Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper May 18 2013

May 18, 2013 - May 18, 2013, The Afro-American A1

By Krishana Davis Special to the AFRO

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown had thrown his hat into the contest to become the Maryland’s next governor and the first African American to reside in the governor’s mansion in Annapolis.

He made the announcement at a May 10 a cookout in Prince George’s County. The event launched a weekend of campaigning that took him to Montgomery County, Frederick and Baltimore. His theme is “Making Maryland Better for All Marylander.”

“I’m asking friends and neighbors from across the state to join me, as we build on successes and to take on the next challenges to make Maryland better,” said Brown.

Brown, 51, has been endorsed by Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who has

been his political partner at the top of the state’s executive leadership since their election in 2006.

Brown said, “Maryland is a great state because of the hard work that we’ve done to invest in new jobs, education and health care, but we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that no family is left behind.”

Towson University political science professor John Bullock said that right now Brown is a front-runner and could win the 2014 gubernatorial election.

“I think it’s a possibility,” said Bullock. “But I don’t think there’s any one particular front runner in this election.”

Bullock said Brown, as a lieutenant governor, has acquired name recognition around the state, which is an advantage. He said as a sitting governor, O’Malley’s support

By Krishana Davis AFRO Staff Writer

Isaiah “Ike” Dixon Jr., 90, four-term veteran of the Maryland House of Delegates, community leader and political activist, died of heart failure at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium on April 26.

In his four terms as a member of the House of

Delegates, representing Baltimore, he was known for his efforts at ensuring racial equality and spearheaded the effort to make cross-burning a felony. He is also remembered him as the son of a musician whose melodies helped to create a hub for jazz in the city.

Baltimore-born and raised, Dixon attended public and parochial schools in the city. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1941 and enrolled at Howard University, where he played football. After college he served in the U.S. Army.

Dixon had an affinity for politics and was elected to the House of Delegates in 1966. While Dixon helped to push a lot of legislation in the House, his most noted bill was a provision that changed cross burning from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Maryland Delegate Melvin Stukes (D-44) said while he

By Albert PhillipsSpecial to the AFRO

It’s been a rough year for the image of Baltimore law enforcement and 2013 is not even half over.

Consider:*May 9: A teenage

prostitute is arrested in an undercover sting at a hotel near BWI. The man who allegedly drove her there was waiting outside. His identity? Her husband, a Baltimore police officer. He was charged with human trafficking.

*April 25: A grand jury indictment about gangland corruption at the Baltimore City Detention Center is unsealed. Among those rounded up are four female corrections officers who were allegedly having sex with the inmates, including a female officer who is believed to have been twice impregnated by the gang’s leader.

*March 11: A 17-year veteran Baltimore police detective pleads guilty to selling heroin and tipping off drug kingpins about possible police investigations.

*Feb. 17: Two men, one a Baltimore firefighter, are arrested on charges of running

an online prostitution ring. If it were a television show, you could call

it “Cops Allegedly Gone Wild.”Baltimore law enforcement administrators

are baffled at the turn of events. The city police cases come only a few months after

officials announced Jan. 28 the formation of a

professional standards bureau.

“This new Bureau will focus on employee conduct from the basics of written

directives and Standard Operating

Procedures, to a new General

Accountability Office which will continue to

proactively weed out non-compliant practices within

the department,” said Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts

in a release on the BPD’s website. Then came the string of cases which

have put a cloud over the reputation of the city’s law enforcement corps.

“The attitude of the police officers on the street is a reflection of the leadership at the top,” said Delacy Davis, founder of Black Cops Against Police Brutality (BCAP). “If the top sends a clear message that behavior outside of the law is unacceptable and intolerable,

Volume 121 No. 41

MAY 18, 2013 - MAY 24, 2013

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By Zenitha PrinceSpecial to the AFRO

Diversion programs for youth offenders are blooming within area jurisdictions and are having a positive impact on the criminal justice system and on society, some officials and other experts said.

“Diversion as an alternative to detention is a concept that has been around for 40 years, and it came about as the result of evidence showing that a young person’s involvement in the juvenile justice system makes things worse,” said Daniel Macallair, executive director of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, a San Francisco-based nonpartisan nonprofit, whose aim is to reduce the reliance on incarceration.

Most diversion programs focus on first-time

offenders who have committed misdemeanor crimes. The alternative approach helps them avoid the stigmatization that a criminal conviction would bring, advocates say.

“They were developed to give young people a second chance on the belief that though people may mess up once, they may not mess up gain,” said Andrew Fois, deputy attorney

general for the District of Columbia. “It prevents people from becoming chronic recidivists by giving them an incentive to leave the destructive path they may be on and get back on a law-abiding path.”

According to a study by the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA), most diversion screening criteria included prior criminal history, type of charge, substance abuse and mental health

Continued on A3

Diversion Programs Offer Youth a Second Chance

Continued on A4

By Zachary LesterAFRO Staff Writer

Baltimore Police Officer Forrest E. “Dino” Taylor, 44, had been on the department for 17 years when he died in August 2012 from complications related to injuries he suffered after an

automobile ran a red light and struck his patrol car in six months earlier.

Morris was among 120 police officers nationwide who died last year who were remembered during National Police Week activities held this week in Washington D.C. The commemoration

National Police Week 2013

Heroes in Blue Honoredkicked off with preliminary events the previous week, including the annual Blue Mass May 7 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Northwest and the Washington Area Law Enforcement Memorial Service on May 10.

The big event of the official week, which runs through May 18, was a candlelight vigil on May 13 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Judiciary Square, near D.C. police headquarters, in Northwest Washington.

Authorities said names of 321 law enforcement officials from around the country were added to the memorial wall this year. Those men and women, including 201 who died in previous years, were recognized for their sacrifice in a poignant ceremony where United States Attorney General Eric Holder led the lighting of the candles and reading of the names of the fallen officers.

As many as 20,000 people were estimated to have attended the vigil. They included officers, law enforcement officials, survivors of the fallen officers and their supporters. The event was shown via live

Charm City Blues

Politician and Jazz Lover Ike Dixon Dies at 90

Courtesy PhotoIsaiah “Ike” Dixon Jr.

“...an alternative to detention is a concept that has been around for 40 years...”

– Daniel Macallair

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown Launches Bid to be Md. Governor

Courtesy PhotoLt. Gov. Anthony Brown

A2 The Afro-American, May 18, 2013 - May 24, 2013

ABC-TV’s Robin Roberts Ranked Most Trusted TV Host in Poll

“Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts has been named the most trusted woman in television, according to a new Reader’s Digest survey released this week.

Reader’s Digest teamed up with The Wagner Group, a research firm, and polled more than 1,000 Americans to discover which 200 public figures inspire the most confidence. Roberts came in at No. 12 on the list, making her the most trusted television host on the list.

The publication defined a trustworthy person as “somebody possessing integrity and character, exceptional talent and a drive for personal excellence, a strong internal moral compass, a consistent message, honesty, and leadership.” And 56 percent of Americans believed that Roberts exemplified those qualities.

“I wish my mom and dad were here to see this,” Roberts said in an interview with Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief of Reader’s Digest. “It would mean so much to them because all they wanted was for us to grow up to be good people.

Women’s Rights Group Wants Ex-Girlfriend Shooting Target Scuttled

Women’s rights group UltraViolet filed a petition calling for online retailer Amazon to pull shooting target “The Ex” from its site stating it promotes domestic violence against women.

“The Ex” is a shooting target designed to look like a big breasted woman. The target, which is manufactured by Zombie Industries, bleeds when hit by gunshots.

“Gun violence against women is a serious problem,” read the petition. “But ‘The

Ex’ shooting target turns violence against women into a joke and promotes the idea that men should want to kill their ex-wives or ex-girlfriends.”

“The Ex” was debuted by Zombie Industries during the 2013 National Rifle Association Convention in Houston, Texas on May 3-5. Zombie Industries is a fad-based company which sells a variety of shooting targets designed to prepare for the world for a pending zombie invasion.

Zombie Industries first sparked controversy during the NRA Convention, when it debuted a life-size like President Obama target “The Rocky”, which it later pulled from display when event organizers requested it be removed, according to MSNBC.

Congressional Task Force Tackles Bloated Criminal Code

The House Judiciary Committee this week approved a new, bipartisan task force aimed at streamlining the federal criminal code.

The Over-Criminalization Task Force of 2013, made up of five Democrats and five Republicans, will comb through the labyrinth of federal regulations and identify unnecessary and ineffective criminal statutes.

At present, there are an estimated 4,500 federal crimes in the U.S. Code, many of which address conduct also regulated by the states. The number of federal criminal offenses increased

by 30 percent between 1980 and 2004, according to a recent study by the Federalist Society. There were 452 new federal criminal offenses enacted between 2000 and 2007, averaging 56.5 new crimes per year. And over the past three decades, Congress has been averaging 500 new crimes per decade.

Too many of those new offenses often impose criminal penalties without requiring that criminal intent be shown to establish guilt, lawmakers complained.

The changes in judicial policy have unduly impacted African Americans and makes America a leader in incarceration worldwide, said the committee’s ranking member John Conyers ( D-Mich).

Grandson of Malcolm X Killed at Mexico City Bar

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of political activist Malcolm X, was found dead outside a Mexico City bar after a violent dispute over the bill, authorities said Friday. He was 28.

City prosecutors are investigating the attack that sent Shabazz to a nearby hospital with severe injuries. He died hours later on Thursday. U.S. officials confirmed that Shabazz was killed in Mexico City.

Shabazz family publicist Terrie Williams said the family would issue a statement later.

Labor activist Miguel Suarez, who was traveling with Shabazz, told The Associated Press that his friend was beaten up at a bar near Plaza Garibaldi, a downtown square that is home to Mexico City’s mariachis.

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history, victim approval, the amount of restitution and arresting officer approval. Standard conditions of diversion participation include drug testing, restitution, community service and counseling.

In Washington, D.C., diversion programs are open to any youth under 18.

There are three levels geared to different offense categories. At the first stage, if police seize a young person for marijuana possession, they can choose to withhold charges and refer that person to the D. C. Superior Court Social Services Department, where they would be enrolled in Youth Court, a peer-to-peer remediation process. The second stage offers prosecutors the option of sending the offender to Youth Court. At the third stage, the judge and prosecutors can vacate charges if certain conditions are met, officials said.

Fois said a lack of resources limits the options they can offer.

“It would be nicer if we

had more programs that could be more tailored to the person and the crime,” he said.

For example, in nearby Prince George’s County in Maryland, the State’s Attorney’s Office offers a broader menu of options.

According to the office’s spokesman John Erzen, their diversion programs include a partnership with the University of Maryland, which targets underage drinkers; an anger management program; a drug diversion program for those arrested with less than 10 grams of marijuana; a bad check restitution program; pre-trial mediation; theft diversion for petty crimes such as shoplifting; and community service.

Erzen said the benefits of these programs are many.

“This ensures [offenders] are held accountable and that they get the help they need,”

he said. “And the reality is there is a cost-savings, as well, because [the county] is not paying to have the trial and house this person in jail.”

As in Prince George’s County and the District, Baltimore’s diversion programs involve several government agencies and other entities.

“It certainly is a holistic approach,” said Baltimore State’s Attorney Gregg Bernstein.

While the city’s programs share the goals of providing counseling and treatment where needed and preventing stigmatization, they also reflect a strategic approach to fighting crime, he said.Misdemeanor crimes have clogged up the court’s dockets—10 percent of all Circuit Court cases, for example, are for simple marijuana possession—limiting courtroom availability for the prosecution of violent crimes.

“As state’s attorney my

primary focus is to prosecute repeat violent offenders who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of violence in the city,” Bernstein said in an interview. “We try to be strategic about directing our limited resources to investigating and prosecuting those crimes.”

Baltimore offers diversion programs for first-time offenders charged with simple possession of marijuana—a one day program, including a lecture by a drug counselor and community service—and for those charged with possession of small amounts of drugs such as cocaine and heroin. That program runs 90 days and includes drug

treatment.Bernstein said he was

particularly proud of their diversion program for teen girls and women charged with prostitution and solicitation.

Such offenders “are likely not doing this by choice,” he said. “Those who qualify get wraparound services to help break that cycle.”

With the help of a grant from the Abell Foundation, the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office has seen success. During his tenure, Bernstein said, the number of participants in the marijuana diversion program has also doubled from 700 in 2010 to 1,400 in 2012, which they accomplished by expanding

the requirements. For example, if an offender successfully completes the program then re-offends, he or she is not disqualified from participating again.

A. Dwight Pettit, a Baltimore-based attorney, said a majority of his clients who are eligible for diversion take advantage of it.

“I think they’re working and they’re very beneficial, especially for young African-American men,” he said. “The criminal justice system has been so unfair, especially with regards to the disproportionate sentencing of young Black males in the so-called war on drugs that politically, these programs became necessary.”


By Alan KingAFRO Staff Writer

Jennifer Hudson and otherrelatives positively identified

the body of her 7-year-oldnephew Monday, just hoursafter his body was found in a

sport-utility vehicle sought inconnection with the murder ofHudson’s mother and brother.

The white, 1994 ChevroletSuburban with Illinois license

plate X584859 was found onChicago’s West Side afterpolice received a 7 a.m. call

from a neighbor about a suspi-cious vehicle. The man noticedthe vehicle while walking hisdog. According to the ChicagoTribune, the boy had been shotmultiple times in the back seatof the vehicle. The SUV, regis-tered to Hudson’s murderedbrother, was towed with theboy’s body inside and is beingprocessed by evidence techni-cians and workers. The bodywas later removed and taken tothe Cook County MedicalExaminer’s office.

Hudson and other familymembers arrived at the MedicalExaminer’s office mid-after-noon to identify the body.Given the choice between look-ing directly at the body orviewing it on a wall-mounted

video screen, the family chosethe latter. According to theTribune, Hudson said, “Yes,that’s him.”

A spokesman for the officetold the newspaper that Hudson

“remained strong for her fami-ly” and was clearly its leader.“She held hands with her fami-ly,” the spokesman said. “Itwas obviously a very emotionalmoment.”

The boy – the son of JuliaHudson, Jennifer’s sister – hadbeen missing since Friday,when a relative found Julian’sgrandmother, DarnellDonerson, 57, and his uncle,Jason Hudson, 29, shot to deathin his grandmother’s home inthe 7000 block of South YaleAvenue.

An Amber Alert – a desig-nation for high-risk missingchildren – was issued Fridayafter Julian was discoveredmissing after the murders.Police arrested WilliamBalfour, the missing boy’s step-father and estranged husbandof Julia, at his girlfriend’sSouthside apartment severalhours after the murders.Balfour’s mother, Michele, hastold reporters that her son hadnothing to do with the slayings.

