fight that the Treasury and other federal agencies fully open their books on the amounts that were being spent.

The White House and Congress have repeatedly and publicly assured that bailout money ladled out came in way under the official $700 billion that Congress authorized, and that much of the money has been repaid.

That still doesn’t tell what other help the big banks and financial houses got in the form of loans, grants, See HUTCHINSON, page 3

Rebirth of Black Power — We Need a Black Private Sector

BY KOKAYI KWA JITAHIDI

I am not a Republican, nor am I blind to the structural inequalities of capitalism.

However, as a black man I am thoroughly convinced that my community needs to develop a strong, unified and viable private sector, which would include at the very least: 1. Independent political organizations free from the constraints and contradictions of the Democratic, Republican or any other party.

We need organizations with the freedom and commitment to develop goals that address the particular needs of black people and serve as a respected voice on behalf of the black community to the world abroad.

2. Black-owned businesses that service a significant consumer base in all communities, but continually utilize their earnings to employ and empower the black community.

3. Independent schools that teach our history and culture, yet also prepare our youth and young adults with the skills to compete in a global, high-tech world.

We must recognize that after 500 years of enslavement, lynch-

ings, disenfranchisement and economic exploitation, black people — as a whole — have largely depended on the government to provide us with political and economic power.

Our concept of political power has been narrowed to the process of voting for practical strangers every four years to positions we honestly don’t understand. Our economic reality is largely defined by a middle class sustained through dwindling unionized public-service jobs, or the poor subsisting on endangered government aid such as food stamps and CalWorks.

Conditions are such that a large portion of our community is literally owned by the state through incarceration in public-run prisons and the foster care system. The consequences of this imbalance include the following: 1. Black people are largely seen as burdens rather than power players in the United States. While many in power will not admit this publicly out of concern for being politically incorrect, they express this reality through the way they deal with our community on important matters.

Our community is often ignored when important issues in society are

being developed and debated.

At best, we are alerted about decisions after they have already been finalized 2. Too much responsibility is ceded Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi to elected officials in the black community. This goes contrary to the fact that an elected official’s effectiveness is primarily defined by the political, economic and social strength of the communities he or she represents.

Unfortunately, too many black elected officials are counted on to be the sole source of political, economic and social strength of the community. However, since the private sector of the black community is relatively weak, and our system of accountability is spotty at best, black elected officials are courted and controlled oftentimes by mainstream political parties, white corporate interest, or a small circle of black elites.

3. Black people are extremely vulnerable in times of growing conservatism in government and budget cuts to public services. We see this See KOKAYI, page 3

Remembering Howard Zinn

BY MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN

When Howard Zinn passed away on Jan. 27 at age 87, the nation mourned the loss of a pioneering historian and social activist who revolutionized the way millions of Americans, especially young Americans, understand our shared history.

His writings and work inspired millions of readers, but I was among the generations of students privileged to know him as a beloved teacher, mentor and friend. His first academic job after graduate study at Columbia University was at the historically black, all-female Spelman College in Atlanta, my alma mater.

The tall, lanky professor and I arrived at Spelman together in 1956; I as a freshman and he as chair of the history department. He and his beautiful wife, Roslyn, and their two children, Myla and Jeff, lived in the back of Spelman’s infirmary where students always felt welcome to gather, explore ideas, share hopes and just chew the fat.

Howie encouraged students to think outside the box and to question rather than accept conventional wisdom. He was a risk-taker. He lost no opportunity to challenge segregation in theaters, libraries, and restaurants, and encouraged us to do the same.

The black Spelman establishment did not like Zinn any more than the white establishment did.

Later, after he joined the faculty at Boston University, its president, John Silber, disliked him just as much as Spelman’s then-president Albert Manley did, because he made some teachers and administrators uncomfortable by challenging the comfortable status quo.

We called him Howie and felt him to be a confidant and friend as well as a teacher, contrary to the more formal and hierarchical traditions of many black colleges. He stressed analysis over memorization; questioning, discussions and essays rather than multiple choices and pat answers; and conveyed and

affirmed my daddy’s belief and message that I could do and be anything and that life was about far more than bagging a Morehouse man Marian Wright Edelman for a husband.

He lived simply and was not materialistic. I felt comfortable asking to drive his old Chevrolet to transport picketers to Rich’s department store or to scout out other potential demonstration sites. He was passionate about justice and his belief in the ability of individuals to make a difference in the world. Not a word-mincer, he said what he believed and encouraged us as students to do the same.

He conveyed to me and to other students that he believed in us and that we were powerful and not helpless to change what we did not like.

He conveyed to members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, whose voter registration and organizing efforts he chronicled in his book “SNCC: The New Abolitionists,” that he believed in, respected and supported our struggle. He was there when 200 students conducted sit-ins and 77 of us got arrested.

He provided us a safe space in his home to plan civil rights activities by listening and not dictating and always kept our secrets from the administration. He laughed and enjoyed life and taught us that it could be fun to challenge the status quo. What fun it was to visit the Georgia Legislature, sit in the whites-only section, watch the floor proceedings screech to a halt, and hear the frantic gaveling and demands to “move those people to where they belonged.”

With Howie, we would then saunter out with smiles on our faces to dream about the next adventure.

He spoke up for the weak and See EDELMAN, page 10

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February 11, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 3

BUSINESS New Opportunities for Investing If you already have a Roth IRA, you’re aware of its biggest benefit: Your earnings grow tax free, provided you meet certain conditions. If you don’t have a Roth IRA, you may want to consider one — and it may be easier for you to do just that in 2010.

Before getting to the reasons why 2010 may be your year to open or convert to a Roth IRA, let’s look at some differences between Roth and traditional IRAs. If you own a traditional IRA, your contributions may be tax-deductible, depending on your income level. But whether you can make deductible contributions or not, your earnings grow on a taxdeferred basis, which means your money can grow faster than it would if it were placed in an investment on which you paid taxes every year.

On the other hand, Roth IRA contributions are never taxdeductible, but your earnings grow tax free, as long as you’ve held your account at least five years and don’t start taking withdrawals until you’re at least age 591/2.

Furthermore, unlike a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA does not require you to start taking distributions when you reach 701/2. Consequently, you’ll have more flexibility and freedom when it comes to making withdrawals.

If you have a traditional IRA, you might be thinking it’s a good idea to convert to a Roth IRA because tax free sounds better than tax deferred — and, all things being equal, tax free would indeed be better. However, it’s not quite that simple.

If you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you’ll have to pay taxes on those traditional IRA earnings and contributions that had previously gone untaxed. If you do convert, you’ll be better off if you

KOKAYI Continued from page 2 currently in California and other states where our people are being disproportionately injured by eliminations to education, public aid and health care programs.

During Black History Month and beyond, we need to know that we can change our current predicament. In order to do so, we will need to have what Marcus Garvey taught — namely a plan that emphasizes “action, self-reliance and a vision of self and the future…”

With a small but entrenched black middle class, a plethora of community leaders and elected officials, and numerous community organizations, labor unions and churches, Los Angeles can be the epicenter for the rebirth of real Black Power.

However, in order to do so, we must change our current thoughts and actions around the role government will play in our liberation movement. Furthermore, we must once again develop and expand black-owned independent political organizations, businesses and schools and do so in a principled and coordinated manner. This is the type of work plan that a people interested in power will take up.

Let’s get to work.

use money held outside your IRA to pay the taxes. If you simply take money from your IRA, you’ll obviously lower the value of your IRA — and, if you’re under 591/2, you may have to pay an additional 10 percent penalty on the amount you withdraw to pay the taxes.

In the past, many investors have been prohibited from converting their IRAs due to either their tax-filing status or their income.

Under previous rules, you could convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA only if you were married and filed a joint return or were a single filer, and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) was $100,000 or less. But in 2010, you can convert funds to a Roth IRA even if your MAGI is more than $100,000. You will also be able to convert to a Roth if you are married and file separate tax returns.

And that’s not the only piece of good news regarding your conversion ability. As mentioned above, you will have to pay taxes when you convert to a Roth IRA. A conversion is usually reported as income for the tax year the conversion takes place.

However, in 2010 only, your conversion amount will be split and reported as income for tax years 2011 and 2012, unless you elect to report the entire conversion amount on your 2010 taxes. You may find that spreading the taxes over two years can make the conversion more affordable.

In any case, consult with your tax adviser before converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth. If done correctly, such a conversion can potentially make a big difference in your ultimate retirement lifestyle.

This article was provided by Edward Jones. Edward Jones, its associates and financial advisers do not provide tax or legal advice.

Kokayi Kwa Jitahidi is a community organizer with the Families for Community Safety Campaign, a grassroots effort to create a more just and peaceful society by holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. FCSC seeks to work with all sectors of the community including political organizations, elected officials and residents in general. Jitahidi is also founder of the MA’AT Club for Community Change. He can be reached bro. kokayi@gmail.com.

HUTCHINSON Continued from page 2 insurance or asset guarantees, and what federal agencies were involved. Boxer and Webb haven’t told us that either.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book is “How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge” (Middle Passage Press).

His radio show, “The Hutchinson Report,” will launch a two-week, onair fund drive. Hutchinson invites the public to call and pledge their contribution and become a Hutchinson Report Sustainer.

The fundraiser will be on Feb. 11 and 18, 9:30 to 10 a.m. Pledge number: (310) 672-5896.

