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Miami Heat Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning celebrates 20 YEARS OF GIVING BACK!

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 - JANUARY 31, 2019

Kamala Harris: Right Choice to ‘Save our Country’?

A M E S S A GE F ROM OU R PU BL IS H E R

Experts: Suing the Government Not an Option to End Shutdown

By

Stacy

M.

Brown,

NNPA Newswire Correspondent

As the government shutdown enters an unprecedented fifth week, some are calling for drastic measures to end the stalemate that has 800,000 government employees either working without pay or altogether furloughed and unable to put food on the table.

In a recent column, Charles Ellison, a political strategist and host of the radio program, “Reality Check” on WURD Radio, said Congressional Republicans could help re-open the government by simply corralling enough votes in both the House and Senate

to arrive at the two-thirds majority needed to override any Presidential veto of the federal budget.

But Congressional Republicans – led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — refuse to do that. McConnel claims that not only is he awaiting a deal between Congressional Democrats and the White House, but he also needs approval from the president before acting.

“Which brings to mind three questions: 1) Why haven’t Congressional Democrats sued Congressional Republicans?

(Cont’d on page 9)

“Justice. Decency. Equality. Freedom.

Democracy. These aren’t just words.

They’re the values we as Americans cherish. And they’re all on the line now,” Harris said in the video, teasing her official kickoff in her birthplace of Oakland next Sunday.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent That Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris announced her candidate for president on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is no coincidence.

For her supporters and those who know her well, Harris has long been a fighter for freedom, justice and equality and she’s often invoked the spirit of Dr. King in talking about the America’s needs today.

“I think we all know when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. talked about the Dream, it wasn’t about being asleep,” Harris said during the recent Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative

Conference. “It was about being awake.”

On a day to honor King, and in a brief video from her campaign that was released on social media Monday morning at the same time that she appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Harris called on her supporters to join with her to “claim our future.”

“Justice. Decency. Equality. Freedom.

Democracy. These aren’t just words.

They’re the values we as Americans cherish. And they’re all on the line now,” Harris said in the video, teasing her official kickoff in her birthplace of Oakland next Sunday.

“The future of our country depends on you and millions of others lifting our voices to fight for our American values,” said Harris, the first African-American woman, and the third woman overall, to announce her candidacy for the 2020 election.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and (Cont’d on page 3)

The Transatlantic Slave Trade – Africans Urged to ‘Come Home’ “I hear time and time again from black Americans who traveled to Africa about how connected they felt and how different they found whatever country they traveled to from the images of Africa they grew up with,” said Roman Debotch, owner/contributor of the site Black Excellence.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent PART 10

Full Circle Festival in Ghana/Courtesy Photos

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”

—Marcus Garvey “For Africa to me… is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how

he arrived at his present place.”— Maya Angelou The Transatlantic Slave Trade started with slave ships, whips, chains and a most demonic kind of evil: Europeans and others hunting down Africans like animals.

The result: an estimated 12 million enslaved Africans were shipped as cargo across the Atlantic (Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Mental Health Summit addresses healthcare needs of Veterans

By Jimmie Davis, Jr. Many Veterans are deployed to combat zones, but after they return home some of them are engaged in a battle with mental duress, drugs, unemployment, homelessness, and the criminal justice system.

The Miami VA recently held a “Mental Health Summit” at the TC Doherty Auditorium to bring community partners together to network on solutions to finding better healthcare for mental health patients.

“Mental health is the primary function of the VA,” said David J. VanMeter, FACHE, Interim Director Miami

VA Healthcare System.

“While everybody’s trying to figure out what to do, we already have one of the best procedures in place.

One such feature is Fast Track where Veterans that need psychiatric assistance are diagnosed and in some instances are given prescriptions within minutes of seeing the doctor.

VanMeter also says that

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

“I will keep you safe only if you change your ways. Be fair and honest with each other.” Jeremiah 7:5 (CEV)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Have you ever hung out on a street corner or ever visited the streets on regular basis? If you have then I’m quite sure you noticed the different mentality that permeates and drives the attitudes for the need to survive.

You’ve seen street life played out on movie screens across the country and watched it come alive in your living room on your TV. This street corner mentality is driven by the desire to get ahead no matter how much venom you have to spew and it really doesn’t matter who it falls on or who is affected by the fall out.

It’s hard to shake this embedded belief that one must rob people of their identity and steal the core essence of their humanism so that you can wallow for a moment in an imaginary world.

Steeling, murder and rape are just everyday things that play out in the mentality of the street corner.

How a street corner mentality is changed into one of diplomatic coexistence in life is not impossible. “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

(Cont’d on page 11)

70°

Thursday Jan. 10TH

Sunny

Sunrise: 7:09am

suicide is a top priority, and the leading cause of deaths in the United States. “More people die from suicide than war,” said Gloria Lewis, DNP

@_WestsideGazett

(c), RN, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Lead. “Suicide doesn’t only pertain to (Cont’d on page 9)

TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

Sunset: 5:47pm

Fri

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WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

PAGE 2 • JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019

Deeply Rooted

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Growing the Voices of Our Future

In a joint effort to get students involved with the Children Services Council’s 2019 Broward AWARE! Protecting OUR Children campaign: Growing the Voices of Our Future, the Westside Gazette will engage youth in a photovoice (photojournalism) project. The youth will tell their stories through the written word and through the lens of cameras they will operate as photojournalists focusing in but not limited to the Broward AWARE campaign.

The Children’s Services Council of Broward County celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by enhancing children’s lives and empowering them to become responsible, productive adults.

I’m Leja Williams, the daughter of David and Carylon Williams. I’m a 14 year old Freshman at Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and I attend the New Mount Olive Baptist Church. My extracurricular activities include cheering, dancing, reading and writing. Also, I enjoy watching football. These things I truly love to do. After high school I would like to attend Florida A&M University or Florida State University to begin my journey of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Miss. Layla Davidson, daughter of Yvokia Davidson and Dr. Marcus Davidson, Senior Pastor of New Mount Olive Baptist Church, is one of Broward County’s up and coming students of excellence. Layla, approaching her 13th birthday, attends Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School, West Campus.

She is an avid reader and was recently awarded the 2016/2018 Broward County Summer Reading Program, where she read more books and read the most minutes of any other student in the county. Layla is an active member of the Youth and Dance Ministries of New Mount Olive. She is intentional in following in her Mother’s footsteps by teaching other youths about the importance of physical fitness. Her hobbies are reading, forensic files and art.

Voter Disenfranchisement

by Layla Davidson

Cosey Proctor III, 14, attends Ft. Lauderdale High school. He plays for the Junior Varsity football team and competes on the FLHS debate team. He loves doing anything with family. He is a part of many community organizations such as the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and G.O.I. (Gentleman of Influence).

G.O.I. is a mentoring program created by the Eta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. His future career goal is to become a civil defense attorney. He is the son of Cosey II and Avis Proctor.

Brielle Henry, 9, daughter of Broderick and Arri Henry, is a 4th grade student at Plantation Park Elementary.

She is a second year Chorister, scheduled to compete in the Orlando Music USA Festival this March. Brielle recently won first place at her school’s preliminary oratorical competition. She is also a member of her school’s Kiwanis Kid program. Brielle has already begun a career in acting. She loves drawing and creating short films with her little sister Azaria.

Join us for the

33311 WALK & Family Festival

January 26, 2019 Joseph C. Carter Park 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311 10AM-2PM For more Information: Children’s Services Council of Broward County www.cscbroward.org 954-377-1119

New Foundation Launches Campaign to Help Empower Poor and Disadvantaged Kids Overcome Stuttering

Brought voter rejection African Americans, Hispanics and more They didn’t want them in the door They tried to still their voice Because of their choice They tried to steal their vote Because of what they wrote But they will not be denied Because people fought and died They will continue to fight Because it’s their constitutional right After a time of reflection They’ve had enough of rejection Enough of dejection, but Nothing will stop them from voting in the next election.

2019/20 School Choice Application Deadline is Approaching! Deadline is Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Attention parents and guardians! If you are interested in submitting School Choice applications for the 2019/20 school year, the deadline is Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is a national leader for offering innovative, personalized learning programs to meet students’ interests and prepare them for college and careers. Parents and guardians are encouraged to explore all of the District’s School Choice options. The School Choice application window, which opened December 1, 2018, provides opportunities to apply for a magnet school, Nova school or school reassignment.

To learn more about the many educational options available across BCPS and to apply online, visit the School Choice website at browardschools.com/schoolchoice. Families can explore their options in several ways, such as by student interest, grade level and by individual school name.

For assistance with School Choice, parents and guardians can contact the Demographics and Student Assignments Department at 754-321-2480.

CHARLESTON, SC (Black News.com) -- In an effort to empower children from poor and disadvantaged families overcome stuttering, a Charleston woman has launched a new foundation that is setting out to transform these kids’ lives, making them more confident and successful in life.

Sherrikka Myers, who grew up stuttering and later overcame it, says Every 1 Voice Matters, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is designed to initially assist children ages 5 to 10 gain and build self-esteem and confidence. She is partnering with local pathologists, schools and churches to offer children free and low-cost services. She plans on expanding the program to students in middle school and high school.

“I remember stuttering as a kid and it was so hard,” said Myers, 43, who said her 8-year old grandson stutters. “I remember not being able

to speak and being ashamed of who I was. I was bullied, teased and made fun of. It was really hurtful. So, I know what kids go through. And I want to help them live their best lives.”

In the U.S., more than three million Americans stutter, most of whom are males and about 5 percent of all children stutter for a period of six months or more, according to The Stuttering Foundation.

Every 1 Voice Matters is focusing on helping kids in four key areas: * Stuttering or fluency: Helping kids with stuttering or fluency disorders to find their voice. * Hands-on activities: Providing individual and group therapy, communication skills, mindfulness training, desensitization strategies, educational counseling, life skills building, tutoring, workshops and mentorship. * Speech Assessments: Teaching

fluency strategies in small group and individual settings. * Public Speaking: Incorporating public speaking skills in a fun, interactive way to build confidence and self-esteem.

