Washington Informer

Jennifer Hudson fought back tears April 23 during opening testimony in the case William Balfour, who is accused with murder in the deaths of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew four years ago in Chicago.

When handed a photo of her mother, the Grammy and Oscar winner broke down in tears. She said the family never like Balfour, who was married to her sister Julia Hudson --mother of the slain child. Julia and Balfour are divorced.

"Where he was, I tried not to be. So if I saw him, I separated myself," Hudson was quoted as saying of Balfour.

While both sisters have suggested that Balfour had been violent toward Julia, a clear motive for the murders has not been revealed. However, Julia who also testified Monday, indicated that jealousy had always been an issue.

According to Julia, her former husband became jealous when she got gifts from other people, including her son, who was told not to kiss his mother. Balfour's nickname for the middle school student was "the little monster," Julia said.

Reports state that Balfour had threatened several times to kill members of Hudson's family, and that had Hudson not joined David Otunga, (who has since become her fiancé) on a trip to Florida, she might have been at the family's home when her mother and brother were killed. Police believe Hudson's nephew was abducted from the home and murdered.

According to the Chicago Tribune News:

Dressed all in black and wearing little make-up, the Academy Award-winning actress struggled at times to maintain her composure during a half an hour on the witness stand.

Her voice cracked as she described how no one in the family wanted her sister, Julia, to marry Balfour.

A year after hitting No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart with "I Believe," a collaboration with James Fortune & FIYA and Shawn McLemore, Zacardi Cortez is bracing himself for another number one with the song, "One More Time." The down home plea for God's salvation features Cortez' musical godfather, John P. Kee, and has just risen to the Top 5 on the Nielsen BDS gospel chart this week. "We are pulling out all the stops," says Blacksmoke music CEO, Kerry Douglas, who discovered Cortez years ago and brought him into the Blacksmoke family of artists.

"We are partnering with radio stations and bloggers to help get this inspirational message out to people that no matter what they are going through, God can help them through it just one more time."

With the explosion of praise and worship music that is often sung as a vocal ensemble as opposed to as a soloist, gospel music has drifted away from real singers but Cortez is bringing the art of technique back with his raw vocal skills. Nowhere is this better exemplified than on "One More Time," a rousing ballad written by James Fortune and Terence Vaughn, who wrote Fortune's Top 10 hits "Encore," "I Wouldn't Know You," and the smash, "I Trust You," which spent 29 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Gospel chart. In the simple song, Cortez' second verse reads as a confession to God: "There's one thing that I know is true, When everything else fails I can count on you. With tears in my eyes, down on my knees. Can you do what you did before, Lord? I'm asking you please."

The legendary John P Kee, who Cortez has been singing with Kee since the age of 10, adds another level of passion and authenticity to this inspiring church melody. They play off of each other, finishing each other's vocal lines. "Oh Lord, I need you to heal my sister", Kee sings before Cortez jumps in to proclaim, "I'm depending on you to repair my broken heart too."

During the vamp, Cortez and Kee go head to head, testifying back and forth of the many times God has pulled them through the storms of life. It's the type of solid gospel song that artists don't record anymore, a pure church melody that blends the best of the past with the best of the future to create a classic that appeals to young and old alike.

"That's the message I'm getting out there," says Douglas. "Zacardi appeals to people across the board and I'm open to all ideas on how to make take Zacardi to the top and make him America's favorite gospel artist because he can do it alls. He's got the swag to hang with your R. Kellys, he's got the Sunday morning church style to hold his own with the Marvin Sapps and at the same time, he can be as smooth as Luther Vandross."

He displays all of these sides to his extraordinary talent on his forthcoming debut solo CD, "Zacardi Cortez: The Introduction"(Blacksmoke Media) that hits online and retail stores everywhere on May 22 with cameos by Lalah Hathaway, Kierra Sheard, Fred Hammond, John P. Kee, The Williams Singers, James Fortune and Isaac Carree.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Stoddert Elementary School in Ward 3 has been named a Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, making it the first-ever public school in the District to earn the distinction.

Schools nationwide receiving the award were recognized for creating green environments, promoting healthy schools and working to provide environmental and outdoor education.

"I am so proud of the entire Stoddert Elementary School community for this prestigious recognition," said District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Kaya Henderson. "Being green and teaching green makes our schools healthier and safer places for our students, while also saving money. Teaching our children early about the importance of the environment around them will make them smart, strong stewards of their communities."

