LAWT-03-25-2010

March 25, 2010

SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

Vol. XXX, No. 1172 FIRST COLUMN

Prof. Writes Book on ‘Born of Conviction’ Statement

BY LAREECA RUCKER THE CLARION-LEDGER

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — As a student at Millsaps in the 1970s, Joseph T. Reiff found his heroes in a group of ministers who forged “a crack in the armor of the closed society” that existed in Mississippi in the 1960s.

In the fall of 1962, James Meredith had become the first black student at the University of Mississippi. The event sparked riots on campus that left two dead, 48 soldiers injured, and 28 U.S. marshals wounded by gunfire.

Another 28 people would face injury the following January when they united to sign a document opposing discrimination, communism, and the closing of public schools to establish private academies using state funds.

Photo by SARAH K. REIFF

Joseph T. Reiff

The white ministers from Mississippi’s southern Methodist Conference signed the “Born of Conviction” statement, which was published in The Methodist Advocate.

“I used the statement in some classes to talk about Christian ethical dilemmas, particularly related to race,” said Reiff, a 10th-grader at Murrah High when the schools desegregated and now an associate professor of religion at Emory & Henry College in Virginia.

He is writing a book about the “Born of Conviction” signers, 17 of whom are still living.

“To put it mildly, all hell broke loose,” said Inman Moore, pastor of Leggett Memorial Methodist Church in Biloxi and founding member of the Mississippi Council on Human Relations when he signed the statement. “It was like an atomic bomb in Mississippi.

“Our statement was a very moving document. It moved most of us right out of the state.”

Moore said within six months of the document’s publication, many of the 28 signers had left Mississippi for Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Iowa, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Washington. Several went to California.

“Because there were so many of us coming at one time, California Methodists dubbed us ‘The Mississippi Mafia,’ ” he said.

Jerry Trigg was pastor of See BOOK, page 8

Photos by DAMIEN SMITH

REPEAT — For the second consecutive year, Kenyan Wesley Korir won the men’s competition of the Los Angeles Marathon. On March 21, Korir finished the race in roughly two hours and nine minutes, about a minute slower than he took to finish the marathon last year. Korir’s Kenyan compatriot, Edna Kiplagat, won the women’s competition of the marathon in two hours and 25 minutes and 38 seconds. For being the first person to cross the finish line (the women are given a head start), Kiplagat received $100,000.

Local Art Centers Face Tough Economic Times

BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

Community and cultural art centers are the some of latest victims of a sluggish economy and Los Angeles’ fiscal crisis.

Positions at the Watts Towers Arts Center will be cut until the City of Los Angeles can find private nonprofit entities to take over operations of the facility. Positions and services at the William Grant Still Arts Center were also facing cuts as early as March 26, but City Councilman Herb Wesson Jr., at a March 24 City Council meeting, helped unanimously approve a motion to appropriate $200,000 to keep the center open until at least June 30.

Pink slips were issued about

Black Support High for Obama’s Race-Neutral Stance

mid-March to the two full-time employees at the William Grant Still Art Center: the director and art coordinator. Although the facility will receive funding, the director and art coordinator will be laid off but rehired on a temporary basis until the end of the fiscal year, said Ed Johnson, a spokesperson for Wesson. The funding will cover salaries, programming and operations at the facility, he said.

If action was not taken to help the William Grant Still Arts Center, there was a possibility the facility would have closed on March 26.

“We want to use this strategy to see if partnerships can improve services,” Olga Garay, executive director for the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, said in reference to finding private entities to take over cultural and art centers. “If not, the city is

Watts Towers

going to have to make a decision.

It’s either: Close these places, or try to find appropriate partners.”

See WATTS TOWERS, page 10

BY JESSE WASHINGTON AP NATIONAL WRITER

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — In this banking center walloped by the Great Recession, where unemployment just hit a 20-year high and as many as one in three black people are out of work, blacks could easily be frustrated with President Barack Obama’s insistence that a rising economic tide for all will lift African American boats.

Yet despite surging discontent among some black advocates over Obama’s refusal to specifically target rising black unemployment, it’s hard to find average black folks here who disagree with the president’s approach.

“He has been addressing the black agenda as far as health care, education, all that,” said Tamera Gomillion, a bill collector who has been struggling to pay her own bills.

“It took eight years to get into this mess, so it’s going to take time to get us out,” she said. “I voted for him, and I’ll do it again.”

The drumbeat for Obama to embrace a black agenda grew loudest March 20, when Public Broad-

NEWS IN BRIEF THE SOUTHLAND LAPD Shoot, Kill Unarmed Man Near Koreatown

Photo Courtesy of the WHITE HOUSE

SUCCESS — (AP) President Barack Obama and others applaud the historic passage of the health care reform bill. Obama, on March 23, signed into law a landmark health care reform bill, presiding over the biggest shift in U.S. domestic policy since the 1960s and capping a divisive, yearlong debate that could define the November congressional elections. The law will bring near-universal coverage to a wealthy country in which tens of millions of people are uninsured. In recent interviews The Associated Press conducted with two dozen African Americans, two common themes were that Obama is correct to focus on the needs of all Americans and that his emphasis on health care will greatly help blacks. Another theme in the interviews was that black people should take responsibility for solving their own problems.

casting Service host Tavis Smiley convened a public meeting of prominent black activists and intellectuals in Chicago to demand policies tailored to the needs of blacks who have been hit disproportionately hard by the recession.

Obama has refused from the

beginning of his candidacy to separate the solutions to black America’s economic problems from the country’s at large. After he settled into his presidency, this stance placed him at odds with activists and the Congressional Black Caucus who See OBAMA, page 12

(AP) — Police officers on March 20 shot and killed an unarmed man who approached them and appeared to remove something from his waistband, authorities said.

No weapon was recovered from Steven Eugene Washington, 27, who was shot by two officers near Koreatown shortly after midnight, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Gang enforcement officers Allan Corrales and George Diego heard a loud noise while driving in their patrol car and turned around to see Washington. The officers said he was looking around suspiciously and manipulating something in his waist area.

When the officers tried to stop

Washington to investigate, he quickly approached them and appeared to pull something from his waistband, Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger told reporters at a news conference March 20.

Each officer fired once and Washington was hit in the head, police said.

The officers fired “with the belief that he was arming himself, and in defense of their lives,” Paysinger said.

Corrales and Diego called paramedics, who pronounced Washington dead at the scene.

Family members said at the news conference that Washington was autistic and had never shown any signs of violence or had any trouble with police.

The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division and the district attorney’s office are investigating the shooting.

www.lawattstimes.com

See BRIEFS, page 5

Page 2

L.A. WATTS TIMES

March 25, 2010

OPINION EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

Blacks and Latinos Not Out of the Woods Yet on Health Care Moments after House passage of the landmark health care reform bill, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele and House Republican Minority Leader John Boehner loudly sounded the war drums.

Both pointed out three obvious and ominous facts: The bill passed by the narrowest of margins, and that Americans are as deeply divided as ever on health care reform, or even whether there should be reform.

The third point both made is the most ominous: They vowed to fight hard to repeal the law.

They bank on a swell of public anger to punish the Democrats by plunging their numbers in the House and Senate in the November midterm elections. This political Armageddon scenario would be a disaster for the Democrats. It would be a catastrophe for blacks and Latinos.

Under the reform law, the promise is that more than 30 million uninsured will get coverage.

The Commonwealth Fund estimates that blacks and Hispanics make up nearly half of the uninsured. But widely expanded coverage is as yet the promise, and that promise is still years down the line.

There’s much fine devil in the language of the law that needs to be worked through before that promise is totally fulfilled.

In the meantime, millions of middle-class, and especially poor minorities, still must watch and wait for coverage to begin. There’s no wait on the crisis that many uninsured blacks and Latinos face.

They are far more likely than the one in four whites who are uninsured to experience problems getting treatment at a hospital or clinic. This has devastating health and public policy consequences.

According to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, uninsured minorities are far more likely than whites to suffer higher rates of catastrophic illness and disease, and are much less likely to obtain basic drugs, tests, preventive screenings and surgeries. They are more likely to recover slower from illness, and they die much younger.

Studies have found that when blacks and Hispanics do receive treatment, the care they receive is more likely to be substandard than that of whites. Reports indicate that even when blacks and Hispanics are enrolled in high-quality health plans, the racial gap in the care and quality of medical treatment still remains low.

Private insurers routinely cherry pick the healthiest and most financially secure patients to bloat profits and hold down costs. American medical providers spend twice as much per patient than providers in countries with universal health care, and

they provide lower quality for the grossly inflated dollars.

Patients pay more in higher insurance premiums, co-payments, fees and other hidden health costs. At the same time, government medical insurance programs shell out more than public insurers in other countries with universal health care.

Blacks and Hispanics have far greater incidences of all major medical ailments than whites. Even when they can pay for medical coverage, they can be excluded from coverage if afflicted with these maladies.

The health care reform law addresses this frontally and forbids private insurers from barring anyone with pre-existing conditions.

The problem with this is that, while the law’s language clearly spells out the prohibition, much depends on how aggressively government agencies monitor and enforce penalties on private insurers who refuse to cover, or find endless dodges and subterfuges to weasel out of covering those with major illnesses.

The “public option” was, of course, excised from the law. But that was really the only check and balance that might have guaranteed coverage and treatment for the uninsured and those labeled as high risk.

In decades past, the health care industry successfully gutted every See HUTCHINSON, page 10

Blacks Urged to Unify in Wake of Job Crisis

BY THE L.A. BLACK WORKER CENTER

We’re often encouraged to celebrate the progress blacks have made as a people. One of the major successes celebrated over the last 40 years is the largest and most educated middle class in American history.