“I want each and every one of these children to feel loved, appreciated and confident about who they are,” Myers said. “Thank goodness for the family members in my life who stood by me.

I’m hoping Every 1 Voice Matters will do that for thousands of children throughout Charleston and the rest of the country over time. My ability to help others who are experiencing what I’ve gone through is a blessing.”

The Foundation is currently offering several programs: * Health and Wellness: Partnering with therapists and doctors to ensure parents are attending their scheduled speech and healthcare appointments * Find Your Voice: Provides an environment to empower youth to develop speech and stuttering goals * Fluency Techniques: Participants who are receiving speech therapy will learn fluency stabilizing techniques to cope with the psychological aspects of stuttering.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program, partnering with the foundation or donating, can go to the website at www.Every1VoiceMatters. org.

For media interviews, please contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, 214-448-3765, neil@neilfoote.com.

Black Agency Launches #400yearchallenge with 60-Second Animation That Honors The 400 Year Anniversary of The First Enslaved Africans’ Arrival in The U.S. WASHINGTON, DC (BlackNews. com) -- In the age of social media challenges that normally revolve around a dance, dangerous daredevil challenges, or pure fun, The Adinkra Group, an African cultural resource company based in Washington, DC, has launched the #400YearChallenge - a creative awareness campaign to draw attention to the 400 year anniversary of the first enslaved Africans’ arrival in the US in 1619, and the importance of people of African descent traveling to Africa.

The Adinkra Group has teamed up with the Creative Junkfood Arts Agency to create the #400YearChallenge, an interactive opportunity for people to apply their own

(Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Deeply Rooted

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JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019 • PAGE 3

PHI BETA SIGMA’s 105 Years of Community Service and Growing On Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida, the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., (Gamma Delta Sigma Chapter), celebrated its 105 years of service at their “Founders Day Gala.” The most striking and beautiful image of the brotherhood is their Royal Blue jackets that leaves an indelible mark the first time the brothers are seen together.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc, was founded on January 9, 1914, at Howard University, Washington D.C., and has been changing lives through service for 105 years. The Gamma Delta Sigma chapter was started in the fall of 1951, and nine men were the charter members of the fraternity, and the last surviving charter member, James W. “Chief” Wilson, passed away December 5, 2018. The iconic Brother Wilson has been an instructor and Band Director for 40 years at Jones High School, and received numerous awards in his years of service.

The Mistress of Ceremonies was Daralene Jones, an anchor and investigative reporter for

Central Florida’s news station, WFTV Channel 9. Brother Gary P. Cobb is the President of the Gamma Delta Sigma Chapter, and at the beginning of the program he welcomed all his Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma, the Sisters of Zeta Phi Beta, Friends, Family, and Special guest. Throughout the entire program there was deep respect and love for all members of all Fraternities and Sororities attending the event.

Once the food was blessed by the Chapter Chaplin ,Brother Art Whorley, the excellent meal was served and enjoyed by the attendees.

Toward the end of the meal, Brother Lewis Nimmons received the Sigma Man of 2018 award, and Brother Allie Braswell received the Neophyte award (new Brother) of the 2018 year.

These brothers exemplify the hard work and sacrifice in the Fraternity Motto, “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity.”

The inaugural Phi awards were presented to Brother Ulysses Bryant, who joined the fraternity in 1956, because of his dedication to service

one” and we broke a record this year by having 123 brothers on the rolls at the end of 2018,” says President Gary P Cobb Jr. What a phenomenal and exhilarating evening with the Phi Beta Sigma Brothers at their Founders Day Gala. The Orlando Zetas would like to congratulate our brothers on their 105th Founders’ Day Celebration, and I would also concur. “May you continue to uplift and build our communities with brotherhood and service. We are proud of all of your accomplishments and look forward to your future success,” says the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Epsilon Zeta. in the community, and the Sigmas are about inclusion as opposed to exclusion. Brother Chief Wilson’s award was given to his family and the question is what has he not done to be a shining light in the community. He has been President of the chapter, active participant of Pan Hellenic Council, Sigma Man of the year numerous times, and Outstanding Sigma of the Southern Region Award.

There is no stronger

power and force when Black men (Sigma Brothers) lock arms together and sing the Fraternity Hymn. “As a Sigma, it’s all about the inclusive ‘we,’ we embrace different walks of life, and we come with different visions.

Where there is a need, we try to fill that void. We try to make a positive impact as positive Black male role models in the greater Orlando community. We live by the motto “each one get

Meet the couple behind New York City’s first ever Black-Owned Professional Sports Team

KAMALA HARRIS from Front Page Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have also announced that they will run.

Harris said she’s running to “lift those voices, to bring our voices together.”

“On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) salutes the outstanding courage and leadership of Sen. Kamala Harris as she upholds and embodies the spirit and courage of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by announcing her candidacy for President of the United States,” said NNPA president and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Chair, and the editor and publisher of the Crusader newspapers in Chicago and Gary, Indiana, Dorothy R. Leavell, also applauded Harris’ announcement. “I am excited that Kamala Harris has entered the presidential race for 2020 and look forward to her mounting a vigorous campaign,” Leavell said.

“She is imminently qualified, having come through the ranks of politics in the Bay area and has served admirably in the United States Senate these last two years. Just last March (2018), under the leadership of Amelia Ward, who serves as Chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation and is the publisher of the San Francisco Sun Reporter, Harris was honored as our ‘Newsmaker of the Year,’” Leavell said.

She continued: “She has a close relationship with the Black Press and respects its commitment as an institution of the Black community. She is energetic, smart and works hard to be prepared for the duties she undertakes. We are certain that she will be a formidable candidate and wish her the best in the campaign.”

“It is quite appropriate that on the day that the nation honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a fresh and vibrant new face announces her run for the Presidency,” said Rosetta Miller Perry, Publisher of the Tennessee Tribune Newspaper.

“California Senator Kamala Harris is everything the current holder of the office isn’t,” Perry continued. “She is honest, a champion of equality and opportunity, and someone who will stand up and fight against the forces of hatred and bigotry. Her candidacy is a breath of fresh air in an environment spoiled by the toxic and incompetent individual whose

From Blackbusiness.org Corey and Tamara Galloway had always dreamed of having a professional sports team in New York City. Now, the power couple themselves have made history by giving NYC it’s first ever Black-owned sports team, and have became two of very few African Americans who outright own a professional sports franchise.

Corey, the founder of New York-based business development and direct investment company Legacy Growth Partners, together with

administration is running the country.”

According to CNN, Harris’ campaign will be headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland – giving aides an East Coast hub in a racially diverse city that has struggled with wide income disparities – and Oakland, where Harris was born to immigrant parents who came to the US to advance their academic careers.

Harris chose to announce on Monday to honor the legacies of two of her heroes.

Forty-seven years ago, this week, Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to ever run for president, launched her campaign. And Dr. King has been a role model for Harris throughout her life as a result of what she views as his “aspirational fight for progress.”

Harris chose yellow and red for her campaign logo in a nod to Chisholm’s bid for president with its red and yellow campaign buttons, CNN reported.

Her signs will carry her campaign theme “Kamala Harris for the people,” the words that she spoke each time she rose in the courtroom as a prosecutor.

Meanwhile, Amelia Ward, the NNPA Foundation Chair, who also counts as a personal friend of Harris, said her fellow Bay Area resident is a great choice to put the country back on solid footing.

“Senator Kamala Harris has long been a Champion for the people of the San Francisco Bay Area and the state of California. The SunReporter has supported her since her successful run for San Francisco District Attorney in 2003, and her campaigns for California Attorney General and U.S. Senator,” Ward said.

“As a junior Senator, Harris hit the ground running in Washington D.C. becoming an instant force and outspoken critic of President Trump and his regime. The NNPA – the Black Press of America – honored her last March when the organization’s Foundation awarded her our prestigious Newsmaker of the Year award,” she said.

Ward continued: “Now is the time for a national leader like Senator Harris to come forward to help save our country. I believe that now as a candidate for President of the United States, she has the opportunity to connect with Americans across this country and emerge as the people’s choice to put our country back on track.”

his wife has finally brought an arena football league to the county’s most populated city. They had to go through a challenging process and buyins, but with the support of trustees colleagues, business

partners, and friends such as football player Devale Ellis, they were able to make it.

As a football fan raised in Brooklyn, Galloway had to travel far just to see the New York Jets do their practice

games at Hempstead, Long Island. He used it as an inspiration to bring the American sport closer to young (Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 4 • JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019

EVENTS Events

Event

Deeply Rooted

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN BROWARD - MIAMI-DADE AND PALM COUNITIES What’s Happening in Dania Beach

All events are held at theJan Moran Collier CenterLearning, 2800 N.W. Ninth Ct.,Pompano Beach, Fla. For more info call (954) 357-7670.

- Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Going Wireless: Participants will learn how to access the Internet at home and on the go by using wireless connection.

- Saturday, Jan. 26 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. – Community Health Fair. In partnership with Holy Cross Hospital.

Free information from health professionals.

Wellness screenings, insurance coverage and more!

- Every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Itch to Stitch: A beginning and intermediate class on needlework. Crochet, Knitting, Quilting, and Embroidery.

- Collier City Health Fair, Saturday, Jan. 26 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Event to inform

the community about wellness and health resources. For more info contact Aparajita Ghosh.

Event BCPA meet the Prime Outreach event sponsored

by Messam Construction, Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at BCPS TSSC Annex Bank Lobby, 7770 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, Fla.

Brunch Lauderhill Business Power Brunch, Thursday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m., at Lauderhill City Hall, Multi-Purpose Room, 5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill, Fla. For more info and to RSVP call (954) 730-3000 or email at kpeter@ lauderhill-fl-gov.

