LAWT-2-18-2010 by LA WATTSTIMES

SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

Vol. XXX, No. 1167

February 18, 2010

FIRST COLUMN: BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEATURE

Civil Rights Leaders Mark 50th Anniversary of Nashville Sit-ins BY TRAVIS LOLLER AP WRITER

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Civil rights leaders observing the recent 50th anniversary of the sitin movement that would integrate Nashville’s lunch counters said

that activist college students went on to become civil rights leaders across the South. “This nation owes a lot to Nashville and the students of Nashville,” Rip Patton, one of See SIT-INS, page 25

Photo by MARTY COTWRIGHT

ENDORSEMENT — County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas introduces Karen Bass, who has announced her congressional bid for the seat to be vacated by Congresswoman Diane Watson, who plans to retire. Ridley-Thomas has endorsed Bass as a replacement for Watson.

Congresswoman Watson to Retire, Karen Bass Plans Run for Her Seat BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

Photo From UPI TELEPHOTO/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

FIGHTING WORDS — Paul Laprad, a white college student and participant in the 1960 Nashville sit-ins, was pulled from his barstool and brutally attacked after showing no reaction to being called a “(N-word) lover.” The photograph was taken Feb. 27, 1960, and published Feb. 28, 1960, with the article “75 Students Arrested Here” in The Tennessean.

About one week after Congresswoman Diane E. Watson announced that she will retire from Congress, California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass on Feb. 17 announced that she will run for Watson’s 33rd District U.S. congressional seat. Bass informed the local media Feb. 16 of her plans, and did so more publicly at a press conference held at her district office in Los Angeles on Feb. 17. Bass was joined by Watson, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, City Controller Wendy Greuel and others standing in support. On March 1, Bass will no longer be speaker of the Assembly. A kickoff for her congressional campaign is scheduled for Feb. 27. “I have considered doing this for quite some time,” Bass told media

Congresswoman Diane E. Watson

members in the Feb. 16 teleconference, but she said that, out of respect for Watson, she refrained from publicly revealing the matter until Watson announced her intentions to retire.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Obama, Black Leaders Focus on Economic Hard Times

THE SOUTHLAND

BY BEN FELLER AP WRITER

Superintendent Proposes Shortening School Year

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prominent African American leaders pressed President Barack Obama on Feb. 10 to pursue an economic agenda that includes targeted help for blacks, whose unemployment rate is much higher than the national average and nearly twice that of whites. The three men who met privately with Obama for about an hour said they pushed for aid in urban and rural areas with large numbers of hurting minorities. It is the same message they hope to deliver to lawmakers of both parties as Congress considers new jobs legislation. “We do not seek any special kind of edict ... from the president because he’s African American,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization. “We expect to be included in the process.” The meeting yielded no announcements or initiatives, although the leaders said they mainly wanted

AP Photo by PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS

PRESSING AN ISSUE — From left, NACCP chief executive Benjamin Todd Jealous, the Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network, and National Urban League president Marc Morial speak to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House following their meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington on Feb. 10.

Obama to hear their message, and they professed confidence that he did. On a day of treacherous weather, Obama kept his scheduled meeting with Sharpton; Benjamin Jealous, president of the NAACP; and Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. Dorothy Height, chairwoman of

the National Council of Negro Women, could not make it to the White House because of punishing snow and winds that largely shut down Washington. The White House offered limited comment, saying Obama’s discussion with the leaders covered See HARD TIMES, page 13

Watson endorsed Bass for her seat during the teleconference, calling the speaker a “skilled, intelligent leader.” “I feel comfortable and satisfied that Karen will pick up the baton and will serve the people of the (33rd) Congressional District, the people of California, and the people of the United States of America with excellence. I have full confidence in her,” Watson said. “We have worked with her, I mean Mark Ridley-Thomas and others, and we’re proud of her leadership, and I am proud that she will be running for my seat.” Describing Watson as a mentor, Bass credits the longtime politico for helping launch her political career. Bass, 56, advanced through the ranks to become the first African American See WATSON, page 12

(AP)—The head of the Los Angeles Unified School District proposed shortening the school year by six days in an effort to minimize layoffs as part of a looming budget deficit. The move would save the nation’s second-largest school system a projected $90 million and an estimated 5,000 jobs, Superintendent Ramon Cortines said Feb. 12 in a news release. The state budget for the 200910 fiscal year allowed districts to reduce the school year by five days. The proposed sixth day would be a student-free workday. Cortines conceded the move would be drastic but said the alternative could be bankruptcy for the district. “Do I think (this) is good education policy? No,” he said. “But we are in a real crisis.” The district is facing a projected $640 million deficit for the 2010-11 school year.

Mayor: More Job Cuts Needed to Balance L.A.’s Budget (AP) — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he’s planning a second round of cuts that will eliminate 1,200 to 2,000 city jobs to balance the city’s budget. Villaraigosa told a Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon that the reductions will need to be in place by the next fiscal year to replenish the reserve fund and maintain a good credit rating. The proposed cuts come on top of the 1,000 jobs he targeted for elimination about two weeks ago. Councilman Richard Alarcon said the cuts would lead to a “dramatic” loss of city services and will require city officials to consider stopping hiring new police officers. Villaraigosa said the city needs to eliminate a $212 million shortfall before July 1 and close a $484 million gap in next year’s budget. See BRIEFS, page 10

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

OPINION Palin is Obama’s Secret Weapon Sarah Palin may turn out to be President Obama’s greatest political asset. Polls show that Obama is the most polarizing Democrat since Harry Truman. Palin, in turn, is the most polarizing Republican since Abraham Lincoln. That makes her the perfect distraction, and, ultimately, perfect perverse Obama ally. Palin’s inanities, idiocies, and cartoonish utterances are now legendary. She is the butt of “Saturday Night Live” laugh lines and shunned by the man who plucked her out of the Arctic tundra and made her a household name, John McCain. Polls show that her approval ratings are dreadful, and the overwhelming majority of poll respondents say that she’s not fit to be president. But this only makes her even more bizarrely appealing. She sells papers like crazy, and a Palin piece on Web sites invokes pages of comments. Palin jumped Oprah’s ratings to the highest in two years when she appeared on the Queen of Talk’s show to hawk a new book. The crowds that wildly cheered Palin during the presidential campaign, and just as enthusiastically cheer her during her self-promotional jaunts around the country, haven’t slacked up one bit. The networks stumbled over each other to cover her Tea Party convention speech. CNN, especially, sniffed a ratings bonanza in Palin and dispatched an 11-person crew to the convention, and then carried

her mostly canned, bromide-laced speech live. The GOP regulars sneer and pretend to shun her. Democrats mock and poke fun at her. But in a year when the party polls are about as popular as the mumps, and Obama’s approval numbers have plummeted faster than the Hindenburg, Palin is the perfect every person’s anti-candidate. McCain certainly knew that. He gambled that her homespun, matronly stump style, and Bible-spouting, gun-toting appeal would be tonic for his sagging campaign. Since winning elections is still as much about which candidate can win the hearts and not the heads of the voters, Palin was the one to tug at the religious conservative’s heart strings. If McCain had played it close to the vest and picked Mitt Romney as his vice presidential candidate, it would have left him wide open to the rap that the best the GOP could do was put up two aging, multimillionaire, white-party warhorses. With the financial meltdown and public rage over Wall Street conniving and manipulation, along with the Bush administration’s bailout plan that thumbed a nose at desperate homeowners, small businesses, and workers, Obama almost certainly would have routed that pair on Election Day. Palin was the only possible antidote to that. She sent the signal for McCain that his administration would not simply be a recycled four

more years of Bush policies. Few bought that, but with the deck seemingly stacked hopelessly against him anyway, Palin did just enough to make the final popular vote respectable for him. Palin on the loose in 2012 would potentially render the same aid to Obama. Progressives, liberal and moderate Democrats will dutifully vote for Obama, vote unenthusiastically for him, or pay some lip service to Third Party challenges, and then grumble as they pull the lever for him. Palin poses absolutely no threat to his solid or lukewarm Democratic base. The mere mention of her as a possible candidate will terrorize disgusted Democrats out of their Obama inertia. The real damage that she can do will be to confuse, rile up and split Republicans. Polls show that while voters in general say Palin’s not presidential timber, a significant minority of Republicans say that she is. That could translate out into millions of disgruntled, frustrated voters who would be sorely tempted to push, prod and hector the GOP to give Palin her due. Many would be just as sorely tempted to vote for Palin as a maverick candidate, or if her name is not on any ballot, stay at home. This would be tantamount to a vote for Obama. Palin’s strength is playing on and stoking popular rage and frustration with tin-ear politicians who’ve turned voters into invisible men and See HUTCHINSON, page 5

In John Mayer’s Defense, You May be Racist Too BY MAYA RUPERT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I’m going to give John Mayer a break. In a recent interview with Playboy, he not only used the “Nword,” but proceeded to explain his preference for dating white women in the crudest way possible, calling his penis a “white supremacist” and comparing it to David Duke. It was a truly spectacular display of idiocy that has been reprinted, analyzed, and roundly condemned in print and online. Instead of focusing on the way he expressed himself, I’m going to concentrate only on his underlying message. Because in his defense, Mayer is not the first person to express the sentiment that while he only finds himself romantically attracted to a certain race, he does not believe racism is the culprit. But if this isn’t racism at work, what is it? Now of course, it’s subconscious racism. The preference toward one race — or against another — in the dating arena hardly feels racially motivated. It’s a simple question of attraction, which is such a mixed bag that we generally don’t try to dissect it. Since there’s no accounting for taste, we don’t bother trying to account for it, whether that taste is

for a certain height, build or ethnic makeup. But dismissing it so easily begs a question, because our preferences come from somewhere. And when someone expresses romantic attractions that prevent them from seriously considering certain members of certain ethnicities as romantic partners, it’s worth wondering whether racial stereotypes and acceptance of a single standard of beauty drive the dating behaviors. Call it the soft bigotry of no invitations; when we find ourselves inexplicably unwilling to date certain ethnicities, racism is likely to blame. I understand the argument that this shouldn’t be called racism. If there is a sphere of sanctity where our preferences can be purely personal and have no larger political ramifications, it seems like that sphere has to exist around our bedrooms. Even so, it seems overly simplistic to ignore racial preferences just because romantic attraction is involved. This isn’t to say that a person is automatically a racist if he or she never dated interracially; nor does it mean that a person who dates interracially consistently is automatically self-loathing. But where there is a pattern, we have to be willing to ask our-

selves why. “Why do I find myself only attracted to this race?” or “Why do I find myself never attracted to this race?” “Why have I Maya Rupert never been attracted to a member of a particular race, or, even when I have been attracted to members a particular race, why have I never acted on that attraction?” And a quick note to Mayer and others who have taken this tack: Identifying very attractive members of a race and citing your attraction to them as proof that you find members of that race attractive completely misses the point. Please don’t appeal to Kerry Washington, Holly Robinson Peete and Karyn Parsons when you want to prove you’re attracted to black women. Everyone is attracted to those black women. That’s like being accused of not buying American cars and countering that you’re willing to drive a Cadillac. Talk to me when you find yourself in a Buick. Simply put, we need to be willing to honestly ask ourselves, “Are my dating preferences being See RUPERT, page 8

Letter to the Editor This letter to the editor is in response to a Jan. 21 article, titled “The Italian League Sends Wrong Message on Racism.” Dear editor: I think your article regarding Mario Balotelli, a soccer star who seems to have the world at his feet, sends the wrong message. Racism is a Darwinian belief that there is a genetic superiority based on race. The racists we need to oppose are in the government at all levels. Those, by the power of their government, their position and power, reward or punish citizens based on race. If that was the case, I would be with you. That is the racism that should concern you; not a group of hooligan Raider-like fans that do not rise to the level of hate or racist.

Nor do the taunts and boos rise to level to be called hate or racist. The words racist or hate should never be used in such a capricious way. “Seeing or blaming the wolf, when the wolf is not there, lowers our guard, when the wolf is there.” August Lightfoot, Newport Beach, Calif. PS: I appreciate your distribution to the VA in Long Beach. I get news not found elsewhere. The L.A. Watts Times encourages submissions of letters to the editor. It reserves the right to edit or refuse to print all letters. Authors must include their name, city of residence, e-mail address and telephone number.

FOR THE RECORD In a caption for the Feb. 11 story “Felicia Fields Lands Plum Role in ‘The Color Purple,’ ” the L.A. Watts Times mistakenly stated that Fields stars as Celie. In fact, she stars as Sofia. Also, Fields was pictured left in the photo, not right.

This is personal. She was the cornerstone of our family. But my mother died of colon cancer when she was only 56. Let my heartbreak be your wake-up call. Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cancer killer in the U.S., but screening helps prevent this disease.

Photo: Andrew Macpherson

EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

Terrence Howard, actor/musician

If you’re 50 or older, please get screened. Screening saves lives. 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) s www.cdc.gov/screenforlife

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

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BUSINESS BIZSHORTS

A free seminar on Living Trust & Wills will take place Feb. 20, 10 a.m., at Westchester Loyola Library, 7114 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles. The event is open to the public and presented by Attorney Caprice Collins, who speaks about estate planning. Admission is free. Information: (310) 677-9787, ext. 5, www.collinslawgroup.com.

Workshop Scheduled on ‘Protecting You, Your Business, and Your Family’ The “Protecting You, Your Business, and Your Family” workshop will take place Feb. 24, 6 to 8 p.m., at 6109 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. Workshop topics will include reviewing and reassessing business structure, tax reduction strategies, retirement planning, and protecting businesses, business owners and their families. The workshop will be led by Denise Davis of Retirement Benefits Consulting Inc. Admission is free. RSVP information: ichambeshi@ vsedc.org, (323) 789-4515.

Free Tax Prep Assistance Offered at El Camino College Compton Center Free tax preparation and filing assistance will be available Feb. 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Compton Center Vocational Technology building atrium, on the first floor. Taxpayers can prepare and file 2009 federal returns for free if one of the following applies: earned $31,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or less in 2009; qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or served Active Military Duty in 2009, including Reservists and National Guard, with a 2009 W2 and an AGI of $57,000 or less. Participants need to bring a copy of their 2008 tax return, if available; a photo ID for each taxpayer and spouse, if applicable; a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each family member; proof of income — including W2s, 1098Ts and 1099 forms; documentation of deductible expenses; and account and routing numbers of checking and savings accounts for direct deposit. Trained volunteers and tax experts will be on hand to provide assistance. Spanish translation is available. To make a reservation, call (866) 577-1231 and mention the Tax Freedom Project. Walk-ins are welcome.

