Washington Informer

Lorenzo Alexander and Trent Williams also Earn Pro Bowl Nods

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA -- The National Football League has announced that linebacker/special teamer Lorenzo Alexander, quarterback Robert Griffin III and tackle Trent Williams have all been selected to the 2013 Pro Bowl. The annual contest of the AFC and NFC's best will take place Sunday, Jan. 27 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

In addition, linebacker London Fletcher and running back Alfred Morris were selected as alternates.

Alexander, 29, is in his third season as Washington's special teams captain. The two-time team recipient for Walter Payton Man of the Year has played eight different positions in six NFL seasons, but has earned acclaim as one of the top special teams players in the NFL. This season, Alexander has been credited by coaches with a team-high 29 special teams tackles. His 19 special teams tackles as credited by STATS, LLC are the most in the NFL.

Alexander is the first Redskin since long snapper Ethan Albright (2007) selected to the Pro Bowl on the basis of special teams play.

The Redskins selected Griffin III, 22, with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft last April, and despite being inactive in Week 15, Griffin III has completed 249-of-375 passes (66.4 percent) for 3,100 yards with 20 touchdowns, only five interceptions and a passer rating of 104.1. Griffin III already holds at least a share of team rookie records for passing attempts, pass completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns, and is on pace to set team rookie records for completion percentage and passer rating. In addition, he has rushed 114 times for 752 yards with six rushing touchdowns this season, all three of which are team records for a quarterback. His 6.6 yards per carry average leads the NFL among players with at least 100 rushing attempts.

Griffin III is the first rookie quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl in Redskins history. Prior to 2012, only six rookie quarterbacks in NFL history had been named to the Pro Bowl. He is the first offensive rookie for the Redskins to be selected to the Pro Bowl since running back Larry Brown in 1969. Griffin III is the first Redskin quarterback of any experience level to earn a Pro Bowl selection since Brad Johnson following the 1999 season. His selection is the 21st by a Redskins quarterback, joining Johnson, Gus Frerotte (1996), Mark Rypien (1989, 91), Jay Schroeder (1986), Joe Theismann (1982-83), Billy Kilmer (1972), Sonny Jurgensen (1964, 66-67, 69), Norm Snead (1963), Eddie LeBaron (1955, 57-58), Al Dorow (1956), Harry Gilmer (1950, 52) and Sammy Baugh (1951).

Williams, 24, is in his second season as an offensive captain for the Redskins. The first player drafted during Mike Shanahan?s tenure in Washington, Williams has blossomed into one of the league?s elite left tackles in his first three seasons since being selected No. 4 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Williams anchors an offensive line that has helped the Redskins average a league-high 162.3 rushing yards per game this season. He has helped rookie running back Alfred Morris shatter team rookie rushing records, as well as bring Morris to within 104 yards of breaking the Redskins? single-season rushing record. Despite fighting several significant injuries throughout the season, Williams is one start on Sunday away from having started all 16 games in a season for the first time in his career.

Williams becomes the first Redskins offensive lineman selected to the Pro Bowl since Chris Samuels in 2008. With Williams? first Pro Bowl selection and Samuels? six career selections, the Redskins? last seven Pro Bowl offensive linemen have all been left tackles. Williams? selection is the 14th by a Redskins offensive tackle since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, joining Samuels (2001-02, 05-08), Jim Lachey (1990-91), Mark May (1988) and Joe Jacoby (1983-86).

With the Redskins' selections this year, the team has had at least one Pro Bowl player for 19 straight seasons. The only year Washington has not had a Pro Bowler in team history was 1993. Shanahan has now coached players responsible for 73 Pro Bowl selections during his tenure as an NFL head coach. Shanahan has had at least one player selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his 19 seasons at the helm.

Source: Redskins Public Relations

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson is she's stepping down after nearly four years on the job.

In announcing her plans to leave the agency, Jackson said in a statement on Thursday that she was ready for new challenges, time with her family and new opportunities to make a difference.

Jackson's tenure was marked by high-profile brawls with industry and congressional Republicans over such issues a global warming pollution, the Keystone XL oil pipeline and new controls on coal-fired plants.

