Washington Informer

The Washington Nationals observed Jackie Robinson Day, April 15, in Miami when they took on the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park, with each of the team's players wearing No. 42 as part of a League-wide celebration of the first African-American player in Major League Baseball.

Before traveling to Miami, the team honored Jackie Robinson Scholars in the District at Nationals Park with a Spirit Award during pregame ceremonies on Saturday, April 13. In addition, for the fifth year, the team recognized the finalists of the Washington Informer Spelling Bee on the field and provided 200 complimentary tickets to bee participants, teachers and coaches.

While the team was away for this special commemoration, Nationals fans were encouraged to learn more about Robinson's legacy through the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

For more information, visit http://www.jackierobinson.org.

Finally, Libraries Get Their Due!

I was overjoyed after reading in James Wright's article, "Gray's Plans to Expand Library Funding" (April 11, 2013), that the library system of the District of Columbia is about to receive an infusion of funds. I am particularly happy because the Woodridge Branch has been one of my favorite places since I was a child growing up in the neighborhood decades ago. At last, we are scheduled for a much-needed renovation!

Of all the institutions that are open to the public, a city's libraries are useful for academic research, technology needs, community activities, and, perhaps most important, reading for pleasure. There's something that piques everyone's interests in libraries.

There should always be consideration of funding for the libraries in all discussions about where to spend available money.

In fact, public school funding and library funding should be tied to one another. In that regard, the schools should begin at the elementary level to teach children how to use the library, not just to complete assignments, but also to enjoy checking out storybooks for leisure reading. My children developed their love of books and reading when we went to the Woodridge Branch every few weeks and checked out as many books as we could carry. They are now adults, and continue to love reading.

Thank goodness attention is now being given to our neighborhood branches. Let's keep our libraries well funded, technologically up-to-date, and welcoming to the city's communities.

Estelle Jackson

Washington, D.C.

A New Appreciation for MLK

It was good to see Eve Ferguson's review of the Arena Stage presentation of "The Mountaintop" in the April 11, 2013 edition. I thought the play was great! But I must say in the beginning I was getting a little angry thinking that the playwright was using old rumors and widespread speculations about Dr. Martin Luther King's philandering. Was I ever surprised!

To me it was a brilliant play, extremely thought provoking and inspiring. In the end, I came away with a different kind of appreciation of what Dr. King did as a man, the enormous pressure he must have had on him as a man and the unbelievable burden he had to bear. I wish everyone could see this play because for me it will be one of my all time favorites.

Mark Pierce

Washington, D.C.

The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation (WRCF) and NRG Energy rewarded more than 100 third-graders at Glenridge Elementary School in Prince George's County on for their commitment to reading with an April 16 "Power to Read Pizza Party."

Throughout the 2012 football season, students across the Washington, D.C. metro area participated in the Redskins Read Book Challenge powered by NRG. Students who read 10 or more books during the season were invited to have a parent, guarding or teacher nominate them for a reading certificate.

"We are committed to working with the Redskins excited about this opportunity to celebrate our students and the reading they have done this year," said Glenridge reading specialist Paddy Gordon. "This is a wonderful example of a community partnership that promotes literacy."

From among all the students and schools who completed the challenge, Glenridge's students read the most books and had the most children participate.

"We are passionate about helping our students develop reading proficiency and a love of reading," said Glenridge principal Gloria McCoy. "We are very excited and grateful that the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and NRG Energy share our enthusiasm and will reward the hard work of our students and the encouragement of our teachers."

The Redskins Read Book Challenge was created by the WRCF and NRG Energy to encourage and incentivize kindergarten through sixth grade students to explore the joys of reading.

"Congratulations to all of the students for their hard work!? said Manny Rodriguez, vice president of Sponsorships, Events and Charitable Giving, NRG Energy. "We are excited to be a part of this vital program and are committed to working with the Redskins to promote literacy within the community."

For more information on the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation's programs and events or to donate, visit www.redskins.com/community or follow the Foundation on twitter at @WRFoundation.

Mayor Vincent Gray said late Monday, that while proceeding today with the celebration of the District's Emancipation Day, he and city officials continue to monitor the situation that took place at the Boston Marathon.

The mayor added that in commemoration of the day on which schools are closed and city employees get time off as a paid holiday, extra precautions are in place to ensure the safety of the city, its residents and visitors.

"The District of Columbia celebrates each April 16 as Emancipation Day where we commemorate our nation's hard-fought battle for freedom and equal justice under the law," Gray said in a statement. "In a modern context, Emancipation Day also provides time to reflect on the District's current struggle for budget autonomy and full representation in Congress."

The D.C. Compensated Emancipation Act, which officially abolished slavery in the nation's capital in 1862, was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, and paid D.C. slave owners up to $300 to give up their slaves and ultimately freed more than 3,000 slaves, according to the U.S. Senate website.

The act set a precedent for the Emancipation Proclamation that would come several months later, according to City Councilman Vincent Orange, who is the chair of the event's oversight committee.

"It's the only time in history that the federal government paid $1 million in 1862 to free the slaves," Orange told ABC News. "Clearly, that was part of Lincoln's strategy to win civil war."

This year, the city will be honoring the day through the standard parades and fireworks, and even a battle of local university bands and workshops on the day's history, organized by Orange.

Emancipation Day was made an unpaid furlough day in 2011 to save the city much needed funds. Almost 22,000 city employees were eventually paid back after the city ended the year on a fiscal surplus, according to the mayor's office.

(Source: ABC News)

BOSTON — A series of explosions was reported near the finish line at the Boston Marathon on Monday, leaving two people dead and at least two dozen injured, according to the Boston Police Department.

The explosions from two bombs went off more than four hours after the start of the men's race, which meant that there were still several thousand runners yet to finish the race.

A third explosion was heard just before 4 p.m., about an hour after the first two blasts. The police were apparently aware of that device before the explosion occurred.

The blasts took place about four hours after the start of the men's race, which meant that there were still several thousand runners yet to finish the race. One senior counterterrorism official said it was too soon to tell whether the explosions were related to terrorism.

The Boston Marathon is one of running's most storied events, established in 1897 and one of the six World Marathon Majors. The event typically attracts an estimated 500,000 spectators and requires certain qualifying times for runners to compete.

(Source: The New York Times)