The Washington Informer - December 26, 2013 by The Washington Informer

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” – Epicurus

Wilmer Leon on Black Santa See Page 21 •

C e l e b r a t i n g 4 9 Ye a r s o f S e r v i c e

•

Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area / Vol. 49, No.11 Dec. 26, 2013 - Jan. 1, 2014

Artists on Monroe! Artist Carmen Torruella Quander chats with an art aficionado at a recent Holiday Open House during the Arts Walk at the Monroe Street Market in Brookland earlier this month. /Photo by Roy Lewis

Gray: Economic Development Plan Bearing Fruit By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer @bsalmondc The District of Columbia is riding the wave of an economic boon that going into its second year has produced almost 18,000 new jobs, $281 million in tax revenue and slightly less than $1 billion in foreign investment in

real estate projects. Mayor Vincent Gray (D) said the city is on track to achieve its goals of 100,000 new jobs and at least $1 billion in new tax revenue at the end of five years. Gray said city officials have partners, universities, the local business community and a host of others to thank for helping put

the District in this position. “We’re projecting in years two through five to create 82,863 jobs and $281 million in tax revenue,” Gray said during an hour-long presentation at a recent mayoral press conference. “We’re also anticipating $691 million in sales, hotel, restaurant, property taxes, including the taxes of individu-

als moving to the city.” “We’ve been combating sequestration. We can’t fight it so we’re going in another direction in the city. We’re adding population and people are bringing resources to this effort … Almost 10,000 private-sector jobs have been created but we lost federal jobs. If we don’t shift this

Visit us online for daily updates and much more @ www.washingtoninformer.com. Ali Celebrates 80th Birthday Page 10

Local Activist Provides Toys, Food to Families Page 14

economy in a different direction, we will continue to be affected by what’s going on in the federal government. We can either wring our hands or redefine who D.C. is.” The Nation’s Capital has become the city of choice for mil-

Maurice Hines Taps Down Memory Lane Page 23

See DEVELOPMENT on Page 8 and on DCTV 95 & 96

The CoLumn

Serve DC

Mayor’s Office of Volunteerism

2013 Mayor’s Community Service Awards Honorees

(L-R) Justine Love, Honoree Joy Hanes, Honoree Sonia Person, Mayor Gray, Honoree Virginia McLaurin, Honoree Cheryl Braham, Honoree John McGuire, Honoree Christopher Daignault, Honoree Jocelyn Coleman, & Honoree Dilys Lande

Corporate Engagement Award Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation Juatine Love with honoree Recipient

Youth Award

Jeffrey D. Richardson (Ex. Dir. Serve DC) with honoree Sonia Pearson

Serve DC, the Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism, presented their first Community Service Awards last week at the John A. Wilson Building in Washington. The National Service Award went to 104 years young, Mrs. Virginia McLaurin, the Corporate Engagement Award was given to Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. The Youth Award to Sonia Person, Dilys Lande got the Education Award. John Mcguire was given the Public Safety Award. Five government service star awards were presented. For more go to: WWW.SERVE.DC.GOV

Emergency Preparedness & Public Safety Award

(L-R) Jeffrey D. Richardson (Ex. Dir. Serve DC) with honoree John McGuire

Community Service Award

Presenter Stephen Glaude (Dir. Office of Community Afairs) with receiptient for Iris Molotsky ( daughter)

National Service Award Honoree

Mrs. Virginia McLaurin With DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray

Eduction Award Presenter Abigail Smith presents award to honoree Dilys Lande

District of Columbia Government Service Star Awards

Presenter: Christopher Murphy Chief of Staff, Exectuive Office of the Mayor with Honorees (L-R) Christopher Daignault (Metropolitan Police Dept.), Joycelyn Coleman (District of Columbia Public Library), Joy Hanes (St. Elizabeths, Dept. of Behavioral Health) & Cheryl Branham (Dept. of Parks & Recreation)

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and honoree Joycelyn Coleman (District of Columbia Public Library)

National Service Award Honoree Mrs. Virginia McLaurin (104 yrs.of age) surrounded by DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Cheryl Christmas, Serve DC Ex. Dir. Jeffrey Richardson and others

Want to be a Social Sightings?

Family Affair Honoree John McGuire (c) with his wife Lynn & their son Jason with DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray

Subscribe www.SocialSightings.com

Kurt Pommonths, Sr, Photographer • Photo Enhancer • Graphic Designer Social Sightings is published in the Hill Rag, DC Mid-City, East of the River & The Washington Informer Newspaper 2003 © SOCIAL SIGHTINGS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — DUPLICATION IN ANY FORM REQUIRES WRITTEN PERMISSION | E-mail SocialSightings@aol.com

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12/26/2013 – 1/1/2014 SANTA PAYS A VISIT to the annual Clinica del Pueblo Christmas party on Dec. 18. Fatima Berrio, 8, left, and Baleria Alfaro, 6, pose with Santa in the Northwest clinic during the holiday festivities. Alex Martinez, a caseworker at Clinica del Pueblo, portrays Old Saint Nick. /Photo by Nancy Shia

AROUND THE REGION Black Facts Page 6 NORTHERN VIRGINIA Page 12 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Page 13 BUSINESS William Reed’s Business Exchange Page 17 COMMENTARIES Pages 21-22 SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Page 29 RELIGION Lyndia Grant’s Religion Column Page 31

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D.C. Political Roundup Women Break the Cycle of Domestic Violence By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Mendelson Networks at D.C. Council Party Jones By Tia Carol www.washingtoninformer.com Council Chairman Phil WID.C. Staff Writer Mendelson (D) may seem to be a Marlow's 23-yearVisit our updated Web site bitWhen stiff toL.Y. some District residents old he daughter the “cut fathera but showedtold thather he can and give us your comments of her daughter threatened rug” with the best of them. her for a chance to win a gift from life, and the lifejammed of their child, Mendelson with The Washington Informer she knew had tocolbe dozens of something council staffers, done. Out of her frustration leagues and guests at the annual with law enforcement's handling D.C. Council holiday party that Email comments to: of the situation, she decided to took on Dec.Promise 19 at the camJohn rburke@ start place the Saving A.Wilson Building in Northwest. paign. washingtoninformer.com In “It theseems past,tocouncil chairscycle adbe a vicious dressed the crowd thankfamily them that won't turnto my for coming, but Mendelson broke loose,” Marlow said. Marlow tradition thisstory year. with the audishared her “I don’t thinkDistrict anyone wants to ence at the Heights Domestic Symposium me hear meViolence say anything,” he said. onD.C. MayMayor 7 at theVincent DistrictGray Heights (D) Municipal Center. The joined Mendelson with sympofellow sium was sponsored the mayoral competitors D.C.byCounFamily andJackYouth Services cil members Evans (D-Ward Center the city of District 2), MurielofBowser (D-Ward 4) and Heights and the National HookVincent Orange (D-At Large) at Up of Black Women. theMarlow festive has event. D.C. aCouncil written book, members David Catania “Color Me Butterfly,” which(I-At is a Large), a possible hopeful story about fourmayoral generations of in 2014, attended theThe partybook as did domestic violence. is D.C. Council members Mary Cheh inspired by her own experiences, (D-Ward andher Anita Bonds (Dand those3) of grandmother, At Yvette her Large) motherandand her Alexander daughter. She said 7).every time she reads (D-Ward In Memoriam excerpts fromhad herabook, Mendelson crowdshe of still onDr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. can not asbelieve the words lookers he danced along came with Wilhelmina J. Rolark from her. “Color Me others, to such tunes as Butterfly” the “ChaThe Washington Informer Newspaper won the 2007 National “Best THE WASHINGTON INFORMER PUBLISHER Cha Slide Dance.” However, he Memoriam Books” Award. NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is InDenise Rolark Barnes also engaged in one-on-one conDr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. published weekly on each Thursday. “I was just 16-years-old when versations with Gray, 71, Bowser, Wilhelmina STAFFJ. Rolark Periodicals postage paid at Washingmy eye first blackened and my 41, and Cheh, 63. ton,THE D.C. and additional mailing of- NEWSPAPER WASHINGTON INFORMER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published lips bled,” Marlow said. Denise W. Barnes, Editor Cheh waltzed into the presiparty fices. News and advertising deadline weekly on Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional Elaine Davis-Nickens, Shantella Assistant Editor mailing prior offices.to News and advertising deadlineY.isSherman, Monday prior to publication. is Monday publication. Anwaving her arms in the air and dent of the National Hook-Up Announcements be received weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The nouncements must must be received two twoRon Burke, Advertising/ Marketing Director swinging her hips from side-toof Black Women, said there is no Washington Informer. All rights weeks prior to event. Copyright 2013reserved. POST MASTER: Send change of addressside. She delighted by dancconsistency in the many way domestic to The Washington Informer,All 3117Lafayette Martin Luther King,IV, Jr. Ave., S.E. Photo Washington, Barnes, Assistant Editor by esThe Washington Informer. D.C. 20032.POSTMASTER: No part of this Send publication may be reproduced without written permising with two homeless activists. violence issues are dealt with by rights reserved. Khalid Naji-Allah, Photographer sion from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannotStaff guarantee the return of Bowser let loose a few times change of addresses to The Washphotographs. Subscription rates are $30 per year, twoFreitas, years $45. Papers willEditor be received John E. De Sports Photo ington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther with short dance steps but stayed not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor on message that she’s the best per20032. No part of this publication may THE WASHINGTON INFORMER son to vote for in the upcoming Brian Young, Design & Layout be reproduced without written permis3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20032 Democratic Party mayoral prima202 561-4100 • Fax: 202 Bookkeeper 574-3785 sion from the publisher.Phone: The Informer Mable Neville, ry that will take place on Tuesday, news@washingtoninformer.com Newspaper cannot guaranteeE-mail: the return Mickey Thompson, Social Sightings columnist www.washingtoninformer.com of photographs. Subscription rates are April 1, 2014. She stressed her $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will Stacey Palmer, Social Media Specialist ideas on making each junior and be received not more than a week after PUBLISHER middle school in the city academic Angie Johnson, Circulation publication. Make checks payable to: Denise Rolark Barnes replicas of Alice Deal Junior High STAFF REPORTERS REPORTERS THE WASHINGTON INFORMER School in Northwest and that Brooke N. Garner Managing Editor Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell, 3117 Martin Jr. Ave., S.E school children should be able to Carla PeayLuther King, Assistant Managing Editor Odell B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, Stacy Brown, P.K. Collins, Washington, Ron BurkeD.C. 20032 Advertising and Marketing MarySam Wells, Joseph YoungMichelle ride the Metro bus and rail free of Phipps-Evans, Eve Ferguson, Gale Horton Phone: 561-4100 Mable202 Whittaker Bookkeeper charge. LaNita Wrenn Administration Gay, Elton J. Hayes, Njunga Kabugi, Stacey PHOTOGRAPHERS Fax: 202 574-3785 John E. De Freitas Sports Palmer, Editor Dorothy Bowser also wants to extend LafayetteRowley, Barnes, IV, Barrington Salmon, news@washingtoninformer.com Victor Holt Photo Margaret Editor John E. De Charles Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, Summers, E. Sutton, James www.washingtoninformer.com the age eligibility of the District’s Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic Design Wright Joanne Jackson, Roy Lewis, Robert youth employment program. Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster Ridley, Victor Holt “I think 24-year-olds need to be CIRCULATION included in the program,” Bowser PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Trantham said. “They are the ones [who] reJohn E. De Freitas, Roy Lewis, ally need jobs.” Khalid Naji-Allah, Shevry Lassiter Bonds, 68, didn’t dance but bobbed her head to tunes she en4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com joyed. She said that her bill to provide property tax relief to 75-year-

4 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

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law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said. had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicstory, her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assesspush forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further said about Marlow. training for law enforcement Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecwho reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counsel“get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradiperson can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the viclogue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow Also present at the event was said. Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would also like to see wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise who was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children in utiveMendelson life terms without ofparole private schools. Phil is chairman the D.C. public Council.and /Photo by Nancy Shia She by a Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educatthe Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. 2002. Mildred Muhammad is “We have to stop being pasthe founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilan organization that helps the dren about domestic violence,” survivors of domestic violence Marlow said. and their children. Marlow has worked to break “I lived in fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse in her family, years in fear is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that of,” she said. process. Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to people who want to help a Congress and implore them to domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these polithe victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net “Before you get to 'I'm going to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI

“

D.C. Council member Yvette Alexander enjoys a good party. /Photo by Nancy Shia

olds is a start and she hopes to extend that benefit to 70-year-old residents soon. Orange, 56, worked the crowd and reminded people that he authored the recent minimum wage legislation and other council members followed his lead. Some Christmas celebrations at the Wilson Building in the past have been extremely low-key, dignified events with Christmas carols. This year, tunes that people easily danced to, such as “Wobble Baby”, carried the night, and staffers thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Large), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) – voted on a parking meter contract for a lobbyist who had donated to their campaigns in the past and continues to contribute to their current campaigns. “Once again, some of our leaders in the D.C. government have cashed in their integrity to serve special interests instead of the public,” he said. “Once again, they have shown the payto-play culture rules the District government. How can voters trust any of these candidates if their campaigns are being bankrolled by donors who expect political favors in return?” L.Y. Marlow Shallal said that his opponents could have taken the high road, but chose not to do so. “Voters can see through the hypocrisy, and they are looking outside of the Wilson Building for new leadership,” he said.wi

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our laws. I will not stop until these policies are passed. Shallal Slams Opponents D.C. Mayoral candidate Andy Shallal said that the play-for-pay culture at the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest needs to stop. Shallal, 58, responded to news that some of his competitors for mayor – D.C. Council members Vincent Orange (D-At

“

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During this special time of year, MGM National Harbor joins hands with our neighbors across our region to extend warmest holiday greetings and best wishes for a prosperous new year. From our family to yours,

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December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

WEEK OF dec 26 2013 to jan 1 2014

Black Facts December 26

1966 – The first Kwanzaa holiday celebrations take place. Black Nationalist Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga originated the alternative seven-day holiday period for African Americans. Kwanzaa and its principles however, may be more widely respected than actually celebrated among American blacks.

