The Westside Gazette

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PERMIT NO. 1179

Paula Watkins: First Black On-line Market- OBC and CFP Foundation place launches Commit $100,000 TTo o Fund African-American Miami-Dade and Broward $100,000,000 Virtual School circulation campaign Teachers’ Initiatives Founder

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Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper oud PPaper aper ffor or a Pr oud PPeople...Sinc eople...Sinc Proud Proud eople...Sincee 1971 THURSDA VOL. 44 NO. 49 50¢ A Pr Y, JANUAR Y 14 - WEDNESDA Y, JANUAR Y 20 THURSDAY JANUARY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 20,, 2016

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau VP Albert Tucker leads by example

By Charles Moseley The late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., when asked to define what it takes to be great, responded by saying the following, “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Tall words to be sure, spoken by a visionary who inspired a nation to work together across racial lines in order to make America a greater place for all of its citizens. Dr. King preached the doctrine of diversity long before it became embraced by mainstream America. As a result of Dr. King’s message, many embraced and incorporated this simple doctrine as a

blueprint for change and progress throughout the United States.

As we come to celebrate the life of Dr. King this time of year it is appropriate to single out individuals who took heed the words spoken by the late heavy weight champion of civil rights and incorporated them into practice as part of their endeavors. For years Albert Tucker has exhibited what Dr. King meant by his definition of greatness, by simply serving his community.

Since his arrival to Broward County in the early 2000’s, Tucker, a native of New York City by way of Washington, D.C., has worked tirelessly with almost surgical precision, to raise public awareness regarding the economic impact that multi-cultural tourism has had here in Broward County specifically and throughout South

Albert Tucker addresses attendees during the 2015 Black Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony here in Fort Lauderdale, as part of the American Tennis Association’s Championship Tournament festivities.

Florida. From day one, Tucker has championed the cause for bringing local Black owned businesses to the table as providers of goods and services.

“Mr. Tucker in his role as VP of Multicultural Business Development at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB) has made a tremendous economic impact to our local community. Through his vision and leadership, our local community continues to experience significant growth in tourism, which is a major economic engine for the community. Mr. Tucker has also worked hard to raise the awareness for the efforts of many of our local civic organizations by hosting their national conferences,” said Dennis Wright, president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale.

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A prayer is a life line and will do just fine “As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.”

Daniel 9:13 (NKJV)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. It is the start of a brand new year, yet there is nothing new under the sun. How do we then approach the New Year? How do we accept the challenges and burdensome situations that seem to overwhelm us each and everyday?

For many, these are questions and conditions that lend themselves to opportunities to tell others about an awesome God; Spirit and an unyielding force that will reckon with ANYTHING that crosses Its presence because everything was created by this Spirit.

And all we have to do is to tap into this Spirit.

A multitude of questions may be permeating the cerebral cortex of your mind, but relax, it’s not difficult; it’s not beyond understanding nor is it impossible to achieve and the compensations are many with tremendous benefits.

Once committed to this formal procedure or ceremony or sacrament or whichever term fits your manner, you will begin to experience a new expression in handling what you are going through.

Will this practice prevent you from sickness, unemployment, death, home foreclosure or bankruptcy? No but it gives you comfort and hope and belief and an open line of communication with the One who can do it all! “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.” Psalm 102:17 (Cont'd on Page 12)

Bishop Victor T. Curry to speak at the 40th Annual The biggest mistakes to Celebration Service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 400 N.W. Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Florida will host the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 at 4 p.m. The service is sponsored by the Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. This year’s celebration will include Mr. Kenny Smith and the Voices of New Mount Olive.

Bishop Victor T. Curry will be the guest speaker.

Bishop Victor T. Curry is an exemplary pastor, preacher, author, teacher and social activist who epitomizes focused leadership. Ordained over thirty years ago, Bishop Curry has since been emboldened to

Bishop Curry

daily action through service motivated by divinely-prescribed commitments to his faith and invigorated to a pursuit of social justice for all.

After seven years as the pastor of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, Bishop Curry was called to “begin anew” and so came to found the New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International of North Miami.

Under his leadership the church’s expansive ministerial portfolio includes: New Birth Broadcasting Corporation and AM 1490 WMBM, a 24 hour Gospel Radio Station, Vision to Victory Human Services Corporation, the Dr. John A. McKinney Christian Academy and the

Dr. E.V. Hill Bible College. Further to his compliment, Bishop Curry is the founding Moderator of the Progressive Kingdom Baptist Association under the leadership of Dr. James B. Sampson (President of the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc.), is the Full Gospel State Bishop of Florida under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III, and is a newly ordained Bishop within the International Bishops Conference under the leadership of Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. His humanitarian resolve manifests numerous projects and extensions from varied entities.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

CNN producer files a $50 million lawsuit against Time Warner for racial discrimination

By Victor Ochieng There is a battle going on at CNN, pitting the company’s top leadership against Dewayne Walker, one of the company’s African-American employees.

That battle is now going to court. Walker has filed a lawsuit against Time Warner Inc., Turner Services Inc., CNN, and Turner Broadcasting System. The $50 million lawsuit is occasioned by what Walker terms racial discrimination against him. He claims that the company punished him after he filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC].

According to court papers filed by Walker, he says his 13 years of service to CNN haven’t seen him earn any promotion,

claiming that this is due to the fact that he’s Black.

During his tenure, he says he’s faced serious racial discrimination and has been subjected to racial statements, such as “It’s hard to manage Black people” and “Who would be worth more: Black slaves from the past, or new slaves.”

Walker says promotion to a higher position has evaded him over nine times in favor of white employees, whose qualifications he says are inferior to his.

Walker is currently serving CNN as its manager for Creative Marketing and Public Relations in Atlanta City. In his current role, he says he’s doing way more than is defined in his job description and more than his white counterparts serving in similar positionS. It’s admissible that Walker

Pleading Our Own Cause

has done a lot and has been recognized for his role. He earned himself the Peabody award and Emmy among several others for his marketing and promotion works.

Walker’s claims don’t just end with his personal experience, he also says the company systematically discriminates against African-Americans, which is why they never reach the executive levels in the company.

He asserts that the company doesn’t create room for open competition whenever there is a new opening for higher positions.

“Turner such as CNN has created an employment schematic that requires AfricanAmericans to generally labor three times as long as Caucasians to receive any type of

WWW.

WALKER promotion, and even when a promotion is obtained, AfricanAmericans are denied by the proverbial glass ceiling, almost always failing to reach the highest levels of Turner’s Networks,” reads the lawsuit.

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avoid if you win Powerball

Winning Wednesday’s $1.3 billion Powerball lottery would be a game changer for almost any American. But the high of winning could quickly spiral downward if poor choices and emotional spending replace careful financial planning.

“I would like to think that the sheer amount of this jackpot would be tough to blow entirely,” says Howard Pressman, a financial planner in Vienna, Virginia. “But considering that 70 percent of lottery winners blow it, I think someone could figure this out.”

1. NOT SECURING THE TICKET After fainting, laughing, crying and jumping on your couch, sign your ticket and put it in a safe place. Otherwise, say goodbye to your winnings.

Last March, a man in California couldn’t claim the $1 million he had won because he lost the winning Powerball ticket.

Lottery officials used surveillance video from the supermarket where the ticket was purchased to identify the man, but without the ticket, he got nothing.

2. SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS

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Your first instinct after winning the lottery — to call, post on Facebook or tweet about it — is probably the worst, says Amy Hubble, a financial planner in Oklahoma City.

“The absolute single largest mistake lottery winners make is to claim it publicly under their own names,” she says.

“Yes, you get to pose with the big check and pick confetti out of your hair, but it opens you up to a barrage of letters, emails, calls and sob story solicitations. Beyond that, it compromises your privacy and in many cases your family’s safety.”

If you live in the six states that allow lottery winners to stay anonymous — Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina — then take advantage of that option. If not, contact an estate planning attorney to draft a non-descriptive trust with a corporate trustee that can claim the winnings, says Hubble. After the winnings go into the trust, the money can anonymously flow out to you.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com) MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

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Westside Gazette

Paula Watkins: First African-American virtual school founder Submitted by Gwen Thomas REDFORD, MI – For more than 30 years, Dr. Paula Watkins has spent her professional career focusing on improving the student achievement gap in the core academic areas of mathematics, writing, reading and languages for school districts in the State of Michigan.

Realizing that every facet of the education process from recalibrating the learning environment to staffing, administration, managing governance, updating curriculum, instruction and analyzing testing metrics, Watkins has found all of these elements crucial and

Education Center provides an option for students. We are graduating students.”

The Cyber Education Center is a K-12 school that reaches a segment of students who need solutions to their unique edu-

a fundamental frame-work for academic excellence. Watkins previously worked as CEO of Vision Education Center, an Education Management Organization for several charter schools in the Michigan areas.

Watkins received her PhD from Oakland University.

So, when Watkins learned several years ago, the State of Michigan had expanded the Charter School legislation to include virtual education, she knew that finally after researching and studying methods for distance learning, coupled with core strategies for academic success at brick and mortal institutions, it was a per-

cation challenges. Whether they are disabled, gifted, or normal students, Cyber Education is committed to providing support services and maintaining high levels of achievement among their students. In 2016,

CEC will expand and serve domestic and international students seeking a postsecondary education.

