VALLEY'S 12.20.18 4C

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The Valley’s

Wel c Dee per ome Con to te

Obs erve r Int e ract It is Time to Unite and Prosper ive

Honoring Kwanzaa:

nt. P ictu res Mov Law e. A suit ds T D Alle i s a THI c l r k. L S imin ges P 3. S r i ve S egn atio SMACAN L a O hop n by RTP GO O n t HON WIT f Scuba-Diving fi P ping H YO E. riso cer UR T n .Santa Brings ABL E

Kwanzaa, by definition, is a celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Africa Diaspora in the Americas and lasts a week. The celebration honors African heritage in the African/Caribbean-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a: Umoja – Unity; Kujichagulia Self- Determination; Ujima – Collective work and Responsibility; Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics; Nia – Purpose; Kuumba – Creativity; and Imani – Faith. Africa House Global LLC has adopted these principles!

In this age of uncertainty, our neighborhoods are under attack by the scourge of the drug culture. Our schools are under-funded, many of our students graduate illiterate, and joblessness is soaring. In the United States alone people of color have a purchasing power of approximately $1.3 Trillion Dollars.

When you add that to the worldwide spending power of nations such as the 54 countries that make up the African Continent, Brazil, member nations that make up CARICOM in the Caribbean, and the many other countries throughout the world with significant Black populations such as Great Britain, Canada, Central America, other South American Countries, and beyond; you have is a tremendous amount of purchasing power to harness, as well as a huge manufacturing base!

People of color will never have any REAL power unless they have ECONOMIC power. And we DO have power – over 3 trillion dollars of GDP in Africa, and at least another trillion and a half in the US, Caribbean and elsewhere. But if we don’t unite together and start looking out for our OWN economic interests, we will get sidelined again by the huge multinationals like Amazon and Alibaba; companies that are making hardly any investment in our communities, if any at all. Making that investment in our future is what Africa House Global is all about.

The economies of Africa and the Caribbean are entering a golden age. Economic growth across both regions is above the world average, and private foreign direct investment into Africa is at record levels.

cer i LOS AN baby s suing th GELES TO was while re e state p (AP) _ Baker p s r R A T B ake uesd regnant. ponding ison syst Califo sfield Fres rsfield rnia a e t S y m o a Nat no i Bas State M ive Na Coo n Baker rah Coo a fight b after she correct ketb en’s med a e s g g sked ion all C H twee le sa field. le says oac ead for aFRANCISCO h n intime sfor ys sh (AP) fi–leIt’s he lo offi d a ad busy tionaSAN m l e e or We a i s l t s s t es w Claus, making time to feedcrsome inh st he o Insti butsthe’s imin fish wSanta FREE! asn’Francisco. the C will Reap tutio renuou ld offici e a t San t onseq i p o s pos als s ossib n in anot n lawn she uence h i T California Academy of Sciences launched its heThe s l t e e ion a s eh rp s a s pre diver uit t the awascuba holiday Env ition nd sThursday he’d achapby Whe ofestivities i. Shhaving ir g C Just onme n w h w a a n h a e as coral nt a reef ith submerge ifornexhibit idressed le ru asshSt. Facinice Issu ntal tointo ys sh lbehind a low vewatched e wNick n “lostwhile eithe afrom nndozens Res g Kern es of as children e wa ia Cthe iden e i orrec d n r s r g h ts Co. e s t a v er ba s a to st l e a Dep glass. k n t r e o leave ld th mon y. by d op Santa’’ a fig show t v Scuba runs through Christmas u tion artmeThe or ac at h e s n Opinion t ht b the pmorning o a p during Star dDay. regn cept id no Itt otakes f place feed at the : Poli b e C l t u a orrecReef atank to 2 c nt, C museum. centat thewSan t im Coral een Francisco Cha ce Reco Philippine Blacks CEO rgin a t m m i l rup inma oogl me o s in Fa g ediadiver kM tal C ICE Ag nd e suit, and Bell tdonned tes Santa Volunteer en AApolog tely nGeorge ure.” his rash ents fell anda recent rres izes Comscuba c o Th m from hat to coal black boots, gear for ted l e ater men and m C u a n t l if tank. ityinside feed and fielded visitors’ questions the on thfrom Rthousands ehab orniaof e lahas The Philippine Coral Reef tank w ilitaShe s u reef fish representing about 100 species. it.

Say riff You s Urg He Wa ngbloo People can watch Santa’s appearance online by d in Kill g Any s Not Inm ates one to webcam .

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How Zip Codes Relate to Achievement Gaps

By Akil Wilson There’s no question that education quality has an extraordinary impact on the future lives of students. As a parent of a new middle school student, I can personally attest to the importance of dedicated teachers, early childhood education and a focused, personalized approach to education. In numerous studies it has been shown that the quality of education, especially within the country’s public school system, varies widely by location.

There are several factors that contribute to success in adulthood. However, routinely we find that early childhood education and the empowerment of excellent teachers plays a pivotal role.

Students from economically-disadvantaged areas of inner-city school districts have a plethora of obstacles to overcome, including but not limited to: lack of economic mobility, reduced health care options, and exposure to crime.

Where schools should provide some relief from these challenges, they often serve as a grim reminder of how difficult it can be to escape difficult circumstances.

Harvard University Economist Raj Chetti has researched this topic extensively, compiling data from millions of Americans, he found that education quality relates to economic and social mobility. According to Mr. Chetti’s research, on average, “only about 7.5% of children from the bottom 1/5th of incomes will reach the top 1/5th of incomes nationwide. However, those odds tend to rise to 14-15% in rural areas and places with higher social capital.

Continued on page A3

Visionary Freedom Fighter Don Rojas

CA Withdraws ‘Text Tax’

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – California regulators have canceled a plan to charge a fee for text messaging on mobile phones.

The California Public Utilities Commission reversed course after a Federal Communications Commission ruling last week classified text messaging as an information service and not a telecommunications service. The federal Telecommunications Act limits state authority over information services.

Regulators announced Friday that CPUC commissioner Carla Peterman withdrew the text proposal “in light of the FCC’s action’’ on Dec. 12.

State officials said the tax was intended to help support programs that make phone service accessible to the poor.

The wireless industry and business groups had been working to defeat the plan and calculated the new charges for wireless consumers could total about $44.5 million a year.

They said that under the regulators’ proposal the charge could be applied retroactively for five years _ and could amount to a bill of more than $220 million for California consumers.

Deported’s Last Flight on ‘ICE Air’

Marie H. Reed Learning Center, an example of expanded educational resources and community partnership in the District of Columbia.

A Life of Service “Don Rojas has made major contributions to the struggle for freedom in Black communities across the globe. As the first communications director for the NAACP, he not only built the initial model of our communications department but created a vision for the way in which communications can be used as a resource to support social justice movements,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson told NNPA Newswire.

“Since I was a young man, I always had an interest in writing and reporting and the spoken word,” Rojas, now 69, said from his home in Maryland.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent A phone conversation with Don Rojas can easily begin with the subtlest of greetings – a friendly “hello,” and good to hear from you.

