LAWT 03-28-2013

W E E K E N D E R

Vol. XXX, No. 1329

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, March 28, 2013

L.A. Watts Times

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Mar. 28 - Apr. 3 Inside This Edition Sentinel endorses Dotson, Padilla, Bowers and L Richardson-McGhee for a better, stronger Inglewood S

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RIES ~ You may find that discussions at home have taken a sudden, spiritual orientation. Give everyone room to express their personal beliefs without trying to preach your point of view. Your openmindedness helps you with deep learning this week. Soul Affirmation: The winner is me. I smile for the cameras.

AURUS ~ Feeling bold, are we? Well, go with the flow of your feelings! No other sign can call on inner courage as easily as you. Whether at home, at work, or out on the town, let your personal statements be stylish and bold! Soul Affirmation: This week is the week the Lord has made. I rejoice in it.

EMINI ~ Tempers may flare around you this week but it’s nothing personal, so keep your mind on your own work and let others act up. You’ll be doing yourself a big favor if you get some exercise this week! Soul Affirmation: I change the way I look at business this week.

ANCER ~ Restless feelings may arise over health matters, or perhaps education or the lack of it. Do what you need to do to feel comfortable with yourself. If it involves seeing a dentist or taking a class, what’s stopping you? Self-improvement can be a very enjoyable game! Soul Affirmation: Hope is future’s way of shining on me this week.

EO ~ Set a limit on what you can do for others this week. You’ll enjoy your feelings more if you are straightforward about refusing a less than appetizing assignment. Trust your feelings and say “No, I won’t.” Clear boundaries help you define yourself. Soul Affirmation: I get joy from giving good things.

IRGO ~ Let happiness flow inside and outside of you this week. Refuse to be drawn into any pseudo-crisis and you’ll stay happy. Stay quietly on task and you’ll have accomplished much by the end of this busy week. Soul Affirmation: I fla-

vor my life with good wishes towards everyone this week.

IBRA ~ A dream in which you already are what you hope to be will offer much insight into your current situation.

Take some practical steps to keep the focus on this wonderful vision. You know you can be what you see! Soul Affirmation: I am a giver of good words this week.

CORPIO ~ Do you realize that you are the only one who can tell you what to think and how to feel? Let go of any behaviors that are keeping you from achieving the things you want to achieve. Be creative and positive this week. Soul Affirmation: I focus on long-range financial security this week.

AGITTARIUS ~ You can be very efficient this week if you set your will to the task. New ideas will occur to you as you are working steadily, so keep pencil and paper nearby to jot down your latest brilliance! Soul Affirmation: I give love and love gives to me.

APRICORN ~ Avoid getting involved in any office politics or family feuds this week. The week’s energy is excitable, but not necessarily exciting. Do your own thing and be proud of what you do. Let others do their own thing, so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone. Soul Affirmation: Money opens doors for friendship to enter.

QUARIUS ~ A message this week may necessitate travel on your part, and you may feel obligated to do something you don’t want to. Let the energy flow past you and do what you think is best. Who you are is who you are—be glad about it! Soul Affirmation: I fill my mind with visions of love this week.

ISCES ~ You wake up feeling peaceful and wise. Discussions with a close friend may reveal the source of your inner freedom in a very tangible way. So talk about it. You’ve got everything good to gain. Soul Affirmation: I let my mind go slack and tighten up my body.

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BlackFacts.com

March 30, 1941 National Urban League presented onehour program over a national radio network and urged equal participation for Blacks in national defense program.

April 2, 1939 Marvin Gaye is born in Washington, D.C. He will sign with Motown in 1962 and begin a 22-year career that includes hits “Pride and Joy,” duets with Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell, as well as best-selling albums exploring his social consciousness (“What’s Going On”) and sexuality (“Let’s Get It On,” “Midnight Love”).

George Dotson

Alex Padilla

Carliss Richardson-McGhee

Margaret Richards-Bowers

Inglewood, the city at the hub of the South Bay is a catalyst for economic empowerment for the entire Los Angeles Region. With its close proximity to LAX, an MTA multi-billion dollar public transportation line is scheduled to begin construction right through Downtown Inglewood. Its western and southern borders laying at the 405 and 105 freeways both vital transportation routes for shipping coming in and out of Southern California and it being the home of the newly acquired and currently being remodeled Fabulous Forum (purchased by Madison Square Garden) and the pending revitalization of the Hollywood Park Property the city of Inglewood is primed for a resurgence back to being the “crown jewel” of the South Bay. Mayor James Butts has done a remarkable job of navigating the city through some of the most challenging economic times that California and the nation have ever seen. He has managed to bring economic revitalization back to the city, and has worked in partnership with both state, city and community leaders to help navigate Inglewood through the take-over of the school district by the state while insuring that Inglewood’s students receive the best education possible. The Sentinel has taken a close look at each candidate running for both the Inglewood City Council and the Inglewood School Board and we are comfortable and confident that these candidates are the best and most quali-

fied candidates for leading Inglewood into the future.

George Dotson and Alex Padilla are candidates in the April 2 election for Inglewood City Council. Both men have served Inglewood well and have shown an ability to grasp and bring forth new ideas and step above the confines of the city’s financial and legislative challenges while always keeping the needs of the city’s residents as a whole and their respective constituencies at the forefront of their individual agendas. They have shown an ability to work in partnership with Mayor Butts rather than embark in the divisive political wrangling which has made the Inglewood City Council ineffective over the years.

Dotson, in Inglewood City Council District 1 and Padilla in District 2 have been endorsed by Butts and Eloy Morales and Ralph Franklin, currently serving as Inglewood Council members they will be part of a coalition which is going to need to work together in order to be effective in the future as Inglewood works through this economic recovery and as the city grows in the coming years.

The Sentinel encourages the Inglewood voters to acknowledge that if a candidate is incapable of securing the support of their peers, who they have served with and who have firsthand knowledge of their abilities and inabilities to navigate through the challenges of local government then they should consider casting their ballot for See ENDORSEMENTS, page 6

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Roberta Baskett NAACP Chief addresses 87-Year-Old proves to be artist of true vision

Wharton students

BY AYANA JONES SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE

Photo By Ned Lindsay

Roberta Baskett works on a piece of her artwork in an office in her home.

BY NICOLE WILLIAMS LAWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

school. She attended UCLA and majored in Interior Design. The class was assigned to often create models of houses out of paper, where cutting and putting together creations that she says was an emergence of an art form. From then she was asked by her church to make a poster to get more children to attend Sunday School.

“In Interior Design, you cater to the 5 senses. So when I was doing this poster to try to attract children to the Sunday school, I thought, they won’t read, so I’ve got to make this poster read to them. I decided to make it in texture, so I drew Jesus and cut him out, cut the grass, the flowers and everything,” she said.

I asked Baskett, “Do you ever get amazed by your own artwork?” She said, “I’m just as in awe as you are.”

The humble and gentle spirit of Baskett can tell one that she is truly a woman who follows her heart. From her college days, she would even tell you she never followed the rules. She attended Bluefield State College in West Virginia, Joseph Academy of Fine Arts in Pittsburgh, PA where she studied newspaper illustrations and UCLA where she studied Interior Design. After hopping around different schools, that’s when she realized she wasn’t attending school to get a degree, but instead to just do art.

In fact, Baskett has experienced a lot in her lifetime. She worked at the Aerospace Industry where designed panels for the Apollo spacecraft. To See BASKETT, page 4

A picture couldn’t tell you a thousand words when it comes to Roberta Baskett’s art, unless you peered inside her mind and soul.

Once you unveil the visionary tactics of the 87-year-old artist, you will have the pleasure of experiencing unique art creations that may never have been duplicated. Using the naked eye, you will pick up the vivid, colorful and intricate details and 3-D designs, all made with different types of paper, an art form known as Baskart. The copyrighted name is taken from Roberta’s last name, Baskett and is used to describe the artwork that she says you can personally experience.

“It’s just as real as you taking a trip to go there. I take a trip in my art and I live there until it’s finished. I remember one time when I made snow in a piece of art and I had to put on a coat,” she said.

I was able to take that trip as I listened to Baskett’s descriptions of each piece as we navigated throughout her home. Each story advanced from what she says are “visions from God.” A woman deep in her faith, she creates inspirational and positive art to allow people to do what she says, “focus on God and what He can do through us if we remove self from the statics of life, so that we can have a clear channel to God.” “It made me a true believer in God. If we relax and let go and let God and wait on the Lord, He will, His plans for your life as he did for me and my art. I sit down until something comes to me and then it stops and I wait until God tells me what to do next.

And so each piece of art is actually representing God manifesting His love through me for our pleasure,” she said.

Baskett has always had a calling to be an artist starting from the age of six, but didn’t necessarily realize it. As a child she would make crafted flowers and sell them to her peers and continued making random crafts throughout her childhood.

She never had an interest in what school had to offer, until Photo By Ned Lindsay the death of her mother when One of Roberta Baskett’s pieces of art she was 17- years old that she called “Psalm 22,” which will be featured decided to focus more on at the Smithsonian Museum this year.

Appointed in 2008 at the age of 35, Jealous is the youngest person to lead civil rights organization. As president of the NAACP, Jealous opened national programs on education, health and environmental justice. He has increased the organization’s capacity to work on economic and voting rights issues.

He began his career as a young community organizer in Harlem in 1991 with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund while working his way through college.

During his lecture Thursday evening, Jealous highlighted how he utilizes his previous career experiences to lead the NAACP. “As an organizer, one of the things that you learn about leadership is you cannot lead unless you can listen. Your job as an organizer is ultimately to discern not just what the problems are, but what the people believe the problems to be – what they want to change,” Jealous told the group who packed the event,

Photo by Alyssa Cwanger for the Wharton School

NAACP President and CEO Benjamin T. Jealous gave the Wharton Leadership Lecture at University of Pennsylvania’s Huntsman Hall. held at University of Pennsylvania’s Huntsman Hall.

Jealous addressed the importance of having courage in leadership.

“Leadership without courage is dead. You cannot lead a movement, you cannot lead a corporation (and) you certainly cannot lead a start-up without courage. You’ve got to be able to slow down and listen,” Jealous stressed.

“If you want to be a CEO, you got to know how to raise money. People give money to brands that are led by people they can believe in and they won’t believe in you unless you can listen to them. They won’t believe in you

unless you have the courage of your conviction, unless you really believe what you say and you can back it up with a plan to deliver what you promised them.”

Jealous said a combination of the skills he learned as an organizer, the ability to take risks and form partnerships helped boost the NAACP’s revenue stream.

He took over the organization’s helm at a time when its revenue had fallen from $44 million to $20 million.

“We’ve been able to take this organization and increase its revenues See NAACP, page 7

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BY ALLISON ARNOLD SPECIAL TO THE LAWT BAPAC State President Percy Pinkney celebrated his birthday surrounded by community leaders, elected officials, celebrities, BAPAC Members, and friends. This event was a special one for Mr. Pinkney, as he was given honor for being the longeststanding Senior Advisor to a United States Senator. Countless well-wishers gathered at Byblos Restaurant in West LA to pay tribute to Mr. Pinkney for his work over the past 35 years with BAPAC and 25 years with Senator

Obama calls for April debate on immigration bill Obama tells Congress to take up debate on immigration bill next month so he can sign ASAP

Sentinel File Photo

(L to R): Mayoral Candidate/Controller Wendy Greuel, Percy Pinkney, Legendary Singer Freda Payne, BRE Magazine founder Sidney Miller.