For more details about the Cyber Education Center, visit www.cyberedcenter.org

We Are Family highlights critical role support plays for those living with HIV Dr. Paula Watkins, CEO/ founder of The Cyber Education Center in Redford, Mich. fect time for her company to put their knowledge in place to create a technological infrastructure. Virtual Schools are full time online schools of choice options that deliver all curriculum and instruction via the internet. Online charter enrollment has more than quadrupled since the Michigan law went into effect, demonstrating the allure of cyber schools for some Michigan students. According to the National Education Policy Center, in 2011 there were approximately 320 virtual schools in the United States.

Today, Dr. Watkins is CEO of The Cyber Education Academy located in Redford, Mich., making her the first African American female and founder of a Virtual Education institution in the United States. “Our goals are to improve the graduation rates of urban, suburban and rural children and we have recognized that in order for us to improve these statistics educators have to look at intervention strategies. The Cyber

By Greater Than AIDS When Masonia was diagnosed with HIV, her childhood best friend, Crystal, was one of the first people she told.

“I wanted her to know she could talk to me about anything, and I would not judge her,” says Crystal recalling that day.

Since that day, Crystal has been a constant source of support for Masonia, who believes that having someone like Crystal in her corner – offering encouragement, love, and support – has helped save her life.

Whether it’s the one you are born into or the one you create, family matters. Masonia and Crystal’s story powerfully illustrates how the support of loved ones can make a big difference in health outcomes, both physical and mental.

In that spirit of family, Greater Than AIDS has launched We Are Family – a new campaign that highlights the importance of social support for people living with HIV. Produced in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, the campaign features profiles of a diverse group of individuals living with HIV and the people who support them.

The Fulton County Department of Health & Wellness is engaging in an extensive media campaign to extend the reach of We Are Family in the heavily affected Atlanta area, including DeKalb County.

This campaign comes at a critical time. The National HIV/ AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020 specifically encourages a focus on areas with the highest burden of disease, and Georgia has the fifth-highest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the country.

According to a new Kaiser Family Foundation survey of residents in Georgia, nearly half (46 percent) of the respondents personally know someone living with HIV, or who has died of the disease. For those who have been most affected by the disease, the issue hits close to home. Among Black Georgians, more than one in four (28 percent) report having a family member affected by HIV. Despite how prevalent HIV is, the survey indicates that those living with the virus hardly ever talk about it, even with those closest to them. According to Kaiser, the large majority of Georgians say the subject of HIV rarely comes up with friends, family, or even intimate

partners.

We Are Family is designed to counter this silence with a broad multiplatform campaign that engages family members, friends, and allies of people living with HIV, as well as the broader community, to better understand the powerful role every person plays in ending HIV/AIDS. A statewide outdoor, transit, radio, TV, and digital media campaign promotes local resources to support individuals living with HIV and their loved ones.

Fear of judgement can delay a person from seeking life-saving treatment or opening up about their status. Conversely, a person living with HIV who has support from their family and friends are more likely to get the care they need and keep up with treatment, which both improves health and helps prevent the spread of the disease.

“You can go to the doctor, they’ll give you the medication and the care. You can go to a mental health provider, they’ll work you through the issues.

You have to find somebody to take care of your spirit. You have to find a strong support system,” says Greater Than AIDS Ambassador, Rev. William Francis, who is featured in the campaign.

The City of Lauderhill officials welcome all to attend the official ribbon cutting ceremony First show at the highly anticipated Lauderhill Performing Arts Center opening

By Micahel Tipton The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) will open its doors to the public for the first time on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016 at 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend this event for free.

Lauderhill’s own local talent organizations will be the first to perform in the facility as part of the evening’s line up of exciting events. Performers will include the Lauderhill Steel Ensemble, Ashanti, Jubilee, Encore Performing Arts, Ethnotricity and many more. Guests can also receive guided tours of the facility, witness the Official and Historic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and enjoy a very special performance by the Doo Wop Project.

The Doo Wop Project (DWP) is street corner style singing for a whole new generation! Their show commences at the beginning of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the evolution of the biggest hits on the radio today. Throughout the show, DWP takes you on a

journey from foundational tunes of groups like the Crests and Belmonts while we experience their influences of greats like Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, and the Four Seasons. Modern day Doo Wop includes Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Jason Mraz and Amy Wine-house! It is an amazing journey through Doo Wop! The newly constructed Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC) is bringing the hottest acts in music, dance, comedy and theatre to sunny Central Broward and the South Florida Community. From the best of Broadway, Concerts, Dance, to a diverse selection of FamilyFriendly Productions, this latest addition to the culturally diverse City of Lauderhill is set to offer a variety of shows for everyone in your home.

“The Grand Opening events for the LPAC will be extensive for the months of March and April. I look forward to seeing you all there as we will offer something for everyone,” explains Vice Mayor M. Margaret Bates. The City Sponsored

Grand Opening events in their entirety will be announced in upcoming weeks and include concerts, theatrical and dance acts, musical and comedy performances, as well as family shows. For tickets and information, the LPAC Box Office is open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, and Noon – 4 p.m., on Saturdays as well as two hours before show time.

The LPAC Box Office is located at 3800 N.W. 11 Pl., Lauderhill, Fla. You can also call the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center Box Office at (954) 777- 2055, or visit our web site at www.lpacfl.com. Tickets for several shows are already on sale.

Tickets for the Official Ribbon Cutting and Concert are free but should be reserved and picked up ahead of time as there are limited reserved seats.

(Limit 4 per person).

The LPAC is located on the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and 441, just off of the Sunrise Boulevard exit and the Florida Turnpike.

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Lottery winners who blew it all

Before they won a $2.76 million lottery jackpot in 2005, Lara and Roger Griffiths hardly ever argued.

When the luck runs out ...

The Powerball lottery, which will be drawn on Saturday evening, has an estimated jackpot of $900 million. It’s a lot of money, but if you do the math, buying a ticket probably won’t be worth it.

Even if it does pan out, winning the lottery will not solve all of life’s problems.

In fact, many people’s lives became notably worse after they got super rich, and they managed to lose it all quite quickly.

Before they won a $2.76 million lottery jackpot in 2005, Lara and Roger Griffiths hardly ever argued.

Then they won, and bought a million-dollar house and a Porsche.

But six years after their win, Roger drove away in the Porsche after Lara confronted him over emails suggesting he was interested in another woman.

Their 14-year marriage was over, a freak fire gutted their house, and every penny of their fortune was gone.

William “Bud” Post won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania lottery in 1988 but was $1 million in debt within a year.

“I wish it never happened,” Post said. “It was totally a nightmare.”

A former girlfriend successfully sued him for a share of his winnings and his brother was arrested for hiring a hit man to kill him in the hopes he’d inherit a share of the winnings.

After sinking money into various family businesses, Post sank into debt and spent time in jail for firing a gun over the head of a bill collector.

Bud now lives quietly on $450 a month and food stamps.

Martyn Tott, 33, and his 24year-old wife from the UK missed out on a $5 million lottery fortune after losing their ticket.

They were able to convince officials, but since there is a 30day time limit on reporting lost tickets, the jackpot became the largest unclaimed amount since the lottery began in 1994.

“Thinking you’re going to have all that money is really liberating. Having it taken away has the opposite effect,” Kay Tott told The Daily Mail.

“It drains the life from you and puts a terrible strain on your marriage. It was the cruelest torture imaginable.”

In 2004, Sharon Tirabassi, a single mother who had been on welfare, cashed a check from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. for $10,569,00.10 (Canadian).

She subsequently spent her winnings on a “big house, fancy cars, designer clothes, lavish parties, exotic trips, handouts to family, loans to friends” and in less than a decade she’s back “riding the bus, working parttime, and living in a rented house.”

Luckily Tirabassi put some of her windfall in trusts for her six children, who can claim the money when they turn 26.

Against all odds, in the mid1980s, Adams won the lottery twice, once in 1985 and again in 1986.

The New Jersey native won a cool $5.4 million, but AskMen.com reports she

CNN producer (Cont'd from FP) The suit goes further to say that “In the 46 year history of Turner Networks, no AfricanAmerican has ever been promoted or selected to be President of Turning Broadcasting Inc., or oversee any of Turner’s Networks.”

Walker has claimed in his lawsuit that his filing with the EEOC wasn’t acted upon by the commission.

He filed a lawsuit on Dec. 22, 2015, where he’s asking for $50 million in damages for what CNN and Turner have put him through.

January 14 - January 20, 2016 • Page 3

Westside Gazette

gambled it away at Atlantic Ci ty.

Today she resides in a trailer park.

A former Waffle House waitress named Tonda Lynn Dickerson got served a big plate of karma when she refused to split her winnings with excolleagues and was forced to pay the tax man $1,119,347.90.

How did it happen? Dickerson placed her winnings in a corporation and granted her family 51 percent of the stock

— qualifying her for the tax.

