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The Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority of Washington, D.C., will host more than 300 middle school students, grades 6th through 8th, for Girls Rock: Emerging Young Leaders Empowerment Conference."  The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Nov. 12 at the Walker Jones Education Campus, 1125 New Jersey Ave. in Northwest.

Xi Zeta Omega. is connected to D.C. through its community outreach and focus on the city's youth.AKA

The conference, which is free of charge, is designed to empower young girls on issues relatied to self esteem, conflict resolution, fitness and healthy living and personal relationships.

The workshops have eye-catching titles to attract the girls' attention such as "Still Standing." which deals with sexual health, "Pretty Girls Swag," which encompasses presentation and social networking.

There will also be a special training workshop for parents and guardians who want to learn skills to better advocate for improved education, health and the social well being of their girls.

Monday, 07 November 2011 15:25
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Landover, MD –The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation will partner with the Prince George's County Department of Social Services to determine eligibility of county residents for participation in the ninth annual Redskins-Harris Teeter Harvest Feast.Charitable-Foundation-Logo

Each year, thousands of residents in need, receive whole turkeys and grocery bags full of Thanksgiving holiday food items.

Prince George's County residents will have until close of business Fri., Nov. 11 to call the Prince George's County Department of Social Services at 301.909.7107 to determine eligibility.

Eligible residents will receive a whole turkey and fresh and packaged food on Tues., Nov. 22 at FedExField.

Monday, 07 November 2011 16:56
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DMurrayMichael Jackson's physician, Conrad Murray, was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody following guilty verdict./AP Photor. Conrad Murray has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson and faces sentencing on Nov. 29.

Members of Jackson's family wept quietly and remained in the courtroom Nov. 7 as Murray, who sat stone-faced at the reading of the verdict, was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Painted as a reckless caregiver who administered a lethal dose of a powerful anesthetic that killed the pop star, Murray, 58, appeared calm as he was being led away. The Houston cardiologist faces up to four years in prison and could lose his medical license.

Following word of the verdict, there was a shriek in the courtroom and the crowd outside erupted into cheers of victory.

However, there are Murray supporters who believe the Panama-born doctor didn't act negligently in the King of Pop's June 25, 2009 death, and thahe had been used as a cover-up.

"This man didn't deserve this. They needed a scapegoat," DiGiacomo, 53, a former Long Island, N.Y., teacher's aide, said in an interview.  She added that she didn't believe Murray did anything to intentionally harm Jackson.

Jackson's sister LaToya Jackson, and other family members have adamantly stated their belief that Michael was murdered by people who felt he was worth more in death, and who were also bent on taking control of his multi-million dollar Beatles catalog.

Monday, 07 November 2011 22:52
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Beginning in December, new recipients of unemployment benefits in the District will receive automatic payments through government-issued prepaid Visa® debit cards, according to a statement issued this week by the Department of Employment Services (DOES).

The switch from paper checks will save the District more than $1 million each year, and the personalized debit cards will enable unemployment claimants to have their benefits directly deposited on the cards. Claimants who already receive paper checks will have to decide whether they want the direct deposit or debit card option by the time the program is fully implemented early next month.Unemployment2Courtesy Photo

Nearly 600,000 checks are issued each year by DOES' Office of Unemployment Compensation. Switching to the debit cards will be more cost-effective, reducing the physical and financial costs of paper, printing and postage as well as delivery of checks.

"DOES is pleased to implement the UI Benefits Card Program in an effort to provide our claimants with a faster, safer, and more cost efficient means to receive and access their unemployment benefits," said DOES Director Lisa María Mallory. "By eliminating paper checks, our claimants will save both time and the fees associated with check cashing establishments."

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 17:56
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imagesCA5HGCONNEW YORK - Occupy Wall Street is going on the road -- a two-week walk to Washington.

A small group of activists plans to leave Manhattan's Zuccotti Park at noon Wednesday (Nov. 9). They hope to arrive Nov. 23, the deadline for a congressional committee to decide whether to keep President Barack Obama's extension of Bush-era tax cuts. Protesters say the cuts benefit only rich Americans.

Kelly Brannon is organizing the 240-mile march with a dozen others. They hope to pick up others along the way. They liken the effort long-distance walks led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights era.

They say they'll overnight by camping or at volunteered accommodations.

 

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 18:03
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LARGO, MD - Keep Prince George's County Beautiful has announced that one of its affiliate organizations, Save the World! (STW) Environmental Club comprised of students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades from Calverton Elementary School in Beltsville, will be honored this fall at the 58th annual Keep America Beautiful National Conference (KAB) in New Orleans.

STW won first place nationally in the waste reduction/recycling category for its implementation of a comprehensive paper recycling program for more than 800 students that provides every classroom with its own recycling bin and examines every bin on a weekly basis to ensure compliance.

"Save the World! Environmental Club members have made a profound and positive impact on the quality of life in Prince George's County and the environment," said County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. "Not only are they being honored for improving our community, but they are receiving a valuable education about service and environmental stewardship."