But any conversation of length undoubtedly leads to a lively discussion about the Transatlantic Slave Trade, reparations, journalism, and of course Rojas’ celebrated activism and the fight for freedom, justice and equality.

For Rojas, that fight began at an early age and he waged war against injustice mostly with a pen.

“Since I was a young man, I always had an interest in writing and reporting and the spoken word,” Rojas, now 69, said from his home in Maryland.

“I went to school in Grenada with (Grenadian

Holiday Cheer

revolutionary and leader) Maurice Bishop. He was captain of the senior debate team and I was captain of the junior debate team,” Rojas said, chuckling about one of many historic members that ran through his thoughts.

During that time, Rojas became involved in student activism and joined a student newspaper and student-run radio station.

Later, he attended the University of Wisconsin where he honed his journalism skills.

“That was in the late 1960s and I’ve stayed in the field of journalism and activism, alternating my time and energy over those many years between activism and journalism,” Rojas said, noting that, “for me, there isn’t a clear line of demarcation between the two, especially for those in the

trenches with minority media.”

Rojas has always been in the trenches.

He said he’s viewed his work as part and parcel of a broader social and economic justice movement.

One of his first positions was assistant director of communications for the National Urban League. Following his stint there Rojas became an assistant editor at a Blackowned paper in Baltimore.

Among the many legendary interviews Rojas conducted were with leaders from around Africa, including Civil Rights icon Nelson Mandela and singer Bob Marley.

Rojas’ resume reads like a true activist and freedom Continued on page A2

HOUSTON (AP) – Shackled at their ankles and wrists and their shoelaces removed, a long line of men and women waited on the tarmac as a team of officers patted them down and checked inside their mouths for anything hidden.

Then one by one, they climbed a mobile staircase and onto a charter plane the size of a commercial aircraft.

This was a deportation flight run by ICE Air. The chains would be removed and the shoelaces returned when the plane landed in El Salvador.

An obscure division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates hundreds of flights each year to remove immigrants. Deportation flights are big business: The U.S. government has spent approximately $1 billion on them in the last decade, and the Trump administration is seeking to raise ICE’s budget for charter flights by 30 percent.

ICE Air Operations transports detained immigrants between American cities and, for those with final removal orders, back to their home countries.

About 100,000 people a year are deported on such flights.

While Mexican immigrants are generally flown to southern U.S. cities and then driven to the border so they can cross over, Central Americans have to be transported by air. And the large numbers of Mexicans who used to cross the border have largely been replaced by migrants from three impoverished Central American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

According to flight-tracking data, deportation flights to Guatemala and Honduras have sharply increased this year. And ICE’s budget request for charter flights increased 30 percent last year compared to the year before.

The agency estimated last year that it spends about $7,785 per hour on the flights.

ICE shifted to chartering private planes about a decade ago after previously using a government service with the U.S. Marshals. The agency says moving to private flights saves about $25 million a year and gave it more flexibility. Charter flights also avoid putting large numbers of deported immigrants on commercial planes, which requires buying tickets for deportation officers accompanying them, or holding them in the U.S. for longer than necessary and tying up space in detention centers.

“I don’t want to elongate anybody’s detention with us,’’ said Pat Contreras, director of enforcement and removal for ICE’s Houston field office. CIf a judge says you need to be removed, we should be expeditiously working to execute that order so that person does not spend any longer in detention than necessary.’’

But migrant advocacy groups say ICE Air is an example of how tougher immigration enforcement -from detention to tracking to removal - enriches private companies.

A2

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, December 20, 2018

World & Nation A Roadmap for Achieving Flaws are Still Harming African-American Children

By Elizabeth Primas NNPA ESSA Awareness Campaign Program Manager States are in the drivers seat when it comes to improving their struggling schools. But how can we make sure they’re not taking the “path of least resistance” when it comes to this important work, risking the academic prospects for students of color.

Building on the work done by Bellwether Education Partners, which conducted independent peer reviews of all 50 states’ and the District of Columbia’s ESSA plans that were required to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for approval, the Collaborative for Student Success

News Observer The Valley’s

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analyzed plans to see which states are taking advantage of new-found flexibility regarding equity in education. The new report, Check State Plans: Promise to Practice, found that just 17 states met its threshold for even having enough public information to review. The report notes that the results are “sobering” in that “more than 9 million students attend schools that do not meet anyone’s standard for what is acceptable.” This is particularly acute for students of color and who come from low-income families.

The fact is, achievement gaps between white and black students exist. We see this time and again in the National Assessment of Education Progress as well as on individual states’ annual assessments. Students who attend inner city public schools tend to fare worse than their peers in suburban public schools. The gaps are even more pronounced when we look at private schools that draw privileged students away from city institutions. These racial divides segregate communities.

A report from the Young Invincibles examines these divides and developed three main findings: (1) minorities disproportionately enroll in for-profit and community colleges, which can condemn them to a vicious cycle of debt; (2) college costs hit minority students harder than their white peers; and (3) the achievement gap is racially divided. While 36.2 percent of white students completed four years of college in 2015, just 22.5 percent of black students could say the same, according to the analysis. While that’s much better than the 1974 numbers in which just 5.5 percent of black students finished four years of college compared to 14 percent of white students, that progress leaves little cheer.

State education chiefs and their in-state partners at teaching and research institutions plus educators on the front lines have a real chance to make a difference for black students and other minorities. But do they have the courage to make the necessary changes?

The Collaborative’s report is a good starting point, and it provides a roadmap written by education and policy leaders who are displaying the courage necessary to create bold plans that prioritize equity. Low-performing schools must be identified as such and be given real plans with real accountability measures to improve. There have to be consequences for students who don’t make the grade, but for too long, our education system as a whole has punished students by not giving them the tools they need to succeed.

We have to look at the institutions and root out systemic problems.

As such, the Promise to Practice reviewers evaluated state plans based on a rubric that included whether the state has a coherent vision for improving student outcomes, whether there is a strategic use of funding and alignment of resources, the use of evidence-based interventions, and how well state leaders engaged stakeholders. That last component is perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of ESSA – federal lawmakers required states to gather input from a wide range of groups outside of traditional education. Civic groups, business leaders, parents and community activists were given a seat at the table.

We watched excitedly as several NAACP groups got involved from the very beginning, helping policy and lawmakers understand community and even neighborhood needs for the betterment of students. Still, it disheartening to learn that just 17 states are ready to identify and provide the kinds of supports that low-performing schools require. Other states can look at Colorado, which has developed a clear menu of school improvement items for districts to choose from, or Nevada where districts have to describe how their strategies for addressing equity gaps in funding applications. Nevada is also using equity-oriented data like behavior and attendance to understand schools’ challenges.

There’s so much anger and divisiveness in our society today, but the importance of education equity should be among the things on which we can all agree. Every single student in every single school, no matter where that school is located or what kind of home life the child has, must be given the tools and knowledge to succeed. We shouldn’t have to fight for this right – the right to an education. And yet we find ourselves year in, year out looking aghast at assessment scores that prove achievement gaps are still there. Thoughtprovoking analyses like that done by the Collaborative for Student Success will help close those gaps until they are well and truly gone.