Stoddert, which was modernized by the Department of General Services in 2010, received LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and boasts a range of sustainability features. The school's green elements include: an extensive geothermal system under the athletics field that provides the building's heating and cooling; two green roofs; light shelves that improve day lighting, reduce solar heat gain in the summer, and allow winter sun to penetrate and heat the school as well as a comprehensive recycling program; glazing for improved insulation; individual lighting; and HVAC controls in every classroom.

"I'm delighted to see Stoddert Elementary recognized by the White House for being a green leader," said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. "My administration is committed to making the District the most green and livable city in the world, and our schools are already leading the way to that goal."

George Zimmerman, who has been charged with 2nd-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, has been released on bail.

Zimmerman, 28, admitted shooting 17-year-old Trayvon on Feb. 26 as the unarmed youth walked along a gated community in Sanford, Fla.

Zimmerman was seen leaving the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford over the weekend, headed for an undisclosed location. The neighborhood watch guard will remain in seclusion and out of touch with his family. He will also have to wear an ankle monitoring device.

Following a bond hearing on April 20, Zimmerman's family came up with the required $15,000 of his $150,000 bond, and will be free from jail until his trial.

Zimmerman offered his apologies to Trayvon's family, saying:

"I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I thought he was a little bit younger than I was, and I did not know if he was armed or not."

The lives of music legends James Brown and Dick Clark will be celebrated on film Sunday, April 29 at the D.C.'s historic Howard Theatre.

The award winning film that details the life story of the "Godfather of Soul" will be told by one of his closest friends, the late great Dick Clark. Clark, recently died, hosted "American Bandstand," on which Brown appeared several times prior to the long-running teen-oriented TV show's demise in the early 1970s.

The hour long film, titled "James Brown: The Man, The Music, & The Message" features many musical icons like Michael Jackson, Little Richard and Aretha Franklin as well as video highlights of major concerts and performances.

Attendees will also hear and dance to the music of the "Hardest Working Man in Show Business" with live performances from James Brown's drummer, Mousey Thompson and his all- star band, "The James Brown Experience".

During the film, the audiehce will also reflect upon memories of Clark, who like Brown, had more than 50 years of historic achievements in the entertainment industry.

According to the show's eecutive poducer Thomas Hart Jr., "James Brown and Dick Clark will be there in spirit to celebrate the reopening of the Howard Theatre."

Doors open at the Howard Theatre at 6 p.m. and showtime gets underway at 8 p.m. For additional information, contact OTP at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202.898.0899. For tickets contact the Howard Theatre Box Office at www.thehowardtheatre.com or 202.803.2899.

The Dunbar High School marching band particpated in the "March throgh the Monuments" opening day ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in celebration of the150th anniversary of D.C. Emancipation Day, April 11, 2012. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "HandsOn Greater DC Cares" will once again sponsor its largest annual service project, Servathon 2012, on Friday, April 20 and Saturday April 21. Nearly 10,000 volunteers are expected to dedicate their personal time to serve the region at more than 96 locations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

"Servathon 2012 offers a unique opportunity for volunteers of all ages, skill levels and professional affiliations to assist community organizations and nonprofits with improving their facilities and sprucing up their environments with manpower and resources that they would not otherwise have access to, " said Greg Roberts, CEO of HandsOn Great DC Cares. "We are encouraging everyone to join us in this effort."

During the two days of service, community and corporate volunteers will participate in projects at local area schools, nonprofits organizations, libraries, recreation centers, public spaces, and more. They will unite in service to participate in a broad range of projects, including painting murals, beautifying after school programs, organizing library books, painting school rooms, cleaning parks, spending quality time with the elderly, serving meals to the area's homeless, including children, and much more.

Aligned with the observance of Earth Day, this year's special service focus is the environment. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their appreciation for Earth Day by engaging in environmental projects such as restoring community garden, park cleanup and recycling, planting of trees and shrubbery, revitalizing community gardens, landscaping public space and installing beautiful new flower beds.

While serving the community, Servathon 2012 volunteers will raise much-needed funds to support their other service events, including its upcoming 9/11 Observance Service project in September and its Annual MLK Day of Service in January which, this year, included participation by President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and the Obama girls, Malia and Sasha.

Servathon 2012 will culminate with a Service Awards Program and Reception to celebrate accomplishments.