She says she's leaving the agency, in her words, "confident the ship is sailing in the right direction."

Jackson is expected to leave after the State of the Union address in late January. Cabinet members looking to move on often leave at the beginning of a president's second term.

Source: Political  Eye

Two-Time WNBA Coach of the Year to Lead Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mike Thibault has been named the head coach and general manager of the Washington Mystics as announced by team president and managing partner Sheila C. Johnson. "Mike Thibault has an exemplary track record in building and coaching successful teams," said Johnson. "We are excited about him coming on board, and based on his experience and sustainable tenure in the WNBA, we are confident that he will establish a new era in Mystics basketball."

Thibault brings a wealth of experience to the Mystics. He has spent the last 10 years at the helm of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, leading the team to eight playoff appearances and two WNBA finals as the team's head coach. A two-time WNBA Coach of the Year (2006, 2008), Thibault has recorded more wins (206) than any active coach in the WNBA and currently ranks second on the all-time wins list. During his tenure with the Sun, Thibault oversaw the development of Tina Charles, who was recently named the league's MVP.

"I am extremely excited to be asked to lead the Washington Mystics into a new era that I believe will be extremely successful on and off the court," said Thibault. "Ted Leonsis, Sheila Johnson, and all of their partners in Monumental Sports & Entertainment are making a commitment to me, the players and all of our fans and sponsors to re-dedicate the Mystics to being one of the WNBA's flagship organizations and I am ready to get started doing my part to make that happen."

Prior to joining the Sun in 2003, Thibault has spent numerous years in various roles with NBA teams. He was an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks. He also served as a scout for the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks. He served as the director of scouting for the Chicago Bulls during a time when the organization selected Michael Jordan, Charles Oakley and John Paxson.

Thibault served as the general manager and head coach of the Omaha Racers of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) where his team captured the league's title in 1988. During his tenure with the Racers, the team made nine consecutive playoff appearances, and Thibault was named the 1993 Sportsman of the Year by Omaha broadcasters. He also coached the Calgary 88's of the World Basketball League (WBL) where he received Coach of the Year honors in 1988.

Thibault has had an extensive collaboration with USA Basketball. He most recently served as an assistant coach to the women's National Team that won gold during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was on the coaching staff of the 2006 National Team that captured silver during the World Championships, was the head coach of the men's team that participated in the 1993 FIBA World Championship qualifying tournament and was also at the helm of the men's team that won the silver medal during the 1995 Pan American Games.

Source: Washington Mystics

Following months of reports of financial discord which have resulted in faculty staff layoffs, the University of the District of Columbia's (UDC) board of trustees has voted to terminate the contract of president, Allen L. Sessoms.

During a closed session on Wednesday that lasted more than four hours, the board finalized its decision before making the announcement that comes more than four years after Sessoms assumed the helm.

In a Dec. 19 statement read by Board Chairwoman Elaine Crider, Sessoms was praised for his service as the university made plans surrounding its future.

"We thank Dr. Sessoms for his work in guiding the University over the past four years," said Crider. "But as we grapple with the challenges of reducing staff and programs, continuing to improve our physical plant and attracting new students, the board has decided to go in a different direction."

Sessoms served as president of Delaware State University and Queens College of New York City before coming to UDC in September 2008.

According to a statement issued by the school, during Sessoms' tenure, the University embarked on a significant upgrade in campus facilities and developed a comprehensive University strategic plan for academic, administrative and operational reform.

UDC spokesman Allen Etter said that although a temporary replacement will be soon be named, the board is seeking an interim president to take over while a national search to replace Sessoms is conducted.

Through a partnership in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, Tonei Triplett, owner of Kree8tive Techs in Forestville, Md., was able to obtain and donate computer monitors to the "Helping Other People Exceed (H.O.P.E.)" project, located on the campus of The International Graduate University in Southeast.

