Community - The Metro Herald

IN THIS ISSUE . . .
COVER/CENTER: WETA TV 26 BROADCAST BRINGS
CIVIL RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY TO DC AREA . . . . . . . . .1, 12–13
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Around the Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Africa Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6–7
Capital Comments/Insights & Viewpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Around the Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Health & Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Community News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Arts & Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18–19
Sports & Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Business News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22–23
VOLUME XV, NUMBER 40
Carroll County
Howard County
Baltimore
Annapolis
Montgomery
County
Loudoun
County
Fauquier
County
Fairfax
County
Prince
William
County
Anne
Arundel County
D.C.
Arlington County
Prince George’s
County
Alexandria
Spotsylvania
County
Stafford
County
Fredericksburg
Imaging the Politics, Culture, and Events of Our Times
Charles
County
Westmoreland
County
Richmond
October 6, 2006
WETA TV 26 BROADCAST BRINGS GROUNDBREAKING
CIVIL RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY TO WASHINGTON AREA
early two decades since its
1987 premiere, the critically acclaimed PBS series “Eyes on the Prize”
returns to WETA TV 26
this October, after nearly
two decades from being rebroadcast.
Three two-hour episodes will air on
TV 26 on Mondays, October 2, 9 and
16, 9:00–11:00PM. The broadcast
represents the public’s only access to
N
the complete series. WETA will support the series with a panel discussion
and a series of youth performance
workshops with DC WritersCorps.
Produced by Blackside Inc., “Eyes
on the Prize” tells the definitive story
of the Civil Rights era from the point
of view of the ordinary men and
women whose extraordinary actions
launched a movement that changed
the fabric of American life. Washing-
ton D.C.’s critical role in the Civil
Rights movement is highlighted in the
series, which features the 1963 March
on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
that brought more than 250,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial. Through
contemporary interviews and historical footage, “Eyes on the Prize” traces
the Civil Rights movement from the
Montgomery bus boycott to the Voting
Rights Act, from early acts of individ-
ual courage through the flowering of a
mass movement and its eventual split
into factions. Julian Bond, political
leader, civil rights activist and chairman of the NAACP, narrates.
In the two decades since its original broadcast, a number of key figures
from the Civil Rights era who appear
in the films—including the Rev. Ralph
Abernathy, a leader of the Montgomery bus boycott; Coretta Scott
Visit us on the web at www.metroherald.com
King, wife of slain civil rights leader
Martin Luther King, Jr. and an activist
in her own right; Kwame Toure, also
known as Stokely Carmichael, leader
of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee; and George Wallace,
1960s Alabama governor who resisted
integration—have died, making this
record of their testimony and its rerelease all the more valuable.
Continued on page 12
October 6, 2006
THE
METRO HERALD
NEWSPAPER
The Metro Herald, a resource of Davis
Communications Group, Inc., is published
weekly. The Metro Herald is a member of the
National Newspaper Publishers Association, the
Virginia Press Association, and the Newspaper
Association of America.
PUBLISHER/EXECUTIVE EDITOR/
MANAGING EDITOR
Paris D. Davis
ART DIRECTOR/WEBMASTER
Glenda S. King
EXECUTIVE MANAGER
Gregory Roscoe, Jr.
ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR
Daisy E. Cole
SENIOR BUSINESS & SECURITY
CORRESPONDENT
Rodney S. Azama
Regular subscription rate: $75/year for home
delivery. Single issue price: $.75
For advertising information and rates, call (703)
548-8891, or visit www.MetroHerald.com.
Copyright ©2005 by Davis Communications
Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be
reproduced by any means without prior written
consent from the publisher.
All unsolicited manuscripts should be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The publisher assumes no responsibility for
unsolicited material.
The Metro Herald is certified by the Maryland
Department of Transportation. Its corporate headquarters is located at 901 North Washington
Street, Suite 603, Alexandria, VA 22314. Davis
Communications Group, Inc., is certified as a
small and minority business. For additional information, call (703) 548-8891.
Circulation: 42,000 copies per week
Certified by Dasai Group, CPA
To obtain a one-year subscription, please send a
check or money order for $75 to:
The Metro Herald
901 North Washington Street, Suite 603
Alexandria, VA 22314
Name: _________________________________
Address: _______________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Phone (optional): ________________________
2
Editorial
T
here is one overwhelmingly philosophical canon, that both Martin Luther King and Nelson
Mandela share:
You
And
will . . .
are
nothing
And
more
can
no
powerful
restrain
government
than
the
can
your
human
jail
oppressor(s)
spirit
or
because
by
enclose
nothing
extirpating
a
shackles
or
free
the
legislating
mind
human
the
clothed,
mind . . .
human
in
a free sprit . . .
____________________________
And no individual or a group of
of
these
individuals, should allow any government to
United States
suck the oxygen from those intellectually
and
equipped. . . . And Tom Paine—think-alikes, to
its
speak out and act out the common good for all.
protectorates
For a democracy to breathe, there must be
. . . for America to do less is to be
real and not perceived
un-American . . .
truth
. . . and this is not the America that we are:
in
discourse
told about
live within
and
brag about
unequivocal
fight for
fairness
in
. . . and sometimes die for; we the citizens of this
great country, are now, at a crossroad of spelling
justice.
or writing “great”
To do or to be otherwise, is to be in direct
with
contradiction of the United States Constitution
a
and the national laws of humankind.
bona fide
Most governments, at one time or another
and
in their human history will and have publicly
proud
tested the edges of their legal jurisdictions to
capital “G”
or
either:
a
abridge
less
or
than
abrogate
authentic
small “g”
. . . the powers that belong to the people that are
. . . these are our individual choices in our
either:
collective country . . .
real
because
or
we
implied
all
are
. . . in and throughout the Bill of rights for all
the
Americans:
innkeepers
of
born
our
or
America
naturalized
PDD
citizens
THE METRO HERALD
October 6, 2006
THE METRO HERALD
3
AROUND THE NATION
October 6, 2006
“GINA FOR MISSING PERSONS”
LAUNCHES THE SQUEAKY WHEEL
WORLD-WIDE TOUR
G
“
INA for Missing Persons”,
the internationally acclaimed concert series to
raise awareness for those who go missing every year, announces “The
Squeaky Wheel Tour,” October
17–November 4. This worldwide tour
will feature several hundred artists performing in 150 events throughout the
50 states and eight countries. The focus
of the events is to gain attention for
over 150 missing people in the effort to
bring at least ONE home. In addition,
pre-and post-“Squeaky” events are
currently taking place which began
September 6 with a Webcast concert In
Hollywood, CA. A daily updated list of
the events, locations, dates and most
importantly the missing to be profiled
are posted at www.411Gina.org.
The international “Squeaky Wheel
Tour” honors Gina Bos, who disappeared from Lincoln, NE 6 years ago
October 17, 2000 with her birthday
being the last official day of the tour,
November 4. The 19-day tour is the
creation of her sister, Jannel Rap who
developed the “GINA Concert Series”
in 2001, bringing together recording
artists from all over the U.S. to obtain
attention for ALL people who are missing. Every missing child, every missing adult is an important missing person. When loved ones disappear a
large part of family members lives
have been carved out, snatched away,
and their only focus is to have their
missing loved one returned. It is a devastating experience no family should
have to endure.
Each missing person’s story is
unique, important and as valuable as
the next, said Rap. “If someone took
your child or your sister or brother,
what would you do? Would you pull
down the moon? Would you look
under every rock? Would you scream
as loud as you could? Would you become the Squeaky Wheel?” asked Rap.
The Squeaky Wheel Tour will have
its kick-off event in Lincoln, NE on
October 16th and will begin finale
events in Little Rock, Arkansas on November. 4 with extended events rolling
on throughout November.
About Gina: Singer/songwriter,
Jannel Rap’s sister disappeared on October 17, 2000 with no scandal, no suspect and no hook. With nothing to
hook the national public the slamming
doors inspired, Jannel, to use entertainment as a vehicle of awareness to gain
attention for the missing. In 2001, Jannel created, GINA Concerts that comprised of U.S. recording artists raising
awareness for ALL missing children
and adults. In addition, GINA
(www.411Gina.org) has produced a
TV series called “America Lost and
FOUND,” hosts a monthly international webcast featuring missing persons from around the globe the 3rd
Saturday of every month called “The
GINA Sessions” & over 60 missing
persons profiled have been found.
For more information, 877-411GINA or 972-669-8660.
SBA HOSTS BUSINESS.GOV
LIVE WEB CHAT ON
HOW TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE
B
usiness.gov, a new one-stop compliance Web site for businesses will
host the U.S. Small Business Administration’s October Web chat on
“How Business.gov Can Help You Stay in Compliance with Federal
Regulations” on October 12 from 1:00–2:00PM EDT. Business. gov’s program manager, Nancy Sternberg will answer questions for approximately one
hour.
The site helps businesses easily access compliance information, federal
forms and compliance contacts from multiple government agencies.
The live, interactive Web chat will engage business owners and aspiring
entrepreneurs in a national dialogue on how businesses can utilize www.Business.gov to help them save time and money when searching for federal compliance information.
Business.gov provides business owners with a one-stop Web site that
searches the federal government for compliance information and resources.
The site finds compliance information from all major U.S. federal government agencies regulating or serving businesses and helps businesses save
time and money. Participants will have direct, real-time access to the Web
chats via questions they submit online in advance and during the session, with
instantaneous answers.
Participants can join the live Web chat by going online to www.xxx.gov,
and clicking “Your Small Business Voice Online Chat.”
Web chat participants may post a question before the October 12 chat by
visiting http://app1.sba.gov/liveMeeting/liveSternberg/intro.cfm and posting their questions online.
BLACK FACT
On October 6, 1847, the
National Black Convention met in
Troy, NY, with more than sixty delegates
from nine states. Nathan Johnson of
Massachusetts was elected president.
4
LOCAL PROFESSORS JOIN SPAN USA’S
NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL
T
he Suicide Prevention Action
Network (SPAN USA) today
announced that Catholic University professor David Jobes, Ph.D.,
ABPP, and George Washington University professor Sherry Molock,
Ph.D., will join the new National Scientific Advisory Council (NSAC), a
committee of leading scientists and researchers who will inform SPAN
USA’s advocacy and public policy initiatives with the best scientific information available regarding the prevention of suicide, attempted suicide and
their contributing risk factors. Jobes, a
professor of psychology, is an expert
on suicide prevention for military veterans. Molock, an associate professor
of psychology, is an expert on depression and suicidal behavior in the
African-American community.
The NSAC will work closely with
SPAN USA, the nation’s leading grassroots advocacy organization working
to advance public policies that prevent
suicide, to ensure that its policy initiatives are evidence-based and originate
from the most promising scientific and
clinical information in the field.
The NSAC will be chaired by Eric
Caine, M.D., chair of the Department
of Psychiatry at the University of
Rochester Medical Center in New
York. Caine is one of the nation’s foremost researchers in the field of suicide
prevention and an expert on mental illness and suicide among the elderly.
Caine served as an expert consultant to
the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, and chaired
the National Institute of Mental
Health’s China-Rochester Suicide Research Center, whose goal was to develop public health programs that prevent suicide. Dr. Caine has testified
before Congress on suicide prevention
and the elderly.
“We are pleased that many of the
nation’s leading experts on suicide prevention have agreed to serve on the
council,” said Jerry Reed, executive director of SPAN USA. “We are confident that this group of distinguished
scientists and researchers will bring us
a step closer toward achieving our mission of suicide prevention. The synergy the NSAC will create between advocacy and cutting-edge science will
give SPAN USA a whole new dimension, adding significant credibility to
our science-based policy initiatives,”
added Reed.
Other members of the National Scientific Advisory Council include:
• C. Hendricks Brown, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida;
expert on prevention and early intervention techniques for treating
mental illness and drug abuse, and
in suicide prevention programs for
schools and rural communities
• Gregory Brown, Ph.D., Research
Associate Professor of Clinical
Psychology in Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania; Associate Director, Center for the Treatment and
Archive issues
are available at
www.metroherald.com!
•
•
•
•
•
•
Prevention of Suicide; expert on
cognitive therapy for those at-risk
for suicide and those who have
made suicide attempts
Kenneth Connor, Psy.D., M.P.H.,
Associate Professor of Psychiatry,
University of Rochester Medical
Center; expert on the risk of suicide
among alcohol and drug abusers
Yeates Conwell, M.D., Professor
and Vice Chair of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center; expert on suicide and depression among the elderly
Lucy Davidson, M.D., Ed.S., Psychiatric Epidemiologist, Forensic
Psychiatrist; expert on national
public health initiatives addressing
suicide
Madelyn Gould, Ph.D., M.P.H.,
Professor in Child Psychiatry and
Public Health, Columbia University; Research Scientist, New York
State Psychiatric Institute; expert
on youth suicide prevention
Thomas Joiner, Ph.D., Bright-Burton Professor of Psychology,
Florida State University; expert on
causes of suicidal behavior and the
treatment of suicidal behavior and
related conditions
Mark Kaplan, Dr.P.H., Professor of
Community Health, Portland State
University; expert on the risk of
suicide among older adults and
firearm suicide
• Cheryl King Ph.D., ABPP, Associate Professor of Psychology and
Psychiatry, University of Michigan;
expert on suicidal behavior and
treatments among adolescents
• Maria Oquendo, M.D., Professor of
Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia University; expert on the risk of suicide
among patients with bipolar, affective and psychotic disorders
SPAN USA Board member Sean
Joe, M.S.W., Ph.D., and assistant professor of social work at the University
of Michigan and expert on AfricanAmerican youth suicide, will serve as
the SPAN USA Board liaison to the
NSAC.
“We look forward to collaborating
with experts in the field of suicide prevention, including advocates, policy
makers, scientists and researchers to
further advance public health policies
that prevent suicide,” said Dr. Eric
Caine, chairman of the Department of
Psychiatry at the University of
Rochester Medical Center. “SPAN
USA is a leader in advancing policies
that prevent suicide and in promoting
mental health parity. By providing information on the most relevant scientific research impacting suicide prevention, we hope the NSAC will play a
key role in ensuring that this country’s
national strategy for suicide prevention
is based on sound science,” added
Caine.
ADDITIONAL TOYOTA AND LEXUS
VEHICLES CERTIFIED FOR THE
ENERGY TAX CREDIT
T
he Internal Revenue Service
acknowledged the certification
by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.,
Inc., that several of their hybrid Model
Year 2007 vehicles qualify for the hybrid tax credit enacted by the Energy
Policy Act of 2005.
The certified vehicles are the Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid
and the Lexus RX 400h 2WD and
4WD vehicles. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased on or after January 1, 2006, and
may be as much as $3,400 for those
who purchase the most fuel-efficient
vehicles.
The hybrid vehicle certifications recently acknowledged by the IRS and
their full credit amounts are:
2007 Toyota Prius: $3,150
2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD
and 4WD: $2,600
2007 Lexus RX 400h 2WD and 4WD:
$2,200
The full credit amount for these
Toyota and Lexus vehicles is available
to qualifying purchasers through September 30, 2006.
This tax credit replaced the tax deduction of $2,000, which was previously allowed for taxpayers who purchased a new hybrid vehicle before
December 31, 2005, for the cleanburning fuel deduction. Many currently available hybrid vehicles have
been certified and qualify for the
credit.
The credit for otherwise qualifying
vehicles begins to phase out in the second calendar quarter after the quarter
in which the manufacturer sells its
60,000th qualifying vehicle. Toyota
has reported sales of 88,610 qualifying
vehicles (41,779 in the quarter ended
March 31, 2006 and 44,831 in the
quarter ended June 30, 2006). The
phase out period for Toyota vehicles
will begin on October 1, 2006.
Therefore the applicable credit
amounts during the phase out period
for the 2007 model-year vehicles are as
follows:
Qualifying
Vehicle
Purchased
By 9/30/06
Purchased
From 10/1/06
Through 3/31/07
Purchased
Purchased
From 4/1/07
After 10/1/07
Through 9/30/07
Toyota Prius
$3,150
$1,575
$787.50
No Credit
Toyota
Highlander
2WD and
4WD
$2,600
$1,300
$650
No Credit
Lexus RX
400h
2WD and
4WD
$2,200
$1,100
$550
No Credit
More information on hybrid vehicles and other alternative motor vehicles can
be found at IRS.gov.
THE METRO HERALD
October 6, 2006
THE METRO HERALD
5
AFRICA UPDATE
October 6, 2006
BLEAK FUTURE FOR CONGO’S CHILD SOLDIERS
HEALTH FEARS FOR GUINEA’S LEADER
to join the militia. “He was just 17 and
he said no; they shot him in the head.
“Then they asked me if I was ready to
sign, so what could I do—I didn’t want
to die”.
The youngsters are either taken on
as fighters, porters or guards. For the
girls, many end up as “soldiers’ wives”
or sex slaves, some as young as 10.
Try to speak to them and they respond
in monosyllabic hushed tones.
These are youngsters who had their
childhood innocence knocked out of
them.
uinea President Lansana
Conte has failed to make his
usual Independence Day
speech, increasing concern that his
health is continuing to deteriorate.
Mr. Conte, who seized power in a
coup 22 years ago, suffers from acute
diabetes and is also thought to have
leukemia. He twice flew to Switzerland for treatment earlier this year.
A BBC correspondent in the region says many Guineans now see
President Conte won a third term in
Presidential Affairs Minister Fode
2003 elections despite poor health
Bangoura as the real power in their
country. In the absence of the president, Mr. Bangoura laid flowers at a monument to national martyrs on Monday, 48 years after Guinea gained independence from France.
Guinea’s opposition says Mr. Bangoura has in effect taken over the running of the country with President Conte too sick to take much of an active
role. The government has frequently denied this, but the charge is widely believed by foreign diplomats and Guineans alike.
The BBC’s James Copnall says President Conte’s unexpected silence will
reinforce suspicions that his health is in a very poor state indeed.
Guinea is suffering too. There have been two general strikes this year, as
the economy is in ruins and people are finding it harder and harder to earn
enough money to survive.
By Karen Allen, BBC News, Masisi,
Democratic Republic of Congo
H
e looks not much older than
10. But the boy in the baggy
green uniform, eyeing us up
suspiciously as we move through the
village, represents one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s ugliest of
legacies - the use of child soldiers. Estimates put the number at 30,000.
Easy to train and even easier to
hide, these children are too young to
vote but old enough to carry a gun.
With historic elections just around the
corner, these boys and girls - a third of
those recruited are young girls - represent the enormous challenge that lies
ahead, to stabilize a region that’s long
been rebel territory.
SOLDIERS’ WIVES
Many militia groups have nothing
to gain from these elections and uncertainty about the future is making it
harder to persuade them to surrender
the young back to the community.
Only last month a minibus was ambushed as it tried to take demobilized
youngsters home; some of the victims
of that incident are now in hiding.
In Masisi, in eastern DR Congo’s
north Kivu region, a range of militia,
including remnants of Rwanda’s Hutu
patrol the hills around here and despite
the presence of UN peacekeepers, the
recruitment of children into armed
groups continues with impunity.
Most of the children who have
swollen the ranks of the militia and the
fragmented Congolese army have been
abducted from their villages.
Ndungutsa was taken when he was just
13 years old, forced to make a choice
between the militia or death. “When
they came to my village, they asked
my older brother whether he was ready
G
Innocent was abducted when he was 10
years old
QUITE LITERALLY.
A third of DR Congo’s child soldiers will never be reintegrated back
into their communities. In some cases
because of the shame, others simply
because their families can’t afford to
take them on, but there are also the
ever-present threats and intimidation.