Balfour remains a suspect in

the murders but is being held injail for parole violation after

being convicted of attemptedmurder and vehicular hijack-ing. Cook County records showthat he pleaded guilty to bothcharges in 1999. He was alsoconvicted in 1998 for posses-sion of a stolen motor vehicle.He was released from prison in2006 after serving seven yearsfor the attempted murder andcar hijacking charges.

The boy remained missingthrough a long weekend inwhich police and volunteers

posted fliers bearing his photo-graph around the city. OnSunday, Jennifer Hudson askedfor the public’s help in findingher nephew. In her MySpaceblog, she thanked fans and sup-porters for their prayers andoffered a $100,000 reward toanyone who returned the boyalive.

Since the investigation,Hudson – who gained stardomafter appearing on “AmericanIdol,” and then won anAcademy Award for her role inthe movie Dreamgirls – hasstayed out of the public eye.

The Chicago Tribune report-ed that a parade of cars movedslowly past her family’s homeMonday morning, past thenews vans, reporters and curi-

ous onlookers.Neighbors stoodquietly andreflected on the

violence. In front of the Hudson’s

home, men in heavy jacketsand hooded sweatshirts came tokiss the twin white crosses bar-ing the names of Donerson andJason.

“Everybody is sick of goingthrough stuff like this,” ArtishaWest, a former resident of thearea told the Tribune. “We allhave to stick together. All theseyoung children are dying, andfor what?”

By Alan KingAFRO Staff Writer

Presidential candidate JohnMcCain’s attack on ACORN –Associated CommunityOrganization for Reform Now –confirms the success of theorganization, the head of thegroup says.

“This is testimony to the workwe’ve done and success we’vehad,” Maude Hurd, president ofACORN, said in an interviewwith the AFRO.

“When this attack started, wehad just announced that we hadregistered 1.3 million new vot-ers,” she said. “That’s just to saythat someone’s running scaredbecause of ACORN’s success.”

McCain, who is running forpresident on the Republican tick-et, lashed out at ACORN in thefinal debate against BarackObama, contending the group “ison the verge of maybe perpetrat-ing one of the greatest frauds invoter history in this country,maybe destroying the fabric ofdemocracy.”

Factcheck.org, a non-partisanWeb site, found those claims tobe “exaggerated,” with “no evi-dence of any such democracy-destroying fraud.”

Hurd believes the McCaincharges were politically motivat-ed.

She said, “Because it’s low-and moderate-income people,and people of color, I believe theMcCain campaign thinks thosevoters are going to voteDemocratic, which is not neces-sarily true.”

ACORN is no stranger tocontroversy.

For 38 years, the non-partisanorganization has fought for socialand economic justice for low-and moderate-incomeAmericans. With 400,000 mem-ber families organized into morethan 1,200 neighborhood chap-ters in 110 cities nationwide,ACORN has over the years seenits share of criticism while advo-cating for affordable housing,living wages, healthcare for theunderserved— and while organ-izing voter registration drives.But none has been as witheringand baseless as this one.

With the presidential electionless than two weeks away,ACORN’s detractors allege theorganization has engaged in mas-sive voter registration fraud afterthe reported discovery of bogusnames, such as Mickey Mouse

and Dallas Cowboys playersTony Romo and Terrell Owens,among the names submitted toelection officials.

Hurd said those workers, whowere doing those things withoutACORN’s knowledge or permis-sion, were fired.

“The evidence that has sur-faced so far shows they fakedforms to get paid for work theydidn’t do, not to stuff ballotboxes.” ACORN, she said, is thevictim of fraud, not the perpetra-tor of it.

Hurd said the only thingsbogus are the charges them-selves. And factcheck. orgagrees.

It concluded, “NeitherACORN nor its employees havebeen found guilty of, or evencharged with, casting fraudulentvotes.”

The problem came about pri-marily because of the wayACORN operates. Rather thanrely on volunteers, it pays peo-ple, many of them poor or unem-ployed, to sign up new voters.The idea was to help both thosebeing registered and those doingthe registration.

Maud explained, “We have azero tolerance policy for deliber-ate falsification of registration.”

Most news account neglect topoint out that ACORN isrequired by law to turn in all reg-istration forms. And they also failto note that it was the organiza-tion, in many instances, that firstbrought the phony registrationsto the attention of authorities.

The McCain camp apparentlyisn’t interested in those finepoints, preferring to air mislead-ing ads that seek to link Obamato ACORN, thereby undercuttinghis political support.

McCain: I’m John McCainand I approve this message.

Announcer: Who is BarackObama? A man with “a politicalbaptism performed at warpspeed.” Vast ambition. After col-lege, he moved to Chicago.Became a community organizer.There, Obama met MadeleineTalbot, part of the Chicagobranch of ACORN. He was soimpressive that he was asked totrain the ACORN staff.

What did ACORN in Chicagoengage in? Bullying banks.Intimidation tactics. Disruptionof business. ACORN forcedbanks to issue risky home loans.The same types of loans thatcaused the financial crisis we’rein today.

No wonder Obama’s campaign istrying to distance him from thegroup, saying, “Barack ObamaNever Organized with ACORN.”But Obama’s ties to ACORN runlong and deep. He taught classesfor ACORN. They even endorsedhim for President.But now ACORN is in trouble.

Reporter: There are at least11 investigations across thecountry involving thousands ofpotentially fraudulent ACORNforms.

Announcer: Massive voterfraud. And the Obama campaignpaid more than $800,000 to anACORN front for get out the voteefforts.Pressuring banks to issue riskyloans. Nationwide voter fraud.Barack Obama. Bad judgment.Blind ambition. Too risky forAmerica.

Since McCain’s comments,ACORN’s 87 offices have beenbombarded with threats andracist mail.

The day after the presidentialdebate, vandals broke into theorganization’s Boston and Seattleoffices and stole computers.After a Cleveland representativeappeared on TV, an e-mail wassent to the local office saying she“is going to have her life ended.”A worker in Providence, R.I.,received a threatening call say-ing, “We know you get off workat 9” and uttered racial epithets.

A caller to one office left amessage on the answeringmachine, saying: “Hi, I was justcalling to let you know thatBarack Obama needs to gethung. He’s a (expletive deleted)nigger, and he’s a piece of(expletive deleted). You guys arefraudulent, and you need to go tohell. All the niggers on oak trees.They’re gonna get all hung hon-eys, they’re going to get assassi-nated, they’re gonna get killed.”

Another message said, “Youliberal idiots. Dumb (expletivedeleted). Welfare bums. Youguys just (expletive deleted)come to our country, consumeevery natural resource there is,and make a lot of babies. That’sall you guys do. And then suckup the welfare and expect every-one else to pay for your hospitalbills for your kids. I jus’ say letyour kids die. That’s the bestmove. Just let your children die.Forget about paying for hospitalbills for them. I’m not gonna doit. You guys are lowlifes. And Ihope you all die.”

Hurd thinks the hate calls willcease soon.

“In two weeks, I think theseattacks will be over. But I think itwill be harder for us to get ourname back on good gracesbecause they really trashed us inthe last few weeks.”

But ACORN will not bedeterred.

“We’ve been fighting for along time, for over 30 years, forthe rights of low- and moderate-income people all across thecountry,” Hurd said. “We’regoing to continue to fight foreconomic justice in our commu-nities.”

November 1, 2008 - November 7, 2008, The Washington Afro-American A3

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Jennifer Hudson and Relatives Identify Body of Her Slain Nephew

“She held hands with her family. It was obviously a very emotional moment.” Courtesy Photos

Jennifer Hudson and her mom, Darnell Donerson whowas killed, as well as her brother, Jason.

Jason Hudson

Julian King, Jennnifer Hudson’s nephew.

ACORN Fights BackLeader Calls Voter Registration Fraud Charges ‘Bogus’

Kirk Division Modernization Project

Project EmploymentOpportunity

TEMPORARY CONTRACTUAL POSITION: CONSTRUCTION COMMUNITY LIAISONRATE: $15.00 to $20.00 per hour, depending on experience. 40 hours per month, July to December 2013.

CLOSING DATE: Friday, May 24, 2013.

DESCRIPTION: The Construction Community Liaison will document and report resident issues/concerns to the MTA Office of Community Relations; will attend the project progress meetings and provide construction updates to community stakeholders at area community meetings, events and workshops.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a standard high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate. Two (2) years of experience in administrative, customer service, public information, customer relations or community relations work. Note: Higher education may be substituted for work experience. Ability to work non-traditional hours.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Enrollment, attendance or graduation from an accredited community college, college or university with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field (Communications, Public Administration, Public Relations, Planning, Engineering, Education, Urban Affairs, Urban Design, Sociology, Political Science, Public Policy, Social Work, Regional Science, Natural Resources Administration, Environmental Science or Transportation Studies).

Skills:• Familiarity with public transportation and/or construction work• Ability to work alone or as a part of a team• Ability to understand and communicate technical aspects of

engineering and construction

• Demonstrated ability to work in diverse communities and employment settings

• Strong verbal and written communication skills• Familiarity with database and presentation software, web-based

applications and social media• Passion for public transit and transportation related issues, such

as transit-oriented development, bike/pedestrian, environmental, sustainability and urban design

• Community organizing experience

• Must have reliable transportation for working in the field

TO APPLYEmail your cover letter and resume (saved as PDF documents) to [email protected] OR mail your cover letter and resume to:

Sandy Overa, Remline Corp, PO Box 69, Elkton, MD 21922

If you have any questions or issues, contact Sandy Overa at (410) 464-7146.

This position is with a transportation consultant under contract to the Maryland Transit Administration. This is not a State of Maryland position, and will terminate upon completion of the project.

The transportation consultant firms are equal opportunity employers. They do not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation.

Diversion ProgramsContinued from A1

Politician Ike Dixon Dies at 90Continued from A1

A Philadelphia prosecutor called it a “house of horrors.” But it was no amusement day at Hershey Park for the unsuspecting women who entered the Women’s Medical Society in West Philly for than 15 years.

In fact, one Black conservative group called the frightening atrocities and crimes that occurred against vulnerable poor women, “Black on Black crime.”

And ghoulish Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion doctor who was found guilty earlier

this week in the gruesome deaths of three babies and the manslaughter of a Woodbridge, Va. woman, is likely to pay with his life.

When to live, when to die; who chooses? The answer can depend on where you live and your income, particularly in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.

Predictably each warring camp in the intractable public abortion debate has and will use the Gosnell case for their political purposes. While they fight, women are having abortions daily, probably as a last resort in most cases. However, we would all be better served if we could use the Gosnell case as an opportunity to come to some common ground about abortion procedures.

Redirect the blind passion about the ethics of abortion to

a more practical discussion about finding ways of reducing unwanted pregnancy in the first place to reduce the need for an abortion. And make sure authorities are doing their jobs to ensure abortion procedures are safe, affordable and accessible when a woman decides it’s absolutely necessary, no matter what her zip code.

Wishful thinking. On May 14, a group of Black ministers, featuring Dr.

Alveda King, and sponsored by the conservative (CURE) lead by Star Parker, held a press conference at the National Press Club to call on Congress to hold a hearing on the impact of abortion in Black communities. They contend, for example, that Planned Parenthood “targets” African Americans, which the organization denies.

Last week in the District, Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee reintroduced a bill to ban “late term” abortions, the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, he said was based on the Gosnell case. This follows a similar bill in the House reintroduced by Republican Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, for the same reason. Their bills would only apply to poor D.C. Women, but Democratic D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and some pro-choice groups like NARAL are vowing to fight it. The National Right to Life Committee, which purports the debatable contention that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks, intends to rally around Franks and Lee.

Lee also is trying to pass national legislation, Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) to place more restrictions on late term abortions – which account for 1 percent of all abortions -- and on abortion clinics. This measure is similar to the TRAP laws that just passed in Virginia which may force some of the clinics to close. State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, also the 2014 Republican candidate for governor running against Democrat Terry McAuliffe,

strong armed the state’s medical board to push for the legislation which makes clinics adhere to hospital rules.

In Maryland, the legislature last year passed regulations to increase inspections of abortion clinics and allows them to be fined or face closure for violations. Unfortunately, when the Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Roe v. Wade case which legalized abortion, they left it up to each state to regulate the safe but controversial medical procedure. Herein is where the trouble lies.

The Gosnell case illustrates how geographic politics dictates protection or prevention. Whether you are pro-choice or anti-choice you watched the jaw-dropping Gosnell case--with all its gory details of bloodstained blankets, frozen fetuses, overmedicated patients and unfettered cats--in disbelief and came away shaking your head wondering how this “doctor” was allowed to operate his abortion “clinic” for so long in West Philadelphia before being caught?

West Philadelphia may be a “dead giveaway” clue. Worse though, how many more Ghoulish Gosnells in poor minority neighborhoods are there nationwide performing unscrupulous acts without proper oversight? Evidently Gosnell’s clinic had not been inspected for 15 years.

Why do too many women have to cross state lines to even find a reputable clinic? We can be certain these potential victims are likely to be scared, young, and poor and Black or Brown as fewer safe, affordable, accessible options are left open to them by partisan politicians chipping away at their reproductive rights.

Veteran journalist Adrienne Washington writes weekly for the AFRO about relevant issues in the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Send correspondence to her at [email protected].

Washington View

Ghoulish Gosnell: Black on Black Crime?

Adrienne WashingtonAFRO Columnist

and Dixon did not serve in the House of Delegates at the same time, Dixon was a noted hard worker. He said Dixon’s cross-burning legislation has had significant impact on Maryland residents.

“I applaud him for pushing that legislation,” said Stukes. “There’s no missing the message of what burning a cross on a lawn means. It’s clear what that symbol meant and thankfully is doesn’t happen as frequently anymore.”

Tessa Hill-Aston, president of the Baltimore branch NAACP, recalled first meeting Dixon in Annapolis while she was working for

the Hub Organization, which lobbied for minority-owned businesses in Baltimore.

“He was a delightful, friendly, jolly person,” said Aston. “It was a delight to get to know him. He always supported minority-owned businesses because his father owned a lot of businesses on Pennsylvania Avenue.”

Dixon’s family owned several businesses in the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in West Baltimore, when it was a hub for Black owned businesses in the city. Black owned clubs, bars, clothing stores, fraternity houses and more lined the streets. Aston said, the Dixon family once

owned both a bail bond and check cashing company on the block. She called it, “the good old days.”

He was elected a delegate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention, served in the board of directors of the National Aquarium, and was a member of the NAACP and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

In 1934, Dixon’s father, Isaiah Dixon Sr. started a jazz club in Baltimore, The Comedy Club. The venue was a jazz hub in musicians and singers such as Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Washington and Miles Davis. His father was also the first Black to own a chartered bus, which he used to transport his band to local radio station broadcasts. When his father died in 1953, Dixon and his brother took over the club until it closed in the 1960s.

