WI Web Staff
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is inviting school districts to compete for $400 million in grants, taking its Race to the Top education initiative to the classroom level.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is to announce the new competition Tuesday. The competition is open to school districts with at least 2,500 students that have 40 percent or more students who qualify for free or reduced price lunches.
The administration is encouraging school districts to create plans designed to close achievement gaps and prepare students for college or careers.
Race to the Top has already awarded billions to winning states to implement educational reforms the administration favors. Congress approved $550 million for the new competition in this budget year.
The awards will range from $15 million to $25 million for each winning district.
Marion Barry was hospitalized this weekend in Las Vegas after suffering from a blood clot.
The 76-year-old Ward 8 council member, who remained in the hospital as of Monday morning, became ill while on the trip -- where he was accompanied by Mayor Vincent Gray and other local leaders for participation in the International Council of Shopping Centers convention.
Barry's chief of staff said later in an interview that the councilman is "resting comfortably" and is expected to make a full recovery.
Barry states on his Twitter page that he suffered the blood clot while waiting on a flight from Memphis to Las Vegas.
Bernice King to Tout Mother's Memoir in D.C. Region
Monday, 21 May 2012 16:56 Published in Arts & Entertainment
TUSCALOOSA, AL -- The University of Alabama Press is proud to announce that Bernice A. King will sign copies of her mother's memoir, Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 26 at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial. The tour will continue later that day from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. as King signs the book at Busboys and Poets in Arlington, Va.
"When I first visited the monument of my father, I was both proud and humbled...proud to be the daughter of a man who impacted the world globally and humbled that our nation would bestow such an honor upon him," said King. "The book signing of my mother's memoir Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King at the memorial is an opportunity befitting the tremendous love, dedication and impact she had not only on my father and his life's work, but also the world at large."
Desert Rose was written by Coretta's sister Edythe Scott Bagley, who partnered with award-winning author Joe Hilley during the editing stages to ensure the story was complete, comprehensive and compelling.
Although Bagley passed away in June 2011, the dream of Mrs. King to have her story published is being carried on through her daughter and Edythe's son, Arturo Bagley. Desert Rose details Coretta's upbringing in a family of proud, land-owning African Americans from Marion, AL, with a profound devotion to the ideals of social equality and the values of education, as well as her later role as her husband's most trusted confidant and advisor.
As Coretta's older sister, Edythe shared in almost all of Coretta's many trials and tribulations. Desert Rose charts Coretta's hesitance about her romance with Martin Luther King and the prospect of having to sacrifice her dream of a career in music to become a minister's wife. Ultimately, Coretta chose to utilize her artistic gifts and singing voice for the Movement through the development and performance of Freedom Concerts.
This book also charts Coretta's own commitment and dedication, in the years that followed King's death, to the causes of international civil rights, the antiapartheid movement, and the establishment of the King Center in Atlanta and the national King Holiday. Coretta's devotion to activism, motherhood, and the movement led by her husband, and her courageous assumption of the legacy left in the wake of King's untimely assassination, are wonderfully detailed in this intimate biography.
The MLK Jr. National Memorial is located at 1964 Independence Ave. in Southwest D.C. The Busboys and Poets signing will be held at the Shirlington location, 4251 South Campbell Ave. in Arlington (Phone: 703-379-9756).
There's still been no official word on when and where the public memorial for Go-Go legend Chuck Brown will be held. But Mayor Vincent Gray is planning for flags be flown at half staff during the funeral.
Ward 7 community activist Ron Moten, who was a close friend of Brown's, said that in light of the upcoming holiday weekend, it wasn't likely the service would take place prior to Memorial Day. He said however, it would be a problem finding a building large enough to hold the thousands of fans expected to attend.
"RFK Stadium wouldn't be classy enough and the Washington Convention Center won't work either," said Moten. "So I think the service should be held at the Verizon Center."
Moten, who helped arrange the funeral for Go-Go musician Benny Little in 2010 at the Convention Center, said there was barely enough room to accommodate the 7,000 to 9,000 people who attended. "We were rushing people through to see Benny," said Moten.
