2 INSIDE ROCHESTER Mayor Lovely Warren Rochester Black Employees to Host Annual Dr. Sworn In : Rochester’s First Association Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon Female Mayor The Rochester Black Employees Association will host
JANUARY 08, 2014
Mayor Warren sworn in by Judge Theresa Johnson. PHOTO RODNEY YOUNG
‘We can make things better’ Mayor Lovely Warren's public inauguration was held Jan. 4 at the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester. Warren, 36, is Rochester's 67th mayor -- and the first female to hold the office "We can't turn a blind eye to change," Warren told an estimated 1,500 who attended the noontime inauguration at the Auditorium Theatre. "We can make things better, and my eyes are wide open to the possibilities." Among those on stage were Assemblyman David Gantt, her mentor; Ruth Scott, the first black woman elected to City Council and its first president; Constance Mitchell, the first woman elected to the Monroe County Board of Supervisors who, at that time in 1961, was the highest-serving person of color in the United States. Former Mayor Thomas Richards was in the audience, along with Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, County Executive Maggie Brooks and other dignitaries. Prior to the public inauguragion, Warren was sworn in as Rochester's mayor by City Court Judge Stephen Miller in was held in a conference room on the fourth floor of Strong Memorial Hospital so Warren's grandfather, Cecil McClary could be in attendence. McClary suffered a stroke in recent days and was confined to the hospital. About 70 family members crowded into conference room to watch the swearing in. McClary lived just long enough to see his granddaughter — Mayor Lovely Warren — take office. On Thursday, as the Warren administration began its first day of business at City Hall, McClary died surrounded by family at Strong Memorial Hospital. He was 87. McClary had been the inspiration behind Warren's campaign and an anchor throughout her life. In her new City Hall office, a framed portrait of Warren hugging McClary hangs behind her desk, just over her right shoulder. "He's watching over me," she said.
AROUND TOWN
its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon on Friday, January 17 from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Inn on Broadway, 26 Broadway in Rochester. Dr. Keith Jenkins, Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) , the schools’ first Assistant Provost for Diversity, will be the keynote speaker. Janice Howard has been selected as the 2014 recipient of “Leaving a Legacy Dr. Jenkins Award” from the Rochester Black Employees Association. Ms. Howard recently retired from Xerox after serving 40 years. She remains connected with RBEA and the Black Women’s Leadership Council (BWLC). She has been an active member of these caucus groups for over 25 years. She has also been an active participant at Annual Martin Luther King Jr Luncheon. It is one of her major accomplishments with the organization Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at various Webster and Xerox Square locations.
Terrance Beatty
Prayer and Vigil Service Held for Terrance Beatty Rochester’s First Homicide of 2014 A prayer vigil and services were held for Terrance Beatty January 3. Terrance was Rochester’s first homicide of 2014. His wake will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8 at Angel Hills Funeral Chapel, 1225 St. Paul Street. Home Going services will take place on Thursday, January 9.
*The Housing Council Operating Rental Property Workshops, Sat. Jan. 25, East Rochester 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; fee $35 per person; to register call 546-370com African World History Class Tuesdays, 7:30-9 pm Hosted by Kiah Nyame The African World History class provides an ongoing experience of the contributions and achievements Africans and African-Americans have made throughout history. Classes are open to the community - walk ins welcome. Baobab Cultural Center 728 University Ave., (585) 563-2145.
SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
ChallengerCN.com
JANUARY 08, 2014
ChallengerCN.com
Challenger Community News •
WNY AREA BRIEFS
“I serve only One”
3
Pastor Darius G. Pridgen made history when he was unamiously elected as Common Council President.
T
he question on the minds of a lot people in the community after Rev. Darius Pridgen ran for public office and won, was whether or not he could “serve two masters.” But when he was sworn in last Thursday, January 2 as the 65th Council president, making him the first member elected president unanimously since the Sharon and Kenneth Holley council began appointing its leadership from within, he made it plain who he serves. Pridgen, the pastor of True Bethel Baptist church pointed to the council ceiling and said to loud applause, “ I serve only One!” Rev. Pridgen joins an impressive list of African American ministers throughout history who became On Saturday, January 18, political leaders. 2014, Kenneth and Sharon Samuel Black, author of African-American Ministers Holley will receive the Eye Becoming Political Leaders writes: On History Award for their “Traditionally, ministers such: as Reverend Dr. contributions toward proFloyd Flakes, senior pastor of Allen A. M. E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens, and President of Wilberforce University in Ohio, was moting the history of Afrielected as a congressman by his community. The Reverend Walter Edward Fauntroy, pastor can Americans through their of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and a civil rights activist was also many community activities. elected to the United States Congress by the African-American community. He was also a The award will be presented at the Merriweather library candidate for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination. “The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., civil rights activist and Baptist minister was a located at 1324 Jefferson candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, and also served as avenue at 3:00 p.m.The Holleys own Zawadi Books loshadow senator from the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. Additionally, the Reverend Andrew Young, politician, diplomat and pastor from Georgia cated at 2460 Main Street. served as Mayor of Atlanta, a Congressman from the 5th district and United States Ambas- Their store contains a wide sador to the United Nations. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., who served 14 terms in the U.S. variety of books and other House of Representatives, also came from the African-American area. Rev. William H. Gray items that tell the story of AfIII, Pennsylvania Congressman and former head of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) rican people. It also includes confided in the town’s people. Last by not least, AME Church Bishop Henry McNeal Turner a Jordan-Holley Reading was elected to the Georgia Legislature in 1868 by the African-American regions. These are room and Storytelling Resource Center. The Holleys just a few of the ministers who were elected as political leaders by their community. “…The sustainment of faith during slavery and the civil rights struggle placed the Afri- also headed the Kwanzaa Committee for many years can-American ministers in the forefront for public office by the African-American people.” making it an integral part of -Next Stop Mayor’s Office?Council President Pridgen also made it clear that serving as the next mayor of the City our community. of Buffalo was not his primary objective. He said he hopes that Mayor Brown will complete Columnist Eva M. Doyle his term, but if not, as Council President, it is his duty according to the City Charter, to take created this award to recogthat leadership role. nize individuals in the comBut his job, he stressed, is to “concentrate on the people’s business as it relates to the munity who teach, promote, Council.” and share Black History in a There is speculation that Gov. Cuomo may be considering Mayor Brown as his run- variety of ways. The award ning mate as Lt. Governor. If that were to materialize and includes a plaque and a gift Brown accepts, Council member Pridgen would assume the of $25. The Eye On Hismayor’s seat until the next mayoral election. tory Award will be presentPridgen, regarded as a consensus builder and dynamic ed every other month. The n addition to Council leader, received a standing ovation after he was voted presinext award will be given in Member Pridgen’s his- dent. A near capacity crowd attended the proceedings. March. For more informatoric appointment, last City residents are now able to watch council meetings tion you can call 847-6010. Thursday’s reorganization live on TV. meeting also saw additional history being made: the first time the Council had an all minority leadership. The reelection of Masten Council University District Council Member Bonnie Russell is leaving the Common Council to Member Demone A. Smith take a job with new Family Court Judge Mary G. Carney. Councilmember Russell,was recas majority leader and Ni- ognized for 10 years of service Tuesday, Jan. 7 as she celebrated her last day on the Buffalo agara Council Member Da- Common Council.The Council will appoint her replacement. vid Rivera, a Hispanic, as In her political career for the last ten years, Russell served as the only female Councilpresident Pro tempore. Mr. member, representing the University District residents. She was unanimously selected by her Rivera is also man of faith. fellow councilmembers for President Pro Tempore of the Council in January 2012. Recently, he has served as Co-Pastor of True Remnant Church on Ontario Street. He also participated in a Visit us at ChallengerCN.com missionary trip to the Dominican Republic in 2007.
Kenneth and Sharon Holley to Receive Award
OATH OF OFFICE: Judge Shirley Troutman adminsters the oath of office to Mayor Byron Brown for a third term before a crowd of supporters and well wishers as his lovely wife Michelle and son Byron Jr. look on. PHOTO PRINCESS PHOTOGRAPHY
Grant appointed Minority Leader of the Legislature’s Democratic Caucus Former Erie County chairwoman and 2nd District Legislator, Betty Jean Grant, was unanimously selected by her Democratic colleagues to serve as the Minority Leader of the Democratic Caucus in the County Legislature. The Democrats are now in the minority in the Legislature with the loss of the legislative district that is comprised of parts of Cheektowaga, Depew and Lancaster. Republican John Mills was elected Chairman of the legislature, replacing the hard working and popular legislator, Betty Jean Grant. Joe Lorigo, a member of the Conservative Party, aligned with the Republican Legislators and was appointed Majority Leader of the Republican Caucus. The Republicans, with the support of Conservative Legislator Lorigo and Independence Party member, Lynn Dixon, who represents South Buffalo, Lackawanna and Hamburg, will retain control of the legislature by a slim one vote margin at least until the next County Legislators election in 2015. The Challenger and the North Buffalo Rocket were selected by the Democrats to be the legal and official newspapers of their Caucus.