Meanwhile, the call for volunteers is ongoing. Interested volunteers are encouraged to register for Servathon 2012 at: http://www.greaterdccares.org

ASHBURN, VA --The National Football League announced its 2012 regular season schedule and the Washington Redskins' 2012 schedule features a Thanksgiving game at arch-rival Dallas in Week 12 followed by an appearance on Monday Night Football at FedExField against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants in Week 13.

Washington will kick off its 2012 campaign on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. ET, on FOX. A second consecutive away game will follow in Week 2, as the Redskins face the St. Louis Rams for the fifth consecutive year. The contest will air on FOX at 4:05 p.m. ET.

The Redskins' home opener is set for Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. ET, against the Cincinnati Bengals on CBS. The Week 3 matchup marks the latest Redskins' home opener since 2001.

In Week 4, Washington will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers on Sept. 30, at 4:15 p.m. The game will feature the return of former Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris, who joined the Redskins? coaching staff in the offseason as the team's new defensive backs coach. Morris helped guide the Buccaneers to a seven-game turnaround in wins from 2009 to 2010, the largest turnaround in the NFL that season.

On Oct. 7 in Week 5, the Redskins will host the Atlanta Falcons for the first time since 2006. The contest will air on FOX at 1 p.m. ET. The following week, the Redskins will host the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 14, for the third consecutive season. The contest will air on FOX at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Washington will face their first division rival in Week 7 when the Redskins travel to face the New York Giants on Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. ET, on FOX. This is the latest the Redskins have had their first game against a divisional opponent since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

In Week 8, the Redskins will travel to Heinz Field to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. ET, on FOX. It will be the first time Washington has visited Pittsburgh since 2004.

The second half of the slate will begin with a home contest against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9. It will be the Panthers' first visit to FedEx Field since the 2006 season. That game will be followed by the Redskins? bye week, which will be the team's latest since 2008 (Week 10).

In Weeks 10-15 and 17, NFL games are subject to flexible scheduling. In Week 11, Washington will host Philadelphia following the bye week for a third consecutive season.

The Redskins will visit the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 22, looking to win their first Thanksgiving game in Dallas. The contest, which is the Redskins' first Thanksgiving Day game since 2002, will air on FOX at 4:15 p.m. ET.

The Dallas game will be followed by a home Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Giants in Week 13. The game will mark the ninth consecutive season in which the Redskins have appeared on Monday Night Football.

Washington faces back-to-back AFC North opponents in Weeks 14 and 15, home against Baltimore and away against Cleveland, respectively.

In Week 16, the Redskins will travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles for the teams' ninth all-time December meeting. Washington holds a 5-3 record in December games played in Philadelphia. That contest will take place on Dec. 23 on FOX at 1 p.m.

Washington will close its regular season on Dec. 30, at home against Dallas. The last time the Redskins closed the regular season against the Cowboys was in 2007, a 27-6 Washington win as the Redskins prepared for the playoffs.

NOTES ON THE REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:

@ New Orleans Saints

The Redskins are 23-19 in season openers since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. A win would be Washington's third consecutive season opener and would represent the first time the Redskins had done so since the team won openers in four consecutive years from 2002-05.

Head Coach Mike Shanahan holds a 14-4 record in season openers as a head coach. His 14 season-opening victories lead the NFL among active head coaches.

Shanahan is 2-0 in season openers with the Redskins. With a win in the 2012 season opener, Shanahan will become the first Redskins coach since George Allen to win his first three season openers with the team. Allen won his first six season openers with the Redskins from 1971-76.

The game is the Redskins' third season opener against New Orleans all-time. The Redskins are 2-0 against the Saints in season openers, having opened the 1969 and 1975 seasons with wins against New Orleans by scores of 26-20 and 41-3, respectively.

Washington's opener against the Saints will be only the second time the Redskins have opened the season against an NFC South opponent since the division's creation in 2002, with the Redskins having opened the 2004 season with a 16-10 win against Tampa Bay.

The Redskins are 15-8 against New Orleans all-time, including an 8-3 record against the Saints on the road.

The game will be the Redskins' first in New Orleans since 2006, when the Redskins defeated the Saints, 16-10. The Redskins are currently riding a three-game winning streak in New Orleans and haven't lost in the Crescent City since 1992.

@ St. Louis Rams

The Redskins are 22-9-1 all-time in the regular season against the Rams, including a 13-4-1 regular season record against the Rams in road games.