In 1998, Gerald Muswagon won the $10 million Super 7 jackpot in Canada. But he blew it all on drinking and partying in only seven years. Filled with remorse, Muswagon hanged himself in his parents’ garage in 2005.

When Mullins won the US lotto in 1993, she opted for yearly payouts instead of a lump sum, reports MSN. She quickly found herself in debt, using future payouts as collateral for a $200,000 loan.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Tirabassi subsequently spent her winnings on a “big house, fancy cars, designer clothes, lavish parties, exotic trips,

Food costs are up, but energy costs are down.

FPL bills today are 10% lower than they were 10 years ago.

While the cost of food has gone up in the last 10 years, the cost of the energy to keep it all fresh has come down. At FPL, we’re using smart technology and working more efficiently to provide you with cleaner, more reliable energy at a price that’s the lowest in the state. See how your bill has changed in a decade at FPL.com/10years.

Based on a typical 1,000 kWh residential customer bill. This advertising is paid for by our FPL shareholders, not our customers.

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Westside Gazette

Black online marketplace launches $100,000,000 circulation campaign WeBuyBlack.com.

NATIONWIDE — 23-year old entrepreneur Shareef Abdul-Malik of Washington, DC believes in doing for self.

That’s why he created WeBuyBlack.com, an online marketplace for Black-owned businesses and sellers.

“It allows small Black-owned businesses to grow by being exposed to an international market; it’s the largest online marketplace for Black-owned businesses and sellers,” says AbdulMalik. “These Black-owned businesses may hire and create employment opportunities for those in our local communities.”

The website launched last year on June 19, celebrating

the 150 year anniversary of Juneteenth. Since its launch, the site has over 2,000 registered businesses and sellers; more than 4,500 products uploaded and have reached 500,000 page views.

In December, the site garnered over 105,000 page views, according to Abdul-Ma-lik.

There is no fee to upload a product to the site.

Abdul-Malik, who is a Howard University graduate, says he’d been inspired by institutions such as the Black Wall Street of Tulsa, Oklahoma that served the needs of the Black community.

“This is a long term result after inspirational institutions such as the Black Wall Street

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Shareef

Abdul-Malik,

which was burned down, ridding hope of family and community survival, financial independence, and the collective motivation to build for our next generation’s well-being,” says

founder

and

creator

of

Abdul-Malik.

“I didn’t come up with the idea of WeBuyBlack.com, I manifested the idea. I researched the needs in our community and the solution came

to me by the words of ‘Do-forself’ – A concept I have been raised upon.”

Starting Feb. 1, the company will launch its largest campaign to circulate $100,000,000 on the website through Feb. 1, 2017.

African-Americans have a current buying power of $1 trillion which is forecasted to reach $1.3 trillion by year 2017, according to a report published by www.nielsen.com “The vendors asked for a more comprehensive platform that would allow for them to fully commit and launch their shops on the site,” added AbdulMalik.

In response to this, WeBuyBlack.com hired a Black owned engineering firm to reconfigure the website, adding features that will allow the Black community to fully circulate its dollar within its own community.

For example, the site will allow non-profit organizations to apply for a referral code. This code may be distributed to their congregations and supporters.

When their supporters purchase from the site, they can enter that referral code and the organization will receive up to one percent of every purchase..

Individuals may also apply for a referral code. “They are then able to sign up businesses and receive up to one percent of the businesses’ sales,” he said.

“The beauty is vendors will always receive their full commission and will lose absolutely nothing by allowing someone to sign them up.”

In addition to the referral system code, the site will allow customers to subscribe and receive their product on schedule, without having to reorder.

Businesses who already sell

subscription plans will now be able to incorporate their business on the site, according to website staff.

“When I first learned of WeBuyBlack.com, I was thrilled to see that something like this was being done. I signed on as a vendor thinking it would be another way to showcase products; to my surprise and delight things have gone very well quickly,” said Angela Williams, 37, of Kentucky, who started Forever Regal, a website offering a wide range of products imported or inspired

by Africa.

“The customer responses have been amazing,” she said, “The team at WeBuyBlack.com have been supportive beyond my expectation.”

The site has attracted Blackowned businesses from many parts of the world such as the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Australia, Kenya, and Canada.

Phoebe Mwanza, owner of The Prodigal Daughter, an Australian clothing and accessories label, said her company is proud to be part of WeBuyBlack.com.

“WeBuyBlack.com is an important platform for those that want to support Black-owned businesses like ours and for young businesses that would otherwise not have similar opportunities,” said Mwanza.

For more information about the site, visit www.WeBuyBlack.com or connect through social media at: Instagram – www.instagram.com/ webuyBlack/ Facebook – www.facebook.com/ webuyBlackcom Twitter – www.twitter.com/ webuyBlackcom

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January 14 - January 20, 2016 • Page 5

Westside Gazette

Publix is Proud to Support Community News

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WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Schedule of Events

Celebration

West Palm Beach

·Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 The Third Annual Human Race South Florida Charnow Park on Hollywood Beach, Hollywood, Fla. The event will feature a 5k Run/Walk along the beautiful Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. ·Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 - America’s Sunday Supper Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s. ·Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 MLK Signature Day of Service Broward Outreach Center in The Broward and Miami-Dade County.

· Friday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. Arts Awards & Reception, Classroom Teachers Association (CTA) 715 Spencer Dr., West Palm Beach, Fla. · Saturday, Jan. 16 at 9 a.m.

- Oratorical Contest, Roosevelt Middle School, 1900 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, Fla. Performing Arts Finalists Competition 6:30 p.m., Roosevelt Middle School, 1900 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, Fla. · Sunday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. Gospel Fest, Orthodox Primitive Baptist Church, 2900 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, Fla. · Monday, Jan. 18 at 8 a.m.

- Annual MLK Breakfast/Essay Contest Awards Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, Fla. · Saturday, Jan. 30 at 9 a.m.

- MLK – Urban League Basketball, Salvation Army, Northwest Center, 600 N. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, Fla January – TBA Zora Neal Hurston Festival, Eastonville, Fla. · Saturday, Jan. 20 – “I Have A Dream” Health and Safety Fair, MLK Landmark Memorial, 2400 Flagler Dr., West Palm Beach, Fla. · Saturday, April 30 - Book Fair, Fashion Show and Luncheon, Trinity United Methodist Church, 1401 Ninth St., Mangonia Park, Fla.

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Pompano Beach Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 line-up will began at 9 a.m., at the International Longshoremen’s Association, 440 N.W. Sixth St., (Corner of Sistrunk and N.W Fifth Ave.) Parade begins at 10 a.m. The Parade will proceed from the Longshoremen to Huizenga Park, 1 E. Las Olas Boulevard where the King Holiday Celebration Of Unity & Multicultural Festival will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Breakfast “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Spady Museum’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast will be held Monday, January 18, 2016 from 8:30 to 10 a.m., at Delray Beach Golf Club, 2200 Highland Ave., Delray Beach, Fla.

Everybody Can Be Great Because Everybody Can Serve.

-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

·MLK Neon Night 5K Run/ Walk, Neon Glow 5K afterparty with entertainment, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 at 5 p.m., at Pompano Beach Community Park, 820 N.E. 18 Ave., Pompano Beach, Fla. ·Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 at 9 a.m., at Mitchell Moore Rec Center, 901 N.W. 10 St., & Blanche Ely High School, 1201 N.W. Sixth Ave., Pompano Beach, Fla.. MLK Day parade & celebration "It Takes A Village", featuring Praise Team & Dance Competition with a cash prize. For additional info call (954) 322-0950. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Volunteers Are you interested in volunteering for the 2016 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Holiday Parade and Celebration? Volunteers are needed to assist with the parade line-up. In order to sign up and to find out your specific responsibilities, please attend a Volunteer Meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 at 6 p.m., at the Longshoreman’s 440 N.W. Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For further info contact (954) 2968655.

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Miami Miami joins in this federal holiday with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in Liberty City, Monday, Jan. 28, 2016.

The parade takes place along N.W. 54 Street on a route from N.W. 12 Avenue to Northwest 32 Avenue. It ends with a celebration at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, 6101 N.W. 32 Ct., Miami, Fla

Celebration The Men Of The Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., request the honor of your presence at The 40th Annual Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Memorial Celebration Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 at 4 p.m., at The New Mount Olive Baptist Church 400 N.W. 9th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida Guest Speaker: Bishop Victor T. Curry Senior Pastor New Birth Baptist Church Miami, Fla. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Symposium Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Symposium, presented by Women Involved In Services to Humanity (W.I.S.H.) in partnership with Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The United Teachers of Dade Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 from 2 to 5 p.m., Miami Carol City Senior High School 3301 Miami Gardens Dr. Miami Gardens, Florida.

Event

Sovereign Health of Pompano Beach will host an open house event to commemorate the launch of the company’s new treatment facility, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, from 4 to 6 p.m., at 555 South Andrews Ave., Pompano Beach, Fla. For additional info and RSVP for this event contact Carli Perlman at (855) 976-1898.

If I Cannot Do Great Things I Can Do Small Things In A Great Way -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Event

Banana Wave Product Launch – Exclusively at the PATCH!, The PATCH Urban Farm and Market will host its “Get Fit for the New Year” event, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 1201 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania, Fla. For more info call Sarah Blake at (954) 924-6801.

