LAWT 07-12-2012

W E E K E N D E R

Vol. XXX, No. 1292

www.lawattstimes.com

Thursday, July 12, 2012

L.A. Watts Times

Serena

WILLIAMS

takes Wimbledon

SEE PAGES 8-9

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

HOROSCOPES

July 12 - 18 tion: My spirit will fill me with gladness.

IBRA ~ Co-workers or customers may be grumpy this week. Don’t take it personally. Dwell in your peaceful inner space and the space around you will reflect the peaceful vibrations. Soul Affirmation: Jewelry reflects the beauty of my feelings about myself.

CORPIO ~ You feel centered this week and full of efficient energy. Use this week to accomplish tasks, make plans, and finalize arrangements that need to be made. Face into personal responsibilities with love and pleasure now. Soul Affirmation: I enjoy discovering new territory this week.

AGITTARIUS ~ You can build a bridge with your imagination to reach the person you want to meet. Build the very best bridge your imagination can afford. Your soulmate will then cross over to you. Your intentions are warm and sincere. Soul Affirmation: Being true to others is the way to be true to myself.

APRICORN ~ You need to relax. The urge to do everything will take a toll on you this week unless you make a concerted effort to slow your own vibes down.

Think peace love and happiness and let them be real values for you. Feed your soul. Soul Affirmation: I calm my emotions by forgetting about the past.

QUARIUS ~ You’ll be efficient and productive this week if you got some rest. Slow down. Sometimes less is more, and you’ll see you’re doing better than most. Use your talents to create some free time for yourself. Soul Affirmation: I go inside myself to find peace and joy this week.

ISCES ~ Someone wants to argue, and it’s up to you to walk away. It’s easy to let go of any idea of control if you remember that you are only responsible for your own feelings. Act healthy this week and enjoy your life. Soul Affirmation: As chances come around again. I take advantage of them.

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RIES ~ Can you take a week off from work? It’s a perfect week to relax with a loved one in one of your favorite ways. Even if you can only spend a few hours decompressing you’ll be surprised at how little it takes to feel bliss this week.

Soul Affirmation: I let the outer world and inner world change places this week AURUS ~ Vibrations this week make everyone feel as if the universe has given them another chance. Your fresh start may come in a romantic area. Buy a bouquet of flowers for your partner on your way home from work. See what happens. Soul Affirmation: I celebrate freedom of mind this week.

EMINI ~ A short trip for business reasons gives you a little personal space to make some notes to yourself.

Remember your best self, and keep a positive outlook. Buy a lottery ticket this week at your destination, or watch for some other type of “found” money. Soul Affirmation: I judge no one, especially myself this week.

ANCER ~ Your home may need some of your attention. This is a fine week to check the fire alarm battery, put away gardening equipment, or redecorate your dining area. The results of a shopping trip for new bed linens will please you very much. Soul Affirmation: I keep my smile shining, especially at home.

EO ~ Spend some time in the company of friends early in the week, then spend your afternoon relaxing. Your ability to tune out and mediate on the goodness that surrounds is comes easy. Let the good vibrations massage you with bliss. Soul Affirmation: I let positive emotions carry me through the week.

IRGO ~ An unexpected clash may arise this week from an unlikely area. Try to maintain a position as mediator, rather than joining the fray.

Loyalties may be stretched, but they won’t break. What you need is within you. Go there and get it. Soul Affirma-

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

Inside This Edition

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sheriff Lee Baca is recalling about 200 official-looking badges that were given to politicians for use during disasters.

The move in Los Angeles County came two weeks after federal authorities arrested three officials of the small suburb of Cudahy on bribery charges.

Prosecutors handling the case released a photo of a woman in a nightclub holding two handguns and wearing a badge given to a councilman.

Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department, said there’s no connection AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes between the photo and the decision to recall the Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca badges, which he said was made in January but didn’t begin until the badges “would deceive an ordinary reasonable person into believing recently.

“Why it began now, that’s a good that it is authorized, for use by a peace officer.” question,” he said.

Brown also noted that the badges The move was first reported by the don’t give recipients the powers of a Los Angeles Times.

The six-pointed stars look like peace officer.

Other California law enforcement badges worn by deputies but are emblazoned with “City Official Los agencies have pulled badges in the Angeles County.” More than 80 have past.

Four years ago, Orange County been returned during the past week, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens recalled the Whitmore said.

The Sheriff’s Department said the badges of more than 400 people in a badges were provided to public offi- volunteer program. Hutchens was cials so they could easily access a com- concerned about claims that former mand post during an emergency or dis- Sheriff Michael Carona had issued the badges to political allies and busiaster.

In 2007, then-Attorney General ness associates.

Carona is serving a 5½-year senJerry Brown said honorary badges given to citizens violates state law if tence for witness tampering.

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MOMBASA SQUARE ANSWERS FROM 7-5-12

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LA sheriff wants politicians to return badges

California Senate approves billions of dollars for first highspeed rail line in US

BY JUDY LIN | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers approved billions of dollars Friday in construction financing for the initial segment of the nation’s first dedicated highspeed rail line connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The move marked a major political victory for Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and the Obama administration. Both have promoted bullet trains as job generators and clean transportation alternatives.

“No economy can grow faster than its transportation network allows,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement applauding the legislative vote.

“With highways between California cities congested and airspace at a premium, Californians desperately need an alternative.”

The bill authorizes the state to begin selling $4.5 billion in voterapproved bonds that includes $2.6 billion to build an initial 130-mile stretch of the high-speed rail line in the Central Valley. That will allow the state to collect another $3.2 billion in federal funding that could have been rescinded if lawmakers failed to act Friday.

Brown pushed for the massive infrastructure project to accommodate expected growth in the nation's most populous state, which now has 37 million people. He said the project is sorely needed to create jobs in a See HIGH-SPEED RAIL, page 14

Thursday, July 12, 2012

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Person Of The Week | Dr. William Arthur “ Bill” Burke Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors dedicates Marina Walk Promenade to Dr. William Arthur Burke On May 29, 2012, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the motion by Supervisor Don Knabe for the dedication of the Dr. William Arthur “Bill” Burke Marina Walk Promenade at Esprit Marina del Rey, located at 13900 Marquesas Way in Marina del Rey. We unveiled a sign dedicating the Promenade in Dr. Burke’s honor on Friday, June 29, 2012, and pay homage to his many years of dedicated public and community service to the County of Los Angeles. The event was to honor Dr. Burke in public service by permanently renaming the Marina’s Promenade in his honor.

The Dr. William A. Burke Marina Walk Promenade serves as a landside pedestrian route around the Marina and offers breath-taking views of the scenic recreational harbor.

William Arthur “Bill” Burke is an accomplished business and political leader in Southern California. He is best known as the founder and former long-time president of the City of Los Angeles Marathon. As Chairman of the AQMD Governing Board, he has set in motion a decadelong series of precedent-setting policy initiatives, including: the District's

Corporation. From the health care profession, Dr. Burke’s career interests turned to the gold mining industry. He accepted the Chairman of the Board at Genesis International, a Los Angeles-based real estate and mining development holding company. Then from 1981-84 he supervised the planning and construction of mining concessions in Liberia, West Africa for the World Mining Development.

Then in 1984, Dr. Burke was appointed Commissioner of Tennis for the Summer Olympic Games in the City of Los Angeles. It was the spirit of civic pride and unity demonstrated by the host city that first inspired Dr. Burke to think of ways to perpetuate this unique experience.

The result was the first City of Los Angeles Marathon held in 1986. The Marathon, now in its twenty-fourth year, is one of the largest organized road races in the world.

The success of the Marathon, spurred Dr. Burke to try his hand at another kind of sporting event: car racing. In 1997, the Los Angeles Vintage Grand Prix debuted on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles. It was the largest vintage automobile

Dr. William Arthur Burke evolving Environmental Justice program; Asthma and Outdoor Air Quality Consortium; Brain & Lung Tumor and Air Pollution Foundation; and in 2009 a 'Helping Hand Initiative' to protect both health and jobs during the current economic downturn. Dr. Burke has a diverse blend of professional experience in several fields.

In 1972, Dr. Burke founded and for two years presided over the American Health Care Delivery

See PERSON OF THE WEEK, page 4

AP Photo/Phil Coale, File

metro.net/crenshaw

In a Thursday, June 26, 2008 file photo, James Ammons, President of Florida A & M University, announces that the school has had it’s accreditation restored by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, in Tallahassee, Fla. Ammons resigned Wednesday, July 11, 2012, the same day parents of a drum major who died after being hazed added the university to a wrongful death lawsuit. Robert Champion died in November 2011, after being beaten by fellow band members during a hazing ritual in Orlando.

BY GARY FINEOUT | ASSOCIATED PRESS TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The president of Florida A&M University submitted his resignation Wednesday, the same day the university was sued by parents of a drum major who died during a hazing. It was unclear if the two events were related.

James Ammons announced the resignation, which takes effect Oct. 11, in a letter to the chairman of the university’s governing board. He said his decision came after “considerable thought, introspection and conversations with my family.”

Ammons' departure is the latest in a series of blows to the university that has seen its image badly bruised by Champion’s death, the suspension of the band until 2013 and the springtime resignation of its veteran director.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts for alleged roles in Champion’s hazing.

They have pleaded not guilty. Their trial is scheduled to begin the same month as Ammons’ resignation, in October.

Dreams of playing in the band drew students to apply to the university as much if not more than the school’s academic program, and the same professional performances that led it to play at Super Bowls and presidential inaugurations were a huge

attendance draw at football games.

An alumnus and former top administrator of the school, the president was first hired to help steady FAMU in the wake of financial woes and threats to its accreditation.

But Champion’s death put a spotlight on a hazing culture that he and other top FAMU officials have been unable to eradicate.

