WI Web Staff
A Source of Pride in the Neighborhood
Fantastic article by Elton Hayes, "Inside The Gates, Barry Farm Basketball Courts are a National Treasure," August 16, 2012. I was so glad to see it in your paper; this spot has been jumping in Southeast for years. I mean, we were doing it even before all of the upgrades and national coverage. Barry Farm is a special place for a lot of people and the Goodman League has always been a source of pride for those in and around the area.
Just like The Informer, the Goodman League offers and highlights some of the positive aspects of Southeast Washington. Thanks for the article and thanks, Goodman League for another summer filled with fantastic hoop dreams.
Bobby Dean
Washington, D.C.
Pushed Out by Parking Restrictions
It was with great sadness that I read the front-page article in your August 16 issue, "St. Matthews Baptist Church Moves to Prince George's County," by Sam Collins. The city is losing an historic 100-year-old congregation because of newly imposed parking restrictions in favor of new residents in the church's neighborhood. I agree with the Rev. Washington when he says that the current administration, including the City Council, is unfriendly to the faith community, because District officials are allowing this disturbing trend in church communities across the city.
I am a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, which is in the Shaw neighborhood, and is very close to the Mount Vernon Square area, one of the hottest new development areas in town. In disbelief, we recently saw signs placed directly across the street from our church, prohibiting us from parking there at any time on any day of the week, except for 12 midnight to 7 a.m. (Is somebody trying to be funny?) We have heard that more signs are coming soon to adjacent streets, eventually squeezing us out of all parking.
Shiloh is a vibrant, dynamic congregation with many, many community outreach programs that are in operation seven days a week. We also have choir rehearsals, Bible classes, and mid-week services that are heavily attended. We recognize that parking is tight when gentrification brings new residents to a community, but surely those new residents, when checking out their potential new homes, must have noticed the churches that have been there for decades. This is the 21st century – churches are no longer Sunday-only institutions.
In D.C., the new attitude seems to be, "We're in your neighborhood now; you have to abide by our rules, even if your church was here long before we arrived."
Shame on the city officials who are condoning this attitude and looking the other way while historic congregations are forced to abandon their beloved sanctuaries.
Tanyna Saxton
Washington, D.C.
Health Department Statement Regarding West Nile Virus
Wednesday, 22 August 2012 19:21 Published in Health
TD.C. Department of Health Interim Director Dr. Saul Levin released the following statement Aug. 22 on West Nile Virus in the District of Columbia:
"Since the beginning of the summer, the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) has identified the West Nile Virus in several mosquito samples throughout the District. Despite the positive samples, there has only been one confirmed (nonfatal) case of West Nile Virus in the District of Columbia. In an effort to reduce mosquito pools in and around homes, the residents of the District of Columbia should take proactive precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites and subsequently transmission of the West Nile Virus. Please eliminate all standing water. Pay close attention to roof gutters, flush bird baths and store pet food and water bowls inside the home. The District of Columbia Department of Health does not spray aerosol applications for mosquitoes and has not done so in the past 20 years. The Department of Health will continue to sample the District's mosquito pools throughout the summer and early fall months."
The District of Columbia does not spray aerosol applications of pesticides for several reasons including:
· The District does not have authority to apply larvicide or adulticide products on federally owned properties.
· Aerosolized pesticides can trigger asthma and aggravate respiratory conditions. To lessen the negative effects of spraying, it would be necessary to have every person remain indoors for several hours after spraying.
· The Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), a West Nile Virus vector, is a day flying mosquito. Application of pesticide sprays during the evening would have limited or no effect on this species.
· Broad-spectrum insecticides will kill many insects that are unintended targets.
Gray Proclaims Aug. 22 'Chuck Brown Day,' Unveils Plans for Memorial
Wednesday, 22 August 2012 18:54 Published in Arts & Entertainment
Proposal Memorializes 'Godfather of Go-Go' With Park, Statue, Amphitheater
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mayor Vincent Gray honored the memory of the late Go-Go music legend Chuck Brown on what would have been his 76th birthday by proclaiming August 22 "Chuck Brown Day" in the District, and unveiling plans for a living memorial to the artist, who died in May.
