LAWT 02-21-2013

W E E K E N D E R

Vol. XXX, No. 1324

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, February 21, 2013

L.A. Watts Times

2

Thursday, February 21, 2013

HOROSCOPES

Feb. 21-28

A

L

T

S

RIES ~ You’ll have lots of contact with folks you wanted to hear from this week. Your telephone is your best tool, and you’ll enjoy talking and listening to many supportive and loving friends. A letter may arrive with an invitation. Soul Affirmation: I smile and trust in the powers beyond myself.

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

Soul Affirmation: I let my friendships guide my way.

EMINI ~ Exercise prudence this week in your handling of personal funds. Let your mind wander into the future and you’ll receive the happy answer that you are looking for. Time shared with a partner tonight will be very enjoyable.

Soul Affirmation: Helping others is the true measure of my worth.

ANCER ~ Work with a partner or colleagues goes exceptionally well this week. You receive praise for a job well done! Feel free to change your mind regarding a personal issue. News from a distance arrives. Soul Affirmation: I go inside myself to find peace and joy this week.

EO ~ You are a superstar at work.

Efficiency seems to be your middle name. As you go your charming way, don’t forget to delegate tasks with a smile. Soul Affirmation: I give my mind a holiday again this week.

IRGO ~ A relationship may be heating up. Make sure you know what you want, then go ahead. Minor challenges on the home front are easily dealt with. Soul Affirmation: The widest outlook comes from the look within.

G C L

V

IBRA ~ You make important progress at work this week by seizing the initiative and letting your leadership abilities shine. What you do makes things better for everyone around you, so rock steady.

Meetings and conversations go especially well. Soul Affirmation: The word is in me.

I bring it forth.

CORPIO ~ Pay attention to the details in your big bright beautiful picture this week. You’ll handle everything that comes up if you keep your focus sharp. A grand social event is in store for the week. Soul Affirmation: I am willing to make changes in my life.

AGITTARIUS ~ Things are going your way in wonderful ways this week.

Happy news may arrive from a distance, and on the home front, a romantic question may be answered. Friends are glad to be with you. All in all, a very pleasant week!

Enjoy! Soul Affirmation: Success is mine because I feel successful.

APRICORN ~ Your social life gives big rewards during the week.

However, give attention to e-mail contacts.

Don’t be afraid as your mental horizon expands into new areas. Soul Affirmation: You are gifted with the ability to give QUARIUS ~ Your relationships can receive a big boost from a trip that beckons. Business is also highlighted. Your strong mental energy is sustained through the week. Work it out by talking it out.

Soul Affirmation: This week is the week the Lord has made. I rejoice in it.

ISCES ~ Your vibes are calling to you this week to think fondly of all the love you are now giving and have given. Love itself makes you a better you. So act the fool and love with all your big sunny self.

If things get stressful repeat your magic word to yourself: LOVE! Soul Affirmation: Freedom of mind is the greatest gift for me this week.

Inside This Edition LAWT Election Endorsements

Perry, Price and Zine are the best candidates for our community

S

C

8

6

A P

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER Published Weekly – Updates

13

Beverly Cook – Publisher, Managing Editor 1976 – 1993 Charles Cook – Publisher 1976 – 1998 Melanie Polk – Publisher 1998 – 2010 WWW.LAWATTSTIMES.COM

EMAIL: wattsweekender@yahoo.com Circulation ..................................................................................30,000 The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the L.A. Watts Times.

The L.A. Watts Times is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, CDs or tapes.

CIRCULATION AUDITED BY CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL

Three-term Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry has been at the cornerstone of the downtown revitalization project that has decreased homelessness and increased job growth, which is the primary reason the Sentinel believes she is the most deserving mayoral candidate.

While other portions of the city have yet to experience the economic growth and vast potential that Perry’s council district has experienced, she would expand that level of productivity to the entire city of Los Angeles as mayor.

Perry would become the first woman and African American female mayor of Los Angeles if voters elect her.

She has dedicated her life to servicing the residents of Los Angeles, working at the municipal staff level and as a member of the city council while representing the 9th District Council.

She has been responsible for thousands of jobs and city contracts, which have accompanied the vital city restoration.

The Councilwoman did more than improving downtown, she was responsible for the re-development of treasured Central Avenue, adding essential jobs, creating new businesses and increased housing to the region as well.

Perry embodies the grace, skill and tenacity to bring the city together while not ignoring the specific issues which challenge the African American community specifically.

Of course she is very familiar with the African American community and can adequately address the issues, which face our community.

Perry is an experienced elected official with proven leadership skills required to lead Los Angeles. For years, Perry has worked with community based organizations, local leadership, and community religious organizations to bring specific resources to our community when others have ignored the issues of our community for the betterment of their own.

Perry’s no non-sense approach to addressing the fiscal challenges, labor issues and city resource issues is a quality that only someone who has represented both the wealthiest and the poorest of Los Angeles can understand. As the representative of the 9th District, Perry knows first-hand how to successfully navigate this balancing act and we are confident she will bring these same leadership qualities to the position of mayor as she has for over 12 years on the city council.

While all three of the leading candidates (Perry, Wendy Gruel, Eric Garcetti) are friends and supporters of our community and have the necessary skills to lead the city, the Sentinel believes that it is Perry, through years of experience, expertise and commitment, that deserves our support and our vote on March 5 for mayor.

CURREN PRICE FOR CITY COUNCIL (9TH DISTRICT)

3800 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008 Administration – Sales – Graphics – Editorial 323.299.3800 - office 323.291.6804 - fax

Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. ............Executive Publisher & Executive Editor Brenda Marsh Mitchell ..................................Executive Vice President Tracey Mitchell ......................................................................Controller Brandon I. Brooks ..................................................Co-Managing Editor Yussuf J. Simmonds ..............................................Co-Managing Editor Jennifer Bihm................................................................Assistant Editor Bernard Lloyd ....................................................Director of Advertising Benjamin Samuels ....................................................Graphic Designer Kim McGill ............................................................Production Designer

JAN PERRY FOR MAYOR

14

BlackFacts.com

February 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. She was born in 1833, and she worked from 1852-1860 as a nurse in Massachusetts.

February 27, 1902 On this day Marian Andersonis born in Philadelphia, PA. She became a world-renowned opera singer and the first African American soloist to perform at the White House.

State Senator Curren Price is no stranger to the 9th District, or to our community.

As a legislator and as Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, Price has had to balance the challenges of dealing with California’s fiscal cliff while insuring that resources are directed to those communities who have the least and who’s residents are in need of the most.

As Los Angeles residents seek sound solutions to its fiscal problems and desire a 9th District City Councilmember who will bring desperately needed resources to the African American Community, the Sentinel believes it is Price who is best qualified to meet the needs of this community.

Price is supported by both Council President Herb Wesson as well as County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and it is going to take a leader with these relationships, experience and the trust of Sacramento, Washington D.C. and his counterparts on the council to help meet the needs of the 9th District. Because of his long-standing commitment to our community and for his ability to bring together coalitions for the betterment of our community, the Sentinel strongly encourages you to vote for Curren Price for City Council.

DENNIS ZINE FOR CONTROLLER Dennis Zine is the only candidate for Controller who has a proven track record of being a friend and supporter of the African American Community. He has a history of supporting causes and issues, which directly affect the residents of South Los Angeles, and he brings an understanding of how the controller’s office can directly affect and support these issues. Because of his years of service and long standing support of the African American Community, the Sentinel strongly encourages you to vote for Dennis Zine for Controller on March 5.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

3

4

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Detroit’s financial crisis Jesse Jackson Jr. now in governor’s hands pleads guilty in

AP Photo/The Detroit News, Ricardo Thomas

From left, Ronald Goldsberry, independent consultant, Frederick Headen, Legal Advisor for Michigan Department of Treasury and Michigan State Treasurer Andy Dillon speak at a news conference in Detroit, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013.

The fiscal crisis plaguing Detroit is now in the hands of Michigan’s gover-

nor after a state-appointed review team determined the city was in a financial emergency with “no satisfactory plan” to resolve it.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has 30 days to decide if Detroit needs an emergency manager to take charge of its finances and spending, and come up with a new plan to get the city out of its financial mess.

After spending weeks looking at the city’s books, the independent review team released a report Tuesday saying Detroit’s deficit could have reached $900 million last fiscal year had it not borrowed enormous amounts of money.

The city’s long-term liabilities, including underfunded pensions, are more than $14 billion.

The report also said the city’s bureaucratic structure makes it difficult to solve the financial problems.

Some fiscal experts believe the city's only way out may be municipal bankruptcy, but state Treasurer Andy Dillon said answers could be found if the city and state work together.

“It’s our hope at the state level that this is a partnership. It doesn’t have to be adversarial,” said Dillon, a member of the review team. “A lot of the ingredients for the turnaround of the city are in place. Now we just need to execute. I do believe strongly that Detroit is fixable.”

But over the last nine months, that

business card bulletin board

BY COREY WILLIAMS | ASSOCIATED PRESS

relationship has been strained. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and the nine-member City Council entered into a consent agreement with Snyder in April that allowed some state oversight and help with Detroit’s finances — short of cash infusions — in return for certain fiscal reforms. However, the city often missed deadlines and benchmarks.

The ongoing cash crisis has threatened to leave the city, which has a current budget deficit of $327 million, without money to pay its workers or other bills. Dillon said the city has been running deficits since 2005, and masking over them with long-term borrowing.

“I stand with Detroiters and other stakeholders that the pace of change has been frustratingly slow,” said Gary Brown, City Council president pro-tem.

“The political will has often not been there to make the necessary and bold fiscal reforms. ... Without a doubt we need the support and accountability that a State of Michigan partnership offers.

We cannot address our legacy obligations alone.”

Under state law, Snyder has 30 days following the review team's finding to decide for himself whether there’s a financial emergency. Bing would have 10 days to request a hearing. The firstterm governor could then revoke his decision or appoint an emergency manager.

The emergency manager would be responsible for overseeing all of the city's spending. Bing and the City Council would keep their jobs, but the manager would decide all financial matters. And only the manager would have the power to authorize the city to take the bankruptcy route.