Seven Southland IRS Offices to Open Feb. 20 Seven Southland Internal Revenue Service offices will be among 200 nationwide that will open for business Feb. 20. IRS staff will provide assistance for taxpayers dealing

Facts Feb. 22, 1950 Julius Winfield Ervin, who will be known in the National Basketball Association as Dr. J, is born in Roosevelt, N.Y. Source: blackfacts.com

with difficult economic times and more from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. IRS employees will answer questions for taxpayers about many tax law provisions, such as the new allowance for $2,400 of tax-free unemployment compensation benefits. Free tax preparation and electronic filing for those who earn $49,000 or less will be available. Los Angeles residents can receive tax help by visiting 300 N. Los Angeles St., in downtown Los Angeles. Southland residents who will not be able to pay their full tax liability by the April 15, 2010, deadline and need to ask for an installment plan can receive assistance from IRS employees in arranging payment schedules. In addition to IRS help, there are hundreds of free tax preparation sites up and running throughout Southern California run by community organizations partnering with the IRS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs assist people who earned $49,000 or less and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs assist individuals 60 and older. To locate a site, call (800) 9069887 or visit www.211.org. See BIZSHORTS, page 6

Firm Gives Phone-Interviewing Tips for Employment Candidates BY ERIN CONROY AP BUSINESS WRITER

With so many candidates in the job market, employers are more likely to use telephone interviews to screen those seeking work, according to one outplacement firm. “The first five minutes of a telephone interview are the most important, since only about two out of 10 people called are still under consideration beyond this time period,” said Annie Stevens, managing partner for ClearRock, based in Boston. “People need to be prepared right from the start of the call to make the most out of the limited amount of time they will be given.” ClearRock gives this advice for those hoping to parlay their short phone chat into an in-person meeting: • Don’t use a cell phone or a speaker phone. The quality of the call is better on a land line, and a dropped call can mean a dropped opportunity. • Stand up to better project your voice and sound more confident.

PROPOSITION 65 WARNING

• Smile while talking. It will convey enthusiasm, interest and likeability. • Eliminate one-word answers and negative words. Don’t reply with “yes” or “no” answers, and banish negative verbs such as “can’t,” “haven’t” or “don’t” from your vocabulary. • Never interrupt the interviewer. If you feel nervous, silently count about two or three seconds after he or she has finished talking before you do. • Have a list of questions prepared in advance to ask, and listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying. Be sure to answer the questions you are asked. • Recap why you’re a good fit for the job. Have a 30-second summary of your suitability for the

position prepared in advance, using specific examples from your career. • Ask about next steps. Inquire at the end of the call how well your qualifications meet their needs and their time frame for filling the job.

Facts Feb. 19, 2002 Vonetta Flowers becomes the first black gold medalist in the history of the Winter Olympic Games. She and partner Jull Brakken win the inaugural women’s two-person bobsled event. Source: blackfacts.com

metro.net

MetroBriefs Shopaholics, We Have A Bargain For You: Go Metro. Take advantage of one of the best bargains in town and turn it into extra spending power. Experts estimate you can save about $10,000 annually by using public transit in LA instead of paying for gas and parking. Find out more and plan your next shopping trip with the Trip Planner at metro.net.

Measure R Returns $22 Million To Cities

EXIDE Technologies operates a battery recycling plant at 2700 S. Indiana Street, Vernon, California which emits lead into the atmosphere. Persons within the approximate area shown above are exposed to lead and cadmium at a level determined by the state to require a warning. Lead is a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm and cancer, and cadmium is known to the State of California to cause cancer.

The >rst installment of Measure R funds totaling $22.3 million are going out to 72 cities in LA County for transportation improvements. The funds received from July through December ranged from $1,895 for the City of Industry to $9.6 million for the City of LA. Find out more at metro.net/MeasureR.

Metro 214 Loop Connects Green Line, Artesia Transit Center Traveling between the Metro Green Line Harbor Station and the Artesia Transit Center? Try Metro Local 214 running weekdays between those two locations. Service runs every 20 minutes during morning and evening rush hours along Broadway and Main Street in South LA.

Green Line Getting Turnstiles Metro is adding turnstiles at the entrances to several Metro Green Line stations as part of the TAP fare payment system. The procedure for entering the station remains the same: just tap your card on TAP target. But now the target will be on the right side of a turnstile instead of on a stand-alone validator.

Metro Vanpool Network Hits Milestone SITE LOCATION

Why commute alone when you could join one of the more than 900 vanpools that are now part of the growing Metro Vanpool family? Get up to $400 a month toward the lease of a van plus the time and money savings that vanpoolers already enjoy. Visit metro.net/vanpool for more information.

EXIDE Technologies operates a lead oxide manufacturing plant at 5909 East Randolph Street, Commerce, California which emits lead into the atmosphere. Persons within the approximate area shown above are exposed to lead at a level determined by the State of California to require a warning. Lead is a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm and cancer.

For more information, call EXIDE at (323) 262-1101, extension 259

If you’d like to know more, please call us at 1.800.464.2111, or visit metro.net.

Seminar to Take Place on Living Trust & Wills

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

BUSINESS Retirement Today: Tips to Avoid Financial Strain With Aging Parents BY DAVE CARPENTER AP PERSONAL FINANCE WRITER

CHICAGO (AP) — Staying on track to a comfortable retirement isn’t only about taking care of your finances and your health. It might involve taking care of your parents, too. Baby boomers and others saving diligently for their later years are taking bigger risks than they realize if their plans don’t include contingencies for aging parents. “It’s really hard to think that your parents are going to need your support,” says Amy Goyer, family expert for AARP. “But you really need to think about that and do some planning.” The more you can look ahead and not wait until you’re in a crisis to plan, the better. Your own retirement may be at stake. An estimated 38 million Americans provide care to an aging relative. The president’s proposed budget for 2011 adds $103 million for programs that help elderly adults stay in their homes through in-home services, transportation and other support programs. Often, though, it’s financial support rather than physical care that is needed. That can be just as draining and at least as devastating for older workers who have limited earning years before retirement. Dave Swoyer, a 52-year-old

bank executive from Voorhees, N.J., thought his father was doing all right money-wise. John Swoyer, now 84, lived alone in his own home in a neighboring town and was relatively healthy. Then one day in 2007, John expressed concern that he might outlive his savings. Doctors said John might live another 12 years and, though he didn’t want to be a financial burden, he needed help. Dave looked at his father’s finances and saw they were riddled with high-risk investments, such as junk-bond funds. He turned to his financial adviser for help. Then Dave did something he realized should have been done earlier: He sat down with his two sisters for a family meeting about what to do when their dad can no longer live on his own. Today John Swoyer’s finances are in better shape and Dave and his sisters are more or less prepared for the next financial or health crisis. “We’ve reached kind of an understanding on what may happen and what we would all do,” Dave Swoyer said. “I can’t imagine having that conversation after a stroke or after a doctor says ‘Your father can no longer live alone.’ ” Here are some steps to help prepare for when aging parents may need your assistance:

1. Have a Conversation With Your Parents. Don’t wait for mom or dad to bring up the topic of what happens when they no longer can manage on their own. Often families are in denial about aging, preventing the conversation from taking place, says Carolyn Rosenblatt, an elder care attorney and author of “The Boomer’s Guide to Aging Parents.” Have an open and honest discussion before a crisis occurs. The children need to ask, “Have you thought about the future and what would happen if you couldn’t be completely independent?” Ask if they feel OK about their finances and their ability to support themselves indefinitely. Do they have money set aside to pay for home health care or assistance with daily living? Discuss the circumstances under which it would be appropriate for you to help manage their finances. And make sure they have two basic and essential documents: a durable power of attorney, for financial decisions, and a health care directive or power of attorney for health care decisions. 2. Have a conversation with your siblings. Talk with siblings about what you may be facing in a few years. Is anyone going to quit work to

care for ailing parents, or take them in? Is an assisted-living home best for all concerned? Is everyone prepared to chip in for home health aid if necessary? How can the caregiving be made fair? If one sibling is going to live with an aging parent as the primary caregiver, everyone needs to agree on a monetary value for that and what that person will receive. An account could be set up where all contribute a certain amount per month. And a lawyer could draw up caregiver contracts. Everyone may not agree on all issues or be able to contribute equally, but the earlier you confer the better. The Swoyers found this step challenging because of the siblings’ vastly different financial situations. In the end, the consensus was they would take turns with caregiving duties at their father’s home. “It may be an uncomfortable conversation,” Dave says of a chat with siblings, “but later it will be emotionally charged because of illness and competing wishes among the siblings over what do to.” 3. Assess parent’s financial condition. Get familiar with your parents’ financial health. Know the sources of their income — pension, Social Security or other retirement account — and the amounts. Consider hav-

ing them list you on their accounts as it may be necessary in a crisis. Do they have other means available to raise cash in a pinch in order to stay in their home or pay bills, such as a reverse mortgage? Do their investments need to be reallocated to make their level of risk more age-appropriate? Seek out a financial adviser to help resolve these issues. 4. Get a grip on costs. Know what Medicare covers and the costs of what it doesn’t. Many people are shocked to learn it does not cover in-home care, among many other expenses. Costs can add up fast, as reflected in average costs based on 2008 data from the Department of Health and Human Services: $29 an hour for a home health aide, $59 a day for care in an adult day-care center, $18 an hour for homemaker services, $3,008 a month for a onebedroom unit in an assisted-living facility. Having parents move in with one of the children, or everyone pitching in for in-home assistance, can help keep the costs from derailing everyone’s retirement plans. 5. Plan for long lives. Make financial and other plans with the expectation that older parents will live to a ripe old age. Be sure a financial adviser structures See RETIREMENT, page 5

Our strength supports generations Wells Fargo proudly celebrates Black history and the new milestones being reached by African Americans every day. In the home, in the community and in the world, African Americans are taking the lead, achieving unity and reaching new heights. And from these heights, our children not only have a clear view of today’s possibilities, but also tomorrow’s promise.

wellsfargo.com

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

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EDUCATION Black History Month Feature

NOTEBOOK Group to Hold Professional Community Intervention Institute Maximum Force Enterprises, a group of violence deterrence, crisis abatement and certified gang intervention specialists, will present “Out of the Seats into the Streets” Feb. 19, 6 to 8:30 p.m., in conjunction with the Professional Peacekeepers’ Collaborative Alliance at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 617 W. 7th St., second floor, Los Angeles. During the event, interns who have finished 17 weeks of “street training” to learn peacemaking skills will be featured. RSVP information: take chargeinc@aol.com.

Challengers Boys & Girls Club to Present ‘Hoops 4 Haiti’ Fundraiser Members of Challengers Boys & Girls Club will utilize its Black History Month events as an opportunity to raise money to provide relief to earthquake victims in Haiti. One of the featured events will be the “Hoops 4 Haiti” fundraiser, where the Challengers All-Star basketball team will play against the Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) teachers. The game is open to the public and will be held Feb. 26, 5:30 p.m., at Challengers Boys & Girls Club, 5029 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. A small admission fee will be charged, and “Hoops 4 Haiti” Tshirts will be available for purchase at the event. Information: (323) 751-7069.

Sorority Invites Teens to Participate in the Black History Oratorical Contest Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and co-sponsors invite young men and women in grades 10, 11

and 12 to participate in the Black History Oratorical Contest. The 2010 Symposium workshops are designed to promote decision-making skills that encourage young adults to make healthy choices physically and financially that will empower future generations. Workshops will take place March 13, 10 a.m., at the Rita D. Walters Learning Complex, 915 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles. Information: Mildred Midkiff, (323) 752-2915.

USDA Addresses Veterinary Shortages With Education Loan Repayment Program Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Feb. 12 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had taken the first step toward implementing a plan to address veterinary shortages throughout rural America by repaying the student loans of qualified veterinarians in return for their services in areas suffering from a lack of veterinarians. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP). Nomination forms are due March 8, and can be returned via e-mail to vmlrp@nifa.usda.gov. NIFA will convene a panel of federal and state animal health experts to recommend submitted nomination packages for official designation as a veterinary shortage situation. NIFA expects to begin accepting applications from veterinarians wishing to participate in the program on April 30. In return for three years of veterinary services, NIFA may repay up to $25,000 of student loan debt yearly. NIFA projects applications will be due June 30, and offers will be made by Sept. 30. Information: www.nifa.usda. gov.

Southeastern Texas Group Works to Save Black Schoolhouses BY KYLE PEVETO BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE

JASPER, Texas (AP) — Fifty years ago, a teacher in a one-room Jasper County schoolhouse faced a class full of rural African American children and issued a challenge. “Everyone of you is going to college,” Viola Tukes told them. Some of those students did go to college, while others, like Jesse Woods, took the first good-paying job they could find. But in the small school, situated in the Rock Hill community between Kirbyville and Jasper, students were given an education and opportunities that barely existed for previous generations. “I’ve seen some good times in Rock Hill,” said Woods, 62, whose father never learned to read or drive a car. Woods attended the Rock Hill school in the 1950s. The schoolhouse was built in the 1920-21 school year through the Julius Rosenwald Fund, which supplied funding and architectural planning for 5,300 African American schools from1912 to 1932. In 1912, educator Booker T. Washington involved Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears, Roebuck and Co., in building schools in the South. Through the fund, Rosenwald gave money, often about one-third of construction costs, and blueprints to communities to build schools.

RETIREMENT Continued from page 4 their investment portfolios accordingly — perhaps calculating life expectancy as 100, says Rosanne Roge, a registered financial gerontologist in Bohemia, N.Y. A 70-yearold has a 47 percent chance of living to 85 and a 3 percent chance of reaching 100, according to actuary Jim O’Connor of Chicago consulting firm Milliman Inc. It may also mean fixing up their house so they can comfortably remain there longer, which could ultimately ease their children’s financial burden too. Stairway lifts, widened doorways and other modifications to accommodate people with physical disabilities are taxdeductible. Check with a tax expert regarding other home improvements. Make sure they have long-term care insurance, if they’re not too old or infirm to qualify at affordable rates. Buying a policy on their behalf may help protect your retirement funds in the long run. Most important of all, don’t duck preparing for a life event — and costs — that may be inevitable.

“The most important thing is to recognize that it’s likely that elders who live a long time are going to need some help,” says Roge, “and you have to pay for it some of the time.”

HUTCHINSON Continued from page 2 women. But much, of course, can change in the next two years. A sharp upturn in the economy, the fading of public fury over Wall Street’s free-booting wheeling and dealing, a wind down in the Iraq War, and the semblance of stability in Afghanistan, would make Palin an amusing, if not regrettable trivia question. For now, a mesmerized media, titillated public, and legions of Palin loathers have made her the talk of the land. That talk is just fine for Obama. 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).

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Los Angeles MBEC 3550 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 905 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Telephone: (213) 368-1450 Fax: (213) 368-1454 Email: info@losangelesmbec.org

Photo From GIUSEPPE BARRANCO/THE BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE/AP

PART OF HISTORY — Jesse Woods, left, and Herman Wright, stand in front of the one-room Jasper County schoolhouse in Jasper County, Texas. Wright hopes to preserve the Rock Hill school as a visible link to recent history.