Dixon is survived by his son, Isaiah Dixon III, a daughter Joyce Fuller-Wood, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His wife of 58 years, Miriam, died in 2005.

“It would be nicer if we had more programs that could be more tailored to the person and the crime.”

– Andrew Fois

May 18, 2013 - May 18, 2013, The Afro-American A3A4 The Afro-American, May 18, 2013 - May 24, 2013

Heroes in Blue HonoredContinued from A1

Lt. Gov. Brown Launches Bid to be Governor

Charm City Blues

Continued from A1

Continued from A1

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Dr. Zayd A. Eldadah

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“Although no words, and no ceremony, can erase the pain we feel at each tragic and untimely loss, my hope is that the families, friends, and colleagues of these fallen heroes can find peace in the certain knowledge that they died doing what they loved,” Holder told the crowd. “They helped to make this world a far better, and safer, place,” he said. “And, despite the fact that these brave officers were taken from us far too suddenly—and far too soon—their legacies, and contributions, will always endure.”

Locally, seven officers died in 2012, including Morris, from Prince George’s and Officer Forrest Edward

“Dino” Taylor, 44, a 17-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department. Taylor died when an automobile ran a red light and struck his patrol car.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial contains the names of every officer killed since the first death was recorded in 1791, officials said. With the addition of the 2012 names, the memorial now pays homage to 19,981 fallen law enforcement officials.

National Police Week is held each year to pay tribute to the men and women who risk their lives every day. The commemorations began in 1962 after President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week including

that day Police Week, officials said.

Each year, more than 25,000 police officers and their supporters from across the country travel to the nation’s capital to participate in activities, which also include a memorial bike ride and conferences for families of slain officers.

But no matter what the activity, the central focus is always on the officers who were lost the previous year. The casualties from 2012 represent a decrease from the 165 officers who died in 2011 and the 154 who were lost in 2010, officials said.

“The law enforcement community has banded together with laser-like focus on peace officer safety at the federal, state and local levels

and I believe these numbers are reflective of those combined efforts,” said Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the memorial fund, in a statement. “By continuing to work together in this fashion we can make great strides to ensure that each officer returns home safely at the end of his or her shift.”

Of the deceased officers, 50, including Morris and Taylor, were traffic fatalities; 49 were killed by gunfire. The others died of a variety of causes including stabbings, falls, beatings and accidents involving airplanes, helicopters and boats, according to the NLEOMF website.

The average age of the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice was 41; the average number of years they had been in service was 17, the statistics show.

The candlelight ceremony opened with a presentation of the colors by the United States Park Police, followed by the national anthem sung by Arizona Department of Corrections Sgt. Katina Murphy. The invocation was led by Chaplain Reginald H. Wilborn of the Atlanta Police Department. There were musical tributes throughout the evening performed by officers from around the country.

Other vigil dignitaries included Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and local police chiefs including Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts, Prince George’s Police Chief Mark Magaw and D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

then everyone will get that message all the way down the line.”

Davis, a retired sergeant from the East Orange (N.J.) Police Department, told the AFRO that corrupt officers should be handled “firmly and by the law.” Through BCAP, Davis teaches community members, especially Blacks and Latinos, how to effectively deal with corrupt cops in a law-bidding manner.

Among other officers to die in Maryland was Officer First Class Adrian A. Morris, 23, who had been a member of the Prince George’s County Police Department for only two years when he was killed in an automobile accident on Interstate 95 in Beltsville, Md., in August 2012.

“This allegation is a disgrace and embarrassment to every member—both current and retired—who serve with the Baltimore Police Department,” said Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez, in a statement to WJZ. “The alleged actions and criminal charges brought against Mr. Manneh are serious and undermine the integrity and pride of this organization.”

The most shocking of the cases, however, took place within the institution charged

with keeping lawbreakers sequestered from the general public. In April, 25 people— including 13 prison guards—were nabbed in a federal racketeering indictment that included money laundering, drug trafficking and other crimes. Officials said corrections officers were impregnated by inmates and the Black Guerilla Family (BGF), a prison and street gang, gained control over the Baltimore City Detention Center.

Wendell Watkins, a former D.C. police administrator, said the agencies affected by the accusations need to clamp down immediately.

“They have a lot of work to do,” said Watkins. “That whole thing with integrity is not something you can do at one time when they are in the academy. It is something you have to do all the time. When complaints come in, they have to be investigated. They have to get Internal Affairs out there and observe the officers who are drawing those complaints.”

Each year officers go through psychological evaluations to ensure they are capable of performing their job effectively. Psychology Consultant Associated (PCA), a mental health facility located in Lutherville, Md., services officers daily.

“They [officers] are our local military. They have a really tough job and you have to think about that,” said Loretta Elizalde, a licensed clinical professional counselor at PCA.

She said corruption could occur through “the desensitization of seeing the

same thing over and over again.” She also said that witnessing crime and living in a violent environment can make people more prone to committing unlawful acts.

Watkins disagreed. The people charged with upholding the law are the ones who should be most responsible for abiding by it, he said. He said officers should be reminded constantly by their supervisors to avoid wrongdoing. Police should be least susceptible to giving in to the temptation of the streets because they know what’s out there, Watkins said.

“When police start straddling that line, it gets harder and harder to get back,” he said. “That’s when they end up getting caught and going to jail, disgraced, or even worse, dead.”

On May 10, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) received the 2013 Robert C. Weaver Housing Champion Award from the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County. Lt. Gov. Anthony

Brown and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett presented the award to Cummings.

The Robert C. Weaver Housing Champion Award honors those individuals

who have had a significant impact on affordable housing. The award, sponsored by the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County, Md., is named in honor of Dr. Robert C. Weaver, the first Secretary of HUD and the first African American to hold a presidential administration cabinet position.

Cummings Receives Housing Champion Award

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (left), Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett (right) flank Rep. Elijah Cummings, who received housing award.

of Brown will carry weight with many voters during the election.

He said one of Brown’s biggest weaknesses during the election cycle will be his ability to escape O’Malley’s shadow and prove himself as a viable candidate to Marylanders. He also noted fundraising as a potential challenge for Brown, as he will be facing other candidates with more money.

As lieutenant governor, Brown has played a key role in “working to pass the state’s new Public-Private Partnership law that’s estimated to create 4,000 jobs,” leading the O’Malley administration’s efforts to “implement President Obama’s Affordable Care Act which has expanded health care to 365,000 Marylanders” and helping to sustain Maryland’s schools as number one “ in the nation for five straight years while pushing for new investments to strengthen school districts facing tough challenges,” the campaign release said.

In an interview, Brown said eduation is one of the biggest challenges in the state. He said he is committed to closing the academic performance and achievement gap between Blacks and Whites in the state. “There is an achievement gap in this state that runs along racial lines,” he said.

“It’s one thing to say we have the best schools in the nation, but that is not enough unless every child-- whether you are educated in Halethorpe or Bethesda-- gets a world class education,” Brown added. “I think it starts with early childhood education. I think it’s putting highly qualified teachers in every classroom and we need to provide every student in every community the best technology.”

Performance of the public school system is linked to employment, he said, noting that over the next five years Maryland will have a more than 30 percent increase in living-wage jobs that require a marketable skill set, not just a

liberal arts undergraduate degree. He said the state needs to increase

its investments in career technology education to meet the current demand for innovation in the economy. He said initiatives based on local and community hiring will also help to create a better job market for Marylanders and a sustainable future.

Brown, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve who served a tour of duty in Iraq, has a stated interest in veterans’ affairs, particularly in the growing number of homeless veterans in Maryland.

Brown is expected to face a field of Democratic candidates that includes Attorney General Douglas M. Gansler, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Montgomery County Del. Heather Mizeur and Rep. C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Baltimore). Bullock said Attorney General Doug Gansler, a potential candidate, could be Brown’s biggest competitor in the race.

Courtesy Photo


May 17-19The Art of Body Wellness Weekend

2654 Maryland Ave., Baltimore. Various times. Tano Akili Art and Body Studio will host a body wellness weekend. Enjoy yoga and dance classes, nutritional tips, body talk, juicing samples and more. For more information: Theartofbody.eventbrite.com.

May 18Power to End Stroke Brunch & Awareness Fair

Johns Hopkins University, Turner Auditorium, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore. 11 a.m. This event offers blood pressure and stroke risk factor screenings, patient counseling and CPR training. For more information: 410-637-4532.

Big Hats and Bow Ties Jazz Luncheon

The Synergy Center, 6419 York Road, Baltimore. 12-3 p.m. This post-Mother’s Day event will feature a live band, silent auction, vendors, a fashion show and more. $35. For more information: 410-377-3500.

May 25Madame Butterfly Fashion Show & Benefit

Enoch Pratt Free Library, Wheeler Auditorium, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore. 2-5 p.m. The Madame Butterfly Benefit Fashion Show is a collaboration of designers, artists and beautiful models. Watch what happens when fashion, art and the community comes together. $10. For more information: 254-541-6628.

May 31-June 1Spring Gospel Mime Conference

Friendship Baptist Church, 6000 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 6 p.m. The Potter’s Vessel Ministry of Friendship Baptist Church will host a 2-day mime conference featuring workshops and techniques for beginners. $30. For more information: 410-433-4006.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION


(NAPSI)—It’s a common occurrence these days—one of your friends recently had an online account hacked but doesn’t have a clue how it happened. We’ve all heard tech advice from a tech-savvy sister or the IT guy at work, but what’s the truth? When it comes to online security, it’s sometimes difficult to discern between perception and reality.

Online threats are changing and becoming more sophisticated. In 2012, we saw constant and continued innovation from cybercriminals. For example, there were more online attacks taking advantage of previously unknown security gaps than any year before; attacks continued to spread across an increasing number of popular social networks, and cyber and industrial espionage is now a reality.

With a constantly changing online world and security landscape, it seems most people are still confused about existing threats and their impact, as well as what they can do to protect themselves. Luckily, Symantec-maker of Norton security software—recently released its annual Internet Security Threat Report, which shines a bright light on the topic and helps clarify some common misconceptions around cybersecurity:

Myth #1: Viruses and other malicious software (malware) only affect computers and laptops.

Reality: Mobile malware, which affects smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, increased by 58 percent last year. This malware can steal information such as phone numbers and e-mail addresses (32 percent of the time), or use the phone’s GPS to track the user (19 percent of the time).

Myth #2: I can’t get a virus or be attacked on popular social networking sites.Reality: Many well-known social networks, including several of the newest ones,

are prime targets for scammers, with 56 percent of social media attacks involving fake gift cards and survey scams.

Myth #3: Apple products aren’t susceptible to viruses and online attacks.Reality: While hackers still primarily target PCs, more than 600,000 Mac

computers were infected by one attack last April; just one example that no operating system is safe from online threats.

Myth #4: Free antivirus software on my computer provides complete protection.Reality: “Ransomware” (which cybercriminals use to lock you out of your

computer unless you pay their “ransom”), is one example of the trend toward increasingly vicious malware, which is known for being harder to undo, more aggressive and more professional than other malware. This malware requires protection beyond what basic, free antivirus software can offer.

Myth #5: It’s easy to tell if a site is fake—typos or foreign characters are dead giveaways.

Reality: Many spoofed sites today look exactly like the websites of legitimate brands, down to the smallest details. Additionally, the number of fake sites that

imitated social networks more than doubled in 2012. Myth #6: My computer won’t get infected since I don’t visit risky sites. Reality: Sixty-one percent of malicious sites are actually legitimate websites that

have been compromised and infected with malicious code. Business, technology and shopping websites were among the top five types of sites hosting infections.

Myth #7: I’ll know right away if my computer is infected. Reality: Cybercriminals today rely on stealth—the longer they’re on your machine

undetected, the more damage they can do. Your computer could even be part of a botnet—a network of remotely controlled computers that send spam e-mails or participate in widespread attacks—and you might not even know it.

Protecting yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. By continuing to educate yourself about online threats, taking advantage of available security resources and following the simple tips below, you can protect yourself against cybercrime.

• Use complex and unique passwords for each site, including upper- and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

• Stick to trusted websites when possible. When purchasing items online, check for security marks on the site before entering in your payment details.

• Limit your sensitive transactions when using public Wi-Fi networks or use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Wi-Fi networks can allow other people to more easily snoop on your activity.

• Never click on links or open attachments from people you don’t know. Also, if you receive a strange message from a friend, take a moment to verify it—it’s possible his or her e-mail or social networking account was hacked.

• Make sure you protect all your devices with a comprehensive security solution, like Norton 360 Multi-Device.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYSeven Cybersecurity Myths Busted

Photo: Morguefile.com


OPINION“Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you

are…for all the land that you see I will give to you.” Genesis 13: 14-15

University commencement season is a time of high hopes and great celebration. I was again reminded of that when I delivered the commencement address at Huston-Tillotson (HT) University in Austin, Texas May 4. I also spoke during graduation ceremonies at Tuskegee University on May 10 and Alcorn State on May 11.

Perhaps best known as the university where Jackie Robinson served as athletic director and basketball coach before he set out to break the color barrier in baseball, Huston-Tillotson is the oldest HBCU west of the Mississippi. For 137 years, it has opened doors of educational opportunity that might have otherwise been closed to many African American students. The enthusiasm and optimism I saw in the faces of this year’s HT graduates – and that I expect to see at Tuskegee

and Alcorn – reaffirmed my belief that the future is indeed in good hands.My message to the graduates was simply to make sure that in addition to emerging from

college academically prepared, they should also embrace their obligation to pave the way for the next generation and leave this world better than they found it. I am all too aware that this is easier said than done. So, I also shared three key observations, or better yet life lessons, to help them navigate this next phase of their journey. I call them the three C’s – courage, choice and compassion.

The class of 2013 is graduating at a pivotal moment in American history. Fifty years ago, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared his passionate dream that America live up to its promise of liberty and justice for all. That same year, four little Black girls were killed by a terrorist bomb planted by the Ku Klux Klan at Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church, and civil rights hero Medgar Evers was assassinated in the driveway of his home in Jackson, Miss. Now 50 years later, we have witnessed the second inauguration of the nation’s first Black president. As I told the HT graduates, we’ve come a long way baby, but we still have a long way to go.

While many of the legal impediments to equal opportunity have been eliminated over the past half-century, new challenges, including voter suppression, criminal justice abuses, economic inequality and opposition to common sense gun safety legislation, have risen to take their place. All of these problems will require this generation of graduates to muster the kind of courage shown by people like Jackie Robinson, Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, and National Urban Leaguer Heman Sweatt, who fought the battle to integrate the University of

Texas in 1950. They each found the courage and made the choice to devote themselves to a cause greater than themselves. They each demonstrated the kind of compassion required to act beyond individual interests and clear obstacle-laden paths so that those who followed could have better opportunities. The baton is now passing to a new generation, and I have no doubt they will rise to the challenge.

