WI Web Staff
Prince George's Council Member Toles Assists Toy Giveaway
Tuesday, 18 December 2012 19:23 Published in Local
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
Negro Baseball League Playing Cards Launched
Tuesday, 18 December 2012 15:56 Published in Arts & Entertainment
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.
Washington guard Jordan Crawford slips past Los Angeles guard Chris Duhon in the second half of NBA action on Friday, Dec. 14 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 102-96.
Washington forward Cartier Martin gets a layup around Los Angeles center Dwight Howard in NBA action on Friday, Dec. 14 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 102-96. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant and Washington forward Martell Webster fight for possession of the basketball in the first half of NBA action at the Verizon Center in Northwest on Friday, Dec. 14. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 102-96. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
Los Angeles center Dwight Howard shoots over four Washington players in the first half of NBA action at the Verizon Center in Northwest on Friday, Dec. 14. The Lakers defeated the Wizards 102-96. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
UDC senior guard Keith Brooks drives past Roberts Wesleyan senior guard William Kemp-Harris during college basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 15 at the UDC gymnasium in Northwest. Brooks scored eight points with eight assists in the contest. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
UDC junior guard Quasim Jones dunks and scores two of his 11 game points during college basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 15 at the UDC gymnasium in Northwest. Jones also collected four rebounds and four assists in the contest. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
UDC junior guard Janelle Junior drives to the basket in the first half of women's basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 15 at the UDC gymnasium in Northwest. UDC defeated Roberts Wesleyan 59-56. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
UDC and Roberts Wesleyan players fight for possession of the basketball in the first half of women's college basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 15 at the UDC gymnasium in Northwest. UDC defeated Roberts Wesleyan 59-56. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
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
Residents of the Ivy City neighborhood who fought to prevent the District from building a tour bus parking lot on the former grounds of the Crummell School, have gained favor a judge who recently issued a preliminary injunction barring the lot until violations of District laws, surrounding involvement of the 5B Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and assurance of an environmental assessment, are brought into compliance. D.C. Mayor Vincent and Union Station Redevelopment Corporation are named as defendants in the matter.
"Consideration of the record and the factors determining issuance of a preliminary injunction weigh in favor of Plaintiffs," Judge Judith Macaluso wrote in her Dec. 10 ruling. "The court will enjoin use of the Crummell School grounds as a bus parking lot pending completion of the statutory requirements discussed above. The injunction will not forbid construction activities (which are virtually complete) or maintenance. The prejudice Plaintiffs assert does not flow from improvement of the lot, which was formerly in disrepair, but from use of the grounds for diesel bus parking."
Crummel is located at Kendall and Gallaudet streets in Northeast. While the District can forge ahead with completion of the lot, it can't put it to use until it meets approval of the ANC and passes the environmental screening.
While the city plans to examine reasons for an appeal, Johnny Barnes, the attorney who represented the residents, said in an interview that judge's decision represents "a resounding victory, not just for Ivy City but the entire city."
More than 4,000 new and unwrapped toys were donated during the recent "Toys for Tots" drive that was spearheaded by The Yolanda Adams Morning Show, Praise 104.1.
Listeners brought the toys to the Lowes Home Improvement store in Largo, Md., during the popular show's Dec. 14 broadcast.
As the standing-room-only crowd gathered under an unheated Lowes tent to watch gospel performers Damita Haddon, Alexias Spight, James Fortune and others, they were greeted by Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Prince George's County Community College President Charlene Dukes and the Yolanda Adams Morning Show team -- to which a representative from County Executive Rushern Baker's office presented with a proclamation.
Click here to see photos from Yolanda Adams Morning Show Toy Drive. /Photos by Shevry Lassiter
Obama Expresses Condolences in Connecticut School Killings
Friday, 14 December 2012 21:04 Published in National
President Barack Obama has expressed his condolences to the famlies who lost their children and other loved ones in the horrific shooting that occurred early Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Reportedly, at least 18 children and eight adults were killed.
During a White House press conference held in the afternoon, Obama -- who wiped away tears and referenced the recent mall shooting in Oregon and the theater massacre in Colorado -- made these remarks:
"We've endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years," the president said, noting that he was reacting as a parent -- and not as president. "I know there's not a parent in America that doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief as I do."