Celebrate

The Areawide Council on Aging will celebrate its 36 Annual Board/Advisory Council Installation Dinner, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016 from 6-7 p.m., at Woodlands County Club, 4600 Woodlands Blvd., Tamarac, Fla. For cost and additional info call (954) 7458567.

Exhibition

The City of Miramar is proud to present an exclusive photographic collective featuring President Barack Obama which has been specially selected by Chief White House Photographer and Director of the White House Photo Office, Pete Souza. The exhibition will be showcased in the Ansin Family Art Gallery, at the Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, Fla., from Jan. 14-Feb. 29, 2016.

Exhibition details: Monday and Friday from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Exhibit

Volunteer

The Lauderhill Performing Arts Center is looking for vibrant, enthusiastic volunteer who enjoy interacting with people, the grand opening, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016 at 1 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 MoWash Products presents “The Moment of Truth” at 3 p.m., at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 N.W. 11 Pl., Lauderhill, Fla. If interest, fill out the Volunteer Application found on lauderhillpac.com and return to Lauren Hillard at lhillard@lpacfl.com.

The Memorial Exhibit of the Life of the late Carlton B. Moore will be opened to the public at the Old Dillard Museum until Jan. 31, 2016. Mr. Moore was a long time Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner, Civil Rights Activist and a Leader for Change for all of Fort Lauderdale. You can view the exhibit Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Old Dillard Museum 1009 N.W. Fourth St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For any additional info call (754) 322-8828.

Page 6 • January 14 - January 20, 2016

Opinion

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Westside Gazette The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers 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.

A Letter from Chris Smith

Blackonomics

Dear Friends,

Tamir Rice — The shame of it all

First I want to thank you for letting me be your voice in Tallahassee for 16 years. It has been an honor and a great pleasure to represent the great communities in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

This year’s legislative session began on Jan. 12th, as opposed to our normal start time in early March. My staff and I, working with the Senate Democratic office, have compiled this extensive list of issues that will constitute major topics in this year’s legislative session.

Please take a moment to review this document and become familiar with these issues as we proceed through the next 60 days of legislative session, I want to keep you informed. Our meetings and sessions can be viewed live on The Florida Channel or the Florida Channel app.

You can also follow my position on these issues through my website, www.senatorchrissmith.com, Facebook page, or on twitter @SenChrisSmith. I will have a daily post about the issues and important events that are occurring throughout the legislative session. If you are visiting Tallahassee, please make an appointment or stop by my office. I would love to discuss the issues important to you.

Warmest Regards, Chris Smith Community Servant and (former) Democratic Leader

Are Republicans and conservatives too angry to make good decisions? take their guns. It is ironic, because

By Roger Caldwell It is 2016, and white folks are mad. They are mad at everything and everyone, and they have decided that no one is going to

many of the richest families on the planet are the angriest. The Republicans control 31 state governorships, and many of these legislations control both houses, but they still are mad.

Last week the Republicans in Congress wasted no time under the new Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, to put a bill on the President’s desk to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The Republicans and Conservatives are very proud of themselves, because to them this is an accomplishment. It does not matter the 17 million Americans this bill can hurt and devastate, if it is repealed. The most important thing is the Republicans are proving that they still have power.

In a recent new NBC News/Survey Monkey/Esquire online poll, white Americans get angry about current events more than they were one year ago. They are the largest group, where 73 percent of whites get angry at least once a day, which is being identified as American rage. A good example of this rage is in Oregon, where a group of armed activists took over a federal wildlife refuge, and there has been a slow response from the law enforcement.

There appears to be a double standard when a group of white armed militia members storm a federal building, and nothing is done. Young Black men with a toy gun or knife are immediately killed by the police, but in Oregon, dozens of white folks with loaded guns are allowed to walk around, and take over a federal building, and not be asked to leave.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

By James Clingman, via George Curry Media It’s not surprising that no one will be punished for the death of Tamir Rice. Since the youngster’s killing, the police authorities, the prosecutor, and the mayor have refused to do anything except look for ways to sweep it away in hopes that it will be forgotten, just like previous similar acts of lethal aggression against Black people.

The report stated Rice’s death was caused “by the failure...to exercise due care to avoid injury.” In other words, the 12-year old boy caused his own death. The mayor apologized not for the killing but for the words used to describe the cause of the killing. Rice was shot for holding a toy gun 1.7 seconds after the cops pulled up to his location in a park. No warning, no command to drop the gun, and no attempt to speak to Rice. They shot immediately, and now we are asking the questions.

Prosecutor Timothy McGinty described the events leading up to Tamir’s death as a tragic series of errors and “miscommunications” that began when a 911 caller said a male who was “probably a juvenile” was waving a “probably fake” gun at people in a park. Has there been any disciplinary action issued against the 911 dispatcher for

The right’s war against voting rights

By Lee A. Daniels, George Curry Media Columnist Those who’ve wondered how, after the Civil War abolished slavery, America became - while a democracy in rhetorical terms - in reality an apartheid state should be paying close attention to the machinations of the Republican Party and the conservative movement.

They’ve been providing example after example of how democratic forms can be used to deprive some citizens of their rights.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the right-wing effort to limit some Americans’ right to vote in order to restore white conservative rule.

From the Supreme Court’s 2013 gutting of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act in Shelby County, Ala. v.

Holder to a flood of laws and rules enacted by Republican-controlled state legislatures during President Obama’s tenure, conservatives have been trying to undermine two of the society’s most powerful progressive forces of the last half-century.

The first is the empowerment of the Black vote produced by the legislative victories of the 1960s Civil Rights

CFPB cracks down on illegal debt collections Charlene Crowell hopes that more deceptive and illegal lending practices are brought to an end in 2016.

By Charlene Crowell, NNPA News Wire Columnist As holiday revelers toasted the season, a key federal regulator took two steps to ensure that 2016 would bring an important change for consumers harassed by illegal debt collector actions.

On Dec. 16, 2015 and its third action against a large national payday lender, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ordered EZCorp, Inc. to refund $7.5 million to 93,000 consumers and pay an additional $3 million in penalties for illegal debt on high-cost payday and installment loans.

CFPB found that EZCORP collected debts with a litany of illegal actions that included visits to homes and/or workplaces. Even worse, by requiring payments via electronic fund transfers, consumers often wound up with multiple charges. The required electronic withdrawals from consumer accounts frequently triggered additional overdraft fees charged by banks.

CFPB’s investigation that began in July determined multiple violations of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES The Westside Gazette welcomes your letters. Letters must be signed with name clearly legible along with a phone number and complete address. No unsigned or anonymous letters will be considered for publication. The Westside Gazette reserves the right to edit letters. The letters should be 500 words or less.

not relaying the entire message to the cops?

The fact that those caveats never reached Officer Timothy Loehmann - who shot the child within two seconds of arriving on the scene - was more than just an administrative misstep. Like the 911 call that led to John Crawford’s death in an Ohio Walmart, for holding a BB gun, not “pointing” it at customers as the caller said, Rice’s instantaneous execution reflects an utter disregard for Black life. That disregard began with Officer Loehmann’s work history and emotional state not being fully vetted before he was given the power of life and death over the citizens of Cleveland.

Wanton violence against people who pose no threat to the police was on full display in a particularly striking case in 2012. Officers mistook the sound of a car backfiring for a gunshot, thus, according to The Guardian, causing 104 of the 277 Cleveland officers on duty that night to get involved. Cops chased down and fired 137 bullets into the vehicle, killing Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell, who were unarmed.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act’s ban on unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

Days later on Dec. 28, CFPB filed a proposed settlement in federal court that once approved, will stop a Georgia-based law firm and its principals from flooding courts with lawsuits that were as faulty as they were prevalent in harming consumers.

Some consumer advocates believe that this first-of-its-kind suit and settlement together set a significant precedent.

This second enforcement action culminated a July 2014 lawsuit brought

by CFPB against a Georgia-based law firm, Frederick J. Hanna and Associates, for operating an illegal debt collection lawsuit mill. Specifically, CFPB charged the firm with two major violations: (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Movement. The result: the Black vote became the bedrock of the Democratic Party, and the foundation of President Obama’s election and re-election victories.

The second is the demographic revolution of these past decades that has produced the increasingly influential vote of other American groups of color - namely, Latino, Asian, and Muslim Americans. Substantial majorities of these groups vote Democratic, too - at the very time the GOP has deliberately become even more a “white people’s party.”

A set of striking statistics tells the tale: Data gathered by the Cook Political Report show that 87 percent of House Republicans are white males, compared to 43 percent of House Democrats, and that the median composition of congressional districts represented by Republicans is 76 percent white, while the median Democratic district is 49 percent white. Both “diversity gaps” are the widest they’ve ever been.

In other words, the GOP has used the legislative gerrymandering process to literally gather conservative voters into geographical “fortresses” primarily in exurban and rural areas where there are only small numbers of Americans of color and progressiveleaning voters to be found. It’s rolled the dice that laws and rules enacted

by Republican-dominated state legislatures will block enough voters of color from the ballot box in this year’s presidential contest for them to regain the White House with, essentially, just white conservative voters.

