Charges were filed this morning against the two surviving members of a trio captured by police after two people were stabbed to death and a pursuing police officer was shot on the Far North Side over the weekend.
Monthly Archives: February 2011
2 surviving members of drug ‘crew’ charged in slayings
Charges were filed this morning against the two surviving members of a trio captured by police after two people were stabbed to death and a pursuing police officer was shot on the Far North Side over the weekend.
Angela Bassett, Jeffrey Osborne, Stephanie Mills and the O’Jays Honored as Living Legends
Jeffrey Osborne, Angela Bassett, Stephanie Mills, Deniece Williams, California Assemblyman Mike Davis
*On Saturday February 26, 2011 renowned actress Angela Bassett, and recording legends Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osborne, and founding members of the O’Jays, Eddie Levert and Walter Williams Sr., were the honorees and recipients of the 2011 Living Legends Awards held at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles.
Hosted by California Assemblyman Mike Davis, the ceremony was well attended by many public figures including the Honorable Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and the Honorable Judge Craig T. Strong of Detroit Michigan.
What a night it was as Waters expressed her deepest appreciation for the contributions the honorees made to our culture, and the stellar tribute performances by Kenny Latimore, Deniece Williams, Side Effect, and many others. The honorees themselves gave outstanding performances to the audience’s delight – including Bassett who gave an awe-inspiring recital.
A statement from Davis’ office said in part: “The theme this year is ‘African Americans and the Civil War’. The African American experience is an example to all Americans of what can be accomplished through hope, faith, determination and hard work.” It went on to say, “African Americans have helped shape and define today’s entertainment culture as a result of strong spirituality and profound rhythm inherited from African ancestry.”
The O’Jays are best known for their blockbuster hit “Love Train”; Mills for her Grammy award winning pop ballad “Never Knew Love Like This”; Bassett for her performance in the Ike & Tina Turner story “What’s Love Got To Do With It”; and Osborne for “On The Wings Of Love”. In his acceptance speech Levert said, “To be a role model…to do something that has a purpose and has an ending that’s positive…this is what we’re about, this is what I do, and this is what I will be doing until the day I’m gone.”
Larry Buford is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” (Steuben Pub.) www.amazon.com. Visit the author at www.editorialbylarry.com.
- The O’Jays’ Eddie Levert and Judge Craig T. Strong
Cornelius Grant, Ruth Robinson and Larry Buford
Publicist Ron Carter and Cornelius Grant
Cops search for hit-and-run driver
Police were searching this morning for a hit-and-run driver who struck and seriously injured a female pedestrian early Sunday on the city’s West Side.
Ford Motor Company Fund Supports 7th Annual Hollywood Bureau Symposium at NAACP Image Awards
*LOS ANGELES – Ford Motor Company Fund recently announced its continued support of the 42nd NAACP Image Awards week by sponsoring the 7th Annual NAACP Hollywood Bureau Symposium and Reception.
The symposium will be held on Monday, February 28, 2011 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, 5230 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA.
This year’s symposium, entitled “Diversity and the Business of Television,” will address current market trends which demonstrate the power of the diverse audience in television.
It will examine complex issues surrounding diversity and the economic and creative impact it is having on the business of television.
During this special gathering, entertainment industry executives, community leaders, actors, and creative talent will share their insights with college students discussing television’s changing face, historic television benchmarks and the state of the industry. Over 500 students from area colleges and universities are expected to be in attendance.
“Ford Fund is excited about working with the NAACP Hollywood Bureau Symposium for the fifth consecutive year,” said Pamela Alexander, director, Ford Motor Company Fund.
“Both organizations have an unwavering pledge to encourage students by giving them the tools and knowledge they need to successfully meet their career goals. Our partnership with the NAACP Hollywood Symposium is mutually beneficial because we are both committed to helping students to nurture their career paths”
Executive director of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau Vic Bulluck will moderate the panel, which will include Doug Anderson, SVP Research & Thought, The Nielsen Co.; Keith David, Actor; Dr. Darnell Hunt, Director of UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center; Brian Lowry, Columnist, VARIETY; Cameron Mitchell, Talent Agent, ICM and Millicent Shelton, Director. Following the panel presentation, students will have the opportunity to ask panel participants questions.
Ford Fund will also present a $10,000 check to Sophie’s Voice Foundation, an organization created by thespians Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker in honor of their daughter, Sophie, who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. Sophie’s Voice Foundation fosters awareness and prevention for children and adults with spina bifida and aims to elevate their quality of life.
Other grants awarded as part of this program include actor Hill Harper’s Manifest Your Destiny Foundation and musician Common’s Common Ground Foundation.
The Hollywood Bureau Symposium is one of several popular events that lead up to the live airing of the 42nd Annual NAACP Image Awards on Friday, March 4th at 8 p.m. EST on FOX Network.