December 27

1873 - William A. Harper, one of the most gifted black artists of the 20th century, is born in Cayuga, Canada. He was a student at the Henry O. Tanner Art Institute in Chicago. Unfortunately, his brilliance was cut short by tuberculosis. He died in Mexico at the age of 36 in 1910. 1956 – Segregation is outlawed on public buses in Tallahassee, Florida. The decision followed a six-month long boycott by the city’s African American population. The boycott was patterned after the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott sparked by Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white man.

December 28

BUYING RECORDS

1905 – Legendary Jazz great and pianist Earl “Fatha” Hines is born on this day in Duquesne, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh. He was in a class by himself and a major influence not only in Jazz but also upon the Swing and Bebop eras of American popular music. He collaborated with such greats as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughn, and Dizzy Gillespie. He died in 1983. Among his bestknown hits were “Stormy Monday Blues” and “Second Balcony Jump.” 1954 – Movie star Denzel Washington is born on this day in Mt, Vernon, New York.

in Washington, D.C. He was a champion of education for blacks and was among that group of more radical blacks who opposed the accommodating policies of Booker T. Washington. In 1887, Miller became the first African American admitted to Johns Hopkins University. He became a long-time professor and dean at Howard University while also being a prolific writer, essayist, and newspaper columnist.

December 30

1928 – R&B music legend Bo Diddley is born Ellas Bates on this day in McComb, Mississippi. 1928 - Marian Anderson made her Carnegie Hall debut in New York. Her performance was described by Howard Taubman, the New York Times reviewer, as “music-making that probed too deep for words.” 1929 – The “Don’t Buy Where You Can’t Work” campaign began in Chicago with the picketing of a chain of stores that refused to hire Negro workers, but relied heavily on their money to remain open. The protests soon spread to New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland and several other major cities.

December 31 1871 - Annie Holland was born on this day. She became a celebrated educator and founded the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) in North Carolina. 1984 - The first nationally broadcast telethon for the United Negro College Fund is held and raises 14.1 million.

January 1 1863 - President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves in rebel states with exception of thirteen parishes (including New Orleans) in Louisiana, forty-eight countries in West Virginia, seven countries (including Norfolk) in Eastern Virginia. Proclamation did not apply to slaves in Border States. 1916 – The first issue of the Journal of Negro History is published. 1956 - Sudan proclaimed independence 1960 - Cameroon gains independence 1997 - Kofi Annan of Ghana becomes first black secretary of United Nations.

December 29:

1939 – One of the most outstanding educators of the 20th century Kelly Miller dies

Denzel Washington

Buying Vinyl Records from 1950 to 1986, Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, R&B, Disco, Soul, Reggae, Blues, Gospel, and record format 33 1/3, 45s, and some of the older 78s. Prefer larger collections of at least 100.

CALL JOHN @ 301-596-6201 6 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

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around the region INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS BY TIMOTHY LINDEN

Viewp int Dionna Humphrey

Silver Spring, Md. My business enjoyed a lot of growth this year, which was very exciting for me. I was also able to travel to London and do some other amazing things this year. I’m looking forward to doing the same in 2014. I mended a lot of friendships this year as well, which was great. I also met a lot of amazing people who had a positive impact on my life and who encouraged me to do and give more.

Larry Rawlings

Takoma Park, Md. I’m just very happy that I was able to make it through 2013 as I had many friends who [did not]. I’m a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous – I’ve been in recovery for the past 20 years – and I’ve been completely sober for the past six years. I am very thankful for that and for the God of my understanding Who helped me through, which is why I’m here today. I’m looking forward to more of the same progress in 2014.

AS 2013 COMES TO AN END, WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE YEAR, AND WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2014?

Will Ramsey

Vincent Shepherd

Takoma Park, Md. I’m thankful for my new wife, who gives me a chance to love her every day. I’m also really thankful for this homeless man who I was able to give a church care package. He eventually came to one of our services and now he’s a member of the church. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2014 holds.

Silver Spring, Md. For me, 2013 has been the year of labor – I worked my butt off this year. [Next year] should hold a lot of promise for me. I’d like to take a vacation – I’m originally from Chicago, but I haven’t been back in almost 10 years – and I feel that it’s time for me to go back. That’s what I’m most looking forward to in 2014.

Ivan Kisense

Silver Spring, Md. I’m thankful that I’m able to make it through 2013. A lot of people did not. I’m also thankful to almost be finished with high school, and I’m looking forward to graduating from Springbrook High School (Silver Spring, Md.) next June. I’m looking forward to attending college in 2014 – I’m still waiting to hear back from schools – so it should be a really good year.

Some Metrobus routes are changing on Sunday, December 29, 2013 Metrobus provides more than 400,000 trips every weekday, and we continuously strive to improve service for all our riders. For example, by adding more new vehicles, our fleet is now the youngest it’s been in a decade. We hope the work being done makes your Metrobus experience better. If your route is on the list below, get more information about the changes by visiting www.wmata.com/betterbus or calling 202-637-7000. District of Columbia 32, 36, 52, 53, 54, 70, 79, 80, 90, 92, 93, 94, A4, W5, S2, S4, V8, X2

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Maryland C2, C4, C8, H12, K6, K9, NH1, P12, P17, P18, P19, W13, Y8, Y9

Virginia 1A, 1B, 1C, 1E, 1F, 1Z; 2A, 2B, 2C, 2G, 2T; 3A, 3B, 3T; 4A, 4B, 4E; 7A, 7F; 15K, 15L, 15M; 16X; 18E, 18F; 25A, 25E, 25B; 28A, 28X; 29C, 29E, 29G, 29H, 29X, 29K, 29N

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During a recent press conference, Mayor Vincent Gray said, about 1,100 people a month are moving into the District. He touted the city’s education reform and talked about his mandate to provide affordable housing.

Denise Rolark Barnes

DEVELOPMENT continued from Page 1

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lennials, families with children, singles and others drawn to a burgeoning metropolis with revitalized neighborhoods and quadrants, an explosion of new apartments and condos, hundreds of thousands of squarefeet of retail space, bars, restaurants and a bustling nightlife. The District proved to be a safe harbor from the storms created by the recession, the bursting of the housing bubble and the economic downturn in 20072008. The presence of the federal government and federal contractors, ancillary businesses and jobs and other factors provided a cushion. That made the District a beacon and the destination of choice for the well-educated, the young, the well-heeled, techies, and people from around the country and the world, drawn to a place which continued to add jobs while other municipalities in upper and lowercase, flush left as indicated on artwork at these point sizes: Consultant name in 11-point Helvetica Neue Independent and Bold; states shed them. Between n 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; Web site or e-mail address in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; phone number in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light. 2009 2011, for example, it mayand be utilized. nt Beauty Consultant: Only Company-approved Web sites obtained through the Mary Kay® Personal Web Site program is estimated that D.C. attracted more newcomers than it had in the prior decade. Gray, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Develop-

8 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

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ment Victor Hoskins, city officials and business leaders and boosters like the DC Chamber’s Barbara Lang could not be more pleased. “About 1,100 people a month are moving to D.C,” Gray said. “Diverse numbers of people are coming here. We’re in the midst of education reform, we’re facilitating growth and development, increasing safety and creating as much affordable housing as we can.” Lang said she is committed to changing current thinking so that businesses feel encouraged to come to the city and stay. “Nationally, things have been recovering but a lot slower than we’d like to see,” Lang said during an earlier interview. “Things are so up and down but D.C. is doing pretty well. We have the hottest real estate in the country and we’re the only city that is growing. We’re a mecca for young people and are now considered the #7 hippest city in America. D.C. has a lot going on. The mayor is working with us. The mayor and his team get it.” Lang acknowledged that the District still faces a number of challenges, including unemployment, primarily in Wards 5, 7 and

8, a skills-to-jobs mismatch, high rents and expensive real estate. Last month, Gray announced that the city had expanded an original $100 million investment in affordable housing to a total of $187 million allocated to finance 47 projects over the next two years. The projects are designed to preserve or create 3,200 units of affordable housing across the District in neighborhoods as varied as Columbia Heights in Northwest and Congress Heights in Southeast, and East Capitol Street and Benning Road in Northeast. Gray has promised to build or maintain 10,000 affordable housing units by 2020 which is estimated to cost upwards of $500 million. “We’ve put some serious skin in the game,” Gray said during the press conference. “There’s too much at stake not to be committed to what was proposed.” The District has for the most part, become a city of renters because of a housing shortage. In addition, many people lost or walked away from their homes during the housing meltdown due to unemployment and foreclosure, and would-be buyers faced stiffer bank requirements and larger down payments needed to secure mortgage loans. What’s at stake is the need to balance the needs of those able to afford apartments that go for anywhere from $2,500-$3,500 a pop, and houses that fetch $900,000 to more than a million dollars each and the rest of working Washington. “I don’t just want this to be one city, I want it to be an affordable city,” Gray said. The mayor maintains that providing a quality education and developing a reliable and skilled workforce remains tied to any hopes city officials have for the District’s continued growth and development. “Our test scores are improving and we have the most robust early childhood education in the country,” he said. “It will make a huge difference in the development of children. It improves the chances of positive outcomes … we’re building new schools and renovating others.” Gray, 71, cited examples of the push to think out of the box in terms of job skills and training. There’s the D.C. Culinary Incubator which is training candidates in food service and

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Barbara Lang, president of the DC Chamber of Commerce. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

DEVELOPMENT continued from Page 8 hospitality; 1776, which houses 175 start-ups, including 64 international companies; and Union Kitchen, which provides jobs, financing and training, has created more than 300 positions and whose members operate 19 brick-and-mortar culinary businesses in the District. The mayor said the city has just invested an additional $3.5 million in school funds for projects that provide tech, medical and hospital training for young people. “On many occasions, this city has been beaten down but we’re good, we’re good, we’re good, we’ve been doing well as a city,” said Gray. “We are a talented city and need to use that horsepower to keep our city moving.” Gray said that his adminis-

tration’s goals include reducing what he called “retail leakage” – keeping money in D.C.; making the District the most business-friendly city in the country; creating the largest technology center on the East Coast; attracting foreign investment here; and establishing a best-in-class medical center in the city. From a business and tax and revenue perspective, however, there are any number of holes the District of Columbia needs to fill, Gray explained. District residents spend about a billion dollars in retail purchases in surrounding jurisdictions; Congress prohibits the District taxing income on non-residents who work in the city and use its services; nor can the District impose a commuter tax on non-residents who work in the city; only 30 percent of the workers in the District are local residents; and

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“We’ve been combating sequestration. We can’t fight it so we’re going in another direction in the city. We’re adding population and people are bringing resources to this effort … Almost 10,000 private-sector jobs have been created but we lost federal jobs. If we don’t shift this economy in a different direction, we will continue to be affected by what’s going on in the federal government. We can either wring our hands or redefine who D.C. is.” –D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray

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Congress continues to limit the city’s autonomy and self-sufficiency. All these issues leave Washington, D.C. at a competitive disadvantage, but with the coalition of university, private-sector, civil and social entities advising him and a concentrated focus on accountability, public safety, education and developing a “green” city, Gray said the District’s future remains bright. “We have tried to deliver on the promises we’ve made. We have a coordinated economic development strategy to move the city forward … this city is growing and I know that this administration is a huge part of [bringing] us here. But the work is unfinished – we still have a lot of work to do.”wi

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December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

Happy Birthday Mrs. Ali!

Comedian Bill Cosby served as Master of Ceremonies during the 80th birthday celebration of Ben’s Chili Bowl Matriarch Virginia Ali at the Lincoln Theatre in Northwest on Dec. 17. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

Family and friends, including comedian Bill Cosby, honored Virginia Ali (seated), the matriarch of Ben’s Chili Bowl, a Washington institution, on her 80th birthday at the Lincoln Theatre in Northwest on Dec. 17. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

GUESS WHO’S

TURNING 50? The late Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. with daughter and publisher, Denise Rolark-Barnes.

Founded in 1964 by Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr., The Washington Informer has a rich legacy of uplifting our community. 2014 will be a landmark year for the Informer and we want you to be part of it! In anticipation of our upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration in October 2014, we’ll be hosting events throughout the year. Stay connected with us for details on exciting sponsorship opportunities and ways you can get involved.

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HAPPY KWANZAA

A PA S T T O U N I T E U S , S EV E N P R I N C I P L E S TO G U I D E U S

50537_N3110980N.indd 1

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12/18/13 5:10 PM

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

n oigVIRGINIA er eht dnuora NO. Backlog of Disability Claims Reduced by 34 Percent since March WI Staff Report The Department of Veterans Affairs has made significant progress in reducing the backlog of disability compensation claims – from 611,000 to 400,835 or 34 percent -- since peaking in March. Concurrently, VA improved the accuracy of disability ratings, and provided hundreds of thousands of claims decisions to Veterans who have waited the longest. “Veterans shouldn’t have to wait for the benefits they’ve earned,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. “This has never been acceptable, but we are executing our plans and moving in the right direction to meet our 2015 goal of eliminating the backlog. We still have more work to do, but we are making clear progress and no one is more committed than our VBA employees, more than half of whom are Veterans themselves.” Since the VA launched the initiative to eliminate the oldest claims first, claims processors at the 56 regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) have been focused on claims that had been waiting longer than one year. As of

Nov. 4, VBA has completed 93 percent of these older claims, resulting in over 476,000 decisions for Veterans since the initiative began on April 19. The proportion of claims decisions that resulted in benefits being granted remained on par with historical averages—between 65 and 70 percent. At the same time, the accuracy of rating decisions has improved. The three-month average for decision accuracy when evaluating a complete claim file is 90 percent -- a 5 percentage point improvement since 2011, and a 7 percentage point improvement since 2010. The three-month average accuracy for rating individual medical conditions inside each claim has climbed three points to 96.7 percent since December 2012. VBA also directed 20 hours of mandatory overtime per month for claims processors, and worked with the Veterans Health Administration to place VA physicians in regional offices to review medical evidence to help speed decisions. Mandatory overtime was halted during the government shutdown in October, but has been re-established and will continue through Nov. 23. VBA anticipates mandatory overtime to continue in 2014, based on available funding.

