Challenger Community News May 27, 2015

CHALLENGER

SERVING BUFFALO, ROCHESTER, NIAGARA FALLS AND SURROUNDING AREAS

MAY 27, 2015 • F R E E

The House That Hill Built

Ujima leaves its home at Theatreloft after 33 years. But it’s not the end of Ujima Company. The show will go on… PG. 8

Black Law Enforcement Civil Rights Organization Seeks Justice for Cariol Horne PG. 4

World’s Oldest Person Jeralean Talley, Marks 116th Birthday PG.7

INSIDE ROCHESTER

Rochester Hosts NBLCA Legislative Breakfast PG. 2

Homicide Declared a National Health Crisis PG. 3

NAN to Lead Local “Black Lives Matter Rally for Peace & Justice” PG.3

Another Year Without Gus: Has Buffalo Become TooPG. 5 Elite for Street Basketball? PG.10

2

INSIDE ROCHESTER

Rochester NBLCA Hosts Open House & Legislative Breakfast

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

ROC PROFILES

Marke’ Shelton

Kiplangat “Kip” Tisia

Marke’ Shelton is a financial services professional with HD Vest. Last fall he was selected to attend an invitation-only Financial Planning Institute and conference hosted by his broker/dealer in Irving, Texas with 50 other advisors.. The goal of the Institute is to explore new ideas advisors can take away to help clients pursue their personal, financial and family goals.

“It was an honor,” said Shelton. “I was able to see firsthand how these individuals are truly making a difference in their clients’ lives and take away new ideas I can share with my clients, as well.”

Marke’ Shelton has been an Advisor with HD Vest since 2013. He has an office in Rochester, NY, since 2010. Marke’ Shelton graduated from Buffalo State College with a degree in Economics and received the Bachelor Of Science degree in 2002. Shelton can be reached at marke.shelton@hdvest.net HD Vest Investment Services is a leading, privately-owned independent broker/dealer empowering the delivery of financial advice through a network of Advisors with roots as tax professionals.

Kiplangat “Kip” Tisia of Rochester, a native of Kenya, defended his title and broke his own record with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 59 seconds in the 2015 Buffalo Marathon on Sunday. Hirut Guangul of Ethiopia, placed first among women with a near 3-mile lead at the finish; breaking the record for women at 2:39:01. The winners took home $2,000 each for their record breaking performances along with another $2,000 for winning the race.

More than 7,000 runners took part in the 2015 Marathon. Congratulations!

Around Town

NBLCA OPEN HOUSE & LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST Pictured above are scenes from the Rochester Affiliate Black Leadership Commission on AIDS 2015 Open House & Legislative Breakfast which featured keynote speaker C. Virginia Fields, CEO National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc. on Saturday, May 23. Rev. Roosevelt Dixon, Chair and The Executive Committee, hosted the event. In photos from the top: Proclamation Presentation, (L to R) Councilman Dana Miller, Legislature Ernest Flagler-Mitchell, NBLCA President C. Virginia Fields, Affiliate Chair Rev. Roosevelt Dixon, and Affiliate Vice Chair Nate Brown Jr. ; Caterer Laurie Rapley served a delicious and healthy breakfast to guests; Group Shot (L to R): Nate Brown Jr, Rev. Roosevelt Dixon, Jermayne Myers, C. Virginia Fields, Sandra Frankl, Donald Hardaway, Ernest Flagler-Mitchell, Dr. Janice Harbin. Dana Miller, and Nancy Sung Shelton; The VIP table, Ms. C. Virginia Fields addressing the guests; above (l to R) Donald Hardaway, Kundilini Maat, Ernest Flagler-Mitchell, and Louis Shelton Jr.

*50th Anniversary Celebration of the 19th Ward Community Association at Aberdeen Square, Saturday, June 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 6p.m. ; Pancake Breakfast 8:30 a.m., Parade 11 a.m. *8th Annual Father Daughter Ball, Sunday, June 28, The Diplomat Party House 3-7 p.m.; For tickets and info 585-2001134 or email silhouettesinc@ hotmail.com *Men’s Health Conference: Saturday, June 20, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., New Life Fellowship, 330 Wellington Ave., to register (585)234-0623 or email: ihmcroc@gmail.com hosted by the Interdenominational health Ministry Coalition.

Full day PreK makes all the difference!

“

It’s a joy seeing my son so eager to learn. A full day has given him more time to practice his reading and writing skills, so I know he’ll be ready for kindergarten.

”

-Rochelle, PreK parent

FREE programs include:

• Healthy breakfast and lunch • Literacy and math skills • Computer learning • Music, art, and dramatic play • Indoor/outdoor play and naptime • Free RTS bus pass for parent and child Register today! Call 262-8140 or visit www.rcsdk12.org/prek

3

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

AREA BRIEFS Legionnaire Of the Year

Min. Paulette Woods is pictured receiving the Jesse Clipper Post No. 430 “Legionnaire Of The Year Award” from Rev. Eugene L. Pierce.

Post Commander. 2nd Vice Commander Woods received the honor for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the mission of the American Legion. Congratulations!

Photo Elder Patton

Charter School of Inquiry Board Meeting The regular monthly board meeting of the Charter School of Inquiry Board of Trustees will be held on June 2 at 4:45 p.m. at the Frank Merriweather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue. For further information call 716-8333250 or email charterschoolofinquiry@gmail.com,mmThe

public is invited. Children are welcome.

Community Forum: Task Force on Health Care Disparity in the Black Community A Community Forum to address these disiparities will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 12 noon to 1p.m. at Ephesus Ministries 341 Grider St. Speakers include: Willie Underwood III, MD, MPH, MSci; Reverend George Nicholas, M.Div., MS Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church; Reverend Jeff Carter, MS Ephesus Ministries[ and Reverend Kinzer Pointer, Agape Fellowship Baptist Church.The community is urged to attend.

“Homicide Declared a National Health Crisis”

Local Chapter of National Action Network Calls for “Black Lives Matter Rally for Peace & Justice”

P.E.A.C.E. Inc., A Local Advocacy Group, to Attend National Standing For Peace and Justice Rally in Washington, D.C.

Rev. Al Sharpton will be coming to Buffalo for the 27th National Consortium on Racial & Ethnic Fairness in the Courts Conference on June 11 to serve as the Keynote Speaker.

In preparation for that historic visit, the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the National Action Network (NAN) & the NAN National Field Director Rev. DeVes Toon will host a “Black Lives Matter Rally for Peace & Justice” on Saturday, June 6 from 121 noon to 2 p.m. in Buffalo Niagara Square.

“As we continue to see an increase in the number of unjustified shootings and the treatment of African American Men & Women in the justice system, where unfortunately in many cases they shoot first and ask questions Rev. Sharpton: NAN Founder later, we must implore all officials to work together to break down barriers to progress,” read a statement from Rev. Gregory P. Nelson, President of the Buffalo/Niagara Falls Chapter. “Like in the most recent case of Bryant Heyward who called for police assistance in a home invasion in Hollywood, South Carolina and he was ultimately shot (with a gun in his hand b/c they assumed he was the perpetrator).”

It was also announced that a major membership and registration effort will be taking place to establish a NAN chapter in the Rochester, NY area.

Participating organizations for the June 6 Buffalo rally have been listed as including the Buffalo Urban League, Concerned Clergy of Western NY, WUFO AM Radio, leading officials in government, law enforcement, crime prevention/ violence and Civil Rights .

For more information, text or phone to 716-299-8299.

On, Saturday June 6, Mothers In Charge, Inc. (MIC) will lead a national “Standing for Peace and Justice” rally at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC at 10 a.m. for the purpose of bringing recognition to America that “Homicide is a National Health Crisis.”

Imagine thousands of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and other family and friends standing at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool holding photos of their loved ones lost to violence, calling on our elected officials to do more to reduce violence, treat trauma and heal the communities most impacted by homicide.

Murder has claimed the lives of our loved ones, traumatized our families, and destroyed our neighborhood for too long! The families left behind face an untold number of challenges. Grief stricken and traumatized, many of them can’t afford even to bury their loved ones, no less take time off from work or seek counseling to heal their broken hearts. Children may act out in school, parents may lose jobs and entire communities can unravel when this trauma goes unaddressed.

On Friday, June 5, at 10 p.m. P.EA.C.E. Inc. (Parents Encouraging Accountability and Closure for Everyone) of Buffalo will board buses leaving for Washington D.C from the Towne Gardens Plaza in the 400 Block of William

P.E.A.C.E. members prepare to travel to national “Standing for Peace and Justiace Rally” in Washington, D.C. sponsored by Mothers In Charge.

Street to attend this ground breaking event. The buses will return to Buffalo after the rally . The cost $60.

Established in 2003 in Buffalo, New York as an advocacy group for families of homicide victims, the P.E.A.C.E. homicide Assistance program has served hundreds of families of homicide victims.