Judge Ogden One of Two Local Judges Named Science, Technology Fellows Buffalo City Judge E. Jeannette Ogden has been named a Science and Technology Fellow by the Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Center. Erie County Judge Michael F. Pietruszka was also named. The center runs a program to enhance judges’ knowledge of the fundamentals of science and forensic analysis. The judges were recognized recently at a ceremony at the New York State Judicial Institute in White Plains. Ogden attended the Science Boot Camp and took courses on genetic technologies, neuroscience, brain development and computer forensics. Her fellowship project was a 90-minute computer-interfaced science course for local criminal court judges and judges who preside over adolescent diversion courts. The title of the course was “Understanding Brain Development in Young Adults: Conduct and Culpability in Court.” Congratulations Judge Ogden!
Another First
I
Bonnie Russell Leaving the Council
4
National/International NEWS
JANUARY 08, 2014
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Civil Rights Icons Demand Obama Chaplain Who Referred to New Racial Hatred in the Dominican Withdraw Judicial Picks Unfriendly York City as a “Plantation” During Republic to African-Americans Rev. Fred Lucas:
Black Agenda Report
Inauguration Prayer for de Blasio is Former Minister from Buffalo
The chaplain who sent his listeners into shock mode when he compared the city to a “plantation” at incoming Mayor Bill de Blasio’s inauguration ceremony last week in New York City is the former pastor of Agape AME Church in Buffalo. The Rev. Fred A. Lucas of the Brooklyn Community Church, who officially serves as the city’s Department of Sanitation chaplain, said during his public prayer: “Let the plantation called New York City be the city of God, a city set upon the hill, a light shining in darkness.” Although some described the imagery as shocking and offensive, African American leaders defended Mr. Lucas’s speech as belonging to a familiar African American pulpit tradition of symbolism. Rev. Lucas said one supporter, invoking a plantation, was trying to paint a picture that there’s still a lot of inequality in the city.” Mr. Lucas holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University where the senior dissertation he wrote in 1972 was entitled, “Christianity and the Militant Slave.” He earned a doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School and has preached in congregations as far away as Liberia. He was on the clergy committies for President bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
The Dominican Republic’s efforts to deny citizenship to hundreds of thousands of residents of Haitian descent is rooted in the racism of an “elite that has never wanted to have anything to do with Black people,” said Dr. Jemima Pierre, a professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University. “They’re trying to establish rules that will also effectively get rid of dark-skinned people who don’t have Haitian ancestry. What about the poor Dominican woman who doesn’t have any papers and can’t prove she isn’t Haitian?” asked Pierre, who is also an editor and columnist for Black Agenda Report.
The Uncounted Homeless
The Obama administration’s claim that homelessness declined last year is based on “incomplete” data, said Maria Foscarinis, executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. The government’s methodology mainly counts “who is in a shelter, which really just measures the capacity of shelters – and we know that shelters turn people away every night,” while failing to adequately measure the number of people those who are living on the street or have crowded into unsustainable quarters with friends and relatives, said Foscarinis.
Spreading Chaos in World
“The one thing that’s become clearer than at any time in the past is that U.S. intervention creates spreading destabilization and chaos,” said Sara Flounders, of the United National Anti-War Coalition. “It’s designed to do that. We can see the immediate results in South Sudan, a country that came into existence under U.S. protection in order to put this oilrich region directly under the control of U.S. and U.S.-led forces,” said Flounders. “A quarter of all the oil that is consumed in the U.S. comes from Africa. Washington has no interest at all in democracy, development and freedom” – only in power and Coke oven emissions from Bethlehem profits.
ATTENTION FORMER COKE OVEN EMPLOYEES
Steel, Donner Hanna and other Western New York coke oven facilities are a potent cause of lung cancer and other cancers. If you or a family member is suffering from or died as a result of a cancer from work on coke oven batteries, you may be able to file a legal claim against the manufacturers of coke ovens and collect significant financial compensation.
ONE WESTERN NEW YORK LAW FIRM HAS EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA
LIPSITZ & PONTERIO, LLC
We are Located in Downtown, Buffalo, NY
Call Us Today: 716-849-0701 www.lipsitzponterio.com
135 Delaware Avenue • 5th Floor • Buffalo, New York 14202
Harry Belafonte: JFK ‘Knew So Little’ About The Black Struggle As the nation recently commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, much has been said about the former president’s relationship with the AfricanAmerican community and the part he played in the Civil Rights Movement.As a close confidant of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and a dedicated social activist, Harry Belafonte had the opportunity to meet the soon to be commander in chief, who was on the presidential campaign trail at the time. But the entertainer said Kennedy was not very knowledgeable about the African-American struggle beyond the stories that were making headlines.
When Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid passed a motion that would allow President Obama to get through many of his judicial nominees who had remained in limbo, Democrats thought this was a positive step forward. What they didn’t know was that some of President Obama’s nominees would be unfriendly to the very causes that President Obama says he champions. At issue now are three judges the White House has cleared to fill vacancies on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Presidential Medal of Freedom winners Joseph Lowery and C.T. Vivian, along with civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, have lashed out at President Obama for both ignoring them and selecting judges who are unfriendly to issues that impact African-Americans. The White House seems to have followed the recommendations of members of the Georgia Republican delegation when making its decision, but left out Black civil rights leaders as well as Rep. John Lewis. The White House cleared three of the judges — Mark Cohen, Eleanor Ross and Michael Boggs — with GOP Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss as part of a deal to fill two seats on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, according to reports in a legal journal called the Daily Report and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The problem for Georgia Democrats is that Pres. Obama’s nominees appear to lean Republican on many issues that Democrats care about. For example, Mark Cohen was the lead defense attorney in challenges to Georgia’s Voter ID law. And both Michael Boggs and Eleanor Ross were previously appointed by Georgia’s Republican Gov. Nathan Deal, providing a glimpse into their ideology. The White House says that the conservative leaning picks were needed because it couldn’t convince the Ga. GOP delegation to sign off on more liberal picks.
JANUARY 08, 2014
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
HEALTH MATTERS
5
Taoist Tai Chi Classes for Beginners at Community Health Center of Buffalo The Taoist Tai Chi Society of New York is now offering classes for beginners on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Community Health Center of Buffalo beginning at 6 p.m. The Community Health Center is located at 34 Benwood Avenue, located off Main Street near Dewey. The Taoist Tai Chi Society Internal Arts of Health incorporates stretching and turning into a sequence of movements that improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It reduces tension improve circulation and balance, strength and flexibility. Classes for beginners are twice weekly, Tuesday and Thursday at the Center. The donation for four months of classes is $125. Seniors 60 and older have a discounted rate of $85. Call 8767218 for further details. Discounts are available from some HMO’s. The Taoist Tai Chi Society was founded by the late Master Moy Lin Shin formally from Toronto. He studied Tai Chi and related Taoist Health Arts for over 30 years. The Buffalo Tai Chi Society will currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary and is one of the oldest such clubs in the world. All instructors are certified and undergo stringent observation before allowing to instruct classes. -Health BenefitsThe Taoist Tai Chi™ internal arts are specifically designed to improve holistic health. The significant degree of turning and stretching in each of the movements, combined with the adaptability of the form to suit individual needs, are just some of the factors that contribute to its focus on restoring, improving and maintaining health. The health benefits include: improved circulation, balance and posture; increased strength and flexibility; and reduced stress. With regular practise, the Taoist Tai Chi™ internal arts reach deep inside the body to benefit the entire physiology including the tendons, joints, spine, connective tissue and internal organs. It restores the calmness and peace of mind that is often lost through the desires and anxieties of daily life. Although not a substitute for proper medical treatment, the Tai Chi that we offer can help to improve the health and quality of life for people dealing health conditions such as poor circulation, high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, joint immobility, respiratory problems, digestive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and many others.
Northeast Kidney Foundation Holds Post Holiday Party
2014
The Year to Remember!
Make
All it takes is about an hour to gain peace of mind by preplanning your cemetery needs.