The election of President Barack Obama last year was icing on the cake — a black achievement dream that unexpectedly came true, causing a celebration on an entirely new level. Some people even talked about the birth of a new “postracial” society.

Yet, considering recent bleak statistics on joblessness in the black community, such celebration is much too hasty.

Black success is only part of black history.

The truth is, despite gains, blacks have always endured terrible unemployment and underemployment that have only gotten worse during the recession. Figures show that black people are most vulnerable to joblessness, low job quality, poor job security, wage theft and other kinds of job exploitation.

Things are worst in big cities.

In Los Angeles, according to 2008 employment figures, 12 percent of black workers were unemployed. That number does not include the number of discouraged workers who never found a job after unemployment benefits ran out.

Another 33 percent of black workers earn less than $30,000, about 180

percent below the poverty line.

That’s more than 45 percent of all black workers in our city.

And the Great Recession is far from over.

The reasons for this crisis are more complicated than we’d like to admit. Yes, there is racism and discrimination, even though Jim Crow ended four decades ago.

But the real problem is an economic system that doesn’t value workers and hasn’t created meaningful jobs in the black community.

The truth is, when black workers do well, the black community does well. We only need to look at the manufacturing jobs that built up the black middle-class neighborhoods of Watts and Compton and then look at those neighborhoods today. We have yet to recover from the disappearance of those jobs.

Today, the 21st-century wave of economic bust threatens the remaining industries that employ black workers, such as government, transportation and retail jobs.

As a community, we must shake off the notion that individual know-how and determination is all it takes to have economic sustainability. We must adopt a collective strategy to demand an economic development plan that addresses the dire needs of black workers and generates quality and meaningful work for every worker in our community.

Black leaders have long talked about the value of community, but too often lines have been drawn

between the winners and losers, between the productive black folks and the unproductive ones, and between the hard-working, lawabiding citizens and the “lazy” people on public aid or in prison.

For all kinds of reasons, black people have pitted themselves against each other, making enemies within themselves, while the black community slips further into the margins of this democracy.

The Los Angeles Black Worker Center, a new employment advocacy and education center, believes this crisis calls on us to rethink our approach and turn to our history by reconnecting as a “whole community.” But making this happen won’t be easy. It will require a shift in perspective. This perspective may be radical for some — that is, moving away from an egocentric, individualistic view of the world, and instead embracing one that’s more “sociocentric.”

Still, blacks are very familiar with a collective, group-first mindset. In fact, it was that same mindset that sustained black people during the long years of segregation and fueled successful movements for social change.

We urgently need the black community to adopt that mindset again to continue the struggle in the new millennium. Black people may not live together as they once did during segregation, but that doesn’t mean that togetherness can’t be See UNIFY, page 9

Fighting Childhood Obesity

BY MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN

When first lady Michelle Obama decided to launch the “Let’s Move” campaign to fight childhood obesity, she brought much-needed attention to a crisis facing millions of children. It’s a special concern for children of color because new research shows black and Hispanic children are disproportionately at risk for nearly a dozen factors that increase their chances of obesity.

But children of color are far from the only ones in danger. Experts estimate one-third of American children are currently overweight or obese, and these rates have tripled among youths between the ages 12 to 19 since 1980.

Some adults may see a heavy child as a sign of a healthy eater or think that, for children, extra weight is mainly just a cosmetic issue. But serious risks for overweight children go far beyond appearance.

Diseases once associated only with adults, such as Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, are on the rise at younger and younger ages. Overweight children are at greatly increased risk of being overweight adults. So for many children, this may be more than just a “chubby” phase they will someday outgrow.

As many as 80 percent of overweight children may be set up for a lifetime of increased health risks that come with being overweight. The most pressing risk, cardiovascular disease, remains the leading killer of Americans. If childhood obesity trends continue, experts predict they could cut two to five years off the lifespan of the average child in America — making this the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Right now, our country spends $150 billion a year treating obesityrelated diseases — nearly 10 percent of all medical spending. Many experts label the current level of childhood obesity an epidemic that threatens our future national health, productivity and security unless

something can be done to stop and reverse the trend.

There are many reasons childhood obesity is on the rise.

American Marian Wright children have Edelman been immersed in the same “supersized” culture that snares adults, surrounded by highcalorie, high-fat food that’s plentiful, cheap, and often served in big portions. And today’s children and teenagers are much less likely than past generations to spend free time running around outdoors and much more likely to spend it on the couch watching television, playing video games, or surfing the Internet, often with snacks and sodas right next to them.

Very few children get the 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week recommended by the surgeon general.

Even schools have become part of the problem.

Many districts have cut back on gym time and recess, often as a trade-off for more instructional time to prepare for state testing. The quality of school meals and easy availability of snacks and sugary drinks in many school vending machines were some of the first targets in the war on child obesity. And there’s been progress.

Some major school food suppliers are making improvements in response to Michelle Obama’s campaign. Advocates for better nutrition hope that, as more people become aware of the risks to children’s health, more industries, schools, restaurants and communities will make a big difference for America’s children.

As these kinds of changes occur in a range of child environments, Michelle Obama and others stress that the biggest influence in children’s eating habits will come See EDELMAN, page 9

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March 25, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 3

BUSINESS Californians Missing Out on Over $1 Billion in Tax Refunds

BIZSHORTS High Speed Rail Forum Set for March 26 A High Speed Rail forum with Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass and Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani will take place March 26, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at FAME Renaissance, 1968 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles.

Bass and Galgiani will discuss the latest developments and opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses in highspeed light rail.

RSVP information: (310) 8158782, nicole@dakcomm.com.

PACE Business Development Center Presents Business Growth Workshop PACE Business Development Center will present a free Business Growth workshop March 27, 9 to 11 a.m. at PACE Business Development Center (BDC), 1055 Wilshire Blvd., suite 900B, L.A. José Juan Vega of Americas United Bank will present the workshop.

Information: (213) 353-9400, www.pacelabdc.org.

First-Time Home Buyers Free Workshop Scheduled (Save the Date Central) — A “First Time Home Buyers Free

Workshop” will take place April 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Inglewood Library Lecture Hall, 101 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood.

Estate planning, purchasing a home and credit principles will be discussed.

The workshop is open to the public.

Information: Tameka, (310) 861-1913, www.iacdst.org.

SoCal Median Home Price Up in Feb. from Jan. (AP) — A tracking firm says the median home price in Southern California rose 10 percent last month from February 2009, its third consecutive yearto-year increase.

San Diego-based MDA DataQuick reported March 16 that last month’s median of $275,000 was up from $250,000 in February 2009 and up about a percent from January’s $271,000.

DataQuick also said home sales crept up about a percent from the February 2009 to more than 15,000. It was the 20th month in a row that home sales increased from their year-ago numbers.

BY AARON GLANTZ NEW AMERICA MEDIA

California taxpayers are leaving more than $1.2 billion in tax refunds on the table, money that could be used to give working-class residents a financial lifeline and give a needed economic stimulus to the state’s economy, according to a new report released by the New America Foundation.

At issue is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which provides refunds of up to $5,028 for a family of four.

More than 800,000 Californians will miss out on it this year, say researchers, simply because they haven’t applied for it.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit is the biggest antipoverty tool you’ve never heard of,” said Anne Stuhldreher, a fellow in the Asset Building Program at the New America Foundation.

Hispanics, non-English speakers and people on food stamps are the most likely to be eligible for the credit, but not take it, she said. Those are also the groups that stand to benefit the most from it.

“It might be tougher for them filling out their taxes,” she said, “but there are armies of volunteers that are across the country that have been set up exactly to help people claim these credits.”

Claiming Your Credit Lily Lo of San Francisco’s

Northeast Community Federal Credit Union is one of those volunteers, listed in the state of California’s online database of tax professionals who will provide free tax preparation to low- and moderateincome people free of charge.

“A lot of people whose income is low think they don’t need to file because they don’t owe any taxes,” she said. “They don’t realize that if they do file, the government will send them a check.”

Filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit is easy, she said.

“All they need to do is show us some kind of income, provide a Social Security Number (or green card number), proof of date of birth, and we can do it in 10 or 15 minutes,” Lo said.

To be eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit, an individual or family must have earned more than $3,100 in the last year but less than $13,440 for individuals and $48,279 for a family of five or more.

The amount of the refund depends on the taxpayer’s income and the size of his or her family, but it’s never been bigger, thanks to President Obama’s stimulus package, which raised the maximum benefit to $5,657.

“Even people who get paid in cash or personal checks for house work or home health care can be eligible for the credit,” Lo said. “You don’t need to get a 1099” from your employer, she said. You just need to report the income to the government.

Ripple Effects Researchers say the failure of Californians to claim the EITC has implications not only for individuals and families but for the entire economy.

“All this money that would come from outside sources is left untapped,” said Antonio Avalos, professor of economics at Fresno State University, who wrote the See TAX REFUNDS, page 8

HELP CLAIMING YOUR EITC • The United Way runs the Web site Earn It! Keep It! Save It! that helps California families claim their tax refunds.

• California First Lady Maria Shriver has launched the Web site WE Connect, which connects Californians to the benefits they’ve earned.

• The IRS also maintains a Web site providing information about the Earned Income Tax Credit.

• New America Foundation’s report on the EITC, Left on the Table, is also available online at http://www.newamerica.net/sites/new america.net/files/policydocs/Left_on_the_table_NewAmerica.pdf.