Dianne Feinstein.

Percy has served as a special confidante and advisor to Senator Feinstein even before her first bid for Governor of California. With his help as her Los Angeles-based Senior Advisor, Senator Feinstein has become one of the most popular and powerful elected officials in the United States. Throughout her tenure Mr. Pinkney has helped keep the Senator appraised of the needs of the community and has served as her representative during events and outreach. Recently, Mr. Pinkney helped to marshal community support for her Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, which would ban the manufacture of over 150 specific types of assault weapons.

He continues to give his support and expertise to the continuing battle to

get such a measure passed.

The festive evening included visits by elected officials, a saxophone solo by Rev. Dr. Alvin McKinney, and an extra-special Happy Birthday performance by the legendary Freda Payne.

2013 is shaping up to be the busiest year ever for Mr. Pinkney, as he prepares for a full year of community-minded programs as well as BAPAC’s 35th Annual Convention in October. The large turnout of this event shows how many lives Percy Pinkney has personally touched in his years of service to the Senator and the Community.

“Percy is truly like family to all those who know him,” said BAPAC Communications Director Allison Arnold.

BASKETT Continued from page 3 add to her list of talents, she has also orchestrated music. She has even had one of her pieces of music played by a Symphony Orchestra and a church hymn sang by recording artists. She continues to wait on messages from

business card bulletin board

Percy Pinkney honored for service to Senator

Thursday, March 28, 2013

God to determine what her next piece of art will be. She hopes to leave a legacy by teaching young people Baskart. A piece of her art titled “Psalms 23” and “The Rooster” is now at the Smithsonian Art Museum, which she expects to be shown sometime this year.

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President Barack Obama greets new US citizens during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members and civilians, Monday, March 25, 2013, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

BY JULIE PACE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama challenged Congress Monday to “finish the job” of finalizing legislation aimed at overhauling the nation’s immigration system.

With members of the House and Senate away on spring break, Obama made his most substantive remarks on the difficult issue in more than a month, saying he expects lawmakers to take up debate on a measure quickly and that he hopes to sign it into law as soon as possible.

“We’ve known for years that our immigration system is broken,” the president said at a citizenship ceremony at the White House. “After avoiding the problem for years, the time has come to fix it once and for all.”

The president spoke at a ceremony for 28 people from more than two dozen countries, including Afghanistan, China and Mexico. Thirteen of the new citizens are active duty service members in the U.S. military. The oath of allegiance was administered

by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

While Obama has hosted citizenship ceremonies in previous years, Monday's event was laced with politics, given the ongoing debate over immigration reform on Capitol Hill. A bipartisan group of eight senators is close to finishing draft work on a bill that would dramatically reshape the U.S. immigration and employment landscape, putting 11 million illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship.

The measure also would allow tens of thousands of new high- and lowskilled workers into the country.

The president applauded the congressional effort so far, but pressed lawmakers to wrap up their discussions quickly.

“We’ve got a lot of white papers and studies,” Obama said. “We’ve just got to, at this point, work up the political courage to do what’s required.”

Immigration shot to the forefront of Obama's domestic agenda following the November election. Hispanics made up 10 percent of the electorate and overwhelmingly backed Obama, in part because of the tough stance on immigration that Republicans took during the campaign.

The election results spurred Republicans to tackle immigration reform for the first time since 2007 in an effort to increase the party’s appeal to Hispanics and keep the GOP competitive in national elections.

Obama and the bipartisan Senate group are in lockstep on some key principles of a potential immigration bill, including the need for a pathway to citizenship, strengthening the legal immigration system, and cracking down on businesses that employ illegal immigrants. But they’re at odds on other important areas, including whether to link border security with starting the citizenship pathway, which the Senate supports.

The White House has largely backed the Senate process, but says it has its own immigration bill ready if the debate on Capitol Hill stalls.

Obama touted the benefits of immigration at Monday’s ceremony, saying it keeps the U.S. vibrant and prosperous.

“It is part of what makes this such a dynamic country,” he said at the event in the White House East Room.

Among those being sworn in as a new citizen was Nikita Kirichenko, who came to the U.S. from Ukraine at age 11 and later joined the Air Force.

The president also singled out Kingsley Elebo, who pursued a master's degree in information technology after coming to the U.S. from Nigeria at age 35. Elebo is now studying for his doctorate.

The president then read a quote from Elebo about what it means to become a citizen.

“What Kingsley said is, ‘What makes this country great is that if you’re a citizen you’re part of something bigger than yourself’,” Obama said.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Achebe inspired generations of Nigerian writers

BY YINKA IBUKUN AND KRISTA LARSON ASSOCIATED PRESS Nigerian author Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani was just 10 years old when she first read Chinua Achebe’s groundbreaking novel “Things Fall Apart.”

She devoured the rich use of Igbo proverbs in his book, which forever changed Africa’s portrayal in literature.

That inspiration carried over into the creation of a pivotal character in her debut work, “I Do Not Come to You by Chance,” which pulls readers into the dark and greedy world of Nigerian Internet scam artists.

“Like many contemporary Nigerian writers, I grew up on a literary diet that comprised a huge dose of Achebe's works,” she said. “My parents were so proud of his accomplishments, and quoted the Igbo proverbs in his books almost as frequently as they quoted Shakespeare.”

Achebe's death at the age of 82 was announced Friday by his publisher. His works inspired countless writers around the world, though the literary style of “Things Fall Apart,” first published in 1958, particularly transformed the way novelists wrote about Africa.

Adewale Maja-Pearce, a literary critic who succeeded Achebe as the editor of Heinemann’s African Writers Series, called him a pioneer whose “contribution is immeasurable.”

In breaking with the Eurocentric lens of viewing the continent through the eyes of outsiders, Achebe took readers to a place full of complex characters who told their stories in their own words and style.

Achebe once wrote that a major goal “was to challenge stereotypes, myths, and the image of ourselves and our continent.”

He resisted the idea that he was the father of modern African literature, recalling a rich and ancient tradition of storytelling on the continent. Still, his influence on younger writers of the late 20th and early 21st century, particularly those from his homeland, was undeniable.

“Achebe’s influence has been completely seminal and inspirational, and there are writers that have been called the School of Achebe who have imitated his style,” said Chukwuma Azuonye, professor of African and African Diaspora Literatures at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.

A newer crop of successful novelists with ties to Nigeria has broken

Chinua Achebe away from Achebe’s mode, Azuonye said, developing their own modernist style of writing that focuses on clashes of cultures and other issues facing Nigerians abroad.

Nigerian novelist Lola Shoneyin, whose works include “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives,” says Achebe’s fiction gives her something new each time she reads his work.

“In the last five decades, just about every post-colonial African author, one way or another, has been engaged in a creative call-andresponse with Chinua Achebe,” she said.

Igoni Barrett, the author of a collection of stories called “From Caves of Rotten Teeth,” said Achebe had achieved a “saintly status among Nigerian writers” through his pioneering involvement in the African Writers Series.

“Chinua Achebe was an inspiration to me not only for his singular talent and his dedication to truth in art and life, but also because he had the fortitude to overcome the countless disappointments of the Nigerian state,” he said.

One of Senegal’s best-known novelists, 66-year-old Boubacar Boris Diop, was in high school when he read “Things Fall Apart.” He says that in it, he found “the real Africa.”

“I systematically advise young authors to read Chinua Achebe. I’ve often bought copies of ‘Things Fall Apart’ and offered them to young writers. It’s well written — in the sense that it’s not written at all. In it, you won’t find any great lyrical phrases. That’s the great force of this book. It’s written in simple language,” said Diop.

“He wrote about a continent that is far from perfect, but which at the same time has things within it that fill you with wonder.”

Larson reported from Dakar Senegal. Associated Press writer Rukmini.

The California Wellness Foundation announces new board appointments Distinguished physicians step into leadership roles on TCWF’s Board and make history LAWT NEWS SERVICE The Board of Directors of The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) announced two new appointments: Barbara C. Staggers, M.D, M.P.H., as chair and Eugene Washington, M.D., as vice chair. This is the first time in the board’s history that both the chair and vice chair positions are held by African American appointees at the same time.

The Foundation’s president and CEO, Diana M. Bontá, R.N., Dr.P.H., is pleased to welcome the expertise and enthusiasm of the board’s new leadership.

“Both Barbara and Gene are accomplished leaders, whose talents and clear vision will carry the Foundation forward during this key juncture in our history,” Bontá said. She also expressed her gratitude to outgoing Board Chair David Barlow, C.P.A., “David’s steadfast governance the past two years during our executive transition has been invaluable,” she said.

Staggers is executive director of external affairs and community relations at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland. She is also director of the division of Adolescent Medicine at the hospital and is cofounder of FACES for the Future, a program that prepares youth for careers in the health professions. A member of the TCWF board since 2004 and a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine subspecialist, Staggers is considered a national authority on high-risk youth, urban and minority youth, violence, and health care issues of multicultural societies.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to have this role at the Foundation at a time when California has an opportunity to expand in its ultimate investment, the health and wellness of its people,” Staggers said.

Washington is the dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine and vice chancellor of health sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Prior to joining UCLA in February 2010, he was executive vice chancellor and provost at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he also served as professor of gynecology, epidemiology and health policy at the School of Medicine.

A member of TCWF’s Board since 2008, Washington is a renowned clinical investigator and health policy scholar whose wide-ranging research has been instrumental in shaping national health policy and practice guidelines.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to work more closely with our board and staff in achieving the mission of the Foundation,” Washington said.

The California Wellness Foundation is a private independent foundation created in 1992, with the mission of improving the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. The Foundation has a Responsive Grant-

Barbara C. Staggers, M.D., M.P.H.

Eugene Washington, M.D.

making Program that prioritizes eight issues for funding: diversity in the health professions, environmental health, healthy aging, mental health, teenage pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, women’s health, work and health. It also responds to timely issues or special projects out-

side the funding priorities.

TCWF is one of the state’s largest foundations. Since its first year of operation, the Foundation has awarded 6,919 grants totaling more than $852 million. Please visit TCWF’s website at CalWellness.org for more information.

Emergencies Do Happen

Know your neighbors.

Plan together.

Be ready.

Wind Storms, fires, earthquakes or floods can strike at anytime. These emergencies do happen, and it’s important to be ready. That means knowing your neighbors, making a specific plan and working together to be prepared. Take the first step today. Visit bereadyla.org.

This project was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number 2U90TP917012-11 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC.

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Haiti splashes slum with psychedelic colors

BY TRENTON DANIEL ASSOCIATED PRESS PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) – One of Haiti’s biggest shantytowns, a vast expanse of grim cinderblock homes on a mountainside in the nation’s capital, is getting a psychedelic makeover that aims to be part art and part homage.