Fair M-DCPS Maintenance Vendor Fair, Friday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Maintenance Department, 12525 N.W. 28 Ave., Miami, Fla. To RSVP for this event, send us email at proevents@ dadeschools.net

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/ engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing.

Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2019

Vivid Dreams Publishing and Production Company presents Embracing Our Roots Book Affair & Pop-UpShop, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Lauderhill Mall, 1267 FL – 7 Lauderhill, Fla. (Giveaway & raffles), music, refreshments & fun for the whole family.

Event

The Alpha Educational Foundation Judge Edward Rogers Center for Community Development, Saturday, Jan. 26 Annual Mot BBQ Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Community Flea Market from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Judge Rodgers Community Center, 251 W. 11 St., Riviera Beach, Fla. For additional info and for vendor spaces call (561) 2039311 or mvdozier@gmail.com

Events

Broward Health Heart Month Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death in the U.S., with an average of one death every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association.

Broward Health is offering a variety of events, some at no cost, during the month of February to help raise awareness on heart conditions, at Broward Health Medical Center, 1600 S Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33316.

-BP Tuesdays – February 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. - Broward Health Medical Center will provide every Tuesday in February free blood pressure screenings to patients, visitors and staff in the hospital main lobby.

Blood pressure, cardiac services and stroke prevention information will be provided.

- Second Annual Spin-AThon – Saturday, February 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Broward Health Medical Center will host the 2nd Annual Africk Family Foundation Spina-thon is a four-hour peer-topeer fundraising event where 50 teams on 50 spin bikes will ride non-stop. For more info call (954) 473-7055.

- A Day in a South Florida Park 13 Annual Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show, Saturday, Jan. 26 sign up from 7 to 10 a.m., and show start from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Frost Park, 300 N.E. Second St., Dania Beach, Fla. - Free Hands-Only CPR Class, Saturday, Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at CW Thomas Park, or PJ Meli Park. First come, first serve.

- Dania Beach believes in Fitness! Calling volunteer Coaches. For more info call (954) 924-3838 or email aifedi@daniabeachfl.gov.

- Gracefully Aging & Golden Seniors at C.W. Thomas Park, 100 N.W. Eight Ave., Dania Beach, Fla. Program Hours: Tuesday & Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For additional info call (954) 9243692.

-Advisory Board Appointments – Accepting Application. For additional info call (954) 924-6800 x3624.

Event

Neighbor Volunteer Office Volunteerism: The Spirit of Fort Lauderdale -Wednesday, Jan,. 23, 24 and 26 – Times flexible 2019 Point-In-Time Homeless Count- Assist with a county wide of all people experiencing homelessness, both sheltered and unsheltered, during a 24 hour period. To register for a training and your PIT shift, go to www.browardpointintime.org and click the link to volunteer.

-Thursday, Feb. 16 and 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – C.E.R.T. Disaster Response Training (Limited seating. To reserve your spot today, contact FTL. EM@fortlauderdale.gov - From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Edible Food Forest at Snyder Park, 3299 S.W. Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info call Joan Starr at (954) 392-5911.

- Saturday, Feb. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon – Book Sorting event – Gulfstream Elementary School. For more info contact Jorg Hruschka at

Applications are now available for the Sistrunk

Parade and Festival are

now available online at sistrunkfestival.org.

Parade monitors are needed.

Please call 954-687-3472 for further info EDUCATION MATTERS!

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Happening at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

Write In & Write Out: Reclaiming Wholeness through Creative Writing, Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

- Movie Matinee: Fox Brown, Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Free screening of Foxy Brown, a 1974 American “Blaxploitation” film starring Pam Grier. Rated R ages 18 and up.)

- Going Hard in the Paint: Athletes and Protest, Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4 to 5 p.m.

- Black History Month Essay Contest, Deadline – Saturday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m., students in grades four through 6 – here’s your call to activism.

- Free Wellness Workshop for Seniors/Caregivers through May 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more info call (954) 357-6282.

- Sci-Fi & Comic Convention, Saturday, May 11.

Events

N.P.H.C. Broward County Council Divine Nine New - Divine 9 Destination Friday South, come celebrate the Black Greek Life Experience, Friday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at South Reginal Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, Fla. For tickets info go to www.Fridays.Broward.org or call (954) 201-8825 -Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter, Tee Time Brunch, Saturday, Jan. 26 ay 9 a.m., at Topgolf 17321 N.W. Seventh Ave., Miami, Fla. -Delta 5K Race To Health, Saturday, Jan. 26 registration at 6:30 a.m., race begins at 7:30 a.m., at Osswald Park, 2220 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Register online at www.DELDF.org All donation are tax deductible, vendor and sponsoring opportunities available at (954) 593-7111.

- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chi Psi Omega Chapter presents Fifty Shades of Pink, Saturday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m., at The Old River House, 301 S.W. Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Attire: Pink Chic. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

-Pompano Beach Alumni Chapter/North Broward County Alumnae Chapter presents Suits & Stilettos, Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m., at The Event Center, 6101 N.W. 31 St., Margate, Fla. For tickets: www.NBCACDST.org - Red Shoe Luncheon, Saturday, Feb. 23 from 12 to 4 p.m., at Gulfstream Park, Sport of Kings, 901 S. Fed. Hwy., Hallandale, Fla., open to the public. To purchase tickets www.DSTSOUTHBROWARD.org Eventbrite -South Broward Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. cordially invites you to join in celebrating A Decade of Diamonds in honor of our 10 year Anniversary, Saturday, April 20 from 6 to 11 p.m., at Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines, Fla., formal attire. For tickets go to www.

DSTSOUTHBROWARD.org

PAGE 4 • JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019

EVENTS Events

Event

Deeply Rooted

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN BROWARD - MIAMI-DADE AND PALM COUNITIES What’s Happening in Dania Beach

All events are held at theJan Moran Collier CenterLearning, 2800 N.W. Ninth Ct.,Pompano Beach, Fla. For more info call (954) 357-7670.

- Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Going Wireless: Participants will learn how to access the Internet at home and on the go by using wireless connection.

- Saturday, Jan. 26 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. – Community Health Fair. In partnership with Holy Cross Hospital.

Free information from health professionals.

Wellness screenings, insurance coverage and more!

- Every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Itch to Stitch: A beginning and intermediate class on needlework. Crochet, Knitting, Quilting, and Embroidery.

- Collier City Health Fair, Saturday, Jan. 26 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Event to inform

the community about wellness and health resources. For more info contact Aparajita Ghosh.

Event BCPA meet the Prime Outreach event sponsored

by Messam Construction, Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at BCPS TSSC Annex Bank Lobby, 7770 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, Fla.

Brunch Lauderhill Business Power Brunch, Thursday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m., at Lauderhill City Hall, Multi-Purpose Room, 5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill, Fla. For more info and to RSVP call (954) 730-3000 or email at kpeter@ lauderhill-fl-gov.

Fair M-DCPS Maintenance Vendor Fair, Friday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Maintenance Department, 12525 N.W. 28 Ave., Miami, Fla. To RSVP for this event, send us email at proevents@ dadeschools.net

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/ engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing.

Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2019

Vivid Dreams Publishing and Production Company presents Embracing Our Roots Book Affair & Pop-UpShop, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Lauderhill Mall, 1267 FL – 7 Lauderhill, Fla. (Giveaway & raffles), music, refreshments & fun for the whole family.

Event

The Alpha Educational Foundation Judge Edward Rogers Center for Community Development, Saturday, Jan. 26 Annual Mot BBQ Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Community Flea Market from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Judge Rodgers Community Center, 251 W. 11 St., Riviera Beach, Fla. For additional info and for vendor spaces call (561) 2039311 or mvdozier@gmail.com

Events

Broward Health Heart Month Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death in the U.S., with an average of one death every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association.

Broward Health is offering a variety of events, some at no cost, during the month of February to help raise awareness on heart conditions, at Broward Health Medical Center, 1600 S Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33316.

-BP Tuesdays – February 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. - Broward Health Medical Center will provide every Tuesday in February free blood pressure screenings to patients, visitors and staff in the hospital main lobby.

Blood pressure, cardiac services and stroke prevention information will be provided.

- Second Annual Spin-AThon – Saturday, February 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Broward Health Medical Center will host the 2nd Annual Africk Family Foundation Spina-thon is a four-hour peer-topeer fundraising event where 50 teams on 50 spin bikes will ride non-stop. For more info call (954) 473-7055.

- A Day in a South Florida Park 13 Annual Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show, Saturday, Jan. 26 sign up from 7 to 10 a.m., and show start from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Frost Park, 300 N.E. Second St., Dania Beach, Fla. - Free Hands-Only CPR Class, Saturday, Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at CW Thomas Park, or PJ Meli Park. First come, first serve.

- Dania Beach believes in Fitness! Calling volunteer Coaches. For more info call (954) 924-3838 or email aifedi@daniabeachfl.gov.

- Gracefully Aging & Golden Seniors at C.W. Thomas Park, 100 N.W. Eight Ave., Dania Beach, Fla. Program Hours: Tuesday & Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For additional info call (954) 9243692.

-Advisory Board Appointments – Accepting Application. For additional info call (954) 924-6800 x3624.

Event

Neighbor Volunteer Office Volunteerism: The Spirit of Fort Lauderdale -Wednesday, Jan,. 23, 24 and 26 – Times flexible 2019 Point-In-Time Homeless Count- Assist with a county wide of all people experiencing homelessness, both sheltered and unsheltered, during a 24 hour period. To register for a training and your PIT shift, go to www.browardpointintime.org and click the link to volunteer.

-Thursday, Feb. 16 and 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – C.E.R.T. Disaster Response Training (Limited seating. To reserve your spot today, contact FTL. EM@fortlauderdale.gov - From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Edible Food Forest at Snyder Park, 3299 S.W. Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info call Joan Starr at (954) 392-5911.