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

March 25, 2010

COMMUNITY Reflections in Black and White

WHAT’S GOING ON? Deadline for receipt of What’s Going On listings is Friday, noon, at least two weeks prior to activity. Fax to: (213) 251-5720, e-mail us at lawattsnus@aol.com or mail to:

L.A. Watts Times, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

JAZZ CONCERT — Actress and author Denise Nicholas, along with Sandra Roussell, will host

FREE EXPIRES 4-11-2010 LAWT 3-25-10

Visit us on the Web at:

www.roadium.com

“The Spirit of Jazz and Gospel Violin” featuring Lesa Terry and her ensemble in the lounge of the Wilshire Ebell March 31. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a happy hour, followed by a 7:30 p.m. concert. This event will be the second in a series of happy-hour concerts held at the venue in upcoming months. The historic Wilshire Ebell is at 4400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. General admission is $30 and includes free hors d’oeuvres and the concert. Information: (323) 931-1277, ext. 131, tickets@ebellla.com.

FILM FEST — The 2010 People’s Resistance Film Festival will take place March 25, 7 to 9 p.m., at Kaos Network, 4343 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles, and March 26, 7 to 9 p.m., at Pico Youth & Family Center, 715 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. The fest will include screenings of “Haiti: Rising From the Ashes,” “Operation Small Axe,” and “Angela Y. Davis Radical Pedagogy.” The directors and producers are expected to attend. The event will also feature special guest Jack Bryson, whose two sons were with the late Oscar Grant when former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle shot him New Year’s Day 2009. Information: (510) 689-7964.

See WGO, page 7

American decathlete Rafer Johnson poses in front of an American flag in the summer of 1956.

Johnson was born Aug. 18, 1935, in Hillsboro, Texas. At age 9, he relocated to Kingsburg, Calif.

By his teen years, Johnson played on his high school’s football, basketball and baseball teams.

Johnson competed in his first decathlon in 1954. The following year, he won the Pan American Games and set the first of his three world decathlon records. A student at Photo by HARRY ADAMS the University of California, Los Angeles, Johnson qualified for the decathlon and long jump competitions for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

Ultimately, an injury caused him to forfeit competing in the long jump event, but Johnson did end up placing second in the decathlon. Additional injuries caused him to miss competitions in 1957 and 1959. However, Johnson broke world records twice in 1958 and 1960, when he competed in the Rome Olympics and won a gold medal.

That milestone marked the end of Johnson’s athletic career. Instead of competing in decathlons, Johnson ventured into film and sports casting. Johnson also helped Robert Kennedy campaign for president and was at the scene when Kennedy was assassinated in 1968. He reportedly helped apprehend Kennedy’s killer, Sirhan Sirhan, after the shooting.

A sports icon decades later, Johnson received the opportunity to light the Olympic Flame at the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

This picture is part of an ongoing photo series, titled “Reflections in Black and White,” that will be published regularly in the L.A. Watts Times, courtesy of the Institute for Arts and Media at California State University, Northridge.

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March 25, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 5

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MEETINGS, FORUMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Family Festivals to Focus on Census (City of Pasadena) — Pasadena residents can get their U.S. Census questions answered while attending either of two community festivals March 27.

The free family fairs are from noon to 3 p.m. at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., and 3 to 7 p.m. at Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St. The events are sponsored by the Pasadena Census Complete Count Committee, an organization of community leaders and city of Pasadena officials aiming to help the U.S. Census Bureau collect accurate population data for use over the next 10 years.

Residents who bring their completed Census questionnaires or get assistance in completing them will be eligible for free gifts at either event.

Robinson Park information: (626) 794-5889; Villa-Parke Center information: (626) 744-7295. Census information: www.cityofpasadena. net./census_2010.

The project study area includes the La Cienega Boulevard corridor between the San Diego (I-405) and Santa Monica (I-10) freeways, and incorporates Fairfax Avenue from Venice to La Cienega boulevards.

The study will identify poten-

tial locations for improvement strategies to improve traffic flow, such as medians, additional turn lanes, and enhanced traffic signal coordination. The study will also look at potential intersections that could benefit from the construction

of an overpass or underpass for through traffic on La Cienega Boulevard.

Meetings on this issue will take place March 29, 6 to 8 p.m., at Inglewood City Hall, Community Room A, One Manchester Blvd.,

Inglewood; and March 30, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Los Angeles Baha’i Center, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles.

Information: (213) 236-1841, law@scag.ca.gov, www.scag.ca.gov/ corridor/lacienega.htm.

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Public Thoughts Sought on Improvements to La Cienega Boulevard (SCAG) — The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), along with other entities, has initiated a study identifying ways to improve traffic flow on La Cienega Boulevard and lessen the impact of regional traffic on local residents.

BRIEFS Continued from page 1

TORRANCE (AP) — Civil rights activists want a federal investigation into allegations of racial profiling by the Torrance Police Department.

Black pastor Robert Taylor had picked up his 15-year-old daughter from school when he was pulled over March 4 in a residential area near his home. Taylor is pastor of Doors to Heaven Global Ministries in Inglewood.

Taylor said the officers told him a license plate check on his Ford Thunderbird determined there were multiple arrest warrants. He was then searched with his hands in the air.

Torrance police said Taylor’s complaint triggered an internal investigation.

Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable president Earl Ofari Hutchinson joined about 15 protesters in Torrance on March 14 to demand a full federal Justice Department investigation.

See BRIEFS, page 12

Prices and participation may vary. ©2009 McDonald’s.

Activists Want Federal Racial Profiling Probe

Facts March 27, 1997 Pamela Gordon, Bermuda’s first female prime minister, is sworn into office.

March 26, 1962 Sculptress Augusta Savage dies.

Her work can be found on permanent display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Source: blackfacts.com

bliss for a buck

Page 6

L.A. WATTS TIMES

March 25, 2010

ARTS & CULTURE Cartoonist Still at Work after 40 Years

SHORT TAKES MUSIC

BY VALERIE ZARIC HATTIESBURG AMERICAN

• “ONE: One Man, Twelve Disciples, One Faith – The Concert” will take place March 27, 3 and 8 p.m., at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles.

The concert is a stylized and post-modern portrayal of the apostles Peter and Paul’s last days in Christian-hating Emperor Nero’s Rome and Peter’s memory of his last days with Christ.

Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Information: (323) 964-9766, www.itsmyseat.com/Ebonyrep. html.

• Eight-time Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum recently released the third installment in his genrebridging gospel jazz series, “The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III.” Available in stores and digital retailers, the album features a two-disc CD and a special hi-definition DVD. The lead single is the gospel-inspired “He’s Been Just That Good,” featuring vocalist Lalah Hathaway.

Information: www.facebook. com/KirkWhalum.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — If an amusing spin can be placed on an issue—Ricky Nobile can do it.

Nobile has been creating satirical political cartoons for Mississippi publications for about 40 years—in fact, he says “ever since Bill Waller (was governor).”

Nobile’s work has been featured in 30 Mississippi newspapers and is published weekly in the Mississippi Business Journal.

However, Nobile’s work doesn’t always have to be serious; his most recent project is a coloring book for the African American Military History Museum. It is one of many such publications that Nobile has created.

The museum coloring book depicts a group of three children touring the museum with their tour guide, Ms. Latoya. The coloring book pays homage to local as well as national figures like Colin Powell and Barack Obama as well as Hattiesburg military heroes, Ruth Bailey Earl and Jesse L. Brown.

Creating the coloring book was “a lot of fun to do and I learned a lot ... I tried to come up with a creative way to get the facts out,” Nobile said of the venture.

“It serves as a fantastic educational resource for young museum

Photo Courtesy of AFRICAN AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY MUSEUM

Ricky Nobile

visitors,” said museum curator Brooke Cruthirds. “The pages of the book effectively illustrate what it’s like to be on a tour through the facility. I hope children enjoy using the coloring book as a guide to the exhibits and I hope they remember the kinds of things they encountered while here in the museum.”

Nobile also has created coloring books for more than 20 Mississippi organizations including the Saenger Theatre, the University of Southern Mississippi, Camp Shelby, Longleaf Trace, Mississippi Braves baseball team, Mississippi Blood Services, and the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. A Moorhead native, Nobile said he began cartooning for “The Student Printz” while a student at USM. Throughout years of cartooning,

Nobile said he has noticed that although many political issues are still the same, “there have been a lot of good changes over the years.”

However, after decades of observing politics, Nobile said he still considers himself to be an independent.

Nobile began creating coloring books when USM hired him to draw highlights from the university. The book features the same set of children venturing around the campus. Nobile will work with the USM again to update the coloring book for the Centennial Celebration.

He said each coloring book takes him about three months to create and employs the same techniques he uses with his political cartoons.

See CARTOONIST, page 8

Library, 150 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles. The panel will be facilitated by award-winning writer Martha Tucker, author of “The Mayor’s Wife Wore Sapphires.”

Pamela Samuels Young

Sheilah Brooks

Other panelists will include Janice Lauderdale, “Wealth of the Wicked: An American Tragedy of Elderly Abuse;” Sheilah Brooks, “Beneath the Ashes;” and Pamela Samuels Young, “Buying Time.” This event is free and open to the public. Information: (310) 538-3350.

See SHORT TAKES, page 7

PANEL DISCUSSION, BOOK SIGNING A panel of women writers will discuss and sign their books on March 27, 2 p.m., at AC Bilbrew

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March 25, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 7

ARTS & CULTURE Feature film “How to Train Your Dragon” premiered March 21 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City.

WIN A PAIR OF PASSES TO SEE TYLER PERRY’S

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Actor and comedian Arsenio Hall with son, Arsenio Jr. Television personality Wayne Brady with daughter, Mallie.