James McTevia, president of a Michigan-based firm that specializes in turnaround management, said an emergency manager could halt the city’s borrowing, freeze debt and restructure finances, including voiding contracts.

“The checkbook needs to be taken from the politicians,” he said.

However, others said that even with an emergency manager, municipal bankruptcy may be the city’s only option.

“Is it imminent? Well, not tomorrow,” said Doug Bernstein, managing partner of the Banking, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Practice Group for Michigan-based Plunkett Cooney law firm. “You need to give a financial manager the opportunity to formulate a plan and let the plan have a chance to succeed or fail. It may not avoid a bankruptcy, but you don’t need to do a bankSee DETROIT, page 14

HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS? LET ME ASSIST YOU IN APPEALING.

THERE IS NO FEE UNTIL WE WIN.

Jacquelyn Brown Social Security Disability Appeals Representative

WILSON MILL LEGAL OVERLOAD, LLC

(323) 756-3755

campaign case

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., center, arrives at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013.

BY FREDERIC J. FROMMER AND PETE YOST | ASSOCIATED PRESS Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., holding back tears, entered a guilty plea Wednesday in federal court to criminal charges that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items. He faces 46 to 57 months in prison, and a fine of $10,000 to $100,000, under a plea deal with prosecutors.

A few hours later, his wife, Sandra Jackson, pleaded guilty to filing false joint federal income tax returns that knowingly understated the income the couple received. She faces one to two years in prison and a fine of $3,000 to $40,000.

In a 17-page prosecution document, Jackson’s wife admitted that from mid-2006 through mid-October of last year, she failed to report $600,000 in income that she and her husband earned from 2005 to 2011.

Before entering the plea to a conspiracy charge, Jesse Jackson told U.S. District Judge Robert L. Wilkins, “I’ve never been more clear in my life” in his decision to plead guilty.

Later, when Wilkins asked if Jackson committed the acts outlined in court papers, the former congressman replied, “I did these things.” He added later, “Sir, for years I lived in my campaign,” and used money from the campaign for personal use.

Jackson dabbed his face with tissues, and at point a court employee brought some tissues to Jackson's lawyer, who gave them to the ex-congressman. Jackson told the judge he was waiving his right to trial.

“In perfect candor, your honor, I have no interest in wasting the taxpayers’ time or money,” he said.

U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen

called the guilty plea “so tragic because it represents such wasted potential” and that Jackson used his campaign as “his own personal piggybank.” He said that Jackson could have been the voice of a new generation.

Machen credited Jackson for coming in early and telling the truth.

“But today is his day of reckoning,” the prosecutor said.

The fraud, perpetuated over seven years, was “not a momentary lapse of judgment,” Machen said.He called Jackson’s victims the American people and said that Jackson betrayed the trust of contributors who “donated their hard-earned money.”

Machen declined to say what launched the investigation, but he said it did not stem from the House Ethics Committee investigation into Jackson’s dealings with Rod Blagojevich when he was governor.

Blagojevich is serving a prison sentence for trying to sell President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat.

Jackson had been a Democratic congressman from Illinois from 1995 until he resigned last November. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 28, and his wife on July 1. Wilkins, who presided over both guilty pleas, is not bound by the terms of the plea agreements. Both Jacksons are free until sentencing.

Since last June, Jesse Jackson has been hospitalized twice at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., for treatment of bipolar disorder and other issues, and he stayed out of the public eye for months, even during the November elections. His attorney said after the court appearance that Jackson’s health is “not an excuse” for his actions, “just a fact.”

Jackson entered the courtroom See JESSE JACKSON JR, page 5

Thursday, February 21, 2013

5

JESSE JACKSON JR. Continued from page 4 holding hands with his wife and looking a bit dazzled as he surveyed the packed room. He kissed his wife and headed to the defense table.

Jackson’s father, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, sat in the front row. Before the hearing started, he wrote notes on a small piece of paper.

When the proceedings started, he sat expressionless and virtually motionless, hands folded. As he made his way back to the courtroom for Sandra Jackson's hearing, he took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. Several other family members also attended.

Jesse Jackson Jr., wearing a blue shirt and blue-patterned tie and dark suit, answered a series of questions from the judge, mostly in a muffled tone. When the judge asked if he had consumed any drugs or alcohol in the previous 24 hours, Jackson said he had a beer Tuesday night.

As the proceedings wound up, Jackson sat at the defense table, furrowed his brow and shook his head, in what looked like an expression of disbelief. After the hearing was adjourned, he walked over to his wife, grabbed her hand, and then was greeted by his father. Jackson Jr. patted his father on the back a few times.

“Tell everybody back home I’m sorry I let them down, OK?” Jackson told Chicago Sun-Times Washington bureau chief Lynn Sweet, according to her Tweet from the scene.

Sandra Jackson, 49, wearing a black pantsuit, sobbed visibly during her court hearing, as her husband watched from the row behind the defense table. Sandi, as she’s known, was a Chicago alderman before she resigned last month during the federal investigation.

Jesse Jackson Jr., 47, used campaign money to buy items including a $43,350 gold-plated men’s Rolex watch and $9,587.64 worth of children’s furniture, according to court papers filed in the case. His wife spent $5,150 on fur capes and parkas, the court documents said. Under the plea deal, Jackson must forfeit $750,000, plus tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of memorabilia items and furs. Sandi Jackson must also pay $168,000 in restitution.

More details emerged in a 22page statement compiled by prosecutors, filed Wednesday, in which Jackson admitted that he and his wife used campaign credit cards to buy 3,100 personal items worth $582,772.58 from 2005 through April of last year. Personal expenditures at restaurants, nightclubs and lounges cost $60,857.04. Personal expenditures at sports clubs and lounges cost $16,058.91, including maintaining a family membership at a gym.

Personal spending for alcohol cost $5,814.43. Personal spending for dry cleaning cost $14,513.42.

Among the individual purchases made with campaign credit cards: —A $466 dinner for two of “a personal nature” at Mandarin Oriental’s CityZen restaurant.

—A washer, a dryer, a range and a refrigerator for the Jacksons’ Chicago home.

—Multiple flat-screen televisions, multiple Blu-Ray DVD players and numerous DVDs for their Washington, D.C., home.

—A five-day health retreat for one of Mrs. Jackson’s relatives.

—Stuffed animals and acces-

sories for them.

—Goods at Costco, from video games to toilet paper.

According to the prosecution’s court papers, Jackson even arranged for the use of campaign money to buy two mounted elk heads for his congressional office. Last summer, as the FBI closed in, a Jackson staffer identified only as “Person A” tried to arrange for the sale of the elk heads, but the FBI was one step ahead. The bureau had an undercover FBI employee contact the staffer, claiming to be an interior designer who had received the person’s name from a taxidermist and inquiring whether there were elk heads for sale. They agreed on a price of $5,300.

Jackson’s wife, knowing that the elk heads had been purchased with campaign funds, directed the staffer to move the elk heads from Washington to Chicago and to instruct the sale contact to wire the proceeds to her husband’s personal account.

Over the years, the unidentified “Person A” provided significant help to the Jacksons in carrying out the scheme. Jackson used the aide for many different bill-paying activities, including paying construction contractors for work on Jackson’s Washington home.

From 2008 through last March, Jackson’s re-election campaign issued $76,150.39 in checks to the staff member, who was entitled to only $11,400 for work done for the campaign. The aide spent the remainder of the funds from the campaign for the Jacksons.

Machen, the U.S. attorney, said that prosecutors could have come up with more severe charges against Sandi Jackson.

“They do have children. We’re sensitive to that,” he said. “We utilized our discretion.”

One of Jesse Jackson Jr.’s lawyers, Reid H. Weingarten, told reporters after the hearing that there’s reason for optimism.

“A man that talented, a man that devoted to public service, a man who’s done so much for so many, has another day. There will be another chapter in Jesse Jackson’s life,” he said.

Weingarten said that his client has “serious health issues. And those health issues are directly related to his present predicament. That’s not an excuse, that’s just a fact. And Jesse’s turned the corner there as well.

There’s reason for optimism here too.

Jesse’s gotten great treatment, he’s has great doctors, and I think he’s gotten his arms around his problem.”

As the hearing for Jackson got under way Wednesday, newly filed court papers disclosed that the judge had offered to disqualify himself from handling the cases against Jackson and his wife.

As a Harvard Law School student, Wilkins said he had supported the presidential campaign of Jackson’s father and that as an attorney in 1999, Wilkins had been a guest on a show hosted by Jackson’s father.

Prosecutors and lawyers for the couple said they were willing to proceed with the cases with Wilkins presiding. Judicial ethics require that a judge disqualify himself if his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.

John J. Kennedy poised and ready for Pasadena’s City Council With roots in the region spanning 70 years the time is just right

BY KENNETH MILLER LAWT STAFF WRITER KENNETH@LASENTINEL.NET Pasadena City Council 3rd District candidate John J. Kennedy will have 30 years of community leadership experience by the time ballots are cast in the March 5th primary. Hailing from a family of 10 he was a graduate of Blair High School where he honed his leadership skills as president of the student body.

“I feel that my entire professional and volunteer life has prepared me for service to the city I love and the people and businesses that make it such a special place in which to live, work and raise families,” said Kennedy.

After graduating from Blair he attended USC where he earned his degree in international relations and economics. He later attended Howard University Law School in Washington DC which began a journey towards a most distinguished career. Kennedy currently serves as senior vice president of Government and External Affairs with the Los Angeles Urban League, acting as a liaison on government and public policy issues on the federal, state and local levels and has been instrumental in the civil rights organizations fundraising efforts. He also was responsible for increasing the Pasadena branch

John J. Kennedy of the NAACP membership from 300 to 2,000 members while tackling unemployment, housing, and discrimination.

Previously he worked for Southern California Edison as senior project manager for community involvement ensuring that local organizations made good use of SCE’s grants for education, health, human services, the arts and environment. It was Kennedy who launched the Pasadena Police Foundation and served as its first secre-

tary. His experience in city government in both Pasadena and Richmond, VA as deputy chief of police for administrative services has earned him a stellar reputation with law enforcement agencies.

“I intend to bring 30 years of lawenforcement, corporate, civic, and foundation experience and leadership to bear on the issues that face us all in Pasadena,” he explained.

