LAWT 06-02-2011 by LA WATTSTIMES

W E E K E N D E R

L.A. Watts Times Vol. XXX, No. 1234

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

FEATURE STORY

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

HOROSCOPES

JUNE 2 - 8

RIES ~ Partnerships continue to be featured this week. This week is especially favorable for a fresh start or a new beginning for you in love. Avoid distractions at work this week and you’ll get much accomplished. AURUS ~ Friendship remains highlighted. You may be attending a social event with good friends, or may be planning one. Whichever, it will be a very happy occasion. Be happy! You’ve got many loving friends. EMINI ~ You may find out this week that the project you didn’t really want to work on has been scrapped. That leaves you plenty of time to finish up the stuff you want to work on! Money concerns ease up. This week a romantic get-together will remind you of what bliss really is! ANCER ~ Keep an eye on your budget this week, but also indulge your creative senses with the visual and the tactile. You might find yourself wanting to “feel” something new in your hands. Just the feeling may be enough; you don’t necessarily have to spend money to satisfy your artistic urge this week. EO ~ Call early in the week and make a date so you can catch the person that you want to spend time with this week. An old love may turn up in your romantic mix, and romance will be very sweet if you rise above the temptation to remember why you split in the first place! IRGO ~ This is a good week for exercising that clever mind of yours. Luck will be with you in all endeavors you start. Luck is with you always because positive outlook attracts positive vibrations.

IBRA ~ Exercise will work off some of your excess energy this week. Take a walk and remember that your world is made up of many beautiful parts. The part you are focusing on so intently this week is not your entire world. Proceed accordingly! CORPIO ~ Wear your smile like it was your favorite fashion accessory this week. You’re sure to feel better when you see how many times your smile is returned to you this week. Do what makes you happy this week. AGITTARIUS ~ Everything seems to be moving along in a very pleasant way this week. Friends are helpful, family is supportive, even the sun seems to be shining just for you! Enjoy this harmony and count your blessings. Finish a task at work. APRICORN ~ You have very creative mental energy this week! You’ll probably want to talk or write or read about health or career matters. Your ability to absorb information is remarkable. Make phone calls for work early in the week, then phone calls for play in the afternoon! QUARIUS ~ Remember that exercise is a wonderful tension-reliever if things get too intense this week. A walk over your lunch hour could make all the difference in how you feel this afternoon. Love yourself and reward yourself with perfect health and happiness. ISCES ~ Take a week off from sparkling at work and spend some time thinking about what is most important to you. The solution comes while you are thinking about love. Healthy habits are easy to keep.

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER Published Weekly – Updates 3800 S. Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008 Administration – Sales – Graphics – Editorial 323.299.3800 - office 323.291.6804 - fax Beverly Cook – Publisher, Managing Editor 1976 – 1993 Charles Cook – Publisher, 1976 – 1998 Melanie Polk – Publisher 1998 – 2010 WWW.LAWATTSTIMES.COM Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. ..........Executive Publisher & Executive Editor Brenda Marsh Mitchell ................................Executive Vice President Tracy Mitchell........................................................................Controller Brandon I. Brooks ............................................Co – Managing Editor Yussuf J. Simmonds..........................................Co – Managing Editor Samuel Richard..........................................................Associate Editor Bernard Lloyd....................................................Director of Advertising Benjamin Samuels ..............................................Production Designer Chris Martin ........................................................Production Designer EMAIL: lawattsnus@aol.com Circulation ................................................................................50,000 The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the L.A. Watts Times. The L.A. Watts Times is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, CDs or tapes. CIRCULATION AUDIT BY CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL

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Black Facts June 2, 1967 A race riot takes place in the Roxbury section of Boston. June 2, 1943 The 99th Pursuit Squadron flies its first combat mission, strafing enemy positions on the heavily fortified Italian Island of Pantelleria. June 2, 1899 Black Americans observe a day of fasting called by the National Afro-American Council to protest lynching and racial massacres. June 2, 1868 John Hope is born on this day. June 2, 1854 Fugitive slave Anthony Burns is returned to the South from Boston. It cost the federal government $100,000 to return Burns, who was later sold to a group of Bostonians who freed him. June 2, 1834 The Fifth national Black convention meets in New York with 50 delegates from eight states. June 3, 1904 Charles R. Drew is born on this day. June 3, 1887 Roland Hayes, the first African American to give a recital in Boston’s Symphony Hall, is born. June 4, 1989 Four African Americans win Tony Awards for “Black and Blue.” Source: blackfacts.com

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Gil Scott-Heron, a godfather of rap, dies in NYC BY NEKESA MUMBI MOODY ASSOCIATED PRESS Long before Public Enemy urged the need to “Fight the Power” or N.W.A. offered a crude rebuke of the police, Gil Scott-Heron was articulating the rage and the disillusionment of the black masses through song and spoken word. Scott-Heron, widely considered one of the godfathers of rap with his piercing social and political prose laid against the backdrop of minimalist percussion, flute and other instrumentation, died on May 27 at age 62. His was a life full of groundbreaking, revolutionary music and personal turmoil that included a battle with crack cocaine and stints in jail in his later years. Musician and singer Michael Franti, who also is known for work that has examined racial and social injustices, perhaps summed up the dichotomy of Scott-Heron in a statement Saturday that described him as “a genius and a junkie.” “The first time I met him in San Francisco in 1991 while working as a doorman at the Kennel Klub, my heart was broken to see a hero of mine barely able to make it to the stage, but

when he got there he was clear as crystal while singing and dropping knowledge bombs in his between song banter,” said Franti, who described himself as a longtime friend. “His view of the world was so sad and yet so inspiring.” Scott-Heron was known for work that reflected the fury of black America in the post-civil rights era and spoke to the social and political disparities in the country. His songs often had incendiary titles — “Home is Where the Hatred Is” or “Whitey on the Moon” — and through spoken word and song he tapped the frustration of the masses. He came to prominence in the 1970s as Black America was grappling with the violent losses of some of its most promising leaders and what seemed to many to be the broken promises of the Civil Rights Movement. “It’s winter in America, and all of the healers have been killed or been betrayed,” lamented Scott-Heron in the song “Winter in America.” Scott-Heron recorded the song that would make him famous, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” which critiqued mass media, for the album “125th and Lenox” in Harlem

Tererai being interviewed by a TV crew from “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in Zivipani, Zimbabwe, her home village.

Oprah’s ‘all-time favorite guest’ to receive $1.5M for school SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE GLOBAL INFORMATION NETWORK A young girl from rural Zimbabwe, who lived her dream of moving to America, is going to school and getting a degree. Tererai Trent, this month received a special accolade. She was acknowledged as the most favorite guest of Hollywood’s great lady, Oprah Winfrey. Trent’s story has been chronicled

in both The New York Times and a book called “Half the Sky.” Winfrey described Trent as a woman who “epitomizes everything I’ve been trying to say on this show for 25 years.” Oprah had one more surprise for her favorite guest — a $1.5 million donation towards a school Trent plans to build in Zimbabwe. Save the Children will work with students and parents in the village. An estimated four thousand kids will benefit.

in the 1970s. He followed up that recording with more than a dozen albums, collaborating mostly with musician Brian Jackson. Though he was never a mainstream artist, he was an influential voice — so much so that his music was considered to be a precursor of rap and he influenced generations of hip-hop artists that would follow. When asked, however, he typically downplayed his integral role in the foundation of the genre. AP Photo “If there was any individual initiative that I was In the Sept. 1984 file photo, musician Gil Scott-Heron poses. Scott-Heron, who helped responsible for it might lay the groundwork for rap by fusing minimalistic percussion, political expression and have been that there was spoken-word poetry on songs such as “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” but saw music in certain poems of his brilliance undermined by a years-long drug addiction, died Friday, May 27, 2011, mine, with complete pro- at age 62. gression and repeating ‘hooks,’ which made them more like general decline: In a 2008 interview which was released in 2010. He also was still smoking crack, songs than just recitations with per- with New York magazine, he said he cussion,” he wrote in the introduction had been living with HIV for years, as detailed in a New Yorker article last to his 1990 collection of poems, but he still continued to perform and year. “Ten to fifteen minutes of this, I put out music; his last album, which “Now and Then.” In later years, he would become came out this year, was a collabora- don’t have pain,” he said. “I could known more for his battle with drugs tion with artist Jamie Foxx, “We’re have had an operation a few years such as crack cocaine than his music. Still Here,” a reworking of Scott- ago, but there was an 8 percent chance His addiction led to stints in jail and a Heron’s acclaimed “I’m New Here,” See SCOTT-HERON, page 14

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High court orders state prison population slashed Inland officials brace for inmate shift to counties BY CHRIS LEVISTER SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE BLACKVOICENEWS.COM The California prison system is so overcrowded that its conditions are, “incompatible with the concept of human dignity.” That was the conclusion of a divided U.S. Supreme Court in a judicial order that could result in the release of nearly 40,000 prisoners from the country’s largest penal system during the next two years. In Brown v. Plata, a 5-4 court majority ruled that overcrowding in California prisons had led to inadequate health care services, resulted in extreme suffering and even death, and therefore violated the Eighth Amendment rights of prisoners, upholding a

decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling revealed a sharp divide on the court between Justices Anthony Kennedy and Antonin Scalia. Justice Kennedy, a Sacramento native, wrote for the majority and described dismal conditions where prisoners are denied minimal care and suicidal inmates are held in “telephone-booth sized” cages for 24 hours. In one case, investigators found a seriously ill inmate standing “nearly catatonic” in a pool of his own urine. The mentally and physically ill were not receiving care, Kennedy wrote, saying the sick with cancer or severe abdominal pain died before they were seen by a doctor. As many as 200 prisoners may live in a

See PRISON, page 15

AP Photo/California Department of Corrections

In this undated file photo released by the California Department of Corrections, inmates sit in crowded conditions at California State Prison, Los Angeles.

