Washington Informer

AARP Experience Corps mentors, ages 50 and over, who have helped improve literacy rates in D.C. public schools were recently honored at a luncheon where civil rights icon, Congresman John Lewis, was the featured speaker.

Lewis (D-Ga.), 76,  shared inspirational stories during his keynote speech at "Planting Seeds for the Next Generation," the May 31 event that honored both volunteer tutors and mentors who've devoted themselves to children and literacy through AARP Experience Corps.

"We have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate to do what we can to help others," Lewis told the audience that gathered at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church Family Life Center.

"AARP Experience Corps volunteers live out that mandate as they fight to improve literacy rates for children in kindergarten through third grade in the D.C. Public Schools," said Debbie Stiller, director of the District of Columbia Branch of AARP Experience Corps.

Reading levels have improved among fourth-graders in D.C. over the past 10 years, but 56 percent are still reading below a basic level, according to the 2011 Nation's Report Card. By fourth grade, students with strongly grounded reading skills are reading for comprehension and prepared for greater success in life than fourth-graders still struggling to read.

Illiteracy in D.C. stands at nearly 40 percent. AARP Experience Corps' proven literacy program helps children become stronger readers before they finish third grade through the committed work of older volunteers.

Carlsbad, CA -- While jobseekers in many U.S. cities battle an unemployment rate of 8 percent or more, those in the nation's capital region are faring well, according to CareerCast.com's new report on the best jobs in the D.C. area.

Job seekers with a degree or experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) have little or no trouble finding jobs in the Washington, D.C. market. In fact, with double the number of STEM jobs compared to the national average, the Washington, D.C., region is a true hub for knowledge workers.

"The D.C. region is a goldmine of opportunities for those with mathematical abilities," says Tony Lee, publisher of CareerCast.com. "The federal government plans to spend up to $3.2 billion over the next five years to upgrade its IT infrastructure and migrate to cloud computing and IT opportunities in cyber security and private sector software development are also expected to be strong."

In fact, Software Engineering is already at the forefront of this explosive growth. As government agencies and related businesses update their infrastructures and develop new technologies, Software Engineers will reap the benefits. With a growth rate of 25 percent, Software Engineer is rated the No. 1 job in the region, according to the Jobs Rated rankings. Actuaries (28 percent growth), Mathematicians (16 percent growth) and Statisticians (15 percent growth) also rank among the top-rated jobs in the nation's capital region.

Another best job in the region is Human Resources Manager. Through the year 2020, job growth for HR Managers is expected to be 21 percent, plus the profession has great pay and ideal working conditions.

The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission will resume public hearings on proposed changes to chapters 6 and 8 of Title 31. The hearings will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 6 at the Old Council Chambers, 441 4th Street, NW.

In addition, comments will be taken on a regulation to permanently establish shared riding at Nationals Park, now occurring under an emergency rule.

Previous hearings were held on chapters 6 and 8 in  May 2011.

The proposed changes contain a number of performance requirements for drivers of taxicabs. Registration for speaking at this hearing has been extended until 4:30 p.m. June 5.

Weldon Jackson to Assume Responsibilities on July 8

Weldon Jackson, Ph.D., has been selected as the new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Bowie State University and will begin serving in that capacity on July 8. Currently special assistant to the president at Morehouse College, Dr. Jackson has more than 27 years of experience in higher education administration.

Jackson has an extensive background in leadership of the academic enterprise, having served as the chief academic officer at both Morehouse and Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York. He was responsible for advancements in the academic and research programs of both institutions and developed numerous initiatives to support student and faculty development.

"I am enormously excited to join the Bowie family," said Jackson. "Bowie State University is an impressive institution with a record of achievement that is well recognized. It is a special privilege to join Dr. Mickey Burnim's exceptional senior leadership team and the outstanding Bowie faculty and staff to continue our pursuit of 'world-class pre-eminence' in higher education."

Deeply passionate about student success, he designed the student success center at Morehouse College and expanded the use of technology in the teaching and learning process, at Manhattan College.

"I am very pleased to have Dr. Jackson assume this critical leadership position as part of my Bowie State University team," said President Mickey L. Burnim. "He brings with him a wealth of experience, character and commitment to help us move Bowie State University to the next level of excellence."

In his new capacity, Jackson will provide direct oversight to the University's academic programs. BSU offers 23 undergraduate majors, 19 master's programs, two doctoral programs and 12 certificate programs organized into the Colleges of Business, Arts and Sciences, Professional Studies, and Education, and the Graduate School. BSU enrolls 5,600 students including 4,400 undergraduate and over 1,200 graduate students.

"I am enormously excited to join the Bowie family," said Dr. Jackson. "Bowie State University is an impressive institution with a record of achievement that is well recognized. It is a special privilege to join Dr. Mickey Burnim's exceptional senior leadership team and the outstanding Bowie faculty and staff to continue our pursuit of 'world-class pre-eminence' in higher education."

