WI Web Staff
Investigators Target City Officials' Campaign Records
Friday, 16 March 2012 15:53 Published in Local
D.C. City Council Chairman Kwame Brown appears to be the latest among a list of locally-elected officials ordered by federal investigators to hand over their campaign records.
Brown now joins council members Yvette Alexander, Jack Evans and Phil Mendelson whose campaigns have been aligned with well-known campaign donor Jeffrey E. Thompson. As a result, their campaign records have been requested by way of subpoenas sent to their campaign treasurers.
Mayor Vincent Gray's campaign records have also been targeted, but according to a published report, have yet be subpoenaed. However, another report -- which attributed its sources to people directly aligned with Gray's fundraising -- stated that Gray personally showed up at his headquarters one day during the 2010 campaign with as much as $100,000 in contributions from Thompson and his associates.
While council member Vincent Orange has stated that he would encourage a review of $26,000 in money orders his campaign received from Thompson's camp, council member TommyWells has reportedly said he never received contributions from Thompson, and therefore doesn't expect a subpoena. Others members like Marion Barry and Muriel Bowser have yet to deny or confirm if they have been subpoenaed – and none of the officials have been charged with any wrongdoing.
Conflict Holds Up Money for Ward 5 Special Election
Thursday, 15 March 2012 23:57 Published in Local
In the event Mayor Vincent Gray and the D.C. City Council fail to come to an agreement over a spending bill for the May 15 Ward 5 special election, there's a chance the election won't happen.
The Ward 5 election is one of two that the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics is charged with conducting this spring and while the April 3 primary is fully funded, $318,000 is needed to proceed with the election that seeks to fill the seat vacated in January by former Councilman Harry Thomas Jr.
According to a published report, the three-member election board warned Gray and Councilmember Muriel Bowser in a letter this week that if it didn't receive the funds needed to conduct the election in the next week, it risked not being able to meet deadlines for getting ballots and voter notification cards printed in time.
Elections Board chair Deborah Nichols reportedly wrote in the letter that, "If funds are not made available immediately, the Board will be in the untenable position of violating either laws relating to timely public notice and distribution of ballots or the provision of the Anti-Deficiency Act."
The report further stated that Gray spokesman Pedro Ribeiro indicated that the money was included in a $42 million supplemental budget submitted in January by the mayor to cover shortfalls in certain agencies -- and that the City Council just needs to vote on it.
Black Consumers Still Place High Value on Buying Newspapers, Magazines
Thursday, 15 March 2012 23:20 Published in National
African Americans have always consumed media at a greater rate than other segments of the population. But while they watch more hours of TV, and spend more time listening to radio than anyone, black consumers have not abandoned their interest in newspapers and magazines.
In fact, a look at data from the Dept. of Commerce reveals that African-American households have maintained a higher rate of purchases of print media than white households. Black purchases of newspapers and magazines grew 9.2 percent between 2006 and 2010, the latest data available. During the same period, whites' purchases of print media declined 14 percent.
White purchases of single copies of newspapers and magazines have dropped every year since 2006, while black purchases dropped only once in four years. Print media subscriptions for blacks and whites have declined steadily over that period, though the rate of decline for whites was much steeper.
This research suggests that print information may be more valuable to African-Americans and they are willing to pay more even as the cost per copy increases. It may also suggest that blacks are not getting all the news and information they desire from free sources on the Internet.
The newest edition of Target Market News' "Buying Power of Black America" report shows that black households spent $402 million on newspapers and magazines in 2010. Of that amount, $202 million was spent on buying single copies versus subscriptions. That represents a 16 percent increase over the previous year.
For more information about the upcoming edition of "The Buying Power of Black America" visit www.targetmarketnews.com.
The ROCKS Inc. bi-annual National Leadership and Training Conference will be held from March 29-31 at the Fort Belvoir's Officers Club.
With the theme "Mentoring Military Professionals for Global Leadership Challenges" the conference includes presentations by senior military and Department of Defense leaders, leadership panels, and small group discussions.
Speakers include Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the Chief of Staff of the Army. The ROCKS' Spring Gala will be held in the same location the evening of March 31, where several scholarships will be awarded to cadets and high school students.
Founded in 1974, The Rocks, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides scholarships, mentorship and professional development to ROTC and Military Academy Cadets, active duty and reserve component officers. The organization also assists retired and former active or reserve component officers. Registration information is available at the website: www.therocksdc.org or by calling 301-856-9319.