THEY SERVED OUR COUNTRY

/Courtesy Photo

Optional overtime for claims processors will remain in effect.

Fairfax County Police Warn Shoppers to Protect Vehicles Cold snaps and the busy holiday season can make conditions ripe for vehicle thieves. Take precautions, stay alert and don’t become a victim. Thefts resulting from cold weather start-ups are not uncommon. There were 47 vehi-

cles stolen in Fairfax County between December 1 and January 6 in 2012. In addition to being cold, the holidays are also hectic and busy times for many. Detectives urge residents to pay attention to small details such as the whereabouts of spare keys. Often, motorists leave keys in the glove box or, perhaps, feel the car is safe since it’s in a garage or driveway. It isn’t. There were 808 vehicles stolen in 2012; down from

877 in 2011. Auto Theft Unit detectives urge residents to remember these tips: Never leave your keys in your vehicle; Never leave your car running unattended; Never leave valuables visible in your vehicle; Consider installing anti-theft technologies and devices; Park in well-lit areas when possible; and If your car is stolen, report it to police immediately.wi

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MGM Hits the Jackpot

AUTOS WANTED

By Joshua Garner Staff Writer @JoshuaGarnerDC A Las Vegas-style casino is setting sail for National Harbor after a Maryland gaming commission ruled that the development would be the site of the sixth gaming location in the state. MGM Resorts International emerged as the winner of a coveted gaming license needed to build a $925 million resort and casino along the Potomac River near Oxon Hill. Members of the Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Commission awarded the gaming license to MGM in a 5-2 vote at its headquarters in Baltimore on Friday, Dec. 20. “MGM has a different level of experience,” said David Fry, chair of the commission. “I think [it truly is] a destination resort.” The decision concludes a nearly year-long bidding war for the license. Penn National Gaming, owner of Rosecroft Raceway, had proposed the $700 million Hollywood Casino Resort, while Bensalem, Pa.-based Greenwood Racing Inc., proposed the $800 million Parx Casino Hotel & Spa in Fort Washington at the intersection of Route 210 and Old Fort Road. But the commissioners consistently favored the National Harbor location praising it for its access to the Capital Beltway with its close proximity to the District and Virginia. MGM also impressed the commission with a lavish design that officials boasted would be the gateway to the Nation’s Capital. Consultants for the commission said the National Harbor location would bring in as much $719 million annually, the most revenue of the three bids due to its location right off the Capital Beltway overlooking the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. “The iconic nature of the proposed construction … is something that would be significant,” said Michael G. Miller, a member of the commission. “The MGM site is uniquely visible.” Officials from Penn National Gaming and Parx said they thought they had a winning chance with their proposals. Penn National touted that selecting it as the state’s sixth gaming location would revitalize the horse racing industry in Maryland. While Parx casino boasted that it would pledge as much as $200 million toward road improvements along Route 210 to ease traffic congestion if it was selected. But commissioners questioned if Parx would be reimbursed by state agencies for funding infrastructure

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James Murren, CEO of MGM Resorts International, addressed the media on Friday, Dec. 20 in Baltimore after a state gaming commission announced that MGM was awarded a gaming license needed to build a resort and casino at National Harbor. /Photo by Joshua Garner

CALL (202) 670-7495 MGM National Harbor was selected as the sixth gaming location in Maryland by a state gaming commission on Friday, Dec. 20. /Rendering courtesy of MGM National Harbor

improvements and if the Penn National Gaming-owed Rosecroft could attract the same clientele as MGM. “MGM would have the highest amount of income,” said Ella Pierce, a member of the commission. “MGM would attract ... high rollers.” Still, Parx CEO Anthony Ricci said he had to respect the decision of the commission. “It’s MGM’s day, they should enjoy it,” he said. “We really thought we would win.” MGM officials spent no time reveling in the announcement after spending $40 million for the proposal, announcing they plan to open the casino in mid-2016. “Five years from today, there will be a billion dollar casino along the banks of the Potomac,” said MGM Resorts CEO James Murren. “We think this can be the most successful casino and resort outside of Las Vegas.” Still, more decisions lay ahead for Prince George’s County officials. National Harbor has created a cluster of developments in the middle of established residential communities that were built long before roadways became clogged along Oxon Hill Road and Route 210. “I still think traffic is going to be a challenge for us,” said Prince George’s Councilman Obie Patterson (D-Dist. 8) of Fort Washington,

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whose district includes National Harbor. “I’m complaining about traffic too. I think some of those things are already being discussed.” County officials said they are reviewing options to improve roadways along Route 210 and Oxon Hill Road. Funding has already been allocated for an interchange near the intersection of Kerby Hill Road and Route 210. Brad Frome, deputy chief of staff for County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D), said that revenues from slot machines at the casino would contribute as much as $9 million annually toward roadway improvements. The county could use those funds to help leverage additional funding to build more interchanges along Route 210, which cost about $100 million per section, he said. And figuring out how to improve roadways is a good thing Baker, 55, said – more development in certain areas gives county and state officials more reason to allocate funding for transportation improvements. “What we have now is the ability to capture revenue in Prince George’s County and Maryland,” he said. “[MGM] knows how to build quality gaming facilities and quality hotels. They have a site that’s unlike anything on the East Coast.”wi The Washington Informer

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

AROUND THE REGION The Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resources is making it easy for residents to recycle cut Christmas trees (no artificial trees) by offering convenient drop-off locations and curbside pick up.

Local Activist Gives Food, Toys to Families By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer @sampkcollins

Beginning December 26, 2013 through February 1, 2014, residents with Yard Waste Collection may place their undecorated, unbagged, live Christmas trees at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on their regularly scheduled yard waste collection day.

*Please remove all plastic bags, tinsel and decorations No artificial trees

Residents may also bring unadorned trees, free of charge, to the following locations for recycling: BROWN STATION ROAD PUBLIC CONVENIENCE CENTER 3501 Brown Station Road Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY YARD WASTE COMPOSTING FACILITY 6601 Southeast Crain Highway Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

For more information, please call SOURCE REDUCTION TIP: Save bows, paper and boxes for future gift wrapping!

Associaation for the t Study of Africaan Americcan Life an nd History y

88 8 th Ann nual Bllack H History L Luncheeon and d Featurred Au uthors’ Event 20 014 Nattional Black Hisstory Th heme: C Civil Rig ghts in Americca Satturday, Februarry 22, 2014

Wasshington Marriott M Wardman W n Park Ho otel 2660 0 Woodley y Road N.W. Wasshington, DC 2000 08 202-3 328-2000

F Freeman A. Hrab bowski, III Danellla Sealock (Guest Speaaker) (Mistress o of Ceremonies) Presiden nt NBC-4 W Washington University of M Maryland, Baltimorre

Featured Autho ors’ Event 10:00 1 a.m. Doors for the Luncheon L op pen at 12:15 5 p.m. Prog gram length h: 12:30 pm m–3:30 p.m.

D Daryl Michael Sco ott N National Presiden nt ASALH

DEADL LINE TO PURCHA ASE TICK KETS: Feb bruary 1, 2 2014 G Gold Individu ual Patron * $125 ___

Gold Patrron Table* (110 seats per taable) $1,150 _ ___

Silver Individu ual Patron * $100 ___

Silver Patrron Table* (110 seats per table) $900 _ ___

$ 75 ___

Geeneral Table ((10 seats per ttable) $750 _ ___

General In ndividual

 I caannot attend but I am pleaased to enclose a tax-deduuctible donatiion to ASALH H $________ _ For C Corporate Spo onsorship info ormation, plea ase contact ASALH A at 202 2-238-5910 orr by email at a aedwards@asalh.net * Contribu utions of $100 or more will be acknowledgeed in our progrram if receivedd by January th he 21st print deaadline.

Purchase tickets, t dona ate and view luncheon l up pdates online at www.asallh.org!

NO O TICKETS WILL W BE MA AILED. GUES STS MAY PIC CK UP TABLE E ASSIGNMEN NTS AT THE REGISTRATION DESK. AT TTENTION: Please complete attendee names n on the reverse of this document. B Be sure to prov vide complete information. ASSALH Branch Affiliation ______________________________________

M Method of Pay yment:

Checkk or Money O Order Co ourtesy Title ____ _ Name ___ ____________ _____________ ___  Visa  MasterCarrd  Americaan Express____ __ (4-digit code) www.asalh.org. Tiitle _________ _____________ ____________ _____________ ____  Alreaady Paid Onlinee using credit carrd or Paypal at w Co ompany Namee ___________ ____________ _____________ ____ Total $ _____________ ____________ ____________ Ad ddress _______ ____________ _____________ ____________ ____ Card nu mber ___________________ ____________ ____________ Ciity__________ ___________ State____ S Zip Code________ ____ Exp. Datte _________ Signature____ Ph hone (______) -___________ _____________ ___Required

older’s Name _____________ _____________ ____________ _ Card Ho

Em mail ________ _____________ ____________ ___Required Address __________________ _____________ ___________ Billing A So olicited by____ _____________ ____________ _____________ ___ RETU URN THIS FORM M WITH PAYM MENT TO: ASA ALH  2225 Geo orgia Ave, NW, Suite 331  Wasshington, DC 2 20059 Phone: (202) 238-5910  Fax:: (202) 986-1506  Email: luncheeon@asalh.net  website: www.aasalh.org

14 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

The Washington Informer

Local community organizer Charles ‘Chuck’ Hicks has hosted lavish Christmas parties in the D.C. metropolitan area for more than 20 years. The only caveat: guests must bring toys and books or donate money for children and families who would not otherwise have gifts and goodies for the holidays. Throughout much of the morning of Saturday, Dec. 14, Hicks and more than 40 employees from the DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) and local social services agencies organized and packaged donations at DC WASA headquarters in Southwest before delivering them to more than 100 families living in the District. “One of the reasons I do this is because I never had a bad Christmas,” said Hicks, 66, founder of Bread for the Soul, a Southwest-based nonprofit that provides emergency assistance to low-income families that often includes food and clothing. “Books are also a part of the Christmas packages because we want to encourage reading. I can’t imagine waking up on Christmas morning and not having anything,” said Hicks who lives in Southwest. Volunteers loaded green bins containing a whole chicken, frozen vegetables, pastries, and cereal as well as action figures, dolls, basketballs, footballs, toy cars, board games, blankets, and socks, into cars and trucks. More than 10 drivers then delivered the bins to residents throughout much of Saturday morning and afternoon. Upon delivery, drivers chatted with family members and asked whether they needed additional assistance. Deborah Cole, a DC WASA employee who coordinated the volunteer activity, said that seeing the positive reception from members of the community compelled her to participate in the food giveaway year after year. “The feeling of being able to help the less fortunate keeps me going,” said Cole, 52. “It’s very tiring but at the end, you know that you’ve put a smile on the kids’ faces when you’ve given them a toy for Christmas. There’s

For more than two decades, Chuck Hicks has hosted Christmas parties to help low-income families in the District during the holiday season. /Courtesy Photo

nothing like the feeling of knowing that you helped someone enjoy the holidays,” said Cole who lives in Bowie, Md. Shontae Pearson, a local mother of two, expressed her gratitude upon receiving two bins filled with food and toys early Saturday afternoon. She said that long-term unemployment coupled with the stress of meeting the financial obligations of caring for her bedridden mother threatened to place a damper on holiday plans. “My mother has had cancer for six years and I don’t have the funds to make ends meet so the food and toys are very helpful for me,” said Pearson, 37. “I plan on putting together a Christmas dinner and saving some food for my family to eat from day to day,” said Pearson who lives in Northwest. In the winter of 1990, Bread for the Soul hosted its inaugural food and toy drive at Hicks’ residence, attracting more than 150 guests. The nonprofit initially sent donations to city orphanages and later expanded delivery to children infected with the HIV/AIDS at the height of its outbreak. In recent years, the D.C. chapters of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) have joined in the philanthropic efforts, often supplying the manpower to package and deliver the food and toys. The D.C. Public Library system and local independent radio station WPFW 89.3 FM has also provided resources. “We have people who lost their jobs and incomes so I love

See HICKS on Page15

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY SOLICITATION NO: 0015-2014 “Preventive Maintenance and Repair Services for HVAC and Water Treatment” The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is seeking qualified Respondents to provide labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and supervision to maintain uninterrupted Heating Ventilation and Air Condition (HVAC) Systems and Water Treatment at various DCHA properties. Solicitation documents will be available at the Issuing Office located at 1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300, Administrative Services/ Contracts, Washington, DC 20002-7599, between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, beginning on Monday, December 23, 2013. SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES are due to the issuing office by COB (8:15am-4:45pm) on Thursday, January 30, 2014.

Volunteers organized green bins at WASA headquarters in Southwest on Dec. 14 by quadrant and neighborhoods before filling them with a variety of frozen foods, toys, books and clothing. /Photo courtesy of Reggie Harper

Contact the Issuing Office, LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod on (202)5351212 or by email at lmcleod@dchousing.org for additional information.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR ELEVATOR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE – REPAIR SERVICES RFP No. - 0016-2014 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY (“DCHA”) is seeking to solicit sealed bids from qualified respondents to provide all necessary labor, materials, supplies, equipment and supervision to maintain uninterrupted elevator services at the various DCHA properties. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS will be available at the District of Columbia Housing Authority Procurement Office, 1133 North Capitol Street, N.E., Suite 300, Office of Administrative Services, Washington, D.C. 20002-7599 (Issuing Office); between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, December 23, 2013. SEALED PROPOSALS ARE DUE: Thursday, January 30, 2014 @ 11:00 a.m. at the Issuing Office identified above. Please contact Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist at 202-5351212 for additional information.