- Saturday, Feb. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon – Book Sorting event – Gulfstream Elementary School. For more info contact Jorg Hruschka at

Applications are now available for the Sistrunk

Parade and Festival are

now available online at sistrunkfestival.org.

Parade monitors are needed.

Please call 954-687-3472 for further info EDUCATION MATTERS!

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Happening at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

Write In & Write Out: Reclaiming Wholeness through Creative Writing, Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

- Movie Matinee: Fox Brown, Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Free screening of Foxy Brown, a 1974 American “Blaxploitation” film starring Pam Grier. Rated R ages 18 and up.)

- Going Hard in the Paint: Athletes and Protest, Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4 to 5 p.m.

- Black History Month Essay Contest, Deadline – Saturday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m., students in grades four through 6 – here’s your call to activism.

- Free Wellness Workshop for Seniors/Caregivers through May 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more info call (954) 357-6282.

- Sci-Fi & Comic Convention, Saturday, May 11.

Events

N.P.H.C. Broward County Council Divine Nine New - Divine 9 Destination Friday South, come celebrate the Black Greek Life Experience, Friday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at South Reginal Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, Fla. For tickets info go to www.Fridays.Broward.org or call (954) 201-8825 -Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter, Tee Time Brunch, Saturday, Jan. 26 ay 9 a.m., at Topgolf 17321 N.W. Seventh Ave., Miami, Fla. -Delta 5K Race To Health, Saturday, Jan. 26 registration at 6:30 a.m., race begins at 7:30 a.m., at Osswald Park, 2220 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Register online at www.DELDF.org All donation are tax deductible, vendor and sponsoring opportunities available at (954) 593-7111.

- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chi Psi Omega Chapter presents Fifty Shades of Pink, Saturday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m., at The Old River House, 301 S.W. Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Attire: Pink Chic. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

-Pompano Beach Alumni Chapter/North Broward County Alumnae Chapter presents Suits & Stilettos, Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m., at The Event Center, 6101 N.W. 31 St., Margate, Fla. For tickets: www.NBCACDST.org - Red Shoe Luncheon, Saturday, Feb. 23 from 12 to 4 p.m., at Gulfstream Park, Sport of Kings, 901 S. Fed. Hwy., Hallandale, Fla., open to the public. To purchase tickets www.DSTSOUTHBROWARD.org Eventbrite -South Broward Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. cordially invites you to join in celebrating A Decade of Diamonds in honor of our 10 year Anniversary, Saturday, April 20 from 6 to 11 p.m., at Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines, Fla., formal attire. For tickets go to www.

DSTSOUTHBROWARD.org

Deeply Rooted

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JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019 • PAGE 5

The Importance of a Home Inspection

Miami-Dade School Board approves college entrance examinations item proffered by Dr. Steve Gallon III At its January meeting, the Miami-Dade School Board approved Board item H-14, College Entrance Examinations, as proffered

by Dr. Steve Gallon III, which received unanimous co-sponsorship and approval by the entire Board. Several members of the community came out to support and share their feelings and experiences.

The School Board remains committed to providing all students with a quality education, inclusive of academic support and enrichment opportunities, as well as supporting and advocating for their fair, equal, and equitable pursuit of their hopes, dreams, aspirations, and life’s work.

For many students, the pathway to a life of promise, prosperity, and a rewarding, respectful career is attending and graduating from college.

Yet, regretfully for many students, this pathway

is riddled with academic, social, financial, and often, systemic roadblocks and impediments that prevent many students, after graduation, from attending college or university.

Recently, the “flagging” and withholding of the college entrance examination score of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) senior high students preparing to graduate has drawn light on this issue and the impact on students.

“We must never hesitate to wade in the waters of support and advocacy on behalf of our students and their families,” said Dr. Gallon. “Once again I’m proud of my colleagues for standing in solidarity with our students and families on this issue.”

This item directs the Superintendent to review and quantify instances in which such “flagging” and withholding of college

entrance examination scores of M-DCPS students has been solely due to increased test scores. It does not seek to address instances of wrongdoing or improprieties. It also seeks for the District to work with entities that manage and/or have authority for the administration of such college entrance examinations to review these matters and ways to achieve resolutions. Lastly, this item directs the Superintendent to provide information, through schools, websites, and offices such as the College Assistance Program, on the process for reporting and responding to the “flagging” or withholding of a college entrance examination score due to a score increase determined to be statistically significant; and provide an update to the Board no later than the Board meeting of March 13, 2019.

By Kendra Thurston

Home inspections provide protection for the largest investment you will make in your life. A home inspection is a thorough examination of your home conducted by a certified home inspector.

A home inspection is not a mandatary part of the home buying process but it can be beneficial to the buyer. When a buyer decides on a home to purchase, their real estate agent will submit a purchase contract to the seller. The buyer and their real estate agent will discuss possible contingencies and additions to the purchase contract. One of these contingencies is to request a home inspection that is an expense to the buyer. Home inspections help buyers make informed decisions.

A home inspection can take over two hours depending on the size of the home. A properly certified and licensed home inspector will take their time to check the structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, and all major systems in the home. A home inspector will thoroughly examine the home in its entirety including the attic or pool. The home inspector will provide the buyer with a completed inspection report that gives a detailed account of the home and its condition. Home inspectors will note any problems that need further examination by a specialist. Buyers can use the home inspection to make decisions regarding their purchase.

A home inspection report is helpful to buyers as they plan their finances. A home purchase is a large investment and knowing the future repair costs is helpful to financial

planning. Buyers can make the decision to purchase a home even if they know the roof will need to be repaired shortly or the AC needs to be replaced. An informed buyer will be better able to manage their finances.

The inspection report can be used as a bargaining tool. If an inspection report shows major issues, buyers can choose to negotiate with the seller. An inspection report will note any issues with the roof, mold, or improper repairs made. Buyers can use the inspection report to ask the seller for some type credit on the home. A seller may choose to offer the buyer a credit to offset the repair price, a reduction in the purchase price, or not to negotiate. If the seller chooses not to negotiate, a buyer can choose to purchase the home in its current state.

Many buyers finance their home purchases with a mortgage. Mortgage companies could require their buyer to have a home inspection.

The home inspection not only informs the buyer of their purchase but also the mortgage lender. Lenders are interested in making sure that their interest is protected and may require home repairs based on the home inspection.

A home inspection is a beneficial expense for a buyer. It helps buyers become more knowledgeable about their future investment giving them an opportunity to protect themselves. A home purchase is a large investment and spending a small amount to purchase a home inspection will protect it.

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PAGE 6 • JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019

Deeply Rooted

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The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-AD’s, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers thay may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the responsible individual(s) who submit comments published in this newspaper.

Caucasians can learn from reading Where there is Smoke Black newspapers

-- There is Fire—Get Rid of Trump

By Melissa Martin In the United States today, many cities print newspapers in diverse languages for other racial and ethnic groups. Reading news stories written by journalists, reporters, and columnists from your own background gives opportunity to view events through your own cultural lens.

National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA) is a trade association of 200 regional and local newspapers African American-owned community newspapers in the United States. Founded 75 years ago, NNPA has promoted the voices of citizens in Black communities. www.nnpa.org.

BlackPressUSA.com is the public news website of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). “The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.” www.blackpressusa.com.

In her 2007 book, Freedom’s Journal: The First African-American Newspaper, Jacqueline Bacon provides an in-depth analysis. In 1827, Samuel Cornish and John Russwarm started

What Would King Say?

By Don Valentine and Nicole Nutting

He Said: Dr King is looking down with disgust at the evolution of his dream, from the ascension of a Black president to the current charade of a presidency. From the words of Dr. King, my Alpha frat brother is not happy in heaven!

Even with the trials and tribulations our president is giving us, I would quote from the hymn “I know someday we will overcome.”

Trump notwithstanding, Dr. King would say “I STILL HAVE A DREAM THAT ONE DAY THIS NATION WILL RISE UP AND LIVE OUT THE TRUE MEANING OF IT’S CREED.” Nicole and readers, don’t give up hope!

She Said: Without a doubt he would be appalled, as are all caring people. Given the elevation of racism with this administration I think he would have some choice words, especially for the hypocritical White evangelicals. How can you vow to love your brother and not blink when immigrant children die in U.S detention separated from their parents? [How Dare You!] Dr. King would be proud of the new generation of vocal activists like Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. You know she had the spine to buck the “old boy” trend and use the Congressional right to march into the Senate to look for Mitch McConnell. No fear--Dr. King’s legacy lives on in our young leaders!

He Said: I am also certain that Dr. King would have taken a lunch with Speaker Pelosi. He would have told her to stand strong. Dr. King was prescient when he spoke then of what is happening now. Nicole, this is a quote from his “I have been to the mountaintop” speech: “ The world is all messed up. The nation is sick, confusion is all around, but I know only when it is dark can you see the light.” The country will survive Trump!

Elected Enemies - The Government Shutdown That’s Crippling America Texas State Senator Borris Miles This has been the third shutdown of the federal government since President Donald J. Trump took the oath of office. However, as a result of the current catastrophic and life-altering shutdown, millions of the people who rely on the government for their livelihood — directly and indirectly — have been severely impacted.

By Jeffrey L. Boney, NNPA Newswire Political Analyst

Immigrants out of the Frying Pan and Right into the Fire

By Dr. P. L. Wright Ph.D.

Some immigrants are known to have said to some American Reporters, a wall will not keep us from coming”. Their country is in turmoil and danger if they remain there. They are running from that danger, and to find another place to go to and make a safe and a democratic way to live peacefully and to make a decent living and get some affordable housing. Unfortunately, our American Government has a serious and dangerous dilemma and it is like a mirror of what is happening in other countries; it is also from within.