States or school districts paid some construction costs, along with donations from the black community. The Rosenwald schools represent a great educational leap for black families throughout the rural South, said Herman Wright, 56, whose family roots in Jasper County go back to the 1800s. Wright hopes to preserve the Rock Hill school as a visible link to recent history. “They built these schools in order to get their kids to this” stage of education, Wright said at the Rock Hill school Feb. 11. Progressive architects provided innovative plans for the small schools that advanced teaching methods and created a positive

learning environment for rural schools that likely did not have electricity, according to a publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Of the thousands of campuses built by the Rosenwald Fund, only a few hundred are thought to remain. Dozens of the schools were built across southeast Texas counties. Two are known to stand between Nacogdoches and the Gulf Coast, Wright said: Rock Hill and another at Huff Creek, east of Jasper. Rock Hill is owned by the Rock Hill Baptist Church, where Woods is a deacon. Congregants use the building as a lunch room for their church dinners See SCHOOLHOUSES, page 7

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

HEALTH Controversial Ga. Billboards Link Abortion, Race BY ERRIN HAINES AP WRITER

ATLANTA (AP) — The message on dozens of billboards across the city is provocative: Black children are an “endangered species.” The eyebrow-raising ads featuring a young black child are an effort by the anti-abortion movement to use race to rally support within the black community. Reactions from black leaders have been mixed, but the “Too Many Aborted” campaign, which so far is unique to only Georgia, is drawing support from other antiabortion groups across the country. “It’s ingenious,” said the Rev. Johnny Hunter, national director of the Life Education and Resource Network, a North Carolina-based anti-abortion group aimed at African Americans that operates in 27 states. “This campaign is in your face, and nobody can ignore it.” The billboards were recently put up in Atlanta and urge black women to “get outraged.” The effort is sponsored by Georgia Right to Life, which also is pushing legislation that aims to ban

Facts Feb. 21, 1965 Malcolm X is assassinated in the Audubon Ballroom in New York 11 months after splitting from Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam. Source: blackfacts.com

abortions based on race. Black women accounted for the majority of abortions in Georgia in 2006, even though blacks make up just a third of state population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nationally, black women were more than three times as likely to get an abortion in 2006 compared with white women, according to the CDC. “I think it’s necessary,” Cheryl Sullenger, senior policy adviser for Operation Rescue, said of the billboard campaign. “Abortion in the black community is at epidemic proportions. They’re not really aware of what’s actually going on. If it shocks people ... it should be shocking.” Anti-abortion advocates say the procedure has always been linked to race. They claim Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger wanted to eradicate minorities by putting birth control clinics in their neighborhoods, a charge Planned Parenthood denies. “The language in the billboard is using messages of fear and shame to target women of color,” said Leola Reis, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Georgia. “If we want to reduce the number of abortions and unintended pregnancies, we need to work as a community to make sure we get quality affordable health care services to as many women and men as possible.” In 2008, Issues4Life, a Cali-

fornia-based group working to end abortion in the black community, lobbied Congress to stop funding Planned Parenthood, calling black abortions “the Darfur of America.” Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric Scheidler said a race-based strategy for anti-abortion activists has gotten a fresh zeal, especially in the wake of the historic election of the country’s first black president, Barack Obama, who supports abortion rights. “He’s really out of step with the rest of black America,” Scheidler said. “That might be part of what may be shifting here and why a campaign like this is appropriate, to kind of wake up that disconnect.” Abortion rights advocates are disturbed. Spelman College professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall called the strategy a gimmick. “To use racist arguments to try to bait black people to get them to be anti-abortion is just disgusting,” said Guy-Sheftall, who teaches women’s history and feminist thought at the historically black women’s college. “These one-issue approaches that are not about saving the black family or black children, it’s just a big distraction,” she said. “Many black people,” she said, “don’t know who Margaret Sanger is and could care less.” On the Net: Too Many Aborted: www.toomanyaborted.com.

THE PULSE Louis Gossett Jr. Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer (AP) — Louis Gossett Jr. says he is being treated for prostate cancer. In the announcement Feb. 9, the Oscar-winning actor says the disease was caught early and he expects to make a full recovery.

vention Center, Concourse Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. The event will include educators, doctors and others who will address health issues for black men. Attendees can register for free. Information: (310) 412-8009, www.blackbarbershop.org.

Ex-Hospital CFO Pleads Guilty in Homeless Scam

Louis Gossett Jr.

The 73-year-old Gossett says he is going public about the disease because there is not enough emphasis in the African American community on fighting it with preventive examinations and early treatment. Gossett has appeared in dozens of films. He won an Oscar for best supporting actor in 1983 for his portrayal of the no-nonsense Navy flight school sergeant who whips Richard Gere into shape in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” His memoir, “An Actor and a Gentleman,” is scheduled to be published this year.

Empowerment Classes for Pregnant or Parenting Women Offered Seeking to improve the mental and physical health of pregnant or parenting women, Great Beginnings for Black Babies’ Black Infant Health Program will offer Social Support and Empowerment classes Feb. 22 to 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Amistad Plaza Apartment Complex, 6050 S. Western Ave., second floor, Los Angeles. A special “baby shower” with a $30 gift incentive will be held Feb. 26 for all who complete the four-day series. Information: (323) 789-7955, ext. 21.

African American Men’s Health, Empowerment Summit Slated The “2010 African American Men’s Health & Empowerment Summit: A Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program” will take place Feb. 27, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Los Angeles Con-

(AP) — An ex-hospital chief financial officer has agreed to plead guilty to paying illegal kickbacks for patients recruited from the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. In court documents filed Feb. 9, 49-year-old Vincent Rubio said he paid off so-called marketers who recruited homeless people and had them taken to Tustin Hospital and Medical Center where he worked. As part of the scheme, the hospital then billed Medicare and Medi-Cal for unnecessary treatments. Rubio is the fifth person to be charged in an ongoing investigation into health care fraud involving Skid Row residents. Rubio agreed to plead guilty to health care fraud and tax evasion, which carry a combined maximum of 15 years in prison. He is scheduled to appear in court March 1.

Motion Aims to Establish Team to Oversee MLK Hospital Opening (Mark Ridley-Thomas’ office) — The Board of Supervisors have directed county officials to identify funding to establish a management team to oversee implementation of major project phases of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital in partnership with the University of California. The board also instructed the county’s Chief Executive Officer to work with the UC to develop standards and procedures for appointing members of the board that will run the nonprofit hospital and report back with an appropriate structure for including community input. In December, the board authorized the CEO to establish the project management team to oversee the opening scheduled for December 2012. Last month, the CEO delivered recommendations, including a $900,000 budget for the project management team, proposed timeline, organizational structure and process for appointing the new nonprofit hospital board and to establish criteria for its members.

BIZSHORTS Continued from page 3

BBA Presents 36th Awards Dinner In honor of Black History Month, the Black Business Association will present its 36th annual awards dinner, “Black Economic Empowerment,” Feb. 25, 7 to 9 p.m., with a 6 p.m. reception, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles. During the event, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Board of

Equalization member Jerome Horton will be honored. The event is black-tie optional. Information: (323) 291-9334, mail@bbala.org, www.bbala.org.

Facts Feb. 18, 1931 On this day, Toni Morrison, who will win the Pulitzer Prize for her novel “Beloved,” is born in Lorain, Ohio. Source: blackfacts.com

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 7

HEALTH Republican Response Mixed on Invitation to Obama’s Health Care Summit ERICA WERNER AP WRITER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans sent mixed signals after President Barack Obama challenged them to participate in a one-of-akind televised summit with Democrats to come up with health care legislation. House Republicans derided the Feb. 25 event, casting doubt on whether it would produce any bipartisan agreement to extend coverage to millions of people and rein in medical costs. “Are they willing to start over with a blank sheet of paper?” said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio. “We need answers before we know if the White House is more interested in partisan theater than in facilitating a productive dialogue about solutions.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch

McConnell, R-Ky., was more receptive, saying he would work with the White House “to maximize the effectiveness of the meeting.” The summit is considered a last, best attempt to revive Obama’s yearlong health overhaul quest, now stalled after Democrats lost their filibuster-proof Senate majority. Yet since Obama proposed the summit recently, Republicans and Democrats have voiced skepticism. Some in the GOP wondered if it would be nothing but a spectacle that could benefit the president at their expense. Democrats viewed Republicans’ insistence that Obama trash existing bills and start over as evidence they weren’t sincere about bipartisanship. By presiding over a meeting with three dozen lawmakers trying to get a word in edgewise, Obama may be able to dominate the conversation and the visual images. That’s

what many Democrats say he did at a Jan. 29 session when he faced a roomful of GOP House members in Baltimore. In its invitation, the White House argued that remaking health care was imperative, and Obama challenged Democrats and Republicans to come up with comprehensive bills before the event at Blair House, across the street from the White House. The White House named 21 lawmakers the president wants to attend the summit: the top leaders in the House and Senate and of the committees with jurisdiction over the health legislation. Obama also invited the top four leaders to invite four more lawmakers each, bringing the total to 37 — 20 Democrats and 17 Republicans. Obama will offer opening remarks, followed by comments from

a Republican leader and a Democratic leader, according to the format detailed in a letter Feb. 12 by Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Obama will then moderate a discussion covering four topics: insurance reforms, cost containment, expanding coverage, and the impact of health legislation on the deficit. The letter stands as a challenge not just to Republicans but also to Democrats, who have yet to finalize a deal on sweeping overhaul legislation. They were on the verge of doing so last month before the special election victory of Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts deprived Democrats of the filibusterproof 60 votes they need to move forward in the Senate. That threw the undertaking into

disarray and congressional leaders have been struggling to pick up the pieces. Some hope the summit will break the logjam one way or the other. Democratic leaders are working toward a package that could pass the Senate under rules that require only a simple majority vote, not 60 votes. Democrats and Republicans are far apart in their aims. Democrats’ legislation would cover more than 30 million uninsured, while a House Republican plan would cover only 3 million. Members of both parties say they see a few areas for common ground, including revamping the medical malpractice system and finding ways to allow consumers to shop for insurance plans across state lines. Associated Press writer Charles Babington contributed to this report.

SCHOOLHOUSES Continued from page 5 and have kept it up, adding a few modern conveniences over the years. Through the National Trust for Historic Preservation and with $4 million in grants from Lowe’s, 53 Rosenwald schools nationwide have been preserved. Wright worked with the National Trust but is raising money through his organization, The Long Black Line, to work toward restoring the Rock Hill building to its original state — along with a few modern additions. He wants the church to retain its ownership because it has so lovingly cared for it, but he hopes school children can visit to learn about their own recent history. The Rock Hill school was built according to architectural design No. 1-A, a narrow school built to face the north and features a low-pitched, gabled tin roof. Today, the school has its original exterior siding, though it has been covered with new wood. The tall windows have been replaced with more energy-efficient, shorter windows, and paneling covers the original walls. Restoring the old building would not take a great amount of effort, Wright said, because the original structure is encased inside the new wood and paneling. Woods said the church members want to keep their modern kitchen they installed in the back, to which Wright does not object. Students at Jasper Middle School are documenting the history of the small schools by recording oral histories with surviving students, many of whom are now in their 80s. Wright’s foundation gave Dianne Pace, a teacher at Jasper Middle School, a $2,500 grant to buy recording equipment so the students can tell the Rosenwald school story in southeast Texas. Teaching the students about their own recent past helps them better understand world and American history, Pace said. “You can’t look at everything with this huge scope, you have to narrow it down and look at day-today life,” she said in her classroom Feb. 11.

East of Jasper, near the Newton County line, the other surviving Rosenwald school, at Huff Creek, has been moved a half-mile from its original location to a plot across the blacktop road from a cemetery. It is used as a cemetery chapel and has not been updated. It has original siding and the tall east-facing windows that now point north. The school became obsolete in 1955 when Jasper schools consolidated all the black schools into the J.H. Rowe school along Texas 63, creating separate but equal facilities. Schools were desegregated in the next decade. Both the Rock Hill and Huff Creek communities have become smaller and more remote as residents moved away in search of work and education, Wright said. In a way, the Rosenwald schools had a part in their communities’ shrinking. “They sent their kids out with no intention of them ever coming back,” Wright said.

Can Vitamin D protect African Americans from High Blood Pressure and Diabetes? Researchers at the Charles Drew University are seeking volunteers to participate in the study designed to answer this question. You will be compensated for your time and effort plus you will know your vitamin D level and additional lab values. Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science (located in South Los Angeles) is looking for overweight African Americans between the ages of 18 – 70 who have high blood pressure for a research study. The goal of this study is to see how vitamin D helps blood vessels work. Vitamin D is a natural nutrient that balances calcium in the body. A little comes from our normal daily diet. Most of it comes from the skin after being exposed to sunlight. Individuals with a darker skin color make less Vitamin D. A low Vitamin D level can cause health problems that may increase the chance of getting high blood pressure or diabetes or the blood vessels may not work normally. Because African Americans have darker skin, they are more likely than most other racial/ethnic group to have low vitamin D levels. This study will look at treating African Americans with low vitamin D levels.

Please contact Ms. Cynthia Gonzalez at Charles Drew University at 323.249.5709 for further information.

Page 8

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

COMMUNITY

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. PROM GOWNS — The Junior League of Pasadena Inc. (JLP) is partnering with L.A.’s Prom Closet to host a Prom Dress Drive during the month of February. L.A.’s Prom Closet’s mission is to offer donated new and used formal wear to deserving high school girls who may otherwise not be able to afford to attend their high school prom. The public can help by dropping off new or semi-new formal wear (age-appropriate, excellent condition, styles within the last five years) at the Junior League of Pasadena Headquarters, 149 S. Madison Ave., Pasadena, before Feb. 26. Dresses donated should be dry cleaned and bagged. Information: (626) 796-0244. DANCE — The third annual Pasadena Dance Festival, presented by Lineage Dance, takes place Feb. 21, 8 p.m., at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St. The festival features teachers and performers from the greater Los Angeles area. The all-day event offers an array of dance classes and workshops for all ages, from beginners to advanced dancers. The day will cap off with a

professional performance by some of the area’s top dance companies on the main stage of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Admission is $25. Information: www.lineagedance.org PANCAKE DAY — On National Pancake Day, Feb. 23, IHOP will give guests free pancakes at any of its 1,400 restaurants nationwide. In return, IHOP asks that guests donate to local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network. Also, Children’s Miracle Network National Pancake Day Celebrity Wake Up Call Program invites interested individuals to receive a wake-up call from participating celebrities on Feb. 23, offering a reminder to visit IHOP for free pancakes. Wake-up calls can be ordered at www.IHOPPancakeDay. com. Lastly, IHOP’s “Stacks for Good Acts” Online Contest invites good Samaritans to submit a 250word story, or less, at www. IHOPPancakeDay.com about a good deed they or someone they know did in 2009. The winner will receive free pancakes for one year. AFRICAN DIASPORA FEST — Journalist and social commentator Cameron Turner will be the keynote speaker at the 26th annual Black History Celebration sponsored by Altadena Baptist Church Feb. 21, 5 to 7 p.m. Also, under the guidance of musician/producer Billy Mitchell, a variety of artists will contribute selec-

tions from African-origin societies, dramatizing the many ways in which the music and other art forms of Africa have influenced world cultures. Performers include Kenyan recording artist Anindo, Brazilian percussionist Mayuto Correa and the Billy Mitchell Ensemble. Charles Dickerson, director of the Southeast Symphony, will present his Inner City Youth Ensemble of L.A. The celebration will be followed by a soul-food dinner. The event is free. However, a voluntary offering will be received, which will be donated to Haiti earthquake relief through the World Vision organization. The church is at 791 E. Calaveras St., Altadena. Information: altadenabaptist.org. POST-RACIAL SOCIETY? — The Freedom Socialist Party will present its Black History Month Celebration, “The Myth of a PostRacial Society,” Feb. 25, 7 p.m., at Solidarity Hall, 2170 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. During the event, San Francisco 8 defendant Ray Boudreaux, L.A. public school teacher Linda Guthrie, and Chicana feminist Beatriz Paez will challenge the assertion that, about 60 years after the Civil Rights Movement, the United States has become a colorblind society. The door donation is $3. A homecooked supper served at 6:30 p.m. will be available for a $9 donation. (Sliding scale and work exchanges

are available.) A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Haiti relief. Doors open at 6 p.m. Information: (323) 732-6416, radicalwomenla@earthlink.net, fspla@earthlink.net. L.A. TODAY — The Society of Professional Journalists of Greater Los Angeles will present a panel discussion Feb. 25, 7 p.m., at Eso Won Bookstore, 4331 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park, regarding where the city is, where it’s going and how it will be remembered at this moment in history. Hector Tobar, columnist for the Los Angeles Times and author of “The Tattooed Soldier,” will moderate. Other panelists include Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Larry Frank; demographer Dowell Myers, author of “Immigrants and Boomers”; and

historian George J. Sanchez, author of “Becoming Mexican American.” The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments and rugelach will be provided. Information: www. esowonbookstore.com. BHM CELEBRATION — The Los Angeles County Civic Center Choir will present “The Dream Continues” Black History Celebration featuring the Civic Center Choir, SHINE Mawusi African Drum Troupe, and various spoken word artists, an African Fashion Finale, honorees and musical guests, including Rose Royce, Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room 381-B at 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. Information: (213) 974-1890, (213) 9748399, (213) 974-3371.