District 3 is bounded by the 210 Freeway, Colorado, Lake, El Molino, Orange Grove, Los Robles, Fair Oaks, Marengo, Mountain, Jackson, El Molino, Landera and Washington. Its has been Kennedy’s mission for as long as he can remember to become an ambassador of good will and he has achieved that here in the United States where he has received countless accolades throughout his career. He serves as a board member on the National Finance Committee for the President of the United States and is also the vice chairman and former chair of the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena.

However, the greatest achievement for Kennedy is yet to come. He is not asking what Pasadena can do for him as another famous John F. Kennedy once stated. This African American, John J. Kennedy is poised, ready and willing to do whatever he can for Pasadena, he said.

6

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Explaining the Dorner tragedy LAPD Chief Beck Addresses Black Leadership

BY KENNETH MILLER LAWT STAFF WRITER KENNETH@LASENTINEL.NET For the first time since the now infamous Christopher Dorner manifesto in which he castigated the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and threatened to kill colleagues before going on a shooting spree, allegedly murdering four and injuring four more, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck collaborated with leaders of the Black community on Tuesday at the Sentinel offices on Crenshaw Blvd.

Sentinel Executive Publisher Danny Bakewell Sr. organized the meeting to quell community concern for the circumstances of Dorner’s termination, alleged murders and his fiery demise in a burnt down cabin in Big Bear.

The meeting was attended by prominent clergymen Rev. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Baptist Ministers Conference President Xavier Thompson, Pastor Mark Whitlock, Pastor Joe B. Hardwick, Rev. Kelvin Sauls, Pastor J. Edgar Boyd and community activist Charisse Bremond,

Photo by Troy Tieuel

FACT FINDING MISSION: Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck (center) addresses local television stations following a closed door meeting with African American community leaders at the Sentinel office on Crenshaw Blvd. this week. Flanked to Chief Beck’s right is Sentinel Executive Publisher Danny Bakewell Sr. Left to right; Pam Bakewell (executive vice president and COO, Bakewell Company) Margaret Richards Bowers (Ladera Heights Civic Association), Bobby Anderson (New Frontier Democratic Club), President Xavier Thompson (Baptist Ministers Conference), Pastor Mark Whitlock (Christ Redeemer AME Church), Bishop T. Larry Kirkland (African Methodist Episcopal Church 5th District), Bishop Kenneth Ulmer (Faithful Central Bible Church), Rev. Joe B. Hardwick (Praises of Zion), Pastor J. Edgar Boyd (First AME), Adrian Dove (president of Congress of Racial Equality), Dr. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray (USC), Gene Hale (GLAAACC, president), Rev. William Smart (senior pastor of Christ Liberation Ministries), Bishop James B. Walker (CME 9th Region). Not shown are Kelvin Sauls (Holman United Methodist Church) and Leon Jenkins (president, Los Angeles NAACP). president of Brotherhood Crusade, Marqueece Harris Dawson, president CEO of South Central Community Coalition, and Leon Jenkins, president

of the NAACP. Although few condone Dorner’s heinous acts, which according to LAPD officials, included gunning down a cou-

How the media tried to assassinate Chris Dorner Claims of ‘mental illness’ are in the mind of the beholder THANDISIZWE CHIMURENGA LAWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER Christopher Jordan Dorner is dead but his words and actions will continue to impact the Los Angeles area and beyond for quite some time. The former U.S. Navy lieutenant and Los Angeles police officer who is alleged to have shot and killed four people earlier this month was the subject of the largest manhunt in Southern California history. Authorities say that manhunt ended on Feb. 12 with Dorner, surrounded by law enforcement in a cabin in the Big Bear area of San Bernadino, committing suicide as highly flammable tear gas canisters ignited the cabin and burned it to the ground.

Dorner’s ‘manifesto’, in which he declared war on the Los Angeles Police Department and his subsequent actions were horrifying to many. In an effort to understand the reason behind his rage and actions, many mainstream media outlets posited that Dorner must have suffered from some sort of mental illness.

Appearing on “Piers Morgan Tonight” on Feb. 7 Dr. Xavier Amador, a regular commentator for CNN, said there was “absolutely no basis in reality for [Dorner's] complaints that he was mistreated, that there was any kind of police corruption,” that Dorner had “clear signs of mental illness,” and that his ‘mani-

festo’ was “delusional.”

Amador’s analysis was based on a review of Dorner’s LAPD case file, he said.

According to Neon Tommy the online news site of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa declared that “Whatever problem [Dorner] has is mental,” while speaking at a press conference on proposed gun safety legislation. Villaraigosa’s comments were part of a Feb. 7 news article entitled “Christopher Dorner’s Navy Service Record And Mental Health Scrutinized.”

On Feb. 9, The Associated Press ran a news brief on Dorner’s unsuccessful attempt to obtain a restraining order in 2006 against his then-girlfriend Ariana Williams. The story

quotes court documents filed in the case that called Dorner “severely emotionally and mentally disturbed.” The court documents also link Williams to a post about Dorner on a website that was signed anonymously, calling Dorner “twisted” and “super paranoid.”

Also on Feb. 9, The Christian Science Monitor, in “Christopher Dorner: Experts look for clues to alleged cop killer’s mental state,” quotes a retired FBI profiler who said Dorner’s actions were “completely over the top.” Dorner, who claimed in his manifesto that he simply wanted to “clear his name,” had a “personality disorder” according to Mary Ellen O'Toole.

While it can be considered normal to search for answers in a case such as this, attempting to make a mental health diagnosis of Christopher Dorner without ever having physically examined him is not.

“It is difficult to make a diagnostic conclusion given how little any of us know about Dorner's mental health history, having no audio transcripts to review, no testing and assessment instruments to analyze, and no clinical interview data, said Thomas Parham, PhD. Parham is past president of the national Association of Black Psychologists and a co-author of “Psychology of Blacks: Centering Our Perspectives in the African See DORNER/MEDIA, page 7

ple, two law enforcement officers and injuring four additional officers, there were multiple concerns in the African American community.

Chief Beck, who has been with the LAPD for nearly 35 years, was charged with comforting a city, his colleagues and friends, some of whom were impacted by Dorner’s rage or had their own lives thrown in peril by the threats in the manifesto.

It was without question the most difficult time in the history of the department and certainly during Beck’s reign.

“It is important to look at the claims that Dorner made,” Beck told the group.

Dorner became a probationary police offer under former Chief William Bratton’s watch, but it was Beck who inherited the horror.

“We know what our relationship is with the Black community. There has been progress and I know that it hasn’t been perfect, but I am committed to do more to improve it. There’s nothing more important to me and that’s why I am here,” Beck said.

Beck told the leaders of the personal impact Dorner’s rift had on him and his entire department, where 50 families of the LAPD feared for their own safety, having been sworn to protect others.

“We will do anything to uncover what happened and why it happened.

We can not do our job without the public trust,” he said.

Beck told the leaders, “We have some healing to do.”

Bishop Ulmer applauded The Chief’s presence, but inquired about the publically chronicled conclusion of the Dorner manhunt.

“The way he had, I can tell you that the LAPD had no tactical involvement in that. We are receiving information about it, but I will make the details available to the public as soon as they become available,” Beck answered.

The Chief said the conclusion was the responsibility of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and while he had LAPD SWAT on the ground, they were not involved.

Jenkins wanted answers to the process in which Dorner’s appeal of his termination was denied, and Beck explained that the process is not necessarily a fact finding procedure, but rather that of making sure that Dorner received adequate representation and that the hearing was fair. The Chief suggested that perhaps Dorner could have pursued his case with the Civil Service Commission, but he did not.

Beck added that the firing of Dorner had already been concluded.

Others wondered if Dorner’s military involvement could have impacted his mental capacity, but according to the Pentagon, Dorner never engaged in actual combat as a reservist. Beck did add that being a police officer and being in the military are distinctly different.

The 33-year old Dorner left many more questions after his death, where dental records revealed the identity of his charred remains.

“First and foremost I want to adamantly state that I find the actions of Christopher Dorner following his termination from the LAPD reprehensible, irresponsible and senseless,” Bakewell said in a statement.

“However, the LAPD has endured a history of bias toward African Americans in-and-out of uniform and therefore I feel there is no bad time to examine a tragedy with hopes of preventing it from occurring again.”

He concluded by praising Chief Beck.

“I personally want to commend Chief Beck who has transformed the department into one that is a partner to the Black community. He has implemented policies that allow for him and his department to have an honest and open dialogue with leaders of our community that fosters an atmosphere for real change.”

Beck and the leaders have committed to having continuous dialogue that is meaningful and sustainable in the contentious relationship between African Americans and the Los Angeles Police Department.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

7

DORNER/MEDIA Continued from page 6 Consciousness.”

“All we have is a so-called “manifesto” (that I have not read) that is selectively presented in the media. So, for the press and media to be making a statement in absence of that kind of information is just interesting, if not useless chatter,” he said.

Clive D. Kennedy, a clinical forensic psychologist and president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists, echoes Parham’s comments on evaluating Dorner’s mental state. “I believe no professional has indicated he or she is aware of Mr. Dorner's mental health status and therefore, we are unlikely to ever know, including those in the media who have been so forthcoming of his psychiatric condition,” he said.

Dorner claimed in his manifesto clearly and explicitly that not only was he a victim of racism but that his attempts to “blow the whistle” on the racism of the LAPD against him and other officers are why he believes he was fired. According to Dorner retaliation against “snitching” on other police officers was one of several corrupt practices within the, department.

Despite this, much of the media coverage of Dorner’s mental state has conveniently left this fact out.

Are Charges of Racism Enough to Push One Over The Edge?

In her Feb. 9 Los Angeles Times op-ed, civil rights attorney Connie Rice recalls a conversation she had with former Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Jesse Brewer.

Describing him as “wise and classy,” Rice states that Brewer, the first African American president of the Los Angeles Police Commission that oversees the LAPD, “came to my law office in 1990. He described to me his own ordeals on the force, in which white officers illegally blocked his entrance to the Police Academy, tried to plant false evidence on him, blocked all of his promotions and set him up for ambush in the field. He also described how viciously the department retaliated against him and other officers who tried to stand up for fellow officers or civilians who suffered abuse from cops. The LAPD never did allow whistle-blowers of any kind to survive, no matter how righteous they were,” wrote Rice.