About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 20,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.
ABOUT NAACP HOLLYWOOD BUREAU
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the NAACP Hollywood Bureau opened officially in October 2002. The NAACP Hollywood Bureau is a satellite of the National office that deals with issues of diversity programming and minority employment in Hollywood, and oversees the production of the NAACP Image Awards. Recognizing the national and international influence of power of the entertainment industry, the Hollywood Bureau was established as part of the follow-up to the NAACP Diversity Initiative started in 1999.
source:
Edna Sims Bruce
ESP Public Relations
esppr@aol.com
Safer crossings? New signs as freight limits lifted on Metra’s UP West line
Signs added but longstanding policies for rush-hour train traffic that protected pedestrians will be lifted
Freight trains will no longer be held back from rolling through commuter rail stations in the west suburbs during rush hour beginning this week, in exchange for new safety systems, fences and gates designed to prevent accidents with pedestrians.
THE (02-28-11) EURweb Free-4-All Page/Board
Actress Rae Dawn Chong turns 50 today.
*Just like the headline says, this page/board is where you can discuss the stuff that we didn’t cover in today’s issue. (It’s sort of like feedback with a twist) Remember, NO name calling, racial taunting, graphic sex talk and vulgarity in general, PLEASE.
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EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
“The difference between holding on to a hurt or releasing it with forgiveness is like the difference between laying your head down at night on a pillow filled with thorns or a pillow filled with rose petals.” —Loren Fischer
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Feb. 28: Actress Rae Dawn Chong is 50. Actor Bobb’e J. Thompson (“The Tracy Morgan Show”) is 15.
BLACK HISTORY
Feb. 28, 1984: Musician and entertainer Michael Jackson wins eight Grammy Awards. His album, “Thriller,” broke all sales records to-date, and remains one of the top-grossing albums of all time. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
‘Corner Store’ Filmmaker, Cast and Crew at the 19th Annual Pan African Film Festival
*Culver City, CA. – It’s a wrap! The 19th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival concluded several days ago. The festival took place February 16-23, 2011 at the Culver Plaza Theatre.
The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), is America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival. This year, more than 100 films made by and/or about people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Europe and Canada. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country.
“Experience Your World” was this year’s theme with films, panels and workshops, Children’s Fest, Spoken Word Fest, Night of Tribute. All of these events delivered as promised to engage, inform and enlightened the audience.
Once again, I had the pleasure of viewing some amazing films. The first being Africa United. The movie was about several youngsters embarking on a trip to the World Cup in South Africa. The kids were very determined to reach their destination. They demonstrated a lot of tenacity, persistence and perseverance. I’m hoping that the group of teenagers in the screening came away with the same message and more.
Ni Wakati (It’s Time) followed M1 (Dead Prez) and Umi (P.O.W.) on a trip to Kenya. The movie’s subtitle summarizes it well “this is hip-hop redefining the African Experience.”
The Manuscripts of Timbuktu is another historical movie about the historical documents/manuscripts that date back to the early 1400′s. This is also a powerful movie about black icon Ahmed Baba whose legacy is prominently felt in present day Timbuktu.
Besouro is another powerful movie about another marvelous icon from Brazil. Manuel Henrique Pereira was a legendary capoeira fighter from Bahia. HIs legacy continues on all over Brazil, as capoeira was finally recognized as a cultural treasure.
Play Again deal with the sad fact that many young people are addicted to technology and the consequences that result from said addiction. This movie is starting a grassroots movement to get kids, teens, and adults to turn off their electronic gadgets, and get outside and enjoy nature more often.
Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae-this movie had everyone bopping their heads to the contagious music featured in this documentary. This is a must have DVD if you enjoy the memorable music of Jamaica from 1966-69, considered by many to be the golden age. The movie featured discussions with and performances by Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Dawn Penn, Hopeton Lewis, Stranger Cole, Derrick Morgan, Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles, U-Roy, Ernest Ranglin, Sly Dunbar, Jackie Jackson, Gladstone Anderson, Hux Brown, Bongo Herman, and Scully Simms with special guest appearance by Rita Marley.
Red Hope? The Blacklisting of Hope Foye (Her Story, Her Songs) Film goers were fortunate to view this historical documentary as well as to be in the presence of Hope Foye. She is a remarkable lady still performing and teaching other vocal students her singing techniques.
Corner Store (see photo above) – This movie brought back a lot of fond memories for me while growing up in Tampa, Florida. This hilarious movie, directed by Joe Doughrity and features Roger Guenveur Smith and Judge Mathis is a must see movie as it makes the film festival circuit. The director is scheduled to host several screenings for residents of Detroit in the summer. I’m hoping that between now and then, that a distributor pick up this very funny movie. The director mentioned that there will be a sequel, as “this movie has the potential to become a franchise” stated Roger Guenveur Smith.