2011 will mark the fifth consecutive season in which the Redskins have played the Rams in the regular season. This is only the second time since divisional realignment in 2002 that the Redskins have faced a non-divisional opponent in five consecutive seasons, having faced Tampa Bay each year from 2003-07.

The Redskins are 2-2 in the last four seasons against St. Louis, including a 17-10 win at the Edward Jones Dome in 2011.

vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Redskins? home opener against the Bengals in Week 3 represents the latest the Redskins have opened their home slate since 2001, when the team opened its home slate against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.

The Redskins are 29-13 in home openers since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, including having won each of their last five home openers dating back to 2007.

The Week 3 matchup will be the earliest the Redskins and Bengals have ever played. The teams? earliest meeting to date came in the 1974 and 1991 seasons when the teams met in Week 4.

The all-time series record between the Redskins and Bengals is tied at 4-4.

The teams have only played twice in the last 20 years, with Cincinnati winning games during the 2004 and 2008 seasons.

Shanahan is 5-3 all-time against the Bengals, including 2-1 in home games.

The Redskins are seeking their first home win against Cincinnati since Dec. 15, 1985.

@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Redskins will attempt to even their all-time regular season record against Tampa Bay at 9-9.

The Redskins will seek their first regular season win in Tampa Bay since 1993. Washington?s only win in Tampa Bay since 1993 came in the NFC Wild Card Round following the 2005 season.

Shanahan is 3-2 all-time against the Buccaneers and 1-1 on the road.

The game is the Redskins? final contest of September. The Redskins are 105-88-4 all-time in games played in September.

vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Redskins hold a 15-6-1 all-time advantage against the Falcons, including postseason games.

Washington is 9-2 all-time in regular season home games against Atlanta.

A Redskins' victory would be the team's first home win against the Falcons since Dec. 19, 1993.

Shanahan is 4-2 all-time against the Falcons, including a 34-19 win in Super Bowl XXXIII during his time with the Denver Broncos.

vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Redskins and Vikings will play each other for the third time in as many seasons, marking the first time in history the teams will have played regular season games against one another in three consecutive seasons.

This is the third straight season in which the Redskins will host the Vikings at FedEx Field.

The Redskins hold an 11-10 all-time series edge against the Vikings, including postseason play.

@ New York Giants

The Redskins open divisional play against the Giants in Week 7, the latest the team has opened divisional play since the creation of the NFC East following the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

The Redskins and Giants have faced each other in the regular season 158 times, making them each team's most common opponent.

The Redskins swept the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants last season, the team's first sweep of the Giants since 1999. The Redskins will attempt to sweep the Giants in consecutive years for the first time since the 1982-83 seasons.

A year after having defeated the Giants, 23-10, at MetLife Stadium, the Redskins will attempt to win consecutive road games against the Giants for the first time since the 1999-2000 seasons.

The Redskins are seeking three consecutive victories against the Giants for the first time since 1998-2000, when the team won four in a row.

@ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Redskins hold a 42-31-3 all-time regular season record against the Steelers, including a 22-19 record in games played in Pittsburgh. The Redskins will be playing their first regular season game in Pittsburgh since Nov. 28, 2004, a 16-7 Steelers' victory. The Redskins are seeking their first regular season win against the Steelers since Nov. 17, 1991, a 41-14 win against Chuck Noll's Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium. Including postseason games, Shanahan is 4-2 all-time against the Steelers Shanahan is 3-1 against Pittsburgh in regular season contests.

vs. Carolina Panthers

The Redskins are 7-3 against the Panthers all-time and hold an undefeated 5-0 record against Carolina at home.

The game will mark the first time the Redskins and Panthers have played each other in the regular season in consecutive years since the teams played in five straight seasons from 1997-2001.

The Redskins' game against the Panthers will be the team?s last before a Week 10 bye. The Week 10 bye is the Redskins' latest since 2008, when the team entered a Week 10 bye with a 6-3 record.

vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Redskins hold a 78-70-5 all-time regular season record against the Eagles.

The Redskins are 40-34-3 in regular season home games against the Eagles all-time.

Since bye weeks were instituted in 1990, the Redskins are 11-12 in games following bye weeks.

Shanahan is currently 10-6 in games following bye weeks.

@ Dallas Cowboys

The Redskins travel to Texas to face the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, marking the Redskins' first Thanksgiving game since the Redskins faced Dallas on Thanksgiving Day in 2002.