Excel Academy Public Charter School Hosts Inaugural Gala
Thursday, 15 March 2012 15:46 Published in LocalD.C.'s First and Only All-Girls' Public Charter School Raises More than $75,000 for Its Music, Arts Programs
Excel Academy Public Charter School recently celebrated its first four years of growth and accomplishment with an evening of music and arts at its inaugural gala.
The event titled, "Dream a Little Dream," was held March 3 at the Organization of American States in downtown Washington, D.C., and brought together more than 230 Friends of Excel for a silent auction and dinner.
The gala raised funds for the Excel's music and arts programs, and both were prominently featured during the evening's festivities. Guests excitedly bid on scholar artwork during the silent auction, which brought in more than $10,500.
During the dinner, guests were treated to a special performance by the Excel Academy Third Grade Scholar Chorus. Joined by their sister-scholars from the Holton-Arms School, they performed with wide eyes and full hearts for the packed room. The students were joined for their finale by professional opera singer, Karin Paludan, who led the girls in a rousing chorus of O Sole Mio. As the guests came to their feet, both they and the girls knew it was a night they would not soon forget. This gala raised over $75,000 for the music and arts programs at Excel.
About Excel Academy Public Charter School
Four years ago, Excel Academy opened its door in the heart of Anacostia to 134 little girls with big dreams. Today, the school serves 401 girls in preschool through third grade, and is moving ahead confidently with plans to grow each year until the school has an eighth grade in 2016. The school's board, management, and faculty are dedicated to ensuring that Excel Academy scholars continue to dream big and believe in a bright future for themselves and their community. The school is located at 2501 Martin Luther King Avenue, S.E. For additional information regarding the public charter school, please visit www.excelpubliccharterschool.org.
Mural to Honor Brown vs. Board of Education
TOPEKA, KANSAS -- Rep. Valdenia Winn (D - Kansas City), chairperson of the Capitol Preservation Committee, is issuing a national call for artists/artistic teams to submit a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to design a mural in the Kansas State Capitol commemorating the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
"The significance of the Oliver L. Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas is known throughout the world and one that has paved the way for the modern revolution for human rights in the United States," said Winn. "The story of the families from Kansas, Virgina, South Carolina, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., must be remembered for the sacrifices that they made so that we all could reach our greatest potentials. This mural will be a legacy for all!"
In 2010, the Kansas Legislature passed Senate Bill 54, which created the Capitol Preservation Committee and authorized the Committee to develop plans for the placement of a mural within the Kansas State Capitol to commemorate the landmark court case that ended the "separate but equal" law across the United States.
Project parameters can be found here:
www.washburn.edu/main/mulvane/files/Brown%20Mural%20Call%20for%20Artists%20RFQ.pdf
The deadline for submitting an RFQ is 5 p.m. CST on May 1. The Capitol Preservation Committee will invite selected artists to provide a Request for Proposal (RFP) to more specifically outline their plan for the mural.
The contact person for submitting an RFQ is Cyndi Morrison at the Mulvane Art Museum. Her e-mail is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;Phone, 785-670-1124.
The mural will be paid for by private dollars, projected completion in October 2014.
Dance Theatre of Harlem Comes to Southeast D.C.
Monday, 12 March 2012 23:02 Published in Arts & Entertainment
The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble will appear in a rare performance in Southeast Washington.
The event is slated for 5 p.m., Sunday, April 8 at THEARC Theater, 1901 Mississippi Ave.
This is the company's first full show at THEARC Theater after conducting a lecture demonstration to the community in 2011, and it's one of the few professional dance concerts the theater has presented to its community since the campus opened in 2005.
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a performing Ensemble, a leading arts education center and Dancing Through Barriers®, a national and international education and community outreach program.
Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts.
On Anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Rep. John Lewis Cites Current Voting Rights Struggle
Sunday, 11 March 2012 23:48 Published in National
WASHINGTON -- On March 7, 1965, some 600 non-violent protestors led by John Lewis, then chair of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, and Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) walked two-by-two in silent protest across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Their intention was to march all the way to the state capital in Montgomery to highlight the need for voting rights protection in Alabama.
On that bridge, they were beaten in a bloody confrontation later named Bloody Sunday. Outcry against the event eventually led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which opened up voting access for African Americans, language minorities, seniors, the disabled, Latino, Asian and Native Americans who all experienced limited access to the polls. Bi-annually, Rep. John Lewis leads a congressional pilgrimage to Alabama managed by The Faith and Politics Institute to immerse legislators in the history of contemporary struggle around the right to vote in America. On this anniversary, Rep. Lewis made this statement:
"Forty-seven years ago, people had to pass a so-called literacy test, pay a poll tax, even count the number of bubbles in a jar of soap so they could register to vote. The Voting Rights Act ended those abuses, but it did not end attempts to suppress access to the ballot box today. On this anniversary, we cannot rest. We must honor those who gave their lives for the right to vote in this country by getting informed and getting involved.