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Thursday, June 9, 2011 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm pm...Registration ...Registration 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm ...Welcome in Auditorium 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm ...Networking LADWP Headquarters Auditorium & A Level Lobby 111 North Hope Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Free Parking in Customer Lot, Gate 6 (Enter on Hope Street) Please R.S.V.P. no later than Wednesday, June 8th at DWP.WKY@LADWP.COM For more information, please call (213) 367-EXPO or visit our website at www.ladwp.com/businessexpo for a current listing of opportunities open for bid. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, service and activities. To ensure availability, such request should be made 72 hours in advance by calling (213) 367-2252, TDD: 1(800) 432-7397.

Bishop Eddie Long settles — instead of fighting as promised Lawsuit questions left unanswered BY TALIBAH CHIKWENDU SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS

out of court. The decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry,” Art Franklin, a spokesman for Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, said in a statement. “As is usually the case when civil lawsuits resolve out of court, we cannot discuss

The Atlanta pastor facing four civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual coercion settled the cases out of court, his church announced May 26, but the agreement leaves plenty of questions unanswered. The lawsuits were filed in September 2010 against Bishop Eddie Long, the leader of the 25,000-plus-member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Four plaintiffs alleged that Long gave them and others attention, money, and gifts before and after they reached the legal age of consent. Such actions allegedly involved engaging them in manipulation, oral sodomy and other sexual acts. Addressing his congregation and the world regarding the charges approximately eight months ago, Long said that he had “never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man. But I am not the man that’s being portrayed on the AP Photo/John Amis television. That’s not me.” “I’ve been accused. I am Bishop Eddie Long walks to the pulpit with his wife, Vanessa under attack,” he said. “This Long, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at New Birth Missionary Baptist thing, I’m gonna fight. ... I feel Church in Atlanta. Bishop Eddie Long, the pastor of a Georgia like David against Goliath. But megachurch accused of luring young men into sexual relationI’ve got five rocks and I ships, has told his congregation of thousands that all people haven’t thrown one yet.” must face painful and distasteful situations. The settlement, which was reached after several months of mediation, any details regarding the resolution or the resodoesn’t look like the fight Long promised. It lution process, as they are confidential. This resleaves all the questions from the lawsuits unan- olution is the most reasonable road for everyone swered, including the basic question of his guilt to travel.” B.J Bernstein, the lawyer for plaintiffs or innocence, and generated new ones, including the monetary terms of the settlement, and Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, Jamal Parris and Spencer LeGrande, released a brief statewhether Long or the church is paying the tab. “After a series of discussions, all parties ment, saying only that “The matter has been involved have decided to resolve the civil cases See BISHOP EDDIE LONG, page 7

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

After 30 years, AIDS has become a ‘Black disease’ BY GEORGE E. CURRY SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THEDEFENDERSONLINE.COM When AIDS was first detected 30 years ago, it was considered a White, gay man’s disease. In fact, it was known as GRID — gay-related immune deficiency. Although African Americans represent only 12.6 percent of the U.S. population, Blacks now represent almost half of all new HIV infections and nearly 50 percent of AIDS-related deaths. What was once thought to be a “gay” disease has clearly become a “Black” disease. Sunday will mark the 30th anniversary of the first public identification of AIDS. To commemorate the anniversary, the Black AIDS Institute released a report titled, “30 Years is Enuf: The History of the AIDS Epidemic in Black America.” The report is a comprehensive review of the past three decades, chronicling missed opportunities, failed government actions, a medical community that was slow to react, African Americans who underestimated the scope of the disease in their community, and dedicated community activists forcing health officials to tackle what would later become known as AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), the final stage of HIV. “From the epidemic’s earliest days, it was apparent that Black Americans were disproportionately affected by the epidemic,” Phill Wilson, founder and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, wrote in the introduction to his organization’s report. “Yet, the epidemic in its early years was consistently portrayed as a problem for white gay men. Neither our national leaders, nor Black America itself, responded as they should have to the clear signs of an emerging health crisis among Black people.” Initially, medical experts were baffled by the new disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its June 5, 1981 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): “In the period October 1980-May 1981, 5 young men, all active homosexuals, were treated for biopsy-confirmed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia at 3 different hospitals in Los Angeles. Two of the patients died. All five had laboratory-confirmed previous or current cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and candida mucosal infection.” In its editorial note, the CDC observed: “Pneumocystis pneumonia in the United States is almost exclusively limited to severely immunosuppressed patients. The occurrence of Pneumocystosis in these 5 previously healthy individuals without clinically apparent underlying immunodeficiency is unusual. The fact that these patients were all homosexuals suggests an association

between some aspect of a homosexual lifestyle or disease acquired through sexual contact and Pneumocystis pneumonia in this population.” It would take another three years to identify HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Epidemiologists determined that HIV could be transmitted by men having sex with men, heterosexual couples, from infected women to their newborns, blood transfusions, and through contaminated needles. An estimated 1.1 million people live with HIV/AIDS today, including 500,000 African Americans. Although early attention was understandably focused on White, gay men, there was sufficient evidence — often ignored — that Blacks were disproportionately affected. “One of the enduring myths of the epidemic is that AIDS almost exclusively affected white gay men in the U.S. during the early years,” the Black AIDS Institute report states. “In reality, AIDS had a disproportionate effect on Black America from the very beginning. Representing just 12 percent of the U.S. population, Black people accounted for 26 percent of all cases reported in 1981-1983.” It continued: “Outside subSaharan Africa, only four countries have HIV prevalence as high as the conservative estimates of the HIV burden in Black America. Indeed, were Black America its own country, it would have the 16th largest number of people living with HIV, with levels of infection rivaling numerous countries in Africa.” In the early years, there was widespread ignorance about the disease. “Because health officials and journalists used the phrase ‘bodily fluids’ instead of specifying semen, blood and vaginal secretions, many people feared they could contract AIDS from toilet seats or drinking fountains,” wrote Lawrence K. Altman in The New York Times. The first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat HIV infection was AZT, or zidovudine. But a more effective class of antiretroviral drugs, called protease inhibitors, were developed in the mid-1990s. Researchers discovered that by combining multiple classes of drugs, they could limit the viral replication process. The combination treatment was called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). “Black America has benefited from treatment breakthroughs but not to the same extent as whites,” the Black AIDS study observed. “Indeed, evidence indicates that Black-White disparities in HIV-related medical outcomes have actually widened in the HAART era. The sub-optimal HIV outcomes experienced by Black Americans stem from a combination of late diagnosis of HIV, inadequate health access, discontinuity of care, treatment adherence challenges, and a higher prevalence of other serious

co-morbidities.” Over the years, public awareness increased in unexpected ways. “The AIDS-related death of actor Rock Hudson in 1985 shocked the country and dramatically increased AIDS awareness,” the Black AIDS Institute report noted. “A similar effect resulted from the AIDS diagnosis in 1988 of tennis great Arthur Ashe, one of only two men to win a Grand Slam tournament. Before his death in 1993, Ashe established a private foundation to fight AIDS. “Public awareness of the AIDS crisis, especially in Black communities, underwent a sea change in 1991, when basketball great Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson announced that he had tested HIV-positive. After his announcement, HIV testing rates in Black communities skyrocketed, as many Black Americans awoke to the reality that AIDS was not only a problem for gay men.” By then, however, AIDS had ravaged Black America. The proof is in the numbers. Although African-Americans represent 12.6 percent of the U.S.

Phill Wilson (13.6 percent when you include those who identify with more than one race), Blacks: Account for 45 percent of new HIV infections; represent 46 percent of people living with HIV; represent 48 percent of all new AIDS diagnoses and account for 57 percent of all HIVrelated deaths. Figures for some groups are even more staggering. Black women, for example, account

for 61 percent of the HIV infections among women, nearly 15 times larger than the rate for White women. Blacks ages 13 to 19 are only 17 percent of U.S. teenagers, they represent 68 percent of all new AIDS diagnoses among teens. According to a five-city survey, 46 percent of gay and bisexual men were infected with HIV, compared to 21 percent of White men and See HIV/AIDS, page 15

WARNING Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm are contained in crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel and other petroleum products and by-products. Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm are also contained in and around oil fields, service stations, refineries, chemical plants, transport and storage operations, including pipelines, marine terminals and tank trucks, and other facilities and equipment that manufacture, produce, process, handle, distribute, transport, store, sell or otherwise transfer crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel or other petroleum products or byproducts. The foregoing warning is provided pursuant to Proposition 65. This law requires the Governor of California to publish a list of chemicals "known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity." This list is compiled in accordance with a procedure established by the Proposition, and can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency. Proposition 65 requires that clear and reasonable warnings be given to persons exposed to the listed chemicals in certain situations.