Brown died last week at age 75 following a lengthy illness. On Sunday, dozens of fans paid tribute to the "Godfather of Go-Go" by participating in an impromptu block party in the District on "Chuck Brown Way."
Councilmember Vincent B. Orange has introuduced the "Small, Local and Disadvantagesiness Enterprise Development and Assistance Omnibus Amendment Act of 2012," which will expand opportunities for small and local businesses to grow within the District by adding clarity to the District's small business laws.
This measure clarifies the original intent of the law which is aimed at giving bid preferences to certified small business enterprises; and if there are no adequate certified small business enterprises then the preference shall go to a certified business enterprise. This measure gives the mayor the power to suspend and debar contractors and developers who are consistently in violation of this law.
The measure is co-sponsored by Chairman Kwame Brown and Councilmembers Yvette Alexander, Marion Barry, Muriel Bowser, Michael Brown, Jack Evans, and Jim Graham.
"This bill takes a profound step in the right direction by rewarding District-based businesses, who hire District residents, which in turn creates additional employment opportunitie," said Orange. Further, it improves contracting opportunities for District-based small businesses, which increases the amount of dollars that are circulated within the District's borders."
Donna Summer, known for her soaring voice and sensual purrs, died Thursday after a battle with cancer. The 63-year-old queen of disco, who had been living in Englewood, Fla., with her husband Bruce Sudano, was a five-time Grammy winner.
Although best remembered for her songs decades ago, Summer continued to tour and record, including a stint last year as a guest judge on the Bravo reality show "Platinum Hit."
Born LaDonna Andrea Gaines in suburban Boston on New Year's Eve, 1948, Summer was one of seven siblings in a church-attending family who encouraged studies and singing in equal measure.
An early fan of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, Summer sang in a Boston rock band called Crow in the late 1960s, and left home for New York City at age 18 to find work on Broadway, which she did quickly by landing a role in a touring version of the hot Broadway show "Hair."
She spent the next three years living and touring in Europe. There she met and married the singer Helmut Sommer, whose last name she adapted as her stage name.
While in Europe she also met Italian music producer Giorgio Moroder, whose early dance tracks were making an impact across Europe. Moroder and Summer started working together, resulting in their first hit, the seductive 17-minute-long dance floor epic "Love to Love You Baby." On it, Summer moans in ecstasy throughout, seeming to climax with the music. A shortened version of it was released by then-hot label Casablanca in 1975, and peaked on the Billboard singles chart at No. 2.
That was the first of a string of songs that not only helped bring disco to the mainstream, but predicted the rise of both techno and house music. Among those were "I Feel Love," "Bad Girls," "She Works Hard for the Money" and "On the Radio."
But unlike some other stars of disco who faded as the music became less popular, she was able to grow beyond it and later segued to a pop-rock sound. She had one of her biggest hits in the 1980s with "She Works Hard for the Money," which became an anthem for women's rights.
Soon after, Summer became a born-again Christian and faced controversy when she was accused of making anti-gay comments in relation to the AIDS epidemic. Summer denied making the comments but was the target of a boycott.
Still, even as disco went out of fashion she remained a fixture in dance clubs, endlessly sampled and remixed into contemporary dance hits.
Her last album, "Crayons," was released in 2008 and marked her first full studio album in 17 years. She also performed on "American Idol" that year with its top female contestants.
A statement from her family called Summer "a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith."
"While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy," according to the statement released by Universal Music, her record label. "Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time."
Chuck Brown, the legendary musician and pioneer of Go-Go, has died at the age of 75. His passing was confirmed late Wednesday by his daughter, KK Brown.
Brown, who was widely revered as D.C.'s "Godfather of Go-Go," had been hospitalized in recent weeks with pneumonia, and because of his failing health numerous shows had been cancelled -- including a performance in April that celebrated the re-opening of the District's historic Howard Theatre.