For more information about the trip or to find out how you can make a contribution to support the organization’s effort , please call 842-8700.

P.E.A.C.E. Inc. is a 501(C)3 organization. Donations can be made to their PayPal account at www.peace-buffalo. org For detailed rally information please visit www.mothersincharge.org or call (215)2281718 or toll free at 1-877-3046667.

Rochester Anti-Violence Program to Attend National Rally Reverend Britt Pledger of Jesus the Christ Church, the founer of the anti-violence group “Stop Kill’n Start Chill’n and a newly formed Violence Prevention arm of the organization in Rochester, will also lead a contingent to the National Standing for Peace and Justice Rally in Washington, D.C. June. 6. For more information call (570)540-9309.

United Black Men’s Think Tank Presents a “Know Your Human Rights” Community Forum In response to the recent events which took place throughout our country this past year in cities like Ferguson Missouri and Baltimore Maryland, the United Black Men’s Think Tank Of Buffalo, Inc., is holding its first “Know Your Human Rights” Community Information Forum on Saturday, May 30 at the Frank E. Merriweather Public Library, Jefferson & E. Utica Street from 1 – 4 pm.

The forum will begin with a special video presentation by Ms. Chris Latham of “Youth for Human Rights International” and a discussion of our basic Human rights as individuals, highlighting the “30 Rights We All Have – No Matter What” as declared by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights enacted in 1948.

Special segments of the forum will include presentations by the Ted Hampton, Chief of Buffalo Special Police, and an informal presentation of literature prepared by local attorney and Think Tank Advisor John Elmore entitled “How to Survive Citizen/Police Encounters that focuses on how to interact with Police Officers. A special “How we can Stop The Violence” message will also be presented by Murray Holman, Chairman of Stop The Violence Coalition of Buffalo.

The Forum will conclude with a special video presentation entitled “The Truth About Drugs” presented by representatives from the “Foundation for a Drug Free World.”

For more information or special seating arrangements, please contact Mr. Hosie Arnold, Think Tank President at 884-3312.

The Temple of Waset

The World’s First University And Other Facts

T

he Temple of Waset, the world’s first university, and known as “the septer” was built during the reign of Amenhotep III in the XVIII Dynasty, ca 1391 B.C. At its zenith, it educated 80,000 students.

Many people today believe that the words “man know thyself” (in Greek, qnothi seauton) were originally written and spoken by the Greek philosopher, Socrates. The ancient Egyptians wrote these words on the outside of their Temples in the Nile Valley and addressed these words to the neophytes - one of whom was the student Socrates himself. In a companion scenario, the originality of the words “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we shall die,” has been assigned to the Greek philosopher Socrates, whereas history proves that the inventor who coined these words is Imhotep, the Afrikan deity and “the world’s first recorded multi-genius.” He built the world’s first stone building– the Step pyramid at Saqqara circa 2630 B.C. Moreover, contrary to public information, the first Olympics that was held in Olympia, Greece, in 776 B.C., was not held to reward sportsmanship, physical brawn or brinkmanship but instead as a public ceremonial worship by the Greeks of the Afrikan deity Amon, the “ruler of the Gods.” In fact, history proves quite convincingly that the Gods and Goddesses of Europeans were of Afrikan origin but given European names.

For example, the Afrikan God, Continued Page 12

4

LOCAL + NATIONAL + WORLD

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

Black Law Enforcement Civil Rights Organization Seeks Justice for Cariol Horne

Cleveland Update: 137 Rounds, 49 Shots From One Gun And The Cop Goes Free

Considers forwarding her case to US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division for further investigation

A

Black Civil rights Law Enforcement Organization is calling for justice for Cariol Horne.

The former Buffalo Police Officer, and heroine to many in Buffalo’s Black community, Cariol has been fighting for her pension since she was fired after 19 years on the force, over an incident in 2006 when she stopped a fellow officer from choking a handcuffed Black suspect.

Horne and Officer Gregory Kwiatkowski were at the scene of a domestic dispute when she witnessed Kwiatkowski violently punching the handcuffed suspect in the face. Horne and other officers on the scene removed the suspect from the house, but once outside Kwiatkowski pounced again, this time choking the handcuffed man, Neal Mack. Believing Kwiatkowski to be out of out of control, Horne removed his arm from around the man’s neck.

“Gregory Kwiatkowski turned Neal Mack around and started choking him. So then I’m like, ‘Greg!

You’re choking him,’ because I thought whatever happened in the house he was still upset about so when he didn’t stop choking him I just grabbed his arm from around Neal Mack’s neck,” Horne said.

Infuriated that she had crossed the “thin blue line,” Kwiatkowski then punched Horne in the face so was hard that Horne ended up having to have her brdge replaced. She was then injured again as officers dragged her away from trying to defend herself.

A decision in the police departments disciplinary case against Officer Horne found her guilty.

“They couldn’t lynch me, so this is the new lynching:,” Horne said after the decision in 2008.

In a detailed correspondence addressed to the Council President Darius Pridgen with copies forwarded to Mayor Byron Brown, Corporation Counsel Timothy A. Bell and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Eric Josey, co-founder and director of the organization’s legal affairs, demanded that the matter of Horne’s retirement pension be placed back on the Common Council agenda “for the purpose of a public hearing investigation and vote to authorize the Mayor to grant Horne a full retirement pension or in the alternative, the police pension board to grant Horne reinstatement to duty for a brief period to obtain her retirement pension.”

Josey said his organization was willing to appear before the board on Horne’s behalf. “ We find that Horne was acting properly in the performance of her duties when she intervened in the brutal assault of David Neal Mack by her own colleague, rogue officer Kwiatkowski, currently under federal indictment for Civil Rights violation,” the letter stated, adding that the “Mayor and this Common Council has a…legal duty and moral obligation to investigate and correct the egregious wrong in this case as she has honorably served in her office and protected the City of Buffalo citizens with an impeccable unblemished department record. The City of Buffalo has a legal and moral obligation to its

citizens to set aside politics in this case and correct this grave miscarriage of justice!”

Josey added that his organization was further investigating the matter to determine whether the case should be forwarded to the United States Department of Justice civil rights division.

100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care was founded in 1997. It is a highly respected and well regarded New York City based organization of active and retired law enforcement officials in various ranks, special assignments and other police agencies throughout the tri-State area.

On May 23, Michael Brelo, one of the Cleveland police officers involved in the 2012 shooting deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams, was acquitted of manslaughter by an Ohio judge.

After a chase through Cleveland, Brelo was one of several officers who had fired 137 shots at the car driven by Russell. The acquitted officer himself fired 49 rounds after climbing onto the hood of the car. Neither Russell nor Williams were armed. The aquittal comes amid a wrenching national debate over how police use force, especially against black civilians. Cleveland emerged intact after a day of protests following the acquittal the patrolman. Officers arrested 71 people the night after the verdict. Two other high-profile policeinvolved deaths still hang over the city: a boy holding a pellet gun fatally shot by a rookie patrolman and a mentally ill woman in distress who died after officers took her to the ground and handcuffed her. The deaths of 12-year-old Tamir Rice and 37-year-old Tanisha Anderson occurred just eight days apart last November. In a related developoment, just a few days ago the City of Cleveland reached an agreement – known as a consent degree - with the Justice Department over allegations that the city’s police department engaged in a pattern of using excessive force, violating the civil rights of its residents.Among other things, the agreement will cover use of force by the Cleveland Division of Police, community engagement and policing, support equipment and resources, accountability, bias-free policing and crisis intervention.

Health Matters

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

Health Fair & Community Day Saturday, June 6th 10 am - 3 pm l

Erie County Health Mall l 1500 Broadway Meet Your Neighborhood Health Care Providers l Take a Tour Free Screenings l Free Giveaways & Drawings l Free Kids Activities Catholic Health, St. Vincent Health Center & Laboratory Services l l l

Women’s Health Experts Pregnancy Testing (no appointment needed) Lab Open For Blood Draws (physician script needed)

Kids’ Activities l

l

Special Screenings (By Appointment - Call 447-6205) l Blood Pressure l Body Mass Index (BMI) l Bone Density Testing l Cholesterol l Vascular Screenings for Carotid Artery Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

l

l

Vascular screenings are open to men and women over 50, who smoke or have one or more of the following medical conditions: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart/leg ailments, family history of heart disease, or prior stroke. All services are subject to availability.