"Chuck Brown and his music truly epitomized what was best – and what continues to be great – about our nation's capital, and that's why it is important we make sure that generations now and in the future know of this great artist," Mayor Gray said. "That's why I'm proclaiming August 22nd 'Chuck Brown Day' and proposing that we build a memorial that will create a permanent, living salute to this hometown legend."
Earlier this year, Mayor Gray proposed legislation that would name a park in Brown's honor. Today, He announced this week that the portion of what is currently of Langdon Park bordered by 18th, 20th, Franklin and Hamlin Streets NE in Ward 5 would become Chuck Brown Memorial Park and would feature a memorial bust or statue at the park's amphitheater. The amphitheater and other park facilities would also be renovated.
"We thought a memorial focused on performance venue would be a fitting tribute to Chuck, and this park is already a place where people from all backgrounds and all ages gather to enjoy the outdoors and music," Mayor Gray said. "This will create a lasting and appropriate reminder of Chuck's legacy."
The nearly 22,000 District of Columbia government workers who were slighted two days of holiday pay in 2010, will be reimbursed in their paychecks by the end of this month.
Mayor Vincent Gray made the announcement Monday, which pertains to the employees who were forced into furloughs, as part of the city's effort to close a gaping hole in its operating budget. However, after a surplus was discovered in the 2011 budget, Gray immediately proposed a bill -- that was approved by the D.C. Council -- to repay the employees.
The money will be provided in a one-time lump sum payment beginning Aug. 21, and no later than Aug. 31.
Estimates Show 8.9 Percent Unemployment Rate, Dramatic Improvements in Wards 5, 7 & 8
The District's unemployment rate for July dropped two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.9 percent – the lowest it has been since February of 2009.
In addition, preliminary federal estimates of July employment figures for the District show significant improvement over this time last year in parts of the city that have suffered from the highest unemployment.
"I'm thrilled that our efforts to reduce unemployment in the District continue to pay off – and especially in areas that have been hit hardest by the recent recession," said Mayor Vincent Gray. "Having unemployment under 9 percent citywide is a huge milestone, and I'm proud of the work we've done to put D.C. residents back to work."
The report from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the total number of jobs in the District grew by 13,100 in July and that the number of unemployed District residents decreased by 600.
In the last year, the aggregate unemployment rate in Wards 5, 7 and 8 has dropped three full percentage points, from 19.2 percent to 16.2 percent. The trend has been most dramatic in Ward 8, where unemployment has dropped by more than four percentage points since July 2011 (from 26.3 percent to 22.5 percent). Over the same period, unemployment in Ward 7 has dropped from 17.8 percent to 15 percent and the rate in Ward 5 has dropped from 14.6 percent to 12.2 percent.
Gray noted that the District's job growth in recent years has been largely fueled by economic diversification – with growth in private-sector jobs outpacing growth in federal jobs. Statistics from the District's Office of the Chief Financial Officer show that, in the fourth quarter of 2012, there were 4 percent more private-sector jobs in the District than at the same time last year, while there were 1 percent fewer federal jobs over that same period.
"We are having success in building the New Economy I envision for the District by diversifying away from traditional sources of employment – such as the federal government and related jobs – and encouraging growth in sectors like technology, health care and hospitality in the District," Gray said. "As our One City Action Plan makes clear, we will continue and redouble those efforts to position ourselves well for an increasingly competitive global economy."
Bobby Blue Bland Headlines Bluebird Blues Festival
Monday, 20 August 2012 20:15 Published in Arts & Entertainment
Free Event Features Legendary Performers, Activities for All Ages
LARGO, MD — Blues legend Bobby Blue Bland headlines the 20th Annual Bluebird Blues Festival, 11 a.m. -- 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22 at Prince George's Community College.
Bobby Blue Bland, member of the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has had 23 top ten hits on the Billboard R&B charts including "Farther Up the Road," "I'll Take Care of You," "I Pity the Fool" and "Turn On Your Love Light."
"For 20 years, Prince George's Community College has hosted one of the county's richest community traditions that everyone looks forward to each fall," said Malverse Nicholson, Jr., chair of the Bluebird Blues Festival planning committee and dean of college life services at Prince George's Community College. "This year's lineup is special, and we are confident Bobby Blue Bland will make the celebration an unforgettable experience."