FRESH HOPE
I accompanied 12 year-old Innocent as he made his way back home.
He was a fighter battling against the
Mai Mai militia. In his village, his
mother and siblings embrace him but
on the fringes of the celebrations the
same militia that abducted him are
looking on. In a part of DR Congo
where virtually all Innocent’s fellow
children are severely malnourished and
in tattered clothing, a life with the
rebels offers food, power and some status. A sad reality is that all too often
children like Innocent return.
So do elections bring fresh hope?
“Not at all” says Simon Muchanga
from a Catholic mission in Masisi
which seeks to rehabilitate child
soldiers.
“The rebel groups are unlikely to
alter their position because of the elec-
Many children in DR Congo remain at
risk of abduction
tion. “Maybe if a real, responsible government is elected with the capacity to
bring about change and improve the
prospects of these people, maybe then
we can see some real progress”.
It’s an issue that has been largely
ignored - recruiting juveniles is a
breach of international law. The
world’s biggest peacekeeping force has
made some inroads into trying to disarm the rebels. The vast scale of the
country and years of insecurity makes
it a painfully slow task. With elections
just days away, there is little incentive
for the militia to hand over their children, not least because most armed
groups will see their power eroded.
DR CONGO’S KABILA AND HIS KINGDOM
Joseph Kabila (l) succeeded his
assassinated father Laurent-Desire
T
he BBC’s Arnaud Zajtman profiles Joseph Kabila, the man
most likely to become the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first
democratically elected leader since independence in 1960, in a piece published in the Focus on Africa magazine.
Before campaigning began, Joseph
Kabila, 35 had only given two news
conferences in Kinshasa and has made
very few speeches, despite being president for more than five years. He became the world’s youngest head of state
in January 2001, after the assassination
of his father Laurent-Desire Kabila.
“Kabila is not shy, he is reserved.
This is part of his Swahili cultural
background,” explains Kabila’s personal secretary, Kikaya Bin Karubi.
Indeed, this reservation is in contrast to
the usual Congolese effusiveness.
‘WAR BUS’
Joseph Kabila was born in the
mountains of Fizi, eastern DR Congo,
the stronghold of his then-rebel father,
6
but grew up in exile in Tanzania.
His schoolmates at the Zanaji secondary school in Dar es Salaam nicknamed him “War bus” because of his
enjoyment of war films and martial
arts. Still, they were all surprised
when they saw the first pictures of him
and his father fighting a real war,
which ended when they seized power
in DR Congo (then Zaire) and overthrew President Mobutu Sese Seko in
May 1997.
“We didn’t even know he was Congolese,” recalls one of them, who did
not want to be named.
The Kabila family lived in Dar es
Salaam under the discreet protection of
then-Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere - a man Joseph Kabila claims to
be his “role model”. So as not to attract the attention of Mobutu’s intelligence service, they pretended they
were members of the Fipa people, a
small ethnic group from south-west
Tanzania. This upbringing and the fact
that Mr. Kabila speaks French with an
English accent and knows no Lingala
(DR Congo’s lingua franca) has fuelled
his detractors’ argument that he is in
fact “a foreigner”.
PARALLEL GOVERNMENT
The Union for Democracy and Social Progress—the opposition party of
veteran opposition leader Etienne
Tshisekedi—has spread the rumour
that he is not Laurent Kabila’s legitimate son, but is in fact of Rwandan origin - a strong accusation in a country
that was invaded by the Rwandan army
during a five-year war. With elections
coming up, his closest disciples “the
Kabila boys” are trying hard to present
their leader as genuinely Congolese.
During the February political rally,
they introduced his mother, Sifa, and
his brother and sister to the militants,
while Vice-President Abdoullaye Yerodia insisted that he witnessed Mr. Kabila’s birth in Fizi.
Mr. Bin Karubi adds that if Mr. Kabila is not well known to the Congolese, it is mainly because he spends
all week working hard in the office and
some of his weekends cropping and
doing motocross on his farm,
Kingakati, on the outskirts of the
capital.
Indeed, in spite of the 2002 powersharing agreement that includes four
vice-presidents from rebel groups who
fought during the war, and a cabinet of
more than 50 ministers in his interim
administration, President Kabila still
runs a staff of 200, described by the
opposition as a “parallel government”.
SHADY DEALS
His experience as a general in the
Congolese army also helps him to keep
direct control over a 7,000-strong army
unit known as the Republican Guard,
which allegedly includes a few Zimbabwean commanders.
DR Congo’s war led to shady business deals, but Mr. Kabila has not been
directly implicated in any. The same
cannot be said of “the Kabila boys”.
US ANGER AT SUDAN DARFUR THREAT
T
he United States
has called an
emergency meeting of the UN Security
Council after Sudan
warned countries not to
send peacekeepers to
Darfur. Sudan sent a letter to all African and Arab
countries at the UN, saying that contributing to
the proposed UN force
would be seen as “a hostile act”.
US ambassador to the
UN
John Bolton said the
African Union troops are overstretched in Darfur
letter was “a direct challenge” to the Security Council. A
7,000-strong African force has failed
to end Darfur’s three-year conflict.
One of them, Katumba Mwanke, a
More than 2m people have fled
minister at the presidency, was forced their homes and an estimated 200,000
to resign because of accusations in a people have died.
2002 United Nations report that he was
Sudan does not want the UN to take
profiteering from the war through control of the peacekeeping force from
deals made with Zimbabwean offi- the AU, saying that would be an attack
cials. Yet, he remains close to the cen- on its sovereignty. The Security Counter of power, acting as one of Mr. Ka- cil has approved plans to send a wellbila’s top advisers.
equipped 20,000-strong force with a
On his campaign posters, Mr. Ka- tough mandate to end the conflict in
bila says: “The Congolese know ex- Darfur but says it will only do so if
actly where their interests are. There is Sudan agrees.
a reason to hope.”
The Congolese people will be hop‘STRONG RESPONSE’
ing that Mr. Kabila, the clear favorite
“In the absence of Sudan’s consent
to win the presidency, also knows to the deployment of UN troops, any
where the genuine interests of DR volunteering to provide peacekeeping
Congo are, and that he will keep re- troops to Darfur will be considered as
minding his “boys” that they are in a hostile act, a prelude to an invasion
politics to serve the nation of 56 of a member country of the UN,”
million.
Sudan’s letter said.
Bolton said the letter was “unprecedented... and requires a strong response.” The US says Sudan’s military
is helping with a genocide against Darfur’s black African residents. But
Sudan denies backing the Arab Janjaweed militias, accused of riding into
villages on horses and camels, killing,
raping and looting.
Sudan says the suffering in Darfur
is being exaggerated for political reasons. The mandate of the AU force
was due to expire last month but has
been extended until the end of the year.
Aid workers fear that if there are no
peacekeepers, the violence would intensify, making their job of delivering
Campaigners want to present their leader
aid to the displaced impossible.
as genuinely Congolese
THE METRO HERALD
AFRICA UPDATE
October 6, 2006
NIGERIAN ARMY RAIDS OIL MILITANTS
T
he Nigerian army has carried
out a series of raids on the
bases of oil militants following
the reported deaths of 17 soldiers in the
Niger Delta. The military have used
gun boats and helicopter gunships in
the Delta’s creeks, sources say, but
there are no details of arrests or casualties. The militants claim to have killed
the troops in two attacks but this has
not been independently confirmed.
Nigeria’s oil output is still 25%
down after a wave of attacks in February. The raids come as army commanders have been summoned to the
capital, Abuja, however the military refuses to say whether the talks concern
the recent escalation in violence in the
Niger Delta, the source of most of
Nigeria’s oil.
Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer but the militants demand more
local control of oil wealth for residents
of the Niger Delta.
The militants say they are fighting for
greater local control of oil wealth
WEAPONS
Nine soldiers were killed
when Mend fighters battled nine
military patrol boats backed up
by a helicopter gunship for oneand-a-half hours around Shell’s
Ekulama oil flow station, 40
kilometres (25 miles) west of
Port Harcourt, the militants said.
Mend also say they seized two
military gunboats. In a separate
incident, Mend said they killed
The militants say they captured two military
two soldiers and six sailors.
“After a brief shoot-out in gunboats
which they were all killed, we boarded which could exacerbate the situation
the houseboat and collected all the and endanger the lives of their workweapons aboard,” the group said.
ers, our correspondent says. But he
The British government has re- says that so many soldiers’ deaths
sponded to the attacks by warning would prompt a fierce military reagainst all but essential travel to the sponse anywhere else in the country.
Niger Delta.
Two months ago, Nigerian PresiThe latest attacks comes two days dent Olusegun Obasanjo ordered the
after another armed group killed at military to take a tougher line with the
least 10 soldiers by raiding a convoy of armed groups in the Delta. However,
barges carrying fuel in the same re- targeting the armed groups would take
gion. Meanwhile 16 oil workers kid- a major increase in the military presnapped in a raid on Monday have been ence in the Delta, whose maze of
freed, the last of a group of 25 captives
creeks and swamps give the local into be released. Five foreign oil worksurgents a major advantage. Attacking
ers—including four Britons—seized
during a raid on a residential com- the communities simply terrorizes poppound operated by ExxonMobil in ulations and increases support for the
Akwa Ibom state on Tuesday remain militants.
BBC correspondent says some fear
missing.
further violence in the build-up to elecDILEMMA
tions next year. It is widely believed
The BBC’s Alex Last in Lagos says that local politicians pay the militant
the Nigerian military and oil compa- groups to intimidate their opponents.
nies face a serious dilemma in how to What happens in the Delta could be
linked to politics at the national level,
respond to the upsurge in violence.
The oil companies do not want to pointing out that these attacks embarsee any heavy-handed military action rass President Obasanjo.
HOW SAFE IS A SAFARI HOLIDAY?
T
he death of a British tourist,
killed by an elephant in Kenya,
raises the question of how safe
it is to go on an animal safari. Journalist Peter Gould recently returned from a
trip to neighboring Tanzania. The first
thing you realize on an African safari is
that the usual relationship between animals and humans has been reversed.
In the national parks of countries
like Kenya and Tanzania, you are on
their territory, not yours. Forget that,
and you place yourself in peril. For
tourists from Europe and America,
used to observing wild animals in the
controlled safety of zoos, it can be an
unsettling experience. On the wide
open spaces of the Masai Mara and the
Serengeti, the beasts roam free.
UNPREDICTABLE ANIMALS
It is the humans who are enclosed—for their own safety—in
guarded safari lodges and four-wheel
drive vehicles.
Some holiday companies organize
walking tours, which often involve
staying in tented camps. The attraction
is the chance to get even closer to the
wildlife. But the risks are obvious, and
tourists are usually accompanied by an
experienced guide.
However carefully such expeditions are organized, there is always the
chance of an unexpected encounter,
and animals like elephants can be unpredictable. Even Africans, who grow
up in this environment, sometimes get
caught out. So most tourists view the
scenery from the relative safety of a safari company Land Cruiser, bumping
across well-marked tracks in search of
the animals. You do not get out unless
the driver says it is safe to do so. And
THE METRO HERALD
even then you have to remain alert,
ready to jump back into the vehicle.
STAMPEDING ELEPHANTS
If you are not careful, the metal cocoon of the vehicle can give you a false
sense of security. A few feet away, the
lions stroll past with an air of studied
indifference. Then you see them tearing apart a wildebeest and you realize
they are simply saving their energy for
a more accessible prey.
Predators like lions and leopards
may appear to pose the greatest risk, but
an angry Cape Buffalo or a stampeding
elephant can be just as dangerous.
For many tourists, the elephants are
one of the highlights of a safari holiday. In a national park like Tarangire in
Tanzania, you see them in family
groups, frequently crossing the roads
used by the safari vehicles.
We are fascinated by them because
of their size, their social behavior and
their obvious intelligence. For the most
part they appear benign, but they can
quickly become aggressive, especially
when they are protecting their young.
If you get too close, they let you know.
The ears start to flap and they turn to
face you head on, trumpeting their displeasure. You have two choices - either
to remain very still and quiet, or to
back away.
Tragically, the British man killed in
Kenya was on foot and unable to get
out of the way quickly enough.
The strength of the elephant was
apparent when I saw a five-ton bull
feeding beneath a large tree. Unable to
reach the leaves on the top branches, it
placed its forehead against the trunk of
the tree and pushed. With a resounding
crack, the 30-foot tree toppled over.
IRON ORE DEAL ‘BAD FOR LIBERIA’
T
he world’s largest
steel
company,
Mittal, has been accused of setting up a state
within a state in one of
Africa’s poorest countries,
Liberia.
Lobby group
Global Witness say a
$900m deal to mine iron
ore allows Mittal to opt out
of human rights and environmental laws and is inequitable.
Liberia is trying to recover from 14 years of
conflict, which left the
President Johnson-Sirleaf is reviewing all
country
in ruins. The concontracts signed by the former government
tract is being reviewed by
Liberia’s new, elected government. Global Witness calls the deal a missed
opportunity for Liberia. Mittal declined to comment on the report.
STRONG POSITION
BBC developing world correspondent David Loyn says Liberia’s economy will undoubtedly be strengthened and the contract will provide jobs.
But Global Witness say the contract means Mittal will be unaccountable to
the democratic government and not give it high enough returns.
Mittal is planning to almost double in size in the next 25 years and half
of the ore needed for that expansion is set to come from Liberia.
Global Witness Director Patrick
Alley told the BBC’s Network
Africa program that this put
Liberia in a strong position to negotiate a better deal. Under the
contract, Mittal will be able to
opt out of Liberian laws governing human rights or environmental standards and they will pay no
tax for five years, in a deal which
appears to be renewable by them.
When they do finally pay tax,
it will be at a price set by them. Mittal employs more than 300,000
workers in 60 countries
“There is no guarantee for the
Liberian government of how much money they will actually receive,” Mr.
Alley said.
The deal was signed last year by Liberia’s interim power-sharing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who took office in January, has said she will
review all contracts signed by the interim government. Global Witness
says the first round of negotiations in September were inconclusive and are
set to resume later this month.
SA CRIME ‘DETERS FOREIGN FIRMS’
Elephants can be the highlight of a safari
holiday
What, I wondered, could such an
animal do to the thin metal skin of the
vehicle I was sitting in? The fourwheel drive safari carries its own risks,
and you cannot assume you are safe
when you get back to the lodge at the
end of the day.
At one place I stayed, the staff insisted on escorting guests between
buildings after dark. They explained
that buffalo routinely wandered
through the compound at night, and a
leopard had recently turned up in the
reception area.
So are these close encounters with
wildlife worth the risk? Ask anyone
who has been on safari, and they will
probably tell you it was the holiday of
a lifetime. For a few days you are in
the domain of the animals, a place not
entirely conquered by humans. And
that is part of the attraction.
There is always the chance of an
unexpected encounter on safari
S
outh Africa’s high levels of crime are continuing to deter foreign investors, a business group has warned. The comments of Johannesburgbased Business Against Crime group come after the country’s latest
crime figures showed a sharp rise in armed robberies.
Although rape and murder rates had fallen, the organization said the overall crime rate had to be reduced, especially ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu warned this week that the country had lost its way.
SCARING AWAY TOURISTS
The South African Police Service said that attacks on cash delivery vans
had increased by 74% between April 2005 and March 2006, while armed robberies of shopping malls and other retail outlets had jumped 32%.
“I have a real feeling that the growth in criminal activity will keep rising,”
said Business Against Crime chief executive Siphiwe Nzimande.
“If that continued to be the
pattern over some years it
means South Africa [would]
become a less safe place to do
business. We need to fix it.”
This week alone, there
was a shootout between robbers and security guards at
the upmarket Cresta Shopping Center in Johannesburg.
“There is an increase in
crime, but people are always
talking about it,” said Pablo
Tesoriero, the owner of a
women’s clothing store. “Especially with the World Cup
coming here in 2010, we
don’t want to push away
South African police officers have a dangerous job
tourists.”
7
CAPITAL COMMENTS/INSIGHTS & VIEWPOINTS
October 6, 2006
GOVERNOR KAINE
ANNOUNCES CREATION
OF URBAN POLICY
TASK FORCE
G
overnor Timothy M. Kaine
today announced the creation
of an Urban Policy Task Force,
a Cabinet-level task force that will review economic, social, and fiscal conditions in Virginia’s urban areas. The
panel also will develop benchmarks to
track the effectiveness of state programs
serving residents of urban areas, and
recommend approaches that encourage
collaboration among localities within
Virginia’s metropolitan regions.
“The challenges of urbanization
present a diverse range of policy issues—economic development, education, transportation, public safety, and
human services,” Governor Kaine said.
“The Task Force will allow us to measure successes as we evaluate the health
and vitality of our urban areas.”
The Task Force will be chaired by
the Secretary of Commerce and Trade,
and includes the Secretaries of Education, Health and Human Resources,
Natural Resources, Public Safety, and
Transportation. Dr. Earl H. McClenney, Governor Kaine’s Senior Advisor
for Urban Policy, will advise the panel.
The following individuals serve on
the Task Force:
FENTY CONTINUES
ADMINISTRATION
ANNOUNCEMENTS,
CONSIDERS COUNCIL ALLY
FOR DEPUTY MAYOR
D
emocratic mayoral nominee
Adrian Fenty made more personnel announcements, even
though he’s technically still only a candidate.
On the steps of City Hall on Monday,
Fenty announced that he would reappoint D.C.’s Chief Financial Officer Natwar Ghandi. Fenty said Ghandi would
maintain his post at least until 2012.
“There needs to be some stability,
and nowhere is that more needed than
in finances, and when someone is
doing a really good job, you don’t hesitate in announcing they are going to
stick around for a while,” Fenty said.
Fenty said Gandhi, who has been
the finance chief since 2000, has developed a strong reputation on Wall
Street and in the business community
after he helped lead the District out of
bankruptcy in the late 1990s.
Fenty said Gandhi has told him that
he will accept the appointment.
HISPANIC LEADERS:
¡SU VOTO ES SU VOX!,
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR
VOICE—HISPANIC LEADERS
ENDORSE JIM WEBB
H
ispanic leaders from Northern
Virginia joined U.S. Senate
candidate Jim Webb today to
express their support for his candidacy
and announce the formation of “Adelante con Webb” (Come together with
Webb), the Hispanics for Webb action
committee. Elected officials from Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church and
Alexandria as well as leaders from the
labor, education and business communities participated in the event.
“Jim Webb is a friend of the Latino
community in Virginia. He understands
the importance of ensuring equal rights
and opportunities for all Americans.
