DECEMBER 2016 HEA
LTH, WELLNESS & NUT
RITION SUPPLEMENT
HOLIDAY HEALTH & WELLNESS
VOL. 52, NO. 08 • DECEMBER 8 - 14, 2016
Prince George’s Councilman Charged with DUI - Hot Topics / Page 4
Don't Miss Health Supplement! Center Section
MGM Casino Resort Ready to Open By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
MGM Page 38
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Post-Election Black Agenda the Focus of Rainbow Push Symposium
Thousands Expected to Visit Venue Daily
The $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor casino resort, one of the most anticipated businesses ever in Prince George's County, will finally open at 11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. It anticipates bringing thousands of visitors daily to not only gamble, but also hear musical performances scheduled this month at the 3,000-seat MGM theater, including Boyz II Men (Dec. 15), Lionel Richie (Dec. 22) and Bruno Mars (Dec. 27). However, some residents in the southern part of the county such as Debi Day of Brandywin aren't ready for one of the major acts: traffic jams. Officials project about 25,000 people will pour into the resort over its 24 hours. Day worries casino traffic could negatively affect the county's chapter of National Council of Negro Women meetings held every third Saturday at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington, about five miles away from the casino. "The traffic is going to impact me getting to Harmony Hall," she said. "I also visit the Camp Springs Senior Center, so that could have an impact of me getting there, too. Hopefully we find a back way." LaWanda Horne of Upper Marlboro has a simpler strategy to avoid the estimated 9,000 vehicles coming to the casino on opening day.
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By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
5 The grand opening of the MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8. / Photo courtesy of MGM National Harbor
Cedric Richmond: Newest CBC Chair Louisiana Rep Says Economics, Equality, Education among Top Priorities By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor The changing of the guard in Washington, D.C. continues as Representative Cedric Richmond (LA-02) prepares to lead the Congressional Black Caucus [CBC] as chairman for the 115th Congress. The new CBC executive board will officially take their offices on January 3. Outgoing CBC Chairman G.K. Butterfield both commended and encouraged Richmond. “We have much work ahead of us during the 115th Congress and I am confident Rep. Richmond will provide strong leadership on
RICHMOND Page 9
5Cedric Richmond / Courtesy photo
Democrats need to pay more attention to millennial voters. The United States Senate must hire more people of color to make it more diverse. Those were two of the many ideas and topics discussed Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the ninth annual Rainbow Push Coalition media and telecom symposium at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Northwest. Panel discussions focused on the emotional impact of last month's presidential election and what blacks must do to strive once Republican businessman Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States next month. Although 2½ million more voters chose Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump garnered the Electoral College votes at 306-232. "If you win by 2½ million votes, you did something right," said the Rev. Jessie Jackson Sr., founder of Rainbow Push, who added thatthe Electoral College wasn't a factor when he ran for president in 1984 and 1988. Cornell Belcher, a national Democratic pollster and president of Brilliant Corners in Northwest, reviewed some data between the 2012 and this year's presidential elections and highlights from his new book, "A Black Man in the White House:
PUSH Page 11
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