UB Dental

l

l l l

Dental Screenings (no appointment needed) Free Oral Health Care Kits UB Dental Smile Team

l

Learn About Depression Warning Signs Adult Depression Screenings (no appointment needed)

Mid-Erie Counseling & Treatment Services l l

Learn About Special Counseling Services for Kids Child Social & Emotional Screenings (no appointment needed)

* Activities, screenings, and times subject to change.*

Buffalo Fire Department Engine 22 10 am - Noon Fire Department Sparky Car Noon - 2 pm Special Appearances by: UB Dudley Dinosaur UB Victor E. Bull Fidelosaurus Face Painting and Games throughout the day

And more ...

l

l

l

Lake Shore Behavioral Health l

Animal Adventures Mobile Zoo & Exotic Animals 11 am - 2 pm

WBLK Remote Broadcast 11 am - 1 pm Fidelis Care Insurance Mammography Screenings with the Mobile Mammography Coach throughout the day

5

6

FAITH BASED

Prayer Breakfast

A “Prayer Breakfast” will be held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens 6461 Transit Rd. Saturday June 6 at 8 a.m. Breakfast will be served from 9-10 a.m. Cost is $16 per person.

Prophet Doloren Kirk will be the guest speaker. For Tickets call 892-1897 or 465-0011.

All Are Welcome.

Cold Spring Church of God in Christ Jesus Sets 22nd Pastoral Anniversary Banquet for Elder Joseph and First Lady Erma Wallace Cold Spring Church of God In Christ Jesus, 107 Verplanck Street, will complete the 22nd Pastoral Anniversary of Elder Joseph and First Lady Erma Wallace with a Banquet, June 6 at 5 p.m. Bishop Gerald Drayton of New Testament Revival Cathedral will bring an inspiring word. It’s a catered affair.

Please call for reserved seating, (716) 882-2052, 830-5156.

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

Susan & Friends Anniversary Concert

Susan & Friends will host their Anniversary Concert May 31at 4p.m. at the Tabernacle of Praise 578 Walden. Appearing in the program will be Favaa, Living Waters, Delivered & Gussie Mitchell, The Wondering Five, Annetta Williams, Jackie Blackmon, Pastor Deas & The Men of God, Scottie & The Mighty Tornadoes. The special guest, Pastor Green and The Visionaries from Rochester N.Y. The event will be hosted by Pastor Charles McCarley. Evangelist Candy Mingo is the MC. This program is dedicated to the memory of the late great Rev. George & Alberta Greene. For more information call 807-7212.

FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

“It’s All in the Good Lord’s Hands”

World’s Oldest Person, Jeralean Talley, is 116!

N

early a month after gerontology experts named Jeralean Talley the world’s oldest person, USA Today reports, the Detroit-area woman is celebrating yet another milestone: her 116th birthday.

Mrs. Talley was born in Montrose, Ga., on May 23, 1899, and has lived in Michigan since 1935, the report says. Relatives tell the newspaper that she remains active and aware of her surroundings.

She was named world’s oldest person in April after the death of Gertrude Weaver at age 116. Weaver died just five days after 117-year-old Misao Okawa died in Japan.

Mrs. Talley lived alone until just seven years ago, according to the Detroit Free Press.

She bowled until she was 104 and still mowed her lawn until a few years ago, according to

previous Press reports.

After being told that she was the world’s oldest person, Talley’s advice to the world was a rephrasing of Christianity’s Golden Rule: “I ain’t got nothing more but to treat the other fellow like you want to be treated. You don’t tell a lie on me so I won’t tell a lie on you.”

Mrs. Talley is widely known among experts who chart those who monitor the members of a rare worldwide club — the one in 5 million humans to live at least 110 years.

She lives in her small home with her daughter, Thelma Holloway, 77, and Holloway’s daughter, 26, who has added an ever-smiling spark to the supra-centenarian’s life – little Armmell, now 2 years old and a frequent visitor to his greatgreat grandmother’s lap.

Mrs.Talley’s explanation of her longevity has never

Mrs. Talley: Queen of the World!

veered, relatives say.

“It’s all in the good Lord’s hands,” she said, according to USA Today. “There’s nothing I can do about it.”

Calvary CME Announces the CURIE “Curlie” Jackson Scholarship The Curlie Jackson Scholarship Award was established in 2015 by the family of the late Curie Jackson, with support from Calvary C.M.E. Church to honor his memory.

Calvary intends to award up to five (5) $1,000 scholarships to graduating African American young men who have exemplified academic excellence and service to their places of worship and their communities. Application deadline is June 5. Apply Now!! https:// CalvaryCMECurieJacksonScholarship.formstack.com/ forms/cj_scholarship_application

7

Legislative Briefing & Breakfast to Focus on Cuomo’s End AIDS 2020 Campaign: C. Virginia Fields, NBLCA President/CEO is Special Guest The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) of Buffalo, the AIDS Network of Western New York, and the Community Health Center of Buffalo will propose a twoyear, three-stage blueprint to be implemented in Buffalo and Western New York in support of Governor Cuomo’s AIDS Free New York 2020 Campaign during a Legislatiave Briefing Breakfast on Friday, May 29 at 9 a.m., at the Community Health Center of Buffalo, located at 34 Benwood Avenue, Hon. C. Virginia Fields The Hon. C. Virginia Fields, former Manhattan Borough President, current NBLCA President and CEO, and member of the Governor’s End AIDS 2020 Campaign State Task Force will be on hand to address the community on the End AIDS 2020 initiative. Other presenters include: Mary Goodspeed, RN, BS, Coordinator, HIV Clinical Education at the Erie County Medical Center, and Sam Radford, III, NBLCA of Buffalo Legislative & Public Policy Chair, and President of the District Parent Coordinator Council.

The NBLCA and its’ affiliates stress the importance of getting educated, tested, involved, and treated. The City of Buffalo has a case rate of 359 per 100,000 population, which is substantially higher than the statewide AIDS case rate exclusive of NYC (251.5 per 100K). In the 14215, 14211 zip codes, Buffalo surpasses the state average relative to STI’s among women and young people. The Youth Risk Behavior Study underscores the need for prevention education and legislation.

The Briefing is free and open to the public; pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, call Donna Chapman at 716.332.3773 x 201 or email to dchapman@nblca.org. You can also register online at http://nblcalegislativebreakfast.eventbrite.com

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO

VOTE?

8

ENTERTAINMENT

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

The House That Hill Built Ujima leaves its home at Theatreloft after 33 years. But it’s not the end of Ujima company. The show will go on…

Tickets Available at Renovation Church, 567 Hertel Ave., or on line at www.brownpapertickets.com. For more info. 465-6715.

Support Our Advertisers

U

jima theatre performed the final production of its 36th anniversary on stage at Theatreloft this past Sunday evening; the company’s 585 Elmwood Avenue home for thirty-three of their thirty-six years of operation.

It was a bitter sweet moment for the Ujima family and its amazing founder, the incredibly talented Lorna C. Hill. There were some tears.

But not despair.

The decision to end their residence in that building, said Lorna, is clearly not the end of Ujima.

It came after the space suffered major damage earlier this year, it was explained.

The company has long complained about the increasingly dilapidated state of the building, but in the past has always found ways to stick it out, including putting thousands of dollars into the structure.

“It’s hard to let go but this infrastructure was sucking us dry,” said the company’s enterprising young Executive Producer Rahwa Ghimatzion.

“This is the kick in the pants we needed to reinvigorate who we are,” she added. “We can’t be stopped…this has been an incredible challenge…and the opportunity to reignite the energy of who we are. Our work is important and what we have to say it is important…”

Working with young people to develop not only their acting/producing skills, but to hone their sense of social awareness will be a focus going forward. “ I’m actually excited,” she continued. “I think Ujima and the type of political social justice work we want to do is (just as if not) more relevant than it was in 1978 in Buffalo.”

That was the year that Hill founded Ujima, which is Kiswahili, for “collective work and responsibility.”

The very meaning of its name represents the foundation that Rawa sees as a sustaining force and even elevating the institution to even greater, more relevant heights. “We are going to be bigger and bet-

Piactured right, Lorna and daughter Zoe on stage at Theatreloft following last performance there.

ter than ever!” assured.

“There will be a 37th season,..We are not married to space…we are married to community.”

Sunday’s rousing performance of “In the Red and Brown Water” by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed

by Hill, was classic Ujima.

The group of talented young actors and actresses that Hill assembled gave it their all and they did an excellent job.

For now what was once the home of Ujima Theatre for the past three decades stands empty. But its just a building.

Buoyed by the strength and determination of its founder, and the vision and creative energy of Ujima family members, the institution remains very much alive.

The location of a new office will soon be announced. And donations are still being accepted to help Ujima continue to provide the world class theatre it is known for.

To make a donation, please go to http//www.gofundme. com/n3wro8 and follow the link, or go to gofundme.com and search for Ujima. Visit Ujima’s website to keep up with their progress at ujimacoinc.org

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO

VOTE?

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

9

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

“Nappy Hour” Hair Forum

Hair To Go Natural will host a Natural Hair Forum on Saturday, May 30 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at their 727 Main Street Location.

To RSVP Please call 883-2000.

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO

VOTE?