BIZSHORTS Inglewood Library to Host Business Seminar “How to Start and Operate a Successful Small Business” will take place Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the lecture hall of Inglewood Library, 101 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood.

Information: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (Inglewood Alumnae Chapter), (310) 8611913, www.iacdst.org.

Horton Proposes Taxing Marijuana Manufacturers (BOE) — California State Board of Equalization Vice Chairman Jerome E. Horton has proposed a state law that would require manufacturers and distributors of marijuana for sale to register with the board, pay a fee, prepay a portion of the sales tax and pay an excise tax.

Sen. Ron Calderon (DMontebello) plans to introduce the legislation in the budget session.

Although some dispensaries have obtained seller’s permits, according to the board, there is widespread noncompliance resulting in millions of dollars of lost revenue.

Under the current California Revenue and Taxation Code and applicable regulations, medical marijuana dispensaries are treated the same as other businesses mak-

ing sales of tangible personal property. The sales of marijuana are subject to sales tax.

Information: www.taxes.ca.gov.

Police Are Not Protected in New Job Cut Proposals (AP) — The Los Angeles City Council is $218 million in the hole this year and has to make some drastic cuts. For the first time, the city’s budget analyst suggests looking at cutting hundreds of rookie police officers’ jobs.

The police department had been immune from most cost-saving proposals until Feb. 3 when the analyst’s new recommendations targeted the police academy.

Analyst Miguel Santana suggests laying off 87 trainees and 616 recent graduates now working for the department. The cutbacks do not include a proposal to eliminate at least 1,000 city jobs this fiscal year.

Hundreds of people, including city workers and union members, showed up at the council meeting to ask that layoffs be put off.

Santana says delays now will only result in bigger cuts later.

SBA, Minority Business RoundTable Renew Partnership (SBA) — The U.S. Small

Business Administration announced that it renewed its two-year partnership agreement with the Minority Business RoundTable (MBRT) to continue joint outreach efforts to minority entrepreneurs.

The strategic alliance is part of SBA’s ongoing effort to support small business development initiatives in underserved communities. The agreement allows the organizations to share resources and educate minority entrepreneurs on how to use SBA products and services to establish and grow their businesses.

SBA has supported substantial financing to minority-owned small businesses under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Since the act was signed into law last February, minority-owned small businesses have received more than $4 billion in SBA-backed loans, about 23 percent of the more than $18.5 billion in small business lending SBA has supported under the Recovery Act. Minority-owned businesses continue to account for about 29 percent of the agency’s overall lending and 37 percent of its microloans.

Minority-owned small businesses also have received more than $3 billion worth of federal contracts under the Recovery Act.

Page 4

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

COMMUNITY Commentary

Quakes Can Shake Haitians, But They Won’t Destroy

BY SAM RICHARD MANAGING EDITOR

My uncle could’ve been killed in Haiti when a gun was pointed to his head while he was being robbed for money…or died in the car accident that left him seriously bloodied and injured…or met death at the hands of robbers in another ambush.

But my uncle is a survivor.

Although his co-worker had later bled to death after escaping a crumbled building in the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake in the Caribbean nation, my uncle made his way out of the rubble and dirt in the same structure to evade the same fate.

Not long afterward, he sat in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, questioning whether it was all a dream.

Limping and bruised, he eventually walked past much of the chaos and countless dead bodies and made it home to find his house damaged but not completely destroyed. He lived in his car and ate whatever food he could find before making his way to the Dominican Republic, where he eventually got on a plane bound for Florida.

Death also did not seize some of my other family members in Haiti — but tragedy did.

Yet despite losing their homes and many of their material possessions, many Haitians, including my family members, have kept their courage and will to survive through horrible circumstances — a rich spirit that perhaps few other people can claim.

Just consider the beat-theodds mentality Haitians have displayed to the world throughout their history.

Haitians suffered through slavery, revolted and freed themselves more than 200 years ago.

They were economically wronged upon self-emancipation, facing a nation, France, which took the step of requiring them as the victors in their revolution to pay reparations.

The obligations of reparations helped engineer a dysfunctional national experience, and Haitians also lived under brutal dictatorships, political intimidation and coup d’états. Haiti eventually saw 20 years of American occupation, misguided leadership that fostered massive deforestation and many problems. And they have endured several natural disasters, including four hurricanes in 2008. The list of travails goes on.

Now ponder what we’ve recently seen in the media:

WHAT’S GOING ON? Deadline for receipt of What’s Going On listings is Friday, noon, at least two weeks prior to activity. Fax to: (213) 251-5720, e-mail us at lawattsnus@aol.com or mail to: L.A. Watts Times, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

BLACK NATIVE AMERICANS — “Black Seminoles: The North American Maroons” will take place Feb. 27, 2 p.m., at AC Bilbrew Library, 150 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles. Historian and performance artist Phil Wilkes Fixico will be at the event. Fixico is a Seminole Maroon descendant and member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry, and the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts. His passion to learn about his Seminole Maroon ancestry led him to create a DVD about a chapter in American history regarding his ancestors. He is on a mission to enlighten as many as possible about the history of Seminole Maroons, and has been

honored by the Smithsonian to be featured in their traveling exhibition, “indiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas.” The event is free and open to the public.

Information: (310) 538-3350.

BLACK LIT — Maxine Thompson, the author of “The Ebony Tree” and “Hostage of Lies,” will appear Feb. 13, 1 p.m., at the Crenshaw-Imperial Branch Library, 11141 S. Crenshaw Blvd. Thompson will read an excerpt from one of her books.

B L A C K H I S T O RY I N INGLEWOOD — The Inglewood Public Library will commemorate Black History Month with programs, books and activities. A family program will take place in the lecture hall of library Feb. 16, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dramatic presentations by local guest speakers will be followed by a free drawing for door prizes.

Coffee and donuts will be served.

The library is at 101 W. Manchester

Blvd., Inglewood. Information: (310) 412-5380, library.cityofinglewood. org.

BHM DISPLAY — The Autry National Center features objects pertaining to the African American community in the American West on display in the permanent galleries, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Autry’s Community Gallery interprets the West through the lens of the racial, ethnic and religious communities. Featured in the African American section, visitors can learn about the struggle to overcome a history of slavery, formation of rural communities, and the railroad’s influence on employment and urban neighborhoods. On Feb. 14, 1 p.m., museum teachers will offer gallery tours. The museum is at 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. Information: (323) 6672000, www.theautry.org.

Amid the quake-wrought shambles, Haitians sang in the streets. Although they also take time to weep, they have not given in to hopelessness. Haitians have chosen to move forward.

I have witnessed their toughness and struggles during visits to Haiti. In 2007, I saw poverty so massive that it made our problems

in the United States seem like mere inconveniences. Many of the Haitians who live on roughly $2 a day make their wages by selling miscellaneous items, begging and hustling on tattered streets. Power outages were a common occurrence.

Several years before 2007, beggars jumped on a car my family

was in, apparently desperate to pry some money from us.

If Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, surrendered to hopelessness in such circumstances, people would probably understand. But they haven’t.

As a Haitian-American, I have seen this fight for survival in how See HAITI, page 11

February 11, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 5

For over 50 years, providing you with safe, reliable, high-quality vehicles has been our first priority.

In recent days, our company hasn’t been living up to the standards that you’ve come to expect from us — or that we expect from ourselves.

That’s why 172,000 Toyota and dealership employees are dedicated to making things right.

We have a fix for our recalls and technicians are making repairs.

We’re working around the clock to ensure we build vehicles of the highest quality and to restore your faith in our company.

To get all the latest information about the recalls, please visit:

toyota.com ©2010 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Customer Experience Center: 1-800-331-4331

Page 6

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEATURE

Continued from page 1 language — English. He said he mentioned the former president’s comment at a City Council meeting several years ago.

“The only thing I heard back from a couple of people was, ‘Bob, you sound like a racist,’ ” Kellar told the rally. “I said, ‘That’s good.

If that’s what you think I am because I happen to believe in America, then I’m a proud racist.

You’re darn right I am.’ ” Kellar released a statement Feb. 2 saying his comments were taken out of context.

“Some have called me a racist regarding this issue,” Kellar said.

“Let me be perfectly clear on that point: I am not a racist. I abhor racism in any form, shape or fashion.”

He added he was speaking about illegal immigration, which he said the government has failed to adequately address.

Report: L.A. Drivers May See More Red Light Cameras

L.A. County Urban Rescue Team Returns From Haiti

(AP) — Los Angeles drivers may be seeing more red light cameras in their future.

The Los Angeles Times reported Feb. 2 on its Web site that the city’s red light traffic camera program could be greatly expanded under a new contract to be negotiated over the next 14 months.

Los Angeles Police Department officials told the Times that no goal has been set, but city officials have discussed the possibility of adding cameras to blocks of eight intersections at a time, eventually doubling the program’s reach to 64 intersections.

Adding more cameras could bring much-needed city revenue, but officials say any expansion will be based on safety considerations.

Officials say the program netted more than $6 million last year after expenses.

(AP) — A Los Angeles County rescue team has returned home after spending two weeks digging for victims from the wreckage of earthquake-stricken Haiti.

The county fire department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team returned Jan. 28 after two weeks in the island nation.

County Fire Inspector Steve Zermeno says the team found at least nine people who were trapped for days in collapsed buildings in Port-au-Prince.