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Historic photos taken by Black photographers

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H. Claude Hudson (left) poses for a photo. In the 102 years he spent on this earth, Hudson accomplished many things, including helping establish the NAACP and desegregating beaches locally, according to the L.A. Times, which also said he was a revered local Black leader. He died in Los Angeles in 1989. In the top right photo, local Black photographer Harry Adams captures a seemingly small moment in history: A cross guard holds up a stop sign as school children look toward the camera in April 1966. In this middle photo, boxer Archie Moore appears to be staring at an unidentified woman. A professional light-heavyweight boxer, Moore had the nickname â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Old Mongoose.â&#x20AC;? He gave himself this alias to influence chaffing about his seemingly mature age for the sport. People associated with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) pose for a photo in July of 1964. The civil rights group is known among many for helping popularize sit-ins. These photos were taken by Black photographer Harry Adams. They were provided courtesy of Kent Kirkton, curator and director of the Institute for Arts and Media at California State University, Northridge.

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Blacks in the public sector threatened BY LEE SAUNDERS Radical conservative politicians want to slash city, county and state jobs — and undercut the economic security of African-American families, says this union official. When I was growing up in Cleveland, some of the most respected people in my neighborhood were the folks who worked for the city, county or state. My father was a city bus driver who took great pride in getting people safely to and from their jobs every day. My mother was a community college teacher who loved preparing her students for success. It turns out that my family was far from unique: 21 percent of all Black workers are public employees, making the public sector the largest employer of Black workers, according to a recent University of California, Berkeley study. The wages that African Americans earn in the public sector are higher than those we earn in other industries. Furthermore, there is less wage inequality between AfricanAmerican workers and non-Black workers in the public sector than in other industries. The author of the study, Steven Pitts of Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education, emphasizes that his analysis is based on the national work force. In cities where African Americans are a larger proportion of the population, “the importance of the public sector to Black employment prospects” is even greater. Another recent finding makes Pitts’ conclusions even more significant. According to the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., although the economy is showing some signs of recovery, African Americans in 2010 had unemployment rates of at least 15 percent in severely depressed states — levels not seen since the Great Depression. These revelations mean that the plans by radical governors to rob public employees of their rights, shrink pay and benefits, and cut jobs will have a disproportionate impact on Black families and communities. In other words, White America’s bad cold has turned into pneumonia for Black America — and it will get

Lee Saunders worse if ultraconservative politicians cripple public-sector unions, making them incapable of protecting their members. Both of my parents were active union members because they knew that the labor rights and civil rights movements were the way for African Americans to achieve upward mobility and equality. In fact, labor unions and civil rights organizations have worked hand in hand in just about every fight for equality and economic justice that our nation has known. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, he was in Memphis, Tenn., on behalf of 1,300 sanitation workers, members of AFSCME Local 1733. They were on strike for more than a bigger paycheck; as their “I am a man” signs made clear, they wanted respect for the work they did. King stood with them because he recognized that freedom requires that workers have a voice, the ability to provide for their families, and the power to shape their destinies. Not only do public-sector jobs mean economic security for Black families, they are also jobs that are vitally important to communities across this nation. Whether they are teachers, bus drivers, sanitation workers, snowplow operators, emergency medical technicians, nurses or librarians, public employees perform jobs that towns and cities of every size and

BISHOP EDDIE LONG Continued from page 4

resolved” and adding that neither she or her clients would make any further statements or give interviews now or in the future about the case. “To me it looks like a cover up,” the Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, a religious and political commentator, said. “It looks like he did what the Catholic Church has been doing for decades. I thought that (Long’s initial statements) meant he would go to court and fight in court.”

Reynolds added that there is no way to be sure if Long was guilty or innocent. “If that’s his addiction, more people will be violated ... But, who will know for sure now, because it’s been covered up.” The New Birth congregation rallied around Long, supporting his call to fight and continue to move forward. And he assured them that he would remain their pastor, saying, “I’ve been

description depend on. Their work strengthens neighborhoods and supports basic American values like looking out for one another, preparing our children for the future, and ensuring that there is a safety net for the most vulnerable members of our country. But if you believe the radical governors and legislators in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and other states, many of these jobs are unnecessary, and the workers who provide them are “coddled” because they have the right to a voice on the job. Since January 2009, state and local governments have laid off 429,000 workers, and these layoffs have already had dire effects on families across the country. And yet instead of joining with us to find solutions and protect the rights of workers, these governors are inflicting more pain. Their only interest is in attacking our jobs, crippling our unions and dismantling public services. At a time when we should be pulling together, their tactics and rhetoric are ripping us apart. Because so many Black families have built careers in state and local government, what these corporatebacked politicians are also doing is undercutting the economic security of Black families. Ask if this is their intention, and of course they will deny that it is. But even the best of intentions (and their intentions are far from the “best”) can have unintended consequences. And there is no denying that the path they’ve chosen will have dire consequences for many Black families. That’s one of the many reasons African Americans, whether public employees or not, whether union members or not, are standing with the workers who are fighting back. If 21 percent of Black workers are publicsector employees, that means that one out of every five Black workers is employed by a state or local government. Our financial well-being and the economic security of the neighborhoods we live in are at stake. It is up to all of us to fight for our future. Lee Saunders is secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

called to be your shepherd and as long as you receive me as your shepherd, I’ll be your shepherd.” But without a clear resolution of Long’s guilt or innocence, or the cost of the settlements to the church, many are wondering what impact this will have on Long’s ability to be effective as a leader. “I think they’ll go right on with him,” Reynolds said. “People have a special relationship with their preacher and they are going to believe Eddie Long and things will go on as usual.”

The prophetic genius of Gil Scott-Heron BY DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS JR. NNPA COLUMNIST Gil Scott Heron, who lived for 62 years from 1949 to 2011, was more than a legendary entertainer. He was a social and political visionary that helped to inspire generations of young gifted and talent poets, spoken word artists, rappers, and a global cadre of musical and cultural satirists that have contributed to the irreversible, progressive transformations of the mindsets of hundreds of millions of young people from Harlem, N.Y., to Soweto, South Africa; and from the Delta in Mississippi and the bayous of Louisiana to Trench Town in Jamaica to the barrios of Brazil and deep into the crucible neighborhoods of the South Bronx and South Central L.A., as well as throughout what is culturally referred today as the “Dirty South.” Heron was a contemporary of Bob Marley in the essence of their mutual penetrating and relentless critique of human oppression, racism and suffering. Scott-Heron was urban, rural, Pan African, and global, all at the same time. What James Baldwin did with his consciousness-evoking novels, Scott-Heron did with his musical compositions and literary genius. Scott-Heron was a determinative and inspirational “bridge” artist between the culture revolutions of the 1960s and the 1970s up to the evolution of the hip-hop generation in the 1980s. That is why many referred to Brother Gil as one of the “Godfathers of rap.” Scott-Heron was born in Chicago in 1949 but was raised in the Bronx. He not only wrote poetry and music from the 1970s through 2010, he also became an accomplished novelist. Yet, it was his on-stage performances and his off-stage advocacy as a champion of African-American and Pan-African liberation that gave him an endearing intergenerational following for more than four decades. Today in 2011, there are some who question how the music and lyrics of the current superstars of hip-hop are related to past generations of poets and spoken-word artists. The answer to that question is fully displayed in the life and career of Scott-Heron. Like the phenomenal Langston Hughes of the famed Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s, ScottHeron attended a famous Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. While at Lincoln University in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Scott-Heron refined his artistic abilities and began to branch out across different genres of music, including the blues, jazz, soul, R&B and liberation music. During the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Scott-Heron’s voice was heard and felt by millions of people throughout the world. About Gil, Dr. Cornel West said, “His example has been a profound inspiration to me and many others in terms of fusing the musical

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. with the prophetic and being willing to take a risk or pay a cost in order to lay bare some unsettling truths with such artistic sophistication.” Yes, Scott-Heron was my close friend and consistent comrade in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality. We shared together many forums, mass organizing rallies, grassroots mobilizing campaigns in the major large cities, but also in many rural towns and villages. While I was imprisoned through most of the 1970s as a member of the Wilmington 10, it was Brother Gil who produced music about freeing the Wilmington 10 and all political prisoners. Scott-Heron’s music made you dance, clap your hands, stomp your feet, and raise your clenched fists into the air to shout “Power to the People!” But most of all, Gil’s poetry and music would make you uncomfortable with injustice. After you listen to Scott-Heron’s music, it will make you want to join the movement for change whereever you are located. Scott-Heron once told me, “Hey man, each one of us has to play a role in making the revolution for freedom real. If someone merely gives you what you might think is your freedom, then it is not really freedom; it is just an illusion of freedom … But, if you fight for your freedom, no one can ever take it away from you, can you dig it?” Yes, we can “dig” what ScottHeron represented. A prophet just does not predict the future. To be prophetic really means to discern what it is that God is calling for you to do in the present. Scott-Heron answered God’s call with the genius of his music and lyrics. Now, ScottHeron has passed the torch to the generation of poets, musicians and lyricists of today. Please keep that torch lit with the fire of freedom for all. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is senior adviser to the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) and president of Education Online Services Corp.