SHORT TAKES Continued from page 6

FILM • The Organization of Black Screenwriters will present “Night at the Movies – Short Film Series Showcase” March 25, 7 to 10 p.m., at the OBS office at the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building, 1999 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles.

Meet the writers, directors and filmmakers at the event and network. A Q-andA session with those who worked on the films will follow the screenings. Featured filmmakers will include Patricia Tone, Christy Lavalais, Andrew Chang and several others. Kathryn J. Taylor will host the event. A snack bar will be available.

RSVP to jwilliams@obswriter.com

with “Night at the Movies” in the subject line. In the body of the e-mail, state your name, contact information and who will accompany you to the event.

RSVP information: (310) 844-8755.

• Pipeline Into Motion Pictures is seeking submissions for its eighth annual international screenwriting contest, known as Script P.I.M.P., until May 1. Twenty finalists will be announced July 1. Four grand prize winners will be revealed July 25. What’s at stake? 2010 contest participants are competing for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes, and the opportunity to have their work read by 200 production companies, agencies, managers and development executives, according to P.I.M.P.

WGO

See WGO, page 11

WHYDIDIGETMARRIEDTOOLA@GMAIL.COM (PLEASE INCLUDE WATTS TIMES CONTEST IN THE SUBJECT LINE.)

THIS FILM IS RATED PG-13. PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.

Please note: Passes received through this promotion do not guarantee you a seat at the theatre. Seating is on a first come, first served basis, except for members of the reviewing press. Theatre is overbooked to ensure a full house. No admittance once screening has begun. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of tickets assumes any and all risks related to use of ticket, and accepts any restrictions required by ticket provider.

LIONSGATE, WATTS TIMES and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of a prize. Tickets cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. We are not responsible if, for any reason, recipient is unable to use his/her ticket in whole or in part. All federal and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law.

No purchase necessary. Participating sponsors, their employees & family members and their agencies are not eligible. NO PHONE CALLS!

IN THEATERS APRIL 2

Do You Remember When...

Continued from page 4 EGG HUNT/BAND BATTLE — The Galaxy Foundation and The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation will present their fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt April 2, featuring an egg hunt, a visit from the Easter Bunny and LA Galaxy mascot Cozmo, plus Galaxy players. Online registration is required and admission is $3 per child, with a portion of the fees donated to the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. Also, applications for Phase I of the sixth Battle of the High School Marching Bands will be accepted from April 1 to 21. For this phase, high schools may mail in tape submissions with one video and audio “Southern Show Style” band performance. After a one-year hiatus, the event returns to Carson, in which eight high school marching bands will battle it out on the stadium field Nov. 20. Information: www.homedepotcenter.com.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PASS FOR TWO, SEND AN E-MAIL WITH YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND DATE OF BIRTH TO:

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Page 8

L.A. WATTS TIMES

March 25, 2010

EDUCATION L.A. Schools Panel Pushes New Teacher Review System

NOTEBOOK Gov. Unveils Partnership with Microsoft to Offer Job Training to Californians (The Caraway Group) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently announced that California will join forces with Microsoft to provide free technology training to thousands of Californians.

Through Elevate America, Microsoft’s program to enhance the technical job skills of individuals across the country, California will receive 166,500 vouchers to distribute to Californians for free, online technology training and certification in Microsoft programs.

California will receive three types of vouchers from Microsoft: General e-Learning Vouchers, which are redeemable for free, online training on one Microsoft Windows Vista or Microsoft Office Suite program; IT Professional Learning Vouchers, which are intended for customers who are IT professionals interested in acquiring advanced level skills in areas such as Web development or database management; and, Microsoft Certification Exam Vouchers, which are designed to enable a user to pursue a no-cost exam to become certified in one Microsoft program, such as Excel, Word or Outlook.

The vouchers will be distributed through the state’s Employment Development Department through local One-Stop Career Centers within the 49 local work force investment areas.

Report: Schools at the Bottom Stay at the Bottom SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A new report released March 17 on California schools underscores the difficulty of boosting the academic achievement of low-performing schools.

The study by the Brown Center of Education Policy compares the rankings of 1,156 public schools in California in 1989 with their rankings in 2009.

The researchers found that 63 percent of the 290 schools that ranked in the bottom quarter in

CARTOONIST Continued from page 6 First, he lightly draws his idea with pencil on Bristol Board. Then, he uses India ink to reinforce the lines that he wants to keep and erases the unwanted marks.

He then uses a fountain pen with the India ink which allows his lines to vary in quality — an effect which would be difficult to achieve using computer graphics programs.

Nobile has a realistic cartooning style and is influenced by his favorite cartoonist Pat Oliphant.

“The hardest part about a political cartoon is coming up with the idea,” he said, adding he stays updated on current events by reading two to three newspapers daily and paying attention to pop culture.

“I enjoy keeping updated with what’s going on.”

His political cartoons typically feature a current political controversy juxtaposed with a current fad.

“Read as much as you can,” Nobile said of his advice to aspir-

1989 were still at the bottom 20 years later. Only 1.4 percent of those schools moved to the top quarter.

In contrast, the study found that 63 percent of the 289 schools that ranked in the top quarter in 1989 were still at the top in 2009.

And only 2.4 percent fell to the bottom quarter.

“It’s extremely difficult to turn around these low-performing schools,” said Tom Loveless, the report’s lead author.

Loveless, who taught in California public schools for nine years, said the “persistence of school culture” — created by teachers, administrators, parents and students — could help explain why so few low-performing schools become high performers.

Foundation Selects Northwestern University Doctoral Candidate as Research Fellow WASHINGTON (PRNewswire) — The Delta Research and Educational Foundation, and its Center for Research on African American Women, jointly announced the selection of Northwestern University doctoral candidate in African American studies, Zinga A. Fraser, as the recipient of The Center’s Vivian A. Ware Research Fellowship.

Fraser’s academic record, scholarly achievements, dissertation research on Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm, published papers, and professional experience secured her selection as the 2009-10 Ware Research Fellow.

A native of New York City, Fraser earned her undergraduate degree in political science from Temple University, and received a Masters of Arts degree in African American studies from Columbia University. Her master’s thesis, “Unbought and Unbossed: A Radical Political Ideology,” received the Zora Neale Hurston Excellence in Writing Award for Social Sciences.

Information: www.deltafoundation.net. ing cartoonist. “You have to have an informed opinion ... the only real way to learn how is to draw, draw, draw.”

Since retiring from advertising sales, Nobile is a full-time freelance artist specializing in political cartoons, caricature drawings and coloring books. He said that his experience in sales has helped him succeed as an artist since “as a freelance artist, you can’t be bashful.”

Although Nobile works daily, he said that he loves his job and “I try not to let it turn into work.”

Readers interested in getting Nobile’s latest coloring book, can call (601) 450-1942, or can write out a $5 check to the African American Military History Museum. The museum’s address is 305 E. 6th St., Hattiesburg, Miss.

39401.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A task force eyeing ways to boost teacher effectiveness in the Los Angeles school district is recommending aggressive changes in the way teachers are evaluated, paid, hired and fired.

The panel of about 50 people looked at a number of key issues involving the district’s 32,000 teachers after forming last September.

Several of its recommendations clashed with positions advocated by the union representing the teachers union.

“We had some spirited debate on some days,” said Drew Furedi, district policy and program development adviser.

A.J. Duffy, president of United Teachers Los Angeles, did not return phone calls March 16 seeking comment.

The task force is promoting changes in the evaluation process

BOOK Continued from page 1 Caswell Springs Methodist Church in Pascagoula when he helped write the statement.

“There were clergy throughout the state who were having tires slashed and crosses burned,” said Trigg, who learned that the Alabama Ku Klux Klan planned to kill him and dump his body in a river.

They had been infiltrated by the FBI, who informed the town sheriff — Trigg’s good friend and a church member. Community members took turns sitting on Trigg’s porch to make sure he was safe.

Trigg went on to lead the 4,000member First Methodist Church of Colorado Springs, Colo., the thirdlargest church in the West.

The experience in Mississippi, he said, taught him “certain challenges are very difficult, but it by no means diminishes their importance.

The key thing is to try to understand what God desires and act upon it no matter how tough it is.”

Summer Walters was 27 and working at Jefferson Street Methodist Church in downtown Natchez when he signed the statement.

After it was published in The Methodist Advocate, Walters received a call from city leaders asking him to meet them. He was forced out of town by city leaders, but landed a job in Indiana.

“That was like having a fresh supply of oxygen when you think you are choking to death,” he said.

“It was just really a gift from God. We had a place to live, a parsonage, a guaranteed minimum salary and a chance to start a new ministry — out of Mississippi.”

Walters worked for various Indiana churches over the years.

“Profound systematic change doesn’t happen dramatically without revolution,” Walters said. “If you don’t do what you think is the right thing, what is your life about?”

Maxie Dunnam grew up in rural Perry County and helped found Trinity Methodist Church in Gulf-

Facts March 31, 1988 Toni Morrison wins the Pulitzer Prize for “Beloved,” her novel about a slave and the murdered child who haunts her.

Source: blackfacts.com

after noting that 99.3 percent of teachers receive a “meets standard performance” designation.

The proposed system would take into account student achievement on standardized tests, feedback from parents and students, peer observation and contribution to the school community, as well as the current observation by an administrator.

The results of evaluations would have stronger repercussions — from dismissal to designations as leaders that put teachers in roles such as coaches and content experts.

Those teachers would earn more money.

Teachers working in hard-tostaff schools would also be paid more and would be exempt from layoffs based on seniority.

The probationary period for new teachers would be extended from two to four years.

The report also recommends the district try a pilot program in which a group of teachers would receive a financial reward for increasing student achievement.