Workers this month began painting the concrete facades of buildings in Jalousie slum a rainbow of purple, peach, lime and cream, inspired by the dazzling “cities-in-the-skies” of wellknown Haitian painter Prefete Duffaut, who died last year.

The $1.4 million effort titled “Beauty versus Poverty: Jalousie in Colors” is part of a government project to relocate people from the displacement camps that sprouted up after Haiti's 2010 earthquake. The relocation has targeted a handful of high-profile camps in Port-au-Prince by paying a year's worth of rent subsidies for residents to move into neighborhoods like Jalousie. The government is now trying to spruce up these poor neighborhoods and introduce city services.

“We’re not trying to do Coconut Grove. We’re not trying to do South Beach,” said Clement Belizaire, director of the government’s housing relocation program, referring to Miami neighborhoods. “The goal that we are shooting for is a neighborhood that is modest but

AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery

In this picture taken March 21, 2013, homes painted in bright colors cover a hill in Jalousie, a cinder block shantytown in Petionville, Haiti. Workers this month began painting the concrete facades of buildings in Jalousie slum a rainbow of colors, inspired by the dazzling “cities-in-the-skies” of wellknown Haitian painter Prefete Duffaut, who died last year. decent, where residents are proud to be from that area.”

While most residents welcome the attempt to beautify Jalousie, a slum of 45,000 inhabitants, critics say the project is the latest example of cosmetic changes carried out by a government that has done little to improve people’s lives in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country.

“This is just to make it look like they’re doing something for the people but in reality they are not,” said Sen.

Moise Jean-Charles, an outspoken critic of President Michel Martelly, arguing that the money could have been better spent.

Others wonder why Jalousie was chosen for the makeover, though officials say they plan to expand the project to other Port-au-Prince shantytowns.

Jalousie is unique in that its mountainside presence makes it visible to people living in the wealthy district of Petionville. Critics have suggested that See HAITI, page 10

ENDORSEMENTS Continued from page 2 Dotson and Padilla, two candidates who are offering new ideas and a new focus on how to effectively and efficiently move Inglewood forward.

In addition to the mayor and council members’ endorsements, Dotson and Padilla have also won the endorsement of all the elected officials representing Inglewood both in Sacramento and Washington D. C. The Sentinel strongly believes and encourages all Inglewood residents to say good bye to 2nd District Councilmember Judy Dunlap, who has been in office nearly 20 years, but who has been unable to get any credible leader who serves the Inglewood community to support her candidacy. She has demonstrated an inability and an unwillingness to work well with other city, state or local leaders. She has not promoted or supported local, women or minority businesses in the city and has been an ineffective leader.

On the other hand, in addition to the support of Inglewood elected officials, Dotson and Padilla have won the support of Maxine Waters, U. S. Congresswoman; Curren Price, State Senator, 26th District; Mark RidleyThomas, Chairman, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; Dr. Kenneth Ulmer, Senior Pastor, Faithful Central Bible Church; Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, Pastor Emeritus, First African American Methodist Episcopal Church; Jacqueline Seabrooks, former Inglewood Police Chief; Wanda Brown, Treasurer, City of Inglewood; Inglewood Police Officers Association; Local County Firefighters; Inglewood Police Management Association; and many other citizens, ministers, labor organizations and other groups.

Because of George Dotson’s and Alex Padilla’s unwavering commitment to the residents of Inglewood and their vast knowledge and experience in dealing with the issues that are important to the residents of Inglewood, The Sentinel proudly endorses George Dotson and Alex Padilla for Inglewood City Council District #1 & District #2.

Inglewood School District Margaret Richards-Bowers and Carliss Richardson-McGhee are two women who not only understand the importance of a quality education for the children of Inglewood but have dedicated their lives to insuring that our community does whatever it can and needs to do to guarantee the best that is country has to offer is available to our children, our people and our community.

Margaret Richards-Bowers is a mother a nurse and an advocate for her community who has dedicated her life to fighting for the future of our children. She is running to represent the 3rd Seat on the Inglewood Unified School District, because as she puts it “I believe IUSD can be a great school district again”.

She says she will support the efforts of the State Administrator to put the school district on a sound financial footing, so that local control can be reinstated. She wants to see to it that IUSD teachers receive the support they need to get the results we expect them to deliver.

Margaret Bowers also believes in accountability, when asked she stated “she will ensure that the Measure GG funds approved by the voters will be used for the purposes intended by the taxpayers: school facilities, and classroom improvements, as well as up to

date technology in the classrooms.

Margaret believes that we must work toward changing the culture of education in Inglewood, improving expectations of student performance, by building partnerships with our community stakeholders, parents, teachers and students to achieve our common goal of providing a quality education that will prepare our children to compete in the global marketplace.

Carliss Richardson-McGhee has spent her adult life working with parents and children. She began her career as a Head Start State Pre-School Teacher and she believes that if we are going to see growth and development in our children we must look at everything that impacts children. She remains firmly committed to her belief.

She developed one of the first programs for parents that encouraged or required them to read the same books that their children read. This program allowed parent and child to have an active dialogue with each other. Also, she has created and implemented a program where parents and children traveled together, thereby providing them with the same experience (West and South Africa, Europe, China and cities throughout the United States).

She spent ten years serving as the director for the United Negro College Fund surpassing all of her colleagues and receiving the first President’s Award for raising 130% of her annual goal. She brought one of the most celebrated family events to the City of Inglewood (Magic Johnson’s “MidSummer Nights Magic), that allowed 3,000 children in Inglewood to attend at no cost. She provided scholarships for more than 1,300 students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She has been a motivational speaker for parents, teachers and students stressing the need for each to work together to insure educational excellence.

She remains an active participant in several school systems as a community organizer and educator. She started English and Spanish as a Second Language classes in the community and developed “Law Day” in many schools wherein the legal profession and the police department outlined the law for students before their sixteen birthdays. She established mock courts as a deterrent to gang violence. Ms. McGhee worked as a behavior specialist for several centered based programs advising and educating parents with special need children. Ms. McGhee is among a select group to mentor teen parents (focusing on finishing school and developing educational training).

“Miss Carli “, as she is affectionately known, is a multi-cultural literacy coach using storytelling as her base to educate parents, teachers and students in the schools. She currently has Khocolate Keepsakes in 13 afterschool programs throughout southern California.

Because of Margaret RichardsBowers’ and Carliss RichardsonMcGhee’s unwavering commitment to the children of Inglewood and their vast knowledge, life-long commitment and experience in dealing with the issues that are important to overall quality of education for our children, The Sentinel proudly endorses Margaret Richards-Bowers for seat #3 and Carliss Richardson-McGhee for seat #2 on the Inglewood Unified School District.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

7

Congresswoman Hahn recognizes the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act LAWT NEWS SERVICE San Pedro, CA – Congresswoman Janice Hahn recognized the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act that has already helped millions of Californians, citing a new report by the Department of Health and Human Service. President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010.

“Three years ago, Congress made history by passing a health care law that the American people have been demanding for decades.

Now the Affordable Care Act is working for America by Congresswoman Janice Hahn holding insurance companies accountable, bringing down on prescription drugs through closing health care costs, and helping more the “donut hole.”

“Three years into the legislafamilies get the peace of mind of affordable health insurance, includ- tion’s implementation, there is much ing millions of Californians,” said progress to celebrate and more victories to look forward to. The Congresswoman Hahn.

The new report shows that the Affordable Care Act has already ACA has already ensured that mil- saved American consumers $2.1 billions of Californians are receiving lion. Millions of young people have the critical health care services they been able to stay on their parent’s would not have otherwise had. In health care plans. Millions of seniors California alone: 12 million people, are able to afford the prescription including 4.4 million women and 3.2 drugs they need. And beginning in million children, are free from wor- 2014 being a woman will no longer rying about lifetime coverage limits; be considered a pre-existing condi15,000 previously uninsured people tion. I will continue to advocate for with pre-existing conditions are now a healthier America and fight any covered; and those who use effort to repeal this critical law,” Medicare saved over $453.8 million Hahn added.

NAACP Continued from page 3 by 10 percent or more, five years in a row. Last year the increase was 21 percent,” he said.

The NAACP’s donor base has increased from 16,000 individuals per year to more than 120,000. The organization’s membership has increased three years in a row for the first time in more than 20 years and its online activists have swelled from 175,000 to more than 600,000.

Jealous is a graduate of Columbia and Oxford University, the past president of the Rosenberg Foundation and served as the founding director of Amnesty International’s US Human Rights Program.

While at Amnesty, he authored the widely cited report “Threat and Humiliation – Racial Profiling, Domestic Security and Human Rights in the United States.”

Over the past two decades, Jealous has helped organize successful campaigns to abolish the death penalty for children, stop Mississippi’s governor from turning a public historically Black university into a prison and pass federal legislation against prison rape.

In 1993, after being suspended for organizing student protests at

Columbia University, Jealous went to work as an investigative reporter for Mississippi’s Jackson Advocate newspaper.

His journalistic investigations have been credited with helping to save the life of a white inmate who was being threatened for helping convict corrupt prison guards, free a Black farmer who was being framed for arson and spur official investigations into law enforcement corruption.

Jealous is a fifth-generation leader of the NAACP who hails from a long line of American freedom fighters. His mother, who descends from two Black Reconstruction statesmen, desegregated Baltimore’s Western High School for Girls in 1954 as a member of the NAACP’s Youth and College Division. His father was one of a small number of white men jailed during the Congress of Racial Equality’s efforts to desegregate Baltimore’s downtown business district.

He is married to Lia Epperson Jealous, a civil rights lawyer and professor of constitutional law.

Jealous’ address was part of Wharton’s Leadership Lectures Series, which provides a forum for senior executives to address leadership issues and to share their insights with Wharton students.

Black woman who walked for peace now walking for the environment

BY EDITH BILLUPS SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER Audri Scott Williams walked thousands of miles to promote peace, now she’s on the move again, this time to bring attention to the environment.

Williams, 57, is a little more than two weeks into a six-week walk from Washington D.C. to Tuskegee, Ala., her home. She struck out with a group of supporters March 1 from the Martin Luther King. Jr. Memorial in Northwest Washington. She expects to conclude the walk on April 13. She is collaborating with the Heal the Atmosphere Association, a Tuskegee-based organization, to raise environmental awareness.

“We want to raise awareness of the damage being done to the planet through pollution. We also want to shift the consciousness about Mother Earth so that all realize that we are in relationship with her and all things,” Williams said.

From 2005-2009, Williams, a former Maryland resident, led seven others in a walk around the world in the Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk. They traveled to 17 countries. The current walk, dubbed the Out of Washington Comes RESPECT (Real Environmentally Safe Practices—Embracing Change Together) Walk. Two members of The Trail of Dreams World Peace team, Karen Watson, 62, and Tony Shina, 51, are joining Williams. Other walkers include Charles and Harriet Davis, founders of The Heal the Atmosphere Association; students from Tuskegee University. The youngest walker is 6year-old Elijah Sims.

A grandmother of 12 who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a master’s in indigenous science, Williams resigned as dean of continuing education and community services from Charles County Community College in 1993 to fulfill a greater calling—walk for peace, healing and reconciliation.