L.A. Watts Times WEEKENDER

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Watts Times writer Jennifer Bihm shares her story of being bullied, tips on how to deal with bullying and more.

By Jennifer Bihm Contributing Writer

wasn’t getting covered. After the Columbine shootings, bullying started getting covered everyday…”

I tried to fake another stomach ache, except my dad wasn’t going for it. So this reporter, a middle schooler some time in the late ’80s, had to go and face another day of ridicule about a list of things that were supposedly wrong with me. Teasing wasn’t enough for one girl, however, and her taunts about my hair, clothes, etc., turned into repeated threats to “kick my a-- after school.” Back then, bullying wasn’t a “thing” like it is today. It wasn’t widely reported on or analyzed. For me, it was just something I dreaded but had deal with at school. “The United States really only started doing research on it after the Columbine shootings,” explained Ron Avi Astor, a professor of social work at the University of Southern California and expert in school violence. Astor was referring to the 1999 tragedy when two students at Columbine High School in Colorado went on a shooting spree at the school. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris managed to kill 12 students and one teacher before turning their guns on themselves. In the aftermath of the massacre, journals belonging to the pair revealed that they blamed bullying and victimization on their actions. Since then, he said, awareness of the problem has grown dramatically. “If you go back to 1995 and say, ‘How many media stories were there on bullying,’ you won’t find any in the national media at all. For years it seemed like bullying didn’t exist. Of course it existed; it just

WHAT IS BULLYING?

Sirdeaner Walker (right), of Springfield, Mass., left, addresses an audience as Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, right, looks on during a bill signing ceremony at the Statehouse in Boston, Monday, May 3, 2010. Walker’s son, 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover (left), who Walker said had been tormented by classmates, hanged himself in 2009.

“It’s difficult to talk about bullying generically because the behaviors (that characterize it) are so different,” Astor said. It covers a wide range of behaviors like social exclusion, sexual harassment or even shooting. But, he said, it mainly has to do with a power differential between one kid and another kid or a group of kids one being stronger and one being weaker. According to Los Angeles Unified School District’s School Safety website, “two of the main reasons people are bullied are because of appearance and social status. Bullies pick on the people they think don’t fit in, maybe because of how they look, how they act (for example, kids who are shy and withdrawn), their race or religion, or because the bullies think their target may be gay or lesbian…” The most current statistics from the Bureau of Justice - School Crime and Safety reveal that: • About a third of teens in the United States reported being bullied while at school. • About 20 percent had been made fun of by a bully; 18 percent of teens had rumors or gossip spread about them; 11 percent were physically bullied, such as being shoved, tripped or spit on; 6 percent were threatened; 5 percent were excluded from activities they wanted to participate in; 4 percent were coerced into something they did not want to do; and 4 percent had their personal belongings destroyed by bullies. • Forty-four percent of middle schools reported

bullying problems, compared to just over 20 percent of both elementary and high schools. BULLYING CHARACTERISTICS Both guys and girls can be bullies, say LAUSD officials via their School Safety website. “Bullies may be outgoing and aggressive. Or a bully can appear reserved on the surface, but may try to manipulate people in subtle, deceptive ways. Many bullies share some common characteristics. “They like to dominate others and are generally focused on themselves. They often have poor social skills and poor social judgment. Sometimes they have no feelings of empathy or caring toward other people. “Some bullies actually have personality disorders that don’t allow them to understand normal social emotions like guilt, empathy, compassion, or remorse. These people need help from a mental health professional like a psychiatrist or psychologist…” EFFECTS OF BULLYING “It hurts, it hits a nerve,” said student volunteer Alison Roeder, who is heading up the Anti Bullying Campaign at Tom Bradley Elementary School in Los Angeles June 9. The campaign will include workshops aimed at teaching kids bullying prevention and coping techniques. The workshops are aimed at 4th- and 5th-graders because that’s where Roeder said the problem is most prevalent at the school. She says she hopes the event will become annual. “The nature of bullying is very cyclical and

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, June 2, 2011

(left) Eleven-year-old Jaheem Herrera committed suicide after, according to his family, relentless bullying in Dekalb County, GA.

Miasha Williams, 12, looks down as she holds a sign for Temecula Valley High School students to see as school is released for the day in Temecula, CA

then (the victim) might turn around and do it to someone else,” she said. “It makes school, instead of a place of learning and engaging in new topics, an unsafe place; it makes them associate school with those experiences and not want to go to school.” Studies show bullying can also have long-term effects like loss of self-esteem and depression, according to experts at Psychological Harassment Information Association. In severe cases, bullying has been shown to lead to suicide.

NEW TRENDS AND CYBER BULLYING Online bullying, or cyber bullying, happens when teens use the Internet, cell phones or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. Parry Aftab, creator of stopcyberbullying.org, said part of the reason the trend is growing is that kids feel bolder with the anonymity that posting online allows them. “Often people, who are bullied in real life, use the Internet to get even,” she explained. “People who aren’t tough can hide online.”

NO (above) Nia Perkins, with son Bryan, 9, stand outside their home with a racial slur spraypainted on their garage. She said she has complained in the past to school authorities about children bullying her Bryan.

With that boldness comes even more disturbing trends, she said. “We’re seeing more physical violence offline having to do with online activity.” In recent years, the online activity has spilled over into gang culture, where set-ups and hits are orchestrated online. Kids can post threats to rival gang members as someone other than themselves so as to incite violence against that person. The “posed- as” person is usually clueless until it’s too late. “This is serious and disturbing, because now (cyber-bullied victims) are not going to die because they’re depressed and kill themselves, they’re going to be shot because of a cyber set-up,” said Aftab. “ A n o t h e r change in high school bullying is the high rate of athletes and very successful kids who are bullied,” writes Mandy Jane Clark on stop-bullies. com. Clark notes that envy could play a major role in the trend. “In some communities, it almost seems like being smart and accomplished could be a sentence to bullying since other kids are threatened

BULLYING (left) Logos Academy first-grader Danny Carabello closes his eyes in prayer.

by that talent and brightness. Rather than being the ‘in’ group today, successful kids are being targeted by bullies.” HOW TO DEAL The LAUSD recommends trying other methods as opposed to retaliation. “For younger kids, the best way to solve a bullying problem is to tell a trusted adult. For teens, though, the tell-an-adult approach depends on the bullying situation,” say district officials. “One situation in which it is vital to report bullying is if it threatens to lead to physical danger and harm. Numerous high-school students have died when stalking, threats, and attacks went unreported and the silence gave the bully license to become more and more violent. “Sometimes the victim of repeated bullying cannot control the need for revenge and the situation becomes dangerous for everyone.” They also recommend staying with a group of friends, especially if they feel their bully will become violent, finding a trusted friend or adult to talk to if possible, ignoring the bully and walking away, and finding positive and “true” friends to hang out with. As for my part, not having the benefit of the studies, advice or parents who would let me stay home from school left me with the lone choice of defending myself. Because, deep down I knew the torture would never end if I didn’t. Looking at today’s trends and outcomes when it comes to school violence, I guess I should be thankful that all I got after the fight was over was left alone.

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sights & Scenes The 25th Annual JazzReggae Fetival 2011 took place May 29 and 30 at UCLA.

Steel Pulse

Photos by Malcolm Ali

Little Dragon Lupe Fiasco

Talib Kweli

Bilal

Gyptian

www.lawattstimes.com 11

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Tupac Shakur

BY BRETT ZONGKER, ASSOCIATED PRESS PBS officials say hackers have cracked the network’s website, posting a phony story claiming dead rapper Tupac Shakur was alive in New Zealand, and a group that claimed responsibility for the hacking complained about a recent “Frontline” investigative news program on WikiLeaks. PBS confirmed Monday that the website had been hacked. The phony story had been taken down as of Monday morning. It had been posted on the site of the “PBS NewsHour” program, which is produced by WETA-TV in Arlington, Va. Anne Bentley, PBS’ vice president of corporate communications, said in an email that erroneous information posted on the website has been corrected. The hackers also posted login information for two internal PBS sites: one that media use to access the PBS press room and an internal communications website for stations, she said. She

said all affected parties were being notified. David Fanning, executive producer of “Frontline,” said he was learning of the hacking early Monday, nearly a week after the program aired its “WikiSecrets” documentary about the leak of U.S. diplomatic cables to the WikiLeaks website. The documentary, produced by WGBH-TV in Boston, generated criticism and debate on the program’s website in recent days from those sympathetic to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and from those who thought the program was fair, Fanning said. “Frontline” producers hear impassioned responses all the time, Fanning said. Having a group attack the PBS website over a news program was unusual but “probably not unexpected,” he said. “From our point of view, we just see it as a disappointing and irresponsible act, especially since we have been very open to publishing criticism of the film ... and the film included other points of view,” Fanning said. “This kind of action is

Justice Department meets ‘The Wire’

Photo by Fred Watkins

Attorney General Eric Holder, above left, was joined by three stars from HBO’s poignant drama “The Wire” in Washington, D.C., at the Justice Department, during a panel discussion to launch a new public awareness campaign, addressing the challenges faced by children and families affected by drug abuse and its tragic toll on children and families. The three actors — Wendell Pierce, second from left, Sonja Sohn, second from right, and Jim True-Frost, right — starred in the “The Wire,” which was set in Baltimore and depicted the effects of the drug scene through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement. “Protecting youth from exposure to drug abuse is a key priority for this department, and we are unwavering in our commitment to raising awareness about this vital mission and continuing our efforts to assist the most vulnerable victims of the illicit drug industry,” Holder said. Last year, the Justice Department established the Drug Endangered Children Task Force to help the millions of children living in drug environments.

