LAWT-8-6-2009 Paper Edition

Vol. XXX, No. 1139

SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

August 6, 2009

FIRST COLUMN

From South L.A. to the White House

BY PAT MUNSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“In America there are two classes of travel - first class, and with children.” – Robert Benchley For nearly 30 children who recently left South Los Angeles to visit Washington, D.C., and its environs, it was a first-class trip all the way around.

And that was partly because of Rejected Stone Christian Fellowship church in Los Angeles,

which aims to make sure its children and adults experience America’s beauty firsthand.

“We want to take kids out of their environment, to inspire them and to let them know the world is bigger than their block,” Pastor Walter Davis said. “Our goal and purpose is to help people with their self-esteem … Travel is an educational component of our ministry.”

This year, 52 people (28 children, 24 adults) boarded an

AirTran plane on July 28 for a fourday trip to D.C. For some this was their first trip on an airplane, and for others it was their first time out of the city.

While in the D.C. area, they also visited the Smithsonian Institution, the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum, and Howard University.

“On the tour of Howard University we had excellent tour See WHITE HOUSE, page 12

Photo by MARTY COTWRIGHT

END OF AN ERA — The African Marketplace Import/Export Emporium, a fixture in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza for 15 years, closed permanently July 31. The current state of the nation’s economy was one of several factors that led to the boutique’s demise.

Local African Marketplace Rings Up Its Final Sales

BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

The African Marketplace Import/Export Emporium in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza made its final sales July 31. After about 15 years in operation, the Afrocentric clothing and book store has closed its doors permanently.

“We could have closed three years ago but we were able to get by, and I thought we would be able to move through this year,” said James Burks, founder of the African Marketplace Festival and Cultural Faire.

A struggling economy, escalating lease payments, a drop in vendors — all contributed to the store’s closure, Burks said.

The boutique was spawned from the cultural faire, a festival held annually during the last two

weekends in August and the Labor Day weekend to promote the African American community and the African Diaspora.

With two locations — Baldwin Hills and the Fox Hills Shopping Mall — the boutique served as a business incubator for aspiring black entrepreneurs and vendors and provided them an opportunity to build a business. The store at Fox Hills closed about three years ago.

“The store is being closed because we’re struggling to pay the monthly lease. We don’t have enough vendors in there (the boutique),” Burks said. “We closed the one in Fox Hills three years ago for much of the same reason.”

The boutique was one of several projects birthed from the marketplace, including the Leimert Park See MARKETPLACE, page 11

Photo by JAN FORD

BUILDING A FUTURE — Members of Los Angeles’ Rejected Stone Christian Fellowship church in front of the White House during their four-day trip to Washington, D.C. Fifty-two youth and adults took the trip July 28 through Aug. 1 partly to gain the understanding that the “world is bigger than their block,” said Pastor Walter Davis. “Travel is an educational component of our ministry.”

Biden Touts Recovery Act at Chicago Conference

BY SOPHIA TAREEN AP WRITER

CHICAGO (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden touted the $787 billion federal stimulus effort on July 31, saying he sees signs that the recession could end soon, but also called the package “the most misunderstood” piece of legislation.

“What part of this act is about was not keeping people from falling through the cracks, but

keeping them from falling in a deep black hole,” he said in a speech July 31 at the National Urban League conference. “We had to build a foundation for a newer and stronger economy.”

He said women, minorities and veterans have been hit hardest by unemployment and that he’s tasked members of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet with educating business owners in those

AP Photo by JOHN SMIERCIAK

TALKING TO THE LEAGUE — Vice President Joe Biden addresses the 2009 National Urban League Conference Chicago on July 31.

groups about opportunities for them, like loans, in the economic recovery act.

Biden said he was meeting this week with Cabinet members, including the Small Business Administration. After that agencies would hold workshops for about 90 days.

“They’re making sure the communities we care most about ... get the help they need and get the help they need to compete,” he said.

In the half-hour speech, Biden credited legislation by the Obama administration on housing and banks as part of the economic solution. He also said he sees private capital markets being revived.

“I don’t want to exaggerate the progress we’ve made,” he said, “but it’s real, concrete.”

Biden said $4 billion has been given in unemployment benefits and $6 billion has been spent to lower health care costs.

“We will come out of the recession,” he said. “We will not be leaving people behind.”

Biden praised the Urban League’s role in helping lift many blacks from poverty and into the See BIDEN, page 14

NEWS IN BRIEF THE SOUTHLAND Bratton Stepping Down as Los Angeles Police Chief (AP) — Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton says he’s stepping down after a seven-year tenure in which he instituted major reforms of the once-scandalized police department.

Chief William Bratton

Bratton announced Aug. 5 he is leaving Oct. 31 with three years left in his second five-year term. The chief says that when he came to Los Angeles, the department was a troubled organization in a troubled city, but now is the “right time” to leave.

A judge recently released the department from eight years of oversight by the U.S. Department of Justice, which had alleged a long pattern of abuse.

Bratton says he will work for Altegrity Inc. of Falls Church, Va., a global security and law

enforcement training firm, and will focus on bringing professional policing to emerging nations.

Suit Dismissed Over Girl’s Death in SWAT Shooting (AP) — A judge abruptly dismissed a lawsuit Aug. 3 over the 2005 death of a 19-month-old girl who died when her father used her as a human shield during a furious gun battle with Los Angeles police.

Granting a motion by the city, Superior Court Judge Rolf M. Treu took the wrongful death case away from jurors as they were scheduled to begin hearing final arguments.

Based on trial testimony, there was no way the panelists could have concluded that police officers acted unreasonably, Treu ruled.

The ruling was disappointing, said Luis A. Carrillo, an attorney for the girl’s mother.

“The community should have had a voice in this. The jurors are representatives of the community,” he said.

Carrillo said he did not know immediately if the ruling would be appealed.

Jose Raul Pena, 35, barricaded himself in the office of his used-car dealership in the Watts See BRIEFS, page 4

CELEBRATE THE WATTS SUMMER FESTIVAL, AUG. 8-9

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

August 6, 2009

OPINION EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

The Other Culprits in Dae’von Bailey’s Death Marcas Fisher is the prime culprit in the beating death of 6-yearold Dae’von Bailey.

But Fisher is hardly the only culprit in Bailey’s death. The other culprits are the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), medical practitioners, and an, at times, indifferent public.

The towering problems in DCFS that include failure to follow up on abuse complaints, poor to nonexistent record keeping, management and case worker inertia, and even indifference and bungled investigations, were well-documented in a dozen or more reports from investigators and in audits, as well as a slew of media exposés of agency failures.

The board of supervisors knew of the problems in DCFS since the mid-1990s. The failure of the supervisors to immediately revamp the agency put hundreds of children directly in harm’s way. In 2006, 14 children in L.A. County died as a result of neglect, abuse and maltreatment. In 2007, 12 children died from the same causes. In 2008, the number of children who reportedly died from abuse or neglect soared to 32.

The reports of agency mismanagement and the deaths each time forced the supervisors to scramble.

They repeatedly promised an immediate agency shake-up and overhaul.

Yet the problems remained and the body count of child abuse victims continued to mount.

With Bailey’s murder, the

supervisors again have promised a big agency overhaul. The proposals for change look much like those that have been put on the table in the past. They include better reporting and timely case follow-up, management accountability, more thorough and professional child abuse victim medical examinations.

The proposals went nowhere in the past and Bailey and the other child victims paid a terrible price for the supervisors’ inaction.

DCFS officials have also scrambled to deflect blame for agency ineptitude. They assure that more safe checks and balances will be put in place to ensure that there are no more horrific deaths such as Bailey’s.

Yet just as with the county supervisors, the promises of immediate change have been made before and have gone nowhere.

There’s not a lot of reason for optimism that big changes will happen this time either, given the past failures and the management’s lackadaisical response to sweeping proposals put forth by the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable for immediate agency change.

Roundtable officials asked for a meeting with Trish Ploehn, DCFS director, and senior staff to present and review the recommendations.

Management agreed and then didn’t show at the meeting. In the wake of Bailey’s murder, if Ploehn and other top DCFS heads fail to drastically overhaul how they handle child

abuse cases, they should resign or be removed.

The private doctors and medical practitioners who examined Bailey and ultimately found no harm and no foul play in his injuries are also culprits in his death. That must change. Private doctors must not solely determine whether a child’s injuries are the result of abuse; only trained, county-certified child abuse forensic examiners should make that decision.

Bailey is the most horrific and shocking case of child abuse turned to child murder. However, there are thousands of more children nationally who suffer abuse or mistreatment.

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System estimates that in the past decade, nearly 1 million children have been victims of severe abuse.

More than 1,000 children died as a result of abuse or neglect. More than 80 percent of the child victims are age six and under. Bailey fit the profile of the at-risk child to the letter. The abuse numbers reported almost certainly are a gross underestimate. Many cases simply aren’t reported or, as in Bailey’s case, the tangled web of inept reporting, bureaucratic bungling, and sloppy recordkeeping cause abused kids to fall through the cracks.

In 2005, only 20 states required that citizens who suspect abuse or neglect are required to report it.

“Reasonable suspicion” based on See HUTCHINSON, page 7

Who’s Afraid of ‘The N-Word’?

BY MAYA RUPERT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I lived and worked in Detroit at the time of the NAACP’s funeral for “the N-word” and I remember watching from my window as a procession of black leaders marched an empty casket down the street.

It all struck me as odd. It was July 2007 and it had been a racially charged year.

The wounds were still fresh from Don Imus and attacks on Barack Obama’s blackness, and our solution was to hold a make-believe funeral to “bury” — not racism — but the word that we used as an imperfect shorthand for racism? I rolled my eyes and didn’t attend. It was my own little conscientious objection. Plus, it was a Monday, and I had actual work to do.

But something strange has happened. Every year, right around the anniversary of that funeral, “the Nword” resurfaces like the killer from a bad slasher movie to wreak havoc.

As odd as it sounds, I’ve become convinced that we are being haunted by “the N-word.”

Think about it. Hauntings famously occur at the anniversary of a death. It was almost exactly one year after the funeral when Jesse Jackson was caught using “the N-word” in front of a hot mic as he criticized then-Democratic presidential candidate Obama. This year around the

same time, it was Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) who repeated the word while relaying a story told to her. Spooky, right?

But, if this is a scary movie, here’s the twist: Every time “the Nword” comes back, a bigger point about race in America gets ignored.

Jackson said it while making a broader criticism about Obama’s tough-love message to the black community. But instead of sparking discussion about whether Obama was calling for personal responsibility or being condescending, it sparked a discussion about whether it was only white people who could no longer use “the N-word.” Maloney knew she had to issue an immediate apology after her slip. But she had only been repeating someone else’s use of the word. Plus, she did so while decrying the racism of her opponent’s push for English-only education. We ignored that fact and debated the effect it would have on her campaign.

Meanwhile, we witnessed a bumper crop of legitimately racist behavior this month, none of which prompted an apology. Henry Louis Gates Jr. was accused of breaking into his own home and was arrested when he got angry about it. Jeffrey Sessions called Sonia Sotomayor a racist for, as best as I can tell, being Latina and talking about it. And Pat Buchanan, aided by neither truth,

logic, nor, sadly, a tr a c e o f i r o n y, declared that white people built America.

When I think about the disparity between the inciMaya Rupert dents that resulted in apologies and which didn’t, it’s two years ago, and I’m back in Detroit watching a lot of very smart people carry an empty box across one of the nation’s most segregated cities on a path to end racism.

If I’ve learned anything from pop culture (and I like to think I’ve learned everything from pop culture), it’s that a haunting is the result of something taken before its time.

“The N-word” cannot rest in peace because it wasn’t time for it to go.

Declaring a word that embodies a racist sentiment dead while the sentiment itself remains alive and well is about as effective at curbing racism, as trying to end the war in Iraq by renaming “Baghdad” “Iowa” so the troops would be home already.

We cannot continue to masquerade hysteria over “the N-word” as examination of racial politics in America. Our preoccupation with it is a distraction from the focus on real racism in this country. There is undeniably a lot of history behind the See RUPERT, page 4

From Community to Collective Complacency

BY SHAUNELLE CURRY

My elder teachers once taught me that community was the crux of black life in traditional African societies. Responsibility belonged to everyone. When we were responsible for one another’s wellbeing, we were all taken care of — period.