“In 1993, I had a heart attack,” she said. “The cardiologist said I was lucky.

He said I was here to do something and I needed to figure what that was if I wanted to be here. I knew what he meant. After the heart attack, I made a commitment to follow the path of my dreams. My dreams led me to walk to affect peace and healing in our relationships because how we are in relationship to ourselves, our families, our communities and mother earth will determine the fate of humankind,” she added.

Williams noted that in 12 years, she estimates that she has walked more than 50,000 miles. Because of the young walkers accompanying the group, the walkers are covering eight to 10 miles a day, “but our goal is 40 miles a day,” she said.

Along the way, the group will stop to give talks on peace and the need to protect the environment.

“We are walking in solidarity and bringing attention to environmental

issues that impact poor and indigenous people around the world,’ she said.

Her experiences have taken her on four life-changing journeys, including The Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk for Peace on six continents where she visited sacred sites, engaged in sacred ceremonies, and connected with communities, Williams said. She noted that leaders throughout history, including Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandi and

Courtesy Photo

Audri Scott Williams Harriet Tubman, have used walking to inspire change. The walk route includes Richmond, Va., Greenville, N.C., Atlanta and Montgomery, Ala. Organizers invite community groups to provide food and sleeping accommodations.

See WALK, page 15

PROPOSITION 65 WARNING

EXIDE Technologies operates a battery recycling plant at 2700 Indiana Street, Vernon California, 90058 which emits lead into the atmosphere.

Persons within the approximate area shown above are exposed to lead and cadmium at a level determined by the State of California to require a warning. Lead is a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm and cancer, and cadmium is known to the state of california to cause cancer. For more information you may contact EXIDE at (323) 262-1101 ext. 259.

SITE LOCATION

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

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

8

F E AT U R E

Thursday, March 28, 2013

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER

President Bill Clinton, Mark Ridley-Thomas, faith and community leaders universally endorse Greuel for mayor

BY KENNETH MILLER | Asst. Managing Editor Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas joined faith and community leaders this week at West Angeles Church in South Los Angeles to announce major endorsements for Controller Wendy Greuel in her eơort to become the first woman mayor of Los Angeles.

Ridley-Thomas, civil rights icon John Mack, Sentinel Publisher Danny J. Bakewell Sr. faith, business and community leaders representing the widest spectrum of Los Angeles and the Black community assembled and announced their uniformed personal support for Wendy Greuel for mayor.

Also joining Greuel was Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop and chief apostle of the Church of God in Christ and pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Kenneth C. Ulmer, senior pastor-teacher of Faithful Central Bible Church, and Reverend Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, former pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church.

At the event, Greuel joined with community and business leaders to unveil her ideas for creating jobs in South Los Angeles by reinvesting former Community Redevelopment funds into the community; stabilizing and expanding existing businesses, and creating a link between job development and job training.

The assembled leaders described the mayoral candidate as an “honest, accountable leader” whose commitment to the African-American community runs deep

back to her time working for Mayor Tom Bradley and with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in President Bill Clinton’s administration. President Clinton has also endorsed Greuel for mayor.

When endorsing Greuel, Clinton said: “Throughout her career, whether in the public or private sector, Wendy has been a smart, dedicated, and a creative problem-solver. She knows how to make government work for ordinary people, and she’s been doing it for decades, not only when times are good, but especially during periods of crisis.”

Greuel has worked to secure support from across the African-American community from faith, business, and community leaders, civic activists and elected oƥcials.

“I have become convinced that the candidate best able to lead all of Los Angeles during this troubled time is City Controller Wendy Greuel. I have known Wendy for over 25 years. I have confidence in Wendy Greuel. She is a committed problem solver, whose knowledge of city government, experience, and appeal to all segments of our city equips her to lead,” said Ridley-Thomas.

“Wendy Greuel has worked tirelessly to understand and respond to issues confronting so many diơerent communities that make up Los Angeles, and has joined with them in celebrating their diversity,” said Mack.

“I’ve known Wendy since her days working for Mayor Tom Bradley where she helped start innovative childcare and after school programs, and worked to create aơordable housing and economic development proj-

ects throughout Los Angeles. As President of the Urban League, I have worked closely with Wendy to ensure all of our diverse neighborhoods and schools are safe and secure from gangs, guns and drugs, and are policed with respect. Wendy Greuel will be an outstanding mayor. I know that she’ll fight to rebuild our economy and create jobs, especially more jobs for underserved communities. I am proud to support her and serve as part of her leadership team so that we can build a better Los Angeles for the future.”

“Wendy has demonstrated a zealous and continuous commitment to the Black community as well as the City of Los Angeles,” said Bakewell.

“Therefore, I believe that she is the best person at this time to chart the course for the next chapter for Angelinos. Moreover, Wendy is the embodiment of the experience, character and courage that is essential for the first woman to serve as mayor of this great city.

Thus, I wholeheartedly pledge my unyielding support for Wendy Greuel for Los Angeles mayor, and encourage the Sentinel’s readers and the Black community to vote for her on May 21st.”

SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW) joined its sister local, SEIU 721, in announcing its endorsement for Wendy Greuel for L.A. City mayor.

SEIU ULTCW represents 180,000 long term care workers (home care providers and nursing home workers) throughout the state. Of its membership, over 60,000 live in the city of Los Angeles and provide essential care to approximately 72,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

“Wendy Greuel understands the needs of our communities and will be a true champion for working families,” said Laphonza Butler, president of SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW).

“As Mayor, Wendy’s experience and history of suc-

Throughout her career, whether in public or private sector, Wendy has been a smart, dedicated, and a creative problem-solver.

www.lawattstimes.com

Wendy Greuel, Los Angeles city controller who is running for mayor, celebrates with supporters at her election night campaign party, in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, March 5, 2013. The likely outcome in the heavily Democratic city will send two City Hall regulars, Eric Garcetti, 42, and Wendy Greuel, 51, to a May 21 runoff, since it’s unlikely any candidate will clear the majority needed to win outright in Tuesday’s election.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Wendy Greuel understands the needs of our communities and will be a true champion for working families.

cess as a proven leader will benefit all who call Los Angeles home.”

An organization comprised largely of working mothers, the members of SEIU ULTCW relate to Greuel as a working mother herself, and share in Greuel’s commitment to creating good jobs, ensuring a quality education for all children, increasing public transportation, fighting on behalf of immigrant rights, and protecting the services our seniors and people with disabilities rely on to live as independently as possible at home.

“I know she’ll be a fighter for communities across the entire city,” said Adrian Dove, chairman of the Kingdom Day Parade and California Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). “Wendy and I share a commitment to social justice, and whether it was advocating for aơordable housing when she worked with Mayor Tom Bradley, or fighting to make our schools better and our streets safer as Councilwoman and Controller, Wendy has dedicated her career to giving every single person in LA a chance to succeed. I am so proud to endorse her for mayor.”

“I’m honored to earn the support of so many powerful, eloquent leaders from denominations across Los Angeles,” said Greuel. “In these trying times, faith leaders are important voices to remind us of our core priorities and obligations to our neighbors and our community. That’s why as mayor I will make sure that no neighborhood, no community, no part of Los Angeles is left behind, and none is forgotten.”

Wendy has a strong base of support in the African-American community, including endorsements by Ulmer, Reverend Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, Olympic Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson, Public Safety Leader and Police Reformer John Mack, and the Black Los Angeles Young Democrats.

Greuel has brought together a strong coalition of support from public safety workers, major busi-

ness groups, and labor organizations, including the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriơs (ALADS), the Professional Peace Oƥcers Association (PPOA), the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) PAC, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s LA JOBS PAC, the County Federation of Labor (BizFed), and over 20 labor organizations representing tens of thousands of working men and women across Los Angeles. Greuel is also endorsed by the Los Angeles News Group (which owns the LA Daily News), the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project, and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP).

Wendy Greuel ENDORSEMENTS

9

10

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Can the march on Washington’s unity be duplicated?

for, after making the decision to charge a licensing fee, refusing to extend the agreement, forcing the foundation to change its name (it is now The Memorial Foundation) and limit the scope of the monument-connected activities it had planned to advance Dr. King’s legacy.

Roland Martin and Joe Williams have an interesting article on rolandmartinreports.com about the controversy.

We had a heated discussion Sunday on “Washington Watch with Roland Martin” about the King children’s interaction with Harry Johnson and the group that raised the money for King monument on the Mall, the first to honor an African American. In response to my earlier column on the subject, Armstrong Williams wrote a column claiming I had slandered the King family and “For Mr. Curry to spread the falsehood that the King family is charging schools for the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech is not only wrong, but embarrassing to these good people.”

After schooling Armstrong Sunday on the difference between “slander,” defamation that is spoken, and “libel,” which is written, I told him I couldn’t have possibly made that charge because I never used the word “school” anywhere in my column. He waited

four months to reply and still didn’t get it right. To his credit, Armstrong acknowledged his error on-air and apologized.

During the program Sunday, Roland said he had spoken with Tricia Harris, a King representative, who said the money paid to the Kings was for corporations that exploited Dr. King’s image and they had not received money from the foundation for using quotes and the likeness of Dr. King.

I said, “She’s lying.”

Harris sent me a note taking exception to my comment and said, “It’s a great American tragedy when influential African Americans attack the King family for protecting and benefiting from Dr. King’s work when he set it up that way.”

Actually, King, Inc. was created after Dr. King’s assassination.

Therefore, he did not “set it up that way.” Second, the licensing agreement does in fact extract a fee from the mall foundation in exchange for using his likeness on materials and quotes at the memorial.

Let’s be clear: No one is objecting to the King siblings profiting from their father’s intellectual properties. The issue is, unlike the descendants of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, they are trying to personally profit from a national monument that honors their father and the struggle he led.

David Garrow, a Pulitzer Prizewinning King biographer, told the Roland Martin and Joe Williams: “It’s not as if (King, Inc.) is using any of this income for charitable good deeds.

We’ve seen none of that whatsoever. It appears to be simply self-enrichment for a small number of people.”

As great as he was, the March on Washington wasn’t about Dr. King. It was about jobs and freedom. Sadly, 50 years later, we need a similar march that unites our leaders around those same issues.

George E. Curry, former editor-inchief of Emerge magazine, is editor-inchief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge.

across the hills of Port-au-Prince in recent decades because governments past and present have failed to provide affordable housing and basic services.

Many of the homes crash down the hills every year during the country's rainy seasons.

Haiti’s class divisions spilled into the streets last year when more than 1,000 people from Jalousie protested in central Port-au-Prince. They threw rocks at a luxury hotel and criticized rich Haitians, threatening to burn down Petionville if the government followed through with a plan to demolish their homes. Officials had wanted to tear down the homes next to a ravine to build a flood-protection project. During heavy rainfall, rocks from the ravine clog the entrance to a private school for the children of diplomats and wealthy Haitians.

The demolition never happened.

These days, most people in Jalousie chalk the protests up to a “misunderstanding,” and talk about the project with pride.