Further, its long-game strategy is to continue to use those measures to keep control of a majority of state legislatures and of congressional House districts.

A central plank of that plan is the latest conservative white-rule gambit before the U.S. Supreme Court: Evenwel vs. Abbott. At first glance, the case, coming from Texas and seeking a change in how legislative districts for the state senate there are drawn, seems simply to ask a neutral question: Should state legislative districts be based on the total number of people living there (including children, legal immigrants who’ve yet to become naturalized citizens, ex-offenders who are (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Responsible gun ownership is not only a right, but a duty of citizenship Armstrong Williams says that with proper training, guns can be our friend, and offer protection for our homes and families.

By Armstrong Williams, NNPA News Wire Columnist It has been said time and again, but it bears repeating: about the only thing that restrictive gun laws have done in our country is prevent the good guys from defending themselves when bad guys attack. This maxim applies directly to the San Bernardino, California situation, an immense tragedy in which fourteen innocent people were gunned down by a married couple with Islamic extremist allegiances.

California has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation, including a ban on assault rifles of the type that were used in the San Bernardino attacks. But that did not stop terrorists from obtaining the weapons illegally and using them on defenseless citizens. This sad story has repeated itself in numerous instances of mass shootings around the nation, from an elementary school in Newtown, Massachusetts to Umpqua Community College in Oregon.

However, the tide is starting to turn.

Washington, D.C. police chief Cathy Lanier said in a recent 60 Minutes’ interview that because deaths in mass shootings usually occur in the first few minutes (before first responders have a chance to arrive on the scene), members of the public should protect themselves by any means at their disposal, whether that means running away or trying to overpower the attacker.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Supreme Court puts reliable government jobs at-risk Wade Henderson says that the reality is that women and people of color still experience pernicious barriers in employment, including unequal pay, discriminatory treatment, and unpredictable schedules.

By Wade Henderson, NNPA News Wire Guest Columnist Both of my parents worked in stable government jobs, so I had the privilege of growing up in a family that owned a home, a car, and set me on a path to college and even law school.

Among members of the AfricanAmerican middle class, my story isn’t at all uncommon. If you asked any African American over the past century what the pathway to a stable career was, they’d probably say “a government job.” That’s because when people of color were subject to widespread discrimination, unionized public sector jobs such as teachers, postal workers, and administrators were often the only opportunities available.

But those jobs are under attack at the Supreme Court, and this should alarm anyone who cares about economic mobility.

The court is considering a case called Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, which could destroy the ability of government employees to receive the benefits that unions secure through collective bargaining like fair pay and safe workplaces.

The lead plaintiff is a lot like thousands of other teachers in California whose wages and benefits are a direct result of the California Teachers Association’s bargaining on her behalf. But Ms. Friedrichs sued because she doesn’t want to contribute to the union. If the California Teachers Association loses, the impact could be widespread, as any public sector worker anywhere in the country could decide not to pay their fair share of dues, effectively starving their union.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

To Be Equal:

Natalie Cole: Still unforgettable “Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived… with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever.” – Robert Yancy, Timolin Cole & Casey Cole, January 2016 her an international recording star.

By Marc H. Morial, Cole’s budding music career began via George Curry Media at the tender age of six, singing on a Natalie Cole was an accomplished Christmas album with her father Nat product of her deep-rooted musical “King” Cole. Born in 1950, Cole grew heritage. A chart-topping R&B crooner up surrounded by music and music in the ‘70s, Cole went on to even royalty. Her father was already a risgreater popularity and accolades with ing music star and renowned jazz piaher smooth transition to jazz and pop nist. Her mother, Maria Cole, was a music standards – successfully rein- one-time performer with the Duke terpreting American classics and sing- Ellington Orchestra. Cole once said ing the tunes that once made her fat- that her father – who died of lung

cancer in 1965 when Cole was 15 years old -had been everything to her, and that was more than evident in the turn her ever-evolving career would take; reuniting her voice with her father’s through the miracle of technology.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

January 14 - January 20, 2016 • Page 7

www.thewestsidegazette.com

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

Church Directory

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

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"

Faith United Church of Christ 6201 NW 57 Street Tamarac, FL 33319 954-721-1232 uccfaith@bellsouth.net faithbroward.org "Historically the First Church in the City of Tamarac!”

Rev. Dr. Ileana Bosenbark, Senior Pastor WEEKLY SERVICES & EVENTS SUNDAY Worship Service (Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday) ........................................................... 10 a.m.

F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Children (Spiritual Formation) K-12 ................................ 10 a.m.

Westside Gazette New Mount Olive Baptist Church

St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church 145 NW 5th Ave., Dania Beach, FL 33004 (954) 922-2529

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!

St Paul United Methodist Church 244 S.E. Second Avenue Deerfield Beach, Florida 33341 (954) 427-9407 EMAIL EMAIL:: Stpaulmeth@bellsouth.net WEBSITE WEBSITE:: saintpauldeerfield.com

Rev. Dr. Jimmie L. Brown Senior Pastor

SERVICES

Sunday School .................................................................................... 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship ................................................................................ 11 a.m.

Bible Study (Tuesday) ....................................................... 11 a.m. & 7.p.m.

Obituaries

WORSHIP SERVICES Wednesday (NOON DAY PRAYER) ............................................. 12 -1 p.m.

Wednesday (PRAYER MEETING & BIBLE STUDY) .................... 645 p.m.

Sunday Worship Service ................................................................. 10 a.m.

Fifth Sunday Worhip Service ............................................................ 8 a.m.

Williams Memorial CME “PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” 644-646 NW 13th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net (Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

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!”

KIDS TALK ABOUT GOD

How has God tested you?

TUESDAY F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Adults (Spiritual Formation) - Office Complex ...... 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Worship & Arts Ministry Rehearsals (Open Auditions) - Sanctuary .............................. 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Inc. 4699 West Oakland Park Blvd.

Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313 Office: (954) 735-1500 Fax: (954) 735-1939 fbcpg@bellsouth.net

Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes, Pastor SUNDAY SERVICES Worship Services .......................................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Children's Church ........................................................ 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Communion (First Sunday) ......................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

New Members' Class .................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Church School .............................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Baptist Training Union (BTU) .................................................... 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ...................................... 11:15 a.m.. & 7:00 p.m.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Juana Jordan, M.Div E-MAIL:juana.jordan@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520 Church Fax: (954) 731-6290

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.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mtcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net

Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

New Member Orientation ........................... 9:30 a.m.

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

Worship Service ........................................ 11:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting ............................................... 6:00 p.m.

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

"Doing God's Business God's Way, With a Spirit of Excellence"

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#

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

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”

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

To Have Y our Chur ch placed in our Your Church Church Directory call us TToday oday -- (954) 525-1489

James C. Boyd Funeral Home BROOKINS Funeral services for the late Soloman Brookins - 79 were held Jan. 6 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel. Interment: Virgil Church Chapel Cemetery, Cuthbert, GA. ISMA Funeral services for the late Naila Isma. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MCGRAW Funeral services for the late Wayedean Beatrice McGraw – 73 were held Jan. 9 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. Joyce Wright officiating.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MILTON Funeral services for the late Rose Lee Milton – 70 were held Jan. 9 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Brother Bon M. Boyd officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MYTIL Funeral services for the late Carmelite Maria Mytil – 82 were held Jan. 9 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. Pasteur Pierre Balais officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Mark Lloyd Gant – 74 Passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2016 Funeral Service Entrusted To: James C. Boyd's Funeral Home

McWhite's Funeral Home

House of Prayer with Bishop Betty J. Francis officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

By Carey Kinsolving and friend WILLIAMS BROME Funeral serFuneral ser“God tested me when I had vices for the late raced with my friends. When vices for the late Essie Lee Wilthey won, I didn’t say ugly Celestra Dell liams – 98 words,” says Rachel, 6.

Brome – 56 were held Jan. 9 Vince Lombardi once said, were held Jan. 9 at McWhite’s “If winning isn’t everything, at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel. why do they keep score?”

Funeral Home Chapel with EvanTo win in life, we must know gelist Triccilla Brown officiating. the difference between testing BROWNE and temptation. In testing, God wants to mold our character.

Like a good teacher, he always wants us to pass the test. In Funeral sertemptation, the evil one delights in our failure. Furthermore, he vices for the late wants us to feel guilty about our sin.

Lynda Joyce “God tested me by telling me that I should take my mama’s jewelry, but I did not,” says Victoria, 7. Actually, the voice VicJackson – toria heard is not from God. The Lord will never tempt us to sin.

Browne – 65 We must learn to hear God’s voice and to resist temptation. were held Jan. 9 “God has tested me to call my brother names,” says Tristan, 7. at New Mount I didn’t do it, because it was not Christ-like. I didn’t want to hurt Olive Baptist Church with rev. his feelings.”

Anthony Burrell officiating. InterTristan has the perfect reason for not wanting to hurt her ment: Woodlawn Memorial Park, brother’s feelings. Everything we do should be Christ-like. The test Tristan ascribes to God deserves further consideration. Is Coma, CA. name calling the kind of test God would send? I don’t think so, JOHNSON especially when Satan is called the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).