You know you should do it, and this is the time. Prices will never be more affordable than right now to make burial arrangements for you and your family at Forest Lawn. Select from many burial options, including: • Cremation options • Traditional in-ground burial • Above-ground mausoleums
Call the Forest Lawn office today at 885-1600 and ask for Family Service Representative Karen Davis or Cleveland Kirkland.
www.forest-lawn.com
1411 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, New York 14209
The Northeast Kidney Foundation will hold a post holiday party for the Western New York renal community on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 from 12 pm to 3:30 pm at The Millennium Hotel at 2040 Walden Ave. The event is free to all dialysis patients and transplant patients. The cost is $20 for all others. The event recognizes the Western New York renal community and brings together healthcare professionals; transplant recipients, and kidney disease and dialysis patients. The mission of the NorthHealthy, postmenopausal women, not currently taking hormones, east Kidney Foundation is needed to volunteer for a study of diet and hormones being conducted to improve the lives of those affected by kidney disease by the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park and related conditions; to inCancer Institute. Participants will be asked to provide blood, urine, and crease organ donation; and to bowel movement samples four (4) times during five (5) months, complete empower those we serve to be effective voices for better questionnaires, and eat a small amount of flaxseed (a commonly available healthcare at the local, state food supplement) every day for six and federal levels.For more information about the North(6) weeks along with their usual east Kidney Foundation and diet. For more information, call to RSVP call 716-512-7918 or 845-1177 or 845-1650. please visit www.healthykidneys.org.
FLAXSEED STUDY
6
ChallengerCN.com
FAITH BASED
Frederick Douglass: 5 Religious Facts You Might Not Know WASHINGTON (RNS) Frederick Douglass, whose sevenfoot bronze statue was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday (June 19), is known as the father of the civil rights movement. But the 19th-century abolitionist and former slave was also a licensed preacher.
Here are five religious facts about Douglass: 1. He was a licensed lay preacher.: Douglass was licensed to preach by a congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in New Bedford, Mass., and had many roles
JANUARY 08, 2014 Challenger Community News •
in the denomination. The AME Zion Church was where he honed his famous oratorical skills. 2. He published The North Star, an abolitionist newspaper, from the basement of an AME Zion church. 3. Douglass’ Washington home featured religious artifacts. 4. He attended several churches in Washington. 5. A church in Elmira, N.Y., was named for him.
JANUARY 08, 2014
ChallengerCN.com
Challenger Community News •
Youth Prison Prevention Project Offers Free Seminars To Area Churches By Robert A. Harris Sr. The Youth Prison Prevention Project would like to come to your church to give a free seminar on various topics to help keep our youth out of the prison system. The goal of the Youth Prison Prevention Project is to educate youth and parents on the traps of the streets and the traps of the prison system. For the last three years this writer has championed the task of helping youth and families come to a greater sense of dignity and purpose. This has been done through mentoring, direct family assistance, prison prevention workshops, and the Y.P.P.P. Talent Development Program. Over the past three years the Youth Prison Prevention Project has given over 150 presentations throughout Western New York, Pennsylvania, and Atlanta GA. They have worked with over 15 schools, 20 community centers, and 35 churches. The focus with the churches has always been to help the youth have a closer walk with Jesus in a practical way. Our Talent Development Program has brought the light of Christ to dozens of youth that came through our tutelage; in turn those dozens of youth affected hundreds. We believe that music helps to force wicked spirits out of the atmosphere; just like David did for King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:23. Our seminars cover various topics such as Prison Prevention, Anti-Bullying, Peer Pressure, and Education; just to name a few. We welcome parents and Pastors to attendThe Youth Prison Prevention Project has a regular television show that airs on Time Warner Channel 20 every Saturday at 3pm. For more information call (716) 563 – 5515.
Kimera Lattimore Crowned Buffalo’s Best Kimera Lattimore was crowned Buffalo’s Best 2013 on December 1. She will represent Buffalo on a national level. Kimera received $500, ten hours studio time at Outer Limits Recording Studio, and hotel/airfare to go audition for BET’s Sunday Best. David Vaughn Herring was first runner up ; Philip Gains second runner up; and Sandra Clay was third runner up. WUFO 1080 Mix 1080 Am sponsored the competition.
7
Bishop Michael B. Curry is Guest Preacher at St. Philip’s Homecoming Worship Celebration Bishop Michael B. Curry, author of Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus, will be the Guest Preacher at a Homecoming Worship Celebration on Friday, January 31, at 5 PM, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church located at 18 Sussex Avenue. The inspirational book of sermons, was published in August 2013. It will be available for purchase at this event for $15. For more information, please call the Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Josephine Cross, at 716 636-3014, or the Church at 716 833-0442. The Right Reverend Michael B. Curry was elected 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in 2000. Bishop Curry attended public schools in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in St. Philip’s Episcopal church where his father, Kenneth Curry, was the Rector. He received a Master of Divinity degree in 1978 from Yale University. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1978 in North Carolina. During his time as Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, he has taken the Diocese into the 21st century version of Galilee, the complex modern world that churches must engage in order to continue spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout his ministry, Bishop Curry has been active in issues of social justice, speaking out on immigration policy and marriage equality. Well known for his evocative preaching, Bishop Curry serves on the boards of a large number of orgaVISIT THE NASH HOUSE MUSEUM
The Nash House Museum 36 Nash Street*856-4490 www.nashhousemuseum.org
Historic home of the late Rev. J. Edward Nash and Frances Jackson Nash. Open by appointment November - January
nizations and has a national preaching and teaching ministry. He has been featured on The Protestant Hour and North Carolina Public Radio’s The State of Things, as well as on The Huffington Post. He has received honorary degrees from Sewanee, Virginia Theological Seminary, Yale and Episcopal Divinity School. All are invited to come and hear this outstanding, dynamic preacher bring the message of the Gospel to Western New York!
Bishop Curry
A P A R T M E N T S White’s Livery Apartments 428 Jersey Street Buffalo, New York 14213
..........................
Historical Building Converted into Affordable Apartments
• Historic 3 Story Apartment Building • 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments • Off-Street Parking • Dishwasher • Stove • Refrigerator • A/C
• Energy Efficient Construction • Elevator • Laundry Room • Close Proximity to Elmwood Village & Buffalo’s Medical Corridor • Income Restrictions Apply • Water Included
Sponsored by: Telephone: 716.885.2344 ext. 21 • E-mail: whiteslivery@wsnhs.org
8 ENTERTAINMENT Buffalo’s Own Roslyn Ruff to Portray Coretta Scott King and Fannie Lou Hamer on Broadway
JANUARY 08, 2014
Legends and Legacies
(SNCC). Directed by Bill Rauch, All the Way is slated to begin previews February 10, 2014 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Opening night is set for March 6. In addition to Romeo and Juliet, Ruff, formerly of Ujima Company, appeared in Fences on Broadway. Her off-Broadway credits include The Piano Lesson, Things of Dry Hours, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Macbeth, Seven Guitars and The Cherry Orchard. Her film and TV credits include Masters of Sex, The Big C, A Gifted Man, The Good Wife, The Sopranos, The Help, Salt, Life During Wartime and Rachel Getting Married. Ruff joins previously announced Emmy winner Bryan Cranston as Lyndon B. Johnson, Michael McKean as J. Edgar Hoover, Brandon J. Dirden as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rob Campbell as Governor George Wallace and Tony nominee John McMartin as Richard Russell. Beginning with the Kennedy assassination, All the Way details the first year of Johnson’s presidency, focusing on his involvement with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The play opens on Air Force One on November 23, 1963, as the plane transports the body of President Kennedy back to Washington, D.C., and Johnson summons his courage to take on the role of commander in chief. With its cast of 22 actors, it takes audiences behind the doors of the Oval Office and inside the first year of Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency and his fight to pass a landmark civil rights bill. Tickets are available at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster.com at
ON STAGE *Amadeus
B
uffalo’s own Roslyn Ruff, who recently completed her run in Broadway’s Romeo and Juliet, will play Martin Luther King, Jr.’s wife Coretta Scott King and Fannie Lou Hamer in the Broadway transfer of Robert Schenkkan’s All the Way. Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., helped lead the African American Civil Rights Movement. Fannie Lou Hamer was a voting rights activist and civil rights leader who was instrumental in organizing the Mississippi Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates Mozart’s Birthday, featuring a piano concerto with Enrica Ciccarelli and a one-act, featuring Darren Stokes, bass-baritone, Jonathan Boyd, tenor, Friday Jan. 17 @ 10:30 a.m.; Sat. Jan 18 @ 8 p.m.; 8855000. Legends and Legacies film: How James Brown Saved Boston after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be shown on Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Merriweather Library. Hosted by Eva Doyle
SUPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!
challengercn.com See you at the events
JANUARY 08, 2014
9
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Line Dance Classes *Urban Line Dance classes by Cheri, 716-2009702 will be held: Monday’s at the 600 Club, North & Fox 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at New Humboldt Inn, 8-10 p.m.; the last Tuesday of each month Ballroom classes. Wednesdays at St. Phillip’s, 15 Fernhill from 6 to 8 p.m. *Miss Barbara Tuesdays at St. John Baptist church Family Life Center,184 Goodell St. 6 pm: Instructor Barbara Glover *Willa J. Line Dance, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30 a.m., Martha Mitchell Center, 175 Oakmont; Thursdays Schiller Park Center, 60 and Better! 10:30 a.m.; 444-2046
Line Dance Classes *Urban Line Dance classes by Cheri, 716-200-9702 Monday’s at the 600 Club, North & Fox 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at New Humboldt Inn, 8-10 p.m.; the last Tuesday of each month Ballroom classes. Wednesdays at St. Phillip’s, 15 Fernhill from 6 to 8 p.m.