California Task Force 2 includes 72 firefighters, paramedics, doctors, search dogs, heavy equipment specialists and engineers trained in rescues from collapsed structures. The group flew to Haiti after a Jan. 12 quake that killed an estimated 200,000 people.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Document and Announcement of Public Comment Period for the Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway / Transitway) High Occupancy Toll Lanes Project

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in cooperation with Los Angeles County Metropolitan What’s Being Transportation Agency (Metro) proposes to convert the Planned? existing High Occupancy Vehicle Lane into a High Occupancy Toll Lane on Interstate 110.

Caltrans has studied the effects that the proposed project may have on the environment and community.

The results of these studies are contained in an Why environmental document known as an Environmental This Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA).

Ad? The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of its completion and availability to any interested individuals.

What’s Available?

Where Do You Come In?

When and Where?

Contact

The EIR/EA is available for review and copying at the Caltrans District 7 Division of Environmental Planning (100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles) on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Do you have any comments regarding the EIR/EA? Do you disagree with the findings of the studies? Would you care to make any other comments about the project? Please submit any written comments no later than March 29, 2010 to: Mr. Ron Kosinski Deputy District Director California Department of Transportation Division of Environmental Planning 100 South Main Street MS 16A Los Angeles, CA 90012 A public hearing will be held to allow any interested individuals an opportunity to discuss certain design features of the project with Caltrans staff before the final design and alternative is selected. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at the Andrew Norman Hall, Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation, 2400 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Individuals who require special accommodations are requested to contact the Department’s Public Affairs Office at (213) 897-3656 at least 21 days in advance prior to scheduled hearing date.

For additional information, please contact Ron Kosinski at (213) 897-0703.

Thank you for your interest in this transportation project.

Caltrans improves mobility across California!

THE STATE BART Agrees to Settlement Payment Over Shooting OAKLAND (AP) — Transit officials in Northern California announced they have reached a $1.5 million settlement with the young daughter of an unarmed man who was fatally shot last year by a transit officer.

The agreement was reached Jan. 27 between the Bay Area Rapid Transit agency and Oscar Grant’s fiancée, Sophina Mesa, who is raising their 5-year-old daughter, Tatiana. It settles part of a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against the agency and several employees, including former BART officer Johannes Mehserle, who is charged in Oscar Grant’s death. A judge still has to approve the deal.

Grant family attorney John Burris said that under the agreement, Tatiana will receive an annual allowance to be overseen by her mother and will get access to larger sums once she turns 18.

Mehserle, 28, faces murder charges in the death of Grant, 22, who was shot on an Oakland train

✁

Reflections in Black and White

Photo by HARRY ADAMS

A MOMENT WITH BILBREW — Musician, poet and dramatist A.C. Bilbrew (far left) poses with then-Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and an unidentified woman in 1961. Bilbrew once served as deputy for Hahn. Her other accomplishments include being the first black soloist to appear on radio in 1923; being the first African American to have a radio show; serving as delegate to the Women’s Convention in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1960; and founding the Opportunity Workshop for the cultural development of youths and adults in the community in 1963. The AC Bilbrew Library at 150 E. El Segundo Blvd. was named in her honor. This picture is part of an ongoing photo series, titled “Reflections in Black and White,” that will be published regularly in the L.A. Watts Times, courtesy of the Institute for Arts and Media at California State University, Northridge. The black photographer who took the picture above, Harry Adams (1918-1988), shot many photos of community life from 1955 to 1988, according to the institute.

platform New Year’s Day 2009 after Grant and his friends were pulled off a train for allegedly fighting.

Mehserle has pleaded not guilty.

Burris said Grant’s mother, Wanda Johnson, who is also a plaintiff in the $50 million lawsuit, has not settled. He expects the suit will be heard in front of a jury.

Mehserle’s next court date in Los Angeles is Feb. 19.

Bill Renews Calif. Ban on Felons Owning Body Armor SACRAMENTO (AP) — Violent felons in California would be prohibited from owning bulletproof vests and other body armor

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under a bill approved unanimously by the state Senate.

The bill, passed Jan. 28, would reinstate a ban imposed a decade ago after a pair of notorious shootouts between police and suspects wearing bulletproof clothing.

In 1997, two bank robbers in North Hollywood held off 350 police officers. Three years earlier in San Francisco, an armor-wearing carjacker killed a police officer during a lengthy shootout before he was shot by a police sniper.

A state appeals court threw out the ban in December, ruling that the definition of body armor was too vague.

The bill by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of Los Angeles gives a more specific definition and renews the ban. It passed 35-0 and, as of Jan. 29, was on its way to the Assembly.

Court: Sentence for Millennium Plotter Too Lenient SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court says the 22year prison sentence is too lenient for an al-Qaida-trained terrorist convicted of plotting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport at the turn of the millennium.

A divided three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out the sentence Feb. 2. It also removed the Seattle trial judge from the case and assigned the re-sentencing of Ahmed Ressam to another federal judge.

Border agents in Washington state arrested Ressam in December 1999 after he entered the United States from Canada on a ferry with a car packed with explosives.

A judge cited Ressam’s cooperation with investigators in meting out the original sentence. But since Ressam recanted his cooperation after two years, the appeals court says he deserves a longer sentence.

February 11, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 7

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MEETINGS, FORUMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Workshop for Beautification Plan Scheduled A beautification planning workshop will take place Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to noon, in the cafeteria of Ronald McNair Elementary School, 1450 W. El Segundo Blvd., Compton.

This will be the final community workshop to view the conceptual station design to improve pedestrian access and safety at the Wilmington/Imperial/Rosa Parks Blue Line station.

During the Jan. 9 meeting, Metro’s presentation of the initial concept included the creation of a pedestrian plaza, partial relocation of the bus bays, relocation of shortterm parking, and construction of a new parking structure across from the station to serve Metro riders who drive to the station.

Community participation and feedback is very important during the final stage and throughout the station improvement planning process.

Information: Ginny Brideau, ginny@therobertgroup.com, (323) 669-7654.

Inglewood Council to Rotate Office of Mayor (City of Inglewood) — Second District Councilwoman Judy Dunlap has been appointed to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for February, according to a rotation schedule established by the City Council following the recent resig-

nation of Mayor Roosevelt F. Dorn.

Dunlap succeeds Fourth District Councilman Ralph L. Franklin, who served as Mayor Pro Tempore immediately following the departure of Dorn.

The council announced plans to rotate the Office of Mayor among council members until a special election is held on June 8, which will select a mayor.

Council members will rotate as Mayor Pro Tempore following Franklin and Dunlap according to the following monthly schedule: Third District Councilman Eloy Morales Jr., March; Fourth District Councilman Ralph L. Franklin, April; and First District Councilman Daniel K. Tabor, May. Mayor Pro Tempore has all the power and authority vested in the Office of the Mayor, including the power to sign contracts.

ment.

It also increases criminal penalties for human trafficking, including longer prison sentences of up to 15-years-to-life and larger fines of up to $500,000 for certain offenses.

The Secretary of State’s tracking number for this measure is 1448 and the Attorney General’s tracking number is 09-0103.

The proponent for this measure, Daphne Phung, must collect signatures of 433,971 registered voters — the number equal to 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2006 gubernatorial election — in order to qualify it for the ballot. Phung has until July 1 to circulate petitions for this measure.

Phung can be reached at info@ CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org.

Information: www.sos.ca.gov/multi media.

Human Trafficking Initiative Enters Circulation

Community Services Unlimited Inc. to Host Farm Workday

Secretary of State Debra Bowen has announced that the proponent of a new initiative may begin collecting petition signatures for her measure. The initiative expands the definition of human trafficking to encompass additional types of criminal conduct, including violating a person’s liberty with intent to distribute obscene material, and taking a victim’s travel documents to restrict victim’s move-

Community Services Unlimited Inc. (CSU) will present the Normandie Urban Farm Work Day and CSU orientation Feb. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Normandie Avenue Elementary School, 4505 S. Raymond Ave., Los Angeles.

Enter through the Vernon Avenue gate. Dress appropriately, bring water to drink, and be ready to burn off some calories.

Photos by BETSY ANNAS

RIBBON CUTTING — Councilwoman Jan Perry, community members and city officials (above) cut the ribbon on a $15 million neighborhood city hall in South Los Angeles Jan. 28. The new Ninth District Community City Hall is one of the latest developments on Central Avenue. Pictured (above, left to right): Gary Lee Moore, city engineer, department of Public Works; Marie Rumsey, senior deputy, Office of Councilwoman Jan Perry; Calvin Hollis, Interim CEO, Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles; Perry, Ninth District; Richard Benbow, general manager, Community Development Department; Valerie Shaw, Public Works commissioner; John Reamer, inspector of Public Works. Pictured below is a photo of part of the new structure.

This event is also a regular monthly opportunity to be part of an orientation about CSU’s work and history.

RSVP information: Dyane, (323) 299 7075, dyanep1@csuinc. org. More information: (732) 6827322.

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.

www.unifiedgrocers.com

Page 8

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

ARTS & CULTURE

Felicia Fields Lands Plum Role in ‘The Color Purple’

BY DARLENE DONLOE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Felicia P. Fields is a thief!

In Oprah Winfrey Presents “The Color Purple,” the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the 1985 film of the same name, Fields, who plays the feisty, independent, take-no-stuff Sofia, steals every scene in which she appears.