Hackers post phony Tupac story on PBS website irresponsible and chilling.” A tweet from the “NewsHour” Twitter account said: “If you missed it: our site has been accessed by hackers. Thanks for staying with us.” A group calling itself LulzSec and “The Lulz Boat” on Twitter claimed responsibility and posted links to other hacks, including a video apparently taunting the network. Taunting messages were also posted on the group’s Twitter page targeting the PBS program “Frontline.” One message said the group recently saw the “WikiSecrets” show and was “less than impressed.” PBS ombudsman Michael Getler wrote about the “WikiSecrets” documentary in his weekly column Thursday, saying it had generated only a handful of complaints, though he had expected more mail from viewers. “This may be a good thing for Frontline if it suggests that most viewers found the program to be in keeping with Frontline’s reputation for fair yet tough reporting,” Getler wrote. Getler raised some questions about the reporting in the program but said he found the questioning by interviewer Martin Smith to be “tough but proper.”

Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Sean Kingston, shown Feb. 8, crashed his personal watercraft into a Miami Beach bridge on Sunday.

Sean Kingston moved to ICU after watercraft crash BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Hip-hop singer Sean Kingston has been stabilized and moved to the intensive care unit at a hospital after crashing his watercraft into a Miami Beach bridge, his publicist said Monday. The publicist, Joseph Carozza, said Kingston’s family is grateful for everyone’s prayers and support. Kingston and a female passenger were injured when the watercraft hit the Palm Island Bridge around 6 p.m. Sunday, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino said. The Miami Herald reports that a passing boater saw the accident and took the two on board his vessel. Both were hospitalized early Monday at Ryder Trauma Center, but Pino said he didn’t know their conditions. Authorities are investigating the crash, and “nothing at this point would indicate that alcohol played a role,” Pino said. Kingston rose to fame with his 2007 hit “Beautiful Girls” and was also featured on songs by artists

including Justin Bieber. His selftitled debut album sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. On Twitter, Bieber posted a message of support for Kingston. “Got my friend Sean Kingston in my prayers tonight,” Bieber tweeted early Monday. “A true friend and big bro. Please keep him in your prayers tonight as well.” A number of hip-hop musicians were in Miami Beach over the weekend for Urban Beach Week. In a 2007 interview with The Associated Press, Kingston described his music as a fusion of reggae, pop, rap and R&B. “It’s Sean Kingston genre. I have my own genre,” Kingston told The AP at the time. “No disrespect to no artist or dudes out there. I feel like I am my own person. I am doing my own thing.” His music has been unique among hip-hop offerings, as Kingston refused to use profanity. “To put it in my music, that’s not the message I am trying to send out,” he said in the 2007 interview. “That’s not the type of artist I am trying to be.”

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Shaq says on Twitter: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m about to retireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

New Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown speaks during a news conference in El Segundo, Calif., Tuesday, May 31, 2011.

New Lakers coach Brown says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still Kobeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team BY BETH HARRIS AP SPORTS WRITER EL SEGUNDO, Calif. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Phil Jackson is retired, the triangle offense is out, and Mike Brown is in. And the Los Angeles Lakers are still Kobe Bryantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team. Brown made it clear Tuesday during his introduction as Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successor that Bryantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change under his regime. He said his first meeting with the superstar who owns five NBA championships â&#x20AC;&#x153;went very well.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is still his team. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make sure that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have the ball in the sweet spots that he likes,â&#x20AC;? Brown said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has a great understanding of my vision and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onboard.â&#x20AC;? Bryant, Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum had publicly supported longtime Lakers assistant Brian Shaw in his bid to replace Jackson, who retired after Dallas swept the two-time defending champions out of the second round. Besides meeting with Bryant and talking on the phone with his wife, Vanessa, Brown said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talked to Fisher and his wife, Pau Gasol, Bynum and Ron Artest. Public reaction to Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hiring has been mixed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody is entitled to their opinion, I respect that,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Winning will cure all of that.â&#x20AC;? General manager Mitch Kupchak said he, owner Jerry Buss and Jim Buss, the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son and an executive with the team, interviewed three people for the unenviable job of following Jackson, who owns the most titles in NBA history. Besides Shaw and Brown, Rick Adelman also was in the running. The elder Buss said that initially he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think Brown â&#x20AC;&#x153;would be the man.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then when he started talking to us, he said how he would handle this team. He was very prepared,â&#x20AC;? Buss said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I liked his Xâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, his visions for our future. Very few people understand that our job is to try and remain on top forever. He likes that philosophy. I like that.â&#x20AC;? Shortly before his introduction, Brown signed a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million. Matt Barnes was the only player

on hand for Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s introduction at the Lakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; practice facility, stopping after a rehab session nearby. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coming here is tough. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coming to L.A., one of the biggest markets, one of the best teams in sports history,â&#x20AC;? Barnes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To carry himself the way he did, and answered all the questions and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really shy away from anything just showed a lot that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready and hope heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got his thick skin.â&#x20AC;? The 41-year-old Brown led Cleveland to the 2007 NBA finals and went 272-138 with the Cavaliers, becoming the most successful coach in franchise history while compiling the leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best regular-season record in each of his last two seasons. He got fired last year before LeBron James packed his bags for Miami. Brown had been working as an ESPN analyst. Brown knows there will be endless comparisons and references to Jackson, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready for it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure what size shoe he wears, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not here to fill his shoes,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m here to help this team and organization carve our own path to success.â&#x20AC;? That includes dumping the famed triangle offense that Jackson employed to such success in both Los Angeles and Chicago. Unlike Jackson, Brown may call more timeouts, too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to run the triangle offense, but we will have bits and pieces of it that will be incorporated,â&#x20AC;? said Brown, adding that his offense will be tailored to 7-footers Bynum and Gasol, similar to what was run for big men Tim Duncan and David Robinson during his time as an assistant in San Antonio. Brown ticked off his top three essentials on both offense and defense. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy in right away, they will,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a problem because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to hold people accountable.â&#x20AC;? Brown said he wants to foster a culture that includes trust, communication, defense, a no-excuses mentality, a family environment, and a determined work ethic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As long as the group is willing, which it sounds like it is, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get it done,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to be at the top forever.â&#x20AC;?

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Los Angeles Lakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Shaquille Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal holds up the MVP trophy, right, and the championship trophy after the Lakers won their second straight NBA championship, defeating the 76ers 108-96 in Game 5, Friday June 15, 2001, in Philadelphia. BY JIMMY GOLEN AP SPORTS WRITER BOSTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; He was a prolific producer of rebounds and record albums. And nicknames, too, as if at 7foot-1 and 350 pounds he was too big for the simple â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shaqâ&#x20AC;? that made him an instantly recognizable, one-name star in all of his endeavors. Shaquille Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal had more than 28,000 points and almost 4 million Twitter followers. He appeared in six NBA finals, three times as the MVP, and seven feature films, twice in a starring role. A 15-time All-Star, four-time champion and the 2000 NBA Most Valuable Player, the 39-year-old Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal announced his retirement on Twitter on Wednesday after spending most of his 19th season on the Boston Celtics bench, in street clothes because of leg injuries. Along with a mid-afternoon tweet saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;im retiring,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal included a link to a 16-second video of him saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did it; 19 years, baby. Thank you very much. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m telling you first: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon.â&#x20AC;? An inveterate prankster who gave himself a new nickname â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or several â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in each of his six NBA cities, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal did not notify his latest team, leaving it wondering about his plans. He played just 37 games this season, the first of a two-year deal at the veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minimum salary, making just three brief appearances after Feb. 1. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a giant,â&#x20AC;? commissioner David Stern said Wednesday at the NBA finals in Miami. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physically imposing; he has an imposing smile. In the game, he imposed his will, and he has done it for quite a long time. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a great run, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to miss him greatly. We hope we can find ways to keep him involved in the game.â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal, 39, retires fifth all-time

with 28,596 points, 12th with 13,099 rebounds, and a .582 field goal percentage that is second only to Artis Gilmore among players with more than 2,000 baskets. His free throw percentage of .527 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; well, now is not the time to dwell on that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a little bit sad,â&#x20AC;? said Heat president Pat Riley, who also coached Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal when he won a title in Miami and watched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning when they retired. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been an honor to be part of coaching great, great players. And he will go down as one of the greatest of all time.â&#x20AC;? Appropriately, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nealâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retirement became the No. 1 trending topic on the social networking site he embraced by early evening, and his former teammates and opponents took to Twitter to wish him luck. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shaq not only dominated the game of basketball but also dominated off the court w/ his big personality. Hes 1 of the greatest entertainers,â&#x20AC;? Magic Johnson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you Shaq for leading the Lakers to 3 titles. We loved every minute of it!â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal spent three years at Louisiana State and was the big prize when the Orlando Magic won the 1992 draft lottery and selected him first overall. He took them from the lottery to the playoffs in two years, and then led them to the NBA finals in his third year before they were swept by the Houston Rockets. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 and had his greatest success there, winning three titles alongside Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson. But amid tension between Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal and Bryant after a loss to the Detroit Pistons in the finals, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal was traded to the Heat in the summer of 2004. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I often wonder how many they wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve won if he stayed,â&#x20AC;? said Johnson, the Lakers Hall of Famer. Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who decided to break up the tandem and

keep Bryant, thanked Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal for a â&#x20AC;&#x153;long and amazing career, with a huge