Line Dance Classes
challengercn.com
*Bennett W. Smith Life Center 833 Michigan Barbara Glover & Bessie Pope Instructors Tues & Thurs 6-7 p.m. *Delavan & Grider Center 877 Delavan Ave. Vinny Brown (854-2488) Bessie Pope Tues. & Tnurs. 10:30 a.m. – noon *Bessie Pope Tuesdays @ EM Tea Cup Cor. Hughes & Oakgrove 6-8 p.m. 308-0970
ON STAGE *AVERY SUNSHINE Saturday February 1 @ TRALF MUSIC HALL With Special Guest DREA D'NUR 8pm $35 Advance | $40 Day of Show Tickets On Sale Ticketmaster.com / Walmart / Tralf Box Office, Doris Records *FRIDAY NIGHT LAUGHS Friday February 7 @ TRALF MUSIC HALL Featuring CAPONE "The Gangsta Of Comedy" with ROB STAPLETON Two shows 8pm $20 Advance $25 Day of Show & 10:30 p.m. $25 Advance $30 Day of Show Tickets On Sale Ticketmaster.com / Walmart / Tralf Box Office, Doris Records *THE WHISPERS Saturday February 15 @ TRALF MUSIC HALL TWO SHOWS 7pm & 9:30pm $49 Advance | $54 Day of Show Sweetheart Package - $79 at Box Office Only Ticketmaster.com / Walmart / Tralf Box Office 716-852-2860 *RACHELLE FERRELL Saturday March 22 @ TRALF MUSIC HALL TWO SHOWS: 8pm & 10pm $45 Advance | $50 Day of Show Tickets at Ticketmaster.com / Walmart / Tralf Box Office 716-852-2860 Doris Records *PEACHES *Every Thursday 9 p.m. Pure Pleasure & Peaches followed by open mic @ Arthurs Pub, Jefferson & Genesee St. *Every Friday @ Michael Rays on Broadway near Memorial Drive; 7 p.m.
Happiness Is... FREE ICE SKATING AT MLK PARK!
C
ourtland Renford Jr., Gabrielle Wallace and her brother Chaston Wallace, were really happy to be able to skate in Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Sunday. They had been skating regularly in area rinks in and around the city in the past, but said it was especially fun to be able to spin around the ice right here in the community. Whether they were aware of it or not, they were taking part in a very historic event, as Sunday marked the first time in over 50 years that free ice skating took place in MLK Park . In addition to giving kids something positive to do outside in the winter months, skating promotes healthy exercise for the entire family during the cold season. Also on hand was professional skater Larry Caver, who serves as a monitor on the ice. Caver, who teaches ice hockey and skating, is hopeful that he will be able to start an inner city hockey program at MLK this winter. The 100 by 130 foot area designated for Sundays skate seemed small in comparison to the huge 5-acre concrete basin itself, but it sufficed for those who Courtland Renford Jr., Chaston Wallace turned out. And according to Mayor Brown, more ice and Gabrielle Wallace. would be cleared gradually as time goes on to increase the area. The weather will determine whether or not ice skating will take place. The design of the basin does not make ice on its own. Several hundred pairs of used ice skates were donated by the community as part of the Good Neighbor Skate Drop-Off to benefit the new skating program at Martin Luther King Park. The Skate Drop-Off was organized by BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and the Buffalo Sabres Foundation. Skating at MLK Park is free, as are the skates for those who need them, Monday thru Friday, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 5:30 p.m. The rink will be open to the public thru March. If there is a question about the weather or the opening or closing of the rink, call 838-1249. -A Tale of Two Press ConferencesLarry Caver Mayor Brown held a press conference to kick off the history making opening. Immediately afterwards Samuel A. Herbert called his own. Herbert, chairman of the Coalition to Save Martin Luther King Park, and the person most responsible for keeping the pressure on the city to complete the project this summer after many delays, was thrilled to see the rink open. But he said it was an “incredible insult” that Mayor Brown held a press conference to announce the opening and did not invite the Coalition to Save MLK Park to participate. “That showed disrespect towards us as a group,” he said. “And it was not an oversight – it was intentional. Everyone in this community knows the work the Coalition did to bring the MLK new water feature into fruition. I personally dedicated the last 15 years of my life to that effort.” This summer the community witnessed seeing hundreds of children playing in the MLK splash pad thanks to the Coalition and Herbert’s unprecedented watch dog efforts. But regardless of the “poSamuel A. Herbert litricks as usual” tactics by the mayor, Herbert said he was very happy to see this phase of the project launched. “The coalition invites everyone to come out and enjoy MLK Park this winter, and learn to skate! Admission is free and the skates are free! “The bottom line is that we have ice skating!” enthused a smiling Herbert as he pointed to the children on the ice. “And that’s positive!”
Visit us at challengercn.com
10
OPINIONS
Buy-out? Really, what will they think of next!
By Dr. Barbara Seals-Nevergold
On Sunday morning, December 29, 2013, the Buffalo News printed a front page headline proclaiming that Buffalo Schools Superintendent Pamela Brown had been offered a buyout. The story, subtitled “Community Leaders hope to entice Brown to resign with $500,000 package”, proceeded to name Robert D. Gioia, head of the Oishei Foundation, as the individual coordinating the effort to raise money from “deep-pocketed”, i.e. wealthy community members. Why do these wealthy “community leaders” want to buy-out Dr. Brown and send her packing? According to the article, they claim “she doesn’t communicate effectively, sometimes blindsides key players with decisions such as closing schools or adding dozens of staff to the payroll without first finding money to do so.” Further, the critics cite that the “state has criticized the lack of academic progress at several schools and rejected several versions of a plan to accommodate students wanting to transfer out of the lowest-performing schools”. Regent Robert Bennett, a member of the Oishei Board of Director and another critic often citing the problems of the district, is also quoted noting that the “evidence is quite over-whelming” that Buffalo is a failing district. As a result Regent Bennett indicates that Buffalo is a district prime for State take-over. Quite frankly if the State is looking to take over failing school districts; it should look to Rochester and Syracuse in addition to Buffalo. But, I digress. And there’s more, from the usual suspects with the usual complaints. But the criticisms, the finger-
pointing and the calculated ignorance of any progress made under Dr. Brown’s leadership are not new. Nor is there any reasonable recognition that the problems Dr. Brown is charged with fixing are long-standing Continued Page 11
“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
JANUARY 08, 2014
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Superintendent Brown, Supporters, Respond to Bribe
T
he frenzy to get rid of Buffalo School Superintendent Dr. Pamela Brown took another unbelievably desperate and insulting turn recently when “men with money” attempted to bribe her with a $500,000 buyout. And in an equally firm and progressive response, Dr. Brown publicly told them what they could do with their cash, and made it plain that she was in this battle to improve the education of this city’s children for the duration of her contract. Citing the district’s accomplishments since she arrived, she declared: “I will stay and I will stay the course!” Many in this community have expressed outrage and disbelief over the recent bribe...disguised as a buyout offer – despite the fact that the board voted keep Dr. Brown in her position in a critical vote in September. Everyone knows that Dr. Brown inherited a school district that had been in very bad condition for decades before she came. She has made progress. Why is there such a rush to push her out despite that fact? Who have the men with money selected to take her place? And what kind of magic wand will they be waving to turn this district around? Dr. Brown not only deserves the opportunity to work her plan in peace, the city and indeed, the district’s 25,000 students, deserve a break as well. Adults should be setting a better example. It’s time out for these types of insensitive, disrespectful, non-progressive, arrogant, ways of dealing with what’s wrong with the school district. As School Board president Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold noted: “the adults need to get along and put the children first.”