The production, currently playing at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood through Feb. 28, is the story of several women, most notably Celie, played by the talented former American Idol Fantasia Barrino. The women, who have suffered at the hands of men in some way, shape or form, are all trying to renew their spirits and find themselves.

Celie’s issue is the focus of the play. Sold into marriage at 14 to an older, abusive man named Mister,

after giving birth to two children by a man she believes to be her father, Celie’s self-esteem has taken a massive blow.

Sofia, on the other hand, has no problem with self-esteem. She’s a ball of fire who speaks her mind and dares anyone, including her man, Harpo, to try to tame her.

Fields’ performance as Sofia is so soulful and uplifting that she dominates the show. She has been playing the role for so long (in a 2003 workshop and the show since 2005) that she’s both herself and Sofia.

Fields, who hails from Chicago and has two children, is fierce, but when it comes to hers and the show’s success the last five years, she has a relaxed attitude.

In an interview, Fields, who earned a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Sofia on Broadway, talked about her role

and the importance of “The Color Purple.”

LAWT: How do you describe the show?

FPF: It’s a story about life.

There is not a person in that show that you won’t be able to identify with at this point. It’s a story about resilience. It’s about people helping people. At the end, you know things are going to be OK and that it’s possible to come out on the other side.

LAWT: You’ve been playing Sofia for a long time.

FPF: I started dealing with this show in August 2003. It was the first workshop. Then I did my first performance at the Alliance Theatre. We then opened in December 2005 and stayed on Broadway for two years. The national tour started in Chicago and lasted six months.

LAWT: What is it about “The Color Purple?”

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SCENE STEALER — Felicia Fields (pictured right) stars as Celie in Oprah Winfrey Presents “The Color Purple,” the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the 1985 film of the same name.

FPF: It’s a life-altering experience for the audience and me and people in the show. It’s a story that lends itself to helping people get over their fears of different things like incest and homophobic attitudes. It’s a message of lineage.

Mister’s behavior he got from his father and then passed it on to his son. People can identify with the characters that are there and can recognize themselves or someone they know. It’s a story that hits home. I don’t care if you’re black, white or Asian, there are characters you know. You can have a girlfriend that’s in an abusive relationship. Some have low self-esteem because they were raped. This show speaks to all of that.

LAWT: What is it about Sofia?

FPF: She represents the female strength, an opinion. Sticking to your guns. She is who she is.

And she is who she is with whomever she encounters. You either like her or you don’t.

LAWT: Are you like her in any way?

FPF: A whole lot like her. In the show, when I say, ‘If a man raises his hand, he’ll know,’ I mean it. I hope every night when I sing that, I hope they get the message.

It’s an opportunity to help somebody every night. I want women to know your beauty is not from the outside; it’s from within.

LAWT: You’ve done the role so long. How do you keep it fresh?

FPF: Live theater necessitates that you’re in the moment from day to day. Different energy every night. You’re constantly giving life to the character. There’s always a different way to present her.

LAWT: How did you go about developing your own Sofia — so that it wasn’t an Oprah rehash?

FPF: It’s very difficult to go from a movie to live theater and be compared to Oprah. She did the role through her direction with (Steven) Spielberg. Gary Griffin (the director) was my collaborator.

Also, when you get an opportunity to do a workshop, you can establish what you feel. Then the people who make decisions begin to learn who you are and you begin to seep into the character.

LAWT: What did you think the first time you saw the movie?

FPF: I identified with that character. She may be a little more overt than I am. I probably wouldn’t have hit a mayor. I may have walked away. She (Sofia) represents self-confidence. She’s not afraid to express her opinion.

LAWT: How do audiences

across the country differ, if at all, in their response to the show?

FPF: The South is always with you. They like to make noise and be a part of the show. The North, with Caucasians, is more reserved. At the end, they are listeners. I find in places like L.A. and New York, they are much more critical. When you’re in the South, they embrace.

(The) North is intrigued, but still enjoy. In L.A., it’s more judgmental. It’s a place where they do art.

LAWT: What is it about the theater that you love?

FPF: I love it because you can come in one way and leave transformed. Something has changed your life. It’s like going to church — there is something in the Word that says, ‘Hey, I can make it another week. Now I have more fuel.’

LAWT: Do you ever get to go to the theater and be an audience member?

FPF: Occasionally, I go to the theater if it’s something I really want to see. I went to see ‘The Princess and the Frog.’ I loved ‘Caroline, or Change.’

LAWT: Did you ever think about being something other than an actress in the theater?

FPF: I wanted to be a teacher.

I hadn’t really focused in on what kind, either language arts teacher or music theater. I was directing a choir at the Antioch (Church) in (the) Englewood area of Chicago.

A couple came in and needed me to do some demo work in a makeshift studio. Someone heard me and suggested I audition at Marriott Lincoln. I got the part playing Auntie Em and Glenda. This was in 1987. From there, I took classes to sharpen my skills.

LAWT: Do you ever get a chance to play other roles in other shows?

FPF: This takes all my time.

I’m an advocate for being true to my job. If I go on an audition, and I get the job and they need me to leave, it won’t happen. I don’t get a chance to do too many other things.

There is a lot of motivational work to do in this show.

Showtime information for Oprah Winfrey Presents “The Color Purple:” Pantages Theater, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1* and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, through Feb. 28. *Fantasia will not perform on Sunday matinees. Tickets: $25 to $85.

For more information, call (800) 982-2787 or visit www.

BroadwayLA.org.

February 11, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 9

ARTS & CULTURE The premiere for the film “Valentine’s Day� took place Feb. 8 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The movie features an all-star ensemble cast playing characters whose lives change over the course of one Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles.

Jaime Foxx

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon

Cleo King

Jessica Alba

CATCH THE

“DREAM�

E SSAY CONT E S T

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IV SENSATION L L A IC S U M E H T

DREAMGIRLS is the amazing musical about three girls who overcome tremendous odds to fulfill their “dream� of superstardom.

The L.A. Watts Times wants to hear your personal story.

Submit a 200-500 word essay of how you were able to overcome adversity and achieve your “dream�. The L.A. Watts Times editorial staff will judge the contest and select the top 3 essays.

3 WINNERS RECEIVE

A Pair of Tickets to DREAMGIRLS on Thursday, March 11 at 8pm And dinner for 2 at The Restaurant at The Standard, Downtown L.A.!

COMPLIMENTS OF:

TO ENTER:

1. Online: Visit www.lawattstimes.com and click on contest@lawattstimes.com or send an EMAIL to contest@lawattstimes.com with the subject line DREAMGIRLS Contest. Include your first and last names, date of birth, complete mailing address, email address and daytime and evening telephone numbers.

OR

2. By U.S. Mail: Send a card with the same information noted above: DREAMGIRLS Contest c/o L.A. Watts Times 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010 RULES: No purchase necessary. 3 winners will be selected by L.A. Watts Times editorial sta. All submissions must arrive no later than Friday, February 26, 2010. Limit one entry per person. Entries will not be returned. Open to legal residents of California and the U.S., 18 years of age or older. L.A. Watts Times and Center Theatre Group are not responsible for delayed or lost entries. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. L.A. Watts Times, Center Theatre Group, and The Standard, Downtown L.A. assume no responsibility or liability for damages, losses or injury resulting from the acceptance or use of these prizes. All winners must agree to abide by any restrictions in connection with these prizes.

Employees and their families of L.A. Watts Times and Center Theatre Group are ineligible. The decision of the judges is ďŹ nal on all contest matters. For list of winners (available after Friday, March 19, 2010), send a self-addressed envelope to: L.A. Watts Times, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

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Page 10

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

ARTS & CULTURE SHORT TAKES SPORTS • The Harlem Globetrotters will perform their “Magical Memories” show Feb. 14, 6 p.m., at Staples Center. The show features athletes and entertainers, including Big Easy Lofton and Flight Time Lang of the “The Amazing Race,” Handles Franklin, and Hi Rise Brown.

In the Los Angeles area, the Globetrotters will also perform at Honda Center on Feb. 13 at 1 and 7 p.m., and at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.

The Globetrotters will perform nearly 270 shows in more than 215 cities in 44 states, the District of Columbia, five Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico through the first week of May 2010. The Original Harlem Globetrotters have played in 120 countries on six continents. The Globetrotters are one of six teams to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

For more information on getting to the Globetrotters’ Staples Center performance by public transportation, go to the trip planner at metro.net or call (800)COMMUTE. Metro riders can save $5 on select seats by presenting a valid Metro pass, Metro Rail ticket or Destination Discounts card at the Staples box office or going online to harlemglobetrotters.com and use the promotional code “METRO.” Some restrictions apply.

FILM

Harlem Globetrotters

• The third annual Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival will take place at the Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First St., June 12 to 13, down-

town Los Angeles.

The festival is accepting film, literary, performance, and workshop submissions. The festival is gearing up once again to celebrate the storytelling of the mixed racial and cultural experience, from interracial and intercultural relationships, to transracial and transcultural adoptions, and anyone who identifies as having a biracial, multiracial or mixed identity.

The festival will bring together artists, film and book lovers, multiracial individuals and families for two days of writing and film workshops, readings, film screenings and live performances. Events are free and open to the public.

The call for submissions for films, workshops and readings and performances by writers, actors, comedians and musicians is open now until March 1. There is no submission fee. However, entries received after March 1 and by March 20 must pay a $50 lateentry fee. No entries will be accepted after March 20. Information: www.mxroots.org.