"I'm devastated. That's a serious loss. All of D.C. will be mourning," said Charles Stephenson, author of The Beat: Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C. "Chuck was the Godfather of Go-Go, but he was a also the godfather of all of us. He steered several generations straight and tried to be role model to all of us. He brought the best out of a lot of local artists."
In addressing rumors a week ago of her father's two-month absence from public performances, KK Brown said he was in the hospital recovering. At the time she asked that his fans keep him in their prayers. Sources close to his family have said that Brown initially was treated for arthritis and a removed blood clot, the latter resulting in his bout with pneumonia.
Brown was credited with creating Go-Go more than two decades years ago -- a music genre which had become known as Washington's own brand of funk. In creating the Go-Go sound, Brown combined Latin beats, African call and response chants and American Jazz, throwing in a touch of soul with a continuous drumbeat. This non-stop dance music is, and has been, a trademark of original creative music from the nation's capital, and has gained Chuck Brown worldwide fans.
But Brown burst onto the musical scene in 1971 with his first hit "We The People." That success was followed by the gold album "Bustin' Loose" and the No. 1 hit single of the same title on MCA/Source Records. Years later song was sampled in the 2002 Nelly hit, "Hot in Herre."
Born in Gaston, N.C., Brown moved to D.C. with his family when he was a toddler.
According to his biography, he started playing guitar, inspired by the gospel music of his youth, and by jazz guitarist Charlie Christian. In the early '60s Brown joined the group Jerry Butler and His Earls of Rhythm. A few years later, Brown joined Los Latinos, a popular dance band that was helping spread the mambo craze around the mid-Atlantic. Brown's notions of rhythmic complexity took shape while playing in this band, particular his desire to bring congas and cowbells into R&B.
Some of the high points of his career include having been chosen to represent Washington D.C, at the 2002 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Brown has also received the Mayor's Arts Award and dozens other awards for his musical contributions.
Upon learning of his death, thousands of Brown's Facebook fans began posting messages expressing the impact of his passing on their lives.
Wayne Bruce wrote, "Today Heaven has gotten so much funkier!!!!...As a guitarist you could not be more funkier than the Godfather, as a human you couldn't been kinder, and as an Innovator it speaks for itself. 'Go-Go' since its inception has influenced every popular form of recent music...R.I.P. Chuck Brown ...I Love the man and his music!!!.."Wind me up Chuck"!!!!"
Michael Allen wrote: "Chuck u influenced alot of bands now and bands to come. U have graced many stages and played in many venues..anyone from DC/MD understands wut im talkin bout...thx for all the parties, the music and last but not least the memories..we love you and will always love you...R.I.P.
And, Cyprian Bowlding wrote, "D.C. and the music world has lost an icon. The Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown is no longer with us. I had the honor of working camera for his half-time show at Fed Ex Field a few years ago. It was one of many highlights in my career. My prayers and condolences to the Go-Go community and the family of Chuck Brown. He may be gone but his music will live forever."
DCPS Preschool/Pre-K/Out-of-Boundary Lottery Now Open
Tuesday, 31 January 2012 16:20 Published in Education ArchiveFamilies can apply to schools outside their neighborhoods
WI Staff
This week, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) launched its annual Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten/Out-of-Boundary Lottery Application process that gives District families the opportunity to apply to preschool and pre-kindergarten programs in DCPS, as well as to schools that are different than the one they've been assigned for grades K-12.
"Parents and families in the District of Columbia deserve information and choices when it comes to their children's education," DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson said. "The lottery gives parents the chance to look inside and outside their neighborhood to find schools that best support their children's academic strengths and needs, as well as their extracurricular and social interests."
Henderson said regarding "our youngest students, we continue to offer compelling programs that better prepare them for kindergarten." Henderson noted the expansion of the Tools of the Mind program to more than 150 classrooms in 28 schools. Tools of the Mind is a curriculum that helps children acquire the skills they need to set a foundation for long-term success in school.
The Preschool/Pre-K/Out-of-Boundary Lottery application period opened Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, and closes Feb. 27, 2012. There is no advantage to applying early in the application period. Families must log on to the DCPS website to access the online Preschool/Pre-K/Out-of-Boundary application; paper applications will not be accepted.