RUPERT

ty, and communicates discomfort through a number of different mediums with interracial relationships. It is difficult to ignore all of these influences, and so it is unrealistic to believe they don’t affect our attraction in social situations. Chances are, we’ve all internalized them to some extent and they have an affect on us — and on who we date. Maya Rupert is an attorney in downtown Los Angeles. She has previously contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as other publications. Her column explores issues of race, gender, and politics and appears in the L.A. Watts Times regularly. She can be reached at maya.rupert@gmail.com.

Continued from page 2 influenced by preconceived notions about race?” The next step is the hard part. We have to be willing to accept that the answer to this question will most likely be yes. The worst thing about institutionalized racism (and there are some pretty bad things about institutionalized racism) is that people don’t have to be racist in order to be influenced by it. The most racially conscious, progressive person living in America is still a product of a culture that perpetuates negative stereotypes about people of color, embraces a white standard of beau-

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February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 9

COMMUNITY

States Get New Leeway to Tally Prisoners in Census BY HOPE YEN AP WRITER

WASHINGTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; States are getting new leeway in tallying their prisoners in the 2010 census â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a move that could reshape the American political map, increasing urban population numbers while reducing the figures for rural voting districts where inmates are incarcerated. The Census Bureau said last week it would release data on prison populations to states when they redraw legislative boundaries next year. Previously, the agency provided the breakdowns on group quarters, such as prisons, after states finished their high-stakes redistricting. That resulted in districts with prisons getting extra representation in their legislatures, despite laws in some states that say a prison cell is not a residence. Now that the prison data are being made available earlier, states can decide whether they want to count inmates for purposes of redistricting and, if so, where they should be considered residents â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in rural towns, where prisons are often built, or cities, where many prisoners came from. Census director Robert Groves made the decision after weeks of discussion with Democratic Rep. William Lacy Clay and with public interest and African American groups. They called it an important first step toward shifting federal resources and representation back to urban communities, where they believe the aid is needed the most. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For too long, communities with large prisons have received greater representation in government on the backs of people who have no voting rights in the prison community,â&#x20AC;? said Brenda Wright, director of the Democracy Program

at Demos, a research and advocacy organization. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Census Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new data will greatly assist states and localities in correcting this injustice.â&#x20AC;? The impact could be strongly felt in states such as New York, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, California, Texas and Maryland, where prisons are found in more sparsely populated areas. In New York, for instance, most of the 60,000 inmates live in prisons in rural upstate communities, even though half the inmate population committed crimes in New York City. In Anamosa, Iowa, which boasts a population of roughly 5,700, some 95 percent of a voting ward is made up of non-voting prisoners in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest penitentiary. Still, analysts say the bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move could prove politically messy. They note that the agency will not release the prison data until May 2011, more than two months after states are given their initial population data by district, so some legislatures may opt not to wait for the additional information or only make cursory use of it. Also, while the prison data will have breakdowns on where inmates are located, it will not include information on the prisonersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; original hometowns. Thus, states will have to gather that information on their own if they choose to count them in different locations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is going to be a big enough deal where states will have to make some decisions,â&#x20AC;? said Kimball Brace, president of Election Data Services, a Virginia-based firm that crunches political numbers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We may see an impact ultimately where one political party decides to go one way and draws districts accordingly, the other party goes another way, and we end up with a

court case to sort it out.â&#x20AC;? The population count, held every 10 years, is used to apportion U.S. House of Representatives and state legislative and county seats as well as distribute more than $400 billion in federal aid. New Yorker Chevelle Johnson, 44, who said he was formerly incarcerated, returned to his New York City community of BedfordStuyvesant, in Brooklyn, upon being released from prison in 2007. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of us come home and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even vote,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need political power in our communities so that when we do come home, we come home to something ... to things that will help us not get reincarcerated.â&#x20AC;? While the 2010 data will not include hometown information, advocacy groups say they are continuing their push for prisoners to be counted as residents of the communities they came from for the next decennial census in 2020. Associated Press writer Cristian Salazar in New York City contributed to this report. On the Net: Census Bureau: www.census.gov; Prison Policy Initiative: www.prisonpolicy.org.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEATURE

Reflections in Black and White LAW PIONEER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Loren Miller poses with a newspaper in January 1963. Miller served as a municipal court judge and a housing discrimination specialist. His work in the Civil Rights Movement, which included representing the interests of lowincome clients, earned him a reputation as a fighter for equal housing opportunities for minorities. Born Jan. 20, 1903, in Pender, Neb., and raised in Kansas, Miller attended the University of Kansas, Howard University and Washburn University, earning a law degree in 1928. He practiced law in Kansas for one year before moving to California to pursue journalism. Here, he worked for the California News, a Los Angeles newspaper, from 1929 to 1933. In 1966, Miller wrote â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Petitioners: The Story of the Supreme Court of the United States and the Photo by HARRY ADAMS Negro.â&#x20AC;? Eleven years later, the State Bar created the Loren Miller Award to honor an attorney who had demonstrated a long-term commitment to legal services and equal access to justice. A chapter of the National Bar Association, the Loren Miller Bar Association, is also named after him. LMBA, in existence for more than 40 years, is reportedly the oldest minority bar and the largest organization of African American attorneys in the United States. Its goal is to advance the social and economic well-being of its membership, while improving relations between the legal profession and the greater community.

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Continued from page 1

Teen Charged as Adult in L.A. Activist’s Murder (AP) — A 16-year-old boy has been charged as an adult in the shooting death of an anti-gang activist who confronted the boy as he marked a wall with graffiti. Prosecutors say Mark Anthony Villasenor was charged Feb. 12 in the Feb. 7 shooting death of 40-yearold Ronald Barron. Police say Barron, who was well-known for his anti-gang and counseling work, was leaving a bar with his girlfriend when he confronted the tagger. Villasenor is accused of pulling out a gun and shooting him several times at point-blank range. Police say the killing was not gang-related or racially motivated and the teenager acted alone. Investigators found surveillance video of the suspect tagging and arrested Villasenor within a day and a half of the shooting.

THE STATE Amid Toyota Recalls, Workers Rally to Save CA Jobs SAN JOSE (AP) — Dozens of workers rallied Feb. 12 to save a Northern California auto plant where more than 4,600 people could lose their jobs if Toyota stops production at the end of March. Labor leaders said closing the

New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant — the sole remaining automobile assembly plant in California — would be the worst thing Toyota could do while it struggles to regain consumer confidence after making recalls. In recent weeks, Toyota’s reputation has been hurt by the global recall of 8.5 million vehicles and questions about how quickly the giant automaker responded to safety problems. The demonstration kicked off a nationwide campaign urging the Japanese carmaker to save the plant, said Bob King, vice president of the United Auto Workers. The rally was held inside a nearby union hall. State officials warn that thousands of other Californians who work at regional parts suppliers also could lose their jobs if the plant closes. California Treasurer Bill Lockyer said the number of lost jobs could reach 50,000.

Photo Courtesy of LARRY GRANT

KINGDOM AWARDS — The Kingdom Day Parade awards luncheon took place Feb. 13. Pictured: Parade founder Larry Grant (second from left) with parade Queen Brittni Wallace (far right); first runner-up Carla Banks (second from right); second runner-up Adrianne St. Clair (far left); and Ratna Bushana prabhu (center), president of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the parade’s second-place award winner for a marching group with banner.

BART Shooting Victim’s Lawyer May Back Out of Deal

Bay area television station. Sophina Mesa, the mother of Grant’s 5-year-old daughter, recently settled for $1.5 million with BART as part of a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against the agency and several employees. Grant, 22, was shot on a BART train platform in Oakland on New Year’s Day 2009. Johannes Mehserle, 28, a former BART police offi-

OAKLAND (AP) — The family attorney of a man fatally shot by a Northern California transit officer has threatened to pull out of a recent wrongful death settlement and alleged the transit agency had breached confidentiality. Oscar Grant’s attorney, John Burris, accused the Bay Area Rapid Transit of leaking details about the settlement talks to a San Francisco

We are committed to preparing a publication that you will eagerly anticipate each week. The L.A. Watts Times is scanning and probing news and information resources to deliver the best of the African American community to you.To receive the L.A. Watts Times via U.S. Postal Service each week, fill out this subscription form and send with check or money order payable to: L.A. Watts Times for the yearly rate of $65.

IVE EDI TION COMMEMORAT HER KING JR. DR. MARTIN LUT

Vol. XXX, No.

SERVING LOS

1110

January 15, 2009

G AREAS SURROUNDIN

n, a Confidante, Xernona Clayto g’s Legacy Reflects on Kin

ANGELES AND

Inc. She Broadcasting Systemof the oneis also the originator History” in minute “Moments annually broadcasts televised Month. Xernona Clayton during Black History is a minute, the Although her schedule Moving a mile and former recently found civil rights veteranJr. confidante is full, Clayton a man King to talk about King, Martin Luther calls, time knew for severAtlanta fielding in her office in the she respected,worked with dur, and putting al years, and doing interviews Civil the Trumpet Awards, ing the height of the final touches on a venaccomWith t. the Movemen an affair that highlights of Rights of knowledge, contributions erable wealth at plishments and admittedly “never s. Clayton, American African and CEO words,” has a million Clayton is the founder n a loss for Awards Foundatio to tell. of the Trumpet Times pro- stories and executive The L.A. Watts Inc., and creator Awards, which spoke with Clayton to get her ducer of the Trumpet air on upcoming year and will take on the nation’s is in its 17th on TV One. to King. April 12 from Atlanta are vast, but tribute the best is What nts LAWT: ty activist, Her achieveme preacher, communi and to toot her horn. way to acknowledge King’s KING — Baptist Clayton isn’t one son, brother, husband, who HONORING woman in the birthday? King Jr., Nobel Prize winner, wouldn’t The first black intellectual, author, and more, describe Martin Luther it not for an a prime-time televiXC: He definitely all were South to host vice He didn’t like father. These words, years old today, Jan. 15, Clayton was a want the hoopla. 80 in Memphis, Tenn., sion talk show, would have been April 4, 1968, affairs at Turner He was killed sanitation workers president of urban assassin’s bullet. in support of the city’s black rest of the counwhere he had gone The L.A. Watts Times joins the Special Edition. who were on strike. in honoring this man with our — try — and world DONLOE BY DARLENE WRITER CONTRIBUTING is a ball of

fire.

Xernona Clayton

as pinpointed him the activities that into of our time. I go the great savior N, page 22 See CLAYTO

Civil Rights ‘Little Rock 9’ Inauguration Icon to Attend

of violence from N taunts and threats adults opposed FIRST COLUM and white students BY ANDRE BRISCOE of Central High. WRITER the integration CONTRIBUTING Roberts has lecObama is sworn Over the years, When Barack college stuof the United high school and has been in as the 44th president may tured and 20, Americans dents at seminars, States on Jan. about what nation has finally interviewed extensively the that conclude the turbulent year past. it was like during uses his overcome its racist psychology pro- he spent in high school. He Dr. Terrence Roberts But for retired to teach Roberts, 67, one experiences as a platform in as many and fessor Dr. Terrence inte.” e of education at events, and participate teenagers who the importanc Today and Tomorrow of nine black grandas possible, Roberts relationships Central great d D Rock improve Little inaugural balls to NORWOO “My 11-year-ol how to best grated Arkansas’ BY CHICO C. plans to speak Williams, said. He also 1957, the ceremony among people of color. Neeko Anthony Sidwell STAFF WRITER High School in for this Speak- son, leading up to students and faculty at the hurdle in theme days the Assembly cleared the with In California 9, page 7 the came up will be just another for equal rights. Larry E. the “Little Rock will serve as See LITTLE ROCK battle Inauguration Day, year,” said organizer behind the er Karen Bass , speak the continuing validates force and Norris J. attend luncheons driving election will the marshal Nine” Grant, Obama’s grand to celebrity grand Rock Nine” tried parade. Bishton Jr. the what the “Little Angeles former and Bishton the 25th annual n and the Los BRIEF said Roberts, a IN Joining Bass h, Associatio his marshal for Val19 NEWS accomplis P. David Commerce. In Parade on Jan. Master’s in PsyChamber of will be Lt. Gen. Kingdom Day co-chair of the Uniservice role as reviewing offiprogram at Antioch been SOUTHLAND previous public court, this year’s in Los Angeles. THE Estate of Day chology n Real has for Kingdom who The largest celebratio deputy director cer, and 2009 of as versity in Los Angelesinaugural cerefor the state King Jr. holiWyvetta Taylor. the Rosenfeld to Serve Development Parade Queen the Martin Luther invited to attend in and offiCalifornia, the Rosenfeld is credited black president Other celebrities day in Southern Planning Deputy Supervisor California, mony for the first to create about will begin at 11 to attend include with helping cials slated 2.5-mile parade of Second District U.S. history. ctor jobs, Avenue and to what we Nadette Stanis omas has chosen 72,000 new private-se “It adds substance a.m. at Western Boulevard. It actress Bern urban Mark Ridley-Th said. “When to serve as which revitalized struggling fame; jazz legend King “Good Times” Martin Luther State tried to do,” Roberts Daniel A. Rosenfeld west to Crenshaw Herby Hancock; California country’s history, areas. will proceed you look at this to a Senior Deputy turn south on of Public Instrucat the opposition Disds of L.A. Boulevard and in Superintendent and you look for the Second look at l; members of Vernon Avenue District: Thousan , and then you Jack O’Connel Rosention Crenshaw onto team. Jobs integration trict Council; festival Lose City with Obama’s where a Teachers Could the Los Angeles Leimert Park, what has happened feld will be responds of Los apparent that the (AP) — Thousan and more. will follow. election, it is quite sible for planning, include 14 and other emKABC Tele. enThe parade will Set to air on Angeles teachers laid off this to old system is crumbling we did fits in transportation, 20 drill teams be 7 from 11 a.m. and ployees could marching bands, “In retrospect, what vision-Channel vironmen t , page 4 Daniel A. parade theme the nation’s secwere able to chip See MLK PARADE school year as 1 p.m., this year’s that pattern. We economic developRosenfeld district grapLives On For old system — weakond-largest school is “The Dream away a bit at the ment. now million deficit, 35 years of — to the point ples with a $250 He has more than en it if you will said. faster than ever.” assessment and school officials recently Corwhere it’s crumbling the election private sector condent Ramon and is the Superinte ent e Roberts said developm Partners LLC, tines blamed the state Legislatur anything, because doesn’t change saying founder of Urban elements that entrepreneurial for the potential cutbacks, there are “systemic fabric of this an award-winning to solve the the focusing on devel- that lawmakers need are woven into real estate firm if the Los t opportubudget crisis is society.” opment and investmen United state’s s the harm School District western Angeles Unified If anyone understand nities in the force intact. it is Roberts. In keep its work segregation causes, 15, he and the States. page 6 board to a as age BRIEFS, at See served He has the fall of 1957, City teenagers who the Central eight other black known as the member of be would come to braved insults, “Little Rock Nine” Larry Grant

s on in The Dream Live r of This Historic Yea ade Par Day Kingdom

Assembly Speaker

Karen Bass

Parade founder

PRESIDENT OB AMA INAUGUR ATION EDITION

Vol. XXX, No.