Other main stage performers include renowned blues musician Clarence Carter, famous for "Love Me with a Feeling"; Baltimore's Sonnytils' Orioles well-known for "Tell Me So;" Guitar Blues Legend Bobby Parker celebrated for his single "Watch Your Step"; and Yahzarah, R&B vocalist and former background singer for Erykah Badu, noted for "Love Come Save the Day."
Blues pianist Daryl Davis, Phil Wiggins, Little Bit A Blues featuring Warner Williams & Jay Summerour, and The Jewels will perform on the Nap Turner Stage located in Queen Anne Fine Arts.
The Bluebird Blues Festival is presented by Prince George's Community College, the Office of the Prince George's County Executive, NBC4 and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
For more information about the Bluebird Blues Festival, call 301-322-0853 or visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu.
Analysis Compares African-American Hunger, Poverty with African Nations
Monday, 20 August 2012 19:18 Published in National
A newly-released analysis from Bread for the World explores connections between hunger and poverty in the African-American community to that in Africa. The analysis, titled "Shared History, Shared Experiences: Hunger and Poverty Among African-Americans and Africans," compares hunger and poverty in three African nations to that in U.S. states of similar sizes.
"Hunger and poverty among African-Americans mirror the unjust circumstances many people in African nations endure," said the Rev. Derrick Boykin, associate for African-American leadership outreach at Bread for the World. "However, hunger and poverty impacts many African nations more severely, often resulting in disease or even death."
Though African Americans make up only 13.6 percent of the U.S. population, they continue to suffer disproportionately from hunger and poverty. As of 2010, the most recent year for which data is available from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one-third of African-American households with children struggle to put food on the table.
Similarly, one in three people in sub-Saharan Africa'a region about the size of the entire North American continent, suffers from chronic hunger.
To emphasize the importance of African-American support for anti-hunger and anti-poverty initiatives in Africa, the analysis compares the states of Virginia, Texas, and Ohio to the African nations of Liberia, Tanzania, and Malawi.
Liberia is about the same size as Virginia, but its poverty rate is nearly quadruple that of African-Americans in that state. Similarly, three times as many Tanzanians live in poverty as do African-Americans in Texas.
At 40 percent, the poverty rate in Malawi is slightly higher than the African-American poverty rate in Ohio (31 percent), but the degree of poverty is substantially greater in Malawi, where more than 40 percent of the population lives on less than $1 (U.S.) per day.
Less than one percent of the U.S. budget goes toward poverty-focused foreign assistance programs. However, these programs save more than 1 million lives annually, promoting sustainability and self-sufficiency.
"Our experiences may be similar but the degree of suffering in African nations is staggering," Rev. Boykin added. "Cuts to anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs would have devastating impacts on vulnerable people in the United States and around the world. These programs save millions of lives by providing people with the necessary tools to help lift themselves out of poverty."
To support mutually beneficial partnerships for the United States and Africa, Bread for the World formed "African-American Voices for Africa," a network of leaders calling for the empowerment of African people by advocating for policies that eradicate hunger, poverty, and disease.