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Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer on Wednesday said the county would have to find a way to correct the flaws cited in the Dec. 10 report by DOJ monitor Sandra Simkins. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By John Semien Special to The New Tri-State Defender What should be done when a report by a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) monitor eyeing Shelby County Juvenile Court says that flaws remain and that they are harming African-American children?

The report, which started circulating this week, comes after the DOJ put an end to its six-year oversight of the Juvenile Court operation. Local officials sent a letter to two of the three DOJ monitors asking them to complete their final reports despite termination of their oversight duties.

A second report is due later this month Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer on Wednesday said the county would have to find a way to correct the flaws cited in the Dec. 10 report by DOJ monitor Sandra Simkins.

“We have to have a lot of oversight in the juvenile court,” Sawyer said. “I think the report shows we were right to have concerns about the Department of Justice pulling oversight. And so, as the report says, the decision to not continue monitoring was premature and black kids are at risk.” “(We) as a commission need to do some investigating about what we can do to make sure they are protected,” Sawyer said. “We need to pull up our big boy pants and make it happen.”

Simkins’ monitoring report refers to a “deeply flawed” court system and an agency that enables a “culture of intimidation” that hampers lawyers appointed to defend the youths.

Justice Department officials announced the ending of federal oversight of juvenile court on Oct. 19. The memorandum of agreement between county and federal officials that brought about the oversight was signed in 2012. It came about after the DOJ reported: • Systemic discrimination against African-American children,

• Unsafe confinement conditions and

• Failure to provide due process to youth appearing for proceedings.

“Despite the duration of the Memorandum of

Agreement and the notable progress in many areas, the structure of the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County remains deeply flawed, enabling a culture of intimidation that undermines due process,” Simkins, a due process monitor, wrote in her 60-page report.

Shelby County Commission Chairman Van Turner said he agreed with Sawyer that in the absence of oversight from the DOJ, the county should fashion its own remedy.

“We need to get that done,” he said.

In October, the County Commission approved a resolution, which Turner sponsored, proclaiming a vote of no confidence in the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to end federal oversight. He said at the time that while there was little chance the DOJ would change its mind, it was important for the County Commission to be heard on the issue.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris on Wednesday said his administration already has made several moves affecting Juvenile Court.

“We’re expanding the oversight that is brought to bear on kids that get caught up in the juvenile justice system,” Harris said. “For example, we have experts for each of the responsible divisions in juvenile justice matters.

“We have hired an expert to work with the juvenile court to make sure we are treating people fairly,” he said. “A new expert (was hired), I’m talking about in the last couple of weeks, a new expert to work with the Sheriff’s Office, to make sure the Sheriff’s Office is responding to some of the needs we’ve heard about in juvenile court.”

Harris also said he believes the county needs to rethink its approach to juvenile justice, to provide more classrooms so juveniles can go to class at least part of the day.

“Let’s at least have some green space and recreational space so they can see outdoors,” he said. “Let’s have free phone calls so they can stay connected to their families.”

The juveniles usually are kept 30 days on average, Harris said.

Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael was reported out of the country Wednesday and unavailable for comment.

Visionary Freedom Fighter Continued from page A1

BORN TO BE GREAT To be ready for the jobs of the future, students need learning experiences that meet them where they are, engage them deeply, let them progress at a pace that meets their individual needs, and helps them master the skills for today and tomorrow. To learn more about ESSA and how you can get involved, visit www.nnpa.org/essa.

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fighter: • He served as Director of Communications for Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, the People’s Revolutionary Government of Grenada.

• Editor of the New York Amsterdam News • General Manager of WBAI, Pacifica Network, New York • Executive Director of Free Speech Television • Senior Advisor to Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor/President of the University of the West Indies • Director of Communications and International Relations, Institute of the Black World 21st Century • Founder of the award-winning digital magazine, The Black World Today, when the internet was in its infancy stages • Director of Communications for the National Office of the NAACP For the latter role, Rojas was recruited in 1993 by then-NAACP Executive Director, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., at that time the youngest NAACP leader in the storied civil rights organization’s history.

Today, the organization still benefits from Rojas’ input and his development of an extensive communications department.

“Don Rojas has made major contributions to the struggle for freedom in Black communities across the globe.

As the first communications director for the NAACP, he not only built the initial model of our communications department but created a vision for the way in which communications can be used as a resource to support social justice movements,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson told NNPA Newswire.

“There is no aspect of the movement untouched by his work as a communicator, journalist or advocate.” Johnson said.

Also, while Rojas’ accomplishments are exhausting, what remains a constant in all of his work is his role as a visionary, said Malik Russell, the current NAACP Communications Director and former director of Radio Operations for The Black World Today.

“Don is able to look beyond the present toward the possible. A good example is The Black World Today (TBWT). At TBWT Don spearheaded a comprehensive news media site geared toward uniting the African Diaspora. On the cutting edge of technology, we helped organize the State of the Black World Conferences using online tools and broadcast it over the net using cell phones at a time when most folks were still in the analog age,” Russell said.

“We were using audio editing software, which is now the standard in radio broadcasting to create TWBT’s online radio network that had dozens of independently produced shows. Don’s vision was simple, he was like the future is open, it’s about who gets there first.”

Rojas said after Chavis was installed as executive

director of the NAACP, the organization began to thrive again, particularly because of an infusion of youth.

The first national convention under Chavis, who now serves as president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, included a particularly important individual.

“The convention was held in Indianapolis and just a few weeks earlier, Nelson Mandela was released from prison and the first thing we did was reach out to his people and issue an invitation to come and speak at the convention,” Rojas said.

“We weren’t sure it would work out, but we were able to secure his presence in Indianapolis.”

Mandela’s speech was his first and only to the NAACP. The visit began at the United Nations in New York and, what Rojas called the most underreported news of the decade, Mandela was feted in Harlem by hundreds of thousands during an outdoor rally.

“I remember spending time with him and talking to him about the DNC and the NAACP and he drew parallels with the DNC being founded in South African in 1912 and the NAACP here in America being formed in 1909,” Rojas said.

“There’s a solidarity between the two organizations,” he said.

Rojas, who remains dedicated to the global movement for reparative justice for former slaves, said America was built on the backs of African slaves and African Americans have never been compensated.

Today Rojas, who still stands as of one of the leading progressive figures in recent history, is fighting another fight: one that involves his own life.]

After months of treatment for a chronic back ailment, Rojas was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a particularly aggressive form of bone cancer.

He’s undergoing heavy chemotherapy treatment which will continue in the weeks ahead, followed by the infusion of steroids and then bone marrow transplants.

The cost of his medical care is described as “astronomical” and much of it is not covered by insurance.

He and his wife, Karen, have been forced to unexpectedly place their home on the market to help cover the additional medial and relevant costs.

His friends, led by Chavis and actor Danny Glover, have launched a Go Fund Me campaign to raise the urgently needed funds to ensure that his wife and family have the resources to pay for the best lifesaving medical treatments available.

“Don Rojas deserves our support, prayers and our rigid solidarity in salute of his outstanding career as a global freedom fighter.