I recently received an e-mail from Paul Porter, co-founder of the media industry think tank Industry Ears. The subject line simply read “responsibility.” In the e-mail was a link to a video that had been posted on the radio blog “Radio Facts: Urban Entertainment Education.”

The video shows youth in, what looks like, a school auditorium watching a young hip-hop group perform a rap song.

Teenagers were on the stage dancing and gyrating and somebody’s little man (a small child being egged on by teenage boys onstage) was getting his dance groove on with a fierceness. It was a hip-hop groove in full force.

I sat in stunned silence. In rhythmic repetition, these children chanted their desire to perform oral sex in the most explicit and graphic terms imaginable. As a lead vocalist stood on one of the chairs in the audience, he explained that he would need a napkin on his chin because, well … think “colonic” without the irrigation. As I sat there, listening to this child rap about what he would do if given the chance, I thought, “Ummm … excuse me?! You most certainly will not!”

Now, I may be particularly sensitive to the degradation of black girls and boys so prominent in what we continue to call “entertainment.” I am a community advocate for women and youth. I help create and develop media literacy initiatives that empower

youth to take their image, lives and genius back from the oft-destructive forces o f exploitative media.

But what anShaunelle Curry gered me as I watched this video is the fact that — even with the drastically high rates of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases among our black youth, and even with the chronic levels of dating violence — we are so hard pressed to find individuals who accept responsibility for challenging the mental/emotional pollutants that plague our community.

Community. We have gone from collective responsibility to collective complacency. In the Black America of today, responsibility is now akin to placing blame and pointing fingers. We say, “It ain’t my fault.” We say, “Look at those ghetto children; somebody ought to do something.” We say, “Look at those rappers, look at those producers, look at that industry, look at this society.”

But not often enough do we say, “What can I do?” And in the meantime, the mental, emotional and physical well-being of our young girls and boys continues to disintegrate — rapidly.

Please understand that when I speak of responsibility, I am taking “blame” out of the picture. I am doing that because too often we place blame as an excuse to not do anything about the travesties that we see. The definition of responsibility that I am using here is our “ability to respond.” Do we have the ability and the capacity to do something to bring about improvement as a community?

Yes. See CURRY page 7

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CIRCULATION AUDIT BY

August 6, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

BIZSHORTS GLAAACC to Hold Mixer The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce will present a summer membership mixer Aug. 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Los Angeles Downtown Marriott, 333 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.

Attendees should bring business cards. The event will also feature a no host bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment.

Admission is free for members and $10 for nonmembers.

Valet parking is $13.

RSVP information: (323) 2921297, info@glaaacc.org.

L.A. Bounces $6M Worth of Checks (AP) — Los Angeles has been bouncing checks — $6 million worth.

More than 900 vendors who tried to cash checks dated July 24 had them returned for insufficient funds.

City officials say the problem wasn’t with the city’s tight budget.

It was a processing error by Wachovia Bank, which issued the checks for the city.

City Controller Wendy Gruel says Wachovia notified her office of the problem last week and has taken steps to fix it.

Her office suggests the vendors redeposit the checks and says they should clear this time. The city and the bank are also sending the vendors letters of apology.

Feds Give Calif. $44.7M for Transit Improvements (AP) — California is getting $44.7 million in federal stimulus funds for transit improvement projects.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said July 31 the grants are being awarded to four cities and five counties.

They include nearly $21 million to help San Bernardino County buy equipment for the Omnitrans bus system and build a transit center in Yucaipa.

Los Angeles is getting $8 million to buy 16 new natural gas buses to replace aging diesel buses, while Napa County will get $2.8 million to buy hybrid buses and build a park-and-ride facility.

Calif. Courts to Close One Day a Month to Save Money SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — State officials on July 29 ordered California courts to close one day each month to save money.

The unprecedented move includes shuttering the California Supreme Court along with every appellate and trial court in the state.

The 21 members of the Judicial Council, which oversees the state’s courts, voted unanimously at a meeting in San Francisco to shutter the courts the third Wednesday of every month from September through July. The move is expected to save the court system $84 million in a year in which it faced a $414 million deficit. Several trial courts, including the state’s largest in Los Angeles, had already begun closing courts during regular business hours as state and local governments struggle to pay their bills.

The darkened courtrooms means a more than 4 percent pay cut for court workers.

The council also voted to slash $71 million that would have supported 50 new judge positions.

It also cut $21.3 million from the budgets of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the agency that handles capital punishment appeals.

In addition, the council increased the fees litigants have to pay.

Continued from page 2 word, but in the end “the N-word” is just one word.

And a person isn’t automatically a racist for saying it — just like a person can be a perfectly good racist without saying it. And something is

Facts Aug. 5, 1864 President Andrew Johnson moves to reverse the policy of distributing land abandoned during the Civil War to needy freedmen.

Source: blackfacts.com

BUSINESS Be Proactive: Plan for Long-Term Care It’s not a certainty but odds are high that Alzheimer’s disease could affect you or a loved one at some point in the future. And should that happen, a recent study shows that the cost of long-term care associated with that disease could be staggering.

The amount of medical expenses that a 65-year-old couple retiring this year will bear in their lifetimes if one spouse develops a cognitive health disease like Alzheimer’s would be $495,000, assuming life expectancies of 17 years for a male and 20 years for a female, according to Fidelity Investments.

By contrast, a couple retiring this year at age 65 without such a debilitating disease would need $240,000 to pay for health care expenses in retirement. Alzheimer’s disease, for the record, affects as many as 5 million Americans today, and that number could soar to more than 11 million by 2040 as the baby boomers age, according to published reports.

Joel A. Larsen, of Navion Financial Advisors, LLC, says planning for Alzheimer’s disease is just a subset of long-term care planning. Long-term care planning involves addressing the following questions:

BRIEFS Continued from page 1 area of South Los Angeles July 10, 2005. Police said he held a gun in one hand and his daughter in the other, using her as a shield.

The child was shot in the head and leg and died in his arms. Pena also was killed, and one officer was wounded.

A coroner’s report concluded the girl was killed by a bullet from a police SWAT team that stormed the building.

Rev. Ike, Who Preached Prosperity, Dies at 74

RUPERT very wrong when Maloney felt she had to issue a formal apology, and Buchannan didn’t. It’s time to remove the stigma from “the Nword” and place it back on racism.

Maybe one day we’ll be far enough along in the fight to focus on the small stuff. But we can’t afford to do that right now — not when we have actual work to do.

Maya Rupert is an attorney in downtown Los Angeles. She has previously contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as other publications. Her column explores issues of race, gender and politics and appears in the L.A. Watts Times regularly. She can be reached at maya.rupert@gmail.com.

Summer MembershipMixer August 27, 2009 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Los Angeles Downtown Marriott www.glaaacc.org

August 6, 2009

(AP) — The Rev. Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II, who preached the gospel of material prosperity to millions nationwide as Reverend Ike, has died. He was 74.

Reverend Ike

Bishop E. Bernard Jordan, a minister and family spokesman, told The New York Times that Eikerenkoetter died July 28 in Los Angeles. Jordan says Reverend Ike suffered a stroke in 2007 and never fully recovered.

His United Church Science of Living Institute was housed in a former movie theater in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood; there, Reverend Ike preached the power of what he called “positive self-image psychology” to his 5,000 parishioners.

In the 1970s, he was one of the

• Who will provide care?

• What care will be provided?

• Where will the care be provided?

• How will care be paid for?

Personal assets? Family? Government, such as Medicaid or Aid and Attendant benefits from the Veteran’s Administration?

• When will the care be provided?

• Is there a relationship with a care manager?

With respect to Alzheimer’s disease, Larsen says it’s important to consider at least two things in particular: One, is there a family history of dementia? If so, you should consider that in your planning. And two, dementia is a longterm illness, one for which inhome care is usually not the best option.

He recommends the use of adult-day care during the early stages of the disease and, as the disease progresses, moving fulltime into what he described as a memory care unit.

“Without prior planning, however, it gets tough,” he said. Far too often, Larsen said families tend to deal with illnesses and health care shocks as they occur. And that’s precisely the wrong approach to take.

“It really pays to be proactive early.”

According to Larsen, longterm care planning is not just purchasing a long-term care insurance policy, though that is often one method of providing for the expenses of custodial care. He typically recommends the use of longterm insurance in cases where there is a family history of Alzheimer’s disease. If possible, he recommends purchasing a policy that would provide coverage for your lifetime if you can afford it, or at least 10 years if not.

Besides long term care insurance, Larsen strongly suggests having in place the proper estate-planning documents if you have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.

Those include a will, a durable power of attorney, a living will, a medical power of attorney, and a trust. If by chance you have, or a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, it’s quite likely a guardian of the person will be named according to your legal documents in place or by the court.

This column is produced by the Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community, and is provided by Percy E. Bolton, CFP, a local member of FPA. Bolton can be reached at office@percybolton.com.

first evangelists to reach an audience of millions through television.

the bakery’s financial problems and planned to write a story.

“You got to take Chauncey Bailey out before he write that article,” Bey said, according to Broussard’s testimony.

THE STATE Transcript Gives Account of Plan to Kill Editor OAKLAND (AP) — Two men indicted in the killing of an Oakland journalist and two other men joked as they planned the crimes, then hugged after the journalist was killed, according to grand jury testimony.

Devaughndre Broussard confessed to shooting journalist Chauncey Bailey in August 2007 and Odell Roberson Jr. a month earlier, according to the testimony a judge ordered released July 30.

His April testimony led to the indictment of Yusuf Bey IV, former leader of Your Black Muslim Bakery, and bakery associate Antoine Mackey.

Bey and Mackey have pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of Bailey, Roberson and a third man, Michael Wills.

Broussard struck a deal with prosecutors to cooperate in exchange for a 25-year prison sentence. His testimony provides insight into the discussions and planning that preceded Bailey’s shooting.

After doing a run-through of the plan, Broussard testified, he went back to the bakery with Bey and Mackey. That day, Bey gave him a shotgun to use during the killing, he said.

“When this get done, we’re going to have a laugh,” Broussard quoted Bey in his testimony.

Then they hugged, and Bey allegedly said, “Wake me up before you go.” The shooting was planned for the early morning, as Bailey was heading to work at the Oakland Post in downtown Oakland.

Bailey had been investigating

THE NATION Nevada Supreme Court to Weigh O.J. Release on Appeal LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. Simpson and a former golfing buddy are hoping their lawyers can convince a Nevada Supreme Court panel to release them from prison while the high court reviews their convictions in a gunpoint hotel room heist.

Simpson and convicted codefendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart weren’t in a Las Vegas courtroom Aug. 3 when their lawyers got 30 minutes to argue for bond pending appeal.

The three justices from Nevada’s only appellate court won’t make an immediate decision.

It’s rare for the court to hear oral arguments on bond, and even more rare to grant release.

Simpson is serving nine to 33 years for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon in a September 2007 confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers. Stewart is serving 7 ? to 27 years.

U.S. Liberians Worry About Backlash in Rape Case PHOENIX (AP) — Leaders of Arizona’s Liberian community said Aug. 2 they are worried about stereotypes of the West African nation and potential backlash against its people in the aftermath of an 8-year-old girl’s alleged rape by four boys.

The leaders spoke of their concerns to a congregation of Liberians during a Sunday church service See BRIEFS, page 8

August 6, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

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COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MEETINGS, FORUMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS #365, Carson, CA 90746.

Information: Helena Titus, (323) 873-3038, info@power girlministries.org.

PowerGirl Back to School Luncheon to Take Place The PowerGirl Network’s third annual Back to School Leadership Luncheon will take place Aug. 23, 3 to 6 p.m., at the Wilfandel Club House, 3425 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles.

This event is designed for young women ages 11 to 25 who want to lead a positive life and take advantage of opportunities for leadership development with a strong emphasis on health and general wellness in a Christian environment.

Reservations will be accepted until Aug. 19 or until capacity is reached. Sponsors are welcome.

Complete registration is at www.powergirlministries.org/ events.dsp or call for details.

Registration donations of $25 per participant are welcome. Mail donations to: The Power Girl Network, 20715 S. Avalon Blvd.

Trevor Ariza Presents Golf Invitational Trevor Ariza, of Los Angeles Lakers fame, will present Breathe Easy & Swing for a Cause Aug. 15 to 17, 9 a.m. The golf invitational will take place at Friendly Hills Country Club, 8500 Villaverde Drive, Whittier.

Proceeds will benefit the Trevor Ariza Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support, information, education and advocacy of asthma disease.