1111

SERVING LOS ANGELES AND SURROUNDIN G AREAS

Giant Steps: Bar ack

Obama Americ a’s 44th Presid ent

January 22, 2009

cer, has pleaded not guilty to murder. A Bay Area television station report detailed settlement negotiations between Burris and BART. “For the information to come out in this case, it seems to me that it’s unethical and a violation of the rules of conduct and there must be an ulterior motive for it,” Burris said. Dale Allen, an attorney representing BART, said that he did not

know who provided KTVU with the information and declined to comment about the report. Allen said Burris has signed a stipulation of dismissal accepting the settlement on behalf of Grant’s daughter “and we fully intend to enforce the terms of the settlement if he attempts to withdraw.” See BRIEFS, page 11

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Proudly Joins the Community In Celebrating

Black History Month

BY TERENCE HUNT AP WRITER

WASHINGTON — Stepping into history, Barack Hussein Obama grasped the reins of power as America’s first black president on Jan. 20, declaring the nation must choose “hope over purpose over conflictfear, unity of and discord” to overcome the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. In frigid temperatur es, an exuberant crowd of more than a million packed the National Mall and parade route to celebrate Obama’s inauguratio n in a highnoon ceremony.

‘HOPE OVER FEAR’ — Barack John Roberts to Obama, joined become the 44th president of the by his wife Michelle and daughters United States at Malia, third from the U.S. Capitol left, and Sasha, AP Photo/RON in Washington takes the oath EDMONDS FIRST COLUM Jan. 20. of office from N Chief Justice

Not Just a Drea m: Obama Sparks Black Men to Action

BY LUCAS L. JOHNSON II AP WRITER

The Son of Our Soil

With 11 million Americans out of work and trillions of dollars lost in the stock market’s tumble, Obama emphasize biggest challenge d that his is tattered economy to repair the left outgoing President behind by George W. Bush. “Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and See OBAMA, page 6

BY REMA REYNOLD

they say they might not have S SPECIAL TO taken without NASHVILLE, L.A. WATTS his example. TIMES — An actor turns Tenn. (AP) NAIROBI, Kenya Van Jones, a — I sent one 40, founded last e-mail to my inner-city mosque dilapidated, Green For Kenyan friend All, a into a theater asking her what I should in just a few days. gram that seeks national proexpect. A 20-year-old to create clean buckles down I would be teaching energy jobs. His on his studies Oakland-based in Nairobi at a program, during the time historically black which employs of President Barack college after his 25 peoObama’s inauguratio mother dies of cancer. A commu- ple and has an operating budget n. I wondered if Kenyans were nity organizer of $4.5 million, excited decides his plan was instrument as I was, as to in passing excited as the create thousands al majority of Ameria portion of a of green jobs national cans, as excited is too modest and as African Amerienlarges it twen- energy bill called the Green Jobs cans ty-fold. Act. It will use particularly. up to $125 million My BlackBerr to train 30,000 Barack Obama’s y flashed her people in jobs election to such reply just as I HOME PRIDE the White House as installing boarded the plane: — Kenyans react is the very realsolar panels AP Photo/SAYYID a large screen, “Kenya is full as U.S. President ization of what and retrofitting AZIM as thousands of of Obama mania Barack Obama so many black buildings to make people gather appears on so guration ceremony — don’t be surprised fathers have them more to watch the U.S. from Nairobi, told their sons environm entally if Jan 20th is presidential inauD.C., Jan. 20. Kenya — that to friendly. another national aspire to for Across the country, took place in holiday. Kenyans years, even if year ago came Washington, are extremely it together to celebrateneighbors divided by political often was just With Obama’s proud of this son violence only the inauguration a election, Jones a of our soil!” of its favorite booster not meant confidence- decided to shop son, Obama. a $33 to be taken literally. And Another national posal before Congress billion proNEWS IN BRIEF long before holiday? Yes, that would he another. wrapped up the contest, his can- hire about 600,000 people over didacy had driven When Obama was the next two THE SOUTHLAND years for similar Top police officials elected presthese three ident of the United black men and edged that minorities acknowlothers to actions work. States, Kenyans were granted a day off, are more Los Angeles Police See BLACK MEN, frequently subjected a holiday to Reject page 3 commemorate to searches, the occasion. Study on Racial but they told the As I turned off my phone commission the Bias statistics (AP) — A commissio do not the flight attendant in obedience to n that filing is rampantprove racial prooversees the Los me, in my jealousy hovering over in the departAngeles Police ment. I thought, “Now Department told why didn’t we police on Jan. get a day off?” 13 to investigate Information from: whether data Los Angeles While waiting from Times, http://www a recent study in London to .latimes.com. board the last can be used plane of the to identify officers trip, Kenyans spoke who with against minorities. discriminate L.A. Gang has $5 Million asm and animated great enthusiTab to Pay gestures to The commissio Americans as they pontificated came after hearing n’s decision (AP) — City the symbol of hope officials said hours of testi- they Obama embodies mony about the secured a $5 with proud, booming study, which was million civil judgment against conducted by voices. They couldn’t have a Yale University a cared street gang whose Los Angeles professor, and flight was delayed less that our published in Oct11 members control ober five hours — by the American the heroin trade more time to brag in the about Obama their ties Union of SouthernCivil Liber- downtown area. relative. California. City Attorney The study found Rocky DelgaWhen we finally that Los dillo and Angeles police arrived at other law HE’S GOT Jomo Kenyatta officers are more MOVES — A International Airport officials announced enforcement likely to stop and Photo by HGSTAR1/UN parade participant the many performanc in Kenya, everyone search black and the judgment W nearly does es that took place against — Latino residents 19. Go to page at the 2009 Kingdom the splits as part of ly Kenyan passengerseven the live17 to view more than they are week. the 5th and Hill gang last Day Parade on parade photos. whites, even — seemed Officials said Jan. though whites subdued, exhausted it is the first are obtained against from the journey. more often found a gang in Calicarrying guns fornia. See KENYAN and contraband SON, page 6 . See BRIEFS, page 7

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February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 11

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Continued from page 10

THE NATION Report: Black Harvard Professor Donated Handcuffs NEW YORK (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. says heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s donated the handcuffs used on him during his arrest last year outside his home to the Smithsonian Institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s black history museum.

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Gates told The New York Times Magazine that he donated the handcuffs to the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. Gatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arrest last July by police investigating a report of a possible break-in at his home near Harvard University sparked a national debate over racial profiling. The charge against Gates was dropped, and the Harvard scholar later reconciled with the police sergeant who arrested him outside his Cambridge home. Gates says he met with Sgt. James Crowley several months ago at a cafe, where the officer gave him the handcuffs.

surged ashore. Initial reports were that the stormâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winds had reached 72 mph (115 kph) near the main northern town of Neiafu, then dropped to just 8 mph (13 kph) as the cycloneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye passed over the area. Damage was not as widespread as feared, he said.

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Black Farmers Rally in SC for $1.15B Settlement COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Black farmers gathered in South Carolina to ask Congress to make sure a $1.15 billion discrimination settlement stays in the federal budget. The Feb. 12 morning rally in Columbia was one of seven being held across the South before the group gathered for a national protest Feb. 15 in Washington, D.C. The settlement is for claims from farmers who say they were denied loans or crop subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture because of their race. The case was settled in 1999, but members of the National Black Farmers Association say the USDA intentionally kept word of the deal from many who would have benefited from the agreement.

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Page 12

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

COMMUNITY

READY TO RUN — Assembly Speaker Karen Bass on Feb. 17 announces her intent to seek the congressional seat of Congresswoman Diane Watson, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Photo by MARTY COTWRIGHT

WATSON Continued from page 1

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woman to hold the position of Assembly speaker. “One of the main reasons I ran for the Assembly was because she (Watson) encouraged me to do so, because there were no African American women in Legislature at the time I won my election,” Bass said. The 33rd Congressional District is the most diverse one in California, according to Watson. It includes many communities, such as Koreatown, Hancock Park, the Wilshire Corridor, the “Miracle Mile,” Little Armenia, Hollywood, Los Feliz and other locales. It also includes the neighborhoods of Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, Mid-Wilshire, View Park and Windsor Hills. The district has the largest number of South Koreans outside of South Korea, a large Hispanic population, an Armenian community in Hollywood, a Pacific Islander community in the southern part and “a vigorous” African American community, she said. “The district consists of some of the most expensive property in California and some of the lowestincome people in the southeastern part of (the) district,” she said. “It’s a district where you have to work, you have to appear, you have to know their issues. An issue that might work well south of Wilshire does not work well north of Wilshire. “It takes someone with knowledge of the district … someone who can bring people together, someone who can recognize issues that are relevant to the issues of constituents. It takes someone with great leadership skills and a tremendous staff.” Watson also said that, over the years, she watched Bass work with the Los Angeles-based Community Coalition organization before Bass was elected and “watched what she has been able to do,” adding she and others have encouraged Bass to run. Watson announced Feb. 11 that she would not seek a sixth term. The 76-year-old is retiring to spend more time with her mother, who turned 100 this year. “I want to spend some quality time with her at the end of year,” she said. “I will serve all the way

through the election.” Watson’s early political career began in 1975, the year she was elected to the Los Angeles Unified School District board; she became the first black woman to do so. About three years later, she was elected to the California State Senate. “In 1993, she authored the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program Act, which led to pioneering research into the causes of birth defects, and the Residential Care Facilities Act, to ensure that senior citizens receive quality care in nursing and assisted living homes,” Watson’s Web site states. “In 1997, she introduced legislation to toughen food health safety requirements for restaurants. She also played a key role in the enactment of legislation to promote breast cancer research.” In 1999, Watson served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia. In a special election in 2001, she won the 33rd District seat, and has served on many committees. Those committees included the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and she is chair of the Congressional Entertainment Industries Caucus. “She has always been a popular leader, rating highest in polls among her peers on values such as integrity, honesty and hard work,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said in statement, describing Watson as a “mentor, colleague and friend.” “She is a true champion for the causes in which she believes, placing accountability above irresponsibility and the common interest above the special interest.” In a prepared statement from the White House, President Barack Obama said, “Diane Watson has spent her life fighting for families in Los Angeles, especially those who too often didn’t have a voice. “Diane blazed a historic trail from the L.A. public schools to the United States Congress where she continued to work to improve health care, education and opportunities for countless Americans. While we will miss her distinguished voice in Congress, Michelle and I extend our thanks to Diane for her service and our best wishes to her and her family for the future.”

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 13

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MEETINGS, FORUMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Blue Line Slauson Station Elevator Out of Service for Repairs The elevator in the Metro Blue Line Slauson Station will be out of service due to extensive repair work for about six weeks beginning Feb. 22. The Slauson station is elevated and has only one elevator and no escalators to access the platform. The projected completion date for the project is April 5. When finished, the elevator will have new stainless steel doors and floor and a new piston to stop oil leaks. The sill will be realigned and this will make the doors operate better. Metro customers in wheelchairs traveling between the Slauson and Vernon stations, or Slauson and Florence stations, will need to contact the Access Services Operations Monitoring Center (OMC) at (800) 827-0829 and press option two, so that a vehicle can be dispatched to transport them between the Slauson and Vernon stations and Slauson and Florence stations. Excessive corrosion has caused the floor to swell under the sills and deteriorated many other components, mandating these repairs. Metro will post signs in English and Spanish and will make announcements on its public announcement system and video screens along all Metro Blue Line stations to notify patrons that the elevator is out of service. Metro patrons are advised to allow extra time for their trips if their stop is Slauson station. Information: www.metro.net.

Metro to Host Bicycle Roundtable The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will host its first Bicycle Roundtable Feb. 19, 2 to 4 p.m., at its headquarters in the Windsor Conference Room, 15th floor, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles. The purpose of the roundtable is to discuss Los Angeles County bicycle issues. The cycling community is invited to participate. The meeting is intended to initiate a dialogue and identify issues of importance to cyclists in Los Angeles County that will help create a vision for enhancing Metro’s current bicycle program. A presentation on Metro’s bicycle planning efforts is also planned. The outcome of the first meeting

HARD TIMES Continued from page 1 the challenges facing economically disadvantaged communities and efforts to help. “We worked very hard to share with him ideas around the need for targeted relief — and that means to urban communities, to areas of high unemployment,” Morial said. He said the next challenge is to “create the political will in the Congress. My argument is that when cities do well, America does well. Cities are the economic engines.” Obama, the nation’s first black president, has consistently held that he cannot adopt employment strategies that are designed to solely help blacks. But he supports target-

will determine the frequency, next steps and agendas of future meetings. Bicycle parking is available in Metro’s parking garage, at One Gateway Plaza, on the P1 level between the fish tank/customer service center and Metro elevators. RSVP information: (213) 9224224, gillj@metro.net. More information about Metro Bicycle Program: www.metro.net.

Installation Luncheon and State Insurance Candidate Forum Feb. 21, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Proud Bird Restaurant, 11022 Aviation Blvd., Los Angeles. The fight for justice and equity in insurance rates will be a topic of discussion. The event will also feature Assemblymen Hector De La Torre and Dave Jones. Information: Proud Bird, (310) 670-3093.

Second Chance at Loving Life Awards Dinner to Take Place

Holland House Seeks Donations

Second Call will present the “Second Chance at Loving Life” Annual Awards Dinner Feb. 19 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel, honoring Grammy Award-winning songwriter and singer James Ingram. Other featured guests will include: Radio One and TV One CEO Cathy Hughes; activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte; Los Angeles Mayor Chief of Staff Jeff Carr; Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson Jr.; Los Angeles City Police Chief Charlie Beck and several others. Second Call’s goal is to change lives for the better by reaching out to members of the community and providing them with a safe environment where they can receive positive direction, constructive guidance, and the encouragement to be all that they can be. Information: www.2ndcall.org.