"I arranged for a donation of the monitors through a federal government excess program because I wanted to support other individuals that have a passion to teach or work in the Information Technology (IT) field," said Triplett said, who added that he's been blessed to start his own IT company that includes programming, setting up and repairing computer systems. "I started doing this at a relatively young age and have been successful. From my personal experience, I realize how important it is to follow your dreams. But, I also recall having opportunities afforded to me, which helped get me to where I am today. It is my goal to continue giving back, helping to make a positive difference, partnering with others and assisting to help other people excel."

H.O.P.E. is an IT training program dedicated to providing technical training and development for young adults. H.O.P.E. founder and President Raymond Bell said he launced the program in 2009 to assist individuals who have been faced with grim circumstances within the community.

"My training program is not only an outlet for them to learn about IT, but the knowledge they gain and the skills they develop as they progress through the program, provides them with hands-on experience,." Bell said. "Upon completing the training program, most of our graduates are placed in IT Helpdesk and Application Support positions -- federal government agencies to Fortune 500 companies."

For more information about these companies, visit www.kree8tivetechs.com and www.hopeprojectdc.org.

Prince George's County Council Member Karen R. Toles (D) - District 7, and Men Aiming Higher, a local non-profit organization, are partnering to provide toys to District 7 children during the holiday season.

The "District 7 Toys for Tots Giveaway," scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 19, marks the second year the partners have worked on the event. They will visit Hillcrest Heights, Overlook and Capitol Heights elementary schools to distribute toys to children and families in need.

Toles said the toy drive will help make the season brighter for children and families.

"I am excited for the opportunity to continue our partnership with Men Aiming Higher to serve our community," he said. "During this holiday season our mission is to touch the lives of District 7 families through the gift of giving."

Men Aiming Higher President Darryl Barnes said his organization is proud to again partner with Toles to make a difference in the lives of young people in District 7.

"We will be providing gifts to disadvantaged children with the hope that it reminds them that there are people who care,' Barnes said, "and also to provide an example of people reaching back to help those less fortunate with that faith that they will do the same someday."

The toys giveaway will be held Wednesday at these locations:

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Hillcrest Heights Elementary, 4305 22nd Place, Temple Hills, MD 20748

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- Overlook Elementary, 3298 Curtis Drive, Temple Hills, MD 20748

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. -- Capitol Heights Elementary, 601 Suffolk Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

The United States Playing Card Company (USPC), makers of Bicycle® Playing Cards, is proud to announce the launch of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Playing Card Deck. Bicycle® Playing Cards has partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum by donating $0.15 per deck sold.

"The mission of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is to help preserve the rich history of African American baseball and we are excited that Bicycle® has developed this deck to support our cause," said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. "With partnerships like this, we will be able to share this history with generations to come."

Roy Gifford, USPC vice president of marketing added that the partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, "not only gave us access to the iconic logos and photos from the Negro Leagues archives to create a beautiful deck of cards, but more importantly it allowed us to support an organization who is protecting the amazing story of the Negro Baseball Leagues."

To find out more online about Bicycle® and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum visit us at www.bicyclecards.com, www.nlbm.com, www.facebook.com/bicyclecards, and www.facebook.com/NegroLeaguesBaseballMuseum.

Source: PRNewswire-iReach

WASHINGTON -- The birth of Zuri Armani Green, who was born on 12/12/12 at Howard University Hospital, makes her one of the last "Millennium Babies" of this century.

Millennium babies are those born with repeating dates, such as 05/05/05, 10/10/10, 11/11/11/ or 10/10/10. Because there is no 13th month, there will be not be another millennium baby until Jan. 1, 2101.

Howard University Hospital obstetrician Dr. Jeffrey Sellers delivered Zuri at 1:06 p.m. to Zsaleth Green, 36, of Northeast Washington. She weighed a healthy 7 lbs. 2.1 oz.

This is Green's third delivery, but her first daughter. She has two sons, Devante Green, 20, and Demarco Green, 15.

The National Center for Children and Families partnered with Majic 102.3 to host the Dec. 14 "Miracle on U Street Toy Drive" at Ben's Chili Bown in Northwest.  Two Washington Redskins cheerleaders were on-hand to collect donations.

Click here to view U Street Toy Drive photo gallery. /Photos by Shevry Lassiter