BOOKS • The 2010 Beach Book Festival has issued the call for entries to its annual competition honoring the best reads of the summer season. The author of the winning book will win $1,500 and a flight to New York for a June 11

America’s Jazz and Blues Station www.jazzandblues.org

awards ceremony at the Algonquin Hotel. The festival will consider selfpublished or independent publisher nonfiction; fiction; biography/autobiography; children’s books; teenage; how-to; science fiction; romance; comics; poetry; spiritual; compilations/anthologies; history; business; and health-oriented books published on or after Jan. 1, 2005.

Submitted works will be judged for general excellence, i.e., the potential of the work to be an engaging beach read this summer season.

Information: www.beachbookfestival.com.

• The 2010 Green Book Festival has issued the call for entries to its annual competition honoring books that contribute to greater understanding, respect and positive action on the changing worldwide environment. The festival will be held April 30 to May 2 as part of the LA Garden Show.

The festival will consider published; self-published and independent publisher works in the following categories: nonfiction; fiction; children’s books; teenage; how-to; audio/spoken word; comics/graphic novels; poetry; science fiction/horror; biography/autobiography; gardening; cookbooks; animals; photography/art; e-books, wild card (anything goes!); scientific; white paper; legal; business; mystery; and spiritual.

Entries can be in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese or Italian.

The grand prize for the festival Author of the Year is $1,500. Information: (323) 665-8080, www. greenbookfestival.com, GreenBook Festival@sbcglobal.net.

DANCE • Touch the World’s “Dance, Dance, Dance” takes place Feb.

EDELMAN Continued from page 2 little people against the big and powerful people just as he did his whole life. An eloquent and prolific chronicler of “The People’s History of the United States,” of the Civil Rights Movement, and of the longings of the young and the poor and the weak to be free, his most profound message and the title of one of his books is that “you can’t be neutral on a moving train.” You can and must act against injustice.

Howie taught me to question and ponder what I read and heard and to examine and apply the lessons of history in the context of the daily political, social, and moral challenges all around us in the South such asracial discrimination and income inequality.

He combined book learning with experiential opportunities to engage in interracial discussions; partnered with community groups challenging legal segregation; and engaged students as participants, observers, data collectors, and witnesses in pending legal cases. He listened and answered questions as we debated strategies for conducting sitin demonstrations to challenge segregated public dining facilities and used his car to check out, diagram, and help choreograph planned civil rights events.

He reassured us of the rightness of our case when uncertainty and

20, 5 to 8 p.m., at Southside Bethel Baptist Church, 10400 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles. Special guests will include L.A. Inner City Mass Choir, Expressions Dance Co., and praise and worship leader Deferra Williams & Friends.

Admission is free. Information: (323) 485-7210, touchtheworld tv@hotmail.com.

THEATER • International City Theatre will kick off its 25th anniversary season with the Los Angeles premiere of “Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Musical” with previews Feb. 23 to 24 at 8 p.m., and performances Feb. 25 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Feb. 26 to 27, March 4 to 6, March 11 to 13, and March 18 to 20 at 8 p.m., and March 7, 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.

The musical is a biography of Ginger Rogers that combines music, dance and plot. Best known as Fred Astaire’s dance partner, Ginger Rogers was also an acclaimed actress and singer and one of the industry’s first women to demand equal pay.

“Backwards in High Heels” combines original songs and vintage movie musical numbers with dance for a toe-tapping account of the public and private life of Rogers, billed as the charming dame who could dance before she could walk.

The International City Theatre is at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Preview tickets are $32. Weekend tickets are $40 to $45.

Opening night tickets are $50 to $60. Information: (562) 436-4610, www.InternationalCityTheatre. org.

fear crept in and some of our college presidents sought to dampen our spirits and discourage our activities.

In short, he was there for and with us through thick and thin, focused not just on our learning in the classroom but on our learning to stand up and feel empowered to act and change our own lives and the community and region where we lived. He taught us to be neither victims nor passive observers of unjust treatment but active and proud claimants of our American birthright.

Howie helped prepare me to discover my leadership potential. I was so blessed to have Howie Zinn as a teacher and lifelong friend and will miss him deeply.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind mission is to ensure every child a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start and a moral start in life, and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information, visit www.childrensdefense.org.

Facts Feb. 15, 1965 Nat King Cole, a singer and pianist, dies in Santa Monica.

Source: blackfacts.com

February 11, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 11

EDUCATION

College ‘Gender Gap’ Favoring Women Stops Growing

BY ERIC GORSKI AP EDUCATION WRITER

On college campuses, female undergraduates have outnumbered men and outperformed them academically for years, but a report out Jan. 25 finds those gaps have stopped growing in key areas including enrollment and bachelor’s degrees.

One notable exception is young Hispanic men — especially new immigrants — who are falling further behind Hispanic women.

Men account for 43 percent of overall college enrollment and earn 43 percent of bachelor’s degrees — figures that have remained consistent since the early 2000s.

However, the analysis by the Washington-based American Council on Education shows the disparity lies largely in the fact that men are much less likely than women to go to college — or return to college — later in life: Undergraduate men age 25 or older are outnumbered by women in the same age group 2-to-1.

“Traditional” students who head directly to college from high school are split between the genders. Men still lead in the number of PhD and MD degrees awarded, while the genders are about even in graduate programs in law and business administration.

“Why are men less likely than women to enter (or re-enter) higher education later in life?” researcher Jacqueline King, the author of the study, asked. “Perhaps the higher

salaries that men of all education levels continue to command in the labor market depress enrollments, or men are less willing to reduce the amount they work (and earn) in order to pursue higher education, but additional research is needed.”

There is disagreement about the causes of the college gender gap, the extent of the problem, and what should be done about it.

Some caution that whatever the problems facing men as a whole are, attention ought to be focused on minority and poor men who face the greatest challenges.

After decades of discrimination and exclusion from many campuses, women became the majority on college campuses after 1978, an outgrowth of the women’s rights movement and a drop-off in male enrollment after the end of the Vietnam era.

By 1990, the female-male breakdown was 55 percent to 45 percent. The gap widened to 57 percent to 43 percent in 2003 and has been frozen there since, according to the report.

A similar leveling off has taken place with undergraduate degrees. The last time men and women were on even footing in earning bachelor’s degrees was 1980. The gender gap kept growing until it had tilted in favor of women 57 percent to 43 percent in 2000-01 — and has held steady there since.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the recession is pushing more men

back to school — community colleges have reported gains in male enrollment — which could narrow the gender gap, King said.

Among the report’s other findings: • Among undergraduates 24 and younger, the gender gap is widest among African Americans: 59 percent female to 41 percent male in 2007-08. However, the gap has narrowed since 1995-96, when it was 63-37.

• Although the number of

HAITI Continued from page 4 my family is dealing with this tragedy. We support each other — financially and emotionally — and hold on to hope, even when we find out that friends in Haiti have died.

Does that mean our attitudes are not based on reality?

No. They’re partly based on the knowledge that Haitians are expert survivors in life. Consider my uncle, who rose from poverty, received part of his education in France on a scholarship, got a good job in a country where unemployment is as high as 70 percent by some measures, and works hard enough to have a home in Haiti and Florida and support his wife

BLACK COWBOY Continued from page 1 every three cowhands was African American, according to Denver’s Black American West Museum.

Whole Western towns were populated by African Americans.

The ghost town of Dearfield was famous not just as an African American community, but also as the place where dryland farming was introduced to the state. The practice has produced millionaires across the Plains ever since.

Today, there is a disconnect between blacks and their rural past, said Reiland Rabaka, an associate professor of Africana studies at the University of Colorado and a research fellow for the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race in America.

Rabaka had been writing a chapter called “Beyond the Black Cowboy” for an educational volume on Colorado’s ethnic cultures to be published this year.

Since the days of the black cowboys, African Americans have forged enduring legacies in politics and public service, music and theater, education, science and medicine, he said.

“Most people couldn’t tell you much of anything about African American history before the Civil Rights Movement,” Rabaka said.

Five years ago, the National Western made an effort to change that.

Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, former music producer Lu Vason brings the top black cowboys in the world to Denver for the

Martin Luther King Jr. AfricanAmerican Heritage Rodeo of Champions.

Nearly 20,000 metro-area school kids attend the stock show on school tours each year.

Jamey Ford, 29, first came to the stock show on a school tour when he was 12, he said recently as he herded his two toddlers through the stables.

“You should let your kids experience everything and (let them) choose their own way,” he said.

Ford, who is black, grew up in east Aurora and dreams of someday “retiring with a bunch of cows in the country.”

That’s not typical, Rabaka said.

Unfortunately, black culture trends away from its rural roots because of its association with slavery, he said. Quoting civil rights leader W.E.B. DuBois, Rabaka said, “There’s no one way to be an African American.”

“The black cowboy is a rich part of who African Americans are,” Rabaka said. “We should embrace that, and we should be proud of that.”

Cowboy Abe Morris agrees.

He’s proud of his race, proud of his background in rodeo, and proud that his 10-year-old son, Justin, wears one of his rodeo championship buckles.

“He’s been on a bull,” Morris said, grinning. “If he wants to ride, that’ll be his decision.”

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degrees awarded to white and Hispanic men are rising, they are not earning degrees at a higher rate because the gains aren’t keeping up with population growth.