See SHAQ RETIRES, page 15

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Set apart to serve the least of these

The Rev. Mark Whitlock BY THE REV. MARK WHITLOCK Acts 13:2: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ ” Saul (Paul’s Hebrew name) and Barnabas were set apart to serve. They were given power by God to change the world. They fed people, clothed the naked, healed the sick, and brought salvation for the poor of spirit. They were set apart to serve. The served the least of these. The words set apart means to be sanctified. Sanctification is the process of God’s grace by which the believer is separated from sin to become dedicated to God’s service. God sets us apart to serve family, community and the church. We have been set apart to serve the homeless, hopeless and helpless. The church and its members have been set apart to serve and not be served. Our community has real problems. Unemployment, foreclosures, poverty, school dropouts and poverty are ongoing problems. The major problem is we don’t serve each other. Too many of us are crying for government to serve us or for some kind of philanthropic hand out. L.A., we have a problem. The solution to the problem is self-acceptance, reliance and devel-

oping interdependence on God. This requires dying to self. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, the Bible says, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ ” We have to set apart sinful behavior, self-defeating attitudes, poor spending habits, dropping out of school and beliefs separating us from the power to serve. There were a lot of people who lost faith, money, morals, and time believing the world was coming to an end Saturday, May 21st, at 6 p.m. While the only fool profiting from this prophecy was the false prophet. We have false prophets predicting the destruction of our churches, community, youth and businesses. We have been served a bill of goods for 100 years. The truth is the world comes to an end when we fail to serve. It’s time we serve ourselves. We know our problems. We know where the problems are. We know who the problems are. We know how to solve the problems. The problem is us! We shout in worship service, but the real service happens after worship service. It’s OK to shout, but it’s better to serve the least of these. The Rev. Mark Whitlock is senior pastor of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine.

Gospel Artist Yolanda Adams talks of new clothing line, life, and album BY GRACE BOATENG SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE HOUSTON FORWARD TIMES Yolanda Adams, best known for her stellar vocal performances, is a native of Houston, an entrepreneur, and possibly one of the nicest people you will ever cross paths. If she is not performing at an intimate gathering at the White House, you might find her performing for millions on stage at the Grammys. During the weekdays, you can catch her hosting her radio program, “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” and pretty soon you will see her clothing designs in a store near you. Adams took time out of her busy schedule to talk with me and discuss her life, her new album and much more. Grace Boateng: As a native of Houston, what was your experience growing up here in the city? Yolanda Adams: Fun, family, great sense of community. I had a fun time at school of course, great churches, and lots of good food. GB: Did you have a musical family? YA: My family is very musical. Most of them will not sing in public to save their lives but they all can definitely sing or play an instrument. GB: When was the moment you realized you had this gift and decided ... I want to sing? YA: I’ve been singing in church all of my life. Starting with the pee-wee choir like most kids … Then I got a chance to be part of a wonderful choir called The Southeast Inspirational Choir, which was already a recording choir. They were already traveling all over the United States and that was actually my entre into professional singing. GB: Through your musical ministry, your radio program, your written words, you inspire a lot of people. Who inspires you? YA: My family inspires me a lot. My daughter Taylor is one of the greatest inspirations in my life. She is funny, she’s a joy, she’s a great child, she makes her mom very, very proud. My 95-year-old grandmother, who lives with us still — Francis Means is an inspiration. She is the matriarch of the family holding everything together. It’s just a blessing to be able to say that. GB: I know as an artist for every work there is a journey, a reason, a motivation. The title of your latest album is “Becoming.” Talk to me about where this album came from? YA: I hadn’t done a studio project in a minute. I had done a lot of work in my other businesses, trying to make sure everything was together there and of course the ministry, but inspiration in my life has always been key. What inspires me to wake up in the morning? What inspires me to be the best I can

AP Photo/Matt Sayles

Presenter Yolanda Adams poses backstage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. be? What inspires me and gets me motivated? So I figure, ‘Hey, if I’m that kind of person what do people need?’ They need inspiration. They need to be inspired to create. They need to be inspired to work out. They need to be inspired to do all that they do. That was the basic theme of this new recording called “Becoming,” because every day we are evolving into something “good” or “bad.” We are evolving into what I want to believe as something special. GB: I see that you are able to move and adapt to the audience of each performance you give, you seem so comfortable on whatever stage you might be on from the Grammys to the White House. Have you always had that level of comfort with performing or is this a place you’ve grown to? YA: I think what happens (is that) you evolve into who you are over the years. Where there would have been hesitation when I was 19 years old to get in front of a huge crowd, now, of course, I’m about to hit 50 in August, there’s this thing that says, “Wow I have made it to this part of my life where people are enjoying what I do.” From 19 to almost 50, I found there are people who have stayed with me on this journey for a while. Now, I have new folks who like

what I do let me inspire them (and) let me encourage them to be the best that they can be. I understand the joy of the process and the joy of the journey. GB: Being a Christian in the Entertainment industry are you still met with challenges? What sort of challenges do you combat? YA: I don’t think there are challenges for me in the entertainment world especially now. I think what happens is conventional popularity says the older you get the less you are going to have an audience. But, folks like Nancy Wilson, Gladys Knight, Cher, Bette Midler, and, of course, my role model, Miss Aretha Franklin, squash all that. They have more people listening to them and wanting to hear what they have to say. You have to be comfortable in who you are, comfortable in your spirituality, and comfortable in your womanhood. You just evolve into this place where you’re like, ‘Wow, I love where I am.’ GB: You are quite the businesswoman. You host a radio program (“The Yolanda Adams Morning Show”), you are an author and a teacher, among many other things. I see now that you have a clothing line. Have you always been interested in fashion? See YOLANDA ADAMS, page 14

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Trustee Sale No. CA09001509-10-1 Title Order No. 4523957 Loan No. 501707731 APN 5033-017-007 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED November 5, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On June 9, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on December 3, 2007, as Instrument No. 20072640898 of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA , executed by: MARCUS D. THOMAS, AN UNMARRIED MAN, as Trustor, in favor of FLAGSTAR BANK, FSB. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: As more fully described on said Deed of Trust. The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 3862 CHERRYWOOD AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90008 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $418,670.22 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: May 19, 2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09001509-10-1 . 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Paul Gutierrez, Authorized Signature SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #12449 2011-05-19 2011-05-26 2011-06-02 Trustee Sale # CA0956547-2 Loan# 1008985093 Order # 090658531 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 12/04/2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 06/13/2011 at 1 :00PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 12/15/2006 as Document No. 06 2794180 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, CALVIN W. NICKELS AND LINDA D. NICKLES HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS, as Trustor, ALLSTATE LENDING GROUP, INC., as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 6037-004-018 AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 8931 SOUTH DENKER AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90047 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $397,365.44 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 Does X Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 05/19/2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC., DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: ROWENA PAZ, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714)786-5351, (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 RPRequests@trusteecorps.com Ad #12492 2011-05-19 2011-05-26 2011-06-02 Trustee Sale No. CA09001844-10-1 APN 6047-013-016 Title Order No. 4585018 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED March 9, 2007.

Thursday, June 2, 2011 UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On June 20, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on March 22, 2007, as Instrument No. 20070651515, of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by JOSEFINA ISAIS, A MARRIED WOMAN AS HER SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, as Trustor(s), in favor of HOME LOAN FUNDING, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1345 -1347 WEST 90TH PLACE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90044 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest Theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $521,189.80 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: May 19, 2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09001844-10-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Rowena Paz, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #12687 2011-05-26 2011-06-02 2011-06-09 Trustee Sale No. CA09003839-10-1 APN 7410-019-025 Title Order No. 4944689 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED July 19, 2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On June 27, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on July 26, 2006, as Instrument No. 06 1652078, of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by EMILIO RIVERA A MARRIED MAN AS HIS SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, as Trustor(s), in favor of WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 1657 252ND STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90710 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest Theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $550,381.62 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: May 24, 2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC dba Trustee Corps TS No. CA09003839-10-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Paul Gutierrez, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #12809 2011-06-02 2011-06-09 2011-06-16 Trustee Sale # CA0927986-2 Loan# 3002748394 Order # 080069850 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 02/16/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On 06/27/2011 at 01:00PM, MTC FINANCIAL INC., dba TRUSTEE CORPS as the duly appointed Substituted Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 02/23/2007 as Document No. 20070393118 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA, executed by, ALMA JEANNETTE ESTRADA, A MARRIED WOMAN, AS HER SOLE AND SEPARATE PROPERTY, as Trustor, MORTGAGEIT, INC, as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the