Moreover, he believes at his core in the
fundamental importance of fairness for
8
The Honorable Barry C. Bishop of
Norfolk, chairman of the Norfolk
School Board;
Darlene L. Burcham of Roanoke, city
manager of Roanoke;
B. David Canada of Petersburg, city
manager of Petersburg;
The Honorable William D. Euille of
Alexandria, mayor of Alexandria;
The Honorable Joe S. Frank of Newport News, mayor of Newport
News;
The Honorable John C. Hamlin of
Danville, member of the Danville
City Council;
Warren D. Harris of Chesapeake,
director of economic development
for the City of Chesapeake;
The Honorable John J. McGlennon of
James City, member of the James
City County Board of Supervisors;
The Honorable Ilryong Moon of
Fairfax, chairman of the Fairfax
County School Board;
The Honorable Dave Norris of Charlottesville, member of the Charlottesville City Council;
The Honorable Meyera E. Oberndorf
of Virginia Beach, mayor of Virginia Beach;
James B. Oliver of Portsmouth, city
manager of Portsmouth;
The Honorable Harry J. Parrish, II of
Manassas, vice mayor of Manassas;
The Honorable
Philip E. Pate
of Winchester,
member of the
Winchester
City Council;
L. Kimball Payne,
III of Lynchburg, city
manager of
Tim Kaine (D)
Lynchburg;
Governor-Elect of
The Honorable
Virginia
Kimble
Reynolds, Jr. of Martinsville,
mayor of Martinsville;
The Honorable J. Walter Tejada of
Arlington, member of the Arlington County Board;
The Honorable Frank J. Thornton of
Henrico, supervisor of the Henrico
County Board of Supervisors;
The Honorable Rhet Tignor of Hampton, member of the Hampton City
Council;
The Honorable Thomas J. Tomzak of
Fredericksburg, mayor of Fredericksburg;
The Honorable Rita S. Wilson of
Staunton, member of the Staunton
City Council;
The Honorable Clarence T. Woody, Jr.
of Richmond, sheriff of the City of
Richmond
Since winning the primary elections Tuesday, Fenty has been busy
talking about big changes he plans to
make as mayor.
Fenty has begun talks with fellow
D.C. City Councilmember Kathy Patterson about joining his administration
as deputy mayor in charge of police
and fire services.
Fenty spokesman Alec Evans said
the two have spoken about the position
of deputy mayor for public safety and
justice. Evans said the presumptive
mayor-elect has a high level of respect
for Patterson.
Councilman Vincent Gray defeated
the Ward 3 councilwoman in her bid to
become council chairman. She said she
will seriously consider any serious offers with the administration.
Patterson and Fenty have been
staunch critics of the police department
under D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey. Patterson provided oversight of the
department as the former chair of the
council’s judiciary committee. She has
also been an advocate for school reform.
Fenty is scheduled to meet with
Ramsey Tuesday to discuss his future.
Fenty
has
said that another
one of his top
priorities is the
future of the
D.C.
Public
Schools System.
He
is
also
scheduled
to
meet with Su- DC Councilmember,
p e r i n t e n d e n t Ward 4 (D)
Clifford Janey Adrian M. Fenty
on Tuesday.
While the Democratic nominee is
virtually assured of winning the November election, Fenty does have challengers.
“Well, I have seven weeks, and the
keys are very simple — raising money
and the media. As long as I have some
money and some coverage, then I can
get out there and make a difference,”
Republican mayoral nominee Dave
Kranich said.
Fenty has also picked up several
supporters, including Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, a vocal critic who
campaigned with Linda Cropp until
Fenty won the primary.
all people and for all communities. He
supports efforts to expand small business opportunities, improve education
opportunities, make healthcare more
affordable and protect civil rights,” said
Andy Rivera, a member of the City of
Alexandria School Board and a representative of the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia.
“We need someone in the Senate
who will inspire us and work to bring
us together,” said Walter Tejada, an Arlington County Board Member. “Jim
Webb is an American hero. He’s a decorated Vietnam veteran. He’s an inspiration to everyone in this country. And
now, he offers leadership with hope,
inclusiveness and opportunity.”
“Republicans in Congress have
known about the problems in our educational system and they’ve ignored
them. It seems obvious that if we really
care about education, we have to clean
house in Congress
and elect Jim Webb
to the Senate,” said
Isis Castro, a member of the Virginia
State Board of Education and former
Chair of the Fairfax County School
Board.
Jim Webb
“I want to express my appreciation to these leaders
of the Hispanic community. This is a
community that I care a lot about and
respect. At a very early age, I gained an
admiration for their courage and sense
of responsibility. Today, I’m grateful
for their support,” said Webb.
Jim Webb is a decorated Marine,
former Secretary of the Navy and
Assistant Secretary of Defense, a bestselling author and award-winning
journalist.
PRESIDENT BUSH
IS NOT CREDIBLE ON
NATIONAL SECURITY
S
enate Democratic Leader Harry
Reid released the following
statement on President Bush’s
comments today about national security.
“President Bush is no longer credible with the American people, no matter how many campaign speeches he
gives in the next month. The President
won’t listen to the 16 intelligence
agencies that say that the war in Iraq
has made the threat of terrorism worse.
His Secretary of State apparently ignored warnings of an Al Qaeda attack
months before September 11. His Re-
publican leader
in the Senate
thinks America
should empower
the Taliban terrorists
who
aided and abetted Osama bin
Laden. The sad
truth is this
White
House Sen. Harry Reid
and this Repub- (D-NV)
lican-controlled Congress have put our
national security at risk. It’s time for a
change. The American people expect
more than tough talk from their leaders. They expect tough and smart action. Democrats are fighting to take
this country in a new direction.”
NO MORE REVENGE
BY M. LINDA JARAMILLO
EXECUTIVE MINISTER
I
am overcome with deep sadness as I write this. I am overwhelmed with grief for the
families of the innocent children
who have been killed in schools
during the last few days. As a
mother and grandmother, I can
imagine no worse pain than losing
one of my children. There would be
no greater pain that knowing that
one of my loved ones perpetrated
such an attack. Families on both
sides of the situation must be reeling with disbelief and sorrow.
The attack on children and
teachers and principals in schools
across this nation in the last few
days makes my heart sick. My
prayers go out to the small communities in Colorado, Wisconsin and
Pennsylvania who have faced such
sorrow in these days. My prayers
also go out to the children in inner
city neighborhoods who face violence regularly. As I pray for them,
I cannot forget the children all over
the world who experience the same
violence day after day.
News reports indicate that at
least two of the perpetrators of the
recent school attacks were acting
out of revenge. Revenge for incidents that in one case occurred the
day before and in another is said to
have occurred almost 20 years ago.
What is it that causes us to be so
vengeful? What is that happens to
us when we harbor such resent that
it manifests in acts of tragic
violence?
We can speculate and name reason after reason for such behavior. I
am not in the mood to blame at any
one thing or person for these
tragedies. I am sure each situation
includes a number of complexities,
some the same and some very different. We might say that these situations are isolated incidents but I
doubt that. Retaliation is not confined to individual incidents; we are
living in a time when retaliation is
an accepted response.
Vengeance is not only being
played out in our schools, in our
homes, in our neighborhoods, in our
communities—be they large or
small. Vengeance is being played
out in our world with a poison of
fear and hatred that we cannot deny.
Frankly, I am very tired of hearing
about “who did it first.” Getting
even for “who did it first” is killing
our children.
Children in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City are the innocent victims of vengeance.
Children in Bagdad, Bogota, Beirut,
Kabul, Darfur, Hebron, and
Jerusalem are also the innocent victims of revenge. Neither the race
nor religious tradition of the children makes a difference. As adults,
we are responsible to each and of
every one of them to create a world
fit for them. And we are not doing
it. Instead we are teaching that revenge is the way to solve problems.
Bullets and bombs do not select
out the parties responsible for the
offense. Bullets and bombs are cast
so far and wide that every person in
their wake is caught in the crossfire.
Not only are the children affected
by seeing the actual incident; they
are impacted by the attitudes of
those around them.
There are plenty of violent behaviors to go around. But even
worse is our attitude of revenge. I
am reminded of these words from
the first letter to the Thessalonians
in chapter 5, “See that none of you
repays evil for evil, but always seek
to do good to one another and to
all.” Somebody has to stop it. Why
not you and me—right now?
•
•
•
The United Church of Christ has
more than 5,700 churches throughout the United States. Rooted in the
Christian traditions of congregational governance and covenantal
relationships, each UCC setting
speaks only for itself and not on behalf of every UCC congregation.
UCC members and churches are
free to differ on important social issues, even as the UCC remains
principally committed to unity in
the midst of our diversity.
THE METRO HERALD
AROUND THE REGION
October 6, 2006
KEEPING THE UNITY IN
COMMUNITY . . .
CATHY M. HUDGINS
Special to The Metro Herald
A
s summer fades into fall and I
notice the beautiful and miraculous transitions in nature, I
am reminded of the changes taking
place in Hunter Mill District and
throughout Fairfax County. Students
attending Fairfax County Public
Schools (FCPS) are making history.
FCPS is truly fascinating. With over
1500 buses, the County has the largest
bus fleet in the nation that transports
110,000 students each morning to 239
schools and centers where the dedicated 21,980 employees await them.
The Fairfax County School Board
oversees a $2.1 billion budget that provides for the educational enrichment of
164,297 students countywide.
In most municipalities equal in size
to Fairfax County Government, the
focus is likely on how to correct what’s
broken, but instead there is much to
celebrate in FCPS. The success of our
students can be measured by their standardized test scores and enrollment in
postsecondary education programs.
These figures alone tell a story of triumph for FCPS students and employees. 59% of Fairfax County students
achieve advanced studies diplomas and
91% go on to attend some form of
postsecondary institution. The class of
2005 averaged a combined SAT store
of 1114. Beyond the scores we see creative students who excel in such areas
as visual and fine arts, science and
technology, journalism, government,
and athletics, just to name a few.
Future success for FCPS will be
achieved by good planning today.
FCPS School Board representative to
Hunter Mill District, Stuart Gibson,
and the FCPS Board members are in
the process of implementing its new
Strategic Governance initiative. This
plan establishes and defines goals for
the FCPS division that exceed the requirements of the “No Child Left Behind” Act (NCLB). Included is the
INNOVATIVE HOMEBUYING
WEB SITE LAUNCHED
T
hanks to I-agent.com, the meticulous home buying process just
got a bit easier. The newly launched company announced recently,
its interactive Web site is live and ready for homebuyer hits.
I-agent.com offers an innovative and easy way to incorporate the
Web in a house hunt. By giving consumers every tool necessary to
search for their own homes, the costs of a traditional real estate transaction are cut, which enables I-agent.com to offer buyers 66% of the
buyer’s agent commission (roughly 2% of the purchase price). In the
Washington-Metropolitan area, this translates to an average savings of
$11,000 per I-agent.com transaction.
“We’re using the Web to revolutionize the way people buy homes,”
says I-agent.com CEO, Khalil El-Ghoul. He adds, “Before the rise of
the Internet, when people wanted to purchase insurance or make travel
arrangements, they had to use an agent. But now, people can use the
Web to compare their own premiums or to book their own vacations.
Why not empower homebuyers in the same way?”
According to the National Association of Realtors, 95% of homebuyers begin their search online and 64% of homebuyers actually find
their own home online, and then enlist an agent to close the deal. Iagent.com caters to this self-sufficient buyer, who wants to save time
and money.
Unlike its Web counterparts, I-agent.com capitalizes on its patent
pending “Intelligent Search” to offer buyers more search parameters. Instead of looking for a home according to the desired amount of
bedrooms and bathrooms, buyers also can search new home listings according to incentives, such as 100% financing, options allowances, prepaid condo or homeowner’s association fees, and closing cost
assistance.
Once buyers narrow down their search to a few properties, licensed
and salaried I-agent.com RealtorsÆ will walk them through the entire
home buying process. The company has even streamlined the loan
process by teaming up with SunTrust Mortgage to offer attractive, low
cost packages for I-agent.com clients.
“Overall, we are going to continue to find new ways to give buyers
the tools they need to save money from every angle when buying a
home,” El-Ghoul says. He adds, “We truly believe we are the intelligent
way to buy a home, and we think buyers will agree.”
Currently, I-agent.com is the only home buying Web site of its kind
serving the Washington-Metropolitan area. The company plans to be nationwide by the end of 2006. For more information about the company,
and how it works, consumers may contact the 24-hour toll-free help line
at 1-866-529-0864 or send an e-mail to mailto:info@i-agent.com.
THE METRO HERALD
continued mission and tradition of offering a gifted quality education to all
students.
With a focus on the diversity and
richness in culture, by which the
County is widely known, the Strategic
Initiative also emphasizes communication in at least two languages for all
students. From February to May of
2006, the School Board solicited input
from community members on achievement goals. The tremendous effort of
the Superintendent, School Board
members, administrators, parents and
residents is one example of the important role that community plays in the
life of each and every child. Responsibilities of citizenship, practical life
skills, and morals are other components integrated in the Strategic Governance plan.
From start to finish, pre-K and
graduating seniors both require support
and contributions from home. With before and after-school programs in place
through local funding by the BOS, programs such as School-Age Child Care
(SACC), Club 78, teen centers and others make it possible for children to experience positive activities in afterschool programs. Safe, healthy
experiences in after school programs
bridge the positive example of school
and home to develop healthy adults.
The Fairfax County School Board
and the Board of Supervisors recognize the need to think holistically about
the service we provide to families with
children. Through joint meetings to
examine services that may be common
to both our Boards, we better serve our
children and our taxpayers. The approach to begin to more closely connect the role of pre-K programs with
readiness for K-12 programs is not
only a national focus it is also Fairfax
County Government’s focus.
The School Readiness Collaborative
is a partnership with FCPS and child
care providers to improve the quality of
child care to so children enter school
with the skills to succeed. Research
shows that successful early start for all
children contributes to the successful
outcomes in our K-12 programs.
The future of Fairfax County rests
upon the shoulders of the children that
are preparing to enter the work force.
As leaders, parents, and role models, I
encourage you all to become active in
the nurturing our children. Mentors
and volunteers are needed to propel
students in the right direction.
National Merit Scholars Semi-Finalists announced that 208 FCPS students achieved this ranking: 7 students
at Madison High School, 1 student at
Herndon High School, 2 students at
South Lakes High School, 3 students at
Oakton High School, and 158 of the
semifinalists are students at Thomas
Jefferson High School for Science and
Technology. I encourage all Hunter
Mill residents to become active role
players in our school system, in our
government, and as citizens.
Remember to set an example of citizenship for the younger generation by
voting next month.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S
7TH ANNUAL
CHAMPIONS OF CHOICE
AWARDS LUNCHEON TO
RECOGNIZE COMMUNITY AND
NATIONAL FIGURES WHO HAVE
DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY
P
lanned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington (PPMW) will
host its 7th annual awards luncheon and fundraiser on Friday,
October 20, 2006 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m., at The
Washington Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, N. W., Washington, D.C. PPMW will recognize three very strong supporters of
Planned Parenthood and its mission to prevent teen pregnancy, cervical and breast cancer and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Our prestigious
honorees include: Barbara Ehrenreich, best-selling author and activist; Howard W. Stone, Jr., Vice Chair, Prince George’s County,
Maryland School Board; and Sarah S. Brown, President, National
Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
“This year our focus is to raise awareness and funding for teen
pregnancy prevention and the positive results that we are seeing every
day in our nationally-acclaimed teen clinics in Washington, DC and
Maryland,” says Jatrice Martel Gaiter, PPMW President and CEO.
“We are in the community every day helping our teens understand and
deal with issues surrounding their own reproductive health and sexuality. They lack medically accurate information about their bodies and
don’t know how to protect themselves against pregnancy or STDs.
With more education, counseling, and access to quality healthcare
services, we can lower the rate of sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancies.”
Washington, DC has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in
the nation.
• One out of every ten teenage girls in Washington became pregnant
in 2003—twice the national average.
• 55% of girls and 73% of boys in DC high schools have engaged in
sexual intercourse.
In order to fight these alarming rates, PPMW has engaged in an
aggressive and wide- ranging operation that utilizes a holistic approach to reducing teen pregnancy through integrated medical, education and mental health services. PPMW operates five clinics in the
Washington metropolitan area that serve over 30,000 patients annually. Last year alone, PPMW reached 11,000 teens and pre-teens
through its sexuality education and life skills programs. “We work to
educate teens on issues like HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy—and,
more importantly, we teach them how to protect themselves. But, we
can do more because more is what’s required to combat this problem.”
said Martel Gaiter. “Arming young people with accurate information, giving them a safe place to go after school, and mentoring them
to help develop positive self esteem, are just a few ways that PPMW
is engaging teens in an effort to win this uphill battle.” PPMW helps
young people avoid unintended pregnancy through education, counseling, clinic services and advocacy. These activities help teens make
responsible decisions.
For more information about the awards luncheon or to discuss
PPMW’s teen pregnancy prevention efforts with Jatrice Martel Gaiter,
please contact Alexis Revis Yeoman on (301) 918-8418 x 228.
FORT BELVOIR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
OPENS THREE NEW
STUDENT-RUN BRANCHES
F
ort Belvoir Federal Credit Union (FTBFCU) will sign partnership
agreements with three new schools to establish student-run credit
union branches on Thursday, October 5 at 3:30PM. The signing will
take place at the corporate offices of FTBFCU, located at 14067 Crown Court
in Woodbridge. The partnership will create new school-based branches at
Godwin Middle School, Woodbridge Middle School, and Woodbridge High
School.
With this new agreement, the School Division can now boast seventeen
schools with student-run financial branches in partnership with five different
financial institutions. These agreements have been made possible by the
School Division’s Business Partnership Office. For more information about
creating a partnership with the School Division, contact Sharon Henry, business partnership coordinator, at 703-791-8002.
Visit us
on the web at
www.metroherald.com
9
HEALTH & WELLNESS
October 6, 2006
20 YEARS OF WALKING TO BEAT HIV/AIDS
OCTOBER IS RECOGNIZED AS
DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
M
ore than 56 million Americans have a disability, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities.
Acknowledging October as Disability
Awareness Month, United Spinal Association is offering an informative
pamphlet entitled Disability Etiquette.
The guide was developed to help people interact effectively and respectfully
with people who have disabilities.
This includes your neighbor, Jim Andrews of Bowie, Maryland. (Digital
Photo Attached: Jim Andrews with his
daughter, Alison).
Jim, who has been a member of
United Spinal since he signed up at a
disabilities exposition in 2004, contracted polio in 1949, “five years before the vaccine came out,” he says.
Jim was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and was a long-time resident of
Biloxi, Mississippi and a graduate of
the University of Southern Mississippi.
He began his career across the state
line with the New Orleans Housing
Authority as an assistant project manager, where he rose to the position of
Administrative Officer. Jim joined the
U. S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development’s Office of Public
Housing in Washington, DC, in 1979.
He worked for 25 years with that
agency as a specialist in compliance
with such federal accessibility laws as
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
the Fair Housing Act, and eventually
the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). He has worked on accessibility with housing authorities including
New York City, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Baltimore.
In 2004, Jim left the government to
begin his own private consulting business. Currently, he is working with law
firms, property management firms, and
others to ensure compliance with accessibility regulations.
Jim and his wife have a son Terrence, 27, and a daughter Alison, 22.
United Spinal Association’s mission is to provide expertise, create access to resources and strengthen hope;
thereby enabling people with SCI/D to
fulfill their potential as active members
of their communities. Here are some
helpful tips from Disability Etiquette
about interacting with all people with
disabilities:
United Spinal Association’s Disability Etiquette Tips
• Avoid outdated terms like “handicapped” or “crippled.” Use instead
“person with a disability” or for
specific disabilities say “person
with multiple sclerosis.”
• Say “wheelchair user,” rather than
“confined or bound to a wheelchair.”
• Speak directly to a person with a
disability, not to their companion.
• Don’t make decisions for people
with disabilities about what they
can or can’t do, instead ask if you
can assist and listen to their perspective.
• Don’t push or touch a person’s
wheelchair; it is part of their personal space.
• Don’t pet or touch a person’s guide
or service dog. The dog is working
and needs to concentrate.
For more tips, download a free
copy of Disability Etiquette (also
available in Spanish) from www.
unitedspinal.org, or call 800-4042898 for more information.
28TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER BENEFITS
DC-AREA LUPUS SUFFERERS
M
ore than 70 golfers joined the Lupus Foundation of Greater Washington (LFGW) October 2 at its 28th annual fundraiser at the Belmont Country Club to benefit the nonprofit’s public education and
support programs for local lupus sufferers.
“The businesses and golfers who joined us today are heroes,” said event
chair and board member Ruth Yankoupe. “The community’s support is crucial to ensuring that we can continue to give hope to the 50,000 people who
suffer from lupus here in the DC area.”
The LFGW 28th Annual Golf Classic was held at the 18-hole Arnold
Palmer Signature golf course at the luxurious Belmont Country Club in Ashburn, Va. Golfers enjoyed 18-hole play, exciting silent and live auctions, and
free food and drink throughout the day, including lunch, dinner, and open bar.
The event raised more than $75,000 to support the local nonprofit’s public education and support programs. The organization’s signature event is the
annual Lupus Symposium, which will be held this November in Washington,
DC, providing a forum for lupus patients, their families, and advocates to
learn more about the disease and what can be done to help.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 50,000 people
in the DC area, primarily women. Lupus causes the immune system to become overactive, creating antibodies that attack healthy tissues, such as the
skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain.
Tournament sponsors were Sapient and Sprint Nextel. Event sponsors
were NCO Group, Arvato, and Teletech, with a special thank-you to Datatel
for their ongoing support.
When responding to an ad,
tell them you saw it in The Metro Herald
10
T
he 20th annual AIDS Walk
Washington, which raises
funds for HIV/AIDS services
at Whitman-Walker Clinic, will take
place Saturday, October 7.
The event begins with a rally at
9:00AM and steps off at 9:30AM at
Freedom Plaza (Pennsylvania Avenue
and 14th Street, N.W.). People who
wish to participate can register, donate
money or volunteer by calling 202332-WALK or by visiting www.
aidswalkwashington.org.
“This 20th year of the AIDS Walk
comes at a critical time in the
HIV/AIDS epidemic,” said Donald
Blanchon, chief executive officer of
Whitman-Walker Clinic. “With one in
20 adults in D.C. estimated to be HIVpositive, the need for our services has
never been greater.”
Funds raised by AIDS Walk Wash-
SAFEWAY TO
OFFER FLU,
PNUEMONIA
SHOTS
S
afeway will conduct approximately 300 flu clinics
throughout the mid-Atlantic
region (Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Delaware) between October 5 and November 12
with 142 Safeway stores scheduled
to hold at least two clinics.
This year’s clinics, again sponsored by OnSite Wellness of Torrance, Calif., will offer customers
(ages 11 and above) a choice of flu
or pneumonia vaccinations. With
supplies of flu vaccines expected to
be plentiful this season, Safeway
will administer shots to any customer requesting the vaccinations
on a first-come, first-served basis
without respect to age. As in previous years, there is no cost for
Medicare Part B beneficiaries who
simply present their card at the flu
clinic and complete a roster billing
form. Non-Medicare participants
will be charged $25 for flu shots
and $40 for the pneumonia vaccine.
Vaccinations will be administered either by registered nurses or,
in Maryland, Virginia and
Delaware, by Safeway pharmacists,
who can also provide shots outside
of the flu clinic time periods (operations permitting and to persons
ages 18 and above). The Center for
Disease Control (CDC) determines
the composition for the shots.
A complete list of stores with
their corresponding flu clinic dates
can be found at www.safeway.com.
ington are used to provide primary
medical care, legal services, food, case
management, mental health and addictions treatment services and much
more for thousands of people living
with HIV and AIDS who come to
Whitman-Walker Clinic for help.
AIDS Walk Washington is the largest
single fund-raising event that the
Clinic holds each year.
“There are more than 15,000 people
living with AIDS in the D.C. metropolitan area,” said Blanchon. “Tens of thousands more are HIV-positive. One-third
of those who are HIV-positive don’t even
know it. African-Americans account for
eight out of every 10 cases of AIDS in
D.C. We have a tremendous task ahead
of us. Thanks to the support of our community, we will be able to reach more
people in need of our services and help
them get the care they need.”
Blanchon noted that 2006 marks not
only 20 years of the AIDS Walk but 25
years since the discovery of what would
come to be known as HIV/AIDS.
“These two milestones remind us
that this has been and will continue to
be a long, hard battle,” he said. “The
support we receive from AIDS Walk
Washington will ensure that our current and future clients will be able to
receive the health care and support
services they need.”
STREET CLOSINGS FOR
20TH ANNUAL AIDS WALK
The following streets will be closed
for AIDS Walk Washington on Saturday, Oct. 7:
• Pennsylvania Avenue South between 14th and 13th Streets, N.W.,
from 2:00AM–3:00PM.
In addition, the following streets
will be subject to rolling closures between 8:30AM and 12:30PM:
• Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th
and 3rd Streets, N.W.
• 3rd St. between Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. and D Street, S.W.
• D Street., S.W., between 3rd and
4th Streets
• 4th Street, S.W., between D Street.
and Independence Avenue
• Independence Avenue between 4th
and 3rd Streets, S.W.
The AIDS Walk will begin with a
rally at 9:00AM. The walk will step off
at 9:30AM. The festivities will take
place at Freedom Plaza and Pennsylvania Avenue South between 13th and
14th Streets, N.W. The walk will proceed east on Pennsylvania Avenue to
3rd Street, south on 3rd St. to D Street,
S.W., west to 4th Street, north to Independence Avenue, east to 3rd Street,
north on 3rd Street to Pennsylvania
Avenue, west on Pennsylvania Avenue
and finish at Freedom Plaza.
WHITMANWALKER CLINIC
STRONGLY
SUPPORTS CDC
RECOMMENDATIO
NS TO MAKE HIV
TESTING ROUTINE
W
hitman-Walker Clinic,
on September 21, announced that it strongly
supports the Centers for Disease
Control’s recommendations to
make HIV testing routine. The
Clinic believes that such testing,
combined with pre- and post-test
counseling, is the most effective
way to treat individuals who are
concerned about their HIV status.
“Nearly one-third of the one
million Americans living with HIV
do not know their HIV status,” said
Donald Blanchon, Chief Executive
Officer of Whitman-Walker Clinic.
“That means that not only is their
health endangered, but they could
unknowingly pass the virus on to
others.”
“Routine testing will help us to
ensure that those who are HIV-positive get the treatment they need
and receive the resources they need
to keep their loved ones safe,”
Blanchon said. “Studies show that,
once someone knows they are
HIV-positive, they are more likely
to reduce unsafe behaviors. Routine testing could help to reduce
the spread of the virus.”
“Whitman-Walker Clinic is
committed to providing such counseling for those who come to us for
testing. We feel that, to be fully effective, a diagnosis should include
an addressing of the patient’s emotional state, their personal support
structure and their level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS.”
Established in 1973, WhitmanWalker Clinic is a non-profit, community-based provider of health
care and social services in the
Washington, DC metropolitan
area. Through three sites, in the
District of Columbia and Northern
Virginia, the Clinic offers primary
medical and dental care; mental
health and addictions counseling
and treatment; HIV education, prevention, and testing; legal services;
case management; and a food
bank. Whitman-Walker Clinic is
committed to meeting the life
needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender community and
people living with HIV/AIDS.
THE METRO HERALD
October 6, 2006
THE METRO HERALD
11
WETA 26 BROADCAST BRINGS GROUNDBREAKING CIVIL RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY TO WASHINGTON AREA
October 6, 2006
Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat helped
launch the Montgomery bus boycott, which lasted 13
months. The 43-year-old woman was arrested and
jailed for violating the law banning integration
(photo by AP/Wide World Photos)
In 1964, Freedom Schools are created
throughout Mississippi as Freedom
Summer volunteers, most of them northern
college students, travel south to work with
local civil rights workers to help educate
black children and organize black voters
(photo ©United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries/Ken Thompson)
yes on the Prize” recounts the fight to end
decades of discrimination and segregation. It
is the story of the people—young and old,
male and female, northern and southern—who, compelled by a meeting of
conscience and circumstance, worked
to eradicate a world where whites and
blacks could not go to the same school,
ride the same bus, vote in the same election or participate equally in society. It
was a world in which peaceful demonstrators were met with resistance and
brutality—in short, a reality that is now
nearly incomprehensible to many
young Americans.
In October WETA will work in partnership with youth performers from DC
WritersCorps on a performance, workshop and discussion based on issues
drawn from the documentary. The performers, age 16-24, will present original
poetry, rap and songs inspired by the series. Geared towards youth, the performance will be a celebration of the accomplishments of the Civil Rights
movement and a dialogue about contemporary issues of rights and freedoms
affecting young people today.
For more information about these
events, “Eyes on the Prize,” and educational resources relating to the series,
visit www.weta.org/eyesontheprize.
The re-release of “Eyes on the
Prize” is made possible by grants from
The Ford Foundation and The Gilder
Foundation. Henry Hampton is the executive producer for the series, Judi
Hampton is the president of Blackside
Inc. and Sandra Forman is the project
director and legal counsel for the re-release project. The series executive producer for AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
is Mark Samels.
WETA TV 26 and 90.9 FM are public broadcasting stations serving Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia with educational, cultural, and
news and public affairs programming
EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS
OCTOBER 2
(REPEATS SUNDAY
OCTOBER 8 AT 2:30PM)
“E
12
Roy Wilkins (left), executive
secretary of the NAACP, and
Medgar Evers (center), NAACP
field secretary, are arrested for
protesting beatings and arrests
of civil rights demonstrators in
Jackson, Mississippi. Evers was
assassinated 10 days later
(photo ©Bettmann/Corbis)
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: EYES
ON THE PRIZE Episodes 1 & 2 of 6,
Awakenings 1954–1956 & Fighting
Back 1957–1962; (9:00PM)—A
ground- breaking documentary series
examines the history of America’s civil
rights movement. Julian Bond narrates.
In Episode 1, individual acts of courage
inspire black Southerners to fight for
their rights. In Episode 2,
states’ rights loyalists and
federal authorities collide in
the 1957 battle to integrate
Little Rock’s Central High
School, and again in James
Meredith’s 1962 challenge
to segregation at the University of Mississippi.
(WETA TV 26 AND PBS
PREMIERE OF THE RERELEASE)
and related services. WETA
is committed to producing
programs that highlight the
history and people of the
Greater Washington area.
WETA regularly produces
“Around Town,” “WETA
Hometown Heroes,” “WETA
Neighborhoods” and “WETA
Extras,” spotlighting local
people, places and events.
Upcoming in November
2006 are the new WETA
local productions “WETA All
Access” and “The WETA
Guide.” WETA’s headquarters are located in Arlington,
Virginia.
WETA was
founded by public television
pioneer and Arlington luminary Elizabeth P. Campbell.
For more information on
WETA and its services, visit
www.weta.org.
Sharon
Percy Rockefeller is presi- In May 1963, firefighters turn their hoses full force on young civil rights demonstrators in Birmingham, Alabama,
shocking the American public and turning the world’s attention to the struggle (photo by AP/Wide World Photos)
dent and CEO of WETA.
Left to right: College students Matthew Walker, Peggy Alexander, Diane Nash and Stanley Hemphill eat lunch in Nashville’s
Greyhound Bus terminal, marking the first time that African Americans were served at previously segregated counters
(photo by The Tennessean)
TV 26 & PBS RE-RELEASE PREMIERE)
OCTOBER 16
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: EYES
ON THE PRIZE Episodes 5 & 6 of 6,
Mississippi: Is This America? 1963–
1964, Bridge to Freedom 1965;
(9:00PM)—Mississippi’s grass-roots
civil rights movement becomes a nationwide concern when three college
students helping to register black voters
are murdered. The Mississippi Freedom
Democratic Party challenges the state’s
regular delegation at the Democratic
Convention in Atlantic City. In episode
6, a decade of lessons is applied in the
climactic and bloody march from Selma
to Montgomery, Alabama. A major vic-
tory is won when the federal Voting
Rights Bill passes, but new challenges
await. (WETA TV 26 & PBS RERELEASE PREMIERE
COVER PHOTO
James Karales Montage: Alison
Kennedy for WGBH Design
On August 28, 1963, America witnesses an unprecedented spectacle as 250,000 blacks and
whites march side by side in Washington, DC, in the largest demonstration the country had
ever seen (photo by Library of Congress)
OCTOBER 9
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: EYES ON THE
PRIZE Episodes 3 & 4 of 6,
Ain’t Scared of Your Jails
1960–1961/ No Easy Walk
1961–1963; (9:00PM)—In
episode 3, black college students take a leadership role
in the civil rights movement
at lunch counter sit-ins and
“Freedom Riders” try to desegregate interstate buses.
With No Easy Walk
1961–1963, the civil rights
movement discovers the
power of mass demonstrations; the Rev. Martin
Luther King Jr. emerges as
its most visible leader and
the triumphant March on
Washington, D.C., shows a
mounting national support
for civil rights. (WETA
THE METRO HERALD
THE METRO HERALD
13
October 6, 2006
(PAID POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT)
(PAID POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT)
PAID POLITICAL ANNOUNEMENT)
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
TO BE VOTED ON AT THE NOVEMBER 7, 2006 SPECIAL ELECTION
Article I. Bill of Rights.
Section 15-A. Marriage.
BALLOT QUESTION NUMBER 1
Shall Article I (the Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to state: “That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This
Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this
Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.”?
EXPLANATION
Present Law
The Constitution does not define marriage. Under current statutory law in Virginia, persons who marry must have a license and be married by a licensed minister, judge, or other person authorized by law to perform marriages. Present law
prohibits marriages between certain individuals. For example, the law prohibits a marriage between a brother and sister, between a couple where one of the parties is married to someone else, and between couples of the same sex.
In 1975, the General Assembly enacted a statute (present Code of Virginia § 20-45.2) that states "A marriage between persons of the same sex is prohibited." In 1997, the General Assembly added a sentence to § 20-45.2 that states that:
Any marriage entered into by persons of the same sex in another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respects in Virginia and any contractual rights created by such marriage shall be void and unenforceable.
In 2004, the General Assembly passed a law to prohibit certain civil unions or other arrangements between persons of the same sex. That law (Code of Virginia § 20-45.3) states that: A civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement
between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage is prohibited. Any such civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement entered into by persons of the same sex in another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respects in Virginia and any contractual rights created thereby shall be void and unenforceable. Thus, civil unions or other arrangements which purport “to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage” are prohibited
by statute.
Proposed Amendment
If approved by the voters, this proposed amendment will become part of the Constitution of Virginia. The proposed amendment adds a definition of marriage as the “union between one man and one woman” to the Constitution's Bill of
Rights and prohibits Virginia and its counties, cities, and towns from creating or recognizing any legal status by any name which is comparable to marriage. Marriage in the Commonwealth creates specific legal rights, benefits, and obligations
for a man and a woman. There are other legal rights, benefits, and obligations which will continue to be available to unmarried persons, including the naming of an agent to make end-of-life decisions by an Advance Medical Directive (Code of
Virginia § 54.1-2981), protections afforded under Domestic Violence laws (Code of Virginia § 18.2-57.2), ownership of real property as joint tenants with or without a right of survivorship (Code of Virginia § 55-20.1), or disposition of property by
will (Code of Virginia § 64.1-46).
A "yes" vote on the proposed amendment will result in the addition of the proposed Section 15-A to Article I, the Bill of Rights. A "no" vote will mean that there will be no change made in Article I, the Bill of Rights.
FULL TEXT OF AMENDMENT [Proposed new language is underlined. Existing language that is deleted is shown as stricken (stricken).]
Amend Article I of the Constitution of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15-A as follows:
ARTICLE I
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 15-A. Marriage.
That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.
This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this
Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.
Article IV. Legislature.
Section 14. Powers of the General Assembly; limitations.
BALLOT QUESTION NUMBER 2
Shall Section 14 of Article IV of the Constitution of Virginia be amended by deleting the provision that prohibits the incorporation of churches, a provision that was ruled to be unconstitutional and therefore now is obsolete?
EXPLANATION
Present Law
Section 14 of Article IV of the Constitution of Virginia now states in part: “The General Assembly shall not grant a charter of incorporation to any church or religious denomination, but may secure the title to church property to an extent to be
limited by law.” The federal district court for the Western District of Virginia ruled in April 2002 that this provision of the Virginia Constitution is unconstitutional because it violates the federal constitutional right to the free exercise of religion.
Falwell v. Miller, 203 F. Supp.2d 624 (W.D.Va. 2002). The court found that it is unconstitutional to deny a church the option to incorporate under state law when any other group can incorporate. It noted that the Virginia Commission on
Constitutional Revision in its 1969 report had recognized that the prohibition was probably invalid.
Following the court's decision in 2002, the State Corporation Commission, which is charged with the duty of administering the corporate statutes of the Commonwealth, began routinely to grant certificates of incorporation to churches and
religious denominations that filed for incorporation under Virginia law.
The 2004 General Assembly established a joint subcommittee to study issues related to the incorporation of churches and other appropriate matters. Senate Joint Resolution 89 (2004). In the executive summary for its report, the joint subcommittee recommended the repeal of the provision quoted above. Senate Document No. 9 (2005).
Proposed Amendment
The proposed amendment would delete the provision found to be unconstitutional. It would not change the current law on other powers of the General Assembly.
A "yes" vote on the proposed amendment will result in the deletion of the current paragraph in Section 14 of Article IV that prohibits the General Assembly from granting charters of incorporation to churches and religious denominations. A
"no" vote will leave that paragraph in Section 14 of Article IV.
FULL TEXT OF AMENDMENT [Proposed new language is underlined. Existing language that is deleted is shown as stricken (stricken).]
Amend Section 14 of Article IV of the Constitution of Virginia as follows:
ARTICLE IV
LEGISLATURE
Section 14. Powers of General Assembly; limitations.
The authority of the General Assembly shall extend to all subjects of legislation not herein forbidden or restricted; and a specific grant of authority in this Constitution upon a subject shall not work a restriction of its authority upon the same
or any other subject. The omission in this Constitution of specific grants of authority heretofore conferred shall not be construed to deprive the General Assembly of such authority, or to indicate a change of policy in reference thereto, unless
such purpose plainly appear.
The General Assembly shall confer on the courts power to grant divorces, change the names of persons, and direct the sales of estates belonging to infants and other persons under legal disabilities, and shall not, by special legislation,
grant relief in these or other cases of which the courts or other tribunals may have jurisdiction.
The General Assembly may regulate the exercise by courts of the right to punish for contempt.
The General Assembly's power to define the accrual date for a civil action based on an intentional tort committed by a natural person against a person who, at the time of the intentional tort, was a minor shall include the power to provide for
the retroactive application of a change in the accrual date. No natural person shall have a constitutionally protected property right to bar a cause of action based on intentional torts as described herein on the ground that a change in the accrual date for the action has been applied retroactively or that a statute of limitations or statute of repose has expired.
The General Assembly shall not enact any local, special, or private law in the following cases:
(1) For the punishment of crime.
(2) Providing a change of venue in civil or criminal cases.
(3) Regulating the practice in, or the jurisdiction of, or changing the rules of evidence in any judicial proceedings or inquiry before the courts or other tribunals, or providing or changing the methods of collecting debts or enforcing
judgments or prescribing the effect of judicial sales of real estate.
(4) Changing or locating county seats.
(5) For the assessment and collection of taxes, except as to animals which the General Assembly may deem dangerous to the farming interests.
14
THE METRO HERALD
October 6, 2006
(6) Extending the time for the assessment or collection of taxes.
(7) Exempting property from taxation.