Dr. Brown
Statement by Dr. Pamela C. Brown In response to recent rumblings of a proposed buyout ofmy contract as superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools, I have several points to make as to why any such offer is not only counter to positive change, but damaging to this district and this city, as well. In my year and a half as superintendent, I have made much headway toward student success and overall management of the district - and we are showing signs of progress. Those who would turn a blind eye to the obvious achievements of the district under my tenure are not only working to mislead the public, but do the damage of branding the district and all of those in it as failures, which is certainly not the case. On top of that, I believe Chancellor Emeritus Robert Bennett and Legislator Betty Jean Grant stated it best when they said that the only people who should be responsible for my continuation in the district are the same people who seated me - a duly elected Board of Education, chosen by their constituents and working toward the betterment of the district, the city, and everyone in it. Whether or not certain individuals care for me on a personal level, I will tell you that as superintendent, I live and die by the progress the district generates, and that this district is seeing progress beginning with the fact that forty-two (42) of our 53 eligible schools were measured as being Effective this past school year, and two (2) more schools were rated as Highly Effective. That’s forty-four (44) of 53 schools that are Effective or Highly Effective. That is not failure. That is progress. Along with that, five (5) schools were rated as Developing - meaning they show progress. As a recap, that’s forty-nine (49) schools moving in the right direction. And while it’s true that four (4) of our schools did not have the distinction of making adequate progress over this last year, you can be sure that we have turned our attention - through my restructuring efforts to add extra support - to ensuring that those schools will not continue to languish in their minority distinction - but that they will show progress going forward. We are a district on the move. We are on the rise. We have worked well with our partners, moved swiftly to meet State Education Department mandates, and we have acted in a manner fiscally responsible to the citizens and taxpayers of this city and state. We have increased parental involvement
Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 advertising@thechallengernews.com
P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053
and kept our stakeholders engaged in district improvements. Anyone who is surprised by district initiatives has simply not been paying attention. One recent example I can cite is the current allegation from an unnamed critic saying that I have “blindsided key players with decisions such as closing schools.” In fact, the only schools that have been closed as of now were empty schools that we used during our recently completed school reconstruction phase. As for the proposals that were announced on December 18th, this was in keeping with the Public School Choice Corrective Action Plan the board unanimously voted on in an open meeting on September 25th. It was clear at that time that we would need to take certain steps in order to meet Commissioner King’s regulations by closing and restarting at least two schools. On December 4th , at an open meeting, I announced that proposals would be made on December 18th. Then, on December 18th three schools were named as possibilities, and meetings are being held with stakeholder groups over the next two weeks in order to consider these proposals. No decisions have been made as of yet, and we will look at all stakeholder input before plans are finalized. We look forward to celebrating Public School Choice week at the end of January having met the requirements of our state approved plan. We respect parents right to choose their child’s school, and we have come far to meet those choices, even as we work to make every school a School in Good Standing. Under my superintendency, we have raised graduation rates, lowered severe absenteeism and suspensions, and worked to keep those students who need it most in school and learning during the summer and through extended days. I will stay, and I will stay the course, and I would caution against those who would deny and undermine that fact. People with fistfuls of money who claim to have the best interests of children at their hearts should go directly to those children and families with that offering. I’m not interested in doing anything other than carrying out the vision I stated on arrival in this district, and that is to offer every child each and every child - a world-class education. At this point in time, make no mistake; I am rededicating myself to that goal. I invite everyone in the city to join us in this effort, but please don’t stand in our way.
• 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.
Hands Off Dr. Brown! All Eyes on the Upcoming School Board Election! Dear Editor: The unmitigated audacity of Gioia, Wilmers, Bennett and those other individuals (who refused to come forth) to offer money to buy out a public official is the latest slap in the face, not only to the African-American Community but to every taxpayers of the City of Buffalo. It seems to me that this is an act of attempted bribery and should be investigated by the District Attorney, Attorney General and the US Attorney’s office. If this was a group of Black business persons offering money to a White official they would have been in jail by now. To add insult to injury the Buffalo News writes an edititoral supporting this outlandish and illegal act. Thank God, that Superintendent Brown told them where they could go!! She has proven that she is person with backbone and will act in the best interest of the children. We need to stand tall with her and let her continue to turn the school system around. She is not for sale!!!! My hat is off to County Legislator Betty Jean Grant, who was the only Black Elected official who had the backbone to stand up to these robber barons. Ellicott District Councilmember Rev. Darius Pridgen has also shown support for Dr. Brown. Where do the other Black Elected office holders stand? Do they favor the buy out?? And where does Sam Radford fit into this picture? In his zeal to improve conditions for children in “failing schools” could it be that he’s also being used to justify those who would crucify this noble and committed Black woman who’s working to improve the educational status for all of this Continued Page 11
ADVERTISING /News/ Information/Inquiries adver tising@thechallengernews.com or alnisa33@yahoo.com
Phone: 716-881-1051 Fax: 716-881-1053
JANUARY 08, 2014
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
A Few Rich White Men and a Negro or Two Fail to Bribe Dr. Brown Dear Editor: Recently, a cabal of hite business persons and a negro or two, attempted to bribe the Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools, Dr. Pamela C. Brown publicly to resign - which she rejected. Their ass-backward logic is that her first year on the job, which showed significant progress in higher graduation rates, suspensions down and lower absenteeism - was not good enough. After decades of an intentionally retarded educational system in Buffalo, the cabal’s fear is that the positive progress under Superintendent Brown in one year is proof that she’s on the right course. In the past, these 1% business persons attempted to bribe former superintendents James Harris and James Williams to no avail. The cabal and its mouth-piece corporate media (the News) has ingrained in its DNA to obstruct African/Black peoples progressive leadership. For the last 500 years the European has use bribery as one of their main tools of blocking African/Black peoples progress. Some notable Black leaders that have been offered bribes, Marcus Garvey, Paul Roberson, Malcolm X and Martin L. King. This is what they do. Dr. Brown told the cabal publicly if you have some money you don’t need, give it to children’s educational needs, because I’m staying the course! Like we used to say back in the day, “right on!” -Roy St. Clair BUY-OUT? DR. NEVERGOLD continued and resistant to a quick fix. Certainly 18 months is hardly enough time to turn a District around that has been struggling for years. This latest tactic in the move to force Dr. Brown out of her position is outrageous and unconscionable. It cloaks an obvious insulting and degrading offer in the supposed well-meaning action of concerned and frustrated community leaders, who are only thinking of the school district. But they make the assumption that Dr. Brown could be bought for one-half million dollars. What price does one put on another person’s integrity? To further compound the insidious nature of this “offer”, Dr. Brown was not the first to know. It appears, thanks to the Buffalo News and other media, the entire city knew of the buyout plans before she did. To Dr. Brown’s credit, she has once again confirmed her intention to stay the course and her commitment to the children of this district. Interestingly but not surprising, the newspaper article never mentions or examines how the disruption created by forcing the Superintendent to leave in mid-year might affect the children of the district. Nor is there any indication who these leaders have selected to replace her. Oh, and by the way what role do they expect the Board of Education to play in this entire process? According to Mr. Gioia, the Board “should be ashamed of themselves”. Presumably we should have fired the Superintendent earlier. What is the rest of the plan? How will the void be filled? There is no discussion of the next steps although one can imagine that the same community leaders have thought about what happens next and none of their plans have included you or me. So much for transparency!
HANDS OFF DR. BROWN continued
city’s children? A woman who inherited a total mess of a district when she came here? The Community has a right to know and they should let us know one way or another. The real issue is the forth coming school board election. We cannot let Paladino and others take over the school board. We must elect Dr. Nevergold and anyone else who supports Superintendent Brown. If Dr. Nevergold is not elected then we as a community will lose. This is more than a school board election it’s an election for our dignity and honor and to say, we will not be controlled by a bunch of folk who have never had our best interest at heart. -John Curry
OPINIONS
From Retribution To Redemption: A Look At Politics In Buffalo!