The cause and effect are, Miami and other cities in (Read full story at www. thewestsidegazette.com)

Imagine having to choose between paying your mortgage and picking up the much-needed prescription for your health crisis because the job you report to and the federal resources you have relied on to live day to day are no longer available to you because of things beyond your control.

Choices like those, and many others, are exactly what approximately 800,000 federal employees, roughly 4 million federal government contractors and countless low-income families — who rely on the federal government assistance — have had to deal with since the beginning of what has become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. This has been the third shutdown of the federal government since President Donald J. Trump took the oath of office. However, as a result of the current catastrophic and life-altering shutdown, millions of the people who rely on the government for their livelihood — directly and indirectly — have been severely impacted.

People have had their Medicare and Medicaid disrupted. The stock market has been volatile. Federal workers have gone without paychecks and are in danger of losing everything they have worked so hard for while attaining the American dream.

Safety has also become an issue.

Our food supply is at risk.

As a result of the shutdown, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) immediately announced that they had stopped most of their routine food safety inspections because the staff had been working without pay, including safety inspections on foods that have been imported from overseas, dangerous recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks and much more.

Our drugs supply is at risk.

The FDA has stated that, because of the shutdown, they no longer have the ability to review new drugs that could be beneficial in helping people get better and/or address critical illnesses, until the government reopens.

Even our airports are at risk.

(Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Don’t Let Predatory Tax Loans Take Your Refunds

By

Charlene

Crowell,

the publication in New York.

“To African Americans, oppressed, silenced, and long denied the opportunity to publish their views in most white newspapers, the appearance of Freedom’s Journal in 1827 must indeed have appeared like the outset of a storm,” declared Bacon.

The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords (a film by Stanley Nelson) documents the history of many newspapers founded by and for African Americans, beginning with Freedom’s Journal and proceeding through the contemporary era. www.pbs.org/ blackpress/film/index.html.

For a list of current Black newspapers, visit www.blacknews.com/.

(Read full story at www. thewestsidegazette.com)

NNPA Newswire Contributor

For many consumers, the New Year brings an annual effort to file taxes early enough to help pay off big bills, replace major appliances or tuck away a few bucks for the proverbial ‘rainy day’.

With a continuing federal shutdown, this year there are also an estimated 800,000 federal workers who have not had a payday since December. For these consumers, an early tax refund could cover basic living needs like housing, food, child care and utilities.

And across the country, advertising – particularly on urban radio – tempts listeners with easy ways to get a loan against anticipated tax refunds. But just like other predatory lending products, what is advertised is not quite what consumers receive. Convenient tax-related loans almost always come with a price that takes a big bite out of consumers’ money.

The bigger the refund, the more attentive and helpful “tax preparers” will be in helping with e-filing, the electronic processing that typically results in refunds in two to three business days. Once the size of the refund is known, these preparers encourage unsuspecting consumers to take out a short-term loan like a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL). Depository institutions like banks sell a ‘service’ known as a Refund Anticipating Check (RAC) that is most appealing to consumers who lack a bank account.

Neither product is as helpful as they appear.

RALs are usually marketed as an ‘advance’ instead of a loan. Instead of interest, many of these loans come with “fees” or a “finance charge.”

Conversely, a Refund Anticipation Check or RAC is sold as a temporary bank account that exists exclusively to receive the IRS refund. Once the refund reaches the consumer’s bank account, either a prepaid card or a check is issued by the depository institution. And once again, fees taken out of the refund reduce the amount of monies that consumers receive.

The biggest target for both products is consumers with the largest refunds, especially those who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs), one of the few tax break programs available to low-to-moderate income consumers, and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

To be eligible for (Read full story at www. thewestsidegazette.com)

Poverty Isn’t a Privilege: The White Man Is Your Brother Too

By Dr. Keith Magee

Writing to fellow clergy from a Birmingham Jail (The Negro Is Your Brother), Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - gravely concerned about all who were poor and experiencing inequality - said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

The world, especially, America, will pause this weekend to honor Dr. King’s 90th birthday and his life as a global humanitarian. Would not the greatest birthday gift to share be to truly identify the other as our brother, sister, family? How does one really love and heal a world if they don’t see their neighbor as themselves?

Let us explore the world’s events in this regard. The global crisis of the poor has affected the consciousness of both the UK and America.

The UK has wrestled to the ground Brexit with no deal.

Meanwhile, America is in waiting to determine whether the one who was deemed the “White hope”, will be exposed as a traitor. And he remains in a temper tantrum as the government remains shut down.

(Read full story at www. thewestsidegazette.com)

There is a fundamental problem in America, and it starts with the leadership, which is the current President of the United States - Donald Trump. The president refuses to tell the truth, and negotiate in good faith, so the majority of what he says during the shutdown has already been rejected and unacceptable.

The Republicans and their base can tell themselves that the President is doing a good job, but his numbers get worse every day. Millions of Americans are not able to pay their bills, and in a ten minute speech to the nation on 1-19-2019, our president says nothing about their condition and circumstances.

The present shutdown (the longest in the history of the country) is now over a month long, and it appears that it could last another month or two, because neither the president or Congress is talking to each other with serious conversation to reopen the government. As federal workers go to work without a paycheck, the federal legislators should also receive no paycheck, and I can almost guarantee that the shutdown would end.

When American workers are forced to go to food pantries and soup kitchens to eat in the richest country on the planet, there is a pervasive sickness in the leadership and they must be removed.

The Democrats can blame the Republicans, and the Republicans can blame the Democrats, but it is time to open the government.

This recent shutdown is all about ego, and when the president of the country does not mention anything about the workers who are impacted, many think the speech was a “publicity stunt.” The president does not care about a wall, because his only concern is to win at this point.

“President Trump’s remarks today failed to acknowledge the pain and suffering he has caused to federal workers, contractors, and millions of Americans with this unnecessary government shutdown, and his rhetoric toward immigrants was inflammatory and unproductive. We would be glad to review, starting this week, any proposal he has to responsibly improve and increase border security. To start this process, we have to immediately reopen the government,” says Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

The Democratic (Read full story at www. thewestsidegazette.com)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is surrounded by Black and White people during the Poor People’s Movement.

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BUSINESS

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JANUARY JANUARY 24 10 -- JANUARY JANUARY 30, 16, 2019 • PAGE 7 9

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PAGE 8 • JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019

Family That Together, Together AF amily T hat Prays T ogether, Stays T ogether

Church Directory

This Worship T his and Every Sunday at the Church of Your Choice

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2211 N.W. 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33061 Church: (954) 583-9368 Email: bethelmbchurchfl@att.net

Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR

WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Sunday School ........................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday (Prayer Service & Bible Study) ............................... 7:30 a.m.

Saturday (Women Bible Study) ............................................................ 8 a.m.

"Baptized Believers working together to do the will of God"

Deeply Rooted New Birth Baptist Church The Cathedral of Faith International Bishop Victor T. Curry, M.Min., D.Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher 2300 N.W. 135th Street Miami, Florida 33167

ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday Worship ........................................................ 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Sunday School ....................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday (Bible Study) ......................................................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................................................... 10:45 a.m.

1-800-254-NBBC * (305) 685-3700 (o) *(305) 685-0705 (f) www.newbirthbaptistmiami.org

New Mount Olive Baptist Church 400 N.W. 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33311 (954) 463-5126 ● Fax: (954) 525-9454 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor

WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

Sunday .................................................... 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ............................................................................ 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Noonday Service .................................. 12:00-12:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ............................................ 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship.

Leadership, Ownership and Worship F.L.O.W. To Greatness!

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Honor your loved ones in the Westside Gazette Call -- (954) 525-1489

* In Memoriam * Happy Birthday Remembrance * Death Notice * Obituaires * Cards Of Thanks

When a loved one passes, everyone can share their memories.

Keep Their Memory alive with a Guestbook on www.thewestsidegazette.com Share pictures, stories, even videos.

The perfect Tribute for Someone Special.

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home

KUECHENBERG Funeral services for the late Robert Kuechenberg.

LAFLEUR Funeral services for the late Baby Girls Precious Hannah Lafleur - 0 were held January 17 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

SANON Funeral services for the late Marie Ange Augustin Sanon 69 were held January 19 at All Saints Catholic Church.

Interment: Lauderdale Memorial Park.

SMITH Funeral services for the late Annie Clara Smith - 80 were held January 18 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. Ernest King officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

Williams Memorial CME “PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” Rev. Cal Hopkins (M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher 644-646 NW 13th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net ( Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church

The WITNESS of “The WILL” Sunday Worship Experiences ................................................................ 7:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday Night Triumph {Prayer, Praise and Power} Prayer Meeting ................................................................................................................ 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study ........................................................................................................................ 7:30 p.m.

We STRIVE to PROVIDE Ministries that matter TODAY to Whole Body of Christ, not only the Believers, but also for those stranded on the “Jericho Road”!

“Celebrating over 85 Years of FAITH and FAVOR! Come to the WILL ... We’ll show You the WAY: Jesus the Christ!”

Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div E-MAIL:stanley.melek@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520

SERVICES

Sunday Worship ................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ........................................... 11a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Living Waters Christian Fellowship Meeting at Central Charter School Building #5 4515 N. St. Rd. 7 (US 441) Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319 (954) 295-6894

SUNDAY SERVICE: 10 a.m.

Rev. Anthony & Virginia Burrell

lwcf2019@gmail.com (Church) llerrub13@gmail.com (Pastor)

“Jesus said, let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37)

Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church Reverend Henry E. Green, Jr., Pastor 401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Phone: (954) 463-6309 FAX 954 522-4113 Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Email infor@mthermonftl.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES Worship Service ..................................................................... 7:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Fifth Sunday ONLY .................................................................................... 10 a.m.

Church School ........................................................................................ 9:15 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday ....................................................................... 10 a.m.

Gems & Jewels Ministry Senior Wednesday Wednesday (Bible Study) .................................................... 12 Noon & 7 - 8 p.m.