“It’s beautiful. Jalousie is not the same anymore,” Resilia Pierre, a 53year-old wife and mother, said as she waited at a well to buy water. “We don’t have the means to do it ourselves. I would like to say ‘thank you’ to the people who did that.”

The government’s goal it to eventually paint 1,000 homes and other buildings.

Workers hired by three companies began two weeks ago by putting concrete finishes on the ash-colored facades of the slum’s cinderblock houses. Then they paint over the finish with bright colors using rollers, standing atop wobbly ladders next to buckets of paint. The See HAITI, page 13

BY GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA COLUMNIST In five months, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. In 1963, the March was jointly called by the Civil Rights Movement’s “Big Six” – A. Philip Randolph, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, James Farmer and John Lewis.

At this point, it is unclear whether today’s leaders will come together and rally around the theme of jobs and justice as leaders did on August 28, 1963.

Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King, III are planning a march in Washington. Bernice King has announced a commemoration of the “I Have a Dream” speech at the King Center in Atlanta to observe the 50th anniversary. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Dr. King’s old organization, will be holding its annual convention in the nation’s capital the week of the anniversary and is considering holding an activity.

The foundation that raised more than $100 million to erect the MLK monument on the National Mall – and was forced by King’s children to drop the reference to Dr. King in its name – is still hoping it can participate in a joint celebration by all of the civil rights groups.

Interestingly, the Big Six managed to come together when the Black unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, compared to 3.2 percent for Whites.

The unemployment rate for Blacks 20 and older in February was 12.7 percent – nearly double what it was at the time of the March on Washington.

Of course, any discussion about the preservation of Dr. King’s legacy invariably involves his three remaining children – Martin III, Bernice and Dexter. While appreciating the King family’s desire to protect intellectual property left to them by their father, including his “I Have a Dream” speech, I have been critical of their decision to charge what had been known as the Martin Luther King National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. a licensing fee of nearly $3 million to use his name, likeness and quotes in conjunction with a monument erected to him on the National Mall. I also upbraided them

George E. Curry

HAITI Continued from page 6 the choice of Jalousie is as much about giving the posh hotels of Petionville a pretty view as helping the slum’s residents.

Belizaire said he welcomes controversy, adding that the project’s visibility is important. It’s a concrete accomplishment for the government and he contends that it does indeed help Jalousie residents.

“People are sitting on the balcony, having a beer, smoking a cigarette — whatever — and you have all of Port-auPrince at your feet, and you’re living in colors,” Belizaire said, sitting in his office.

Jalousie, perched above rich Petionville, has become a flashpoint for class controversy in Haiti recently. It is among many slums that have sprawled

Can we all just get along?

BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA COLUMNIST I never considered the late Rodney King anything of a philosopher, but as one observes Washington shenanigans, especially around fiscal matters, it seems that Brother King had a point. Can we all just, maybe, get along?

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, the Senate finally passed a budget by the narrowest of margins, 50-49. Four Democratic Senators jumped ship to side with Republicans, probably because they are facing tough election fights in Republican leaning states. Still, it was great to see some vision from this Senate, which called for a $1 trillion in tax increases and $875 billion in program cuts. Unlike proposals presented by the likes of Paul Ryan, who would eviscerate social programs, the Senate offers a budget that cuts social and other programs more carefully and thoughtfully.

Since this is the first budget the Senate has passed in four years, one might think that they should be congratulated. But the passage of a Senate budget is only the first step.

Now, the Senate and the House of Representatives have to find some common ground.

Former Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan (R-Wis) chairs the House Budget Committee and he chairs it like he thinks he is still running for office. He claims that he can save $4 trillion more than Democrats by turning Medicare into a voucher program and slashing Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps), and other safety net programs.

How will the Senate and House resolve their differences when Republicans basically refuse to bargain, and Democrats will give away the store if given an opportunity?

If half of the Democrats in the Senate had the backbone of House Republican Majority Leader John Boehner, the people of the United States would be in a better position.

We can’t get along if we go along with nonsense such as a voucher program for senior health.

As it is, some hospitals are closing or consolidating, largely because of the number of poor and elderly people who use those facilities. While Ryan is talking slash and burn, Obamacare, albeit imperfect, expands health care possibilities for everyone. We can’t get along with cuts in SNAP that leave more people hungry.

The average monthly income for those who receive SNAP assistance is less than $700. That means families who receive this benefit are working part-time or not at all, not an unusual occurrence when the unemployment rate remains higher than 7 percent overall and 13 percent for African Americans. We

Julianne Malveaux can’t get along with proposals to cut educational funding, knowing education opens doors for generations to come.

How, then, will they fill the gap between the lean budget passed by Senate Democrats, and the austerity budget passed by Republicans? It is up to we, the people. A few weeks ago, a friend proposed organizing a March that would bring thousands to Washington as these budget deliberations continue to remind the Senate and the House that we are watching them. As this is the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, many marches are being planned to commemorate that critical date. But it might also be meaningful if Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign were also reenacted. Dr. King’s vision of bringing thousands to occupy government offices to highlight the needs of the poor was never fully realized, and the current gap between the House and Senate suggests that the poor will be more harshly treated now than they were two generations ago.

When one contrasts the House Budget with the one that comes from the Senate, one realizes that there are two starkly different visions of our country. We were presented with these stark choices when Mr. 47 Percent Romney faced off against President Obama. One could hardly call our president a flaming liberal.

People chose the humanitarian Obama vision of the world instead of the elitist austerity that Romney exemplified. The people have spoken, but the politicians can’t hear.

The people are talking, the politicians are posturing, and millions are wondering how they will survive if a Ryan budget passes.

Why can’t we all get along?

Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

11

e v e n t LISTINGS

3-4 / 2013 happening these months

L.A. Watts Times Calendar, Compiled by Brandon I. Brooks, Co-Managing Editor THIS WEEK 3/29 – 3/31 BARBARA MORRISON PAYS TRIBUTE TO DINAH WASHINGTON: Barbara Morrison, one of the top jazz, blues & R&B singers of the past 30 years, pays tribute to the Queen Of The Blues Dinah Washington in an exciting new show. WHEN: Mar 29 – Mar. 31. The event takes place on Friday and Barbara Morrison Saturday nights starting at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees 4 p.m. WHERE: Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center 4305 Degnan Blvd., #101, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

Each performance at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center will be followed by a Champagne Reception for the full price ticket holders. Tickets are going fast, with eight of the 22 performances already sold out as of this writing. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call 310-462-1439 or logon to www.barbaramorrisonpac.com.

3/30 FREE N ONE PRAYER BREAKFAST: This year’s breakfast speaker will be DeVon Franklin Senior Vice President for Columbia Pictures.

Entertainment will be Gospel recording artist Beau Williams.

The Master

of independence; and “Panomundo”, examines the history of Trinidad & Tobago’s steelpan and its influence around the world. Q & A to follow the screenings.

WHEN: Saturday, 1:00 p.m.

Charysse WHERE: AC Bilbrew Tia Harper Library 150 E. El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90061.

For more information please call (310) 5383350 or visit olapublib.org.

4/2 – 4/4

NOW – 4/7 CAAM PRESENTS GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN: The California African American Museum (CAAM) presents the exhibition “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” The exhibit showcases 24 artists who examine Christianity’s role in fostering political action and social engagement. The exhibition’s curators, Nery Gabriel Lemus and Mar Hollingsworth, utilized James Baldwin’s 1953 novel of the same title, “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” as a point of departure to select a variety of pieces. The selections celebrate faith and, at times contrast, the oppositional forces within Christianity and the underlying tensions of religious control as well as human hypocrisy.

WHERE: CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles. For more information visit www.caamuseum.org or call (213) 744-2024. Parking is $10 per vehicle and available on 39th and Figueroa streets.

WATTS-WILLOWBROOK CONSERVATORY & YOUTH ORCHESTRA: The Watts-

NOW – 4/27

Willowbrook Conservatory (WWC) continues into its fourth year, serving youngsters from the South LA/Watts/Compton area. Beginners, intermediate and advanced students are welcomed! Ages 7-18. The only fee for the 10 week session $10 registration fee and instruments are available for loan. Enrollment applications available at The Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club. WHEN: Registration and orientation Tuesday, April 2 at 4:30 p.m.

Classes begin on Thursday, April 4. Classes held every Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. WHERE: The Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club 1339 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059. For more information call (323) 567-3957.

THE ARKESTRY

OF THE COSMOS: The Universe Language of Sun Ra - In 1969, Sun Ra’s first Los Angeles appearance was at the Dorsey High School Auditorium on Farmdale Avenue, just blocks from where The William Grant Still Arts Center is today. To

4/3

DeVon Franklin

of Ceremony for the breakfast will be radio personality Roland Bynum of KJLH radio.

WHEN: Saturday, 9 a.m. WHERE: Holman United Methodist Beau Williams Church the Los Angeles.

A SHOWCASE OF FILMS BY CHARYSSE TIA HARPER: Filmmaker Charysse Tia Harper was born and raised in Oxnard, California and is of Trinidadian descent. While living in London she fell in love with learning about different cultures, and has focused on her own culture in three of her projects: “The Other Side of Carnival” is an award-winning film that looks at the social and economic impact Carnival has on the Trinidad & Tobago society; “T&T 50 in Fifteen”, is a look at important events that have occurred during Trinidad & Tobago’s 50 years

NATIONAL WALKING DAY: Hundreds of Los Angeles employees will ditch the desk, lace up their sneakers and go for a walk as part of the National Walking Day celebration in Downtown Los Angeles. The event, hosted by the American Heart Association and Union Bank, promotes a culture of physical activity and health in the workplace and provides a powerful visual reminder to all corporate leaders in Los Angeles that a healthier and active workforce is a happier and more productive workforce. In addition to the downtown LA event, individuals and dozens of local companies are organizing their own walks to help reach the goal of walking 15 million steps in Los Angeles on National Walking Day. WHEN: Wednesday, April 3, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE: Union Bank Plaza 445 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA. Visit www.glacountyheartwalk.org for more information.

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

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

cation, career and life skills guidance, and instructions in the importance of self-mastery and personal achievement. Workshops and youth activities are free. Workshops are designed for youth 11 to 19 years of age.

WHEN: Our next workshop College Life and What to Expect is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: Exposition Park Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Library 3900 S. Western Ave Los Angeles, 90062, at the corner of 39th Street and Western Avenue. For more information please call (213) 359-3378 to preregister for yourself and friends.

7TH ANNUAL “DAY OF BLACK DOCS: The Black Association Of Documentary Filmmakers West (“BAD West”) is proud to present its 7th annual “Day of Black Docs.”

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. WHERE: American Film Institute, Mark Goodson Theater, 2021 Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Three extraordinary documentaries will be presented: ROBERT MUGABE: VILLAIN OR HERO? an epic personal journey by filmmaker Roy Agyemang who found himself in Zimbabwean President Mugabe’s entourage, on Colonel Gaddafi’s private jet, and among a host of prominent African leaders; VOICES OF LOVE: WHITNEY HOUSTON AND HER FAMILY, by filmmaker Gary Keys, a look into one of America's most musically influential families, the Drinkard family, whose tradition of gospel produced such luminaries as Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston; and ICEBERG SLIM: PORTRAIT OF A PIMP directed by Jorge Hinojosa and Executive Produced by Ice-T, which examines the tumultuous life of legendary Chicago pimp Iceberg Slim (1918-1992) and how he reinvented himself from pimp to author of seven groundbreaking books. Day of Black Docs is co-sponsored by the International Documentary Association and the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators in collaboration with ECRC- the Education is a Civil Right Committee. All day admission to the Day of Black Docs screening is $15.00.