The school’s trustees gave Ammons a vote of no-confidence in June, after questioning his leadership in several areas, including what some saw as his lax attitude toward hazing and management of the band prior to Robert Champion’s death in November.

At the time, Ammons said he would stay on the job, and he immediately recommended stringent new eligibility requirements for membership in The Marching 100 band, which has played at Super Bowls and inauguration ceremonies.

Champion died in November after being beaten by fellow band members during a hazing ritual aboard a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel following a football game against the school’s archrival.

Champion’s death put a spotlight on hazing at the school and led to the suspension of the band until at least next year. In the meantime, the FAMU athletic department was already grapSee FAMU PRESIDENT RESIGNS, page 15

Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project Design Changes Environmental Assess Assessment sment Public Meeting Metro invites you to a Community Metro Communityy Meeting to learn about design changes that th hat have taken place since the environmental document was com mpleted. Public comments will be taken and d recorded during during the meeting. completed.

Monday, Monday y, July 16, 2012,, 6-8 pm Inglewood City Hall, C Community ommunity Room One Manchester Bl I l Inglewood, d CA 90301

Served by b Metro Metro Bus Lines 40, 111, 115, 212, and Rapid Bus Line 740 Refreshments R f hments Refreshm t will ill be b served. d

Federal Transit Administration Metro Environmental The F ederal T ransit Administratio n and M etro prepared a Supplemental Env ironmental Assessment to review Modifications refinements modifications to the project. Mod ifications are the result of design re finemen nts and cost reduction e¤orts, reduced right-of-way acquisition, and a improvements at-grade crossings.

C opies of the Environmental Assessment Asseessment are available for review at local libr raries, please vi sit m etro.net/crenshaw Copies libraries, visit metro.net/crenshaw for a list of addresses. If you are unable u to attend any of the scoping meeting gs you may st ill submit comments by meetings still August 2, 2012 via mail or e-mail to: t Mail: Robert Ball, Project Director Los Angeles C ounty M etropolitan T ransportation Authority County Metropolitan Transportation One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99 -13-3 99-13-3 Los Angeles, Angeles CA 90012-2952 90012 2952

E-mail: ballr@m metro.net ballr@metro.net

W volvement in the dynamic process of build ing a world cclass lass Wee look forward to having your in involvement building transportation system!

T o RSVP P please call or email us at: To

213.922.2736 21 3.922.2736 crenshawcorridor@metro.net cre enshawcorridor@metro.net

12-2302ps © 2012 lacmta a

Florida A&M president resigns in wake of scandal

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Egypt military in implicit warning to president

Democratic leaders urge update from absent Jackson AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File

In this May 16, 2011 file photo, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. attends ceremonies for Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel in Chicago. On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, Jackson’s staff said they soon could have more information to release about the Chicago Democrat’s medical condition. Jackson's been on medical leave for a month, but his location and exact ailment haven't been disclosed. Initially, staff said he was being treated for exhaustion. But last week they said his condition was worse than previously thought and required inpatient treatment. They also disclosed Jackson has been battling emotional problems.

BY DONNA CASSATA AND SOPHIA TAREEN | ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic House leaders on Wednesday joined colleagues and constituents in

urging Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois, who has been on medical leave for a month without disclosing details about his condition or location, to provide a public update about his condition as soon as possible.

House Leader Nancy Pelosi and

Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the chamber’s No. 2 Democrat, spoke about Jackson at separate unrelated events in Washington on the same day that a Jackson spokesman in See JACKSON, page 15

AP Photo/Mohammed Asad

Workers clean inside the Egyptian parliament in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, July 9, 2012. The speaker of Egypt’s Islamist-dominated parliament called Monday for the legislature to meet this week, raising the stakes in a tense standoff with the powerful military which backed a court ruling to dissolve the chamber.

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s powerful military has delivered a thinly veiled warning to the country’s new president, saying it expects all state institutions to respect the constitution.

Monday’s statement followed a decision by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to revoke last month's executive order by the then-ruling military to dissolve parliament after the country’s highest court said a third of its members were illegally elected.

The military also defended a “constitutional declaration” giving it farreaching powers after handing over power to Morsi June 30.

The statement says the military will continue to support “legitimacy, the constitution and the law” — language that means the generals would likely oppose attempts to reconvene parliament in defiance of the court’s ruling.

PERSON OF THE WEEK Continued from page 3 street race ever held. It included the Ferrari Concours d’Elegance – a display of historical and unique Ferrari vehicles valued at fifty million dollars. However, in 1998 the street race captured the interest of NASCAR and soon evolved into the Ford L.A. Street Race. In its fourth year, the Street Race included multiple types of racing, including an electric truck race, Indy car race, NASCAR race, and ProPorsche division race.

In the political arena, Dr. Burke served as the Consul General to the Republic of Mali for over fifteen years. He has served two terms as the President of both the State of California Fish and Game Commission and the Wildlife Conservation Board. Since 1993, Dr. Burke has served on the Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) as the representative of the Speaker of the Assembly. AQMD is the government agency that regulates air quality for the four-county region of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside. Since his initial appointment to AQMD, Dr. Burke has been elected by his peers to serve as both ViceChairman and Chairman of the

Board. In April 2000, Governor Gray Davis appointed Dr. Burke to serve as a Board Member for the State of California Air Resources Board. In October 2000, Mayor Richard J. Riordan appointed Dr. Burke to the Fire Commission of the City of Los Angeles. In 2002, he was appointed to serve on the California Coastal Commission.

Dr. Burke holds multiple degrees: a Bachelor of Science from Miami University, a Doctorate of Education from the University of Massachusetts, and two other Honorary Doctorate Degrees of Law from Lane College and Mount Ida College. Among the numerous other awards and distinctions Dr. Burke has received the Meritorious Service Award from the City of Los Angeles, the First Annual Living Legends Award, the Humanitarian Award from the Mid-City Chamber of Commerce, and the Green Power Foundation’s Man of the Year Award.

Dr. Burke is married to retired Los Angeles County Supervisor and former Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. They live in the Los Angeles area and have two daughters, Christine and Autumn.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

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Couple blames Terminix for burglarized home The Love’s feel violated when they say exterminators looted their residence

BY KENNETH MILLER LAWT CONTRIBUTING WRITER Loretta and Bobby Love have been happily married for 20 years and proud homeowners of their Los Angeles residence for 12, but for the past few weeks have been fuming because they say Extermination Company Terminix is responsible for a burglary that occurred at the residence on June 27.

According to The Love’s, they contracted to have their home exterminated on June 25 and were instructed to not reside in the residence for 72 hours.

They complied and stayed at a local hotel, but was informed by a neighbor on June 27 that a red truck arrived at the home at 6:30 am or thereabout and took several items with them.

“We feel raped and violated. We trusted Terminix with our home and all of our personal belongings, but instead were totally disrespected. We demand justice,” said a visibly angry Loretta Love.

Mrs. Love cited among the missing items that are alleged to have been stolen as four flat screen televisions, desktop and lap top computer, thousands of dollars in jewelry, personal

irreplaceable photographs that were stored in a camera and a precious gem given to her by her mother-in-law that was bought in Brazil.

The couple provided a police report from the L.A. County Sheriff which was summoned to the home, a contract signed for Terminix and receipts totaling more than $15,000 as evidence.

They say that Terminix contracted the work to a sub-contractor named Preferred Fumigation Inc., and they believe that company is responsible for the theft.

Terminix issued the following statement through Katie Wassmer: “We take these allegations very seriously and since learning of them have fully cooperated with authorities in their investigation into this matter.

We will continue to do everything necessary to support their efforts.

While Terminix is committed to professional performance, we cannot always prevent the deliberate wrongful acts of others. Our customers’ satisfaction is a top priority for us, and we empathize with any loss by the homeowner of personal belongings.”

See TERMINIX, page 14

Annan says agreement reached with Syria’s Assad

BY ALBERT AJI AND ZEINA KARAM | ASSOCIATED PRESS DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — International envoy Kofi Annan tried to breathe new life Monday into his moribund peace efforts in Syria, saying he has reached a new framework with President Bashar Assad and would discuss it soon with rebel leaders. Opposition activists raised the death toll in the conflict to more than 17,000.

Annan, the architect of the primary international plan to end Syria’s 16month-old crisis, arrived in Iran late Monday for talks with leaders there. With the AP Photo/SANA violence in Syria growing increasingly chaotic and This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows United Nationsdiplomatic efforts faltering, Arab League special envoy to Syria Kofi Anan, left, meeting with Syrian President Annan has said Iran, a Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, Monday, July 9, 2012. International envoy Annan staunch Syrian ally, must be a raised hopes of a revived peace effort in Syria, saying he has reached a framework part of a solution to the con- with President Bashar Assad and would hold talks with rebel leaders. flict.

“We agreed on an with Assad which he described as “can- which the president accepts,” he said. approach which I will share with the did and constructive” Monday.

Annan did not disclose details of the armed opposition,” Annan told “I also stressed the importance of framework he reached with Assad. reporters following a two-hour meeting moving ahead with a political dialogue See SYRIA, page 15

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Now that McDonald’s has any size soft drink, bottled water or sweet tea for only one buck, you can afford to work up any size thirst. So go on, talk on the phone…look out the window…read this paper. No matter how you work up a thirst, one dollar fits all sizes at Mickey D’s. ®

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Obama pushing extension Mother of Trayvon of middle-class tax cuts Martin upset over Zimmerman bond

BY CAIN BURDEAU | ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

President Barack Obama waves in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 9, 2012, after calling on Congress to pass a temporary, one-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for people who make less than $250,000 a year.

BY JULIE PACE | ASSOCIATED PRESS

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama, eager to shift election-year attention away from the nation’s lackluster jobs mar-

ket, called on Congress Monday to extend tax cuts for only low and middle income earners while allowing taxes to increase for families that make more than $250,000 a year.

