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UPPER MARLBORO, MD— Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker released the following statement on June 30 regarding recent Maryland State Assessment test results for Prince George's County Public Schools:
"Across the board, Prince George's County Public Schools' students, teachers, parents, and support staff can take credit for the significant improvements in MSA test results. These results demonstrate the extraordinary effort, sacrifice, and discipline the entire school system, supported by the Board of Education, dedicates to our county students. As a public school parent, and as county executive, I am very proud of everyone's hard work and I continue to champion educational improvements in Prince George's County.
For three consecutive years, during challenging economic times, our school system has shown consistent improvements in test scores. Within every Prince George's County public school, there are dedicated principals, great teachers, and remarkable students. Positive results come not just from inside the school buildings, they come from our parents, faith institutions, and communities who also deserve credit today for their contributions to our children's future.
My administration is committed to providing the support and resources that will help enhance opportunities for students in the Prince George's County Public School System. Our goal is to make sure that someday every student in this county graduates from high school with the skills to fulfill their future ambitions. I believe this county can achieve that goal."
WASHINGTON, DC -- Mayor Vincent C. Gray, accompanied by Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Acting Director Terry Bellamy, recently joined community and business leaders to announce substantial completion of the H Street Reconstruction Project.
DDOT wrapped up work on June 30 on the roadway, sidewalks, streetcar tracks and streetlights in the 1300 and 1400 blocks of H Street NE – the final segment of the construction project that began in September 2008.
"When I met with H Street merchants earlier this year they said, 'Please get this project done -- get it done as fast as possible' -- because it was having an impact on their ability to run successful businesses," said Gray. "So I challenged DDOT to complete the major work by June 30, ahead of schedule, and as you can see, DDOT and its contractors have delivered."
Major work on the project was scheduled to be completed in August, but DDOT worked with the contractor, D.C.-based Capitol Paving, to accelerate the project and meet the mayor's deadline.
"We have now completed the work that has had the biggest impact on businesses, residents and travelers," said Bellamy, "And we want to thank them all for their patience and cooperation during construction. Now we look forward to H Street's next chapter, which will include the District's first modern streetcar line. We think H Street will soon be the envy of every neighborhood in the city."
The H Street Reconstruction Project spans nearly one-mile of H Street NE, from 3 rd Street to the 1400 block where it connects to the starburst Intersection and the Benning Road Project completed earlier this year. Together, the two projects are the first corridors in the District's Great Streets Initiative to be completed.
Great Streets is a multi-agency initiative that strategically targets major corridors in the city with infrastructure improvements that are aimed at fostering more livable communities, promoting economic development and improving mobility for residents. DDOT has worked closed with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning Economic Development and the Office of Planning on the Great Streets projects.
The project cost approximately $35 million. It is the first comprehensive reconstruction and redevelopment of the H Street corridor since the devastation of the 1968 riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The pool of hopefuls for the Ward 7 City Council race is about to widen, with the Rev. Bill Bennett, pastor of Good Success Christian Church, expected to soon announce his candidacy.
According to Loose Lips, the pastor's team said in a news release over the weekend that Bennett who co-founded the Washington Interfaith Network,"is running to promote employment and economic development in Ward 7 as well as "more comprehensive services for senior citizens, increased public safety support, more restaurants and quality social venues and more opportunities that help Ward 7 residents receive their Fair Share!"
So far, Bennett who has served as former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry's director for the Office of Religious Affairs, will be running against Kevin B. Chavous, Tom Brown, and Ron Moten as they try to unseat incumbent Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander.
The books will be shipped to schools and programs around the country during the week, but schools and programs from D.C., Maryland and Virginia will be picking up books in person throughout the day on Wed., Sept. 14.
Roughly 85,000 new books are going to local schools and programs.
In addition, First Book staff, volunteers and supporters will be hand-delivering boxes of new books to select schools in Maryland and the District from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Fri., Sept. 16.
For more information, contact Brian Minter, 202-639-0115 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
WASHINGTON - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has announced that President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the annual Phoenix Awards Dinner Sat., Sept. 24. The dinner concludes the Foundation's 41st Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). President Obama is scheduled to address more than 3,000 expected attendees at the evening's event.
Four distinguished individuals will receive the prestigious Phoenix Awards: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson; U.S. Representative and civil rights activist John Lewis; athlete and humanitarian George Edward Forman Sr; and civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. President Obama himself, was the recipient of the Phoenix Award in 2008, which recognizes individuals for their efforts and accomplishments that have made significant contributions to society, and symbolizes the immortality of the human spirit and an eternal desire to reach its full potential.
