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WONDERFUL,
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Many residents and visitors brought lawn chairs to the FREE event. Tydus stated that she is looking forward to the increase of participation over years to come.”
10 National Anthem singers in the U.S. The attraction to the Gospel Explosion, for both the seniors and the youth, was further enhanced by the Gospel Explosion committee’s choice to comprise a diverse assembly of multi-generational artists which included the talents of a band of young, talented musicians and vocalist called “Sensere,” a Spiritual Praise Dance group, Holly Hip-Hop Rappers, Poetry, Worship, and an appearance by the Youth Choir of Stanton Memorial Baptist Church. There was a rare style of humor by local stand-up Christian comedian “Grandma” Althea “The Bag Lady” Tate, who lifted spectators off-guard and out-of-their-seats Comedian “Grandma” Althea “Bag Lady” Tate with her jokes on subjects from “older entertains the audience as she approached the men” night-clubbing, laced-weaves/- stage. edges, self-bondage and stories about almost every item in her shopping cart, from the “Jesus Christ Stop & Save” store. In jest, Tate also sang about the “New Wave” churches, where young choir members wear khakis and “wife beater” shirts, while reaching-out to their peers through a “different” Stanton Memorial Baptist Church Youth Choir participate in the Gospel. type of “message in the music.” “Jesus is my homey, “ she sang, “… kicking it with me all the time. Thank you ‘Lawdy,’ for never asking me for a sip of my forty” … at which the crowd EXPLODED in laughter. During the concert, lightning and thunder made known its presence in surrounding municipalities. However, with the exception a few temporary light sprinkles that mostly just threatened the event for a short time, the night was clear. Commissioner Tydus acknowledged that after several days of rainy weather, she resorted to prayers. She praised, “I asked HIM (pointing one finger towards the sky) Florie & Commissioner Tydus “Get on the Love to hold back the rain for the night, so the Train” with Beau Williams at the Gospel Explosion. concert would be a success, and he did!”
Word” by Hakeen Rome and Assistant Praise & Worship by Linda Rodriguez and accompa- A “Spoken perform, “The Time is NOW” niment at the first Annual Gospel Explosion
BLESSING,
January 2012
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Thank You!” In a loving voice Commissioner Miller responded, “We KNOW the babies are thankful, when we look at the expression on their faces… sometime they just get too excited to let the words out,” she laughed! As always, Vice Mayor Johnson was thrilled to know that the Commission could
Medicine, Teacher’s Choice Tutors, Civil Air Patrol, Rocket Learning Center, Celebrate Life Financial Services, Clover Leaf Chiropractor Service, TD Bank, Primerica Financial, Wing Stop/Devine Network, Grace Academy and VanKara School, all of whom shared valuable information on health, education, finances and/or other programs while distributing souvenirs, keepsakes, free learning books, brochures, other handouts and goodies to parents who geared-up for the year with informative Pipeline Records performer “Lil’ Bass,” entertained the audience at the City of material, while many of Opa-locka Back-to-School Celebration and Health Fair the youth amused themselves at the “Game Excite” Interactive Mobil Entertainment unit, and at the face painting, Cotton Candy, Snow Cones or Popcorn booths, provided by “Jackie’s Party Rental.” Barrett Catering prepared, on the spot, an endless flow of Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, French fries, Chicken Wings and a variety of The “Game Excite” Interactive Mobil Entertainment Unit stopped by to provide the kids with some Back-to-School fun. cold drinks. If that wasn’t enough to cap the end-of-summer break, Mickey and Minnie transformed Segal/Miller into a Magical Kingdom, as children, in breathless anticipation, waited to be photographed with their favorite Mice. While admiring the success of the day, City Clerk Deborah SheffieldIrby glanced the area at the countless number of families benefiting from the event, before noting, Rosy Delgado,1Lt, CAP Asst. Cadet Programs Officer of the Civil Air Patrol “This was one of the was one of many vendors at the Back-to-School providing parent with largest turn-outs we’ve valuable service and program information. had,” then smiled as she proceeded alongside event hosts Vice be of assistance to the residents of OpaMayor Johnson and Commissioner Miller, locka, especially during these rough ecowho were joined by Commissioner Timothy nomic times. Irby emphasized, “We want Holmes, in personally greeting each child as to alleviate the stress for parents, and lessen they presented them with their “Blessing.” the anxiety for students by providing them Like Mr. McKnight, another parent with some of the necessary tools and quickly reminded her child as he received resources for the start of the school term, his bag and immediately began probing enabling them to focus academically… and through it, “What do you say to the THAT is the ‘Blessing,’ WE are ‘thankful’ Commissioner?” He eagerly replied, “Oh, to share from the City of Opa-locka!”