The National Urban League has always engaged young people in our empowerment movement. For more than 40 years, our Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) has been cultivating new leaders and inspiring achievement by enabling African American students to interface and network with African American business professionals to prepare for careers in corporate America. In addition, the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) engages young professionals ages 21-40 in voluntarism and philanthropy to empower their communities and change lives.

Many of today’s HBCU graduates have been touched by those and similar efforts. We expect that they will use the blueprint of courage, choice and compassion summoned and shown by so many before them. We expect that they will pass it on and choose to serve.

Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Class of 2013: Courage, Choice and Compassion

Private-equity firms, hedge funds and other Wall Street investors are seeking to develop a Real Estate Owned (REO)–to--Rent Securitization Market with the blessing of

the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. A year ago, the Federal Reserve Board issued a policy statement on rental of REO owned by the banks they supervise and allowed the banks to rent REO properties without requiring them to demonstrate continuous efforts to market the properties. Last fall, FHFA initiated a “pilot” REO bulk sale program in urban markets across the nation. This munificence by the federal regulators will change the course of America’s future and signals the abandonment of homeownership as a pathway to prosperity.

Single-family rental properties have attracted more than $10 billion from equity firms, hedge funds, REITs and institutional investors. According to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., this market may attract a total of $2.8 trillion in capital investments in the not-so-distant future. The government’s encouragement of this new housing market is fraught with potential societal and economic risks to the long-term health of our neighborhoods and our nation.

As a fair housing professional, I am concerned that this allows the Wall Street predators to once again prey upon urban and inner-ring suburban communities across the country. These new investors in the rental housing market may not be aware that they are covered under Section 805 of the Federal Fair Housing Act and its implementing regulations.

As a homeowner, I am concerned that there may be homes on my block or in my community that are owned by Wall Street firms that have shown no accountability for maintaining the properties they have acquired. A judge recently denied Deutsche Bank AG’s bid to dismiss a

lawsuit by the city of Los Angeles, accusing it of letting hundreds of foreclosed properties fall into disrepair and illegally evicting low-income tenants. According to a 2011 civil enforcement action filed by the city of Los Angeles, Deutsche Bank and its subsidiaries held title to more than 2,000 properties in Los Angeles.

According to news reports private equity behemoth Blackstone has acquired more than 25,000 properties across the country, including 1,400 in Atlanta and with a $2.1 billion line of credit from Deutsche Bank, is preparing to greatly expand its holdings.

This is bad news for our communities; homeowners bring stability to neighborhoods and are more engaged in local civic affairs. Homeownership and locally based landlords contribute to the social cohesion of our communities with shared values, commitment to the common good and bound by desire for economic prosperity for all.

The nomination of Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) to lead FHFA is an opportunity for positive systemic change. In a properly regulated housing market, homeownership does not pose a risk to households or investors. I hope that this nomination signals a recommitment by this administration to homeownership. I believe strongly that the effective enforcement of existing laws and regulations coupled with the underwriting of safe, sustainable and affordable loans is a leveraged path to financial stability, and the social mobility that is the essence of the American Dream.

Stella J. Adams is a housing policy expert and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in Washington, D.C.

New Wall Street Threat to Housing InventoryStella J. Adams

Marc H. Morial

I have a terrible confession to get off my chest. Up to this point, I have been fairly successful in hiding this but I believe the time has come to clear the air.

I even tried to keep this from the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, which comes as close to walking on water as I have ever come. Several times, she has come close to finding out this deep seated secret of mine.

Even though this is risky business, I need to make a full confession. My confession is this, and please do not hate me because of it, I love to take afternoon naps.There, I said it. I am a firm believer in what some people refer to as the “power nap.” The problem is I live

amongst a people that believe if you take a nap in the afternoon you are either very young are getting very old. The former is not the issue, and I will take issue with the latter.

I must admit that there was a time in my life when I did not take time out for naps. In fact, I had a hard time going to bed before midnight. I hated going to bed and could not wait until morning came so I could jump out of bed and get back to work. Do not get me wrong, I was not a workaholic. I just liked what I was doing.

I am not sure when it started but I noticed a few years ago I was not resisting going to bed like before. I did not fight it is much as I used to. If the truth were known, hopefully it won’t be, as soon as my head hit the pillow the Sandman started doing his thing.

It was not long before I started sneaking 40 winks in the afternoon. I distinctly remember one afternoon when my wife came in and said, “You’re not taking a

nap, are you?” I know lying is not a good thing, especially to your spouse. Sometimes when you are in a

fix, such as I was in at that moment, the truth scampers in the opposite direction. “No,” I stuttered as she looked at me. “I was just meditating.” “I guess everybody snores when they’re meditating,” she said with a smirk on her face. From then on, it was a game trying to get in a nap without getting into trouble. I did find out

that after one of my “power naps” I was able to do a lot more work. However, I kept that bit of information to myself.

Then my whole world changed.

Don’t you like it when something happens proving you are right? It does not happen very often to me, when it does, I relish it like a freshly baked Apple Fritter.

I happened to be watching some television news program. I confess I was half dozing and watching at the same time, but suddenly they said something that got my full salute attention.

According to the news story (And they can’t put it on TV unless it’s true, right?), research shows that there is a great deal of benefit associated with afternoon naps.

That was enough for me and I, like the gentleman I am, called for my wife to come and watch this news story with me. Some things in life should be shared and this was one of them.

Afternoon naps drastically reduce the danger of heart attack and improve a person’s memory.

“So,” I said to my wife after the story, “what do you think of that?” She smiled and looked at me and said, “Well, it must work because you never forget to take

a nap.” I will forgive her for the hilarious laughter following her remark. Just so you know, the

laughter did not come from me. I may have been smiling on the outside but I was snorting on the inside.

For years, I thought taking an afternoon nap was rather beneficial. Now I have the proof and I can indulge in a daily “power nap” without feeling any sense of guilt at all. I love it when I have been proven right.

Now I take great delight in one of my favorite Bible passages. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my

yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

A friend of mine often says, “Come apart and rest a while or you’ll just come apart.” An afternoon nap has unashamedly become part of my daily activity.

Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, P.O. Box 831313, Ocala, Fla., 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 1-866-552-2543 or e-mail [email protected]. His web site is www.jamessnyderministries.com.

‘I Have a Secret...’James L. Snyder


Award-winning journalist Doug Smith was recognized as a 2013 Montaigne Medal finalist for his first novel, Same Same. The Montaigne Medal is given in honor of French philosopher Michel de Montaigne, who influenced people such as William Shakespeare, Rene Descartes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Eric Hoffer. It is awarded to

the most thought-provoking titles each year that either illuminate, progress, or redirect thought, and is a special distinction beneath the Eric Hoffer Award umbrella.

Smith’s first novel traces a long-time friendship between dueling political columnists - one black, the other white - as they track down the killer of a beloved colleague while producing weekly commentaries during Barack Obama’s rise to the presidency.

Smith is an award-winning journalist

with more than 30 years of successful

achievement as an editor and writer with three of the most influential newspapers in the United States –

Newsday, The New York Post and USA

Today.

INDIANAPOLIS – Shauna-Kay Creary and the 4x400M relay team of Kaydian Jones, Jerily Benjamin, Rochelle Nelson and Simone Grant, will represent the University of the District of Columbia at the 2013 NCAA Division II Women’s Track & Field Championships, May 23-25 in Pueblo, Colo. Creary and the Firebird 4x400M relay team qualified for the championships by reaching the automatic and provisional standards established for each event.

“What a tremendous achievement to cap off what’s been a great year,” head coach Alton McKenzie said. “I’m happy and honored that we’re going to have the opportunity to represent the University of the District of Columbia at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.”

Creary (Accounting – Kingston, Jamaica/St. Andrew HS), who became the first Firebird to compete in the Long Jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Ala. back in March, will also be the school’s first to compete in two more events – the Triple Jump and the High Jump - at the Outdoor Championships. She is ranked No. 11 in the nation in the High Jump with a season-best jump of 1.73M, and she is No. 14 in the Triple Jump with a season-best mark of 12.30M.

The Firebird 4x400M relay team of junior Kaydian Jones (journalism – Kingston, Jamaica/St. Andrew HS), sophomore Jerily Benjamin (undecided – Queens, NY/Phillip Randolph HS), junior Rochelle Nelson (mass media – Kingston, Jamaica/Holmwood Tech HS) and freshman Simone Grant (health education – Bronx, NY/Pelham Prep Academy) earned an invitation as the No. 13 relay team in the nation with a season-best time of 3:45.64.

“These women have earned the right to be there, and I can’t say enough about how proud

they’ve made me feel,” McKenzie said. “I’m also appreciative of the assistance provided by Coach Bembridge in helping the team get to this moment. But we’re not done yet...there’s still a lot of work to be done in Colorado. We’ll enjoy the moment, but with the goal in mind to go out there and compete to the best of our abilities, just as we’ve done all year.”

38MThat’s the total number of smart meters already installed across the U.S.,

helping customers save money and manage their energy more efficiently.

Learn a number of other interesting smart meter facts at BGE.COM/SMARTGRID

SMART METERS BY THE NUMBERS.

ENERGY WORKS SMARTER together

Advertiser: BGE

Publication: Afro American Insertion Date: May 18, 2013

Ad Size: 7.28” x 10” Title: Smart Meters By the numbers/ 38Million

If you have received this publication material in error, or have any questions about it please contact the traffic dept. at Weber Shandwick at (410) 558 2100.

Ticketsare still

available

IconsPamela ColbertVP Quality Assurance, McCormick & CompanyRobert Curbeam, Jr.Vice President Mission Assurance, Raytheon CompanyAdrian JohnsonSenior VP/CFO, MECUElizabeth JohnsonVP Special Projects, Martin’s Caterers

Honorable MentionHarry JohnsonPartner, Whiteford Taylor & PrestonLee WalkerPresident & CEO, Innovative Engineering Solutions

Emerging LeadersTawana BhagwatGlobal Cosmetic CoverGirl Human Resource LeaderProctor & GambleTraci HorneVP and Relationship Manager, Wells FargoJimmy LittleSr. Manager of Team & Grassroots Sales, Under ArmourJohn WilsonAsset Manager, M&T Bank

Community Investor AwardApples & OrangesCorrect Rx Pharmacy Services, Inc.

Community Excellence AwardThe Baltimore RavensSuper Bowl XLVII Champions

$195 per Ticket • $1,950 per TablePurchase by May 24 at www.abc-md.org

or call 410.659.0000 x1330

Saturday, June 8, 2013 • 7PM @ Martin’s West

Cong

ratu

latio

ns H

onor

ees

PEOPLEShauna-Kay Creary, Firebirds 4x400M Relay Team NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Courtesy photo

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Marilyn J. Scott graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who

complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Scott is the daughter of Brenda Ruffin of M Street Northeast, Washington, D.C.

She is a 2006 graduate of Dunbar Senior High School, Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 2010 from Coppin State University, Baltimore, Md.

Local Airman Completes Basic Training

D.C. Author’s Novel Selected as Montaigne Medal Finalist

Photo courtesy Hometown News Service

May 18, 2013 - May 24, 2013, The Afro-American B1

Lovely Lady Boutique model

Jennie Miles, Barbara Cooper, Vivian Bernett and Virginia Jones

Mary Rawlings, Lynette Holly, Erma Givens, Arvin Lyons, Arvin Rawlings and Kimberly Rawlings

Tracy Givens, Erica Jenerette, Rebecca Rawlings Scott and the mayor’s mother, Nina Rawlings

Joe Grissom, Evelyn McIntosh and Charlene Fields

The Big Sisters Club of Baltimore

Marian Hutchins, Linda Montgomery, Eudora Manley, Chris Cann

Model Adriene Cilbert Elias

Cynthia Jones, Elizabeth Cooper, Leslie Ogumgbemi and Myrna Jackson-Cann

Big Sisters President Charlene Cooper Boston

Jodi and Riley Johnson, Peggy Ammons and Erin Bernett

Models showcasing the unique fashions at the event

Eric Jefferson

Doris and Bill Cooke and Verna Brogden

Young chefs serve their creations

Chef William Lambert

Chef J.D. Howard

Chef Frank Collins

Debbie Rock, Mary Demory, Phyllis Reese and Diane Hocker

Winston Ellis

Attey Harper, Alexis Roggerson and Tara Brown

Chef and Mrs. Darryl Pearson

Lt. Gov Anthony Brown and Tabb Bishop

President Emeritus Dr. Anne O. EmeryYolandra Johnson,

Kathy Newson, Nina McFadden and Ja-Zette Marshburn

State Del. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam and Thelma Daily NCNW president

Chef Gregg Holland

Chef Rev. Jamal Bryant and Ed Chow, Maryland Secretary of Veteran Affairs

Chef Joseph Walker

Stacie Mclaren and Sharish Parker

Chefs Tyron Cloyd, Charles Sydnor III, Thomas Jackson and Kevin Wilmer

Dep. Sec. of Veterans Affairs Richard Lane, Morgan Board of Regents member Charles W. Griffin and Baltimore City Council President Bernard Jack Young

J. Laws Nickens Jr.

The Big Sisters Club of Baltimore recently hosted a luncheon, Puttin’ on the Glitz, with a fashion show featuring

selections from Lovely Lady Boutique of

Washington, D.C. and

furs from Fur Salon of Baltimore, May 4 at the Forum Caterers in Baltimore.

The club that started with twelve members was founded in 1937 by AFRO columnist Betty Murphy Moss and Bea L. Wright.

It has a history of generosity, having raised funds for various organizations and activities to enhance the lives of young people.

Photos by Bill Tabron

Gourmet Men of Distinction (Men Who Cook) was sponsored, May 5, by the National Coalition of 100 Women, Baltimore

Metropolitan Chapter. The 21st annual tasting event, touted as one of Baltimore’s best, attracted volunteer chefs who brought

their culinary A game and challenged each other to the quickest disappearance of their signature dishes.

Proceeds from this event support advocacy programs for young women in the community including girls in gang violence, HIV/AIDS Awareness

and professional mentoringLaura Morris Knight is the

current president of the group whose mission is to develop leaders who will help to rebuild

their communities and redirect the

energies of younger Black people who live in those communities.

Photos by Bill Tabron

B2 The Afro-American, May 18, 2013 - May 24, 2013

LIVING(NAPSI)—If you’re like an increasing number of Americans

at springtime, you’ve begun thinking about better weather and outdoor entertaining. One of the most popular ways to enjoy the season is making sure you have a great outdoor space. For some 30 million American homes, this means a deck.

Why A DeckHere are three of the reasons why decks of all types are

becoming so popular:1. A deck adds to the value of your home. According to

Remodeling magazine, you can expect about a 65 percent return on your investment.