Request for Proposal

Fire Alarm and Security System Maintenance Solicitation No. 0017-2014

To ensure families throughout the District enjoy the holiday season, volunteers packed green bins at WASA headquarters in Southwest on Dec. 14 with an assortment of food, toys, books and clothing, compliments of local activist Chuck Hicks. /Photo courtesy of Reggie Harper

HICKS continued from Page 14 when [these kind of initiatives] work,” said Yolanda Morris, 51, a social worker at Regional Addiction Prevention, Inc., a Northeast-based substance abuse treatment center. “Families become stable and that works for me. The lower you are on the totem pole, the less you get. Unless a famous person’s child goes through it, you wouldn’t hear about [poverty].

We are often the forgotten people,” said Morris who lives in District Heights, Md. DC WASA employee Terrence Hunter drove around the District and delivered toys and food to families – it’s his fifth consecutive year. The self-proclaimed human Global Positioning System (GPS) spent much of Saturday morning guiding volunteers as they sorted bins by District quadrants and neighborhoods. His interaction with different families in the District

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has become an experience that he looks forward to every year. “The thrill of giving back to the community that I live in keeps me coming back,” said Hunter, 39. “It’s addictive giving back for the holidays. Deborah [Cole] and I talk every year and she lets me know when to come down to organize and transport the toys and food. We really need good people like Chuck [Hicks] to keep this going for years to come,” said Hunter who lives in Southeast. wi The Washington Informer

The District of Columbia Housing Authority, a public housing authority responsible for administering federal assistance programs for low and moderate income families hereby request proposals from qualified firms to provide Fire Alarm and Security Systems Maintenance. Solicitation documents will be available at 1133

North Capitol Street, N.E., Room 300, Contracts and

Procurement Administration, Washington, DC. 20002 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday

through Friday beginning Monday, December 23, 2013 proposals are due to the issuing office by 10:00 a.m. (ET) Thursday, January 30, 2014. Contact information for issuing office: Darcelle Beaty (202) 535-2670 or email dbeaty@ dchousing.org for additional information

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

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business

Student Loan Bill of Rights In the aftermath of a recent report that found the lack of student loan servicing standards and information on monies owed, two U.S. Senators will work as a team to create a Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights. Sponsored by Illinois Senator Richard Durban and co-sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the measure is intended to ensure that all student loan borrowers fully understand the range of repayment options and resources available to them. For service members and veterans, the measure would require loan servicers to provide each borrower with a liaison specifically trained in the benefits available to military borrowers. Thirdly, the bill calls for fair treatment of borrowers by the financial institutions servicing their loans. “With student loan debt far outpacing the rise in starting salaries, many of these borrowers find they are unable to make their monthly payments,” said Durbin. “When lenders refuse to work with them on a repayment plan, they begin a downward spiral that is difficult to turn around. That debt keeps them from being able to purchase homes, cars or other goods which fuel our economy . . . Every borrower should have basic protections when it comes to their student loans.” The bill proposes six basic rights for borrowers of both federal and private student loans. Those rights are: Options such as alternative payment plans to avoid default; Information about key terms and conditions of the loan and any repayment options to ensure changing plans will not cost more; Knowledge of who the loan servicer is and how to reach them; Consistent practices on how monthly payments are applied, with a specific requirement for lenders and servicers to honor promotions and promises that are were either advertised or offered; Fairness, such as grace periods

By Charlene Crowell when loans are transferred, or debt cancellation when the borrower dies or becomes disabled; and Accountability accompanied by timely resolution of any errors and or certification of private loans. Last October, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a report revealing that a growing number of private student loan borrowers are burdened with debt that has no limits on interest rates and few, if any, options for alternative repayment plans. CFPB’s analysis of 3,800 student loan complaints received from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013 found that 87 percent were directed at one of eight companies. Sallie Mae, a financial services firm specializing in educational loans for more than 40 years, topped the complaint list with nearly half – 49 percent. In other cases, according to CFPB, federal student loan borrowers were unaware of their available repayment options such as income-based repayment. Both types of borrowers experienced problems with payment misallocation. This specific problem was a challenge to resolving account errors in a timely manner. In a more recent and related report, the Institute for College Access and Success’ (TICAS) Project on Student Debt found that seven in 10 of 2012 college graduates had student loan debt. Additionally, the Class of 2012 had an average debt of $29,400. Each year from 2008 to 2012, this report found that the average debt of federal and private loans combined increased 6 percent each year. These figures were drawn from data voluntarily provided by 1,075 public four-year and four-year private

See CROWELL on Page 17

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BUSINESS Business Exchange

Urban Governments and Sports Stadiums Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray says that Washington Nationals baseball owner Theodore Lerner has pitched him a fast ball and wants the city to build a retractable roof over Nationals Park. Gray said that he “soundly rejected” Lerner’s $300 million gambit, but the fact that Lerner had the chutzpah to ask is because Major League Baseball (MLB) has snookered city officials from the beginning. The city built the $600 million ballpark that the Nationals pay $5.5 million in yearly rent as a tenant. Over recent years, D.C. government has invested in the arena that the Wizards National Basketball Association team calls “home” and is building a new 24,000-seat home for the soccer team. Call it “civic pride” or “being had”, either way; urban governments are being fleeced foolishly building multi-million-dollar arenas for local sports team owners. The state-of-the-art 80,000seat Cowboys Stadium was built partly using tax-free borrowing by the City of Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys’ Jerry Jones is at the top of the heap among 21 NFL owners whose teams play in stadiums built or renovated in the past quarter-century using tax-free public borrowing. Such municipal debt has helped build structures used by 64 major league teams, including baseball, hockey, basketball and now soccer. The new generation of publicly-owned stadiums has helped double the value of scores of privately-owned sports franchises.

CROWELL continued from Page 16 nonprofit institutions. Although TICAS contacted for-profit colleges which accounted for seven percent of 2012 bachelor’s recipients, none chose to share their data. The lack of this additional data may have contributed to understating the scope and volume of the nation’s student loan debt, now estimated to be $1.1 trillion. “Borrowers are already struggling to make ends meet as they

By William Reed Evidently, urban taxpayers have bought into the ruse as governments build and pay for the structures, while Jones and other NFL boys’ teams benefit from millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies. The D.C. government is at the cutting edge of sports insanity. Today, the District government has entered the soccer stadium building business and could contribute as much as $150 million of land and infrastructure, about half of the $300 million cost of the planned structure. Local papers are filled with stories of public officials arguing over tickets for box seats to certain sports and concert events. Similar squabbles are likely to continue in Washington over the soccer stadium. Comparably, many American cities have “been had” by NFL owners, publicly financing their stadiums for them. Century Link Field, where the Seattle Seahawks play, opened in 2002, with Washington State taxpayers providing $390 million of the $560 million construction cost. The Seahawks, owned by Paul Allen, one of the richest people in the world, pay the state about $1 million annually. American taxpayers have, in stages, provided about $1 billion to build and later renovate what is now known as the New Orleans Saints’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome. graduate with debt that surpasses their annual wages”, noted Sen. Durbin. “These borrowers and their families should not have to face additional costs because they cannot resolve errors quickly or gain access to programs meant to help them. My bill will ensure that all borrowers will have access to these basic rights and protections.”wi Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

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The Atlanta City Council recently approved $200 million in public funds to help build a new stadium for the NFL Falcons, even though their current home, the Georgia Dome, is only 21 years old. Atlanta is “fronting” a stadium for Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who is worth $1.7-billion. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell built a $4 million facility in Richmond for the Washington Redskins’ workout facility. The Redskins’ owner, Dan Snyder, has a net worth estimated at $1 billion. Taxpayers in Hamilton County, Ohio, which includes Cincinnati, got hit with a bill for $26 million in debt service for the stadiums where the NFL’s Bengals and MLB’s Reds play, plus another $7 million to cover the direct operating costs for the Bengals’ field. In Minnesota, the Vikings wanted a new stadium, and vaguely threatened to decamp to another state if they didn’t get it. The Minnesota legislature has since voted $506 million to cover half the cost of the new facility. Urban populations need to get past that “civic pride” foolishness and put their governments “in check.” League-wide, 70 percent of the capital cost of NFL stadiums is being provided by taxpayers. Many governments also pay stadiums’ ongoing costs, by providing power, sewer services, and other infrastructure improvements. When ongoing costs are added, teams in Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and the Tennessee Titans received more money from the public than needed to build their facilities. wi William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America” and available for projects via the BaileyGroup.org

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December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

education

Q&A: Common Core an Education ‘Re-set’ for African-American Students By Khalil Abdullah Special to the Informer from New America Media Ed. Note: Louisiana adopted the Common Core State Standards in 2010, joining 44 other states and the District of Columbia. For BAEO (Black Alliance for Educational Options) President Kenneth Campbell, the move marks a step in the right direction for the state’s African American student population. He says the new standards will help “push the envelope for everybody,” ensuring that schools prepare all students for a world that is “getting more complex.” He spoke with New America Media’s Khalil Abdullah. What is the conversation you’re hearing within the African American community around Common Core? We find very few people interested in educating the black community, black families, and black parents about the Com-

mon Core. So we’re partnering with schools and states to get the word out because we’re not talking about this in our community. We don’t have enough of these conversations. The NAEP (National Assessment on Education Progress) report came out a few weeks ago, once again describing the large and persistent achievement gaps for black children. I didn’t see a black publication or a black news program talk about it. I didn’t hear about it on the Tom Joyner Show. We’ve got to get in this game and start talking about education reform in ways that lead to us having an impact on education for our children. Our kids are at the bottom in every positive educational measurement and at the top in every negative one. Our numbers are bad. Less than 10 percent of black kids nationwide are college-ready according to

/Courtesy Photo

the ACT 2013 test. It’s not acceptable to keep things as they are. We need transformational change and black people have to be involved in making it. Louisiana and the Common Core The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) was developed by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Common Core is de-

signed to put in place uniform K through 12 standards, initially in math and English language arts. Proponents argue those standards, internationally benchmarked, would yield a more realistic assessment of how American students rank against those from other countries as well as preparing them for demands of college and the workforce in the 21st Century. Since Common Core was introduced in 2010, all but five states have chosen to adopt it.

Louisiana adopted the CCSS in 2010. Earlier this month, Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to continue with its plans to use PARCC testing, or Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, which are standardized assessments for K-12 math and English that are based on CCSS and currently being developed by a group of 18 states

See RESET on Page 19

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The Washington Informer

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education RESET continued from Page 18 (as well as DC). But Louisiana has also decided to delay some aspects of implementation; for example, high school students will not be required to take PARCC tests in 2015. What are the advantages for African American students with the Common Core? One of the things I like about the new standards is that they offer teachers the flexibility to incorporate these kinds of broader curriculums into their lesson plans ... I’m always pleased when I walk into a school and they’re talking about the history of people of African descent. But even for the schools that do, you rarely hear about the kings and queens of Africa or African civilizations. Yes, you hear about Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X, and that’s well and good, but there’s a whole history well in advance that’s typically absent in education. How do you react to the criticism that Common Core is another version of teaching to the test? You can be anti-test with or without Common Core. There are still going to be state tests every year. The question is, “What are they going to measure?” In some of the places where they’ve started to implement Common Core or to use some of its assessments, you see scores drop precipitously for kids in the suburbs and in middle class communities. That gives you an idea of the rigor associated with these new standards. Part of the idea of Common Core is that we need to push the envelope for everybody. What’s coming out of our strongest schools is that, while they are good, they’re not nearly as good as they need to be for our nation as we go forward in a world that’s getting more complex. Common Core is an opportunity for us to re-set, and to have standards that are high and consistent from place to place. Why is consistency among states on educational standards important? I’m not a “big government” guy and have great respect for state’s rights, but it’s uncomfortable knowing that fourth grade doesn’t mean the same thing in Mississippi, in Massachusetts,

in California, or in Louisiana; that every state can determine what fourth grade is to it. That approach doesn’t give me confidence we’re preparing all of our kids to be as academically strong as they need to be. Even without Common Core, you have to have higher standards across the board, but some criticisms of Common Core are purely political; coming from states that have poor academic standards right now. How is Louisiana Gov. Jindal positioned in this debate? Like all politicians, when you have angry constituents saying, “We have to stop this,” Jindal has to listen, but he hasn’t backed away from Common Core at this point. Efforts to derail Common Core aren’t being driven by state governors but by a combination of forces, including the Tea Party, some suburban folk concerned about the changes in their schools, some on the left who are pretty much against school reform in general, and folks who have legitimate concerns about implementation. In some places, these voices are making it difficult for the champions of Common Core to remain so. What are BAEO’s leading short-term objectives? Educating parents and empowering them about choice. We should not live in an America where only people with money get to choose how and where their children go to school. We need to improve the quality of teaching. Accountability for schools is also paramount because we can compare and measure schools against each other. Are students doing better with you than they were doing previously? What are the sanctions for your school if students are not? We can get results with accountability. The structure of school governance also must be addressed. All of these areas are tied to the fact that the current education system is not giving the black community the results we need.wi BAEO was founded in 2000, and grew out of efforts by African-American educators and parents to improve educational outcomes for their children and community. For more on the organization, please visit their website.