The Redskins will be seeking their second Thanksgiving Day win. The Redskins' last win on Thanksgiving Day came in 1973 when George Allen?s Redskins defeated the Detroit Lions, 20-0.

The game will be the 13th Thursday game in Redskins history and the eighth contested on Thanksgiving Day.

Shanahan is 2-1 all-time on Thanksgiving Day, including a 2-0 record against the Cowboys. Shanahan's Broncos defeated the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in the 2001 and 2005 seasons.

The Redskins? last five road games at Dallas have all been decided by five points or less.

vs. New York Giants

The Redskins will face the Giants on Monday Night Football for the first time since 2009. The Redskins are 26-34 all-time in games played on Monday Night Football but are 16-15 in Monday Night Football games played at home. The Redskins are one of nine NFL teams with an active streak of Monday Night Football appearances for at least eight consecutive seasons.

The game will be the Redskins' 61st appearance on Monday Night Football. The Redskins' 60 appearances entering 2012 are third-most in the NFC, trailing only Dallas (73) and San Francisco (66). A win would give the Redskins consecutive home victories against the Giants since the 2004-05 seasons. The game is the Redskins' third straight against a divisional opponent, the first time the Redskins have had a three-game stretch against NFC East opponents since Weeks 15-17 of the 2005 season.

vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens lead the all-time series 3-1, but the lone Redskins' win was a 10-3 victory in 2000 in the midst of the Ravens' Super Bowl season. The game will be the teams' first meeting since Dec. 7, 2008, a 24-10 Ravens victory. Shanahan is 3-3 against Baltimore in regular season play but is 3-1 in home games against the Ravens.

@ Cleveland Browns

The Redskins are 10-33-1 all-time against the Browns but have won five of the last seven meetings, including the teams' last meeting, a 14-11 Redskins' victory in 2008.

A Redskins' win would be the team's first win in Cleveland since Oct. 27, 1985, when the Redskins defeated the Browns, 14-7.

Shanahan is undefeated against the Browns with a 4-0 record, including a 2-0 record in games played in Cleveland.

@ Philadelphia Eagles

The Redskins are 38-36-2 in road regular season games against the Eagles.

The Redskins are 17-13-1 in December games against the Eagles and are 5-3 all-time in December road games in Philadelphia.

vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Redskins will end the regular season by hosting the Dallas Cowboys, marking the first time the team has played Dallas to end the season since the 2007 season as the Redskins defeated the Cowboys, 27-6, en route to a playoff appearance.

The game will be the ninth time the Redskins have faced the Cowboys to close the regular season and the fifth time they will do so in Washington. The Redskins are 5-3 against the Cowboys in season finales and 4-0 in home season finales against Dallas.

The Redskins are 25-17 in regular season finales since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

Including postseason games, the Redskins' all-time series record against the Cowboys in home games is tied at 27-27.

Three of the last four games between the Redskins and Cowboys at FedEx Field have been decided by six points or less.

Candidate for D.C. Council, Ward 5

The Metropolitan Washington Council (MWC), AFL-CIO has announced its endorsement of Kenyan McDuffie, candidate for the Ward 5 seat on the D.C. Council.

MWC President Joslyn Willliams said in an April 18 statement that after interviewing several contenders that McDuffie "had the best experience, skill-set and integrity to effectively represent our members."

The Council's affiliates represent more than 150,000 area union members in every line of work from service industries, retail sales and communications to transportation, manufacturing, construction trades and the public sector; and according to Williams, "We are excited to endorse a candidate like Kenyan who has always been a strong supporter of unions and working families."

McDuffie said the AFL-CIO is critical to the well-being of the District's workforce and that the organization works hard to promote issues his campaign deeply cares about.

"I am honored to be endorsed by the AFL-CIO," said McDuffie. "My priorities include representing and championing the needs of working families who are vital to building strong communities. We look forward to spending time with the AFL-CIO on the campaign trail in the coming weeks."

So far, McDuffie has garnered the most union endorsements of any candidate in the race, positioning him as the front-runner, according to the statement, which also states that his growing list of endorsements include:

• Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Maryland and DC State Council

• National Nurses United (NNU)

• District of Columbia Nurses Association (DCNA)

• Local 25 Hospitality Workers' Union

• LIUNA Local 657

In addition to the union endorsements, Kenyan McDuffie has also received the endorsements of Greater Greater Washington and DC for Democracy.

For more information, visit: www.KENYANMCDUFFIE.com