2. New materials make decks more durable and easier to maintain.

3. Decks are the ideal good-weather entertainment space. Add an outdoor grill, portable bar or hot tub and you have a party.

An option growing in popularity is the use of composite decking materials instead of wood. In fact, today’s composite decking manufacturers can simulate the look of many exotic hardwoods.

Modern composite decking and railing are now as beautiful as real wood, with the added benefits of durability and low maintenance—unlike wood decks that require backbreaking staining every year or two, composites keep their beauty for decades. Plus, composite decking and railing means absolutely no splinters, twisting or warping, and resistance to scratches, mold and stains. Not even any nail or screw heads to catch bare feet.

A Great Deck Makes The Backyard More Fun

(NAPSI)—Many homeowners looking to maximize the efficiency of their outdoor water use turn to drip irrigation systems as a solution for keeping weeds, diseases, garden pests, scorching heat and high water bills at bay. Drip irrigation systems are easily set up by even a novice gardener and will deliver an immediate water savings as they place the exact amount of water slowly and evenly at the plant’s roots—where it’s needed most.

Here are some drip basics to help you save water:

1. Start by estimating the water needs of your plants.

Knowledgeable and helpful staff at a garden center can assist you in determining just how much water your plants need to be healthy. Different plants will have different requirements depending on their variety and the conditions of your yard, such as sun exposure and soil type.

2. Drip systems can either be incorporated into an existing automatic sprinkler system or through a manual connection to an outdoor hose faucet. A manual hose-end connection can also be easily automated by using a battery-operated timer such as the Rain Bird Electronic Garden Hose Watering Timer.

3. For optimum performance, keep your water pressure under control with a pressure regulator. These simple devices keep your water pressure in the ideal range of within 20 to 50 psi. Drip systems are most efficient when operating at the correct pressure.

4. Include a filter in your system to prevent clogging. Drip uses smaller diameter openings than traditional sprinklers, so tiny bits of dirt and debris may clog your system if you don’t use a filter. The good news is that filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

A well-designed drip irrigation system will lose practically no water to runoff, deep percolation or evaporation. Steady, consistent watering can also lower plant stress, which leads to healthier and happier plants while lowering your water bill.

Rain Bird, a global leader in irrigation technology, offers an online step-by-step guide to drip irrigation in addition to interactive demos and a drip calculation program to help homeowners and contractors design and schedule drip irrigation systems correctly. You can check it out at www.rainbird.com.

Make Your Water Work Harder This Year

Howard University Sponsoring Free Gardens for Local Residents

Morguefile.com

Howard University College of Medicine, Howard University Hospital and the Doctors of the institution want to help local families eat healthier foods.

That’s why they’ve launched the “My Garden” project. The program gives families free gardens designed to teach children about the importance of healthy eating and the joy of watching fruits and vegetables grow.

“All health care starts with a healthy diet,” Dr. Mark S. Johnson, dean of the College of Medicine said in a statement. “Unfortunately, sometimes families, particularly children, don’t have enough fruits and vegetables in their diets. The problem is even more significant in some of Washington’s food deserts.

“While this won’t fill all of a families needs when it comes to vegetables, it will help. And it’s a fun educational experience for children and adults.”

For Washington families who sign up for My Garden, Howard University physicians from the departments of Pediatrics, Community and Family Medicine and Orthopedics will plant a free garden at their home or apartment that will then be tended by their child.

The gardens, made up of

tomatoes, squash, cucumbers or other vegetables, are largely self-sufficient and they primarily only need watering during particularly long periods of drought.

“My Garden” teaches children about the importance of healthy eating and the joy of watching fruits and vegetables grow.

Stock Photo


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SPORTSBy Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley

The NBA playoffs aren’t even past the second round but it’s not too early to start speculating about the NBA’s No 1 draft pick. The 2013 draft class isn’t the strongest, missing the classic LeBron James or Dwight Howard, but nevertheless, the show must go on. NBA drafts are all about potential nowadays when there’s an absence of superstar talent. Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley can’t decide on who’s No. 1. Here’s their latest debate.

Riley: The No. 1 pick has to be Kentucky center Nerlens Noel. A 6-foot-11 defensive dynamo that blocks shots better than any prospect we’ve seen in years. It doesn’t matter who lands the first pick, you can’t turn your back on a 19-year-old still growing into his frame. His ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] injury isn’t a big deal. It’s 2013 and ACL injuries aren’t career breakers anymore. He’ll be back to 100 percent by the time he’s 20-years-old. With a weak crop coming in, Noel is the best of the bunch.

Green: I watched a few Kentucky games this season and I came away unimpressed with Noel. Sure, he’s a beast on the defensive end but his offense is severely lacking. There are two sides to basketball in the NBA: the offensive and the defensive. Being a one-dimensional undersized power forward (215 pounds) will get you drafted but when we start talking about No. 1 picks, well, a prospect needs to bring more to the table than just shot blocking. Not only is Noel limited offensively but he shot just under 53 percent from the free throw line, making him a potential killer to any offensive

attack. Scoring rules in the NBA so if we’re talking about No. 1 picks then we need to be discussing Trey Burke from Michigan. A floor general, big time shot maker and a fierce competitor coming from the point guard position. Sign me up.

Riley: The thing about Burke is that he isn’t a true point guard, more a combo guard. Perhaps even a spark plug off the bench in the mold of Nate Robinson. Nothing about Burke says No. 1 pick to me. Sure, he was

outstanding as a Wolverine but 5-foot-11-inch guards don’t go first overall unless they’re explosive, top shelf talents like Allen Iverson was. Noel’s a

legitimate seven-footer who might even grow another inch or two. The offense is obviously a problem spot but nothing some good coaching can’t shape.

Green: Noel isn’t natural at all on offense so it’s going to take a lot of coaching, hard work and determination on his part to just get him adequate as a scorer. You’re looking at a guy who might top out as a 10 to 12 points per game scorer. The feel for the role just isn’t there when I watch him play. However, Burke led his team all season and guided his squad to the championship game utilizing a skill set that’s well rounded. Passing, shooting and scoring, Burke has it all.

Riley: A seven-footer or a six-footer? You make the call and I’ll take the first one.

Green: You can have the offensively challenged, undersized, incomplete big man who’s coming off an ACL injury. I’ll take the healthy Wooden and Naismith Award winner in Burke.

AFRO Sports Desk FaceoffWho’s No. 1 in the NBA Draft?

Recently the front page of a local paper caused me to wonder if football has come to the point where the term “sport” can be used only loosely. Before you rush for your phones or warm up your emails to attack me, please understand that I am a true football fan. But I can even relate (on a small scale) to the agony a contact sport like football can cause in later years, which raises the question: Is football really a sport, or just a physical beat down?

I played football, and though I wasn’t a great player, I was good enough to play varsity at every level. When I

attended college and suited up for my first spring practice, it was suggested by my coach that I carry my 170 pounds back to the locker room and wait for basketball season.

Even so, I have a knee and hip that sends me scurrying for the pain relief medicine every time arthritis visits. However, this story isn’t about me. I only want to point out my degree of empathy for those who suffer the long-term tax placed upon their bodies as payment for their days of athletic stardom.

If you are a true fan you may remember Reggie Williams, the Cincinnati Bengal’s all-pro linebacker during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Williams so distinguished himself, that he was elected National Football League (NFL) Man of the Year. Despite his contribution to the sport, the NFL is treating him like he is persona non grata. He has undergone 24 knee operations in an attempt to correct the damage he received playing the game.

According to Williams, he is being treated like an NFL discard. In his words, “They

have fought me on everything, including sending me a band aid.” Since 2005, Williams has suffered from many health problems, including multiple knee replacements and a bone infection. This, to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket.

His workers’ compensation claim is being fought by the Bengals. This man was once encouraged to apply for the job of NFL commissioner and now he is being treated like a pariah. The sad thing is the number of former players who are being treated like discards.

In the latter part of the 1960’s (back in the day),

my wife and I lived in Los Angeles. We became friendly with Norman Bass, brother of Rams running back Dick Bass. We got together with Norm and a few other friends on an average of once a week to play board games and dominos. As a result of this relationship with Norm, I became friendly with Dick. This friendship brought on a little chastisement from Pop (Sam Lacy).

After we moved back to the Baltimore area, I was a regular visitor to the Baltimore Colts press box with my dad. We were at a game where the Rams played the Colts. I was quite aware of the neutrality rule when in the press box, but when Dick

broke through the Colts’ line for a large gain, I jumped out of my seat and bellowed “Go Dick!” I got the hairy eyeball from Pop, and the message was clear.

In 2006 when I got the word that Dick had died, I was saddened to lose an old friend. Norm maintains that Dick was secretive about his ailments, but he was sure it was due to the beating he took on the gridiron.

One of the greatest running backs of my lifetime was Earl Campbell (Skoal Brother!). The last time I saw Earl was in a feature on TV, and from the waist down he was incapacitated. This isn’t much of a surprise because during his playing time with the Houston Oilers, he was the offense.

Those of you who were around during the Colts glory

days will remember John Mackey. The loudspeaker at Memorial Stadium was constantly crackling, “Unitas to Berry or Unitas to Mackey.” John died last year after spending the last few years of his life with dementia. This, the result of concussions.

There are many horror stories from ex-gridiron greats, and you wonder if it is all worth the price. These are just a few cases that make you ask the question, “Is football truly a sport?”

If you are a fan of Another Viewpoint, you have my wife and good friend Jack Olender to thank for prying me out of my chair and back to the keyboard. Thanks, Jack.

Is Football a Sport?

“There are many horror stories from ex-gridiron greats, and you wonder if it is all worth the price.”

in theaters MaY 23hangoverpart3.com

THIS FILM IS RATED R. RESTRICTED. For pervasive language including sexual references, some violence and drug content, and brief graphic nudity. Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent Or Adult Guardian.

Please note: Passes are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. No phone calls, please. Limit one pass per person. Each pass admits two. Seating is not guaranteed. Arrive early. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio or video recording device into the theater (audio recording devices for credentialed press excepted) and consent to a physical search of your belongings and person. Any attempted use of recording devices will result in immediate removal from the theater, forfeiture, and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. Please allow additional time for

heightened security. You can assist us by leaving all nonessential bags at home or in your vehicle.

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FAITHBy Njai JoszorUrban Pop Examiner

Recording artist and pastor, Deitrick Haddon has been cast to appear on the Oxygen series “Pastors of L.A.” Confirmed May 13, the series is slated to follow the lives of pastors in California.

The show will give viewers a candid and revealing look at six boldly different and world renowned mega-pastors who are willing to share diverse aspects of their lives, from their work in the community and with their parishioners to the very large and sometimes provocative lives they lead away from the pulpit,” Oxygen confirmed Monday.

Slated to air in Fall 2013, the series will also feature Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson and Pastor Jay Haizlip.

Deitrick Haddon is best known for his contributions to music, including Gospel recordings with recording artists like Mary Mary and Ruben Studdard.

“Pastors of L.A.” is being produced by L. Plummer Media in association with Relevé Entertainment, with Lemuel Plummer, Holly Carter and Chris Costine serving as executive producers. Plummer is also executive producer of “Vindicated” (BET) and producer of “The Sheards” (BET). Holly Carter is creator and executive producer of “106 & Gospel” and executive producer of “The Sheards.”

Real Living with California Pastors

People who love the music of the church in all genres will enjoy the annual spring concert of the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore, to be held 5 p.m., May 26 at Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church. Comprised of more than 100 singers, the choir’s presentation will feature a full repertoire of classical anthems, Negro spirituals, traditional hymns and classic gospel songs.

The faith community knows Dr. Marco K. Merrick to be a regional leader in the preservation of worship music.

“I’m deeply committed to helping preserve the rich music that distinguishes the African American Church tradition in this nation, which is celebrated around the world,” said Merrick, founding director of the choir. “It’s difficult now to find this music in many churches, but there’s a hunger for it in the community. This choir is comprised men and women from many denominations and traditions, who vigorously and enthusiastically perform and enjoy this marvelous tradition. There’s room for all who are interested in singing good music!”

The May 26 program will feature one of the most noted classically trained church organists along the eastern seaboard, W. Patrick Alston and accompanist Marcus D. Smith, a church music director and music faculty member at the Nathan Carter School of Music.

Founded in 2010, the choir has quickly become a musical force in the Baltimore Washington metropolitan area, garnering standing-room only audiences at its signature concerts each spring and fall. The annual fall concert is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Lambda Chapter and the freewill offering taken will benefit programs for students in Baltimore City Public Schools. Since its inception, the choir has been called upon for performances around the state.

This concert is free and open to the public. Sharp Street Memorial U.M. Church is located at Dolphin and Etting Streets in Baltimore. A reception will be held for everyone following the concert in the church’s fellowship hall. For further information, contact Sharp Street U.M. Church at 410-523-7200 or Dr. Marco K. Merrick at 410-728-4129 or [email protected]

Community Choir of Baltimore Presents Spring Concert

By Courtney JacobsSpecial to the AFRO

This year the Grace Brethren Church of Clinton’s annual men’s retreat was held in a

somewhat unusual venue—home. Instead of packing and traveling for the weekend, GBC’s men held a day-long conference at the church April 20.

From group sessions to playing basketball, GBC showed how much of a family they really are. The event reflected the spirit of GBC’s mission: To worship God’s Person; to learn more about God’s word; to enjoy being in God’s family and to reach out to God’s World.

GBC Senior Pastor Irving Clark II told the AFRO that the purpose of this conference was not a weekend road trip but a spiritual opportunity for “God to meet men where they are. I want them to meet God, and for Him to do whatever He wants to do.”

With people coming from different environments for one purpose--to learn more about their devotion to God-- the stay-at-home retreat was a memorable experience, according to many of the participants. GBC Youth Minister Dayne Carraway said “It’s good to see people from different locations beside ours. This was a well-planned event.”

First Baptist Church of Glenarden associate pastor and author, the Rev. Johnny Parker Jr. was one of the many featured speakers at the conference. Parker, a highly regarded public speaker, told the men, “When a man promotes God’s agenda, God promotes the man…When a man promotes his own agenda, he is on his own.”

His remarks were inspiring for GBC’s men, Clark said. “I want them to move forward in their walk with the Lord …allowing God to speak to their hearts and being obedient,” Clark stated.

Clark added that he was pleased that the crowd included young men. “I was excited to see the young guys come out,” Clark said.

GBC began in 1962; its first service held at Forestville Elementary School. They moved to the current location on Surratts Road in 1996. They then celebrated the enfolding of Bethel Church on Jan. 14, 2001 becoming a multicultural congregation of brothers and sisters in Christ. Their motto is: “The Bible, The Whole Bible and Nothing but the Bible.” Their desire is to grow in grace.

For more information about Grace Brethren Church, go to www.clintongrace.org.