Chillingly, Rice goes on to write that Brewer told her that Black LAPD officers had to resort to accepting abuse from white police officers and “outsmarting” them because, “If you let them get to you, you'll become homicidal."

In her 1995 work “Killing Rage, Ending Racism,” noted political and cultural critic bell hooks wrote: “the conditions of racism can ‘drive one mad.’

Referring to an outbreak of violence in New York City in which a Black man opened fire randomly on a subway train, hooks states that “ … most Black folks can recognize that it is ethically and morally wrong to kill folks even as we can also sympathize with mental illness that is either engendered or exacerbated by life in [the United States].”

Psychologist Thomas Parham echoed that sentiment. “We must extend our prayers for those who lost their lives in this rampage (both victims and perpetrator) and for the families who are left to grieve. There is

never a justification for the taking of innocent lives, no matter what the level of unfairness one believes has impacted their own life. There is nothing more sacred in the African tradition than life, so to be so callous in the taking of innocent lives would seem to be the most fundamental violation of an African centered worldview.”

Parham continued, “Clearly, the actions Dorner engaged in are very “out of the ordinary,” and beyond the realm of most standards of normalcy and decency that society embraces.

Yet, like all of us, he is a product of a social system that makes an implicit contract with its citizens that says if you work hard and play by the rules, including doing the right thing on your job, then success should be the reward for one’s hard work, dedication, and commitment … I suspect that if he embraced this implicit social contract with the rigidity of a very concrete thinker, and then believes that his life was ruined by some unfair and discriminatory treatment when he called himself trying to do the right thing and report abuse by a fellow officer, then the violation and betrayal he feels might evoke that type of anger, rage, and desire for retribution that we all witnessed…”

Paul Harris, a San Franciscobased attorney and author, says that “ … even in cases where the perpetrator of the crime is mentally ill, one must look at the concrete experiences of racism (and other environmental hardships) to understand the resulting behavior.” Harris is the author of “Black Rage Confronts the Law,” a 1971 book based on a case in which Harris was successful in defending a young Black man accused of bank robbery. “Too many people cry racism in explaining these crimes without combining the underlying mental problems, with the specific life experience with racism the person has suffered,” said Harris.

Joy DeGruy, author of “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome,” uttered similar comments as Harris. “I would think that any serious response would include consideration of the obvious and blatant differential treatment of African Americans by a dysfunctional justice system and the structural inequalities inherent in that system.”

DeGruy holds degrees in social work and clinical psychology and is an assistant professor at Portland State University.

More than 1,000 sightings of Christopher Dorner were reported to police during the manhunt to apprehend him. The overwhelming majority of those tips were based on faulty identifications of Black men whose appearance was similar to Dorner.

What we do not know for sure is how many of those tips were from individuals that were simply Good Samaritans interested in assisting law enforcement, and how many were from individuals who were genuinely frightened that Dorner might attack them.

As we continue to ponder Dorner’s mental state we might also take into account the words of bell hooks: “White supremacy is frightening. It promotes mental illness and various dysfunctional behaviors on the part of whites and non-whites. It is the real and present danger – not black rage.”

Obama to speak at Morehouse College commencement

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE ASSOCIATED PRESS A White House official says President Barack Obama will deliver the commencement address at all-male Morehouse College in Atlanta this spring.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is among the historically black institution's alumni. Commencement is scheduled for May 19.

Obama typically speaks each spring at a handful of college and university commencement ceremonies, including at one of the military service academies.

Last year, he spoke at commencement ceremonies at all-female Barnard College in New York.

The White House official declined to speak for the record because the schedule of Obama’s commencement speeches has not been released.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported on Obama’s address at Morehouse.

AP Photo

WARNING Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm are contained in crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and other petroleum products and byproducts.

Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm are also contained in and around oil fields, service stations, refineries, chemical plants, transport and storage operations, including pipelines, marine terminals and tank trucks, and other facilities and equipment that manufacture, produce, process, handle, distribute, transport, store, sell or otherwise transfer crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel or other petroleum products or byproducts.

The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals “known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity." This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations.

BP America Inc. and its subsidiaries (and under the trademarks ARCO and Castrol)

Exxon Mobil Corporation its affiliates and subsidiaries Shell Oil Products US

Chevron Corporation its affiliates and subsidiaries Phillips 66 including its divisions and subsidiaries (and under the trademark 76)

Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company and its subsidiaries (and under the trademark USA Gasoline and licensee of Shell and Thrifty trademarks) Valero

Aera Energy LLC Ultramar Venoco Inc. its affiliates and subsidiaries

Beacon

For more information, please call: 1-800-523-3157

2-13

10

Thursday, February 21, 2013

e v e n t LISTINGS

2 / 2013 happening this month

L.A. Watts Times Calendar, Compiled by Brandon I. Brooks, Co-Managing Editor 2/22 WATTS SENIOR CENTER’S ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM: Mayor– Antonio Villaraigosa, Joe Buscaino - 15th District and the City of Los Angeles present Department of Recreation and Parks Black History Program. Cosponsored by the Watts Neighborhood Council & Watts Senior Mayor Center.

Antonio Featuring Blues Villaraigosa GuitaristBobby Law & Smoove Sensation Band, Watts Voices of Truth Choir, Poetry & More. Light refreshments will be served! This is a free event! WHEN: 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. WHERE: Watts Senior Center & Rose Garden 1657 E. Century Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-9440.

“Persons with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all our activities and programs.”

Reasonable accommodations will be made with prior arrangements.

2/23 STEP AFRIKA! AFRICAN AMERICAN DANCE & BODY PERCUSSION: Like a band without instruments, stepping is a percussive

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION EVENTS: In his campaign against poverty, Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome E. Horton takes his team of certified income tax prepares to the California State University, to help families earning less than $51k annuJerome E. ally qualify Horton and file for to $5,891 in Earned Income Tax Credits. WHEN: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. WHERE: California State University, Dominguez Hills. “Billions in tax refunds go uncollected annually in California; Horton encourages taxpayers not to make a contribution to the IRS by not claiming their earned income tax credit.” Make your reservation today at 323-980-1221.

FREE COUNTYWIDE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS AND E-WASTE ROUNDUP: The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County will host a free Countywide Household Hazardous and E-Waste Roundup Program. County of Los Angeles residents will have the opportunity to safely discard of household hazardous waste such as antifreeze, unused pharmaceuticals, car batteries, used motor oil, paint, pesticides, home-generated sharps waste such as hypodermic needles, pen needles, syringes, lancets, and intravenous needles, universal waste including household batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and electronic waste (ewaste) such as TVs and monitors, computers, VCRs, stereos, and cell phones. WHEN: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. WHERE: Dock 52 Parking Lot Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey.

2/23-24 AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC HOST 11TH ANNUAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN FESTIVAL: dance that uses kicks, stomps, claps and chants to create visually and musically exciting rhythms that enthrall audiences. As the world’s first professional dance company devoted to stepping, Step Afrika! is a high energy performance with roots in African dance and military marching.

The performance includes a South African gumboot dance, a South African Zulu dance, and routines in collegiate step traditions practiced by men and women all across the United States.

First developed by college groups in the mid 1900’s, today stepping can be found in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as in churches and community-based organizations.

Based in Washington, D.C., the company has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the White House and as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department at events throughout the world. WHEN: 11:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. WHERE: W.M. Keck Children's Amphitheatre 135 N Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012. For more information call (213) 972-7211or visit www.musiccenter.org/events/worldcity/StepAfrika/

Join the Aquarium of the Pacific as we host our 11th annual African-American Festival, celebrating the richness and diversity of AfricanAmerican and African cultures. WHEN: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. WHERE: WHERE: Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. The weekend will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts, ethnic food, and

more. Featured are Hip Hop and break dancers, tap dancing, gospel singers, Mardi Gras second line dancers, live jazz, interactive drum circles, West African dance, cultural storytelling, community award ceremonies, and a host of other exciting activities. For more info call 562-5903100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org.

contributions from the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Collection and highlighting the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. WHEN: Thursday, January 29, 2013 through Thursday, February 28, 2013.

WHERE: City Hall Over-Bridge Gallery 200 North Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012.

2/24

NOW – 3/ 7

LOS ANGELES PIONEERS: One Who Walked the Walk - The Triumphant Life of Biddy Mason: The California African American Museum’s curator, Terilyn V. Lawson, MFA/M.Div., will present a PowerPoint lecture illustrating the life and major achievements of former slave and midwife turned early LA philanthropist and real-estate developBiddy Mason er Bridget “Biddy” Mason. This event is free and open to the public. WHEN: 2 p.m.

WHERE: CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, 90017. For more information visit www.caamuseum.org and RSVP preferred at (213) 744-2024.

THE LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUE PRESENTS: “The 90 That Built L.A.,” an

THE LOU WILSON CELEBRATION: This beautiful celebration of life will be open to the public. All warm vibes of love and respect are welcome and greatly appreciated. WHEN: 3:00 p.m. WHERE: Agape's address is 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make your donation to The Lou Wilson Memorial Fund. The tax-exempt status for Mosaic Fusion is pending. You will receive a receipt and letter of appreciation from the Wilson Brothers.

Donate online at www.mandrillmusic.com or send a check payable to: The Lou Wilson Memorial Fund c/o Mosaic Fusion 8306 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 261 Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Questions via email: info@mandrillmusic.com.

ON GOING FREE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISING: The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is conducting free advising for business owners and new entrepreneurs. WHEN: The informational workshops are scheduled every Monday at 9AM. Some of the topics include how to start a new business, licensing and permits, the planning process, how to grow your existing business, and how to obtain a business loan.

WHERE: St. Lawrence of Brindisi Church 10122 Compton Av. Los Angeles. For more information or to confirm your participation, please call Martha G. Castro (562) 212-0312 or Email: wattsadvising@gmail.com.

NOW – 2/28 WESSON ANNOUNCES AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH:

The Rev. James Lawson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Photo Credit: Jack E. Cantrell, Memphis Press-Scimitar:Courtesy Special Collections, University of Memphis Libraries.)

