Adopt-A-Block

Keeping our city clean & green

Residents, businesses, and the government all play a role in keeping DC clean, safe, and healthy. Only by involving all residents and each community can we create a District as beautiful as we know it can be.

Success begins with one neighbor and one community deciding to make a difference. Anyone can participate: individuals, families, churches, businesses, schools and other groups and organizations.

Adopting a block in the District of Columbia has many benefits:

• Improved quality of life in your neighborhood. The appearance of our community contributes to the quality of life we all share.

• Signs with your group's name letting people know you are committed to making a difference.

• Meet your neighbors, strengthen your community connections, and build leadership skills. Become a role model to youth.

• Litter-free, more active communities help discourage rodents and unwanted and illegal activity.

• Increased economic development. An attractive, clean community is a great asset in attracting new businesses, jobs, and customers.

Federal Donations To Mu Lambda

Brothers, it is that time of year when we begin to think in the spirit of giving and giving thanks. In that spirit, the Mu Lambda Foundation participates in two key funding programs through which federal and District of Columbia employees can share the gift of the giving.

The Combined Federal Campaign - CFC (https://www.opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign) is a resource that allows U.S. government employees to make regular payroll deductions in support of the Mu Lambda Foundation and its charitable and community service programs.

The DC One Fund (https://os.dc.gov/page/dc-one-fund-each-one-give-one) provides an opportunity for employees of the District of Columbia to do the same. All donations through these funds are tax deductible and deducted from your paycheck regularly. What could be an easier or better way to support the programs you care about?

As open season begins for 2023, you may plan your weekly, biweekly, or monthly contributions to the Mu Lambda Foundation by contributing to charity number 66770 in the CFC, and number 9556 in the DC One Fund.

Let’s make 2023 the best year yet for supporting youth and abused women in the DC area. Thank you for your continued support.

Bro. Kent Benjamin

The Mu Lambda Foundation meetings are bi-monthly on the third Thursday of the month.

Next meeting is Thursday, February 16, 2022

Greeting Brothers,

The 2019-2022 fraternal year was dedicated to rediscovering our brotherhood. We serve the community, but we have been neglecting our bond of brotherhood.

Since Tuesday, April 21, 2020, Mu Lambda has hosted the Mu Lambda Literary Society, every week at 7:00 pm. The Mu Lambda Literary Society is a Mu Lambda initiative, where we come together as brothers and discuss the two volume Alpha history book over a period of months. It was facilitated by a different brother each week. Brothers participated via Zoom.

We started with volume 1, chapter 1 of the twenty second printing of the history book and conclude with volume 2, chapter 8. There are twenty chapters in volume 1 and eight chapters in volume 2.

It was totally voluntary. You were not required to purchase the new history book. Brother Robert L. Harris, Jr. our National Historian and author of Volume II has participated in the sessions, and all sessions are chaired by our own Bro. Ryle Bell.

Volume I Lesson

Chapter I The Origin of Alpha Phi Alpha

Chapter II The Period of Consolidation

Chapter III The First Steps in Expansion

Chapter IV Local and National Strivings

Chapter V Permanent Foundations

Chapter VI Expansion and Internal Development

Chapter VII The Leaven of Self-Examination

Chapter VIII The War Interlude

Chapter IX A Definite Program

Chapter X The Crowning Years

Chapter XI Advancement in Spite of the Depression

Chapter XII The Widening Social Program

Chapter XIII Education and War

Chapter XIV A Militant Liberalism

Chapter XV The Concept of Progress

Chapter XVI The Golden Anniversary

Chapter XVII Shaping the Future on the Basis of the Past

Chapter XVIII The Continuing Challenge

Chapter XIX New Goals for Old

Chapter XX Social Purpose and Social Action

Volume II Lesson

Chapter I Back to Basics

Chapter II Achieving Tomorrow: An Agenda for the 80’s Chapter III Strengthening Internal Capacity for Greater Service

Chapter IV Facing Our Future with a Future

Chapter V The Alpha Renaissance: Rekindling the Spirit of Leadership and Community Service

Chapter VI Vision 2000: The Light of a New Day

Chapter VII Alpha Attitude: A Forward Step… Into the Future

Chapter VIII A Solid Foundation for the New Era of Alpha

Fraternally, John Wilson,

President

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Mu Lambda Chapter

Ingredients

CAKE:

• 3 CUPS WHITE SUGAR

• 1 & 1/2 CUPS BUTTER

• 5 LARGE EGGS

• 3 & 1/2 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

• 1/2 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER

• 1/4 TEASPOON SALT

• 1 & 1/2 CUPS WHOLE MILK

• 1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

ICING:

• 1 (16 OUNCE)

PACKAGE BROWN SUGAR

• 1 CUP BUTTER

• 1/4 TEASPOON SALT

• 2/3 CUP EVAPORATED MILK

• 1 (16 OUNCE)

PACKAGE CONFECTIONERS; SUGAR, SIFTED

• 2 TEASPOONS PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

Directions

1. PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 350 DEGREES F (175 DEGREES C). GREASE AND FLOUR THREE 9-INCH CAKE PANS.

2. MAKE CAKE: PLACE WHITE SUGAR AND BUTTER INTO A MIXING BOWL. BEAT WITH AN ELECTRIC MIXER ON MEDIUM SPEED UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. ADD EGGS, ONE AT A TIME, MIXING WELL AFTER EACHADDITION.

3. COMBINE FLOUR, BAKING POWDER, AND SALT IN A SEPARATE BOWL. ADD FLOUR MIXTURE IN BATCHES, ALTERNATING WITH MILK, BEATING BATTER BRIEFLY AFTER EACH ADDITION. ADD VANILLA EXTRACT; BEAT UNTIL BATTER MAKES RIBBONS WHEN FALLING FROM THE BEATERS. DIVIDE BATTER AMONG THE PREPARED CAKE PANS.

4. BAKE IN THE PREHEATED OVEN UNTIL A TOOTHPICK INSERTED IN THE CENTER COMES OUT CLEAN, ABOUT 30 MINUTES. COOL ON A WIRE

RACK FOR 5 MINUTES. RUN A TABLE KNIFE AROUND THE EDGES TO LOOSEN. INVERT CAREFULLY ONTO A COOLING RACK. LET COOL, ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

5. MAKE ICING: COMBINE BROWN SUGAR, BUTTER, AND SALT IN A SAUCEPAN OVER MEDIUM HEAT. STIR UNTIL BROWN SUGAR IS DISSOLVED, ABOUT 3 MINUTES. ADD EVAPORATED MILK AND CONTINUE STIRRING. BRING TO A GENTLE BOIL AND LET BUBBLE FOR ABOUT 4 MINUTES, STIRRING CONSTANTLY TO AVOID STICKING. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND ALLOW TO COOL, ABOUT 5 MINUTES.

6. MIX CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR AND VANILLA EXTRACT INTO BROWN SUGAR MIXTURE USING AN ELECTRIC MIXER UNTIL ICING CARAMELIZES AND THICKENS TO THE DESIRED CONSISTENCY.

7. SPREAD ICING ONTO COOLED CAKE LAYERS. STACK LAYERS; ICE TOP AND SIDES.soften for 15 minutes before serving.