The primary goal is to increase awareness and educate patients and the general public about factors contributing to health problems in allergic and asthmatic children.

Information: Lolita Ariza, (323) 273-9744; Patrick A. Copeland,

(310) 210-2785, www.trevorariza foundation.com.

All Souls Christian Center Celebrates 25th Anniversary All Souls Christian Center will celebrate its 25th Year Silver Anniversary Conference, Breakfast, Awards and Black Tie Gala Aug. 23 to 30 at New Life Christian Center and the Sheraton Gateway LAX. This year’s speakers include Ambassador Dr. N. Cindy Trimm, Prophet Owusu Bempah, Archbishop Duncan Williams, Prophet Prince Frimpong and Al and Hattie Hollingsworth.

Special musical guests will include Nana King, I.M.P.A.C.T. Yo u t h G r o u p a n d o t h e r s .

Monica “Monie Mon” Dyson will serve as this year’s Mistress of Ceremonies for the awards and gala.

Conference and workshop

registration is free. Breakfast is $45 and the awards and gala are $85.

For sponsorship opportunities contact Peacelyn DeGraft-Blankson at (323) 244-8804. For vendor booth opportunities contact Michelle Scott at (714) 553-0577.

Information: All Souls Christian Center, (323) 291-2235, www.

AllSoulsChristianCenter.org.

Supervisor Announces Intent to Offer Reward for Arrest in Beating Death Supervisor Mark RidleyThomas announced that he will ask the Board of Supervisors to approve a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the 36-year-old caretaker and primary suspect in the brutal beating death of 6-year-old Dae’von Bailey.

Joined by representatives of the Los Angeles Police Department, Ridley-Thomas appealed to

the community for help in apprehending Marcas Fisher, who has avoided capture since Dae’von’s body was found by relatives in the residence located in the 800 block of East 87th Street.

The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office has issued a murder warrant for Fisher, alleging one count each of murder and assault on a child-causing death. Fisher is considered a dangerous fugitive.

Anyone with information on this case may call LAPD detectives at (877) 527-3247.

Facts Aug. 6, 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which authorizes the suspension of literacy tests and the sending of federal examiners into the South.

Source: blackfacts.com

metro.net

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Page 6

L.A. WATTS TIMES

August 6, 2009

COMMUNITY

WHAT’S GOING ON? Deadline for receipt of What’s Going On listings is Friday, 12 p.m., at least two weeks prior to activity.

Fax to: (213) 251-5720, e-mail us at lawattsnus@aol.com or mail to: L.A. Watts Times, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

WATTS SUMMER FESTIVAL — The 43rd Annual Watts Summer Festival will take place Aug. 8 and 9, noon to 8 p.m., on 103rd Street between Compton Boulevard and Success Avenue in Watts. There will be carnival rides; exhibits; vendors; free health information; storytelling; live music and more. Charles Wright of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band will be the celebrity spokesperson for this event. Information: (323) 789-7304, www. wattsfestival.org.

HAVE YOU SEEN HER? — The Black Women’s Network is seeking past members to attend its 30th Year Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 22 at the Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club in Redondo Beach. Past members are asked to contact the network at (323) 964-4003 or visit www. blackwomensnetwork.net.

REUNION — The Eastside Boys will have their annual reunion Aug. 15, 1 to 6 p.m., at 2558 Santa Anita Ave., Altadena. The group originated in 1900 and was composed of black men and boys whose families

settled primarily along Central Avenue in east Los Angeles, and are alumni of Jefferson, Manual Arts, Jordan and Polytechnic high schools.

All former members are encouraged to attend. Information: (310) 6731101.

DIVINITY VS. DESECRATION, PART TWO — Author and lecturer Sadiki Bakari will deliver part two of this lecture on the parallel dimensions of hip-hop during the “Talking Drum” forum Aug. 14, 7 p.m., at the Afiba Center, 5730 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Bakari will discuss issues such as live instrumentation and computer programs, and the metaphysical and physical elements of hip-hop. A love offering will be accepted at the door. Information: sadikibakari.com.

TOWN HALL MEETING — Assemblymember Mike Davis will hold a townhall meeting to discuss health care and crime prevention legislation. The meeting will take place Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Muses Room of the Annenberg Building, 700 State Drive, Los Angeles. Attendees should use the 39th Street and Figueroa Avenue entrance. The public is invited to come and share their concerns and perspective on these issues. Information: (213) 744-2111.

MEDICAL FAIR — Free medical, dental and vision care will be available during RAM-Los Angeles (Remote Area Medical), sponsored by Faithful Central Bible Church and the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps. The care will be offered Aug. 11 to 18, 5:30 a.m., 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. Information: (310) 3308000, ext. 3256.

PET FOSTER PARENT CLASS — The spcaLA’s fostering program is in need of volunteers to assist with the care of pets of all ages.

The class will take place Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to noon, at 12910 Yukon Ave., Hawthorne. Information: (310) 6761149, ext. 222, www.spcala.com.

TRIATHLON — The Hansen Dam Aquatic Center will hold its fifth annual triathlon for youth and adults Aug. 16, 7 a.m., at 11798 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace. The event will have a 500-yard open-water swim, an 11-mile bicycle ride on a road course, and a three-mile trail run. The competition is open to anyone age 9 or older, and people with all ability levels are invited to participate in one of eight age divisions. The entry fee is $35 for youth and $65 for adults. The registration deadline is Aug. 8 (to be received or postmarked by); there will be no registration on event day. Information: (818) 8993779, www.hansendamtri.org.

ROUNDTABLE — The Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable

How have we helped 5.8 million Americans in need?

meets Saturdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m., in Leimert Park at the Lucy Florence Coffeehouse, 3351 W. 43rd St., Los Angeles. The roundtable features expert speakers on hot-button local and national issues, followed by an open discussion. It is free and open to the public. Information: (323) 3836145.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS — The Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is accepting applications until Sept.

15. The goal of the program is to develop a pool of qualified African American writers in the entertainment industry. The program meets twice a week for 15 weeks, beginning in February 2010. It is designed to assist writers in completing a television or feature script, while giving them the opportunity to examine African American history, culture and iconography. Tuition is free to those selected. And the program is not designed for beginning-level writers. Information: www.Cosby Program.com, CosbyProgram@ yahoo.com.

KOINONIA AND KOMEDY — The Young Adult Ministry of West Angeles Church of God In Christ will present an evening of gospel comedy in “Koinonia and Komedy: A White Linen Affair.” Hosted by Lester E. Barrie, the evening will feature

several up-and-coming comics.

The event will take place Aug. 8, 7 p.m., in the West Angeles Crystal Room, 3045 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Information: (323) 733-8300, ext.

2614, yamkandk@yahoo.com.

BLUE WHALES — T h e Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will take guests on a search for great blue whales, which visit the nearby waters during the summer, on Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to noon, at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro. The area from San Pedro to Catalina Island is a regular annual stop for some of the whales as they migrate to breed in water near Costa Rica during the winter.

The cost is $30 ($25 for members of FRIENDS of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium), and reservations, which are on a first-come, first-served availability, are required. Information: (310) 548-7562, www.cabrilloaq.org.

MICROCHIP AND VACCINE CLINIC — The spcaLA aims to keep people’s pets safe and healthy by having them vaccinated and micro chipped. A clinic will be available for pets on Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. Information: (562) 570-7722, www.spcaLA.com.

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

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By never stopping.

August 6, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 7

COMMUNITY CURRY Continued from page 2 Below are some of the collective complacencies — excuses — we lean on to avoid responsibility for dealing with exploitative media and its impact on our youth. My suggestions for how we are able to respond are: Collective Complacency One: It’s too big of an issue; I don’t have the resources to deal with this.

Able Response One: Put your money where your heart is. Seek out and purchase music that supports a healthy, positive and accurate view of black and urban life.

When you’re out dancing and a song with misogynistic, degrading lyrics start to spin, get off the dance floor and make your feelings known about the song selection.

Change the station when offensive material comes on.

Collective Complacency Two: This is really not my problem. This is just the way of our society.

Able Response Two: This issue belongs to all of us. Studies show that sexually degrading music influences the early sexual behavior of youth. It impacts their socialization, their mental health and, eventually, their physical health. Know what’s on your child’s iPod playlist. Speak with your children — or someone else’s children — about the meaning of the song lyrics they listen to. How would they feel about inserting

their mother’s name into the lyrics of the song? Stop making excuses when sexism comes wrapped all pretty in a song with a funky beat sung by people of your own hue.

Collective Complacency Three: I don’t believe in censorship. Why are we trying to limit the artistic expression of these artists?

Able Response Three: Vile

lyrics about various forms of oral sex is not the height of artistic expression. Authentic expression comes from a place of creativity, a deep center inside of each of us that is sparked by inspiration. We actually want to uncensor those artists that are putting out quality content that do not get the recognition, financial backing, and airtime nec-

essary to succeed. Start a call-in campaign to your local radio stations suggesting local artists whose music you want them to play.

This list is just a beginning. It is a beginning to Paul Porter’s simple but potent call: responsibility. It is a beginning to shake up our collective complacency and return to what our elders have taught is the

root of our origins: community.

Shaunelle Curry is executive director of Mother’s Day Radio (www.mothersdayradio.com), a community-driven initiative designed to take direct action in challenging and expanding current media portrayals of womanhood.

She can be reached at info@mothersdayradio.com.

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HUTCHINSON Continued from page 2 objective evidence, which could be firsthand observation or statements made by a parent or child, is all that is needed to report abuse. This formula for reporting abuse is too vague.

It’s a prescription to ensure that countless numbers of children continue to slip under the radar of child abuse danger. This also ensures that when the furor about a shocking death such as Bailey’s dies down and drops from the headlines, public apathy and ignorance toward the danger again kicks in.

Bailey is a near-textbook example of the child who was in mortal danger. Yet if prompt, timely action had been taken by all involved, Bailey could have been saved.

Fisher may have been the culprit who beat Bailey to death. But the inertia, indifference and bungling of so many others make them culprits in his death, too. They must also answer for that.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His weekly radio show, “The Hutchinson Report,� can be heard in Los Angeles, Fridays on KTYM Radio 1460 AM and streamed live nationally on ktym.com.

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Facts Aug. 5, 1984 Evelyn Ashford wins a gold medal in the 100-meter race and Edwin Moses wins a gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles during the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Source: blackfacts.com

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Page 8

L.A. WATTS TIMES

August 6, 2009

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Continued from page 4 at Africa Faith Expressions in west Phoenix. The girl’s family is among its members.

Police say four boys, ages 9 to 14, lured the girl to an empty storage shed July 16 with the promise of chewing gum. Investigators say the boys then restrained the girl and took turns sexually assaulting her.

All the children are Liberian refugees.

News reports of the attack have included inaccurate descriptions that rape and those who commit it are accepted in Liberia, said Robert Sherman, president of the Liberian Association of Arizona.

James Nyemah, the church’s pastor and spokesman for the girl’s family, said rape was widespread in Liberia only during its 14 years of civil war.

“To blame the whole nation for the terrible things that happened during that time is a misrepresentation of the Liberian people,” Nyemah said.

A county grand jury on Aug. 4 indicted the 14-year-old boy on one count of kidnapping, one count of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor, and four counts of sexual conduct with a minor.

Prosecutors have charged the 14-year-old as an adult, while the other boys — ages 9, 10 and 13 — have been charged in juvenile court

with sexual assault. The 10- and 13-year-olds also have been charged with kidnapping.

All four boys were arrested July 21. Their identities are being withheld because of their ages.

Historical Marker for Cyclist to be Dedicated INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Officials will dedicate a state historic marker honoring champion cyclist Marshall “Major” Taylor Aug. 13 in Indianapolis.

The dedication will be held at noon at the intersection of 38th Street and the Monon Trail just south of the Indiana State Fair-

Marshall “Major” Taylor

grounds.

Taylor, who was born and raised in Indianapolis, was cycling’s first African American champion, winning a world title in 1899 and U.S. championships in 1899 and 1900.

Ex-Neb. Black Panther Drops Bid for Prison Release OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former Black Panther convicted in the 1970 bombing death of an Omaha police officer has dropped his latest request to be released from prison.

Edward Poindexter, who is serving a life sentence, cited his health as the reason that he could not move forward with a petition that he filed in June. A federal judge on Aug. 3 granted his request to dismiss the petition without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled.