John Rogers, co-director of University of California, Los Angeles Institute for Democracy, Education and Access, noted the school district has slashed funding for teacher development programs and reduced the number of administrators who do evaluations.

Rogers also said offering higher salaries in hard-to-staff schools has not proven to be a panacea. Teachers also look at working conditions and the learning environment as measures of job satisfaction, he said.

The task force had its final meeting March 16 and is expected to present its final report to the school board and Superintendent Ramon Cortines on April 13, according to district spokeswoman Lydia Ramos.

port, but he was forced to leave after signing the statement.

The journey took him to California, then back down South, where he became the world editor of The Upper Room, a Methodist devotional. He also served as president of the Kentucky- and Floridabased campuses of Ausbury Theological Seminary, and the Florida Dunnam campus in Orlando bears his name.

Dunnam never regretted signing the statement but said he has wondered what might have happened if he’d stayed.

“I doubt my path would have been the same at all, and you have to rest in the fact that God uses us whether we’ve made a mistake or not in terms of staying or leaving,” he said.

“I doubt that I would have been exposed to the world and had a world ministry if I had stayed there simply because of the nature of the church in that particular time in history. I think the biggest thing I learned is the gospel is always countercultural. It does not affirm the status quo.”

Unlike these ministers, Denson Napier, who was working in Perry County at Richton Methodist Church when he signed the statement, he never faced negative repercussions. He received community support.

“If you have people who are committing themselves to the Christian way of living and to truth, they are making sure their power is

used to be helpful not hurtful,” he said.

Joe Way, 29 and working at a Meridian church when he signed the statement, was forced out of the Methodist conference.

“Once I realized there was no way in the world I was going to get a church in Mississippi, I decided to become an Air Force chaplain,” he said.

Way served 23 years in the military before returning to Mississippi to become a pastor near Pascagoula.

“It was just something that had to be done because of what I believed,” he said, recalling the statement.

Reiff said there were many things that were much more pivotal than the “Born of Conviction” statement in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, but it was a notable step.

“I think a lot of white Mississippians could fairly easily dismiss the Civil Rights Movement folks as outside agitators or crazy,” he said, “but it was much less easy to dismiss ministers of the white Methodist churches who had grown up in Mississippi, who were leaders of their communities.”

What is the legacy of the 28 and the “Born of Conviction” statement today?

“I think it teaches that people need to speak their convictions,” Reiff said, “particularly in situations where there is injustice, and the injustice seems to be supported by the majority of people.”

TAX REFUNDS Continued from page 3 report for the New America Foundation. “If it were claimed, it would be injected into the local economy and generate a multiplier effect, creating jobs and even generating tax revenue.”

In its report, the New America Foundation asserts that if all EITC refunds were claimed they would spur $1.2 billion in business sales, which would add 7,500 new jobs to the state’s economy. $311 million in wages would be paid to those newly employed workers and $88 million in taxes would eventually come back to state and local government.

The report argues that if every EITC refund were claimed, there would be 2,708 more jobs in Los Angeles County, 595 more jobs in San Bernardino County and 519 jobs in San Diego County. In addition, Fresno County would gain 345 jobs, the report said, while Kern County would gain 229.

“We’ve always known that putting money in the hands of lowincome people is the most effective stimulus,” the New America Foundation’s Anne Stuhldreher said.

“They spend it immediately. They spend it at local businesses and that creates jobs.”

March 25, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 9

HEALTH Health Care Gains Start Soon — Bigger Ones Later

THE PULSE Task Force on Childhood Obesity Asks Public for Ideas to Solve Obesity Challenge WASHINGTON — The U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health and Human Services are asking the public for ideas to help the Task Force on Childhood Obesity come up with recommendations for public and private sector actions to solve the problem of childhood obesity.

To submit comments, visit www.regulations.gov, or mail them to: Director, Office Executive Secretariat, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 116-A Whitten Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20250. Comments may also be faxed to (202) 720-7166.

All comments will be open to public review.

California Sees Biggest Drop in TB Cases Since 2000 SACRAMENTO (CDPH) — The number of tuberculosis cases reported in California last year dropped by its biggest margin in nearly a decade, Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), announced March 18.

In 2009, 2,472 cases of active TB were reported, a decrease of 8.6 percent from 2,695 cases in 2008.

The decline was the largest since 2000 and pushed the TB rate to 6.4 cases per 100,000 residents — the lowest on record in California.

Rates of TB among all major racial and ethnic groups decreased; however, significant disparities continue. Among Native Americans, the rate was 1.0 cases per 100,000 residents; white, 1.3; Hispanic, 6.5; black, 7.8; Asian/Pacific Islander, 22.0.

Because California has a large immigrant population, the state continues to feel the impact of the global TB epidemic. As in previous years, about three-fourths of the TB cases reported in California were among persons born in other countries. Last year, however, the number of TB cases among foreignborn persons who had been in the United States less than a year dropped substantially — from 279 cases in 2008 to 176 cases in 2009.

The decline, Horton said, is most likely due to reduced overall immigration and improved screening of immigrants for TB before arrival. In addition, CDPH supports the work of local health departments to ensure that recent immigrants at high risk for TB receive appropriate medical care after arrival in California.

Information: www.cdph.ca.gov.

UNIFY Continued from page 2 practiced in every city across the nation.

The Black Worker Center calls on all of us to affirm our collective worth so that we can all truly attain peace and prosperity, not simply as workers, but as a “whole community.”

The purpose of the L.A. Black Worker Center is to develop and strengthen the position of L.A.’s

Sixth Annual Health Freedom Expo to Take Place in Long Beach (HFE) — The sixth annual Health Freedom Expo (HFE) will take place March 26 to 28 at the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach.

The expo will spotlight health freedom issues and the developments that ensure American citizens have access to a variety of health care options that create a vibrant life.

Six-time Emmy nominee, actor and activist Ed Begley Jr. will be on hand to discuss the importance of “Living a Sustainable Life.”

Admission is $15 per day or $35 for the three-day weekend.

Information: (888) 658-3976, www. healthfreedomexpo.com.

Blacks Living with Mental Illness Have Higher Risk for Other Illnesses ARLINGTON, Va. (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched a new health education program to promote sound “mind and body” health practices among individuals who live with serious mental illness.

The “Hearts and Minds” initiative focuses on combating risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity for major illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

The program has significant implications for African Americans living with mental illness, who face these risk factors as well as additional disparities in access to and quality of health care.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health reports that: In 2006, African American men were 30 percent more likely to die from heart disease than white men.

African American women are 1.7 times as likely as white women to be obese.

African Americans were 1.5 times as likely as whites to have high blood pressure.

One recent study has now confirmed the existence of a “reciprocal link” between depression and obesity. People living with serious mental illness such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia live on average 25 years less than other Americans who die from other chronic illnesses.

“Hearts and Minds” is funded

by OptumHealth and the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at the University of California-San Francisco.

Information: www.nami.org.

black working class. The center operates as a research resource service, working through the UCLA Labor Center and worker centers across the country, to develop campaigns and movements that seek to improve the conditions of black workers throughout the United States.

For more information about the center, call (213) 480-4155, extension 210.

BY RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR AP WRITER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first changes under the new health care law will be easy to see and not long in coming: There’ll be $250 rebate checks for seniors in the Medicare drug coverage gap, and young adults moving from college to work will be able to stay on their parents’ plans until they turn 26.

But the peace of mind the president promised — the antidote for health care insecurity, whether you favored or opposed his overhaul — is still a ways beyond the horizon, starting only in 2014. Insurers then will be barred from turning down people with medical problems, and the government will provide tax credits to help millions of working families buy coverage they can’t afford now.

Health care overhaul will bring real change, but it’s going to happen slowly. President Barack Obama signed the main legislation March 23.

“For people who have the greatest need, a number of things will start quickly and make a difference, said DeAnn Friedholm of Consumers Union. For others, 2014 may seem like a long way away.

“Some people may be frustrated that it’s going to be several years, but that is the reality of what it takes to make these significant changes,” she added.

The main reason that Obama’s plan phases in slowly boils down to cost. The Medicare cuts and tax increases to finance the bill start early; the subsidies to help people purchase coverage come later. That combination keeps the cost of the overhaul under $1 trillion in its first decade, as Obama promised.

Here’s a look at some of the major impacts for consumers: Coming Soon: • Roughly a third of people in their 20s are uninsured, so allowing young adults to remain on their parents’ plans until 26 would be a significant new option for families.

• Adult children would not be able to stay on a parental plan if they had access to employer coverage of

EDELMAN Continued from page 2 from home. It has been parents who have told their children to eat their vegetables or go outside and get some fresh air.

Michelle Obama has shared some of the simple changes she and President Obama have made in their own family’s lifestyle, including watching portion sizes, packing more fruits and water in their daughters’ lunches, limiting TV time, and, famously, starting a vegetable garden at home.

We know our beautiful children come in all shapes and sizes.

But by being aware of the serious health risks many overweight children face and of the long-term value of a balanced diet — not to mention regular exercise for all children — we can help make sure our children grow up to be as healthy as possible.

Making healthful food and exercise part of family life is the right place to start and will be good for many adults, too. Teaching good habits to children early on can have life-long consequences, and some-

their own. But they could get married and still be covered. (Grandkids, however, would not qualify.) Regulations will clarify to what degree young adults have to be financially dependent on their parents.

• Other reforms starting this year would prevent insurers from canceling the policies of people who get sick, from denying coverage to children with medical problems, and from putting lifetime dollar limits on a policy.

These changes will spread risks more broadly, but they’re also likely to nudge insurance premiums somewhat higher.