I
n 2002, the City of Buffalo had a Common Council comprised of a Council President, three At- Large Council Members and nine District Councilmembers. The Council President was James W. Pitts and the three At-Large members were the Late Beverly A. Gray, Charley H. Fisher and Rosemarie Lotempio. Along with Gray, Fisher and Pitts, the other African American members of the Council were Brian Davis, Antoine Thompson, and Betty Jean Grant, bringing the number of African Americans on the council to six. If one were to go back to 2000, the number of Blacks on the council was seven out of thirteen. Karen Ellington, who represented the Fillmore District lost her seat to David Franczyk in 2001. It should come as no surprise that in 2001/2002 there came forth a huge movement to downsize the Buffalo Common Council by eliminating the Council Presidency and the Councilmembers-At-Large positions. The fact that three of the four positions being targeted for elimination were held by African Americans was considered suspicious behavior by those who did not believe in justice and fairness. Many saw this as a reaction to a very real threat that the Common Council may once again have African Americans constituting a clear majority of its members. If one were to measure this by today’s reality that we have an African American Mayor, an African American Council President & Majority Leader and a Hispanic President Pro Tempore of the Buffalo Common Council; Betty Jean the idea of a Black or minority majority does not seem so newsworthy. GRANT But back in 2000, when it happened, it was indeed news, national news! The move to downsize the Common Council of its city-wide elected members cost the African American community the loss of three of its six representatives! The argument the non minority Councilmembers who pushed for this sold the idea to the voters was that it would save the city money. They also stated that the district councilmembers could incorporate the duties of the At-Large members and that they would elect a council president from among themselves on a rotating basis, every few years. Well, the city did not save one dime and the rotation never happened; and until 2012, when he was removed in a ‘coup’ orchestrated by the Lovejoy District Councilmember, Mr. David Franczyk had been Council President since 2004! It should be worth mentioning that the Councilmembers who voted to downsize the Common Council from 13 -9 were Fillmore District Councilmember David Franczyk, Lovejoy District,,Richard Fontana; Delaware District, Marc Coppola, South District, Mary Martino; Niagara District, Dominic Bonafacio and North District Joe Golombek, and Councilmember- At- Large Rosemarie Lotempio. As one can see, it was done on purely racial lines and it was speculated that it was done to prevent the ascent of another African American-dominated Common Council in the very near future. This community had to wait ten years for redemption but it has gotten that and more! On January 2, 2014, Ellicott District Councilmember Darius Pridgen was sworn in as the newly elected President of the Buffalo Common Council. In the Council Chambers’ audience to congratulate him was former Council President, James W. Pitts; the same man who lost his council presidency’s position when he was betrayed by those colleagues whom he had previously supported, including Fontana and Lotempio. I wonder what was going through Mr. Pitts’ mind when the man, who was a part of the plot 12 years ago, to oust him as a duly elected President of the Buffalo Common Council, was in fact ‘ousted’ himself when the councilmembers unanimously voted to appoint Councilmember Pridgen its new president? This same ‘fear’ or unwilling to embrace inclusiveness manifested itself again when Byron Brown and later, Antoine Thompson ascended to the New York State Senate. When Mr. Thompson lost the senate race to Mark Grisanti in 2010, certain individuals got together to protect the 60th District seat won by Grisanti by adding an additional seat to the New York State Senate. This new seat, the 63rd District is largely comprised of the east side of Buffalo, all of Cheektowaga, South Buffalo and the first two wards in Lackawanna. Because the largest part of the district encompassed the large minority voting bloc on the East side, it would not be difficult for a resident that lived east of Main Street to run for-and win- the seat. In 2013, this writer launched a last minute campaign to run for the 63rd District State Senate seat when Antoine Thompson, on the eve of the Erie County Democratic endorsement meeting, unexpectedly pulled out of the race. That meeting was convened to nominate an individual to run for the 63rd Senate seat. A week later, I put in motion a ‘last minute’ campaign that saw me fall 139 votes short of winning the September 13th Primary. The fact that the election was postponed (due to Sept. 11th falling on a Tuesday) to a non traditional Thursday voting Day also played a part in a low voter turnout. Also, whether by intent or by design, the only race on the Sept. 13, 2012 Primary ballot was the 63rd District senate race. Some political observers are speculating that the same thing may happen in the 2014 Primary! During the 2012 Primary, at the end of the last official day of counting ballots cast, 439 votes still remained on the ‘table’ to be counted. Most of those uncounted ballots originated on the East side of Main Street, leading many to believe that a greater portion of them were probably cast for my candidacy. My opponent’s lawyers (9 in all) went to State Supreme Court to stop the counting of ballots. My lawyers had to go to court to petition the restart of
the counting, which was granted to us. This stall tactic by them of stopping the count simply allowed for time to run out because the military ballots had to be prepared with the names of the winners of the Primary and be ready to be mailed overseas by October 25th of that year. This time frame would allow the ballots to be received by them in time for the November General Election. On Friday, October 23, 2012, my opponent was ahead in the count by 139 votes. The presiding judge ( I don’t recall his name, now) ordered that the counting would stop @ 4:30 p.m. that day. My opponent was declared the winner of the 2012 Primary for the 63rd District seat in the New York State Senate.
11
Our Story
DNA Evidence Proves That The First People In China Were Black China is apparently finding out now what Black historians have been reporting for many years, the first inhabitants of China were in fact black. H. Imbert, a French anthropologist said in his book, “Les Negritos de la Chine”,”The Negroid races peopled at some time all the South of India, IndoChina and China. The South of Indo-China actually has now pure Negritos as the Semangs and mixed as the Malays and the Sakais.” Another author and professor, Chang Hsing-Lang, revealed similar information in writing “The Importation of Negro Slaves to China under the Tang Dynasty”, “Even the sacred Manchu dynasty shows this Negro strain. The lower part of the face of the Emperor Pu-yi of Manchukuo, direct descendant of the Manchu rulers of China, is most distinctly Negroid.” These professors through their research and studies have reason to believe that a Negro Empire actually existed at the dawn of the country’s history citing evidence of substantial populations of Blacks in early China, including finding reports of a major kingdom ruled by Blacks being frequently mentioned in historical Chinese history documents. And, Chinese chroniclers report that a Negro Empire existed in the South of China at the dawn of that country’s history The notion that Blacks were the original inhabitants of China has been thwarted by White scientists and even some Blacks as the result of a sweeping message of white superiority and inferiority of Black Africans and their descendants spreading worldwide. Continued Page 12
12 ChallengerCN.com BUSINESS DIRECTORY ATTORNEYS Want to Start Your Own Business?
Join us on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm-8:00pm beginning February 4, 2014, at the Matt Urban Hope Center, 385 Paderewski Dr., Buffalo, NY. A variety of topics that new business owners face will be covered. Participants will also have mentors to support them through the initial stages of starting their business. Daemen College Center for Sustainable Communities & Civic Engagement is coordinating the new business start-up program in partnership with the Small Business Development Center of Buffalo State, Daemen College Accounting Dept. and Buffalo First. The program is free. Registration required by emailing sbenz@daemen.edu or calling (716) 839-8524.
OUR STORY
continued In 2005, DNA testing proved that the first inhabitants of China were Black Africans. The study was conducted by a Chinese DNA specialist named Jin Li and a team of Chinese and other scientists. Li admits that he wasn’t trying to prove this fact, instead he initially wanted to prove that the Chinese evolved from hοmo erectus independently of all humans. After collecting more than 12000 DNA samples from 165 different ethnic groups, Li and his team found that early humans belonged to different species but modern humans had descended from the East African species. One scientist on the team, Li Hui, said that 100,000 years ago humans began migrating through South and Southeast Asia into China from Africa. Their testing showed that 65 branches of Chinese all carry similar DNA mutations as the people of Southeast Asia. Another scientist on the team, Jin Li had this to say about their findings, “we did not see even one single individual that could be considered as a descendant of the hοmo erectus in China, rather, everybody was a descendant of our ancestors from Africa.” When asked how he felt about these findings, he responded, “after I saw the evidence generated in my laboratory. I think we should all be happy with that. Because after all, modern humans from different parts of the world are not so different from each other and we are very close relatives.” The team of scientists participating in the 5 year study of geographic and genealogical routes tracing the spread of settlements of ancient and modern humans were from China, Russia, India, Brazil and other nations.