Linda Sax, an associate professor at the University of California, Los Angeles Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, said attention should focus on preparing and attracting low-income African American and Latino men to college, given their historic under-rep-

resentation.

“At the same time, we must acknowledge the fact that women continue to comprise the majority of low-income and first-generation college students and remain underrepresented in traditionally male fields like engineering and computer science,” said Sax, author of “The Gender Gap in College: Maximizing the Developmental Potential of Women and Men.” “Their needs ought not be overlooked.”

and kids—all in the face of difficult and even life-threatening situations.

Such survivor’s instincts are part of the reason that my single mom — who raised two sons while going to school and working and, in Haiti, experienced days without eating — has made a success of her life in spite of seemingly insurmountable problems. That spirit is why Haitians have achieved some civic and governmental successes despite having the deck stacked against them since the day they won their freedom.

Making good come out of bad circumstances — and keeping the courage and the will to live — is commendable. Doing so after years of many devastating circumstances

is remarkable.

Earthquakes and aftershocks may shake Haiti but they will not destroy the Haitian people, because we’re survivors.

All is not well, to be sure.

Haiti definitely needs help.

I talked to my uncle over the phone recently. He landed in Florida on January 26 — traumatized, thinner and sleep-deprived.

He doesn’t have a habitable home in Haiti for now.

As we spoke over the phone, my uncle told me that our family members — those we’ve heard from, at least — are well (in the sense that they are alive).

Yes, they have lost they’re homes and have suffered much.

But, he repeated, they are well.

Page 12

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

EDUCATION NOTEBOOK City Year Offers Two ServiceLearning Weekend Programs City Year, a national nonprofit and AmeriCorps organization that connects 17to 24-year-olds to serve as tutors, mentors, and role models, offers two service-learning programs on weekends, called Young Heroes and City Heroes, for middle schooland high school-aged youth.

Heroes come from diverse areas of Los Angeles such as Watts, South L.A., Pico, Boyle Heights and North Hollywood.

In the program, they work together on teams to learn about pressing social issues and then engage in service projects on those topics. Past topics have included gang violence, homelessness, drug use and environmentalism, and service projects that include painting over graffiti and serving meals at a homeless shelter.

Information: www.cityyear.org.

which was launched five years ago to increase enrollment of black students at CSU’s 23 campuses.

Officials said the CSU system saw a 78 percent increase in freshman applications from African Americans from 2004 to 2008, and a 20 percent jump in enrollment of black undergraduates.

CSU has similar outreach initiatives for Hispanic and Native American students who are under-represented in higher education.

Man Charged With Football Star’s Murder in Compton (AP) — A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder in the shooting death of a standout high school football player in Compton.

Students Urged to Apply for Public Works High School Internships (City of L.A.) — Los Angeles-area high school students are encouraged to apply for the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works High School Internship Program 2010, announced Board President Cynthia Ruiz.

The application deadline is March 15.

Through this program, now in its eighth year, youth throughout the city are exposed to career options in the water, wastewater architectural and environmental engineering industries. Partnering firms offer six-week, paid internships that integrate classroom learning with work-based experience.

Last year the program placed 92 high school students, from July 6 through Aug. 14, with 34 wastewater engineering, architectural and environmental engineering firms in Southern California.

Information: www.bpw.lacity.org/pwhip, Andrea Alarcon, (213) 978-0254.

Payless Shoe Source Celebrates Black History Month with Scholarship Program (PRNewswire) — In celebration of Black History Month, Payless ShoeSource will continue its Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program by joining together with its shoppers and the National Urban League (NUL) to raise money to support the future of African American and other minority youth.

First launched last year, Payless will again sell a limited-edition I Believe necklace for $4 in more than 800 stores nationwide and Payless.com, while supplies last, and will donate 100 percent of the net profits of necklace sales, with a minimum donation of $35,000, to the Payless Inspiring Possibilities scholarship program established with NUL. Payless said it expects NUL to distribute scholarships ranging between $350 to $5,000 to African American and other minority youth through its signature education program, Project Ready, for the 2010-11 academic season.

To be eligible for a 2010-11 Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship, students must be a registered Project Ready participant, and submit materials by the scholarship deadline, March 31.

Information: www.payless.com/bhm.

CSU Reaches Out to Black Students Through Church LONG BEACH (AP) — California State University is expanding its campaign to enroll more African American students.

CSU officials said Feb. 2 that administrators plan to speak at about 100 black churches in nearly 40 cities across California over the next several weeks to encourage families to start preparing for college.

The “Super Sunday” campaign is part of the CSU African American Initiative,

Dannie Farber Jr.

Arlon Watson was arraigned in Superior Court in Compton on Feb. 9.

Eighteen-year-old Dannie Farber Jr., an All-City wide receiver, was three weeks away from his graduation at Narbonne High School in May 2009 when he was shot to death while having dinner at a Compton restaurant.

Detectives say restaurant surveillance video helped them identify Watson as the suspect. They believe he mistook Farber for a gang member.

Watson is being held on $2 million bail. If convicted, prosecutors say he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.

Edison International Commits $150,000 to the LAGRANT Foundation for Minority Scholarships (LAGRANT) — Edison International has committed to a contribution of $150,000 to The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF) over the course of three years — 2009, 2010 and 2011 — donating $50,000 each year.

The partnership will help TLF target the underserved student populations in Edison International’s service territories by focusing on five campuses in the California State University System, which has the largest diverse and underserved minority population of students than any other state university system. One student from CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, Cal Poly Pomona, and CSU San Bernardino will be granted a TLF scholarship annually for the next three years.

The Foundation’s mission is to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations by providing scholarships, career development workshops, professional development, mentors and internships to African American, American Indian/Native American, Asian Pacific American and Hispanic/Latino undergraduate and graduate students.

TLF will work with the school’s communications and business programs to provide scholarships, career development workshops, and mentors for undergraduate and graduate students.

Information: www.lagrantfoundation.org.

February 11, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 13

HEALTH

Healthy Baby Campaign Aims to Help Mothers

BY MATTHEW PERRONE AP BUSINESS WRITER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Expectant mothers are getting a new tool to help keep themselves and their babies healthy: pregnancy tips sent directly to their cell phones.

The so-called text4baby campaign is the first free, health education program in the United States to harness the reach of mobile phones, according to its sponsors, which include Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, WellPoint and CareFirst BlueCross and Blue Shield.

Wireless carriers including AT&T, Verizon and Sprint have agreed to waive all fees for receiving the texts.

Organizers say texting is an effective means of delivering wellness tips because 90 percent of people in the United States have cell phones.

“Especially if you start talking about low-income people, cell phones are the indispensable tool for reaching them and engaging them about their health,” said Paul Meyer, president of Voxiva, a company which operates health texting programs in Africa, Latin America and India.

Studies in those countries have shown that periodic texts can reduce smoking and other unhealthy behaviors in pregnant mothers.

Meyer said the U.S. program, run by Voxiva, will be the largest health-related texting program ever undertaken.

Under the new service, mothers-to-be who text “BABY” to

HIV/AIDS Continued from page 1 there is still some misinformation,” he said. “There is still a lot of fear …”

The institute has identified 25 major cities to do outreach in, partly based on their black population, he said.

Organizations helping with the initiative are continually increasing, so Bland said he did not have figures on how many are helping fight the cause.

And although the organization does not do testing itself, it has been providing information to its partners on how to help people get tested and how to market the campaign, Bland said.

Currently, the institute is trying to bring more of its efforts online and get people and organizations to register for the initiative.

Another challenge to meet is helping people beyond testing.

“We’re a national organization and testing is something that happens at the local level” Bland said.

“How do you link them up with local services?”

Instead of spending money on testing campaigns, there should be more focus placed on building the infrastructure of HIV/AIDS minority organizations that are indigenous to the black community — organizations “who live, work, worship and pay their taxes within the black community,” said Carrie

511411 will receive weekly text messages, timed to their due date or their baby’s birth date. The messages, which have been vetted by government and nonprofit health experts, deal with nutrition, immunization and birth defect prevention, among other topics. The messages will continue through the baby’s first birthday.

Government officials will be publicizing the campaign in speeches and promotional materials.

Organizers hope the effort can curb premature births, which can be caused by poor nutrition, excessive stress, smoking and drinking alcohol.

About 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the United States each year, and 28,000 infants die before their first birthday, according to the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. The nonprofit is among the sponsors of the campaign.

“The real scary thing is that we’re an industrialized nation and we’re not doing very well on infant mortality, and we know prematurity is a big part of that,” said the group’s director, Judy Meehan.

Currently the United States ranks 30th worldwide for infant mortality, according to Meehan, behind most Western European nations.

Researchers at the George Washington University have agreed to evaluate the effectiveness of text4baby by measuring health trends for mothers and newborns.

Broadus, executive director of Women Alive, a nonprofit organization for women who have HIV/AIDS. “If you test a million … and we look at the current rate of 3 percent (who test positive), where will those … people go to access services who are HIV positive, and where will the remaining (amount go) for information, prevention and education if you are not building the infrastructure?

“So, I get tested. OK, now where do I go for services?” she said.

The institute is registering individuals and organizations to become T1M members.

People interested in getting tested can visit the institute’s Facebook page or its Web site, blackaids.org. They can also visit Greater Than AIDS Campaign’s site at greaterthan.org.