Although he did not offer any details about his health in the request for dismissal, he had said in his petition that he suffered from heart problems.

Poindexter had argued that he is being illegally detained and that state officials are using laws created after his 1971 conviction and sentencing to keep him in prison.

Poindexter and a fellow Black Panther, David Rice, were convicted in the death of officer Larry Minard. Authorities say they lured police to a house with a 911 call, then detonated a homemade bomb that killed Minard.

Photo by MARTY COTWRIGHT

NEW STYLE — The “Ole School Crew” of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks performs for the audience at “Target Sunday @ CAAM” Aug. 2. The crew gave away gifts to those in attendance, including tickets to several upcoming Sparks games.

The pair have long proclaimed their innocence and have said they were targeted by an FBI program that undermined radical political groups.

Singer Claims Racial Slurs, Pen Stabbing on Flight MIAMI (AP) — A Brazilian singer’s lawsuit claims flight attendants called him racial slurs on a trip from New York to his home county and that his producer was stabbed with a sharp pen.

Dudu Nobre, his wife and the

producer filed the lawsuit against American Airlines the week of July 30, seeking $4 million in damages.

Nobre, who is black, claims one flight attendant repeatedly called him a “monkey” in Portuguese and made “monkey-like” sounds and gestures during the flight last year to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The lawsuit claims the attendant threatened a fight and stabbed Nobre’s producer with a pen as they were getting off the plane.

American Airlines officials declined comment on Aug. 3.

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As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to tits programs, services and activities.

August 6, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 9

ARTS & CULTURE Naomi Sims, Among First Black Models, Dies at 61

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Naomi Sims, whose 1968 Ladies’ Home Journal cover shot was a breakthrough for black fashion models, has died. She was 61.

Sims, said by some to be the first black supermodel, died Aug. 1 of breast cancer in Newark, N.J., said her brother-in-law Alexander Erwiah, the president of Naomi Sims Beauty Products. It had been decades since she left the runway to become an author and launch her own beauty empire.

Sims attained success at the same time that the “Black is Beautiful” movement was taking hold, and her accomplishments as a barrier-breaking African American model helped pave the way for the black runway stars of the 1970s,

including Pat Cleveland, Alva Chinn and Beverly Johnson.

Sims often spoke of her difficult start — as a gangly foster-care kid in Pittsburgh who towered over the other children in her school. In 1966, she came to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology on scholarship.

When she began approaching modeling agencies, she was turned down again and again — with some telling her that her skin was too dark.

Instead of giving up, she pushed forward and approached photographers directly.

The approach landed her the cover of The New York Times’ August 1967 fashion supplement.

She used that photo to market herself directly to advertising agencies, and within a year she was earning

$1,000 a week and appearing in a national television campaign for AT&T. Before long, she was modeling for top designers.

Sims gave up modeling after five years and launched her own wig-making business geared toward black women. She eventually expanded the multimillion-dollar business to include beauty salons and cosmetics, and she wrote “All About Health and Beauty for the Black

Woman” and other books.

Sims was born in Oxford, Miss., in 1948. Her parents divorced soon after she was born and her mother moved Sims and her two sisters to Pittsburgh.

Besides her son, Sims is survived by a sister, Betty, and a granddaughter.

Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes. com.

JAZZ ATTACK

“A BRILLIANT GEM!” - Laurence Vittes, The Hollywood Reporter

Original Painting “CROWNS” ©2009 Synthia SAINT JAMES

MUST CLOSE AUG 16!

CroVVns

Photos by MARTY COTWRIGHT

OUT AND ABOUT — The Los Angeles Police Department’s southwest division held its “National Night Out” event on Marlton Avenue between 39th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Aug. 4. The sixth annual block party was held to bring attention to neighborhood anti-crime efforts and invite residents to get involved in neighborhood watch. About 1,000 people attended the event. Pictured (top): Members of the Lula Washington Dance Theatre perform for the audience; (middle) California State Sen. Curren Price Jr. and L.A. City Councilmembers Jan Perry and Herb Wesson were present to welcome community members; (bottom) members of the audience perform a “line dance” on the stage.

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Page 10

L.A. WATTS TIMES

August 6, 2009

ARTS & CULTURE SHORT TAKES FESTIVALS • The World Stage Jazz Festival will be held Aug. 9, noon to 7 p.m., in the Leimert Park Farmer’s Market parking lot near the 43rd Street and Degnan Boulevard intersection in Los Angeles. The concert will showcase the Phil Ranelin Jazz Ensemble; The Estrada Brothers and the World Stage All-Stars, with special guest Charles Owens. SHINE Mawusi, an all-female drum and dance ensemble, will also perform. Admission is free and parking will be available. Refreshments may be purchased from vendors. Information: (323) 290-6565.

• The 22nd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival will take place Aug. 7 to 9 at Rainbow Lagoon Park, on Shoreline Drive at Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach. This year’s performers include Summer Storm featuring Norman Brown, Patti Austin and others; Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler and Richard Elliot; and the Al Williams Jazz Society featuring Barbara Morrison and several musicians. Tickets for general admission/lawn seating are $45 in advance and $50 at the gate. VIP seating and reserved box seats are also available. The gates open at 5 p.m. with a 7 p.m. show time on Aug. 7, and the gates open at 11 a.m. with a noon show time on

Aug. 8 and 9. Information: www. longbeachjazzfestival.com, (562) 424-0013.

THEATER • “Head Trip” and “Crowded Room” will make their world premier at Leimert Park’s Lucy Florence Cultural Arts Complex, 3351 W. 43rd St., Los Angeles. The two one-act plays written by Albert Cowart Jr. tell the stories of a family struggling to find closure and move on and a couple with spirits warring over human decisions and reactions to the discovery of socalled secrets. Running Aug. 21 through Sept. 20, tickets are $25; students and seniors receive a $5 discount and show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Information: (323) 293-1356.

CONCERTS • Multi-Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Take 6 will make a rare Los Angeles appearance Aug. 16, 6:15 and 8:15 p.m., at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. This special concert will benefit the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’s Music in the Schools program, which has served more than 18,000 students throughout Los Angeles County.

The evening will feature songs

Take 6

from the group’s recent release, “The Standard,” and a pre-concert wine and cheese reception is included in the evening. Taxdeductible tickets are $60 per person, with a limited number of VIP tickets available for $100. Information: www.symphonicjazz orchestra.org/join.asp.

• Grand Performances presents free performing arts that reflect global culture. Located in California Plaza at 300-350 S. Grand Ave. in downtown Los Angeles, Grand Performances will have KB Solomon and the Paul Robeson Project perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 9,

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and Zap Mama will perform Aug. 15, also at 8. Parking rates are $7.50 starting two hours before evening Grand Performances events. The garage is best accessed from Olive Street between 1st and 4th streets.

Information: www.grandperformances.org.

• The City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division announced its annual Jazz on the Lawn series at City Hall. This event will occur on four consecutive Sundays in August, beginning Aug. 8, 5 to 7 p.m., at 1685 Main St., Santa Monica. The series features free jazz and world music performances from talents such as Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford, Grupo Falso Baiano and John West. Jazz on the Lawn is free to the public and parking is located at the Santa Monica Civic Center. Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase, with the proceeds benefiting the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center. Information: www.arts.santa-monica.org.

Malcolm X

and highlights the paradoxes that would eventually contribute to his death, will screen at 6 p.m. “Egalite for All: Toussaint L’Ouverture and The Haitian Revolution,” which tells the story of this black leader in the Americas and his role in leading the only successful slave revolution in history, will screen at 8 p.m. Information: (424) 200-4968.

FILMS • As part of Black August Resistance activities, two “Liberation Films” will be screened Aug. 8 at the Afiba Center, 5730 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles.

“Murder in New York: Malcolm X and the Birth of Afro-Americanism,” which reviews the milestones in Malcolm X’s struggle for human rights for African people

Toussaint L’Ouverture

August 6, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 11

ARTS & CULTURE

Watts Summer Festival Gets Underway Saturday

BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

The “grandfather of all African American cultural festivals in the United States” will get underway this weekend.

The Watts Summer Festival will kick off at noon Aug. 8 on 103rd Street, between Compton Boulevard and Success Avenue, in the heart of Watts. It continues through Aug. 9 until 8 p.m.

Opening ceremonies will take place at noon on the main stage with elected officials, community leaders, and an opening perform-

ance by the local group Sadaa.

Charles Wright of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is this year’s celebrity spokesperson. The band put Watts on the map in a positive way in the late 1960s and ’70s when it became the first R&B band signed by Warner Bros. Records and produced nine singles that made it onto the Billboard’s Top 100 list.

Wright and the group are best known for their 1970s’ hit “Express Yourself,” which reached No. three on the Billboard R&B charts and No. 12 on the Pop charts.

Joining Wright in the spotlight this year are Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA, 35th District), who is serving as the honorary chair, and honorary hosts Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and L.A. City Councilmember Janice Hahn.

The two-day event will include community forums, a food court, live music and more.

Celebrating its 43rd year, the festival was spawned after the 1965 Watts Rebellion with a mission to celebrate “the cultural contributions of African Americans,

preserve the history and legacy of the Watts community and to memorialize the thirty four that died during the 1965 Watts Revolt,” according to the festival’s Web site.

Executive Director Tommy Jacquette says the festival has endured because of the reasons it was founded, which is embedded in the minds of the people.

“The festival connects the community and focuses on the best of Watts, its residents, and those that have emerged from Watts and yet never forgot their roots,” Jacquette said.

While a sagging economy has caused other community events and festivals to be cancelled or suspended, the festival has somehow found way to continue.

“We have always existed on a beans, rice and cornbread budget,” Jacquette said. “And, because it is a

community event, the community has always been involved. Our large volunteer base is involved in everything from performances to the working aspect. We are especially grateful for our loyal sponsors who get involved and believe in the festival.”

According to Brenda Giles, assistant to Jacquette, about 3,000 people are expected over the twoday period.

“It’s going to be a very good event. I think it’s going to be one of the very best ever,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of good, local, yetto-be-discovered talent from the community. You’d be happy to bring your family.”

The festival and parking is free to the public. For more information, call (323) 789-7304.

Information from www.wattsfestival.org.

In Celebration of the 43rd Annual Watts Summer Festival

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CLEARING OUT — One of the empty display cases at the African Marketplace Import/Export Emporium in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The store shut down for good on July 31 after 15 years of business. A sluggish economy, increased lease payments and a drop in vendors contributed to the store’s closure. A second store located in the Fox Hills Mall closed three years ago.

MARKETPLACE lease program, the space size came Continued from page 1 Business Center Co-op, the African American Tourism Hospitality Council of Greater Los Angeles and AfricanAmericanLA.com, and the Global Cinema and Urban Media Initiative program, created to network independent black film festivals around the world. So far, the other entities are not being affected, Burks said.

James Burks

But the cultural faire will not be held this year. There are plans to hold the faire’s 25th anniversary kickoff and celebration next year.

When the Baldwin Hills store opened in the 1990s, it was on a month-to-month lease, and at one time, occupied up to 10,000 square feet, which enabled it to accommodate up to 225 vendors throughout the years. But in 2005, the boutique went to a permanent lease and a smaller space, which really set it back, Burks said.

“When we went on the regular

down from 10,000 square feet to what we have now, which is roughly about 3,300 square feet. We could not take all the vendors to a 3,300square-feet space,” he said.

Burks added that the mall’s failure to appeal to more wealthy shoppers was also a contributing factor in the store’s closure.

“We also have a mall that’s not attracting the people on the hill there in Ladera (Heights) and in Baldwin Hills ... who have the money to spend a lot on the type of things the African Marketplace sells.

“The mall has changed tremendously in terms of the audience that comes there. So, we were just there so that there is an Afrocentric presence in the mall. If we had closed the store a couple of years ago, I would not be canceling the African Marketplace and Cultural Faire right now,” he said.

Earl “Skip” Cooper, president of the Black Business Association, said it’s a “shame” that the store is closing.

“It’s a fantastic venue but they need support,” Cooper said. “That’s one of the problems we have as African Americans.”

It’s imperative, during this economic crunch, for African American consumers to make a much stronger effort in supporting African American merchants and African businesses, he added.

“Our ministers should be telling their congregations … that it’s important for them to go out and support black businesses during these tough economic times,” Cooper

said. “We need to go back to the way it was 30, 40, 50 years ago when we could only do business with each other. It’s important that we go the extra step to support black businesses.”