visit us at
challengercn.com
JANUARY 08, 2014 Challenger Community News •
DJ’S
LIQUORS & WINES
DJ Kenny Kutz (716) 400-7358
Bellamy’s Liquor Store 405 E. Ferry * 884-4066
DOG TRAINING
ONE STOP
Colslton Mobile Auto Repair 720 E. Ferry * 896-3910
Dogman Jo Dog Trainer 1963 Fillmore * 807-8163
BAIL BONDS
EATERIES
Mandella Market & Citgo Gas 272 E. Ferry cor. Jefferson 716-882-0288
A Bail Company Inc. Ken Thomas (716) 867-0073 Judy Bunk (716) 830-1512 Southtowns (716) 570-0849 Rochester (585) 749-7879
The Corner Store Deli & Grill 1733 Genesee * 895-2009
Pratcher & Associates 1133 Kensington (716) 838-4612
AUTOMOTIVE
BARBER SHOPS Klassic Kuts 1471 Kensington 836-3260 Master Touch 1283 E. Delavan 901-5909 SOLO Unisex Salon 3081 Main St. 833-2553
BOOK STORES
Tomatoes 1393 Kensington*835-3663
ELECTRICAL EMPIRE ELECTRIC 716-634-0330
HAIR SALONS Althea’s Hair To Go Natural 727 Main St. (716) 883-2000 www.hairtogo.com
Zawadi Books 2460 Main St.* 903-6740 holleykenneth@yahoo.com
Anointed Hands African Hair Braiding 369 Trenton Ave. 939-5077 (Macy)
CAR WASH
Chanel’s 2462 Main Street * 563.9575
Fast Eddie Hand Car Wash 1736 Fillmore* 891-5575
Woody & Manuel’s AFRO STYLES 862 E Delavan * 896-9386
CHILD CARE
Karen’s Salon & Spa 413 Jefferson Ave. 812-9666
Cookieland Group Day Care 24 Barthel Miss Cookie*893-0590 Dean’s Day Care 61 Montana Ave. 716-896-1751 Debbie’s Little Scholars 484 Hickory St. (716) 304-6820 First Impressions Day Care 847 Walden Ave. 716-533-8075 Kim’s Building Blocks Day Care 1479 E. Delavan Ave. 895-8693
DELI / VARIETY Grant’s Variety Shop 1055 E. Ferry St. 893-0704
Miracle Tranition 2 3339 Genesee * 481-1321 Serenity Hair Boutique 221 Jefferson Ave. (716) 812-0663
HAIR SUPPLY Main Hair & Beauty Supply 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247
INSURANCE Able Insurance Jeff Moore/Broker 1798 Main St. (716) 883-5212 Joseph Burch Insurance 4180 Bailey Avenue (716) 830-3417
PHONE SERVICE Boost Mobile 1286 E. Delavan (716) 551-0304 360 Eggert Rd. (716) 939-3900 Town Gardens Plaza (716) 768-3887
PHOTOGRAPHY Princess Photography (716) 563-0994 wagwill411@aol.com ICU Photography 716-578-3462 Garland Studios LLC 716-471-2476 www.fgarlandstudios.com
PROPERTY INSPECTION Majadi Enterprises, Inc. Willie A. Price CSI 716-316-7776
PRINTING Totem8 Design + Print (716) 404-9258
SHOES
Shoe Heaven 1455 Broadway St. Cor. of Swinburne St.) 716-818-6639
TAILORS Ann Rhod’s Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633
WINDOWS Priced Right Windows USA 710 Kensington Ave. (716) 833-2500 578-7873TAILOR
Advertising Pays advertising@thechallengernews.com
JANUARY 08, 2014
CLASSIFIED
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
Walker Elected Niagara Falls Council Chairman Charles Walker has been unanimously elected to a one-year term as Chairman of the Niagara Falls City Council. The senior member of the Council, having served since 1999, he is currently entering his fifth, four-year term. He was sworn into office on New Year’s Day in Council Chambers. Walker said he plans to work with all the Council members. Since 2007, Walker has been the manager of the Community Outreach at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. He has a Business Administration degree from Bryant and Stratton and has been a deacon for the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church for the last thirty years. He also serves as a board member of the Urban Renewal Agency.
HOM E IM PROVEM ENT
ADVERTISING PAYS
BIDS Bids will be received by R&P Oak Hill Development, LLC for the Braco Linwood Project in Buffalo, NY Project on January 10th, 2014 at 2pm. Please fax bids (716-8224367) prior to noon. The scope of work includes glass, concrete, roofing, flooring, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry, doors, masonry restoration, windows. The contract documents may be examined at Construction Exchange. ***W/M/ DBE participation is encouraged.
EM P loyment Director of Finance - Bachelors required, graduate degree preferred, in accounting, finance, or related. 5 yrs exp in financial management and supervision. Details at http://www.wnychildren.org/ ForCommunity/JobOpenings/ CCRNJobOpenings.aspx Apply by 1/15/14.
Major Gift Officer Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Major Gift Officer. For 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.
Advertising Pays
Maintenance-Downtown Buffalo apartment complex seeks reliable person with knowledge of Electrical, Plumbing and Carpentry. Must have own tools, dependable car and clean driving record. EOE. Resume/ References to HR 215 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 142004 or fax to 716-854-2981.
advertising@thechallengernews.com
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE Index No. 800674/2013 Date Filed: 12/17/2013 JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff, against Sachin Patel, if he be living or if he be dead, his spouse, heirs devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; State of New York; and '''JOHN DOE”, said name being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises, Defendants. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 129 Montecello Place, Buffalo, NY 14214 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 a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. 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 OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $29,250.00 not to exceed negative amortization amount up to 110% of the original principal amount and interest, recorded in the ERIE County Clerk’s Office on December 7, 2007, in Book 13383 of Mortgages, page 6252 covering premises known as 129 Montecello Place , Buffalo, NY 14214. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates ERIE County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. 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: October 4, 2013 Frank M. Cassara, Esq. Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 250 Mile Crossing Boulevard, Suite One, Rochester, NY 14624 (585) 247-9000 Our File No. 12-019825 Premises known as 129 Montecello Place, Buffalo, NY 14214. All that certain property situate, lying and being in the City of Buffalo, County of ERIE, State of New York. Section 89.67, Block 3, Lot 21
visit us at challengercn.com
13
Major Gift Officer EAST SIDE APARTMENTS AVAILABLE *Two and Three Bedroom Apartments starting at $395 plus security. Apartments Section 8 Ready. Call 836-8686.
Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Major Gift Officer. For full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.
advertising@ thechallengernews. com
Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.
St. Mark’s Manor
A Non-Smoking Facility 120 Albemarle St., Buffalo, NY 14207
One bedroom, subsided, apartments available to low income individuals who are physically challenged/disabled and/or 62 and older Amenities Include: Intercom System, Medical Emergency Alarm System, Fire Alarm System. Elevator, Laundry Room, Off Street Parking, Handicap Accessibility, Community Room, Cable Ready
For Information and application call 871-0219
FOR RENT BEST STREET *1 block from Main St. 3 bedroom Cottage. Newly remodeled 2 bathroom, driveway, $750 + security. *3 bedroom apt. lower carpet, stove, fridg. $625 + sec. *Rooms for Rent on Best St. $350-$450 (716) 602-1598
Safe and cared for - with Heart & Soul Skilled nursing ▪ Respite care Rehabilitation ▪ Close to home Niagara Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center
Part Time Snow Plow Jobs The Erie County Legislature, led by Chairperson Betty Jean Grant, unanimously voted to create 15 art-time snow plow driver positions in the County Department of Public Works Highway Division upon the re3quest of County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz at its December 12 session. The new season s positions, which were supported by the entire Democratic Caucus will pay $15 per hour with no benefits. Applicants must hold a valid commercial driver’s license and send their resumes to: The Personal Clerk, Department of Public Works, 95 Franklin St. Room 1414, Buffalo, NY 14202.
64 Hager St. - Buffalo www.niagaralutheran.org
Advertising Pays
886-4377
advertising@thechallengernews.com
14
ChallengerCN.com
JANUARY 08, 2014 Challenger Community News •
NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS
3-WAY
MON 12/30
TUES 12/31
MID-221
MID- 248
MID-169
WED 1/1 THURS 1/2
MID- 583
MID-370
MID-5477 EVE-0020
MID-1511 EVE-3138
FRI 1/3 SAT 1/4
MID-936
MID-887
EVE-733 EVE-284 EVE-388 EVE-677 EVE-693 EVE-612 EVE-375
WIN 4
MID-0646 MID-1774 MID -4523 EVE-2917 EVE-4953 EVE- 6120
TAKE 5
HOT TIP
123
514
MID-2550 EVE-1923
MID-6848 EVE-9028 Justin Mitchell
1-7-16-36-38 5-8-14-31-35 6-12-14-17-33 5-14-17-23-38
LOTTO
SUN 12/29
1-11-13-31-36
4-18-26-33-38
9-14-24-26- 35-55#46
648
000
5-10-15-19-38
17-25-30-37-39-42#45
999
910
392
Zakiyyah’s Run Down
B’S BEST BET!
523-923-632-145-701-653-443-588-202-335
660-2191 * 487-4372 *396-3612 *381-3039 * 380-3800 *864-1072
567-920-845-213-576-800-108-457-915-234-569-657-137830-173-435-780-912-064-323-456-789-107-954-556-738901-096-546-809-019-854-354-683-907-745-865-798-102
Billy Bye Bye Sez: NEW YEARS’ BLAST 527 From Heaven
Weekly Super Specials for January
852-162-245-973-
quick money $$$$ 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
THE NUMBER BOOK
grandma’s JANUARY picks
435-789-689-657-989 JANUARY’S BEST TRIPLE 888 NEW YEAR! NEW LUCK! 111-942-714-999-333-292 MONEY: 256-567-476
Pick 3 - Pick 4!