Jackson earned his doctorate in government from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in political science from Morehouse College. Early in his career, Jackson taught at Wellesley College. He and his wife Lorraine have three children.

The 5th annual Belfast-Beltway Boxing Classic will be held in the lobby of the John A. Wilson Building at 4 p.m., Friday, June 1.

The Belfast-Beltway Boxing Classic consists of aspiring boxers from the gyms of Northern Ireland against local boxing clubs of the National Capital Region. The event will showcase 10 amateur bouts to be held on Saturday, June 2, at the Mariottt Wardman Hotel at 2660 Woodley Road, N.W. The event starts with a cocktail reception at 7 p.m., followed by a dinner at 8 p.m. The boxing match will begin at 8 p.m.

The proceeds of the event will directly benefit the participating boxing clubs and the Belfast-Beltway Boxing Project, which sponsors the athletic and cultural exchange program that offers youth here and abroad an opportunity to learn about other cultures. The aim of the program is to foster understanding between youth from divergent countries, serving to further strengthen the cultural alliance between the United States and Ireland.

D.C. Council member Vincent Orange, who announced the boxing classic this week, is chairman of the Committee on Small and Local Business Development with jurisdiction over the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission.  

"It is our hope that the youth who participate in the 5th Annual Belfast-Beltway Boxing Classic Program will ultimately understand their role as global citizens of the world by becoming more engaged and knowledgeable of their respective roles in the global community," said Orange. "Moreover, this event will raise the profile and heighten the awareness level on the importance of investing in amateur boxing and after-school programs for both D.C. metropolitan and Irish youth."

Easy Ways to Reduce the Stress in Your Life

Stress is a normal part of life and usually comes from everyday occurrences. Here are some ways you can deal with everyday sources of stress.

1. Eliminate as many sources of stress as you can. For example, if crowds bother you, go to the supermarket when you know the lines won't be too long. Try renting videotapes rather than going to crowded movie theaters. Clear up the clutter in your life by giving away or throwing away the things that get in your way. A garage sale is one effective way to do this.

2. If you are always running late, sit down with a pencil and paper and see how you are actually allotting your time. Say it takes you 40 minutes to get to work. Are you leaving your house on time? You may be able to solve your problem (and de-stress your life a bit) just by being realistic. If you can't find the time for all the activities that are important to you, maybe you are trying to do too much. Again, make a list of what you do during the day and how much each activity takes. Then cut back.

3. Avoid predictably stressful situations. If a certain sport or game makes you tense (whether it's tennis or bridge), decline the invitation to play. After all, the point of these activities is to have a good time. If you know you won't, there's no reason to play.

4. If you can't remove the stress, remove yourself. Slip away once in a while for some private time. These quiet moments may give you a fresh perspective on your problems. Avoid stressful people. For example, if you don't get along with your father-in-law but you don't want to make an issue of it, invite other in-laws at the same time you invite him. Having other people around will absorb some of the pressure you would normally feel.

5. Competing with others, whether in accomplishments, appearance, or possessions, is an avoidable source of stress. You might know people who do all they can to provoke envy in others. While it may seem easy to say you should be satisfied with what you have, it's the truth. Stress from this kind of jealousy is self-inflicted.

6. Laborsaving devices, such as cellular phones or computer hookups, often encourage us to cram too many activities into each day. Before you buy new equipment, be sure that it will really improve your life. Be aware that taking care of equipment and getting it repaired can be stressful.

7. Try doing only one thing at a time. For example, when you're riding your exercise bike, you don't have to listen to the radio or watch television.

8. Remember, sometimes it's okay to do nothing.

9. If you suffer from insomnia, headaches, recurring colds, or stomach upsets, consider whether stress is part of the problem. Being chronically angry, frustrated, or apprehensive can deplete your physical resources.

10. If you feel stress (or anything else) is getting the better of you, seek professional help — a doctor or therapist. Early signs of excess stress are loss of a sense of well-being and reluctance to get up in the morning to face another day.

Listed below are restaurants that provide some of the best when it comes to Maryland crab cakes:

Boomerang's Original Ribs

410-326-6050; www.loveribs.com

Captain's Table

410-326-2772; www.captainstableinsolomons.com

Dream Weaver

410-535-4355; www.dreamweavercatering.com

Jerry's Place

410-535-3242

Ruddy Duck Brewery & Grill

410-394-3825; www.ruddyduckbrewery.com.

Kenyan McDuffie has officially taken the oath of office as the D.C Council member for Wad 5.

McDuffie replaces Harry Thomas, Jr., who abruptly resigned in January amid embezzlment charges.

McDuffie won the special election in early May and his will expire in 2014.