Obama’s plan also includes an important new program for the most vulnerable: uninsured people who can’t get coverage because of major medical problems. It’s intended to provide an umbrella of protection until the broad expansion of coverage takes effect in 2014.

The government will pump money into high-risk insurance pools in the states, making coverage available for people in frail health who have been uninsured for at least six months. The premiums could still be a stretch, but for people who need continuing medical attention, it could make a dramatic difference.

“For people who have not been able to get anything, who have expensive chronic illnesses or other conditions, it could be a lifesaver,” Friedholm said.

There is a catch, however. The $5 billion Obama has allocated for the program is unlikely to last until 2014.

In fact, government experts have projected it could run out next year.

Among seniors, the plan will create both winners and losers. On the plus side, it gradually closes the dreaded “doughnut hole” prescription coverage gap, improves preventive care and puts a new emphasis on trying to keep seniors struggling with chronic diseases in better overall health.

But it also cuts funding for popular private insurance plans offered through the Medicare Advantage program. About one-quarter of seniors have signed up for the plans, which generally offer lower out-of-pocket

costs. That’s been possible because the government pays the plans about 13 percent more than it costs to cover seniors in traditional Medicare. As the payments are scaled back, it could trigger an exodus from Medicare Advantage.

“It’s not all black and white; sometimes it’s gray,” said James Firman, president of the National Council on the Aging. “Overall we think this plan is very good, and will provide some significant benefits for seniors. There will be some pain among some people in Medicare Advantage plans.”

The prescription coverage gap will be totally closed in 2020. At that point, seniors will be responsible for 25 percent of the cost of their medications until Medicare’s catastrophic coverage kicks in, dropping their copayments to 5 percent.

• COMING IN 2014: • Insurers will be required to take all applicants. They won’t be able to turn down people in poor health, or charge them more.

• States will set up new insurance supermarkets for small businesses and people buying their own coverage, pooling together to get the kind of purchasing clout government workers have now.

• Most Americans will be required to carry health insurance, either through an employer, a government program or by buying their own.

Those who refuse will face fines from the IRS. • Tax credits to help pay for premiums will start flowing to middleclass working families, and Medicaid will be expanded to cover more lowincome people. Households making up to four times the poverty level— about $88,000 for a family of four— will be eligible for assistance. But the most generous aid — including help with co-payments and deductibles — will be for those on the lower-to-middle rungs of the income scale.

When all is said and done, the majority of working-age Americans and their families will still have employer-sponsored coverage, as they do now. But the number of uninsured will drop by more than half.

day our children — and grandchildren — will thank us.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund, whose Leave No Child Behind mission is to ensure every child a healthy

start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start and a moral start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information, go to www.childrensdefense.org.

CELEBRATE WITH US ~ It’s our 8th Annual Black Marriage Day Awards Kick-Off Rally Saturday, March 27, 2010, 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

At the The Museum of African American Art Macy’s 3rd Floor, Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills Plaza 4005 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, 90008

FREE TO EVERYONE Award ceremony honoring couples married from 1 to 69 years Special Guest Appearances Great Local Entertainment Informative resources for the entire family For more information, call 866-263-9954, ext. 2 Event sponsored by: Personal Involvement Center (PIC) and H.A.L.O. - Helping Angelinos Live Optimistic, Inc.

Page 10

L.A. WATTS TIMES

March 25, 2010

SPORTS BRAD PYE JR.

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

It’s a repeat for Wesley Korir.

For the second consecutive year, the Kenyan won the men’s competition of the Los Angeles Marathon. On March 21, Korir finished the race in roughWesley Korir

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ly two hours and nine minutes, about a minute slower than he took to finish the marathon last year.

Korir’s Kenyan compatriot, Edna Kiplagat, won the women’s competition of the marathon in two hours and 25 minutes.

And the beat continues‌ Andrew Bynum gave the Los Angeles Lakers a real scare March 19 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He suffered an Achilles tendon strain but is expected back in early April.

Magic Johnson, my favorite Laker, will be honored April 11 at a dinner that will benefit San Pedro’s Toberman Neighborhood Center at the Manhattan Beach Marriott.

Ticket information may be ob- Earvin “Magic�

Johnson tained by calling (310) 832-1145.

Yes, the L.A. Clippers finally snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 101-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on March 17 at the Staples Center.

Michael Jordan has been approved as the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Jordan is reportedly considering his ex-North Carolina teammates James Worthy and Sam Perkins, currently an Indiana Pacers executive, for front office positions.

Jordan shelled out a $275 million bid to obtain majority ownership of the Bobcats on March 17.

And the beat continues‌ Coach Lorenzo Romar of the Washington Huskies is the only man of color still in the chase for the NCAA Championship after knocking off New Mexico, 82-64, to advance to the Sweet 16 round. The Huskies hope to keep on moving up March 25 against West Virginia in Syracuse, N.Y. Coach Nikki Caldwell’s Lady Bruins rolled over North Carolina, 74-54, to move into the March 23

game against Nebraska. They recently lost to Nebraska, 83-70.

Rutgers veteran coach Vivian Stringer was eliminated in the first round by Iowa, the team she used to pilot.

Oregon’s former head basketball coach Ernie Kent and exUSC head coach Henry Bibby have something in common: They both were fired the season before their teams were scheduled to move into multimillion-dollar stadiums.

Kent, an Oregon graduate, was head coach for 13 years — and the coach with the most wins in university history (235-173). He had tears in his eyes when he learned of his firing.

And the beat continues‌ If you asked the Atlanta Braves who will be the National League’s Rookie of the Year this season, would the answer be outfielder Jason Heyward? Heyward has been the talk of the spring.

When I attended Jefferson High School from 1946 to 1949, there were no female basketball teams, coaches or game officials. I thought about this as I checked out the 2010 Southern California Regional Championships at USC’s Galen Center. There were men and women of color in all areas of the sport, including Long Beach Poly’s Carl Buggs, Lincoln High’s Jason Bryant, Centennial High’s Vadim Malikin, Compton High’s Tony Thomas and Price High’s Michael Lynch. The officiating crews featured men and women of color, too. Ditto for members of the media.

Back in the day, the late Brice U. Taylor was the first black head football coach in the city school system. Jordan High’s John Randolph was the first black basketball coach in the city school system, and the late Aaron C. Wade was the first head football coach in the CIF at Centennial High. Later, on my recommendation, AFL Commissioner Al Davis made Wade the league’s first black game official. By the way, Taylor was USC’s first All-American in history in the 1920s.

And the beat continues‌ Westchester High’s Dwayne Polee Jr. is reportedly the highest jumper in high school basketball.

He’s also the son of Dwayne Polee Sr., All-City Player of the Year at Manual Arts High. Led by Polee Jr., the Westchester Comets beat Mater Dei 71-63 on March 20.

The weekend of March 26, the Comets head to Bakersfield for the state championship.

And the beat continues‌ Seantrel Henderson, the No. 1 offensive high school lineman in America, was finally set to sign a letter of intent with USC on March 23, according to his father. Young Henderson is 6 feet, 8 inches and 330 pounds.

And the beat ends.

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

WATTS TOWERS Continued from page 1 Garay also said the department’s budget has been slashed by almost 50 percent. The William Grant Still Art Center, at 2520 W. View St., offers dance and theater programs, workshops and classes, and has hosted exhibitions and several other events, including the annual Black Doll Show. It was established in 1977 and is named after the late William Grant Still, the “dean of American black composers.�

News of the downsizing came just as the center had launched its 10-week Music L.A. program, which, among other things, offers participants music classes, piano, drum and clarinet lessons.

Joyce Maddox, the William Grant Still Art Center’s director, said the program has 250 participants.

The Watts Towers Art Center, at 1727 E. 107th St., was founded in 1965 and turned over to the City of Los Angeles in 1976. It offers many activities, from painting and drawing, to modern dance. It has three full-time positions, two of which are planned to be cut. As of April 1, the art instructor will be laid off, and the clerk typist will be laid off by July 1, Garay said.

The Watts Towers center’s director, the third position, has not received a notice yet.

Garay was set to meet March 24 with the directors of the Watts Towers, Canoga Park and Sun Valley Arts Center to try to figure out the best strategy for maintaining programming given the fiscal decisions the department faces. “We’re bringing together the heads of these centers to see what kind of a game plan we can come up with that will help to minimize service interruption� while we go through the Request for Proposals process, she said.

There is a public/private fund used to purchase art that totals about $19 million, Garay said.

L.A. City Councilmen Tom

HUTCHINSON Continued from page 2 proposal for expanded health care.

It couched its attack by posing as the noble public-spirited guardian of the nation’s health and pocketbook and argued that government intervention in health care was too costly, inefficient and entailed too much heavy-handed government control and interference.

That argument didn’t totally fly this time around.

And we now have the longneeded health care reform law. But there’s still much to do to put the law fully into play, not to mention overcoming the still-formidable political opposition to it.

In other words, blacks and Latinos who suffered the greatest and longest from access to affordable quality health care are still not out of the woods yet.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His nationally heard public issues talk show is on KTYM-AM 1460 AM Los Angeles, Friday, 9:30 a.m., and KPFK Pacifica Radio 90.7 Los Angeles, Saturday, noon, Pacific Standard Time.

LaBonge and Ed Reyes recently attended a meeting and instructed City Attorney Carmen A. Trutanich to look at city ordinances and regulations about the money to see if portions could be used to help address the challenges the arts centers are facing, Garay added. “There’s a lot of restrictions (about) how that money can be used,� Garay said.

Local community activists are working to keep William Grant Still and the Watts Towers community centers fully operational and not downsized.