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L.A. WATTS TIMES

August 6, 2009

EDUCATION Study Finds Rise in Student Injuries in Gym Class

BY CARLA K. JOHNSON AP MEDICAL WRITER

CHICAGO (AP) – Injuries to American children during physical education classes increased by 150 percent from 1997-2007, a new study finds, a possible drawback to a movement encouraging more vigorous exercise in schools.

Yet that may have less to do with lively gym programs than with lack of adult supervision, experts said. A decline in school nurses and larger class sizes could be to blame, said the study’s senior author Lara McKenzie of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

“Children got hurt by running into equipment or having contact with structures or other persons,” McKenzie said. “They had heat stroke, fainting and heart palpitations.”

Boys had more cuts and broken bones than girls. Girls were more likely to suffer strains and sprains.

While the benefits of physical education classes outweigh the risks, McKenzie said, “being healthy doesn't have to hurt.”

The study, based on hospital

WHITE HOUSE Continued from page 1 guides, young black males, juniors in college who shared their experiences of what they had to overcome to get to where they are,” Davis said.

“That’s what we’re trying to do: enlarge the children’s view of life and what they are capable of doing.

We want to teach them you can have a goal and complete it.”

reports of phys ed injuries, was released Aug. 4 and appears in the September edition of Pediatrics. It suggests schools should renew their efforts to make gym class safer, said Cheryl Richardson of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education in Reston, Va. Richardson noted some school districts don’t require teachers to be certified to teach phys ed, particularly at the elementary school level.

“Classroom teachers who aren’t trained in P.E. might not recognize situations that can cause injury,” Richardson said. Certified physical education teachers know where to position themselves, the amount of space children need around them for activities and proper warm-up exercises.

The federal Healthy People 2010 initiative has made it a goal to improve P.E. programs. That’s led to more state policies supporting physical education, but not all schools comply because the policies aren’t usually accompanied by funding to support them, Richardson said.

For the study, researchers analyzed emergency room reports of

P.E.-related injuries in children, ages 5 to 18. The data came from 100 representative U.S. hospitals taking part in surveillance for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The researchers found nearly 12,000 injuries from those hospitals during the 11 years. From that, they calculated a national estimate of nearly 37,000 annual injuries on average, with fewer than 30,000 in 1997 and climbing to more than 60,000 injuries a year by 2007.

Rates per 10,000 students in those age groups also increased. The researchers weren’t able to calculate a rate based on numbers of children taking gym classes, which would have given a more accurate picture.

Based on other studies, the researchers believe there’s been only a slight increase in P.E. participation and only in the past few years.

The authors said it’s the first examination of P.E.-related injuries in a large nationally representative sample.

“Physical education in schools is one of our main tools to increase physical activity and prevent childhood obesity,” McKenzie said.

NOTEBOOK California Guardsmen to Get $1.8M in College Help

test failed to identify as gang-joiners went on to become homeboys.

SACRAMENTO (AP) — A new program approved as part of California’s budget will help send members of the military to college.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 31 announced the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program, intended to help nearly 1,000 California National Guard members go to school.

The program will hand out $1.8 million next year to help guardsmen cover fees to attend college or university. It starts in January 2010 and is expected to run for 10 years.

Schwarzenegger says until now, California was the only state in the nation that did not offer education benefits to active guardsmen.

The state Military Department says in a survey, 74 percent of members said they would extend their service in exchange for more help paying for education.

LAUSD Issues Statement on Country Creations Recall

L.A. Tries Test to Find Kids Likely to Join Gangs Another highlight of their trip was a visit to the Department of The Treasury, where the group witnessed the printing of millions of dollars in $100 bills.

“It was fun and very interesting to see them make all those stacks and stacks of freshly made $100 bills,” said 13-year-old London Edwards, a student at The Accelerated School in Los Angeles.

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“It was tempting, too,” she said, laughing. “I was thinking ‘I wish they could give us some of that money.’ I won’t be greedy, just (a) $100 bill.”

Before leaving Los Angeles, Davis tried to secure a visit to the White House for the entire travel party but that wasn’t possible. After making some calls, someone contacted congresswoman Diane Watson (D-CA, 33rd District), who managed to get six of the children in for a tour of the White House. To remedy that situation, names were pulled from a hat and Edwards was one of the lucky ones.

“I learned a lot of things and saw a lot of things I thought I’d never see in a million years. Going to the White House is something not too many people get to do,” Edwards said. “I feel really blessed.

The White House was beautiful and I really liked the Blue Room and the Red Room.”

For those who didn’t make it into the White House, there were no shortages of adventures. Davis said they visited the Capitol while Congress was in session, with Jesse Jackson Jr. at the helm, sitting in for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who just happened to be in the Capitol Rotunda when the group arrived, stopped to greet and pose for pictures with the visitors.

Another highlight of their trip was a visit to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a prominent black-owned eatery that has been in business for 50 years and made famous when Barack Obama ate there.

While checking in at the LAX before leaving last week, several of the children, when asked what they were looking forward to on their trip, talked about flying for the first time and swimming in the hotel’s pool once they arrived in D.C. Others had loftier goals in mind.

Nine-year-old twins Jonathan and Joseph Branch, students at South Park Elementary School in Los Angeles, said this was their first

(AP) — What prompts some kids to join gangs and their neighbors not to join is a question that has long baffled experts. Now, city officials will try to find the answer through a multiple-choice test.

“If you could identify who those at-risk kids were, then you could micro-target them with resources,” said Jeff Carr, director of the mayor’s office on gang reduction and youth development.

That premise marks a new strategy in the city’s fight against gangs, which claim roughly 40,000 members in Los Angeles.

Only about 15 percent of kids in a given neighborhood join gangs, according to University of Southern California social psychologist Malcolm Klein and others. Klein found 10 factors that channel children into gangs, including poor parenting, justifying delinquent behavior and traumatic events.

Researchers at USC’s Center for Research into Crime used those findings to develop the 74question survey called the Youth Services Eligibility Test. A kid with at least five factors is deemed “at risk” and offered programs such as counseling, anger management and tutoring.

No one knows if the test works. The city has contracted for a study in three years to see if kids the trip on an airplane and they just wanted to have lots of fun, swim, see Obama and meet his two daughters.

They didn’t get the opportunity to see the president or his daughters, but they undoubtedly had a lot of fun and history-learning adventures.

“Everyone loved it. The trip was a great success,” Davis said.

“At church Sunday, the children had a chance to stand up and talk about the trip. Mothers were in tears because they couldn’t envision a vacation like this with their children based upon their income.”

Los Angeles Unified School District officials have confirmed that none of the suppliers on the school cafeteria menu are impacted by the recent voluntary recall

by Country Creations, and that school meals are safe.

The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division was notified Aug. 3 by the California Department of Public Health that on July 10, County Creations announced the voluntary recall of packets of frosting because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

The frosting packets are included with the company’s Country Creations Braided Bread and Country Creations Cinnamon Rolls which were sold through school fundraisers.

According to the vendor, six district elementary schools — which include Lomita Math/Science Magnet, Allesandro, Westport Heights, Carson Street, Annandale and El Oro elementary schools — had purchased the items for their fundraising efforts.

The district is working with these single-track schools to identify and notify those who purchased the recalled product and to remove the product from the schools.

State Appeals Court Upholds English-Only Exams SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A state appeals court has ruled that California can administer school achievement tests and high school exit exams in English only, even though nearly 1.6 million students have limited command of the language.

The First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco on July 30 rejected arguments that Englishonly exams violate a federal law’s requirement that limited-Englishspeaking students “shall be assessed in a valid and reliable manner.”

The appellate court’s 3-0 ruling upholds a 2007 decision by a San Francisco judge who also ruled against the bilingual-education groups and nine school districts that sued to overturn the state’s Englishonly testing methods.

Marc Coleman, a lawyer for the school districts and advocacy groups, says they are considering an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

With a cost of nearly $40,000 for the trip — raised through car washes, fish frys, raffles and a gospel brunch — Davis said he sees the value in the effort and will continue their fundraising for next year’s planned trip to the Grand Canyon.

“The children put in some work as well … 97 percent of them come from single-mother homes with no contact with their fathers,” Davis said. “They help with the fundraising, which teaches them you don’t have to wait for somebody to do for you. You can set goals and reach them.”

August 6, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 13

HEALTH

Los Angeles Patient Dumping Settlement Misses Skid Row

BY SHAYA TAYEFE MOHAJER AP WRITER

(AP) — The city attorney stood on the roof of a homeless shelter high above the human misery of Skid Row in April and announced a $1.6 million settlement from a hospital accused of dumping about 150 mentally ill patients on the streets.

Rocky Delgadillo trumpeted the penalty, castigated those who took advantage of society’s most vulnerable and praised the Union Rescue Mission's chief executive as an inspiration for the investigation that led to the settlement.

What seemed like a big payday for the shelter and other nonprofits that have fought homelessness, mental illness and drug abuse on Skid Row for years, however, turned out to be no such bonanza.

Instead, the lion's share went to an organization in Pasadena — a suburb a dozen miles away — to provide grief counseling to school children.

Three months later, the shelters say they can’t figure out why Delgadillo, who finished his term of office last month and is considering a run for state attorney general, let $900,000 go outside the community they serve.

The Mission and three other Skid Row providers received $50,000 apiece, and another group got $100,000. Another $400,000 in fines went to the city and county.

While Delgadillo was still in office, his staff refused to discuss how Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services came to reap the award. His office rejected a California Public Records Act request by The Associated Press on the grounds that negotiations in the case were secret.

When contacted by The AP recently, Delgadillo said donating to Hathaway-Sycamores was a preventative approach to what ails Los Angeles’ youth, and will prevent them from “ending up in a cemetery, jail or on Skid Row.” Delgadillo said Skid Row providers face “an uphill battle” in rehabilitating homeless people, so funding the children’s mental health organization was “much better than a passive, Band-aid, backend approach.”

College Hospital, which paid the settlement, didn’t know of Hathaway-Sycamores before the settlement, and the medical provider was “not the ultimate decision maker in regards to the selection of charities or amounts,” the hospital’s lawyer Glenn Solomon said.

The new city attorney’s chief deputy, Bill Carter, who said he would review The AP’s request, wouldn’t comment on past confidential decisions, but said the settlement didn’t appear to have reached the right hands.

“We want these funds to be received by the communities that are directly affected or impacted by the violations,” Carter said. “In these particular cases, that would be the entities and people doing this

work on Skid Row, downtown.”

The settlement stemmed from allegations that as many as 150 psychiatric College Hospital patients — most of them homeless — were driven miles and dropped off near Skid Row shelters. Some were able to walk while others crawled with IVs or colostomy bags intact. Many needed medication and care that shelters weren’t equipped to provide.

The 50-square-block Skid Row is the nation’s densest concentration of homeless. Rough estimates say nearly 5,000 people live there, mainly in shelters and on sidewalks. The area's residents are plagued by the drug use and violence typical of the worst urban poverty.

Along with a handful of other shelters, the Union Rescue Mission was essential to discovering the practice of dumping patients — some still in hospital gowns — on Skid Row. Delgadillo singled out chief executive Andy Bales in April for motivating his office to crack down on the practice, calling him “an incredible source of inspiration that have given myself, the people in my office and others the courage to proceed with these investigations and bring them to fruition.”

In the case that sparked the investigation, the shelter asked the hospital to pick up a 32-year-old bipolar schizophrenic, Steven Davis, who showed up on the mission’s doorstep because it could not monitor his care. A van came and then dropped Davis off at another nearby shelter.

Davis wandered away before ending up at a clinic that contacted his family and got him treatment.

Shelter leaders say that if they had received more of the settlement they could put it towards providing limited medical monitoring for those who need it, like Davis.

“No one’s saying anything, and I still don’t know what would merit (Hathaway-Sycamores) getting almost a million dollars when they had absolutely nothing to do with, and weren’t at the heart of

what was going on down here,” said Brenda Wilson, founder of the New Image Emergency Shelter for the Homeless.

The $50,000 her organization received wouldn’t even cover the extra personnel it took over a twoyear period to patrol the shelter’s perimeter and report the dumped patients to the city attorney’s office, Wilson said.

Leaders of the other homeless service providers named in the settlement, The Midnight Mission and Lamp Community, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency.

By its own account, Hathaway-Sycamores does not deal with the homeless, mentally ill population of downtown. “We do great things here for children who have suffered dramatic loss,” said Rob Myers, executive vice president of development at HathawaySycamores. “I will absolutely defend what I think are the terrific services we provide.”