Holland House, a sober-living home at 811 Linden Ave. in Long Beach, suffered extensive fire damage at the beginning of the New Year. The house stands at a total loss and insurance claims are underway, according to Holland House officials. The officials also say that the amount for which they were insured may not allow them to rebuild a facility that will accommodate as many women as the former building did. To augment the insurance settlement, Holland House is launching a capital campaign. The agency is seeking monetary donations and in-kind gifts, such as clothing, bedding, appliances and items for everyday use, such as toiletries. All donations should be made out to Harbour Area Halfway Houses (Tax ID: 237113567) and are tax deductible. Information: (562) 434-0036.

‘We Are the World’ Debuts Worldwide Airing Scheduled BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP) — The revamped “We Are the World” made its world premiere during NBC’s coverage of the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics last week in a three minute version, and a simultaneous worldwide screening of the full, seven-minute version of the music video is planned for Feb. 20. The worldwide simulcast on 53 domestic and international channels is planned for 5 p.m. Pacific time. Filmed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis, the video shows images of devastation from the Haitian island nation after the Jan. 12 earthquake that has claimed more than 200,000 lives. It also shows some of the 85 artists who gathered in Los Angeles earlier this month to rerecord the 1985 charity anthem. Teen sensation Justin Bieber

Quincy Jones

opens the song. Also featured are Jennifer Hudson and Nicole Scherzinger, Sugarland singer See ‘WE ARE THE WORLD’, page 16

Facts Feb. 24, 1864 Rebecca Lee Crumpler becomes the first black woman to receive an M.D. degree. She graduated from the New England Female Medical College. Born in 1833, Crumpler worked from 1852 to 1860 as a nurse in Massachusetts. Source: blackfacts.com

City Budget Meetings Scheduled The City of Los Angeles Budget and Finance Committee will hold community budget meetings throughout the city in preparation of the 2010-11 budget. These meetings will provide residents with the opportunity to hear about current fiscal challenges and discuss their budget priorities directly with council members and staff. All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. Meetings will take place Feb. 22 in the Hamilton High School cafeteria, 2955 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; and March 22 in Council District 9 at 4301 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, among other locales.

New Frontier Democratic Club to Present Installation Luncheon The New Frontier Democratic Club will present its 50th annual

ing help to regions most in need, which in turn, he says, would lift the African American community. Jealous said the focus of the talk was on place, not race, meaning the regions populated by blacks and other groups that have been hit disproportionately hard by the recession. “What’s clear is that we have a president who gets it,” Jealous said. He accused some Republican lawmakers and governors of obstructing Obama on initiatives like stimulus spending and a push to overhaul health insurance. Those efforts would help minorities, he said. The unemployment rate for blacks was 16.5 percent in January, compared to 9.7 percent overall and 8.7 percent for whites.

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

ARTS & CULTURE

Chandra Wilson

Xzibit

Gabourey Sidibe

The 18th annual Pan African Film Festival “Night of Tribute,” produced by the Africa Channel, took place Feb. 12 at Nate Kimberly Elise Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles (see four photos at top right). Also, the 41st NAACP Image Awards nominations luncheon (pictured above) took place Feb. 13 at Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.

Kwame Boateng, Kwesi Boakye and Kofi Siriboe

Karyn Parsons and Tatyana Ali

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Oprah Winfrey Presents “The Color Purple” opened in Los Angeles Feb. 11 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

ﬁve hours to spare, a little time goes a long way. For more information on AARP in your area, visit www.aarp.org/ca.

Quincy Jones

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 15

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

ARTS & CULTURE SHORT TAKES THEATER • “Cool Negroes,” written and directed by Tony Robinson, will run at Stella Adler Theatre Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; and Sundays, 3 p.m., through Feb. 28. This dramatic comedy chronicles a handful of

Tinariwen

MUSIC “Cool Negroes”

black revolutionaries from the 1960s who sacrificed to make a difference. When two “buppy” teens terrorize a park frequented by the radicals, a generational and ideological clash ensues. Nancy Cheryll Davis, Nancy Reneé and Nathaniel Bellamy produced the play. Tené Carter, Prema Rosaura Cruz, Dane Diamond, Tom Hyer, Mark V. Jones and more star in the play. Tickets are $15. Group, senior, student and union discounts are available. Stella Adler Theatre is at 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. Parking is $2 for four hours with Stella Adler validation inside of the Kodak Center Parking Lot. Metro riders may exit the Highland/Hollywood Station to attend the show. Information: (213) 624-4796, www.townestreet.org.

• North African musical group Tinariwen will appear in Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles, Feb. 20, 8 p.m., as part of the UCLA Live performance series. With roots in the Sahara, Tinariwen emerged as the nomadic Touareg people fought for their freedom. Tinariwen’s music has brought the Touareg fight for autonomy to global attention. But the band is also garnering recognition for their contribution to world music. The group recently won the Uncut Music Award. Information: (310) 825-2101, uclalive.org. • The Watts Neighborhood Council is sponsoring a free Black History Blues Concert in the Watts Senior Center Auditorium Feb. 26, 1 p.m. During the event, the senior center will welcome Greg Wright, known as “King of the Rockin’ Blues.” Prior to the concert,

Health Care Partners will hold a free health fair, 9 a.m. to noon, at the center, 1657 E. Century Blvd., Los Angeles. Information: (323) 564-9440. • Upscale Media & Music Group will present the Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir in its first live CD/DVD recording titled “Greater” Feb. 27, 7 p.m., at First Family Church, 8434 Greenleaf Ave., Whittier. The recording commemorates the choir’s fifth anniversary. Musical guests include Jamelle Jones & Freed. Shervonne Wells (formerly of the Kurt Carr Singers) will host. Tickets are $10. Information: (877) 329-0335, info@glacc sings.com, www.glaccsings.com. • The Flora L. Thornton Opera Program of Pepperdine University will present “La Boheme,” sung in Italian by the Pepperdine student cast, Feb. 25 and 27, 7:30 p.m., in Smothers Theater at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast

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Highway, Malibu. Featuring soaring melodies and a tragic story, “La Boheme” has become one of the world’s most popular operas. It is based on what was initially a group of literary magazine serials by Henry Murger, first published in 1845 and collectively titled “Scenes de la Vie de Boheme.” Henry Price directs the student cast, with Tony Cason conducting the Pepperdine University Orchestra. Tickets are $15 for the public, $10 for Pepperdine students, and $12 for Pepperdine faculty and staff. Information: (310) 506-4522, (800) 982-2787, http:// arts.pepperdine.edu.

TELEVISION • TV Land has announced that it will pay tribute to the art and artists of AfriCOBRA with a series

of interstitials airing throughout Black History Month. AfriCOBRA (the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists) was formed in the 1960s by a group of Chicago-based artists seeking to effect positive change by creating images that affirmed and uplifted the black community. The artistic vision of the group is to create boldly colorful works, including paintings and sculptures, that can start a dialogue that is pro-black without being antianything else. TV Land will present new, original interviews with AfriCOBRA artists as well as displays of their artwork. Extended versions of the 30-second and 60-second spots will be available at tvland.com. The spots were directed by Juan Delcan and Kenny Morrison from Nola Pictures.

‘WE ARE THE WORLD’ Continued from page 13 Jennifer Nettles, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion and Fergie. Josh Groban, LL Cool J, Nick Jonas, Lil Wayne (and his auto-tune), Jeff Bridges, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus and Haitian-American singer Wyclef Jean also get screen time. Michael Jackson, who cowrote the original hit with Lionel Richie, is shown in a clip from the original music video. In the new version, Jackson, wearing his trademark 1980s pseudomilitary

regalia, sings alongside his sister, Janet Jackson. Richie and fellow producer Quincy Jones introduced the song Feb. 12 via video, saying money raised by its sales will provide food, shelter and medicine for the Haitian people. Fans can download “We Are the World 25 for Haiti” online now. All proceeds will benefit earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti. On the Net: www.world25.org

Preparation Meets Opportunity FREE Seminar Coming to Los Angeles Westside Believe it or not, the U.S. government is broke and so are the majority of Californians. The projected U.S. deficit from 2009 through 2019 is an outstanding $9 trillion dollars. At this pace, the United States government is on a path to default on its obligations and will not be able to sustain its Social Security necessities, Medicare promises, and other obligations. Our life as we know it is at risk. Who is the culprit behind this turmoil and bad news? Most of us lack the financial education to make informed decisions regarding our personal finances. Generally, the average American knows very little about the economic dynamics that surround him or her and it is this lack of financial edification that created this uncertainty and often failure. In response to this economic climate, Ecrews Enterprises, Inc. has devised a set of seminars and services to prepare you for the upcoming economic expansion. You read that correctly: an expansion is coming! Even if you think you cannot be helped and feel like you’re swimming in financial quicksand, put those thoughts aside and attend this free seminar. The goal of Ecrews Enterprises Inc. is to educate people who are interested in taking control and building their personal wealth over time. You cannot depend on anyone but yourself, so it is imperative that you get the information you need to make the right economic decisions. You must understand the wonderful world of investing and how to play in that game. You as an investor need to be savvy about the three major types of investment commodities and how to shift from one to the other to have a lifelong residual income supply. You must identify the entrance and exit points of each investment commodity. Now is time for you to forecast the future and prepare for upcoming opportunities. It is your preparation today that will allow you to meet a future opportunity fully prepared. You can become empowered to cross over from the world of the rich and poor to the land of the wealthy and transform your life and mindset. The question is: Will you be prepared? Attend this free seminar on February 27th at the Four Points by Sheraton, 5990 Green Valley Circle, Culver City, CA 90230 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Continental breakfast will be provided Equip yourself to discover the solution to improving your own personal financial situation. It’s not too late for you strategize a plan to change your economic future. You can succeed and be prepared for the upcoming market expansion. See you there! Ecrews Enterprises, Inc. 9100 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 222, Los Angeles, CA 90045 888-327-3971 www.ecrewslive.com

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 17

ARTS & CULTURE

Fantasia Is Mauve-lous in ‘The Color Purple’ BY DARLENE DONLOE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“The Color Purple” is back in town. This time, the production, currently playing at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, has the show-stopping Fantasia Barrino of “American Idol” fame in the cast and, based on her opening night performance, she has come to play! There is no mistaking her presence and prowess on stage. She is poised, totally effective and has a built-in star quality that can’t be faked. Commanding the stage like a veteran thespian, the neophyte actress brings the character of Celie to life in a subtle, yet vivid approach. Talk about filling a stage. Talk about a powerhouse voice. Talk about losing herself in the role. Her performance has people talking and for good reason. From the moment she takes the

Fantasia Barrino

stage as Celie, sitting perched on a tree limb playing patty cake with her sister, Nettie (La Toya London), Fantasia, who is reprising her Broadway role, is in full command of her character and the stage. She begins by slowly peeling back the layers of a girl and eventually a woman, revealing a complicated, yet simple soul, who only

NO ONE CHANGES THE WORLD ALONE.

wants to love and be loved in return. But, by the time the play reaches the second act, Celie has found her voice and the womanhood begins to bloom. The chemistry between Fantasia and London is brilliant. It’s the same with actor Rufus Bonds Jr., who plays the sinister and menacing brute of a husband, Mister, who forced her into marriage at 14, and with Angela Robinson, who plays Shug Avery, a juke joint seductress who mesmerizes every man she comes in contact with, and, apparently, at least one woman — namely Celie. Fantasia’s controversy with the Broadway run of the show has been well documented. Reportedly, she missed about 50 shows during the New York run. Last weekend, due to an inflammation of her vocal chords, the gifted singer and actress called in sick and missed a full weekend of

A scene from “The Color Purple”

performances. However, this week, having been cleared by her doctor and vocal coach, Fantasia returned to the show. And, although she was not originally scheduled to do so, to thank her fans and make up for the missed performances, she will appear in the

final two Sunday matinees (Feb. 21 and 28). This is the second time “The Color Purple” has blown through Los Angeles. And, with Fantasia at the helm, it’s a robust presentation. See ‘THE COLOR PURPLE’, page 18

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

ARTS & CULTURE

Jamie Foxx Delivers Music, Instruments to Kids BY SANDY COHEN AP ENTERTAINMENT WRITER

(AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Jamie Foxx wanted to entertain a group of musically inclined high school students with a few bars from his Grammy-winning hit, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blame It.â&#x20AC;? But since the song is an ode to the effects of alcohol, he changed the lyrics to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blame it on the a-a-aapple juice.â&#x20AC;? The kids roared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I changed it so you guys could sing it,â&#x20AC;? he joked. Students from four high schools gathered Feb. 9 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, where Foxx helped present new violins, flutes, French horns, trumpets and drums valued at $500,000 to students from 16 schools nationwide. The instruments are part of the Fidelity FutureStage program, an effort by the investment firm to enrich arts education in public schools. Founded in 2006, the program provides instruments, specialized training by professional musicians, and a chance for aspiring artists to perform with renowned orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Boston Pops. Foxx told students he began as a classical pianist and eventually

won a scholarship to study the instrument in college. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That allowed me to come to L.A. and work on my craft,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then I went into acting and comedy, and then it was Ray Charles ...â&#x20AC;? Foxx, 42, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Charles in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ray,â&#x20AC;? got the crowd fired up and had them chanting â&#x20AC;&#x153;mu-sic, musicâ&#x20AC;? before students came on stage to accept shiny new saxophones, clarinets and other instruments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is way better than our old stuff,â&#x20AC;? one student said. Dominic Monaghan hosted the program, which was simulcast in Boston, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Students in all four cities performed and received donated instruments. After the program, Foxx praised Fidelity for stepping in where public funding had failed. He also encouraged other companies to participate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even if a kid is not going to be the greatest musician in the world, just the fact that you gave him something, the fact that you said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hey, I care about you,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about,â&#x20AC;? Foxx said.

AP Photo by CHRIS PIZZELLO

SPECIAL DELIVERY â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Actor and musician Jamie Foxx, left, poses alongside high school students from Renaissance Arts Academy in Los Angeles.

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;THE COLOR PURPLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Continued from page 17 The showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pace is improved and the cast is still solid. Scene-stealer Felicia P. Fields continues her reign. Her portrayal of the no-holds-barred, feisty â&#x20AC;&#x153;You told Harpo to beat meâ&#x20AC;? Sofia is unforgettable. Robinson has just the right amount of lust and sex appeal for the vampish Shug Avery, while Bondsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Misterâ&#x20AC;? is effective and Stu Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Harpo is funny and full of life. Lynette Dupree, Kimberly Ann Harris and Virginia Ann Woodruff are so hilarious as three busybody church ladies, that audiences start laughing as soon as the trio hits the stage. Levity is a good thing for this show because the subject matter, abuse, is a hard pill to swallow for two hours and 50 minutes. The story behind Alice Walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Color Purple,â&#x20AC;? has proven to be contagious and popular whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in literary form or in motion on a theatrical stage. Walkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s narrative about an abused young girl and her journey

to self-discovery has impacted generations, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still on the move. The cast for â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Color Purpleâ&#x20AC;? is large. But, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another member that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go without being mentioned: the music. Kudos to Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray for collaborating on music and lyrics that bring the story to life. Props to director Gary Griffin for a welldirected, well-paced, rich production. Donald Byrdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choreography and Paul Tazewellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designs are exceptional. This production of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Color Purpleâ&#x20AC;? is mauve-lous! Showtime information for Oprah Winfrey Presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Color Purple:â&#x20AC;? 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. Ends 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.