“Let’s not hold the vast majority of

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Americans and our economy hostage while we debate the merits of another tax cut for the wealthy,” said Obama, flanked by a dozen people the White House said would benefit from the middle class-oriented tax cut extension.

Obama wants Congress to pass a one-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for households making less than $250,000 before they expire at the end of the year. He said the outcome of his November election contest with Republican rival Mitt Romney would then determine the fate of the tax cuts for higher income earners.

“My opponent will fight to keep them in place. I will fight to end them,” he said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama “would not sign” a bill that extended the whole range of tax cuts in full.

Obama has long supported expiration of the tax cuts for those making more than $250,000. But the White House and the president’s re-election team are reviving his arguments now as a way to paint congressional Republicans as obstructionists and Romney as a protector of the wealthy, suggesting the GOP push for an across-the-board extension of the tax cuts puts the middle class at risk.

The president’s announcement also follows Friday’s dismal jobs report, which showed the nation’s unemployment rate stubbornly stuck at 8.2 percent.

Romney supports extending the tax cuts for all income earners. His campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said Monday that Obama’s proposal amounted to a “massive tax increase” and proved that the president “doesn’t have a clue how to get America working again and help the middle class.”

The contours of the tax debate are largely the same as they were when the cuts were due to expire at the end of 2010. While Obama opposed an extension for higher income earners then as well, he ultimately agreed to full two-year extension, in part to win See TAX-CUT EXTENSION, page 11

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The mother of Trayvon Martin says she was disappointed by a Florida judge’s decision to give George Zimmerman another chance at posting bond and leaving prison before trial.

A judge granted Zimmerman bond Thursday for a second time, setting it at $1 million.

His previous $150,000 bond was revoked after prosecutors presented evidence that he had misled the court about his finances.

Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in Martin's death.

Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, spoke Friday at a news conference with the Rev. Al Sharpton. She says that knowing her son’s killer “may walk free sometime, one day, it really hurts.”

AP Photo/Alex Menendez

Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, stands on stage during a rally for the shooting of Trayvon Martin on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Fort Mellon Park in Sanford, Florida.

L.A. Urban League launches nationwide executive search for new president & CEO Board Chair Noel Massie announces Executive Search Committee and retention of The Hawkins Company to lead nationwide search On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Urban League, Noel Massie, Board Chair, announces today the implementation of an Executive Search Committee to begin the nationwide search to fill the position of President & CEO of the agency.

Departing President & CEO Blair H. Taylor will formally leave the League on July 20, 2012.

The Executive Search Committee is comprised of Los Angeles Urban League Board Members. Graciela Meibar, Vice President, Global Sales Training and Global Diversity, Mattel, Inc. and Debbie Pattillo, Director of Diversity Marketing, Southern California, American Airlines, are serving as Co-chairs of the committee. The entire Executive Search Committee members are: Wes Coleman, The Walt Disney Co., (retired); Michelle Merriweather, President, Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals;

Patricia Miller, Vice President, Human Resources, Southern California Edison; Maxine Ransom Von Phul, President, Winmax Construction Co.; and Nancy Shelmon, Partner-in-Charge (retired), PricewatershouseCoopers, LLC. Robert D. Taylor, former Los Angeles Urban League Board member and member of the National Urban League Board also will serve on the Committee.

Taylor was the chair of the 2005 search committee which successfully engaged Blair H. Taylor. The League liaison for the Board’s Executive Search Committee is Angela Reddock, Vice President, Human Resources.

“The Committee is pleased to begin the process of selecting the new leader of the Los Angeles Urban League,” said Meibar. “We are excited by the opportunity to identify and bring on board that committed, visionary and mission-driven individual who will lead the League See URBAN LEAGUE, page 14

Thursday, July 12, 2012

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NAACP head: Ill. man leaves prison after murder case dropped Voter ID fight akin to 60s battles

BY DAVID MERCER | ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY MICHAEL GRACZYK | ASSOCIATED PRESS HOUSTON (AP) — The head of the NAACP on Monday likened the group’s fight against conservative-backed voter ID laws that have been passed in several states to the great civil rights battles of the 1960s.

AP Photo/Reinhold Matay, File Benjamin Todd Jealous, the In this March 20, 2012 file photo, CEO and president of the NAACP President Ben Jealous speaks in National Association for the Sanford, Fla. The NAACP, the country’s Advancement of Colored oldest and largest civil rights organizaPeople, said these are “Selma tion on Wednesday launched what it and Montgomery times,” refer- says will be its biggest ever push to regring to historic Alabama civil ister voters ahead of the 2012 election. rights confrontations. He challenged those attending the NAACP’s annual convention to redouble their efforts to get out the vote in November.

“We must overwhelm the rising tide of voting suppression with the high tide of registration and mobilization and motivation and protection,” he said.

“Simply put, the NAACP will never stand by as any state tries to encode discrimination into law,” Jealous said.

The power to vote will be a key theme of the weeklong 103rd convention, which was expected to host about 8,000 attendees. An appearance by Attorney General Eric Holder was postponed from Monday until Tuesday, and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and Vice President Joe Biden were also expected to speak at some point.

Since 2010, at least 10 states, including Texas, have passed laws requiring people to show a government-issued photo identification card when they go to the polls.

Supporters of voter ID laws, including many conservative Republicans, contend they are necessary to protect against voter fraud.

But opponents say instances of such voter fraud are extremely rare and that voter ID laws could suppress turnout among the elderly, poor and some racial minorities who are less likely to have driver’s licenses or passports and who might find it harder to miss work or lose pay to obtain proper ID. George R. Brown Convention Center was only about half-full for Jealous’ hour-long speech, but by the end he had much of the crowd standing and shouting, “Forward ever, backward never!”

“Our democracy is literally under attack from within. We have wealthy interests seeking to buy elections and when that ain’t enough, suppress the vote,” Jealous said. “There is no battle that is more important or urgent to the NAACP right now than the battle to preserve democracy itself. Let me be very clear, our right to vote is the right upon which our ability to defend every other right is leveraged.”

He cited the group's 103 years in existence as proof it wouldn’t cede ground on voting rights.

“If you let someone diminish the power of your vote you will already have lost a battle.”

Jealous said with 120 days remaining before the November elections, his organization's members could allow the election to be stolen from them “or we can double down on democracy and overcome the tide of voter suppression.”

“If we simply accept things as they are and allow those who wish to turn back the clocks and tides of all that we have gained, and block the forward movement of our movement for human rights ... we will have failed in our mission and our calling,” he said.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — A Chicago man who spent more than 30 years behind bars before DNA evidence helped overturn his conviction in the rape and killing of a 3-year-old girl was released from prison late Friday, just hours after prosecutors dropped the case against him.

An Illinois appeals court in March had ordered a new trial for 50-year-old Andre Davis after tests found that DNA taken from the scene of the 1980 killing of Brianna Stickle wasn’t his.

The girl was attacked in Rantoul, about 20 miles north of Champaign.

Davis was released from the supermaximum security prison in Tamms in far southern Illinois around 7:30 p.m., said Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Kayce Ataiyero.

Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz had decided earlier in the day not to pursue charges against him.

Judy Royal of the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University, which represented Davis, said he was the longest-serving of the 42 people exonerated by DNA evidence in Illinois.

“Mr. Davis served 32 years in

prison for a rape and murder he didn't commit,” Royal said. “Tamms is a difficult place to do time. He's hoping to rebuild his life, with the support of his family.”

It wasn’t immediately known if Davis’ family was at the prison when he walked out. Davis’ father was traveling to Tamms on Friday afternoon and couldn't be reached for comment.

Reitz said that while she didn't doubt the results of the DNA tests, she decided not to retry Davis because of the difficulty in taking a 32-year-old case to trial — not because of those tests.

“After 30 years, witnesses are either deceased, missing or no longer credible to testify,” said Rietz, who has been state’s attorney in Champaign County since 2004. “Based on the age of the case and the current state of the evidence, we elected to dismiss.”

She noted that Davis was twice convicted by juries. His first conviction was overturned because of a mistake made by a bailiff during jury deliberations.

Rietz said any further steps in the investigation of Briana’s death will be up to police. Rantoul Police Chief Paul See MURDER CASE DROPPED, page 10

AP Photo/Illinois Department of Corrections

This undated photo provided by the Illinois Department of Corrections shows inmate Andre Davis. State officials on Friday, July 6, 2012, say that Davis, 50, who has spent more than 30 years behind bars after being convicted of murder in a 1980 killing in eastern Illinois is scheduled to be released from prison after prosecutors dismissed charges against him.

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Griffin, Harden, Iguodala on US Olympic roster

BY BRIAN MAHONEY | ASSOCIATED PRESS LAS VEGAS (AP) — LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and three other Olympic gold medalists were already back.

Add a defensive stopper, a potent scorer off the bench, and one of the NBA’s most explosive athletes, and the U.S. is certain it has a powerful Olympic basketball team.

Better even than the one that won gold four years ago.

“We feel like we’re definitely a great team. We have all the pieces that we need,” forward Carmelo Anthony said. “We’ve got to put it together, but we feel like we’re the best team out there.”

The Americans rounded out their roster Saturday, adding Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala and James Harden to the nine players who already seemed secure long before training camp began.

They earned the final three spots that opened after a rash of injuries knocked out at least four players who would have been on the team. They beat out Eric Gordon, Rudy Gay and No. 1 draft pick Anthony Davis of New Orleans, who couldn’t scrimmage this week because of a sprained ankle.

Also heading to London for the defending gold medalists are: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love.