The encyclopedia contains a trove of information about Rojas’ illustrious career at https://www.encyclopedia. com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/rojasdon-1949.

To contribute to the campaign, visit https://www. gofundme.com/help-don-rojas-in-the-fight-of-his-life.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUMMONS CITACION JUDICIAL NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO) EVAN CROTEAU You are being sued by plaintiff (Lo Esta Demandando El Demandante) KARAMAN FARAJ CASE NUMBER (Numero del caso) 17CIV05767 NOTICE! You have been sued.

The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days, Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will no protect you.

Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfor.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form.

If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for fee legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org). the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or be contacting your local or county bar association.

Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIOS despues de que le entregue esta citacion y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copla al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte mas informacion en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfthelp/ espanol). En la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede ms cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentacion, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede preder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podra quitar su dueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que liame a un abogado inmedialamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede liamar a un servicio de remision a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, esposible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp/espanol/) o poniendose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de obogados locales.

The name and address of the court is El nombre y direccion de la corte es): Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles 800 N HUMBOKIT ST, SAN MATEO, Ca. 94401 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es) KARAMAN FARAJ, 288 88th St #8 Ca 94014 Telephone: (310) 552-0959 Date: (Fecha) Dec 18, 2017 Clerk (Secretario) Antonio R. Geronimo, Deputy (Adjunto NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: you are served as an individual defendant.

LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Nov 29, Dec 6, 13, 20, 2018

Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91401 Mailing Address: County: Kern REGISTERED OWNER(S): SAMANTHA NATTALIE TYLER, 14204 Califa St, Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91401 JADE BLACK, 16750 Parthenia St 251 North Hills, Ca. 91343 TAMARA PERKINS, 13691 Gavina Ave 608 Sylmar, Ca. 91342 The business is conducted by: Copartners SIGNED: SAMANTHA NATTALIE TYLER, Partner The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: Nov 21, 2018 DEAN C. LOGAN, Registar-Recorder/County Clerk County Clerk By: Victor Zavala, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDNACE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENNT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WASFILED IN THEOFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENTN PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFICTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF INDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Nov 21, 2023 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018

SUPERIOR COURT OF SAN MATEO COUNTY Civil Department 400 County Center, Redwood City, Ca. 94063 (650) 261-5100 www.sanmateocourt.org KARAMAN FARAJ Plaintiff (s) Vs. EVAN CROTEAU Defendant(s) TITLE: KARAMAN FARAJ VS. EVAN CROTEAU, ET AL Please take notice: The November 28, 2018, case management conference continued. On February 28,, 2019,at 9:00 a.m. of the above-intitled Court at the Hall of Justice of Records, 400 County Center, Redwood City, California, a case management conference will be held pursuant to San Mateo County Local Rules of Court No. 2.3.

All attorneys of record and self-represented parties are required to attend this conference.

Counsel or parties are also directed to comply with the time requirements for service of process and response set forth in San Mateo County Local Rule of Court 2.3 (D).

At the case management conference the Court will inquire into compliance with the local rules regarding service of process and responses and issue appropriate sanctions for failure comply with the San Mateo County Local Rules of Count.

Date: Nov 16, 2018

By Order of the President Judge NEAL I. TANIGUCHI, Court Executive Officer/Clerk Cheryl Lyssand Deputy Clerk LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Nov 29, Dec 6, 13, 20, 2018 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2018292430 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: WOOL & MANE at 14204 Califa St,

ADMINISTER ESTATE OF FRED DOUGLAS DORTON SR. CASE NUMBER: 18STPB10794 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of has been filed by FREDDIE MAE JACKSON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES THE PETITION FOR PROBATE REQUESTS THAT: FREDDIE MAE JACKSON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decendent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice r consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Jan 4, 2019 Time: 8:30 A.M. Dept: 2D located at 111 N. Hill St, Los Angeles, Ca 90012 Branch name: Central IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. IF you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250.

A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner: Law Office of WILLIAM EDWARDS SBN 237587 168 H St, Bakersfield, Ca. 93304 Phone: (661) 324-0111 Fax: (661) 326-8984 E-Mail: we@williamedwardslaw.com Attorney for: Freddie Mae Jackson LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 13, 20, 27, 2018

LIEN SALE NOTICE OF LIEN SALE Lien Holder: J&J AUTO CENTER 1549 W. ADAMS BLVD. Los Angeles, CA. 90007 Vehicle: 2015 MAZDA, MAZDA 3 Vin:3MZBM1U71FM177105 License #: CA 7ZRW831 Make: MAZDA Date of Sale: 12/26/2018 at 10:00 AM S&B Lien Sales LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 20, 2018

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

Honoring Kwanzaa: Continued from page A1

With a population nearly equal to China and India COMBINED, corporations are waking up to the huge spending power of Africa’s new middle class. People of color in America are likewise prospering. If African Americans were our own country, we would be the 15th richest country in the world.

So, what is the problem? Hundreds of millions of people of color are being completely left behind.

Multinationals are making huge profits in Africa, while millions of people there still have no safe drinking water, hundreds of thousands are dying from water-borne illnesses, and 40 billion hours are wasted every year collecting water. Here in America, the richest country history has ever known, an entire generation of young black men is being channeled straight from high school to prison by a system that has utterly failed them. If record prosperity across the world hasn’t helped those left behind, and hasn’t given them hope, what will?

We have nothing against the giant corporations like Amazon and Alibaba, which seem to be going so large, they are like governments. But I promise you, they are only about profits. They won’t stick out their necks to help our people.

If we are to have a future, we must do what black people have always done; we must stick together. Africa House Global is a group of committed individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses committed to\ pouring back a very large portion of AHG’s profits into projects that serve disadvantaged people of color around the world.

When you see the AHG logo, you know you’re dealing with a business with a higher purpose, one committed to seeing the world’s prosperity reach EVERYONE. As an investor, vendor or partner with AHG, you are making a commitment to our shared future. If web pull together, we see a very bright future. Millions of African women can get jobs instead of spending their time gathering water or mourning for children poisoned by filthy water. Millions of Black men in America can get vocational training instead of incarceration, and the economic strength of the united people of color will increase that much more; because there is no power without economic power.

Nothing will ever change for disadvantaged people of color unless we all do your part. Contact us at info@ africahouseglobal.com and we will update you on this movement. We have got to stick together, every one of us, and that includes YOU! Visit www.AfricaHouseGlobal. com and learn how you can become part of this great movement!

Africa House Global is a U.S. Trademark protected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Africa House Global LLC is a Domestic Limited liability Company registered with the State of Georgia, Secretary of State, Corporations Division. For interviews please contact JDaye@africahouseglobal.com, or call 770-8817085

How Zip Codes Relate to Achievement Gaps Continued from page A1 They sometimes decrease to below 5% in impoverished or socioeconomically-disadvantaged places.”

Children in lower income brackets disproportionately tend to be the recipients of sub-par educational resources.

As Mr. Chetti points out on NPR’s ‘Hidden Brain’ Podcast, larger class sizes and less experienced teachers are all indicators that students are much less likely to obtain the cognitive and social skills necessary to advance themselves and their families.