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Maryland HBCUs Win Lawsuit

Maryland HBCUs won their lawsuit against the state for duplicating programs and hampering the success of state supported historically Black colleges and universities. A Maryland judge called the state’s behavior discriminatory against public HBCUs and key to maintaining racial segregation in public higher education in Maryland. / Courtesy photo

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The Washington Informer

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

Editorial

opinions/editorials

The NSA under a Microscope Whether you consider Edward Snowden a hero or a traitor, his revelations about the inner workings of the National Security Agency (NSA) has turned the super-secretive agency on its head. Snowden, a former NSA contractor, walked away from the agency with what NSA brass now admits is at least 1.7 million files. Over the past several months, the world has learned more about the National Security Agency that it wanted them to know. It spied on foreign leaders, aid agencies, allies and dissenters in this country and the NSA is deeply involved in the targeted U.S. killings in countries including Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The spying on them angered leaders like Dilma Rousseff of Brazil and damaged relations. The NSA has been using Verizon and other telephone companies to siphon off customers’ calls. Like a vacuum cleaner, the NSA has been sucking up Americans’ telephone, email, text and other communications data – called “metadata” and placed all of that in a massive database of citizens’ calls. The random collection of this information is ostensibly to track, monitor and catch terrorists. The NSA has been doing so even though most of us in this country aren’t terrorists, will never be, and pose no threat to the United States. Yet the NSA sees fit to intrude into every aspect of our lives. Of course, politicians have a tendency to feel that they know what’s best for us, tell the public what’s good for them and what they need. Not surprisingly, President Obama, national security officials and others in government, have been on a charm offensive since the Snowden leaks began, trying to soothe us, telling us that this massive invasion of privacy by the NSA is necessary to keep us safe. At the same time, they’ve insisted that everything they were doing was constitutional. However, just this past week, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, in a somewhat caustic ruling, described the scope and reach of the NSA’s programs as “Orwellian,” and questioned the constitutionality of the NSA gathering Americans’ telephone records. Leon noted that the lawsuit filed by conservative activist Larry Klayman has “demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success,” based on the Fourth Amendment’s protection of privacy and prohibition of unreasonable searches. “I cannot imagine a more ‘indiscriminate’ and ‘arbitrary invasion’ than this systematic and high-tech collection and retention of personal data on virtually every single citizen for purposes of querying and analyzing it without prior judicial approval. Surely, such a program infringes on ‘that degree of privacy’ that the founders enshrined in the Fourth Amendment,” Leon asserted. Leon said the program is so sweeping that capturing billions of telephone records is actually a “dragnet” that intrudes on people’s privacy. The judge disregarded the government’s contention that special needs require it to have easy and warrantless access to any data that could head off a terror plot. An injunction, that would block the NSA’s ability to collect phone information and orders the government to destroy any of their records that have been gathered, is on hold until a government appeal is heard. Leon’s ruling has had a chilling effect on the NSA and the Obama administration, both of which are now scrambling to figure out the implications of Leon’s ruling and the possible fallout. Meanwhile, a panel Obama appointed to review the NSA and its activities delivered its report and Congress is currently debating if it should close the NSA’s bulk collection of phone data or codify it in law. Early indications are that the White House favors continuing the NSA program. If the president decides to maintain the status quo, he would have squandered an excellent opportunity to restore people’s faith in him and the NSA.

20 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

Hannah Hawkins is a Shining Star

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for the heartwarming article, “Newtown Victims Remembered,” that’s in the Dec. 18-24 edition. I think it was a wonderful idea for some of the victims’ loved ones and others who traveled to the District on Dec. 12 for the remembrance vigil, to also volunteer at the Children of Mine Center in Southeast. The center’s operator, Hannah Hawkins, has saved the city millions of dollars by opening her heart and offering what resources she has, year-round to hundreds of youth and families who’ve lost loved ones to gunfire and other senseless acts of violence. Ms. Hawkins, who opened the center on Maple View Place more than 30 years ago, has run her organization solely on contributions from a few churches and the efforts of caring volunteers. In doing so, she has provided a safe haven for children to come after school for hot meals, help with homework and to share their loss with people who are

genuinely compassionate in helping these – oftentimes, scared and scarred – youth to cope and heal. Ms. Hawkins deserves the city’s applause for the commendable work she’s doing that embraces the grief-stricken in nearby Maryland and Northern Virginia as well. With the holiday season upon us, she’s the epitome of a shining star in the District of Columbia. James Carter Washington D.C.

The Informer Goes the Extra Mile

As the year quickly draws to an end, my wife and I who are senior citizens, have thoroughly enjoyed reading The Washington Informer. It’s always chock full of thought-provoking articles and commentary, while offering the latest in high-quality arts and entertainment. And, of course for me, John DeFreitas’ sports recaps and dramatic photos are always exciting components. This summer was a particular exciting time for us to have read The Informer, as we couldn’t get enough

of the in-depth coverage on the March on Washington. Then, just two weeks ago you gave us homerun reporting with the outstanding memorial to the late Nelson Mandela. Needless to say, we are holding on to that issue and the March on Washington supplements to pass on to future generations. What I’m saying is that The Informer also goes the extra mile to inform and educate its readers with articles that treat controversial issues with impartiality and providing a forum for divergent opinions, all the while promoting the great city of Washington, D.C. In our travels, we have never come across another large-city newspaper as well thought-out and put together as The Informer – especially one that consistently reflects positively on the African-American community. Keep up the good work, because we definitely look forward to all your newspaper has to offer in the coming year. David and Stella Wilson Capitol Heights, Md.

Readers' Mailbox

The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer.com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. The Washington Informer

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opinions/editorials

Guest Columnist

By Bill Fletcher, Jr.

Shaking Hands with Raul Castro I have had difficulty believing the uproar in right-wing circles over President Obama shaking hands with Cuba’s President Raul Castro. For goodness sakes, it was at the memorial for Nelson Mandela! Should Obama have spat in the face of Castro? The hypocrisy of the political Right has been amazing. Comparing shaking Castro’s hand to shaking hands with Hitler? Do these folks have no sense of history? Senator

McCain, who decided to enter the fray, condemned President Obama, but it was McCain who shook the hand of the late president of Libya, Qaddafi, who the USA described as being everything but a child of God. So, why did McCain not show his rear to Qaddafi? It is this attitude of arrogance and bullying that unsettles most of the planet. The political Right believes that the U.S. should treat the rest of the world with contempt unless the world accepts our terms. The rest of the world has a different view. If it stopped there it would be

bad enough, but it gets worse. This idea of bullying helps to explain why we are much too close to war with Iran. It is from Republican and many Democratic politicians that we have suggestions that the recent agreement with Iran was too timid. As I have asked, would they rather war? The answer seems to be “yes,” they want the total surrender by the Iranians to the terms that the U.S. dictates. As it is said, that is a non-starter. But it also helps to explain why countries find it difficult to trust the intentions of this country.

Guest Columnist

This brings us back to Raul Castro. The U.S. has been working to destroy the Cuban Revolution for more than 50 years. It has orchestrated a blockade, carried out terrorist assaults, assassination attempts, as well as overtly and covertly supported Cuban exiles in terror campaigns. In the international arena that is known as aggression. So, rather than asking the question of whether it was appropriate for President Obama to be polite and to shake the hand of President Castro, one can actually ask: Was it not exceptional that President Cas-

tro was so polite when the leader of the country that has been attempting to overthrow his administration and has permitted the existence of terrorists on its soil offered his hand? Just asking.wi Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies, the immediate past president of TransAfrica Forum, and the author of “They’re Bankrupting Us” – And Twenty Other Myths about Unions. Follow him on Facebook and at www. billfletcherjr.com.

By Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III

The Day Santa Really Went Black “…for all the kids watching at home, Santa just is white… Santa is what he is… Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable doesn’t mean it has to change. You know, I mean, Jesus was a white man, too …He was a historical figure; that’s a verifiable fact — as is Santa…” Megan Kelly Fox News December 11, 2013 On December 10th Slate.com writer Aisha Harris wrote an article entitled “Santa Claus Should

Not Be a White Man Anymore” wherein she makes the point that as a Black child, the public image of a White Santa caused her great confusion. For a child, imagery is important. “I remember feeling slightly ashamed that our black Santa wasn’t the “real thing.” Because when you’re a kid and you’re inundated with the imagery of a pale seasonal visitor—and you notice that even some black families decorate their houses with white Santas—you’re likely to accept

the consensus view, despite your parents’ noble intentions.” When this story first broke I was not going to write about it. As a Black man I could empathize with Ms. Harris’ article. I also found the initial discussion caused by Megan Kelly’s overreaction to be shallow and basically frivolous. As the days wore on and I absorbed Ms. Kelly’s comments, I realized that I’d seen this type of supremacist attitude before. I also realized that honest analysis of Ms. Kelly’s com-

Guest Columnist

ments had not yet been part of the ongoing dialogue. When I was a child my parents would decorate our house with a large “traditional” or White Santa. It was prominently displayed on the roof next to the chimney and illuminated with a large spotlight. After years of exposure to the winter weather our Santa needed repair. My parents called upon a close family friend and artist, Gerry “GOS” Simpson to give Santa a facelift. GOS suggested

to my parents, “Let’s make Santa Black!” My parents agreed. GOS went to work and the result drove many in my predominately white community crazy. For years after “Santa Went Black”, one of the conversations at Christmas amongst White neighbors and passersby would be, “did you see that Black Santa on that house on Land Park Drive?” “Why would someone do that?” Well, the answer was

See leon on Page 37

By James Clingman

Political Poverty Pimps An article published on nky. com, titled, “Running for Senate not job for paupers, stated: “The average household in the United States has a net worth of $69,000, but the average wealth of a U.S. senator is about $12 million, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and Center for Responsive Politics.” To me, it illustrated the fact that we are far removed from the original intent of serving in

Congress. No longer are “regular” people going off to serve for a few years and returning home to their jobs as farmers, shopkeepers, and factory workers, and the like. Washington, D.C. has become a veritable money pit, and candidates are doing and saying some of the dirtiest hypocritical things in order to set up residence there. At the likely prospect of becoming millionaires, it’s no wonder those running for office are quite willing to forget about “the people” and get to work

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immediately to maintain their lucrative jobs in Congress. They spend more time running and campaigning than they do governing, and they end up staying in their positions for ridiculously long periods of time, which is why we have such dysfunction in Congress. But there is also a high level of dysfunction among “the people” because we are the ones who elect and keep them in office, despite their horrendous record of working on our behalf. They become multi-millionaires and The Washington Informer

we keep losing ground economically. You would think, in light of the current debate over raising the minimum wage and the sad financial situations affecting a huge number of American families, “the people” would decide to do something about the disparity and the utter disregard some of these nouveau poverty pimps have for us. Now let’s be real here. It takes two to tango, right? If some of our elected officials are pimps, what does that make us? You know the word, no need to say

it here. Question is, “Why do we allow ourselves to be treated this way?” We are obviously mesmerized by what we perceive as “royalty” and celebrity in this country, but to allow our penchant for person-worship to bleed over into the political arena is very dangerous – and we are seeing the results of having done that for so long. We respond to some of our politicians in ways that mimic idol worship, and pay them quite well in the process.

See Clingman on Page 37

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

opinions/editorials

Guest Columnist

By Harry C. Alford

Mandela had Help from God Where do you begin to talk about the greatness of Nelson Mandela? The world has been blessed with very few of his ilk. You think of courage, defiance, principled and many other descriptions of strength and might. Yet, it was Mandela’s strong faith that guided him through his journey. Many don’t reflect on this but it was his strong Christian faith that made him do what no other has done before – de-

feat apartheid. Apartheid wasn’t unique. In fact, the White power structure of South Africa – the Afrikaners – took many of the Jim Crow laws of the southern United States as their model when applying this form of racial segregation. They started this in a formal fashion right after World War II as they feared the overwhelming Black majority would rebel and take power at the expense of Whites. They were as rough as American White southerners.

Ironically, Blacks in both nations started to fight against this evil system in the 1950s. While the Civil Rights Movement of the United States was based on nonviolence, in South Africa it was “by any means necessary,” including violence. Mandela headed the “Umkhonto we Sizwe” faction of the ANC movement in 1961. It was responsible for a bombing campaign against government targets. He was eventually captured and sentence to five years in November 1962 which was convert-

Guest Columnist

ed to life imprisonment in 1964. It was during the next 27 years of imprisonment that he returned to his Methodist roots. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, he states “The Church was as concerned with this world as the next: I saw that virtually all of the achievements of Africans seemed to have come about through the missionary work of the Church.” During his youth he was a member of the Students Christian Association and taught Bible classes on Sundays in nearby villages.

His return to his religious roots was profound. “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison….One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.” As he was preparing for his inauguration as president he spoke at Zionist Christian Church:

See alford on Page 38

By Julianne Malveaux

Where Bipartisanship is Out of Order Former Kansas Senator and 1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole was recently presented with an award that is named after him. The World Food Program USA’s first George McGovern and Bob Dole Leadership Award, is named after the Senator and his friend and colleague, Senator George McGovern. The two teamed up in the 1970s to make food stamps easier to get and

use. Today, Republicans in Congress have been adamant that food stamps should be cut. Dole, a conservative, and McGovern, a liberal, were not always on the same page about poverty, government programs, and food stamps. Were they both in the Senate now, they would likely share the commitment to reduce or eliminate hunger and yet they might not agree on how much should be spent on the challenge. But surely, neither would be of the mind to cut the food stamps program as sig-

nificantly as the Republicans of the 113th Congress would like to cut them. The GOP plan wants reductions of at least $40 billion over 10 years, eliminating about 4 million families from the program. Bipartisan relationships like those that Senators Dole and McGovern shared are rare these days because party lines have been so tightly drawn. Thus, while some will celebrate the Patti Murray (D-Wash.), Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) budget that will prevent future government shutdowns (that is, as long

ASKIA-AT-LARGE

as there is agreement on debt ceiling), I am among those that decry the hollow victory in the passage of this budget. Human needs are still sidelined to budget cutting zeal. Needs, including education, health, and other programs still experience cuts, reducing our investment in our nation’s future. The new budget deal is, perhaps, better than nothing, but it can barely be called bipartisan. It is better than nothing, but still quite disgraceful. While the food stamp program

was once paired with the farm bill in a way to create a “something for everyone” bipartisan approach, the uncoupled two bills allow farmers to gain while hungry people don’t. Still, failure to adjust aspects of the farm bill may cause milk prices to rise before Congress returns to work in January. No matter. Republicans in Congress seem to subscribe to the Marie Antoinette theory of food distribution. Let them eat cake. No worries for

See malveaux on Page 38

By Askia Muhammad

Racism Rears its Ugly Beard There are certain images projected by White males which make me uncomfortable. Confederate flags and gun racks in pick-up truck rear windows are a no-brainer. Heavy boots, black leather jackets, and Harley-Davidson motorcycle paraphernalia also set off alarms for me, as do bloodcurdling tattoos of skullsand-crossbones and similar death wishes/threats. And don’t forget, folks (White-Black, male

and female) wearing camouflage outfits in the city. But that’s just me… Another don’t-turn-myback-to-this-White-guy-image is a long beard. I confess some ambivalence about the Whiteguys-with-beards thing, after all I grew up when the bearded Smith Brothers adorned the boxes of cherry-flavored cough drops which were so tasty my friends and I would consume them as candy, even when we didn’t have a cough to treat. And let’s not forget, the friendliest