The Americans never had a close

AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jason Bean

Coach Mike Krzyzewski, left, and USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, right, stand with the 12 players named to the U.S. men’s basketball team, Saturday, July 7, 2012, in Las Vegas. From left in front are Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, James Harden, Andre Iguodala and Kobe Bryant. At rear are Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant and LeBron James. game four years ago until the championship game, when they pulled away in the final two minutes to beat Spain 118107. Even with Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh unable to return from that team, the Americans think this one can be even stronger.

“When I think about ’08, we were really good then. But like me, LeBron and D-Will, all of us talk about, you’ve got to think about how much better all of us are now than we were in ’08,” Paul said. “All of us as players, we shoot the ball better. Guys are more athletic, guys are more confident. One through 12, no question we’re deeper than we were in ’08.”

USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo acknowledged the adversity the team faced with all the injuries in his remarks before the players were introduced during a press conference, all wearing their white USA jerseys — James and Anthony even looking game-ready in white headbands.

“But as the dust settles, I’m proud to say that we’ve put together in my opinion a terrific team with great athleticism and great versatility and we believe we’re going to be successful,” Colangelo said.

Griffin showed he was healthy again after being slowed by a knee injury during the playoffs, putting on an impressive dunking display following practice Saturday. Harden, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year with Oklahoma City, gives the Americans more scoring punch off the bench, and Iguodala is a defensive specialist who can guard multiple positions.

The Americans lost Howard, Derrick Rose, Wade and Bosh to injuries in recent months, forcing them to scrap plans to name their 12-man roster on June 18. They asked the US Olympic Committee for a roster extension and added Harden and Davis to their original pool of finalists chosen in January.

Harden seemed a long shot, joining Griffin as the only player who didn’t play on either of the last two U.S. teams. But the Americans felt they needed someone comfortable with

coming off the bench more than they did Gay, who was behind too many other forwards on the depth chart, and the result was three players from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Great characters, workaholics, just humble guys, humble guys and blessed to be in this position,” Harden said of himself, Durant and Westbrook. “(Guys) who work hard and just set ourselves up for greatness and to achieve, and just to be on the same team with these guys means a lot.”

Colangelo was intrigued by Davis’ skills, but the national player of the year at Kentucky sprained his ankle last week and was not able to take part this week, robbing him of a chance to show he was ready to handle international competition now.

Iguodala was frequently assigned the role of shutting down the opponent's best player two years ago in the world basketball championship, and he previously had scrimmaged against the U.S. on the select team of young players, so Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski knew what he could do.

“I think they’ve just seen that I can pretty much play alongside pretty much anybody and still make an impact on the game. I don’t necessarily have to have the ball to make an impact on either end,” the 76ers swingman and first-time All-Star said. “I’ve been playing with Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, pure scorers, and when I get in, it won’t be a problem for me to fit in with those guys. I’ll jell right along with them right away.”

James, Bryant, Anthony, Paul and Williams were all part of the 2008 Olympic gold medalists. Durant, Westbrook, Chandler and Love also played on the world championship team two years ago.

Colangelo said he believed this team was deeper and better than the ’08 squad, but added that “only time will tell.”

The injuries leave the Americans short-handed at center, where Howard started four years ago in Beijing and Bosh backed him up. Chandler is the only natural center left, so the Americans

will be forced to use some players out of their normal NBA positions.

But what remains is still the most athletic team in the world, with potent scorers at nearly every spot, and the Americans will look to overcome any size disadvantage by punishing teams in transition. Griffin said expects to be strictly at the center spot.

The Americans opened training camp Friday and will practice here through next Wednesday, then play an exhibition game against the Dominican Republic on Thursday.

The players who were not selected will be alternates who could be replacements in case of further injuries up until 48 hours before the July 27 start of the

Olympics. Davis will stick around just in case, playing on the select team.

James and Anthony will be playing in their third Olympics for a U.S. team with an average age is 26.1 years. The young guys, combined with the veteran returnees, could make for a golden mixture.

“I think we have guys on the team that’s definitely hungry at this point, especially young guys that want to go out and prove themselves,” Anthony said. “They’ve been showing that over the last couple of days in practice. What we put together in ’08, we will never duplicate that again. But this is a new team, this is a new situation and this team wants to form their own identity.”

MURDER CASE DROPPED Continued from page 7 Farber did not return a call regarding the status of the investigation.

Davis was arrested shortly after Briana was found on Aug. 8, 1980, in a house on the street where she lived with her mother and stepfather in Rantoul.

According to trial testimony, Davis — who was 19 at the time — was visiting his father in Rantoul. He spent the day the girl died drinking at the home where she was eventually found with the two brothers who lived there. At some point the brothers left, leaving Davis there alone.

Briana’s stepfather, Rand Spragg, said he left the girl playing in the family’s front yard and last saw her sitting under a tree.

The family later searched for her.

She was found in the brothers’ home, naked and under bed clothes in a utility room. She died that night at a local hospital.

An acquaintance of Davis told police that Davis said he’d killed “a woman” at the home.

DNA testing wasn’t available in 1980. But in 2004, Davis requested that evidence gathered at the scene of Briana’s death be DNA tested.

According to the tests, blood and

semen found at the scene weren’t from Davis. That led to the March appellate court decision.

Friday’s planned release caught Davis’ attorneys off guard. Most were on vacation, expecting that he might be released next week.

Royal, who works closely with Davis’ lead attorney, Jane Raley, didn’t represent him. She wasn’t sure what plans Davis had, but she said that after so many years he was fortunate that family members were still alive to greet him and help him acclimate to life outside prison.

“A lot of times when people are incarcerated for lengthy periods of time, family members die,” Royal said. “That is one good thing, that he will have their support.”

“I think it’s difficult for him to know exactly what to do,” she added, noting that the Center on Wrongful Convictions works with the people it helps free to aid in their adjustment.

“I know that he’s very intelligent and he has been assisting in the preparation of his appeal for years and giving some good suggestions in that regard.”

Attempts to reach members of Briana’s family were not successful.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

11

Eagles’ Michael Vick launches sports clothing line

BY MAE ANDERSON | ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is launching a sports clothing line called V7 that will be sold exclusively at East Coast sporting goods chain Modell’s.

The line is the latest image-restoration move for Vick, who spent 18 months in federal prison after being convicted of AP Photo/Matt Rourke bankrolling a dogfighting Philadelphia Eagles’ Michaell Vick speaks with ring and was released in reporters after practice at the team’s NFL foot2009. He is now among ball training facility, Thursday, May 31, 2012, the highest-paid players in Philadelphia. in the NFL, and recently married longtime fiancée Kijafa Philadelphia.

It was developed in a licensing Frink. Vick has re-signed with Nike and added other endorsements for partnership with celebrity clothingcompanies such as MusclePharm line mogul Ruby Azrak and former ICM talent agent Brian Sher, Corp.

He has also since spoken out Modell’s confirmed.

Vick led the Philadelphia Eagles about animal cruelty.

The line includes technical athlet- to a 10-6 record and an NFC East title ic clothing such as T-shirts, shorts and in 2010, and was named NFL tank tops. Prices are $12.99 for chil- Comeback Player of the Year. He dren’s clothes and $19.99 for adult faced injuries and inconsistent perclothes. Part of the proceeds will go to formance in the 2011 season. The the Boys and Girls Club of 2012 NFL season begins Sept. 5.

Vikings RB Peterson arrested in Houston In this file photo made June 20, 2012, Minnesota Vikings NFL football running back Adrian Peterson talks during a minicamp interview session in Eden Prairie, Minn. He was arrested in Houston on a charge of resisting arrest after an incident where police say it took three officers to subdue him.

Peterson, who is from Palestine, Texas, was released from jail Saturday, July 7, 2012, on a $1,000 bond. The charge is a misdemeanor. Team spokesman Bob Hagan said the Vikings “are aware of the situation and are gathering more information.”

AP Photo/Jim Mone, file

BY KRISTIE RIEKEN | ASSOCIATED PRESS HOUSTON (AP) — Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest after an early morning incident where police say it took three officers to subdue him.

Houston Police Department spokesman Kese Smith said Peterson was at a downtown nightclub early Saturday morning when an off-duty Houston police officer working security asked Peterson and a group of people he was with to leave because it was closed. The man, who Kese

said identified himself as a police officer, left to tell other patrons to leave the club before returning to Peterson’s group to again tell them to leave.

Kese said Peterson turned around and told the officer that he heard him the first time and pushed him in the shoulder, causing him to stumble.

The officer told Peterson he was under arrest and to put his hands behind his back. Peterson began yelling, pulled away and “assumed an aggressive stance” so another offduty officer came to help. Peterson See PETERSON ARRESTED, page 12

AP Photo/John Raoux

Washington Wizards’ Rashard Lewis, left, looks for an opening to get around Orlando Magic’s Larry Hughes (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando won 109-103.

Rashard Lewis decides to sign with Heat

BY TIM REYNOLDS | ASSOCIATED PRESS MIAMI (AP) — Rashard Lewis has decided to join the Miami Heat, becoming yet another shooting option for the reigning NBA champions.

Agent Tony Dutt said the free agent forward and the Heat agreed to terms on Tuesday, and Lewis is expected to sign his contract Wednesday in Miami.

Lewis’ decision comes just four days after Ray Allen agreed to accept an offer from Miami.

Allen and Lewis were Seattle teammates for five seasons, from 2003 through 2007 — and both figure to fit perfectly into Miami’s plan to surround LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with even more shooters who can stretch defenses.

Allen’s 2,718 made 3-pointers are the most in NBA history, and Lewis ranks fifth among active players with 1,690 makes from beyond the arc.

Lewis will make the veteran minimum from Miami for this coming season, worth about $1.3 million. He’s picking up another $13.7 million because the final year of his most recent contract — a $118 million, six-year pact — was bought out earlier this offseason

by New Orleans, who acquired the 6foot-10 forward in a trade with Washington and then waived him.