In addition, the six surviving founders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will be honored during the evening, in recognition of the organization's 40th anniversary. Actor and activist Hill Harper and WJLA veteran evening news anchor Maureen Bunyan will serve as co-emcees.
ALC provides an outlet to highlight the mission of CBCF - to develop leaders, to inform policy and to educate the public - by providing more than 80-high level, thought-provoking forums to address the critical challenges facing the African-American Diaspora.
This year, thousands are expected to reflect on the conference's theme: iLead|iServe. ALC attendees will have many opportunities to share their thoughts and experiences on leadership and service - how and why they do it, the value of each, and the impact of each within their lives and their communities. The conference will use social media, a town hall meeting, brain trusts and personal interaction to further encourage discussions and follow-up conversations among attendees.
Mayor Vincent Gray 
Mayor Vincent Gray expressed appreciation over budget automony./Courtesy Photohas sent a letter to Representatives Louise Slaughter of New York and Diana DeGette of Colorado, publicly thanking them for supporting what they called the "District of Columbia's right to self-government as well as the health and reproductive rights of low-income women" in D.C.
The Congresswomen documented their support in a letter they sent to Democratic members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in advance of committee consideration of the D.C. appropriations bill this week.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Coca-Cola Company and the Washington Nationals have teamed up for the second consecutive year to promote Live Positively: Get the Ball Rolling, an initiative designed to educate local youth about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle through proper exercise and nutrition.
As part of Coca-Cola's Get the Ball Rolling program in the Disrict, the Nationals will host a youth baseball clinic beginning at 10 a.m., Mon., Sept. 19 at Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol St. in Southeast. Lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m.
Nationals' third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will join approximately 300 middle school students for the event, which will utilize the entire ballpark to teach batting, fielding and pitching techniques. In addition to the Nationals clinic, the Washington Redskins, Capitals, Wizards and Mystics will host a series of clinics throughout the fall for youth living in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Each sports team, in partnership with Coca-Cola, will host a clinic focused on teaching youth the importance of exercise and a balanced diet. Professional athletes will run fitness drills and nutrition experts will provide information on balanced eating for participants to take home and share with their families.
The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum held it's 44th Anniversary luncheon at the Museum, located in Southeast Washington DC, Thursday,September 16, 2011. The current exhibition features artist BK Adams, standing here between two of his favorite paintings, he poses with his palm up, which was the inspiration for the painting on the left. He shares his story with museum director Camile Giraud Akeju. Photo by Victoe Holt.
Throngs of students and alumni dressed in black and gold piled into Bulldog Stadium at Bowie State University in Maryland to cheer on their home team during their homecoming game against Livingstone College.
Spirits were high as the Bulldogs led the game, 34-14 into the fourth quarter, a staunch contrast to the feelings of sadness felt across campus just days before.
On Thursday evening, while getting ready for a homecoming comedy show, freshman Dominique T. Frazier, 18, was stabbed and killed in her suite in Christa McAuliffe residential community on campus.
The accused murderer is her roommate, Alexis Simpson, 19.
A group of about 40 people arrested during an April protest along with Mayor Vincent Gray, is slated to go on trial.
The group, who protested on Capitol Hill over restrictions Congress placed on the District's budget, initially decided to pay a fine but later some of the protesters opted for their day in court.
The trial begins Sept. 19 and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes is expected to testify.
Shelia Stewart is noted for excellence in journalism./Courtesy PhotoRadio One DC's News and Community Affairs Director Sheila Stewart has been named "Black Radio/TV News Director of the Year."
Stewart received the honor this past weekend at The Washington Post with The National Black Press Association.
Stewart was among notables in the category for "excellence" in journalism and community service.
Stewart is a "pillar" in the Washington Metropolitan area and often lends her name to support charitable causes.
Stewart will celebrate 25 years in broadcasting next year.
Markus Batchelor,19, is Ward 8 Democrats' new first vice president./Courtesy Photo
Joyce Scott, a long time Ward 8 activist, was elected president of the Ward 8 Democrats on Sat., Sept. 17 at the Savoy Elementary School in Southeast. Scott, who was the organization's first vice president, will serve as president until September 2013.
Meanwhile, there is a new star in the D.C. political landscape: 19-year-old Markus Batchelor, who was elected first vice president of the organization. His success makes Batchelor part of a new breed of young elected officials and political aspirants who have pledged to make Ward 8 a better place to live.
Ward 8 is a strong Democratic enclave and gave Barack Obama the most support in the city in terms of percentages in 2008. The ward was also the second most pro-Vincent Gray district in D.C. next to Gray's own Ward 7.
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