United States, by cash a cashier's check drawn by a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state). AT: At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building, 350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". All right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State describing the land therein: APN # 6008-043-003 As more fully described on said Deed of Trust. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 6014 MIRAMONTE BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90001 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said Note(s), advances, if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Trustee's Sale is: $404,081.70 (estimated amount). Accrued interest and additional advances, if any, will increase this figure prior to sale. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder's sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The Beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the County where the real property is located and more than three months have elapsed since such recordation. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2924f: The Beneficiary or Beneficiary's agent has indicated that the requirements of California Civil Code Section 2924f have been met. Compliance with California Civil Code Section 2923.52: 1. Pursuant to California Civil Code 2923.54 the undersigned, on behalf of the beneficiary, loan servicer or authorized agent, declares as follows: X Servicer does hereby state that Servicer has obtained from the commissioner a final or temporary order of exemption pursuant to Section 2923.53 that is current and valid on the date of the notice of sale is filed. 2. Timeframe for giving notice of sale specified in subdivision (a) Section 2923.52 Does X Does not apply pursuant to section 2923.52 or 2923.55 Dated: 06/02/2011 MTC FINANCIAL INC., DBA TRUSTEE CORPS, as Successor Trustee By: Paul Gutierrez, TRUSTEE SALES OFFICER TRUSTEE CORPS 17100 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA 92614 FOR SALE INFORMATION CONTACT: (714)786-5351, (949) 252-8300 FOR REINSTATEMENT / PAY OFF REQUESTS CONTACT: (949) 252-8300 RPRequests@trusteecorps.com Ad #12872 2011-06-02 2011-06-09 2011-06-16 Trustee Sale No. CA09001153-11-1 APN 5304-033-012 Title Order No. 5127424 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED June 2, 2006. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On June 27, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on June 13, 2006, as Instrument No. 06 1296411, of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by CLAUDIA ANEL RAMIREZ, A SINGLE WOMAN, as Trustor(s), in favor of SUNTRUST MORTGAGE, INC. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 4133 MERCURY AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90031 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest Theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $391,203.10 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: May 26, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09001153-11-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Rowena Paz, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #12891 2011-06-02 2011-06-09 2011-06-16 Trustee Sale No. CA09001228-11-1 APN 2108-002-007 Title Order No. 53001083 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED May 14, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On June 27, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on May 29, 2007, as Instrument No. 20071286276, of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by THEODORE SCOTT GLASSFORD, A SINGLE MAN, as Trustor(s), in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property

situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 8100 COZYCROFT AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 91306 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest Theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $437,627.37 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: May 26, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09001228-11-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Rowena Paz, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #12900 2011-06-02 2011-06-09 2011-06-16 Trustee Sale No. CA09000959-11-1 APN 5209-033-013 Title Order No. 110081053-CA-LPI NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED March 5, 2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. On June 27, 2011, at 01:00 PM, At the front entrance of the Pomona Superior Courts Building,350 West Mission Blvd, Pomona CA, MTC FINANCIAL INC. dba TRUSTEE CORPS, as the duly appointed Trustee, under and pursuant to the power of sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust Recorded on March 15, 2007, as Instrument No. 20070575614, of Official Records in the Office of the Recorder of Los Angeles County, CA, executed by ELSA TERAKAWA, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, as Trustor(s), in favor of MORTGAGEIT, INC as Beneficiary, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, in lawful money of the United States, all payable at the time of sale, that certain property situated in said County, California describing the land therein as: AS MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN SAID DEED OF TRUST The property heretofore described is being sold "as is". The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 4362 RADIUM DRIVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90032 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the Note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest Theron, as provided in said Note(s), advances if any, under the terms of the Deed of Trust, estimated fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligations secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of this Notice of Trustee`s Sale is estimated to be $173,571.28 (Estimated), provided, however, prepayment premiums, accrued interest and advances will increase this figure prior to sale. Beneficiary`s bid at said sale may include all or part of said amount. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept a cashier`s check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the California Financial Code and authorized to do business in California, or other such funds as may be acceptable to the trustee. In the event tender other than cash is accepted, the Trustee may withhold the issuance of the Trustee`s Deed Upon Sale until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The property offered for sale excludes all funds held on account by the property receiver, if applicable. If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder`s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. DATE: May 27, 2011 TRUSTEE CORPS TS No. CA09000959-11-1 17100 Gillette Ave Irvine, CA 92614 949-252-8300 Paul Gutierrez, Authorized Signatory SALE INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ON LINE AT www.NoticeSolutions.com AUTOMATED SALES INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 714-786-5351 TRUSTEE CORPS IS A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Ad #12925 2011-06-02 2011-06-09 2011-06-16

To place a classified ad call (323) 299-3800

SCOTT-HERON Continued from page 3

of paralysis. I tried the painkillers, but after a couple of weeks I felt like a piece of furniture. It makes you feel like you don’t want to do anything. This I can quit anytime I’m ready.” He referred to his signature mix of percussion, politics and performed poetry as bluesology or Third World music. But then he said it was simply “Black music or Black American music.” “Because Black Americans are now a tremendously diverse essence of all the places we’ve come from and the music and rhythms we brought with us,” he wrote. Even those who may have never heard of Scott-Heron’s name nevertheless knew his music. His influence on generations of rappers has been demonstrated through sampling of his recordings by artists, from Common to Mos Def to Tupac Shakur. Kanye West closes out the last track of his latest album with a long excerpt of Scott-Heron’s “Comment No. 1.” Throughout his musical career, he took on political issues of his time, including apartheid in South Africa and nuclear arms. He had been shaped by the politics of the 1960s and black literature, especially the Harlem Renaissance. Scott-Heron was born in Chicago on April 1, 1949. He was raised in Jackson, Tennessee, and in New York before attending college at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Before turning to music, he was a novelist, at age 19, with the publication of “The Vulture,” a murder mystery. He also was the author of “The Nigger Factory,” a social satire. His final works continued his biting social commentary. “I’m New Here” included songs with titles such as “Me and the Devil” and “New York Is Killing Me.” In a 2010 interview with Fader magazine, Scott-Heron admitted he “could have been a better person. That’s why you keep working on it.” “If we meet somebody who has never made a mistake, let’s help them start a religion. Until then, we’re just going to meet other humans and help to make each other better.”

YOLANDA ADAMS Continued from page 13

YA: I have always been interested in fashion, by necessity. Growing up in a family where you are the tallest girl and your inseam is 32 inches and you’re only 11 years old, it was a lot. My grandmother and mother taught me how to sew way back in the day. So, I was making my clothes back then and I said to myself that there should be a line for young people that look at the length and not just the width of pants, or dresses, or skirts. I’m finding I’m having that same kind of problem with Taylor, because my daughter she’s tall,

she’s statuesque, (she’s) beautiful, and she’s only 10 years old. Right now, we’re doing Yolanda Adams couture. There are suits, pants, coats, blouses, and dresses for women who want that classic look of the ’40s, ’50s, and the ’60s, where the lines were clean and crisp. You also have that hint of sexiness, but not too much. In developing this clothing line, we’re working with this company that has a high caliber of knit that flows so well and fits the body well without it being offensive or tight. So, Yolanda Adams Couture is coming.

www.lawattstimes.com 15

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PRISON

Continued from page 4 gymnasium, and as many as 54 prisoners may share a single toilet, he said. In other cases food was served in inmate’s cells where the only table was their toilet. A lower court found that a prisoner in the California system died for lack of medical care every six or seven days. Kennedy, whose opinion was joined by his four liberal colleagues, said the state’s prison population was at 156,000 a few years ago. As of May 11, inmates numbered roughly 143,000 in a 33-adult-prison system designed to hold 80,000. “A prison that deprives prisoners of basic sustenance, including adequate medical care, is incompatible with the concept of human dignity and has no place in civilized society.” Scalia read a blistering dissent from the bench in which he called the ruling “perhaps the most radical injunction issued by a court in our nation’s history” and said it would require the release of a “staggering number” of convicted felons. Justice Clarence Thomas joined Scalia’s opinion, while Justice Samuel Alito wrote a separate dissent for himself and Chief Justice John Roberts. The ruling also raised concerns among California lawmakers and attorneys general from 18 states that argued that a decision ordering the reduction of California’s inmate population infringes on states’ rights and could leave their prisons open to similar lawsuits. It’s “a historic attack on the constitutional rights of states and the liberty of all Californians,” said former state Sen. George Runner, who had intervened in the lawsuit on behalf of legislative Republicans. It will result in “flooding our neighborhoods with criminals.” The decision, however, doesn’t mean the prison gates will swing open in an uncontrolled release. “Our goal is to not release inmates at all,” said Matthew Cate, the state corrections secretary. Shorter term inmates will leave prison before the U.S. Supreme Court’s deadline expires, and newly sentenced lower-level offenders would go to local jails under the plan. “These offenders will be returning to our communities perhaps sooner than we’d planned,” said Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione, president of the California State Association of Counties, who urged state lawmakers to make sure counties have the money to provide public safety and rehabilitation services. “If we don’t do it smart, we could have all those people come back for additional crimes. We may ultimately have to build more prisons anyway, but I don’t think we want to get cornered into that box,” said Chuck Alexander, executive vice president of the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos called the