REHEARSING FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE! Pictured above are scenes from a recent rehearsal at Miss Barbara’s School of Dance for the upcoming “Joko Ben’Nah” (First Link), A Ballet of West African Dance and Drum to be held on Saturday, June 13 at 7 p.m. at the Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts,450 Masten Avenue @ Ferry. The event, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Buffalo’s Juneteenth Festival, is being presented by the African African-American United Artists Association in collaboration with the African American Cultural Center. The evening will also include live music Project Access to Afreeka, special guest artists, an African Market vendors and more! Admission is $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under and are on sale at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Avenue. PHOTOS STARLIGHT

Services Set for Calvin W. Loatman, Buffalo Hall of Fame Guitarist Buffalo Hall of Fame guitarist Calvin W. Loatman, died Monday (May 18) in Snellville, Georgia where he had lived for nearly 30 years. He was 59 years old and under hospice care.

Funeral services will beheld at noon Wednesday (May 27) in New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 165 Doat Street.

Loatman, who has many family still in Buffalo, was described by friends as kind and fair. He started playing when his father brought home a ukulele he won in a raffle.

He got his first break at age 16 as a substitute guitarist with Pneu Breed, performing at the former Electric Sands Hotel and Nightclub at Main at Tupper Streets.

When he was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1998 he and his band was credited for breaking the color barrier in the suburbs for local musicians. Loatman also performed with Jagged Edge, Solar 7, Junction West and others while in Buffalo. He moved to Atlanta in 1986. He was a staff musician at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga. for nearly 20 years until he became ill.

In Atlanta he produced outdoor shows and can be heard on the albums “Word of Mouf” by Ludacris “More Than Enough” and many others. He took part in the Legends of Funk tours starting in 2009, performing with the Ohio Players.

ON STAGE *Pre-Father’s Day Comedy Jam, June 6, Renovation Church, 567 Hertel Ave., doors open 6 p.m. show starts@ 7 p.m. featuring Jon Cesar, Bishop, Cecelia Spencer and John Schuta; tickets $10 available at Renovation Church, 567 Hertel; on line *Pre-summer R&B Jumpoff with the Nickel City Ballers Band featuring Buffalo’s own “Mr. R&B” Chauncey Northington, 4 Below, & special guest appearances by Ms. Trina & Sharon, Saturday, June 6, 8 p.m. The Groove Lounge 1210 Broadway.

Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door (may be purchased at the Groove Lounge box office) *Ella, Louis and All That Jazz, A tribute to jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong featuring Broadway star Marva Hicks and Columbus Jazz Orchestra artistic director Byron Stripling, Sat. June 6 @ 8 pm. Kleinhans Music Hall. A Buffalo Philharmoic Orchestra event. 885-5000 / bpo.org *BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA @ The Tralf Wednesday June 24 @ 7pm Doors | 8p.m. Show 21+ Admitted Reserved Seating Event Platinum - $39 Advance / $44 Day Of Show Gold - $29 Advance / $34 Day Of Show Silver - $24 Advance / $29 Day Of Show

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEGISLATOR MILLER WILLIAMS!

Pictured above are scenes from Legislator Barbara Miller Williams recent “star studded” birthday bash!

Congratulations Legislator Williams!

PHOTOS PRINCESS PHOTOGRAPHY

Spades Competition A Spades Competition event will be held on June 4 at the New Golden Nugget, 2046 Fillmore Ave. for card players 25 and older. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets: $20 players, $10 spectators and includes food, special guest performers and more.

335-1529 for more information.

Spades Competition

GENERATIONS

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

Has Buffalo Become Too Elite for Street basketball?

I

n 1973, two brothers in a little town called Lowell, Michigan, started a 3 on 3 basketball tournament with 18 players in the driveway of their family home. This modest tournament of street basketball that Scott and Mitch McNeal hosted so many years ago, has now grown, this year, to over 44 tournaments in 13 states. Up until last year, the City of Buffalo hosted what is now known as the Gus Macker tournament for over 23 years.

Last year, for reasons still largely unknown to the basketball-loving sports fans on the East side, the Gus Macker games were suddenly pulled and the event was relocated to Darien Lake, an area that was not easily accessed to inner city youths who relied heavily on public transportation for most of their travel needs. The fact that the games lasted only one year in Darien Lake was not a surprise to those who are aware of the racial and ethnic divide of this city, county and region. When it was known that only 400 teams had participated in the games in 2014 while over 500 teams were shooting 'baskets' in 2013 in downtown Buffalo, it is clear that the missing players were probably those inner city youths who had neither the patience nor the money to travel miles outside of the city to play a game at Darien Lake that they have played in Buffalo for decades.

Betty Jean

Grant It has been reported that many of Darien Lakes' regular Amusement Park customers stayed away during time the tournament played there. I wonder why ? I am not especially surprised by that observation.

And when Buffalo got a second chance to lobby for the games to be played in the city, the mayor and the sponsoring organization, the Police Athletic League (PAL) and the city's administration opted not to, citing a lack of corporate sponsors.

Does Anyone, other than this writer find this statement disingenuous? The City of Buffalo, with the generous Billion Dollar pot of gold from the state, has made a lot of the area's millionaires richer. You mean to tell me that not one of them would donate a few thousands dollars to bring the Gus Macker Tournament back home? Don't tell me, please. I already know. Not one of those contractors who are slipping and sliding in money made from the Medical Corridor, Canalside, the Waterfront, River Bend, Solar City, Larkinville, or even Gus Macker's old 'basketball bouncing area,' downtown Niagara Square, came to the rescue and said, ''Welcome home, Gus Macker; Buffalo is where you belong!"

When Darien Lake said "no thank you" to a second year of the tournament, a man from Grand Island named Corey McGowan stepped in and secured the Gus Macker games for Grand Island for 2015.

Mr. McGowan is the owner of Corey McGowan Productions, which brings events such as, 'A Taste Of Grand Island,' 'A Taste of Niagara Falls' and 'A Cure for Canalside.' I am going to have to do a little research to find out how a small production company could do for Grand Island (Gus Macker Tournament) what a whole slew of city officials and millionaires could not (would not?) do to secure the games for Buffalo! The two major charities to benefit from the Buffalo Gus Macker games have been the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and a little known basketball league named Youth Advantage. Youth Advantage has a presence here in Buffalo, where it was started by Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, but in the years since it was put together by then Commissioner Sharon West, it has expanded to youths and schools as far away as Dunkirk, Fredonia and Batavia.

There is a chance that organizations in Buffalo can apply to have a Gus Macker Tournament in Buffalo in 2016 regardless of whether Grand Island continues the games beyond this year. According to Scott McNeal, A.K.A. 'Gus Macker,' there can be multiple contracts with participating organizations in the area. But even if we don't get the Gus Macker, tournament back, what is preventing us from forming our own neighborhood and community basket ball leagues? We have the resources (yes, we do), the talent and the wherewithall to pull it off. When they took Gus Macker away from us, last year, Bishop Perry Davis of the Stop The Violence Foundation did not sit around and moan. He organized a tournament last year of over 100 basketball players. If he could do that on such a short notice and with almost no money, just think what we can do with the whole community?

On Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m., in the Frank E. Merriweather Library,1324 Jefferson Ave., We Are Women Warriors and this writer will host a planning and strategy session with community and block club leaders, members of the clergy and elected officials to see how we can serve the recreational needs of our children here where they live and attend school; and not have them travel on a thruway, through a toll booth and across a bridge to an island with limited 'entrance and exit’ issues, in order to play the game of organized basketball.

We (Buffalo) can build multiple youth-oriented ice hockey rinks, host running marathons and 5-k walks but when it comes to a sport revered by Buffalo's poor and minority inner city youths, there is no room in this 'New Buffalo' to accommodate them. If this is not a sign of the city's growing problem of elitism, I don't know what is!

“Gentrification with Justice”: A Recap Submitted by The Fruit Belt/McCarley Gardens Housing Task Force

T

uesday’s May 12 meeting “Gentrification with Justice” sponsored by the Fruit Belt/McCarley Gardens Housing Task Force and conducted for Buffalo’s East Side, was a standing room only event at the Moot Community Center. Approximately 100 individuals ranging in ages from 3 to 90 years old packed 292 High Street to hear PUSH Buffalo’s John Washington, Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant, and activist lawyer Arthur Giacaclone who substituted for Councilman Emeritus George Arthur.

Community activist Veronica Nichols greeted attendees by introducing Gentrification, a process whose “ … goal is to develop inner city neighborhoods.” She also gave gentrification’s nickname which is “Predatory Gentrification: I displace Black inner city residents via sweetheart deals with White contractors. I foster land grabbing and … Like a broom, I force low income African Americans out to allow upper income whites in, all in the name of Urban Pioneering.”

John Washington presented “Ignoring the East Side,” an overview of the $1.7 billion in new building where Buffalo’s East Side isn’t even on the developers map. Statistics presented such as taxpayer price per job, income inequality, and the disproportionately low percentage of loans to African Americans were sobering but Mr. Washington also gave solutions.