(8) Remitting, releasing, postponing, or diminishing any obligation or liability of any person, corporation, or association to the Commonwealth or to any political subdivision thereof.
(9) Refunding money lawfully paid into the treasury of the Commonwealth or the treasury of any political subdivision thereof.
(10) Granting from the treasury of the Commonwealth, or granting or authorizing to be granted from the treasury of any political subdivision thereof, any extra compensation to any public officer, servant, agent, or contractor.
(11) For registering voters, conducting elections, or designating the places of voting.
(12) Regulating labor, trade, mining, or manufacturing, or the rate of interest on money.
(13) Granting any pension.
(14) Creating, increasing, or decreasing, or authorizing to be created, increased, or decreased, the salaries, fees, percentages, or allowances of public officers during the term for which they are elected or appointed.
(15) Declaring streams navigable, or authorizing the construction of booms or dams therein, or the removal of obstructions therefrom.
(16) Affecting or regulating fencing or the boundaries of land, or the running at large of stock.
(17) Creating private corporations, or amending, renewing, or extending the charters thereof.
(18) Granting to any private corporation, association, or individual any special or exclusive right, privilege, or immunity.
(19) Naming or changing the name of any private corporation or association.
(20) Remitting the forfeiture of the charter of any private corporation, except upon the condition that such corporation shall thereafter hold its charter subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the laws passed in pursuance
thereof.
The General Assembly shall not grant a charter of incorporation to any church or religious denomination, but may secure the title to church property to an extent to be limited by law.
Article X. Taxation and Finance.
Section 6. Exempt property.
BALLOT QUESTION NUMBER 3
Shall Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to authorize legislation to permit localities to provide a partial exemption from real property taxes for real estate with new structures and improvements in conservation,
redevelopment, or rehabilitation areas?
EXPLANATION
Present Law
The Constitution now allows the General Assembly to give local governments the power to provide a partial exemption from real estate taxes as an incentive for property owners to make substantial improvements to existing structures by
renovating, rehabilitating, or replacing those structures.
The General Assembly has passed laws that give the governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns the authority to provide for partial exemptions from real estate taxes for rehabilitated, renovated, or replacement residential, hotel, motel,
commercial, or industrial structures. See, for example, § 58.1-3220 of the Code of Virginia.
Proposed Amendment
The proposed amendment would expand the possibilities for this type of tax relief or incentive. It authorizes the General Assembly to pass laws that will allow counties, cities, and towns to provide a partial exemption from real estate taxes
for new structures and improvements located in a conservation, redevelopment or rehabilitation area.
The 2006 General Assembly passed Senate Bill 358 to implement this constitutional amendment if it is approved by the voters. Senate Bill 358 would authorize local governing bodies to provide for the partial exemption from taxation of (i)
new structures located in redevelopment or conservation areas or rehabilitation districts and (ii) other improvements to real estate located in redevelopment or conservation areas or rehabilitation districts. The partial exemption would be a percentage of the increase in assessed value as a result of the new structure or improvement or an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the construction cost of such structure or improvement. The local governing body would be allowed to establish criteria for qualifying real estate including, but not limited to, the square footage for new structures. Senate Bill 358 will become effective if the proposed constitutional amendment is approved.
A "yes" vote on the proposed amendment will give the General Assembly authority to permit localities to provide a partial exemption from real property taxes for real estate with new structures and improvements in conservation, redevelopment, or rehabilitation areas and will give effect to Senate Bill 358. A "no" vote will leave the present Constitution and statutory law unchanged.
FULL TEXT OF AMENDMENT [Proposed new language is underlined. Existing language that is deleted is shown as stricken (stricken).]
Amend Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia as follows:
ARTICLE X
TAXATION AND FINANCE
Section 6. Exempt property.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the following property and no other shall be exempt from taxation, State and local, including inheritance taxes:
(1) Property owned directly or indirectly by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, and obligations of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof exempt by law.
(2) Real estate and personal property owned and exclusively occupied or used by churches or religious bodies for religious worship or for the residences of their ministers.
(3) Private or public burying grounds or cemeteries, provided the same are not operated for profit.
(4) Property owned by public libraries or by institutions of learning not conducted for profit, so long as such property is primarily used for literary, scientific, or educational purposes or purposes incidental thereto. This provision may
also apply to leasehold interests in
such property as may be provided by general law.
(5) Intangible personal property, or any class or classes thereof, as may be exempted in whole or in part by general law.
(6) Property used by its owner for religious, charitable, patriotic, historical, benevolent, cultural, or public park and playground purposes, as may be provided by classification or designation by an ordinance adopted by the local governing body and subject to such
restrictions and conditions as provided by general law.
(7) Land subject to a perpetual easement permitting inundation by water as may be exempted in whole or in part by general law.
(b) The General Assembly may by general law authorize the governing body of any county, city, town, or regional government to provide for the exemption from local property taxation, or a portion thereof, within such restrictions and upon
such conditions as may be prescribed, of real estate and personal property designed for continuous habitation owned by, and occupied as the sole dwelling of, persons not less than sixty-five years of age or persons permanently and totally
disabled as established by general law who are deemed by the General Assembly to be bearing an extraordinary tax burden on said property in relation to their income and financial worth.
(c) Except as to property of the Commonwealth, the General Assembly by general law may restrict or condition, in whole or in part, but not extend, any or all of the above exemptions.
(d) The General Assembly may define as a separate subject of taxation any property, including real or personal property, equipment, facilities, or devices, used primarily for the purpose of abating or preventing pollution of the atmosphere or
waters of the Commonwealth or for the purpose of transferring or storing solar energy, and by general law may allow the governing body of any county, city, town, or regional government to exempt or partially exempt such property from taxation, or by general law may directly exempt or partially exempt such property from taxation.
(e) The General Assembly may define as a separate subject of taxation household goods, personal effects and tangible farm property and products, and by general law may allow the governing body of any county, city, town, or regional
government to exempt or partially exempt such property from taxation, or by general law may directly exempt or partially exempt such property from taxation.
(f) Exemptions of property from taxation as established or authorized hereby shall be strictly construed; provided, however, that all property exempt from taxation on the effective date of this section shall continue to be exempt until otherwise
provided by the General Assembly as herein set forth.
(g) The General Assembly may by general law authorize any county, city, town, or regional government to impose a service charge upon the owners of a class or classes of exempt property for services provided by such governments.
(h) The General Assembly may by general law authorize the governing body of any county, city, town, or regional government to provide for a partial exemption from local real property taxation, within such restrictions and upon such conditions as may be prescribed, (i) of real estate whose improvements, by virtue of age and use, have undergone substantial renovation, rehabilitation or replacement or (ii) of real estate with new structures and improvements in conservation, redevelopment, or rehabilitation areas.
(i) The General Assembly may by general law allow the governing body of any county, city, or town to exempt or partially exempt from taxation any generating equipment installed after December thirty-one, nineteen hundred seventy-four,
for the purpose of converting from oil or natural gas to coal or to wood, wood bark, wood residue, or to any other alternate energy source for manufacturing, and any co-generation equipment installed since such date for use in manufacturing.
(j) The General Assembly may by general law allow the governing body of any county, city, or town to have the option to exempt or partially exempt from taxation any business, occupational or professional license or any merchants' capital,
or both.
Authorized by State Board of Elections, Jean R. Jensen, Secretary, 200 N. 9th St., Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23219-3497
THE METRO HERALD
15
COMMUNITY NEWS
October 6, 2006
ALEXANDRIA
ALEXANDRIA TRANSIT
COMPANY (DASH) TO TEST
SMARTRIP FARE BOXES
fairgoers an opportunity to receive
$500 toward their rent or mortgage.
Fairgoers may also attend a threehour workshop—from 12:00 noon to
3:00PM—about home buying offered
by Housing & Community Initiatives,
Inc. (HCI). Anyone attending the
class will receive a certificate of attendance, required for all MPDU purchases and first-time homebuyers’
HOC loans. Pre-registration for this
workshop is required. Call HCI at
301-590-2765.
For more information about the
Fair, call 240-777-3602.
COUNTY OFFICIALS
ANNOUNCE “SNEAK PEEK”
OF NEW
ROCKVILLE LIBRARY
M
S
tarting this October, DASH will
be the first local bus system in
the region to test SmarTrip fare
boxes. This testing period will last for
30 days and will include an initial five
buses to ensure that all aspects of the
system are working properly. Once the
test is completed, all 57 DASH buses
will be equipped with the new SmarTrip fare boxes. Riders can expect to
be able to start using the SmarTrip card
on all DASH buses in early 2007.
Shortly thereafter, passengers will
be able to use their SmarTrip cards on
other local systems, such as: the Fairfax Connector, Arlington Transit, and
OmniRide as well as on Metro bus and
Metro rail.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
SIXTH ANNUAL HOUSING
FAIR PLANNED FEATURING
INFORMATION FOR
HOMEBUYERS AND
RENTERS
T
he Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) and a
host of community partners will present the county’s Sixth Annual Housing
Fair on Saturday, October 7, from
10:00AM–3:00PM, at the Activity
Center at Bohrer Park located at Summit Hall Farm, 506 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg.
This year, the Montgomery County
Coalition for Financial Literacy is partnering with the Housing Fair to provide information about financial literacy issues. Workshops will be held
hourly about how to get, read and understand credit reports.
Additionally, the fair will offer
workshops and educational materials
on: managing money and credit; home
safety, utility assistance and conservation; avoiding consumer scams; and
buying or renting your first home.
Participants will be able to work
with a credit counselor to obtain and
analyze a free copy of their credit report. Workshops in English and Spanish are being planned, as well as a general vendor area for exhibitors.
Attendees can receive one-on-one assistance from vendors, and translation
services will be available on-site for
non-English speaking attendees.
This year’s entertainment will include an Elvis impersonator, and an
appearance by Screech, the National’s
eagle mascot, and entertainment and
surprises for kids. Food will also be
included and hourly raffles will give
16
ontgomery County Public
Library (MCPL) officials
announced today that
Rockville residents will get a “Sneak
Peek” of their new $26 million library
in the heart of downtown Rockville on
November 11, at 12:30PM, prior to
the facility’s official opening later in
the month. The Friends of the Library, Rockville Chapter will host a
fundraising gala that same evening to
benefit the new library.
Meanwhile, MCPL officials also
announced that the old Rockville library will close to the public on October 7 to allow staff to begin moving the
collection to the new library located in
the new Rockville Town Center project. In the interim, the public is encouraged to use other nearby libraries,
such as Twinbrook, Aspen Hill,
Gaithersburg, Quince Orchard, Kensington Park and Davis.
“We’re very excited that we are
moving one step close to opening this
new, state-of-the-art facility,” said
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. “This library will have something for everyone and meet the diverse needs of our community. It will
also serve as an anchor to the new
Rockville Town Center and become
the first building to open in that exciting project.”
The public is invited to attend the
“Sneak Peek” on Saturday, November
11. As part of the event, library officials will hold a ceremonial “shelf
stocking,” taking materials from the
old library and placing them on shelves
in the new building.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
CAFÉ FOR THE MIND
PRESENTS STIMULATING
CONVERSATIONS ON
HEALTH, RELIGION
AND DNA
C
offee and conversation describe the experience while attending one of Prince George’s
Community College’s Café for the
Mind sessions. The ongoing program
features experts from the college and
Prince George’s County Memorial Library System who will lead discussions about current issues. The fall
2006 series begins with a discussion
centered on avoiding the Avian Flu and
it continues with talks on the causes of
self-mutilation and the connection between religion and violence. The series
concludes with a program on the superstring theory.
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6:30p.m.,
Karl Roberts, professor of biology at
PGCC, will lead a discussion entitled
“Avian Flu—Are We Prepared?” The
lecture provides an assessment of the
virus and how it affects the body, as
well as information about prevention.
The session will be held in the college’s TV studio, Accokeek Hall,
Room 313.
“Why Are They Cutting Themselves! An Exploration of Self-Harm”
is the second event in the series.
Pamela Marcus, professor of nursing at
PGCC, will investigate the dynamics
of self-harm and assist individuals in
looking at healthier problem solving
strategies on Wednesday, Oct. 18,
6:30p.m., in the TV studio, Accokeek
Hall, Room 313.
Clyde Ebenreck, professor of philosophy at PGCC, will explore “Religion and Violence: A Philosopher Examines the Issue,” on Wednesday,
Nov. 15, 6:30p.m., in the TV studio,
Accokeek Hall, Room 313. Ebenreck
will examine whether traits in religion
lead to conflict. His presentation centers on the question, “is there something at the heart of monotheism that
compels violence?”
The final topic in the fall 2006 Café
for the Mind session is “Superstring
Theory: The DNA of Reality.” On
Thursday, Nov. 30, S. James Gates,
Jr., physics professor at University of
Maryland, will discuss the philosophy
that altered space, time, gravity and the
fundamental building blocks of matter
known as superstring or M-theory. The
session will begin at 7p.m. at the Hyattsville Library, 6532 Adelphi Rd.,
Hyattsville Md.
Prince George’s Community College is a comprehensive, public, postsecondary institution that provides
high quality academic instruction,
workforce development and continuing education to the citizens of Prince
George’s County and surrounding
areas. The college awards associate’s
degrees, letters of recognition and program certificates. For more information, visit www.pgcc.edu.
WASHINGTON, DC
FREDDIE MAC FOUNDATION
GRANT TO SUPPORT
COMMUNITY OF HOPE
DEVELOPMENT
C
ommunity of Hope (COH), an
area nonprofit working to improve the health and quality of
life for low-income, homeless, and underserved families, will expand its
services to help an additional 100
homeless families and approximately
200 children to receive shelter and
other stabilizing services. The new
COH transitional housing projects are
made possible through a $500,000
grant from the Freddie Mac Foundation.
“COH’s housing programs address
the most immediate needs of homeless
families by providing a place to live
while the family works to create a better life for themselves,” explained
Kelly Sweeney McShane, Executive
Director of Community of Hope.
“With this Freddie Mac Foundation
grant, we also will be able to provide a
comprehensive range of social services, with a focus on nurturing children
in homeless families, which are the
tools needed to escape poverty and end
the cycle of homelessness.”
“COH is making a difference for
homeless families in our community,
putting them on the path to self-sufficiency. Their inclusive approach allows families to transition into stable,
permanent housing; helps their chil-
dren advance to the next grade of
school; and assists parents with vocational training and employment,” said
Maxine B. Baker, president and CEO,
Freddie Mac Foundation. “We’re
proud to support COH’s work to
strengthen lives and our community.”
COH was incorporated in 1980 as a
compassionate ministry outreach of the
Washington First Church of the
Nazarene. Today, COH serves as a
separate, but complementary structure
and maintains an ongoing relationship
with the church. Committed to a community-based approach to improving
the health and quality of life for lowincome, homeless, and underserved
families in Washington, DC, COH’s
approach is holistic and addresses a
broad range of needs.
The Freddie Mac Foundation grant
has enabled COH to open a new facility this summer to help additional families in crisis. The new site, Hope
Apartments, along with an existing
program in Columbia Heights, provides families with a dignified, structured living environment for an average length stay of one year. Client
families participate in weekly meetings
with counselors. Additional support
services offered by COH include substance recovery support, physical and
mental health care, and structured activities for children.
These transitional housing programs address the most immediate
needs of homeless families by providing a place to live, while also focusing
on long-term needs and skills that
allow the families to create a better,
healthier future for themselves.
In addition, families living in the
housing programs have access to
COH’s community health clinic that
provides primary care services including health education, preventive care,
prenatal care, dental services and pediatric care, as well as specialized services such as care for those with
HIV/AIDS. Also, the Educational Enrichment Program is an integral part of
the comprehensive services offered by
COH. The program emphasizes successful performance in school, developing self-esteem and mastering basic
social and life skills.
Family homelessness is a serious
issue that affects the whole region. On
any given night 1,700 families are
homeless in Washington, DC area. Although most of these families do not
remain homeless for long, the experience can be devastating, increasing the
likelihood that families will dissolve.
Homeless children, who constitute
one-third of the homeless population,
are more likely to be placed in foster
care, are less healthy, experience disruptions in schooling, and are more
likely to have developmental delays
than poor, housed children.
Incorporated in 1980, Community
of Hope works to improve the health
and quality of life of low-income,
homeless, and underserved families
and individuals in the District of Columbia by providing health care, housing with supportive services, educational opportunities, and spiritual
support.
Created by Freddie Mac in 1991,
the Freddie Mac Foundation is dedicated to creating hope and opportunity
for children and their families. As the
largest corporate founder in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Freddie
Mac and the Freddie Mac Foundation
have invested nearly $280 million in
organizations serving the community.
LOCAL CHURCH TO
KICK-OFF A THREE WEEK
PRAYER VIGIL FOR AMISH
CHILDREN AND FOR END
TO SCHOOL VIOLENCE
ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Dr. Mark McCleary
S
top the school violence now!!
Over 100 concerned parents and
children will gather at The First
Seventh-day Adventist Church, located
at 810 Shepherd Street NW, Washington, DC on this Wednesday, October
4 to kick-off a three week prayer vigil
to end the violence in our schools.
Members and individuals in the
community are just horrified at the attacks on the innocent Amish children in
Pennsylvania. They want to see some
immediate action to prevent this type of
situation from occurring in their own
community. They intend to invite DC
Mayoral candidate Adrian Fenty to join
in one of the prayer sessions that takes
place Sundays through Wednesday
until October 21.
The solemn event begins at
7:15PM and continues until 8:30PM.
The public is invited to come out and
join in the prayer sessions and hear the
dynamic preaching of Dr. Mark McCleary who grew up on the mean
streets of Philadelphia and is familiar
with the violence. McCleary is a
strong advocate of church sponsored
youth programs that will prevent violence in the schools. Throughout the
course of these meetings, McCleary
will offer his solution to the growing
school violence saga in America.
The church is located directly
across the street from a Ward Four police station. Those who attend will
hear some dynamic and outstanding
gospel and inspirational music. Concerned parents and the public are urged
to participate in this three week crusade to end violence in our schools and
communities across America.
THE METRO HERALD
EDUCATION
October 6, 2006
INTRAMURAL RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM
SEEKS STUDENTS
T
he National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, Division of Intramural Research
(DIR), is seeking applicants for its Intramural NIAID Research Opportunities (INRO) program. INRO, currently
in its fifth year, is a 5-day exploratory
program for underrepresented minority
students (i.e., American Indians or
Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or
other Pacific Islanders, blacks or
African Americans, and Hispanics or
Latinos) who are interested in research
careers in the areas of allergy, immunology, and infectious diseases.
The INRO program will be held
February 4–8, 2007, at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda,
Md. Selected students will learn about
the basic and clinical research conducted within the DIR and will meet
many of the more than 120 investigators
who work in the Maryland and Montana laboratories. These students will
also engage in one-on-one interviews
with NIAID principal investigators who
are seeking to fill both summer and 1- to
2-year research traineeship positions.
Training opportunities include:
• The Summer Internship Program.
Successful applicants join one of
NIAID’s research laboratories for a
minimum of 8 weeks between late
May and August, with some date
flexibility available.
• Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training. Recent college
graduates spend a year engaged in
biomedical investigation at one of
NIAID’s research laboratories, with
the possibility of a 1-year extension
available. These postbaccalaureate
fellows are expected to initiate the
application process for graduate or
medical school while participating
in the program.
• Postdoctoral Intramural Research
Training. Students participate in
training opportunities at NIAID’s intramural laboratories and at the NIH
research hospital, the Warren Grant
Magnuson Clinical Center, including training in the basic sciences as
well as subspecialty and fellowship
training for physicians and dentists.