Tickets can be purchased on April 6th at AFI or in advance at www.dayofblackdocs.org.

CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY AT THE POETS CAFÉ: honor our neighborhood as well as Sun Ra’s groundbreaking career as a visionary jazz composer, ARKESTRY OF THE COSMOS: THE UNIVERSE LANGUAGE OF SUN RA will exhibit archives, art, and interviews on Sun Ra, members of The “Ark” and their quest to expand minds, music, and souls through musical experimentation for over a half-century.

WHEN: Now – April 27. Culminating Youth Concert - Saturday, April 20, Time TBA. Center Hours – Tuesday – Saturday, Noon – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: William Grant Still Arts Center, 2520 South West View Street, Los Angeles, CA 90016. The cost is Free! For more information call William Grant Still Arts Center (323) 734 – 1165.

UP & COMING 4/6 MENTORING PROGRAM FOR AFRICANAMERICAN YOUTH: The Concerned Black Men of Los Angeles, a non-profit mentoring organization, offers a powerful series of youth mentoring workshops through its signature Welcome-to-Manhood Program, promoting edu-

Featuring Guest Poets and an eclectic and dynamic group of local poets (Honoring) The Memory of Florence V. Gilmore-Kersee poet, author, president of the friends of AC Bilbrew Library. WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 1:00 p.m. WHERE: AC Bilbrew Library 150 E. El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90061.

Refreshments provided by the Friends of AC Bilbrew Library. For more information please call (310) 538-3350 or visit colapublib.org. For ADA accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or materials in an alternate format, call 562-940-8462 (voice) or 562-940-8477 (TTY), M-F, 8-5, at least six days prior to event.

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

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Gabby’s gold and glory Gabby Douglas: The “Raising the Bar” interview

BY KAM WILLIAMS LAWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER Gymnast Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas was born in Virginia Beach on December 31st, 1995. At the 2012 London Summer Olympics, she

mother to allow her, the youngest, to move across the country in pursuit of her Olympic dream.

This would allow her an opportunity to train with elite coach Liang Chow in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Gabrielle left Virginia Beach at 14 to

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas displays her gold medal during the artistic gymnastics women’s individual all-around competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. won gold medals in both the team and individual all-around competitions.

Gabby is the first AfricanAmerican gymnast as well as the first woman of color of any nationality in Olympic history to become the Individual All-Around Champion. She is also the first American gymnast to win gold in both the gymnastic individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympic Games.

She was introduced to gymnastics by way of a cartwheel. Her older sister, Arielle, a former gymnast and competitive cheerleader, was determined to teach the toddler the sport she loved. Gabrielle immediately picked up her older sister’s love of the sport and soon taught herself how to do a one armed cartwheel.

Gabrielle vividly remembers flipping around the house and off the furniture from the age of four. After a couple years of poking and prodding, Arielle convinced their mother to allow her little sister to train at a local gym. Once formal training began, another two years was all it took for her to be crowned the State of Virginia’s Gymnastics Champion.

Gabby soon reached her peak at her local gym, quickly accumulating numerous victories and top finishes over the next few years. The task became clear: she had to convince her

live with her host family, the Partons, while training with Mr. Chow. Under his tutelage she did develop the skills needed to reach the Olympics, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Here, Gabby talks about her autobiography, “Grace, Gold & Glory,” and about “Raising the Bar,” her inspirational book about how to achieve your dreams.

Kam Williams: Hi, Natalie.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to speak with your daughter. You must be a very proud momma.

Natalie Hawkins: Yes, I’m incredibly proud of the fight, determination and drive that I’ve seen in her and in my other kids as we’ve supported her through this journey. It’s just a wonderful feeling! But I have her right here for you.

Gabby Douglas: Hi, Kam. LAWT: Hi Gabby. I’d like to let you know how impressed I’ve been not only with your performances, but with the grace and poise you’ve exhibited off the floor. So, I’m very honored to have this opportunity to speak with you.

GD: Thank you. My pleasure.

LAWT: I have a lot of questions for you from fans, and I will be mixing their questions in with my own.

What does it mean to you not only to represent your country in the Olympics but to make history by

becoming the first and youngest American gymnast to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions?GD: Words can’t even describe how much it means, because of all the hard work, sacrifice and effort I put in at the gym, and also because of how much my family supported me and sacrificed their dreams for mine. It also means a lot to me, knowing that I became the first African-American to win the individual all-around gold medal. Not many girls in gymnastics look like me, so I’m honored and delighted to put a new face on the sport.

LAWT: Grace Sinden says: Your muscles must get sore. What do you do for sore muscles?

GD: Yes, Grace, my muscles do get very sore, but I have a massager.

They call it “The Stick,” and I just rub it on my muscles. I also take ice baths and Epsom salt baths, and sometimes have to take Advil or Tylenol.

LAWT: Grace also says: Your talent requires a lot of concentration. Is there anything special you do to help you concentrate and keep your balance?

GD: Yes. Gymnastics does take great focus and concentration. What I do is look to my coach. He keeps me focused. And I meditate to get myself confident before the competition floor.

That helps keep me focused, too.

LAWT: Editor/legist Patricia Turnier asks: What interested you in writing your autobiography, “Grace, Gold & Glory,” at such a young age?

Did you keep a diary?

GD: I had kept many diaries, but I would start one and not finish it, and then start another one and not finish it.

[Chuckles] I wrote the book because I had to overcome many challenges and hardships. I wanted to share my story to let anyone facing hardships know that your dream is still possible.

LAWT: Patricia also asks: If Hollywood decides to turn the book into a movie, who would you like to play you?

GD: I’d like to play myself, to be sure to capture my personality and my style.

LAWT: Tell me a little about the book the new book, “Raising the Bar.” GD: Raising the Bar is all about my life now, since the Olympics. It’s kind of a picture book for younger readers.

LAWT: Harriet Pakula-Teweles says: It’s been a while since the magic of the gold—how’s it goin’ now that things have quieted down—or have they?

GD: It depends on the month. I’ll have a period when it quiets down, and then I’m traveling and on the gogo-go again.

LAWT: Larry Greenberg says: I have a 5 year-old girl with an amazing, natural inclination towards gymnastics. Do you have any advice for her? And in a similar vein, Keith Kremer says: My 9 year-old daughter, Olivia, would like to know what advice you have for little girls who love gymnastics.

GD: Since they’re so young, I would tell them to just have fun competing at Level 6 and Level 7. At their age, they’re just fine getting gift bags and going to banquets. I would tell them to be patient, take it one step at a See GABBY, page 14

Sacramento OKs NBA Kings arena deal

AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Paul Kitagaki Jr.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson counts the votes in favor of the new arena on his fingers during a city council meeting at City Hall on March 26, 2013 in Sacramento, Calif. Sacramento’s City Council voted on a wide-ranging deal Tuesday night that’s designed to finance a entertainment and sports center and keep the NBA’s Kings from moving to Seattle.

BY TRACIE CONE ASSOCIATED PRESS SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -With the clock clicking down, Sacramento city officials took their last shot at keeping the NBA Kings in California’s capital by approving a public-private deal to build a new 18,500-seat arena and retail center downtown.

The city council’s approval of the arena Tuesday was the last step in what has been a full court press by Mayor Kevin Johnson to keep Sacramento’s only major league sports team from bolting to Seattle, where a new ownership group and arena deal awaits. He now must convince NBA owners to block the Maloof family from initiating the move, a deal made public in January.

Since then, the mayor, himself a former NBA All-Star, has scrambled to assemble a group to buy the team, convince Commissioner David Stern to consider a counter offer, and get approval for the financial deal that would build a $448 million arena on the site of a shopping mall — a devel-

opment many say will revitalize a problem area in its bustling city core.

Next week, Johnson will present the arena plan and purchase offer to an NBA committee. The following week, the NBA Board of Governors will vote on whether the team can be sold, and whether it will stay or move.

“We want the folks of Seattle to get a team, we wish them well, but we want to keep what’s ours,” Johnson said after the 7-2 vote to approve the arena. “We’re going to New York to talk about the viability of this market and the love affair we’ve had with our team.”

The Sacramento investment group includes Silicon Valley software tycoon Vivek Ranadive, 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov and billionaire Ron Burkle, co-owner of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

Johnson announced late Monday that Paul Jacobs, CEO of the international technology company Qualcomm, also agreed to become part of the Sacramento bid.

“We have four billionaires who See NBA KINGS ARENA, page 14

AP Photo/The Sacramento Bee, Paul Kitagaki Jr.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson celebrates with the Crown Downtown members after the city council voted to finance an entertainment and sports center at City Hall on March 26, 2013 in Sacramento, Calif.

Sacramento’s City Council voted on a wide-ranging deal Tuesday night that’s designed to finance a entertainment and sports center and keep the NBA’s Kings from moving to Seattle.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

13

Michael Baisden reportedly locked out of his studio

New drama unfolds in soap opera novel

BY BOBBI BOOKER SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE New York Times bestselling author and beloved actress Victoria Rowell delivers another hilarious and shocking send-up of the soap opera world, featuring Calysta Jeffries, the unstoppable diva of daytime drama in “The Young and the Ruthless: Back in the Bubbles” (Atria Books, $15).

As we learned from Rowell’s prior hit “Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva,” no one gets in the way of leading lady Calysta Jeffries. Now, after a brief stint in drug rehab, Calysta is back on the set and ready for action as she resumes her role as the star of “The Rich and the Ruthless.” But not everyone in the cast and crew is happy to have the diva back. As soon as she wraps her first return episode, some of her fellow colleagues and cast members are conspiring, once again, to sabotage her career. She’s already survived amnesia, an alien abduction, and death three times over — but all that and a real-life alcohol abuse problem couldn’t keep Calysta down. So her enemies come up with the nastiest plan ever devised. They invite Calysta’s beautiful daughter Ivy to audition for “The Rich and the Ruthless” and offer her a role alongside her very competitive mother, turning Calysta’s whole world upside down.

Rowell’s latest soap opera drama mirrors her own life as one of the most popular figures on America’s premier daytime drama, “The Young & The Restless” (Y&R), which is presently celebrating its 40th Anniversary. As the feisty Sentinel File Photo “Drucilla Winters,” Former soap star Victoria Rowell is the author of Rowell was one of the “The Rich and the Ruthless.” most popular AfricanAmerican figures in daytime drama and was nominated for three Day Time Emmy Awards and won 11 NAACP Image Awards — yet when she asked for an equal opportunity to try her hand as a scriptwriter, her character was killed off as a leading character.