Daily Prayer Line ...................................................................................... 6 a.m.

(712)432-1500 Access Code296233#

Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church

2551 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 2251 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 P.O. BOX 122256, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 P.O. BOX 122256, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 (954) 733-3285 * Fax: (954) 733-9231 (954) 733-3285 * Fax (954) 733-9231 Email: mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net

Email. mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net

Rev. Danny L. McKenzie, Sr. Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

Sunday .............................................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Sunday School .................................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday Night Bible Study .............................................................. 7:00 p.m.

Fifth Sunday ..................................................................................... 10:00 a.m.

"Reaching Our World One Person At A Time"

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmissionarybapt.com

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday Worship Service .............................................................................. 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ............................................................................................................... 10:00 a.m.

Communion Service (1st Sunday) ......................................................................... 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ........................................................................... 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (2nd & 4th) Christian Growth & Orientation .................................. 8:30 a.m.

But be doers of the Word - James 1:22 nkjv - “A Safe Haven, and you can get to Heaven from here”

NNPA Hosts 2019 Mid-

McWhite's Funeral Home BROWN Funeral services for the late Viola Mertella Brown - 93 were held January 19 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

FASON Funeral services for the late Moses Fason - 62 were held January 19 at Sanctuary Of God with James Samuels officiating. Interment: Gleenwood Memorial Cemetery, Riviera Beach, FL. JOHNSON Funeral services for the late Gary L. Johnson – 50 were held January 19 at Lighthouse Worship Center with Elder Lorinzo Givens officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

SAPP Funeral services for the late Kay Kina Sapp 57 were held January 19 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel.

SMITH Funeral services for the late Hazel Brim Smith -90 were held January 19 at New Hope Baptist Church with Pastor Ricky Scott officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home LEE Funeral services for the late Geneva Marie Lee - 77 were held January 19 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Ernest King officiating.

Winter Conference in Orlando, Florida

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) 2019 Mid-Winter Training Conference kicks off on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Hilton Orlando in sunny Orlando, Florida.

The conference, themed “Innovation Training and Global Expansion of the Black Press

of America,” will include training workshops, panel discussions and presentations.

Highlights include a luncheon address and fireside chat with former Tallahassee Mayor and 2018 Florida gubernatorial candidate, The Honorable Andrew Gillum.

The four-day conference will also feature nationally-known civil rights attorney Benjamin L. Crump, Esq. of Ben Crum

PLLC, who will lead what is expected to be a spirited presentation and panel discussion on Criminal Justice Reform and Public Policy Issues.

Each year at its Mid-Winter Conference, the NNPA recognizes a publisher who has been a member for 30 or more years, whose legacy encourages and inspires the new generation of Black Press publishers.

Tennessee Tribune publisher, Mrs. Rosetta M. Perry’s lifetime of accomplishments, will be recognized at the 2019 NNPA Publisher Lifetime Achievement Award Black Tie Dinner, Friday evening, January 25, 2019 at the Hilton Orlando Hotel.

This year, the 2019 NNPA Publisher Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will be none other than Mrs. Rosetta M. Perry, publisher of the Tennessee Tribune, in Nashville, TN. Mrs. Perry’s lifetime of accomplishments will be recognized at the 2019 NNPA Publisher Lifetime Achievement Award Black Tie Dinner, Friday evening, January 25, 2019 at the Hilton Orlando Hotel.

Mrs. Perry has been a freedom fighter for justice all of her life, working closely with the SCLC and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She also worked for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in the 60’s and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the 70’s.

As a journalist, Mrs. Perry covered the Memphis Garbage Strike as well as the chaos following the murder of Dr. King. She was an important (Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Go Fund Me started for

Cyntoia Brown

JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019 • PAGE 9

Pressure Mounts on Amazon, Microsoft, and Google Against Selling Facial Recognition to Government Nationwide Coalition of over 85 Groups Urges Companies Commit Not to Provide Face Surveillance to the Government

After repeated calls for her release – including by celebrities like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian – Hassan granted Brown clemency and she’s scheduled for release in August.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent A Go Fund Me drive has been established for Cyntoia Brown, the African American Tennessee woman who was finally granted clemency this month by Gov. Bill Haslam.

Brown, 30, has been in prison since she was 16 when she was convicted of killing Johnny Michael Allen, whom Brown said paid her $150 to have sex. A victim of sex trafficking, Brown said she feared for her life during the encounter and she responded by shooting Allen.

After repeated calls for her release – including by celebrities like Rihanna and

Kim Kardashian – Hassan granted Brown clemency and she’s scheduled for release in August.

The fundraiser, which organizers said is to assist Brown when she’s released, has raised more than $5,500 toward a $25,000 goal at the time of this writing.

In a statement released by her lawyers, Brown thanked Haslam, “for your act of mercy in giving me a second chance.

I will do everything I can to justify your faith in me.”

“With God’s help, I am committed to live the rest of my life helping others, especially young people. My hope is to help other young girls avoid ending up where I have been.”

MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT from Front Page

NEW YORK — A coalition of over so will supercharge a long history of 85 racial justice, faith, and civil, human, impacts on those communities. All of and immigrants’ rights groups today these companies should heed that clear sent letters to Microsoft, Amazon, message — they owe it to society, their and Google demanding the companies customers, their shareholders, and commit not to sell face surveillance the diverse communities represented technology to the government. by this coalition.”

The letters come as executives The coalition makes it clear to each company that a decision to provide from Google, Amazon, and Microsoft face surveillance technology to the have all spoken publicly about facial government threatens the safety of recognition technology, revealing an community members and will also industry at odds on how to respond to undermine public trust in its business. concerns raised about government use “Companies can’t continue to of such technology.

Google recently announced that pretend that the ‘break then fix’ approach works,” said Nicole Ozer, it will not sell a face surveillance Technology and Civil Liberties product until the technology’s dangers director for the ACLU of California. are addressed, with its CEO Sundar “History has clearly taught us Pichai warning the tech industry that that the government will exploit with artificial intelligence, you “just technologies like face surveillance can’t build it and then fix it.” The to target communities of color, coalition today welcomed Google’s religious minorities, and immigrants. decision, and called on the company We are at a crossroads with face to fully commit to not release a facial surveillance, and the choices made by recognition product that could be used these companies now will determine by government.

Microsoft President Brad Smith whether the next generation will also recently acknowledged the risks have to fear being tracked by the government for attending a protest, associated with face surveillance going to their place of worship, or and the company’s obligation to act internally to address potential harms. simply living their lives.”

The coalition also notes in its The coalition commended Smith’s letters that face surveillance “gives acknowledgement of the technology’s the government new power to target harms, but noted that the company’s and single out immigrants, religious proposed measures to prevent such minorities, and people of color in our harms were “wholly inadequate.” communities” and that “systems built The groups added that Microsoft has on face surveillance will amplify and a “responsibility to do more than exacerbate historical and existing speak about ethical principles; it must bias.” Acknowledging both employee also act in accordance with those and shareholder calls for corporate principles.”

Amazon, meanwhile, has doubled change, the coalition reiterates that it is time for these companies to take down on efforts to sell facial recognition responsibility for the impact of their technology to government, despite technology on the privacy and safety continued warnings from consumers, of communities and commit not to sell employees, members of Congress, and shareholders. Amazon CEO Jeff face surveillance to the government.

“In 2018, groups representing Bezos acknowledged his company’s Muslims, African-Americans, products might be put to “bad uses,” immigrants, incarcerated Japanese- but said the solution was to wait for Americans, and more met with Amazon society’s eventual “immune response” and Microsoft to share firsthand to take care of the problems. Further, stories of the impacts of targeted recent reports revealed that the FBI surveillance on these communities,” is piloting the use of Rekognition, said Shankar Narayan, Technology Amazon’s face surveillance product, and Liberty Project director of the and that Amazon recently met with ACLU of Washington in Seattle. “The ICE officials about its face surveillance groups urged Microsoft and Amazon product.

to not sell face surveillance technology In its letter to Amazon, the to government entities, because doing

Veterans, it’s a societal issue.”

According to Lewis the VA has the largest integrated suicide prevention program for example; Veterans that are discharged with less than honorable from the military are now being able to receive treatment for their mental health concerns.

During World War 1 there was no mental health treatment for Veterans – but now in the 21st Century, young combat Veterans face multiple challenges, and are now confronted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The VA has been on the forefront, when it comes to researching PTSD. “We have one of the best PTSD clinics in the nation,” said Spencer Eth, MD, Chief of the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences. “Our trauma treatment center strives to offer the very best medical service to Veterans.”

He says that 60 percent of Veterans avoid treatment, because of the stigma that’s associated with mental health.

Because of their disorder they end up living on the streets and catching misdemeanor charges where they go to jail and don’t get treatment.

Before he became a judge, Steve Leifman was asked to serve on a committee that toured a state hospital, and what he witnessed there was appalling, because EXPERTS: SUING THE GOVERNMENT he grew up in a middleclass neighborhood, and had never been exposed to anything bad.

1) Could states do that instead?

He says one patient was in bad shape, 2) Why are Members of Congress still because he was restrained in a straitjacket, and getting paid?” covered in his own feces, and the guard was

“I don’t know if suing will get us anywhere washing him down with a hose. in any type of manner,” said Delaware County, “The irony of all of this is that the guy Pennsylvania Democratic Chair Colleen wasn’t even psychotic,” said Featured speaker Guiney.

Judge Steve Leifman, Associate Administrative “I’m not sure if it’s an option but Democrats Judge, Miami-Dade County Court, Eleventh in Congress have seven bills to reopen the Judicial Circuit of Florida. “The facility looked government, but McConnell is refusing to like a dungeon.” consider any of the bills. The Senate should Due to his expertise in the areas of criminal respect the will of the people,” Guiney said. justice and mental health, Judge Leifman has U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon served on local, state and national committees (D-Pennsylvania) said she and other that work toward system transformation.