Grace Brethren Holds a Stay-at-Home Men’s Retreat

OBITUARIES

Marie Rosetta Cain, a generous, kind-hearted, quiet, caring lady, was the daughter of the late Marie Johnson Cain and Hallie Cain. She was born on May 28, 1943 in Baltimore, Md. She departed this life on March 6, at Northwest Hospital, Randallstown, Md. where she battled a short term illness.

Marie attended Baltimore City Public Schools which prepared her for her career with the Department of Defense located at Fort Meade, Md. from which she would retire as a dedicated employee of twenty-five years.

She loved music of all types especially rhythm and blues. Marie also loved TV and a good conversation on the telephone. Marie enjoyed driving her scooter chair to produce trucks where she would gather up some goods and help her neighbors by delivering the packages around the building. She recently added to her hobby list aerobics and Friday night dancing.

Although Marie did not attend church on a regular basis due to her illness, she was a lifelong, devoted member of the Jones Tabernacle Baptist Church where she served the Lord.

Marie leaves to mourn: her daughter, Lynette Ballad Rodgers; sister, Flora M. Cain; brother, Moses Cain; son-in-law, Troy Rodgers Jr.; two grandsons, Troy Rodgers III and Aaron Rodgers; sister-in-law, Katherine Cain; brother-in-law, Edward Roberts Sr.; seven nieces and nephews, Kevin Cain, Carolton Hammett, Edward Roberts Jr., Christopher and Valerie Cain, Gerry Cain, Anita Wall and Alesia Brooks; one uncle, Saul Toney of Washington, D.C.; and a host of other relatives and friends. A sister, Laura Roberts, and two brothers, James and Leroy Cain, preceded Marie in death.

Marie R. Cain, 69Department of Defense Employee

MARIE R. CAIN

Free ServiceObituaries are printed for free by the AFRO-

American Newspapers. Send funeral program and picture to:

ObituariesThe Baltimore Afro-American

2519 N. Charles StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21218

Born March 5, 1925, the humble and honorable Pastor Jake R. Butler Emeritus of Church of God, Gospel Spreading Association died died Jan. 5 at the Loch Raven Veterans Community Living and Rehabilitation Center in Baltimore, Md.

The love and dedication for his family and church congregation did not stop there, but spread abroad. Whether among his friends, colleagues, work place, neighbors, Pastor Jake Butler was known for being a peaceful, upstanding and righteous man. His humility and dedication to servant hood was demonstrated in his volunteer services to the Helping up Missions, Our Daily Bread, Prison ministry and other ministries throughout the community where he used teachable lessons to draw others to a relationship with God.

Pastor Butler retired from the Social Security Administration and was a recipient of multiple distinguished awards and accomplishments. He earned his master’s in theology from the Family Bible Ministry in 1991. He continued his studies at the Philadelphia

Bible College where he graduated in 1992 with high honors and received his bachelor’s in biblical counselor.

Jake Butler was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Harriet Butler, in 2011 and son Jacob R. Butler in 2012. He is survived by two sons, Samuel M. Butler, Nathan M. Butler (daughter-in-law Sherry Butler), two daughters, Jacqueline Butler Edwards (son-in-law James Edwards), Esther Butler Davis, five sisters, Carey, Hilda, Ida Mae, Albertine and Elizabeth, nine grandchildren, and three great grandsons, and a host of relatives, family and friends.

Jake Butler, 88Pastor

JAKE BUTLER


ARTS & CULTUREBy Andrea “Aunni” YoungSpecial to the AFRO

Eriq La Salle, award-winning TV actor, can now add published author to his list of talents, along with acting and directing. He has written Laws of Depravity, a thriller about good versus evil with a heavy undercurrent of spirituality throughout the narrative.

La Salle, 51, has been hailed for his portrayal of Dr. Peter Benton on the TV series ER, has directed the HBO movie “Rebound: The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault” and directed episodes of “CSI: New York,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Without a Trace,” and “ER.” The book Laws of Depravity is the first in the Martyr Maker series he has planned.

La Salle shared with the AFRO how he reveals the faults of brothers through their crimes. Faith is fully explored in damaged characters who seek justice for hidden and unexpected criminal acts.

AFRO: You wrote about a lot of damaged people. Where do you get the background to actually write about so many different characters?

La Salle: First and foremost, you start with what’s going to make the most compelling story

and who’s going to make the most compelling character. Historically, the more damaged you are, the more interesting you are. The book was conceived to be a sort of a darker version of Wizard of Oz, basically.

You have one character who is missing faith. He doesn’t have faith, so the pursuit of a serial killer of who’s killing priests, will challenge that absence of faith. You have a character that is missing forgiveness. She doesn’t know how to forgive. Everybody has that hole that they have. I thought that would be an interesting way of telling a story about a bunch of bruised characters that aren’t beyond redemption.

AFRO: How long did you work on the book?La Salle: It took roughly about three months. A good two months to sort of get the story

down. Another three weeks for rewrites.

AFRO: You would like to see this become a movie?La Salle: Yes, ideally. Right now they are doing so many interesting things in television, that

I think with the cable outlets, obviously - not network, I would also look at what was originally conceived to be a movie. I am a big movie buff. I love the whole concept of doing a trilogy of books. I am open as to whether it becomes a series or whether it becomes a movie.

AFRO: Do you think there will be much interest for such a religion-based story?La Salle: But in general, this is about man, you know, the flaws of man and the hypocrisies

of religious men. I don’t think it’s a book about religion, so much as it is religion as a back drop. It’s a modern day parable.

AFRO: Did you suffer any abuse in your life that you could identify with any of these characters?

La Salle: No. There have been times when I can go left and be angry at God. Or I can go right and realize that this is what faith really is. Faith really is maintaining even under the most difficult circumstances. I have problems with religion, with institutionalized religion. I find it to be hypocritical: ‘If you don’t believe the way I believe you’re going to hell.’.

AFRO: Sure! Thanks, Eriq. The Laws of Depravity is available at Amazon.com. Or visit Eriq’s website http://www.lawsofdepravity.com/.

AFRO InterviewActor Eriq La Salle Talks About Laws of Depravity

Eriq La Salle

Film Review By Kam Williams

Richard Williams was born and raised in Shreveport, La., where he was left traumatized by having a railroad spike driven through his leg for refusing to behave deferentially towards a gang of white racists. Understandably, that experience played a significant role in shaping the youngster into the highly-ambitious and fiercely-overprotective father he would later become.

In fact, well before his daughters Venus and Serena were even born, he hand wrote a 78-page game plan for their lives. Its foundation was laid in childhood, where they would not only be homeschooled but forged into professional tennis players.

Achieving that dream would be no small feat, given that the girls were to grow up poor in Compton, an L.A. ghetto far removed from the privileged background considered necessary to compete on the championship level. Sadly, upon turning pro, rather than being immediately embraced by California crowds, elder sister Venus was called the “N-word” by local fans who preferred to root for her European counterparts.

Nevertheless, having been prepared by their dad for just such a reaction to the presence on center court, both young ladies miraculously managed to rise in stature on the circuit. All of the above is chronicled

in captivating fashion in Venus and Serena, an intimate biopic co-directed by Michelle Major and Maiken Baird who were allowed to follow the pair around with a camera for over a year.

Besides detailing the ups-and-downs of the turbulent, 2011 tennis season, this riveting and revealing documentary treats the audience to an intimate look at the close-knit sisters with the help of home movies from their adolescence. Featuring appearances by Chris Rock, Bill Clinton and Serena’s ex-boyfriend Common, this flick is at its best when Richard Williams is given the floor in archival footage to make audacious predictions about turning not one but two of his daughters into world-class tennis players.

Excellent (4 stars)Unrated Running time: 99 minutesDistributor: Magnolia Pictures

Roots and Rise of Venus and Serena

Venus and Serena

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NOTICE OF LETTINGSealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimatesof the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for FAP No.STP-000B(24)E; SHA No. BC410004; BALTIMORE CITY NO. TR13307;RESURFACING HIGHWAYS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS , SOUTHEAST -SECTOR IV will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 CityHall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M June 12, 2013. Positively no bidswill be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board ofEstimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may beexamined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works ServiceCenter located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of May 10, 2013 andcopies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $75.00. Conditionsand requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contrac-tors bidding on this Contract must first be prerequalified by the City ofBaltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties shouldcall (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at 751 Eastern Ave., Bal-timore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”),then in that event, the document that established the JV shall besubmitted with the bid for verification purposes. The PrequalificationCategory required for bidding on this project is (A02602 Bituminous Pav-ing & D02620 Curbs, Gutters & Sidewalks. Cost Qualification Range forthis work shall be $2,000,000.00 to $3,000,000.00A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on May24, 2013 at 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 7th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland21202. Principal Items of work for this project are: Pavement Removal ofBituminous Material 0-3” Depth 56,925 SY; 5” Concrete Sidewalk33,990 SF; & HMA Super pave 12.5MM PG64-22 for Surface, Level 2 -7,663 TON. The DBE goal is 25%APPROVED:Bernice H. Taylor, ClerkBoard of Estimates

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TRUCKS, RV’S, LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY. Your donation helps local families with food, clothing, shelter. Tax deductible. MVA licensed. Lutheran Mission Society, org. 410-636-0123 or toll-free 1-877-737-8567.

Advertise your product five (5) days per week in our Daily Classified Connection in 13 daily newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and DC. Buy 4 Weeks/Get 2 Weeks Free of Charge. For just $199 per day reach 2.8 Million readers with just one phone call. Call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 or email us at [email protected]. The Daily Classified Connection will give you ad placement in The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun newspapers 5 days per week for just $995.00 for one week of ad placement.

2.8 Million Eyes will read your ad - 5 days per week - Monday thru Friday in the DAILY CLASSIFIED CONNECTION for just $199 per day - Entire week of ads for just $995.00. Join the exclusive members of this network today! Place your ad in 14 MAJOR DAILY NEWSPAPERS in Maryland, Delaware and DC. Call 1-855-721-6332x6 or visit our website: www.mddcpress.comBuy 4 Weeks/Get 2 Weeks Free of Charge

Lake Somerset Camp Ground, Maryland Eastern Shore. Leave your RV on site all year. $1700 includes water, electric & sewage. Call 410-957-1866 or 410-978-4988; Email [email protected]. Visit our website www.lakesomerset.com

Wanted To Purchase Antiques & Fine Art, 1 item Or Entire Estate Or Collection, Gold, Silver, Coins, Jewelry, Toys, Oriental Glass, China, Lamps, Books, Textiles, Paintings, Prints almost anything old Evergreen Auctions 973-818-1100. Email [email protected]

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BOARD OF LIQUORLICENSE COMMISSIONERS FOR

BALTIMORE CITYNOTICE

Petitions have been filed by the following ap-plicants for licenses to sell alcoholic beverages atthe premises set opposite their respective names.The real property for these applications will beposted on Monday, May 15, 2013. Written protestsconcerning any application will be accepted untiland including the time of the conference or hearing.Conferences and public hearings will be held on orafter May 30, 2013. Interested parties should con-tact the office of the Board, 231 E. Baltimore Street,6th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 or by calling(410) 396-4385 to determine the exact time anddate that a particular application will be consideredby the Board. Wri t ten protests wi l l beacknowledged by the Board and such protestantswill be notified as to the date, time and place of thehearing and/or conference.

1. CLASS “A” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSEShree, LLC

Transfer of ownership4001 Falls Road

Rupal Sheth, Mittal Sheth, David Smith, Jr.Edmondson Liquors, Inc.

Transfer of ownership2000 Edmondson Avenue

Do Ja HanMimi Liquors, Inc.

Transfer of ownership2607-09 Greenmount Avenue

Hye Jung Chung

2. CLASS “B” BEER & WINE LICENSEWunderpants Productions, Inc.

Transfer of ownership and location from 3626A Falls Rd.3616-20 Falls Road

Lisa Harbin, Joseph Ray

3. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR RESTAURANTLICENSE

Liam Flynn´s Ale House, LLCNew restaurant with live entertainment

22 W. North AvenueWilliam Flynn

off-premises catering and outdoor tableservice JMF Holding, LLC

Transfer of ownership, request to add live entertainment1401 E. Clement Street

John Ferrari, Jr., Mary UttenreitherTabor Ethiopian Cuisine, Inc.

New restaurant-B-BWL with request for liveentertainment

328 Park AvenueTezzera Zebrie, Ogbazion George

Hard Rock Café International (STP), Inc.Expansion-request to add outdoor table service

601 E. Pratt StreetFrancis Cougle, Jr., Thomas Gispanski

Jay WolszcakTruffles at the Belvedere, LLC

Expansion-Add outdoor table service1 E. Chase Street

Sondra Goad

4. CLASS “B” BWL-ARENA LICENSEArea 316, LLC

New arena license with live entertainment316-18 Guilford Avenue

Elliot Lidard, Evan Weinstein

5. CLASS “BD7” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSECZYN, LLC

Transfer of ownership and location from3602 Hickory Avenue

Paul Kopchinski3520 Chestnut AvenueSSJS Enterprises, LLC

Transfer of ownership, add second floor mezzanine1367-71 Andre Street

Steven O´Donnellfor business

Mullingar Holdings, LLCTransfer of ownership

2318 Fleet StreetDavid Cahill, Benjamin Willey

RKT, LLCTransfer of ownership and location from

3638 S. Hanover StreetKamal Toor, Amarijit Singh, Amanullah Niazi

300 S. Oldham StreetGilmor Pleasure Club, LLC

Transfer of ownership347 S. Gilmor Street

Mario Vaccaro, James Vaccaro

6. CLASS “D” BEER & WINE LICENSEPal Brothers, Inc.

Transfer of ownership3600 Eastern Avenue

Rajpal Singh

7. CLASS “D” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSEMichael´s Charles Street

Transfer of ownership & location from 1400 Light Street1100-06 S. Charles Street

Warren Norris, Jr.


BOARD OF LIQUORLICENSE COMMISSIONERS FOR

BALTIMORE CITYNOTICE

Petitions have been filed by the following ap-plicants for licenses to sell alcoholic beverages atthe premises set opposite their respective names.The real property for these applications will beposted on Monday, May 15, 2013. Written protestsconcerning any application will be accepted untiland including the time of the conference or hearing.Conferences and public hearings will be held on orafter May 30, 2013. Interested parties should con-tact the office of the Board, 231 E. Baltimore Street,6th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 or by calling(410) 396-4385 to determine the exact time anddate that a particular application will be consideredby the Board. Wri t ten protests wi l l beacknowledged by the Board and such protestantswill be notified as to the date, time and place of thehearing and/or conference.

1. CLASS “A” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSEShree, LLC

Transfer of ownership4001 Falls Road

Rupal Sheth, Mittal Sheth, David Smith, Jr.Edmondson Liquors, Inc.