22 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

bearded White man of all time, Santa Claus. But in today’s politically correct world, even Santa has been drawn into the race-warof-words, right along with the extra-long-bearded Phil Robertson, patriarch of the Duck Dynasty-dynasty from the backwoods bayous of Louisiana. That anyone would argue with the racial identity of a non-existent person is silly on the “face” of it. Sorry, Virginia, there is no real Santa Claus, except in the imagination of children The Washington Informer

throughout the Christian world. So when Aisha Harris wrote an article for Slate.com suggesting that St. Nick be depicted as a penguin rather than as a White man, leave it to the defenders-of-all-things-Caucasian at the Faux (Fox) News Channel to circle the wagons and declare that the mythical character exists, and that now and forevermore he is to be seen as a White dude. Presumably intelligent folks lined up to take exception and to argue for and against the racial identity of an imaginary

man, who simultaneously visits all the houses in the world in a sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer, entering the homes via a chimney (whether the home or apartment has a chimney or not), whereupon he leaves free gifts for all the “nice” children on his list. Whew! What a guy. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) which normally follows potentially hostile (and friendly) real-world missiles ap-

See muhammad on Page 38

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The late Gregory Hines. /Courtesy Photo

(L-R) Max Heimowitz, John Manzari, Maurice Hines, Leo Manzari and Sam Heimowitz, with members of the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, in Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater which runs through Sunday, Dec. 29. /Photo by Teresa Wood

Maurice Hines Taps Down Memory Lane By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Performing in the Nation’s Capital has always been akin to being at home, said acclaimed tap dance star Maurice Hines. “Every time I come here, I find that the audience is so friendly, when I say hello, they say hello right back. It’s a love affair,” said Hines, a regular presence on the District’s performing arts scene dating back to the 1990s when he appeared in “Guys and Dolls,” at Arena Stage in Southwest. Hines returned last month to Arena Stage, which in 1967 became the first regional theater to transfer a production to Broadway with “The Great White Hope,” starring James Earl Jones. The new show, “Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life,” runs through Sunday, Dec. 29 and recounts his many memories of tap dancing with his late younger brother Gregory Hines and the many celebrities the duo worked with, including the late Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne and Frank Sinatra. The show also features music that honors those whom the Hines family had personal connections with including Horne, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald

and there’s even a nod to Luther Vandross, who Gregory Hines once shared a concert stage during a Vandross performance. Naturally, Maurice Hines said there’s a moving tribute to his brother, who died after a long bout with cancer in 2003. The show also includes performances by John and Leo Manzari and Max and Sam Heimowitz, 13-year-old tap-dancing twins from the District. John Manzari, 21, and Leo, 18, earned Helen Hayes Award nominations for their performance alongside Maurice Hines in, “Sophisticated Ladies.” “This is a tribute to my family, my mother and father and my brother, Gregory, all of whom have passed,” said Hines, 70. “I wanted to feel Gregory’s presence on the stage with me. It’s very emotional, but it’s also uplifting.” Gregory Hines, who died at the age of 57, starred on Broadway with his older brother in, “The Girl in Pink Tights” in 1954 and he earned Tony Award nominations for “Eubie!” in 1979, “Comin’ Uptown” in 1980 and “Sophisticated Ladies,” in 1981. He won the Tony Award for “Jelly’s Last Jam,” in 1992. While he and his brother both proved to be accomplished

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dancers, Maurice Hines said he’s surprised that their vocal prowess caught many off guard. “Sammy Davis Jr. always told us to make sure we did more than one thing and did it well,” Hines said. “People don’t know that Ella Fitzgerald was a great jitterbug dancer and even Lena Horne was an accomplished dancer. We never thought of ourselves as one-dimensional.” In fact, during Hines’ show at Arena Stage, the acclaimed entertainer doesn’t introduce tap dancing until the third act of the 90 minute show. “We couldn’t be more enthusiastic to welcome Maurice back to Arena Stage,” said Artistic Director Molly Smith. “He dazzled us with his charm, charisma and flair in ‘Sophisticated Ladies,’ and we expect nothing less this time around as he gives us an intimate look at his childhood growing up with his brother Gregory and their sizzling career in show business.” Nine members of the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, an all-female ensemble, back Hines in the production directed by Jeff Calhoun, an associate artist at the Ford’s Theatre in Northwest. “Having begun my career at the age of 16, tap dancing with Ann Miller, you can imagine The Washington Informer

what an honor it is to be working with Maurice Hines,” said Calhoun, 53. “Maurice is not only one of the finest song and dance men of our time … He is that rare breed whose tongue is as facile as his tapping feet. Maurice is a first-rate life-enhancing entertainer.” Photos of his late parents, Alma and Maurice Sr., as well as those of he and Gregory illuminate the stage. Hines provides the audience an oral dialogue on how his parents, particularly his mother, inspired the brothers to go into show business. “We grew up in Harlem and we’d go to the store and people would look at us and my mom would go home and tell our dad that they had two special kids [who] had something,” Hines said. Eventually, the Hines brothers would go on to model children’s clothing and, later, the two appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” “If it weren’t for Johnny Carson, we wouldn’t have the careers that we have,” Hines said. “After we did his show, we had every main room in the world.” Its memories such as those that highlight the Arena Stage show, he said. “It’s so important that every-

one see the show, because I don’t like talking about it, I just like performing. But one thing that I do bring out in the show is when my brother and I met Judy Garland and [performed] with her.” Because Garland, a screen and stage legend, rarely attended show rehearsals, the Hines brothers often would practice their routine with her choreographer whenever they were scheduled to perform with the threetime Academy award nominee. “We didn’t really meet her until she actually walked on the stage. And so, the first time Gregory and I did the number, she just jumped on the stage,” Hines said. “She said, ‘Hi, I’m Judy Garland.’ And I said, ‘Hey, Judy, I’m Maurice. This is my brother Gregory. She fell in love with us.’”wi “Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life” runs through Sunday, Dec. 29 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $50 to $99. For tickets, call 202-488-3300 or visit www.arenastage.org.

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

LIFESTYLE

New Girls’ Program Unveiled at Holiday Tea By Margaret Summers WI Contributing Writer @margaretsumm10

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More than 150 people, primarily pre-teen and teenage girls accompanied by their teachers, parents or grandparents, recently gathered at tables draped in white linen inside the District’s Woman’s National Democratic Club dining room in Northwest. They sipped specialty teas named “Oh Christmas Tea” and “Figgie Pudding” poured from silver tea pots, and nibbled on scones and other tea party fare. Although participants sported tea party hats and donned holiday reds, the event wasn’t just about tea or the holidays. Sponsored by the District-based nonprofit High Tea Society-Girls Connected, a mentoring organization that deals with economically and socially challenged girls ages eight to 18, the event turned out to be the highlight of the season for many. The party spotlighted the organization’s new program for middle school girls, MINE (“Motivational Inspirational Non-stop Exposure, Experience”). “We mentor District public school girls in Wards 6, 7 and 8,” said retired District Superior Court Associate Judge Mary Terrell, who founded The High Tea Society-Girls Connected in 1997. Through teas and programs, the organization reinforces social and coping skills, builds girls’ self-esteem and promotes academic achievement and appropriate behavior. “We were getting requests from some of the schools to start a program for middle school girls. We’re seeing a lot of behavior problems in this age group,” said Terrell. “Many are being disruptive, disrespectful, getting into fights. Girls are very influential, not only among themselves, but among boys, families, and communities. If one girl is disruptive, her whole group will follow her in that behavior.” MINE joins other High Tea Society-Girls Connected programs such as Teaching Thru Tea, its signature multi-year, intensive youth development program; S.T.A.R.S. (“Sophisticated Talented Articulate Responsible”), an in-school program based at Anne Beers Elementary School in Southeast and DoroThe Washington Informer

Judge Mary Terrell beams with pride during her annual holiday High Tea at the Woman’s National Democratic Club on Dec. 7. Judge Terrell founded the High Tea Society for girls in 1997. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah

thy Height Community Academy Public Charter School in Northwest; and Tea on Wheels, which teaches business marketing and management through tea party catering. Girls between 13 and 15 years old will learn positive and appropriate behavior through MINE. Adult mentors will also teach them healthy eating habits and nutrition, how to take better care of their hair, complexions and overall appearance, and physical exercise. They will learn work readiness and entrepreneurship, performing arts, public speaking, and writing, as well as basic etiquette and civility, the cornerstones of The High Tea Society-Girls Connected. A group of 14 girls from Walker-Jones Educational Campus in Ward 6 on New Jersey Avenue in Northwest are the first MINE “protégés” as The High Tea Society-Girls Connected calls new members. They were introduced during the holiday tea. “I’ve liked The High Tea Society-Girls Connected ever since I first heard about it,” said Giovanni Scarboro, 35, who teaches English to the school’s seventh and eighth graders. Her students are MINE inductees. “It gives girls the opportunity to experience something different (from what they know in their neighborhoods). It teaches them how to be ladies.” Amon Payne, 10, a Ward 7 resident who is in fifth grade at Tree of Life Community Public Charter School, said she enjoys being in The High Tea Society-Girls Connected. “They (mentors and volunteers) teach us how to be ladies and how to be proper,”

she said. “And you get to meet new people every day.” Thapura and Janazjia Smith, sisters who joined The High Tea Society-Girls Connected at different times, praised the program. “I’ve been in the organization pretty much all of my life,” said Thapura Smith, 21. The girls’ mother worked at night, and Thapura Smith recalled being frightened at home, alone and hearing gunshots fired in her Sursum Corda neighborhood in Northwest. “But through The High Tea Society-Girls Connected, I’ve been exposed to the Kennedy Center. I met Dr. Dorothy Height (the late chair and former president of the National Council of Negro Women). I went to college. Who else can say they’ve sat in an ambassador’s home drinking tea and later enjoying a four-course meal?” Janazjia Smith, 16, an honor student at Dunbar Senior High School in Northwest, said she joined the organization when she was six. “Thanks to The High Tea Society-Girls Connected, I can say with confidence that [when I finish] college, I am going to be an FBI agent.” Terrell said The High Tea Society-Girls Connected has helped nearly 700 girls in its 16-year existence. Most girls advanced to their next school grade and graduated from high school on time. Girls who stayed five or more years weren’t suspended from school or incarcerated. “For our country to ignore our girls is reprehensible,” said Terrell. “When you educate a girl, you educate a nation.” wi

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Horo scopes

dec 26 2013 - jan 1, 2014

ARIES Move slowly concerning relationships this week. People are a little edgy and they don’t know exactly where you are coming from. Make full explanations. Don’t assume that they know what’s on your mind. Most of all, stay positive no matter what. Soul Affirmation: Clinging to the old will inhibit my growth this week. Lucky Numbers: 6, 8, 20

LIFESTYLE

First Lady Obama Spreads Holiday Cheer

TAURUS Exercise will work off some of your excess energy this week. Take a walk and remember that your world is made up of many beautiful parts. The part you are focusing on so intently this week is not your entire world. Proceed accordingly! Soul Affirmation: I celebrate with those around me. Lucky Numbers: 13, 29, 34 GEMINI This week is a good week to dump any extra baggage that has been pulling you down. You have too much potential to throw away and waste your time on issues that will amount to nothing. Stay focused on your goals. Meet and spend time with people who will be able to help you reach them. Soul Affirmation: The word is in me. I bring it forth. Lucky Numbers: 7, 29, 44 CANCER This is a good week for exercising that clever mind of yours. Luck will be with you in all endeavors you start. Luck is with you always because positive outlook attracts positive vibrations. Soul Affirmation: I enjoy looking at the road of life sweeping just in front of me. Lucky Numbers: 30, 41, 54 LEO Your careless ways with money are going to be apparent this week. Financial mistakes you’ve made in the past will be especially painful. Don’t conceal the pain from yourself. It is a warning that you should take steps to prevent future financial crisis. Soul Affirmation: I let my friendships guide my way. Lucky Numbers: 5, 22, 35 VIRGO Take advantage of the great weather and spend time outdoors enjoying and relaxing with Mother Nature. Learn a new sport, and spend time with family and friends. Don’t take travel matters into your own hands. Seek a professional who will be able to plan a wonderful vacation for you without breaking your bank. Cook up some goodies for your loved ones. Soul Affirmation: I change who I am by changing where I am going. Lucky Numbers: 3, 20, 23 LIBRA Everything seems to be moving along in a very pleasant way this week. Friends are helpful, family is supportive, even the sun seems to be shining just for you! Enjoy this harmony and count your blessings. Finish a task at work. Soul Affirmation: The slowness of my week gives me time to refresh my energy. Lucky Numbers: 12, 26, 36 SCORPIO The bond that you established with your spiritual side works well in your relationship with a special person. Speak of the reality of the intangible qualities of life. Your lover will understand. Keep attention on the financial matters you’ve been dealing with. Soul Affirmation: I obey the rules this week and avoid hassles. Lucky Numbers: 3, 8, 24 SAGITTARIUS If you need some time to yourself this week, take it. You’ll be doing yourself an act of kindness. Since you do so much for others, why not treat yourself as well as you treat them? Your world is the way you are living. Live with love. Soul Affirmation: I get joy from giving good things. Lucky Numbers: 19, 39, 42 CAPRICORN Remember that exercise is a wonderful tension-reliever if things get too intense this week. A walk over your lunch hour could make all the difference in how you feel this afternoon. Love yourself and reward yourself with perfect health and happiness. Soul Affirmation: Faith keeps me calm in the storms of life. Lucky Numbers: 44, 49, 51 AQUARIUS You’ve done some of your own love homework. Hopefully you’ve had an opportunity to learn a new way of seeing the world and in that way you’ve found a way of loving that is more natural for you. The combination of sexiness and joyful focus can create you a wonderful love experience. Soul Affirmation: I get joy from giving good things. Lucky Numbers: 14, 23, 37 PISCES If you want to keep your positive outlook intact, avoid gossip and those who might want to just cry the blues for no good reason. You’ll be happiest this week if you keep busy and keep your opinions to yourself. However, good advice is available from an older female relative. Soul Affirmation: Love is easier than breathing. Lucky Numbers: 12, 30, 50