One solution he suggested is enacting a Responsible Banking Ordinance for the City of Buffalo. Local Responsible Banking Ordinances are to ensure responsible lending, investments, and services for modest-income and minority neighborhoods. Mr. Washington stated that Buffalo currently has its money invested in three major banks one of which has no branches and doesn’t give out any loans in the City of Buffalo. Why are we investing our money in a bank that gives nothing back to our community?”

Arthur Giacalone began his presentation by graciously recognizing that attendees came to hear George Arthur therefore he read a series of quotes by the formidable Emeritus City Council member who has been an unapologetic critic of the way development plans have bulldozed the predominantly African American Buffalo communities over Continued Page 13

10

Buffalo Academy of Science Charter Student off to St. Bonaventure with Perfect Attendance Aaliyah Coleman, with a disciplined attitude and hard work towards her education, has achieved PERFECT ATTENDANCE for all four years of high school. She attends Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School where she has also maintained a cumulative B grade point average.

Following in the footsteps of her older sister and being a positive role model for her younger sister and brother, Aaliyah has been accepted to St. Bonaventure University, the no. 3 ranked University in the North East for best value, where she will be taking up Early Childhood Education as her major. Her older sister, Bria, recently graduated fro St. Bonaventure and is enrolled in its graduate Program.

Aaliyah Coleman Aaliyah is one of four children in a single parent home. With the support of her mother, Stella Coleman, her Grandparents Stanley and Delores Coleman, Aaliyah has won scholarships through the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Xi Epsilon Internship program and received many awards for extracurricular activities. She made all American 2nd team for high school basketball and was one of the leading scorers on The Lady Wolves basketball team. Aaliyah has been involved in numerous community service projects from helping clean up Buffalo to assisting with the elderly at St. John Towers and teaching Sunday school at Jordan Grove Baptist Church.

Aaliyah hopes to inspire young students and show that a commitment to attendance and hard work in school will always pay off.

60th Birthday Celebration and Tribute To Althea White Miller Aletha White Miller was born on May 13, 1955 in Sumter S.C. to Martha White and the late Carl Wight. Aletha is eldest of 8 children: Nina, Sammie, Ronnie, Rena, Bob, Alton (Tasha) and Jowanda. She moved to Buffalo in the late 60’s with her mom where she studied in the Buffalo Public Schools. She also did one semester at Erie County Community College (ECC). Aletha has worked at Junior Achievement, A.M.& A’s, in the nursing industry, but she most enjoyed working for the Board of Education for over 20 years working with children and still enjoys workAletha White Miller ing with them. Aletha met the love of her life Michael Miller whom she married. They have together 11 children and 32 grandchildren. She spends a lot of her time doing what she loves most which is cooking, baking cakes and pies and much more. Aletha is also very crafty in making flowers for wedding parties, and special occasions.

Aletha also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren ( she loves kids dearly!) She has a strong belief in the Lord and is a faithful member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where the Pastor is Pastor Rev. Joel Fisher.

Her family, friends and loved ones will come together for a joyous event to celebrate Althea on her 60th birthday in this Glorious time of the Lord on Friday May 29th .

Are You Registered to VOTE?

11

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

Buffalo Schools: Mayoral Control, Fact and Fiction

S

everal months ago, I described Buffalo as the State’s epicenter in the battle against the privatization forces that plan to “disassemble” our public school system. The privatization movement has broad political, business and institutional support, as evidenced by: the letter from New York State Regent’s Chancellor Merryl Tisch punctuating ongoing efforts to identify Buffalo as the poster child for “failing schools”; Governor Cuomo’s use of the budget hammer to impose receivership in “failing districts”; and most recently Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes push for mayoral takeover of Buffalo Public Schools.

It’s been in the works for a long time, but within the last few weeks the talk of mayoral control has inched toward reality in the form of a Bill submitted

by Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes. On Thursday evening (May 21, 2015), the Assemblywoman spoke about her proposed legislation to a room full of community stakeholders. During the public meeting, for a presentation to detail the New York State budget boondoggles secured by the Assemblywoman Barbara Seals for her District and the city, she could not avoid the questions from audience who wanted to hear about the Bill she submitted that same day.

Nevergold members While the Assemblywoman said she prefers to refer to her Bill as “mayoral intervention” rather than mayoral control, the bill; A#07680 is clearly introduced as: AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to mayoral control of the city school district of the city of Buffalo Here are a few of the points the Assemblywoman made about the impact of Mayoral control, followed by counterpoints I offer for consideration and further discussion. In full disclosure, although I’ve looked up the Bill I have not had the time to read it thoroughly, so this synopsis relies on what I heard from the Assemblywoman about why the Bill is necessary as well as what she thinks it will accomplish.

Leadership: The Assemblywoman: As preface, the Assemblywoman, a native Buffalonian, reminisced about her experience as a graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools and recalled the consistent leadership provided by Superintendents Manch and Reville. She said that mayoral “intervention” is an opportunity to change the internal construct of the District’s central structure and give the Mayor the authority to establish the right kind of leadership at the helm. The Mayor will also appoint a nine member board, and a number of community advisory boards that would be issue oriented, e.g. English Language Learners, Early childhood education, general and mental health, and special education. Locating this authority with the Mayor would allow the public to hold him accountable for failure to make progress.

Nevergold: As a Buffalo Schools graduate, I too remember the halcyon days of Dr. Manch and Mr. Reville. However, the educational landscape has changed dramatically in the last few years. Research shows that the demands and pressures of the job have contributed to reducing the longevity of a Superintendent’s tenure to an average of 3 to 5 years. So, there is no guarantee that the Mayor’s appointee will have a longer tenure. In fact, this legislation, slated to have a two year life span initially, will coincide with the end of the current Mayor’s tenure. A new Mayor may want to appoint his/her own handpicked candidate.

Absent any extraordinary accountability measures, the public has the same option to hold the Mayor responsible that it does to hold current Board members accountable; that’s the Vote. Board members have either a three year or five year term, while the Mayor has a four year term. It’s not clear what the advantage is or how the Mayor will be held more accountable than elected Board members.

Board Members: The Assemblywoman: the Mayor will appoint all members of the Board as well as those of the Advisory Councils.

Nevergold: The Bill does lay out criteria but in my cursory review there does not appear to be any great distinction in the personal attributes or professional abilities, compared to current elected Board members, which these Mayoral appointees would bring to the table.

In addition to being principal policy makers and having fiduciary responsibility for the District, a major responsibility of Board members is to hire and supervise the Superintendent. In fact, by Education Law, the Superintendent is the Board’s only employee. The relationship between the individual in that office and Board members is of fundamental importance to the operation of the District. There is a risk of having a Superintendent who reports to the Mayor and also has reporting responsibilities to a Board; e.g. the age old problem of the conflict of having two masters.

Working out this relationship will be critical.

Superintendent Accountability: The Assemblywoman: The Superintendent will be required to provide quarterly reports to the Governor, the Legislature, the Mayor, State Education Department and the public. Presumably this would enhance the accountability by creating layers of institutional monitors and allowing for quick changes of course if the Superintendent is not producing statistics aligned with progress.

Nevergold: Three years ago, former State Ed Commissioner John King appointed the Distinguished Educator. This mandated consultant was required to provide quarterly reports as part of a plan to improve priority schools. Frankly there is little evidence to demonstrate that any progress

Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 “We wish to plead our own cause.

Too long have others spoken for us.”

- John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal.

1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper

advertising@thechallengernews.com

P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053

Tao Te Ching -43The gentlest thing in the world Overcomes the hardest thing in the world.

That which has no substance Enters where there is no space.

This shows the value of nonaction Teaching without words, Performing without actions: That is the Master’s way.

has been made as a result of this mandate. She produced quarterly reports, which were submitted to State Ed only to disappear in the “black hole” of that bureaucracy. How will this situation be any different?

Further, the expectation that significant educational progress is going to occur in one to two years is unrealistic, especially given the upheaval this change will cause.

As my colleague Dr. Theresa Harris-Tigg observed, what this legislation will impose is a new “management system” that will do little to improve the education of the children in the District.

Finally, the Assemblywoman was asked what stakeholders assisted in the development of this Bill. Although she refused to provide individual names, she said she consulted with a number of groups including the District Parent Coordinating Committee, Educators, New York State United Teachers and the United Federation of Teachers. It would seem that legislation that will have such a dramatic impact on the system required the input of a broad cross section of community stakeholders and an open period for comment.

This legislation aims to impose a system that will further disenfranchise voters in favor of power brokers and political bureaucrats.

There is a very short window of time to voice our opposition to this legislation but if you are concerned you must contact your State Legislators and let them know your opinions. That is the democratic process and we should reaffirm that it works.

The Miseducation of Mayor Brown...