The fact that these lower-performing public schools tend to be found in more impoverished or socially/ culturally isolated areas is not a coincidence.

Prior to the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in the 2017-2018 school year, education standards were largely determined by federal standards outlined in No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

This structure did very little to address the specific needs of the most disadvantaged communities.

ESSA seeks to improve students’ chances at success by encouraging a more personalized approach to students’ needs, strengths and interests as well as improving and decreasing the emphasis on standardized testing. Much of the research suggests this approach will do more to advance specific, individual state school system goals and impact students’ lives.

It’s very important that parents, teachers, administrators and community members take strategic steps to address factors contributing to the educational shortcomings in some of our schools while working with policy makers to equitably utilize all the tools and resources available.

The future is now, and if our community ever hopes to eliminate the disparities that are at the root of many of the issues we are often confronted with (i.e. poverty, mass incarceration, chronic unemployment) we have to begin with education.

By requiring states to identify and intervene with their lowest-performing schools and take a more tailored approach to their improvement, ESSA is poised to have a significant and measurable impact on the state of public education in America.

There is a very real correlation between underperforming schools and generational poverty. If we wish to eliminate the latter, we must tackle education with a focus and energy that is specifically tailored to the needs of our communities.

Akil Wilson is a native Washington, DC-based, podcaster, and parent. He is a contributing writer for the Washington Informer in addition to providing broadcast commentary for a variety of media outlets.

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS In the VALLEY’s news observer

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Fresno State’s Mike Bell. (Fresno State athletics courtesy photo)

Fresno State Ousts ASU

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Fresno State Bulldogs out lasted Arizona State 3120 in the Las Vegas Bowl. Marcus McMaryion ran for a score and completed 15 of 19 passes for 176 yards.

Ronnie Rivers ran for 212 yards and two scores to lead the ground attack for the 12-2 Bulldogs.

“We’ve been emphasizing the word ’finish’ this past week and going out there and finishing the job, getting the 12th win,“ said Rivers the game MVP. Rivers finished with 286 all-purpose yards (212

rushing, 41in punt returns, and 33 receiving).

On the defensive side the Bulldogs had three players that had 10 or more tackles Jeff Allison (11), George Helmuth (11), and Moreno Valley’s Mike Bell (10).The Bulldogs defense only allowed 63 yards of offense to ASU in the second half. That marked the fifth time this season they held opponents to under 300 yards of offense.

Eno Benjamin rushed for 118 yards for the Sun Devils (7-6). Benjamin also set a school record for the season in rushing with 1,642 yards.

Fresno state’s Jeff Allison. (Fresno State athletics courtesy photo)

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Entertainment Maxine Waters Statement on the Death of Nancy Wilson “I am heartbroken by the passing of my beloved friend, the legendary Nancy Wilson. Nancy was a ‘song stylist’ without peer. Her unmatched mastery of numerous genres of music, including jazz, R&B, gospel, blues, soul and pop, has etched her name in history as one of the most ‘formidable’ vocalists of all time.

Nancy Wilson Performing in Amsterdam, March 1968, Nationaal Archief, the Dutch National Archives WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) issued a statement on the death of legendary “song stylist,” Nancy Sue Wilson, who died at age 81.

“I am heartbroken by the passing of my beloved

friend, the legendary Nancy Wilson. Nancy was a ‘song stylist’ without peer. Her unmatched mastery of numerous genres of music, including jazz, R&B, gospel, blues, soul and pop, has etched her name in history as one of the most ‘formidable’ vocalists of all time.

“Nancy began singing in church at the age of four in her home town of Chillicothe, Ohio. For more than five decades, she captivated audiences across the globe with her soul-stirring performances that would send chills down

your spine; her more than 70 critically acclaimed albums, many of which I own; and her chart-topping hits such as ‘Guess Who I Saw Today,’ ‘Save Your Love for Me,’ and ‘Face It Girl, It’s Over,’ which are considered classics by generations of musicians and fans around the world.

“Nancy is also a pioneer and trailblazer for women and entertainers of color. She hosted the National Public Radio program ‘Jazz Profiles’ for nearly a decade, won an Emmy for her starring role in NBC’s ‘The Nancy Wilson Show’, and served as one of the first African American spokeswomen for major national brands, including Campbell’s Soup.

“Due to her brilliant talent, poise, and grace, Nancy was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including, three Grammy Awards, an NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Urban League’s Whitney Young Jr. Award. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was recognized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. In 2004, Nancy also received the coveted National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Fellowships Award, which is the highest honor granted to jazz musicians by the U.S. government.

“Anyone who knew Nancy understood how deeply she cared for our community, and how committed she was to using her voice to make a difference. We could always count on Nancy to perform for special causes like HIV/ AIDS or in support of political leaders. Whenever and wherever we needed her, Nancy would be right there.

“The incomparable Nancy Wilson. A musical genius, trailblazer, and hero who was loved and adored by so many.

I join the world in mourning the loss of this extraordinary musical icon, and I consider it a blessing to have the privilege of calling her a cherished friend. My thoughts and prayers are with her three children, Kacy, Samantha, and Sheryl, five grandchildren, relatives and friends during this difficult time.

“Though she is no longer with us, she will forever be remembered in hearts as our ‘Classy, Miss Nancy.’”

The Green Book GREEN BOOK is based on a true story about classically-trained black jazz pianist, Don Shirley (played by Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali), and Tony Lip, a mob club bouncer who got his nickname based on his ability to talk his way out of almost any situation, played by Viggo Mortensen.

By Hollywood Hernadez Live Texas Metro News The Green Book was a travel guide for African Americans that was written by an African American mail carrier named Victor Green.

“The Negro Motorist Green Book” started out in the late 40’s and it was a travel guide of places in The Jim Crow South.

It listed places that were safe havens for African Americans to stay, grab a bite to eat, or even get a haircut.

The book was put into publication throughout the 1960’s.

GREEN BOOK is based on a true story about classically-trained black jazz pianist, Don Shirley (played

by Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali), and Tony Lip, a mob club bouncer who got his nickname based on his ability to talk his way out of almost any situation, played by Viggo Mortensen.

When Shirley embarks on a concert tour that will take him into the deep south he hires Tony Lip as his driver and protector.

The movie is a great history lesson about the racist attitude in the south that allowed an African American to play at a venue, but who was not allowed to use the bathroom facilities in that same building.

Film Review: It’s also a movie about class and culture. Shirley, the musician, is highly-educated and sophisticated and Tony the Lip is just a guy from an Italian neighborhood in The Bronx. The two men could not be any more different.

However, it’s a movie about friendship as well.

The two men, with all of their differences, become loyal friends with Mortensen’s becoming a protector to a man who he sees being treated unfairly and Ali’s character becomes a mentor to a guy who’d rather fast talk his way out of a situation than to learn about it.

The movie is both educational and heartfelt.

It is a must-see movie that takes us back to the past and shows us how far we’ve come when it comes to dealing with attitudes about race and class. You will highly enjoy this film.

The movie is rated PG- 13 for language, violence, and suggestive material and it has a run time of 2 hours and 10 minutes (which passes by very quickly).

I didn’t want the story to end. This movie gets my highest rating on my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale.”