Democrats have worked tirelessly to find and He says that Miami-Dade County is facing a offer solutions to reopen the government as serious mental health crisis, because the jail has become a mental health facility. “The largest thousands of federal employees have gone mental hospital in our area is the Dade County without pay and are struggling to pay their jail,” said Judge Leifman. “We don’t have the bills and feed their families. resources to fix this problem.”

“What I fear is this administration and People with mental health disorders are our Republican colleagues in the Senate more prone to being incarcerated, and he says have forgotten is that this is the people’s that some Veterans at some point will likely house,” Scanlon said. “We have an obligation interface with the law. to work for them. Refusing to uphold that “The bulk of our work is with Treatment commitment, that promise, is a slap in the Court,” said Giovanna Delgado Psy.D., Veteran face to the American people,” she said.

Justice Coordinator, Lead. “We identify Former Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Alex Veterans that need our services.”

Charlton said his guess is that if Congressional Treatment Court is a hybrid of the drug and Democrats did sue Congressional Republicans mental health court models, and the Veterans it would be the “nuclear option.” that participate are strictly volunteers, and can “It would significantly delay any progress opt out at any time. towards an actual resolution,” he said.

James Brooks, 68, a Vietnam era Army Unlike the federal government, a stateVeteran that attended the summit, says that level government shutdown in Pennsylvania he’s currently undergoing treatment for anxiety is unlikely because a court decision mandates and depression at the Miami VA. that state employees must be paid as long “I used to be homeless and now I have a as the state is still collecting tax revenue, military housing voucher from the VA,” said Charlton added.

Brooks. “My objective is to continue treatment, “The Republican legislature has been and enroll in the Compensated Work Therapy diligent in ensuring that the state’s expenses (CWT) program, and from there get hired do not outpace its revenue. Any increase permanently at the Miami VA.”

coalition notes that “Amazon’s inaction in response to widespread concerns about face surveillance stands in contrast to the steps taken by its competitors” and that “it is wholly irresponsible to wait for society to develop an ‘immune response’ to technologies like face surveillance.”

The ACLU revealed last year that Amazon has been actively marketing its face surveillance technology to law enforcement and helping them deploy it. On July 26, 2018, the ACLU also released results of a test showing that Rekognition falsely matched 28 current members of Congress with images in an arrest photo database.

Congressional members of color were disproportionately identified incorrectly, including six members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The release of the documents and test results spurred a nationwide movement in protest of government use of face surveillance and resulted in over 150,000 petition signatures, a coalition letter signed by nearly 70 organizations representing communities nationwide, and a letter from Amazon’s shareholders and employees demanding the company stop providing face surveillance technology to governments. Members of Congress also wrote to Amazon with civil rights concerns and questions about the sale of Rekognition to law enforcement, and requested information from federal agencies about the use of this technology.

List of organizations that signed today’s letters to Amazon, Google, and Microsoft demanding that the companies commit not to sell face surveillance technology to the government:

ACLU ACLU Foundations of California ACLU of Massachusetts ACLU of Washington New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) 18MillionRising.org

(Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

NOT AN OPTION TO END SHUTDOWN from Front Page beyond that would require tax increases, which the citizens of Pennsylvania do not want,” he said.

As to why federal lawmakers continue to draw a paycheck despite the shutdown, Charlton said the salaries of U.S. senators and representatives are paid by the treasury and are set by Congress itself.

“Members of Congress are paid under legislation that is separate from the appropriations bill that funds most of the government. The tax dollars that members of Congress are paid with do not come from the same budget used to pay other federal employees,” Charlton said.

G. Terry Madonna, a professor of Public Affairs and Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College, said there’s no basis for a lawsuit.

“It’s a legislative function not a judiciary one,” Madonna said.

“Folks injured by the shutdown might sue but the courts would get involved in the separation of powers doctrine. That’s been in the courts now, but a federal judge refused to rule on the charge,” he said.

More pointedly, Professor Garrett Epps who’s a professor of law at the University of Baltimore, said the Constitution would not allow members of Congress to be sued for any vote or failure to vote in Congress because the Speech or Debate Clause would cover that.

“I also know that this shutdown only affects one-quarter of the federal budget so quite a few employees are still being paid like members of Congress,” Epps said.

Further, it’s Congress’ job and they make the rules so there’s no legal penalty if they don’t reopen the government, said Justin Levitt, a Constitutional law scholar and professor at Loyola Law School.

“The Constitution allows Congress to fund government, and everybody assumes that federal officials would want federal activity.

But it doesn’t require Congress to fund the government,” Levitt said.

“So, there’s nothing to be gained by a lawsuit. It would fail,” he said, noting that there’s currently a federal lawsuit by federal officials who aren’t getting paid, saying that it violates the 13th Amendment to force them to come to work unpaid.

However, “the courts so far have said that because those officials could quit and get another job, they don’t win either. At least so far,” Levitt said.

Also, another reason member of Congress continues to receive their pay despite the shutdown is that 75 percent of the government had already been funded prior to the shutdown, Levitt said.

“Some members have refused their salary or donated their salary, but not everybody.

Ultimately, the pressure here is going to be political, rather than legal. Enough people get ticked off, and then this shutdown ends,” Levitt said.

Finally, Michael J. Gerhart who’s the Samuel Ashe Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill, said the shutdown is all governed by politics.

“That is, McConnell remains politically accountable for his decisions, just as Trump and the Democrats are politically accountable for theirs,” Gerhart said.

“McConnell has the power under Senate rules to block votes on legislative matters he does not wish to bring to a vote, and there is no legal basis on which Democrats could challenge his decision.”

Deeply Rooted

PAGE 10 • JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019

VOL. 46 NO. 16

www.thewestsidegazette.com

JANUARY 24, 2019

91

NUMEROLOGY - DOG

62

41

HOROSCOPE/NNPA

78

JAN. 24- JAN. 30. 2019 90

PROFILES

ARIES-At work, some matters have been on hold but now you will get the green light. Continue to work as diligently as you have been in the pass to ensure success.

Have faith that your plans are on target. Anticipation of a beautiful immediate future lights up my week.

18, 53, 54

CANCER-This week make your spiritual interest pay off in cash. Enough of goodness for goodness sake. You’ve got bills to pay. People expect generosity from a big-hearted person like you. Ask them for something in return or they’ll drain you. I call on my creative talents to pay my bills. 1, 3, 8

7

8

15 21

4

JANUARY

24

25 26 27 28

FEB.

46

MAR. APRIL MAY

AUG

38 39 44 45 46 47 48 49

SEPT.

55 56 57 58 59 66 67 68 69 77

OCT. NOV.

08 09 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 23

DEC.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

29-12-17

CANCER

34-56-79

43-21-19

52

10

JULY

29 33 34 35 36 37

LIBRA-Personal goals are important to you this week, and you’ll want to budget some time to spend on formulating plans for your brilliant future. Something that happens without your knowledge is going to prove to be a huge benefit. Enjoy your lucky streak! My life itself is my greatest creation. 7, 40, 43

ARIES

TAURUS

36-06-02

49-36-18

17-26-45

01-02-43

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

32-56-23

45-38-28

52-15-52

32-48-26

34-27-46

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AQUARIUS-If someone has told you that you are more mental than emotional, believe them. This week especially your mind will be working a mile a minute to make sure that what you feel is good for you to feel.

Cover the mental processes with an emotional facade but keep thinking about what is best. I give special attention to special friends. 3, 45, 51

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AQUARIUS

65

GEMINI

WHAT’S HOT? 77-50-62-69-80

CAPRICORN-The clever way you think could expose you to an experience for you unlike any you’ve had recently.

Move forward. Get into it. Don’t doubt your ability to handle it. Don’t let your mind get crowded with too much useless information. Love is simpler than you think. I allow good feelings to flow into my life with ease. 6, 21, 34

PISCES-Usually you’re not much for gambling. You like to investigate and make sure before you make your move.

This week you are lucky. Move on impulse. Follow your heart. Pay close attention to the love needs of your mate this week. The needs of children call. I can be whoever I am conscious of being.12, 32, 534

101

78 79 88 89 99 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

JUNE

VIRGO-Money matters may seem a little unstable this week; postpone a shopping trip. On the plus side, however, your friends are unusually supportive and wonderful. You’ll enjoy conversations and being with another, especially after dark! I enjoy working with others this week.19, 30, 50

SAGITTARIUS-This is a good week to think about longterm plans. Your mind is clear and your vision of things to come will be lighted by your razor-sharp instincts. All week long be careful not to sound too sarcastic when you tell people stuff that you know, and they don’t. I keep my eyes open for the love that is everywhere. 17, 18, 20

71

MIAMI RED SEZ --- 128

LEO-Compromise to get what you want this week. You’ll want to meet others half-way, and in the long run, you’ll get what you want anyway. You can afford to be gracious and giving. Do it with all your heart and soul. My emotions provide me a pathway into the sunshine of my being. 6, 17, 43

SCORPIO-Your straight-up attitude is going to come in handy this week. Plain talk is favored; keep it simple so others will understand where you’re coming from. You’ll get a lot done if you stick to a plan this week. I forgive, forget and keep on moving towards my good fortune.

1, 29, 31

26

43

34 12

54

49

TAURUS-A message this week may necessitate travel on your part, and you may feel obligated to do something you don’t want to. Let the energy flow past you and do what you think is best. Who you are is who you are—be glad about it! People love me when I love them.: 9, 22, 41 GEMINI-Use better judgment about financial matters.

Stop rationalizing. Money is important. Do something about the fact that you might find yourself broke more often than you wish. Continuing to deny it will delay doing something about it. I find comfort in the familiar. 1, 22, 51

15

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JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019 • PAGE 11

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to Trump:

Forget Wall, Fix Nation’s Deadly Water Problems

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

The lead content in Newark’s drinking water now is the highest ever recorded in the past 17 years and Mayor Ras Baraka has sent a letter to President Donald Trump because of the health emergency.