Dear Editor: So Mayor Brown is a real education expert now, considering the proposed legislation to give him control over the Buffalo Public Schools and an appointment by Governor Cuomo as a SUNY Trustee.

Community concerns regarding both are not insignificant, but the SUNY Trustee appointment is especially troubling because of the potential conflicts of interest between the statewide mission and a mayor dependent on particular local non-academic interests, such as building construction. As the governing body of the State University of New York that exercises all of its corporate powers, the Board of Trustees plays an important role in the $1 billion SUNY Research Foundation and the State University Construction Fund.

From the view of the Fruit Belt, it looks like that whatever SUNY says, the Mayor jumps, even if that jumping stomps residents who the mayor supposedly represents.

dear editor

Veronica Hemphill-Nichols, Founder Fruit Belt/McCarley Gardens Housing Task Force

Help Make Family Fishing Day a Memorable Summer Event for Kids of All Ages!

Dear Editor: We are very excited about this year’s “Family Fishing Day” which will take place at the Black Rock Canal Park. This is our 7th year of this great family event and will take place June 27 and 28. This free event is designed to bring together families from across the Greater Buffalo Niagara Region for a fun filled day of fishing, picnicking, games and education. Last year we registered for 3,200 people and ended up having over 7,500 people come to the event. We gave away more than 600 fishing rods, reels and bait. We were also able to provide everybody with a great lunch.

As a proponent of unity and peace, The Buffalo United Front is devoted to our mission of uplifting core values and promoting healthy family development. We feel the more proactive things we teach our young people, the fewer things they have to get in trouble with. We use fishing as a component to attract the kids to begin the dialogue to try to change the mindset so that they make better choices. It is through support from businesses and people throughout the community that allow this mission to be realized. We need your help to ensure that Family Fishing Day is eventful and enjoyable. In addition to volunteers, your in-kind donation or monetary support will move B.U.F. closer to providing our community with another fun, safe and memorable summer event for kids of all ages and their families.

We are hoping more organization will participate as one of our sponsors. For a certain monetary donation we will place your company name and logo on all of B.U.F.’s advertisement for this event. We thank you for your continued commitment to making a difference in our local community. And remember it’s all about our children...our future!

• Published every Wednesday • News Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

• Ad Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

• Classified Deadline: Thursday 5 p.m.

We respectfully submit that the opinions expressed on the editorial pages of this newspaper are not necessairly those of Challenger Community News Corporation or its advertisers.

George Johnson President, B.U.F. (716) 818-3410 Advertising /News/ Information/Inquiries adver tising@thechallengernews.com or alnisa33@yahoo.com

Phone: 716-881-1051 Fax: 716-881-1053

12

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

Mini Health Fair The East Delevan Public Library is hosting a free mini Health Fair for the community including bone density screening, local vendors, prizes, line dancing and healthy snacking table from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie. This event is Monday June 1 from 4-7 p.m. The Library will have a sale on its book sale items for the duration of the fair- 50 cents a bag! The Library is located at 1187 East Delavan Avenue and the phone number is 896-4433. For more information, contact Gwen Collier, Branch Manager at collierg@buffalolib.org .

“Stepping4diabetes”

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO

VOTE?

“Stepping4diabetes: Walk To Stop Diabetes” will be held on Saturday, June 20 at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center, 3242 Main Street (near UB South Campus). This day will feature a 2K mile walk, free health information and screenings. Come out and walk with us and learn the latest line dances! A healthy snack will be provided. Donation:$15.00 per walker. To register or for more information contact: Chandra D. Pierce at 716-8286045.

Flakka: Cheap, Dangerous New Drug The New York Times reports that a hazardous new synthetic drug originating in China is being blamed for 18 recent deaths in a single South Florida county, as police grapple with an inexpensive narcotic that causes exaggerated strength and dangerous paranoid hallucinations.

Also known as gravel, flakka made a sudden and explosive entrance into South about six months ago, particularly in poor neighborhoods, where drug users including homeless people were lured by the low price, $5 a dose. Flakka comes in the form of crystals of different colors that dissolve in the mouth, and the drug is also smoked and can be used for “vaping” in e-cigarette-like devices. The body temperature of users who take too much can rise above 105 degrees, resulting in excited delirium. Users can feel so hot that they may strip off their clothes and “go crazy.”

Some have suffered kidney failureand cognitive impairment.

Many of the drug’s users remain high for three days on a $5 dose the size of one-tenth of a packet of sweetener.

BLACK HISTORY continued

CELL PHONES Ansar Cellular Communications & Fragrance Store 1371 Fillmore @ E. Utica

(716) 884-2373

ELECTRICIAN Empire Electric (716) 634-0330

FLORISTS Maureen’s Flower Market 441 Ellicott St. * 852-4600

HAIR SUPPLY Main Hair & Beauty Supply 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247

HOME/PROPERTY INSPECTION Majadi Enterprises Inc.

(716) 316-7776

majadienterprise@aol.com

You Succeed When Your Employees and Customers Succeed

INSURANCE Able Insurance Jeff Moore/Broker 1798 Main St. *883-5212

TAILORS Ann Rhod’s Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633

For More Info: advertising@thechallengernews.com 881-1051

Amun, was renamed Zeus by the Greeks and Jupiter by the Romans; the Afrikan God, Heru (the son of God and associated with light and sun) was called Apollo by both the Greeks and the Romans; the Afrikan God Imhotep (the God of Healing and medicine) was renamed Asclepius by the Greeks and Aesclapius by the Romans; the Afrikan God Djhuti/Thoth (God of Science, Writing and Knowledge) was called Hermes by the Greeks and Mercury by the Romans; the Afrikan God, Pluto, was called Pluto by both the Greeks and Romans; the Afrikan God, Ausar, (the God of resurrection) was renamed Osiris by the Greeks; whereas the Afrikan Goddess Hathor (the Goddess of love and beauty) was called Aphrodite by the Greeks and Venus by the Romans; and the Afrikan Goddess Ist (Aset), (Goddess of maternity), was renamed Isis and was worshiped as the “Black Madonna.”

Advertising Pays advertising@thechallengernews.com

GET YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA NOW We can help you take the next step

New High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE) preparation classes start every week.

• No-cost to students • All WNY residents welcome • Conveniently located sites across Buffalo • Morning, afternoon, and evening classes available • Distance Learning Programs (available for qualifying students)

Career Collegiate Institute available for youth 17-21.

Call (716) 888-7088 ext 100.

For an orientation appointment call 716.888.7088 ext. 100 The TASC™ (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) has replaced the GED® as the official exam for obtaining a high school equivalency diploma in NYS.

www.UpSkill.org

389 Virginia Street • Buffalo, NY 14201

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

LEGAL NOTICE RFP # 1520VF Legal Notice REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND PARK PLANNING SERVICES RFP # 1520VF Notice is hereby given that the County of Erie is seeking proposals from qualified landscape architecture and park planning consultants to prepare an Update to the 2003 Erie County Park System Master Plan. Qualified consultants must possess expertise in park and land use planning, park management, and environmental analysis. The project will be managed by the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning.

Firms wishing to received a request for proposal should log on to www.erie.gov or contact Thomas J. Dearing, Deputy Commissioner Erie County Department of Environment and Planning 95 Franklin Street – 10th Floor Buffalo, NY 14202 Telephone: (716) 858-7256 Fax: (716) 858-7248 E-mail: Thomas.Dearing@erie.gov Proposals must be submitted to the contact person by 4:00 PM on June 26, 2015.

Assistant Athletic Trainer

The Intercollegiate Athletics Department at Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Assistant Athletic Trainer.

For a full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

Assistant Athletic Trainer

The Intercollegiate Athletics Department at Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Assistant Athletic Trainer.

For a full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

LEGAL NOTICE Index No. 802136/2015 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE SUMMONS Index No. 802136/2015 FIVE STAR BANK Plaintiff vs.

Any unknown heirs, devisees, distributees or successors in interest of the late Robert A. Ferrari, if living, and if any be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributees or successors in interest of such of them as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributes and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; S. JAY FERRARI; AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION BANK; AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK FSB; and JOHN DOE, Defendants This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

To the above named Defendants: You are hereby summoned to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the plaintiff’s attorneys within thirty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: May 15, 2015 The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of Hon. John A. Michalek, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed the 12th day of May, 2015 at Buffalo, New York.

The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage on the following property: ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Amherst, County of Erie and State of New York, being part of Lot No. 58, Township 12, Range 7 of the Holland Land Company’s Survey and further distinguished as Subdivision Lot Number 16 as shown on a map filed in the Erie County Clerk’s Office under Cover Number 2542, known as Nottingham Woods.

Subject to all easements and restriction of record.

These premises are also known as 8 Tudor Court, Getzville, New York 14068.