Myers said the organization was asked to provide the city attorney’s office with a proposal in December 2008 in advance of the April settlement.

In a statement issued after the interview, Hathaway-Sycamores said the monies will provide counseling for South Los Angeles children who are referred to the organization by school officials. It’s expected that 3,500 children and families will receive counseling over two years.

The statement said such care “will help to decrease future mental health issues which can lead to homelessness.”

None of the four downtown shelters received similar communications from Delgadillo’s office.

They learned their share of the settlement the day of Delgadillo’s press conference and were stonewalled when they asked why Hathaway-Sycamores was chosen.

The settlement — and all other settlements — will be reviewed by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who took office July 1, Carter said.

THE PULSE Cancer Event for Women of Color to Take Place Attendees can help fight cancer by donating their natural hair (a minimum of eight inches) for free wigs to cancer survivors at “Cut Your Crop for Women of Color” Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Farmers Market at Exposition Park.

The event will feature eyebrow threading, makeup artists, hair styling and other spa treatments. There will also be a fashion show, featuring tailor-made clothing by Drobe and local clothing boutiques.

In addition, during the event nutritional information will be distributed for cancer prevention. The event is free and for survivors, caregivers, and those who’ve been affected by cancer.

Confirm a seat for the fashion show by e-mailing rsvp@done beautifully.com.

Information: Marisha Morris at (866) 725-4048, ext. 1, www. donebeautifully.com/FIERCE.aspx.

Cancer Survivors to Participate in ‘Friends and Family Night’ The SISTERS Breast Cancer Survivors Network has reserved seats for the Los Angeles Sparks game against the Chicago Sky Aug. 25, 7 p.m., at the Staples Center.

Tickets are $15. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the network.

Information: Jewel Williams, (323) 759-0200, sbcsn@yahoo.com, www.survivorsofbreastcancer.org.

Groups Call on Calif. AG to Investigate Insurance

asking Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate the so-called “fail first” practice because they believe it prolongs pain.

The advocacy groups say some health insurers refuse to pay for prescriptions that doctors write upon diagnosis, approving only cheaper medicines at first.

The groups say the prescription for the drug the doctor would have chosen in the first place can only be filled after the patient has refused five courses of treatment.

Brown’s office did not immediately comment July 31.

Nursing Board Seeks to Triple Enforcement Staff (AP) — State nursing regulators want to more than triple their enforcement staff, saying the process of disciplining nurses for misconduct is “unacceptably long.”

An investigation this month by the Los Angeles Times and the nonprofit news organization Pro Publica found that it took the state more than three years, on average, to act on misconduct complaints. It even took months to discipline nurses considered public risks because they failed drug diversion programs.

At a state hearing in Sacramento recently, managers of the California Board of Registered Nursing recommended adding 60 enforcement analyst positions.

Each analyst now handles up to 600 cases. New staff would drop that to 150.

The nursing board will consider the recommendation this month.

Information from: Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com.

(AP) — A coalition of health advocates say health insurers can make it so hard to get the right prescription filled that some sick patients give up treatment completely.

Patient advocacy groups Healthy African American Families, Familia Unida and For Grace are

Facts Aug. 5, 1892 Harriet Tubman receives a pension from Congress for her work as a nurse, spy and scout during the Civil War. Source: blackfacts.com

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Page 14

L.A. WATTS TIMES

August 6, 2009

SPORTS BRAD PYE JR.

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

The Big 7-0. That’s what Tiger Woods will be shooting for in the Bridgestone Invitational starting today (Aug. 6). Woods won the Buick Open Aug. 2 with a 20-under par and a final round 69 for a threestroke victory. It was Woods’ third Buick Open victory and his 69th career win and fourth win of the season in 11 outings. Woods makes his next start today before going to Hazeltine in Minnesota in another week for the PGA Championship.

Woods upped his lead on the money earning list by collecting $918,000 in the Buick Open.

If the Los Angeles Sparks had to name the Most Valuable Player of the season, it wouldn’t be one of their

Tina Thompson

superstars — Candace Parker or Lisa Leslie; it would be Tina Thompson. Thompson recently hit a season-high 30 points against the Minnesota Lynx to snap a three-

games with a season record of 63-40.

At this time, the Angels have won only two games less than the Dodgers.

The latest baseball Hall of Fame inductees, Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson, rejected football scholarships to pursue careers in baseball.

Craig Robinson

game losing streak with a 76-70 victory.

This just wasn’t the week for Venus and Serena Williams. In the Bank of America tournament at Stanford, Serena was eliminated in a semi-finals singles match and Venus was upset in the singles finals

by Marion Bartoli, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

And the beat continues Sophomore guard recruit Roberto Nelson of Santa Barbara High signed a letter of intent to play with Craig Robinson’s Oregon State Beavers. Robinson is the brother of Michelle Obama. Robinson made four phone calls to Nelson.

As of presstime, the Dodgers have the best record (65-40) in baseball, and as of Aug. 2 the Angels led the AL Western Division by four

We are committed to preparing a publication that you will eagerly anticipate each week. The L.A. Watts Times is scanning and probing news and information resources to deliver the best of the African American community to you.To receive the L.A. Watts Times via U.S. Postal Service each week, fill out this subscription form and send with check or money order payable to: L.A. Watts Times for the yearly rate of $65.

Henderson, the all-time stolen bases record holder, wanted to become an Oakland Raider. Rice was approached by the University of Nebraska as a footballer.

And the beat continues I agree with the Sporting News poll; former UCLA basketball legend John Wooden is the greatest American coach of all time. Some of Wooden’s greatest stars were on hand at the presentation in Sherman Oaks to second the motion. Included were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mike

January 15, 2009

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Civil Rights ‘Little Rock 9’ Inauguration Icon to Attend

of violence from taunts and threats adults opposed and white students of Central High. the integration Roberts has lecOver the years, When Barack college stuof the United high school and has been in as the 44th president may tured and 20, Americans at seminars, States on Jan. about what finally dents the nation has interviewed extensively conclude that the turbulent year past. it was like during his overcome its racist proschool. He uses psychology Dr. Terrence Roberts he spent in high But for retired to teach Roberts, 67, one experiences as a platform in as many and fessor Dr. Terrence ” of education who inteat events, and participate Roberts Tomorrow. teenagers importance and the Today of nine black as possible, relationships great grandinaugural balls Little Rock Central how to best improve NORWOOD “My 11-year-old to speak to grated Arkansas’

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School in 1957, son, Neeko Anthony for this at the Sidwell up to said.

STAFF WRITER in High Speakleading hurdle theme cleared students and faculty In the days California Assembly as the came up with the 9, page 7 E. will be just another for equal rights. the “Little Rock See LITTLE ROCK will serve organizer Larry battle Inauguration Day, speak er Karen Bass J. year,” said the continuing validates force behind the and Norris attend luncheons, election will driving the marshal Nine” Grant, Obama’s grand to celebrity grand Rock Nine” tried parade.

Bishton Jr. the what the “Little the Los Angeles and Bishton Roberts, a former the 25th annual IN BRIEF Joining Bass Association and marshal for NEWS Val. In his 19 accomplish, said P. PsyJan. in on David Commerce of Parade Master’s Chamber as will be Lt. Gen. Kingdom Day offico-chair of the service role at Antioch Uniyear’s reviewing previous public THE SOUTHLAND in Los Angeles. of court, this chology program for Real Estate Kingdom Day who has been deputy director of The largest celebration cer, and 2009 as versity in Los Angelesinaugural cerefor the state King Jr. holiWyvetta Taylor. the Rosenfeld to Serve Development Parade Queen the Martin Luther credited in invited to attend and offiCalifornia, the Rosenfeld is black president Other celebrities include day in Southern Planning Deputy Supervisor California, 11 mony for the first create about to attend will begin at to helping District parade with cials slated Second of 2.5-mile tor jobs, U.S. history. to what we Avenue and Nadette Stanis mas has chosen 72,000 new private-sec urban “It adds substance a.m. at Western Boulevard. It actress Bern Mark Ridley-Tho said. “When to serve as which revitalized struggling fame; jazz legend King A. Rosenfeld to do,” Roberts “Good Times” Martin Luther State tried Daniel history, Crenshaw California country’s west to areas.

Herby Hancock; will proceed to you look at this a Senior Deputy Instructurn south on dent of Public at the opposition DisBoulevard and in Superinten and you look for the Second Thousands of L.A. members of you look at District: Vernon Avenue then O’Connell; onto and RosenJack tion Crenshaw integration, trict team.

Lose Jobs with Obama’s where a festival the Los Angeles City Council; Teachers Could Leimert Park, what has happened s of Los feld will be responapparent that the (AP) — Thousand and more. will follow. election, it is quite sible for planning, include 14 and other emKABC TeleenThe parade will Angeles teachers laid off this Set to air on to old system is crumbling.we did fits in transportation, be 20 drill teams 7 from 11 a.m. and ployees could marching bands, “In retrospect, what vision-Channel vironment chip page 4 Daniel A. the nation’s secparade theme were able to See MLK PARADE, school year as 1 p.m., this year’s that pattern. We system — weakeconomic develop- Rosenfeld district grapLives On For old ond-largest school is “The Dream away a bit at the ment. now million deficit, 35 years of — to the point ples with a $250 He has more than en it if you will said. faster than ever.” assessment and school officials recently where it’s crumbling the election private sector coRamon Corand is the Superintendent Roberts said developm ent LLC, state Legislature anything, because of Urban Partners rial tines blamed the doesn’t change founder that cutbacks, saying elements ing entrepreneu for the potential there are “systemic fabric of this an award-winn to solve the the focusing on devel- that lawmakers need are woven into real estate firm if the Los opportubudget crisis is society.” opment and investment United state’s the harm School District western Angeles Unified If anyone understands nities in the force intact. it is Roberts. In to keep its work segregation causes, 15, he and the States. page 6 board a as at age See BRIEFS, He has served the fall of 1957, City teenagers who the Central eight other black known as the member of to be would come braved insults, Grant “Little Rock Nine”

N

FIRST COLUM

s on in The Dream Live of This Historic Year de Kingdom Day Para

Assembly Speaker

Karen Bass

Parade founder

BY ANDRE BRISCOE WRITER CONTRIBUTING Obama is sworn

Larry

PRESIDENT OB AMA

Vol. XXX, No.

1111

SERVING LOS

Giant Steps: Bar ack

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

INAUGURATIO N EDITION

ANGELES AND

SURROUNDING

AREAS

Obama America ’s

January 22,

2009

44th President

BY TERENCE HUNT AP WRITER

WASHINGTON into history, Barack — Stepping Hussein Obama grasped the reins of power as America’s first black president on Jan. 20, declaring the nation must choose “hope over purpose over conflictfear, unity of and discord” to overcome the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

In frigid temperature s, an exuberant crowd of more than million packed a the National Mall and parade route to celebrate Obama’s inauguration in a highnoon ceremony.

‘HOPE OVER FEAR’ — Barack John Roberts Obama, joined to become the by his wife Michelle 44th president and of the United States at the U.S. daughters Malia, third from left, and Sasha, Capitol in Washington AP Photo/RON takes the oath EDMONDS Jan. 20. of office from Chief Justice

FIRST COLUMN

Not Just a Drea m: Obama Sparks Black Men to Action

BY LUCAS L. JOHNSON II AP WRITER

The Son of Our Soil

With 11 million Americans out of work and trillions of dollars lost in the stock market’s tumble, Obama emphasized that his biggest challenge is tattered economy to repair the left outgoing President behind by George W. Bush.

“Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and See OBAMA, page 6

BY

they say they REMA REYNOLDS might not have SPECIAL TO NASHVILLE, taken without L.A. WATTS his example.

Tenn. (AP) TIMES — An actor NAIROBI, Kenya Van Jones, turns 40, founded — I sent one inner-city mosque a dilapidated, Green For last e-mail to my All, a national Kenyan friend into a theater in just a few asking her what I days. A 20-year-old gram that seeks to create proshould expect. buckles down clean energy jobs.

I would be teaching on his studies His Oakland-bas in Nairobi at a historically black during the time ed college after his program, which employs 25 of President Barack mother dies of Obama’s inauguration cancer. A commu- ple and has an operating peo. I wondered if budget nity organizer Kenyans were of $4.5 million, decides his plan excited as I was, was instrumenta to in passing create thousands excited as the as l a portion of a of green jobs majority of Amerinational too modest and is cans, as excited enlarges it twen- energy bill called the Green as ty-fold.