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Fantasia (center), who plays as Celie, in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Color Purpleâ&#x20AC;?

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

We Proudly Join Hands with the Community in Celebration of Black History Month

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH Black History Month Feature

Obama Says Music Fueled Civil Rights Movement BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Crediting civil rights-era protest songs and their spiritual predecessors for his election, President Barack Obama on Feb. 9 sat in the East Room of his White House and listened to an all-star lineup of performers pay tribute to the music that he said fueled freedom marches and civil disobedience. The nation’s first black president transformed the grand ballroom into a concert hall packed with members of his Cabinet, Congress, civil rights leaders and students for a program that aired on public television last week for Black History Month. Queen Latifah’s rendition of the Marvin Gaye classic “What’s Going On” and Yolanda Adams’ spirited rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” were early highlights of a night that continued the Obamas’ effort to open the White House to America’s soundtrack. “The Civil Rights Movement

was a movement sustained by music,” Obama said as he welcomed his audience. He said activists from coast to coast were inspired by spirituals, felt their will sharpened by protest songs and base broadened by artists of hope. He said their work paved the way toward a more just America that allowed him to make history in 2008 with his election. “Tonight, we celebrate the music of the movement,” Obama said. That celebration was supposed to come on Feb. 10, but faced with another major winter storm the White House decided to move the concert ahead by a day to beat what could be a second crippling snowfall in a week. As guests packed the first floor of the executive mansion, heavy snow landed on the South Lawn and blanketed the rest of Washington. Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez were on the schedule of performers, along with Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, John

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LIFT EVERY VOICE — President Barack Obama and the First Family join the performers on stage in the East Room of the White House as they sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the conclusion of “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” on Feb. 9.

Legend, John Mellencamp, Seal and the Blind Boys of Alabama. The Howard University Choir and The Freedom Singers performed at a mansion that in its history was maintained by slaves. Morgan Freeman, who read excerpts from historical works throughout the night, harkened

back to the song lyrics Obama invoked during his election-night victory speech in Chicago’s Grant Park. “A long time coming,” Freeman said. He later deadpanned: “I wish I could sing.” Obama said the music helped

the movement’s faith as their leaders were jailed and their churches bombed. “It’s hard to sing when times are rough,” Obama said. “The hymns helped ... advance the cause of the nation.” The Feb. 9 concert is one of the See OBAMA, page 24

Black Revolutionary War Soldier Honored BY DAN MALEY THE (MACON) TELEGRAPH

ZEBULON, Ga. (AP) — When Virginia genealogist Joseph Dooley visited Pike County recently, he brought along a print of the famous painting, “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” by Emanuel Leutze. The image of Washington standing in a crowded rowboat and staring ahead resolutely is an icon of American history. The actual painting hangs in The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Dooley, who serves as Genealogist General of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, explained the purpose of the picture to the 200 or so people gathered before him. “Look at the man sitting right in front of George Washington,” Dooley said. “He’s black.” The point Dooley was making was that the contributions of black Americans to the Revolutionary War are often overlooked. It was this point that had brought so many people together on such a remote spot on such a cold Saturday morning. One of the graves behind Dooley belonged to Austin Dabney, a former slave who served in the Georgia militia during the Revolutionary War. The other belonged to William Harris, a younger man befriended by Dabney. The two graves, marked by rough mounds of rocks, have been maintained by Harris' family and their descendants since the 1830s. The dedication ceremony celebrated the unveiling of a new set of tombstones for the graves and the opening of the site to the public. It was attended by local digni-

taries, interested citizens and members of several Georgia chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution. The event included a military brass quintet, a musket salute, a solemn presentation of about two dozen wreaths and many men dressed in Revolutionary War garb, complete with knee-breeches and three-cornered hats. “To our knowledge, it’s the first time that a black patriot’s grave has been marked in Georgia,” said Bob Galer, an SAR member from Columbus and one of the organizers of the dedication ceremony. Galer said the SAR had known about Dabney’s grave for a while, but had been unable to honor him with a commemorative marker because it was on private property. Recently the family that owns the land — 116 acres that has been leased for hunting in recent decades — approached the SAR and arranged to provide new monuments and make the site available to the public. The Pike County government built a 3/4-mile gravel road to the grave site from a paved neighborhood street. “The Sons of the American Revolution locates and marks graves of patriots in Georgia to preserve them for the future as part of our program to perpetuate colonial and revolutionary history,” Galer said. He added that the Feb. 6 ceremony “means that patriots come in all colors. There weren’t just white patriots that won our independence and liberty and freedom. It was black patriots, too. Without them, we might not have been able to win the war.” According to the New Georgia

Encyclopedia Web site, Dabney was born about 1765 in Wake County, N.C. He was the slave of a man named Richard Aycock, who brought Dabney with him when he moved to Wilkes County, Ga., in the late 1770s. When Aycock was called to join the Georgia militia in the fight against the Tories, he sent Dabney as his substitute. In February 1779, Dabney fought in the Battle of Kettle Creek in Wilkes County, where he was shot through the thigh. His white comrade, Giles Harris, took Dabney to his home, where he was nursed back to health. From that point, Dabney stuck with the Harris family out of gratitude. In 1786, the state of Georgia gave Dabney 50 acres in recognition of his military service. The Georgia Legislature also paid to emancipate Dabney from his owner. Beginning in 1789, Dabney received a federal pension for his war wound. In 1821, the Georgia Legislature granted Dabney 112 acres in Walton County, a move that was controversial at the time because of Dabney’s race. Dabney provided money to educate Giles Harris’ son, William, who became a lawyer. Dabney followed the Harris family to Walton County, Burke County and finally Pike County, where he died in 1830. Dabney left all his land and property to William Harris and was buried in the Harris family plot. In 1835, William Harris had a son, whom he named Austin Dabney Harris in honor of his deceased friend. William Harris died in 1838 and was buried next to Dabney.

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 21

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH Black History Month Feature

Group Working for Oregon Black Pioneer Museum BY DANIELLE PETERSON STATESMAN JOURNAL

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Beneath a mossy gravestone in the far corner of Salem’s historical Hayesville Cemetery are the remains of a man whose story few have heard. But thanks to the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers, the legacy of John W. Jackson is slowly being uncovered, helping to illuminate the state’s early African American history. The discovery of Jackson, a black pioneer, Civil War veteran and respected farmer who lived in the Salem area in the late 1800s, may not have happened if it weren’t for a meeting last summer at the World Beat Festival in Salem. Gwen Carr of the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers learned that a Salem family came across references to a slave while delving through old family records for details about their ancestor Adam Stephens, a well-known pioneer who has a Salem school named after him. Family diaries indicated that Stephens had come across the Oregon Trail with a slave named Anthony and prompted the historical investigation. “I went through all of our family notes and archives and didn’t find anything more on Anthony,” Theresa (Zielinski) Taaffe said. “But I came across a poem that had been written about our ancestor, and it mentioned that he lived next door to a colored man.” As Taaffe dug deeper, she found another reference to a “colored man” named John W. Jackson who was a friend of Adam Stephens. “That was more exciting in the end than our original reason for getting together, and from there Gwen and I, in particular Gwen, have done all this research to learn more about John W. Jackson and his family,” Taaffe said. Both Stephens and Jackson were members of the Hayesville Farmers Club, and, as it turns out, their gravestones are not far from one another at the cemetery. There are two stones for Jackson, one that was placed by a veterans organization to honor his service in the Civil War. “He’s one of those people we’re still doing a lot of research on,” said Carr, who is the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneer’s research and education chairwoman. “We’d love to know what brought him to Oregon.” Jackson is part of a growing list of Oregon’s black pioneers, all of whom the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers plan to feature in an African American museum in Salem. “When you think about the history that was so unknown and now we find that we have so much that it deserves a place of its own, that’s just phenomenal to me,” Chairwoman Willie Richardson said. Going through census records and gravestones, Carr and her colleagues are uncovering Oregon’s black history and learning that it extends surprisingly further than once thought.

“Most people think that it’s relegated primarily to the Portland area, and for the most part it has been,” Carr said. “But in addition to that, we are finding that it extends to every corner of the state, from the shores of Tillamook and Clatsop County, all the way to the northeast to Wallowa County and even down in Southern Oregon in Malheur and Harney counties.” The all-volunteer group, founded in 1993, has discovered that there is early African American history in 27 of Oregon’s 36 counties. “That surprises a lot of people; frankly, it surprised us,” Carr said. “But I think it just attests to how rich our history is here, and we find great pleasure every time we find just a tidbit of information.” Because so much black history research already has been done in the Portland area, she said, the group chose to focus initial efforts on the Mid-Valley. So far they’ve identified more than 100 black pioneers in Oregon, with the majority in Marion and Polk counties. Those findings will be published in a book by the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers, which they hope to publish in the summer. Last year, the group placed a gravestone at Pioneer Cemetery in Salem in memory of the 43 black pioneers buried there. Each of their names is etched in the stone. There never has been a large population of black people living in Oregon. Even today, they account for about 2 percent of the population. Although most of Oregon’s black history dates to the mid-1800s, there is a record of black people arriving even earlier. Portland author Elizabeth McLagan describes the first recorded instance in her book “A Peculiar Paradise”: “On Dec. 21, 1787, the Lady Washington set sail from the Cape Verde Islands, heading south and west toward Cape Horn and into the Pacific Ocean, then turning north to explore the coast of the North American continent. Among those on board was Marcus Lopez, the first black person to set foot on Oregon soil.” Interestingly, some of these early discoveries were at a time in Oregon’s history when black people weren’t even allowed in the territory. By 1844, Oregon had declared both slavery and the residence of blacks within the territory to be illegal. Because of these rigid exclusion laws, African American history is sort of hidden, said Amy Vandegrift, the director of library and archive collections for the Willamette Heritage Center. “They were sort of under the radar, so there’s not a lot written about them,” Vandegrift said. “You have to look for little clues, a picture there or a sentence there that you begin to trace as you go through and look at census records. But you have to look at those one at a time. “It’s not something you can find on the Internet. This is really primary research.” Carr and the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers have taken on the

task of uncovering and preserving that little-known history. As they find more details about black people who lived here during pioneer times, they also are commemorating black people who represent a historical first, such as the first to graduate from a major university or the first to hold a public office. Five years of doing research, countless hours spent at the state library and area historical societies, and help from professional historians and librarians have made Carr an expert on Oregon’s black history. The stories of Jackson and others are etched in her memory. This makes it easy to share her knowledge as she travels throughout the state offering presentations and rallying support for an African American museum in Salem. Organizers are in the process of developing plans for the museum, including identifying a location and securing grants and other fundraising opportunities, as well as collecting artifacts. “Not everyone is willing to donate artifacts; some people might want to sell them,” Richardson said. The group hopes to have the museum in place within the next three to five years and is anticipating a price tag of at least $5 million, Richardson said.

It would be the first statewide African American museum in Oregon, and organizers envision it as a full-scale operation that would

attract visitors from across the nation, in a central location with ample meeting space. See MUSEUM, page 24

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 23

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH Black History Month Feature

South Africa: Mandela Marks 20 Years of Freedom BY DONNA BRYSON AP WRITER

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African lawmakers sang Nelson Mandela’s praises Feb. 11 as the anti-apartheid icon settled into parliament’s public gallery for a State of the Nation address scheduled in tribute to his 20 years of freedom. Mandela was released in 1990 after spending 27 years in prison and went on to lead South Africa through the last stretch of a stunning, peaceful revolution from apartheid to democracy. His release was remembered as triumphant Feb. 11, but the moment was uncertain and anxious for South Africa, and it is a testimony to Mandela’s statesmanship that things went so well. “When Mandela was released we did not know what was going (to) happen,” said Nontuntuzelo Faku, who joined thousands of people who marked the Feb. 11 anniversary near Cape Town at what was known in 1990 as Victor Verster, the last prison where Mandela was held. Being at the prison 20 years later, Faku said, “makes me realize how far the country has come.” In 2008, a 10-feet-high bronze statue was erected at the prison depicting Mandela’s first steps as a free man. Exactly 20 years ago, Mandela emerged from Victor Verster on foot, hand-in-hand with his then-wife Winnie, fist raised, smiling but resolute. The release of Mandela, known affectionately by his clan name, Madiba, was the culmination of an eventful few days for South Africa. On Feb. 2, then-President F.W. de Klerk announced the unbanning of the ANC and other organizations. On Feb. 10, de Klerk announced at a press conference that Mandela would be released the next day. Whites conditioned to see Mandela as a shadowy enemy — most did not know what he looked like because images of him had been banned — were shocked and confused. Blacks were uncertain that Mandela, who had begun negotiations with the white government from the isolation of prison, was right to trust de Klerk. Civil war seemed possible. “I think the imprint of February is deeply etched into the psyche of our nation,” Mac Maharaj, a key ANC leader at the

Nelson Mandela

time, told The Associated Press. “That image of Madiba, Winnie, walking out of Victor Verster, holding hands. Madiba looking quite, quite somber, not celebratory, not pumping the air and jumping about like a victorious boxer, but walking very sternly, and I think I see a sense of bewilderment in him.” In a chapter of his autobiography titled simply “Freedom,” Mandela said he was surprised so many people had come to greet him outside the prison. He described his joy, but also his realization that much work remained ahead. “It was vital for me to show my people and the government that I was unbroken and unbowed, and that the struggle was not over for me but beginning anew in a different form,” he wrote. Today, aides say Mandela is frail but in good health for a man who will be 92 in July. He has largely retired from public life, but appeared to revel in the attention at parliament Feb. 11. He moved stiffly before settling into a chair and smiling broadly as members of parliament sang a song honoring him. President Jacob Zuma scheduled his address to coincide with the anniversary as a tribute. Mandela appeared at Zuma’s State of the Nation address last year. Just four years after Mandela’s release, South Africans held their first all-race elections, making Mandela their first black president. Mandela stepped down after one five-year term, helping to entrench democracy in South Africa in contrast to elsewhere on the continent where politicians hung on to power through fraud and violence. Mandela also is beloved for championing racial reconciliation, ensuring a peaceful transition that spared South Africa a race war. His promotion of South Africa’s rugby team during the 1995 World Cup endeared him to many whites and symbolized his efforts to build

bridges and forgive the past, as depicted in the film “Invictus.” Since 1994, his ANC party has reduced the number of people living in poverty, built houses and delivered water, electricity and schools to blacks who had been without under apartheid. But needs remain great, and impatience has grown along with a gap between the poor and the rich — among them new black entrepreneurs. South Africa marked the Feb. 11 anniversary with speeches, photo exhibits tracing Mandela’s life, radio and television specials and newspaper supplements. Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement captured imaginations around the world, as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown recalled in an essay in London’s Independent newspaper Feb. 11. Brown, who has often spoken of his admiration for Mandela, said the anti-apartheid struggle “was the defining political question of our time.” Brown said Mandela has “a generosity of spirit that lifts the world.” Mandela marked the anniversary of his release at home recently, reminiscing with fellow veterans of the anti-apartheid struggle for the cameras of his daughter

Zindzi’s production company, which was preparing a documentary called “Conversations About That Day.”