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First Lady Michelle Obama collects toys from military children during a Toys for Tots event at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Distribution Center in Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

LIFESTYLE

Bombay Sapphire Series Celebrates Four Years in Exhibit of Winners Past and Present By Eve M. Ferguson WI Staff Writer

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The brilliant abstract-shaped canvases, classically crafted portraits and masterfully manipulated digital photographs lining the walls of International Visions Gallery on Connecticut Avenue represent winners – all of the artists who created them are winners of one of the most popular art competitions in the country. “Explorations,” currently on view through January, showcases the talents of five artists who have won the regional competition of the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, held exclusively at International Visions Gallery since it began four years ago. Local artists Michael Platt and Stan Squirewell tied to take the first Artisan Series awards for the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia regional competition in 2010, followed the next year by S. Ross Browne in 2011. The 2012 winner Al Burts, whose sophisticated realistic ballpoint pen drawings have steadily gained in recognition, contrast sharply with 2013 winner J. Jordan Bruns’ colorful abstract works. Yet all display the high caliber of execution that put them ahead of the scores of artists from the area that vied for the honor. “About four years ago, I was approached to be a host gallery,” said Tim Davis, founder and owner of International Visions Gallery, which recently celebrated its 25th year representing artists from the area and around the world. “This was the beginning [of the] Rush Philanthropic and Bombay Sapphire partnership. We have been the gallery since the beginning.” “Out of 250 entrants this year, only 19 were selected,” said Davis, who is also an accomplished artist. A panel of judges view the artwork, and ultimately select the winner, who then goes on to represent the region at the renowned Art Basel, held in December in Miami. In addition to the DMV, artists from New Orleans, Detroit, Atlanta and other select cities around the country, compete in individually-held The Washington Informer

“The Warrior” by Al Burts. /Photo courtesy of International Visions Gallery

competitions, coming together for the final phase at Art Basel where one is chosen as the winner of the national competition. The Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series is held annually, co-sponsored by Bombay Sapphire Gin and Russell and Danny Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Art Foundation. Its primary goal is to provide exposure for artists in nearly all visual mediums, allowing them to compete for the chance to have their work showcased at the SCOPE Art Fair during Art Basel, the world’s premier international art show for modern and contemporary works. During the official regional competition in October of this

year, all the finalists joined the latest winner, Bruns, a young artist from Maryland whose abstract entry, “Jackson’s Painting,” named for his one-year-old son, was selected, at the Northwest gallery. “Winning and having a chance to have my work shown at Art Basel was a huge dream of mine,” Bruns gushed, briefly explaining how his newer pieces on shaped panels grew out of his admiration for architectural shapes. “It’s form following function,” he explained, “Building the surface dictates the imagery itself. Trying to get an image to wrap around, breach the borders and cover the surface

See EXPLORATIONs on Page 27

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LIFESTYLE

      •   •  •  

 

      

•     •   • 

    Fiduciary Panel Attorney - Superior Court of the District of Columbia - Probate Division Former DC Fraud Bureau Examiner - Insurance Administration  Former Law Clerk for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

“Vegetation” by J. Jordan Bruns. /Photo courtesy of International Visions Gallery

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Sports Photos by John De Freitas

at:



“The Reconciliation” by S. Ross Browne. /Photo courtesy of International Visions Gallery

EXPLORATIONs continued from Page 26 has been a challenge for me,” he added. “Teaching myself to use spray paint was new.” But Bruns is no amateur artist. The Maryland-based artist and teacher is the founder/director of NIH Arts and he manages the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery in Glen Echo, Md. Last year’s winner, Al Burts, whose work traveled to Miami for the SCOPE Art Fair, said he is now represented by two galleries in Florida. Stan Squirewell’s digitally-manipulated photographic images have been re-

“Suffused in White Noise II” by Stan Squirewell. /Photo courtesy of International Visions Gallery

produced on T-shirts for the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series and widely distributed. Internationally recognized artist and art teacher Michael Platt recently exhibited in Paris, demonstrating the goal of the competition to gain exposure for the winners. “The benefit [of the competition has] allowed us to grow nationally with the artist as well,” Davis added. “The artists can build on their career, and their work is seen nationally and internationally.” Last year, Rush Philanthropic sponsored a video featuring the competitors and their work, and featured a segment on Burts in his studio.

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As the competition grows in recognition around the nation, the field of artists entering continues to increase. “I am not sure how long the partnership will go on for,” Davis concluded, “but for now, we are the only gallery that hosts the show in the region.”wi “Explorations,” featuring Michael Platt, Stan Squirewell, S. Ross Browne, Al Burts and J. Jordan Bruns, remains on view at International Visions Gallery, 2629 Connecticut Avenue, NW through January 25th 2014. Visit www.inter-visions.com for gallery hours and information on related programs and upcoming exhibits. The Washington Informer

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

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28 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

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Georgetown Defeats Elon College 85-76

sports

Elon College guard Austin Hamilton goes up to score two points in the first half of men’s college basketball action on Dec. 17 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. Georgetown defeated Elon College 85-76. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

Georgetown center Joshua Smith is pressured by Elon College forward Lucas Troutman in the second half of men’s college basketball action on Dec. 17 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. Smith scored 18 points as Georgetown defeated Elon College 85-76. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

Georgetown guard D’Vaunt Smith-Rivera drives past Elon College guard Tanner Samson during the second half of men’s college basketball action on Dec. 17 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. Smith-Rivera scored 18 points as Georgetown defeated Elon College 85-76. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

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December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

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12/4/13 3:52 PM

The Religion Corner

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Faith: See the Future in Advance Happy New Year to you all! My wish for you in the upcoming year is that those of you who want more out of life will join me on my faith journey â€“ Iâ€™m finally moving in the right direction, again. Though Iâ€™ve been blessed to do many exciting and extraordinary things in my 62 years, much of which Iâ€™ve written about in this column; there is still so much more to do. One of my successes is my coaching ability, as I reach out with this column to help thousands of readers achieve dreams the Lord has placed in their hearts; writing about success principles and trying to motivate you, and encourage you to â€œdo it now.â€? This is my final column for 2013. Youâ€™ll want to save this one and read it again and again! These principles were taught by my late mentor Jim Rohn, plus Iâ€™ve added a little Wayne Dyer. These are proven principles that continue to be taught to millions around the world every day. Rohn uses stories from the Bible throughout his teachings, so thatâ€™s a perfect fit for my column. Weâ€™ve got to have faith, never give up on hope and stop thinking that life has dealt us this bad hand. Speak life! When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. Change your daily habits and practice seeing the future in advance. We operate according to Biblical standards. Hebrew 11:1 says it this way, â€œFor we walk by faith and not by sight.â€? We then will be able to change our thinking, amend our errors and devel-

op new habits to replace the old ones. Another perfect scripture that defends this philosophy is Romans 12:2 which readsâ€œAnd be not conformed to this world, but ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.â€? An exciting way to achieve your goals in life is if you commit fully to renewing your mind and your plans on a daily basis. This will surely yield results that are almost immediate. For example, if you decide to expand your business; develop a solid marketing plan, and once you have the perfect marketing tools, keep that plan in front of someone who can use your services every day! Another example â€“ and I speak from personal experience â€“ took place when my company erected the bronze bust of the Reverend Jesse Jackson to honor him for his successful bid for president of the United States, it was my marketing plan. Although unsuccessful, the 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns of Jackson, under his Rainbow Coalition proved to be extremely significant because they represented the first major attempt by a black to ascend to the presidency. To get my company on the map, we commissioned a sculptor to create an official bust of Jackson. It took two years, granted, we made a lot of mistakes, 40-60 phone calls to schedule appointments to meet with Jackson, but in the end, it worked. Today, the bust stands as a testament to my faith. Itâ€™s housed inside Jacksonâ€™s headquarters at Operation Push in Chicago. The

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with Lyndia Grant centerpiece of his exhibits, Jackson poses for photographs with visitors next to the bronze bust envisioned by me and sanctioned by Jackson as being â€œofficial.â€? A plaque bears my name as president and CEO along with my board of directors. Truly a faith journey â€“ it was difficult to see this project completed and believe that it would make a major difference for my company when it finally came to fruition; it worked! It all began with my faith â€“ the belief that I could indeed accomplish my goal. The Lord ordered my steps, and today my work is a testament to my faith. I couldnâ€™t discuss this with all of you unless I had first-hand knowledge â€“ Iâ€™ve seen faith in action. wi Lyndia Grant is an author, inspirational and motivational speaker, radio talk show host and columnist; visit her new website at www.lyndiagrant.com and, email lyndiagrant@ gmail.com; call 202-518-3192. Tune in Fridays at 6 p.m., to the radio talk show, 1340 AM, WYCB, a Radio One Station.

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Radio Show Highlights â€˘Talk Show Format â€˘Inspirational Guests â€˘- Weekly Health Segment â€œStop Fanning the Flames!â€? Finance in the Black Community â€˘- Letâ€™s Talk Politics Radio-One: WYCB 1340 AM

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December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

religion religion BAPTIST

african methodist episcopal

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Reverend Lyndon Shakespeare Interim Priest Foggy Bottom • Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW • Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 • Fax : 202-338-4958 Worship Services Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Blessed Word of Life Church Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors 4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax Schedule of Services: Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service – 11:00 AM Communion Service – First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study – Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org e-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell AME Church Reverend Daryl K. Kearney, Pastor 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., S E Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email:Campbell@mycame.org Sunday Worship Service 10: am Sunday Church School 8: 45 am Bible Study Wednesday 12:00 Noon Wednesday 7:00 pm Thursday 7: pm “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE Washington, DC 20020

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Rev. John W. Davis, Pastor 5101 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20011 202-726-2220/ 202-726-9089 Sunday Worship Service 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday School 9:15am Holy Communion 4th Sunday 10:00am Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday 7;00pm TV Ministry –Channel 6 Wednesday 10:00pm gsccm.administration@verizon.net

Pilgrim Baptist Church

700 I. Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20002 Pastor Louis B. Jones, II and Pilgrim invite you to join us during our July and August Summer schedule! Attire is Christian casual. Worship: Sundays@ 7:30 A.M. & 10:00 A.M. 3rd Sunday Holy Communion/Baptism/Consecration Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @12:00 Noon @ 6:30 P.M. – One Hour of Power! (202) 547-8849 www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ Drs. Dennis W. and Christine Y. Wiley, Pastors 3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) (202) 562-4219 (Fax) SERVICES AND TIMES: SUNDAYS: 10:00 am AM Worship Services BIBLE STUDY: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantbaptistdc.org

Twelfth Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340

Church of Living Waters

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew, Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Schedule of Service Sunday Service: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Bishop 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Sunday Early Morning Worship - 7:45 a.m. Church School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship – 10:45 a.m. Tuesday – Thursday - Kingdom Building Bible Institute – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Prayer/Praise/Bible Study – 7:30 p.m. Baptism & Communion Service- 4th Sunday – 10:30am Radio Broadcast WYCB -1340 AM-Sunday -6:00pm T.V. Broadcast - Channel 190 – Sunday -4:00pm/Tuesday 7:00am

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org e-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., • Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE • Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 • www.acamec.org 2008: The Year of New Beginnings “Expect the Extraordinary”

Crusader Baptist Church

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday Sunday School-9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study – 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study – 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes- Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org

“The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

“God is Love”

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor 1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.347.5889 office 202.638.1803 fax Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30 p.m. “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org

Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews • Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 Fax: (202) 526-1661

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan, Pastor 800 I Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 Fax No. 202-548-0703

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00a.m. and 11:00a.m. Sunday Church School - 9:15a.m. & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30a.m. 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study - 10:00a.m. Tuesday Topical Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Children’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Thursday Men’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service - 6:30p.m. Saturday Adult Bible Study - 10:00a.m.

Third Street Church of God

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:20 a.m. Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax Sunday Worship Service: 8 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org emailus@gmchc.org

ST Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Dr. Raymond T. Matthews, Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews Sunday School 9:am Worship Service 10:am Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service 6:45 pm Thur. Bible Study 7:15 pm

We are proud to provide the trophies for the Washington Informer Spelling Bee

Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor Service and Times Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Communion every Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Tuesday 12Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Motto; “Discover Something Wonderful.” Website: 12thscc.org Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

52 Years of Expert Engraving Services

Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Sunday Church School : 9: 30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10: 45am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10: 45am themcbc.org

32 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

The Washington Informer

www.washingtoninformer.com

religion Baptist

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com Zion Baptist Church

All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. • Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591

Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

“Where Jesus is the King”

Israel Baptist Church

4850 Blagdon Ave, NW • Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 • Fax (202) 291-3773

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Study: Monday - 7:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting: Thursday - 7:00 p.m.