According to Janine Watkins, a Watts resident, the community is protesting the downsizing of the Watts Towers Arts Center. The community is also asking that the Watts Towers Art Center not be privatized because of the uniqueness of the towers, she said. “We have Internet petitions, petitions on the ground,� Watkins said. “You cannot consciously make a decision on the community in haste without any facts. They are doing it in a rush under the guise of budget cuts.�

DeAnna Sumrow, a parent of one of the children who uses services at the William Grant Still Art Center, said her group of parents was requesting that the facility’ s staff be maintained until a decision has been made about accessing the public/private fund.

Garay said the city has already found private operators for a majority of the 18 cultural centers it operates, including the Craft and Folk Art Museum, the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles, and the Lankershim Arts Center.

In addition to the William Grant Still and Watts Towers art centers, Garay said the city is seeking private operators for the Barnsdall Art Center; Barnsdall Municipal Gallery Theatre; Madrid Theatre; Warner Grand Theatre; and the Vision Theatre.

Hutchinson is also president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, which has weekly news, discussion, and speaker forums.

Attendees can come hear and dialogue with community leaders, elected officials, and policy makers on Thursdays, 7 p.m., at the Lucy Florence Cultural Center, 3351 W. 43rd St., Los Angeles. Information: (323) 383-6145.

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Life’s a little easier with I irs.gov/eitc

March 25, 2010

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 11

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR RENT UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS FOR RENTSection 8 in South East L.A. Across from Magic Johnson Park, near Avalon & Central.

3 Bedrooms/1.5 Bathrooms & 4 Bedrooms/ 1.5 Bathrooms. CALL: 323-567-3564 NOTICE ON HEARING TO CONDUCT ANNUAL DANCE / ENTERTAINMENT-GEN, W/DANCE Notice is hereby given that application has been made to the Los Angeles County Business License Commission to conduct ADDRESS OF PREMISES: 1000 UNIVERSAL CENTER DR., #99, UNIVERSAL CITY, CA 91608 NAME OF APPLICANT: HARD ROCK CAFE INTERNATIONAL / HAMISH DODDS / JAY WOLSZCZAK / HARD ROCK CAFE DATE OF HEARING: 04/14/2010 TIME OF HEARING: 9:00 A.M. Any person having objections to the granting of the License may, at any time prior to the date above named, file with the Business License Commission his objections in writing giving of the hearing and be heard relative thereto.

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION: OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION 500 W. TEMPLE STREET RM. 374 LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP NO. 7530 INSURANCE BROKERAGE AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites proposals from qualified firms interested in providing insurance brokerage and risk management consulting services. A copy of the RFP may be obtained beginning March 22, 2010 via www.hacla.org/ps or call (213) 252-5405 or 252-1832.

Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 P.M., by April 23, 2010.

3/25, 4/1/10 CNS-1820929# WATTS TIMES STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME: 20100091257 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: APOGNIX / SAVIYNT, Rishma Shariff, 11108 Matteson, CA 90230. The Fictitious business name referred to above was filed on January 21, 2010 in the County of Los Angeles. Original File No. 20100091257. Full name of Registrants: Rishma Sharriff This business is conducted by a Individual: Rishma Shariff. This statement was filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder on March 1, 2010..

Publish Dates: 3/11/10, 3/18/10, 3/25/10, 4/1/10 LAWT 001

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

WGO Continued from page 7 LAFF-O-THON — The Friends of the Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Library will host a comedy “LAFFO-THON” fundraiser March 27, 4 and 7 p.m., at the Love Lifted Me Ministry Church, 6501 S. Crenshaw Blvd. (cross street is Hyde Park Boulevard) in the Hyde Park community. The event will feature four comedians: Corlotta Adams (the host), Vince D., Edwonda White and McClinton Neal. Tickets are $10 for seniors (must be 62 or older) and teenagers. All others will be charged $12. Tickets at the door will be $15.

Information: (323) 778-3163.

BRUNCH/BEACH — Safety Harbor Kids’ fourth annual Geoffrey’s Etiquette, Manners Brunch & Beach Party will take place March 27. First, a brunch will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Geoffrey’s, 27400 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Then, from noon to 3 p.m., a beach party will take place at Paradise Cove, 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. During the brunch, children will be given an opportunity to fine dine and learn etiquette and manners, assertiveness coaching, happiness counseling and career development. Then, at the beach, children will learn music, art and environmental awareness. To attend, sponsor a child, or join Safety Harbor Kids, contact (800) 277-0497 or visit www.SafetyHarborKids.org.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for OP3344-2544, Roll-up Door Maintenance Services, per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (12th Floor).

All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Proc. & Mat. Mgmt on or before 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), April 22, 2010, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. OP3344-2544. A Pre-Bid conference will be held on March 29, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), Imperial Conference Room, 12th Floor, located at the address above.

You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by faxing Bob Webb at (213) 922-6382, fax 213-922-1004 or via email at: webbr@metro.net.

INVITATION FOR BIDS IFB NO. 1692 THE BUILD BACK FOR THE RENOVATION OF HACLA HEADQUARTERS (A FIVE-STORY OFFICE BUILDING) The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) invites vendors to submit bids for the build back for the renovation of HACLA headquarters (a five-story office building) located at 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90057. Copies of the IFB may be downloaded from the internet at www.hacla.org/cgs. Bids will be accepted at 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, 3rd floor, Los Angeles, CA 90057 until 2:00 p.m. (local time), March 31, 2010.

3/18, 3/25/10 CNS-1813641# WATTS TIMES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100270839 The following person is doing business as: SAVIYNT 11108 Matteson Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 Rishma Shariff 11108 Matteson Ave. Culver City, CA 90230 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on March 1, 2010. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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

First Filing: 3/11/2010, 3/18/2010, 3/25/2010, 4/1/2010 LAWT 412

Trustee Sale # CA0952596-3 Loan# 60632225 Order # 4220992 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 10/25/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 04/15/2010 at 1:00 PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 11/04/2005 as Document No. 05 2672752 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, EDWIN SAUL AND IYONNIE SAUL, HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor, GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING, INC., as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Boulevard,Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 2502-001-176 AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 15232 FOOTHILL BOULEVARD UNIT 158, LOS ANGELES, CA 91342 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $361,464.71 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 ___ Does ___ Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 03/18/2010 MTC FINANCIAL INC. DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: AMY LEMUS, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER *TRUSTEE CORPS* 30 Corporate Park, Suite 400, IRVINE, CA 92606 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714 ) 786-5351 (714)786-5351 (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 Ad #2704: 2010-03-25 2010-04-01, 2010-04-08

CLASSIFIEDS STATEWIDE “Be wary of out of area companies. Check with the local Better Business Bureau before you send any money for fees or services. Read and understand any contracts before you sign. Shop around for rates.”

AUTOS WANTED DONATE YOUR CAR: Children’s Cancer Fund!

Help Save A Child’s Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible. Call 1-800-252-0615. (Cal-SCAN) DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher. United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted, 1-888-468-5964. (CalSCAN)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ALL CASH VENDING! Be Your Own Boss! Your Own Local Vending Route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995. MultiVend LLC, 1-888-6252405. (Cal-SCAN)

BUSINESS SERVICES ADVERTISE ONLINE in a network of 50-plus newspaper websites. Border to Border with one order! $7 cost per thousand impressions statewide.

Minimum $5,000 order. Call for details: (916) 2886010. www.CaliforniaBannerAdNetwork.com (Cal-SCAN) CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING in 240 Cal-SCAN newspapers for the best reach, coverage, and price.

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FREE email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SCAN.com (Cal-SCAN) DISPLAY ADVERTISING in 140 Cal-SDAN newspapers statewide for $1,550! Reach over 3 million Californians! FREE email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SDAN.com (Cal-SCAN)

EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in 4 weeks!

FREE Brochure. Call Now! 1-866-562-3650 ext. 60 www.SouthEasternHS.com (Cal-SCAN)

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE NEW Norwood SAWMILLS- LumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, mills boards 28” wide.

Automated quick-cycle-sawing increases efficiency up to 40%! www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300N 1800-661-7746 ext. 300N. (Cal-SCAN)

HELP WANTED TRUCK DRIVERS: CDL training. Part-time driving job. Full-time benefits. Get paid to train in the California Army National Guard. May qualify for bonus. www.NationalGuard.com/Truck or 1-800-GOGUARD. (Cal-SCAN)

HELP WANTED/DRIVERS ANDRUS TRANSPORTATION Team & Solo OTR drivers - West states exp/hazmat end, great miles/hometime. Stable Family owned 35 yrs+ 1-800888-5838, 1-866-806-5119 x1402. (Cal-SCAN) NATIONAL CARRIERS needs O/Os, Lease Purchase, Company Drivers for its expanding fleet.

Offering Regional/OTR runs, Outstanding Pay Package, excellent benefits, generous hometime. 1888-707-7729. www.NationalCarriers.com (CalSCAN) SLT NEEDS CLASS A TEAM DRIVERS with Hazmat. $2,000 Bonus. Split $0.68 for all miles.

Regional contractor positions available. 1-800-8359471. (Cal-SCAN)

HOMES FOR SALE 200+ FORECLOSED CALIFORNIA Homes selling by auction April 6 - 11, 2010 valued from $35k to $600k.

Get all the details at www.CalHouseAuction.com or call 1-866-259-4416.

(Cal-SCAN)

REAL ESTATE LOANS LOAN OFFICERS - NOW is the TIME To Work for a direct lender. 85% Commission (W-2), FHA, VA Reverse Mortgages.