Allen and Lewis are both likely to be introduced by the Heat on Wednesday, once procedural matters like physicals and paperwork are completed. Teams may start signing their free agents when the league's moratorium officially ends at 12:01 a.m.

Wednesday.

Slowed by left knee problems this past season, Lewis averaged 7.8 points in 28 games for Washington. For his career, he’s averaged 16.1 points per game with Seattle, Orlando and Washington.

Lewis’ numbers in field-goal per-

centage (.385), 3-point percentage (.239) and scoring this past season all were the second-lowest of his career.

Only his rookie season of 1998-99, when he appeared in 20 games, was less productive.

Still, he was someone the Heat targeted early in free agency. Lewis met

with the team this past weekend, had interest from several other clubs — New York and Atlanta included — before eventually deciding that Miami would be the best fit.

Lewis did not play after the All-Star break this past season, sitting out Washington’s final 33 games.

TAX-CUT EXTENSION Continued from page 6 concessions for other legislation.

Democrats see the tax debate as part of a larger coordinated attack on Romney, which includes intensifying calls for him to explain offshore bank accounts and release several years of tax returns.

The strategy is aimed at portraying Romney, whose personal wealth could exceed $250 million, as disconnected from middle-class voters.

Romney aides say the Democratic attacks on the presumptive GOP nominee’s wealth an “unfounded character assault.”

Romney hasn’t shirked from his wealth in the face of renewed Democratic criticism. He held a $50,000 per person fundraisers Sunday in the Hamptons, New York’s exclusive string of waterfront communities on Long Island's South Shore.

Romney aides also announced that the campaign and the Republican National Committee raised a combined $106 million in June, the former Massachusetts governor’s biggest monthly haul so far. The Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised $71 million last month.

Republican lawmakers immediately balked at Obama’s call for a partial extension.

“No one should see an income

tax hike next year — not families, not small businesses and other job creators,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The president’s pitch may also face some opposition from congressional Democrats. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of his party’s Senate leadership, have both advocated denying the tax cut extension to those making above $1 million annually.

Extending the tax cuts only for households making below $250,000 costs the government about $800 billion less over 10 years than extending them for everyone. The full cuts cost the government about $4.5 trillion over a decade.

Obama was to continue the tax debate Tuesday during a campaign trip to Iowa. His re-election team was also promoting the president’s tax policy at a series of events this week in battleground states, including New Hampshire, Colorado and Nevada.

The Bush-era tax cuts are due to expire at the end of the year unless Congress votes to extend them.

Economists worry that across-theboard tax increases, along with automatic spending cuts also scheduled to take hold at year’s end, could be a blow to the shaky U.S. economy.

12

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Judge seeks audit of Chris Singer Frank Brown’s community work Ocean reveals first

BY ANTHONY MCCARTNEY | ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge ordered an audit of Chris Brown’s community service progress Tuesday after a prosecutor handling his felony assault case cited a possible discrepancy in the amount of work he has performed.

Deputy District Attorney Mary Murray requested the audit because she says the records are not clear on how many hours Brown performed and where the work has been done. Brown had been allowed to perform six months’ worth of community labor in his home state of Virginia, but a judge said probation officials in Los Angeles should review detailed records to ascertain how much work he has actually done.

Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said Brown had completed a significant number of hours, but did not elaborate.

Brown’s attorney Pat Harris did not object to the audit, and said after the hearing the issue was related to which jurisdiction his client performed his community service in.

The judge said part of the issue was that the court hadn’t received detailed logs of Brown’s community service, which is supposed to comprise of graffiti removal, roadside cleanup and other manual labor. Schnegg said those logs had previously been provided, but not for recent updates.

Brown, 23, remains on probation for beating his then-girlfriend Rihanna in February 2009. He has completed domestic violence and anger management counseling.

Schnegg ordered Brown to appear at the next hearing, tentatively scheduled for Aug. 21. It will be the first time Brown has had to appear in court in several months, and the R&B singer has generally received favorable reports

love was a man

BY MESFIN FEKADU | ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File

In this Feb. 12, 2012 file photo, Chris Brown accepts the award for best R&B album for “F.A.M.E.” during the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

A Los Angeles judge on Tuesday July 10, 2012 ordered an audit of Brown’s community service hours after a prosecutor said there appeared to be discrepancies in the records about how many hours and days he has performed.

Brown was ordered to appear at the next hearing, scheduled for Aug. 21, 2012. from probation officials and Schnegg.

There was no mention of the recent New York City bottle-throwing nightclub brawl that left Brown with a cut on his chin, or a woman’s claim that the singer had snatched her cellphone in Miami after she tried to take a picture of him. The melee occurred members of singer Drake’s entourage stopped Brown and his group from leaving the club W.i.P., though neither entertainer has been arrested. Drake has said he was leaving the club when the fight began.

Brown’s attorney Mark Geragos asked that the singer’s probation be terminated in February. But a judge declined, stating that the Grammy nominee should complete more of his community service obligations.

At the time, officials reported that Brown had completed half of the six months’ worth of roadside cleanup, graffiti removal and other manual labor that he was ordered to do after pleading guilty.

Brown is serving a five year probation sentence.

Cosby star: New show about ‘positive Black family’

PETERSON ARRESTED

BY STACEY PLAISANCE | ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Actress Tempestt Bledsoe says she’s thrilled to be returning to network television on a show that portrays “a positive Black family” similar to the long-running hit sitcom she was part of for roughly eight years — “The Cosby Show.”

“That show was my childhood,” said Bledsoe, who played middle child Vanessa Huxtable in the NBC show that also starred Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lisa

NEW YORK (AP) — The music industry is showing support to R&B singer Frank Ocean after he revealed that his first love was a man.

Ocean announced the news Wednesday on his blog. His record label’s president, Joie Manda, showed support to the rising singer in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday.

“The courage he displayed in his beautiful and eloquent letter was touching on many levels. Frank broke down a wall that should never have been built,” Manda’s statement read. “The overwhelming show of support from his peers was awesome and inspiring. Island Def Jam is so proud to stand beside AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File Frank Ocean — the artist In this Nov. 17, 2011 file photo, Frank Ocean and man — now and arrives at the 16th annual GQ “Men of the always.”

Def Jam founder Year” party in Los Angeles. On Wednesday, Russell Simmons wrote in July 4, 2012, Ocean, the rising and highly a post that he’s moved by acclaimed singer revealed on his website that Ocean’s “courage and hon- his first love was a man. esty.”

“Today is a big day for hip-hop,” 17. It features collaborations with Simmons wrote on his Global Grind John Mayer and Andre 3000 of website Wednesday. “Your decision OutKast.

Ocean has also written songs for to go public about your sexual orientation gives hope and light to so Beyonce, Justin Bieber, John Legend many young people still living in and Brandy. He appeared on two songs from Jay-Z and Kanye West’s fear.”

Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers collaborative album, “Watch the tweeted: “Strong move by frank Throne.”

The singer is also a member of ocean, makes me happy.”

And others, from Solange the alternative hip-hop group Odd Knowles to RuPaul to Rita Ora, also Future. His band mate, Tyler, the Creator, is known for using homotweeted positive thoughts.

Actor Johnny Knoxville called phobic words in songs, but he also Ocean's decision a “brave thing to has showed support for Ocean.

Outside of the celebrity world, do, and the right thing to do” in a some fans have praised Ocean. tweet Thursday.

Ocean is best known for the Others, though, weren’t as supportR&B songs “Novacane” and ive, with some saying they could no “Thinkin Bout You.” The 24-year- longer listen to Ocean’s music old self-released his debut, “nostal- because he was romantically linked gia, ULTRA,” to critical success last to a man.

Ocean will launch his U.S. tour year and will release an official album, “Channel Orange,” on July next week.

AP Photo/NBC, Vivian Zink

This image released by NBC shows actors Anthony Anderson as Gary, left, and Tempestt Bledsoe as Marny, in a scene from the series “Guys with Kids,” premiering Sept. 26, 2012 on NBC. Bledsoe says she’s thrilled to be returning to network television on a show that portrays “a positive Black family” similar to the long-running hit sitcom she was a part of in her childhood – “The Cosby Show.” In an interview during the Essence Music Festival, both actors said they were thrilled the show will spotlight a “positive black family on network television.”

Bonet and Keshia Knight Pulliam. “It did so many things. It greatly influenced the kinds of projects I did. It helped form my core values, like my work ethic.”

Bledsoe and actor Anthony Anderson spoke Friday at the Essence Music Festival about the new show they’re starring in, “Guys with Kids,” See COSBY STAR, page 13

Continued from page 11 continued to struggle with them both.

The 27-year-old player was finally handcuffed with the help of a third off-duty officer. Peterson complained of shortness of breath after he was taken to a Houston jail and was examined by Houston Fire Department personnel, who said that he was OK. Peterson, who is from Palestine, Texas, was released from jail Saturday on a $1,000 bond. The

charge is a misdemeanor.

Team spokesman Bob Hagan said Saturday the Vikings “are aware of the situation and are gathering more information.”

Peterson ran for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns last season before tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee Dec. 24. The injury-shortened season broke a streak of four straight seasons with at least 1,200 yards rushing for the former Oklahoma standout.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Gladys Knight to be judge on new singing series

13

Shaquille, funny videos to star in truTV series Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP

This May 20, 2012 file photo, singer Gladys Knight arrives at the 2012 Billboard Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. Centric announced Wednesday, July 11, that Knight will work as the “lead judge” on “Apollo Live.” The new series is a singing competition at New York’s famed Apollo Theater and puts a new spin on the venue’s popular “Amateur Night” showcase. It will debut in the fall.

(AP) — Move over Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez, a veteran singing diva is joining the ranks of judges on reality TV: Gladys Knight.