2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 am Baptismal Service – 1st Sunday – 9:30 am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday – 11:00 am Prayer Meeting & Bible Study – Wednesday -7:30 pm

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

St. Luke Baptist Church

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor

Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Sunday Worship Service 10:15AM- Praise and Worship Services Sunday School 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church Shall; Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, and Exalt Our Savior. (Acts 2:41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Sunday School: 8:30 A.M. Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton, Senior Pastor 1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 Fax: 202-544-2964 Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am and 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon and 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

St. Matthews Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor 1105 New Jersey Ave, S.E • Washington, DC 20003 202 488-7298 Order of Services Sunday Worship Services: 9:05 A.M. Sunday School: 8:00 A.M. Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting: 7:00 P.M. (Tuesday) Bible Study: 7:30 P.M. (Tuesday) Theme: “Striving to be more like Jesus “Stewardship”. Philippians 3:12-14; Malachi 3:8-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:7 Email: stmatthewbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.com

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Salem Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family” Sunday Worship 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Florida Avenue Baptist Church Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert SR. Pastor

623 Florida Ave.. NW • WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 • Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 • Fax (202) 483-4009

4504 Gault Place, N.E. Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184

Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 p.m. Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

9:30AM. Sunday Church School 11:00 Am. Sunday Worship Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Wednesday 7:00pm Prayer & Praise Services 7:30pm. Bible Study Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries 10:30am A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Dr. C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms, Pastor

2616 MLK Ave., SE • Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 • Fax 202-678-3304

Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 P.M Prayer/Seeking Wednesday at 8:00 P.M. Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

New Commandment Baptist Church Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor 13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560 Services: Sunday Worship 11 AM Sunday School 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study - Wed. 7 PM “A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

Shiloh Baptist Church

Early Worship Service 7:30a.m Worship Service 10:45a.m. New Members Class 9:30a.m. Holy Communion : 1st Sunday -10:45a.m Church School 9:30a.m. Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: Wednesday 7p.m Bible Study : Saturday: 11a.m. Baptism: 4th Sunday – 10:45a.m “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Peace Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:50am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address pbcexec@verizon.net

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Rev. R. Vincent Palmer Pastor

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Reginald M. Green, Sr., Interim Pastor

621 Alabama Avenue, S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 F: (202) 561-1112

917 N St. NW • Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-4294

9th & P Street, N.W. • W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4200

602 N Street NW • Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595

The Church Where GOD Is Working.... And We Are Working With GOD

Sunrise Prayer Services - Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Prayer Service: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m. Third Sunday Baptismal & Holy Communion:10:30 a.m. Tuesday Church At Study Prayer & Praise: 6:30 p.m.

Morning Worship: 8:00 a.m Church School : 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:55 a.m. Bible Study, Thursday: 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting,Thursday : 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Service: 10 am Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 am 1st Sunday Baptism: 10: am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion: 10 am Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 pm Prayer Meeting: 7:45 pm Motto: God First

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Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Sunday Worship Services: 7:45am & 11:00am Sunday school For All Ages 9:30am Prayer Services Wednesday 11:30am & 6:45pm Bible Institute Wednesday at Noon & 7:45pm “Changing Lives On Purpose “ Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Sunday Church School: 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 P.M. Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 P.M. Prayer Service Bible Study

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 Fax: (202) 529-7738 Order of Services Worship Service: 7:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 10:30a.m. Prayer Services: Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 12 Noon Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

legal notices

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF

Administration No. 2013 ADM 1219

Administration No. 2013 ADM 00561

Charles B. Rogers Decedent

Myra Carter Decedent

Johnny M. Howard, Houston & Howard 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Deborah D. Boddie 1308 Ninth Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Towanna A, Brown, whose address is 4408 19th Avenue, Temple Hills, MD 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles B. Rogers, who died on November 1, 2013 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 19, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 19, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Deborah D. Boddie, whose address is 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Myra Carter, who died on May 7, 2011 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 26, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 26, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of first publication: December 19, 2013

Date of first publication: December 26, 2013

Towanna A. Brown Personal Representative

Deborah D. Boddie Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2013 ADM 1241

Administration No. 2013 ADM 1238

Annie J. Kavanaugh Decedent

Kathryn Ruth Tinker Reinhard Decedent

Ronald Dixon Bynum & Jenkins 1010 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Attorney

Dennis A. Baird, Esq. 1323 Fenwick Lane Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Carol Marshall, whose address is 64 Longfellow Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Annie J. Kavanaugh, who died on May 13, 2013 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 26, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 26, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Karen DeDomenico, whose address is 1 Bowling Lane, West Port CT 06880, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kathryn Ruth Tinker Reinhard, who died on May 23, 2011 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 19, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 19, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of first publication: December 26, 2013

Date of first publication: December 19, 2013

Carol Marshall Personal Representative

Karen DeDomenico Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

34 December 26, 2013 - January 1, 2014

COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration Number 1288 Estate of Sadie Williams

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Debra A. Garner for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. Admit to probate the will date April 25, 1987 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses

Date of first publication: 12/26/13

Personal Representative: Debra A. Garner

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

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leon continued from Page 21 simple; it was a Black family that owned that house. My parents and GOS never intended to make a political statement with the Black Santa. They merely decided to have an image of Christmas that they and their children could identify with, that represented them. The key to my parent’s decision and the link to Kelly’s overreaction is that Imagery is important and images are powerful. Megan Kelly’s overreaction Harris’ article really has nothing to do with as Kelly said, “...another person claiming it’s racist to have a white Santa” (Ms. Harris never makes that claim). Kelly’s overreaction has everything to do with the power of imagery. This was Kelly’s not so subtle defense of the psychosis of White Supremacy as it has been historically exercised through the imposition of White imagery as wholesome, good, and virtuous. The imagery of Santa, Jesus, and God are just three examples of this. In his book Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery Dr. Na’im Akbar writes, “The ultimate story is that the image or concept of God being like a particular people endows

clingman continued from Page 21 Since award shows are in vogue now, we should have a Political Players Ball and give an award for the best “playa.” They could dress in their best playa outfits – pinstripe suits with red or blue ties, that is, and strut their stuff down the runway while they rattle off their promises and claims, and tell us how bad they feel for the poor and for disabled veterans. Of course, the one who has the most money would have a leg up on the competition and would probably get the most votes for “Political Playa of the Year.” Amos Wilson wrote, “The irrational economy of…America, based as it is on irrational consumption, requires a high level of impulsivity and economic stupidity in its population, all the more in its lower classes and subordinated African American population.” Of course, Wilson was referring

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them (in their mind) with an unnatural perspective on themselves and others.” Akbar continues, “The problem that had been created for the European American mind, which has led him to become an imperialist, a slave maker, a colonialist, an oppressor around the world, is rooted in this idea that made him (or her) believe that he was the Caucasian image that he had identified as god.” It’s the use of and belief in these images and the perpetuation of their converse that has led to and continues to foster the negative stereotypes of people of color. White is good; Black is bad. White people are safe; Black people are criminals. White people are virtuous; Black people are immoral. It’s the belief in these images and stereotypes that has led to Racial Profiling, Driving While Black, Shopping While Black, and Stop and Frisk. It’s the belief in these images and stereotypes led to Oprah Winfrey complaining that a store clerk in Switzerland did not think she could afford a $38,000 handbag or college student Trayon Christian being arrested in Barneys New York for purchasing a $350 designer belt with his own debit card; even after he showed identification to the

store clerk and the police. In her own subtle way, Megan Kelly was defending the practice of racist imagery and stereotyping that led to the murder of Treyvon Martin and the shooting deaths of Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, and police officers Cornell Young, Jr. and William Wilkins, Jr. to name a few. Imagery is important and images are powerful. Why was it such an issue at our house on Land Park Drive when Santa went Black? As we celebrate this holiday season, what’s wrong with Jesus being Black? Oh, wait. If you believe in the Bible and not Hollywood I think he was. Revelations 1:14-1:15 (describing Jesus) “His hairs were like lambs wool…His feet were like burnished brass.” Sounds like a brotha’ to me. Merry Christmas Megan Kelly and to all a good night! Dr. Wilmer Leon is the Producer/ Host of the Sirius/XM Satellite radio channel 110 call-in talk radio program “Inside the Issues with Wilmer Leon” Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email:wjl3us@yahoo. com. www.twitter.com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook. com © 2013 InfoWave Communications, LLC

to economic empowerment and the lack thereof within our ranks, but the same principle applies to political empowerment, not only for Black voters but for the entire U.S. electorate. This nation’s elite relies and thrives on the necessary “stupidity” of consumers and the electorate to keep them in their positions of power. Political pimps, with an average wealth of $12 million versus $69,000 for those over whom they rule, are definitely slapping us around and making us pay them for doing so. What’s that famous line Huggy Bear and other pimps used to say? “…better have my money.” I encourage the bi-polar electorate and the blind consumers to be more aware and active around these issues. If we act like sheep, we will be treated like sheep, right? We must stop getting so fired up about politicians who are only interested in having a sweet job as a result of our voting for them.

We must stop being so emotional about politics and start being more practical. We major in the minors and get fighting mad because someone calls our President a name, and we spend an inordinate amount of time allowing the talking heads to stir the flames, which keeps our attention diverted from important issues. President Obama is a multi-millionaire too; believe me, he is not the least bit concerned about folks calling him names. He and his family are going to be just fine. What about you and your family? Stop working for the political pimps; they are supposed to be working for us. wi Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and can be reached through his Web site, blackonomics. com.

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without hit squads or bands of vigilantes, overcame the mightiest state during his time. This great festival of rejoicing marks the victory of the forces of life over death, of hope over despair. We pray with you for the blessings of peace! We pray with you for the blessings of love! We pray with you for the blessings of freedom.” My brothers and sisters, we should have our children recite this in school. It is powerful! Mandela became a great president. He truly united this nation. Forgiveness and reconciliation were his keys to a successful government. At his inauguration he reserved the front row seats for his former jailers. When the world championship Rugby game was played in South Africa, he wore the uniform of the South African Spring Bok team and was the lead cheerleader. For the first time, both races united under one team and won the world championship (shocked the world). He could have stayed president forever

but, like our own George Washington, he set the mold with just one term. The success of democracy was his greatest concern. South Africa secretly became a nuclear power but Mandela had this dismantled after he came to power. The nation economically is now a 1st World nation. There is still much poverty but improvement is ongoing and without a doubt, South Africa is the economic power of the African continent. Nelson Mandela led them to the “promised land.” For this he becomes a great leader in the minds of all rational people. I put him just a little under Jesus Christ. I end by saying rest in peace dear brother and thank you for coming through.wi

the hungry or the poor. There is cake somewhere. They just, says Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) “have to get a job”. While budget-lite passed, the unemployment insurance extension did not. On December 28, 1.3 million long- term unemployed people will collect their last check, unless new legislation is passed in January. Congress says it “might” look at retroactive benefits. Get a job, Senator Paul? Really? Senator Paul apparently does not read the monthly Employment Situation, released last week. While it indicated that the unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent in November, it also reported that more than four million people have been unemployed for more than half a year. Additionally, the alternative

measures of unemployment, which include part time and discouraged workers, suggest that real unemployment is 13.2 percent (and 25 percent for African Americans). Where are these unemployed people supposed to find jobs, when the federal government has removed itself from the job creation business even as our infrastructure continues to fray? The unemployment insurance extension would cost $26 billion for two years. Budget balancers say that’s too much and pushes the federal budget into further deficit. The economy is hurt, not helped, when the unemployed don’t have money. Their inability to spend will slow economic recovery and will further slow job creation. The unwillingness to assist those considered “collateral damage” in our broken economy has less to do

with fiscal responsibility than with the “get a job, let them eat cake” mentality embraced by so many Tea Party republicans. To fully applaud the Murray/ Paul budget is like applauding people for saying hello. It is a tenuous bipartisanship, and it is a compromised achieved on the backs of the hungry and the unemployed. The Murray/ Paul budget is an example of the devolution of bipartisanship from the days when two men reached across the aisle to figure out how to reduce the amount of food insecurity in our nation. wi Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.

bered for whistling at a White woman near Greenwood, Miss. That punishment, of which Robertson was apparently unaware, was for Blacks guilty of “eyeball rape,” although it usually just earned a beating for simply looking at a White woman. Poor Emmett crossed the line and his “crime” cost him his life. But Robertson must have been busy chopping cotton and too young to notice any Black folks getting upset about the Till murder … or the lynching four years

later when Robertson was 13, of Mack Charles Parker, also in Mississippi, or any of the other southern lynchings – which averaged nearly one per week from 1892 until 1968. Bearded Robertson said he never, with his own “eyes, saw the mistreatment of any Black person.” And why shouldn’t we trust his word? The Black folks he saw were all “singing and happy…” weren’t they? So now, here come former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and

current Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, rushing down to support our bearded friend Phil Robertson and his Louisiana Klan … I mean clan. Poor Gov. Jindal, he has yet to learn that his brown skin and Asian roots permanently disqualify him from the Republican presidential nomination which he hopes one day to receive. Maybe Jindal should grow a beard. wi

alford continued from Page 22

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“The Good News borne by our risen Messiah who chose not one race, who chose not one country, who chose not one language, who chose not one tribe, who chose all of humankind! Each Easter marks the rebirth of our faith. It marks the victory of our risen Savior over the torture of the cross and the grave. Our Messiah, who came to us in the form of a mortal man, but who by his suffering and crucifixion attained immortality.” In another Easter speech, Mandela really explained his resolve for peace and nonviolence, “We have joined you this Easter in an act of solidarity, and in an act of worship. We have come, like all the other pilgrims, to join in an act of renewal and rededication. The festival of Easter, which is so closely linked with the festival of the Passover, marks the rebirth of the resurrected Messiah. Who without arms, without soldiers, without police and covert Special Forces,

malveaux continued from Page 22

MUHAMMAD continued from Page 22 proaching the U.S. homeland, even “tracks” Santa’s progress via radar from the North Pole to “Little Timmy’s neighborhood” every Christmas Eve. Their website depicts Santa and his sleigh in the night sky accompanied by two fighter jets. Talk about government “overkill…” and since 1955 when that practice began after a mistaken phone number was printed in a Sears ad, NORAD has yet to confirm Santa’s imaginary racial identity. But Faux News insists that Santa Claus “just is White,” and that “Jesus was a White man too.” Now Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson was nine years old in the summer of 1955, in the pre-civil rights movement days

when he says Black folks were all “singing and happy.” He told GQ magazine that: “I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any Black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The Blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the Blacks, because we’re White trash.” (“White trash” worth at least $400 million in merchandising deals, and the stars of the most popular non-fiction TV reality show ever broadcast. But who’s counting?) I mention the summer of 1955 as the pre-civil rights days, because that’s before the Montgomery Bus Boycott began on Dec. 1, 1955, but when the most horrific lynching of the 20th century took place. That’s when 14-year-old Emmett Till was tarred, feathered, and dismem-

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Harry C. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.

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