The Club was supported by Keep Prince George's County Beautiful (KPGCB) a non-profit corporation that partners with the Department of Environmental Resources' (DER) Waste Management Division to create clean and healthy communities.

Benefiting from its association with the KAB network of nearly 2,000 affiliates and participating organizations, KPGCB supports the County through the development and implementation of waste management programs that include the Green Team School Program (in partnership with Prince George's County Public Schools), Great American Clean Up and Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.

The 58th annual KAB National Conference takes place Nov. 29 – Dec. 2 and brings together award-winning organizations and affiliates from across the country to celebrate the successes of the last 12 months and share best practices in beautification and community greening, fundraising, environmental courts, board development and social media.

The KAB National Awards are open to any business, civic group, school or government agency and their employees for their efforts to deliver a more beautiful, cleaner and improved environment through new technologies, improved waste handling and public space stewardship for program activities.

KAB, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit www.kab.org.

For more information about the Save The World! Environmental Club, contact Katie Swanson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and for information about KPGCB and any of its programs and services, contact Helen Register at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or John Neville at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 19:52
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Mayor Vincent Gray is expected to tap Sheila Bunn as a replacement for Andi Pringle who lasted less than two weeks as his deputy chief-of-staff.

Pringle vacated the post in September after reports surfaced that she voted in a D.C. election while living in Maryland.

According to Loose Lips Bunn, chief-of -staff to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, did not return calls seeking comment or confirmation.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the hiring scandal that earlier engulfed the Gray administration, if she accepts, Bunn will most likely be subjected to a thorough vettting process.  

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 20:27
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Mayor-GrayMayor Vincent C. Gray recently issued the following statement regarding the demonstrations associated with the Occupy D.C. movement:

"Until recently, the Occupy D.C. movement and its demonstrations have been peaceful. The report of aggressive action by some protestors last Friday evening (Nov. 4) was not indicative of what we have come to expect from Occupy D.C. demonstrators.

While I will always support the peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights, my administration must and will take all steps necessary to ensure that everyone's safety, property and rights are protected - including D.C. residents, visitors, and the protestors themselves.

I am concerned about reports that recent actions by some individuals associated with Occupy D.C. have turned more aggressive. We will not tolerate behavior that jeopardizes public safety. I urge all involved in the Occupy D.C. demonstrations to show restraint and to ensure that their protests are peaceful and not discredited by violence."

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 20:53
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The newest member of the Prince George's County Council, Derrick Leon Davis (D) – District 6, was  administered the oath of office on Nov. 8 by Clerk of the Circuit Court Marilynn M. Bland during a swearing-in ceremony in the Council Hearing Room in Upper Marlboro,Md.Derrick_Leon_Davis

Council Member Davis won a special election to fill the District 6 Council seat left vacant by the resignation of Leslie Johnson in July 2011. He encouraged District 6 residents to look forward.

"This day is about our future—about how we keep working, growing and progressing together," said Davis. "How we invest in Prince George's County and in each other. It's about what unites us and moves us forward."

In remarks to family, friends and District 6 residents assembled in the Council Hearing Room,  Davis thanked his supporters and recognized his mentor, former County Council member the Honorable JoAnn Bell.

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 15:45
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A grand opening for the Early Stages Center in Northwest was held on Nov. 8.

The center, which is operated by the District of Columbia Public Schools system, provides greater access to thousands of families in Wards 7 and 8 seeking to evaluate and identify young children in need of special education services.

The new center, the second to open in the District since 2009, will offer free, comprehensive diagnostic testing services for children ages 3-5 and recommend the services necessary to help them succeed as they enter school.

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 16:06
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Washington, D.C. – In a recent keynote address to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "Business Steps Up: Hiring our Heroes" event, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that the International Franchise Association (IFA) which represents 1,100 franchises has committed to hiring 80,000 veterans and military spouses by 2014.Michelle-obama

Five thousand jobs of this commitment are promised to wounded warriors. Mrs. Obama also announced that the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) – which Dr. Jill Biden helped launch at the Chamber of Commerce last summer and which includes nearly 100 companies and organizations – has committed to employ 20,000 military spouses.

These organizations include companies like Microsoft, Home Depot and Citi and franchises like UPS, Guidant Financial and Data Doctors. Together, the commitment by the International Franchise Association and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership represents a commitment to hire 100,000 veterans, wounded warriors and military spouses by 2014.

Thursday, 10 November 2011 16:45
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Raymond_Rec_CenterDistrict of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray and city officials recently held the groundbreaking ceremony for a new recreation center in Northwest.

The new facility attached to Raymond Elementary School will include an indoor gym, computer lab, fitness center and game room as well as a playground. It will replace the current Raymond Recreation Center which has been closed to make way for the new building in Ward 4.

The new facility, which is expected to be completed in a little over a year, is being overseen by the Department of General Services (DGS).

Friday, 11 November 2011 16:01
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Featured Poll

Do you agree with Mayor Vincent Gray’s decision to enable the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a driver's license, learner's permit, or identification card to undocumented District residents?