I rate GREEN BOOK a JUMBO with extra butter!

“The Negro Motorist Green Book” started out “The Negro in the late 40’s Motorist and it was Green a travel Book” guide ofstartplaced inout the lateSouth.

40’s and it was a traves TheinJim Crow

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse The script by Phil Lord (Lego Movie, 22 Jump Street) gives Miles a character arc that lasts almost the entire movie: Innocent, insecure kid. Newly empowered superhero.

Clumsy superhero. Determined apprentice, who can’t control his powers. Confident, brave warrior who needs to learn more. Leader of the pack. An initially reluctant Miles gets some advice from Spider-Man: “You’re like me.”

Miles: “I don’t wanna be.” Spider-Man: “You don’t have much choice!”

The group of characters that surround the kid add texture at every juncture. Those family members, friends and villains are brought to life by a very lively cast who seem to be having a lot of fun. Henry displays great warmth, strength and discipline as dad. Velez’s take on mom is comforting at all the right times. Ali does things with his voice that hint at Uncle Aaron’s secret-life. Lily Tomlin as Aunt May gets to be far more hip and active than the previous ones. The campiest voice has to be Kathryn Hahn’s as she plays Fisk’s mad scientist Doc Ock with lots of relish and plenty of mustard.

Reinforcements are brought in—Spider-People from another dimension—and the cast of actors who portray those fellow superheroes is impressive: Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), Jake Johnson (Tag), comic/writer John Mulaney (Saturday Night Live), Kimiko Glenn (Liza on Demand TV series) and Nicolas Cage.

Beside the stunning visuals and fun voices, the film’s other strength is its ultra-hip musical soundtrack. The basic score was created by Daniel Pemberton (Ocean’s Eight, Molly’s Game) and it’s the glue. The bricks are a playlist of the hippest music on a soundtrack since Black Panther. The songs to remember are “Sunflower,” sung by Post-Malone

By Dwight Brown NNPA News Wire Film Critic “It’s not possible. I’m a normal kid!” Famous last words. That’s what’s on the lips of teenager Miles Morales as he goes through a change in life. No, not puberty. The young Blatino brother from Brooklyn has been bitten by a radioactive spider and his life has changed forever. And so did the legend of Spider-Man when it took a detour in 2011. That’s when writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli created Marvel comic books that centered around the character Miles Morales, purportedly inspired

by Barack Obama and Donald Glover. The leap from the page to screen gives the arachnid/man-boy a very hip and new playground.

The blending of old school comic book pages and new world CG is a standout in this innovative animated feature film. The characters look real-ish, their voices are clear as a bell, yet the footage inserts headlines just like you’d see in a comic book: blaring black type in yellow boxes.

Screens can be full-frame or divided. Gigantic expressive words like “Wooooo” pop up. The clever blend of classic hand-drawn animation with the latest technology takes animation into a new age. Everyone from the visual effects, art and production management teams should take a bow.

With special praise for art directors Dean Gordon and Patrick O’Keefe and production designer Justin Thompson

(Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs). Also, Mile’s cool red/ blue Spider-Man uniform looks like it’s part of a collection from a 22nd century Nike sports clothing line.

Miles (Shameik Moore, Dope) is an inner-city kid facing a life crisis. He’s going to a private school in Manhattan, away from his friends in Brooklyn. The parental guidance that steers his child development comes from his loving African American father Jefferson Davis (Brian Tyree Henry, If Beale Street Could Talk), a cop, and his nurturing Puerto Rican mom Rio Morales (Luna Lauren Velez, Dexter), a nurse. When Miles feels he can’t talk to his parents about his apprehensions, the fledgling artist seeks council from his Uncle Aaron (Mahershala Ali), a graffiti artist with a checkered past.

As Miles faces his challenges, the city is being torn apart by crime and a rogue hero, Spider-Man (Chris Pine).

After being bitten by the love bug, Miles gets drawn into a battle between Spider-Man and the crime lord Wilson Fisk (Liev Schreiber). They’re fighting over a nuclear super collider that can open up a portal to other dimensions, a threshold that can transport various versions of SpiderMan. It’s a tough time for Miles to engage in life-or-death combat as he doesn’t know how to master his superpowers.

Sticking to stuff, heightened hearing, venom strikes and the ability to make himself invisible are powers beyond his control.

Film Review:

& Swae Lee and the very aggressive and growling song “What’s Up Danger,” performed by Blackway & Black Cavier.

Past Spider-Man movies seemed to cater to general audiences and had a very middle America feel. This version is an ode to urban folks, nerds, teens, public and private school kids, rap/hip-hop fans and those who would rather be cool than drab. There isn’t anything really subversive about this PG-13 movie at all. Bring the kids or send them to the theater.

Directors Peter Ramsey (Rise of the Guardians), Bob Persichetti and Rodney Rothman have created a very modern, fresh and timely version of a classic franchise in need of an overhaul. One of their advantages was that they had limitless creative freedom: Live-action versions of Spider-Man, by their nature, have constraints. For the most part, the filmmakers have achieved their goals and will likely inspire animators on into the future. If this lively montage of superhero angst had one flaw, it’s that sometimes the weight of the heavy, complex, multi-faceted visuals stymies momentum.

After sitting through nearly two hours of this very vibrant and psychedelic eye candy, many viewers will ponder the question, “Just how much weed did the filmmakers smoke to come up with these mind-bending visuals and the precision comic timing?”

The directors, producers, tech crew and actors have accomplished the impossible. They’ve upped the animation game for everyone. What they’ve done may well become the new normal—and that’s a high bar to hit.

Visit NNPA News Wire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson and Hailee Steinfeld Spiderman into the Spider-Verse

Thursday, December 20, 2018

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Sports

Los Angeles Rams Players Participate in the My Cause, My Cleats Campaign For the third consecutive season, the NFL is highlighting the My Cause, My Cleats campaign. NFL players will have an opportunity to promote the causes which are important to them by wearing designer cleats onfield. During weeks 13- 15 of this season, over 800 players around the league are expected to showcase their cleats.

This past Sunday evening on Sunday Night Football those Los Angeles Rams players, participating in this

campaign, debuted their designer cleats during the game. In conjunction with a couple Los Angeles-based designers Kickasso Kustoms’ Troy Cole and Kickstradomis’ Salvador Amezcua, Rams players partnered with Nike, Under Armor, and Adidas to customize the cleats for the participating players. Below is a list of the players who chose to participate in this campaign and the campaigns they choose to promote.

DESCRIPTION

PLAYER

CAUSE/ORGANIZATION

Mark Barron

My Brother’s Keeper

Austin Blythe

opportunities to young adults through scholarships, Ed Thomas Family Foundation Provides maintains facilities, and spreads the message of God’s word.

Michael Brockers

Autism Speaks

Promotes solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support.

Pharoh Cooper

Pacifica

Offers adolescent and family services designed to treat victims of abuse and neglect, substance abuse, homelessness, and other behavioral and mental health issues.

Provides stroke education and programs to stroke survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Blake Countess

National Stroke Association

Launched by former President Barack Obama to address opportunity gaps faced by people of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential.