Families can begin investigating their options by visiting an online tool that lists all DC Public Schools in profile and scorecard formats, gives users a chance to see what each school has to offer, and allows families to compare schools side-by-side.
Each applicant may apply to up to six schools. All families applying for preschool or pre-K must apply through the online application, even if they are applying to their in-boundary school. For help completing the application and for more information about schools, families are invited to call the DCPS Critical Response Team at 202-478-5738.
DCPS also offers four more information sessions to help families navigate the lottery process:
•An Online Live Chat on Feb. 6 from 2-3 p.m.
•Feb. 11 from 1-3 p.m. at the Dorothy I. Height/Benning DC Public Library (3935 Benning Road NE)
•Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Powell Elementary School (1350 Upshur St. NW)
•Feb. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Wheatley Education Campus (1299 Neal St. NE)
The lottery process is part of DCPS' goal of ensuring every student – from every school in every ward – has access to a top-notch education. For more information on the Preschool/Pre-K/Out-of-Boundary lottery, upcoming Lottery Help Sessions, and scheduled Open Houses, visit the DCPS Out-of-Boundary Lottery webpage at http://lottery.dcps.dc.gov/ . the DCPS website to access the online Preschool/Pre-K/Out-of-Boundary www.dcps.dc.gov ) Families can begin investigating their options by visiting http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/.
Man in Prison Says He Shot, Robbed Tupac Shakur
Thursday, 16 June 2011 15:38 Published in Entertainment ArchiveWI Online Editor
Authorities might be closer to solving the murder of Tupac Shakur after a man who is already in jail confessed recently to robbing and shooting the rapper.
Shakur, who died in 1996 of gunshot wounds in a separate shooting, would have celebrated his 40th birthday on June 17.
According to reports, Dexter Isaac, who is serving a prison sentence for murder and robbery and other offenses, said he shot Shakur during a 1994 attempted hit and robbery at Quad Studios in Manhattan. He added that to prove the robbery, he still has the jewelry that was taken.
Isaac said in a statement posted on AllHipHop.com, that he was paid $2,500 to carry out the robbery and was allowed to keep all the jewelry he stole except for a ring. The 46-year-old felon also claimed that James Rosemond – a talent agent who goes by the professional name of Jimmy Henchman -- put him up to the crime.
Rosemond, who lists singers Brandy and Akon among his roster of star clientele, is currently on the run from federal authorities on drug charges, according to Starpulse.com
Starpulse.com also reports that Rosemond and Isaac were both friends and associates of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and the late rapper, Biggie Smalls.
In a statement Isaac reportedly wrote from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, he apologized for his near -fatal attack on Shakur.
"I want to apologize to his family and for the mistake I did for that sucker [Jimmy Henchman]," Isaac was quoted as saying.
Patti LaBelle Sued in Airport Disturbance
Thursday, 09 June 2011 21:23 Published in Entertainment ArchiveA 23-year-old West Point cadet is suing singer Patti LaBelle in an airport ruckus that involved her body guards.
The incident occurred in March at the George H.W. Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, after LaBelle allegedly ordered the guards to confront Richard King, who had been standing next to her luggage in the passenger pick-up area, according to a Black Voices (BV) online report.
"Apparently, defendant LaBelle believed King was standing too close to her luggage, even though he was oblivious to her presence and the danger he was in," the lawsuit reportedly states. "LaBelle lowered the window of her limousine and gave a command to her bodyguards. They sprang into action ... LaBelle is hot-tempered ... [and] was a full participant in the cruel attack on King. She ordered it, and never tried to stop it."
An airport surveillance tape that was released by King's attorneys – and which has been circulating on the Internet -- showed him being punched and thrown into a cement pillar. BV also reported that King was sent by ambulance to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion.
King is suing LaBelle and three members of her entourage as well as the airport and a taxi dispatcher for unspecified punitive damages.
"I remember waking up the next morning with staples in my head," King was quoted as saying. "I've never been in a fight in my life."
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