Council President Herb Wesson has announced that in commemoration of African American Heritage Month, the City Council is sponsoring an exhibit “From Where We Come – The Art and Politics of Slavery” featuring

Herb Wesson

exhibit at the Museum of African American Art. This multi-layered exhibit chronicles and celebrates the League’s 90 plus year milestone of serving the city of Los Angeles, in addition to honoring 90 champions for change and equality, past and present. The exhibit will include personal artifacts from honorees; a retrospect of the social, economic, political and civic challenges and triumphs for Los Angeles residents of color and the League’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the community. WHEN: Museum hours are Thursday Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday –Wednesday the exhibit will be closed.

Admission is FREE! Where: Museum of African American Art 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008 (Located on the 3rd floor of Macy’s at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall). For more information call (323) 294-7071 or visit www.theleague90.com. For more information on the Museum of African American Art, visit www.maaala.org.

NOW – 3/16 URBAN SCHOLAR SATURDAY ENRICHMENT ACADEMY: Urban Scholar Athletes, Inc. will conduct its Urban Scholar Saturday Enrichment Academy [Winter Term].

WHEN: Every Saturday, from January 19, 2013- March 16, 2013, from 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. WHERE: Darby Park Recreational Center, 3400 Arbor Vitae, Inglewood, CA 90305. The Academy is targeted for students currently in 1st-6th grade. Certificated and experienced teachers will help students explore specialized areas of science, reading, and math in fun and engaging ways as well as prepare students for the upcoming California standardized test. Additionally, throughout the program, students will have an opportunity to earn “scholar bucks” for prize redemption, receive free books, and participate in fieldtrips and community service initiatives. Program registration is $40.00, which includes the 1st session, t-shirt, and a Scholastic Weekly Reader magazine subscription. Weekly classes are $20/week, in which sibling discounts are available. For additional information about the program, contact Alexis Coleman, Program Director, at (310) 528-3845/ info@urbanscholarathletes.com or visit the website at www.urbanscholarathletes.org.

TO MAKE A CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Include event name, date(s), time, location, contact/RSVP information and admission price, if any. Use BRIEF paragraph format (no lists, line breaks, or all caps). All calendar submissions are space-permitting and may be edited for brevity. Send submissions, along with any images, to brandon@lasentinel.net with the subject heading “LAWT Community Events.” Please include text in the body of your email, not in an attachment.

opinion

Thursday, February 21, 2013

11

Flex your movie muscles

BY CHERYL PEARSON-MCNEIL It’s Award Season! And so far what a season it’s been. Kelly Rowland was stunning in her gown during the 55th Grammy Awards, which LL Cool J hosted, while more than 28 million viewers tuned in. But surprisingly that’s not as many as the 40 million who watched the previous year. How can that be with LL Cool J and all? Well, remember, last year’s Grammys followed the death of the late great Whitney Houston, and millions tuned in just to watch the tribute to her.

The 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards delivered its biggest overall audience in four years, since 2009, and matched its highest adult 18-49 rating since that same year. Three million tuned in to this year’s show versus 2.9 million last year – a three percent increase in total viewers.

Nielsen insights show that African-Americans are more inclined to watch TV shows and movies that include characters portrayed by people who look like us. So are you ready for this year’s Academy Awards?

With nominees like the adorable, uber-talented nine-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis (Best Actress in a Leading Role in “Beasts of the Southern Wild”) and the always amazing (and handsome too), Denzel Washington (Best Actor in a Leading Role in “Flight”), Hollywood’s biggest night could again draw a record Black viewing audience (I may just host a Denzel viewing party myself)!

Additionally, “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and “Django Unchained” are nominated for best picture. Both have AfricanAmerican stars in leading roles. “Django” features Jaime Foxx, the lovely Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Last year’s broadcast of the Academy Awards was the secondhighest rated awards show among African-Americans with about three million Black viewers, according to Nielsen’s AfricanAmerican Consumers: Still Vital, Still Growing 2012 Report. It was a big year for Black Hollywood as well. The fabulous Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were both nominated for “The Help,” and Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie. Remember the 2010 Academy Awards? AfricanAmerican viewership for that year was up a whopping 43% over the previous year. We represented 11% of the 26.8 million

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Americans who tuned in. Again, we had major representation that year. The highly acclaimed movie “Precious,” had multiple nominations including Best Supporting Actress won by comedienne Mo’Nique, and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe was nominated for Best Actress. Also, the venerable Morgan Freeman won Best Actor for his role in “Invictus.”

Turning to the movies themselves, according to Nielsen National Research Group’s 2012 American Movie-Going Report, 70% of Americans ages 12 - 74 reported seeing one or more movies at a theater in the last year. The survey, conducted among

a representative group of more than 3,000 Americans across age, gender and race, shows that overall attendance for new release movies was pretty much the same as a year ago – an average of 6.8 movies per person compared with 6.9 in 2011. African-Americans comprise 11% of the movie-going population, led by the Baby Boomers in our group. And, according to the African-American Consumer Report, these were our top 10 movies for the first half of 2012 and the gross box office earnings: 1. Think Like A Man $91,547,205 2. Madea’s Witness Protection $55,611,721 3. Red Tails $49,875,589 4. Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds $35,010,192 5. Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day $1,201,562 6. Beasts of the Southern Wild $1,692,675 7. Pariah $758,099 8. A Beautiful Soul $54,008 9. Restless City $8,106 10. Elevate $3,547 Hispanics are the heaviest movie-goers, representing 18% of the movie-going population and accounting for 25% of all movies seen. The American Movie-Going report shows that although there were slightly more female movie-goers, 51%, than male movie-goers, 49%, men nonetheless accounted for 55% of theatrical attendance.

While it’s always fun to root for our favorites during awards season and see how our movie-going trends vary – or not – from year-to-year, this is big business. Hollywood speaks fluent “green,” as in moolah, or cash. Our behavior is watched very closely by the entertainment industry and advertisers who tailor their products, their decisions and the way they reach you according to how you choose to wield your economic clout at the box office with your pocketbook or with your remote at home. So, if you enjoy seeing quality movies that are inclusive of Blacks, show up in large numbers when those movies come out. That’s truly the only way for everyone to have a happy ending!

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsenwire.com.

CUT AND TAKE WITH YOU TO POLLS

ELECTION SLATE WEEKENDER

The right to vote is a sacred honor, right and responsibility that so many African Americans have fought and died for. We must honor the memory and remember the pain sacrifice and wisdom of their efforts. The L.A. Watts Times encourages everyone to exercise this right to vote.

We have suggested a slate of candidates who we believe will represent the best interest of the community and we urge you to support them. They represent the ideals, values and leadership that will best serve our community in achieving the quality of life that we continually strive for, not only for this generation, but also for generations to come.

E N D O R S E M E N T S JAN PERRY DENNIS ZINE CURREN PRICE

MAYOR CONTROLLER 9TH CITY COUNCIL SEAT

LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT MIKE ENG

SEAT #2

ERNEST HENRY MORENO

SEAT #4

NANCY PEARLMAN

SEAT #6

PROPOSITION A NO PROPOSITION B YES PASADENA CITY COUNCIL JOHN KENNEDY

MARCH 5, 2013

12

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Current stars celebrate Jordan at 50

AP Photo/Charlie Arbogast

Former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson, right, and Evander Holyfield during a promotional event for Holyfield's Real Deal barbecue sauce at a Chicago grocery store Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013.

AP Photo/Eric Gay

Tyson, Holyfield meet again

BY ANDREW SELIGMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield stood toe to toe again, only this time there were hugs and smiles — and no bites to the ear.

The ill will that marked the former champions’ rivalry was nowhere in sight. Instead, they were like old friends meeting in a supermarket, which is exactly what they did on Saturday February 16.

They were at a Jewel-Osco on Chicago’s South Side, where Holyfield was signing autographs and promoting his barbecue sauce. Tyson, in town performing his one-man show, made a cameo.

“I just wanted to see Evander, man,” Tyson said. “I love Evander. I’m forever linked with him for the rest of my life.”

Hard to believe those words came from the man who bit off a piece of Holyfield’s ear during a fight, but the former “Baddest Man On The Planet” is showing a different side.

He’s baring his soul on stage, documenting his rise from Brooklyn's streets to the heavyweight championship and subsequent fall from grace.

It’s all there, from his drug use to his relationships to ex-wife Robin Givens, new wife Kiki, promoter Don King, trainer Cus D’Amato and, of course, a rape conviction that left him behind bars for three years in the 1990s.

He’s taking it to 36 cities after a

run on Broadway. Saturday night was the second of two scheduled performances in Chicago. And before he hit the stage, he hit the supermarket.

He wrapped Holyfield in a big hug and was all smiles as they chatted and posed for pictures, the fans going wild the whole time.

“The show is good,” said Holyfield, who saw it in Las Vegas.

“The show is showing his way of coming back, being able to come to an agreement, come to an acknowledgment of what he’d done good and what he’d done wrong and to get over it.

When people don’t get past their problems, they never come to an understanding.”

What did Holyfield think of the parts that involved him?

“I think he was letting people know that he was wrong and what happened, happened,” he said. “He appreciates that I forgave him. He’s forgiven himself. That’s how you make adjustments in life.”

The 50-year-old Holyfield would still like one more title fight against one of the Klitschko brothers, either Wladimir or Vitali. But unless one of them has a change of heart and agrees to it, his career is over.

“Now that it's confirmed that the Klitschkos really don’t want to do it, that’s it,” Holyfield said. “I’m not trying to go back and fight someone 24, 25. But the Klitschkos being 37, 38, that's my age.”

See TYSON/HOLYFIELD, page 13

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, left, joins Dwyane Wade and LeBron James of the Miami Heat watch a replay at the dunk contest during NBA All-Star Saturday Night basketball in Houston on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013.

BY KRISTIE RIEKEN | ASSOCIATED PRESS Michael Jordan turned 50 on Sunday, February 17 giving this year's All-Stars a chance to reflect on his illustrious career and how much he still means to the sport.

In a weekend filled with the NBA's greatest players, Jordan was the topic no one could stop talking about. Though he hasn't played since the 2002-03 season, Jordan's influence still permeates the league and its players.