Currently, Rowell has over 71,000 Twitter follows, and many are fans howling for Y&R to reprise her role. She advises otherwise. “Not only AfricanAmericans, we’ve seen all ethnicities and all walks of life commenting and asking on NPR News, The Washington Post, the National Urban League and the NAACP, why in 40 years of the ‘Young and the Restless’ and there is not one African American executive anywhere, ever? Over 50 percent of the audience are African-American/Black women in the south, with the number one market in Louisiana. Now you know, that we must not be blinded by the smoke and mirrors or blinded by the on-camera talent only. Black consumers spend over $1 trillion a year. Black women are generational buyers, and the power of the purse campaign is in effect right now until we see one Black executive.”

Raised in foster care, Rowell’s credits her success to the foster families that instilled in her the confidence and drive to succeed. Passionately involved in many charities, Rowell founded The Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan, a scholarship fund helping foster children thrive through fine arts classes, sports camps, and cultural enrichment.

For more information, visit Twitter.com to follow @victoriarowell.

HAITI Continued from page 10 entire effort is supposed to take six months.

Duffaut, one of Haiti’s most famous painters, was born in the country’s south in 1923. He studied at the Centre D’Art in the late 1940s and his work, appearing in museums worldwide, has long been a source of national pride.

While the project in Jalousie may be inspired by Duffaut, when complet-

ed it will still require a bit of imagination by the viewer to see his psychedelic cities in the sky, with their dazzling colors and surreal tiers that seemingly hovering in the air.

What residents will have in their neighborhood high up on a mountainside will be a lot of bright colors and a love of the artist.

“The people of Jalousie,” said Jamesson Misery, a coordinator of the project who lives in the slum, “we plan to honor Prefete Duffaut.”

Michael Baisden SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER Just a few days ago, it was announced by Michael Baisden that he was leaving his popular radio show.

The announcement stunned observers, since the show was doing so well. It also appeared that Baisden was leaving on his own accord, and that he would have a few days to say goodbye to listeners before heading off the air.

But these reports are being contradicted by Access Atlanta, who says that Baisden has been locked out of his studio and can’t even finish out the show on his own terms. Here is the original tweet that Baisden sent out to the public.

At 3pm ET today, Michael and George (Willborn) will begin saying goodbye after 10 years on radio. Tell everyone to tune in and call in to show some love for the most thought provoking, funny, and socially active shows ever to come to radio!

Baisden’s tune changed later on when it was revealed that he’d been locked out of the studio and couldn’t come in to properly finish off the show before leaving.

In the words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all get along?” Just because we couldn’t come to an agreement is no reason to deprive the listeners, our affiliates, and our advertisers of only 9 days to say goodbye and show our appreciation.

All their action does is make me more determined than ever to come back! And next time there will be no middlemen between me, my affiliates, and my listeners. Lesson learned!

I’ll miss you family, stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter for my daily inspiration post and updates on the return of The MB Show! The journey continues!!!]

Radio Facts claims that the negotiations between Baisden and Cumulus did not go well and that they are upset that he released information to the public before getting their permission to do so. Negotiations were still pending, but it appears that Baisden walked away from the table.

Baisden said more about the situation on his Facebook page: Who would have ever thought that a Black man from the South Side of Chicago, with no college degree, no formal training in radio, TV, or writing, and the youngest son to a single 17 year-old teenaged mother with three children, would one day lead civil rights protest and help to elect the first Black President. Life is truly amazing!

See LOCKED OUT, page 15

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14

Thursday, March 28, 2013 INVITATION FOR BIDS

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 201304052 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Nile Valley Landscape Mainstenance & Sprinkler Repair, 3717 La Brea Ave. Suite 642, Los Angeles CA 90016, County of Registered owner(s): Tamora Neal, 4061 West Blvd. Unit A, Los Angeles CA 90008 This business is conducted by an Individual The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

S/ Tamora Neal, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on February 28, 2013 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

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

Original 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4/13 CNS-2458372# WATTS TIMES

GOVERNMENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO)

GABBY Continued from page 12 time and just enjoy the ride. But also keep your goals and what you want to achieve in the back of your mind. I’d also tell any girl who continues to love gymnastics enough to want pursue a college scholarship to keep pushing yourself 100% in the gym every single day.

LAWT: Patricia also asks: Do you plan to go to college? If so, where would you like to go, and what are you thinking about majoring in?

GD: I would love to go to college, but right now my focus is on doing another Olympics. I can’t say where I’d like to attend yet. I’d have to visit some campuses to get a sense of the atmosphere, and what I like and don’t like. I still have a little bit of time.

LAWT: What message do you have for young people who have big dreams but are not focused enough to put their plans into action because they believe in instant success without hard work and sacrifices?

GD: That’s a hard question to answer, because even if you have the talent, you still have to push yourself. I don’t think dreams magically appear, that’s why they’re called dreams. But if

Black Facts.com April 2, 1918 Renowned African-American artist Charles White is born in Chicago, IL. White began his professional career by painting murals for the WPA during the Depression. He was influenced by Mexiccan muralists Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siquieros.

Among his most notable creations are: J’Accuse, a series of charcoal drawings depicting a variety of African-Americans from all ages and walks of life; the Wanted Posters, a series of paintings based on old runaway slave posters; and Homage to Langston Hughes.

CNS-2462016# WATTS TIMES

Metro will receive bids for IFB No. C1043 Universal City Pedestrian Bridge, per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor).

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) No. 1733-A

The IFB will be available beginning March 25, 2013.

All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Material on or before May 21, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.Pacific Time. Bids submitted to Metro must be in accordance with the instructions for the two-step process, the submittal requirements, and all other requirements of this Invitation for Bid to furnish all of the labor, materials, equipment, tools, services and any other related items required for the performance of Contract No. C1043. Both the Stepone Technical Bid and Step-two Price Bids must be received by Metro’s 9th Floor receptionist no later than the date and time specified herein.Firms whose Step-one Technical Bids are determined “Acceptable” by Metro shall be notified that their Step-two Price Bid will be publicly opened and read out loud. All bidders shall be notified of the schedule of the public bid opening.

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) invites vendors to submit firm fixed price bids for the exterior painting of seventy four (74) buildings at Gonzaque Village housing development. Copies of the IFB may be downloaded from the internet at www.hacla.org under “Doing Business with HACLA”, then click on “Procurement Opportunities” and click “Construction Goods and Services”. Bids will be accepted by the General Services Department at 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 P.M., Pacific Daylight Saving Time, April 29, 2013.

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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. C1043. A Pre-Bid conference will be held on April 16, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the William Mulholland Conference Room, located on the 15th floor at the address above.

You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by emailing Diana Sogomonyan at sogomonyand@metro.net 3/28/13 CNS-2462997# WATTS TIMES INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) No. 1734-A THE RE-ROOFING OF SEVENTY FOUR (74) BUILDINGS AT GONZAQUE VILLAGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) invites vendors to submit firm fixed price bids for the re-roofing of seventy four (74) buildings at Gonzaque Village housing development. Copies of the IFB may be downloaded from the internet at www.hacla.org under “Doing Business with HACLA”, then click on “Procurement Opportunities” and click “Construction Goods and Services”. Bids will be accepted by the General Services Department at 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 P.M., Pacific Daylight Saving Time, April 29, 2013. .

3/28, 4/4/13

you do want to make that dream a reality, then you have to push yourself. It takes a lot of hard work, and if you don’t have the focus, then it’s going to be all the harder. If you have a big dream, it takes all of the above to achieve it: passion, the focus and the effort. That’s definitely my advice.

LAWT: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

GD: I’m reading John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” right now. But the last book I finished was “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder.

LAWT: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to?

GD: I was just working out, so I had my music on. I think the last song was “Stomp” by Kirk Franklin LAWT: What is your favorite dish to cook?

GD: I rarely cook, but I really like to eat seafood.

LAWT: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

GD: Clothes designer? Well, I recently wore Donna Karan, and it was just fabulous! I love her clothes, so I’d have to pick her.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

GD: [Giggles] I don’t know. That’s a good question. When I look in the mirror, I see Gabby Douglas.

LAWT: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

GD: That’s a hard one. I don’t know.

LAWT: The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

GD: I think I’d be a black panther.

LAWT: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

GD: What pops in my mind is my mom making pancakes and waffles for me and my siblings one night when we

THE EXTERIOR PAINTING OF SEVENTY FOUR (74) BUILDINGS AT GONZAQUE VILLAGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

ARMED AND UNARMED SECURITY GUARD SERVICES RFP 7576 The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites proposals from qualified firms to provide armed and unarmed security guard services for its various property sites. Copies of the RFP may be obtained beginning March 18, 2013 online at http: //www.hacla.org/ps/.

Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 p.m., April 18, 2013.

3/21, 3/28/13 CNS-2459438# WATTS TIMES PROJECT BASED VOUCHER NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY PBV NOFA NO. 7577 The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (“Authority”) in collaboration with the Los Angeles Housing Department invites proposals from qualified developers under the Project Based Voucher Program for Permanent Supportive Housing projects that serve extremely and very low income chronically homeless special needs and veteran individuals, and homeless senior and disabled individuals. Copies of the PBV NOFA may be obtained beginning March 15, 2013 online at http: //www.hacla.org/ps/. Electronic proposals will be accepted until 11:59pm, April 15, 2013.

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couldn’t fall asleep hiding in a tent after telling each other ghost stories.

LAWT: The Anthony Anderson question: If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?

GD: Invisibility.

LAWT: Would you choose that because it’s hard to find privacy now that you’re such a big celebrity?

GD: [Chuckles] Yeah, kinda.

LAWT: The Michael Ealy question: If you could meet any historical figure, who’d it be?

GD: Anyone? Martin Luther King.

He’s pretty amazing.

LAWT: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks: What is your favorite charity?

GD: I’ve been so busy, I haven’t settled on a favorite one to work with yet.

LAWT: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?

GD: Whew! I would love to be remembered as someone who inspired young girls never to give up on their dreams.

LAWT: Are you willing to give me a Gabby Douglas question that I can ask other celebrities?

GD: Yeah, I have one. Ask them: If you had to choose another profession, what would it be?

LAWT: Thanks again for the time, Gabby, best of luck with both books, and continued success with your gymnastics career.

GD: Thank you, Kam. Here’s my mom.

LAWT: Thanks again, Natalie.

Gabby’s even more graceful and charming than I expected.

NH: Absolutely! Thank you, Kam. It’s been a pleasure.

To order a copy of Raising the Bar, visit: http://www.amazon.com/ exec/obidos/ASIN/0310740703/ref% 3dnosim/thslfofire-20 To order a copy of Grace, Gold & Glory, visit:http://www.amazon.com/ exec/obidos/ASIN/0310740614/ref% 3dnosim/thslfofire-20

NBA KINGS ARENA Continued from page 12 have said that Sacramento is worthy.

It's been a long time since people have validated us in this way,” said city councilmember Steve Hansen, who voted in favor of the deal.

The NBA has said the aging Sleep Train Arena in the suburbs four miles north of downtown no longer is adequate.

“We’re in competition to keep the Sacramento Kings from being taken away from us,” said City Manager John Shirey as he began outlining the arena plan for council members.