• The Graduate Partnerships Program. Students spend their first
year at the university while taking
graduate-level courses. In the second year, students move partially or
completely to the NIH campus for
their research and continue in
higher-level graduate courses, with
the following years completely
dedicated to research. Affiliation
with the home university is maintained throughout the graduate program experience.
• The Year-Off Training Program for
Graduate and Medical Students.
Students who are enrolled in graduate or medical degree programs receive NIAID research training with
permission from their institutions,
returning to their degree programs
within one year.
“We are pleased to again offer the
INRO program to support outstanding
students who are interested in research
careers in the biomedical sciences,”
said Dr. Wendy J. Fibison, Associate
Director of NIAID’s Office of Training
and Special Emphasis Programs. “This
program helps the best and brightest
science students across the country to
move one step closer to their research
career goals.”
The INRO program pays expenses
for travel, hotel accommodations, and
meals. Applicants to this highly competitive program should be undergraduate juniors or seniors interested in
postbaccalaureate biomedical research,
doctoral candidates seeking a postdoctoral training position, and first-year
medical students contemplating a yearoff research position. Applicants also
should be U.S. citizens or legal U.S.
residents who belong to a minority
population that is underrepresented in
the sciences. Only students with strong
academic standing will be considered.
Telephone inquiries may be directed to NIAID at 301-496-6400.
Visit the NIAID Web site at www.
niaid.nih.gov/labs/training/inro to
apply for the program or to obtain
more information. Completed applications must be received by October 15.
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY PRESENTS
RENOWNED ARTIST SYNTHIA SAINT JAMES
I
nternationally renowned Visual
Artist Synthia Saint James, noted
for her lively and colorful paintings and for her commission, by the
United State Postal Service, to design
the Kwanzaa stamp, will be visiting
Morgan State University in the Carl J.
Murphy Fine Arts Center on October
18, 2006. She will conduct a workshop/
lecture for the students in the Visual
Arts Department. Approximately ten of
her works of art will be on display for
students and visitors to view in the center. In addition, a Meet & Greet reception will be held for the artist where the
public will have the opportunity to
meet the artist and purchase one of her
prints. The limited edition prints have
been generously donated by Ms. Saint
James and 100% of the proceeds will
benefit the Visual Arts Department at
Morgan State University.
Synthia Saint James has worked
hard and achieved amazing success
both as a visual artist and as an author.
With over fifty completed commissions for major organizations such as
UNICEF, The Girl Scouts of the USA’s
THE METRO HERALD
85th Anniversary, Essence Magazine’s
25th Anniversary, Coca Cola for The
Lady of Soul Awards, thirteen children’s picture books, book tours, numerous exhibitions, interviews, continuous humanitarian activities, and other
responsibilities, we feel honored that
she has time to share the keys of her
success with Morgan’s students.
This Artist Lecture series was initiated to help transition the students from
the technical side of what they are learning into “real world” practical application. Another goal of the series is to
bridge the divide between the fine and
commercial implementations in art.
Other artists who have shared their talents and knowledge with the students are
Larry Poncho Brown, Sylvia L. Walker,
and Charles A. Bibbs; and each of them
have donated prints to be sold to raise
money for the Visual Arts Department.
The public is invited to use its
imagination when Saint James’ work is
on view in the Carl J. Murphy Fine
Arts Center on October 18, 2006,
from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at a Meet
& Greet reception.
NAACP SUPPORTS NEA PLAN TO REDUCE
HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS
B
ruce S. Gordon, President &
CEO, National Association for
the Advancement of Colored
People, today strongly endorsed a plan
by the National Education Association
to reduce the nation’s alarming high
school dropout rate.
“The NEA plan presents innovative
and forward-thinking methods of connecting students with post-secondary
options for personal growth, development and economic security,” said
Gordon. Moreover, Gordon said the
plan outlined by NEA President Reg
Weaver is “consistent with the
NAACP call for resource equity in
public education by ensuring that educators have the training, tools and resources needed to provide a high-quality education and prevent students
from dropping out.”
The NEA recently announced a 12step program that combines the efforts
of parents, teachers, business leaders
and lawmakers with strategies tested
through research and professional experience. The NEA plan includes:
• Mandatory high school graduation
or the equivalent for everyone
below the age of 21
• Workplace options that allow parents to participate in their child’s
education
• Early intervention through highquality universal preschool and
full-day kindergarten programs
The nation’s high school dropout
rate remains high, despite a number of
targeted efforts. As many as 7,000 students drop out of high school each day,
according to one study. The national
graduation rate is between 68 percent
and 71 percent. The graduation rate for
African American, Hispanic and Native American students is about 50 percent, while graduation rates for whites
and Asians hover around 75 percent to
77 percent, respectively.
The NAACP supports the NEA call
for the President and Congress to make
high school graduation a federal priority by investing $10 billion over the
next 10 years to support dropout prevention programs and states that make
high school graduation compulsory.
Michael Wotorson, NAACP National Director of Education, said the
NEA plan is consistent with the
NAACP “Call for Action in Education” program that asks all states to develop a five-year plan to reduce education-related racial disparities by 50
percent and includes a program to cut
the high dropout rate for African
American and other minority students.
Wotorson noted that the NEA plan
appropriately calls for the involvement
of parents and community residents in
the educational process of children
both in school and at home.
AFRICAN AMERICANS BELIEVE EDUCATION AND INCOME
HAVE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON THEIR
QUALITY OF LIFE, ACCORDING TO POLL
I
n a national poll of African-American registered voters commissioned by Black America’s Political Action Committee (BAMPAC), the
majority of African Americans stated
that education and income level had
the greatest influence on their quality
of life. The poll was conducted last
month among 800 African-American
registered voters via phone by Wilson
Research Strategies.
Forty-four percent (44%) of
African-American registered voters
stated that education had the greatest
influence on their quality of life in
America while 34% stated that income
level had the greatest influence of their
quality of life. Only 14% of African
Americans cited race as having the
greatest influence of their quality of
life in America.
In response to the poll findings,
BAMPAC President and CEO Alvin
Williams said, “As the poll results suggest, African Americans recognize and
cite the tremendous influence that education and income level have on their
quality of life in this country. The fact
that race was not cited in large number
does not by any means indicate that race
does not have an impact on the quality
of life, but it illustrates a shift in focus
among African Americans where we
look at race as having less of an overall
influence on our quality of life when
compared with education and income
level. In this election year, this sends a
message to the candidates that this segment of the electorate will elect the candidate that they feel will increase economic opportunities and enhance the
educational options available.”
Other key findings of the poll include:
• The most important issues to
African Americans when choosing
a candidate are the economy (34%);
health care (12%) and education
(11%)
• Parents (27%) and Music Artists
(19%) are the most influential
members of the African American
community followed by Ministers
(18%) and Teachers (14%)
• Sixty five percent (65%) of African
Americans give their local public
schools a grade of “C” or lower.
• Sixty-nine percent (69%) of
African Americans believe that
same sex marriages should not be
legalized.
• Secretary of State Colin Powell is
the most influential African Ameri-
can political figure. Powell earned
this distinction from 38% of the respondents. Others listed included:
Rev. Jesse Jackson (27%) and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice (8%).
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
INTRODUCES NEW
TICKETMASTER LOCATION
B
owie State University’s Office of Auxiliary Services announces
the opening of a new on-campus Ticketmaster location. Patrons
can now purchase tickets for on-campus activities and events such
as concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events that take place at
various venues in the Washington metropolitan area.
The new Ticketmaster Box Office is located on the lower level of
Robinson Hall, Room 001.
The hours of operation are Monday–Friday from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.
For on-campus activities, tickets may also be purchased on the day of the
event two hours in advance of start time at the venue in which the event
takes place. Only general admission tickets may be purchased online at
www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (301) 860-4062 or 202-397SEAT (7328).
For more information call (301) 860-4062.
HU EXTENDS PROFFER TO LOAN
KIGANGO STATUE TO KENYA
H
ampton University has offered to loan on an indefinite basis the
Giriama memorial statue (kigango statue) to the Mwakiru family of
Kenya, Africa. This offer was spelled out in a letter from vice president and general counsel Faye Hardy-Lucas to Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia, director of regional museums sites and monuments, National Museums of Kenya.
While the item was legally acquired and continues to remain the property of
Hampton University, the University hopes that this decision will comfort the
Mwakiru family.
“While it remains the position of Hampton University that the kigango
statue, which was allegedly stolen from the Mwakiru family in 1985, was
legally acquired by Hampton University and therefore remains the property
of Hampton University, the University proffers to loan the statue to the
Mwakiru family for an indefinite period of time,” said Hardy-Lucas.
She continued, “This will serve to protect the University’s position that the
statue was acquired legally, while at the same time hopefully bring relief to
the Mwakiru family.”
If at any time concrete evidence is presented to the University to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the kigango statue was illegally acquired, Hampton University has agreed to fully relinquish its rights to the property.
Hampton University received the kigango statue as a gift from International Business Management, Inc. of Culver City, Calif., who purchased the
statue from Ernie Wolfe, III, of Ernie Wolfe Galleries in Los Angeles, Calif.
17
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
October 6, 2006
BARBRA STREISAND
PERFORMS AT
VERIZON CENTER
Barbra Streisand
W
ith a commitment to direct
millions of dollars to charitable organizations she supports, Barbra Streisand will began her
first national tour in over a decade
Wednesday night (Oct. 4) in Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center and continue
the tour nine days later (Oct. 13 at
7:30pm) in Washington, D.C.’s Verizon
Center. This very special evening features songs Streisand has never performed publicly before, some exciting
surprises, and of course, some classic
Streisand songs that have become the
foundation of a career that spans nearly
five decades.
The tour will thereafter have dual
performances in New York, Chicago,
Toronto and Ft. Lauderdale, and single
concerts in Los Angeles, Washington,
D.C., Montreal, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Phoenix,
Columbus, Boston, San Jose and will
conclude November 20 in Los Angeles.
Of the charitable aspect of the tour,
Ms. Streisand notes, “The increasingly
urgent need for private citizen support
to combat dangerous climate change,
along with education and health issues
was the prime reason I decided to tour
again. This will allow me to direct
funds and awareness to causes that I
care deeply about.”
Designated proceeds in support of
philanthropic initiatives will be distributed through The Streisand Foundation.
The first million dollars of these moneys was recently directed to the William
Jefferson Clinton Climate Control Initiative as its lead contribution.
Performing with the singer on the
tour will be the multi-platinum selling
recording group, Il Divo, which has
achieved 80 gold record awards.
The past year has been one of extraordinary success for the director/actress/singer/writer/composer/producer.
Her album, “Guilty Pleasures,” quickly
became her 50th Gold Album. In addition, the film that returned her to movie
acting, “Meet The Fockers,” became the
first live-action comedy to exceed a half
billion dollars at the box-office. It also
set a record of 3,000,000 copies sold in
its first 24 hours of video release. Additionally, Warner Bros.’ release of the
DVD box set of her first five television
specials has been a major success with
five-time platinum sales.
Tickets are $350, $200 and $100
(plus applicable service charges). A
limited number of $750 tickets are still
available. Tickets are on sale now
through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Verizon Center box office,
online at www.ticketmaster.com and
via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT,
202-397-SEAT and 410-547-SEAT.
Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 202661-5065.
MUNCASTER ROAD
REOPENS TO
TRAFFIC—ALL
ROUTES TO ANNUAL
HARVEST FESTIVAL
NOW OPEN
T
he Montgomery County Department of Parks staff invites
the public to celebrate the autumn harvest “down on the farm” at
the annual Harvest Festival held on
Saturday and Sunday, October 7
and 8 from 11:00AM–4:00PM at the
Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400
Muncaster Road in Derwood, Maryland. In case of inclement weather, a
recorded message will be available at
301-721-0312 after 8:00AM on Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8.
Bridge repair work on Muncaster
Road, near the entrance to the park, is
now complete and the road is open in
both directions, so drivers can enter the
park from the north or south.
Activities for the whole family provide an opportunity to sample life on
the farm from the post-Civil War era to
the present. Participants will enjoy
old-time crafts and activities, tin
smithing, pumpkin painting, working
sheepdog demonstrations, scarecrow
making and storytellers. Also featured are antique farm equipment and
demonstrations, draft horses working
the land, gardening talks and demonstrations, craft vendors, live farm animals, games, food, baked goods and
live music. Attendees can dig into an
archaeological site and see how professional archaeologists uncover secrets
of the past.
Parking is $10 per car. This entry
fee includes passports for free activities. Those who turn in a stamped
passport win a special prize. Call
301-924-4141 for more information
and bus parking rates.
Volunteers are welcome. Adults,
high school students and scout groups
are encouraged to participate. Those
who wish to volunteer may call the Volunteer Services Office, 301-495-2464.
In addition to the Montgomery
County Department of Parks, sponsors
include: Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park, Master Gardeners,
Montgomery County Association for
Family and Community Education, 4-H
Jersey Club, 4-H Pets-R-Us Club, 4-H
Back In Time Club, Gaithersburg Equipment Company and Washington Parent.
Located in Montgomery County’s
acclaimed agricultural reserve, the
438-acre Agricultural History Farm
Park features the historic Bussard
farmstead that includes a bank barn,
smoke house, tank house, chicken
house, carriage house, equipment shed
and a corn crib undergoing reconstruction. A recent addition, the park’s Activity Center houses the Montgomery
County Cooperative Extension Service, USDA Farm Services Agency
and Montgomery County Agricultural
Service, plus a large meeting room
available for rent. During the year, the
park hosts the county’s Arbor Day Celebration, the Gas and Steam Engine
Show, the annual Harvest Festival,
Christmas on the Farm and other special events highlighting the county’s
agricultural past, present and future.
For directions and more information, visit www.aghistoryfarm.org.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA
OFFERS SPECIAL $25
“WELCOME TO OPERA” CONCERT
CONDUCTED BY PLÁCIDO DOMINGO
W
T
he T.C. Williams High School Art Department
will participate in the 11th annual Art on the Avenue this Saturday, October 7. The event takes
place from 10:00AM–6:00PM along Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria.
Students’ works on display at the T.C. Williams
booth will be judged in a competition sponsored by the
Potomac West Business Association, which will award
prizes in the amount of $75, $50 and $25 for first, second and third places. Art students will be on hand to
draw on site and to answer visitors’ questions. The booth
will be located between East Bellefonte Avenue and East
Howell Avenue on the east side of Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Look for other Alexandria City Public Schools
(ACPS) booths at the festival, which features more than
300 arts and crafts vendors along with children’s activities, live entertainment and international food. The following ACPS groups are scheduled to participate; additional ACPS booths also may be included.
• George Washington Middle School will have two
booths in front of the Yoga in Daily Life Center in
•
•
•
•
Del Ray. Technology Education Teacher James
Reyns and the PTA will show and sell products made
by Technology Education students. Proceeds will be
used for purchasing materials for the classes.
Jefferson-Houston School for Arts and Academics
will have a booth, coordinated by the school’s arts integration specialist.
Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology will feature a booth co-sponsored by the school
and PTA. Booth activities include origami projects,
face painting, SCA T-shirt sales and school handouts
such as newsletters, announcements, magnets and
bumper stickers.
The Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy PTA will
promote the school’s Artists Guild program and will
display student artwork and answer questions about
Lyles-Crouch.
Matthew Maury Elementary School will be represented by the school’s art teacher, Francis Chase.
For more information about Art on the Avenue, call
703-683-3100 or visit www.artontheavenue.org.
BLACK FACT
On October 6, 1895,
W.D. Davis patented an improved riding saddle.
18
ashington National Opera
will open its doors with a
$25 “Welcome to Opera”
concert on Saturday, October 14,
with Plácido Domingo conducting selections from Mozart and Puccini.
This special 4:00 PM concert at the
Kennedy Center Opera House will feature several singers from Washington
National Opera’s upcoming production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, including mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Batton, tenor Arturo Chácon-Cruz, and
baritone Scott Hendricks, performing
with the Washington National Opera
Orchestra.
Singers from the
Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program will perform as well.
Plácido Domingo
In announcing this special concert,
General Director Domingo stated, “With this ‘Welcome’ concert we at Washington National Opera hope to bring new people to opera with a very affordable ticket price and musical selections that are audience friendly. With
WNO’s recent simulcast of Porgy and Bess which drew 13,000 to the National Mall, the company’s annual Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist opera performance free to people 18–35, and all our other educational outreach events,
WNO is leading the charge to make opera more accessible and increase
awareness of this wonderful art form.”
Tickets are $25 (with a limited number of $50 V.I.P. seats) and can be
purchased by contacting Audience Services at 202/295-2400, or toll-free at
800-US-OPERA, Monday through Friday from 10:00AM–5:30PM, and
online at www.dc-opera.org. Service is also available in person at the Watergate Office Building, 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 104, Washington,
D.C. 20037.
Led by General Director Plácido Domingo, Washington National Opera
is one of the leading opera companies in the United States, and is the premier producing arts institution in the nation’ capital. Information on the
company can be found at www.dc-opera.org.
THE METRO HERALD
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
October 6, 2006
THIS WEEK IN HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5
FALL LECTURE SERIES—
FEATURING “TAVERN BEVERAGES”
AT GADSBY’S TAVERN MUSEUM
Learn about the historic and economic impacts of wine, beer, chocolate, and root beer in 18th-century
America. Lectures are $15 individually or $50 for the series of four. 7:30–
9:00 pm. 134 N. Royal Street. For further details, please visit www.
gadsbystavern.org. Lectures will also
be held October 12, 19, and 26.
THROUGH OCTOBER
EXHIBITION—CELEBRATING
JAMESTOWN, SEQ CHAPTER
AT THE LYCEUM
This exhibit includes very rare
Jamestown-related artifacts, documents, and books. Items on display include one of the earliest dated pottery
fragments found in America dating
back to 1609, a rare first edition of
John Smithís account, The History of
Virginia, published in 1624, and many
others. Free. 201 S. Washington St.
703-838-4994
THROUGH DECEMBER
EXHIBITION—SERVING WITH
DISTINCTIONS: AFRICAN
AMERICANS IN ALEXANDRIA
PUBLIC SAFETY
This exhibition honors the role
African Americans have played in the
Police Force, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, and other public safety jobs in
Alexandria. Free. Alexandria Black History Museum. 902 Wythe Street. Call
703-838-4356 for more information.
19th-century taverns, the Jamieson
Bakery and a Civil War hospital.
Alexandria Archaeology Museum, 105
North Union Street, 3rd Floor Torpedo
Factory. Free admission. Tuesday–
Friday—10 a.m–3 p.m.; Saturday—
10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday—1–5 p.m.
703-838-4399.
ALEXANDRIA BLACK
HISTORY MUSEUM
Learn about the history of Alexandriaís African American community.
View the exhibition, Securing the
Blessings of Liberty, which tells the
story of slavery from an African American perspective. Tuesday–Saturday,
10 a.m.–4 p.m. 902 Wythe Street;
703-838-4356.
CARLYLE HOUSE HISTORIC PARK
Learn about 18th-century gentry
life and the founding of Alexandria
through the life and story of Scottish
merchant John Carlyle, whose house in
1753 was the grandest in Alexandria
and remains a fine example of Georgian-Palladian architecture. ìThen and
Nowî is a new exhibit that provides information on the six most significant
owners of the property since Colonel
John Carlyle’s death in 1780.
$4/adults, $2/children (under 10 free).