Aaron Donald

Huntington’s Disease Society of America; The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease and provides a seamless connection for help, education and outreach to families; LLS is dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and myeloma while improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

Samson Ebukam

GEANCO

Dedicated to saving and transforming the lives of the poor and vulnerable in Africa.

Gerald Everett

The nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

Dante Fowler Jr.

American Heart Association (Blood Pressure) American Cancer Society (Cancer Awareness)

John Franklin-Myers

Sarcoma Foundation of America conducts education and advocacy efforts for sarcoma patients.

Jared Goff

California Strong

Todd Gurley

First Book (Literacy)

Funds and conducts research, shares expert information, supports patients, and spreads the word about prevention.

Raises money to privately fund grants for sarcoma research and

Todd Gurley chose to represent First Book (Literacy) with his cleats. (Rams wire courtesy photo)

Organized to help all families affected by the recent devastation throughout California for years to come.

Transforms the lives of children in need by creating equal access to quality education – making everything from brand new, high quality books and educational resources, to sports equipment and more.

Saves lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

Rob Havenstein

Susan G. Komen

Johnny Hekker

Waterboys; Special Olympics

Tyler Higbee

Special Olympics

World’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with the mission of transforming lives through the joy of sport.

Troy Hill

Harold Robinson Foundation

Offers a safe and nurturing environment for our community’s impoverished children by providing funding and resources to create a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

John Johnson

Sunshine Kids

The foundation adds quality of life to children with cancer by providing them with exciting, positive group activities.

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Provides pediatric health care and helps their patients more than

JoJo Natson

Everytown for Gun Safety; American Cancer Society

Everytown is a movement of Americans working to end gun violence and build safer communities; ACS funds and conducts research, shares expert information, supports patients, and spreads the word about prevention.

Marcus Peters

Fam 1st Family Foundation

Focused on the underserved youth and aims to build new generations of innovative thinkers to create solutions for the future of

Josh Reynolds

American Cancer Society (Multiple Myeloma)

Funds and conducts research, shares expert information, supports patients, and spreads the word about prevention in a mission to free the world from cancer.

Nickell Robey-Coleman

American Heart Association (Heart Health)

The nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

Rodger Saffold

Big Brothers Big Sisters

The nation’s largest donor-and volunteer-supported mentoring network that develops positive relationships between adult volunteers and children in communities across the country.

Tanzel Smart

Club 21

Provides educational tools and resources that enable individuals with Down syndrome to be fully included.

Ndamukong Suh

This Bar Saves Lives

This Bar Saves Lives has a mission to end childhood malnutrition worldwide. The program works with experts in the field who deliver nutrition where it’s needed most, both domestically and abroad.

Aqib Talib

Aqib Talib’s Motivation Foundation

Encourages kids to pursue their dreams and provides them a blueprint to accomplishing their goals by facilitating college visits, professional Q&A sessions, and counseling.

Mike Thomas

showcase their academic and athletic success. Creates Breaking Boundaries Foundation to opportunities for athletic exposure, academic success and molds

Unites players and fans from across the NFL to bring life-sustaining well water to East African communities in need; World’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with the mission of transforming lives through the joy of sport.

528,000 times each year in a setting designed just for their needs.

Rams DT Aaron Donald chose to represent Huntington’s Disease Society of America; The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with his cleats. (Rams wire courtesy photo)

Empowers student-athletes of all ages and gives them a platform leaders in our society.

Youth football program coached by LAPD officers that works to positively change the minds of youth by challenging, guiding and teaching all their student-athletes to be positive leaders, not only in Watts, CA, but around the world.

Ethan Westbrooks

Watts Bears

Andrew Whitworth

MVP: Merging Vets & Players

Program designed to address the challenges that combat veterans and professional athletes face when transitioning towards a new mission in their civilian life.

Robert Woods

Make-A-Wish

Works to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness.

The players will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their chosen cause by auctioning their cleats at NFL Auction, in this Auction 100% of the funds will be donated to those players selected charities. Fans will also have a chance to aid the fundraising by bidding on the game-issued player cleats at NFL.com/Auction. Players will share images of their cleats and the stories behind them on social media using the hashtag #mycausemycleats.

I believe this a great initiative the NFL implements.

I’d question why they limit this campaign to 3 weeks?

Designer cleats are worn throughout the season, wearing designer cleats that are promoting the players and partnerships throughout the country should be welcomed and encouraged. Please let me know your thoughts on these limitations of the NFL’s campaign or if you think this campaign should be extended through the regular season.

Please share your feedback in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or reaching out to us on twitter @whatsgoodinsports.

Damian Lillard light up the Clippers for 39 points on Monday night at Staples Center. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Trailblazers visit the Clippers

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com A short week before the Christmas festivities ensues, the Portland Trailblazers bring their 16-13 record into the Staples Center to play against the 17-12 Los Angeles Clippers. The Trailblazers are led by the backcourt tandem of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. As you can see by the records of these two teams, they come into this matchup evenly matched.

Not only are these teams evenly matched, but they also have a lot of familiarity with one another. Clippers Guard Lou Williams and Blazers forward Evan Turner were teammates in Philadelphia, Clippers Forward Danillo Gallinari and Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic were teammates in Denver, and Clippers Foward Tobias Harris were teammates with Blazers Forward Maurice Harkless in Orlando. More importantly the Clippers come into this game intent on breaking their 3-game losing streak.

Trailblazers CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic explode out the gates with 11 quick points apiece in the first quarter. However, Tobias wasn’t to be outdone, as he scored 14 of his own to help the Clipper keep pace. Though the Clippers limited Damian Lillard to 5 points and they still ended the quarter down by 8 points.

The energy of Montrezl Harrell was the spark that the Clippers needed to get back in the game in the second quarter. In fact, his 10 points and 4 rebounds led both teams in either category. Danillo Gallinari chipped in an additional 7 points for the Clippers that gave them a 2-point lead at the half.

Though Harris shot 5 of 7 from the field and GilgeousAlexander added 7 points to lead the Clippers in the 3rd quarter. Damian Lillard didn’t wait until the 4th quarter to

turn it on against the Clippers as he put 22 points in the quarter on the 5 of 5 shooting from behind the 3-point line. Shooting 70% from behind the 3-point line as compared to the Clippers 33.3% shooting also contributed to the Blazers closing the 3rd quarter with a 12-point lead.

Igniting the Clippers most games is Montrezl Harrell. His tough gritty style of basketball earned him a reputation of being a spark plug for his team. Tonight, was no different, though Harrell was ejected midway through the quarter for a flagrant 2 penalty on Jusuf Nurkic, who was giving him the business with 20 points and 7 assists.

Nonetheless, Lillard’s 39 points pushed the Trailblazers to win, as he closed the game out late in the quarter.

This being their 4th consecutive loss, I thought fans would want to know if the team talks about their positioning in the standings, so I asked Clipper Head Coach about this, he responded with an emphatic, “NO!” “It’s too early… and it doesn’t matter at this point.” He also mentioned about it would be “a little past the All-Star break is when you take stock of where you are,” when they would discuss their records or playoff positioning.