Jobs cans particularly. African AmeriAct. It will use up to $125 million Barack Obama’s to train 30,000 My BlackBerry people in jobs election to flashed her HOME the White House reply just as such as installing PRIDE — Kenyans I boarded the is solar panels plane: a large screen, ization of what the very real- and retrofitting “Kenya is full react as U.S. President BarackAP Photo/SAYYID AZIM as thousands so many black of buildings to make Obama mania of people fathers have Obama appears don’t be surprised so guration ceremony them more told their sons on — from Nairobi, gather to watch the U.S. presidential environme ntally if Jan 20th is D.C., Jan. to friendly. aspire to for another national Kenya 20. inauyears, even holiday. Kenyans year ago came Across the country, neighbors — that took place in Washington, if it often was just are extremely divided by political together to celebrate With Obama’s proud of this a election, Jones violence only the inauguration son of booster not meant confidence- decided to our soil!” a of its favorite shop a $33 to be taken litson, Obama. erally. And posal before Congress billion proAnother national long before NEWS IN BRIEF holiday? Yes, that would he wrapped up the another. contest, his can- hire about 600,000 people didacy had over the next two When Obama driven these THE SOUTHLAN years for similar Top police officials three black men and ident of the United was elected presD others to actions work.

States, Kenyans edged that minorities acknowlwere granted See BLACK Los a day off, a holiday Angeles Police frequently subjected are more MEN, page 3 commemorate Reject to to searches, the occasion.

Study on Racial but they told As I turned off my the commission Bias phone the statistics do not (AP) — A commission the flight attendant in obedience to prove racial prothat filing is rampant oversees the me, in my jealousy hovering over Los in the departI thought, “Now Department told Angeles Police ment. why didn’t we police on Jan. get a day off?”

13 to investigate Information from: whether data While waiting from Times, http://www.la Los Angeles a recent study in London to board the last can be used times.com. plane of the identify officers to trip, Kenyans spoke who with against minorities. discriminate L.A. Gang has $5 Million asm and animated great enthusiTab to Pay gestures to The commission Americans as they came after hearing ’s decision (AP) — City symbol of hope pontificated the hours of testi- they officials said Obama embodies mony about the secured a with proud, booming study, which was judgment against$5 million civil conducted by voices. They couldn’t have a Yale University cared professor, and street gang whosea Los Angeles flight was delayed less that our published in 11 members Oct- control the ober by the American five hours — more time to brag heroin trade Civil Liber- downtown about Obama their in the ties Union of relative. area.

Southern The study found California.

City Attorney When we finally Rocky Delgathat Los dillo Angeles police HE’S GOT arrived and Jomo other at MOVES officers are more Kenyatta International law the many performances — A parade participant Photo by likely to stop officials announced enforcement Airport in Kenya, everyone and search black nearly does the HGSTAR1/UNW that took the judgment 19. Go to page — even the liveand against the splits as part Latino residents 17 to view more place at the 2009 Kingdom of ly Kenyan passengers 5th and Hill gang than they are Day Parade on parade photos. last whites, even week. Officials — seemed Jan. subdued, exhausted though whites said it is the from the journey. are obtained first more often found carrying guns fornia. against a gang in CaliSee KENYAN and contraband.

SON, page 6 See BRIEFS, page 7

L.A. Watts Times “News You Can Use” SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

Name: ______________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City, State, Zip Code: __________________________ Telephone Number: (_______) __________________ If mailing subscription, do not send cash. Mail to: L.A.Watts Times, 3540 Wilshire Blvd., PH3, Los Angeles, CA 90010. For more information call (213) 251-5700.

Michael Vick

Super Bowl championship coach Tony Dungy as his mentor.

Vick can sign with any team that wants him. He will be closely watched in whatever he does by the commissioner, his staff and Dungy.

USA Today listed five possible teams for Vick — Jacksonville, Washington, Seattle, San Francisco and St. Louis. I would add Al Davis’ Raiders to this list.

Of the nine new head NFL coaches, two are men of color. The Indianapolis Colts’ Jim Caldwell, 54, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raheem Morris, 32.

And the beat ends Brad Pye Jr. can be reached at switchreel@aol.com.

Rickey Henserson

EDITION COMMEMORATIVE HER KING JR. DR. MARTIN LUT

Vol. XXX, No.

Warren and Jamaal Wilkes, among others.

Grambling State University’s icon, the late Eddie Robinson, was listed No. 23 on the Sporting News’ top 50 coaches of all-time. Robinson posted a record of 408-165-15 (.707). Robinson sent more than 200 players to the NFL, including four Hall of Famers and 22 Super Bowlers, including MVP quarterback Doug Williams.

And the beat continues “Bullet” Bob Hayes (deceased), Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas (deceased), Rod Woodson and Randall McDaniel will not be the only African Americans honored at the Hall of Fame enshrinement on Aug. 7. Former Philadelphia Eagles star Irv Cross, 70, will be saluted, too. Cross, the first black analyst on national television on the “NFL Today” show, will be the recipient of Pro Football Hall of Fame Pete Rozelle Radio Television Award.

And the beat continues NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should be applauded for conditionally ending the suspension of disgraced QB Michael Vick and for appointing former

BIDEN Continued from page 1 middle class. The civil rights group’s conference was scheduled to end Aug. 1.

The organization was founded in 1910 to help marginalized blacks who moved to New York City to flee oppression in the South.

“The Urban League has never backed down,” Biden said.

“There’s a greater need for you today in this new century ... than there was 99 years ago.”

Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial expressed similar sentiments, saying that 99 years after the league was founded to serve the needs of poor blacks in the nation’s cities, its work is as relevant as ever.

Morial said the league’s mission hasn’t significantly shifted since 1910, and rather than ques-

tioning the organization’s relevance, people should be questioning what “civil rights” means today, Morial said.

“What civil rights means today is an expansion of opportunities when it comes to ... access to jobs, health care and an end to the achievement gap when it comes to schools,” he said.

He also told The Associated Press that the country’s economic crisis presents new challenges and new opportunities.

“Unemployment is rising, foreclosures are rising — we have to fight back,” Morial said. “We want to inspire people to fight back and give people the information they need to fight back.”

Associated Press Writer Karen Hawkins contributed to this report.

August 6, 2009

L.A. WATTS TIMES

Page 15

PUBLIC NOTICE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. MS006808 Superior Court of the State of California, for the County of Los Angeles.

In the Matter of the Application of Karymah Elizabeth Shaw-Howell, Zoyah Leanni ShawWhittaker, Jeovan Andrew Shaw-Young and Jeovanie Roy Shaw-Young for changes of names.

The application of Karymah Elizabeth ShawHowell, Zoyah Leanni Shaw-Whittaker, Jeovan Andrew Shaw-Young and Jeovanie Roy ShawYoung for changes of names having been filed in Court and it appearing from said application that has Karymah Elizabeth Shaw-Howell, Zoyah Leanni Shaw-Whittaker, Jeovan Andrew ShawYoung and Jeovanie Roy Shaw-Young filed an application proposing that their names be changed to Karymah Elizabeth Howell, Zoyah Leanni Howell, Jeovan Andrew Howell and Jeovanie Roy Howell. Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered and directed, that all persons interested in said matter did appear before this court located at 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534, on the 20th day of May, 2009, of said day to show cause why such application for changes of names should not be granted.

It is further ordered that a copy of this Order to Show Cause be published in a newspaper of general circulation, printed in said county, at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the day of said hearing at 8:30 am, Dept A10 on July 22, 2009.

Thomas R. White Judge of the Superior Court.

Published Runs 7/16/09, 7/23/09, 7/30/09, 8/6/09 NC-LAWT-10R

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091058359 The following person is doing business as: Ana Karina Vazquez 10449 Marklein Ave. Mission Hills, CA 91345 Kary’s Day Care 10449 Marklein Ave. Mission Hills, CA 91345 This business is conducted by an individual.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Ana Karina Vazquez..

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on July 14, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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

First Filing: 7/30/2009, 8/6/2009, 8/13/2009, 8/20/2009 LAWT 377

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) NO. 1676 THE REPLACEMENT OF HVAC SYSTEM AT UNION TOWER SENIOR HOUSING BUILDING The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) invites vendors to submit bids for the Replacement of the HVAC System at Union Tower Senior Housing Building located at: 455 South Union Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90017. Copies of the IFB may be obtained, at no charge, at the Authority's General Services Department, 2600 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 3100, Los Angeles, CA 90057. Copies of the IFB may also be downloaded from the Internet at www.HACLA.org/cgs. There will be a job walk at the site on Wednesday, August 5th 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Bids will be accepted at the Wilshire address until 2:00 p.m. (local time), August 14, 2009.

7/30, 8/6/09 CNS-1657182# WATTS TIMES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091060191 The following person is doing business as: Domino LA Domino Los Angeles 11822 Gorham Ave. #9 Los Angeles, CA 90049 Amina F. Shaif 11822 Gorham Ave. #9 Los Angeles, CA 90049 This business is conducted by an individual.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Amina F. Shaif This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on July 14, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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

First Filing: 7/30/2009, 8/6/2009, 8/13/2009, 8/20/2009 LAWT 378

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

weekly and college newspaper contacts in California.

FREE email brochure. Call (916) 288-6010. www.CaliforniaPressReleaseService.com (CalSCAN)

AUTOS WANTED

HELP WANTED

DONATE YOUR CAR: Children’s Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child’s Life Through Research & Support!

Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible.

Call 1-800-252-0615. (Cal-SCAN)

ATTENTION: International Wellness Company Expanding ONLINE COMPUTER WORK! Work from anywhere 24/7. Great pay. Will train. Request info online: www.KTPGlobal.com or 1-800-330-8446.

(Cal-SCAN)

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher. United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted, 1-888-468-5964 (Cal-SCAN)

BUSINESS FOR SALE WANT TO BE YOUR OWN BOSS, Move to a safe area perfect for country living, Make a solid business investment, Say goodbye to your commute and Live where you Work? This is the answer at Hudson Grocery in rural Kentucky FOR SALE! Featuring: full-service grocery business with attached 3 BR/1.5 bath home, 2 garages, and 3 storage sheds on nearly 3 country acres. Go to www.HudsonGrocery.com and check it out. (270) 668-8347. (Cal-SCAN)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ALL CASH VENDING! Be Your Own Boss! Your Own Local Vending Route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995. MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405.

(Cal-SCAN) NUTRITIONAL COMPANY Needs Experienced SALESPEOPLE. Make Great Money. Training and leads provided. Work from office or home. FT/PT. Car/ computer required. Small investment. Jim 661-2590790. (Cal-SCAN)

BUSINESS SERVICES CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING in 240 Cal-SCAN newspapers for the best reach, coverage, and price. 25words $450. Reach 6 million Californians!. FREE email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.CalSCAN.com (Cal-SCAN) DISPLAY ADVERTISING in 140 Cal-SDAN newspapers statewide for $1,550! Reach over 3 million Californians! FREE email brochure. Call (916) 2886019. www.Cal-SDAN.com (Cal-SCAN) NEWS RELEASE? Cost-efficient service. The California Press Release Service has 500 current daily,

INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE Representative: Earn supplemental income placing and supervising high school exchange students.

Volunteer host families also needed. Promote world peace! 1-866-GO-AFICE or www.afice.org (CalSCAN)

NOTICE OF POLLING PLACES AND DESIGNATION OF CENTRAL COUNTING PLACE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk of polling places designated for the 51st STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION scheduled to be held on SEPTEMBER 1, 2009.

NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's facility, 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk California 90650 has been designated as the central counting place for the above election.

Polling places shall be open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Persons requiring multilingual assistance in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, or Vietnamese regarding information in the notice may call (800) 481-8683.