Funeral ser“God tested me when my fish died and my sister’s cat ran avices for the late way,” says Michael, 6.

Leona JohnAt age 6 or 66, the death of pets and loved ones will challenge son – 85 were us. If we don’t have a strong sense of God’s providence, we’ll beheld Jan. 9 at gin to question and doubt. Is there anyone who can understand Church of God what we consider to be the untimely death of a loved one? If God

By Faith with Elder Willie C. Smith, were to explain it to us, could we understand?

Tests from God often deal with matters we don’t understand.

Jr. officiating. Interment: Sunset An inscription on a T-shirt someone gave me reads, “God is good Memorial Gardens. all the time.” Faith in a good God allows us to pierce the veil into an unseen realm where God is interweaving people and circumMCGAW stances to accomplish his purpose. Everything that happens is Funeral sernot good, but that doesn’t stop God from accomplishing his purvices for the late pose in our lives when we trust him.

Arthur FedEven though God has revealed himself to us through the rick McGaw – Bible, everyone will face circumstances and losses that might be described as looking in a foggy mirror (I Corinthians 13:12). We 72 were held may have a vague idea of what God is doing, but we don’t fully Jan. 6 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel understand.

How much did Abraham understand when God told him at with Rev. Timothy Jackson offici- age 75 that he would make a great nation from him (Genesis ating.

12:2)? Do you think Abraham might have wondered when God was going to get started?

TAYLOR Abraham’s test involved waiting. Like so many of us, he grew Funeral serimpatient. Abraham and Sarah developed their own plan for vices for the late helping God deliver on his promise. Sarah suggested Abraham Mother Dora have a son by her servant, Hagar. God wasn’t impressed.

Stone Taylor Abraham didn’t pass every test, but he learned to trust God. Once more, he heard the voice of God. God told him to take his were held Jan. 9 son to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering. at New Birth (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Page 8 • January 14 - January 20, 2016

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Westside Gazette

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau VP Albert Tucker leads by example (Cont'd from FP) When it comes to multi-cultural tourism, Tucker has been the go-to man at the GFLCVB, serving as the agency’s vice president. Over the years, Tucker has become the official local ambassador of multi cultural tourism. Tucker has traveled near and far, drumming up support wherever he goes, to attract tourism to Greater Fort Lauderdale as well as South Florida.

“Mr. Tucker has been so important in supporting our vision to grow the South Florida Women of Color Empowerment Conference into an annual destination event hosting professional women leaders from across the nation. He also has been a catalyst in the efforts to strengthen and brand the historic and cultural sites which are gems of the Sistrunk community. Al is like our very own town crier of multicultural tourism: he not only has a pheno-

menal success rate in courting travelers with money to spend to our county, he is relentless about educating the community and including local minority businesses in opportunities to service the visitor economy,” said Kathy Eggleston, co-owner Avenue of the Arts Executive Suites.

Whether Tucker is scrambling to catch a flight heading to another part of the country for a presentation, meeting with local government officials to pitch the merits of supporting a plan to build a permanent home for the American Tennis Association here in Broward County, or supporting an annual scholarship fundraiser for the 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale, his passion to serve never wavers..

Tucker recently met to discuss the merits of Black tourism and other issues in a recent sitdown discussion with the Westside Gazette Newspaper, Bro-

ward County’s oldest and largest African American owned and operated newspaper.

Westside Gazette(W.G.): What was your impression of South Florida the first time you traveled here?

Tucker: I thought it was a great place to be, with great weather and great opportunities. I looked at it as the next phase of my life so I came down here with a vision of making an impact in South Florida and growing in an area that I had never been in the past, and that was tourism and economic development for people of color. I first came down here in 1997 with the American Tennis Association to look at bringing their national championship here.

We came down here in 1998 and at that time it was the largest African American tourist event that Broward County had ever had during that time.

W.G.: Describe why you decided to make South Flor-

ida your permanent home?

Tucker: The weather was the number one reason I came down here but the other was opportunity. Having come from the North I just had to deal with some challenges by being in the South and I thought that by having some insight that I had from a business standpoint and some of the experiences that I had and having known how to develop our community in some ways, I thought that this would be a great place for me to come and expand, and more importantly, bring some of my northern experiences down here so I could make a difference in this community.

W.G.: How have things changed over the years with respect to the socioeconomic landscape locally within the African Ameri-

can community?

Tucker: From my personal perspective I think it’s changed in a way that we’re (Blacks) a lot more visible now than we were. I’m just speaking from a tourism perspective. When I first came down here, multicultural/Black tourism was nowhere really on the map in terms of the value of it. I think now people really understand the value that people of color bring to the table. We’re getting more family reunions, more conferences. Organizations like the National Urban League, Black Enterprise Magazine coming here; things that were not happening. So I think we’re on the map in a major way and a lot of that is because of the stance we took specifically on the importance of Black tourism several years ago.

W.G.: What would you consider the most challenging aspect of your profes-

Alvin Ailey was born on Jan. 5, 1931 in Rogers, Tex. Ailey would become a world renowned dancer and choreographer. After moving to California and studying under Lester Horton, Alvin performed in a number of Broadway shows alongside Diahann Carroll, Pearl Bailey, Lena Horne, Harry Belafonte and Ricardo Montalbán. He also performed on television and in a nightclub act called “Al and Rita” with Maya Angelou. Feeling constrained and underwhelmed, he decided to create dance performances on his own and opened the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958. Ailey mixed modern dance with traditional ballet, jazz and African dance to tell the stories of African-American pain and sorrows. While his dance group focused on Black dance and issues, it was multi-racial and appealed to a wide audience.

In 1962, the U.S. State Department sponsored an overseas tour for the company, traveling through the Far East, Southeast Asia and Australia as part of President John F. Kennedy’s progressive “President’s Special International Program for Cultural Presentations.”

His two signature works were Revelations (1960) which drew upon his early memories of life in Texas and Cry (1971) which he dedicated to his mother and Black women everywhere.

Ailey died in New York in 1989.

sional career during your tenure at the GFLCVB? Tucker: My greatest challenge really is the dynamics of our community as a whole. The interaction of our leaders both Black and white; the understanding of what we have to do as a community to get to the next phase and then really sitting down and having what I call a strategic approach to making our community better.

W.G.: What would you point to as your proudest moment since you’ve served at the GFLCVB? Tucker: My proudest moment was when we bought the National Urban League down here. That was my proudest moment and the proudest moment of the community as a whole.

The work that I’ve been doing with some of our leaders - both Black and white - our political leaders as well as community leaders say the value of what was been down in terms of tourism, in terms of the overall value from the visibility of our community. But I don’t think the community as a whole understood the economic and social value that we bring to the table with organizations like the Urban League coming here.

Every single night that the Urban League was here Broward County-Greater Fort Lauderdale was on CNN, MSNBC, and just about every major network around this country. And that was when people that had seen us doing this for years really said “wow” they really didn’t know that Black tourism was really that important.

Bobby R. Henry, Sr, Publisher applauded Mr. Tucker for putting Black owned business in the sunshine while visiting sunny Fort Lauderdale. “For Black owned businesses to weave through the myriad of issues for recognition in such a high profile location like South Florida can be extremely difficult. Al has made this process somewhat much more maneuverable and in doing so he has put us in the spotlight-thanks Al.”

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BUSINESS

Westside Gazette

January 14 - January 20, 2016 • Page 9

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Black head coaches — College football’s last frontier

By George E. Curry, George Curry Media Columnist This season’s national college football championship has been decided, but no one knows how much longer we must continue to wait until the head coaching ranks are no longer largely reserved for White males, even those who have been failures at other schools.

Although Blacks were 53.4 percent of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players going into the 2015-16 football season, only 13 (10.2 percent) of the head coaches were African Americans, according to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of South Florida.

To make matters worse, Black and white coaches with similar records often face starkly different futures.

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“Last week, one of the few Black head football coaches in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision, Ruffin McNeill at East Carolina University, was fired.

His record was 42-34, along with a 30-18 conference record.

The winning percentages, respectively, are 55 percent and 63 percent.

“Around the same time, college football writers were praising the University of Iowa for its patience with head coach Kirk Ferentz, who is being lauded for his performance this year. Ferentz has an overall winning percentage of 60 percent, and a conference winning percentage of 56 percent. Ferentz is in his 17th season at Iowa.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Fundraising Good Times

Are you really committed?

This is the third in a series focused on the prerequisites for fundraising success.

Commitment is critical to successful fundraising. Without commitment, ideas and plans remain just that. Our experience has shown that the full commitment of the board of directors, CEO, staff, and volunteer leadership is key to fundraising success.

People who are committed embody the following characteristics. They understand how much money the organization wants to raise and what the funds will be used for. They believe the goal is achievable and believe in the organization’s leadership, integrity, and accountability. Committed leaders make their own financial gift and ask others to do so. They generate enthusiasm for fundraising and encourage others to join them. They understand where projected revenue will come from and what plans are in place if initial solicitations are not successful. When it comes to meetings, they come prepared and follow through on agreements and assignments.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Page 10 • January 14 - January 20, 2016

Miami Dolphins: Why hiring Adam Gase was the right move

By D’Joumbarey A. Moreau Great Expectations?