Managing Editor Sam Richard contributed to this report.

Facts Feb. 16, 1970 Joe Frazier knocks out Jimmy Ellis in the second round of their New York fight and becomes the world heavyweight boxing champion.

Source: blackfacts.com

THE PULSE L.A. Care Celebrates National Cancer Prevention Month (L.A. Care) — L.A. Care Celebrates National Cancer Prevention Month Feb. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with “A Morning of ‘Me’ Time” event that gives women tips on how to stay healthy.

Scheduled speakers include Mother Love, author and radio personality; Denise Lamb, health educator, Black Women for Wellness; and Dallian Carter, Family Resource Center administrator, L.A. Care Health Plan.

The event will take place at L.A. Care’s Family Resource Center, 3111 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood. The aim of the event is to raise awareness about the importance of staying healthy to live longer, happier lives and be able to take care of loved ones.

The event is designed to give women time to educate themselves on breast and cervical health and other women’s health issues.

There will be free blood pressure and glucose screenings, information on free or low-cost mammograms, raffle prizes, free childcare, healthy snacks and refreshments provided, and an opportunity to sign up for free health education and exercise classes.

RSVP Information: (888) 2139374, www.lacare.org/aboutlacare.

California Wellness Accepting Applications for Sabbatical Program (TCWF) — The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) is accepting applications for its 2010 sabbatical program.

The $35,000 grant enables health-sector nonprofit executives in California to spend up to six months away from the workplace for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. The deadline for applications is Feb. 19.

Applications and eligibility requirements are available online under the Leadership Recognition section at www.calwellness.org.

Information: (818) 702-1970, sabbaticalprogram@tcwf.org.

FDA Liver Risk Warning for Bristol-Myers HIV Drug WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials said Feb.1 that patients taking a Bristol-Myers Squibb drug for HIV are at risk of a rare, but potentially fatal, liver disorder.

The Food and Drug Administration said it has received 42 reports of the disorder since Videx was approved in 1991. Four patients died from bleeding or liver failure after developing the problem, known as non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

The problem involves dangerously slow blood flow through the

liver, which can cause veins in the esophagus to swell. These veins are thin and can cause burst, causing potentially deadly bleeding.

FDA says it is keeping the drug on the market because its benefits to patients outweigh its risks.

The agency added warnings to the drug’s label about the signs and symptoms of the liver disorder.

Videx capsules prevent HIV from multiplying and are used in combination with other virus-fighting drugs in adults and children.

Calls placed to New Yorkbased Bristol Myers Squibb were not immediately returned.

First Black Hospital in Chicago is Remembered CHICAGO (AP) — The history of Chicago’s first hospital operated by African Americans was discussed at an event Feb. 1 honoring Black History Month.

Doctors and nurses discussed the original facility’s opening in 1891, its financial crisis, its closing in 1987 and its reincarnation as the current Provident Hospital of Cook County. A roundtable discussion followed.

The original Provident Hospital and Training School, founded

by Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, was Chicago’s first hospital owned and run by blacks. The three-story brick building on the corner of 29th and Dearborn had 12 beds.

Page 14

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

SPORTS PEACEMAKER

BRAD PYE JR.

Continued from page 1

SPORTS BEAT Notes, quotes and things picked on the run at Super Bowl XLIV and all the stops in between and beyond.

SOUTH FLORIDA — Who Dat? Who Dat? Who Dat? Virtually the entire world knows it’s the New Orleans Saints who upset the highly favored Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV Feb. 7.

Ronnie Lott, former San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famer and Super Bowl star, hit the nail on the head when he told the media that fate seems to be on the side of the Saints and Drew Brees — and the city of New Orleans.

Drew Brees

In arguably the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, Saints quarterback Brees, the MVP, threw for two touchdowns and completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards. Defensive back Tracy Porter put the icing on

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the clinching cake as he picked off Peyton Manning’s only mistake of the game, and returned it 74 yards to set off the biggest celebration of the season from South Florida to the French Quarter in New Orleans.

In a losing cause, the Colts’ Joseph Addai emerged as the leading rusher in the game and his 26yard dash was the biggest gain of the game. He rushed 13 times for 77 yards and one touchdown.

Dwight Feeney was a terror briefly in the first half. He registered the only sack of the game as he handled Brees like a rag doll. He was virtually missing in action in the second half, as his ankle didn’t permit him to continue his awesome play.

And the beat continues‌ Check out these integration facts on South Florida: Shirley Gibson is the mayor of the city of Miami Gardens. She is also a member of the Government Relations Committee. Former Dolphins star Nate Moore is a member of the Super XLIV host committee.

Catherine Minnis and Leslie Bauknight Nixon are director of Community Outreach and director of Volunteer Services, respectively.

For the record Super Bowl XLV is set for the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in North Texas.

Indianapolis will host Super Bowl XLVI and Super Bowl XLVII is set for the New Orleans Superdome.

What a show this would have been had the Saints been hosting Super Bowl XLIV! And the beat continues‌ Of the seven members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2010, only one is a black college product —

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Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State).

The sons of some former NFL stars are college-bound. Included are Tony Dungy’s son, defensive back Eric Dungy (Oregon); Steve McNair Jr. (Southern Mississippi), the son of the late Tennessee Titans Super Bowl star quarterback Steve McNair; and Cody Riggs (Florida), the son of NFL running back Gerald Riggs.

Here’s how The Sporting News is predicting the trio of new black head college coaches will fare in their first season on the job: Kansas’ Turner Gill, 7-5; Louisville’s Charlie Strong, 6-6; and Virginia’s Mike London, 5-7.

And the beat continues‌ Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden will be inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame this summer.

Flash! Flash! Kobe Bryant’s injured ankle will permit him to attend the Feb. 14 All-Star Game in Dallas, but it may not permit him to play.

Last week before Super Bowl XLIV, LeBron “King� James and his Cleveland Cavaliers destroyed Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat 102-86. James hit for 36 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Wade, with virtually no help, had to settle for 24 points, nine assists and three rebounds.

Rumor has it that Tiger Woods will make his return to golf at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona.

And the beat ends.

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

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We love you, brother.�

The dinner was emceed by Dominique DiPrima, host and producer of “Front Page with Dominique DiPrima,� a daily talk show heard on 102.3 FM/KJLH. Five-year-old orator Tremil Anderson gave the positive history of Watts in his welcoming remarks, and a host of singers, poets and comedians entertained the audience.

The dinner donation was $25 per person, which will help to take care of Hodges’ medical bills, provide for his wife and five children, and take care of other resources related to his injury. In addition to presenting him with certificates of commendation, Congresswoman Laura Richardson (37th District) committed to retrofit the peacemaker’s home for wheelchair accessibility and Sen. Rod Wright donated $1,000 for the fundraiser.

Attendees praised Hodges. “He always talks about positive, productive and constructive things, in particular with children,� the Rev. Owens said. “He never gossiped, never backbited, never talked about anybody else. The brother was always motivating and left you with a sense of energy, and he still has that in him.�

In a phone interview after the event, Cynthia Mendenhall of Watts, aka Sista Soulja, said that without Hodges “we don’t have Nickerson Gardens ... He stands up to everybody. He’ll go in front of the gun, like he did that day. He gave his life for another, and he’s always been that way, not just that day. He’s a general, and we’re his soldiers. He’s always led us right and is always there for you.�

Hodges was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement and not worried about the fact that he had lost the use of his legs. “I believe in the Most High, so right now I’m making the best of what I’ve got ‌ I’m going to stay strong no matter if I walk or not because my mind is moving, and you can move

mountains with your mind and knowledge,� he said before recalling the fateful night of his injury.

The evening was rife with activity. Law enforcement foot patrols were heavy, and many youth were out, said Hodges, who works with the nonprofit intervention effort K.U.S.H. Inc. While patrolling the projects, Hodges ran into a young client that he considered as high-risk. “His brother just got 88 years to life in prison, which was a tragedy for himself and his family,� Hodges said. “He was sitting around doing nothing, looking for something to get into, so I gave him full attention and was reaching the youngster.

Usually, I watch my environment more, but I was reaching his soul, looking at him eye-to-eye, so that’s how I missed when the shooting started.�

He heard a lot of shots coming from his left and realized that his young client was hit, frozen.

So Hodges threw him down to safety and diverted the shooters.

When all the shots redirected towards him, he got hit in the face, his left shoulder, and his neck, but only one of the three bullets that hit him penetrated his body.

One was enough. “During that time I was in communion with God, because I showed no fear. There was nothing that could have stopped them from taking my life, but the shooters never came out of cover,� he said. “Something kept them at a barrier, like a force field, because I should have been dead, with the type of artillery they were shooting with. “I’m not mad at no individuals, but at the mindset that produces the actions, and that’s where our work is at ... My thing is about motivating others to bring about change,� he added.

Donations for The Calvin Hodges Trust Fund are being accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank, Account Number 6174407798.

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REQUEST FOR SUB-QUOTES Project: I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project, Contract No. C0882 Owner: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Demolition – Misc Structures / Walls Survey Notice of Interest Requested by February 26, 2010 Kiewit Pacific Co. is the design-builder for the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project and is seeking sub-bids and quotes from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE).