Transfer of ownership2000 Edmondson Avenue

Do Ja HanMimi Liquors, Inc.

Transfer of ownership2607-09 Greenmount Avenue

Hye Jung Chung

2. CLASS “B” BEER & WINE LICENSEWunderpants Productions, Inc.

Transfer of ownership and location from 3626A Falls Rd.3616-20 Falls Road

Lisa Harbin, Joseph Ray

3. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR RESTAURANTLICENSE

Liam Flynn´s Ale House, LLCNew restaurant with live entertainment

22 W. North AvenueWilliam Flynn

off-premises catering and outdoor tableservice JMF Holding, LLC

Transfer of ownership, request to add live entertainment1401 E. Clement Street

John Ferrari, Jr., Mary UttenreitherTabor Ethiopian Cuisine, Inc.

New restaurant-B-BWL with request for liveentertainment

328 Park AvenueTezzera Zebrie, Ogbazion George

Hard Rock Café International (STP), Inc.Expansion-request to add outdoor table service

601 E. Pratt StreetFrancis Cougle, Jr., Thomas Gispanski

Jay WolszcakTruffles at the Belvedere, LLC

Expansion-Add outdoor table service1 E. Chase Street

Sondra Goad

4. CLASS “B” BWL-ARENA LICENSEArea 316, LLC

New arena license with live entertainment316-18 Guilford Avenue

Elliot Lidard, Evan Weinstein

5. CLASS “BD7” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSECZYN, LLC

Transfer of ownership and location from3602 Hickory Avenue

Paul Kopchinski3520 Chestnut AvenueSSJS Enterprises, LLC

Transfer of ownership, add second floor mezzanine1367-71 Andre Street

Steven O´Donnellfor business

Mullingar Holdings, LLCTransfer of ownership

2318 Fleet StreetDavid Cahill, Benjamin Willey

RKT, LLCTransfer of ownership and location from

3638 S. Hanover StreetKamal Toor, Amarijit Singh, Amanullah Niazi

300 S. Oldham StreetGilmor Pleasure Club, LLC

Transfer of ownership347 S. Gilmor Street

Mario Vaccaro, James Vaccaro

6. CLASS “D” BEER & WINE LICENSEPal Brothers, Inc.

Transfer of ownership3600 Eastern Avenue

Rajpal Singh

7. CLASS “D” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSEMichael´s Charles Street

Transfer of ownership & location from 1400 Light Street1100-06 S. Charles Street

Warren Norris, Jr.


The Baker-King Fund, Inc. hereby gives noticethat its 2012 Annual Report is available forinspection for a period of 180 days followingpublication at the principal office of the founda-tion located at 26134 Bruffs Island Road, Eas-ton, Maryland 21601. Send requests to C. LeeGordon, Treasurer.C. Lee GordonTYPESET: Wed May 15 10:32:06 EDT 2013

MBE/WBESubcontractors and Suppliers

Ulliman Schutte Construction, LLC,Rockville, MD is interested in receiving

quotes from City of Baltimore certified andqualified MBE/WBE subcontractors and

suppliers for the SC 915 Improvements toPrimary Tank No. 11 at Back River WWTP,bidding on May 29, 2013. Opportunities are

available for Specifications Divisions 1,2,5,9,25,26 & 44. Please Fax quotes to

301-545-0810 no later than May 28, 2013.Contact telephone 301-545-0750.Ulliman Schutte Construction, LLC

7615 Standish place,Rockville, MD 20855

www.ullimanschutte.comEqual Opportunity Employer


Harkins Builders is requesting bids for ORCHARD RIDGE RENTAL - PHASE IV.Bids May 31, 2013 2:00 PM This is a new (64) unit rental townhouse projectlocated in Baltimore City.Scope of Work Includes: Excavation, Utilities, Paving, Site Concrete, RetainingWalls, Fences & Gates, Building Concrete, Gyp-Crete, Masonry, Cast Stone,Miscellaneous Metals (Handrails & Railings), Finish Carpentry, Trim, VinylRailings, Building Insulation, Shingles, Siding, Joint Sealers, Doors / Frames &Hardware, Vinyl Windows, Gypsum Board, Tile, Carpet/Resilient Flooring,Painting, Signage, Toilet & Bath Accessories, Fire Extinguishers, Postal Special-ties, Wire Shelving, Residential Appliances, Kitchen Cabinets / Counters, WindowTreatments, Sprinkler, Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical Work. ***Rough Carpentry isby Others***THIS IS A PREVAILING WAGE PROJECT. CUTOFF FOR QUESTIONS IS:5-22-13. Please issue any & all questions in writing by this date.Small, small disadvantaged, Minority owned, women owned, hub zone,veteran owned & service disabled veteran owned businesses are encour-aged to participate. Please respond via fax to 410-696-1250 or via email [email protected], to get access to our bid board.

Beverage Expo Highlights Coming WeekendHello everyone, I hope that all mommies enjoyed their Mother’s

Day weekend. This weekend is going to be busy, starting with the Beverage Expo on May 17 at the Patapsco Arena, 3301 Annapolis Road, from 3 to 8 p.m. This expo is one of a kind with free beer, wine and a liquor-tasting show. Also there will be D.J. music, vendors, games of chance and a Las Vegas Style Show Girls contest. This event is sponsored by the Maryland Unified Licensees Beverage Association, and is being hosted by MULBA President Dr. Louise Johnson. Proper dress and ID are required, so leave your jeans and tennis shoes home. For more information, call 410-925-4056.

Entertainer promoter Bilal Ali Productions presents a tribute to Kirk Whalum, with special guests Rodney Kelly Sr. and Vivian Owens on May

18, 7 p.m., at the Best Western Ballroom, 1800 Belmont Avenue. For more information, call 443-540-7797.

Look out folks! Another concert is coming to town. Jazz musician Warren Wolf Jr. is a gifted musician who plays vibraphone, marimba and drums. He’s a classically trained musician, too, who attended Peabody Institute’s preparatory program for eight years. You can see him perform at St. James Episcopal Church on May 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. This is a fundraiser event for scholarships for gifted children. Now you know how I feel about music and children. So get your ticket and support this concert.

You also need to hurry and get your ticket to one of the baddest events in Baltimore on the weekend before Father’s Day, which is not too far away. The event I am talking about is the Pre-Father’s Day Weekend All White Affair hosted by the one and only Shirley Duncan at Kahler Hall, 5440 Old Tucker Road, Columbia, Md. It will be held June 7, 8 and 9. Over the three days and nights there will be dance workshops, a meet and greet, dance instruction and a night of dancing over two floors. That night there will be line dancing, free-style dancing, hand dancing, line dancers swinging together and ballroom dancing. It is cabaret style, so BYOB. There will be a light buffet. For more information, call 410-523-0575.

The Enlisted Association, Chapter #9 invites you to join them at their Annual Bowl-A- Thon on May 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the AMF Woodlawn Lanes, 6410 Security Boulevard. Call, Ransom “Mr. Fingers” Williams at 443-797-3027.

There is one other thing I want to talk to you about before I go. First of all, ladies and gentlemen, I have completed my book. It is called African-American Community, History & Entertainment in Maryland, (Remembering the Yesteryears, 1940-1980). Please email me at [email protected] for an order form to get your book and more details.

Well, my friends, I am out of space. Read more on afro.com. If you need me, call me at 410-833-9474. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.


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LEGAL NOTICESTYPESET: Wed May 15 10:33:13 EDT 2013

CITY OF BALTIMOREOFFICE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

PUBLIC NOTICEPROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANT SERVICES

PROJECT # 1188- VALVE ANDFIRE HYDRANT EXERCISING PROGRAM

The City of Baltimore Office of Boards and Commissions has been requested bythe Department of Public Works, Bureau of Water and Wastewater, to advertise forthe services of an Engineering Firm to manage and execute an assessmentprogram for audit, inspection, exercising, documentation and minor repairs to thewater distribution system fire hydrants and valves including critical andtransmission main valves, leak detection and resolving miscellaneous field issuesincluding water quality complaints within the Baltimore Metropolitan Area WaterDistribution System.

The firms interested in providing these services must demonstrate and document:0 Experience in actual field operation of different types of valves and fire hydrantsand performing minor repairs thereto.0 Experience in the collection, quality assurance/quality control, validation andmanagement of field data relating to valves and fire hydrants.0 Experience in leak detection and resolving miscellaneous field issues pertainingto water mains and appurtenances including water quality complaints.0 Manpower availability and know-how to manage and analyze field and projectinformation, administer work orders and manage a project database so that it canbe incorporated into GIS in format as directed by City from time to time.0 Knowledge of accepted and latest professional engineering practices for theoperation and repair of different types of valves and fire hydrants, leak detectionand latest technology relating thereto.0 Familiarity and availability of equipment to mobilize quickly for the operation andperformance of repairs of different sizes and types of valves and fire hydrants.0 Experience in developing an overall team approach with Minority/Women Busi-ness Enterprise participation.0 Experience in training utility staff in valve operations, leak detection and resolvingwater quality related field issues.

The scope of services will include:0 Review and modifications, if required, of the City`s assessment criteria for valvesand fire hydrants and assessment of valves or fire hydrants in accordance withCity´s assessment criteria. Assessments include locating, cleaning out,inspecting, exercising, testing, documenting the characteristics of each valve andfire hydrant, and other water appurtenances.0 Executing minor repairs to restore operability on all valves and fire hydrants whichare determined economical to repair under assessment criteria. Repairs includethe purchase of parts and materials as well as the actual completion of the repairs.0 Update valve and fire hydrant database including GPS mapping, confirming tofield conditions where these assets have been newly installed, relocated, orremoved/abandoned. Coordinate with the City for resolving water plat dis-crepancies in relation to these assets.0 Provision of 3 experienced senior level trainers for training City staff in valveoperations, leak detection and troubleshooting field issues.0 Identifying critical and transmission main and other valves.0 Providing field information and assistance for projects and contracts relating totransmission mains and other special projects. The work shall, at times, requireconfined space entry.0 Execute pre-scheduled activities relating to valves and fire hydrant operation suchas pre-construction valve surveys, construction shutdowns. Trouble shooting sys-tem problems pertaining to low pressure, low flow, dirty water and leak detection.These activities may be required to be executed at any time of the day or night.0 Manage all valve and fire hydrant information in a project database, maintain a listof valves and fire hydrants to be replaced, quality assurance/quality control all dataand deliver the data monthly to Baltimore GIS Office and Engineering, in a userfriendly format which is meaningful and relevant to the City´s maintenance.0 Coordination with government agencies, contractors and other concerned en-tities.0 Manage the overall project to include project updates, project reports, providingqualified personnel, specific operating and repair equipment and presenting in-dustry best practices.

The City intends to select the services of one (1) firm for a two (2) year period at atotal fee not exceeding $5,500,000.00 with an option to extend for an additionalyear.

Should you have any questions regarding the scope of the Project, please contactMr. Michael Marquis at (410) 396-1470, e-mail, [email protected].

Projects must comply with the 2006 edition of “The Specifications for Materials,Highways, Bridges, Utilities, and Incidental Structures”. City personnel will utilizethe City of Baltimore Guidelines for the Performance Evaluation of DesignConsultants and Construction Contractors for this contract/project.

Firms intending to submit a proposal as a prime consultant for this project shouldsubmit a “Letter of Interest” to the Office of Boards and Commissions, 751 EasternAvenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 (FAX (410) 625-4667). Since these letters areutilized to assist small, minority and women business enterprises in identifyingpotential teaming partners, the letters should be submitted within five (5) days ofthe date of the project´s advertisement. The letter should contain a contact person.Failure to submit a “Letter of Interest” will not disqualify a firm submitting a proposalfor the project.

Each prime consultant applying for this Project will be required to complete andsubmit an original Federal Form 255, along with five (5) copies, to the Office of

Boards and Commissions. The Federal Form 255 and the five copies must besubmitted on or before 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on 6/7/13. Submittals may not beaccepted after this deadline.

Insurance RequirementsThe consultant selected for the award of this project shall provide professionalliability, auto liability, general liability and workers´ compensation insurances asrequired by the City of Baltimore.

All architectural, engineering, and surveying firms listed in the specific proposal forthe Project must be prequalified by the Office of Boards and Commissions for eachapplicable discipline at time of submittal for this Project.

It is the policy of the City of Baltimore to promote equal business opportunity in theCity´s contracting process. Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code(2000 Edition) - Minority and Women´s Business Program, Minority BusinessEnterprise (MBE) and Women´s Business Enterprise (WBE) participation goalsapply to this contract.

The MBE goal is 27%The WBE goal is 10%

Both the proposed Minority and Women´s Business Enterprise firms must benamed and identified as an MBE or WBE within Item 6 of the Standard Form (SF)255 in the spaces provided for identifying outside key consultants/associatesanticipated for utilization for this project.

Any submittals that do not include the proper MBE/WBE (in some instances DBE)participation will be disapproved for further consideration for this project.

Verifying CertificationEach firm submitting a SF 255 for consideration for a project is responsible forverifying that all MBEs and WBEs to be utilized on the project are certified by theMinority and Women´s Business Opportunity Office (MWBOO) prior to submittingthe proposal. A directory of certified MBEs and WBEs is available from MWBOO.Since changes to the directory occur daily, firms submitting SF 255s should callMWBOO at (410) 396-4355 to verify certification, expiration dates and servicesthat the MBE or WBE is certified to provide.

Non-AffiliationA firm submitting a proposal may not use a MBE or WBE to meet a contract goal if:1.The firm has a financial interest in the MBE or WBE2. The firm has an interest in the ownership or control of MBE ot WBE3. The firm is significantly involved in the operation of the MBE or WBE(Article 5, Subtitle 28-41).

A firm submitting as a prime consultant that fails to comply with the requirements ofArticle 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code when executing a contract is subject tothe following penalties: suspension of a contract; withholding of funds; rescission ofcontract based on material breach; disqualification as a consultant from eligibility toprovide services to the City for a period not to exceed 2 years; and payment fordamages incurred by the City.

A resume for each person listed as key personnel and/or specialist, including thosefrom MBE and WBE must be shown on the page provided within the application.

Please be advised that for the purpose of reviewing price proposals and invoices,the City of Baltimore defines a principal of a firm as follows:

A principal is any individual owning 5% or more of the outstanding stock of an entity,a partner of a partnership, a 5% or more shareholder of a sub-chapter ’S’ Corpora-tion, or an individual owner.

Out-of-State Corporations must identify their corporate resident agent within theapplication.

Firms will not be considered for a specific project if they apply as both a sub-consultant and prime consultant.

The applications for this Project (Form 255) cannot be supplemented with anyadditional information such as graphs, photographs, organization chart, etc. Allsuch information should be incorporated into the appropriate pages. Applicationsshould not be bound. Applications should simply be stapled in the upper left-handcorner. Cover sheets should not be included. Inclusion and/or submittal of addi-tional material may result in the applicant being disqualified from consideration forthis project.