In his January 14thletter to President Trump, Baraka implores the President to forego the demand for $5 billion to build a wall on America’s southern border in lieu of the more pressing public health emergency that continues to plague U.S. cities and put our children at serious risk: high levels of lead in drinking water.

“From Newark, New Jersey, across America’s heartland, to Oakland, California, [lead in drinking water] is affecting the health of millions of Americans every single day,” Baraka said in a news release.

“Each day, our children in black and brown communities are being exposed to dangerously high lead levels from outdated lead service pipes, lead which enters our homes and our children’s blood and puts them at risk for serious and life altering health challenges,” he

said.

This is not just true in Newark, but also in over 20 New Jersey communities and thousands of urban and rural communities across the country, Baraka said.

He said he believes the country’s aging water infrastructure should be addressed rather than funding an unnecessary border wall.

“The cost of fixing our failing water infrastructure falls disproportionately on low-income communities that lack adequate funding resources to swiftly deal with them,” Baraka said the release.

“While the City of Newark has developed a unique public-private partnership to replace lead service lines throughout the city, the only real, permanent solution to protect future generations of children is to replace the lead service lines completely, which carries a price tag few municipalities can bear alone,” he said.

Below is Baraka’s full letter to the President: I am writing to express my deep concern that you are seriously thinking of declaring a national emergency to fund a proposed $5 billion border

wall. I want to bring your attention to a true emergency that puts millions of our citizens at risk: The decaying infrastructure of our water systems which has created a crisis in Newark, the State of New Jersey and across America.

Dangerously high levels of lead are entering homes and our children’s blood through lead service lines despite the fact that any level of lead can damage the developing brains of young children.

Besides Newark, more than 20 other New Jersey cities and towns have elevated levels of lead in their tap water, and so do thousands of municipalities in our nation.

This crisis, mainly, affects older black and brown cities with limited resources and serious health issues that are systemically overlooked by every level of government.

In prioritizing environmental justice, saving children and their families within these cities is a must.

Although the situation in Newark is very different from that of Flint, our need to replace lead service lines is equally urgent.

I join in solidarity with the 11-year-

Local Pastor Retires

Rev. Dr. Robert Shaw

A beloved local clergyman has retired from full pulpit ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Shaw, pastor of New Bethel AME Church, Goulds, Florida has retired from the AME Church after serving thirty-eight years.

He is well known in the community as a Pastor and a retired food inspector for the State of Florida, Division of Hotel and Restaurant after thirty years.

A native of Quincy Florida and a graduate from FAMU in Tallahassee, Florida.

He was called to preach out of Mount Hermon AME Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL. In the process of working and pasturing churches he secured his theological training from Miami Christian College, Trinity Evangelical University and Jacksonville Theological Seminary.

His first appointment was Allen Chapel AME Church Miami, FL. there he immediately started a building project, secured plans and before ground breaking, he was given an appointment to Mt.

A MESSAGE FROM O UR P UB LIS H E R ( F R O M T HE FRO NT P AG E )

Matthew 19:26 (KJV) The street corner mentality believes that there is some misery for doing right and this thought process lingers far longer when selfish desires are present.

To have a change of mind set from the street corner mentality, we have to be of the same mind, that of having no apprehension for loving each other. We ought to be sympathetic and self-effacing.

We should not be intolerable and offend others just because they are detestable and capable of harm. In its place, we should offer everyone consideration. We are all God’s creation and He blesses all.

The street corner mentality needs to change. If it honestly loves life, then it should cease gossiping and lying and turn away from engaging in malicious things and spreading death.

How difficult is it for the street corner mentality to turn aside from doing harm by dealing in wickedness? Trying to do right becomes much easier as you develop a path to peace within yourself.

All our actions, including the street corner mentality, are seen, and we should want others to see the God in us, not the evil that causes a domino effect that spreads like rust on an old car.

Yes, the street corner mentality will do you injury for doing what is good. Still if

you must go through tribulations for doing good things, do them anyway! You will be blessed. As a result of doing good, more and more you will stop being afraid and cease being so concerned about what the street corner mentality may do or think.

Begin to give into the Spirit that leads you to righteous living and let it have its way in your life and soon the street corner mentality will begin to fade away.

Be ever so ready to offer encouragement about your trust and faith and provide a kind and courteous response in situations that may make you uncomfortable. Always allow your actions to leave you with an unmistakable sense of right and wrong.

If you do this, those who have said and wronged you because of the street corner mentality will be made to look at things in a different Light; they will be at an advantage to act upon what is Right and maybe they will accept suffering for doing good rather than enduring for doing wrong.

“Lord when it’s all said and done may I leave the street corner mentality right where it belongs-on a dead end street.”

-- By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka/Courtesy City of Newark old girl known as Little Miss Flint who told you that spending $5 billion to make water safe is a much better way to protect Americans than building the wall.

In the short term, we are distributing 40,000 water filters and cartridges to affected homes in Newark. We are also changing our corrosion control system.

But, the only real solution to save this and future generations of children is to replace lead service lines. It will cost an estimated $70 million to replace the lead service lines in Newark, hundreds of millions more to replace them in

Zion AME Church Oakland Park, Fl. He served Allen Chapel for a year and a half.

Mount Zion Oakland Park was also in need of a new facility and after eighteen years the new facility was completed and is now serving the community.

After eighteen years in Oakland Park, Pastor Shaw given an appointment to New BetheL AME Church Goulds,

New Jersey, and an estimated $35 billion to replace all of the lead service lines in America.

Achieving this is possible only with financial help from the federal government.

You have been saying that a border wall will save thousands of American lives, but that’s simply not true, instead of wasting billions of dollars to keep an illconceived campaign promise, I urge you to use our resources in a way that will truly save American lives – help repair our nation’s deteriorated water infrastructure.

-Ras J. Baraka

Florida. This site had need of a Family Life Center, so the work was started and before completion Pastor Shaw reached the age of retirement.

He served New Bethel for fourteen years.

Pastor Shaw served each community with distinction and with a servant heart.

His success he said was the help of God, his family support and great Christian in each

community.

He said what he misses are the clergy ministry, wonderful fellowship of the people and the community involvement.

He stated that preaching is still in his heart.

He now lives in Lauderhill with his family and associated with his home church Mount Hermon AME Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Deeply Rooted

PAGE 12 • JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30, 2019

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Chef Creole Responds to the Government Shutdown by Feeding Unpaid TSA Agents

31 days

as of this date…

That’s how long the United States Federal Government has been in partial shutdown, making it the longest in our nation’s history. It’s been four weeks, one full month, or as many employees around the country have come to measure the time frame, two full paychecks.

However, you choose to view it, it means that approximately 420,000 federal employees are working without pay. In U.S. politics, a government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass enough appropriation bills to fund federal government operations and agencies, or when the President refuses to sign such bills or resolutions into law.

In a nutshell, when the decision makers in Washington, D.C. can’t agree on how to spend money, they put the government (along with the thousands of working-class citizens who keep it up and running) in a timeout.

The current shutdown began on December 22, 2018 when Congress and President Donald Trump failed to agree on funding for a wall along the Mexican/American border. The idea of increased border control at our southern border fueled much of Trump’s campaign and excited his base. Under the shutdown, while many employees are on furlough, essential employees are still required to work without pay until the government reopens, at which point they are expected to receive back pay for their time worked. The agencies affected include, but are not limited

to Veterans Hospitals, SNAP (food stamps), the IRS, and TSA. While there have been several instances of full or partial government shutdowns in U.S. history only two come close to this current duration: one lasting for 21 days under the Clinton Administration, and most recently, a 16-day shutdown under the Obama Administration in October 2013, as Democrats and Republicans struggled to come to an agreement for the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

The current state of our nation has unleashed a wave of emotions, from fear and anxiety to confusion, anger and resentment, and while many people are wrestling with thoughts of “I don’t know what to do…,” others like Chef “Ken” Sejour of Miami, Florida looked within and asked “What can I do to help?” Chef Ken is the owner of Chef Creole, a restaurant chain with six locations throughout South

Florida. With one of his locations being in the Miami International Airport, this national crisis hit too close to home for him not to act.

Moved with compassion and civic duty, on January 14, Chef Creole began providing complimentary lunches to those MIA TSA agents who continue to show up to work every day, even in the face of financial uncertainty.

Chef Creole’s actions recall one of many infamous quotes from Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person is at stake.

Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

With the many overwhelming issues that plague our country right now, I admit that for me sometimes, there does seem to be a sense of calm in just looking the other way. But that’s no real solution. And as I continue to live

and face new issues, both personal and global, I’ve come to recognize simple power of making an impact where you are with what you have. Even female rapper, Cardi B, took to Instagram to rant about the partial shutdown at its three-week mark. While she openly expressed her fear for the nation’s direction, she also said that she thinks it time to act. Cardi concluded her video by saying, “I don’t know what type of action …’cause this [is] not what I do,” and many of us can relate because we do not know what to do but we do acknowledge something must be done. We cannot close our eyes in hopes that Trump will soon go away.

If nothing else, Chef Creole needs our support as he fills in the gaps during what is likely a crisis for some government employees. At the time of this article, Creole has provided nearly 2,000 meals to TSA agents, and with

the support and generous donations of other local businesses, churches, other restaurants, and even anonymous citizens, he is able to continue his efforts likely until the shutdown ends.

Chef Creole’s willingness to serve out of his own resources caught the attention of local and national media outlets including The Miami Herald, The Today Show, Ebony Magazine, The ShadeRoom and more. Chef openly expresses his gratitude via social media proving that whatever action you take in your area of influence is enough to make a huge difference for both yourself and your community.

Press Release Marketing Writing Team Lead Audrey L. Aaron www.justpressrelease.com @PressReleaseLLC on Instagram

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