BET’s sister network Centric announced Wednesday that Knight will work as the “lead judge” on “Apollo Live.” The new series is a singing competition at New York’s famed Apollo Theater and puts a new spin on the venue’s popular “Amateur Night” showcase. It will debut in the fall.

Knight joins previously announced judges Doug E. Fresh and Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe. “Apollo Live” is executive produced by Jamie Foxx. Comedian-actor Tony Rock will host the show.

Centric said the series’ winner will take home a cash prize.

COSBY STAR Continued from page 12 which premieres this fall on NBC. In an interview after their appearance, the co-stars told The Associated Press they were thrilled the show will spotlight a “positive Black family on network television.”

“We just don’t have that right now, not on network television,” said Anderson, who has two children of his own. “Like the Cosby Show, this will be an opportunity to see the love, support, humor and beauty of a Black family on TV.” The show, produced by Jimmy Fallon, is about three 30-something new dads trying to hold on to their youth. “Guys With Kids” will also star Jamie-Lynn Sigler of “The Sopranos” and actors Zach Cregger and Jesse Bradford. One of the characters is a single dad, another is a working father and Anderson’s character is a stay-athome dad raising four young sons.

Bledsoe, who plays Anderson’s working wife, chuckled as she spoke about his character’s daily challenges wrangling the children, including twins under the age of 2.

“There’s nothing funnier,” Bledsoe said. “This role was tailormade for Anthony.”

Anderson said he was drawn to the role for several reasons, including his strong feelings about the importance of having a father figure and that his character “chooses” to stay at home with his children rather than being forced to do so because he lost his job.

He said he also recognized that in these tough economic times, more dads are choosing to stay home in part because of child care costs.

“A lot of them get funny looks because it's not what people are used to

seeing, and this show reflects this new dynamic in the American family,” he said.

Other celebrities appearing at the festival included actor Russell Hornsby, who played on “Lincoln Heights” and currently stars in the NBC supernatural drama “Grimm”; Bern Nadette Stanis, who played Thelma on the hit 1970s show “Good Times”; comedian and “Think Like a Man” author Steve Harvey; and Malik Yoba, who stars on the SyFy network’s drama “Alphas.”

On Saturday, Essence planned to screen Viola Davis’ newest film, “Won’t Back Down.” The movie also stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who is known for her role in “Without a Trace.”

Later Friday, singer and “Desperate Housewives” actress Vanessa Williams participated in a discussion with her mother, Helen, about relationships. The pair recently released a book, “You Have No Idea,” which gives fans insight into the actress’ upbringing and touches on her life as Miss America, her marriages and subsequent divorces, her entertainment career and motherhood.

“If anyone can glean anything from my life, I’m willing to share,” Williams said. “At this stage of my life, I believe my role is that of teacher.

This book is my manual. It’s a love story about mothers and daughters and relationships.”

Although Williams was not scheduled to sing at Essence, Friday’s lineup for its nightly concerts at the Superdome include performances by Charlie Wilson, D’Angelo, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole and The Pointer See COSBY STAR, page 15

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cable channel truTV is putting Shaquille O’Neal on its team with a new series.

The channel said Wednesday that it’s ordered 10 episodes of “Upload with Shaquille O’Neal,” the working title for a series with the basketball star. Actors and comics Gary Owen and Godfrey will join O’Neal on the show.

The trio, along with a weekly guest, will share funny videos they find online and create their own, truTV said.

Pranks and pop culture parodies also will be part of the mix.

In a statement, O’Neal promised “Upload” will “deliver big laughs.” A debut date for the series was not announced.

AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file

This Nov. 17, 2011 file photo shows Shaquille O’Neal at the “Pencils Of Promise” inaugural gala in New York. TruTV has ordered 10 episodes of a series with Shaquille O’Neal, currently titles “Upload,” searching for funny online videos and creating a few of his own.

Alicia Keys; nonprofit to honor Oprah Winfrey

BY MESFIN FEKADU | ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — Oprah Winfrey is getting a tribute from Alicia Keys.

Keys announced Tuesday that her organization, Keep a Child Alive, will honor Winfrey at its Black Ball event on Nov. 1.

Key says in a statement that the media mogul is “a personal inspiration to me because her philanthropic work truly comes from the heart.”

Winfrey’s humanitarian efforts include building schools in South Africa.

Keep a Child Alive was founded in 2003. It assists those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India. Keys says this year’s Black Ball will pay “special tribute to the empowerment of women — the heartbeat, soul, and backbone of the AIDS movement.”

The ninth annual event will take place at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom. Past honorees include former President Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson and Bono.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, file

This May 17, 2011 file photo shows singer Alicia Keys, left, and Oprah Winfrey during a taping of “Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular,” in Chicago. Keys announced Tuesday, July 10, 2012 that her organization Keep a Child Alive will pay homage to Winfrey at its Black Ball event on Nov. 1. Winfrey’s humanitarian efforts include the building of schools in South Africa.

14

Thursday, July 12, 2012

HIGH-SPEED RAIL Continued from page 2 region with higher-than-average unemployment.

Members of the state Senate voted 21-16 along party lines after intense lobbying by Brown, Democratic leaders and labour groups. The bill, which passed the state Assembly on Thursday, now heads to Brown for his signature.

“The Legislature took bold action today that gets Californians back to work and puts California out in front once again,” Brown said in a statement. The governor celebrated with Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento, a fellow Democrat, in the lawmaker’s office right after the vote.

The first segment of the line will run from Madera to Bakersfield. The final cost of the completed project from Los Angeles to San Francisco would be $68 billion.

Republicans blasted the Senate decision, citing the state's ongoing budget problems.

“It’s unfortunate that the majority would rather spend billions of dollars that we don’t have for a train to nowhere than keep schools open and harmless from budget cuts,” Sen. Tom Harman, R-Huntington Beach, said in a statement.

Sen. Ted Gaines, R-Granite Bay, said the project would push California over a fiscal cliff.

“It will require endless subsidies and will blast a massive hole into our budget,” Gaines said in a statement.

The Bay Area Council, a group of business leaders from the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas, cheered the vote. The council backed the 2008 statewide bond measure regarding the rail line and had been working to sway legislators in support of the project in recent weeks.

“This is a courageous step forward for California's future,” said its president and CEO, Jim Wunderman.

In recent days, Democratic leaders included more funding to improve existing rail systems in an effort to entice support for the bullet train.

The bill now allocates a total of $1.9 billion in bonds for regional rail improvements in Northern and Southern California. The upgrades include electrifying Caltrain, a San Jose-San Francisco commuter line, and improving Metrolink commuter lines in Southern California.

Dan Richard, chairman of the

California High-Speed Rail Authority, which is managing the project, said California would have lost billions of dollars in federal aid if the Senate fails to pass the bill before adjourning Friday for a monthlong recess.

California entered a contract that called for the federal government to provide money for building the Central Valley segment if the state also put up its share, he said.

“Not only will California be the first state in the nation to build a high-speed rail system to connect our urban centres, we will also modernize and improve rail systems at the local and regional level,” Richard said.

California was able to secure more federal aid than expected after Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin turned down money.

Steinberg, the Senate leader, said the vote signalled the “biggest, boldest public works project in decades in California.” He likened it to the state water project that was first undertaken by Brown’s father, Gov. Pat Brown, in the late 1950s.

The massive network of dams, reservoirs and canals is still used today.

The bill approved Friday authorizes the state to sell a portion of a $10 billion high-speed rail bond that voters approved in 2008 under Proposition 1A. The bond passed with 53 per cent support, but a recent Field Poll showed support for Brown’s November proposal to temporarily raise state sales and income taxes could slip considerably if lawmakers approved funding for highspeed rail.

Before Friday’s vote, at least half a dozen Democrats in the 40member Senate remained opposed, skeptical or uncommitted. Some were concerned about how the vote would impact their political futures, while others were wary about financing and management of the massive project.

One dissenter, Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, said public support had waned for the project, and there were too many questions about financing to complete it.

“Is there additional commitment of federal funds? There is not. Is there additional commitment of private funding? There is not. Is there a dedicated funding source that we can look to in the coming years?

There is not,” Simitian said.

TERMINIX Continued from page 5 Both the husband and wife work as case managers in the mental health field. Bobby is a case manger for the homeless, responsible for securing housing and find help for substance abuse.

“More than 20 years ago I was homeless with a substance abuse problem and was blessed to turn my life around, so for me to be working in this field is a verification of where I came from and also hope for them,” Bobby stated.

Loretta is a college graduate from Cal State Long Beach and is a devout Christian and attends church regularly.

“This is just a hopeless feeling because deeds to our home, pink

slips to our cars and my husband’s wedding band were among the several items that were stolen. When something like this happens it challenges your faith, but I am committed to the God I serve,” she solemnly added.

They have reached out to both companies and also have consulted with a lawyer, but have not retained counsel believing that perhaps Terminix will resolve the issue.

“We hope that our neighbor who witness the burglary will cooperate with law enforcement and we want to see theses individuals prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It’s just wrong and we wanted it corrected,” concluded Mr. Love.

Blame Republicans for high unemployment

in the interest of Republican chicanery, for the American Jobs Act to be enacted. In some ways, Republicans are starving their constituents to thwart President Obama. Similarly, when state and local governments have to lay people off because their budgets are tight, the federal government has previously stepped in to help. Part of the recovery funds went to state and local governments, some who turned the money down in the interest of fiscal conservatism. There the Republicans go again, hurting their constituents to thwart President Obama.

Part of the reason Republicans can get away with this is because no one is pressuring them. Just like the Tea Party has pushed these people to the right, somebody needs to push them back to center. The Tea Party has virtually obliterated the notion of a moderate Republican, but there must be some out there, and what has to happen is that somebody needs to push back.