Now that Head Coach Doc Rivers gave us a time frame of when to expect to see the best from this team, I am eager to see the development process of this young Clippers team throughout this season. They have slipped in the standings in recent weeks, yet I would expect them to maintain their playoff seeding.

Please let me know your thoughts on what you think the Clippers ceiling is this season, by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports. com or @whatsgoodinsports on Twitter.

A6

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Local Winter Wonderland: Resource Fair and Toy Giveaway Community Residents Provide A Safe And Fun Space For Families To Thrive

LOS ANGELES, December 17, 2018 --- Best Start Broadway-Manchester recently hosted “Winter Wonderland: Resource Fair and Toy Giveaway”, a family-friendly holiday celebration that provided a safe environment for families and children at Green Meadows Recreation Center.

“Winter Wonderland: Resource Fair and Toy Giveaway” had entertainment and activities for all ages that included snow, the Grinch, games, raffles, Tommy The Clown, a video game truck, Zumba, yoga, informational booths, DJ, free food, and more!

Best Start Broadway-Manchester and Green Meadows Recreation Center partnered to create “Winter Wonderland: Resource Fair and Toy Giveaway” to provide resources, a tree planting activity, and a fun space to encourage quality time amongst families. The tree planting activity was a product of a CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry Program Grant awarded to the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and aligns with Best Start Broadway-Manchester’s mission to improve the community.

Community residents of Best Start BroadwayManchester come together to improve the well-being of children from birth until age five. “Best Start BroadwayManchester created this event to provide information to our community, better our community, and inform our community that we are always a resource,” says Renee Parker, leadership member of Best Start BroadwayManchester.

Residents can get involved with Best Start BroadwayManchester by attending their monthly community partnership meetings held every fourth Tuesday of each month to discuss different ways to improve the lives of families with children. Free childcare, food, and transportation are provided.

To learn more about Best Start BroadwayManchester please visit their Facebook page @ BestStartBroadwayManchester.

(Debra Simmons/ Diamond Dust Photography courtesy photo)

1st Black/Latino to Lead CA Deptartment of Education

By Manny Otiko California Black Media Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) pulled off a hard-fought victory defeating CEO of Green Dot Public Schools Marshall Tuck in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction. The results were officially certified by the Secretary of State’s Office on Friday, Dec. 14. According to a press release from Thurmond’s campaign, he overcame an 86,000-vote deficit on Election Day to win.

“I want to thank the voters of California for electing me to serve the 6 million students of California, I intend to be a champion of public schools and a Superintendent for all California students,” said Thurmond in a press release.

“I ran for superintendent of Public Instruction to deliver to all Californians the promise that public education delivered to me – that all students, no matter their background and no matter their challenges, can succeed with a great public education.”

Thurmond, who is the second African-American and first Afro-Latino to hold the position, describes his heritage in an Op-ed in Latino Edge Magazine explaining his background as “one of blended cultures and traditions.”

His mother’s parents were born in Colombia and Jamaica and raised their seven children in Panama. Thurmond’s grandparents on his father’s side were the descendants of African slaves who were brought to America and settled in Mississippi and Detroit, Michigan.

Challenges Lie Ahead Thurmond, a former social worker, has a background working in public education having served on a school board before being elected to the State Assembly. In a previous interview with California Black Media he said that one of his goals is to increase the number of minority teachers and reduce the number of students of color who are suspended or diagnosed with behavior disorders.

In his quest, Thurmond can look to the work of Wilson Riles, the first African-American elected as state superintendent in 1970. It was a shock victory that was deemed impossible at the time. Wiles, who started his educational journey in a one-room school in Louisiana, served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II before becoming an educator. He served three terms as superintendent and was the first African-American elected to a statewide office in California. The Wilson C. Riles Middle School in Roseville is named after him. Dr. Shirley Thornton, a retired educator and a member of The Center for Excellence, got to know Riles when she worked in San Francisco. She described him as a “warm educator” and a “sensitive man.” “He cared about kids who were marginalized,” said Thornton. She said Riles’ biggest success was with the Title I program and making sure all children received a decent education. “He kept education at the forefront of the state,” said Thornton.

Different Year, Same Problems Thornton said that many of the problems that California faced in the pre-Riles era are still present. Many children are still marginalized by the public education system and are not getting a decent education, she said.

Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Education Trust—West interim co-executive director, said the state still suffers from unequal funding in the education field.

In a recent press release, she said, “We cannot continue to be complacent with a system that provides more counselors, more computer science courses, and more A-G courses for affluent schools than schools in lowerincome communities - to name just a few of the injustices impacting California students.”

Vernon M. Billy, CEO and executive director of the California School Boards Association, said in an interview with CBM earlier this year that the real problem is making sure students who need the most help get the right support.

In an EdSource editorial published in January, Billy took issue with the California School Dashboard, a tool that was designed to produce a report card on schools.

“In order to uphold California’s tradition of innovation and our responsibility to the state’s 6.2 million public school students, we must do better. That begins with refining the California School Dashboard to increase its focus on equity. Prioritizing equity would mean being upfront about how many schools need assistance and making equity more prominent on the dashboard display — possibly by placing the names of student groups on the top level of the dashboard or by creating an equity rating for each indicator,” said Billy.

Another issue facing Thurmond is trying to effect change at more than 1,000 school districts in California where each district has its own superintendent. Thornton also worries about how much independence Thurmond shows as SPI, since is supported by the powerful California Teacher Association . A Sacramento Bee report shows CTA spent about $16 million to help support Thurmond’s campaign.

According to education experts, Thurmond will face several other complex issues as the state’s chief education officer. Thurmond also says he wants to set up a pilot program to recruit more minority teachers, at a time during a statewide teaching shortage, and many school districts continue to struggle with recruiting teachers of color. Thornton says teacher pay may be a big issue here. as it is difficult to attract teachers to the industry when the pay lags behind other professions. She said this is an issue in her community of Marin County, where teacher salaries are not enough to afford local housing. A particularly vexing problem facing Thurmond is the fact that sources tell CBM they feel the state is still underfunding schools.

Although California increased school funding, education advocated argue it still lags behind when you factor in inflation, unfunded mandates and a deal that was struck several years ago when school districts, teachers and the state all agreed to pay more to reduce its unfunded pension liability. According to a Cal Matters news story in July, districts took on the greatest share of those new costs, agreeing to increase payments from 8 percent of their payroll in 2013 to 19 percent by 2020.

Thurmond will have to balance a host of complex issues and news headlines are already appearing that more school districts are facing financial pressure due to rising pension and administrative costs.

Currently Inglewood Unified School District is under state receivership, Sacramento Unified School District superintendent said last week if they don’t make cuts soon they would run out of cash in 2019 and on Friday Superintendent Adam Clark of Vallejo Unified School District sent a newsletters that said, VUSD is facing a $22 million structural deficit. And that In order to address this deficit, the governing board is faced with extremely difficult decisions in order to balance their budget.

As state superintendent, Thurmond will have to address many of these issues and somehow get everyone on the same page. Thurman will be sworn in January 7, 9:00 a.m. at the Department of Education.

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