Opportunities for subcontractors, professional services and material and/or equipment suppliers will occur throughout the life of the project. Requests for Proposals (RFP), and requests for sub-quotes will be ongoing as needed. All DBE’s must be certified by the California Unified Certification Program (CUCP). Currently, Kiewit is requesting Notice(s) of Interest from firms to provide sub-quotes for the following bid opportunities.

Demolition – Misc. Structures / Walls Survey Contact us with your Notice(s) of Interest to provide a Sub-Quote no later than February 26, 2010 to receive a Bid Quote Sheet and Bid Instructions for your scope of work.

All responsive firms must posses a valid California contractor’s license and provide acceptable insurance. Responsible subcontractors are expected to provide bonding for 100% (if required) of their contract. Kiewit will reimburse bond premiums.

Kiewit intends to conduct itself in good faith with all DBEs and all other business enterprises regarding participation on this project. For further information or questions regarding these opportunities and to receive a Bid Quote Sheet for your specialty, or to discuss this design-build project, requirements of the contract, licensing, project scheduling, insurance or bonding, please contact our project office.

Kiewit Pacific Co. I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project Attn: Rebecca Manning 6060 Center Dr., Suite 200, Los Angeles, Ca 90045 (310) 846-2400 Fax (310) 846-2405 I405.DBE@Kiewit.com

February 11, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 15

PUBLIC NOTICE LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for IFB #10-0031, BUS RE-POWER INSTALLATION KIT per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (12th Floor).

All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Proc. & Mat. Mgmt. on or before 1:30 p.m. (Pacific Time), March 11, 2010, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. 10-0031.

You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by faxing OTTO OJONG at (213) 922-5265.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) NO. 7526

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) NO. 7527

LEGAL SERVICES

RENT REASONABLENESS DATA PROVIDER

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites proposals from qualified law firms to provide legal services. The work to be accomplished will consist of on-call legal services related to all legal issues of the Authority, including, but not limited to: labor and employment, real estate, asset management, governmental regulations, housing bonds (including multi-family and single family bonds) and other related legal matters. Copies of the RFP may be obtained beginning February 1, 2010 online at www.hacla.org/ps.

Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 P.M., March 5, 2010.

2/4, 2/11/10 CNS-1787039# WATTS TIMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100091257 The following person is doing business as: APOGIX 11108 Matteson Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 SAVIYNT 11108 Matteson Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 Rishma Shariff 11108 Matteson Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Rishma Shariff. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on January 21, 2010.

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

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

First Filing: 1/28/10, 2/4/10, 2/11/10, 2/18/10 LAWT 401 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100090716 The following person is doing business as: John E. Head Consultants 1514 W 85th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 Head Enterprises 2121-B Hawthorne Blvd. #5454 Torrance, CA 90503 John Eldon Head 1514 W 85th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on January 21, 2010.

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

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

First Filing: 1/28/10, 2/4/10, 2/11/10, 2/18/10 LAWT 402

DBA’s and Legal Notices, Call (213) 251-5700

Facts Feb. 13, 1970 The New York Stock Exchange admits its first black member, Joseph Searles.

Source: blackfacts.com

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites proposals from qualified firms interested in populating its existing rent comparables database with new data on a quarterly basis. The firms will need to determine the number of rent comparables that will adequately represent fair market rents in the local market and each sub-market area.

This number shall allow the Authority to determine reasonable rents for over 40,000 existing Section 8 contracts. The work to be accomplished includes collecting data for the Housing Authority's rent comparable database by conducting surveys of the local unassisted rent market and addressing the characteristics of the units such as unit type, size, location, age, quality, amenities, housing services, maintenance, and utilities. Copies of the RFP may be obtained beginning February 8, 2010 online at www.hacla.org/ps. Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 P.M., March 12, 2010.

2/11, 2/18/10 CNS-1790186# WATTS TIMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100023808 The following person is doing business as: International Import Solutions 1058 W. 106th St. Los Angeles, CA 90044 Sullivan Smith Jr. 1058 W. 106th St. Los Angeles, CA 90044 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on January 21, 2010.

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

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

First Filing: 1/28/10, 2/4/10, 2/11/10, 2/18/10 LAWT 403

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100104195 The following person is doing business as: RJ. Feagins Art Designs 2609 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 The Vintage Retro Shop 2609 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 Rhonda Feagins 2609 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 Steven Feagins 2609 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 This business is conducted by a General Partnership. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on January 25, 2010.

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

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

First Filing: 2/11/10, 2/18/10, 2/25/10, 3/4/2010 LAWT 405

$50,000 REWARD NOTICE The City of Los Angeles offers a reward payable at the discretion of the City Council to one or more persons in the sum or sums up to an aggregate maximum total sum of $50,000 for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the act of murder against, JUAN JOHNSON, in the City of Los Angeles. On Sunday, August 16, 2009, at approximately 8:54 p.m., Juan Johnson was in the area of 60th Street and St. Andrews Place, when an unknown Suspect fired numerous shots, striking and killing Juan Johnson. LAPD is still searching for the suspect(s) and encourages witnesses to come forward, even anonymously, to assist them in their investigation. The person or persons responsible for this crime represent an ongoing threat to the safety of the people of Los Angeles.

Unless withdrawn or paid by City Council action, this offer of reward shall terminate on, and have no effect after, AUGUST 5, 2010.

The provisions of payment and all other considerations shall be governed by Chapter 12 of Division 19 of the LAAC Code, as amended by Ordinance Nos. 158157 and 166666. This offer shall be given upon the condition that all claimants provide continued cooperation within the criminal justice system relative to this case and is not available to public officers or employees of the City, their families, persons in law enforcement or persons whose misconduct prompted this reward. If you have any information regarding this case, please call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1877-LAWFULL, 24 hours.

C. F. No. 10-0010-s8 2/11/10 CNS-1790877# WATTS TIMES NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF GOLEATHA STEWART Case No. BP119998 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of GOLEATHA STEWART. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by BRENDA SIMMONS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that BRENDA SIMMONS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

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

A HEARING on the petition was held on January 19, 2010 at 8:30 A.M. in Dept. 5 located at 111 N. Hill Street, Room 258, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

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

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

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court.

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

PETITIONER Brenda Simmons 549 W. Colden Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 Phone#310-303-4541 2/4/10, 2/11/10, 2/18/10 LAWT404-PROBATE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. BS124706 Superior Court of the State of California, for the County of Los Angeles.

In the Matter of the Application of Damon Marcus Vinson for change of name.The application of Damon Marcus Vinson for change of name having been filed in Court and it is appearing from said application that Damon Marcus Vinson filed an application proposing that the name be changed to De Rasooli. Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered and directed, that all persons interested in said matter did appear before this court located at 111 North Hill Street, on the 28th of January, 2010 of said day to show cause why such application for change of name should not be granted.

It is further ordered that a copy of this Order to Show Cause be published in a newspaper of general circulation, printed in said county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the day of said hearing.

Murray Gross Judge/Commissioner of the Superior Court Published Runs 2/11/10, 2/18/10, 2/25/10, 3/4/10 NC-LAWT-14-2010

Notice of Availability/ Announcement of a Public Hearing Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project

WHAT IS BEING PLANNED? The Port of Long Beach (Port) in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), proposes the replacement of the existing Gerald Desmond Bridge, connecting Route 710 to Terminal Island, in order to: 1) provide a structurally sound seismically resistant bridge; 2) reduce approach grades; 3) provide sufficient roadway capacity to handle current and forecasted car and truck volumes; and 4) increase the vertical clearance to afford safe passage for current and new generation container ships. A bridge rehabilitation alternative and two alternative alignments are being considered, which also include integrating the new bridge with the Terminal Island East interchange and the Route 710 interchange.

WHY THIS AD? The Port and Caltrans have studied the effects this project may have on the environment. The studies show that significant impacts pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act could occur as a result of the proposed project. A Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) has been prepared to describe these and all other potential impacts of the project. This notice is to inform you of the preparation of the Revised Draft EIR/EA, and of its availability for you to read and comment on. A hearing will be held to give you an opportunity to learn about and comment on the project with Port and Caltrans staff.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE? The Revised Draft EIR/EA and other project information are available at the Port of Long Beach located at 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802 or online at http://www.polb.com/environment/docs.asp; call or e-mail Stacey Crouch at (562) 590-4160/crouch@polb.com. The document is also available for review at the Caltrans District 7 office located at 100 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or online at http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/resources/envdocs/; call or e-mail Karl Price at (213) 897-1839/Karl.Price@dot.ca.gov. The document is also available at the City of Long Beach at 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802; the City of Long Beach Main Library located at 101 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802; San Pedro Regional Branch Library, 931 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 and Wilmington Branch Library, 1300 N. Avalon Boulevard, Wilmington, CA 90744.

WHEN AND WHERE? Two public hearings will be held for the revised draft EIR/EA (Spanish and sign language translation services will be provided.) The first meeting will be held in the City Council Chamber, Long Beach City hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, California on February 17, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. A second meeting will be held at Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31 Street, Long Beach, California on February 24, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. Individuals who require special accommodation (accessible seating, documentation in alternate formats, etc.) are requested to contact the Port of Long Beach at (562) 590-4160 at least 7 days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

CONTACT Please send your comments in writing no later than March 18, 2010 to: Richard D. Cameron Director of Environmental Planning Port of Long Beach 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802

Facts Feb. 12, 1909 The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is founded in 1909 by 60 black and white citizens to seek racial equality for African Americans and other minorities.

Source: blackfacts.com

Page 16

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 11, 2010

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