Nothing.

There are no expectations.

There are no hopes from fans.

There is only the NFL Draft.

That’s the only thing that fans are happy about in South Florida when it comes to the Miami Dolphins.

There is only nothingness in the air and it’s not the worst odor to smell. For the Dolphins, they’ve had to have the bitter taste of a disappointing 6-10 losing season. After failing to live up to expectations which were given to them by everyone around the city, this team has to now think about next year during a time where they should be thinking about competing for Super Bowls.

Those expectations weren’t too much to ask, and the playoffs isn’t a goal that should be hoped for, it’s something that should be expected every single year.

That’s the attitude that fans wanted to hear from the new head coach, and with the hiring of Adam Gase, they might not have to wait too long before it gets fulfilled.

A lot of fans will have to wait to see if this was the right move, but according to football minds across the league, Gase was the right choice because he’s one of the bright young football minds in the game. In fact, because the Dolphins hired the 37-yearold coach, he is now the youngest active coach in the league.

“Adam had a great impact on me during our three years together here in Denver as my quarterbacks coach and then as offensive coordinator. He’s an extremely hard worker, a grinder. He’s extremely bright on all things football, an excellent communicator and always eager to learn more. He asks a lot of questions and writes everything down. I’ve always been impressed with his work

Miami Dolphins: Why can’t Miami be in the playoffs?

By D’Joumbarey A. Moreau When it comes to the city of Miami, we should be proud.

Antonio Brown had one of the biggest games of his life when he played in the NFL playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals. Because of his game, Brown was a victim of a classless and tasteless hit from Vontaze Burfict and it still didn’t matter because the Pittsburgh Steelers won.

Brown’s high school, Miami Norland Senior High is literally less than two minutes away in driving distance from Sun Life Stadium.

That was the thought that ran across many native Dolphins fans watching on Sunday. Their thoughts are all justified because, in Dade-County, we’re spoiled with the best athletes like Brown, Teddy Bridgewater, Ricky Jean Francois and Sean Spence, who all have made their appearance in this year’s playoffs.

LEGAL NOTICES 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. 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016

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Needless to say, it’s tough seeing all of the talent that leaves the city each year and the Dolphins are still the same position. Thankfully, here are a few things we’ve learned this season from the team that can make them better next year.

For as good as Brent Grimes is at cornerback, one person cannot do the entire job for the secondary. Grimes has been the Dolphins’ most consistent cornerback for the last three seasons and has needed more help in the secondary. Grimes doesn’t have complete absolution because he did get torched by wide receivers like Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr., and Sammy Watkins but he did hold his own against most of his competition for the season.

Nevertheless, the Dolphins were still terrible in the secondary as a whole ranking 22nd in passing yards allowed. They were also tied for 25th in passing touchdowns allowed. Next year they need to get Grimes and safety Reshad Jones more help in order to get a better defense.

Getting another safety to play next to Jones, or getting another cornerback to play opposite Grimes would help tremendously. Each position is of equal importance so Miami couldn’t address either issue wrong.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Coaches Needed!!!

Oswald Park in Fort Lauderdale, 2220 Northwest 21st Avenue, is seeking volunteer coaches for its basketball program. Just come in and speak to Sandy or call Mr. Wright at (754) 7796208. This year’s program is going to be run by volunteer coaches. It’s a wonderful way to keep the community involved supporting all the talent from all schools in the Broward County area.

This is a chance to do what Holiday Park has been doing for years. Now it’s our turn flag football and other sports coming up. Register and be a part.

ethic and his eagerness to learn more. He’ll be an excellent head coach, without a doubt. He is ready for this for sure” said Peyton Manning.

On the other hand, the opposite of the people who might be a little excited because the Dolphins have a new head coach, others feel it was like another slap in the face from the organization to hire a new leader a week after the last regular-season game. It was a bigger slap especially when coaches like Hue Jackson, Chip Kelly, Kevin Sumlin, David Shaw and Darrell Bevell didn’t even get an interview for the job.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Miami Heat:Finally clicking together

By D’Joumbarey A. Moreau Six points.

If you’re a 10-time All-Star like how Chris Bosh is then only scoring six points in a game is a bad night at the office. If you’re Hassan Whiteside, who’s on the even of making his first All-Star game appearance, then scoring six points isn’t necessarily bad.

“He can dominate a game without scoring” said Chris Bosh.

Bosh wasn’t lying because he himself had a wonderful game finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one blocked shot in 28 minutes but it was the defense that got Miami the easy

blowout road win. When you speak about Heat defense, there’s only one name you need to mention, the Defensive player of the Year candidate, Whiteside. The 7’0 265 pound center played against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night, defensively he once again had one of his best games of the year. Whiteside finished the game six points, 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal and six blocked shots in 30 minutes of work in a 97-75 road win.

“Hassan Whiteside was incredible. I personally haven’t seen a better shot blocker in the past nine years in the league.

He’s really challenging a lot of shots and changing the whole

game.

He’s pretty good” said Marcin Gortat.

The irony of this game is that the Wizards came into Miami last month and scored 114 points in a big time road win for their team. The Wizards were able to get it going offensively by playing their small ball lineup and it forced Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra’s hand to sit Whiteside in order to compete. This time, there would be no sitting as he dominated against the same team that had him watching from the bench.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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Miami Garden Health Fair a success

From Jessica Garrett Modkin MIAMI GARDENS, FL – Arlington Academy hosted its Fourth Annual Health Fair on Jan. 9, 2016 on their campus at 4814 N.W. 167 St., in Miami Gardens, Fla. The event boasted HIV & Syphilis testing, dental hygiene presentations, blood donations, girl mentorship program information, and a bounce house for the kids. Volunteer services were provided by Miami Dade County Public Schools’ 5000 Role Models of Excellence.

Students were accompanied by their director, Paul Wilson.

The high energy music was provided by DJ Ivory and Papa

Keith of 103.5 The Beat radio.

“I am blessed to be here with you this morning,” said radio personality, Papa Keith, as he welcomed guest to the health fair. “These health fairs bring awareness and allow people who probably think they can’t afford health care to get a checkup for free.

That was the exact intention from Arlington Academy’s Principal Aundrea Blythe. “Annually, we provide an opportunity for the community-atlarge to gain knowledge on the keys to living a healthy life for free.” This event was yet another instance of giving back

by Blye and her administration,

as she continues to make good on her commitment to education and community engagement through initiatives provided by Arlington Academy.

She added, “This year we were honored to partner with the City of Miami Gardens.”

Miami Gardens’ Vice-Mayor, Felicia Robinson was on hand to show the City’s support for the event and also remind residents that living healthy is ongoing and is a lifetime commitment. The city has done the research to help residents make healthy decisions. “If you go to the website LiveHealthyMiamiGardens.com,

Florida Department of Health in Broward County

By Bob LaMendola An estimated 10,000 school children will have their teeth protected against decay and cavities – for free – as part of a new dental sealant program.

Teams from the Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) are mobilizing to visit 103 elementary schools this school year, to apply the thin plastic coating to the teeth of children whose parents agree to the treatment.

Numerous studies have shown that dental sealant can prevent cavities for years, especially on biting surfaces of molars where most decay happens.

The project was sparked by a $1.27 million grant from the state Agency for Health Care Administration, operator of Florida Medicaid.

“The school-based mobile sealant program will improve the oral health of children and prevent absenteeism due to tooth pain,” says Dr. Paula Thaqi, Director of DOH-Broward. “We were very, very pleased to receive the grant.”

In Palm Beach County, second graders already receive dental sealant from the Department at participating schools, along with fluoride rinses. (Information at (561) 840-4500.

DOH-Broward has wanted to start the dental sealant pro-

gram in schools for several years, Thaqi says, but had no way to make it happen until the state grant arrived.

As many as six teams of dental hygienists with portable dental chairs will visit schools.

All are classified as Title 1 schools, meaning that at least half of students come from lowto middle-income families who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

Hygienists will give each child an oral health exam, a cleaning, fluoride rinse and a personal lesson in brushing and flossing. If appropriate, they will paint biting surfaces with the coating, which is tasteless, not visible and free of BPA (an additive some believe is harmful). The process is simple, painless and takes only minutes to complete.

The teams will see an estimated 120 to 140 children a day and at least 10,000 by June,

says DOH-Broward Dental Administrator Scott Glincher. Kids who need further dental care will be referred to their own dentists or to DOH-Broward’s free and low-cost dental clinics.

Not enough children receive dental sealants. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association urge all dentists to offer the protection in their offices, but say less than half do so. Uninsured kids have little access to sealants.

“We have a lot of children and schools we can serve,” Glincher says. “Broward has one of the highest percentages of uninsured children in the country.”

More information: (954) 467-4700 or www.cdc.gov/ oralhealth/publications/faqs/ sealants.htm

you will see over the past year we have launched 6 health initiatives as tools for healthy living.”