POLLING PLACES 0450001A (0450001A CONS) ATHENS PARK 12603 S BROADWAY LOS ANGELES 90061 Accessible: Y 0450001B - 122ND ST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 405 E 122ND ST LOS ANGELES 90061 Accessible: Y 0450004A - VANGUARD LEARNING CENTER 13305 S SAN PEDRO ST LOS ANGELES 90061 Accessible: Y 0450007A (0450007A and 0450007A CONS) - AVALON GARDENS ELEMENTARY 13940 S SAN PEDRO ST LOS ANGELES 90061 Accessible: Y 7850013A - G. WASHINGTON CARVER PARK 1400 E 118TH ST LOS ANGELES 90059 Accessible: Y 7850042A - AVALON GARDENS ELEMENTARY 13940 S SAN PEDRO ST LOS ANGELES 90061 Accessible: Y 7850043A - RESIDENCE 12207 ELVA AVE LOS ANGELES 90059 Accessible: Y 7850202A - RESIDENCE 614 E 122ND ST LOS ANGELES 90059 Accessible: Y 9000354A (9000354A CONS) 122ND ST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 405 E 122ND ST LOS ANGELES 90061 Accessible: Y 9001427A - ATHENS PARK 12603 S BROADWAY LOS ANGELES 90061 Accessible: Y 9002584A (9002584A CONS) - BELVUE PRESBYTERIAN CHR 675 E 118TH ST LOS ANGELES 90059 Accessible: Y 9002588A (9002588A CONS) - BELVUE PRESBYTERIAN CHR 675 E 118TH ST LOS ANGELES 90059 Accessible: Y DEAN C. LOGAN Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk County of Los Angeles 8/6/09 CNS-1662166# WATTS TIMES

HELP WANTED/DRIVERS ANDRUS TRANSPORTATION Seeking Team Drivers! Dedicated Team Freight. Also Hiring OTR drivers - west states exp/hazmat end, great miles/hometime. STABLE Family owned 35 yrs+ 1-800-8885838, 1-866-806-5119 x1402. (Cal-SCAN) SLT - IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for CDLA teams, solo drivers willing to team. $1,000 Sign-on bonus. $1100/wk minimum pay. Hazmat & 1 yr experience.

Background check required. 1-800-835-9471. (CalSCAN)

LAND FOR SALE/OUT OF STATE BUYER’S MARKET. New Mexico. Ranch Dispersal.

140 acres - $89,900. River Access. Northern New Mexico. Cool 6,000’ elevation with stunning views.

Great tree cover including Ponderosa, rolling grassland and rock outcroppings. Abundant wildlife, great hunting. EZ terms. Call NML&R, Inc. 1-866-360-5263.

(Cal-SCAN)

REAL ESTATE/OUT OF STATE 20 ACRE RANCH FORECLOSURES Near Booming El Paso, Texas. Was $16,900. Now $10,755!! $0 Down. Take over payments $159/month! Owner Financing. Free Maps/Pictures. 1-800-343-9444. (CalSCAN)

TIMESHARES/RESORTS TIMESHARE BAILOUT! Sell your timeshare for cash! Stop paying maintenance fees! Sell or Rent your timeshare to free up thousands in cash. Call today! 1877-505-8463. (Cal-SCAN)

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 20091068287 The following person is doing business as: MS Enterprise P.O. Box 641836 Los Angeles, CA 90064 MS Enterprise 2210 S. Hobart Blvd. #3 Los Angeles, CA 90018 Monica Brogdon 2210 S. Hobart Blvd. #3 Los Angeles, CA 90018 This business is conducted by an individual.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct (The registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) is Monica Brogdon.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on July 15, 2009.

The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. NOTICE: This Fictitious Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the Los Angeles County Clerk. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before that time.

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

First Filing: 7/30/2009, 8/6/2009, 8/13/2009, 8/20/2009 LAWT 379

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (Metro) INVITATION FOR BIDS Metro will receive bids for 10-0006, NATURAL GAS FUELED HEAVY DUTY ENGINES per specifications on file at the Office of Procurement & Material Mgmt, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (12th Floor).

All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by Metro, and must be filed at the reception desk of the Office of Proc. & Mat. Mgmt. on or before 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), August 31, 2009, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. 10-0006.

You may obtain bid specifications, or further information, by faxing OTTO OJONG at (213) 922-5265.

NOTICE INVITING STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement CONTRACT NO. E0817 The Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) for construction management services from qualified firms or teams for the construction of the Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement. The Project is located in the City of Long Beach along the existing State Route 47 (SR-47) and connects Ocean Boulevard on Terminal Island to Alameda Street near Pacific Coast Highway. The Project includes two major segments: 1) Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement – This segment includes the connections to Ocean Boulevard and the replacement of the existing lift bridge over Cerritos Channel with a fixed span bridge. The segment also includes ramps to New Dock Street.

2) SR-47 Expressway Connector – This segment extends an elevated four-lane connector viaduct structure from the northern limits of the Heim Bridge Replacement segment to Alameda Street at Pacific Coast Highway. The segment also includes a direct ramp connection to elevated Pacific Coast Highway.

Subject to Governing Board approval, ACTA intends to award one contract to a firm or team of firms for construction management services for Segment 1 – Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement. A separate construction management services contract for Segment 2 – SR-47 Expressway Connector is expected to be awarded in the future. ACTA reserves the right to: A. Negotiate construction management services for Segment 1 with the selected firm(s) and proceed accordingly; B. Conclude Segment 1 of the Project and initiate a new competitive consultant selection process for the construction management services for Segment 2; C. Proceed with Segment 2 by negotiated change order to the Segment 1 construction management services contract; or D. Conclude Segment 1 of the Project and defer or cancel the remainder of the Project.

Should ACTA elect to initiate a new competitive consultant selection process for construction management services for Segment 2, the firm(s) selected under this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be able to submit an SOQ / proposal and compete for award of the contract for Segment 2 construction management services.

The Scope of Work shall be in accordance with Exhibit 1 to the RFQ which identifies the responsibility breakdown between ACTA's Program Management Consultant, the

Alameda Corridor Engineering Team, and other entities including Caltrans, Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. Services required include but are not limited to: constructability analysis, review of construction bid and contract documents, analysis of changes, claims/disputes, submittals, quality control, construction safety oversight, scheduling, as-builts and contract closeout.

As required by federal law, Caltrans has established a statewide overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) goal. In order to ascertain whether that statewide overall DBE goal is being achieved, Caltrans is tracking DBE participation on all Federal-aid contracts. ACTA advises that the contract for this Project has a UDBE goal of 5.85%. Proposers need not achieve the percentage stated as a condition of award; however, good faith efforts to meet the goal are required.

Thursday, August 6, 2009.

Proposers interested in submitting may download the RFQ on ACTA’s website at www.acta.org. or purchase a CD of the RFQ at One Civic Plaza, Suite 350, Carson, CA 90745, for the sum of twenty five Dollars ($25), payable by company check, money order, or cashier’s check to Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. Include Fed-Ex/UPS number if you are requesting the RFQ documents be sent to you. Cash will not be accepted and payments are non-refundable. RFQ documents may be viewed at the ACTA offices, Tel. (310) 233-7480, Fax (310) 2337483.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 9:00 A.M. All interested proposers are invited to attend a Pre-SOQ Conference at the Carson Community Center, Room 107, 801 East Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745. A UDBE/DBE Good Faith Outreach Efforts documentation session will be held immediately after the Pre-SOQ Conference.

A site visit will not be conducted

by ACTA. September 18, 2009. Statement of Qualifications must be delivered to ACTA, One Civic Plaza, Suite 350, Carson, CA 90745, by 2:00 P.M. Late SOQs will be returned to the submitter, time-stamped and unopened. Faxed SOQs will not be accepted.

If more information is required, contact Mr. Arthur Goodwin, Director of Planning at (310) 233-7480.

It is the policy of ACTA to assure equal opportunity in the award and performance of any contract to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.

ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST: Approximately $250 million for each Segment.

8/6/09 CNS-1661243# WATTS TIMES

Facts Aug. 6, 1962 Jamaica proclaims its independence and becomes an independent dominion within the British Commonwealth.

Source: blackfacts.com

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

Page 16

L.A. WATTS TIMES

August 6, 2009

BUSINESS CARD BULLETIN BOARD A VOLUNTARY RESEARCH STUDY

DISCIPLES ON THE MOVE Sat., Aug. 29, 2009

Join hundreds of other Black men in Los Angeles, who are part of a program to promote self-acceptance, healthy lifestyle choices and reduce HIV infection in the Black community. To get more details about the program and find out if you are eligible, call 310-825-5474. Both HIV-ve and HIV +ve men may participate. Cash compensation and refreshments provided.

All calls are confidential.

12TH ANNUAL VENICE BEACH GOSPEL CRUSADE RALLY

CHOIRS AND GOSPEL ARTISTS

MAALES Project (310) 825-5474 Sessions held at a discreet location near you. www.cdrewu.edu/maales Charles Drew University IRB Committee Approved May 20 ’09 TO May 19 ‘10 CDU IRB# 06-05-970-04

HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS? Let me assist you.

There is NO Fee if we don’t win.

Jacquelyn Brown, Disability Representative

(323) 756-3755

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Venice Beach Boardwalk

• Judy McAllister

• Dynamic Preaching and Testimonies Come help us take the gospel to the beach! ~ This event is free ~

MEN DID YOU EXPERIENCE UNWANTED OR FORCED SEXUAL CONTACT BEFORE YOU WERE 18 YEARS OLD? You may be eligible to participate in a research study that examines the psychological and physical stress of men who experienced forced sexual contact as a child or adolescent.

For Information 323-766-1194

• • • • • •

New Patients Only.

Francine Bickham,

DDS UCLA Graduate

1075 E. PCH. Ste. D., Long Beach 90806

(562) 591-4028

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to: • Participate in an interview that lasts 2 to 3 hours • Give 3 saliva samples • Provide a urine sample

RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT LEGAL DOCUMENT PREPARERS

You may receive up to $100 for your participation in this study. For more information, please call Jennifer Payne, LCSW, at (323) 357-3629.

35 Years Legal Experience Bonded & Reg.#IDA371

(323) 630-9971 (323) 997-1193

Includes:

Digital X-Rays and Exam.

Free Toothbrush & Floss

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

This study is conducted by Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science and UCLA. We are interested in interviewing: • African American, Latino and White men • Over 18 years of age and under 40 years

❖ Dependable Movers ❖

3995

$

Teeth Whitening in One Hour Cosmetic Bonding Complete & Partial Dentures Gum Treatment White Fillings Crowns, Bridges & Veneers

R&E’s Assisted & Affordable Services Include: • Divorce, Separation, Response • Expungements • Evictions • Tenant Screening • Bonded Process Servers • Civil Suits; Small Claims, Answers

400 Corporate Pointe, Suite 300 Culver City, CA 90230 Tele: (310) 590-4526 • Fax: (310) 590-4527 Email: Reliable.Efficient4U@gmail.com

Real Professionals Who LOVE their work No Job too small!!! We make it look E-Z. SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT

WE ARE NOT ATTORNEYS

NOW HIRING EXPERIENCED MOVERS/DRIVERS CAL-T 154009

LET US MAKE YOUR AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE NOW IS THE TIME TO PURCHASE YOUR FIRST HOME WITH ONLY 3.5% DOWN PAYMENTS.

QUALITY WORK AT COMPETITIVE RATES!!

We Specialize in: • Home Improvement • Room Additions • Remodeling • Sandblast • Stucco • Ceramic Tile • Interior/Exterior Painting • Retrofitting • Roofing • Plumbing • Concrete Work • Electrical • Etc.

WE CAN QUALIFY YOU IN 24 HOURS FOR YOUR HOME LOAN. We also do LOAN MODIFICATIONS and we GUARANTEE BEST RESULTS from your lenders.

Janice Harrison

Please Call for More Information at:

(562) 708-7287

AMERICAN HOME LOANS & REALTY

Call

310-259-0351 ARCABE CONSTRUCTION, INC. General Building Contractors Residential & Commercial

NOW OPEN

FREE ESTIMATES No obligation

Mel’s Fish Shack

LICENSED • INSURED • BONDED

4525 West Jefferson Blvd.

www.arcabeconstruction.com

State License 569000

Jefferson Blvd. & Farmdale Ave. 5 blocks West of Mel’s Fish Market

Carry Out Only!

323-732-MELS (6357) or visit www.melsfishshack.com

™

Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 11-9 Fri. & Sat. 11-10 Sunday 11-8

DO YOU NEED A HOUSE? • No Down Payment • No Closing Cost • Move In 45 Days • 3-Bd., 2-Ba. — Payment $1,500 mo.

Call Joe (310) 674-8822

Gourmet Coffee for the jazz art form since 1998 Howling Monk www.howlingmonk.com (310) 671-8551 P.O. Box 1217, Inglewood, CA 90308

THIS IS YOUR COFFEE