"Every kid that wanted to play basketball, that could play, that couldn't play, you tried to emulate Michael Jordan," Heat star Dwyane Wade said.

"That's why there will never be another one of him. He’s the first of his kind. Everything he did was groundbreaking. He did it with so much flare and so much pizazz that even today people are still trying to be like Mike."

Jordan won six titles and five MVP awards during a career spent mostly with the Bulls that began in 1984.

Jordan was in Houston this weekend, and celebrated his birthday early with a private bash on Friday February 15 at the Museum of Fine Arts with guests including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard is so impressed with Jordan that he said he's like a real version of Superman.

"Be Like Mike" was more than a marketing campaign. It was a dream for many of today's players.

"He's amazing," Howard said.

"He's one of the reasons why we played basketball. He inspired us to do great things. I hear his voice some-

times on commercials, it makes you want to get out there and try to do something."

Jordan retired twice before finally leaving the game for good at age 39.

Some people wondered this weekend if he could still play in the NBA, despite reaching the age where he qualifies for an AARP card.

Wade believes this day will be a time for Jordan to reflect on his storied career and appreciate his family and health.

"Kind of look back at all the things he did, so many years ago in the NBA that still live on today," Wade said. "What he's been able to do to stay this relevant, in this role, the way he has, is phenomenal."

Though he isn't seen often, Jordan is never far from the game. He is close to a group of players through his Jordan Brand apparel and as the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. He ignited one of the debates of the weekend when he told NBA TV he would chose Bryant over James based on the number of championships each has won.

"If you had to pick between the two, that would be a tough choice, but five beats one every time I look at it, and not that (James) won't get five, he may get more than that, but five is bigger than one," Jordan said in the interview, which aired Monday night.

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks counts Jordan as one of the most influential in his decision to play basketball.

"He changed the game, transcended the game," Anthony said. "He changed the way people coached the game from a mental aspect. From a training aspect, how you approach that, he changed that. So for me as a kid to see that and see somebody go

through that and succeed, that was motivation."

Jordan, who retired for the last time with more than 32,000 points, is perhaps known as much by the younger generation of stars for his namesake Nike shoe as for his basketball skills.

"The imprint he's had on the league, he's an immortal," Bryant said.

"Everything that he's done from the business aspect to his professionalism to his work ethic to the global appeal of the game has been something that carries on for generations and generations."

Jordan didn't make himself available to the press during All-Star weekend. James said this week that he wasn't too concerned with the TV remarks.

"At the end of the day, rings don't always define someone's career," James said. "If that's the case, then I would sit up here and say that I would take (Bill) Russell over Jordan. I wouldn't. I wouldn't take Russell over Jordan, but Russell has 11 rings and Jordan has six. Or I'd take, I don't know, Robert Horry over Jordan. I wouldn't do that. But it's your own personal opinion."

"Patrick Ewing is one of the greatest of all time," he continued. "Reggie Miller is one of the greatest of all time.

Sometimes, it's a situation that you're in, it's the team that you're in. It's about timing as well."

One of the most common sentiments echoed by players this week when talking about Jordan was disbelief that he was turning 50.

"Time actually flies," Bryant said.

"Him turning 50, this will be my 17th year, my 15th All-Star Game. Where did the time go?"

Thursday, February 21, 2013

13

Jerry Buss (1933-2013): Greatest U.S. sports team owner ever!

Photo by Jeff Lewis

Jerry Buss was a well known playboy, and the good times kept rolling for him. But when it came to winning in the NBA, he was as focused as anybody.

When ranking the sports team owners in American professional sports, it is not much of a contest, because Jerry Buss, who recently passed away, has every other owner beat by a mile, including New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who passed away in 2010.

Many people say that the Yankees are the premiere team in American sports, mostly because their history of greatness dates back to the early 1900s, but in the modern era it is not even close. The Lakers, mostly because of the vision of Buss, has been the greatest franchise in any sport.

Since Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979, the Lakers have made it to the NBA Finals 16 times, which is nearly half of the years that Buss owned the team. They won the title 10 times, more than any other American professional sports team over that time period. Under Steinbrenner, who owned the Yankees from 1973 until his passing, the ball club won seven World Series titles in 11 appearances.

Buss took a team that was one of the better teams in the NBA and turned them into the greatest pro team in the nation. When he took over the Lakers were not even the best team in town. Los Angeles was a Dodgers

TYSON/HOLYFIELD Continued from page 12 He’s not clinging to that possibility, nor is he holding any hard feelings for Tyson. They reconciled on Oprah Winfrey's show in October 2009, and for that, Tyson is grateful.

In his mind, it even turned that infamous bite into something positive “because love and forgiveness is involved.”

“We’re both at a stage in our lives where we can work together and make really a good thing happen,” Tyson said.

“He’s a beautiful person. I’ve known Evander since I was 15.”

Now Tyson is putting it out there on stage, warts and all. He has made it clear this is not an apology tour, that it’s simply his story.

He says he spends two hours a day rehearsing the script that his wife wrote, and the show is directed by Spike Lee. More are scheduled for cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and Washington, and the tour could be extended if it goes well.

When he’s not rehearsing, he’s working for his charitable organization,

Mike Tyson Cares. The organization helps underprivileged and homeless children receive medical treatment, find shelter, help with school expenses and assist with job placement.

But he still can’t quite escape the drama.

In December, Tyson told a TV show he was “high on cocaine” during filming of the movie “The Hangover.” In November, a Polish court ordered him to pay $48,000 to the organizer of a boxing gala after Tyson did not show up.

In October he was banned from travelling to New Zealand because of his rape conviction. That country’s immigration authorities initially granted him a visa so he could give talks about overcoming adversity in his life, but a charity withdrew its support and officials reversed their decision.

“I just want to live my life this way,” Tyson said. “It’s more advantageous to me and my children and the people that I care about to live my life this way.”

town. USC football and UCLA basketball were a lot more popular, as the Lakers had lost seven times in the NBA Finals from the time that they moved to Los Angeles from Minneapolis in 1960 until Buss bought the team. All of those losses came against the Celtics, and the Lakers had only won the NBA title once over that time period, in 1972.

When Buss took over the Celtics had 13 NBA titles compared to the Lakers six (five of those won in Minneapolis), and it did not seem like any team would ever come close to catching them. But since Buss took over the Lakers have defeated the Celtics three times in the NBA Finals, won 10 overall, and now they are only behind the Celtics by one championship (17-16).

Former Laker Tommy Hawkins remembers the Dodgers receiving a parade in Downtown when they moved to Los Angeles in 1958, but when the Lakers showed up two years later, they came in on a bus through San Bernadino and nobody knew who they were.

Before Buss bought the team the Lakers were always lost in the shuffle of the Los Angeles sporting scene.

But he instantly changed that.

Buss' first move was to create Showtime, and that was not just on the court. He understood that in Los Angeles, just watching a game would not be enough to captivate people who are in the "Entertainment Capitol of the World." Buss created an environment that the Hollywood stars wanted to be at. Laker games were the place to be, not just for celebrities, but for the masses.

Buss created a show, but at the same time, that was not going to hold people's attention for long. Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pointed out that dancing girls were not going to win games. The show was not just during timeouts, or before and after the game. The main attraction was the players, and Buss stopped at nothing to get the best.

One thing that separated Buss from other owners who will stop at nothing to win was that Buss knew his role, and he let others do their jobs.

Bill Sharman and Jerry West built the rosters that became Showtime. They surrounded Magic Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar with other star players.

They took the risk on drafting James Worthy over Dominique Wilkins.

They took the risk to trade Norm Nixon in order to draft Byron Scott.

And to trade Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant, who was right out of high school. That was a major risk because Shaquille O'Neal had not signed with the team at that point, and there was no telling if he would come to Los Angeles.

Buss also allowed O'Neal to be traded, and he convinced Bryant that he should be a Laker forever, which resulted into two more championships.

Buss' efforts and his visions have given Los Angeles fans the best team in the modern era of sports. The only thing that it looks like Buss will miss out on is when the Lakers finally catch, and pass, the Celtics in total titles.

Hunter voted out as head of NBA players’ union

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File

In this June 30, 2011, file photo, NBA Players Union Chief Billy Hunter speaks to reporters after a meeting with the NBA in New York. Hunter has been unanimously voted out as executive director of the NBA players’ association, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013.

BY BRIAN MAHONEY ASSOCIATED PRESS Billy Hunter was ousted from his job as executive director of the union in a unanimous vote by NBA players who said Saturday February 16, they will “no longer be divided, misled, misinformed.”

“This is our union and we have taken it back,” Players’ Association president Derek Fisher said.

Fisher said it was a day of change for the union, which has seemed inevitable since a review of the union last month was critical of Hunter's leadership and urged players to consider whether they wanted to keep him.

They didn’t.

“We want to make it clear that we are here to serve only the best interests of the players,” Fisher said. “No threats, no lies, no distractions will stop us from serving our memberships.”

Hunter said in a statement that he hadn’t received word of his dismissal and blasted the interim executive committee for the process it followed, saying “certain individuals made sure the outcome was pre-ordained.”

“In addition, given the legitimate legal and governance questions surrounding the eligibility of the members who voted and the adherence, or lack thereof, to the constitution and bylaws, I do not consider today’s vote the end, only a different beginning,” Hunter said. “My legal representatives and I will resume communication with the NBPA to determine how to best move forward in the best interests of all parties.”

In brief remarks, Fisher said a new executive committee was elected and he will remain as president. The Spurs’ Matt Bonner is vice president, Miami's James Jones is secretary-treasurer and the Nets’ Jerry Stackhouse the first vice president. The Clippers’ Chris Paul, Golden State’s Stephen Curry,

Denver’s Andre Iguodala, the Hornets’ Roger Mason, Jr. and the Clippers’ Willie Green are vice presidents.

Hunter had led the union since 1996, guiding the players through three collective bargaining agreements and helping bring their average salaries to more than $5 million, highest in team sports. But Fisher pushed for the review after a falling out between the two leaders, and though it found Hunter wasn’t guilty of any criminal activity involving union funds, it cited a number of conflicts of interests and poor choices that led the players to remove him.

Commissioner David Stern was aware of the union’s actions but had little comment.