Tuesday–Saturday—10 a.m.–4 p.m.;
Sunday—Noon–4 p.m.; 121 North
Fairfax Street; 703-549-2997
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ONGOING
Christ Episcopal Church was the
first church in Alexandria (built in
1773). Both George Washington and
Robert E. Lee were regular worshipers.
Free admission. Monday–Saturday—
9a.m.–4p.m.; Sunday—2–4:30p.m.;
118 North Washington Street; 703.549-1450
A COMMUNITY DIGS ITS PAST:
THE LEE STREET SITE
FORT WARD MUSEUM AND
HISTORIC SITE
Learn about the archaeology and
history unearthed during the recent excavation of the Lee Street site. See artifacts from an 18th-century wharf,
Exhibits include AThe Common
Soldier in the Defenses of Washington@ and AArtillerymen in the Defenses of Washington,@ which inter-
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE TO FEATURE
JAZZ BY MICHAEL THOMAS QUINTET
M
ontgomery College will feature jazz concerts by the Michael
Thomas Quintet on Tuesday, October 17 and Friday, October 20
at 8p.m. The October 17 concert will take place at the College’
Rockville Campus, Music Recital Hall, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, Md.
The October 20 concert will take place at the College’ Germantown Campus,
Globe Hall, located in the High Technology and Science Center, 20200
Observation Drive, Germantown, Md. The concerts are free and open to the
public.
The Michael Thomas Quintet is a powerful and energetic group that is
deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz. The quintet consists of Michael
Thomas, trumpet and flugelhorn; Zach Graddy, tenor saxophone; Darius
Scott, piano; Kent Miller, contrabass; and Frank Williams, drums. They have
the ability to capture an audience and go to where hard-bop and blues swing.
They have been together for seven years, performing in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC area. They have recorded three albums: It Is What
It Is, The Awakening, and The Messenger. The albums were produced by JazHead Entertainment, Michael Thomas record label.
Thomas began performing at age 13, but music was in his life from the beginning with a father who loved Ray Charles and a mother who listened to
Jimmy Smith and Clifford Brown jazz albums. In high school, Thomas earned
county and statewide recognition for his French horn playing. At Grambling
State University, he performed in the jazz ensemble and marching band, eventually becoming drum major.
After college, Thomas played in Philadelphia and New York, performing
with Lillie Howard and Ed Smith. He also played with the Errol Parker Tentet. In 1993, he moved to the Washington, DC area. In 1996, Thomas won the
Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship Contest at the East Coast Jazz Festival.
Since then, he’ played with Keter Betts, Jimmy Heath, Shirley Scott, Slide
Hampton, Joe Williams, and others. For three years, he has hosted jam sessions at HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues and does jazz
education seminars with Nasar Abadey. Besides performing with the Michael
Thomas Quintet, Thomas plays with Tootsie Gripper’ Jazz Vespers Ensemble.
For more information about the concerts, contact the Montgomery College-Rockville Music Department at 301-279-5209.
THE METRO HERALD
pret the lives, equipment, uniforms and
personal belongings of Union troops
stationed around the Federal capital
during the Civil War. View Off The
Pages of Godeyís: A Guide to the ìDomestic Sciences.î The exhibit features
objects from the collection of costume
historian Linda R. Duffy. On display
are a selection of Godey’s books and
fashion plates, along with clothing and
accessories, including a rare ensemble
of bridal items. The exhibit remains on
view through 2006. The site includes
the best-preserved Civil War fort built
to protect Washington, D.C., a reconstructed officers’ hut, and museum.
Free admission and parking. Tuesday–Saturday—9a.m.–5p.m.; Sunday—Noon–5 p.m.; 4301 West Braddock Road; 703-838-4848.
FRIENDSHIP FIREHOUSE
See hand-drawn fire engines,
leather water buckets, axes, sections of
early rubber hose and other historic
firefighting equipment at the firehouse
built in 1855, remodeled in 1871 and
restored in 1992. The Friendship Fire
Company was established in 1774, and
was Alexandria’s first volunteer fire
company. Free. Friday & Saturday—10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday—
1–4p.m.; 107 South Alfred Street;
703-838-3891.
LEE-FENDALL HOUSE MUSEUM
AND GARDEN
Built in 1785 by Philip Fendall on
land purchased from his cousin Revolutionary War hero Henry ìLight Horse
Harryî Lee, father of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Generations of the
famous Lee family continued to live in
this house until 1903, with the exception of the years between 1863-1865
when the Union Army seized the property for use as a hospital. Now restored
to it’s early Victorian elegance the
house the house presents an intimate
study of 19th century family life, and is
furnished with a splendid collection of
Lee family heirlooms as well as period
pieces produced by Alexandria furniture manufacturers.
Admission:
$4/adults, $2/children (under 11 free
with adult) Tour Hours: Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday and Saturday—
10a.m.–4p.m. Wednesday and Sunday—1p.m.–4p.m. Tours begin at
the top of the hour and the final tour
each day begins at 3p.m.; 614
Oronoco Street; 703-548-1789
THE LYCEUM, ALEXANDRIA’S
HISTORY MUSEUM
The permanent exhibit, Building a
Community: Alexandria Past to Present, tells the story of Alexandria from
the time of Native Americans to the
present. ìA Better Place to Live and
Workî, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Alexandria Chamber of
Commerce and documents examples
of their century of community service.
Free admission and parking. The museum and shop are open Monday–Saturday—10a.m.–5p.m. and Sunday—
1–5p.m.; 201 South Washington
Street; 703-838-4994.
OLD PRESBYTERIAN
MEETING HOUSE
Built in 1774, the Meeting House
was the site of memorial services for
George Washington. The Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier of the American
Revolution can be visited in the
churchyard. Free. Monday–Friday—
9a.m.–3p.m.; 321 South Fairfax
Street; 703-549-6670
NOTE: Discount block tickets available for Carlyle House and Gadsby’s
Tavern Museum.
TONI MORRISON’S
THE BLUEST EYE
Dr. Billy Taylor, Artistic Advisor for Jazz
WHERE JAZZ IS JUST THE WAY YOU LIKE IT
EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT
GERI ALLEN TRIO
featuring
RON CARTER & JIMMY COBB
and the Afro Blue Vocal Ensemble of Howard University
Pianist, composer, and
Howard University
graduate Allen is joined
by D.C. native drummer
Cobb and NEA Jazz
Master and Grammy®winning bassist Carter,
performing music from
their new CD, Timeless
Portraits and Dreams.
Toni Morrison
T
heater Alliance announces
the East Coast Premiere of
Toni Morrison’s internationally acclaimed novel, The
Bluest Eye. Adapted by Lydia Diamond and directed by David
Muse, the Associate Director of
The Shakespeare Theatre Company, the production will run October 12–November 5 at 8:00PM
on Thursday through Saturday,
and Sunday at 2:00PM.
The Bluest Eye follows the
story of Peola Breedlove, who
wants nothing more than to be
loved by her family and schoolmates. Blaming her dark skin for
her nothingness, she prays for blue
eyes, sure that they will have the
power to change her world.
The adaptation of Morrison’s
novel was commissioned by
Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre
and received its World Premiere in
2005. Steppenwolf’s production
will be opening off-Broadway in
the fall of 2007. Both Ms Morrison and Ms. Diamond decided they
wanted at least one other production of the play before taking it to
New York. Theater Alliance is the
first company to whom they gave
permission to produce the play before its Premiere in New York.
Theater has once again brought
together an exciting group of
artists from all over the country including Erika rose, Jeorge Watson,
Aakhu Freeman, Jessica Frances
Dukes and Lyn Chavis. They will
be joining forces with some of
Washington’s most talented newcomers in what promises to be one
of the hottest productions of the
fall. The entire first week of the
run is already sold out.
Tickets are $26. Call 1-866811-4111 or order on line at
www.theateralliamce.com
or
qualify for the Free Theater on H
Street Program—All residents living within 5 blocks of the H Street
Playhouse (including Gallaudet
University) can see any Theater
Alliance production free of charge
with proof of address. This program is made possible with the
support of the Weissberg and Capitol Hill Community Foundations.
Theater Alliance is located at
The H Street Playhouse, 1365 H
Street, NE, Washington, DC.
Friday, October 6 at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Performance Plus™:
Jazz Master Class Look-in with Geri Allen
October 5 at 6 p.m., Terrace Gallery
$15 ($13 Subscribers/Members)
KETER BETTS TRIBUTE
The late Keter Betts was
a D.C. musical treasure
—“one of the most respected bassists in jazz”
(The Washington Post).
Local and national
talents come together to
pay tribute, including
vocalist Vanessa Rubin,
pianists Junior Mance
and Robert Redd, bassists Michael Bowie
and James King, drummer Lenny Robinson,
and saxophonist Davey Yarborough.
A benefit program for Kennedy Center Jazz
education programs.
Friday, November 10 at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Tickets $30
Terrace Theater
KC JAZZ CLUB
All performances at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. in the Terrace Gallery.
Tickets $25, except where noted.
NO S MOKI NG. NO M I N I M U M. LIG HT M E N U FAR E AVAI LAB LE.
RUFUS REID QUINTET
One of today’s premier bassists, Reid performs a
program that includes music from his multi-part
composition Linear Surroundings, commissioned by
Chamber Music America.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
KELLYLEE EVANS
TICKETS $15
Winner of second prize at the 2004 Thelonious
Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, Evans
has a smooth style that glides through jazz, soul, and
R&B. She performs music from Fight or Flight?, her
latest CD. Part of the Discovery Series in the KC
Jazz Club.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
DR. LONNIE SMITH TRIO
Featuring Peter Bernstein and Allison Miller
Smith, a gifted pianist and proponent of the Hammond
B3 organ, has been hailed as “a pillar in the jazz
pantheon” (All About Jazz). Guitarist Bernstein and
drummer Miller join him to perform music from
Dr. Smith’s latest CD, Jungle Soul, and more.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
LAGE LUND
TICKETS $15
Winner of the 2005 Thelonious Monk International
Jazz Guitar Competition, Lund was the first electric
guitarist in the history of Juilliard’s jazz program.
Part of the Discovery Series in the KC Jazz Club.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
LOUIS HAYES and the
CANNONBALL ADDERLEY LEGACY BAND
Featuring Jeremy Pelt
Exceptionally gifted bop drummer Louis Hayes is “the
perfect bandleader to mount a tribute to Adderley”
(All About Jazz). Jeremy Pelt—praised as a “hot, new
trumpeter” by the Village Voice—joins the band for this
special concert.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
Tickets at the Box Office or charge by
4 7-4600
phone (202) 467-4
Visit us
on the web at
www.metroherald.com
Order online at kennedy-center.org
Groups call (202) 416-8400
Kennedy Center Jazz
is sponsored by Cadillac.
19
SPORTS & RECREATION
October 6, 2006
D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNVEILS FREE BREAKFAST CAMPAIGN
Jon Jansen
J
on Jansen, tackle for the Washington Redskins, knows that
starting the day off with a nutritious breakfast helps give him an edge
on the football field. Jansen wants
local kids to follow his lead and has
joined the District of Columbia Public
Schools in an outdoor media campaign
to encourage students to eat breakfast
as part of the district’s free universal
breakfast program.
The goal of the campaign, which
features advertisements placed in bus
shelters throughout Washington, D.C.,
is to encourage parents to get their kids
to school in time for the free breakfast
that is served every school day.
D.C. Public Schools began offering
breakfast without charge for all students last school year, yet many stu-
dents do not show up early enough to
take advantage of the free meal.
Two recent national surveys—one
of moms and one of American Dietetic
Association members—showed that
moms and nutrition experts agree that
nutrition impacts children’s performance in school. They also agree that
breakfast is one of the most important
meals of the day. But with busy family
schedules, only 50 percent of kids report they eat breakfast every day.
“Breakfast helps boost brain power
and has a positive impact on classroom
learning and test scores,” said Isabel
Maples, a mother of three and a registered dietitian with Mid-Atlantic Dairy
Association. “Eating breakfast on
school days is especially important
because it helps students focus on
learning.”
Through the outdoor media campaign, D.C. Public Schools is turning
to parents for help in making sure their
kids start the day with breakfast. In addition to the bus shelter ads, which feature the Redskins’ Jansen and two elementary-age students, the campaign
includes radio ads reminding parents
that school breakfast is offered at no
cost.
Nationwide, more than 81 percent
of schools participating in lunch programs also participate in school breakfast programs. However, the number of
children who eat school breakfast is
relatively low. Only 9 million students
participate in the breakfast program
compared to nearly 30 million in the
lunch program .
“Kids miss breakfast for many of
the same reasons adults do, but students should start their day with a
nourishing meal,” said Mark Truax,
food service director for District of Columbia Public Schools. “With our free
breakfast program, students can show
up 20 minutes before school starts,
choose a free hot or cold breakfast, and
enjoy time with their friends.”
According to Truax, D.C. Public
Schools teamed up with Mid-Atlantic
Dairy Association and the Washington
Redskins to get the message out about
the school’s free breakfast program.
“We want to equip our students with all
the tools necessary to succeed in the
classroom,” he said. “We hope that students will start the school year off eating a healthy breakfast at school then
continue that good habit throughout
the school year.”
To get students excited about eating
breakfast at school, the District has included an extra incentive. The elementary school that has the greatest increase in school breakfast participation
during the month of September will be
rewarded with a special appearance by
the Redskin’s Jon Jansen. Jansen will
join the winning school for breakfast
and a tour.
“I am excited to be a part of this
program,” Jansen said. “Breakfast is
such an important meal for kids. It
gives them nutrition and energy. I think
students who eat breakfast at school
are in for a treat—a healthy breakfast,
better days at school and maybe even
breakfast with me!”
WASHINGTON AREA TEAM TO COMPETE
AT USTA LEAGUE PRESENTED BY
CHRYSLER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
A
team from the Washington area will join recreational tennis teams
from around the country as they compete for a national title at the
USTA League presented by Chrysler 3.5 Adult National Championships in Tucson, Ariz., held from Oct. 6- Oct. 8. Held at the Doubletree
Hotel Tucson at Park Reid, the tournament will determine the No. 1 men’s and
women’s teams in the country at the 3.5 Adult level.
Representing the USTA’s Mid Atlantic Section at the Women’s 3.5 Adult
level are:
Karen K. Domenici, Alexandria, VA
Teri Hudson, Cheverly, MD
Catorina Bagley, Springfield, VA
Valarie L. Carter, Burke, VA
Flecia Colbert, Upper Marlboro, MD
Tracey D. Dickens, SE Washington D.C.
Michele C. Hamilton, Waldorf, MD
Kimberly Redfearn, Accokeek, MD
Candy Miles-Crocker, NE Washington D.C.
Rosemary Peters, Uppr Marlboro, MD
Joanne Shaak, Vienna, VA
Nichole Hatcher, Owings Mills, MD
Cherie D. Furlow, Alexandria, VA
Bev-Freda L. Jackson, NW Washington D.C.
Haniyyah Madyun, Upper Marlboro, MD
USTA League presented by Chrysler is the world’s largest recreational
tennis league. Established in 1980, the program began with 13,000 participants, playing in only a portion of the country. In 2005, it celebrated its 25th
Anniversary, and had over 585,000 participants, playing across the entire
United States, in all 17 USTA Sections. USTA League tennis offers recreational players the opportunity to get a great workout, improve their skills,
have fun, and compete for a National Championship.
WIZARDS ANNOUNCE 2006 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
T
he Washington Wizards announced that the team will
open their eight-game 2006
preseason schedule at Verizon Center
on Monday, October 9th versus the
Toronto Raptors at 7:00 p.m.
“With the anticipation mounting for
the onset of the regular season, fans are
afforded the opportunity to get an early
look at the 2006-07 Wizards,” said
Washington Sports and Entertainment
President Susan O’Malley. “Our lone
home preseason game on October 9th
at Verizon Center offers the first
glimpse at the likes of Arenas, Jamison, Butler and company, before the
season even begins.”
Following their only preseason
home game, the Wizards will travel to
Chicago on Wednesday, October 11th
to play the Bulls at the United Center.
Washington then heads to Cleveland
for a preview of the regular season
opener in a preseason contest against
the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena
on Saturday, October 14th.
The Wizards’ 2006 preseason
schedule also includes back-to-back
games against the Charlotte Bobcats
on October 16th and 17th, the second
of which will mark a homecoming for
Wizards forward Antawn Jamison,
center Brendan Haywood, and assistant coach Mike O’Koren, all of whom
once starred on campus at the University of North Carolina.
Washington travels to Dallas to
play the 2006 Western Conference
Champion Mavericks on Saturday, October 21st at American Airlines Center,
and will also visit the Hawks in Atlanta
on October 23rd, and the Pistons in
Detroit on October 24th, to conclude
the 2006 preseason slate.
The regular season starts for Washington on November 1st in Cleveland,
while the 2006-07 Verizon Center
schedule begins on Saturday, November 4th when the Wizards meet the
Boston Celtics at 7:00 pm.
Full season and partial season ticket
plans for the Wizards 2006-07 home
games are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 202-661-5050.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS 2006 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Date
Opponent
Venue
Time (All Times Eastern)
October 9
Toronto
Verizon Center, Washington, DC
7:00 PM
October 11
Chicago
United Center, Chicago, IL
8:30 PM
October 14
Cleveland
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
7:00 PM
October 16
Charlotte
Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte, NC
10:00 AM
October 17
Charlotte
Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
7:30 PM
October 21
Dallas
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
8:30 PM
October 23
Atlanta
Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
7:00 PM
October 24
Detroit
Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI
7:30 PM
If you will protest courageously, and yet with dignity and Christian love, when the history books are written in future generations,
the historians will have to pause and say, “There lived a great people—a black people—
who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization.”
—Dr. Martin Luther King—from an address given in Montgomery, Alabama, December 31, 1955
20
THE METRO HERALD
BUSINESS NEWS/BIDS & PROPOSALS
October 6, 2006
OP-ED
W
ould you let Hugo Chavez
give you a free eye operation?
If you are more into politics than
you are into effectively heating your
home and getting optical problems
fixed free, then not only would you
turn down the eye operation, it would
be a cold day in hell before you’d even
take much needed oil from Chavez!
People of color demonizing Hugo
Chavez include Harlem’s Congressman and a Native American lobbyist.
Because Chavez called President Bush
“the devil,” New York’s 15th District
Representative Charles Rangel has
told Chavez to “stay out of his district”. Prompted by their Washington
representative, Dimitri Philemenof;
leaders of the Aleutian Pribilof Island
Association, a group of Native American Alaskans, have refused to accept
$5 million of free oil from Chavez “out
of loyalty to the country and Bush”.
The war of words between the Bush
Administration and Venezuelan president Chavez poses a clear racial divide
that African Americans need to assess
in regards to economics versus politics.
The South American leader has
boldly sought to forge ties with poor
communities of color in the US. In
wake of Hurricane Katrina, Chavez
provided relief assistance to African
American disaster victims. CITGO,
the U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela’s
state-owned oil company, set up disaster relief centers in Louisiana and
Texas and provided humanitarian to
more than 50,000 victims.
Though Rangel doesn’t want
Chavez in his predominately black district, Chavez’s initiatives provide millions of barrels of oil in energy assistance to schools nursing homes,
THE METRO HERALD
WHO’S BEDEVILING WHO?
William Reed
Special to The Metro Herald
hospitals and poor communities in the
US. Despite Congressman Rangel’s
“banishment,” Chavez provides over 8
million gallons of discounted oil in his
district and Congressman Jose Serrano’s adjoining 16th Congressional
District. Serrano, who represents the
heavily African American and Latino
populated Bronx district, has openly
invited Chavez there.