The African American community has to push, too. While few of us are

Republicans, many of us live in districts with Republican representation. These representatives need to hear from us, and from our neighbors, not only African Americans. And these representatives need to hear from our mayors, not only Democrats, who can pressure them to do the right thing by cities.

Meanwhile, Republicans fiddle while Rome burns because no one has called them on it. Whenever Romney says the president has no plan, somebody needs to remind him of the American Jobs Act. Whenever Romney starts babbling about health care, someone ought to throw Massachusetts in his face. And when the braying bunch of bobbleheads who call themselves the Tea Party get worked up over the economy, we need to ask them: How many people in your family are unemployed? How much Social Security does your mama have?

Don’t your kids have student loans?

Does everyone in your family have health care?

Fuelled by race matters and rhetoric, working class White people are organized for Romney, someone who would cut education, health care, and Social Security and put those “savings” into military spending and tax cuts for the wealthy. In other words, and not for the first time, working class White people are working against their own economic interests.

Meanwhile, if House Republicans want to move an economic agenda that helps some 14 million unemployed people, perhaps they can see their way clear to pass the American Jobs Act. We don’t need all the Republicans, maybe just a third of them, and I’ll wager that perhaps that many have sense enough to see what their leader, John Boehner (R-Ohio], does not. In any case, let’s make it plain. The unemployment rate is stagnant because Republicans have failed to act.

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

Urban League will continue to build on the vision and strategic plan that was formulated under Blair’s leadership,” said Massie. “The Board of Directors and the League’s staff are focused during the transition on providing quality services, leadership and advocacy for the residents and neighborhoods served by the League through Neighborhoods@Work and our other programs and services. As examples, during the weeks ahead we are running our youth summer job program and recruiting children and families for our State Preschool program.”

The Board has put in place a governance team comprised of members of the Executive Team to provide oversight along with the Board of Directors of the daily operations and services of the League. The governance team represents the dominant focus areas of deliverables during the time of transition and includes: John J. Kennedy, Senior Vice President, Development, Government and External Affairs; Kyla Lee, Vice President, Finance; and, Angela Reddock, Vice President,

Human Resources.

The management team will work in tandem with other Executive Team members and departments, including: Dr. Pat Phipps, Vice President, Early Childhood Development and State Preschool; Renita E. Smith, Vice President, Strategy; and L. C. “Chris” Strudwick-Turner, Vice President, Marketing & Communications. Committees comprised of Board members support each of the agency departments.

A complete list of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Urban League is attached.

“It is the intent of the Los Angeles Urban League as a community leader to foster healthy neighborhoods, create job training opportunities and find employment win-wins for the people and employers with whom we serve and work,” said Massie. “That goal continues and the League is fundamentally committed to excellence and working with our partners as we collectively grapple with the growing needs of our schools, children, communities and businesses.”

BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA COLUMNIST The unemployment rate has hovered above 8 percent for several months, most recently holding ground at 8.2 percent, the same as last month.

Meanwhile, the African American unemployment rate went up, officially to 14.4 percent, and we all know that means the real rate is even higher, probably in excess of 25 percent.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney interrupted his vacation to gloat about the number of Americans who are experiencing misery, and his gloating might be at least somewhat amusing were this not the same man who says he likes to fire people.

The 8.2 percent unemployment is not in President Obama’s best interest.

Many who are feeling the misery and pain are open to an alternative, even if it is one as muddled and confused as Romney who doesn’t support health care reform now, although he engineered a similar plan as governor of Massachusetts. This man has so talked out of his mouth, that a simple reel of his contradictory quotes would make it clear how confused, or deliberately deceiving he is.

The good news for President Obama is that the lower the unemployment rate goes, the better his chances for re-election. The better news for President Obama is that many people don’t snap into campaign mode until after Labor Day. People want jobs, to be sure, but the summer numbers even if they are level, don’t alarm everyone.

The employment reports that our president has to pay the most attention to are those released the first Friday of September and October. This is when Republicans will get all cranked up and suggest that President Obama can’t handle the fractured economy he inherited.

Can the unemployment rate drop?

Well if Republicans would pass the American Jobs Act, an actual plan for employment, it might. It is in the interest of the nation’s unemployed, but not

Julianne Malveaux

URBAN LEAGUE Continued from page 6 forward, building on the successes of the past seven years of accomplishments, which include: the creation and implementation of Neighborhoods@Work; development of new 21st Century human resources processes and systems; achieving multi-year accreditation at Crenshaw High School; providing a global travel opportunity to China for high school students; and redesigning our Early Education and Development program. The goal is to conclude the search for the new President & CEO no later than December 2012.”

The Executive Search Committee has retained the services of The Hawkins Company as the executive search firm to lead the process. Inquiries for the President & CEO position should be directed to Bill Hawkins of The Hawkins Company. All inquiries will be kept private and confidential. To submit resumes and for information, the contact information is (310) 348-8800.

“During our search for the new President & CEO, the Los Angeles

Thursday, July 12, 2012

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SYRIA Continued from page 5 Annan’s efforts to broker an end to the Syrian conflict as the U.N.-Arab League envoy have unraveled as the uprising that began with peaceful protests in March 2011 has spiraled toward civil war.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday that 17,129 people had killed since March 2011 are 11,897 civilians, 4,348 soldiers and 884 military defectors.

The group has a network of activists on the ground who document deaths and rights violations through eyewitness, accounts, hospitals and video footage. Another group, the Local Coordination Committees, says 14,841 civilians and fighters have been killed. The LCC does not report Syrian military deaths.

The government restricts journalists from moving freely, making it impossible to independently verify death tolls.

The violence has grown increasingly chaotic in recent months as rebels gain more arms, and it is difficult to assign blame for much of the carnage as the country spirals toward civil war.

Activists have reported an average of about 100 people killed on some days in the past few weeks.

In an interview with the French daily Le Monde on Saturday, Annan

15

GOVERNMENT INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) NO. 1719-A THE FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION OF WROUGHT IRON SECURITY DOORS AND WINDOWS BARS AT (4) FOUR HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) invites vendors to submit firm fixed price bids for the fabrication and installation of wrought iron security doors and windows bars at (4) four housing developments. Copies of the IFB may be downloaded from the internet at www.hacla.org under “Doing Business with HACLA”, then click on “Procurement Opportunities” and click “Construction Goods and Services”. Bids will be accepted by the General Services Department at 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90057, until 2:00 P.M., Pacific Daylight Saving Time, August 3, 2012.

7/5, 7/12/12 CNS-2339848# WATTS TIMES

Drew Child Development Corporation seeks qualified firms for architectural, civil engineering, construction and project management services for a proposed 25,000 sq. ft. facility to include corporate offices and child development program activities on its current site at 1770 E. 118th Street. Firms wishing to be considered for one or more category should submit no later than July 20, 2012 by 5:00 pm your firm's qualifications and references to: Veronica Aguilar, Executive Assistant to CEO, Drew CDC, 1770 E. 118th Street, L.A. CA 90059. For inquiries call (323) 249-2950.

Interviews will be held during the week of July 23-27, 2012.

acknowledged that the international community's efforts to find a political solution to the escalating violence in Syria have failed. He added that more attention needed to be paid to the role of longtime Syrian ally Iran, saying Tehran “should be part of the solution.”

It is unclear what role Annan envisions for Iran, a staunch Syrian ally that has stood by Assad throughout the uprising. Tehran’s close ties could make it an interlocutor with the regime, though the U.S. has often refused to let the Islamic Republic attend conferences about the Syria crisis.

Annan’s six-point peace plan was to begin with a cease-fire in mid-April between government forces and rebels seeking to topple Assad, to be followed by political dialogue. But the truce never took hold, and almost 300 U.N. observers sent to monitor the cease-fire are now confined to their hotels because of the escalating violence.

“President Assad reassured me of the government’s commitment to the six-point plan which, of course, we should move ahead to implement in a much better fashion than has been the situation so far,” Annan told reporters Monday.

State-run news agency SANA said Assad discussed with Annan “mechanisms” that could ease the violence in Syria and told him the success of his

plan hinged on regional countries ending their support for the “terrorism” in Syria. Damascus blames Arab Gulf countries Saudi Arabia and Qatar for fueling the crisis in Syria by funding the rebels.

Despite agreeing to a series of peace proposals in the past 16 months, the Syrian regime has repeatedly ignored its commitments and instead continued to wage a brutal crackdown on dissent. The rebels have also stepped up their attacks against government troops, dealing heavy losses among their ranks.

Annan said his team in Syria will follow up on the agreement reached with Assad.

“I also encourage governments and other entities with influence to have a similar effort,” he added.

Russia, another strong of ally of the Syrian regime, said Monday it will not sign new weapons contracts with Syria until the situation there calms down.

Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy chief of the Russian military and technical cooperation agency, told Russian news agencies on the sidelines of the Farnborough airshow south-west of London that Russia will continue, however, with previously agreed exports.

offered first word from anyone close to the congressman that specifics about his ailment might be on the way.

“We hope to hear from the doctors soon,” Jackson spokesman Rick Bryant told The Associated Press earlier Wednesday. He declined to elaborate, but Jackson’s wife, Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, echoed the sentiment in comments to the Chicago Tribune.

“I’m hopeful that my husband’s doctors will be able to release something soon,” she told the newspaper.

“I’m in constant talks with them about Jesse’s condition and his medical prognosis going forward.” She did not immediately respond to messages from the AP seeking further comment.

Pressure on Jackson to give an update has been mounting.

Durbin and Gutierrez in recent days have called it his responsibility as a public official. Jackson's littleknown opponents in the November election have spoken out on the same issue, and voters in his district have asked questions. Hoyer told an unre-

lated news conference Wednesday that Jackson does not find himself in “an unusual circumstance.”

“People get sick, and when people get sick, they miss work.