Failure to follow directions of this advertisement or the application may causedisqualification of the submittal.

Kumasi VinesChief, Office of Borards and Commissions


CITY OF BALTIMOREOFFICE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

PUBLIC NOTICEPROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANT SERVICES

PROJECT # 1188- VALVE ANDFIRE HYDRANT EXERCISING PROGRAM

The City of Baltimore Office of Boards and Commissions has been requested bythe Department of Public Works, Bureau of Water and Wastewater, to advertise forthe services of an Engineering Firm to manage and execute an assessmentprogram for audit, inspection, exercising, documentation and minor repairs to thewater distribution system fire hydrants and valves including critical andtransmission main valves, leak detection and resolving miscellaneous field issuesincluding water quality complaints within the Baltimore Metropolitan Area WaterDistribution System.

The firms interested in providing these services must demonstrate and document:0 Experience in actual field operation of different types of valves and fire hydrantsand performing minor repairs thereto.0 Experience in the collection, quality assurance/quality control, validation andmanagement of field data relating to valves and fire hydrants.0 Experience in leak detection and resolving miscellaneous field issues pertainingto water mains and appurtenances including water quality complaints.0 Manpower availability and know-how to manage and analyze field and projectinformation, administer work orders and manage a project database so that it canbe incorporated into GIS in format as directed by City from time to time.0 Knowledge of accepted and latest professional engineering practices for theoperation and repair of different types of valves and fire hydrants, leak detectionand latest technology relating thereto.0 Familiarity and availability of equipment to mobilize quickly for the operation andperformance of repairs of different sizes and types of valves and fire hydrants.0 Experience in developing an overall team approach with Minority/Women Busi-ness Enterprise participation.0 Experience in training utility staff in valve operations, leak detection and resolvingwater quality related field issues.

The scope of services will include:0 Review and modifications, if required, of the City`s assessment criteria for valvesand fire hydrants and assessment of valves or fire hydrants in accordance withCity´s assessment criteria. Assessments include locating, cleaning out,inspecting, exercising, testing, documenting the characteristics of each valve andfire hydrant, and other water appurtenances.0 Executing minor repairs to restore operability on all valves and fire hydrants whichare determined economical to repair under assessment criteria. Repairs includethe purchase of parts and materials as well as the actual completion of the repairs.0 Update valve and fire hydrant database including GPS mapping, confirming tofield conditions where these assets have been newly installed, relocated, orremoved/abandoned. Coordinate with the City for resolving water plat dis-crepancies in relation to these assets.0 Provision of 3 experienced senior level trainers for training City staff in valveoperations, leak detection and troubleshooting field issues.0 Identifying critical and transmission main and other valves.0 Providing field information and assistance for projects and contracts relating totransmission mains and other special projects. The work shall, at times, requireconfined space entry.0 Execute pre-scheduled activities relating to valves and fire hydrant operation suchas pre-construction valve surveys, construction shutdowns. Trouble shooting sys-tem problems pertaining to low pressure, low flow, dirty water and leak detection.These activities may be required to be executed at any time of the day or night.0 Manage all valve and fire hydrant information in a project database, maintain a listof valves and fire hydrants to be replaced, quality assurance/quality control all dataand deliver the data monthly to Baltimore GIS Office and Engineering, in a userfriendly format which is meaningful and relevant to the City´s maintenance.0 Coordination with government agencies, contractors and other concerned en-tities.0 Manage the overall project to include project updates, project reports, providingqualified personnel, specific operating and repair equipment and presenting in-dustry best practices.

The City intends to select the services of one (1) firm for a two (2) year period at atotal fee not exceeding $5,500,000.00 with an option to extend for an additionalyear.

Should you have any questions regarding the scope of the Project, please contactMr. Michael Marquis at (410) 396-1470, e-mail, [email protected].

Projects must comply with the 2006 edition of “The Specifications for Materials,Highways, Bridges, Utilities, and Incidental Structures”. City personnel will utilizethe City of Baltimore Guidelines for the Performance Evaluation of DesignConsultants and Construction Contractors for this contract/project.

Firms intending to submit a proposal as a prime consultant for this project shouldsubmit a “Letter of Interest” to the Office of Boards and Commissions, 751 EasternAvenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 (FAX (410) 625-4667). Since these letters areutilized to assist small, minority and women business enterprises in identifyingpotential teaming partners, the letters should be submitted within five (5) days ofthe date of the project´s advertisement. The letter should contain a contact person.Failure to submit a “Letter of Interest” will not disqualify a firm submitting a proposalfor the project.

Each prime consultant applying for this Project will be required to complete andsubmit an original Federal Form 255, along with five (5) copies, to the Office of

Boards and Commissions. The Federal Form 255 and the five copies must besubmitted on or before 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on 6/7/13. Submittals may not beaccepted after this deadline.

Insurance RequirementsThe consultant selected for the award of this project shall provide professionalliability, auto liability, general liability and workers´ compensation insurances asrequired by the City of Baltimore.

All architectural, engineering, and surveying firms listed in the specific proposal forthe Project must be prequalified by the Office of Boards and Commissions for eachapplicable discipline at time of submittal for this Project.

It is the policy of the City of Baltimore to promote equal business opportunity in theCity´s contracting process. Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code(2000 Edition) - Minority and Women´s Business Program, Minority BusinessEnterprise (MBE) and Women´s Business Enterprise (WBE) participation goalsapply to this contract.

The MBE goal is 27%The WBE goal is 10%

Both the proposed Minority and Women´s Business Enterprise firms must benamed and identified as an MBE or WBE within Item 6 of the Standard Form (SF)255 in the spaces provided for identifying outside key consultants/associatesanticipated for utilization for this project.

Any submittals that do not include the proper MBE/WBE (in some instances DBE)participation will be disapproved for further consideration for this project.

Verifying CertificationEach firm submitting a SF 255 for consideration for a project is responsible forverifying that all MBEs and WBEs to be utilized on the project are certified by theMinority and Women´s Business Opportunity Office (MWBOO) prior to submittingthe proposal. A directory of certified MBEs and WBEs is available from MWBOO.Since changes to the directory occur daily, firms submitting SF 255s should callMWBOO at (410) 396-4355 to verify certification, expiration dates and servicesthat the MBE or WBE is certified to provide.

Non-AffiliationA firm submitting a proposal may not use a MBE or WBE to meet a contract goal if:1.The firm has a financial interest in the MBE or WBE2. The firm has an interest in the ownership or control of MBE ot WBE3. The firm is significantly involved in the operation of the MBE or WBE(Article 5, Subtitle 28-41).

A firm submitting as a prime consultant that fails to comply with the requirements ofArticle 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code when executing a contract is subject tothe following penalties: suspension of a contract; withholding of funds; rescission ofcontract based on material breach; disqualification as a consultant from eligibility toprovide services to the City for a period not to exceed 2 years; and payment fordamages incurred by the City.

A resume for each person listed as key personnel and/or specialist, including thosefrom MBE and WBE must be shown on the page provided within the application.

Please be advised that for the purpose of reviewing price proposals and invoices,the City of Baltimore defines a principal of a firm as follows:

A principal is any individual owning 5% or more of the outstanding stock of an entity,a partner of a partnership, a 5% or more shareholder of a sub-chapter ’S’ Corpora-tion, or an individual owner.

Out-of-State Corporations must identify their corporate resident agent within theapplication.

Firms will not be considered for a specific project if they apply as both a sub-consultant and prime consultant.

The applications for this Project (Form 255) cannot be supplemented with anyadditional information such as graphs, photographs, organization chart, etc. Allsuch information should be incorporated into the appropriate pages. Applicationsshould not be bound. Applications should simply be stapled in the upper left-handcorner. Cover sheets should not be included. Inclusion and/or submittal of addi-tional material may result in the applicant being disqualified from consideration forthis project.

Failure to follow directions of this advertisement or the application may causedisqualification of the submittal.

Kumasi VinesChief, Office of Borards and Commissions

LEGAL NOTICESTYPESET: Wed May 15 10:30:28 EDT 2013

HOUSING AUTHORITY OFBALTIMORE CITY

INVITATION FOR BIDSHEAVY EQUIPMENT RENTALS

IFB NUMBER: B-1724-13

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City(“HABC”) will issue an Invitation for Bids(“IFB”) for qualified and interested vendors tosubmit sealed bids to provide heavyequipment rentals.

BIDS WILL BE DUE no later than 2:00 p.m.Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 19,2013.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be heldon Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., at theCharles L. Benton Building, 417 E. FayetteStreet, Room 416, Baltimore, Maryland,21202.

HABC has established a minimum goal oftwenty percent (20%) of the total dollar amountof the proposed contract for Minority BusinessEnterprise (“MBE”) utilization, applicable to allminority and non-minority businesses propos-ing to provide the requested services as theprime contractor. No goal has been estab-lished for participation of Women-ownedbusinesses (“WBEs”), however, HABCstrongly encourages and affirmatively pro-motes the use of WBEs in all HABC contracts.

Responders shall also comply with all ap-plicable requirements of Section 3 of the Hous-ing and Urban Development Act of 1968, 12U.S.C. Section 1701u.

The IFB may be obtained on or after Tuesday,May 28, 2013, at the following location:

Housing Authority of Baltimore CityDivision of Fiscal Operations,

Purchasing Department417 E. Fayette Street, Room

414Baltimore, Maryland 21202Attention: John Airey,

Chief of Contracting ServicesTel: (410) 396-3261 Fax: (410) 962-1586

Questions regarding the IFB should be di-rected in writing to the address and individualindicated above, and must include the refer-ence: HABC IFB Number B-1724-13TYPESET: Wed May 15 10:31:39 EDT 2013

City of BaltimoreDepartment of FinanceBureau of Purchases

Sealed proposals addressed to the Board ofEstimates of Baltimore, will be received until,but not later than 11:00 a.m. local time on thefollowing date(s) for the stated requirements:

MAY 22, 2013TOW CHAINS, TOW CABLES ASSEMBLIESAND RELATED ITEMS B50002952SOLAR POWER VIDEO SURVEILLANCESYSTEM B50002968PROVIDE BUS/VAN TRANSPORTATIONFOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TOCAMP VARIETY B50002958

JUNE 5, 2013ON CALL SEEDING SERVICES B50002962WATER JET SIGN CUTTING MACHINEB50002960

JUNE 12, 2013HERSEY WATER METER REPAIR PARTSB50002963

JULY 10, 2013ADVANCED METERINGINFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER METERSYSTEM INSTALLATION WATER CON-TRACT NO. 1223 B50002877

THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTCAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BYVISITING THE CITYS WEB SITE:www.baltimorecitibuy.org

CAREER CORNER


Supportive Housing Therapist Case ManagerHealth Care for the Homeless Supportive Housing teamseeks a Master´s trained Social Worker or ProfessionalCounselor to provide integrated therapeutic and case man-agement services to a caseload of up to 20 vulnerable singleadults and families. Services are provided within the contextof a team and the support of strong clinical supervision.Treatment services are provided with a recovery focus utiliz-ing harm reduction and trauma-informed philosophies. Suc-cessful applicants will have an appreciation for challengingwork and a terrific collegial working environment. Send re-sume by 5/23/2013- to S. Johnson, HCH 421 Fallsway, Bal-timore, MD 21202. FAX (410) 837-8020. Email:[email protected]. No phone calls. EOE


Executive Director of the Maryland Longitudinal System Data Center

Executive Leadership opportunity available!Maryland State Department of Education in collaboration with the University of Maryland, the Maryland HigherEducation Commission, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is seeking an executive levelprofessional. The candidate selected for this position will direct and coordinate staff, budgets, project manage-ment, and facilities for the implementation and operations of Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center.

www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/aboutmsde/jobs

The Maryland Longitudinal Data System links together data from Maryland students from preschool throughcollege and out into their career. The data supports the continuous improvement of educational outcomes andresearch to increase student achievement and support accountability. Annual salary range: to $114,000.

www.mldscenter.org

QUALIFICATIONS: Doctorate preferred. Master´s Degree or equivalent 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureatecourse work in Education Administration/ Supervision, Information Systems, Education Research, Policy,Economics or a related field from an accredited college or university AND senior level experience managing,coordinating, or administering programs within a large data center environment. Experience supervisingprofessional education program staff is required

To Apply: Reference position MLDS Executive Director & Send/FAX (410-333-8950) resume and cover letter toOffice of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Balto. MD. 21201. Applications/ resumes should bereceived by May 31, 2013.

AA/EOE

Warren Wolf Jr., an international jazz recording artist, will perform at St. James Academy on May 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. James’ Episcopal Church Lafayette Square. For more information, go to www.aja-lafayette.org.

Deletta Gillespie, a multidisciplinary performing artist, creates performances of educational, historical, and social significance with--and for--youth and traditionally marginalized communities. On May 18, from 4:30 to 7:30, Gillespie, who has appeared on a dozen CD projects, will have her own CD release party for her title song “Triumph” at 602 S. Chapel Gate Lane in Baltimore.

Viola Griffin, CEO & founder of Viola Griffin Productions, made local history recently when she honored entertainers from the 1950s through 1970. In this photo are the members of many oldies groups from Baltimore including the Royalettes, the Shalimars, the Whatnauts, the Softones, Frankie & the Spindles, First Class, Jimmy Brisco & the Little Beavers, Bobby Star, the Persians, Kenny Hamber, the Ravenettes and Winfield Parker.


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A sold out crowd of more than 150 people gathered for the presentation of The Anthony McCarthy Civil Rights Awards, May 10, at La Fontaine Bleu banquet hall in Glen Burnie. Sponsored by the non-profit ItSuitsYou.Org, the 2013 event honored author Taylor Branch, Rep. Elijah Cummings, NAACP President Tessa Hill-Aston, Latino advocate Ricardo Martinez, community leader Dr. Helena Hicks and Archbishop Carl Bean, founder of the Unity Fellowship Church. The awards are named for former AFRO American editor and WEAA talk show host Anthony McCarthy.

Civil Rights Awards Recognize Powerful Leaders

Jessy Mejia with Gov. Martin O’Malley’s office and Anthony McCarthy

Anthony McCarthy with honoree Ricardo Martinez

Pamela “Miss Maybelle” Leak, Anthony McCarthy and Michele Brown from Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s office.

Maria Martinez, CEO of event sponsor Respira Medical greets Anthony McCarthy

Emcees State Sen. Catherine Pugh, left, and journalist Richard Sher, awardee Dr. Helena Hicks, Celeste Nelson, founder of ItSuitsYou.Org and Anthony McCarthy.

Courtesy photos

Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper May 18 2013

Documents

Transcript of Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper May 18 2013