Politics was at the forefront of
Dimitri Philemenof’s refusal to attend
Chavez’s New York announcement of
free oil for Native Americans. He
said, “Despite the critical need for fuel
in our region, the Unangan (Aleut)
people are Americans first, and we
cannot support the political agenda attached to this donation”. But, George
Dirks, Mayor of Atka, Alaska disagrees: “How stupid that is. We can
use the fuel.” Heating fuel costs more
than $5 a gallon in his village in the island chain 1,200 miles southwest of
Anchorage.
Rangel’s and Philemenof’s political
positions are likely more for their personal postures in national politics than
for their constituents. CITGO Petroleum Corporation’s distribution of
heating oil is administrated by Citizens
Energy Corporation, which is headed
by Joseph P. Kennedy II. It is aimed
at helping poor communities in areas
of the country most affected by cold
winters. Citizen’s and CEO Joseph P.
Kennedy’s approach to the issue is
more economically-aligned than
Rangel’s. A former member of the
U.S. House of Representatives as well,
Kennedy founded Citizens Energy in
1979 and provides millions of dollars
for charitable programs impacting people of color. Rangel is a career politician, who has been in Congress over
30 years. Kennedy served in Con-
gress and left to “play an active role in
improving the quality of life for those
at the lowest economic levels”.
People such as Chavez, Serrano,
Kennedy and employees of Citizens
Energy are proving more accountable
to poor people of color than Rangel
and Philemenof. They are responsible
for millions in discounted oil programs
to low-income families in Boston,
New York City, scores of states, and
among Native American Tribes that
Rangel and Philemenof now scorn.
Politically-oriented Americans may
well boycott CITGO stations, but
African Americans want to downplay
their rhetoric and accurately assess
who is helping who in this situation?
CITGO’s President says, “As good
corporate citizens, we are making efforts to help those in need.”
If you can get past politics, you
may want to investigate free eye operations Chavez seeks to provide to
150,000 African Americans a year.
Part of “Mission Miracle,” the eye program is one of the social programs
Chavez has been implementing in past
years. It provides operations for
cataracts, myopia and pigmentary
retinosis. People who are interested
should contact Venezuelan embassies
in their own countries.
•
•
•
William Reed—
www.BlackPressInternational.com
FISCAL ASSISTANT (#8190)
Alexandria Health Department. Job close date: 10/18/06 @
5pm. Performs routine fiscal work within prescribed guidelines.
Prepares and processes vouchers, IAT’s, bills, activity reports and
encounter forms. Keys and batches financial data and invoices for
payment, balances financial reports, verifies coding, provides
information for payment, writes and issues checks, reconciles
accounts, posts financial transactions. Follows-up on billing
denials, researches, corrects and resubmits. May perform related
non-financial administrative tasks.
Minimum qualifications: Two years college level education in
Business and/or accounting or equivalent experience. Knowledge
of third party billing of Medicare, Medicaid and HMO’s, ICD9CM and CPT coding. Experience in business office practices,
knowledge of routine office equipment and automated technology.
Knowledge of fiscal procedures with experience in Accounts
Receivable. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Skills in using Excel spreadsheet, experience with electronic
claims submission, follow-up and payment posting preferred.
Special requirements: A criminal record check and a
background investigation are required. The Virginia Department
of Health accepts only online application and faxes, mailed or
e-mailed applications will not be considered. Complete an easy
online application—http://jobs.virginia.gov.
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION
COFFEEWOOD CORRECTIONAL CENTER—CULPEPER, VA
POSITION #00502—LIBRARIAN
FLUVANNA CORRECTIONAL CENTER FOR WOMEN—FLUVANNA, VA
POSITION #00954—REGIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Please visit www.dce.virginia.gov for additional information
regarding these positions. Apply to VA Dept. of Correctional Ed.,
101 N. 14th Street, 7th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219. (804) 7863308 fax. To submit an online application visit: https://jobs.
agencies.virginia.gov/. EOE/AA
21
CLASSIFIED ADS/BIDS & PROPOSALS
October 6, 2006
Only $250 buys a
25-word classified ad in
98 newspapers across Virginia.
Call: The Metro Herald at
703-548-8891
OR
Virginia Press Services at
804-521-7571
to place your ad in the
AD NETWORK CLASSIFIEDS
FARM/LIVESTOCK
Live Fish for Ponds–Lakes. Plants.
Lilies. 32 Species Available. Free Catalog. Delivery or Pick-Up. ZETTS FISH
HATCHERY, 878 Hatchery Road,
Inwood, WV 25428. (304) 229-3654.
HELP WANTED
EDUCATION
AUCTIONS
2 Auctions: Friday, October 20—
151.75 acres (3 tracts) Unionville, VA
(Orange County); 105.45 acres (2
tracts) Post Oak, VA (Spotsylvania
County). 800-780-2991. Counts Realty
& Auction. www.countsauction.com
(VAAF93).
AUCTION: SOUTHPORT, NC at
Franklin Square Park, Saturday,
10/07/06, 11:00 a.m. Golf & water community lots. Approximately 42 lots in St.
James Plantation and Lockwood Folly.
Retire on NC’s beautiful inner coast!
Johnsonproperties.com or call Dewey
Blalock, 919-805-1711. NCAL2522,
7340 & NCRBL8835.
AUCTION—Complete Operating 18
Hole Golf Course and 67+/- Developed
Residential Lots and Undeveloped
Tracts. Saturday, October 28. Details:
ironhorseauction.com or 800-9972248. NCAL#3936.
Absolute Auction of Income Property
in Blacksburg and Floyd, Virginia.
Friday, October 20, 6:00 PM at the Inn
at Virginia Tech. 6 Blacksburg properties
are located 2 blocks from Virginia Tech
Campus. Floyd property is 12 houses on
12 acres. Call 800-551-3588 for a
brochure. Woltz & Associates, Inc.
(VA#321), Brokers and Auctioneers,
Roanoke, VA 24011. www.woltz.com.
AUTOMOTIVE
$500 Police Impounds! Cars from
$500! Tax Repos, US Marshal and IRS
sales! Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Toyotas,
Hondas, Chevys and more! For Listings
Call 1-800-298-4150 x2846.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
ALL CASH CANDY ROUTE. Do you
earn $800 in a day? Your own local
candy route. Includes 30 Machines and
Candy. All for $9,995. 1-888-745-3354.
EMPLOYMENT LISTINGS
Dean, Business Division. Southwest
Virginia Community College. For
more information see: www.sw.edu/
community/hr/employment.htm.
EEO/AA Employer.
GENERAL
Watkins Associates Needed. Flexible
hours. Earn $500–$1000+/month PartTime. Start while keeping your current
job. No investment required. Free
details www.K738.com.
SECRET SHOPPERS NEEDED—Pose
as customers for store evaluations.
Local stores, restaurants & theaters.
Training provided. Flexible hours. Email
Required. Call Now! 1-800-585-9024
ext. 6462.
Associates of PRE-PAID Legal
Services are expanding in your area.
We are looking for new associates to introduce our services and products in
your area. Call 804-254-9904 or contact
hstrasser@verizon.net.
COMPANY DRIVERS AND OWNER
OPERATORS WITH MINIMUM 1 YEAR
OTR EXPERIENCE, EAST COAST
OPERATION, NEW PAY SCALE,
WILLIAM EDWARDS, INC. 1-800-8763436.
Attend College Online from Home.
• Medical • Business • Paralegal • Computers • Criminal Justice. Job placement
assistance. Computer provided. Financial Aid if qualified. Call 866-858-2121.
www.OnlineTidewaterTech.com.
Flatbed drivers: 2007 Model Freightliners are Here! Per Diem Pay, Weekly
Home Time, Excellent Benefits. Class ACDL, 22 Years Old, Good Record. Call
Western Express Today!! 866-863-4116.
EXECUTIVE SALES — NYSE — FORTUNE 500 company in business for 51
years is expending operations with a
permanent position. Complete training is
provided. Email/fax resume! renee@
vaeast.com. 804-270-6314.
TRUCK DRIVERS
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
65 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! No
experience needed! Learn to drive a
truck at Shipper’s Choice! Job ready in
4 weeks! Good pay & benefits! 1-800874-7131.
FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Been off the road awhile and want to
get back to driving over-the-road
again? We offer a “refresher” training
program for drivers like you! To find out
the details call 1-800-441-4953. Heartland Express www.heartlandexpress.
com.
Goat & Sheep Handling Equipment,
Creep Feeders, Goat Tots, Show Pen
Feeders, Hay Racks, Working Chutes,
Panels, Gates, Kidding Pens, Dog
Kennels. www.sntvalleyfarm.com;
540-740-9306.
DRIVER CDL TRAINING—CLASS “A”
or CLASS “B.” Local or O-T-R Job
Placement Assistance. Guaranteed
Financing Available. $38–45K 1st Year.
CDS Tractor Trailer Training 1-800-6462374.
1st & 2nd MORTGAGE LOANS! All
Credit Considered. Purchase & Refinance. Competitive Rates. EZ Payment
Programs. No Upfront Fees. Apply Free.
Call Charles Toney—22 Years Experience. (804) 364-3666 or (800) 4011011. AGGRESSIVE MORTGAGE.
Licensed by Virginia State Corp. Commission #MLB-1037.
We have drivers projected to earn
$84,000 this year! How much will YOU
earn? Excellent Hometime! Home most
weekends! We simply offer more!
HEARTLAND EXPRESS 1-800-4414953. www.heartlandexpress.com.
LAND FOR SALE
5 acre wooded privacy parcel. 2 miles
from Romney, West Virginia. Ponds,
open meadows, streams and views.
Gently sloping site. Water, new roads &
electric. Minutes from the south branch
of the Potomac River. Just $69,990.
Call 866-794-9670.
National company looking for
Licensed Health Agents to sell Guaranteed Acceptance Health Benefits.
No underwriting, level commissions &
no cold calling. Training & online leads
provided. If you’re not making at least
$1,000/week call Vickie at 866-2248450 ext. 1109.
ABSOLUTELY NO COST TO YOU!! All
Brand New Power Wheelchairs, Hospital
MONEY TO LEND/
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Drivers—Pay Increase! $1,000 Sign
On for Experienced OTR. Dedicated &
Regional Available Also. Owner Operators, Teams & CDL grads welcome. USA
Truck 866-483-3413.
Adventure Job Training. Exciting opportunities with local National Guard
unit. Fun, something different and possible cash bonus. Get up to 100% college
tuition paid! Call Today! 1-800-GOGUARD or 1-800-464-8273.
SALES
MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE
Beds and Scooters. Immediate Delivery.
Call Toll Free 1-888-998-4111 to Qualify.
Drivers/Driving school graduates
wanted. Tuition reimbursement. No
waiting for trainers. Passenger policy.
No NYC. Guaranteed hometime. Dedicated and regional available. USA Truck
866-483-3413.
20+ Acres with Private River Access.
Perfect for a vacation getaway and
retirement. Very usable with long range
mountain views. www.landneardc.
com.
DRIVERS/OTR “We Have it All”—
9 paid Holidays-Vacation, Personal &
Sick Pay. Health Benefits, 401K. Average $1250 plus weekly. We need 3
years Experience, CDL-A Hazmat,
Clean MVR. P&P Transport 800-4990464.
22
$79.71 Per 50. Includes Shipping.
Aucker’s
Nursery,
352-528-3889.
www.auckersnursery.com.
GOOD MEMORY? MYSTERY Shoppers needed in Bristow, Crewe, Fredericksburg, Front Royal, King George,
Manassas, Stephens City, Woodstock,
Wytheville, Toms Brook and throughout
VA! Apply at www.secretshopnet.com.
Hiring 2006 Postal Jobs. $17.50–
$59.00 hour. Full Federal Benefits paid
training/vacation. No experience necessary. Green Card ok. Fee. 866-9075285 x 776.
SAWMILLS from only $2,990.00—
Convert your LOGS TO VALUABLE
LUMBER with your own Norwood
portable
band
sawmill.
Log
skidders
also
available.
www.
norwoodindustries.com—FREE information: 1-800-578-1363—Ext:300-N.
Drivers—$55,000+/year to start. Short
Haul Premium Pay, Benefits + Increases
6 Months, Excellent Benefits, CDL-A. 6
Months T/T Experience Required.
Anytime 800-546-0405 or 800-4441272 x3005.
5 MINUTES TO LEXINGTON, VA—2 to
6 acre mountain parcels from $69,990.
Incredible views! All Sites perked, with
underground utilities. Ready for your
second home or retirement Retreat!
Owner 866-363-2697.
ATTENTION HUNTERS!! 2 acres near
Dolly Sods, West Virginia. Only
$29,990. Loaded with game. Monongahela National Forest Access. Power,
Perk, All-Weather Roads. Call Today:
866-403-8037.
LAND CLEARANCE! LEXINGTON,
VIRGINIA—End of summer close-out,
must sell. 2 parcels, perk, underground
utilities & survey. 4+/- acres, mountain
views $79,000; private 12+/- acres
wooded, with driveway $69,000. First
come, first served. Call owner 866-3632697.
PRIVATE
RIVER
ACCESS—20+
ACRES—$139,900 CLOSE TO DC—
Be the first! Rolling mountain views &
huge hardwood trees! Exc. Financing!
Only one so call now 1-800-888-1262.
VA MOUNTAIN LOG CABIN unfinished
inside, view, trees, private, large creek
and river nearby, $139,500 owner 866789-8535. VA94.com.
LAWN/GARDEN/
TREES FOR SALE
PRIVACY HEDGE—Leyland Cypress
Summer Blow out sale. Fast Grower
3’–4’ trees regularly $39.05 now only
$15.50 each. Free installation. Free
delivery trees guaranteed. 434-2228337.
LEYLAND CYPRESS TREES. Fast
Growing Hedges and Windbreaks. 8–12
inch Trees, $85.97 per 100; 12–18 inch
THE METRO HERALD
CLASSIFIED ADS/BIDS & PROPOSALS
October 6, 2006
• • • $5,000-$100,000++ • • • FREE
CASH GRANTS—2006! Personal bills,
School, Business/Housing. Approximately $49 billion unclaimed 2005!
Almost Everyone Qualifies! Live Operators Listings 1-800-274-5086 Ext. 230.
REAL ESTATE
BANK FORECLOSURES! Homes
from $10,000! 1–3 bedroom available!
Repos, HUD, FHA, REO, etc. These
homes must sell! For Listings Call
1-800-298-5309 ext. 4672.
LAKEFRONT PREDEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITY! www.grandeharbor.
info—All water-access homesites direct
from the developer. Most amenities already in. Far below market value, from
$79,900. Possible 18 months NO PAYMENTS! Call Now! 888-BY-LAKES.
SCHOOLS/INSTRUCTION
A NEW CAREER. State Certified
School. Dental, Nursing, Phlebotomy,
Cosmetology, Esthetician, Makeup,
Massage, Waxing. MCSE, Cisco.
English, Spanish Language Classes.
ViennaAcademy.com. Placement Assistance, Financing. 1-866-871-9976.
WATERFRONT PROPERTIES
Spectacular Virginia Waterfront—
CORBIN HALL—Gated, private community on Atlantic side of Virginia’s Eastern Shore. 3+ acre lots available from
$130K to $650K with immediate, deepwater access to Chincoteague Bay.
Amenities include community pier, boat
launch & beautiful community center
w/guest suites, pool, spa & fitness room.
PORT SCARBURGH Gated, private
community on Virginia’s Chesapeake
Bay. 1 to 12 acre waterfront lots available with pier access. Priced from
$370K to $599K. Location ideal for boating & fishing. Privacy close to quaint
villages, shopping & water activities.
Both properties feature spectacular
views, mild climate, low taxes, abundant
wildlife. 757-709-9525 or visit www.
corbinhall.com.
Subscribe to
The Metro Herald!
IT MADE ME SMILE . . .
You may not know that many non-living things have a gender. For example:
ZIPLOC BAGS—They are Male, because they hold everything in, but you can
see right through them.
COPIERS—They are Female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm
them up again. It’s an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are
pushed, but can wreak havoc if the wrong buttons are pushed.
TIRE—Male, because it goes bald and it’s often over-inflated.
HOT AIR BALLOON—Male, because, to get it to go anywhere, you have to light
a fire under it and, of course, there’s the hot air component.
SPONGES—Female, because they’re soft, squeezable and retain water.
WEB PAGE—Female, because it’s always getting hit on.
SUBWAY—Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.
HOURGLASS—Female, because over time, the weight can shift to the bottom.
HAMMER—Male, because it hasn’t changed much over the last 5,000 years, but
it’s handy to have around.
REMOTE CONTROL—Female. Ha! You thought it’d be Male. But consider this—it
gives a man pleasure, he’d be lost without it, and while he doesn’t always
know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK
AND PLANNING COMMISSION (M-NCPPC)
invites sealed bids from interested parties for Bid No. B 27-128
“Furnish and Install Public-Address System in Auditorium at
Montgomery Regional Office Building” in accordance with
specifications to be furnished by the Purchasing Division, 6611
Kenilworth Ave., Suite 300 Riverdale, MD 20737. There will be no
charge for the bid. Each bid must be submitted to the Purchasing
Office at the above address. A Pre-Bid Conference is scheduled for
10:00 am, Friday, October 13, 2006, at M-NCPPC, Montgomery
Regional Office Building, Auditorium, 8787 Spring Street, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20910. Bids must be received before 11:00 am,
Tuesday, October 24, 2006. Questions regarding this bid may be
directed to Tina J. Baham at (301) 454-1602, TTY (301) 454-1493.
All bids and associated documents will become the property of the MNCPPC and will be considered public information.
The Commission is an E.O.E. with special procurement rules for
Minorities, Females, and the Disabled.
VIRGINIA LOTTERY
JOB OPPORTUNITY
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER
STOREKEEPER, # 212
The Virginia Lottery seeks to fill the Customer Service Center
storekeeper position in the Northern Virginia (Woodbridge) office.
Responsibilities include a variety of duties involving instant
tickets: receiving, issuing, verifying, sorting, storing, and crediting
retailers for returns. Delivering lottery tickets and supplies to field
sales staff. Lending ongoing support to CSC staff to include
validating lottery tickets and providing customer service at the
front service counter. Maintaining adequate instant ticket
inventory and accurate records of returned tickets. Conducting
inventories on field sales’ trunk stock. Warehousing duties include
maintaining records of all shipments and receiving POS and
distributing it to field sales staff.
Qualifications: High school graduate with experience in
warehouse and customer service preferred. Experience dealing
with vendor deliveries and storage management. The ability to
work in a team-oriented office and to follow oral and written
instructions. Proficient with using office equipment to include
copier, fax machine, and PC. The successful candidate must be
able to pass a background investigation.
This notice is intended only to illustrate the various types of
work and qualifications for the job. The omission of specific
duties or qualifications does not exclude them if they are similar,
related, or logical assignments to or requirements for the position.
The Virginia Lottery values diversity in the workforce. We
offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a unique
opportunity for career enrichment.
The hiring salary range is $26,290–$34,176. If you would like
to be considered for this position, please e-mail your resume
indicating position name & number to: jobs@valottery.com.
Please paste your resume into the body of your e-mail, or mail to:
Human Resources, Virginia Lottery, 900 E. Main Street,
Richmond, VA 23219 or fax to: 804-692-7205. We will accept
resumes until close of business, October 13, 2006. Please visit us
at our homepage: www.valottery.com
EOE/AA
THE METRO HERALD
23
October 6, 2006
24
THE METRO HERALD