Everybody in America understands that,” Hoyer said. “But I think the family would be well advised to give his constituents as much information as is appropriate.”

Bryant has said relatives requested Jackson's location be kept private and his family has been unusually reticent on the issue. Jackson’s civil rights leader father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., has called it a private issue and repeatedly declined to give details. His wife has said little.

The timing of the leave has raised questions.

A House Ethics Committee investigation is pending over allegations Jackson discussed raising money for Rod Blagojevich’s campaign so the then-Illinois governor would appoint him to President Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat. Blagojevich is serving a prison sentence for corruption.

Jackson also allegedly directed a

FAMU PRESIDENT RESIGNS Continued from page 3 pling with a multimillion-dollar deficit.

The lawsuit brought by Champion’s parents claims Florida A&M University officials did not take action to stop hazing even though a school dean proposed suspending the band because of hazing concerns three days before their son died. School officials also allowed nonstudents to play in the band, fell short in enforcing anti-hazing policies and did not keep a close eye on band members to prevent hazing, the lawsuit said.

School officials “failed to properly

JACKSON Continued from page 4 Chicago said his staff hoped to get more information from doctors “soon.”

Jackson, 47, went on leave June 10, but did not disclose it publicly until two weeks later. Staff members initially released a short statement saying Jackson was being treated for exhaustion. Last week they said his condition was worse than previously thought and required treatment at an inpatient facility. Staff also said Jackson has been privately battling emotional problems.

Asked Wednesday about colleagues — including Illinois Democrats Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Luis Gutierrez — who have said Jackson owes his constituents an update about his condition as soon as possible, Pelosi said she hoped he would have “the appropriate evaluation so he can share that information.”

“I feel sad that whatever the situation is that he finds himself having to be away from Congress,” Pelosi said. “Hopefully we’ll see him back here soon again.”

A Jackson spokesman had earlier

fundraiser, Raghuveer Nayak, to buy plane tickets for a woman described as Jackson’s “social acquaintance.”

Jackson and his wife have called that a personal matter.

Days before Jackson announced the medical leave, Nayak was arrested and pleaded not guilty to unrelated medical fraud charges. At Blagojevich’s 2010 corruption trial, prosecutors said another Blagojevich fundraiser was ready to testify that Jackson instructed Nayak to raise money for Blagojevich’s campaign to help him secure the Senate seat.

The same witness later testified he attended a meeting with Jackson and Nayak.

Jackson was not charged and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Jackson faces a Republican and independent candidate in November, though he's widely expected to win re-election. He first won office in a 1995 special election and has easily won each race since. Jackson’s district includes parts of Chicago and some suburbs.

supervise, train, discipline and control the FAMU Band,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit seeks damages greater than $15,000, but does not give a specific amount.

Champion’s parents, Robert and Pamela, have already sued the bus company, claiming the driver stood guard outside while the hazing took place. The company said the driver was helping band members with their equipment.

Florida A&M University trustees were added as defendants to the lawsuit, which was to be refiled later Wednesday.

Under state law, Champions parents had to wait six months before they could include the university in the lawsuit since it’s a state entity.

COSBY STAR Continued from page 13 Sisters.

Wilson said he was excited about his elevation to the night’s closing performance. In previous years, he was among the main stage acts, but had never closed a show.

“This is amazing, the best feeling for me,” Wilson said. “I’m headlining.

All the others times were great, but this one, my fifth, is special. Every year I come back and get such an overwhelming response it just fuels me and gives me energy. I perform as if it’s my last, as if I don’t have a tomorrow and I know the fans feel that,” he said.

Essence Fest is one of the premier music festivals celebrating black culture and music. It’s been held every Independence Day weekend since 1995, when it marked the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. The festival continues through Sunday and also will feature Mary J. Blige, Kevin Hart, Tank, Ledisi, Aretha Franklin, Fantasia, Estelle and others.

16

Thursday, July 12, 2012

7 / 2012

e v e n t LISTINGS

L.A. Watts Times Calendar, Compiled by Brandon I. Brooks, Co-Managing Editor 7/12

7/14

7/16

Movie Screening & Workshop: With the

The 12th Annual Go Beyond the G.A.M.E. Football Camp: Super Bowl champion Az

Crenshaw Stakeholders: Dear Crenshaw

super success of “The Avengers” and the soon

Hakim presents The 12th Annual Go Beyond the G.A.M.E. Football Camp. WHEN: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. WHERE: Los Angeles Southwest College 1600 West Imperial HWY Los Angeles, CA 90047. Free admission. 50 Free Physicals. Special Guest WR's Deshawn Jackson and Hakim Ayers.

Contact/RSVP http://www.hakim4kids.com%20free/.

Movie Screening “ Just Like Compton” :

to be released “Super Man” and “Spiderman” movies, a group of LA kids decided to get together and create their own super hero short films. After hearing all about the cities recent crime problems the kids decided that it was up to their generation to come up with ways to take their neighborhoods back one block at a time. The public is invited to come out to the free screening and meet the cast as well as the film's young producers Lordz & Mesiya Kwarten. WHEN: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (meet the cast of each film in person!)

WHERE: The Los Angeles Public Library (Free admission for everyone) The Baldwin Hills Branch 2906 S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, Ca 90016. After the screenings there will be a free “Breaking into entertainment workshop” with award winning filmmaker Tim Greene. There will be over 50 prizes given away during the workshop including a home theatre projection system, mp3 players and 30 new cell phones.

7/13 Briefing on Status of Foundation Coalition Agreement: Representatives from major California foundations will discuss progress made in awarding grants to minority nonprofit organizations since reaching a 2007 agreement with the Legislative Tri-Caucuses.

The briefing will address the lack of diversity in philanthropy, an issue highlighted by Greenlining Institute in 2007, that resulted in the introduction of legislation that would have required private and community based foundations, with assets at or surpassing $250 million, headquartered in California, to disclose gender, racial, and ethnic diversity data on an annual basis. This legislation would have required almost four dozen foundations in California to report their diversity data on their website and in their annual reports.

Many foundations organized to oppose this legislation. And it was pulled from California Senate consideration in June 2008 after an agreement was reached between a coalition of 10 California-based foundations and the leaders of the Black, Asian, and Latino Caucuses.

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. WHERE: University of Southern California, Galen Center, Founders Room 3400 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007. “It is time to revisit this issue and see how these major funders are living up to their agreement for transparency and inclusion in awarding grants to non-profits,” said Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. Chair of the Black Caucus.

The book “Just Like Compton” written by Kevon Gulley is now in the process of becoming a movie. The screening for the “Just Like Compton” Movie Trailer will be done at the USC school of Cinema. WHERE: USC Campus. WHEN: Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10.00. Serving complimentary cheese, fruit, wine, and champagne. Also a question and answer period with the actors.

Come out and share this experience with us. All the actors will be present from Avi Bernard (the main character), Miranda Hill ‘Simone’, Fase, and Rick Ross. For ticket info contact: Justlikecomptonbook@gmail.com.

7/15 10th Annual Summer Music Festival: Tribe Records Co-founder, Phil Ranelin and The Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble featuring Phil Ranelin – trombone, Pablo Calogero – multireeds, Mahesh Balasooriya – piano, James Leary – bass and Kenny Elliott – drums, will celebrate Tribe Records founded in Detroit in 1972. WHEN: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena Memorial Park, Phil located at 85 Ranelin East Holly Street, Pasadena, CA 91103.

Be a part of history in the making for this rare free concert. For more information visit: www.levittpavilionpasadena.org A Musical Extravaganza: AbilityFirst to honor LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas at A Musical Extravaganza, a cultural celebration benefitting the AbilityFirst Harry A. Mier Center in Inglewood. Supervisor Ridley-Thomas is being honored for his steadfast support of programs and services benefiting people with special needs.

WHEN: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. WHERE: AbilityFirst Harry A. Mier Center; 8090 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305. The center serves the South Los Angeles area, including the communities of Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Los Angeles, South Bay, Westchester, Torrance and Lennox. Established in 1976, the center is named for one of AbilityFirst’s most generous contributors. Harry A. Mier and his wife Joan Mier funded the center in Inglewood to help ensure a place for children with disabilities to learn and grow. For more information contact: Monique Watts at (323) 753-3101 or visit http://www.abilityfirst.org/newsevents/musicalextr avaganza.aspx.

stakeholders, You are invited to attend a Community Meeting to learn about design changes that have taken place since the environmental document was completed for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor. WHEN: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. WHERE: Inglewood City Hall, Community Room – One Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90301. Public comments will be taken and recorded during the community meeting. For additional information or questions regarding the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project, please contact: Metro Construction Relations at 213-922-2736, crenshawcorridor@metro.net or, visit the project website at www.metro.net/crenshaw. Stay connected!

7/17 Construction Career Paths: A sub-group of the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Community Leadership Council (CLC) will hold an Economic Development Project Oriented Discussion (POD) meeting to discuss construction career paths and how project labor agreements work. This meeting is one of many that will be taking place over the coming months to continue to explore ways to

promote economic development in the community. WHEN: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: First Church of God…Center of Hope, 9550 Crenshaw Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90305. For more information, please contact Donald Taylor at Oscompdt@yahoo.com.

On Going FREE Summer Day Program: Free breakfast and lunch served daily for all children up to age 18. Parents may drop-in any time to register for the summer program. WHEN: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. WHERE: People Who Care Youth Center, 1500 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90047. No appointment is needed and no registration is needed for the meals only program.

TO MAKE A CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Include event name, date(s), time, location, contact/RSVP information and admission price, if any. Use BRIEF paragraph format (no lists, line breaks, or all caps). All calendar submissions are space-permitting and may be edited for brevity. Send submissions, along with any images, to brandon@lasentinel.net with the subject heading “LAWT Community Events.”

Please include text in the body of your email, not in an attachment.