Request for Proposal County of Los Angeles Child Support Services Department The County of Los Angeles, Child Support Services Department, is soliciting proposals from qualified businesses, consortiums, partnerships or corporations to provide As-Needed Secretarial/Clerical and Accounting Temporary Services. Proposer’s who have demonstrated verifiable experience in providing staff to perform Secretarial/Clerical and Accounting Services are invited to submit a written proposal in accordance with the Request for Proposal package. Copies of the Request for Proposal package can be obtained beginning June 6, 2011 at 8:00 a.m., at the Child Support Services Department, 5770 South Eastern Avenue, Commerce, California 90040-2924, by calling Linda Billups, Contract Analyst, at (323) 889-3364 or by email to: lbillups@cssd.lacounty.gov. There will be a mandatory Proposer’s conference on July 12, 2011 at 9:30 a.m., at the Child Support Services Department, 5500 S. Eastern Avenue, Commerce, California 90040,Philip L. Browning Conference Room 137, 1st Floor.

court decision “bad news,” echoing the concern of the ruling’s dissenting justices over a potential impact to public safety. With 7.2 percent of state prisoners coming from San Bernardino County, Ramos said as many as 2,300 inmates could be released back to county streets during the next two years. “We have been anticipating how we’re going to handle this problem with (San Bernardino County) Sheriff (Rod) Hoops,” Ramos said. Ramos said construction of a new jail facility being built in Adelanto puts the county “a little ahead of the game, but it’s not done yet. We’re going to figure out what the timeline is and when the inmates are going to be released.” Sgt. Dave Phelps, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, said Hoops doesn’t want the public to be alarmed, with the decision being implemented gradually over two years. “The state is not going to ship busloads of inmates to the county ...,” Phelps said. “He said the Adelanto facility will add over 1,300 beds to the jail population.” Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach said he does not anticipate a mass release of prisoners. He said in two weeks the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will submit a compliance plan to the three-judge panel that originally ordered the reduction. Gov. Jerry Brown sought and signed a bill this year that would reduce the prison population by about 40,000 inmates by transferring jurisdiction for many low-level offenders to counties. The law is stalled until the lawmakers or voters authorize money to pay for the transfer. Much of the money is intended to help counties handle the responsibility of housing convicts. “As we work to carry out the Court’s ruling, I will take all steps necessary to protect public safety,” he said in a prepared statement. Several organizations, from the state prison guards union to the California State Association of Counties, backed Brown’s realignment plan — and the elusive funding — as the most practical way to comply with the court’s mandate. While there is plenty of nail biting and confusion over how to comply with the ruling, most would agree the stunning growth in the prison population in the nation’s most populous state can be attributed in part to years of politically motivated resistance to reform and get-tough sentencing laws, including a three-strike law that sends repeat offenders to prison for life.

HIV/AIDS

Continued from page 5 17 percent of Hispanics. The Black AIDS Institute made a series of recommendations to end the AIDS epidemic in Black America. Among them: Make major investments of HIV education in Black communities, increase AIDS funding, eliminate HIV treatment waiting lists, introduce new prevention tools, undertake a major marketing campaign to promote HIV testing and treatment, and persuade every Black institution to implement an AIDS strategy. Thanks to President Obama, the United States has put into place its first national AIDS strategy. Its vision: “The United States will become a place where HIV infections are rare and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic circumstance, will have unfettered access to high quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination.” According to the report, presidential leadership has been uneven over the past three decades. It assigned grades to recent presidents.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2011026562 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Kennedy Abdullah Childcare, 1118 W. 104 St., LA, CA 90044, County of LA Registered owner(s): Angie Kennedy Abdullah, 1118 W. 104 St., LA, CA 90044 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/ Angie Kennedy Abdullah This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 10, 2011 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 5/12, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2/11 CNS-2100048# WATTS TIMES

Ronald Reagan earned an F, George H.W. Bush received a C, Bill Clinton got a B, George W. Bush was awarded a C-, and Barack Obama received an incomplete. Since June of 1981, 1.7 million people in the United States have been infected with HIV, including 600,000 who have died. “As AIDS enters its fourth decade, there could be no more fitting tribute to the hundreds of thousands who have perished from this disease in the U.S. than to demonstrate that we have learned a lesson or two over the last 30 years,” Phill Wilson wrote in the Black AIDS Institute report. “In 2011, we have an extraordinary new opportunity to conquer AIDS. Only bold wise action will get us where we need to go.”

GOVERNMENT INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) NO. 1708 THE ABATEMENT, DEMOLITION AND DISPOSAL OF SEVEN (7) ABANDONED BUILDING STRUCTURES AT 9901 S. ALAMEDA STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90002 The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) invites vendors to submit bids for The Abatement, Demolition and Disposal of Seven (7) Abandoned Building Structures at 9901 S. Alameda Street. Los Angeles, CA 90002. Copies of the IFB may be downloaded from the internet at www.hacla.org/cgs Bids will be accepted at 2600 Wilshire Blvd, #3100, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 p.m. (local time), July 1, 2011. 6/2, 6/9/11 CNS-2111427# WATTS TIMES LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for IFB NO.C0985 Lankershim Depot Rehabilitation Phase One for selective demolition, structural stabilization, and abatement of paint, asbestos, and soil per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (9th Floor). 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 June 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.Pacific Time, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. C0985. A Pre-Bid conference will be held on June 13, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. in Gateway Plaza Room located on the 3rd floor at the address above. You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by emailing Zack Munoz at munozz@metro.net 6/2/11 CNS-2110519# WATTS TIMES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP# 7551) DISPOSITION PROJECT BASED VOUCHER (“PBV”) PROGRAM The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles invites proposals from qualified developers, including HACLA’s subsidiary, for the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program. Through this RFP, the Authority will make available up to a maximum of 455 PBVs for projects which directly assign them to existing housing developments principally to serve low-income elderly and/or disabled occupants. Copies of the RFP may be obtained beginning May 23, 2011 online at www.hacla.org/ps. Proposals will be accepted at 2600 Wilshire Blvd., #3100, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 P.M., June 24, 2011. 5/26, 6/2/11 CNS-2105560# WATTS TIMES

SHAQ RETIRES Continued from page 12

impact both on and off the court.” “His contributions were significant to the entire NBA, but we specifically appreciate what he did with and what he meant to the Lakers during his eight years with us,” Buss said. “We have three championships that we wouldn’t have won without him, and we will forever be grateful for his significant contributions to those teams.” After 3 1/2 years in Miami, a tenure that included his fourth NBA championship, O’Neal became a veteran for hire, moving to Phoenix and then Cleveland and finally Boston. But he couldn’t deliver another title for Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire with the Suns, with LeBron James with the Cavaliers, or with the Celtics’ Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. At each stop, he endeared himself to the fans and his new teammates with his effervescent smile and playful attitude, including the habit of adopting a new nickname he felt embodied his role with his new team. In Phoenix he was the “Big Shaqtus”; in Boston, the “Big Shamroq.” “What a career for Shaq Diesel!!” James wrote on Twitter. “The most dominating force to ever play the

game. Great person to be around as well. Comedy all the time!!” O’Neal connected with more than 3.8 million followers of his Twitter account, keeping them informed of his “random acts of Shaqness” — like sitting in Harvard Square, pretending to be a statue, or going out in drag on Halloween. But his off-court persona couldn’t disguise the fact he was getting old, and while he showed he could still play with younger opponents, he couldn’t manage to stay on the court with them. He missed a week in November with a bruised right knee, a week in December with a calf injury, and another in January with a sore right hip. He returned for three games — a total of about 34 minutes — before missing the next 27 games with what the team called a sore right leg. Although the injury was originally expected to keep him out just a few games, his absence stretched to more than two months. He returned to play in one more regular-season game, but lasted just 5 minutes, 29 seconds before reinjuring the leg and limping off the court. He missed Boston’s entire first-round

series against the New York Knicks and made two appearances against Miami, a total of 12 minutes, and scored two points. In all, O’Neal averaged just 9.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 20.3 minutes this season — all career lows. “I’m glad that he retired. I think it was time,” former guard Tim Hardaway said. “He was hurting his legacy. You don’t want to see anybody hurt their legacy when they’re going out. I think a lot of people are happy he didn’t go through that pain of waiting too long. And I think it was tough for everybody to watch Shaq when he was playing hurt like that at the end of this season.” And that left O’Neal in the market for a new nickname. After announcing his retirement, he asked fans to give him a nickname that befit his retirement. He reported at about 5 p.m. that “The Big 401K” was the leader. “I know you can do better, though,” he said in another video. “I’m here all day. I’m retired.” AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney and AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report from Miami.

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, June 2, 2011

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR™ STAY CONNECTED WITH VERIZON

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“TOP TEN COMPANIES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS” —DIVERSITYINC MAGAZINE See www.verizonfamilyaffair.com for Ofﬁcial Rules and other details. Activation fee: $35/line. IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Subject to Cust. Agmt, Calling Plan & credit approval. Up to $350 early termination fee/line. Offers & coverage, varying by svc, not available everywhere; see vzw.com. Restocking fee may apply. ©2011 Verizon Wireless.