John K. McAndrew, Esq. Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 700 Crossroads Building 2 State Street Rochester, New York 14614

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

LEGAL NOTICE Index No.: 814403/2014 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Index No.: 814403/2014 Date of Filing: April 30, 2015 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff, -againstKIMBERLY DEMARCO if living, or if either or all be dead, their wives, husbands, heirs-atlaw, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, assignees, lienors and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said KIMBERLY DEMARCO, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and the respective husbands, wives, widow or widowers of them, if any, all of whose names are unknown to plaintiff; RICHARD DEMARCO, if living, or if either or all be dead, their wives, husbands, heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, assignees, lienors and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said RICHARD DEMARCO, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and the respective husbands, wives, widow or widowers of them, if any, all of whose names are unknown to plaintiff; STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN DOES” and “JANE DOES”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendants.

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorney(s) within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable Dennis W. Ward of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed on April 27, 2015, and filed with supporting papers in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Erie, State of New York.

The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by KIMBERLY DEMARCO and RICHARD DEMARCO to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR COUNTRYWIDE BANK, FSB. bearing date January 15, 2008 and recorded in Book 13389 of Mortgages at Page 5471 in the County of Erie on January 25, 2008. Thereafter said mortgage was assigned to BANK OF AMERICA N.A. by assignment of mortgage dated June 1, 2012 and recorded in Book 13588 of Mortgages at Page 5645 in the County of Erie on July 2, 2012. Thereafter said mortgage was assigned to NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC by assignment of mortgage dated May 14, 2013 and recorded in Book 13645 of Mortgages at Page 2370 in the County of Erie on July 17, 2013.

Said premises being known as and by 4445 GRANDVIEW AVENUE, HAMBURG, NY 14075-5322.

Date: April 20, 2015 Batavia, New York Virginia C Grapensteter, Esq. ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff Batavia Office 26 Harvester Avenue Batavia, NY 14020 585.815.0288 Help For Homeowners In Foreclosure New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process.

Please read it carefully. Mortgage foreclosure is a complex process. Some people may approach you about “saving” your home. You should be extremely careful about any such promises. The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure.

There are government agencies, legal aid entities and other non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about foreclosure while you are working with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANKNYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the Department’s website at www.banking.state.ny.us. The State does not guarantee the advice of these agencies.

Public Notices/Classified

13

GENTRIFICATIION

EMPLOYMENT continued Buffalo Challenger the past several years. GiacaBUFFALO & ERIE 2 (4”) xat2” cloneSize: then leveled criticism COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY the Issue: cart before the 5/27 horse apEMPLOYMENT proach of the developers. DeOPPORTUNITIES D/L: 5/21 velopers announce plans that Please check out our website at: politicians embrace and present http://www.buffalolib.org/ as done deals with absolutely content/employment-opporno input from, and no regard tunities/job-postings for, residents. This is in direct opposition of SEQRA, the 1976 New York State law, State EnviFREE HELP WANTED ronmental Quality Review Act. LISTING! The final speaker was LegisNeed help around your busilator Grant who acknowledged ness, church, mosque or orgathat her presence was going to nization? If you have a job or raiseBuffalo objections from her poChallenger jobs for youth this summer we litical colleagues as her district will list your help wanted free (4”) Belt. x 2” doesSize: not include the2Fruit of charge!

Legislator Grant then reminded Issue: 5/27 Email to: the audience that the dollars of 5/21not new advertising@thechallengthe D/L: Buffalo Billion are ernews.com dollars from Heaven but money that we have sent to Albany via Please include contact informaour sales, income, and property tion for varification. taxes as well as our Lottery and OTB ticket purchases. This bil62129 lion is coming back to Buffalo Legal Notice FILE # INDY FF – it is not a gift and public input NOTICE OF SALE on how it is spent is justified.

COUNTY COURT - COUNTY OF ERIE Her viewpoint is not popular as OneWest Bank, FSB, she has been chastised publicly.

Plaintiff But her message was clear to -againstthe audience—the money is our Acea M. Mosey-Erie County Public Administrator as Administratrix of money as it has been sent to Althe Estate of Marion Mendel a/k/a Marion Margaret Mendel-deceased, Susan D. Wood as heir at law, next of kin and distributee of the Estate bany by us through our paying of Marion Mendel a/k/a Marion Margaret Mendel-deceased, Sandra A. taxes and fees and it is just comMandel as heir at law, next of kin and distributee of the Estate of Marion ing back from Albany. LegislaMendel a/k/a Marion Margaret Mendel-deceased, Alan Mandel as heir tor Grant also advised residents at law, next of kin and distributee of the Estate of Marion Mendel a/k/a not to sell their homes as homeMarion Margaret Mendel-deceased, John L. Mendel a/k/a John Mandel ownership is one building block as heir at law, next of kin and distributee of the Estate of Marion Mendel of wealth. a/k/a Marion Margaret Mendel-deceased, Brian L. Mandel, Sr. as heir Rod Watson of the Buffalo at law, next of kin and distributee of the Estate of Marion Mendel a/k/a Marion Margaret Mendel-deceased, Secretary of Housing and Urban News, who ignored the pres-

ence of Legislator Grant in his May 13, 2015 column, observed that East Siders are becoming more engaged in the political process and it may behoove politicians to listen to the voters who put them in office rather than to the developers who feather their nests.

Radio host Mary Davis expressed a similar observation at the meeting.

Can there be gentrification with justice? What do our elected officials Mayor Brown and the up for re-election Buffalo Common Council think of the question?

Development, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance-Tax Compliance Division-C.O.-ATC, Internal Revenue Service-United States of America, Capital One Bank, Richard Grabenstatter, People of the State of New York Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly dated MARCH 25, 2015 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at FORECLOSURE ALCOVE, ERIE COUNTY HALL, 92 FRANKLIN STREET, BUFFALO, NEW YORK on June 23, 2015 at 9:00 AM premises known as 139 FORBES AVENUE, TONAWANDA, NY 14150.

ALL that tract or parcel of land, situate in the Town of Tonawanda, County of ERIE and State of New York.

Section 40.46 Block 2 Lot 10 Approximate amount of lien $152,274.58 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment Index # 2013-602495 MARK J. LONGO, ESQ., REFEREE

STEIN, WIENER AND ROTH, L.L.P., ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFF

ONE OLD COUNTRY ROAD, SUITE 113 CARLE PLACE, NY 11514 DATED: May 13, 2015 FILE # INDY FF 62129

14

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS

3-WAY

SUN 5/17 MON 5/18 TUES 5/19 WED 5/`20 THURS 5/21 FRI 5/22 SAT 5/23

MID-611 MID-814 MID-035 MID-015 MID-748 MID-190 MID-942

EVE-270 EVE-643 EVE-493 EVE-702 EVE-228 EVE-744 EVE-750 MID- 1295 EVE-0222

WIN 4

MID-1478 EVE- 2479

MID - 6297 EVE - 4219

MID- 6111 EVE- 6079

7-10-14-16-29

6-23-31-33-39

MID- 9296 EVE- 1690

MID -8367 EVE- 6525

MID-1113 EVE-7418

11-13-27-33-35

TAKE 5

8-11-17-26-30

8-10-16-21-24

9-15-19-27-28

“Git on Da Bus”: Riders board the bus for a storyteling mystery crawl.

2-7-12-24-30

5-8-18-36-48-53 #38 15-16-17-26-49-55 #18

LOTTO

HOT TIPS

202

648

514

111

Zakiyyah’s Rundown (ZR) 875-579-103-076-423-568-909-096-534-546789-358-219 076-187-890-919-953-542-438910-680-194-234-567-891-908-026-436-580178-356-217-678-910-065-843-468-451-742 “Its In The Stars” Billy Bye Bye Sez: 189-901-659-514-1001447-1645-4444-8888 “Believe in miracles but don’t depend on them”

MAY MONTHLY VIBES

579-143-182-243409-374-492

Aquarius -496-235-165-579 Pisces - 056-362-237-694 Cancer - 482-372-895-718 Aries - 561-236-164-469 Taurus -258-231-026-695 Gemini-495-257-694-508 Leo-345-213-157-201 Virgo 385-291-431-170 Libra -247-723-179-501 Scorpio - 453-253-571-597 Sagittarius - 389-701-234-924 Capricorn:893-275-342-506

quick money $$$$ THE NUMBER BOOK 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550-525 583-269-508 Grandma’s MAY Picks 542-893-659-757-783-

Powerful New Energy Shift for Chinese New Year of the Sheep, Lucky Number “8.” This year marks 4017 Years of Celedration.

“Watch your temper!”

Best Triple for Month of MAY- Super 8’s - 888!