“We’ve known all along that we need to present the NBA a first-rate, quality place for them to play.”

The Seattle group, led by hedgefund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, has had a deal to acquire a 65 percent stake in the team for $341 million.

The Chamber of Commerce, labor groups and fans spoke in favor of the arena deal, saying that keeping the Kings saves 800 jobs and creates 6,500 more during the construction and downtown revitalization process.

The plan was opposed by several groups and speakers, some of whom asked the council to take more time to study whether the deal is good for the city. City officials reached a preliminary arena agreement Saturday with the investment group, but the late negotiations left little time for community members to study the proposal before the vote.

“Mr. Mayor, your attempts to pull off an upset win could adversely affect this community for decades,” said attorney and professed Kings fan Jeffrey Anderson, who asked the council to put the plan before voters or he would file a lawsuit to stop it.

Other speakers said the timing of the deal was ironic given that nearby

Stockton is in bankruptcy court after over-extending itself with debt, including a minor-league hockey arena.

Development partners compared their vision of a downtown arena to other projects that have revitalized urban areas such as the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the new Barclays Center where the Nets began play in Brooklyn this season. Architect AECOM, tapped to build a new Kings arena, recently completed the Barclays venue.

“I have a lot of faith in this site.

It's nothing short of world class,” said AECOM's Bill Crockett.

The arena will be built on the west end of city center on the site of the Downtown Plaza, an aging mall that has lost more than half of its sales revenue in the last 10 years as stores have moved to the suburbs. It’s just blocks from Interstate 5, a short walk from Amtrak and sits at a gateway to downtown and the city of 475,000.

The city’s share is $258 million, the bulk of which would come from event parking collections and ticket surcharges. Nearly all of the city’s parking lots are used by government workers who vacate downtown after 5 p.m. The city would own the arena.

The investment group will contribute $189 million to the arena construction and would be responsible for all capital improvements.

The 18,500-seat downtown arena also could host hockey, concerts and family entertainment. The development would include 475,000 in office space, 300,000 in retail space, 250 hotel rooms and 600 housing units.

The arena term sheet includes a 35-year non-relocation agreement with two five-year extensions that would keep the Kings in the city until the last quarter of the century.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

DRIVERS WANTED CRYOGENIC TRANSPORTATION LLC is hiring Class A CDL DRIVERS out of Azusa, CA & Fontana, CA for our OTR (3 weeks out, home for 1 week) positions!

We offer competitive pay, medical benefits for you and your family, paid training on product handling, paid uniforms, paid vacations, 401K & MORE! 2 years tractortrailer experience, Tank & Hazmat endorsements (or ability to obtain) & safe driving record required.

Stop by the terminal to apply at 10787 Mulberry Ave. Fontana, CA 92337 (909) 275-7350 or apply online at TheKAG.com

LOCKED OUT Continued from page 13 I am proud of what I have accomplished with my life and look forward to what is to come next. Life is full of new beginnings, whether it’s a new relationship or a new business venture; change is the one constant…and we must learn to embrace it.

For years I’ve encouraged you to step out on faith to live your dream, to never compromise your principles, and most importantly, not to be afraid to try something new, but above all else, dare to be different. Well, it’s time for me to practice what I preach!

When I began writing books in 1993, my only goal was to have a positive impact and challenge people to think outside the box. In 1995 I took that leap of faith and left my job with a four-year-old child to support, three thousand dollars in my pocket, and a dream. And as strange as this may sound, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would make it.

Call it cockiness or confidence, but I was determined that no force on earth was going to stop me from realizing my dreams. And after five best selling books, two stage plays, two televisions shows, three DVDs, and one of the most successful radio programs in history, I’m just getting started!

No, it was not my intention to leave radio, I had plans for The Michael Baisden Live Tour, my 10-year anniversary party in DC in July, and I was looking forward to being on the air this summer to get justice for Trayvon Martin and his family.

But sometimes fate, the universe, God, or however you want to label that undeniable force, has it’s own plans.

Someone once told me that the greatest experiences in life are unplanned ones. I guess I’m about to test that theory.

We wish Michael the best of luck in his new endeavors. We’re sure they will be successful.

WALK Continued from page 7 “Walking is powerful and transformational,” she said. “I walk because the power of love is present and it sweeps away the lies that keep us blind and brings us face-to-face with our deepest truths—about ourselves and the world around us. I choose to engage and change the world, one step at a time. If one person’s life is healed or transformed because they walked with us then my prayers are answered because they very well may be (the) leader the world is waiting for.”

For more than a decade, The Heal the Atmosphere Association has offered “green education,” officials said. In Tuskegee, it created Shanti

15

NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Long Beach, California, acting by and through the City’s Board of Harbor Commissioners (“City”) will receive, before the Bid Deadline established below, sealed Bids for the following Work: PIER E – MIDDLE HARBOR TERMINAL AUXILIARY MAINTENANCE SHOP BUILDING REEFER WASH / GENSET REPAIR BUILDING NORTH ROADABILITY BUILDING LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AS DESCRIBED IN SPECIFICATION NO. HD-S2385 Bid Deadline:

Prior to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

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

Place for Submission of Bids: 1. By Delivery Any Calendar Day Before the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications/Program Management Office 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 2. By Delivery on the Same Calendar Day as the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building Ground Floor Lobby 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Bid Opening: As soon as practical after the Bid Deadline Harbor Department Administration Building 6th Floor Board Room 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Contract Documents Available: Date/Time: Beginning Thursday March 28, 2013.

Monday –Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Harbor Department Administration Building 4th Floor, Plans and Specifications 925 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit: Date/Time: Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 9:00am Location: Harbor Department Administration Building 6th Floor Board Room Project Contact Person: Eric Paulsen, PE 562-283-7352 fax paulsen@polb.com email NIB -1 Contract Documents. Copies of Contract Documents in DVD format may be obtained, at no cost, at the Plans and Specifications Office, 4th floor, Harbor Department Administration Building, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802 during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To arrange to receive a DVD of the Contract Documents by courier at the expense of the Bidder, call (562) 283-7353.

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

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

NIB -2 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit. The engineering staff of the City’s Harbor department will conduct a pre-bid meeting and site visit at 9:00am, on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 in the Board Room, 6th floor, of the Harbor Department Administration Building, then at the project site. Attendance is mandatory for the meeting and the site visit. Note that attendance at the pre-bid meeting can be used to satisfy a portion of a Bidder’s good faith efforts to meet the SBE/VSBE participation goals listed below. Attendees of the Site Visit must bring and wear their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including, but not limited to: a hard hat, a safety vest, and closed toe shoes. EACH BIDDER MUST ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING AND MANDATORY SITE VISIT. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING AND SITE VISIT SHALL DISQUALIFY YOUR BID. NIB -3 Summary Description of the Work. The Work required by this Contract includes, but is not limited to, the following: Construction of a 1-story, steel framed maintenance and repair building, a 1-story masonry and steel framed generator repair shop with adjacent wash platform and canopy, and a 1-story masonry storage building and adjacent truck inspection and repair canopy, with terminal vehicle and equipment parking lot, site improvements, landscaping, site utilities including water, gas, sewer, storm drain, site lighting, electrical and communication.

The Contractor will also have design responsibilities for certain elements of work as described below: Deferred Submittals: The Contractor will retain Subcontractors to design and obtain separate building permits for the following work: • Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems including: o Wet Pipe Sprinkler System o Fire Detection and Alarm System o Fire Extinguishers o Signage • Fire Hydrants & Underground Waterline System Construction Documents: The Contractor will retain professional engineers to provide detailed design documents for approval. Design calculations and drawings shall be signed and sealed by a registered California professional engineer (Civil or Structural) to be submitted to engineer of record and city building department for approval and record.

See General Conditions paragraph 3.12.1.4. This work includes: • Bridge Cranes, including crane rails • Curtain Walls and Attachments

Villa, a model green community that attracts young environmentalist and artists who are committed to healing the planet. The organization also has been leading small walks in the com-

munity for years to raise environmental awareness, authorities said.

“From my standpoint, our survival as a human species depends on us recognizing and honoring Mother Earth,”

NIB -4 Contract Time and Liquidated Damages. The Work shall be completed within 450 days as provided in Paragraph SC - 6.1 of the Special Conditions, from a date specified in a written “Notice to Proceed” issued by the City and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.1 of the General Conditions. FAILURE OF THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK WITHIN THE CONTRACT TIME AND OTHER MILESTONES WILL RESULT IN ASSESSMENT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNTS ESTABLISHED IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS. NIB -5 Contractor’s License. Each Bidder shall hold a current and valid Class”A” or Class “B” California Contractor’s License to bid this Project.

NIB -6 Contractor Performed Work. The Contractor shall perform, with its own organization, Contract Work amounting to at least 15% of the Contract Price, except that any designated “Specialty Items” may be performed by subcontract and the amount of any such “Specialty Items” so performed may be deducted from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees. “Specialty Items” will be identified by the City in the Schedule of Bid Items.

NIB-7 SBE/VSBE. This project is subject to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) Small Business Enterprises (SBE)/Very Small Business Enterprises (VSBE) Program. The combined SBE/VSBE participation goal for this project is thirty percent (30%), of which a minimum of five percent (5%) must be allocated to VSBEs. POLB expects all Bidders to achieve the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. Award of the Contract will be conditioned on the Bidder submitting an SBE-2C Commitment Plan demonstrating the Bidder’s intent to meet the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. If the Bidder’s Commitment Plan does not demonstrate intent to meet the combined goal, the Bidder shall demonstrate that it made an adequate good faith effort to do so, as specified in the Instructions to Bidders (ITB 18). The Port’s SBE Program staff is available to provide information on the program requirements, including SBE certification assistance. Please contact the SBE Office at (562) 283-7598 or sbeprogram@polb.com. You may also view the Port’s SBE program requirements at www.polb.com/sbe.

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

This project is subject to a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is required under this Contract. By submitting a bid, the Contractor is representing that it is prepared to sign the Letter of Assent and comply with the PLA requirements as defined in Appendix GG if awarded the Contract.

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

Bidders shall note that the only acceptable manufacturer specified in SC-22 and in the following Technical Sections shall be Johnson Controls Company, pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 3400 (c)(2) and (c)(3): 15951, “Energy Management and Temperature Control System (EMTCS) Any bid listing any other manufacturer will be considered non-responsive.

NIB -10

NOT USED.

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

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

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

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

Issued at Long Beach, California, this 18th day of March, 2013.

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

she said.

Williams said the Davises, who founded Shanti Villa with their three sons, inspired this latest journey. “We all were talking about environmental

issues and decided to start our walk in D.C. because it symbolically represents the political powers of our country and we wanted to connect with that to make a statement,” she said.

16

Thursday, March 28, 2013

ELECTION SLATE L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER is proud to endorse

VOTE CITY OF INGLEWOOD APRIL 2, 2013 CITY OF LOS ANGELES MAY 21, 2013

The right to vote is a sacred honor and responsibility that so many African Americans have fought and died for. We must honor them and remember the pain, sacrifice and wisdom of their efforts.

The Los Angeles Sentinel encourages everyone to exercise this right to vote.

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