PAFF hopes these films with global appeal will open the minds of its audiences, and transport them to lands far away and back home again … without ever packing a suitcase.
And without further ado, the winners are:
Best Picture (Narrative Feature)
Besouro (Brazil), directed by João Daniel Tikhomiroff Honorable Mention:
The Athlete (Atletu) (Ethiopia), directed by Davey Frankel & Rasselas Lakew Best Documentary Feature Thunder Soul (USA), directed by Mark Landsman Honorable Mention:
War Don Don (USA), directed by Rebecca Richman Cohen Best Short Film (Narrative Short) The Abyss Boys (South Africa), directed by Jan-Hendrik Beetge Honorable Mention:
Hear Me (USA), directed by Kenn Michael
First Feature Film by a Director (Narrative Feature) I Will Follow (USA), directed by Ava DuVernay Honorable Mention:
Hopeville (South Africa), directed by John Trengove Audience Award Narrative Feature The First Grader (Kenya/UK), directed by Justin Chadwick Audience Award Documentary Feature Film (Documentary Feature) Gang Girl: A Mother’s Journey to Save her Daughter (USA), directed by Valerie Goodloe Audience Award Short Film The Black Mozart in Cuba (Guadeloupe), directed by Steve James Pan African Film Festival Board of Directors Awards Best Short Film Precipice (UK), directed by Julius Amedume Best Documentary Film The Manuscripts of Timbuktu (South Africa), directed by Zola Maseko Best Feature Film (Best Feature Narrative) Viva Riva! (DRCongo/France/Belgium/South Africa), directed by Djo Tunda Wa Munga Honorable Mention: The Child, (Nigeria), directed by Izu Ojukwu The Figurine (Nigeria), directed by Kunle Afolayan Pan African Film Festival-British Academy of Film and Television Arts/LA (BAFTA/LA) Festival Choice Award I Sing of a Well (Ghana), directed by Leila Djansi.
The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particulary those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding ad foster communication between people of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the importance issue of our times.
The 2011 Pan African Film Festival is sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Arts Fund, Macy’s, Wells Fargo Bank, Sony Pictures Entertainment, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and the Africa Channel.
Ricky Richardson is a Southern California based writer, music reviewer and photographer. Contact him via: liltampared@netzero.net.
Why the GOP Declared Open Season on Michelle: Because She’s not Just any First Lady
*Former Arkansas Governor and almost certain 2012 presidential contender Mike Huckabee recently told reporters that attacks from his Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman and an armada of others in the GOP on Michelle Obama were silly, foolish, and counter-productive.
Huckabee’s push back at the Michelle bashers was as noble as it was futile. The GOP has declared open season on the First Lady for the simple reason that she’s not just any First Lady.
The oft made comparison is made with the GOP’s ruthless and relentless attacks on Hillary Clinton. But then there’s the puzzle. Hillary was a major Democratic force both inside the White House as a Senator, and for a time the front running Democratic presidential candidate. She was in short a potent political threat. Michelle seemingly is not.
But she is because this is not just any political year. 2011 is the dress rehearsal political year for 2012. And what’s at stake is the White House. The attacks on Michelle are planned, well-timed, and calculated to sow even more doubt and discord about President Obama’s policies and by extension him. Slamming Michelle is a key part of the dirty pool equation.
The safe and sensible things Michelle talks about on child nutrition, obesity, aid to military families, and of course, breast feeding if it came from any other First Lady and at any other time might get brief mention in the soft features section of a newspaper. She’d be cheered as a First Lady who uses her name and position to encourage Americans on health matters and as a staunch advocate for the welfare of military families.
But those safe and sensible goals have been twisted, reviled, and made the butt of cheap, tawdry, vile quips, comments, and racist cartoons from the professional Obama loathers. That’s expected, and routine. But the game changer, with the exception of Huckabee’s criticism of the critics, has been the GOP mainstream. That’s the silence of the GOP mainstream to the attacks.
Making Michelle the target of attack is not new. The GOP sniffed that Michelle would be an especially inviting surrogate to hammer Obama from the earliest days of the 2008 presidential campaign. The out of context remark in which she allegedly questioned her faith in America, set off bells and whistles that Michelle, just might, be the punching bag for candidate Obama. The Obama campaign sensed the danger and tactfully made sure that Michelle’s would play the low keyed, support for her husband’s candidacy that presidential candidate’s wives traditionally play.
Once in the White House that quickly changed. She got pilloried for her push of the failed Chicago Olympic bid, and later for uttering a few words on health care reform. Her shopping excursions, her vacation in Spain, and her work-out routine all became fodder for political sniping, gossip and ridicule.