“We await notification from the union as to who we should be dealing with because it has been a principle of faith with us that we will deal with whomever the union tells us to deal with,” Stern said.

Released in January, the review conducted by the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP criticized Hunter for hiring family members and friends. It said he knew his 2010 contract extension wasn’t properly ratified by union rules, and raised questions about everything from travel expenses to the amount he spent on gifts.

Players acted quickly, putting Hunter on a leave of absence on Feb. 1.

He hoped to be invited to Saturday’s annual meeting, which included about 35 players, superstar LeBron James among them.

But Hunter’s attorneys said their client was told he wouldn’t be welcomed. They said his contract was legal and indicated there could be a lawsuit if the players removed him and attempted to withhold the more than $10 million that remains on his salary.

"We do not doubt that this process will possibly continue in an ugly way," See HUNTER, page 15

14

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sony unveils socialfocused PlayStation 4

Quincy Jones launches music education application

Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, file

This Oct. 20, 2012 file photo shows music producer Quincy Jones arrives at The Carousel of Hope at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

BY JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. ASSOCIATED PRESS AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Andrew House speaks at an event to announce the Sony Playstation 4 Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in New York.

BY PETER SVENSSON AND DERRIK J. LANG ASSOCIATED PRESS Sony is sharing the PlayStation 4 with the world.

The Japanese electronics giant unveiled the new gaming system Wednesday, hyping the machine as a “supercharged PC” with the ability to effortlessly share interactive experiences, by instantly broadcasting video of gaming action or virtually handing out health potions to friends online.

“Today marks a moment of truth and a bold step forward for PlayStation,” said Andrew House, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment.

Sony said the system will feature an eight-core processor that can juggle more tasks than the PlayStation 3 and be part of a new digital ecosystem that’s “the fastest, most powerful gaming network.”

“Our long-term vision is to reduce download times of digital titles to zero,” said Mark Cerny, Sony’s lead system architect on the PS4.

The PS4 is Sony’s first major game machine since the PlayStation 3 went on sale in 2006. Wednesday’s unveiling is Sony Corp.’s attempt to steal the spotlight from rivals Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co., at least until Microsoft unveils its next Xbox in June, as expected, at the E3 video game expo in Los Angeles.

But one thing Sony neglected to do: show the actual device.

Instead, the two-hour event involved executives from Sony and its video game partners touting features and showing demonstration video on stage.

There was no word on price or availability, other than a flash on the

screen saying “holiday 2013.”

When the PlayStation 3 went on sale in the U.S. on Nov. 17, 2006, the 20 gigabyte model had a $500 price tag and the 60 GB version went for $600.

They are now cheaper and come with more storage — $270 for 250 GB and $300 for 500 GB. Comparable models of Nintendo’s Wii U and Microsoft's Xbox 360 both start at $300.

Among the PS4’s revisions is an updated controller that adds a touchpad and a “share” button. The controller also features a light bar, which means a new PlayStation camera can more easily track the device for motion control.

Many of the new features revolve around social networking and remote access. With one button, you can broadcast video of your game play so friends can “look over your shoulder virtually,” said David Perry, cofounder of the Sony-owned Internet game company Gaikai. With remote play, you can run a game on the PS4 to stream over the Internet to Sony's mobile gaming device, the PlayStation Vita, which debuted last year.

Sony is building the new system on top of a traditional PC architecture, instead of a custom design, to make it easier for computer programmers to write games. Games designed for PS3 won't work, Sony said.

Among the games that were unveiled for the PS4 on Wednesday were the realistic racing simulator “Drive Club,” super-powered action sequel “Infamous: Second Son,” artsy puzzler “The Witness” and first-person shooter “Killzone: Shadow Fall.”

Last fall, Nintendo launched the next generation of gaming consoles with the Wii U, which comes with a tablet-like controller called the GamePad. The controller allows two

people playing the same game to have different experiences depending on whether they use the GamePad or a traditional Wii remote, which itself was revolutionary when it came out because of its motion-control features.

The original Wii has sold more units since its launch than both its rivals, but it has lost momentum in recent years as the novelty of its motion controller faded. Nintendo said it sold 3.1 million Wii Us by the end of 2012. It was a disappointing start for the first of a new generation of gaming systems.

In some ways, notably its ability to display high-definition games, the Wii U was just catching up to the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, the preferred consoles to play popular games like “Call of Duty.”

The PS4 is arriving amid declines in video game hardware, software and accessory sales. Research firm NPD Group said game sales fell 22 percent to $13.3 billion in 2012. With the launch of the PS4, Sony is looking to attract audiences who may have shifted their attention to games on Facebook, tablet computers and mobile phones.

All three console makers are trying to position their devices as entertainment hubs that can deliver movies, music and social networking as they try to stay relevant in the age of smartphones and tablets. The PlayStation online network will have access to Sony’s video and music services, as well as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, with paid subscriptions to those services. People will also be able to access Facebook.

Beyond games, the PlayStation 4 will let people create animation in 3-D using a Move motion controller — all in real time.

Quincy Jones says he has co-created the music version of Rosetta Stone.

The 79-year-old composer-producer launched a new music education application Tuesday called Playground Sessions, which teaches users how to play the piano. He said the app will help children and adults learn how to read music and understand the mechanics of piano playing.

There’s “such a need for this,” Jones said in an interview last week.

“The concept is brand-new. I have been praying for this for a long time.

It has a learning concept similar to Rosetta Stone. I’m blown away by this.”

Playground Sessions is a musical app with real-time feedback and video tutorials from pianist David Sides. It features about 70 popular

songs by Beyonce and Justin Bieber, and well-known tunes like Katy Perry’s “Firework” and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”

Jones, who produced Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and other successful albums, hopes Playground Sessions will have an impact on music education programs in schools around the world. One of first schools that will use the app is Jones' alma mater, Garfield High School in Seattle.

“Our kids in this country know less than any other country,” Jones said of music education in the United States. “We need something like Playground Sessions to push us forward.”

Chris Vance, who co-created the app and founded Playground Sessions, got together with Jones more than a year ago after working alone on the application for three See QUINCY JONES, page 15

DETROIT Continued from page 4 ruptcy today.”

Bing said Tuesday's report shouldn’t have surprised anyone.

“My administration has been saying for the past four years that the city is under financial stress,” Bing said in an emailed statement. “If the governor decides to appoint an emergency financial manager, he or she, like my administration, is going to need resources — particularly in the form of cash and additional staff.”

Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said the governor will carefully review the team’s report.

“He won’t make a determination immediately, but sooner rather than later,” she said. “The governor believes that a strong and successful Detroit is key to Michigan’s continued comeback.”

If Snyder appoints an emergency manager, Detroit would be the sixth and largest city in Michigan to have

one. The cities of Benton Harbor, Ecorse, Pontiac, Flint and Allen Park are currently under state oversight.

School districts in Detroit, Highland Park and Muskegon Heights also have managers.

A new state law taking effect in late March gives local governments the chance to choose their own remedy when a review team finds a financial emergency exists. However, Detroit loses those options if an emergency manager is put in place before the new law goes into effect, said Department of Treasury spokesman Terry Stanton.

The six-member review team began looking closely at Detroit’s books in mid-December. Another team had done the same about 12 months earlier, but stopped short of declaring a financial emergency. That team’s findings eventually led to the consent agreement in April.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

HUNTER Continued from page 13 said Fisher, who then reminded reporters that there are three ongoing government investigations into Hunter, likely the reason he didn't take questions after his remarks.

It's a swift fall for the 70-year-old Hunter, a former athlete who was wellrespected by many players. But agents didn't like him, questioning his bargaining strategies and frustrated they didn't have a bigger role in his union.

Hunter's family did, and that was another central issue of the report. He had since fired his daughter and daughter-in-law, and cut ties with a financial institution that employed his son. He also instituted an anti-nepotism policy at the NPBA. "After 17 years of representing NBA players during CBA negotiations and defending their rights in other proceedings, not once was there an occasion where one side was denied an opportunity to be heard," Hunter said.

"The current interim regime in control of the NBPA has set a terrible precedent for the union. It violates every tenet of fairness upon which the union was founded. Now that this has occurred, I will continue to examine all of my options, including whether the fairness that was absent from the NBPA process might be available in a different forum."

Fisher, Paul, Bonner, Mason and Jones were holdovers from the previous executive committee. Stackhouse, who along with James was vocal during the meeting, joins Iguodala, Curry and Green among the newcomers.

Fisher and Hunter clashed during the 2011 lockout and their fractured relationship divided the union. Hunter originally persuaded the executive committee to vote to request Fisher's resignation last year. Fisher did not resign and instead pushed for the outside review, which lasted more than eight months and cost the union more than $4 million.

The law firm reviewed NBPA documents and emails, and interviewed more than three dozen witnesses. It found that Hunter spent more than $100,000 on gifts for executive committee members — including a watch worth more than $20,000 for Fisher before their falling out — and accepted a payout of $1.3 million for unused vacation time when records made it unclear how his time off was kept.

Fisher remains president even though he isn't on an NBA roster, having asked the Dallas Mavericks for his release after a brief stint earlier this season. He gave no update on what would happen to the executive director position. Union attorney Ron Klempner was appointed to the position on an interim basis when Hunter was placed on leave.

QUINCY JONES Continued from page 14 years. He said Jones immediately saw a vision for the product and wanted to make learning music a fun experience.

Vance also said Sides was an easy pick when he was selecting a pianist for the project. Jones calls Sides a very talented piano player who has an engaging personality.

“I wish I had someone like him teaching me how to play the piano,” Jones said of Sides, known for his popular piano covers on YouTube, including his rendition of OneRepublic’s “Apologize,” which has garnered more than 10 million views.

15

NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Long Beach, California, acting by and through the City’s Board of Harbor Commissioners (“City”) will receive, before the Bid Deadline established below, sealed Bids for the following Work: ANAHEIM STREET IMPROVEMENTS FROM 9TH STREET TO LOS ANGELES RIVER (WESTBANK) LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AS DESCRIBED IN SPECIFICATION NO. HD-S2435 Bid Deadline:

Prior to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Bid packages will be time/date stamped on the 4th floor or in the Lobby and shall be submitted prior to 10 a.m.