"Right now there are only six states in America which have no voter ID requirement and no pending voter ID legislation. Forces are gathering to make it more difficult for as many as 21 million Americans who have no government -issued ID and 5 million registered voters to cast a vote in this election.
"They have launched litigation aimed at the U.S. Supreme Court with hopes to gut section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires pre-clearance of voting changes in states with a history of discrimination by the Justice Department to stop voter suppression before it becomes law. Democracy is not a state. It is an act. It requires the continued vigilance of us all to ensure that we continue to create an ever more fair, more free democracy.
" Get up-to-date on the voting requirements in your state. Mobilize to take action to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote has the ID required so they can vote without restriction on Election Day. And join in the struggle to combat every attempt to suppress the vote in your area."
Long before the famed Apollo in Harlem and the Regal in Chicago, there was the Howard Theatre in D.C.
Now after being closed for more than 30 years, the historic edifice -- where scores of musicians like Duke Ellington and comedic, dance and other performers have performed -- is poised for reopening on April 12.
The theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Located at 7th and T streets in Northwest, it served for more than a century as a centerpiece in the Howard-Shaw community. In preparation for next month’s grand opening, the theatre underwent renovations to the tune of $29 million, raised by the nonprofit Howard Theatre Restoration group.
The grand openng will commemorate the theatre’s its 101st anniversary, and at that time, a sculpture of Duke Ellington will be unveiled. Raheem DeVaughn Savion Glover and Dick Gregory are among celebrities scheduled to perform.
Williams Sisters, Hingis Headline as Kastles Defend Championship
Sunday, 11 March 2012 01:13 Published in Sports
Coming off a perfect season and their second World TeamTennis title, the Washington Kastles' 2012 home schedule kicks off against Martina Hingis and the rival New York Sportimes before concluding with consecutive matches featuring Serena and Venus Williams.
The Kastles, who in 2011 became the first team in the 36-year history of WTT to go 16-0, will host seven home matches in a 13-day span, including an unprecedented five straight home matches from July 15 through July 22.
"After last year's undefeated season, league championship and record-breaking attendance, this season may be the most anticipated in Kastles history," said Kastles' owner Mark Ein. "We are thrilled to bring another summer of exciting tennis to our amazing fans in Washington as the Kastles battle to defend their WTT championship.
"We are especially excited that tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams will again be playing for the Kastles, and that our fans will have the last chance to see them play before the start of the Olympic Games in London on July 28."
The Kastles, led for the fourth consecutive year by Coach Murphy Jensen, will begin their title defense on the road July 9 against former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport and the Orange County Breakers. The team then takes on the Springfield Lasers July 11 in Missouri.
The first Kastles home match on July 12 will feature the Washington's biggest rivals -- the New York Sportimes – who will be led by 15-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis. This will be a rematch of Washington's dramatic win over the Sportimes in a Supertiebreaker last season, during which the Kastles saved five match points to preserve their undefeated record.
The Kastles then travel to Boston to play the Lobsters on July 13 in a rematch of the 2011 WTT Eastern Conference Championship, which Washington won 23-15.
The five-match homestand will begin on July 15 when Washington celebrates USTA Family Night against Philadelphia. This much-anticipated evening includes fun activities for children and parents alike around the grounds of Kastles Stadium at The Wharf.
The Boston Lobsters will then take on the Kastles in D.C. on July 16. The Sacramento Capitals come to town on July 18, followed by an important match against the Orange County Breakers on July 20. Tennis Hall-of-Famer Chris Evert will return to Kastles Stadium at The Wharf that night to meet and greet Kastles fans.
Serena Williams and Venus Williams will join the Kastles for their final two home matches of the 2012 season. Serena will lead Washington against the Kansas City Explorers on July 22. Venus returns to D.C. on July 24 when the team takes on the Philadelphia Freedoms.
With a Williams sister in their lineup, the Kastles have won 14 consecutive matches dating back to their inaugural 2008 season.
The Kastles finish the regular season with a road trip to New York on July 25 to take on John McEnroe and the Sportimes. They then travel to Kansas City on July 27 to compete against the Explorers. The final regular season match is on July 28 against the Springfield Lasers.
The 2012 WTT Finals Weekend will be held following the conclusion of the Olympic Games and the US Open, September 14-16 in Charleston, S.C.
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