Obama,who said the children had their entire lives ahead of them, added:
"Our hearts are broken today for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children ... Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well."
In urging every parent to hug ther children a little tighter and to tell them they love them, he said, "While nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need."
Mayor Vincent C. Gray's innovative One City • One Hire program has reached a key milestone in connecting more than 5,000 previously unemployed District residents with jobs.
Gray and Lisa María Mallory, director of the Department of Employment Services (DOES), also announced recently that the District's On-the-Job Training program will begin its second phase in 2013.
"We are extremely delighted that we have helped more than 5,000 District residents find jobs during these difficult economic times," Gray said. "But I will not be fully satisfied until all those who want a job not only find one, but also are adequately trained and qualified to obtain and retain the jobs of the future."
In September 2011, with the District's unemployment rate hovering just over 11 percent – the highest in nearly three decades – Gray and DOES launched One City • One Hire to serve as a catalyst to meet his goal of putting unemployed District residents in all parts of the city back to work.
Currently, more than 800 businesses throughout the Washington metropolitan area have become One City • One Hire partners. In addition, the District's current unemployment rate of 8.5 percent is at its lowest level since January 2009.
DOES will launch maOne City • One Hire mobile-phone application early next year for both employers and job seekers to register for the program at the touch of their fingertips. Through the app, employers and job seekers will eventually be able to register for One City • One Hire events as well as have qualified candidates who meet employer requirements and job listings that match job applicants' skills sent directly to their phones.
"The One City • One Hire mobile app is an innovative concept that allows for easier job-seeker matching with employers. We are also proud to be leaders in this area as jurisdictions around the country seek to find more innovative and easier ways to strengthen employment offerings," said Mallory. "As we continue in our efforts to find ways to improve the services that DOES offers District residents, new technologies will allow us to better serve our customers and remain on the cutting edge."
The app will initially be available for iPhone, but a version for phones with Android operating systems will be available by the end of the first quarter of 2013.
Source: Office of the D.C. Mayor
Black Veterans to Release Obama Speech Collection
Friday, 14 December 2012 18:37 Published in Arts & Entertainment
The National Coalition of Black Veteran o
rganizations has joined the Alaska-based BlaqueIce (pronounced: black ice) Productions in a major fundraiser to construct a monument in in the District of Columbia in honor of Col. Charles Young, the legendary soldier/diplomat who led America's renown Buffalo Soldiers.
The Trilogy CD collection includes four historic speeches by President Barack Obama, with original scores composed by BlaqueIce producers. The remarkable oratory – which defines America's political maturation and innovative compositions that exemplify its creative essence -- will be a must-have for generations to come.
"Our hope is to demonstrate progress in achieving the historical ideals of African-American service men and women by melding the oration of President Obama, with the history of our participation in the defense of the nation," said Charles Blatcher, chairman of the Veterans Coalition. "The merits of our services are the cornerstone of civil rights and made possible this historic moment in American History."
The three-disc set features the speech Obama delivered upon his acceptance of the Democratic nomination on August 28, 2008, at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado; his historic victory speech delivered at Chicago's Grant Park following his election on November 4, 2008; his swearing-in speech delivered on January 20, 2009; and, a bonus track of Obama's speech on race relations that without question framed our national outlook on race and politics.
"We at BlaqueIce believe the service of our many African-American military personnel, marks a journey of unparalleled sacrifice and triumph as we have traveled throughout time from slavery to the White House," said Leonard A. Lawson, BlaqueIce founder and owner.
"For this we are eternally grateful! I cannot express enough gratitude in being asked to participate in establishing a monument honoring the legendary Col. Charles Young in our nation capitol. We are honored to contribute a portion of the proceeds derived from the sale of the collection to support the monument project."
Christal Rogers, president of Precise Plans, added that prior to a recent introduction, they had not been aware of the history of Young. "After we heard about him, we agreed that this is a long overdue and worthwhile undertaking," Rogers said. "It is not every day an opportunity presents itself to honor the past and contemporary history as it does with this project."
The Trilogy collection is slated for release in 2013.
Source: National Veterans Coalition
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