Mitchell Earns over 1,000 Career Points The accolades continue to pile up for Buffalo State 6’5” senior forward Justin Mitchell as he was named to the D3Hoops.com National Team in December. Mitchell was already named SUNYAC Player of the Week after becoming the 20th Bengal to score 1,000 career points while averaging 31.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in a pair of SUNYAC wins earlier. The senior sociology major had a double-double with 27 points and 12 boards in an 89-68 win over Oneonta, and then scored a career-best 35 points in a 109-99 win over New Paltz. He shot an astounding 73-percent from the field and also had six blocks in the two games. He now has 1,007 career points. Mitchell currently ranks second in the SUNYAC, averaging 23.3 points-per-game, is third in the league in rebounding averaging 9.3, and leads the way with 18 blocked shots.
Mitchell and the Bengals played on Dec. 20 and 21 at the Orlando, Fla. Holiday Classic against Carthage and North Central respectively where Buffalo State) rallied for a 67-65 134-431-143 victory over Carthage in the first day of the Athlete Connec648*123*104 tions Orlando Holiday Classic. LUCKIE DUCKIE
980-422-809
981-989-970-990-080-800 390-196-102-581-752-319408-378-352-126
189-444-886-202
322-522-412-432-421-423
3-Way Winning Numbers this Time Last Year 01/17/2013 Evening 01/17/2013 Midday 01/16/2013 Evening 01/16/2013 Midday 01/15/2013 Evening 01/15/2013 Midday 01/14/2013 Evening 01/14/2013 Midday 01/13/2013 Evening 01/13/2013 Midday 01/12/2013 Evening 01/12/2013 Midday 01/11/2013 Evening 01/11/2013 Midday 01/10/2013 Evening 01/10/2013 Midday 01/09/2013 Evening 01/09/2013 Midday 01/08/2013 Evening 01/08/2013 Midday
7-0-1 9-8-6 7-9-4 7-3-9 5-6-4 0-3-6 3-8-3 6-9-9 6-1-2 0-0-3 9-9-1 2-9-7 7-8-7 1-4-7 1-4-9 8-9-7 8-7-1 0-0-8 9-0-4 0-9-6
The Bengals concluded their Orlando stay against North Central by earning its fourth-straight win, defeating North Central 80-72, in the final game of the Athletic Connections Holiday Classic at the Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex. Roderick Epps led the Bengals with 22 points, while Mitchell added 18. Buffalo State will took an extended holiday break and will return to action with a road game at Cortland on Jan. 10.
“Warming Centers” Open
The City of Buffalo opened 11 ‘Warming Centers’ for any city resident seeking shelter from the cold. 1). Autumnwood Senior Center, 1800 Clinton Street, 8:30am to 4:00pm. 2). Edward Saunders Center, 2777 Bailey Ave., 8:00am to 4:00pm 3). FLARE, 307 Leroy, 8:30am to 4:30pm 4). Hispanics United – 254 Virginia, 8:30am to 4:30pm 5). Old First Ward, - 62 Republic St., 9:00 am to 9:00 pm 6). Richmond / Summer Senior Center, 337 Summer Street, 8:00am to 4:00pm 7). North Buffalo Senior/Community Center, 203 Sanders Road, 9:00am to 9:00pm 8). TOSH Collins – 35 Cazenovia, 9:00am to 4:00pm 9). West Side Community Services, 161 Vermont St., 8:30am to 5:30pm 10). William-Emslie YMCA Senior Center, 585 William Street, 7:00am to 9:00pm 11) Schiller Park Community Center, 2057 Genesee Street, 8:30am to 4:30pm
JANUARY 08, 2014
EVENTS CALENDAR
Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com
CHRISTMAS TREE & E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT Wednesday January 8 City residents are invited to get their new year off to a fresh start by recycling their live Christmas trees and dropping off used electronic devices for recycling at the City of Buffalo “Christmas Tree - Electronics Waste” Recycling Event on January 18 at Honeywell Specialty Materials, located at 20 Peabody Street near Elk Street in Buffalo. The event takes place from 9 AM – Noon. CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING Christmas trees for recycling will be accepted at the January 18th event. Natural Christmas trees will be chipped on site for free. Residents can take chips with them for re-use as mulch. Trees must be free of ornaments, nails, hooks, wire, tinsel, lights, and other decorations. No artificial trees please. E-WASTE RECYCLING Residents are also encouraged to properly dispose of electronic equipment. Used electronics will be accepted at this freeof-charge recycling event include: computer systems (CPU’s, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers and scanners), cell phones, digital cameras, video cameras, fax machines, wires, televisions, gaming systems and components, video games, VCR’s, DVD players and small appliances. Those unable to participate in the January 18th ‘Christmas Tree and E-Waste’ Recycling Event may use one of the following options to properly dispose of their holiday items. *The City of Buffalo will collect Christmas trees from the curb for city residents during the week of January 6th to January 10th. *In addition to the one-week tree pick-up, the City is also offering drop-off opportunities atCazenovia Park - Golf course parking lot (South of Seneca Street, at the foot of Wildwood); Shoshone Park - Parking lot (North off of Hertel, at the foot of Beard);DPW Engineering Garage - 1120 Seneca Street .These drop-off sites will be open from 7:30 am – 3:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, now thru January 18. The City of Buffalo operates a year round electronics recycling program at the DPW Engineering Garage Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 3:00pm at 1120 Seneca Street.
Regular School Board Meeting: 5:30 p.m. Stanley Makowski ECC, Jefferson/cor. Best St. Public Meeting Notice of Westminister Community School: One M&T Plaza 19th Floor. HEAP OUTREACH: Seneca Babcock Community Center, 1168 Seneca, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; 858-7644. Thursday January 9 National Alliance on Mental Illness Monthly Meeting for Families: 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4007 Main St (near Eggert Rd.); 226-6264; topic “Managing the Stress of Your Family Member’s Major Mental Illness.” Saturday January 11 Buffalo Prep Talent Search Information Session: 9:15 a.m., Buffalo Public Library, Niagara Branch, 280 Porter Avenue. SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!
15
Saturday January 11
Wednesday January 15
Monday January 20
From Vic-Tim to Vic-tory – A Discussion of Race in America: With Kenneth N. Robinson, author, 8 a.m., Time Warner Cable Channel 20
Lupus Alliance New Patient Orientation Meeting: 6:30-8 p.m., Lupus Alliance Office, 3871 Harlem Rd.; 835-7161.
MLK DAY
Monday January 13
Straight Talk Small Business Conference: 8:a.m., - 12:30 p.m., Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St.; 551-4301.
From Vic-Tim to Vic-tory – A Discussion of Race in America: With Kenneth N. Robinson, author, 7:30 p.m., Time Warner Cable Channel 20 Wednesday January 15 Enough is Enough Prayer Meeting: 6 p.m., Bethel AME Church, E/ Ferry @ Michigan. Urban League Annual Fund Launch Party: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Buffalo, 2 Fountain Plaza; 2502447.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Family Support Group Meeting: 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4007 Main St. (near T:9.75” Eggert).
Saturday January 18
Legends and Legacies Film: “How James Brown Save Boston” 3-5 p.m., Merriweather Library hosted by Eva Doyle. From Vic-Tim to Vic-tory – A Discussion of Race in America: With Kenneth N. Robinson, author, 8 a.m., Time Warner Cable 20 Sunday January 19 City-Wide Martin Luther King Celebration: Kleinhans Music Hall, entertainment, guest speaker Mayor Byron Brown; Miss Barbara Glover MLK Woman of Distinction awardee; free & open to the public
From Vic-Tim to Vic-tory – A Discussion of Race in America: With Kenneth N. Robinson, author, 7:30 p.m., Time Warner Cable Channel 20 Wednesday January 22 Enough is Enough Prayer Meeting: 6 p.m., Greater Works Fellowship Church, 210 Southampton St.; 8872303.
“From Vick-Tim to Vick-tory: “ A Discussion on Race
“From Vick-Tim to VickTory: The Fall and Rise of Michael Vick,” based on the newly published book of the same name by Ken Robinson, airs now thru February 3 every Monday, at 7:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable channel 20. Rebroadcast on Saturdays at 8 a.m.
T:5.35”
Today’s the day
FREE Martin Luther King Jr. Winter Fun Fest: Como Park, 10 a.m. – 4 pm., hosted by Buffalo United Front. 818-3410 for info
That a broken arm doesn’t have to break the bank.
Because today’s the day all New Yorkers have access to low-cost, quality health plans they can afford. Introducing New York’s official health plan marketplace, New York State of Health. It’s your place to find a low-cost, quality health plan that’s right for you. And it’s the only place you can receive financial assistance based on your income, to lower your costs even more.
To shop, compare and enroll, go to nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777. Today’s the day. ©2013 NY State of Health
©2013 NY State of Health
Proofreader Nb: NHYAHCH33000
16
ChallengerCN.com
IMAGES OF KWANZAA: 2013
Photos Bilala & The Challenger
JANUARY 08, 2014 Challenger Community News •