A viral email buzzed around the nets and blogs for a time that pounded her for her high-salaried and top-heavy staff. A British tabloid even engaged in malicious mischief when it claimed that Michelle’s undergraduate thesis written in 1985 with the hardly incendiary title of “Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community” was an open call for black militancy.
That fizzled, but the jibes, taunts, and racist cartoons on the blogs and websites never stopped. The aim was to firmly link Michelle in the public’s mind as both a power behind the White House throne and to identify her with the alleged bad policies of Obama. The more honest GOP strategists even said as much when Michelle gave them even more fodder when she sent out an email to friends and supporters touting the selection of Charlotte for the 2012 Democratic Convention. Her carefully chosen words touting the city as “vibrant, diverse and full of opportunity” were about as Chamber of Commerce safe and tame as could be. But that was more than enough for the GOP to spring back on the attack. After all, said one GOP critic, conventions are partisan and political and therefore for a First Lady to utter a word about the convention makes her by that logic fair game for attack for playing partisan politics.
When Michelle was asked what role she saw for herself as First Lady she was firm and direct, that she had no plans to be an overt political wife ala Hillary or Eleanor Roosevelt, or to be a mouthpiece for her husband issuing political statement after political statement. She saw her role as supportive of causes to improve the health and welfare of children and families. This was no different than the role played by Laura Bush and most other First Ladies. None of whom garnered a peep of criticism, let alone targeting and vilification, for their mild advocacy of their pet issues.
Michelle is, of course, not them. And the GOP know that as the wife of the most politically reviled president in modern times, the open season on her makes as much political sense as the open season on him. That’s the GOP game plan and it’s not likely to change.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He hosts national Capitol Hill broadcast radio talk show on KTYM Radio Los Angeles and WFAX Radio Washington D.C. streamed on ktym.com and wfax.com and internet TV broadcast on thehutchinsonreportnews.com
Follow Earl Ofari Hutchinson on Twitter: http://twitter.com/earlhutchinson
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Norwood Young Named Spokesperson for Anti Domestic Violence Organization
*Acclaimed singer, author, activist and “King of Hancock Park” Norwood Young named as Spokesperson for The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) in the struggle to end domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Revered singer, author and activist Norwood Young has written an inspirational memoir entitled “Getting Back To My Me” that touches the heart as it sheds light on the devastating effects of childhood sexual abuse.
In “Getting Back to My Me” … The Chronicles of Norwood Young (self-published via Norwood Publishing), this humble, compelling and compassionate personality seeks to set the record straight about his twisted past regarding sexual and drug abuse and self mutilation with the hope of helping others speak up about their pain to ensure their healing.
Behind the bravado of the man who stayed “dressed to kill” and whose court has included Phyllis Hyman, Jennifer Lopez, Loretta Devine, BeBe Winans, Niecy Nash, Jerry Springer, Michael Strahan, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Darius McCrary, Sherri Shepherd, Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell-Martin — lived a little boy ever in search of relief from keeping a burning secret. Known in friendly circles as the party king, His Royal Highness had his whole kingdom fooled.
“Getting Back to My Me” triumphantly reveals how Norwood has been able to overcome such incessant misunderstanding of who and what he is, ultimately ascending from victim to victorious. It took two years for Norwood to write his book but decades of his life to work through to arrive at the point where he could tell a story that would encourage and inspire, including a great story about how he flipped an initially apprehensive expose’ interview with deep dish TV queen Wendy Williams into what he now describes as “a friendly relationship.” Notorious Norwood Young intends for his tome to be as life-changing for others as the process of writing it has been for him. ”
“NCADV is thrilled to have Norwood join us in our commitment to end violence in our communities,” says Rita Smith, Executive Director of the Coalition. “Through partnerships like this, we are part of the national movement to encourage efforts to eradicate social conditions which contribute to domestic violence. Norwood’s incredible charisma and personal tale of triumph over adversity directly affects our work by providing us with the means to educate the public about the dynamics of the issue, and empower survivors of abuse.”
NCADV’s mission is to organize for collective power by advancing transformative work, thinking and leadership of communities and individuals working to end the violence in our lives. We provide a network that promotes and unifies direct services for victims; we advocate for policy development and innovative legislation; and we strive to represent the concerns of traditionally marginalized groups.
We deeply appreciate Norwood’s support as we work to make “Every Home A Safe Home.”
For more information, please contact Rita Smith, Executive Director at NCADV at (303) 839-1852 x 105 or rsmith@ncadv.org and/or Tom Estey, President & Founder at Tom Estey Publicity & Promotion at (508) 451-5246 or TJE6464@aol.com.
source:
Tom Estey
Tom Estey Publicity & Promotion
TJE6464@aol.com