Miami Gardens’ Chief of Police Antonio Brooklen reiterated the City’s commitment to healthy living. Other Health Fair supporters and sponsors included Molina Healthcare, Union Positiva, Jackson Health Systems, Miami Dade College, Higher Learning Entertainment, Publix, 103.5FM The Beat, Oh So Sweet, Ballroom Events, and Freez Frame Marketing & Media.

ABOUT ARLINGTON ACADEMY: Arlington Academy of Miami is committed to providing outstanding elementary, middle, and high school (college preparatory) education.

The Academy distinguishes itself through the excellence of its instruction and by providing a challenging, but supportive environment for its students.

Our objective is to maximize the potential of each student and foster values of autonomy, responsibilities and academic excellence.

For more information please v i s i t www.arlingtonacademyofmiamillc.com

January 14 - January 20, 2016 • Page 11

Second Annual Healthy is the New Hot Health Fair Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Healthy is the New Hot Health Fair at Joseph C. Carter Park in Ft. Lauderdale. Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County is in its second year of administering Closing the Gap, a program funded by the Florida Department of Health, Office of Minority Health. Closing The Gap aims to increase knowledge and change behaviors of minority - women and men in health issues known to impact healthy birth outcomes, including healthy eating, physical activity, and HIV testing. It promotes a healthier lifestyle among Black and Latino residents who suffer higher rates of chronic disease when compared to other ethnic groups in Broward County.

Through the Closing the Gap program Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward facilitates group education sessions on HIV prevention, nutrition and cooking demonstration. Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward also facilitates weekly Sister Stroll in the parks to encourage walking to stay healthy.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward will host Second Annual Healthy is the New Hot Health Fair at Joseph C. Carter Park to promote eating healthy and healthy lifestyle for parents and children.

The Fair will offer direct health services so adults who attend can get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, along with other health screenings for free.

There will be various giveaways and fun activities like face painting, Henry the Hamster read-

ing time, Zumba and much more for children and adults.

You can participate in a Sister Stroll (men are welcome), which p r o motes walking to stay active and

healthy. Have a delicious and healthy lunch prepared by a professionally trained chef and nutritionist, and learn some simple tips for healthy eating on a budget.

The event will feature a resource fair with a number of local organizations providing information and giveaways to attendees. For a vendors table, please email MRestrepo@HMHBBroward.org.

Healthy is the New Hot Health Fair is free and open to the community. To participate in this event or for more information on the Closing the Gap activities call Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward (954) 765-0550 or email MRestrepo@HMHBBroward.org.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1987 dedicated to reducing infant deaths by strengthening families through a comprehensive approach to prenatal care, parenting, education and support services.

THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS YOUR VOIICE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER.

Page 12 • January 14 - January 20, 2016

Westside Gazette A prayer is a life line and will do just fine (Cont'd from FP)

MLK T- Shirt For Sale at Westside Gazette at 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fl Call Today -- (954) 525-1489

The process is so simple, even a little child can do it and it helps also if you have the faith of a child during the complete course of action from the beginning to the end.

If it’s all that, can anybody partake in it or is it just for the privileged, for those who claim to be “all that and a bag of chips”, self righteous folk and those Sunday go to-meetin’ type; Bible totin’, amen at the end of each sentence, kinda people? What’s in store for those who have sinned and fallen short of God’s grace?

I’m glad you asked ‘cause prayer has a tendency to clear all that up. Don’t ask me how, I just know it for myself and I’m going to keep on washing in it until I come up all clean. There is one other thing, too; “The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Proverbs 15:29 Prayer is not complicated, elaborate or homogenous; it’s just personal and there are a multitude of blessings for all those that are interwoven in the influences of its purposes.

Cost prohibited, prayers are one of the most simplistic forms of initiating and maintaining a direct connection to our God. It’s like an umbilical cord from a baby to its mother that extends outside of the womb and it’s there for the duration of life, supplying all of the nutrients you require to live.

Just go into prayer in truth and in spirit and watch and feel how the Spirit moves.

Do not be apprehensive about whatever thing, but in the whole thing, by prayer and formal request, with thanksgiving, put your appeals to God. GOD’S CONVERSATION WITH ANSWERS AND COMFORT IS JUST A PRAYER AWAY

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Westside Gazette

January 14 - January 20, 2016 • Page 13

Page 14 • January 14 - January 20, 2016

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OBC and CFP Foundation commit $100,000 to fund Miami-Dade and Broward Teachers’ Initiatives MIAMI LAKES, FL (www.orangebowl.org) – The Orange Bowl Committee (OBC) has donated $50,000 to the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation’s Extra Yard for

to inspire our youth to strive for academic excellence.”

In 2014-15, EYT fully funded 1,778 projects in more than 1,400 schools, impacting 184,000 students in all 50 states. EYT has four components: providing professional development and leadership training for teachers; inspiring a college-going culture; providing teacher recognition; and providing direct funding for classroom projects through a partnership with DonorsChoose.org.

There are currently more than 750 classroom projects list-

Teachers (EYT) program – a figure that has been matched by the CFP Foundation – for funding individual classroom projects of Miami-Dade and Broward County public school

ed in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties on the Donors Choose website including school supplies, technology, books, field trips, musical instruments, etc.

The public is encouraged to join the OBC and CFP in increasing the amount beyond the initial $100,000 through donations.

To support the program, log on to DonorChoose.org and search Miami-Dade or Broward Counties.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

On the field with Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoffs were two sixth grade teachers: Diane Carter, Bair Middle Broward County School Board and Jasmine Vereen, North Miami Middle, who represent the amazing teachers we have here in South Florida. teachers. EYT is the CFP Foundation’s primary philanthropic initiative to honor, celebrate, inspire and empower great teachers nationally and in the communities that host the College Football Playoff. This year, the College Football Playoff Semifinal recently at the Capital Orange Bow, Dec. 31 at Sun Life Stadium.

“The Extra Yard for Teachers Program will provide vital resources for our local teachers and students that will ultimately have a positive impact on South Florida for years to come,” said Lee Stapleton, president and chair of the OBC. “The Orange Bowl Committee is excited to partner with the College Football Playoff Foundation on this program locally,

“Taste The Islands” voted one of the top 10 Jamaican Diaspora news stories of 2015 by Jamaicans.com-- On set with Maxi Priest and Chef Irie from Taste the Islands Season 1. (Read story on www.thewestsidegazette.com) Photo credit Nicole Hylton-Richards

PLANTATION HIGH SCHOOL’S WOODLAWN CEMETERY CLEAN UP PROJECT: Students from Plantation High School are currently doing a clean up project at Fort Lauderdale’s Woodlawn Cemetery. The project started Jan. 11, 2016 and will finish Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.

The school was the recipient of a Broward College Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service grant. Home Depot has also donated some materials to support the project. Many local organizations have collaborated to make this clean-up possible including The City of Fort Lauderdale, The Florida Public Archeology Network, and The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. This project is a continuation of the project started by Boyd H. Anderson High School with the support of the Broward County YMCA 21st Century Program. By Roberto Fernandez, III. HISTORY ACROSS BROWARD NEEDS YOUR HELP. If you have information about a family member or friend buried at Woodlawn Cemetery and would like to help please contact the students at historybroward@gmail.com or call the club advisor Mr. Roberto Fernandez at (754) 322-1850.

2016

KING HOLIDAY

ION AT BR LE CE UNITED WE COMPLETE THE DREAM

Presented by the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Committee, Inc. and The City of Fort Lauderdale

JANUARY 15 -18, 2016 FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 | 10:00 AM MLK BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

MONDAY, JANUARY 18 | 9:00 AM LINE-UP | 10:00 AM START ANNUAL KING HOLIDAY PARADE AND UNITY MARCH

MLKCC will host preschoolers at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center for a MLK BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION complete with hands-on learning activities, cultural performances and, of course, birthday cake.

The ANNUAL KING HOLIDAY PARADE AND UNITY MARCH has a new route that will start at NW 5th Avenue and Sistrunk Boulevard to Andrews Avenue, south to Huizenga Plaza in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 | 6:00 PM TIME FOR PRAYER... TIME FOR TOGETHERNESS

MONDAY, JANUARY 18 | 11:00 AM CELEBRATION OF UNITY MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

Join MLKCC and members of the community at Lincoln Park on Sistrunk Boulevard as we pray for children, our community, our nation and our planet.

Immediately following the parade the Celebration of Unity will get started at Huizenga Plaza, Las Olas and Andrews Avenue, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Broward County with music, dance, art, storytelling, and food from all over the world. Other activities at the Celebration of Unity will include the MLKCC DAY OF SERVICE project that will provide educational supplies for homeless children. Individuals may also participate in the taping for a documentary, “A Penny for Your Thoughts on Race.” Additionally, there will be multimedia presentations and performances from the Fund for Racial Progress in America’s recent Shine A Light concert. Bring your lawn chair and imagination. “United We Realize the Dream…..”

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 | 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM YOUNG LEADERS SUMMIT... BETTER MINDS, BETTER FUTURE A full-day of leadership development activities, specifically designed by youth for youth. The day will include an entrepreneurial resource fair, advocacy training, social media workshops, cultural and spoken word performances and much more.