Place for Submission of Bids: 1. By Delivery Any Calendar Day Before the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications/Program Management Office 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 2. By Delivery on the Same Calendar Day as the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building Ground Floor Lobby 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Bid Opening: As soon as practical after the Bid Deadline: Harbor Department Administration Building 6th Floor Board Room 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Contract Documents Date/Time: Beginning Thursday, February 21, 2013 Available: Monday –Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Mandatory Pre-Bid Date/Time: Mandatory Pre-bid, March 12, 2013 – 9:00AM Meeting: Location: 6th Floor Board Room, Harbor Department Administration Building EACH BIDDER MUST ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PREBID MEETING SHALL DISQUALIFY YOUR BID. Project Contact Julia Wu Person: Phone: 562-283-7882 Fax: 562-283-7899 Email: julia.wu@polb.com NIB -1 Contract Documents. Copies of Contract Documents in DVD format may be obtained, at no cost, at the Plans and Specifications Office, 4th floor, Harbor Department Administration Building, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802 during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To arrange to receive a DVD of the Contract Documents by courier at the expense of the Bidder, call (562)283-7353.

For information on this Project and other upcoming Port projects, you may view the Port website at http://www.polb.com/economics/contractors/out_for_bid.asp.

Copies of all Port insurance endorsement forms, SBE/VSBE Program forms, Harbor Development Permit Applications and other Port forms are available at http://www.polb.com/economics/contractors/forms_permits/default.asp.

NIB -2 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting. The engineering staff of the City’s Harbor department will conduct a pre-bid meeting at 9:00 AM on March 12, 2013, in the Board Room, 6th floor, of the Harbor Department Administration Building. Attendance is mandatory. Note that attendance at the pre-bid meeting can be used to satisfy a portion of a Bidder’s good faith efforts to meet the SBE/VSBE participation goals listed below. EACH BIDDER MUST ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING SHALL DISQUALIFY YOUR BID. NIB -3 Summary Description of the Work. The Work required by this Contract includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Mobilize to initiate the Project and mobilize for each of the Project phases. Supervision, coordination and implementation of the project phasing.

2. Provide Site Specific Hazards Analysis and Safety Plans and appoint a Safety Officer. Establish safe work conditions and practices.

3. Comply with the City's Waste Management Ordinance, soil handling requirements and disposal of waste materials.

4. Prepare and comply with an approved SWPPP Plan and perform periodic inspections, maintenance of SWPPP facilities and required documentation.

5. Submit required submittals.

6. Demolition and removals for construction of project improvements, including but not limited to: concrete curbs, gutters, slabs, asphalt concrete, reinforced fabric, pcc pavement, base material, curb ramps, sidewalks, driveways, abandoned utilities, luminaires, landscaping, trees, irrigation pipes, traffic loops, base materials, signs, and bollards.

7. Grading and earthwork including, but not limited to: excavation, constructing fill, compacting, crushed miscellaneous base (CMB) and aggregate base (AB), and various categories of soil materials, stockpiling, handling, testing, transportation of soil materials, subgrade preparation, finish grading, and excavation and backfill of utility trenches.

8. Hire an independent laboratory to analyze soil materials for contamination.

9. Segregating contaminated materials and disposal in accordance with POLB requirements.

10. Coordinate with POLB surveyors to layout the work, provide lines and grades for construction and establish as-built elevations and coordinates. Surveyor shall record centerline monuments and benchmarks set by the POLB, City of Long Beach and Los Angeles, Caltrans, Alameda Corridor, and LA County Flood.

11. Removal of unclassified excavation, handling, transporting and unloading of concrete pavement and asphalt concrete at the Port's crusher site. Contractor shall furnish transportation and loader.

12. Excavation and salvage of CMB, stockpiling and re¬use.

13. Obtaining CMB materials from the Port's crusher site, hauling and placing CMB, and compacting them to the specified lines and grades. Loading and hauling of CMB from the Port’s crusher site to be provided by the City. Additional CMB will be furnished by the Contractor.

14. Construction of concrete bus pads, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, curb ramps, driveways, pavers, and medians.

15. Installation of ADA compliant raised truncated domes.

16. Removal of abandoned utility lines, ducts and conduits.

17. Protection of/Relocation of shallow utility lines.

18. Install shoring for trench safety protection, and subsequent removal.

19. Construction of AC base pavements and finish pavements.

20. Pavement cold milling and constructing asphalt concrete pavement.

21. Installation of catch basin inserts, biofiltration systems, bioswales, and necessary storm drain modifications.

22. Adjustment of survey monuments, utility valves, pullboxes, and manholes to finished grade.

23. Relocations of utility valves, pullboxes, and manholes outside of curb ramps and driveways.

24. Closure of Caspian Avenue south and roadway improvements.

25. Modifications to traffic signals including new signal heads, pedestrian push buttons, pedestrian count down heads, and illuminated street name signs.

26. Installation of traffic loops, conduits, and pull boxes.

27. Upgrades to street lighting luminaires with LED. 28. Installation of temporary traffic signals.

29. Installation of electrical service for irrigation system by Contractor. Connection shall be to existing meter points of connection.

30. Installation of irrigation system and landscaping.

31. Provide traffic control, safety measures, traffic flaggers, K-rails, temporary crash cushions, trench plating and warning signage.

32. Installation of pavement striping, markings and signage.

33. Demobilization and clean up of the job sites as the work progresses.

NIB -4 Contract Time and Liquidated Damages. The Work shall be completed within 396 Calender Days as provided in Paragraph SC - 6.1 of the Special Conditions, from a date specified in a written “Notice to Proceed” issued by the City and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.1 “Contractor Requirements and Responsibilities” of the General Conditions. FAILURE OF THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK WITHIN THE CONTRACT TIME AND OTHER MILESTONES WILL RESULT IN ASSESSMENT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNTS ESTABLISHED IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS. NIB -5 Contractor’s License. Each Bidder shall hold a current and valid Class “A” California Contractor’s License to bid this Project.

This Project Includes Removal Work on a natural gas pipeline. Bidders and/or Subcontractors performing work on natural gas pipelines must be approved by the City of Long Beach Gas and Oil (LBGO) Department and must be approved by the City of Long Beach Gas and Oil Department before Conditional Award of the Contract. Within forty-eight (48) hours following Bid opening, Bidders shall submit the information described in the Special Conditions, Section SC - 2, as the basis for such approval.

NIB -6 Contractor Performed Work. The Contractor shall perform, with its own employees, Contract Work amounting to at least 50% of the Contract Price, except that any designated “Specialty Items” may be performed by subcontract and the amount of any such “Specialty Items” so performed may be deducted from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees. “Specialty Items” will be identified by the City in the Schedule of Bid Items.

NIB-7 SBE/VSBE. This project is subject to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) Small Business Enterprises (SBE)/Very Small Business Enterprises (VSBE) Program. The combined SBE/VSBE participation goal for this project is twenty-five percent (25%), of which a minimum of five percent (5%) must be allocated to VSBEs. POLB expects all Bidders to achieve the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. Award of the Contract will be conditioned on the Bidder submitting an SBE-2C Commitment Plan demonstrating the Bidder’s intent to meet the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. If the Bidder’s Commitment Plan does not demonstrate intent to meet the combined goal, the Bidder shall demonstrate that it made an adequate good faith effort to do so, as specified in the Instructions to Bidders (ITB 18). The Port’s SBE Program staff is available to provide information on the program requirements, including SBE certification assistance. Please contact the SBE Office at (562) 283-7598 or sbeprogram@polb.com.

You may also view the Port’s SBE program requirements at www.polb.com/sbe.

NIB -8 Prevailing Wage Rates and Employment of Apprentices. This Project is a public work as defined in Labor Code Section 1720. The Contractor receiving award of the Contract and Subcontractors of any tier shall pay not less than the prevailing wage rates to all workers employed in execution of the Contract. The Director of Industrial Relations of the State of California has determined the general prevailing rates of wages in the locality in which the Work is to be performed. The rate schedules are available on the internet at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlsr/DPreWageDetermination.htm. Bidders are directed to Article 15 of the General Conditions for requirements concerning payment of prevailing wages, payroll records, hours of work and employment of apprentices.

NIB -9 Trade Names and Substitution of Equals. With the exception of any sole source determination that may be identified in this paragraph, Bidders wishing to obtain City’s authorization for substitution of equivalent material, product, or equipment, are required to submit a written request for an Or Equal Substitution using the form included in Appendix A together with data substantiating Bidder’s representation that the non-specified item is of equal quality to the item specified, thirty five (35) calendar days after Bid Opening.

Authorization of a substitution is solely within the discretion of the City.

NIB -10

NOT USED.

NIB -11 Bid Security, Signed Contract, Insurance and Bonds. Each Bid shall be accompanied by a satisfactory Bidder’s Bond or other acceptable Bid Security in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if Conditionally Awarded a Contract by the Board, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Contract is conditionally awarded to the Contractor by the City, execute and deliver such Contract to the Chief Harbor Engineer together with all required documents including insurance forms, a Payment Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and a Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. All Bonds shall be on forms provided by the City.

NIB -12 Conditional Award of Contract and Reservation of Rights. The Board, acting through the Executive Director, reserves the right at any time before the execution of the Contract by the City, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informality or irregularity. The Conditional Award of the Contract, if any, will be to the responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive and responsible Bid. If the lowest responsive responsible Bidder fails to submit the required documents including insurance forms, bonds and signed Contract within thirty (30) calendar days after Conditional Award of Contract, the Board reserves the right to rescind the Conditional Award and Conditionally Award the Contract to the next lowest responsive and responsible Bidder.

NIB -13 Period of Bid Irrevocability. Bids shall remain open and valid and Bidder’s Bonds shall be guaranteed for ninety (90) calendar days after the Bid Deadline or until the Executive Director executes a Contract, whichever occurs first.

NIB -14 Substitution of Securities. Substitution of Securities for retainage is permitted in accordance with Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code.

Issued at Long Beach, California, this 4th day of February, 2013.

J. Christopher Lytle Executive Director of the Harbor Department, City of Long Beach, California

16

Thursday, January 24, 2013

We proudly celebrate Black History Month and the countless contributions of African Americans to this nation’s rich history.

©2013 McDonald’s.