Doubles - 776-001-557-338

Bee’s Pix:133

“All My Children”

412-225-654-402-201-471-557

COMBO: 252, 228 -140

910

730

998

Challenger Hits Midday 942 May Vibe, Quick Money, Sagittarius (bx) 190 ZR , Billie Bye Bye (bx) 015 Libra (bx) 814 Quick Money (bx) Evening 750 Number Book (bx) 228 Combo ( straight) 493 Quick Money (bx) 643 ZR (bx) LUCKIE DUCKIE

202 335 -2015-4444

134-431-143

648*123*104

980-422-809

981-989-970-990-080800 390-196-102-581-752319-408-378-352-126

189-444-886-202

322-522-412-432-421423

3-Way Winning Numbers Last Year

06/04/2014 Evening 06/04/2014 Midday 06/03/2014 Evening 06/03/2014 Midday 06/02/2014 Evening 06/02/2014 Midday 06/01/2014 Evening 06/01/2014 Midday 05/31/2014 Evening 05/31/2014 Midday 05/30/2014 Evening 05/30/2014 Midday 05/29/2014 Evening 05/29/2014 Midday 05/28/2014 Evening 05/28/2014 Midday 05/27/2014 Evening 05/27/2014 Midday

2014

1-3-1 9-8-0 8-7-9 7-6-1 8-9-6 0-8-7 4-0-1 2-5-6 9-5-8 8-4-1 0-4-3 9-5-8 6-4-7 9-2-0 1-6-2 7-0-4 5-4-6 0-2-2

Black Storytellers Sponsor “Storytelling Crawl” Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY are doing it again! It’s the 12thAnniversary of the “Git on Da Bus!” storytelling mystery crawl. On June 6, at 3:30 pm, bus riders will be taken to four mystery sites where storytellers will entertain them with stories related to a special theme. After 12 years, the Tradition Keepers are proud to say that no site or theme has ever been repeated. In the past, stories have been shared at museums, churches, community centers, theaters, a funeral parlor, a bookstore, a garage, a beauty salon, and more. This year’s themes are: “What’s Love Got to Do with It?,” “From Rags to Riches,” “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” and “Forty Acres and a Mule.” Where do you think we’ll be going this year? $15 tickets include the bus ride, the stories, and light refreshments.

Tickets for this very popular event go quickly. Get in touch with Sandra, 883-4418 @ Merriweather Library; Sharon, 886-1399; or Karima, 834-8438.

This event is co-sponsored by Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY and Juneteenth Festival, Inc.

Celebrate a Victory with VOICE-Buffalo!

VOICE-Buffalo is holding a press conference to celebrate the re-establishment of the Local Conditional Release Program Thursday, May 28th at 11AM in front of the Rath Building at 95 Franklin St and the community invited to participate!

Expected speakers include Probation Commissioner Brian McLaughlin, Erie County Sheriff’s Office Superintendent Thomas Diina and several County Legislators. A large gathering of community and religious leaders from VOICE will also attend For over a year VOICE has worked closely with members of the Erie County Legislature, the County Executive’s office, the Erie County Sheriff’s office and the John R. Oishei Foundation to reestablish this program. This historic agreement has received bi-partisan support during a time of too many stand-offs and brings together County government and private foundation support in a new way.

The Conditional Release Program is a part of VOICE-Buffalo’s larger Restorative Justice efforts to: *Create comprehensive reentry programs to reduce recidivism *Address major mental health disparities that lead to incarceration *Keep youth and young adults out of the criminal justice system *Increase employment opportunities for African Americans, Hispanics, Refugees and other minorities.

15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015

Wed May 27

Wed May 27

Friday May 29

Monday June 1

Wednesday June 3

Wednesday June 3

School Board Meeting: 5:30 p.m., McKinley HS, 1500 Elmwood Ave ( school auditorium).

Khametic Ascendants:9-10 a.m. & 12:30 a.m. (after midnight), public Access Channel 20.

FREE Fair Housing Training: Hosted by The University Heights Community Laboratory and HOME, 6 p.m. at 9 W. Northrup Pl. For more info.

(716) 854-1400, ext.22

The Durham Central City Baby Café: every Wednesday and Thursday 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 E. Eagle in the Durham Outreach Center. Dinner is free!

Doris Gayles 885-6348.

BuffaLove Fest: 5:30-9:00 p.m., Buffalo Zoo, $20/advance, $30/door, 21+ Event includes live band tribute to Lance Diamond.

Afrikan Consciousness Workshop: 6-7:45 p.m. Merriweather Library Jefferson @ E. Utica; every Monday; public invited.

Khametic Ascendants: 9-10 a.m. & 12:30 a.m. (after midnight), public Access Channel 20.

Free Mini Health Fair: hosted

by East Delavan Public Library, 4-7 p.m.; 1187 East Delavan Ave; 896-4433.

The Durham Central City Baby Café: every Wednesday and Thursday 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 E. Eagle in the Durham Outreach Center. Dinner is free!

Doris Gayles 885-6348.

Health and Healing Circle: 2-4 pm 70 Harvard Place; for info: myhealthyadvantage@yahoo. com or call 218-0373.

AAUW Annual Book Sale: May 27- May30, 9:00am-8:00pm; Burlington Plaza, 1551 Niagara Falls Blvd. Free. (The AAUW provides financial support to college students in WNY with the funds raised by this massive book sale)

Health and Healing Circle: 2-4 pm 70 Harvard Place; for info: myhealthyadvantage@yahoo. com or call 218-0373.

Spiritual Warfare Seminar: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Second Chance Ministry, 381 E. Ferry St.; to reserve space call 886-2957.

Thursday May 28

Community Forum: “Health Care Disparity in the African American Community” 12 – 1 p.m., Ephesus Ministries, 341 Grider Street.

Dorie Miller Rifle and Pistol Club Meeting: 5:30 p.m., Merriweather Library; community invited. 771-0138. www.maxi7. com

VOICE Buffalo Press Conference and Celebration: 11 a.m. in front of the Rath Building at 95 Franklin in Buffalo.

Friday May 29 Documentary Series: 5 -7p.m., The Golden Cup 883 Jefferson Avenue, screening “The State of Black America” by Claude Anderson, discussion follows Free admission.

AIDS Free New York 2020 Campaign Briefing: 9:00 a.m., at the Community Health Center of Buffalo, 34 Benwood Avenue. Free and open to the public. To pre-register 716.332.3773 x 201.

Saturday May 30

Nappy Hour Hair Forum: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Hair To Go Natural, 727 Main. RSVP 883-2000.

Tuesday June 2

Friday June 5 ArtSpace Members Exhibition: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. 1219 Main St.

Board Meeting of the Charter School of Inquiry: 4:45 p.m., Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue. For info 833-3250 or email charterschoolofinquiry@gmail.com The public is invited.

Dorie Miller Rifle & Pistol Club Monthly Educational Forum: 499 Franklin St., 7 p.m., topic, “The Bill of Rights.”

United Black Men’s Think Tank of Buffalo, Inc., “Know Your Human Rights” : 1- 4 p.m., Merriweather Library, Jefferson & E. Utica .

Wednesday June 3 Strategic Planning Meeting For A Buffalo Summer Basketball Tournament: 5:30- 7:30 p.m., Merriweather Library 1324 Jefferson. More info, 602-5877.

Sunday May 31 AAUW Annual Book Sale: 12:00- 5:00 p.m. Burlington Plaza, 1551 Niagara Falls Blvd Free. (The AAUW provides financial support to college students in WNY with the funds raised by this massive book sale. )

Public Hearings: Buffalo City Hall Room #801. solicit comments from the community in connection with: Enterprise Charter , Buffalo United Charter , Tapestry Charter School.

See You At The EVENTS!

A new new Kindergarten Kindergarten through through Grade Grade 6 6 Elementary Elementary School School A NOW ENROLLING KINDERGARTEN, 1ST GRADE AND 2ND GRADE NOW ENROLLING KINDERGARTEN, 1ST GRADE AND 2ND GRADE 404 Edison Edison Avenue, Avenue, Buffalo, Buffalo, NY NY 14215 14215 •• (716) (716) 833-3250 833-3250 404 •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

Inquiry-based instruction instruction that that builds builds on on children’s children’s natural natural curiosity curiosity Inquiry-based Children learn learn by by exploring, exploring, investigating, investigating, analyzing analyzing and and creating creating Children Academic focus focus on on literacy, literacy, critical critical thinking thinking and and problem problem solving solving Academic Low student to teacher ratio Low student to teacher ratio Individualized for every every child child Individualized instruction instruction plan plan for Longer school day and school year Longer school day and school year Free program (3:30 (3:30 pm pm to to 5:30 5:30 pm) pm) Free two-hour two-hour extended extended day day program Bus transportation available Bus transportation available Infusion history and and culture culture while while celebrating celebrating the the Infusion of of African-American African-American history cultures of all children • School culture based on collaboration and respect Charter Schools are public schools. There is no tuition. All city of Buffalo children are welcome to attend.

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. APPLY NOW!

Applications for enrollment are available at www.charterschoolofinquiry.org, onecalling can be mailed by calling 716-833-3250. or by 716-833-3250.

16

Challenger Community News • May 27, 2015