For info go to www.OakTreeFunding.com click Virtual Agent. (CalSCAN)

$75,000 REWARD NOTICE The City of Los Angeles offers a reward payable at the discretion of the City Council to one or more persons in the sum or sums up to an aggregate maximum total sum of $75,000 for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the act of murder against, ROBERT NELSON AND DRAYVON JAMES, in the City of Los Angeles. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at approximately 8:00 p.m., 16-year old Robert Nelson and 24-year old Drayvon James were standing in front of 10107 South Main Street, in Los Angeles, when they saw a vehicle stop and park in front of 10101 South Main Street. An unknown suspect exited the vehicle, produced a handgun, and without provocation, shot and killed both Nelson and James. Los Angeles Police Department reports that although neither Nelson nor James, were gang members, they were most likely mistaken for gang members by the assailant. LAPD is still searching for the suspect(s) and encourages witnesses to come forward, even anonymously, to assist them in their investigation. The person or persons responsible for this crime represent an ongoing threat to the safety of the people of Los Angeles. Unless withdrawn or paid

by City Council action, this offer of reward shall terminate on, and have no effect after, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 The provisions of payment and all other considerations shall be governed by Chapter 12 of Division 19 of the LAAC Code, as amended by Ordinance Nos. 158157 and 166666. This offer shall be given upon the condition that all claimants provide continued cooperation within the criminal justice system relative to this case and is not available to public officers or employees of the City, their families, persons in law enforcement or persons whose misconduct prompted this reward. If you have any information regarding this case, please call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1877-LAWFULL, 24 hours.

C. F. No. 10-0010-s12 3/25/10 CNS-1819789# WATTS TIMES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100351008 The following person is doing business as: Queen V Enterprises 3579 E. Foothill Blvd., #537 Pasadena, CA 91107 Victoria Willams 3579 E. Foothill Blvd., #537 Pasadena, CA 91107 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on March 15, 2010. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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

First Filing: 3/18/2010, 3/25/2010, 4/1/2010, 4/8/2010 LAWT 413

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20100376275 The following person is doing business as: Dream Merchantz 4065 Ursula Ave., Unit 15 Los Angeles, CA 90008 Stephanie E. Thornton 4065 Ursula Ave., Unit 15 Los Angeles, CA 90008 This business is conducted by an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on March 18, 2010. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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

First Filing: 3/25/2010, 4/1/2010, 4/8/2010, 4/15/2010 LAWT 414

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

BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA REGARDING THE PROPOSED FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2011– FY2015) FOR THE WATTS CORRIDORS REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA Public Hearings have been scheduled for April 15, 2010 Notice is hereby given that The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California (“CRA/LA”) has scheduled a public hearing for the Watts Corridors Redevelopment Project Area's FiveYear (FY2011-FY2015) Implementation Plan. The public hearing will be held Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. or as soon thereafter as the matters may be heard at the CRA/LA Central Office located at 354 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, 6th Floor Board Room (northeast corner of 4th and Spring Streets in Downtown Los Angeles).

The public hearing is being conducted to hear testimony of all interested parties regarding the Five-Year (FY2011-FY2015) Implementation Plan for the Watts Corridors Redevelopment Project Area (Project Area). The Project Area is generally bounded by the Harbor Freeway on the west, Mona Boulevard on the east, the Century Freeway on the south, and 103rd Street on the north.

At the above stated time and place, any and all persons having any testimony regarding any portion of the Five-Year (FY2011-FY2015) Implementation Plan may appear before CRA/LA and be heard.

Copies of the Five-Year (FY2011FY2015) Implementation Plan are on file and available for public inspection during the listed business hours at the following locations: CRA/LA Main Office, Records Center 354 South Spring Street - 5th fl.

Records Los Angeles, CA 90013-1258 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday thru Friday Watts/Watts Corridor Site Office 10221 South Compton Avenue Suite 201 Los Angeles, CA 90002 9:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Monday thru Friday Council District 15 Field Office 10221 South Compton Avenue Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90002 9:00 am -4:00 p.m.

Robert Pitts Center - Lobby 1827 E. 103rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90002 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday thru Friday Watts Century Latino Organization 10360 Wilmington Avenue Los Angeles CA 90002 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday thru Friday Maxine Waters Employment Prep Center 10925 S. Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90059 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monday thru Friday Alma Reaves Woods - Watts Branch Public Library 10205 Compton Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90002 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday Noon - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday For additional information contact Charlotte Brimmer, Project Manager for the Project Area at 213.977.1960 or Aaron Ledet, Assistant Project Manager at 213.

977.1863 3/18, 3/25, 4/1/10 CNS-1817597# WATTS TIMES

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

March 25, 2010

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OBAMA Continued from page 1 once were the voice of black America.

But now, “nobody can go to Obama and say, ‘This is what African Americans want,’ ” said David Bositis, an expert on black politics at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

He called the debate an “awkward moment” for the CBC: “All of a sudden, there’s someone else who represents African Americans more, if you go by what African Americans say, than they do.”

That certainly seemed to be the case in the Charlotte metropolitan area, which is 30 percent black and had a 12.8 percent overall unemployment rate in January. Charlotte’s huge black turnout was crucial to Obama barely winning North Carolina in 2008, the first Democrat to do so since 1976.

Recent interviews with two dozen African Americans revealed common themes: Obama is correct to focus on the needs of all Americans. It’s too soon to condemn him for inaction. His emphasis on health care and education will greatly help blacks. Black people should take responsibility for solving their own problems.

And when 2012 comes, they plan to vote for Obama again.

“He’s got bigger fish to fry” than a black agenda, said Beth James

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Davis, a marketing executive, as she ate dinner in a restaurant near downtown with her husband and two young children. “I’m not saying our fish isn't big, but he's got more important battles.”

Shenika Simpson was watching her granddaughter at a playground in her Grier Heights neighborhood, which she described as “drug infested.” An unemployed single mother, Simpson said that Obama “can’t just jump in the chair and fix everything within a year.”

Should Obama do more to specifically help black people?

“I feel he is doing it,” Simpson said. “It’s always going to be hard to find jobs. You got to go to school, graduate, do stuff to make it today. You can’t depend on them to do it for you.”

Gianna Butterfield, a graphic designer, said that while groups such as the Black Caucus used to speak for African Americans, “Now we have Obama, and he seems to be speaking a little better.”

South of downtown, outside a convenience store where cigarette butts littered the ground near a “No Loitering” sign, military retiree James Norris said Obama “can’t do nothing for one nationality over another.”

The mayor of Charlotte, Anthony Foxx, was in tune with the mood of his constituents.

“Do I feel pressure to bring unemployment numbers down?

Absolutely,” he said. “But I feel that pressure for everyone I represent. In

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terms of a black agenda, it’s hard to peel out the black community from the overall things that we’re doing.”

He said Obama should get credit for many policies that helped blacks.

“There are schools not closed, bellies that are not empty because of that support,” he said. “People don’t think about the disaster that didn’t happen.”

Not everyone supports Obama’s approach. Patrick Graham, president of the local Urban League, a civil rights group, estimated that black unemployment in the area was 21/2 times the overall rate. (Official statistics are not broken down by race.)

“If we don’t pay attention, we will see these problems continue,” he said.

Gyasi Foluke, a retired black studies professor and Air Force officer, said there was some value to Obama’s “universal approach,” but it would not address the long-standing inequities between blacks and whites.

“We are 400 years behind,” Foluke said. “The universal approach has a fundamental flaw: You can never catch up.”

“But it is clever politics,” Foluke continued. “If you have a black agenda, you cannot get elected in this country. ... I’m not against Obama. I voted for him, and I’ll vote for him again. What choice do I have?”

Jesse Washington covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press.

He is reachable at jwashington@ap.org or www.twitter.com/jessewashington.

BRIEFS Continued from page 5

THE STATE State Issues Report on 2009 Calif. Prison Riot (AP) — Astate report on a prison riot urges changes in the way gang members are managed behind bars.

The report released March 16 by the California Corrections Department came seven months after Hispanic and white inmates attacked black prisoners at an area where inmates are received at the California Institution for Men in Chino.

Nearly 1,200 inmates were involved, with 249 injured.

The report recommends changes to avoid mixing gang members in a dormitory environment and prosecution of such rioters on hate crime charges.

THE NATION Civil Rights Era Photographer Charles Moore Dies BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The world saw glimpses of the Civil Rights Movement through Charles Moore’s eyes: In black-and-white photographs, he captured arresting images of the integration riots at Ole Miss in 1962, the fire hoses in Birmingham in ’63, a Ku Klux Klan rally in North Carolina in ’65.

The Alabama native recognized the significance of the Civil Rights Movement early on as one of the

first photographers to document the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership. Moore is remembered for his striking images of historic and often violent events that required him to get closer to the action than many other photographers would.

Moore died March 11 at age 79, said John Edgley of Edgley Cremation Services in West Palm Beach, Fla. Working for the Montgomery Advertiser many years ago, Moore began covering the Civil Rights Movement and was the lone photographer at the scene when King was arrested in Montgomery in 1958. One of his images showed two white police officers hustling away King, whose right arm was wrenched behind his back.

While working on a contract basis for Life magazine, Moore traveled around the South to cover some of the most dramatic events of the Civil Rights Movement.

Moore photographed the riots at the University of Mississippi that coincided with the enrollment of James Meredith as its first black student. The next year, in 1963, Moore was in Birmingham when black children and teenagers marched through city streets demanding an end to legalized segregation. In 1965, he photographed Alabama state troopers in masks tear-gassing voting rights marchers in Selma. The confrontation, which became known as “Bloody Sunday,” received worldwide attention, partly because of Moore’s photography.