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH Smithsonian Marks 50th Anniversary of Greensboro Lunch Counter Sit-in (Smithsonian) — In a special evening ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and, posthu-

mously, David Richmond — the Greensboro Four — received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal in recognition of their contribution to civil rights in America. On Feb. 1, 1960, these four

RICK AUERBACH

African American college freshmen sat down at the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., and asked to be served. When they remained in the seats after their request was refused, they ignited a

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Greensboro Lunch Counter exhibit at the Smithsonian

youth-led movement to challenge injustice and racial inequality throughout the South. A four-stool, eight-foot portion of the Woolworth’s lunch counter is on view at the museum as a powerful artifact of the Civil Rights Movement and represents a community’s defiance of the policy of racial discrimination. The student-led protests involving the lunch counter heightened awareness of such injustices throughout America and were a catalyst to wide spread change. “The Greensboro lunch counter, one of the museum’s landmark objects, represents the determination of a generation of Americans that decided that segregation was unjust and who worked to end it,” Brent D.

Glass, director of the museum, said. “The Greensboro Four serve as a reminder that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.” Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough presented the Smithson medals during a ceremony that included civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and remarks by the three surviving members of the Greensboro Four. Throughout 2010, the museum marks the 50th anniversary of this sitin and other civil rights milestones with programming that explores America’s stories of freedom and justice. More information about the lunch counter, the Greensboro sit-in, and how the museum is commemoSee GREENSBORO, page 27

OBAMA Continued from page 20 latest imprints first lady Michelle Obama has left on Washington’s social scene. There was a conga line to Earth, Wind and Fire’s performance when the Obamas hosted the nation’s governors a year ago. Stevie Wonder played a concert in the East Room last year. Marc Anthony took to the South Lawn for an evening of Latin music, and Foo Fighters played the Fourth of July party there. Mrs. Obama also brought top classical music performers such as Joshua Bell to the White House to work with high school students. That model repeated itself in a preconcert workshop Feb. 9 when they heard from Robinson and Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, one of the original Freedom Singers in the

1960s who traveled around the country sharing stories from the Civil Rights Movement. Adams and Toshi Reagon also took up microphones and performed songs from that era. Obama’s election should be a point of pride for the students in the regal dining room, Robinson told students. “We’ve come a long, long way,” said Robinson, who also performed. The concert was televised Feb. 11 on public broadcasting stations nationwide as part of the “In Performance at the White House” series. National Public Radio also planned a one-hour concert special from the event to be broadcast nationwide on NPR stations beginning Feb. 12.

MUSEUM Continued from page 21 “It’s a huge vision that we have,” Richardson said. Building a museum from the ground up is no easy task. “It’s a lot of work,” said Peter Booth, the executive director of the Mission Mill Museum of the Willamette Heritage Center. It begins with developing a compelling subject — something the Oregon Northwest Black Pioneers already have done. “The group is taking a lot of the necessary steps to lay the proper groundwork and putting together a strong cultural institution that’s devoted to that subject,” Booth said. The museum will add to Salem’s historical and cultural offer-

ings, including the Willamette Heritage Area (comprising the Mission Mill Museum and the Marion County Historical Society), Deepwood Estate and Bush House. Vandegrift of the Willamette Heritage Center thinks it’s a marvelous idea. “We’ve got a lot of history here, and this just adds to the mix, and it explores something that really needs to be covered,” she said. Booth agrees. “Salem has a rich heritage that covers several different subjects, topics and peoples, and having those areas explored in a museum format adds to the community’s cultural treasures,” Booth said. “It makes our cultural community stronger.”

February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 25

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH SIT-INS Continued from page 1 those student demonstrators, said during a Feb. 12 panel discussion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They went all throughout the nation making people aware of the movement and what was going on.â&#x20AC;? Fisk University student Diane Nash went on to help found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. John Lewis, a student at American Baptist Theological Seminary, now American Baptist College, was another founding member, a principle speaker at the 1963 March on Washington and a leader of the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights marches. He is now a Georgia congressman. The Rev. James Lawson became a Methodist pastor in Memphis, where he led the sanitation workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strike that in 1968 brought the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to town, where he was assassinated. Lawson is now a distinguished professor at Vanderbilt University. In 1959, he was a divinity student there who began training other students at several of Nashville's black colleges in nonviolent civil disobedience. After five or six months of

training, the students began sit-ins at Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown lunch counters on Feb. 13, 1960. Over the next two months, the sit-ins continued and a boycott of downtown businesses began. Then early on April 19, a bomb damaged the home of a black attorney who had supported the students. That day, a group of at least 3,000 people gathered for a silent march to the plaza near City Hall where they met Mayor Ben West. In the ensuing dialogue, West admitted he thought segregation was morally wrong and the lunch counters should be desegregated. Negotiations with business owners followed over the next few weeks, and on May 10, Nashville became the first major Southern city to begin the desegregation of its public facilities, historian Linda Wynn of the Tennessee Historical Commission said in an interview. The success of Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly organized movement was both a model and an inspiration to other cities, Wynn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The story of Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve not seen anywhere in writing yet,â&#x20AC;? Lawson said Feb. 12. But the Freedom Rides would have ended with the first group of beaten,

MACYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PANELISTS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s department store celebrated Black History Month Feb. 4 with events at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles. Pictured (above, left to right): Walter Hill Jr., Christine Simmons, Sheila P. Coats, Angela Simmons, Vanessa Simmons, Meta Williams, Saleisha Stowers and Kenneth Crear group together after taking part in a panel discussion. Pictured (right): Angela Simmons, with Vanessa Simmons, addresses the audience at a panel discussion and event. Photos by ADRIAN SIDNEY/PICTURE GROUP

demoralized riders who decided they could not go on, if it had not been for the Nashville students. The Freedom Rides were bus trips designed to challenge segregation in areas of the deep South that were unwilling to accept a Supreme Court ruling that found the segregation of interstate travel facilities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; such as bus station waiting areas, restrooms and

restaurants â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to be illegal. The first bus was stopped in Alabama where the riders were badly beaten and voted not to continue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because of our emphasis on nonviolence, we knew the Freedom Rides could not be stopped by the Klan and the white citizens movement,â&#x20AC;? Lawson said. John Siegenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center, which

hosted the panel, and former reporter and editor at The Tennessean, was working for Robert Kennedy when Nash called to say Nashville students were organizing more Freedom Rides. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do this. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to get somebody killed,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;? Siegenthaler recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And she said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We signed our wills last night.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;?

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SITTING IN â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Rodney Powell (standing) talks with other sit-in participants at Walgreens drugstore in Nashville March 25, 1960. The photo was originally published March 26, 1960, with the article â&#x20AC;&#x153;Negro Sit-Ins Resumed Hereâ&#x20AC;? in The Tennessean.

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

PUBLIC NOTICE

SPORTS BRAD PYE JR.

SPORTS BEAT Notes, quotes and things picked up on the run from coast-to-coast and all the stops in between and beyond. Even though Kobe Bryant didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even play in the annual NBAAllStar Game in Dallas over the weekend, he made as many headlines as MVP Dwyane Wade, Paul Pierce (three-point shooting champion), Nate Robinson (Slam Dunk winner for an unprecedented third time), LeBron James and others. Bryant was named Player of the Decade, but not without objections from TNT commentators and others. James was second in the poll.

Wade summed up the game this way: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is going to be in our hearts, our minds and our thoughts a long time.â&#x20AC;?

Eric Gordon

Kobe Bryant

The All-Star Game, which attracted more than 108,700 fans, will be long remembered as reportedly the biggest game or exhibition in basketball history. A Dallas Cowboys game drew 20,000 fewer than that.

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Believe it or not, the L.A. Clippers could have one player â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Eric Gordon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on the USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic team. Gordon is one of the 27 players selected for the USA menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national team. And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś Starting Feb. 18, the University of Southern California will be on the hot seat at the NCAA Convention regarding the investigations of the Reggie Bush, O.J. Mayo and former Trojan basketball coach Tim Floyd scandals. I predict that USC will not escape without major penalties. Ken Norton Jr., who operated as Pete Carrollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant head coach at USC, was one of five Trojans who followed Carroll to his new job as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Norton was an AllAmerican at the University of California, Los Angeles, and an allpro with the Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys. The Los Angeles Timesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jerry Crowe pointed out Feb. 11 that Marcus Allen (USC), Tony Dorsett (Pittsburgh) and Reggie Bush (USC) are the only players who have earned Heisman Trophies and Super Bowl championships. Both UCLA and USC have blacks as head coaches of their womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball teams â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

February 18, 2010

UCLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nikki Caldwell and USCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mike Cooper. UCLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jamaal Wilkes, USCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cynthia Cooper, Pepperdineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dennis Johnson and Lakers owner Jerry Buss were recently named among an elite list of players, coaches and teams as finalists to be considered for election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Also included on the elite list are Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen and Bernard King. The winners will be announced on April 5. And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś USA Diving officials say Tennessee senior Michael Wrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Feb. 8 win in the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1-meter springboard competition at the USA Diving Winter National Championships makes him the first black national champion in USA Divingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, The Associated Press reported. Wright, 22, is also the first African American member of Tennesseeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swimming and diving team. Shani Davis has been a flop in the Winter Olympics recently. He was favored to win the 1,000 and 1,500 meters speed skating races. He was winless. Serena Williams has been nominated for the 2010 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award. The winner will be announced later this spring. Williams and sister Serena are featured in a full-page Nabisco ad called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Diet Like a Divaâ&#x20AC;? in the current edition of People magazine. And the beat continuesâ&#x20AC;Ś A number of big-name major leaguers are unsigned at the moment. They include Gary Sheffield, Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye. The L.A. Kings hosted Black History Night during their game with the Edmonton Oilers Feb. 11. Kings player Wayne Simmonds, who is black, was honored during the event. In addition, the Kings gave the Boys and Girls Club a donation to support its youth initiatives. And the beat ends. Brad Pye Jr. can be reached at switchreel@aol.com

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

Feb. 20, 1927 On this day, Sidney Poitier, who will be the first African American to win an Academy Award in a starring role, is born in Miami, Fla. Source: blackfacts.com

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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

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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

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February 18, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 27

PUBLIC NOTICE 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.

Spiritual Advisor Gabrielle one of God sent messenger here on earth to help people in all aspects of life. There is no problem too big or small that she can not solve. Calls your enemies by name, remove all negative influences. One call will amaze you. One FREE question by phone. 323282-9176 $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, DAMIEN WHITE, in the City of Los Angeles. On Sunday, April 5, 2009, at approximately 1:05 a.m., Damien White was shot multiple times on the 5500 block of South Western Avenue, in Los Angeles. After exiting his vehicle, White became involved in a verbal dispute with a group that was in the area. One of these individuals fired multiple rounds at White, striking him several times. White returned to his vehicle and managed to drive to a nearby 76 gas station at the northeast corner of Western Avenue and Slauson Avenue, where he succumbed to his injuries. 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 13, 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-s9 2/18/10 CNS-1796026# WATTS TIMES

Thank you for your interest in this transportation project. Caltrans improves mobility across California!

GREENSBORO Continued from page 24 rating the anniversary is available at http:// americanhistory.si.edu/freedom andjustice. The museum’s ongoing theater programs, “Join the Student Sit-ins” and “Sing for Freedom,” engage the public in the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. The museum will also mark the anniversary when the six-

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month Greensboro protest ended July 25, 1960, with an agreement to desegregate the lunch counter. For a complete schedule, visit http:// americanhistory.si.edu/events. The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal was struck in 1965 in honor of the 200th anniversary of Smithson’s birth. It was Smithson’s bequest that made possible the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution. The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. 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 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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) NO. 7527 RENT REASONABLENESS DATA PROVIDER

THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

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 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ECONOMIC CONSULTING SERVICES The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors requests proposals from qualified economic consultants to assist in managing real property assets in Marina del Rey and on Countyowned or operated beaches. The consulting work requires the consultant to analyze, evaluate and present financial and economic data. Proposers must have a minimum of five years' experience in economic consulting with public and private sector entities engaged in the development, purchase, sale and leasing of commercial real property. A Proposer's conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at Burton Chace Park, Boathouse Meeting Room, 13640 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey. The deadline for submitting proposals is 2:00 p.m., March 9, 2010. To receive a copy of the RFP, either telephone (310) 306-0495, send an e-mail with ECONOMIC CONSULTANT in the subject line to ttate@bh.lacounty.gov, visit http://lacounty.info/doing_business/main_db.htm, or write: Department of Beaches and Harbors Economic Consultant Services RFP/ Attn: Contracts Unit 13837 Fiji Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292 Fax: (310) 821-8155 The County reserves the right to cancel the RFP and to modify any and all terms and conditions of the RFP, including minimum requirements. For further information, call Nicolette Taylor at (310) 577-5736. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100156703 The following person is doing business as: Frankies Hamburgers 1600 E. Chevy Chase Drive Glendale, CA 91206 Bouchaib Aouly 1600 E. Chevy Chase Drive Glendale, CA 91206 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 February 3, 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: 2/18/10, 2/25/10, 3/4/2010, 3/11/2010 LAWT 406 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100155259 The following person is doing business as: JK Law Group 3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1216 Los Angeles, CA 90010 James G. Kim 15105 Victory Blvd., Suite 201 Van Nuys, CA 91411 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 February 3, 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: 2/18/10, 2/25/10, 3/4/2010, 3/11/2010 LAWT 407

BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA REGARDING THE PROPOSED CLOSEOUT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2010 – FY2012) FOR THE WATTS REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA Public Hearings have been scheduled for March 18, 2010 Notice is hereby given that The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California (“CRA/LA”) has scheduled a public hearing for the Watts Redevelopment Project Area's Closeout Implementation Plan. The public hearing will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as the matters may be heard at the CRA/LA Central Office located at 354 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, 6th Floor Board Room (northeast corner of 4th and Spring Streets in Downtown Los Angeles). The public hearing is being conducted to hear testimony of all interested parties regarding the final Implementation Plan for the Watts Redevelopment Project Area (Project Area). The Project Area is generally bounded by Success Avenue on the west, Wilmington Avenue on the east, 104th Street on the south, and Century Boulevard on the north. At the above stated time and place, any and all persons having any testimony regarding any portion of the Closeout Implementation Plan may appear before CRA/LA and be heard. Copies of the Closeout Implementation Plan are on file and available for public inspection during the listed business hours at the following locations: CRA/LA Main Office, Records Center 354 South Spring Street - 5th fl. Records Los Angeles, CA 90013-1258 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday Watts/Watts Corridor Site Office 10221 South Compton Avenue Suite 201 Los Angeles, CA 90002 9:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Monday thru Friday Council District 15 Field Office 10221 South Compton Avenue Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90002 9:00 am -4:00 p.m. Alma Reaves Woods - Watts Branch Public Library 10205 Compton Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90002 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday Noon - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday Robert Pitts Center - Lobby 1827 E. 103rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90002 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday Watts Century Latino Organization 10360 Wilmington Avenue Los Angeles CA 90002 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday Maxine Waters Employment Prep Center 10925 S. Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90059 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday For additional information contact Charlotte Brimmer, Project Manager for the Project Area at 213.977.1960 or Aaron Ledet, Assistant Project Manager at 213. 977.1863 2/18, 2/25, 3/4/10 CNS-1796827# WATTS TIMES

Page 28

L.A. WATTS TIMES

February 18, 2010

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