For additional resources, please visitwww.bread.org
HOROSCOPES
ARIES Let your creative juices flow. Advice from a child has a reward in it. On the job, coworkers will help you expand your sense of accomplishment. Only you can stand in your way. Never under estimate the power of silence. Soul Affirmation: I enjoy learning new things about myself this week. Lucky Numbers: 16, 35, 40
TAURUS Opportunity knocks this week, be ready and waiting. An old love resurfaces. This week is good for you financially. Look for a special opportunity at work. Families matters, spend time with yours. Soul Affirmation: I let myself experience my true ambitions this week. Lucky Numbers: 19, 30, 40
GEMINI Quit rushing around. You frequently help others so why are you troubling over asking for the help you need this week? Ask and when you receive say Thank You! You are blessed with many supportive friends. Soul Affirmation: I smile and trust in the powers beyond myself. Lucky Numbers: 17, 23, 53
CANCER The influence of someone close can make all the difference in the world. Don't go alone. Your achievements are closely tied to someone who might not have agreed with you in the past. Soul Affirmation: The grandeur of my presence reflects the sunshine of my soul. Lucky Numbers: 18, 23, 37
LEO You and your honey have so much to talk about, listen! He or she is trying to come out of a whole new bag. Accept! Change is a good thing this week. Expect to travel soon. Savor the thought. Soul Affirmation: What I've been waiting for has been here all along. Lucky Numbers: 6, 45, 47
VIRGO If nothing much is happening on the job, remember that chilling is good sometimes. Use this week to return phone calls and answer letters. Be low key. Wonderful things flow from what you don't do. Soul Affirmation: All things work together for good. Lucky Numbers: 4, 51, 52
LIBRA You can turn that obstacle into an opportunity at work. Check out the players carefully. Watch your back and hold your tongue around workplace rivals. Aggressively seek agreement. Soul Affirmation: The slowness of my week gives me time to refresh my energy. Lucky Numbers: 8, 40, 42
SCORPIO Don't let your outer space infringe on your inner peace. Control situations that might affect your ability to get that important job done. Remember people are only human. As seldom before confidence is the key to accomplishment this week. Soul Affirmation: I find many things about myself that I really love. Lucky Numbers: 8, 16, 23
SAGITTARIUS Mail, e-mail, or telephone brings news of a matter that demands more attention than you might think. Opportunity knocks at work this week. This week spend some quality time with your family. Soul Affirmation: I keep in mind the practical side of life this week. Lucky Numbers: 1, 30, 34
CAPRICORN Listen well for the indications that money can be found in an unusual place. Social and romantic interest should be your focus this evening. Love comes from what you do not say. Soul Affirmation: I let my mind go slack and tighten up my body Lucky Numbers: 2, 45, 47
AQUARIUS Some people may not "get" where you're coming from, but ask your family and significant other to give you time to explain your way of looking at life this week. Do it calmly and confidentially. Soul Affirmation: I let go and let my spirit take control. Lucky Numbers: 17, 30, 47
PISCES Now's a better than usual time for self-reflection and meditation. Share your ideas. They're more valuable than you think. Appreciation comes from someone far away. You make the call. Soul Affirmation: I admit what I really want out of life this week. Lucky Numbers: 23, 29, 38.
Jamaica Celebrates 50 Years of Independence
Thursday, 16 August 2012 19:38 Published in Life and Style
A Message from Professor Stephen C. Vasciannie, Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States
Amidst the shrill of excitement, Olympic athleticism, and national pride, Jamaica, recently celebrated fifty years of independence. Stringers for the Informer, on the ground in London , have eagerly shared photos of the simultaneous celebrations – Independence and medals for superior athleticism won by Jamaican nationals around the globe. Here, we gladly share those photos with our readers, as well as a message prepared especially for the Informer from the Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States, Stephen C. Vasciannie. Congratulations!
Every Jamaican – even the most pessimistic -- has a pep in their step today. Consider, first, the great symbolism of our successes during the time of Jamaica 50. Our athletes have willfully decided to dig deep into their resources to honor simultaneously the country's history and its independence. In so doing, they have drawn inspiration from the heroes who have gone before them. They have recalled Arthur Wint, Herb McInley, George Rhoden, Les Laing, from the heroic times of 1948 and 1952. They have been elevated by earlier performances of Don Quarrie, in Montreal. They have shown continued admiration of Deon Hemmings, Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson, Juliet Cuthbert, and all the great names.
So, now, we have wonderful additions to the pantheon of stars, our Valhalla of victorious sprinters: Usain "Lightning" Bolt, Sherry-Ann Frazer-Pryce, Yohan Blake, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Asafa Powell, Warren Weir, Hansle Parchment, Sherone Simpson, Kerrone Stewart, and many others.
A second observation concerns the provision of opportunity. Most of our athletes are not from wealthy backgrounds. They are not persons of privilege. But they are persons of determination, and, when given the opportunity, have seized it with enthusiasm. Their grasp of opportunity should inspire us to expand our success well beyond the sporting arena to other areas: to continue success in intellectual pursuits, investment promotion, trade competitiveness, and more generally, economic advancement for all.
And a third observation concerns the centrality of the individual in the development process; for, the success of our athletic stars is in significant ways the triumph of the individual. Usain Bolt carries an entire nation with him – from Half Way Tree and beyond – but his effort is that of an individual. As members of the collective, Jamaica, we recognize that the talents of extraordinary individuals can lift an entire nation. They have truly inspired us from Half-Way-Tree all the way around the world, and back!
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